THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018 Vol. 75, No. 43
Serving Fort St. John, B.C. and Surrounding Communities
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old fort landslide update
slow local rollout for legal weed
local rodeo stars in the spotlight
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MMIW inquiry wants files on Napoleon investigation matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
School District 60 In School District 60, Fort St. John and Charlie Lake voters re-elected board chair Erin Evans (1,533) and Bill Snow (1,198). Former CM Finch Elementary principal Helen Gilbert topped the polls with 1,593 votes and will join the board of education. She’ll replace incumbent Darrell Pasichnyk, who was defeated. In the rural areas, turnout was poor: Madeleine Lehmann was elected with just 51 votes to represent Cecil Lake, Goodlow, and Clayhurst, besting Melanie Edwards, who got 10 votes. David Scott-Moncrieff was elected with just 14 votes to represent Prespatou, Buick, Rose Prairie, Montney and surrounding areas, including Doig River and Blueberry River First Nations. David Christie earned just four votes. Nicole Gillis and Ida Campbell were elected by acclamation to represent Hudson’s Hope and Taylor, respectively.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has subpoenaed the RCMP for files of its investigation into the murder of Pamela Napoleon, a request that’s likely to be challenged by her accused killer. Details of the subpoena came out during a pre-trial conference Oct. 17 for Leon Wokeley, who is accused of killing Napoleon and burning her body in 2014. His lawyer, Georges Rivard, told court that both he and the Crown had just learned about the subpoena, which he says presents a number of concerns about privileged information about police investigations, and the rights of his client before a trial is scheduled to begin next year. “We don’t know what the evidence will be,” Rivard said outside of court. “It would make more sense for the matter be referred to when the trial is over, because we have no idea what’s going to be admissible, what’s going to come out and be interpreted by the media. Having evidence out there before even the trial is ruling on those issues is a major issue.” Wokeley was arrested in October 2017, and was the subject of a Mr. Big sting operation, which is often used during undercover police work to elicit confessions from suspects. More than 100 hours of recordings were compiled as part of the investigation. A hearing to determine the admissibility of evidence from the Mr. Big sting and Wokeley’s statements to police is scheduled to start on June 3, 2019, and last 48 days. Wokeley’s trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 30, and is scheduled for five days. Rivard said he will need to determine whether he will have standing before the inquiry before he’s able to make an application challenge the subpoena. “There’s dangers all over the place,” he said. “I understand the role of the commission, respectfully, I do. There’s no harm in waiting until the trial is over.” Both the National Inquiry and the BC Prosecution Service declined to comment. RCMP have not responded to a request for comment.
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When You Are Out in the Field, Time IS Money. QUALITY PARTS, EXPERT SERVICE! dave lueneberg photo
Sarah Dionne, 6, from Fort St. John, was one of the many youngsters who showed up to the Fall Harvest Carnival in Taylor on Oct. 20, 2018, and enjoyed an afternoon of games, face painting, cotton candy and more in support of the Fort St. John Fire Fighter Charitable Society and the Phoenix Volunteer Club Christmas Hamper Program.
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Incumbents fall, newcomers rise in elections across Northeast B.C. matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
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Voters in Northeast B.C. elected a mix of old and new to their municipal councils Oct. 20, and threw in a few surprises too. In Fort St. John, third time proved to be the charm for Becky Grimsrud, who topped the polls with 1,718 votes and will take a seat at the table after running unsuccessfully for office in 2014 and 2017. She’ll be joined by newcomer Tony Zabinsky, elected with 1,372 votes. “I feel very honoured and excited; a little bit nervous. I have a steep learning curve ahead of me,” said Grimsrud, who topped the polls with 1,718 votes. “I think people were ready for a new perspective and change in the dynamic of the team environment.” Added Zabinsky: “Change is good but it has to be proactive.” Grimsrud and Zabinsky unseated long-time incumbents Larry Evans and Bruce Christensen, both of whom served on council for more than a decade. “I want to thank all the citizens who voted, it was great to see the increase,” Christensen said during his final council meeting on Monday. “The ones that voted for me, thank you; sorry I didn’t make it, but we got some good people coming in.” Said Evans: “I think you’re going to have a council that rocks, I really do. Along with the wonderful staff that we have, the city is in good hands. In the final analysis, that’s all I care about.” Mayor Lori Ackerman was elected to another term by acclamation. Rounding out council are incumbents Lilia Hansen (1,557), Gord Klassen (1,511),
Becky Grimsrud
Tony Zabinsky
Byron Stewart (1,501), and Trevor Bolin (1,361). There were 2,861 ballots casts for a 20% voter turnout — up from just 15% in 2014.
for an estimated 40% voter turnout, reportedly one of the highest in district history, and which had election officials counting ballots by hand in batches of 25 late into the evening.
Taylor In Taylor, Rob Fraser was re-elected mayor by a wide margin, besting challenger Laura Prosko 308 votes to 89. “I’m humbled the electorate has given me another chance, and another four years working with council and moving Taylor along,” Fraser said. Incumbents Betty Ponto (317), Brent Taillefer (338), and Dave Lueneberg (270) were re-elected. Joining them is newcomer Michelle Turnbull, who garnered 290 votes, and fills the empty seat left by George Barber, who did not seek re-election this year. Turnbull said she was excited to be elected. “I look forward to moving the community forward,” Turnbull said. “I’m honoured the citizens have entrusted me to represent them.” Prosko, meanwhile, said she will turn her focus on restarting her public relations business. “I’m really proud of the campaign we ran,” Prosko said. “I think races are great; you talk about the issues of the community and that’s important.” There were 403 ballots casts
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