THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 Vol. 73, No. 64
Serving Fort St. John, B.C. and Surrounding Communities
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Premier Christy Clark speaks with reporters following a speech at a pro-LNG rally in Fort St. John. The Alaska Highway News caught up with the Premier for an exclusive interview on the struggle to get LNG off the ground and the Site C dam.
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Canada’s last megadam? Premier Christy Clark talks about the struggles to launch LNG and why she thinks Site C will be the last of its kind in Canada matt preprost & JONNY WAKEFIELD editor@ahnfsj.ca, reporter@dcdn.ca
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Premier Christy Clark predicts the $8.8-billion Site C dam planned for the Peace River will not only be the last major dam of its kind for B.C.—but all of Canada. In an interview with the Alaska Highway News last week, Clark said governments are facing increased pressure when it comes to massive industrial projects such as Site C, which is one of the most expensive public projects in modern history. The main civil works on the dam—estimated at $1.75 billion—is expected to ramp up in the coming months, while engineers began site testing along Highway 29 this week to prepare for realignment of the road, sections of which
will be inundated by the dam’s reservoir. “I think it will be the country’s last major dam,” Clark said. “It’s getting harder and harder to build dams in the country. The folks who would say ‘no’ to everything are getting more and more active all the time. It’s just getting harder and harder for governments to say yes to very difficult projects like this. And there were a lot of people who told me that we should not approve Site C, for all the typical reasons. We went ahead with it despite the fact it was hard. But I think it’s getting harder and harder for politicians to get the courage to confront the forces of no.” Clark was in Fort St. John on Wednesday, April 20, to deliver a speech to pro-LNG supporters at Centennial Park. Two days later, BC Hydro
President and CEO Jessica McDonald was in the city to tour the dam site, sign the Site C community measures agreement, and help cut the ribbon on the city’s new micro-hydro station in the Old Fort neighbourhood. McDonald stopped short of saying Site C would be the last megadam in Canada, but did concede it’s the last major dam planned for the BC Hydro system. “It’s an important choice and its been a difficult choice with a lot of study, a lot of careful thought into whether this is the right project for us right now,” McDonald said. “But it will be the last dam for our system. It’s an important thing to recognize. I can’t speak for other jurisdictions and the plans that they will have. Manitoba and Quebec have hydroelectric backbones
The wildfire situation in the Peace Region has cooled down considerably from last week. Currently, the only wildfire of note in the North Peace remains the fire at the Beatton Airport Road, 50 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. Twenty contract firefighters arrived in the city Monday, joining 38 BC Wildfire Service firefighters and nine incident management team members on the ground. They’re supported by a helicopter in the sky. Over the last few days, crews have been able to contain the south flank of the fire nearest the Shepherd’s Inn and the Alaska Highway. The fire, estimated at 7,035 hectares—or 17,300 acres— is roughly the size of 13,000 football fields. Bans on category 2 and 3 fires remain in effect throughout the region. Continuing wildfire coverage can be found at alaskahighwaynews.ca. —AHN in their system like us. What they will choose in the future I can’t speak to.” Quebec is currently building a 1,550-megawatt dam on the Romaine River, estimated at around $8 billion. Manitoba meanwhile continues to move ahead on the $6.5-billion Keeyask dam, a 695-megawatt project, however, it has suspended plans for the $10.7-billion Conawapa dam, a 1,485-megawatt project. BC Hydro’s Site C dam is billed at 1,100 megawatts. A full transcript of AHN’s interviews with Clark and McDonald can be found at alaskahighwaynews.ca. What follows is an abridged version of our interview with Clark on Site C and the future of LNG. See CLARK on A6
PRRD raises stink over curbside recycling bill jonny wakefield reporter@dcdn.ca
Fort St. John’s curbside recycling program—the first in the Peace Region—is working. Since bringing in curbside pickup in November, Fort St. John has cut the amount trash it sends to the dump by 30 per cent, from an average 347 tons a month to 242. But curbside recycling has costs—and not just for taxpayers in the cities that have programs.
Rural representatives at the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) say residents and businesses in unincorporated areas are increasingly bearing the costs of municipal curbside recycling programs. This year, regional taxpayers paid $810,000 to process and transport Fort St. John’s curbside to recycling centres. In recent months, the debate over how to pay for managing solid waste has brought out fundamental tensions between urban and rural dir-
ectors. The $810,000 allocation was controversial enough for all four rural representatives to vote against the PRRD’s 2016 budget, which passed with support from the municipalities last month. Area C Director Bradley Sperling, who represents the rural area outside Fort St. John, said that while he supports expanding recycling programs, costs are being passed on to rural residents who don’t directly benefit from curbside recycling.
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“As a representative of a rural area, I look at it as my constituents picking up someone else’s recycling tab,” he said. “We’re paying for it. That’s the concern.” Curbside contention PRRD residents are among the most wasteful in B.C., according to 2013 statistics.
See RECYCLING on A3
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A2 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local News
Contents Weather ....................................... A2 Local News ................................. A3 Opinion ....................................... A8 Letters ......................................... A9 Business ......................................A10 Sports ........................................... B1 Arts & Culture ............................ B5 Community ................................ B8 Classifieds ................................. B12
this week’s flyers Home Hardware 8,932 Walmart 8,925 Peavey Mart 9,224 Jysk 6,550 Staples 7,405 Canadian Tire 10,071 Shoppers Drug Mart 6,700 No Frills 10,075 London Drugs 7,405 Save-On Foods 10,204 Napa Auto Parts 7,657
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Restorative Justice received a little gift from the province, courtesy of some year end surplus money and Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm on April 22. Chair Dan Davies and Executive Director Candace Peever were on hand to accept the $5,000 donation from Pimm. Peever says the money will go towards the community garden, as well as various First Nations to bring restorative justice programs to the communities.
World’s oldest dog dies At 210 GAS WATCH KNOWBEFOREYOUGO Prevailing Prices Dawson Creek
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JENNIFER JEST: Another week, another stack of ridiculous news items to chew on. People Magazine named Jennifer Aniston “The World’s Most Beautiful Woman.” To be politically correct, they should also name “The World’s Ugliest Woman.” OK, OK, Jennifer Aniston is nice to look at. It’s just a matter of time until her stylist wins the Nobel Prize for Hairdressing. NEWLYWED NEWS: Meanwhile in Taber, Alberta, newlyweds Olive and Peter Huvanaars are enjoying their new life together. Olive and Peter are both 83. To add to their newlywed bliss, last week they won a lottery prize of a home in Sylvan Lake valued at $900,000. Olive said they’ll sell the house. (I guess they’re happy living in her mother’s basement)
30. In dog years that’s 210. My Grandpa’s dog was healthy until a ripe old age. Grandpa always dropped a multi-vitamin in the toilet before his doggie drank from it.
Bob Snyder Chews the news
thumb in my soup. DOPE SCOPE: The Liberal government announced they intend to introduce legislation next year to legalize marijuana. A recent survey shows 70 per cent of Canadians support this. The other 30 per cent say they don’t need pot to feel sleepy, hungry and paranoid. 16-04-25 10:35 AM
NETFLIX NEWS: Canadians who break 121.9 the rules by using the U.S. Netflix service EARTH MIRTH: Friday was Earth Day, got a shock. Netflix has tweaked their Groundbirch a day to remember the environment, and system. The superior U.S. service cannot 98.9 teach your kids to recycle. There were Earth now be accessed from Canada. Angry CaDay ceremonies in Ottawa. Politicians nadian users were unsure about who they Chetwynd 102.9 information natural resources Weather Weather Local forecasts British Columbia entered into the spirit by recycling a bunch should complain to: The Netflix company, of promises. or the guy whose Netflix password they Tumbler Ridge 107.9 An environmental group suggested you stole. celebrate Earth Day by not showering. By the time I heard this, I’d already showered. HE’S BAAAAAACK! Hollywood released a Prince George 97.9 So I entered into the spirit ofPast the day wip- trailer for the new Jason Lightning Bourne movie, with 24by hours Radar Satellite ing off the deodorant from under my arms. Matt Damon returning as the CIA spy and Hythe 92.9 at: Fort St. John Airport assassin. Here’s my question: If we canAM have t - Environment Canada Observed 16-04-25 10:35 NAKED NEWS: In London, a new restaurBatman v Superman, why we can’t have Date: 10:20 AM MST Monday 25 April 2016 ant is “clothing optional.” Customers choose Jason Bourne v James Bond?? Grande Prairie 85.4 between clothed and unclothed sections. Condition: Mostly Cloudy Temperature: 7.0°C The staff are all naked. Gee, I can remember DOGGONE: Pressure: Dewpoint: kPa 5.6°C Sad news from Australia. Calgary 84.9 101.7 when all I had to worry about in a restaurThe pooch generally regarded as the world’s Tendency: rising 91% ant was the waiter accidentally sticking his Humidity: oldest dog died. Maggie the sheep dog was Fort Nelson
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24 Hour Forecast General notice Fort NeLSoNAQHI Alerts Jet Stream T Monday 25 April 2016 The contentsWed of this Thu Fri Sat Sun Tue newspaper are protected by Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 Apr 1 May 26 Apr copyright and may27 bethen used only ending this morning a mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h near noon. for personal non-commercial h 12. UV indexpurposes. 3 or moderate. y cloudy. Fog developing overnight. Wind southwest 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low All other rights are reserved 3.
TRUDEAU TALE: Prime Minister Trudeau was touring an Ontario technical institute when a reporter asked him to explain quantum computing. Trudeau gave a totally correct answer. So Trudeau is not only handsome, he’s also very smart. Those are two good reasons for me to hate the guy. ZOOZ NOOZ: At the Toronto Zoo, a woman climbed over a wire fence and jumped into the tiger cage to retrieve her hat. A zoo spokesman said she could have been seriously injured. Hey, no kidding. Those wire fences are very dangerous. There’s a video of the incident on YouTube. The woman looks stupid climbing back over the fence. But the tiger looks kind of neat wearing her hat. DINO DISASTER: Ninety-four million year old dinosaur tracks near Tumbler Ridge BC may have been damaged by hikers. An expert was on TV saying the rare footprints need more protection, and the Dinosaur Museum near Grande Prairie could be a bigger attraction. Maybe we should focus more on our priceless dinosaurs of the Peace Region and focus less on the high-priced dinosaurs in the Canadian Senate. Bob Snyder writes the satirical Chews the News column weekly. He can be reached at chewsthenews@gmail.com.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 A3
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The Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT) recently received a $10,000 donation for its Food Secure Kids program at Ecole Central Elementary. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation made the donation to the program, which teaches children about healthy living and where their food comes from. The program, now in its fourth year, sees eco-advisors visiting classrooms across the Peace Region to talk about the different stages of food production, including pollinators, healthy eating, planting seeds and gardening, and harvesting. Above, Holly Dunfield, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation presents the cheque NEAT program co-ordinator Karen Mason-Bennett on Friday, April 15.
Peace Region residents will need to cut waste production by half to meet 2020 provincial targets
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municipal recycling schemes to one co-ordinated system aimed at reducing waste. Since then, solid waste management has ballooned into the regional district’s largest line item at $18.9 million, including educational programs contracted through the Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT). The regional district’s 2016 budget allocated $810,000 to cover transporting, shipping and sorting Fort St. John’s curbside recycling. That’s led to the perception among rural directors that they’re paying for a service “while receiving less benefits than their municipal colleagues,” the Chute report notes. Those directors, who are outnumbered on the board, also feel they “(have) less say in the governance than municipal directors.” However, Chute notes urban areas ultimately pay more than rural areas for other solid waste services that are “common to all.” Karen Goodings, Area B director, said she was concerned about curbside recycling’s impact on rural taxpayers. Goodings, who farms in Cecil Lake outside Fort St. John, said education could have as big an impact on waste reduction as expensive curbside programs. She said her household produces no more than one bag of trash every
two to three months, thanks to recycling and composting. She said at the current rate, the region will spend $22.4 million over the next 28 years to save one year of space at the North Peace Landfill. “While I totally support recycling, I think there is certainly an onus on each of us as individual residents to do what we can do to improve our environment and to do recycling,” she said. “It should not necessarily be a cost borne by the taxpayers.” PRRD Chief Administrative Officer Chris Cvik said regional district staff will hold a meeting May 3 with their municipal counterparts to discuss smoothing the transition to curbside programs. Pouce Coupe became the second municipality in the region to adopt curbside recycling this month. Dawson Creek has mulled curbside recycling, but there are no plans to transition in the near future. Regardless of how it’s paid for, recycling will be key if the region is to make progress on cutting waste. By 2020, the province hopes the average person will produce no more than 350 kilograms of waste a year, meaning Peace Region residents will have to cut their waste by more than half. “The PRRD has a high hill to climb,” Chute writes.
