(from the Rossland Telegraph)

An administrative oversight suddenly saddled the Rossland Radio Co-op (RRC) with a three year bill for almost $2500 of gas. Council decided on Monday to waive the bill for two of the three years, but the 101.1FM station’s location may not be 1807 Columbia for much longer.

On Feb. 13, Marty Cancilla, the RRC president, laid out his case to council as he prepares to leave for a three year stint in New Zealand next month. The RRC is "recruiting new leaders to take over," he said, and it would be "tough" for them if it was left as is with a "giant bill to pay."

"They want to do radio shows," he said, "not worry about high overhead."

A member of the public and an RRC neighbour rose in the gallery and added, "They're great neighbours," noting "lots of traffic" that is "super respectful."

"I think it says a lot about our community that it has a radio that has that involvement," she said.

RRC member Marty Unger attended the Feb. 25 meeting to reiterate Cancilla's points, calling the RRC a "valuable tool to the community" that is trying to "stay afloat" by doing "as much fundraising as we can."

"We're not a renegade bunch of kids, there are lots of good credentials in the station," he said.

The RRC has also just come to the end of its three year lease in the Rotary Health Centre at 1807 Columbia, and requested that council renew the lease for another three years.

The previous lease had stipulated that the RRC pay 50 per cent of the gas bill, but staff reported to council on Monday, "An oversight by staff not invoicing at the end of each fiscal year of the lease has resulted in the current invoice ($2,484.37) reflecting usage over the term of the past lease."

Staff recommended that the bill for 2010 and 2011 be waived due to the oversight, but that the 2012 charges stand "since this invoice has been charged at the appropriate time."

The Rotary building is shared on the main floor with the Food Bank, and the basement is used for Search-and-Rescue (SAR) storage. Neither the Food Bank nor SAR pay rent or utilities for their space.

The RRC argued that the new lease should only charge the RRC for one-third of the gas bill, not 50 per cent. Cancilla said, "Regardless of whether the Co-op was in the building or not, this gas bill would have to be paid."

Staff recommended against this idea, and also suggested that the rent be increased by $15 per month to reflect higher electricity costs. The monthly rent is $110 per month—reduced from $220 for the whole building—plus $35 per month for electricity, up from $20, which was half of the $40 total for the whole building that is now, presumably, about $70.

Council supported all staff recommendations, but also decided to support a motion by Coun. Jill Spearn to reduce the term of the lease to one year to put pressure on the RRC to find a new location.

Spearn said, "The Radio Co-op serves a significant purpose in our community," commenting on the "eclectic people" who fill a "special niche." She said waiving $1600 of the gas bill was "honourable of the city."

Nevertheless, she added her strong support for the sale of the Rotary building to "use those finances for other projects." She said, "We would certainly want to find another place for the Radio Co-op."

Coun. Kathy Wallace objected to the one year lease idea on the grounds that it was unnecessary—the lease includes a 60 day termination clause—"unless [the one year] is to give more encouragement for the co-op to look for a new home," she said.

She agreed the RRC is a "valuable group," and also the she was "not sure it's the best location." Wallace suggested the RRC move into the school, calling it the "place to be," to "expose it to that whole body of students."

Coun. Kathy Moore raised concerns about the viability of the RRC. Looking over profit-loss statements from 2009 to 2012, she noted that membership income has dropped—from $1495 to $1015 to $820 last year—and fundraising has also dropped—from $9192 to $4858 to $3896 last year. Support from sponsors and grants has also declined.

"To be a viable entity, the community needs to support the radio station," Moore said. "If you're getting taxpayer money, citizens need to be supporting it in other ways too."

RRC member Austin Delaye had replied to previous questions about RRC membership that there are 72 individual members, 10 family memberships, and 9 organization memberships.

Moore had more questions, however: "How many volunteers are doing on-air work? What specific fundraising? It's important to know what efforts are being made to be self-sustaining."

Coun. Jody Blomme was "uncomfortable" that the Rotary building is, as Deputy CAO Tracey Butler noted, "running at a loss."

