The 7th annual Big White Community Summer Camp is in full swing on the mountain with an average of 17 kids from 5 to 12 years old attending every day from 10am to 4pm for adventures, activities and fun! Kids are enjoying everything from hiking, kite making, painting and slip n’ slide, to learning all about how Ski Patrol works and experiencing bush craft ! The summer camp daily activity program means that Big White kids are kept active throughout the summer without parents having to pay for day care or trek into Kelowna daily to find fun activities! The camp is grateful for the support of Human Resources Development Canada under their summer student program, BWCS PAC, the Globe.  Phillipa runs the camp with the assistance of junior councillors.   A great team of volunteer parents complete the picture, driving the camp kids down to Kelowna or elsewhere for field trip Tuesdays. Last week sailing day at the Yacht Club, this week Energyplex, next week Idabel Lake......wow what a summer these Big White kids are having! Have overheard on a number of occasions already though....”We can’t wait for the snow to start!”....despite the beauty of our summer up here, you’ll never convince these youngsters that there’s anything better than this mountain in winter

 

Responsibilities:

- Setting up and optimizing company pages within social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc.

- Generating social media presence by creating and sharing company pages daily

- Attract and interact with targeted virtual communities and network users

- Monitor messages using HPBX by Primus

- Coordinate appointments using an open source medical software VistaCan between Whitefoot Clinic and Academy Hill Medical

- Operate and coordinate virtual clinic appointments using Google Hangouts.

 

Requirements:

• Proven working experience in social media marketing
• Excellent consulting, writing, editing (photos, video, text), presentation, and communication skills
• Demonstrable social networking experience
• Knowledge of online marketing and good understanding of social media channels
• Fluency in English
• Experience with HPBX by Primus and  VistaCan

Figurski Inc. (Kelowna, BC, Canada)

Job description

The Senior Software Engineer will design, implement and maintain the architecture, infrastructure and software for a large scale high available Electronic Health Record (EHR) using VistA and open source software. He will maintain, optimize and enhance the current billing platform and satellite Plone/Zope applications. Besides being able to self-manage, he is someone who has experience leading a team.

Requirements

• Masters degree (or Bachelor with 6 years of work experience) in Computer Science,

• Python experience,

• Preferred if experience in  MUMPS and VistA

• Preferred if experience with British Columbia MSP Teleplan API

• Management/leadership experience

• Preferred candidate has designed large, high available and scalable financial transactional systems

• Proven experience using: hg, git, django, wsgi, mysql, pexpect

About the company

M. Figurksi M.D. is the CEO and coordinates the company between offices at the University of BC Okanagan and Big White Ski Resort, near Kelowna British Columbia Canada.

 

Contact info

Please e-mail your cover letter and resume to whitefootclinic@gmail.com.

 

 