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RECYCLING from A1
The provincial government aimed to reduce total waste loads to an annual 550 kilograms per person by 2013, according to a report from City of Dawson Creek Chief Administrative Officer Jim Chute. While the province beat its goal—dropping to an average 536 kilograms of waste per person—the Peace Region was a laggard. PRRD residents were 47 per cent over the provincial target, at 808 kilograms of municipal solid waste per person. That put the PRRD in third for B.C. regional districts, behind only Fraser-Fort George and the Northern Rockies. That lacklustre finish was an improvement over 2007, when the average PRRD resident tossed 1,183 kilograms. Fort St. John brought in curbside recycling in 2015 in hopes of reducing the amount of waste it sends to regional landfills. Since then, overall loads have declined, but costs have climbed. While the municipality pays for local curbside collection through a combination of taxes and fees, everything post-collection is covered by the regional district and its rural—largely industrial—tax base. In the 1990s, the province made solid waste management a regional “function,” forcing regional districts to transition from seven separate
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A4 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local News
‘It came in like a nightmare’
Community rallies to help Taylor family rebuild their lives after wildfire claims home things they were storing for a friend, whose family actually owned the house. The items belonged to his friend’s mother, who had passed away. “I grabbed this big wicker basket hope chest and hauled it out, it turned out to be all their family photos and stuff, so that was just perfect,” he said. The fire was quickly creeping up on the property, so Justen headed back to his family to wait it out. The Taylor Fire Department fought back the blaze for most of the night, and when the Bruvolds awoke the next morning, the house was still standing. “Night came and went, and we thought for sure the house was going to be gone by the time we woke up, but no, it was still there,” said Brandi.
aleisha hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca
T
he debris was still smoldering when Justen and Brandi Bruvold returned to what was once their home. A huge hole, filled with ash, burned out appliances, and warped siding, was about all that remained of their house after a wildfire burned through the area last week, one of several that ravaged the North Peace. The family lived on a small acreage just off Pingel Creek Road at the top of the South Taylor Hill. Six-year-old Serena wandered the driveway while her parents talked to the Taylor Fire Department. “I couldn’t take my babies’ toys,” she said, explaining how she could only take a few toys with her when they left. “But I got my babies, they just don’t have any toys now.” Serena did find a few items in the yard relatively unscathed—a toy boat and a pink shovel—and was lucky enough that her bike survived the blaze. Her swing set in the backyard, and a small trampoline did as well, though it was full of holes from falling ash and sparks. Most of the trees and much of the ground surrounding the home are charred black, with piles of debris and ash of what were once their belongings scattered around the yard.
aleisha hendry photo
Brandi Bruvold looks over the still smoldering wreckage of her house that was destroyed by the fire burning on the South Taylor Hill last week. Brandi said she was a little panicked while packing to leave, but tried to stay calm for her daughter.
“I went into the house, there was no smoke, it seemed like the fire was dead, so I told my wife, ‘Yeah, we’re probably going to be able to come back.’ ”
The first evacuation
they could and get themselves out of the area. “We started packing up everything and you could see the fire getting closer and closer, smoke was starting to roll in,” he said. Brandi said she was a little panicked while packing to leave, but tried to stay calm for her daughter. “(Serena) was hysterical … she’s only six so it’s a big thing
How that much damage could be done so quickly and with little warning is something that will be in the back of the Bruvold’s minds over the coming weeks. Justen and Brandi were able to piece together the events that lead them to lose their home. They were sitting down to dinner on Monday, April 18, when Justen got a whiff of smoke. He knew it was pretty dry out back, so he went outside to investigate. “I could smell the smoke, but we couldn’t see it,” he said. The family decided to take a drive and see if they could find the source of the smoke. Driving down Pingel Creek Road, they found the fire and saw it was only about two kilometres from their home. They also came across an officer who told them the fire was moving east. “He said ‘if you guys live anywhere east of here, you better find another place to sleep tonight,’” said Justen. Their home was directly east of the fire. They were told they only had an hour to gather what
Justen Bruvold shows a piece of glass that was melted by the South Taylor Hill wildfire at his home last week.
for her,” she said. Serena was able to pack up a little bag of toys, while Justen and Brandi gathered up essential clothing, photos and other family keepsakes. The family then headed to a friend’s house for the night, not expecting to have a home when they woke up the next day. But first, since they had three vehicles and only two
adults to drive, Justen picked up a friend so they could go back out and get the third vehicle. “By the time we got there, you could actually see the fire overtop of the trees,” he said. “You could hear the crackling of the fire just right behind the house.” Along with the third vehicle, Justen went back inside the house to quickly grab some
aleisha hendry photo
‘I don’t think the house is there anymore’ The evacuation order had been reduced to an alert, so Justen headed back out to the property to see what, if any, damage had been done. “I went into the house, there was no smoke, it seemed like the fire was dead, so I told my wife, ‘Yeah, we’re probably going to be able to come back,’” said Justen. The fire, however, had other plans. Twenty minutes after arriving at the house, a fire marshal came roaring up the driveway and told Justen he only had minutes to leave and to just take his shoes. “By the time I was leaving, there was so much smoke I ended up running down a bunch of stuff in my yard that I couldn’t see in front of my vehicle,” he said. “It came in like a nightmare.” After getting back to his family, Justen and Brandi started getting alerts on their phone from their home security system. The smoke detectors were going off, as was the carbon monoxide detector, and there were indicators of tampering with the doors and windows. “We turned on the cameras, and the smoke started forming in front of the camera, and all of a sudden, one camera went out. Just like clockwork they all went out one by one,” said Justen. The thermostat was also connected into the security system, which Justen said went from 18 degrees to 24.5 degrees in a matter of seconds before the system went down. “I said ‘I don’t think the house is there anymore,’” he said. Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page
Brandi said she knew as soon as she saw the security system alerts, she knew the house was gone. It only took the fire 11 minutes to destroy the house, which made Justen realize how lucky he’d been that the fire marshal had shown up. “We were running on no sleep, we’re feeling dead and the traffic was all backed up and it was going to be at least an hour and a half getting back to town. I was going to lay down and have a quick little snooze,” he said. “If it wasn’t for that fire marshal, I would have been buried in that house.” Finding a new home In the days since the fire, the family has focused on getting their lives back in order. “My daughter has realized that yes, things happen, but we got everything out that meant the most to us,” said Brandi. They’ve also been overwhelmed by the support from the community. “I’ve cried more over the support that we’ve got than over losing everything,” said Brandi. “It’s just unbelievable the amount of sympathy and offers to help, it just blows me away.” A family member has set up a GoFundMe account for anyone willing to donate to help the Bruvold family get back on their feet. As of press time Tuesday afternoon, $4,820 had been raised. It will take time to rebuild their lives, but Justen said the two women in his life have asked that they find a new home in town, surround by other homes. “They don’t want to be anywhere with a lot of trees.”
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A6 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local News CLARK from A1
Alaska Highway News: About the rally. Why show up to something like that?
support there is for what we’re doing here, and how many people are fighting together to make sure that LNG happens. It’s not just me and Pat (Pimm) down in Victoria fighting for this. This is a whole province coming together to fight for this.
Christy Clark: Because people here need to know that I’m fighting for them. Every single day, our government, and Pat has been a huge part of this, our government is fighting for people in the northeast. Because people here are really hurting. A lot of people without jobs, I talked to a lot of them today. They’re not people who don’t want to work. They’re people who can’t find work. And I want people here to know that we’re fighting for their jobs and we want to bring the wealth and economic prosperity back to this region of the province. But I also want people in the rest of the country to see how much
AHN: Have you ever been to a rally like that before for LNG? I know obviously there are conferences you’ve been to.
CC: I cant remember any other rally I’ve attended where people we’re so focused on just LNG. I’ll tell you why. I think until recently people really just, things seemed to be going along, you know then the price of oil and the price of gas dropped precipitously. That slowed things down a little bit. Then this regulatory process federally got everything bogged down even further. And Notification of Intent to Treat then you add all the economic pain that’s been happening Notice is hereby given that the BC Timber Sales, Peace-Liard Business Area intends to treat the following openings in in Alberta into the mix. We’re the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson Timber starting to see really high unSupply Areas (TSA) under Pest Management Plan 402employment here, again, for 557-2016/2021 using Vision Max, (Glyphosate) during the the first time in a long time. expected spray operating window of August 1–30, 2016. And I think that’s got people Proposed Locations in the Dawson Creek TSA are as follows: really focused on trying to find Bear Mountain, Oetata Ridge, Windsor, Barbour Creek, solutions. The solution for unKinuseo, Lower Burnt River, Itis Creek, Wolverine and employment in the Northeast Puggins. is LNG. Natural gas is abundant Proposed Locations in the Fort St. John TSA are as follows: now in North America. We can’t Apsassin Creek, Nig Creek, Blair Creek, South Blueberry, make any money, there’s hardly Wonowon, Inga Lake and Montney Creek. any point of getting it out of the Proposed Locations in the Fort Nelson TSA are as follows: ground if we aren’t able to ship Poplar Hills, Liard Mainline and Patry Mainline it to Asia. So LNG is an absolute must-do if we want to create Copies of the Notice of Intent to Treat, detailed site jobs. We want to keep people assessments and maps may be examined in detail at the BC Timber Sales office in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort working here.
Pest Management Plan
Nelson. To make an appointment to view the material for locations proposed in the Dawson Creek TSA contact: Regan Dickinson, R.P.F. at 250 784-1252 or by email Regan.Dickinson@gov.bc.ca. For locations proposed in the Fort St. John TSA contact: Anita Thomson, R.P.F. at 250 262-3325 or by email Anita.Thomson@gov.bc.ca. For locations proposed in the Fort Nelson TSA contact: Jason Smith, R.P.F. at 250 774-5527 or email Jason.V.Smith@gov.bc.ca.
ADC83291
AHN: About the delay on Pacific NorthWest LNG. There’s been some suggestion that by delaying this for three months there’s an ulterior motive that the federal government would like to make this difficult for Petronas and these delays cause them to walk instead of them having to say no directly. What do you say to that suggestion there? CC: I can’t imagine any feder-
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matt preprost Photo
North Peace MLA Pat Pimm and Premier Christy Clark speak with the Alaska Highway News after the LNG support rally at Centennial Park on Wednesday, April 20.
al government of any stripe that would kill 100,000 jobs and a trillion dollars in economic growth. It doesn’t make any sense because we know the federal government wants to balance its budget. They can’t do that without LNG. We know they want to stand up for middle class jobs, they can’t do that without LNG. We know they want to fight climate change, and again, the single biggest contribution Canada is going to make to fighting climate change is shipping LNG to Asia. AHN: We’re coming up on the 2017 election. In 2013, LNG was the hot topic, it’s still the hot topic. There’s a lot of question whether a plant will be approved by then. How are you going to make the case to British Columbians that despite the fact we haven’t seen, or may not see by 2017, a firm final investment decision, that this is a course we should stay on? CC: We’re not going to give up. We’re not quitters. British Columbia wasn’t built by people who quit and run the white flag up the pole every time something gets hard. This has turned out to be harder than I anticipated, or anybody anticipated, because the price of oil dropped so dramatically. But that doesn’t mean we give up. We have the richest natural gas resource in the world. Petronas owns more natural gas resource in British Columbia than they do in Malaysia. And it’s a rich, wet resource, relatively easy to access. We are literally sitting on a treasure trove here in the northeast and we aren’t going to give up. We’re going to make sure we unlock that potential for British Columbia. It’s going to take longer than we thought.
