Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mid Week News - March 30th edition

In the Williams Lake Tribune:

* In their "open government" initiative, Williams Lake City Hall released salaries for City ManagersSee here

Editor's Note - This would have been done anyways as all salaries released, save the Executive Assistant salary, exceeds the $75,000 level required for release under the SOFI (Statement of Financial Information) rules and was required to be done anyways by June 30th, 2011

* Former Socred Cabinet Minister and CKNW Radio Host Rafe Mair was in Williams Lake last Friday to discuss water and democracy issues. See here

* Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society President Dr. Graham Kelsey espouses the benefits of local gov't investment in the Arts and Culture Sector - see here

Editor's Note - I'm a little concerned about taking studies for bigger centres and using them as justification for the local Arts Function.  If we are going to have a fair debate, let's find a study that compares us to comparable communities.  The City of Kelowna obviously is not the same size as Williams Lake, even if you factor in the trading area for Williams Lake at 30,000 (Williams Lake + Electoral Areas D, E, F).  Dr. Kelsey rightly states the Cariboo Regional District is the only Regional District/Local Gov't to invest in the Arts and Culture Sector with its own money and probably because the 26 other Regional District and other local governments in rural BC probably fear the "download" debate that could take place.  In all honesty - Victoria should be funded this and other "Arts and Culture" needs to a higher level

And while I'm on this subject, I saw recently a Q&A for the Station House Gallery move and I must say that, with the greatest of respect to the Station House Gallery Board, that I'm not convinced that packing/moving a building equals saving the Gallery.  I have lots of concerns with this project and why other options were not reasonably considered in this case however I am aware that Donna Barnett has committed herself to get Victoria to fund the $375,000 "Towns for Tomorrow" grant for this project and we'll all see soon if she is successful in that regard - see some more details on this subject here

In the 100 Mile House Free Press

* Plenty of debate over land swap in Bridge Lake Area.  See here, here, and here
* Controversy over "School of Choice" Policy in Lac La Hache/South Cariboo Region - see here

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