"The primary purpose of a grant in aid is to provide one time financial assistance to an organization for a specific project or event that benefits the residents ... Preference will be given to organizations that are locally based."  from here. Bill Baird is the elected representative of area E charged with distributing grant in aid funding.  Area E and Big White (2011 tax summaries here) show only 10% of Big White's local aid funding is spent locally, while 90% is diverted to other projects.  Bill Baird is the elected representative of area E charged with distributing grant in aid funding.  As line 3 Big White residents contributed $59, 402 of the area E total $104,772 in 2011.  Mr. Baird distributed $5000 dollars back to residents of Big White (to supplies at the Ski Patrol Hut which should not qualify for Grant in Aid), and $113,071 to other communities in area E (which include his home areas of Midway and Rock Creek) during 2011.  It is estimated Mr. Baird has redirected well over $500,000 of Grant in Aid from Big White to the Boundary since taking office. Many Big White Residents and visitors are surprised to learn there are absolutely no public parks or public recreational facilities despite paying almost $5,000,000  in annual property taxes .  This contrasts sharply with smaller communities in the district E that enjoy parks, programs rinks, and services with public funds as below.  Since these funds could secure matching Provincial (double local funds up to $85,000 per year based on area E population as per section 8.3.a here) or Gaming Grant funding (up to 75% when combined with Provincial), three dollars in grant funding is available for every local dollar raised. Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
2011 Grant in Aid Report
Electoral Area 'E'
For Full Taxes	Report see here.
RESOLUTION #	RECIPIENT	AMOUNT
563-11	Beaverdell Community Club - centre repairs	$            750.00
575-11	Beaverdell Community Club - xmas food hamper program	1,000.00
525-11	Beaverdell Fire Dept - equipment	5,000.00
59-11	Beaverdell Fire Dept - structural fire hose	2,640.00
450-11	Beaverdell Historical Society - Autumn Family Fun Days	1,500.00
482-11	Borderline 4H Club	500.00
161-11	Boundary Central School - 2011 Graduation Class	500.00
390-11	Boundary Creek Times - advertising for Healthy Communities	176.40
161-11	Boundary District Curling Club - ice plant emergency repair	2,500.00
107-11	City of Greenwood - infant change table at pool	300.00
161-11	City of Greenwood - Joint TOTA advertisement	1,000.00
59-11	Commuinity Futures Boundary - Chamber of Commerce	1,500.00
248-11	Commuinity Futures Boundary - Visitors Choice ad	2,643.20
248-11	Community Futures Boundary - water sustainablility forum	1,000.00
59-11	Discover Rock Creek - Family night	500.00
59-11	Discover Rock Creek - Mascot	4,000.00
426-11	Discover Rock Creek Committee - equipment/expenses Foodsharing Workshop	3,000.00
426-11	Discover Rock Creek Committee - Farmers' Market	8,000.00
525-11	Discover Rock Creek Committee - goods sharing program	5,000.00
161-11	Discover Rock Creek Committee - poker ride expenses	250.00
161-11	Discover Rock Creek Committee - signage for Kettle River Trails	3,000.00
59-11	G.F. Midget Rep Hockey Team - 2011 provincials	500.00
426-11	Greenwood & Dist. Business Assoc. -	500.00
450-11	Greenwood Board of Trade - Canada Day celebrations, etc.	2,000.00
161-11	Greenwood Demolition Derby - insurance and t-shirts	600.00
59-11	Greenwood Legion - annual insurance premium	1,900.00
525-11	Greenwood Volunteer Fire Dept - public education materials	3,000.00
59-11	Greenwood Winterfest - free weekend of fun for families	800.00
248-11	Greenwood Youth Sports Association -	600.00
482-11	Kettle River Lions Club - annual scholarship/bursary	3,000.00
107-11	Kettle River Lions Club - safety mats/tae kwan do uniforms	3,000.00
248-11	Kettle River Museum	2,000.00
107-11	Kettle River Trail Association - trail maintenance, etc.	4,000.00
525-11	Kettle Valley Golf Club	1,000.00
59-11	Kettle Valley Racing Association - club support	800.00
525-11	Kettle Valley Wildlife Association - Archery Club	3,000.00
525-11	Kettle Valley Wildlife Association - caretakers residence repairs	10,000.00
107-11	Kettle Wildlife - archery equipment	2,500.00
450-11	Kettle Wildlife Association - 2011 Annual Wildlife count	710.00
248-11	Midway Car Show	125.00
563-11	Midway Community Consultative Group	200.00
107-11	Midway Ice Maidens - travel expenses, etc.	600.00
390-11	Midway Public Library - operation costs	3,000.00
390-11	Midway Trail Society - "Kettle Valley Eat for Life Program"	500.00
390-11	Midway Trails Society - trails construction materials	2,000.00
107-11	Mountain Medical Services - medical needs	5,000.00
450-11	Mt. Baldy Alpine Club - safety equipment	2,000.00
426-11	Rock Creek & Boundary Fair - repair of dais	12,564.43
375-10	Rock Creek Boundary Fair - final payment on G.I.A.	112.00
482-11	Selkirk College - recreation programs in West Boundary	800.00
390-11	Sky High Blues Society - 14th annual festival	3,000.00
107-11	Westbridge Recreation - dance lesson program, sound equip.	2,000.00
	Woodstove Exchange Top Ups	1,500.00
	Total Grants	$     118,071.03

The Spirit of New Orleans Whitefoot (SNOW) Trailer was purchased from New Orleans in 2007.  The trailer had served as the on-site X-ray facility at the New Orleans Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.  Built in 2003 with a construction cost of over $100,000 USD, it is a fully self contained general duty digital x-ray facility with a GE generator, full on-site image acquisition and processing.