© LITTLESTA
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AHN: In the recent Moody’s report on the province’s credit rating, Moody says it’s going to be keeping a closer eye on BC Hydo and the debt it is taking on to build Site C. Is that a concern for you?
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CC: We always pay attention to our debt levels, and all of the agencies that pull debt. It’s my ambition, my hope, that we’re going to be able to erase the debt for another generation of British Columbians. That’s going to take a long time, but we’re on the right track. We are eliminating our operating debt for the first time since 1974. That’s pretty good. Since I was nine years old, this debt has existed. We are on the track to get rid of it now. That’s the first step to debt-free. But, BC Hydro’s debt is ratepayer supported. It’s not classed the
same as taxpayer-supported debt, but we do watch it carefully. It’s important that the project stay on-time and on budget, which they have. AHN: How closely are you’re watching the Muskrat Falls project in Labrador? It seems every couple weeks you hear something that’s gotten more complicated, or there’s another cost overrun there. How does B.C. keep from falling into a similar situation? CC: The same reason we have a balanced budget and they don’t, and the same reason we have the fastest economic growth in the country and they don’t. We really watch our Ps and Qs, (and are) very careful about those financials. Important though to remember too—BC Hydro spent 10 years planning this project. This isn’t a back of the envelope project. That’s meant they have worked through almost every scenario and tried to risk-manage that. That kind of extra work and the time that they took to do it is really paying off now. I don’t know very much of the background to Muskrat Falls, but I do know that in British Columbia we have proven ourselves and the country to be the leaders in managing the province’s finances well and that includes BC Hydro. AHN: In BC Hydro estimates, Adrian Dix suggested Site C is already budget. I wanted to hear what you thought about that. CC: Adrian Dix says something every day that doesn’t add up. I don’t know if that’s one of them, but I’m guessing it is. AHN: It’s been said Site C will likely be the province’s last major dam. CC: I think it will be the country’s last major dam. AHN: Why do you say that? CC: Because I think it’s getting harder and harder to build dams in the country. The folks who would say no to everything are getting more and more active all the time. It’s just getting harder and harder for governments to say yes to very difficult projects like this. And there were a lot of people who told me that we should not approve Site C. For all the typical reasons. We went ahead with it despite the fact it was hard. But I think it’s getting harder and harder for politicians to get the courage to confront the forces of no.
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and Seedy Saturdays May 14 withExhibit Communities in Talk” BloomFeb at Community Art “Dinner 12- Mar 1 Gardens With artists Mary Parslow, Alan White, Gala Showcase of Dance May 19 with Northern Dance TheatreFeb Society Fred Penner in Concert 13 at NPCC3:30pm at 7pm NPCC Spring Soiree Concert May 6
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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 A7
Local News
‘Let us help’:
Around 500 people turned up to Centennial Park in Fort St. John on Wednesday, April 20, to show support of a liquefied natural gas industry in B.C. and catch a speech by Premier Christy Clark.
Premier stirs LNG supporters at rally
matt preprost photo R0011232035
It’s Trophy Season
matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
British Columbians are ready and have the power to help the world cut emissions, create jobs and fill government treasuries with the development of a liquefied natural gas industry, Premier Christy Clark told a throng of supporters in Fort St. John on April 20. Clark was in town as part of a quick, four-hour trip to meet with LNG supporters, get an update on the wildfire situation in the region, and meet with civic leaders. She told the crowd their support for getting the industry off the ground is “doing nothing less than fighting for the life of B.C.” “We are fighting for Fort St. John, we are fighting for Dawson Creek, we are fighting for the Northwest, and we are fighting for 100,000 jobs that will be created across the breadth of this province,” she said. In her five-minute speech, Clark touted LNG’s role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Asia, creating jobs, and hauling in revenues for government, bringing the crowd to follow her in a chant of “let us help.” “In Ottawa, they care about climate change. Let us help you. This is the cleanest fossil fuel on the planet,” she said. “You know that if we can ship it to Asia we can help clean up the world’s air. So we say to Ottawa: let us help. In Ottawa, they care about economic growth and jobs Canada’s hurting and they’re running a deficit. We say to Ottawa: let us help.” Many of those who attended the rally have found themselves hit hard by the latest downturn in Canada’s oil and gas industry, either out of a job or with significantly reduced work hours. Unemployed since October, Murray Farquhar has had to cut back his family’s expenses and worries he won’t be able to pay for his daughter’s college education. For Rick Schlosser, work has been cut to half-time, and though he counts himself lucky to still be employed as an instrument mechanic, he worries about the young apprentices following in his footsteps. The two carried a set of placards that read “LNG = Jobs” and waved to motorists as they honked by in support. “It’s impacted us immensely,’ said Farquhar, who has been driving truck in the industry since the 1970s but says he hasn’t turned a wheel since last October. Farquhar and his family have had to trim expenses such as telephone plan luxuries, and stopped shopping at Safeway in favour of Wal-Mart. Still, it hasn’t been enough to keep alive Farquhar’s plan to help pay his daughter’s way through college. She’s in her second year of graphic design studies in Grande Prairie, but student loans have had to fill the gap. “It hurts. I don’t want to put my daughter out saddled with debt when she starts working,” Farquhar said. Kickstarting the LNG industry and opening up market access and the job market is critical for today’s youth in setting them up for lifelong careers, Rick Schlosser said. “(The industry) means everything to them,” he said. “This isn’t just a five-year thing. This is 40 years they’ll be drilling up here to feed those plants. For the young guys, it’s a lifelong career.”
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A8 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Opinion
Contact Us matt preprost 250-785-5631 editor@ahnfsj.ca
Ingrid rice Published every Thursday at 9916 - 98th Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8 by Glacier Media Tel: 250-785-5631 Fax: 250-785-3522 Online at alaskahighwaynews.ca
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What’s your opinion? Send your letters to: editor@ahnfsj.ca Please put “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line. All letters must be accompanied by a daytime phone number (for verification purposes only) and your full name. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy and libel. Please keep letters under 600 words. We ask that submissions protest the policy - not the person. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect those of the Alaska Highway News.
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Sun power: what a bright idea L
ook! Up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s the sun! Folks promoting nuclear energy should have a quick look up at the sky some nice afternoon. That really bright thing up there? It’s an utterly immense nuclear fusion reactor. We don’t have to spend hundreds of billions of dollars trying to build our own, because we already have one. A very large one, and its a nice safe 93 million miles away. The sun will happily burn for the next several billion years, no maintenance required. All we have to do is soak up the energy it’s sending us, every day. And that’s a lot of energy. A LOT! Many thousands of times more than our global economy could ever use, and many thousands of times more than the energy stored in all the planet’s fossil fuels, past, present and future. And, (here’s the real bonus) it doesn’t run out, ever. PURE ENERGY Solar power, sunlight converted directly to electricity, is perhaps the “purest” and most abundant of all energy sources. Each year, about 9 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy fall on each acre of generally sunny
Don Pettit WATT’S HAPPENING
earth. That means that the solar energy falling on the roof of your home, even at the modest conversion efficiency of a modern photovoltaic (PV) panel (about 20 per cent) is enough to power your house. With solar power on your roof, you can kiss your electricity bill goodbye. The sun powers everything on our planet: fossil fuels are solar energy that has been captured by ancient plants, buried, concentrated and stored underground; wind and weather come from uneven solar heating causing the atmosphere to move around; and hydro power is the result of Earth’s solar-powered water cycle. With the exception of some geothermal energy (radiating from the molten core of our planet), everything on Earth is powered by sunlight – you, me, all the plants and animals, the weather, ocean currents, everything. If the sun powers our whole planet, it can certainly power us.
HOW IT WORKS Like the chlorophyll in a plant, a PV panel uses crystalline silicon as a catalyst to convert photons directly into electrons. No moving parts to maintain, nothing used up. This silicon catalyst changes very little over time, so as long the solar panel remains sealed against the weather, it will last a very long time, likely 50 years or more. PV panels now come with a 25-year warrantee for this very reason. Fossil fuels represent our planet’s energy “capital” – the energy in our planetary savings account. It’s handy, but its finite and comes with a growing (staggering!) environmental price tag. When we tap into renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal) we are tapping into energy that is constantly being created in real time. It’s our energy “income”. Not quite as handy as fossil fuels maybe, but its all around us in countless different forms, it doesn’t pollute, and it never runs out. Sweet. GLOBAL POWER SHIFT Nice idea, this solar and wind power stuff, but is it practical? As my mother used to say, “the proof is in the pudding.” Wind power has been the fastest growing energy source on the planet
for some time, and now solar is taking the lead. Prices have plummeted as mass-production has kicked in, and solar and wind are spreading like crazy. Japan has installed over one million solar roofs, Australia two million, Europe over a million, China countless millions, and in the US solar is a major growth industry employing hundreds of thousands of people. Yes, Dorothy, we can have jobs and clean up the environment too! At Peace Energy Renewable Energy Cooperative (based in Dawson Creek) we have been designing and installing solar power systems for homeowners for the last few years, as solar has become more and more affordable. You may have seen a few roofs in the area glistening with blue crystal solar panels. This year seems to be a watershed year for solar in the Peace Region. The phone is ringing like never before. Something is shifting. I think folks are really getting this solar thing. The rest of the world most definitely is. Look, up in the sky! Don Pettit, a resident of Dawson Creek, is a founding member of the Peace Energy Cooperative. He can be reached at dpettit@pris.ca
Replace Lelu Island confrontation with collegial discussion As we pointed out several months ago, a duty by government to consult First Nations regarding resource projects doesn’t bestow an automatic veto. It does require consulting in good faith. But the principle of good faith applies in both directions — to government, to private industry, to First Nations. At Prince Rupert, where a federal review of a proposed $12 billion LNG facility on Lelu Island has been granted a three-month extension while concerns by First Nations, environmentalists and area residents are assessed, tensions are suddenly ratcheting up. The Port of Prince Rupert has ordered some First Nations hereditary chiefs to stop constructing a protest camp at the Lelu Island site. The port says it has consulted with elected officials at the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation which has given conditional support and that while it respects safe and peaceful expressions of opinion, construction of a protest camp does not meet that definition and is not authorized. In response, the hereditary chiefs have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking whether this is federal policy, arguing
that the protest camp was initially funded by the Lax Kw’alaams band council and challenging the port authority’s assertion that it has properly consulted First Nations on the matter. They ask that the port be ordered to withdraw the letter. What to make of this contretemps? First, cooler heads should prevail. The elected leadership at Lax Kw’alaams has changed; the hereditary leadership has not. If advocates of the LNG project think that playing heavy-handed confrontational wedge politics with First Nations will improve their bargaining position, they may be in for an unpleasant surprise. History suggests that divide-and-conquer strategies often yield the unintended consequence of unifying and entrenching opposition. Second, First Nations leaders need to discuss their own differences in a reasonable way and not permit internal band politics to become the driver of policy on an issue of such vast importance not only to First Nations themselves but to the region, the province and the country. Third, the province has a larger vested
interest in the outcome. Repeated court decisions have affirmed that in the absence of treaty agreements, meaningful consultation with First Nations means conducting them in good faith and that means being sensitive to the political authority of elected officials and to the concurrent moral authority of hereditary leaders. Goodwill is going to be of immense importance for orderly future resource development. It seems entirely reasonable to ask all the players in the Lelu Island controversy to step back from confrontation and start discussing this in a pragmatic and equitable fashion. The port, the province and the LNG industry don’t need a war with the hereditary chiefs. The hereditary chiefs don’t need a war with their elected leadership. The federal government says it will base its decision on this project on the best available science and real public consultation, not on politics and political lobbying. In that spirit, let’s set aside the politics of confrontation and division and reconvene for a mature, collegial discussion. — Vancouver Sun
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 A9
Opinion