"[The RRC] is something I want to support," Blomme said, "but I want to reduce city taxes."

Spearn said a one year lease would give the RRC time to "get the numbers." "It's up to you [RRC] to try and fundraise, you don't want to be a liability to the city. The more people you bring in and spread out around the community, the better. Every group has to raise money and apply for grants."

Coun. Cary Fisher concurred, "I support you [RRC] to get this going, to go out and make it happen." Fisher said the current city support should be temporary to help the RRC achieve "some degree of self-sufficiency."

Fisher added, "While the RRC provides a valuable service, I prioritize the Food Bank and Search-and-Rescue above it, since they qualify as basic needs for the community."

Coun. Tim Thatcher got to the point: "After that one year term, I'd like to see the city sell that building. We own enough buildings in town, we should look to getting rid of some of these assets."

RRC needs your help. We got a $2400 gas bill from the city and need everyone in Rossland who loves a community radio station to come in to a station meeting and hear our plight.

We are located at 1807 Columbia in Rossland

Your local community radio is forming a strong group for the upcoming season and would like your help. You can attend their annual general meeting on November 24 2012 at 5pm. At the Radio Station (1807 Columbia, Rossland) they will be going over yearly finances, electing a new board of directors and discussing last year’s business and upcoming projects. If you would like to become a director with CHLI, please forward a letter of intent to ausindelaye @ gmail.com. Later that evening, we will be welcoming in the new board and celebrating radio season with a party at the Aerie. Two new Co-op members and programmers, Frenchie and Nurmi will be mixing, plus there will be a prize of two tickets for the sold out Mother Mother show in Nelson on December 11th. Finally, a speech will be given by outgoing member Marty Cancilla. “We have great people working on rebuilding the radio station and I look forward to listening to it in New Zealand,” he says. If you are a current co-op member your entry is free. If you buy a membership at the door it is $15, otherwise your $5 entry fee will support Rossland Radio. The co-op is currently heard on the FM dial at 101.1 but reconstructing their internet presence. Plans to improve FM signal strength are underway, and hopes to broadcast to Trail and Red Mountain could be realized with help from community members and support.

On August 4th, the second longest show on Rossland Radio called Seanatonin will be on. That episode will be on six years to the date of the first episode of it. But it was known as the CHunin Show back on the day. So, come and enjoy an hour of Sean Bateman telling good stories of his past six years.

Due to work committments, the longest running show on the Rossland Radio Cooperative will be on hold for the duration of the summer holidays. Commencing again in September, be sure to tune in to your favorite shows including DJ Anonymous right here on your very own community radio station.

Rossland's roller derby team Gnarlie's Angels play host to the Big Mountain Misfits from Flathead Valley Roller Derby (Kalispell, Montana) in a charity bout. The theme for the bout is 'Pay It Forward' so buy a ticket for a friend, a stranger, a co-worker, a neighbour, a family member or anyone you think would enjoy seeing the Angels in their first international bout. The Angels themselves will be paying it forward with all proceeds from the bout going to Rossland Radio Co-Op 101.1FM
Tickets: $5 from RossVegas and The Red Pair in Rossland
Beer: $3
Door prizes: YES!
Doors: 6pm
First whistle: 7pm
After-party: 'Blackberry Wood' will have your feet moving like Canuck Norris in the middle of the pack at the Flying Steamshovel, Rossland (official clubhouse of Gnarlie's Angels)
Listen to Rossland Radio Co-Op 101.1FM (www.rosslandradio.com)for chances to win tickets.

