Category: Government Works


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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Electric Vehicle

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 8, 2014
500 volt 120 amp quick charger

500 volt 120 amp quick charger

Electric cars are getting some attention again. The province wide Electrical utility BC Hydro in its latest newsletter is journalising the early adoption of EV Cars and hybrid electric vehicles.

Auto show recognizes B.C.’s big appetite for electric vehicles

British Columbians are among the early adopters of alternative-energy vehicles, including electrics. So it was no surprise there was an electric component to the Vancouver International Auto Show held at the Vancouver Convention Centre in March.

But who expected that more than 20 vehicles at the show — roughly five per cent of all vehicles there — had electric capabilities?

The latest models of some popular plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) were on the floor, including the Chevrolet Volt hybrid, the For Focus Electric, the Nissan Leaf, and Toyota’s plug-in Prius.

The current state of EVs in B.C.

There aren’t too many EVs on B.C. roads yet, but the demand is increasing. And BC Hydro plays an important role, developing guidelines for charging infrastructure and providing information for those who may be thinking about getting an EV, including:

Merritt has a number of charging stations,  in particular located with in a couple of blocks of the City hall complex on Voght Street, just before the right hand turn to highway 97 c that turns into highway 8 to Spences Bridge. The stations are on beside the downtown tourist info center, as well as in the city hall parking lot,behind the civic center and theree is one at the bus depot by Boston pizza on the way from town towards Kamloops on highway 5A.

 

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Brand new EVs from BMW and Kia

BMW and Kia announced new EVs, with the latter revealing the Soul EV, a zero-emission edition of its sporty urban crossover.

The German auto manufacturer shone the spotlight on two EVs. The BMW i8 is a sleek machine with scissor doors that is a plug-in hybrid. It’s a high priced, high powered sports car that can go from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds.

While equipped with an electric drive on the front wheels and a turbo gasoline engine powering the rear wheels, the i8 can be operated using only the electric motor.

The BMW i3 is a zero-emission club car hatchback designed for everyday city use. The four-seater has two full doors and two coach doors that are hinged at the back and make it easier for rear-seat passengers to get in. It’s more roomy than you’d expect, in part because the electric engine doesn’t require as much space as a traditional combustion engine.

When plugged in to a Level 2 charger, the i3 can charge to full in about three hours, BMW claims. It only takes 20 minutes when connected to a DC fast charge station.

BMW also had its charging station, available for residential installation, at the show.

Taking alternative-energy vehicles for a test drive

Paul McGeachie, executive director of the show, said that some 850 people took the opportunity to test drive a variety of eco-friendly vehicles at the Green Ride and Drive showcase.

Vehicle manufacturers, he said in an interview, like to give people a chance to get into the cars, especially the models that have been developed in response to the growing call — by the general public and governments — for alternative energy vehicles.

Not all electric vehicles that are being manufactured were at the show, however. Among the missing models were the Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid and the Volkswagen E-Golf. And California electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla wasn’t at the 2014 Vancouver Auto Show.

Third Eco-Run event taking place in B.C.

For the last two years, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has staged the Eco-Run, a “demonstration drive” involving energy-efficient vehicles.

The route for the third event, being held from May 6 to May 9, 2014, will be from Vancouver to Whistler and back.

Journalist Clare Dear explained to media at the opening of the 2014 Vancouver Auto Show that the Eco-Run is “not a race or a competition” but is designed to show consumers what vehicular options are available to them, as well as how “a few simple changes in driving habits will help reduce fuel costs”.

Dear, who leads the organization of the Eco-Run for AJAC, said that the B.C. exhibition will feature 20 vehicles from 12 manufacturers, and will include “pure electrics and hybrids, as well as fuel-efficient, gasoline-powered vehicles”.

Along the route to Whistler, the vehicles will be put on display and the Eco-Run ends with a consumer show at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where there will be a driving simulator to help consumers learn how to drive with fuel efficiency in mind.

First Canadian Green Car Award to be presented in 2015

At next year’s Vancouver auto show, the first Green Car Award will be presented as part of AJAC’s Canadian Car of the Year program.

Kevin Corrigan is an automotive journalist and chairs the committee that will make the selection. In announcing the award to media, he said that the award stems from changing fuel efficiency requirements for new vehicles, as well as the fact that most automobile manufacturers have eco-friendly vehicles that can be considered for the award.