Letters to the Editor THANKFUL FOR CHARLIE LAKE FIREFIGHTERS We are sending this letter of appreciation for the incredible action on, and continued monitoring by the Charlie Lake Fire Department at our home on the Brown Road, on and after April 18. Just past 3 p.m. on April 18, a wildfire (likely started by a tree on a hydro line), burned most of our land, including the area surrounding our home. Within minutes of being called, the Charlie Lake Fire Department arrived and spent hours ensuring our home was safe. They were very professional, well trained, efficient and reassuring, inspiring confidence, with good reason. We are so thankful to them. They came back to monitor the fire over the next couple of days (and nights), which was also reassuring. We would also like to say thanks to our many neighbours on the 283 Q road, who came immediately with Bobcats, water tanks, hoses, and manpower to help us fight the fire and to evacuate. We have a great community here. If you ask us if the taxes we pay are reasonable for our fire protection, we can respond only by saying they are more than reasonable. Nothing replaces first responders when they are needed. We appreciate that people affected by the other nearby fires will think likewise of the Taylor and Fort St. John Fire department and of their own neighbours. Ken and Darby Forest, Charlie Lake B.C. NEEDS TO SET EXAMPLE ON USING NATURAL GAS FOR ENERGY A couple of op-ed pieces in the April 21, 2016, issue caused me to write this. The first piece is from the Honourable Richard Neufeld, where he indicates concern that many have for debt being accumulated. He suggests an additional $100 billion will have been borrowed by the next federal election. When one draws a comparison to the debt and “contractual obligations” accumulated by BC Hydro which, with the ever-increasing cost of the Site
C dam project will be very near $100 billion, illustrates how much rates will have to increase to pay for expensive power being purchased from IPPs and being sold at a loss. The ratepayer base for BC Hydro is substantially smaller than the base that would be paying off federal government debt. The so-called Clean Energy Act that requires purchase of this expensive power from IPPs and exempts the Site C dam project from BCUC oversight needs to be changed as it also prevents use of natural gas burning facilities like the Burrard Thermal Plant located right next to the Lower Mainland electrical load. As Mr. Yu writes in his piece, B.C. is awash in clean burning natural gas that we are prevented from using here by the so called Clean Energy Act. If B.C. residents and the current government of Premier Clark in particular want to encourage China and Japan to burn gas produced here, she needs to set an example by using the Burrard Thermal facility, which will create jobs in this area producing and shipping gas to that facility. A facility that is currently owned by BC Hydro, ratepayers would enjoy lesser rates than the newly commissioned Enmax Shepherd plant in Calgary, which has an upfront capital cost and still is selling power for over 20 per cent less than B.C. rates. Burrard Thermal is an integral part of the B.C. grid and could be used to offset the high price paid for IPP purchases, as well as showing the world the actual results of using gas vs. coal. And the overall benefit for all could be to negate the requirement to build the Site C dam, saving ratepayers over $10 billion paying for a project that, due to its BCUC exemption, has not been issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Need, or in other words been proven to be necessary. We cannot force countries around the world to purchase B.C. gas and only have to look east to Alberta to see the resistance to the loss of jobs precipitated by their move away from coalgenerated power. Chinese coal miners might react the same way. We can only encourage the use of cleaner fuels through a global effort
It’s always better to think before you type I t’s so easy to hide behind a keyboard these days. When we don’t have to look people in the eyes, see their facial cues and immediate reactions; it makes it so much easier to say horrible things. The #MoreThanMean hashtag spawned out of a PSA about online harassment of female sports reporters, who seem to get more hatred directed at them than male sports reporters, as well as female reporters that cover non-sports related topics. We’ve had two female sports reporters at AHN since I’ve worked here—Kelly Lapointe and Katie Maximick, perhaps you remember them? They were very good at their jobs and worked their butts off to ensure the Fort St. John got all its sports covered. But I know they were on the receiving end of some not very nice comments, often to their faces. The PSA video features two prominent female sports reporters; Sarah Spain, who works for ESPN, and Julie DiCaro, the founder of Aerys Sports Network, a sports blog network written by women. In the video, a group of men have to read online comments made about these two women out loud, while sitting right in front of them. At first the men laugh it off, albeit a bit nervously, until they get to the more graphic comments, ones that suggest Spain should be beaten by her boyfriend, calls them degrading names, and even wishing for their deaths. So, basically what they, and many women, deal with on a daily basis on the Internet. Many of the men had trouble bringing themselves to read those comments aloud, several apologizing to the women in advance and saying they were “just reading” them. These weren’t their words, they were the words of others. The idea is, of course, that if you
and by allowing market forces to work. River estuaries should not be impacted when more suitable sites exist and could be purchased from other project proponents. If dumping dredged materials increased salmon productivity as Mr. Yu suggests, biologists would likely have been pursuing that activity, but it seems unlikely many would recommend doing so. The subtle message seen recently is that opponents of the Site C dam are also opposed to natural gas production and, in many cases, this is simply not true. The next time you talk to an opponent of the dam, ask them what they think. A good many of them realize that there is potential for B.C. to use this plentiful resource to avoid the further borrowing of many billions, creating generations of debt as Senator Neufeld points out, and to save destruction of the Peace River valley, while creating jobs locally. Bob Fedderly, Charlie Lake
regional population demand for local vegetable crops. Overall, agricultural production in the region is expected to benefit from access to the agricultural compensation fund. The Joint Review Panel concluded that BC Hydro’s $20 million agricultural compensation fund is generous in comparison to the current value of crops from the portion of the valley that would be inundated, which they estimated at about $220,000 annually. Consultation on the framework for the agricultural compensation fund took place from November 2015 to the end of January 2016, and included meetings in four communities and feedback from 114 agricultural stakeholders, including horticulturalists. To learn more, visit www.sitecproject.com. Dave Conway Community Relations Manager, Site C, BC Hydro CHEMICALLY TREATING OUR FORESTS SHOULD BE HALTED
PEACE VALLEY CAN STILL PRODUCE FOOD In 2014, an independent Joint Review Panel report stated that: “…the permanent loss of the agricultural production of the Peace River valley bottomlands included in the local assessment area of the Project is not, by itself and in the context of B.C. or western Canadian agricultural production, significant.” While there will be a permanent loss of about 3,800 hectares of Class 1 to 5 land from Site C, about 2.7 million hectares of Class 1 to 5 land will remain available in the Peace Agricultural Region. In fact, based on the assessment, if all of the remaining 6,600 hectares of Class 1 and 2 land in the Peace River valley were brought into vegetable production, it could produce 100 per cent of the locally suitable vegetable crops for about one-million people. That’s why the assessment concluded there would be no change to the ability for remaining agricultural lands to produce enough food to satisfy a growth in
BC Timber Sales, Peace-Liard Business Area plans to spray Glyphosate (Roundup) on huge areas of our forests. They call this a “Pest Management Plan.” The vegetation, brush, etc. that will be killed are not pests. They are a natural part of a healthy forest. Chemical application is not management; it is destruction. This over-use and abuse of deadly chemicals is killing our bees, our butterflies, our birds and our animals. Wildlife may not be directly killed by direct contact with these chemicals but their food and shelter are killed. Chemicals are killing the lichens, mosses and browse that are critical to the survival of caribou and many other species. We should not be killing wolves. We should be killing the destructive, unconscionable application of herbicides, pesticides and other toxic chemicals to our forests, range lands, etc. Wake up people! There is only one planet we can live on. Ed Pitt, Dawson Creek
got something to say about a hot button issue? send us a letter to the editor! email editor@ahnfsj.ca or fill out the form on our website, www.alaskahighwaynews.ca
Aleisha Hendry
PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER as i see it
wouldn’t say it out loud, you really shouldn’t type it. Looking into the face of a person and have the C-word come out of your mouth isn’t a good feeling, even if they’re not actually your words. Spain and Dicaro’s only crime? Doing the job they’re paid to do. Just like you, just like me, just like everyone else trying to get by in this world. Oh, and being women. Can’t forget that. Sports are for everyone, which makes it all the more baffling why there are still people out there that can’t wraps their brains around a woman being a sports reporter. Women like sports, and not just because guys like sports either. I’ve said this before, and it often feels like beating a dead horse since things like this come up so often, but we could all stand to be a little kinder to each other. I don’t know your family issues, maybe you would do this, but if it’s something you wouldn’t say in front of your grandmother, maybe you should rethink what you’re typing. It’s sad that we have to suggest people imagine their own family, as if the names and profiles on the Internet aren’t attached to real people, but that’s often the only way to get those angry people to stop and think. So, again, let’s try and think before we hit send. The person on the other end is still a person, just like you. Aleisha Hendry is a proud feminist writer who loves cold weather, her cats, roller skates and righteous indignation. Follow her on Twitter at @aleishahendry
FOR PROPOSED TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 037/2016 (Nalco Champion) Enterprise Way, South of Fort St. John Lot 12 Section 25 Township 83 Range 19 W6M PRD Plan EPP24591 Proposal: To allow for the lawful operation of an existing tank farm that stores regulated specialty chemicals for enhanced oil field productivity.
This notice is in general form only. Relevant background documents may be inspected between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at the Peace River Regional District office located at 9505-100th St, Fort St. John, BC. Written comments or concerns accepted. Chris Cvik, Chief Administrative Officer
When:
For more information:
Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 10 AM
Development Services Department
Where: Peace River Regional District Board Room 1981 Alaska Ave., Dawson Creek, BC
www.prrd.bc.ca R0011235171
Tel: 250-784-3200 Fax: 250-784-3201 Toll Free: 1-800-670-7773 Email: prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca Peace River Regional District Official Page | Facebook
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A10 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Business Caffeine runs in the family Contact Us
matt preprost 250-785-5631 editor@ahnfsj.ca
“Everybody kind of needs LNG to go through just to keep the bottom from falling out.” - Roland Cataford, A11
The Caffeination Station drive-thru coffee kiosk expanding into Charlie Lake aleisha hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca
Few people can say they love caffeine as much as the owners of The Caffeination Station do. The bright orange and green kiosk on the frontage road in Taylor has caught the eye of many a commuter travelling the Alaska Highway, but also the community. Started up in September 2014 by Doug Witmer, his daughter Jessica and her husband, Chris Davenport, The Caffeination Station brings together the families’ two loves: coffee and customer service. “We love coffee and we love what we do,” said Jessica. “We love giving great service while we do it and making those relationships, and when you meld the two together it’s just made something we’re all really passionate about, which has made us be able to make it a success.” The idea of the Station came about after Doug made a few trips to visit Jessica and Chris, who were working in the Northwestern U.S. at the time. “In all of our trips down there, we saw all these coffee kiosks on every street corner in Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and they’re drive thru, drive thru and walk up, or double drive thru,” said Doug.
aleisha hendry Photo
From left: Jessica Witmer, Doug Witmer and Chris Davenport plan on opening a second Caffeination Station location near Charlie Lake.
Some of those kiosks were as small as a shed you’d buy from the Investors Group Financial Services Inc., I.G. Insurance Services Inc. hardware store, and often there would be one on both sides of the street. This got the family thinking. RAE EVANS “I wondered: why wouldn’t Division Director that work up here? We have so many commuters travel9319 - 100th Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 1X8 Ph. (250) 785-4312 ling every day, hours worth of Fax (250) 785-2344 driving,” said Doug. “We saw Cell (250) 262-6115 the lineups and thought surely that business model would rae.evans@investorsgroup.com work up here.” Licensed Sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company
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So they decided to give it a go. They had looked into the logistics of opening a sit-down café, but decided that business model just wasn’t for them. Nor was going the franchise route. They decided they wanted the business to be theirs and not have to adhere to corporate policy. So they bought a shipping container, and Doug worked to turn it into a coffee kiosk. They went with the bright orange and lime green to help it stand out. “It’s so brown here most of the year, we wanted to make it bright and really noticeable,” said Jessica. The Station has become a staple not just for the commuters, but also residents of Taylor. “We have a hardcore following of just local people that come here every single day,” said Davenport. They also take the time to get to know their customers, learning their orders and trying to have them ready as soon as they get to the window. “Most humans are creatures of habit and their drinks don’t change much either,” said Doug. Jessica added: “We don’t have a menu, they don’t order before they get to the window, so if they’re indecisive we can
help them find what they want.” Along with the daily dose caffeine, they also offer baked goods, most of which are made by the station’s silent partner, Meri Witmer—Doug’s wife and Jessica’s mother. “We do use a food service for some things, but we want to move away from that and have all our stuff be homemade,” said Jessica. Not content to serve coffee just to those heading south on the Alaska Highway, the crew is planning on opening a second Caffeination Station heading north towards Charlie Lake. “We just want to have another option for people going the other direction,” said Jessica. “We have a lot of people that enjoy coming this way, so why not put it there? Fort St. John is expanding, it’s a higher populated area, and there are people out there that need coffee. And we don’t have enough coffee shops.” The new kiosk is built and is being stored behind the Taylor location until it can be moved to its new home near Arctech Welding. They’re hoping to have it up and running for the May long weekend traffic heading up the highway.
