By Andrea Klassen - Nelson Star
Published: January 20, 2011
With the end of a 20-year- old saga on the horizon, the West Kootenay EcoSociety and NDP MLA Michelle Mungall are hoping to jump start local interest in the Jumbo resort debate with a rally February 5.
Mungall says the Minister of Natural Resources told her a decision on the proposed year-round resort is coming some time in the next few months. For the $45 million project to go ahead, the provincial government will have to agree to create a resort municipality at the foot of Jumbo mountain.
“The minister didn’t give me anything to go with in terms of which way he’s leaning,” Mungall says, adding she was told all information on the resort is “in the decision matrix” and under review.
But she’s hoping a final display of public disapproval before the decision is made could keep the project from going ahead.
“People want to see Jumbo retained as a wild space. They’re clear about that in our region,” she says, adding backcountry tourism operators near Jumbo have also complained the resort would damage their business.
“I’m hoping the minister will hear us and hear our emphatic opposition and say no.”
David Reid, executive director of the EcoSociety, says he’s also hoping the rally will remind people the Jumbo issue is not yet settled.
“I think it’s an issue that has fallen off the radar a bit, because there’s been so little action in the past year,” he says, adding he’s not sure some of the resort’s opponents realize the province could still okay the project.
“We’re worried the Liberal government is going to sneak this in on its way out,” he adds.
Besides Mungall, at least three other MLAs are set to attend the event, including NDP environment critic Rob Fleming and Norm Macdonald of Columbia River-Revelstoke, whose constituency will house the Jumbo Glacier Resort should it receive the green light. The rally may also provide Nelson its first glimpse of one of the party’s leadership hopefuls.
The rally runs from 12 to 2 p.m. at Central School on February 5.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/news/114314164.html
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Mungall Welcomes Minister´s Announcement Following her Video Trilogy
Nelson- Less than a month after the release of MLA Michelle Mungall’s three video letters to Minister Rich Coleman, funding for Nelson’s Anderson Street housing project has been given the green light. In a statement released by the Minister Responsible for Housing, more than $3.8 million in capital funding has been promised to build the 33 units of supportive housing.
“I’m pleased that the Minister has finally approved funding for this much needed housing. After two years of delays, we can finally start planning for homes for those in need,” elates Mungall.
The project has been on hold since 2009, when the federal component of funding fell through. Since then, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and their partners have been waiting for a commitment to come from the provincial government.
“My Season´s Greetings Video Trilogy to the Minister focused on this very issue. I am happy to see that the Minister looked over our holiday wish list, as noted in the video, and finally granted it,” says Mungall.
Although Coleman had previously expressed that the Anderson Street Project was a high priority for the Ministry, it took more than two years and a little encouragement to see the money come through.
All three video letters are available online at the MLA’s Youtube channel.
“I’m pleased that the Minister has finally approved funding for this much needed housing. After two years of delays, we can finally start planning for homes for those in need,” elates Mungall.
The project has been on hold since 2009, when the federal component of funding fell through. Since then, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and their partners have been waiting for a commitment to come from the provincial government.
“My Season´s Greetings Video Trilogy to the Minister focused on this very issue. I am happy to see that the Minister looked over our holiday wish list, as noted in the video, and finally granted it,” says Mungall.
Although Coleman had previously expressed that the Anderson Street Project was a high priority for the Ministry, it took more than two years and a little encouragement to see the money come through.
All three video letters are available online at the MLA’s Youtube channel.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Kerr Building Fire Victims
Last night’s fire in the Kerr building destroyed all 48 units leaving tenants without homes or belongings. For anyone wishing to help the victims of the fire, the following locations are accepting donations. Please help in any way that you can.
Share Nelson -donations of household items
Salvation Army -donations of clothing and household items
Kootenay Kids -children’s clothing donations
Our Daily Bread -food donations
Pawsitive Apparel (old WIN store) -clothing and household items
A few more tidbits:
The Grande has offered 3 nights stay for the residents
Safeway has offered to help supply any food that is required (incredible!)
Share Nelson -donations of household items
Salvation Army -donations of clothing and household items
Kootenay Kids -children’s clothing donations
Our Daily Bread -food donations
Pawsitive Apparel (old WIN store) -clothing and household items
A few more tidbits:
The Grande has offered 3 nights stay for the residents
Safeway has offered to help supply any food that is required (incredible!)
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