THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 VOL. 74, NO. 20
SERVING FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
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District of Taylor councillors in the district’s refurbished replica of Alexander Mackenzie’s canoe used during his expedition to the Pacific Ocean in the 1700s.
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It’s a seaworthy replica fit for an explorer. On Monday, the District of Taylor unveiled the refurbishment of Alexander Mackenzie’s replica canoe at the visitor information centre, just in time for the tourist season. “It’s appropriate that we dedicate it to the travellers of the Alaska Highway, the modern day explorer that travels up and down the
highway and throughout this region,” Mayor Rob Fraser said as dozens gathered to celebrate the completed work. The wooden canoe, built and donated by the Kyllo family, is a replica of the one explorer Alexander Mackenzie used during his travels to find a route to the Pacific Ocean in the late 1700s. The canoe has since become a popular pitstop and photo backdrop for tourists travelling up the highway. Two Northern Lights College instructors undertook its refurbishment—what
carpentry instructor Stephen Janssen called an “absolute disaster” returned to a seaworthy state. “It was rotted out, there was nothing left of the bottom, it was plywood,” Janssen said. “It smelled like topsoil. Both ends of the canoe were filled with rocks and dirt and toys. There was a toy cap gun, bags of candy that had melted in there, and rock and sticks, you name it. Bottles. “So it was kind of fun to go through that,” he said. See CANOE on A10
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The cost of renovating and expanding the Fort St. John RCMP detachment would exceed that of a brand new building, city council heard last week. Council was presented with a feasibility study on the status of the detachment, and given three recommendations on moving forward. Witmar Abele of KMBR Architects Planners Ltd. CITY OF FORT ST. JOHN gave council a rundown of the issues with the current Artist rendering of a proposed new RCMP detachment. building, which at 35 years is nearing the end of its service life. It cannot accommodate load, and doesn’t meet post- upwards of $48 million. future growth as it is now disaster design requirements. The other option—and and there are a number of Abele provided a reno the more cost effective one, building code deficiencies. and expansion plan for according to Abele—would “(It’s) not a pleasant the building, which would be to build an entirely workspace, not conducive include four phases: building new building that would to happy staff,” he said of a new parking lot, build accommodate 20 years of the windowless basement the expansion area, gut growth in the community. workspaces and overcrowded and renovate the current This option would see the work environment. building, and complete site deconstruction of the current The structure is not works on the existing site. detachment and the area designed for a second floor; so The cost for this plan, which used for parking. This option building up is not an option. would include the potential is estimated to cost $43 The roof does not meet the for 20 years of growth in million. current building code snow the community, would be See RCMP on A11
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Davies reports for first caucus meeting
MLA ‘dream’ comes true as Davies wins Peace River North MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca
It’ll be another week before British Columbians know who will form the next provincial government, but one thing is for certain—Dan Davies will be representing the constituents and concerns of Peace River North. The Fort St. John city councillor and educator won the riding with 8,539 votes May 9, keeping it in the BC Liberal Party fold. In doing so, he increased his party’s share of votes considerably, up from a previous record of 7,905 votes for retired MLA Pat Pimm in 2013. Still, the future of British Columbia’s government hangs on about 176,000 absentee ballots that won’t be counted until May 22. Based on the initial vote count, which includes advance and general ballots, the BC Liberals lead with 43 seats, the NDP hold 41 and the Greens have three. Christy Clark has confirmed she will remain premier pending the final count of ballots, which will determine who forms government and whether they will have majority or minority power in the legislature. Davies, meanwhile, has been keeping busy and was in Vancouver Tuesday for his first caucus meeting with the party as MLA-elect for Peace River North. “It’s regrouping the BC Liberal caucus … to bring everyone together,” Davies said. “This is historical, really, with what we’re facing.” On the riding front, Davies has yet to be given a government email but has been fielding calls, emails, and invitations from constituents. “People want to meet as we move forward, which I expected,” he said. “People have their concerns and their issues and want to connect.” See DAVIES on A3
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