Council voted 4-3 in favour of a one year deal with the Rossland Radio Co-op (RRC) to waive 50 per cent of the rent for their space in the city's Rotary Health building, 1870 Columbia, and to amortize the full bill the RRC was presented for roof repairs over 12 monthly payments.
Two weeks ago RRC’s Marty Cancilla asked council to grant a rent reduction to the co-op in recognition of the community service they provide and in understanding of the financial struggles they face as they try to upgrade their transmission equipment and hire a paid staff member. He also asked that the city reconsider a $700 bill the RRC was presented for roof repairs.
RRC member Marty Unger told council at Monday's public input period, "I've been in the construction and renovation trade for a long time, and a business owner for some time…and the [roof] bill seemed quite high, without an option to fix it ourselves."
Cancilla acknowledged that damage had been caused by lag bolts he fixed to the roof without authorization from the city, to support a mast with guy wires. But he also noted "historical damage,” that had occurred before the RRC occupied the Rotary building.
Unger said the greater problem was that "we were just given the bill"—roughly $400 for 9 hours of labour and $300 for materials.
"We understand that it had to be looked at and dealt with right away, we appreciate that," Unger said, but noted that he could have done the job himself for a much lower cost.
Coun. Kathy Moore raised a motion to "completely waive" the RRC's rent and to "direct staff to resolve the issue with the roof," but the motion was defeated.
"I feel [the RRC] is a community service," Moore said. "They're not making any money. We could provide a space for them to engage in their endeavour."
Coun. Jody Blomme argued, "The Radio Co-op is important, but it's not the same type of non-profit as the Food Bank," which also occupies the Rotary Health building for zero rent.
Coun. Cary Fisher took the opposite approach to Moore, but his motion to deny the RRC a reduction in rent and to amortize the full roof repair bill over 12 months was also defeated.
"I've been beating the drum of fiscal responsibility in the city," Fisher explained to the RRC members who were present. He claimed to support the RRC, but said, "I also feel I can't ask, on the one hand, staff to look for reductions, and on the other hand, to approve [decreased revenues] in other areas."
Coun. Jill Spearn aimed for the middle ground, making a motion for a 50 per cent reduction to both the bill and their rent, an idea Coun. Tim Thatcher had suggested in earlier discussions.
"I certainly think the [RRC] has a place in the fabric of our community," Spearn said, but added, "I always feel that everybody should pay for something," pointing out that the RRC is the primary user of the building.
This received broad support from council, but Mayor Greg Granstrom argued against a reduction in the roof bill: "If there was previous damage, I assume that was repaired. For any new damage, putting lag bolts through the roof caused it," he said.
Blomme responded, "There was a rental agreement, but I also think that if they're given a bill without having a chance to remedy the situation, or to seek out [an alternative contractor] or have a say in the final price, I think that's important."
Ultimately, Blomme and Thatcher lent their support to Fisher's idea of amortization of the full payment, rather than a 50 per cent reduction in the roof bill and, together with Granstrom and Fisher, they defeated Spearn's motion.
The final motion to give a 50% rent reduction but retain full payment of the roof bill (over 12 months) passed with Moore, Spearn, and Coun. Kathy Wallace against.
Both Wallace and Spearn were careful to point out that the rent waiver has a 12 month span, and Wallace suggested the RRC "find a better location" in the meantime, especially as "the future of the Rotary building is questionable."
"I think the Radio Coop is in a difficult position, a catch-22," Wallace said. "They're not transmitting to the whole community. I think they're in the wrong location. I'd like to see them survive for another year, so I'd like to give them the break for 2012."

Many, many thanks to Rossland coop radio for helping me with my reno's. I found the station by accident.

Thank you to the DJ or Djs for playing an eclectic mix of interesting music. It's kept me inspired and saved me lot's of time changing cd's (on my old work site stereo that plays cds and....tapes)

Would love a playlist if anyone's out there, I only recognize about 5%.

Keep up the cool s#!t !!!

I couldn't find a more General arena to post...so I used the classifieds.

A®

Wedesnday December 21st, Join us for a night full of fun, exercise, new people, and laughs. Join a team of 5-6, get a list of crazy photos to take around Rossland, get the most, and win.
$5 to play, or $2 for Rossland Radio members.
Be there by 8pm, or you may miss out.
Bring a digital camera if you have one.

In a few weeks, Christmas Eve will be happening and everyone will be with family and friends. That night, "Malibu" Sean Bateman will have his first ever Xmas special. So, bundle up, sip your hot chocolate and enjoy that special.