Category: Government Works


Rain

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
November 6, 2012
English: Map of Kelly Barnes Dam, Toccoa Colle...

English: Map of Kelly Barnes Dam, Toccoa College and Toccoa City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is serious rain here to-day. That is serious to us. In the 1960s we had less than 10 inches a year. Semi desert. In recent years we have 12 . Still we are part of the Great Eastern Desert Basin, it includes south central BC and eastern Washington State.

Two nights ago we had strong winds always a sign that coastal weather is on its way up. The local police station is under going roof repairs with new sheeting being applied over fading colored metal sheathing.

Editors note:We have no idea the feeling and sence of the east coast after Sandy. But have confidence in the citizens and  applaud the decision of the marathon to run and help at the same time.

We feel that unless a piece of plywood is neglected and blows off the police station we are in little danger from the elements.  ( thats on the balance of probabilities )

Today in History: November 6, 1977

The Kelly Barnes Dam above Toccoa Bible College in Toccoa Georgia  fails killing nearly 40 people.

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Pipeline application

Filed under: Enterprize, Environment, Politics and Politicians, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 31, 2012

There was an information public meeting last night at the Civic Center here. Kinder Morgan was displaying the wares of its pipeline Company Trans Mountain Pipeline Company. The operation is in a process to get permits from the NEP The National Energy Board, that’s the regulator that recommends to The Federal Cabinet on energy matters. The open house was about its activities to twin its 61 year old line from Edmonton to Burnaby. An upgrade its dock facility as well.

The purpose of the evening was for discussions and they say that all statements will be in consideration for its final application for permits.

 Editors Note:

Trans Mountain has operated out of Merritt one pumping station with no  significant trouble in the 60 years of its delivering oil to the  major population center of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

A timeline was in the publication material showing where they are now and when construction would start. A full year of discussion remains before the application is submitted and then 2 years of scrutiny with it being in the hands of the regulators.

A pair of consultants also had meetings with city officials and the board of Community Futures Development a high risk lender for economic development and an arms length facilitator of the Federal Government.

The company also delivers refined gasoline products to central BC. PP

Today in history: October 31 1997

A British person au pair Louise Woodward is sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of second degree murder the day before by a Massachusetts jury.

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Voting

Filed under: Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 29, 2012

The United States is having a general election. Half of the Congress and half the Senate will be up on the ballot along with the office of the President. Numbers of State Governors will also be elected.

The United States is always in election mode and it starts again shortly after the November results to choose mid-term senators and congress people in two years.

An old gentlemen is at the local college library here pushing a cart and arranging an absentee ballot to be faxed to friends in the US for the November count.

Another lady here is a dual citizen born in Canada she was educated in the US  joined the Canadian Navy  and then attached to the US Navy and served as a nurse on the USS Hope a hospital ship. She was working on the hope as it did humanitarian work of the coast of Africa. She can vote absentee as well she said she would have a notary endorses a ballot she could sent in. She said the notary does not charge for this service.

The US take electing officials very serious and we in Canada should as well as military power is transferred often and broadly in these events.

Today in history: October29.969

Byzantine troops occupy Antioch Syria

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TGIF

Filed under: Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 26, 2012

Nothing to say today except have a great weekend!

 

Today in history: October, 26 1813

War of 1812: The Battle of Chateauguay sees the Americans beaten by the Canadians and the Mohawks.

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Snow

Filed under: Environment, Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 25, 2012

The flakes are wafting down , around  and temperatures require winter ware. The season is pronounced in changing here in Merritt.

This week  the crews were about with compressors blowing out water lines till spring , V formations of geese seem normal in the air, more normal than in past years when they were under scrutiny for changing weather/ migration habits.

Opinion:

And the US election is set for a pause of reflection in both countries to evaluate  who should be in the chair for the super power that has been responsible for so much in the last century and looking for footing in this.

Today in history: October 25,2004

Cuba bans transactions in the US dollar.

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New facility

Filed under: Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 23, 2012

At Saunders Field today a delegation turned the sod on a new forest fire fighters facility at the municipal airport . A source says a three and a half million dollar building is going to be in operation for next fire season. “the same source says that the sie has been recently upgraded for sewer and water as well as new pavement to the airport.”

The weather station is now working again.

The fire fighting school was at Nicola Lake till recently and a source says that the lease was up.

On inspection the airstrip is looking good with the flying club building and a new hanger with a handful of small single engine planes tied down.

The 4000 foot paved strip has accommodated dash 7, Hercules, corporate jets and multi-engine search and rescue aircraft.

It remains visual and without night landing lights , however a source says they are again being discussed.