Making retirement financially sustainable One dictionary definition of “sustainable” is “able to be maintained” – and it’s something we hear often these days, mostly in relation to maintaining the ecological balance of our world. That’s the big picture of sustainability but, on a very personal level, sustainability is of vital importance to you. Will your retirement income be sufficient to sustain the lifestyle you want for all the years of your retirement? Here are some things to consider as you try to ensure your financial life is sustainable throughout your retirement: • Decide when you want to retire If you choose to retire earlier than age 65, you’ll have fewer years to save to retirement and more post-retirement years to fund. If you choose to retire after 65, you can opt to enjoy the tax-saving, income-building advantages of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) until the end of the year in which you turn 71—and you can further extend RRSP benefits after 71 by continuing to pay into a plan for your spouse who is younger than 71. • Decide on your lifestyle What you want to do and how you want to live in retirement will dictate its cost. Stay close to home and your costs may be lower. Travel regularly and your costs may escalate. You may choose to add to your income by continuing to work full- or part-time, on a contract basis, or even by starting your own business. • Add up your income from all sources Take stock of every post-retirement income source, including personal savings, company pensions, investments held in your RRSPs, Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), non-registered investments, and government
sources such as the Canada Pension Plan, Québec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP) and Old Age Security (OAS). • Add up your costs Estimate your retirement spending requirements in three categories: 1. Essential expenses that can’t be reduced. 2. Discretionary expenses you can control. 3. Additional expenses such as healthcare that typically come along with aging. Calculate the income you’ll need to cover your essential and discretionary retirement costs as well as the additional income you’ll need to cover the ‘extra’ expenses of aging. • Bridge the gap If there is a shortfall between what you need and what you have, you should determine the level and frequency of income you will need via withdrawals from your registered and other income-producing investments – and keep in mind that your retirement could span 40 years or more. • Reset your strategy If your estimated withdrawal rate is not sustainable based on projected returns from your current savings and investments you should reset your income strategy or reset your retirement plans. And before doing anything else, talk to your professional advisor – the sustainability expert who can help ensure your retirement income will maintain for all your retirement years. This column written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. For more information on this topic, contact your Investors Group consultant.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 A11
Local News
April oil and gas land sale brings in $375K as industry continues to struggle April’s oil and gas land sale brought in $375,000—down from last month but up from February’s historic zero-dollar auction. Sixteen parcels sold at the April 20 sale, including subsurface leases and drilling rights, which provide exclusive rights to explore for natural gas and oil on three-to-five year terms. Income from the land sale, which is widely considered an indicator of future exploration activity, has dropped precipitously since late 2014 with the price of oil. Last month’s sale brought in $1,927,906 while the month before, B.C. recorded its first ever zero-dollar land sale. 2015 was one of the worst years for land sale incomes on record, bringing in just $18 million compared to $382 million the year before. Without a major uptick in exploration activity, 2016 is set to be a worse year for oil and gas exploration than 2015. That’s a worry for the provincial government, which relies on resource revenues to pay for healthcare, school and other social services. The land sale typically accounts for 30 to 70 per
cent of B.C.’s oil and gas income, with the balance covered by resource royalties. Government officials cited the declining price for gas for the collapse in land sale revenues, as well as the increasingly marginal parcels on offer. The average per-hectare price at the April sale was $71.76, well below the two years prior ($300 and $2,500, respectively). The provincial government set aside cash from billion-dollar oil and gas windfalls in 2008, which continues to prop up sagging resource incomes. In an interview earlier this month, Premier Christy Clark said sagging oil and gas incomes were “the central concern that’s driving our government’s plan to export (liquefied natural gas).” “Natural gas is worth next to nothing on the North American market,” Clark said. “It’s been discovered in shale and shale fracking has meant jurisdictions all over the continent are finding it in abundance.” She said without securing a world price for natural gas, “nobody’s going to bother getting it out of the ground in the northeast, and that’s going to be really tough for people’s families. It’s going to have a huge impact on jobs and unemployment.”
FSJ home starts hot in 2015, but market cools in 2016 mike carter and Matt Preprost reporter@dcdn.ca, editor@ahnfsj.ca
Construction of new homes in Dawson Creek dropped drastically from 2014 to 2015, but the picture was different in Fort St. John where new home construction went up, according to new data from BC Stats. In 2014, construction started on 297 new houses in Dawson Creek, compared to last year when 83 new homes broke ground. It’s the second-largest drop among municipalities in the province. Construction began on 476 homes in Fort St. John last year, 41 more than in 2014. So far in the first quarter of 2016, there are 13 new homes under construction in Fort St. John, far off the city’s pace of 100 new starts around this time last year. Dawson Creek has only seen just one start this year, according to the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation. The downturn in oil and gas, which has pushed regional unemployment to a provincial high of 9.7 per cent, is partly behind the drop in new builds. “In 2015, things were growing a little bit,” said Fort St. John Realtor Roland Cataford of Century 21 Realty, adding it was the tail end of a building boom brought on by optimism for liquefied natural gas (LNG) development. “Where we are now, there’s been a huge change.” Not only is new construction down, but sales have also dropped off by around 70 per cent, Cataford said. He attributes the downward trend in housing starts and sales to declining consumer confidence.
“Everybody kind of needs LNG to go through just to keep the bottom from falling out,” he said. “A lot of what I am seeing right now is people saying ‘I got laid off, I need to sell.’ Those are tough ones because people are kind of feeling like they are up against a wall.” Year-over-year, building permits are down in Fort St. John. At the end of March, the city had issued just 26 permits for a construction value of $5.73 million, down from the 70 permits worth $38.8 million at the same time last year. Ken Rogers, the city’s director of development, acknowledged a cooling in the housing market this year, but noted the city does have a few big institutional and commercial projects expected to break ground. That includes a new elementary school near Sunset Ridge, along with some infill commercial buildings that will break ground downtown. The city has also received building permit requests for a number of vacant lots along the Alaska Highway, according to Rogers. “The housing industry tends to be very reactive to current conditions,” Rogers said. “Commercial and industrial is what I like to refer to as that slow steady build out, where most commercial ventures will not build unless they know they can make money. “Housing is built on speculation where commercial (ventures) tend to wrap up their clients before they even break ground. Given that commercial is still performing, it does lend flavour to fact they’re confident city is still in a forward motion and not in a contraction,” he said.
HAVE YOU HEARD?
We are having our 1st Year Anniversary Celebration! Come join us for coffee and snacks May 4, 9am – 6pm
where better hearing matters 9807 101 Avenue #111, Fort St. John BC V1J 2B1 Ph:(250)787-7758 | Fax: (250)787-7748
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jonny wakefield reporter@dcdn.ca
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• Beautiful 2009 built custom home in Country Meadow Estates • 5 bedrooms, 3 bath, fully finished basement • Situated on 4.5 Acres in area of fine homes • Motivated Seller, bring offers! • More info at $699,000 www.century21.ca/101098779
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Read
2.2 Total Acres of C4 Land
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A12 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local News
raising the legion’s roof
aleisha hendry photo
Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman and BC Hydro President and CEO Jessica McDonald sign the Site C community measures agreement Friday, April 22.
Nine groups split $75K in Site C funds as BC Hydro, Fort St. John ink agreement aleisha hendry photo
matt preprost
The Fort St. John Legion received a boon Friday, April 22, thanks to some provincial year-end surplus money. Legion director Mike King, Dan Davies, Legion president Tracy Radcliffe and Vice-President Gary Bath were on hand to receive $20,000 from Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm (middle). The funds will go towards helping repair the roof of the Legion building, which should bring a smile to the face of Fred Garrow, who snuck in for a pose behind Legion officials at this funding presentation.
editor@ahnfsj.ca
Counterfeit U.S. bills in the city, RCMP say
GLASS HOUSE FIR PELLETS, SPF PELLETS & STOVES
“These investigations are ongoing. Anyone who is accepting cash should beware of the recent reports of counterfeit U.S. dollars being used.” Any with information about the counterfeit bills is asked to call the detachment at 250-7878100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. —AHN
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If you’ve come across a $50 greenback lately, there’s a good chance it’s a fake. Fort St. John RCMP say they are investigating five reports of counterfeit U.S. $50 bills that were used at a number of local businesses since Thursday, April 21. “The use of counterfeit currency is illegal and can have lasting effects on the economy both locally and nationally,” Cst. Nancy Sagger said in a statement.
AUTO GLASS
in stock
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Rotary in Dawson Creek A few examples of Rotary partnering to help other organizations succeed, over the past 15 years. April 2001 – Two Rotarians, Teresa Crate and Wayne Dahlen are shown here with their service groups that came together in support of the Salvation Army food bank. Also in April 2001, Rotary club president Paul Gevatkof presents a cheque to help support the D.A.R.E. program to educate children as a way of avoiding street drugs. We then have a class picture of the kids that took part.
April 2006 – Rotary Club president Larry Moody presents a cheque to Bear Nountain Ski Hill manager Gord Schmidt to assist in future development and equipment replacement. The local ski hill is a non-profit organization supported by donations and volunteers. April 2011 – Rotary Club president Sally Schilds presents a cheque to Librarian Jenny Snyder to help the library promote a literacy program aimed at toddlers. The money was used to purchase books to give to the children and by having their very own books, their future is more promising.
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From women’s services to restorative justice, literacy to history, nine local non-profit agencies in Fort St. John will split $75,000 BC Hydro is funnelling into the city as part of a deal to build the Site C dam. BC Hydro President and CEO Jessica McDonald was in the city Friday to sign a community measures agreement over the dam alongside Mayor Lori Ackerman. “The agreement includes measures that will provide a meaningful benefit for the residents of Fort St. John while helping mitigate the impacts of the project on the local community,” McDonald said in a statement ahead of the signing at the city’s Passive House. As part of the signing, the city announced the nine groups who will split $75,000 to help offset the impacts of the dam. They include:
• Community Bridge: $20,000 for counselling and support services throughout the Peace River -Liard region • Fort St. John Women’s Resource Centre: $20,000 to education, advocacy and social justice services for women in the community • Abbeyfield Houses: $5,000 for housing services for seniors • Fort St. John Community Arts Council: $5,000 to help fund local arts and culture organizations and events • North Peace Justice Society: $5,000 for the society’s restorative justice program, which aims to keep first-time and low-level offenders out of the court system • Fort St. John Public Library: $5,000 for library services • Fort St. John Literacy Society: $5,000 for literacy services • Fort St. John North Peace Museum: $5,000 for ongoing collection, preservation and exhibition of the history of the North Peace region • BC SPCA North Peace Branch: $5,000 for animal support services.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 A13
regional News
One hundred pray for safe return of missing teen jonny wakefield reporter@dcdn.ca
When Denny Poole was just a few years old, Alan Lefferson, his foster dad, taught him how to track on his 52-acre farm outside Pouce Coupe. “He’d show me all the different (tracks) next time out,” Lefferson said Monday at a vigil for Poole, who has been missing for nearly 45 days. “Deer, moose, elk, bear, whatever we could find. He was very good at memorizing roads to get back home.” One hundred people turned out to a service for Poole Monday, April 25, to pray for his safe return. The 15-year-old went missing after wandering the backroads near the Kiskatinaw River with a friend March 12. The friend managed to find a ride back to Dawson Creek, but Poole hasn’t been seen since. Pastor Cory Lizotte of the Pouce Coupe Community Church led a brief service, followed by smudging and drumming for the Poole family, who are First Nations.