Accreditation was withdrawn in March 2014 and operator has been unable to find a radiologist to act as Medical Director, as required by the Provinical Diagnostic Accreditation Committee.

 

 

SNOW X-ray trailer at the New Orleans Superdome post Hurricane Katrina.

 

As efforts to find a suitable Medical Director have been unsuccessful, and in order to secure needed medical services for the coming ski season; this self contained facilty can be yours for $1 per season.  If you use the trailer to take medical x-rays on Big White, you can have it for $1 until May 2016 and available for extended lease.  This offer has been made, and remains open, to the Interior Health Authority (IHA) and any BC qualified radiologist.   The Whitefoot Clinic has made this offer as we feel diagnostic x-rays are an essential service in a remote adventure sport area favored by families with children.  An option to relocate the Trailer to the Ski Patrol Hut is available.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE TRAILER PLEASE CONTACT THE WHITEFOOT CLINIC AT 250 765-0544.

The purpose of the meeting was to review Resort and percieved community atitudes towards a possible new indoor recreational facility at Big White.  Discussion including service delivery, physical location, and funding.  Some highlitghts include;

SERVICES

·         Core indoor services considered were an ice surface with change rooms, concession area, and stadium seating.  Highly desirable services included non-ice (conversion) event hosting, and fitness facilities (particarly for altitude aerobic training).  Consideration of a swimming pool was discouraged as expensive and labor intensive.  This is borne out in a review of a comparable multi-use (rink and pool) facility currently operating in Grand Forks¹.

CATCHMENT AREA

The catchment area was established as the Big White region of Area E.  The stakeholders include property owners, the Resort, and the RDKB.  Given distances, it was felt that the facility would provide little benefit to other area E communities.  The facility was considered to be a positive economic opportunity for all property owners in Big White regardless of their residential status.  Full time residents would appreciate the recreation and employment opportunities, particularly out of ski season.  Part time residents would benefit from increased personal use, and improved potential for 4 season rentals.

SITE LOCATION

It was generally agreed that strong consideration be given to establishing the site at or near Happy Valley Parking lot, and within walking distance of Lara's Gondola.  This area is described in the Big White zoning map at http://www.rdkb.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=18f_tjUhrUQ%3d&tabid=118 , and as pictured below.

RINK CONFIGURATION

Rink size could be one full size rink surface (large format), or two small rink format. 

1.       Large format (NHL size of 85 × 200 ft = 26 × 61 m; Intl. size 30 × 61 m = 98 × 200 ft).  I doubt the latter is popular in this area and could be a selling feature as a preseason or training camp for international teams.  ²

2.       Small format (2 smaller sheets).³ 

Parking; per current RDKB zoning should require One space per 30 m2 of gross floor area or one space for every four potential players or participants (at capacity), whichever is greater.  Assuming the facility footage is twice the area of an NHL rink, this would require 85 parking spots.  Higher rates for mixed commercial use would likely raise this to 100.  Happy Valley currently has over one thousand spots.  Real requirements would likely be considerably less because seasonal clients can be served by the Gondola at hundreds per hour.  There is ample free parking in Happy Valley during the off season.

FUNDING     It was felt that most taxpayers would prefer a model based on early ROI (debt financing with an early build) rather than deferred  (accumulating a capital fund reserve before build).  For comparable facility funding analysis, the Grand Forks Arena (excluding pool) costs local taxpayers about $250,000 annually.  This would represent a 5% tax increase after capital investments.

