municipal politics

Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)

Health officer pushes back as B.C. town tries to step around drug decriminalization

Campbell River rejects plea to wait six months before forging ahead with drug use ban bylaw

 

Montreal mayor Valerie Plante delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of the COP15 UN conference on biodiversity in Montreal on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Big cities have a major role to play in protecting biodiversity, experts say

Increasing native plants and animals and decreasing contaminants, among actions cities can take

 

The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Nativity scene banned from B.C. town’s city hall after decades-long run

Volunteer group hoping to get Terrace to change its mind after annual tradition rejected

 

Coldstream’s first-ever woman mayor, Ruth Hoyte, takes her seat between chief administrative officer Trevor Seibel (left) and corporate officer Keri-Ann Austin after being officially sworn in Monday, Nov. 7. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Historic moment: Coldstream’s first female mayor sworn in

Vernon and Coldstream councils officially sworn in to office Monday, Nov. 7

Coldstream’s first-ever woman mayor, Ruth Hoyte, takes her seat between chief administrative officer Trevor Seibel (left) and corporate officer Keri-Ann Austin after being officially sworn in Monday, Nov. 7. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

‘I’m so excited to be out of this room’: Departing BC councillor laments experience as elected official

Morgan Pulsifer said he was disappointed by the way city staff, elected officials and service workers were treated in Fernie

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tiny home villages as solution to homelessness? 3 B.C. mayors say yes

Sites up and running in Victoria and Duncan, Port Alberni on its way to do the same

The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tofino expects to break ground on a $78 million sewage treatment facility this month. (Westerly file photo)

B.C. tourism mecca finally poised to stop pumping raw sewage into the ocean

Shovels expected to hit the ground this month on Tofino’s much-delayed $78M sewage treatment facility

Tofino expects to break ground on a $78 million sewage treatment facility this month. (Westerly file photo)
ERIK OLESEN

Former Vernon Winter Carnival chair seeks mayor’s seat

Erik Olesen is throwing his hat in the ring for top spot on council

ERIK OLESEN
Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).

City of Terrace backs northwest B.C.’s biggest egg producer to double output

Daybreak Farms wins big with approval to expand and modernize egg production

Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).
Victoria officials raised the Pride Flag at city hall on June 17. Vernon council will do the same Aug. 8 after a request from Vernon Pride 2022. (City of Victoria photo)

Vernon city hall waves pride flag

Council approves formal request from Vernon Pride Week organizers to fly flag Aug. 8-14

Victoria officials raised the Pride Flag at city hall on June 17. Vernon council will do the same Aug. 8 after a request from Vernon Pride 2022. (City of Victoria photo)
A new $5million fundraising campaign for the downtown Greater Vernon Cultural Centre is set to launch. (Morning Star - file photo)

Truth and transparency sought from Vernon politicians

LETTER: RDNO and city decisions questioned by resident

A new $5million fundraising campaign for the downtown Greater Vernon Cultural Centre is set to launch. (Morning Star - file photo)
Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper (right) – about to purchase a Vernon Winter Carnival button from Carnival Cop Rod Koenig in 2018 – will not seek a fifth term in October as mayor. (File photo)

Armstrong mayor won’t seek re-election

Chris Pieper will step down this fall after a 30+ year career in municipal politics

Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper (right) – about to purchase a Vernon Winter Carnival button from Carnival Cop Rod Koenig in 2018 – will not seek a fifth term in October as mayor. (File photo)
Regional District of North Okanagan electoral area director and board vice-chair Amanda Shatzko has become the first Canadian woman to join the international Vital Voice fellowship. She was also awarded the Lieutenant Governors Arts and Music Award. (Contributed)

UPDATE: Vital recognition doubled for Vernon politician

North Okanagan’s Amanda Shatzko becomes first Canadian honoured with 2022 Vital Voice international fellowship

Regional District of North Okanagan electoral area director and board vice-chair Amanda Shatzko has become the first Canadian woman to join the international Vital Voice fellowship. She was also awarded the Lieutenant Governors Arts and Music Award. (Contributed)
Hockey fans load up on beer at a bar in Edmonton on Dec. 31, 2011. The southern Alberta town of Raymond — dry since it was founded more than 100 years ago — is asking residents if they are for or against restaurants serving alcohol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

‘We’ll see where it goes’: dry Alberta town surveys citizens on its alcohol ban

Raymond, about 240 kilometres south of Calgary, does not allow alcohol service in any establishment

Hockey fans load up on beer at a bar in Edmonton on Dec. 31, 2011. The southern Alberta town of Raymond — dry since it was founded more than 100 years ago — is asking residents if they are for or against restaurants serving alcohol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The message from Victor Cumming still applies as Vernon’s mayor reflects back on a challenging 2021. (DVA image)

Mayor reflects on ‘changes, challenges and triumphs’ in Vernon

Victor Cumming writes about the year that was 2021 for him and the City of Vernon

The message from Victor Cumming still applies as Vernon’s mayor reflects back on a challenging 2021. (DVA image)
Teresa Durning is anxious to get to work as Vernon’s newest councillor, having topped the byelection polls Dec. 4. (Morning Star - file photo)

UPDATE: Byelection results confirmed in Vernon

Teresa Durning told Dalvir Nahal she would run for her council seat if she lost cancer battle

Teresa Durning is anxious to get to work as Vernon’s newest councillor, having topped the byelection polls Dec. 4. (Morning Star - file photo)
Teresa Durning has topped the polls in the City of Vernon's city council byelection, which concluded Saturday, Dec. 4. Durning finished 14 votes ahead of former councillor Catherine Lord. Results are not official until Wednesday, Dec. 8. (File photo)

Durning tops polls in Vernon council byelection

Teresa Durning beats former councillor Catherine Lord by 14 votes; results not official until Dec. 8

Teresa Durning has topped the polls in the City of Vernon's city council byelection, which concluded Saturday, Dec. 4. Durning finished 14 votes ahead of former councillor Catherine Lord. Results are not official until Wednesday, Dec. 8. (File photo)
Central Okanagan Regional District chair Gail Given makes announcement at Black Mountain Regional Park in 2017. (Alistair Waters/Capital News file)

Regional District of Central Okanagan board chair stepping down

Gail Given won’t seek another term as regional distict board chair

Central Okanagan Regional District chair Gail Given makes announcement at Black Mountain Regional Park in 2017. (Alistair Waters/Capital News file)
Advocacy-Canada.LGBT launched a petition calling on city councillors to support a local and federal ban on conversion therapy. (Screen shot)

Kelowna LGBTQ2S+ advocacy group petitions for local conversion therapy ban

The petition calls on city councillors to support a local and federal ban on conversion therapy

Advocacy-Canada.LGBT launched a petition calling on city councillors to support a local and federal ban on conversion therapy. (Screen shot)
City of Armstrong staff are recommending a rainbow crosswalk be installed at the Smith Drive tee intersection near the city’s Welcome to Armstrong caboose. (City of Armstrong photo)

Armstrong staff select rainbow crosswalk site

Staff recommend Smith Drive tee intersection near caboose; include funds in 2022 budget talks

City of Armstrong staff are recommending a rainbow crosswalk be installed at the Smith Drive tee intersection near the city’s Welcome to Armstrong caboose. (City of Armstrong photo)
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