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Pipers squeeze out support

Despite staff recommendation, Lake Country Council voted Tuesday to provide $550 to the North Okanagan Pipe and Drums

Lake Country’s purse strings have been loosened slightly for a band.

Instead of following the staff recommendation to deny the grant, council voted Tuesday to provide $550 to the North Okanagan Pipe and Drums.

“I wanted to do more but council was being very parsimonious,” said Mayor James Baker.

The band applied for $2,200 to purchase four new kilts, but council decided to purchase one kilt at $550.

Baker believes support is important.

“They do provide a presence at our November 11 (Remembrance Day) ceremony,” he said.

However, staff disagreed the band was eligible for financial support.

“The band, in their application, indicated that they consider themselves a Lake Country pipe band but on their website, the band has indicated they are based in Vernon,” wrote Rose Bronswyk Kassa, chief financial officer, in a report.

“Requests for grants by organizations whose function is regional or national in nature will not be considered by council.”

 

The district’s annual budget for community grants is $7,000 and $2,300 has been allocated for 2016.