Category: Government Works


Speed limits

Filed under: Government Works, Social Activism, Sports and Leisure by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
September 3, 2014

Hurray up and wait, there is pressure on speed limits to go up in the province, the province paper is reporting that school zones are going from 30 KM to %0 KM per hour in some places. The Coquihalla highway in BC has just had its maximum limit go from 110 to 120 KMs per hour, this is on par with divide freeways elsewhere we are told. modern vehicles and road construction particularly freeways do lend themselves to faster speeds. However there are still some wreaks on the roads and some drivers that may be a problem.
Decades ago the united states brought in a nation wide 55 miles per hr to combat fuel shortage that seems to have gone by the boards. Perhaps Electric vehicles and hybrids are pushing the issue. We say drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions at all time.

Today in history: September 3rd 1997

A Vietnamese air liner , a Russian built Tu-134 crash’s on approach to the airstrip at Phnom Pen, resulting in 64 deaths.

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TGIF- have a great long weekend

Filed under: Collective bargaining, Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
August 29, 2014

The local literacy Merritt group has a fun function for young ones File photo KDG

The local literacy Merritt group has a fun function for young ones
File photo KDG


September 1st is labour day this year. College, is back on Tuesday September 2nd, the local grade school, District 58 remains on strike, some sources anticipate a resolve not to go back without a contract.
Today in history August 8th 708:
Copper coins first minted in Japan

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Civic Election

Filed under: Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
August 13, 2014
previous elections and those that vie for power: file photo KDG

previous elections and those that vie for power:
file photo KDG

The Civic election is November 15th 2014,there are usually 6 councillors and one mayor up for election, although there was talk of having a split term there appears no change for positions at the City Government.
To be a candidate there are few qualifications,

There are various disclosers and rules for financing a civic campaign,it may be more that a novice can take on. However every person should have the opportunity to have their voice and perspective be in the voting bar of a civic council. good luck.

New this election is the term length of 4 years, it may be a precursor to split terms after 2018.
The old municipal act once said that to run you could not be in a contention with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (an incentive to drop.) This is no longer expressed.
There are also 3 positions on School district 58 on the ballot.
The construction of the Tolko co gen and the 130 KV line are going to be in full swing at election time, vote.
Candidates packages are available August 22, through city hall, non resident property owners may also qualify for candidacy, however there seems to be a 30 day actual residency in Merritt. In the past the Tolko mill manager lived in Kamloops and held a seat on Merritt City Council.

Today in history: August 13 1918
Women are welcomed into the United States Marine corps for the first time,

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Transmission line

Filed under: Enterprize, Government Works, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
August 12, 2014

A crew is at work on the new transmission line to the Highland valley from Merritt. A source says that 80 percent of the cut line was already in place before starting the current round of work. “We are dealing with Christmas tree size stuff now”. The work of placeing lines and poles will begin in October with “twin poles” placed by cranes.
Not to be confused with the new 500 KV line to the lower mainland that is currently being completed. That is the 3rd 500 KV line to the west from the interior of BC, and the first in a decades long hiatus from that sort of construction.

Today in history: August 12 1992
Canada, the US and Mexico complete free trade negotiations.

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Sprinkler system

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 30, 2014

A contractor was flushing out the sprinkler system at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on the 29th. Fire safe from Salmon Arm had hoses connected to the system on both sides of the building, and water was flushing through a fine filter at the end of it and into the storm sewer. the rusty water was the result of the 15 year time since any flow had been in it, according to a worker that identified himself as just a helper.
The Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, is home to the oldest BCJHL hockey team in the province, and had a major reno and expansion some two decades ago.
Today in history: July 30th 1729
The foundation of the city Baltimore.

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TGIF- Murray lake fire

Filed under: Climate, Environment, Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 18, 2014

There is a lake up in the Coquihalla Valley , a small lake about 1000 feet wide  in a narrow area. The lake has cabins on it and it is considered scenic. The access is off the freeway near the Juliet creek bridge, in the area of Larson hill. There was a fire South of there and presumable from the conditions of wind and conditions the two helicopter  working to extinguish the fire had to go over Merritt and to Nicola lake to get their water buckets filled. The fire was discovered Monday, thought to have been started by lightning it has prompted an evacuation order for the  residents in the area, of the fire, not Merritt. The order comes from the Thompson Nicola Regional District.

