Category: Enterprize


TGIF- Local Chamber moved…

Moved to new digs, the Chamber is now on Quilchena Avenue, File photo KDG

The local Merritt and District Chamber of Commerce has moved from its city hall location to a building in the core of Merritt’s 2100 block. The group had shared the front of the Merritt city hall with Community Future’s and the transit group. The move sees transit moving to the back of city hall under the upstairs city offices with their one office.

Location is a former business support outlet.

The block has the offices of Q 101 radio as well as, an optometrist, a bakery and a department of highways admin office. The 2181 Quilchena avenue location is open for people to drop in to say hi.

Contact office remains under City

The Chamber remains under the stairs off the main foyer at City Hall, 2185 Voght. Books are at the Quilchena location.

Old 2185 Voght street location under renovation.

The old location is empty and displaying a building permit for renovation.

On this Day December 6th 1969

Eighteen year old Meredith Hunter is stabbed to death at a free Rolling Stones concert.

TGIF- Black Friday

File Photo KDG

Happy count down on Christmas shopping. Black Friday has arrived…

The bells are a ringing people singing its up to you to bring your joy.

Pipe for oil field File:Photo KDG

Work on the marine terminal and route expected to restart as plans develop.

Over the coming months Trans Mountain expects it will receive clearance of all other outstanding regulatory approvals and permits for the remaining construction areas. The timelines for approval of all outstanding regulatory matters could have an impact on Project costs, schedules and final in-service dates; however, if approvals are received as anticipated, the Trans Mountain Expansion Project will be in-service by mid-2022.

The expansion project by its prime contractors have hired 2200 workers, have received the first wave of permits and expect to have a plan to have the expansion in service by 2022.

“I am pleased to announce another significant milestone for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project with the commencement of construction activities and the issuance of the notice to some contractors to begin mobilizing equipment and crews in select areas in August and September 2019. With the first wave of regulatory approvals complete, we are confident that we have a path forward by which the Expansion Project construction can commence,” says Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain Corporation.

source Trans mountain today. August 21st 201

Editors note: in case you didn’t notice the expansion 30 day notice above was given in August work resumed, today there is a job fair including Trans Mountain at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.

On this Day: November 15th 1926

NBC Radio starts its broadcasting.

Trans Mountain hiring…

Pipe for oil field File:Photo KDG

4200 workers

The expansion project is following up on its notification to its contractors to gear up for the expansion that it issued in August. Fully expecting to get approvals on remaining permits and authorities they expect to be hiring about 4200 people in a phased project timeline.

Trans Mountain remains committed to prioritizing and maximizing Indigenous, local and regional hiring to the greatest extent possible. Hiring by prime contractors is underway, with approximately 4,200 workers expected to be employed in various communities along the corridor in the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Source Trans Mountain news.

Presumed offset

A broken sign was a distraction a few years ago, the station has recently installed quick chargers ( yet to be opened).

Petro Canada has installed quick chargers a the local outlet of Belshaw avenue in Merritt and is committed to a national highway of chargers,

On this Day: October 10th 1957

An atomic accident grips the UK.

An innocuous model is

innocuous at a local library

not so much in the wild.

Source MPL

The local government bunch at the UBCM is having an emphasis on oil transportation by rail.

Representatives from the federal Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods will be attending the 2019 UBCM Convention, and are seeking to provide information about the Fund to communities located near a railway.
Following the 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, the federal government strengthened the liability and compensation regime for rail accidents involving crude oil. This led to the Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods being established in 2016, under the Canada Transportation Act. The compensation regime is based on the principle that federally regulated railways carrying crude oil are strictly liable for damages
Source UBCM

Your still dead or maimed no matter who is responsible.

For the local government guys and gals visit booth 903 at the convention.

Jannie Bedard Gullimette is the name listed as a contact for communications.

On this Day: September 12th 2007

Joseph Estrada is convicted of Plunder.

TGIF- Rockin on the River,Merritt…

Music fest File Photo KDG

Rockin on the River, August 1st-4th 2019

The Rockin on the River weekend is coming again. Twenty three acts starting with Brett Kissel and finishing with Josh David!

On this Day: July 26th 1951

Alice in Wonderland is premiered.