“Help the people who are looking for him, and bring him safely home to us,” Lizotte prayed. “If that is not possible, Lord, we ask you to let us know where he is so we can grieve.” Poole, who was living with his grandma Jenny at the time of his disappearance, spent time in foster care with the Leffersons growing up. Riding bikes and quads on the farm was one of Poole’s favourite activities, Lefferson said. He said it was unusual for Poole to be out of contact, even after he moved back with his grandma. “Usually once a week he’d phone me just to see how I was doing,” Leffeson said. “If he was in trouble or needed something, I’d go get him.” Police have enlisted a helicopter for help in the search, jonny wakefield photo as well as trackers from Jenny Poole (seated) comforts niece Blare Coss at a vigil for missing teen Denny Poole Monday. Beside them, Debbie Saulteau First Nations, but as Massee and Brittany, Poole’s sister, pray for his safe return. Poole had been missing 44 days at the time of the vigil. of Monday there was no news on Poole’s whereabouts. Lizotte said the search for Denny has been painful for the whole community. “If one person is hurt, we all feel it,” he said.
Police searching for mother of missing teen jonny wakefield reporter@dcdn.ca
RCMP are trying to locate the mother of a 15-year-old Dawson Creek boy who went missing more than a month ago. Tammy Poole was reported missing last week, Dawson Creek RCMP say, and was last seen April 22 after leaving her home for a walk. RCMP say family are concerned about her well-being, noting she has “some physical disabilities” and requires medical care. She is mother to Denny Poole, a 15-year-old who went missing from the side of the Alaska Highway March 12. Sharla Bruun, a spokesperson for the family, said they are working to find both Tammy and Denny. “The RCMP have been notified, and we have run up against brick walls at this point,” she said. “I think we kind of have a lead and we’ve given that to the RCMP, so we’ll know more today.” As of press time Tuesday afternoon, Tammy Poole was
jonny wakefield photo
Alan Lefferson (centre) says it’s unusual for his foster son to be out of contact for even a week’s time.
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handout photo
Tammy Poole was last seen April 22 after leaving her home for a walk.
still missing. According to police, she is a 41-year-old indigenous woman. She is approximately five feet tall, around 110 pounds, with shoulder-length black and grey hair described as “unkempt.” She was last seen wearing a black fleece, zip-up winter jacket, a black shirt, blue jeans and black sneaker type shoes. Anyone who sees Tammy is asked to call Dawson Creek RCMP or call 911.
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FORT ST. JOHN Co-operative Association FORT ST. JOHN Co-operative Association
To the Encana Events Centre!
Notice of 70th Annual General Meeting
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015 Time: Supper 6:00 pm, Meeting 7:00 pm Location: Pomeroy Hotel 71st meetingMeeting Notice 70thAnnual Annual General 11308ofAlaska Rd (By Chances Casino)
Date: Thursday May 26th , 2016
• •
g n i m Co n! o o S
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015 To Consider Time:statement. Supper 6:00 pm, Meeting24.6% 7:00 pm Review 2014 financial Sales increased to $101.8 million and Location: Pomeroy net savings of $7.9 million or 7.9% of sales. Hotel 11308 Alaska Rd (By Chances Directors recommendation of a patronage allocationCasino)
Consider • Election of 2 Directors for 3 yearToterm • • Review 2015 financial statement. Sales decreased 28.5% to 74.1 million Review 2014 financial statement. Sales increased 24.6% to $101.8 million and Guest Speaker Directoror 7.9% of sales. • and a net savings of 5.9 Million or 8.0% net savings of FCL $7.9 million •• Co-op Giftrecommendation Certificates and Door Prizes Valued at $500.00 Directors of a patronage allocation • Election of 3 directors for 3 year term • Election of 2 Directors for 3 year term
tickets forDirector supper must be picked up prior to May 11 at the Co-op Cardlock May 14 • Complimentary Guest Speaker FCL Sorry no children please.
Co-op Gift Certificates and Door Prizes Valued at $500.00
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Complimentary ticketsyour for supper picked prior of to May 11 at theofCo-op Interested in letting name must standbefor theup Board Directors Fort Cardlock St. John Sorry noparticipate children please. Co-operative Association? Directors jointly with a total of 7 Directors in planning and controlling the affairs of the co-operative, guided by Association CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Bylaws and Policies, so that it effectively moves toward achieving the objectives Interested in letting your name stand the Board of Directors Fort St. John of the Co-operative. Please pick up afornomination form at the of Administration Co-operative Association? Directors participate jointly with a total of 7 Directors Office. The form should be dropped off at the office prior to May May 17, 15, 2016. 2015. in planning and controlling the affairs of the co-operative, guided by Association Bylaws and Policies, so that it effectively moves toward achieving the objectives of the Co-operative. Please pick up a nomination form at the Administration Office. The form should be dropped off at the office prior to May 15, 2015.
Have News ??? email Us news@ahnfsj.ca
Main Entrance
•
o t k o o b ce a F n o s s: Like u l i a t e d e r e t r n o e m C t na ge a c n E s ’ e Menchi Menchie’s Dawson Creek
101 1040 Alaska Ave
250.782.204
A14 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local News
Turbine spinning at city’s micro-hydro station matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
It’s been generating power since October, but Fort St. John officials and the president of BC Hydro cut the ribbon on the city’s micro-hydro station Friday morning. Built at a cost of $1.4 million using gas tax grants, the station in the Old Fort neighbourhood can generate up to 780 megawatt hours of power a year using treated wastewater from the city’s lagoons, enough to power about 70 homes. The city has been generating about 80 kilowatts of energy a day at the station since October, feeding the power matt preprost photo into the BC Hydro grid. OffiVictor Shopland, Fort St. John’s integrated services director, tours city officials and media through the city’s cials estimate the station will micro-hydro station Friday, April 22. The station has been generating power since October. generate between $75,000 to $80,000 a year for the city, the facility, a 588-square foot helping to offset its cost of concrete building that houses pumping Peace River water a turbine, generator and conout of the valley to homes and trol station. businesses, the city’s biggest McDonald said the city’s electricity cost. project forced the Crown util“We saw an opportunity to ity to look at its net metering put an turbine into a pipe that program—which allows reswas already releasing effluent idents and businesses to genback into the environment,” erate their own power to feed Mayor Lori Ackerman said. into the provincial grid and “The return on the invest- make money—and raised the supplied photo ment for this project is going allowable generating capa- Urban Systems officials accept an Award of Merit for engineering Fort St. to be remarkable, andIi think city from 50 kilowatts to 100. John’s micro-hydro station at the Association of Consulting Engineering it showcases really what com“It caused us take a look Companies British Columbia’s annual engineering excellence awards. munities can do when they’re at the program and make it innovative in their approach a little wider in scope so this Urban Systems, which ac“This was born out of the to leaving a lighter footprint kind of project can fit and ted as the city’s consultant on city’s vision,” said project enand bringing some return really be a leader in showing designing the station, won an gineer Eric Sears. back to the community.” what communities every- Award of Merit for the project McDonald was also in The city took advantage where can do in helping us at the Association of Consult- town to sign BC Hydro’s Site C of Earth Day to highlight the meet our energy demands by ing Engineering Companies community measures agreeproject, taking BC Hydro Pres- using what you’ve got here British Columbia’s annual en- ment with the City of Fort St. ident and CEO Jessica McDon- already as a resource,” Mc- gineering excellence awards John and tour the Site C dam ald on a quick tour through Donald said. on April 9. site.
DNA test ties Richmond men to out-of-season deer kill jonny wakefield reporter@dcdn.ca
A dead deer’s DNA helped tie two Richmond men to an out-of-season hunting expedition in Rose Prairie. Late last month, Xiaojing Guo and Yong Li pleaded guilty to possession of dead wildlife and illegal hunting in a Richmond court. The two were charged after killing deer on a hunting expedition in Rose Prairie near Fort St. John in August 2013. The BC Conservation Officer Service got a complaint about the hunting party from a resident, who said the men had killed a deer despite seasonal prohibitions on doing so. Seven men in the group were initially charged. Conservation Officers caught up with the men and found the bodies of two deer. “We collected blood from the kill site, and then we had DNA from the deer that were seized,” Conservation Officer Blake Parker said. “We were able to link them that way.” He said it’s not uncommon for COs to use DNA in illegal hunting cases. “It depends on what evidence we have,” he said. “If we have (DNA), we do use it when we can. We save sending it out and getting it tested for the more serious offences. We don’t do it like 20 times a year.” Guo was fined $3,500 and handed a three-year prohibition on hunting on March 31. Li was also given a three-year hunting prohibition, as well as $2,300 in fines. Their rifles, the deer carcasses and other hunting paraphernalia were confiscated.
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House
of the
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CATALINA
Stepping into the Catalina's generously proportioned great room, you get the impression that the home must be fairly large. Vaulted ceilings increase the sense of openness in this lofty, informal space, which wraps around the kitchen and flows into the vaulted dining area.
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Bedrooms are all on the left, where an archway marks the entrance to the sleeping quarters. If three bedrooms aren't needed, the room to the left of the entry is in a good spot for a study. Arched multi-paned windows give the But the Catalina is actually designed secondary bedrooms a touch of gracefor people who want a home on the low ful elegance. Outside, the windows end of the size range -- a small, eco- echo the curved arches of the entry colnomical and efficient living space. Just onnade. A raised planter adds color. the same, the plan is packed with contemporary features. And it's bright. The Luxury features in the Catalina's great room is richly illuminated by sun- vaulted owners' suite include a walk-in shine spilling in through the screened closet, twin basins, separately enclosed porch at the back. shower and toilet, and direct access to the back yard -- particularly important, Expanded by a bay window, the if a pool is part of the plan. horseshoe-shaped kitchen is also naturally illuminated. Amenities include a Associated Designs is the original pantry, generous cupboard and counter source for the Catalina 11-002. For space, a built-in dishwasher, range and more information or to view other deoven. The walk-through utility room signs, visit www.AssociatedDesigns. has cabinets, a folding counter and ac- com or call 800-634-0123.
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Close to Kin park in a quiet cul-de-sac you'll cozy up to the fireplace on a cool winter evening in the vaulted ceiling great room. Big pantry space in the well designed kitchen makes for easy prep for the family and friends you'll have to fill up the 6 bedrooms. 3 full baths, attached garage and RV parking too!
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Quiet and tidy! Perfect location here, close to 3 schools on a cul-de-sac and recreation nearby! Many updates and upgrades here, with a fully finished basement, good-sized yard with alley access, and the basement is built out well for roommates too! Get into this one soon, as it fits nearly everyone's family and needs!
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$559,900
2 acres, house with garage, 28x38 detached garage with carport, and Mom-inlaw suite with a lake view and 8 min to Fort St. John! Charlie Lake sewer system in place and lots of windows to soak in the trees! Unique property with potential for growth or subdivision.
$387,900
Close to Kin Park, a 4 level split gives. Huge yard with alley access! Upgraded siding and kitchen, a wood fireplace adds charm to winter evenings and special occasions too.
NEW LISTING
Perfectly maintained and quick possession! Newer 16' wide modular on its own lot has 2 nice sheds, concrete drive, huge deck, RV space and a corner lot with alley access too! Super clean inside and all appliances stay, including the lawn mower! See this one now!
$359,900
per side
4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath master ensuite. parking front and rear too!
$72,900
Upgraded unit with a shared bathroom between 2nd & 3rd bedrooms!
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 A15
peace region wildfires
With officials off guard, citizen firefighters step up to the fire lines ‘Unprecedented’ early start to fire season forces hundreds of volunteers to spring into action JONNY WAKEFIELD reporter@dcdn.ca
jonny wakefield photo
A group of fellers tasked with removing hazard trees pauses for a photo.
control the blaze, which at one point covered 400 hectares. Over the next 24 hours, a muster point took shape on Nelson’s property, and donations began to pour in. The site had portable fuel tanks and toilets, heavy equipment donated by oilfield and construction companies, water trucks, a helicopter, dozens of bright-yellow backpack sprayers (dubbed “piss cans”), and a fleet of side-by-side ATVs.
‘The bad night’
‘Which way is this tree going to go, Siri?’