REFERENDUM PROCESS

This was explained as likely to be a two step process.  Step one would be an Alternative Approval Process (see http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/gov_structure/community_charter/governance/alternative_approval_process.htm) where taxpayers could vote on the facility and be given an opportunity to be heard.  If 10% of the electoral constituency (Big White propterty owners) vote "NO" to the idea, the propsal is defeated.  It was concensus that the proposal should be well developed before formal this vote.   Unless 10% of registered owners actively voted against the proposal (often done by mail), it could be brought to referendum by the area Rep (Bill Baird) with limited further consultation.  The referendum itself would be a two step process, initially approval in priniciple to confirm support for the increased tax costs by voters involved.  This is needed to secure goverment funds for any specific proposal, and would not need to be repeated with proposal revisions.  The second step would be another refendum to consider a specific proposal to include financial projections.  Both petition questions could be on the same ballot.  For a list of qualificaitons for eligible voters see http://mybigwhite.com/government/rdkb/election-rules/eligibility/.

SUBLET POTENTIAL    It was felt that the new rec site could provide a logical home for related public services, notably firefighting, and medical (transport and acute treatment).

Firefighting;  Given the high previous volunteer support the Big White Fire Department has provided for the residents and community, and given the benefit of highly trained emergency personel in house, consideration for joint occupancy will be discussed with Chief Weddell (BWFD http://www.bigwhitefire.com/personnel.html ).

Medical;    On site medical service and transport at the rec location would offer substantial improvement to the first aid center currently staffed by Canadian Ski Patrol Association (CSPS http://www.csps.ca/eng/index.php3 ) currently operates from the "Ski Patrol" hut.  The BC Ambualance Service (http://www.csps.ca/eng/index.php3) operates a service during the ski season during the same period (under direction of the Armstrong Station).  More information on longstanding requests for the West Kootenay Regional Hospital Board for better facilities (given our $200,000 annual tax burden for hospitals out of our referral area), are found at http://mybigwhite.com/community-board/conversation-on-health.

1    COST ANALYSIS OF THE GRAND FORKS COMBINED ICE RINK AND POOL

Comparable facilities in the area include Grand Forks Rec Complex (see http://www.rdkb.com/Services/RecreationCulture/GrandForks/GrandForksAquaticCentreandArena.aspx ) and the Castlegar Rec Center ( see http://www.rdck.bc.ca/community/recreation/castlegar/meeting_facilities.html).  This public facility is funded by From a review of the respective service budgets (see aquatic budget at    http://www.rdkb.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=G3Gwln6Et4Q%3d&tabid=75 ; rink budget at http://www.rdkb.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rPjGg2SXOjo%3d&tabid=75 ).  Currently each component (aquatic and arena) have an annual budget of approximately $400,000.  Local municipal taxes pay about 60% of these costs (with a substantially lower real tax base than Big White).  The balance of costs is recovered from user fees and community contribution.  It was recognized that the demographic of Big White would likely have high demand for recreation services during the ski season.  Given the infrastructure asset mix of the Resort, potential for destination sports during the off season is also high.  This includes team training, high altitude conditioning, curling bonspiels, and summer hockey camps.  This was recognized as an attractive financial argument for financial benefits to property owners interested in rentals during the 7 month off ski season.

2     Conversations with area hockey camps confirm one sheet should service about 100 skaters when combined with dryland training in a “summer hockey camp” scenario.  Most come with parents as singles.  Aside from ice, you’d need a large flat dryland area, and a fitness training area indoors.  Programs cost around $100 per day, and economic benefit to local commercial interests (accomodations and food) should double this.  That is an potential local economic of $100,000 per week.

3    Two half sheets with mixed or various use.   A comparable self funded facility is Excellent Ice (see http://www.excellentice.com ).  This facility runs 14 hours per day with 10 kids per side.  This means a program with 100 kids could expect 20% ice time (about 3 hours per day).

 

 

Prescribed programs of physical activity

An eligible fitness expense must be for the cost of registration or membership of an eligible child in a prescribed program of physical activity. Generally, such a program must:

• be ongoing (either a minimum of eight consecutive weeks long or, for children's camps, five consecutive days long);
• be supervised;
• be suitable for children; and
• include a significant amount of physical activity that contributes to cardio-respiratory endurance, plus one or more of: muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, or balance.

 

For more information, see Canadian Goverment Fitness Credit Website.

Let's get moving!

Where a program is for a mixed use pass or facility (such as the ski pass), the cost qualifies "

"In circumstances where the participant in the program can select from among various activities, the full cost of a child's registration in a program offered by a club, association, or similar organization will be eligible for the credit if (in addition to being ongoing, supervised, and suitable for children):

• more than 50% of the activities offered to children include a significant amount of physical activity; or
• more than 50% of the available program time is devoted to activities that include a significant amount of physical activity."  (see here).