File: Photo: KDG

Merritt is having its 2000 block of Quilchena avenue as a summer street market for the 2nd year. The market includes street music artisan products and hobby displays . The Market runs all summer . Two hours and a bit of real enjoyment staring at six.

On this Day: July 19th 1983

A CT 3D scan of a human head is published.

Ride hailing regs, passenger directed rides…

Nisson leaf at the 70 amp charger at city hall. File Photo KDG
A car like this may be suitable for a passenger directed drivers certification.

September 16th new regs will be employed for passenger directed rides. Some that are in the municipal control will be under the province, Passenger Transportation Board. Licenceing applications to start on September 3rd 2019.

Passenger directed licence

One of the licenceing options under the Transportation Services network in BC is a passenger directed driver, it has three requirements before September 3rd opening.

  • A commercial class 4 drivers licence.
  • A criminal records check.
  • A suitable vehicle

Good luck!

On this Day: July 11th 1914

Babe Ruth begins his pro ball career.

Second annual summers night market…

Quick up tents are a great builder of functions. File Photo KDG

June 28th 2019 downtown Merritt.

The local business people will be having another run at an outdoor market again this summer. Friday evenings ” overwhelming demand” will see the 6PM to 9PM quick up tents with local wears available with color and taste.

2018 Friday night market…

Here’s a you tube from last years market:

On this Day: June 18th 1873

Susan B. Anthony fined 100 dollars for trying to vote.

Climate and energy awards…

Application deadline July 2nd 2019

The provinces is recognising the efforts of those successful in energy and climate activities.

Is your community implementing actions related to active transportation, electric vehicles, building energy retrofits, energy efficient new buildings, renewable or district energy, organics diversion, or climate change adaptation? Receive recognition for your work by applying for a 2019 Climate & Energy Action Award. Awards are offered in 3 categories: community planning and development, corporate operations, and climate change adaptation.

Source UBSM

A 44 mega watt green energy ” sustainable generator built in Merritt and online a redemption from the past when a coal fired one sat here.

The Climate & Energy Action Awards are co-sponsored by the Community Energy Association, Province of BC, FortisBC, BC Hydro, Union of BC Municipalities, and Real Estate Foundation of BC. Contact at CEA website.UBCM

On this Day: May 29th 2015

The one world observatory opens.

The Trans Mountain court ordered final reconsideration report is out tomorrow. This comes in the light of contracts to move 150,000 barrels a day that the Alberta Government entered into with CN and CP Rail. The scope is the twinning of the existing 60 year old pipeline and its increase of tanker traffic out of Burnaby.

Burnaby South By election Monday.

A By-election is also being held on Monday for the federal riding most effected by the expansion. The CBC is reporting a massive advance pole interest this week. The by-election may elect the current NDP leader but a loss would not stop him from running in the election next fall.

Gas price, the availability of fuel File Photo KDG

Pipeline in effect nationalised

Alberta is putting taxpayer money into rail and pipeline as well as billions spent by the federal government acquiring the existing trans mountain line. This is all peripheral to the efforts of the governments to re-examine the regulatory approval process ( NEB). With all the government activity it seems that they are far from a process that gives permitting any kind of guarantee of production.

Keep emotions cool…

The amount of effect this issue has on all of us is enormous. Stay cool keep on keeping on with peace and understanding…

On this Day: February 21st 1948

NASCAR is incorporated.

Hydro
Green energy project has address. File Photo KDG

The Trans Mountain bunch have repaired the trail that they maintain near their Burnaby South oil infrastructure. The reality is often people have to live next to industry and we say thanks to those that are in that sacrifice. We appreciate the fact that they are often the alarm when things are out of control and that they have made a trade off ( we hope with empowered choice) .

A long-time stream keeper and neighbour of the Burnaby Terminal expressed appreciation for Trans Mountain’s trail restoration work and riparian habitat enhancements. Regularly used by the local community,  the neighbours noticed and appreciated the trail repairs.

Source Trans Mountain.
An installation of a cell phone transponder.

File Photo KDG

Cell phones, hydro power, fuel all need infrastructure and it sometimes comes with a potential cost of enjoyment. However the law maintains the right of quiet enjoyment of private property at the level that owners have when acquiring it. Good luck and thanks to those that can…

On this Day: January 18th 1967

The Boston Strangler goes to Jail.