The Green Car won’t necessarily be an electric vehicle, though. Corrigan noted that in Canada, a driver’s location and principal use mean that efficiency is a subjective determination. While a typical city dweller is a good candidate for a fully electric vehicle, for example, those living in rural communities may not be. And businesses operating a fleet of limousines in urban environments have different vehicle needs than someone employed in construction.

Corrigan defined a green car as being, “a vehicle which, for its size and purpose, provides the consumer with environmentally friendly returns favourable for its class”. The key, he said, was that vehicles to be considered for the Green Car Award offered fuel efficiency and addressed environmental concerns.

The existence of the award, though, indicates that electric vehicles are becoming more noticeable, and more interesting. And British Columbia is leading the way.

The assertion that BC is leading the way is important as the introduction of EV chargers and a commitment to a network in China Last week by principals in the Tesla network is sure to have results with in a reasonable time. Given the unprecedented success of all things technical in  the recent decades by the Chinese and its precarious position with pollution and carbon emissions it is bound to take up the interest.

At the recent delivery ceremony of Tesla’s first batch of Chinese orders in Beijing, two solar photovoltaic (PV) charging systems caught the eyes of the guests. The system was requested by Tesla Motors (Palo Alto, CA, U.S.), and designed and manufactured by Hanergy Solar Group Ltd. (Hong Kong).

Hanergy’s thin-film flexible PV system was Tesla’s first choice for the first PV Supercharger station in China. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Motors, said at the ceremony, “In the future, Tesla will work with partners to build supercharger network. The first charging station in Beijing was built in cooperation with Hanergy Solar Group. Tesla will continue to invest in the construction of superchargers in China, aiming to quickly expand the network.”

Solar power combined with energy storage systems

In his interview, Elon Musk also stressed that the charging stations that Tesla is building in China can work 24 hours per day. Utilizing solar power and energy storage systems, the charging stations reduce the impact of electric coal on environment. The batteries are charged during the daytime with solar power; then can supply power for vehicles at night. In fact, under the double pressure of escalating oil price and increasingly strict emission standards, the electric vehicle industry has become a strategic industry all over the world.

Cross-industrial innovation

Combining the electric automobile industry and that of renewable energy, the cooperation between Tesla and Hanergy is an active practice towards cross-industrial technological innovation. It is a first step towards freedom from the traditional energy pattern and the plight of traditional fossil energy on which the current electric auto industry relies upon.Source:

2014-05-05 | Courtesy: Hanergy | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

Our editorial selection of breaking solar news is published at:
http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/top-solar-news.html

Happy EV watching from the Proprietor review: KDG

 

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Esl

Filed under: Government Works, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 22, 2014

 

There are English as a second language classes in progress at the public library here in Merritt. In the multi purpose room about 7 people are being facilitated  by Sharon Edwards.

English as a second language is important to some people as Government services  are only guaranteed in one or the 2 official languages French or English.

English as a second language (ESL) is the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages.

English is a language which has great reach and influence; it is taught all over the world under many different circumstances. In English-speaking countries, English language teaching has essentially evolved in two broad directions: instruction for people who intend to live there and for those who do not. These divisions have grown firmer as the instructors of these two “industries” have used different terminology, followed distinct training qualifications, formed separate professional associations, and so on. Crucially, these two arms have very different funding structures, public in the former and private in the latter, and to some extent this influences the way schools are established and classes are held. Matters are further complicated by the fact that the United States and the United Kingdom, both major engines of the language, describe these categories in different terms: as many British observers have had attributed to them,[1] the saying goes that “England and America are two countries divided by a common language.” source Wikipedia

Jury selection can be based on the understanding of the nuances of language.

Today in history: April 22nd 1876

The first ever national baseball game is played in Philadelphia

 

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Green locust

Filed under: Environment, Gardening, Government Works, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 16, 2014

File:Gleditsia triacanthos01.JPEG

Photo Source GNU Wikipedia

The Merritt Public Library has a new tree to replace the Pine Tree removed from the entrance of the building. A green Locust tree was planted by a landscaping contractor this morning and is to be “complementary of the trees on the front that are sunburst locus.”