Amenities Coin operated laundry, elevator, ski wax area, underground parking, grocery store, liquor store, night club, restaurant and shops. There is a deli, internet center, and medical clinic in the complex.

Activities There is a steam room and plunge pool.

Hot Tub for Complex There is one six person indoor hot tub that is shared with all units in the complex.

Distances The walk to the center of the village takes about two minutes. Located in the village, right across from "Plaza" lift, and right beside Snowshoe Sams pub. The drive to the nearest city (Kelowna), golf courses, and lakes takes about one hour.

Ski In/Out Ski in/out on the run beside the complex.

MINUTES

Oct. 31, 2008 Update

The Whitefoot Clinic (250 765-0544) will begin offering the vaccine on Nov. 1st (by appt only).  Cost is $20 unless you are covered by BC Health Insurance (MSP) as below.

In B.C., the following groups are eligible for the free annual vaccination:

• People 65 and older and their caregivers
• Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
• Health care workers
• Emergency responders
• Healthy children aged 6-23 months
• Household contacts and caregivers of infants aged 0 - 23 months
• Pregnant women who will be in their 3rd trimester during the influenza season
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
• People who work with live poultry and swine
• Employees and inmates at BC correctional facilities

Proprioceptive training decreases recurrent ankle sprains

Clinical Question

Do male soccer players with previous inversion ankle sprains have fewer sprains if they engage in proprioceptive training, strength training, or if they use an orthotic?

Bottom line

In this small unblinded study, male soccer players with a previous ankle sprain experience fewer sprains in the subsequent season, compared with untreated control patients, if they are treated with proprioceptive exercises. The study didn't have enough power to tell whether proprioceptive exercises are better than orthotics or strength training. 2b-

Reference

Mohammadi F. Comparison of 3 preventive methods to reduce the recurrence of ankle inversion sprains in male soccer players. Am J Sports Med 2007;35:922-926.

Study design:

Randomized controlled trial (nonblinded)

Funding:

Unknown/not stated

Allocation:

Uncertain

Setting:

Outpatient (specialty)

Synopsis

Eighty male soccer players with a prior history of inversion ankle sprain, the most common type of injury in many sports, were randomly assigned to proprioception training, strength training, the use of an orthotic (ankle air brace), or a control group. The main outcome was a recurrence of the sprain during one soccer season after the index sprain. The author doesn't describe using an intention-to-treat approach. The number of practice sessions and games for each group was the same (90 and 30, respectively). Eight of 20 control patients experienced a subsequent sprain compared with 1 of 20 treated with proprioception, 4 of 20 with strength training, and 2 of 20 with orthotics. Compared with the control condition, the only statistically significant difference was seen in the soccer players treated with proprioception. The study was too small to tell whether proprioceptive exercises are better than orthotics or strength training.

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Link to Original Story

Come and meet other skiers/snowboarders who can ski at your ability level.   Our knowledgeable Snow Hosts take guests around the mountain and answer your questions about Beautiful Big White.  Having been a Snow Host in prior years, I feel this is an excellent complimentary program that Big White offers.  I continue to have friendships with people from all over the world that I had the opportunity to meet while Snow Hosting.

Tours are offered at 9:30AM and 1:30PM, everyday.   Meet outside the Village Centre Mall at the Snow Host meeting spot.  Children under the age of 16 are not recommended to take these tours.

For Immediate Release January 8, 2008

Parachute Bowl and other slopes in the Cliff area have been open to the public since December 12th to promote skier compaction on fresh powder snow. During the ensuing period, on-going avalanche control measures were performed which included using hand-charges (small explosives), ski-cutting, as well as daily weather and slope observation.  Big White Ski Patrol checked the upper and lower routes and performed ski-cutting on the morning of January 6th, 2008. The entrance gates to various parts of the Cliff were opened at 9:00 am and the ropes were lowered to open Parachute Bowl at 9:48 Sunday morning.

