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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.

Tags: by elections, Merritt British Columbia

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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: t ransmountainpipeline.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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Anti trust

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January 10, 2014

Friendly competion comes close to sharing …..

Maintenance contractors also test for weights and measures say a source Photo KDG

Today in history: January 10th 1870

John D.Rockefeller incorporates Standard Oil.

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New pumper

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December 19, 2013

The city has acquired a new vacuum truck it wasat work at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Center on Tuesday.

A source says that for the last two years a contractor from Kelowna has done that service for the city. Before that the city used a local contractor to carry out things like cleaning out storm sewers .

The operator expressed confidence in its abilities and estimated it to be 500.000 dollars in cost

New vac truck gives the city of Merritt the work of cleaning out storm sewers.
picture KDG

Today in history: December 19th 1998

The United States president Bill Clinton is impeached by the US Congress.

Tags: Bill Clinton, December 19th 1998, Fire apparatus, Hillary Clinton, History, Kelowna, President, United States

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Respectfully yours

Filed under: Politics and Politicians, Religion, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

December 10, 2013

Nelson Mandela (Photo credit: Festival Karsh Ottawa)

With respect to the family, friends , colleagues of Nelson Mandela we offer our condolences to the one who according to US President and guardian of democratic freedom Barack Obama ” has joined the ages”.

A quiet spirit and a pragmatic soul has left us to our own ends we hope that the world will build on his legacy as it is far from perfect and a lesson in starting and allowing others to have a part in liberty. KDG

Today in history: December 10th 1906

Teddy Roosevelt wins the Nobel peace prize, becoming the first American to accomplish it.

Obama heads to South Africa for Mandela memorial (kfwbam.com)
Condolence Book Available At Cabinet Office (bernews.com)
Obama heads to South Africa for Mandela memorial (sfgate.com)
Nelson Mandela dies aged 95 (scotsman.com)
U.S. presidents head to S. Africa for Mandela memorial (kvue.com)
Nelson Mandela funeral: ‘the world is coming’ (brlmuzik.wordpress.com)
Nelson Mandela dies at the age of 95 (video, updated) (al.com)

Tags: Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize, President of the United States, South Africa, United States

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NVIT speakers series

Filed under: Academics, Crime and punishment, First Nations People, Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

November 5, 2013

Sharon McIvor

The local community college has a speakers series, its first event of the season last night featured a local member of their faculty, Sharon McIvor. Sharon has an activist’s bent to her career. She is A lawyer but generally refuses income from her place on the bar. Does not like to practice criminal law,she has however a couple of presidents to her credit including O’Connor vrs Canada were she got on going revisions to the way victims statements are reviewed in sexual assault cases and the McIvor amendment to the Indian act that brought 46,000 grand children of the Indian women that lost their status over time through marriage. The women were restored in the 1980s by legislation but their grandchildren were not at that time.

Sharon voiced concerns on poverty oppression and missing or murdered women. she has a voice at the UN through a couple of committees .Sharon also voiced concerns about the relationship of First Nations with the Police. she also said that if it were proportional to population there would be about 19,000 missing or murdered non aboriginal women.

She feels that the way government is addressing issues is by providing money for training to groups, personal safety is the one she took ownership of for her people. She alluded to it being something but seemed less than satisfied.

Sharon McIvor says she was born in the Nicola Valley and can trace her mother’s side as always being here.

Today in History: November 5 1943

The World War Two bombing of the Vatican

Sentences will come Friday in Delhi bus rape case (bigstory.ap.org)
November 2013 Speaker Series: Jim Johnston (needleseyeministries.com)
EZRA LEVANT – Ideas have consequences: You can’t tell someone they live in a “nation” without them one day believing you (sunnewsnetwork.ca)

Tags: History, Twentieth Century, Wars and Conflicts, World War II

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TGIF

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October 25, 2013

A disply at a local library promoting wood and value added. Photo KDG

The local library has gotten a dozen new soft and comfortable chairs. The black swivel global comfort series Obus chairs came with a Fabrique Au Canada or Made in Canada tag attached .

They have been placed at the computer stations in the Library. The original Computers were a gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and were replaced after years of grateful use.

Something new is a treat go to the library and email your buds this weekend on a new comfort chair.

Today in History: October 25th 2004

Cuba bans transactions in American dollars

Tags: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Business, Canada, Cuba, Friday, History, Libraries, Library, Made in Canada, On This Day in History, Personal computer, Shopping, Television, tgif, Travel and Tourism

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BCAMTA

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October 4, 2013

Its good that it is friday….

The local British Columbia Aboriginal Training Association has a posted goal in their office at NVIT the local first nations run community college. The goal is 650 employed by March 2015.

