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John Thomson  

Here and there

From one of my readers:

Hi John,

My name is Darren Mohl, I am the owner of a Kelowna based marine transport company, Playa Marine. I am also a boat owner and an avid reader of your column. I have watched this story of the boats on the floating moorage buoys unfolding and would like to let the community know about my solutions to this problem, with our storage and valet service.

I am able to haul houseboats to 60 feet length, powerboats and sailboats to 44 feet length, and store them at my downtown Kelowna storage yard and remove them from the risks of winter storms and potentially sinking. I can winterize and service the boats, install all required grey and backwater holding tanks for contained waste removal, or remove the house part of the boats and create a huge oversize patio boat, on the old houseboat's platform and pontoons. The options for conforming to the local bylaws do exist and are not limited to the above mentioned, and maybe the floating moorage buoys can be left for the summer to use and enjoy and possibly provide safety in the event of a mechanical breakdown or summer storm. I am sure this is a very frustrating experience for the many boat owners and I would like to present solutions instead of court proceedings.

Darren Mohl
Playa Marine Inc.
250-717-7124

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WestJet is no longer accepting cash on its flights, leaving customers to pay for the on-board menu or duty-free items through credit cards or vouchers.

Customers can use cash to buy the vouchers, valued at three price points, at check-in counters.

Air Canada moved to a cashless system in May.

The airlines say it allows for more flexible pricing, flight attendants don't have to carry change and they don't have to worry about different currencies.
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Business Review Canada’s September cover story highlights unique corporate event ideas that are sure to give your business a leg up on the competition and provide future returns. Every edge essential in today’s business world, and companies often overlook the value a fun, memorable event has. The Bridgestone Racing Academy outside Toronto, Mariposa Cruises and Executive Oasis International provide exciting alternatives to the standard company picnic.

"From a business perspective, we sell our products to consumers and sometimes through bars and restaurants. We are always looking for an opportunity for owners to get to know us better, and the racetrack is a great way to break down walls," says John Sleeman, Chairman of Sleeman Breweries Ltd.

Corporate hospitality has been a business function since the advent of cognac and cigars. However, 21st century corporate hospitality is big business. To read more about these sensational outings and which works best for your business, read the free article in its entirety, Business Review Canada
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There is a situation in Summerland that is bothering for the people who make their home there because the RCMP headquarters is worn out and ready to fall down. The police have said they can’t stay in Summerland if there is no facility for them to operate from. Certainly no one today wants to lose the police in their community.

Same old, same old, everyone wants the service, but no one wants to pay.
Summerland has had a free ride, in terms of a building for over 30 years, plus they turned down a tri-services facility in 2003 for 3.5 m., so now 7 years later it really is time to do something. The difference now is that it is 4.5m for just a police station.

Long and short of the matter is that they are forced into a referendum on Oct 2 for approval to borrow up to 3.12m to build the RCMP an up-to-date facility.

In typical Summerland fashion, they always choose to do things the hard way, that being the case with this facility, which is long overdue for replacement.

Think about it Summerland, this is your special place.


More John Thomson articles

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About the Author

John Thomson is the Okanagan's pre-eminent business columnist writing his column, Rumours and Things, for over 24 years. Plugged in to the valley's who's who, John keeps his readers coming back for more with his straight talk and optimistic perspective on where we are headed next.

When John is not writing his column, he runs a sixteen year old think tank called the Executive Roundtable and holds his popular "Thomson Presents" quarterly business speaker seminars.

Have a comment, question, or tip for John? 

E-mail John at
[email protected]
or send him a fax at 250-764-8255.

 



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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