“There is no avalanche safety team more qualified or passionate about their responsibilities than the Big White Ski Resort team," commented Resort President, Mr. Peter Schumann. "These dedicated young men and women, are lead by Jeremy Hopkinson, our Vice President of Outdoor Operations, and his Head of Ski Patrol, Kris Hawryluik. Together, these two gentlemen have over 49 years of experience at Big White, and their team of 7 avalanche safety certified and blasting personnel have, combined, an impressive 33 years of service.”

At 10:56 am, the snow pack released and an avalanche occurred in the Parachute Bowl. Ski Patrollers, specially-trained avalanche personnel, School Ski and Board personnel and members of the general public were on the scene almost immediately, and started a controlled probing search of the avalanche debris field. Two people, partially buried, were freed and one transported to the Ski Patrol hut.  This twelve year old guest was then released by medical personnel having sustained no physical injuries. RCMP with trained avalanche dogs arrived on the scene at approximately 12:05 pm.

Two guests were initially reported missing and turned up later elsewhere in the resort. At 3:15 pm, word of another missing guest, resort employee - Leigh Barnier, came in.  While the search continued until dark at the avalanche site, an extensive search of the resort’s facilities commenced and continued until 9:30 pm Sunday night. At first light on Monday morning, the RCMP returned to the debris zone accompanied by avalanche dogs. A helicopter equipped with a thermal imaging device was employed by Big White Ski Resort Ltd. to search the avalanche area and the outside perimeters. At approximately 2:00 pm, a snow cat was employed to push snow out of an area which the avalanche dogs continued to return to.  Mr. Barnier's body was discovered a short time later, approximately 12.5 ft. under the snow. The RCMP immediately contacted the coroner’s office and the recovery of the body was managed by them.

The entire Big White community, management and staff are sending out their condolences to the family of Mr. Barnier, a seasonal employee from Sydney, Australia. Mr. Barnier's family have recently arrived at the resort and have asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Big White Ski Resort Ltd. would like to thank the many resort guests, Search and Rescue teams, volunteers, Canadian Ski Patrol members, RCMP and dog team, and resort employees for their exceptional efforts in conducting a thorough search and recovery operation.

"Avalanches in areas that are controlled and monitored inside resort boundaries are extremely rare," says Michael J Ballingall, Senior Vice President for Big White Ski Resort, "weather conditions and snow pack this winter have been highly unusual and extra precautions have been taken to manage the extremely unpredictable circumstances."

 

For more information, contact: Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort, (250) 470-7350, mballingall@bigwhite.com

Before hitting the slopes where there is any possibility of an avalanche, fasten all your clothing securely to keep out snow. Loosen your pack so that you can slip out of it with ease and remove your ski pole straps. Make sure that your avalanche beacon is on and switched to "transmit" rather than "receive." Cross the slope one at a time to minimize danger.

If you are caught in the avalanche yell and let go of ski poles and get out of your pack to make yourself lighter. Use "swimming" motions, thrusting upward to try to stay near the surface of the snow. When avalanches come to a stop and debris begins to pile up, the snow can set as hard as cement. Unless you are on the surface and your hands are free, it is almost impossible to dig yourself out. If you are fortunate enough to end up near the surface (or at least know which direction it is), try to stick out an arm or a leg so that rescuers can find you quickly.

If you are in over your head (not near the surface), try to maintain an air pocket in front of your face using your hands and arms, punching into the snow. When an avalanche finally stops, you may have only a few seconds before the snow sets up and hardens. Many avalanche deaths are caused by suffocation, so creating an air space is one of the most critical things you can do. Also, take a deep breath to expand your chest and hold it; otherwise, you may not be able to breathe after the snow sets. To preserve air space, yell or make noise only when rescuers are near you. Snow is such a good insulator they probably will not hear you until they are practically on top of you.

Above all, do not panic. Keeping your breathing steady will help preserve your air space and extend your survival chances. If you remain calm, your body will be better able to conserve energy.