The Vernon info news has published what an evacuation order means to those effected by it: http://infotel.ca/newsitem/evacuation-order-issued-for-murray-lake/it11597

The absence of  helicopters being seen going by Merritt  Thursday to Nicola lake may mean that ground crews are in there and have a measure of control over the fire.

Get authoritive information at the regional district site: http://www.tnrd.ca/ click the red button to see what it means to you.

 

Today in history: July 18th 2013

The government of Detroit files for bankruptcy with a record 20 billion dollars of debt.

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Fire fighting a science

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 17, 2014

 

A Bus used by firefighters from New Mexico,sits in a local motel. Photo KDG

A bus used by firefighters from New Mexico,sits in a local motel.
Photo KDG

At one time firefighting was a nuisance  tackled  by the authorities and community . Decades ago a forest fire saw untrained conscripts and people who logged or mined in the bush thrown at a fire in a makeshift way.  today with technology and a closeness of population to possible fire it has become more of a science. and professionals are often sent to help other jurisdictions to deal with overwhelming fires.

The local scene here saw a training facility opened at our airstrip with a capacity of 58 and three classrooms in joins a permanent presence that sees fire fighters trained every summer, often students from college or universities securing employment for the summer. The nearly 5  million dollar facility was opened last September. And echoed the commitment of words by the Forest minister ” we have an international reputation for fire fighting and hit it hard and hit it fast is our modus operandi.”

Lets hope that this a reality this summer as hotter weather is drying out the country side here.

http://infotel.ca/newsitem/new-provincial-training-centre-opens-in-merritt/it4348

 

Today in History: July 17th 2001

The supersonic Concord returns to service a year after a 2000 crash.

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pipeline timeline

Filed under: Enterprize, Environment, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Social Activism, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 9, 2014
Gas price, the availability of fuel Photo KDG

Gas price, the availability of fuel
Photo KDG

On July 4th there was another step in the ladder for approval of the twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline to Burnaby, the company a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan has operated a pipeline from Edmonton to Burnaby for 60 years. The line goes by Merritt by the local airstrip. the twinning is to accommodate Tar sands bitumen and is still controversal. To see the regulatory timeline and construction schedule visit: http://application.transmountain.com/whats-next?utm_source=Trans+Mountain+Today+Jul+3rd+2014+&utm_campaign=TM+Today+07%2F03%2F14&utm_medium=email

The July 4th step was the filing of intervener requests and supplemental filings asked for by the NEB of Trans Mountain. this is leading up to the NEB Public hearings in January 2015.

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Taxes 10 percent penalty

Filed under: Government Works, Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 3, 2014

Penalty

Merritt BC was incorporated in 1911, local business collect and remit a lot of taxes to keep a City running. Photo KDG

Merritt BC was incorporated in 1911, local business collect and remit a lot of taxes to keep a City running.
Photo KDG

July the 2nd was the last day for 2013 tax’s to be paid to keep you current, with the city starting today there is a 10 percent penalty added to the bill. After three years of non payment your property will go on the Tax sale list and will be offered for sale for the back tax’s. There is a further redemption period after a tax sale so it is only a done deal when the tax sale is set aside  by your redemption of  a current state.

There was a steady stream of people paying tax’s at the city hall yesterday morning. If you have a mortgage on your property most often your taxes are in your mortgage payment calculation and are paid by the mortgage holder. this arrangement keeps most properties out of tax tardiness.

Today in history: July 3rd 1884

Dow and Jones publish their first stock average.

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TGIF: offical birthday, thanks for the memories

Filed under: Climate, Environment, First Nations People, Fish, Government Works, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 20, 2014
photo: KDG

The sun the source of all energy Photo: KDG

The current monarch of Great Britain just celebrated her 88th birthday, that was the official birthday it is celebrated some months apart from her actual one. Elizabeth the second was born on April 22 1926. She was crowned in 1952 on February 6th. Her ancestor Victoria was monarch for 67 years, she has served 62 years and 4 months to this time making her 93 years old to reach the record of Victoria. She has caught  up to George the 3rd who reigned 3 months short of 60 years  to take the second longest crowned monarch in Great Britain.