Today in history: April 14th 1956

Video tape is first demonstrated in Chicago.

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TGIF -Two nations

Filed under: Politics and Politicians, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
March 14, 2014
Editorial opinion:
Canada the true north strong and free is not one nation but two. There are 9 English common law provinces and one province , Quebec that has its own  civil code, the code is based on the written Napoleonic code and it is the civil law in the province of Quebec. That was the way the country was put together and has worked together. However we have a fundamental federal law that is the same across the country, for one the criminal code is the same for Quebec as it is for other Canadian provinces. We understand that some of the federal mechanisms such as language were less than what the culture of Quebec needed and that bill 101 relieved their concern over ” where numbers warranted”

The Quebec election is using a possible referendum as a mandate issue. We think that Quebec is well served in the world in Canada,and their legitimate language issues are quickly becoming mute with so much connectivity through electronics with quick translation and a world culture emerging between individuals rather then nation states.

The sovereign view needs to concentrate on good government and any  Quebec government should only be open to referendum  that is clear in its results and benefits to the average ordinary person.

Today in history: March 14th 1794

Eli Whitney gets a patent for the Cotton Gin.

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By election result

Filed under: Politics and Politicians, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 24, 2014

Candidate Menard won the local by-election for city council on Saturday.  The only of the six candidates to get more than 200 votes.

Neil Menard has an honorable discharge from the Navy and has a background in the IWA union where he was employed in administration for  decades. ( source NM all candidates forum)

He is purported to be a BCJHL hockey supporter, Merritt boasts the longest existing franchise in the league 41 years

Today in history: February 24th 2008

Fidel Castro retires as Cuba’s president after 50 years.

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TGIF- by elections

Filed under: Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 7, 2014

Merritt’s second by-election of the current term is heating up no issues are broadly discussed.

Two more councilors are campaigning for the February 22 by election.  Ginny Prowel and Julie  Vankoll are putting out signs or advertising no signs are clearly out for Linda Baird as yet. Advanced polls open on February 12th.

Below is a list of the candidates for election.

BAIRD Linda City of Merritt
CROSS Noreen Thompson-Nicola Regional   District
JOLLY Mike City of Merritt
MENARD Neil City of Merritt
PROWAL Ginny City of Merritt
VANKOLL Julie City of Merritt

GENERAL VOTING DAY will be open to qualified electors of the City of Merritt on Saturday, February 22, 2014 between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at the following location: Lower portion of City Hall – 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, B.C.

Today in history: February 7th 1962

The United States bans all imports and exports from Cuba.

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Public hearings

Filed under: Climate, Environment, First Nations People, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Public health, Social Activism, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
January 17, 2014

The time to be heard at the public process for the Kinder Morgan  twinning project application is fast approaching. opening on Wednesday the 14th and ending on February 12th you must apply to the National Energy board to make a submission.

Here is the contact info according to Trans Mountain Pipeline; Kinder Morgans subsidiary and active agent in this application.

Grass seeding at a construction site in Merritt Photo KDG

Grass seeding at a construction site in Merritt
File: Photo KDG

Trans Mountain notes an error in the email notification that was sent to you this afternoon on behalf of the National Energy Board.

The correct email address for the National Energy Board’s Process Advisor, Reny Chakkalakal is transmountainpipeline.hearing@neb-one.gc.ca.

The National Energy Board (NEB) has issued an Application to Participate Notification about the hearing process for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

Those who wish to take part in the NEB hearing must apply to participate. The application to take part is on the NEB’s website at:

www.neb-one.gc.ca select Major Applications and Projects, then Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC – Trans Mountain Expansion.

Applications to participate in the NEB Hearing are due on or before noon on 12 February 2014.

If you need more information, the NEB has appointed Ms. Reny Chakkalakal as Process Advisor to give assistance.

Ms. Reny Chakkalakal Process Advisor, NEB E-mail: transmountainpipeline.hearing@neb-one.gc.ca  Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

The notice is also posted on the Trans Mountain website. You can read the full notice here.
Sincerely, The Trans Mountain Expansion Project Team

Today in history: January 17th 1946, 2007

The UN security council holds its first meeting.

The doomsday clock goes to 5 minutes to midnight in response to North Korean nuclear testing.

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