 

 

References:

www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Avalanche

www.secretsofsurvival.com/survival/avalanche.html

Since the season commenced, I have become aware of many tourists, predominantly teenagers and younger adults, being evicted from their apartment or condo due to the illegal sale of the property to a new owner. In one situation, the buyer was unaware that the property had an outstanding lease until April 2008. As a first-time renter in Big White and after personally being exposed to some of the injustices mentioned above, I advise this: Obtain a copy of your lease, pay your rent on time and abide by the landlords rules. Also, for many Australians reading this, you may be surprised to discover how strict the rental laws are in the British Columbia. Take a read of the PDF Document titled “A Guide for Landlords and Tenants in British Columbia”  Published by the Residential Tenancy Branch. (you can find this at mybybigwhite.com) This document will instruct you on what to do in any situation that may arise during your short term stay at Big White.

Regional District Kootenay Boundary(RDKB) Area E representative Bill Baird was conspicuously absent at the Big White Community Association Annual General Meeting in Kelowna on December 3th, 2007.  To my knowlege, he has not made an effort to meet with or adress residents of Big White.   Many residents have expressed frustration that Mr. Baird ignores Big White community interests, preferring to focus on RDKB supplies and services to his own community of Rock Creek and surrounding area.   While Big White represents over 80% of area E's tax base (85% of Big White' taxable real property is privately owned; 15%  owned by Shumann Resorts Inc.); its largely non-resident or seasonal voting population are not able to vote in municipal elections.  RDKB Voting Breakdown

A summary of taxes for Big White in 2007 is available;
Big White 2007 Tax Summary
Area E 2007 Tax Summary (includes Big White)
RDKB Tax Summary 2007

A review of the tax rolls reveal some interesting facts;

• 83% of Area E taxes are from Big White ($4.8M of $5.8M).  Of the $4.8M from Big White, $2.6M goes directly to Victoria, mainly for school funding ($2.1M).
  
• $296,548 from Big White went to new equipment for the the Grand Forks and Trail hospitals in 2007.  No patients from Big White are treated at these facilities and no Medical Equipment has ever been funded for Big White by the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District.
• $63,327 "Grant In Aid" money from Big White was collected in 2007 from Big White.  This money is intended to benefit LOCAL community projects and organizations. 
  
• $38,665 for "Economic Development" (Bill Baird is Chair of the Boundary Economic Development Committee).
• $20,425 for "Recreation Commission"
• $1,549 for the "Midway Emergency Response".  I was unable to find any such agency, and doubt they could benefit Big White given the 2 hour travel distance.

Mr. Baird sits on the West Kootenay Regional Hospital Board (Board Chair is Margartet Rotvold from Midway)and helps determine where this year's $300,000 for  Big White Care Funding is spent.  A review of the previous 5 year WKRHB funding shows no funds were spent on any services that benefited this community.  It is time this community had a publicly funded health facility, or otherwise benefits from the healtchare funding it contributes. 

As our representative, I would ask Mr. Baird to;

1. produce minutes of any past WKRHB meetings where he has advocated better health services for Big White
2. expain how his continued representation serves the interests of the Village of Big White
3. Discuss the request for local governance options studies including funding, both regional and provincial.  The first stage in this process would be commissioning a feasability study on behalf of the village of Big White, as recommended in the Overview of the LGA.  Information on the Improvement District and Local Government Act is available.
4. Explain what public notice of the Zoning Meeting of Dec. 5th held at Big White was given to residents, and how we can make ourselves (and our readers) aware of  future meetings.  There is a display board in the Whitefoot Building specifically labelled and reserved for RDKB notices, but never used.  If notices are faxed to 765-0594 I would be happy to ensure they are posted and advertised in the local paper.
   

Mike Figurski
Editor and Publisher MyBigWhite Newsletter

In an effort to generate revenue from non-Canadians, BC Ministry of Health has again increased medical costs to non-residents at Public Canadian hospitals.  Basic OR fees remain at $2,000, but an additional fee of $1,000 per hour has been added for procedures over 2 hours.  This does not include physician fees.  Ward (overnight bed) rates are $3000 per day.  For a complete list of fees see here.

These fees are about double what Canadians without health care pay, and 4 times what the hospital recieves for treating MSP patients (real costs).   The province has also instituted a system of registering MSP debt with the Canadian Border Agency to identify non-Canadians with balances owing from entering the country