The Crown of Great Britain has not got power in Canada any longer, neither do her ministers, the legal governing authority is  the Parliament of Canada, however we are not representative government as the Americans are. Referendums and other actions are not binding on Parliament however the parliament can only last 5 years without a general election by the people. The Queen is still technically the commander in chief of our armed forces through the Governor General, this is ceremonial and not functional as the Chief of the defence staff, usually a military officer, is accountable to the Cabinet for this, which can make decisions according to the laws parliament arms them with.

The whole thing is dependant on people who vote in or out members of parliament. Private business is subject to laws of parliament which include permits and regulations that they seek to have as advantageous as possible to their interests. The invisible hand of market capitalism is less invisible in Canada then in the US.

The public interest is something more directly valued then the trickle down sentiment in the US and the recent letting of permission by the Federal Cabinet for a pipeline in British Columbia has many demands above simple economics here. The 209 conditions are as potent now as they were before the approval. As are the 5 conditions of the province.

A birth right extends to all Canadians with residual benefit to her commonwealth historical links as a trickling effect. We value our resources and expect the spending of them to be responsible and as sustainable as possible. An as the implementation of their use comes about, that they would not be dispersed as a drunken resource binge. That public safety and enjoyment of aesthetics will be as important as wealth creation.

So to those that historically braved the seas and risked life and limb for the future peace and prosperity of nations, such as David Thompson,and Simon Fraser ,we say, good day!

Editors Note: lots of luck and good fortune to the federal MPs in British Columbia

Today in history: June 20th 1837

Queen Victoria  becomes monarch of Great Britain.

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Oil field jobs

Filed under: Enterprize, Environment, Government Works, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 13, 2014

June 11th saw a recruiting drive for oilfield jobs hosted by work BC at the Merritt Civic Center. A work BC representative said that there was over 100 interested people in attendance standing room only for the room rented.

“27 dollars an hour base rate” was heard from the power point presenter. We were not sure of the context as we cautioned about going into the room by a workplace BC official. registration was requested in the full-page ad ASCO an international oilfield company put in the local newspaper. They said that attendance was mandatory to arrange an interview. They also advertised  that they would have on the spot hires.

They were offering jobs as class 1 and 3 drivers, mechanics, pickers , supervisors. 20 days in 10 out , accommodation provided. The jobs are in the oilpatch, ASCO bills itself as an international operator but the feeling was  the session was geared to Alberta.

ASCO lists its headquarters, as: Regent Centre ,Regent Road ,Aberdeen, AB11 5NS United Kingdom on its linked in page.

The job fair is on the same day as a job action by the local school teachers, and the high school being not in service.

 

 

 

 

 

Today in history: June 12th 1776

The Virgina resolution, for the Declaration of rights is adopted.

Today in history: June 13th 1933

The Great Depression home owners refinancing act  as part of the new deal increases amortization of mortgages to 20 – 25 years.

Today in history: June 13th 1970

The Beatles Long and Winding Road, song becomes their first number 0ne hit.

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Lawn bowling

Filed under: Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Sports and Leisure by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 13, 2014

The City of Merritt maintains a property on Merritt Avenue behind the Desert Inn Hotel that is the home of the local Lawn Bowling club. In the recent weeks a rehabilitation  of some dandelion and other weeds has been under taken by city crews. A worker says that today they are bringing a fine sand to apply and make the course,” a very high standard”. The lawn bowling Club was once over by the Gilles House Extended care facility on Jackson street and extension of that building  made a property swap see the current location take over most of  the Nkawla Park providing a barrier to the river and an opportunity for a new club house. the Nkwala park had been the location of the founder of Merritt’s house as a display .

Lawn Bowling is well established and a good exercise and social interaction: http://bowlsclub.org/club/1102/

Today in history: May 13th 1994

Johnny Carson does his last late night television show.

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