There is a Mr.Cunningham that lives on the airstrip and watches it he says he does”nt work for the city but they give him the land for his mobile home in lieu of …..

The forestry facility is a close neighbour to the airstrip and will complement it.

Today in history: October 23,2001

Apple announces the I pad.

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BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program

Filed under: Government Works, Social Activism, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
September 18, 2012

Education, Awareness and Change

The regulation of gaming in BC brought funding for abuse. A representative was here on the weekend showing the program. Roxanne L’Esperance says tha about 60 thousand people are negatively effected by Gaming , from low to high degree.

Her program offers help for the prevention of problems including:

Education and information for students in grades 5-12.

Training for student leadership programs and peer helpers.

Information sessions for parent groups,ESL classes,college classes,community groups, and treatment programs.

Drama projects and awareness booths for the older adults populations.

Training for community professionals.

Awareness initiatives and information booths for community groups and college or university campuses.

culturally sensitive gambling awareness programs for Aboriginal,asian, South Asian and other populations.

Other programs are available by request.

www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

Today in history: September 18,1873

The panic of 1873 a US Bank declares bankruptcy triggering a run on banks.

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Black top

Filed under: Government Works, Sports and Leisure, Tourists by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
August 27, 2012

There are number of  tandem dump trucks here, with drivers staying at the local Econo Lodge. One of the drivers says they are hauling asphalt to Savona  from a plant to the west of Merritt.

The motel is has rooms booked for them through  thursday. So visitors may be under pressure  for the higher rate motels to the north end of town. 

Savona is on the West end of Kamloops lake a small town of less than a thousand people.

Savona Italy was the home of Christopher Columbus according to  a driver who grew up in Venice Alberta.

Today in history,   August 28,1913

Queen Wilhelmina opens the peace palace in the Haque.

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Pellet Plant

Filed under: Enterprize, First Nations People, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 31, 2012

The new pellet plant idled by technical problems shows up on the property tax assessment rolls at about 3.1 million dollars in actual value. The value contributes to an over all real property value of about 900 million dollars in the small city of Merritt with its population of about 8000 people.

The company that owns it is said to have another in Ontario and are in difficulty at this time with some legal contentions. The plant was to employ about 50 people and did employ and produce a product . The product is said to have had an unsuitable moisture content for burning. A marketing  of the product for animal beds was tried and then an additional dryer purchases and on the property uninstalled.

The plant contributes to the tax base and in the opinion of citizens needs to be used. A belief  exists that it was a good way of dealing with bug killed timber that has started to be a problem in regular sawmills due to dryness.

Today in history: July 31,1970

Black tot day, the British Navy ends rum rations as a official act.

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lightning damage

Filed under: Environment, Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 27, 2012

The storm on the weekend has the local hydro crew out repairing damage done to transformers. A source says they had five calls yesterday for fuses in transformers. And one call not in their jurisdiction. Three flagging persons and 3 vehicles deployed to repair. There is also a report of damage at a substation in Lower Nicola. Lightning and cloud bursts over the weekend have also caused people to say that the province was swamped with reports of flooding in places like Sicamoose.

There is little damage is visible here.

Today in History, June 27,1977

France grants independence to Djibouti.

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Chargeing station

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — 1 Comment
June 25, 2012

The public parking lot on Voght street here in Merritt got a quick charge outlet . The 220 volt charge station with a single outlet will charge an electric car in 4 hours. the regular one twenty home charge can take up to 10 hours.

Chevrolet Volt and other electrics can run up to about 80 kilometers on a full charge.

Some electric also come with a small gasoline  engine to charge the battery while running.I talked to a fellow recently that came from Saskatoon with out stopping in an electric pickup so equipped.

Today in history, June 25th, 253

Pope Cornelius is beheaded in execution

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Fire season

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Sports and Leisure, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 16, 2012

There are the tell tale signs of impending summer around. A tall young fellow in the signature blue heavily pocketed pants with the forestry tan shirt was in the local Starbucks this morning. A fire fighter. He said he was from the Fraser Valley and wore a ball cap with a helicopter on it and Valley Helicopters written about it. He said he was in wild fire suppression.

There is a a fire camp north of here and training school with in days we will expect to see hopefuls running across Voght Park with heavy equipment to qualify for the fire season. Indications are that people are expecting a more pronounced season this year then last.

A fire hazard sign is at the City Fire Hall leaving Merritt towards Highway 8 West,it is operated by the Ministry of Forests and is strategic for those that may be traveling the Fraser Canyon Route. It is sometimes effected by fires.

Today in History, May 16th 2005

Kuwait allows women suffrage.

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