PAYING KIDS TO BE GOOD QUESTIONED BY COUNCIL

Public spending on drug- and alcohol-free celebrations for graduating
high school students came under scrutiny during Monday's town council
meeting.

A dry grad event at Prince Charles Secondary School was among five
proposals recommended to receive money from an ICBC road safety grant.

But the issue was referred to committee for further discussion after
councillors questioned the wisdom of compensating teenagers for simply
choosing not to break the law.

"I've always had a problem with rewarding students for doing the right
thing," said Coun. John Thomas. "How can we reward them for complying
with the laws of the country? It just doesn't make sense.

"Surely there's got to be something better to do with (the
money)."

A bid from the PCSS grad committee for $3,000 was one of seven
requests for a share of an $18,000 ICBC grant earmarked for road
safety initiatives in the Creston area.

Five were recommended to receive some funding after being reviewed by
chief administrative officer Bill Hutchinson, administrative assistant
Bev Caldwell and Mayor Joe Snopek, including the dry grad ($2,500).

"I agree with Coun. Thomas," said Coun. Lawrence Lavender. "There
should be something proactive other than obeying the law.

"What are they going to contribute to the community other than
behaving themselves for one night for $2,500?"

Snopek raised some eyebrows around the council table when he said the
grads plan to use the money to attend a dance in Sandpoint, Idaho.

He conceded that approving the grant would be tantamount to "telling
these kids we're going to pay them to be good."

Coun. Sharon Sadler spoke in favour of the grant, saying it would be a
suitable encouragement to the Grade 12 students.

Projects worth a total of $9,500 were recommended, including surveys
by Citizens on Patrol ($2,500), a traffic count at Cavell Street and
Northwest Boulevard to be conducted with Creston Valley Mall and the
Transportation Ministry (up to $1,000), a children's restraint system
technician training clinic ($1,000) and the Creston PARTY program
(Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth, $2,500).

The remaining $8,500 of the ICBC allowance was not
allocated.

A suggestion from a resident regarding crosswalk safety was covered by
the Citizens on Patrol submission. A request from another citizen to
construct a sidewalk between Ash and Erickson streets in front of the
Creston Education Centre was rejected as too expensive.

The issue is to be discussed further during council committee meetings
next week.

The ICBC deadline for completing and reporting on all projects is June
30.

More town council news in this week's Advance.