The Arras wildfire was one of 44 that broke out across the Peace Region April 18. Many say the sudden start to the fire season left the B.C. Wildfire Service flat footed, forced to triage multiple dangerous fires. “The conditions are unprecedented for this time of year,” said Amanda Reynolds, a fire information officer with the Prince George Fire Centre. “And we have a lot of seasonal workers—they’re university students, or they have other jobs. It came early.” That led to a slower than usual response. “They’re doing triage, and rightfully so,” said Chet Jans, a rancher west of Arras who helped fight a fire in the Pine Valley. “They’re hitting whatever they can that’s going to immediately affect someone’s personal property, their houses.” The wildfire service had resources on the ground in East Pine April 20, Jans said, as well as a water bomber April 19. However, volunteers still did much of the work, and it wasn’t until April 21 that fire crews were on the ground in Arras. “Everyone’s going as hard as they can just to chip in and try to contain it so it doesn’t hit the next property,” said Jans. “It’s just how it is.” Nelson, a construction contractor who raises horses, learned a wildfire had broken out on his brother Troy’s property the afternoon of April 18, when he got a worried call from his wife Ronda. “I just ripped down here, got my pump and started helping at Troy’s,” said Nelson, who lives a mile away. “Once we had it controlled down there and we knew it wasn’t going to take his home, we all came around here and drove up the road until we met up with the fire. It was just blasting ahead, a big wall of flames in the grass.” While Arras has a volunteer fire department, it wasn’t nearly enough to
Visitors at the camp signed in with an in- and out-time and cell phone number, and were issued a reflective vest. At the fire’s peak, 96 people were signed in at one time. Last Thursday, with the fire mostly contained, Nelson took me out on a side-by-side to see the damage. The earth is black west of the camp, marking the eastern extent of the fire. The first crew we come across is busy with the monotonous work of spraying down hot spots and turning over ashy soil, warm down to the permafrost. When we come back through this area later, Nelson spots a plastic bucket left by an earlier crew, melted from contact with the soil. Further in, bulldozers and skid steers are completing fireguards, some nearly 50 feet wide to keep the fire from spreading. Water trucks, the kind often seen on frack sites, are spaced along the main road to provide easy fill-up sites. On the morning of April 18, this network of clearings and access roads didn’t exist. In addition, many of the firefighters are family and friends, some from as far away as central Alberta. To help navigate the unfamiliar terrain, organizers have put up laminated kilometre markers on posts. The poplars eventually give way to denser forest, where a crew of loggers is bringing down hazard trees. One of them is Derek Bassett, who pulls the crew in for a photo. One of the loggers bends down to lace up a boot and activates his phone by accident. “Which way is this tree going to go, Siri?” he jokes. Afterwards, Bassett gives his assessment of the fire. “I’d say she’s 100 per cent controlled,” he says. “It’s just mopping up.” Nelson chimes in: “If it wasn’t for the local support, we’d be fighting this fire in Peace River.”
RememBeR mom with FloweRS thiS motheR’S Day
jonny wakefield photo
Travis Nelson turns over a smoking pile of dirt near his home in Arras. A wildfire sparked April 18 burned nearly 400 hectares in the community. People from as far away as southern Alberta turned out to Nelson’s property to battle the Arras wildfire.
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10345 100 St., Fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-2985
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6 1 0 2 e s i u r C r mme SEE YOU AT Su ! r a e y s i h t 0 1 July 8, 9 &
jonny wakefield photo
An oilfield water truck operator readies to fill a smaller tanker.
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ARRAS—Travis Nelson spots a smouldering pile of earth along a blackened firebreak and pulls over. “This could be at my property in 20 minutes if it caught up in the grass here,” Nelson says, stepping from the quad and pulling a shovel and sprayer can from the back. The pile is on the wrong side of the firebreak, and looks ready to spread into a dense stand of poplar. Nelson smashes apart the clump of roots, hosing down the earth with blasts from the sprayer and picking through the clods of dirt to feel for heat. Many picture airborne deluges from water bombers when they think of forest firefighting in B.C., but battling the Arras wildfire west of Dawson Creek last week was a far grittier affair. Hundreds of volunteers like Nelson sepnt days trying to contain the fire with what they say was next to no help from the government. Over the week, people from as far away as southern Alberta turned out to the muster point on Nelson’s property to help battle the fire, which at its height threatened a dozen rural properties. In a matter of hours, they’d assembled a camp that looked like a military operation, plowed firebreaks and roads into the scrub and largely contained a fire that some say could have spread all the way to Alberta if left unchecked. Last Thursday, there was frustration among the citizen firefighters at the government’s slow response, but also pride in what volunteers had been able to accomplish with donated time and equipment. No homes were lost in the fire.
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A16 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local News
NLC launches archaeology program aleisha hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca
If you’ve ever loved the idea of digging up the past, Northern Lights College has a new program for you. A new Archaeology Diploma Program will start in September, which could open the door to a variety of opportunities in the archaeology field, including entry-level fieldwork, performing survey and excavation, artifact processing, and report preparation. It can also be used to transfer to a university to obtain a degree in anthropology, which could potentially lead to future upper-level employment as a field director or senior archaeologist. “Archaeology is an important part of
APSASSIN HONOURED
industrial development in the natural resources sector,” said academic program chair Lisa Verbisky. The program is also relevant to First Nations communities, since archaeologists often uncover artifacts that have cultural significance to indigenous people and the region, according to Verbinsky. “That is why our new Archaeology Diploma is particularly exciting for our area,” she said. For information on the Archaeology Diploma Program at NLC, visit www.nlc.bc.ca. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure their seat. For further assistance, email studentrecruiter@nlc.bc.ca or call 1-866-463-6652.
JOIN THE carnival
aleisha hendry photo
Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman honoured Blueberry River First Nation elder May Apsassin at the Fort St. John Community Awards for being a pillar in the community. For more on this year’s community awards, turn to B8.
25 years of service
matt preprost photo
Lisa Behrens (left) and Brenda Baumeister with the Canadian Cancer Society in Fort St. John are looking for volunteers to help kick off their first Carnival of Hope fundraiser set for June. The Carnival is replacing the Society’s usual Relay For Life, but the aim is the same -- to have the community come out and raise money for local cancer support services, celebrate survivors and remember those lost to the disease, all while having an afternoon of fun. “We need volunteers, anybody who would like to come down and help,” Baumeister says. The Carnival is set for Saturday, June 11, at Bert Bowes Middle School. Volunteers are needed to help set up, staff a variety of new and old-fashioned carnival games, and help with the Dunk Tank Challenge, where residents can have a chance to dunk Peace Region mayors and councillors. For more, contact Baumeister at 250-263-7824 or Behrens at 250-261-6272.
matt preprost photo
Jeannie Whitford-Bonin isn’t on the front lines of Fort St. John’s police force, but she has been working quietly behind the scenes for the last 25 years. At the city’s April 25 council meeting, she was recognized for that work with a 25-year Long Service Award. According to the city, Whitford-Bonin began working at the detachment as a clerk on April 17, 1991. In 2007, she was promoted to records management supervisor and “takes great pride in her work and strives for excellence.” Outside her day job, you’re likely to find Whitford-Bonin at the curling club, where she volunteers her time to promote the sport and the club’s activities. In the summer, you’ll find her on the golf course or a quad trail, and if you don’t find her there, she’s likely gone campin’.
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Sports & Leisure
B
THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 Contact Us 250-785-5631 editor@ahnfsj.ca
Trackers hand out awards
fastest film ever made
Sports B2
Arts B7
Hometown sweep at Relentless All six fighters from Fort St. John won in a sold out show at Fivestar Fight League 17 byron hackett sports@ahnfsj.ca
The symbolic nature of the name “Relentless” was supposed to celebrate the spirit of the Fivestar Fight League and the continued tradition of bringing local MMA fights to Fort St. John. But the name took on a deeper meaning when the octagon lights flipped on Friday at the Fort St. John Curling Rink, as the show went on despite losing main attraction Duncan Wilson three days prior to the fight and before that world amateur champion Jamie Herrington’s first pro fight was lost as well. “I’ve said for the last two weeks this is the card from Hell for me,” FFL President and CEO Justin Donally explained Friday. “I lost fight after fight. I lost my main event fight week, that never happens and I lost my co-main event last month. I always try and put two or three good pro fights on the card and all of them fell off… and you know what, this was one of our best cards we’ve ever done. Just crazy, all the guys came out and performed.” The show went on masterfully in what was an entertaining, knockout performance for the 1,200-person strong, sold out show, as all six of the local fighters battled to victories in front of their friends and family. All the wins even came from the comfortable confides of the blue corner, which was the winning side for all 10 fights. “I was talking to the commission and they said ‘I don’t know if this has ever happened before’. Blue corner swept the
byron hackett photos
Travis “Last Dance” Lussier (top) controls Brad Laboucan during the main event of Fivestar Fight League 17 at the Fort St. John Curling Rink on Friday night.
red corner and it was just pure coincidence. My guys went 6-0 tonight. I was proud of my guys,” Donally said. “I coach the boxing as well as promote. Everything we worked came into play and my guys really working their jabs…to see them come out and execute their game plan was good. I’m super proud of the guys. There weren’t any blowouts, a lot of good close fights.” The main attraction was the remarkable story of Travis “Last Dance” Lussier, who dominated his fight with Brad Laboucan of Grande Prairie. Lussier now sits at 5-1 in his amateur career and is the number one contender for the welterweight title on the next FFL card. Dylan Lielke was moved into the co-main event spot
just a few days before the fight and didn’t disappoint, winning a unanimous decision in a kickboxing match with MMA flyweight titleholder Jarrett Vornbrock in what Donally called the fight of the night. “They put on a show, and Dylan is a show stopper. He comes out every time and performs. He does a great job. This guy is a world-class guy… he’s unreal. He’s a big talent,” Donally said. Lielke added that while his goal was to end the fight before the judges’ decision, he said his opponent was crafty in extending the fight all the way to the end. “Fight should have been over, he got kicked in the head and he fell right on to his face, I thought the fight would be called,” Lielke recalled of the final minute in
his fight. “It was good, we knew he angled lots, laterally, left to right, so I was just blasting kicks, but he was fast so he would be just out of range.” In just his second career
MMA fight, crowd favourite Conner White delivered a spectacular win against Grande Prairie native Ryan Holmen. “It feels great, the camp worked really hard, it was a long camp but the rounds in training were a lot longer than the actual fight so they paid off,” White said of his first FFL win in front of a large contingent of family and friends. The three other Fort St. John winners included Ethan Ruby, Kyle Baryluk and Matt Kertesz. Ruby won a unanimous decision in the kickboxing arena early in the night, Baryluk slipped a rear naked choke on Darnell Parker in round one and Kertesz followed suit with a first round TKO of Will Robins. Other winners included Carson Benedict (unanimous decision, kickboxing), Pascal Filion (TKO round two, kickboxing), Cody Fillon (unanimous decision, MMA) and William Quintal (TKO round one, MMA).
byron hackett photos
Dylan Lielke (right) hits Jarrett Vornbrok in the kickboxing co-main event at Fivestar Flight League 17.
Denny Morrison back in Canada after stroke Morrison returned home to Calgary Tuesday after being discarghed from a hospital in Utah byron hackett sports@ahnfsj.ca
Fort St. John native and Olympic speed skater Denny Morrison is facing a long road to recovery after suffering a stroke on April 23, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 30-year-old has returned home to Calgary and is currently under evaluation by Speed Skating Canada team doctors. According to a statement from Speed Skating Canada, Morrison’s teammate and girlfriend Josie Spence noticed signs of the stroke after they had finished a 1,200 kilometre, month-long bike along the Arizona Trail. Spence, a trained lifeguard recognized the signs when the pair arrived in Salt Lake City after the ride and immediately took Morrison to the hospital. Morrison was subsequently transported to a second hospital and has shown improvement. “A computerized tomography (CT Scan) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test confirmed a brain blood clot and a carotid artery dissection. No surgery was required and no blood thinners are being used,” Speed
Skating Canada said in a statement. The Olympian has not been available for comment, but told Speed Skating Canada he’s doing well and hopes for a speedy recovery. “The doctor suggested that I recovered quickly because I am a very
healthy young person”, Morrison said. “I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support, and especially Josie who is with me and who was able to recognize the signs quickly.” Morrison has appeared in good spirits since the accident, as on Monday he tweeted, “The worst thing that could possibly happen,
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Fort St. John native Denny Morrison is recovering in Calgary after he suffered a stroke in Salt Lake City, Utah on the weekend.
