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Regional District Okanagan Similkameen
Regional building stats point to heightened construction activity
PENTICTON - After several years of slow growth, the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District is seeing a surge in building activity. Development services manager Donna Butler says 2014 was "a very busy year" and statistics so far indicate 2015 on track to meet or exceed last year’s building activity. To date, the regional district has issued...
Fruit pest prevalence prompts regional district reminder
PENTICTON - As cherry season peaks in the South Okanagan, backyard fruit growers are being reminded to be vigilant about controlling fruit tree pests. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has had a bylaw in place since 2001 for all rural electoral areas and the Town of Oliver requiring residents with cherry trees to control...
Regional director seeks accountability from Fortis B.C. and the Utilities Commission
PENTICTON - A South Okanagan politician continues his campaign to make Fortis B.C. and the B.C. Utility Commission more accountable to the public for rate increases. Regional District South Okanagan-Similkameen director Tom Siddon has requested questions about Fortis B.C.'s two-tiered electrical rate system and the Commision's accountability be added to the agenda of the next...
Regional grants policy revamped
PENTICTON - The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen is making changes to its grants policy. Chief financial officer Sandy Croteau said one facet of the new policy will see gas tax funding only used for projects involving land owned or leased to the regional district, eliminating the funds from the reach of non-profits and societies who...
Bumper crop of itchy, scratchy poison ivy in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - There’s a good reason for outdoor enthusiasts to stay on the trail when hiking in the South Okanagan this spring. Cyclists and pedestrians using the Kettle Valley Railway trail are noticing an abundance of poison ivy this year, particularly on the trail between Penticton and Kaleden. Regional District Okanagan Similkameen parks coordinator Justin...
No solutions on the horizon to urban deer management issues
PENTICTON - Municipalities looking for a solution to excessive deer in their neighbourhoods shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for workable legislation from the B.C. government. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen met with the province and a handful of other municipalities for a two day workshop to discuss urban deer issues. Regional district Chief Administrative...
Regional directors ponder prospect of establishing an economic development service
PENTICTON - A perennial request for grant money has one regional director advocating a policy change. West Bench director Michael Brydon introduced a director’s motion to reactivate a regional economic development service at the regional district board meeting last week. The motion came about following a meeting in which Okanagan Film Commission Commissioner Jon Summerland...
Airport discussions continue with Transport Canada
PENTICTON - Transport Canada wants out of the airport management business in Penticton. The federal department notified the regional district last October of a new review of airport policy. After an initial review in 1992, Transport Canada divested itself of 128 airport properties across the country. Eighteen other airport properties reviewed at that time were...
Valley-long trail envisioned by regional district
PENTICTON - The Okanagan's three regional districts like the idea of a continuous trail running from Osoyoos to Vernon. The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen’s board chair and Chief Administrative Officer met recently with Central Okanagan and North Okanagan counterparts to discuss the possibility of a trail running the length of the valley. “We meet with...
Regional district directors talk local issues with two B.C. cabinet ministers
PENTICTON - Two B.C. cabinet ministers have met directly with regional district board directors on their home turf for the first time. Agriculture minister Norm Letnick and Tourism and Skills Training minister Shirley Bond met with members of the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen board of directors on Thursday, Feb. 5 for a general discussion of...
New RDOS board promoting regionalism
PENTICTON - The regional district's new chair and vice chair are both taking a regional view to the table as the new board held its inaugural meeting on December 11. Several new faces joined the Regional District Okanagan -SiImilkameen board following the November 15 municipal elections. New members of the board include Terry Schafer (Area...
Citizens survey helps provide direction for regional district
The Regional District Okanagan - Similkameen’s 2014 Citizen Survey results were revealed in November. The survey takes place every two years, and provides the regional district with feedback on the organization’s performance from taxpayers. The regional district board uses the information to help guide budget and resource allocations. Examples of this year’s data indicated an...