They also post stats that claim 1998 intakes and 613 employed to date since 2010

SPF (funding partnership including federal government And mining companies such as Teck and First Nations) since 2012: 1054 intakes and 253 employed.

The British Columbia Mining Industry employed 30, 000 people in BC in the heydays of the 1979s ,about the size of the civil service with more than 30 operating mines. It has enjoyed a comeback in recent years after a hiatus to global operations.

Today in history: October 4 , 1883

The first trip of the train Orient Express.

Comment: Aboriginal workers could solve labour shortage (timescolonist.com)
B.C. first nation asks UN envoy to look into Northern Gateway complaint (vancouversun.com)
The Great Railway Bazaar (heelsonthetrip.wordpress.com)

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ESL conversation group

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September 25, 2013

There is a drop in ESL group at the public library Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 am.

No registration is required .

Today in History: September 25th 303

On a mission to preach the gospel St Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens France

Business English and Accent Reduction Publisher Language Success Press Releases New Version of Its ESL App for Everyday English (prweb.com)
The Best Three Sites On The Web For ESL/EFL/ELL/ELT Teachers (larryferlazzo.edublogs.org)
Watch the ESL finals this weekend! (scrolls.com)
Dave’s ESL Cafe (holliemarielink.wordpress.com)
Sympathy for ESL learners (matadornetwork.com)
Visible Thinking Routines in an ESL classroom (creativelanguageteaching.org)
Scrolls ESL Cup sign-ups open, Mojang donates top prizes (vg247.com)
Where should I teach ESL? A breakdown of the Pros and Cons of teaching in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Mainland China (eslasia.wordpress.com)
When Should an ESL Teacher Come to CR? (costaricantimes.com)

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Community gardens open today

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

July 30, 2013

Today, July 30th 2013 there is a Grand opening of a community gardens. The event is from 5-7 pm at the Nicola Valley Health Center / hospital, access off Reid avenue.
The project is funded in part by the federal government , New Horizons for seniors program.

Today in history: July 30.1692

Ten thousand people die in an earthquake in Naples Italy.

Windsor-Essex community gardens get cash boost (blogs.windsorstar.com)
Costa defends the role of community garden (blogs.abc.net.au)
Parkland community garden celebrates success (whas11.com)
Butterfly festival at Southside Community Garden July 20 (vindy.com)
Community Garden in the Docklands (livemadlyon.wordpress.com)

Tags: Community Garden, Garden, Health, July, New Horizons, Raised bed gardening, Technology, United States

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Engagement

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July 25, 2013

Harry Lali the unsuccessful incumbant in the May provincial election still has his sign up at his constituency office on Granite Avenue and Garcia street here in Merritt. He moved out of his office some weeks ago however his name and MLA Fraser Nicola still remain on the outside of the building.

Harry spent many years in the legislature representing our riding, he was a cabinet minister in Glen Clarks NDP government. His time and tenure was part of an era here in Merritt that saw great things and many close connections to Canadian governments and world dynamics.

It is to early to say if the era is ended here for us however we see the world as being different and closer. People growing up in the engagement era that Harry had some dealings with are different then the people in the news in the 20th century a very violent and chaotic time.

At some point some one will have to take the sins down. We are confident that the change in the personality of the world through engagement will remain.

Today in history: July 25, 1917

Sir Robert Borden introduces an income tax in Canada lowest rate 4 percent highest rate is 25 percent. It is to be a temporary measure.

‘It’s a whole new world’: Could Turks and Caicos be like a tiny Nunavut or Canada’s 11th province? (news.nationalpost.com)

Tags: Canada, Fraser Nicola, Harry, Harry Lali, Harry Potter, Income taxes in Canada, Politics, Robert Borden

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Safety meeting: IBEW

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

July 24, 2013

The meeting room of the local Coldwater Hotel was occupied by members of the IBEW yesterday morning. A member of the group outside for a break said that they were having a safety meeting. When asked ” high visibility concerns ” he didn’t disagree”.

The member said they were involved in the 500 KV line to the lower-mainland. When asked if a tower that had fallen some months ago in the Lundbom lake area was still on the ground he said ” I think that’s been cleaned up now. A separate source at a different time had said that it collapsed when it went to be plumbed. He also said that the towers are heavier gauge steel then in the past. Another source had shown us pictures of the tower on the ground in recent weeks.

The 3rd 500 kv line to the lower mainland is substantially following the existing line to lessen environmental impact.

The pads for the towers are being put in by the company Flatiron represented by the Christian labourers union the towers by Hydro its self with its bargaining unit IBEW.

Today in history: July 24, 1487

The people of Leeuwarden Netherlands strike a ban on foreign beer.