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happened this morning: my phone fell off my hospital bed aide-table and smashed the screen.” The stroke comes just a year after Morrison was involved in a serious motorcycle accident where he broke his femur that forced him to miss most of the 2015-2016. He made his comeback at the Canada Cup # 4 event in Calgary on Mach 17.
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B2 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local Sports
Trackers celebrate season successes byron hackett
sports@ahnfsj.ca
The Northeast B.C. and Yukon Midget Trackers were better than they’ve ever been in 2015-2016. Thanks to strong goaltending and some unheralded stars emerging from the hockey ether, the Trackers skated to an 18-9-5 record in the Northern Alberta Midget Hockey League before a second straight trip to provincials. Earlier this month (April 12), the team honoured some of their standout performances this season. “There’s only really throughout the course of the season a couple, maybe two weekends off. We even started up a week before junior teams… So there’s not a lot of time for reflection… it’s just constant. You don’t get an opportunity to sit back and reflect on individual achievements and achievements of the team,” head coach Shawn Brinsky said about the reason why he views the awards night as an important part of the year.
Marie Young photo
Northeast B.C. and Yukon Midget Trackers forward Gary Loewen was named the team MVP and the most improved player.
One big winner was seventeen-year-old first year forward Gary Loewen, who led the team with 16 goals and 34 points in 32 games. Loewen was named both the most improved player and the team Most Valuable Player. “I’ve been coaching a long time and this year we saw a player, Gary Loewen, he was an unknown to us…his growth
Marie Young photo
Northeast B.C. and Yukon Midget Trackers goalie Drew Friesen finished the season fifth in wins (11) among goalies in the NAMHL and was fourth in save percentage (.931) on his way to being named the squad’s rookie of the year.
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and development was exponential,” Brinsky said. “He went from a guy who played very little on the penalty kill and power play… from our most improved player hands down, to our MVP. I don’t think I’ve ever coached a team where a player who is identified as the most improved is also recognized as the most valuable.” The Trackers also carried an impressive plus 28-goal differential, largely thanks to dynamic duo formed in net between newcomer Drew Friesen and Tavis Viens. “A bit of competition started to brew between the two players and it was very supportive competition,” Brinsky said. “They ultimately knew when they got in net they wanted to stay in net and they weren’t going to give up the position to the other goalie… as a group we all benefited from that. We talked about this season being one of our best from a win/loss point
of view and or best season period for our goals against.” Viens was named the team’s most dedicated player and Friesen was the rookie of the year. Friesen finished the season fifth in wins (11) among goalies in the NAMHL and was fourth in save percentage (.931). “Drew was a second year midget, but a rookie to our program… he had a stellar year. He quickly started to establish himself as a go to goalie and instilled confidence in his teammates and started up racking up some wins right away,” Brinsky noted. As per hockey tradition, the team also honoured six graduating players, something Brinsky sees as valuable to the continued tradition and development of the organization as a whole. “If you had a child who played hockey for a while and graduated as a midget and really embraced and were engaged in the game… it’s a big commitment and a lot of your decisions are made for you,”
Brinsky said. “They’re involved in that over a long period of time…that grouping kids they’ve known is gone and it’ll never be the same. It’s a way to celebrate that. For some it’s an ending and a new beginning.” Geoff Dick, Jared Loewen, Gary Loewen, Dustin Bahm, Kelsey Young and Tavis Viens are all moving on from the organization next season. Kelsey Roberts was the unsung hero, Griffin Young was the best defensive forward, Geoff Dick was the top gun, Keenan Halverson was the most sportsmanlike and Jared Loewen was the best defenseman. *** The Trackers are also accepting applications for their head coach position, with Brinsky open to returning in whatever capacity the organization needs him. “I’ve made no decision. I’m still decompressing from last year,” Brinsky said. “It’s a program I believe in and would like to be involved with in one shape or from.”
Marie Young photo
Six key players from the Northeast B.C. and Yukon Midget Trackers have graduated from the program and as is hockey tradition, the team presented them with their name plates from last season.
PRO GOLF WEEKLY UPDATE Golf News, Tips, Trivia & Stats
This Week: The Zurich Classic of New Orleans
New Orleans has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the PGA Tour. In 1922, the Southern Open had a one-year stay with Gene Sarazan Defending: Justin Rose winning the event. It wasn’t until 1938, Winning Score: 22-under par when golf returned to New Orleans as Winning Share: $1,242,000 the Crescent City Open. After a hiatus from 1949-1958, a golf tournament has been hosted every year since. Byron Nelson, Billy Casper, Bo Wininger, Tom Watson, Chip Beck and Carlos Franco are all two-time winners of this event. Last year, Justin Rose birdied the 71st and 72nd holes at TPC Louisiana to lock up his seventh PGA TOUR victory, defeating Cameron Tringale by a shot. TPC Louisiana Avondale, La. 7,341 yards, Par 72
Golf TV Schedule
Last Week: Charley Hoffman won the Texas Open
Charley Hoffman made a Tournament Results 9-foot birdie putt on the 1. Charley Hoffman Score: -12 final hole to win the Valero Earnings: $1,116,000 Texas Open on Sunday 2. Patrick Reed Score: -11 for his fourth PGA Tour victory. Earnings: $669,600 “It was about a cup outside left,” 3. Chad Collins Score: -10 Hoffman said. “I said to myself, Earnings: $421,600 ‘Let’s finish this here. Let’s not play anymore.’” Hoffman closed with a three-under-par 69 at TPC San Antonio for a one-stroke victory over Patrick Reed. Chad Collins was a career-best third at 10 under after 69. He birdied four of the last five holes.
Golfing News
Zurich Classic of New Orleans Day Time Network Thu, 4/28 3:00pm-6:00pm GOLF Fri, 4/29 3:00pm-6:00pm GOLF Sat, 4/30 3:00pm-6:00pm CBS Sun, 5/1 3:00pm-6:00pm CBS
Tiger Woods has registered for the 2016 U.S. Open, according to the United States Golf Association. Woods is a threetime U.S. Open champ who is exempt to play in the June 16-19 tournament at Oakmont Country Club, but he needed to register ahead Golf Trivia of a 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline. Woods, What college did Charley Hoffman recovering from two back surgeries, hasn’t attend? played in a tournament since he finished tied for 10th in the Wyndham Championship last a) ASU c) USC August. Woods conducted a clinic for the b) UCLA d) UNLV elite junior players in last week’s Sage Valley Answer: d) While at UNLV, Hoffman’s teammates Invitational in South Carolina, going through included Chris Riley, Chad Campbell, Bill Lunde his bag at full speed, including 300-yard drives and 2-iron stingers. and Adam Scott.
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Lessons from the Golf Pro One of the many problems that can cause the amateur golfer’s iron and wood shots to go offline is something not thought about often. Having too hard or too soft of a grip could be a key to not hitting your shots on the correct line. If your grip is too light, when you make the backswing, your wrists may go into a cupped position. This will result in an open clubface from the top of your backswing all the way through impact. The simple solution is to slightly strengthen your grip to let the clubface be more square at impact. If you tend to hook the ball, that means that your clubface is closed at impact and could be closed at the top of your backswing. As a result, you will need to relax your grip a little bit, allowing the club to make a smooth transition from the backswing through impact.
Player Profile
Charley Hoffman
Turned Professional: 2000 FedEx Cup Ranking: 18th World Ranking: 34th PGA Tour Wins: 4
FedEx Cup Standings Through April 24, 2016
1) Adam Scott
1,731 pts. / 4 top tens
2) Jason Day
1,340 pts. / 4 top tens
3) Brandt Snedeker 1,300 pts. / 5 top tens
4) Russell Knox 1,300 pts. / 3 top tens
5) Kevin Kisner 1,182 pts. / 4 top tens
FedEx Cup Standings continued... Player Points 6) Jordan Spieth 1,132 7) Kevin Na 1,130 8) Patrick Reed 1,121 9) Justin Thomas 1,051 10) Bubba Watson 1,043
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Top 10s 4 5 8 3 3
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 B3
Local Sports
NPHL to have new look next season byron hackett sports@ahnfsj.ca
The North Peace Hockey League will grow from seven to nine teams when the 20162017 season kicks off, after two squads will rejoin the fold and a 10th was turned away at a spring meeting. On April 3, the Grande Prairie Athletics were reinstated into the league. Last season the Athletics were granted a leave of
absence because they lacked enough players to fill out their roster. It was also announced on April 10 that the Valleyview Jets will make a return to the NPHL. The Jets entered the league in the 1975-76 season and played until 2012-13, only missing the 1986-87 year. “I congratulate and welcome back the Valleyview Jets into the NPHL,” NPHL President Jack McAvoy said in a statement.
Early season kicks
“I know that fans in Valleyview missed senior hockey and will be excited to see a team in the league again.” A third team was on the NPHL agenda this spring, as the Lakeland Eagles applied for entry for the 2016-17 season. A vote of the league teams in good standing determined the Eagles would not be allowed in for next season, but McAvoy encouraged them to apply again the following year.
“If the Lakeland Eagles wish to do so, they will be asked to submit an application for the 2017-18 season at the NPHL’s Spring Meeting in 2017. Lakeland will again be advised to complete their application, according to all rules set out in the NPHL Constitution,” he said. The two new additions will result in realignment to the divisions that last year had the Fort St. John Flyers in a threeteam group with the Spirit River
Rangers and Dawson Creek Canucks. The last time the NPHL had two divisions in the 2013-14 season, Grande Prairie played in the west division and Lakeland was in the east. The last two seasons the Flyers have only had to play a 20game regular season, but with a fourth team added to their division, it will likely mean two extra road trips for the boys in blue. The league will determine a schedule at its fall meeting.
board breakers
byron hackett photo
Sidney Mccraken darts towards the goal at Saturday’s U-8 event. The Kids Arena Fieldhouse in Fort St. John was filled with 65 enthusiastic Under-8 soccer players on Saturday, April 23, as part of their introduction to the Fort St. John Soccer Club put on by the Alberta Soccer Association. Kids learned about ball handling, teamwork and small area games during the course of the day. More than 100 kids are registered in the U-8 age group for the FSJSC this year.
65 members of the Red Dragon Martial Arts school gathered at North Peace Secondary School Saturday, April 23, for their annual Board Break Challenge. Red Dragon students raised $8,161.45 for Community Bridge as part of their S.T.A.R. (Success through Accepting Responsibility). Community Bridge board member for Ernie Freeman thanked the children for all their hard work in collecting pledges and said each donation will help strengthen families in the community. byron hackett photos
W EEKLY P RO R ACING U PDATE Racing News, Stats & Trivia
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2016 Standings Sprint Cup Series Top Ten 1) Carl Edwards Location: Talladega, Alabama Date: May 1st, 1:00 p.m. TV: FOX Last Year’s Pole: Jeff Gordon - 194.793 mph Last Year’s Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Talladega Superspeedway Shape: Tri-oval Distance: 2.66 miles Turns / Front / Back: 33º / 16.5º / 2º
2) Kevin Harvick
Points: 324 Wins: 1 Top 5: 4 Top 10: 8
3) Jimmie Johnson
Points: 310 Wins: 2 Top 5: 5 Top 10: 6
4) Kyle Busch
Points: 302 Wins: 2 Top 5: 7 Top 10: 7
5) Joey Logano
Points: 299 Wins: 0 Top 5: 3 Top 10: 6
6) Kurt Busch Talladega Superspeedway is one of the best known motorsports facilities in the world. Records for both speed and competition have been established at Talladega. The backstretch is nearly 4,000 feet long with a total frontstretch of 4,300 feet, making it the largest oval track on the NASCAR circuit. The track’s true dominator had been Dale Earnhardt, who posted 10 Cup Series wins. Denny Hamlin won last year’s race. There has been a different winner in the last eight races at Talladega. Current points leader, Carl Edwards, finished 32nd in last year’s race.
Driver 1) Daniel Suarez 2) Elliott Sadler 3) Ty Dillon 4) Brandon Jones 5) Erik Jones 6) Brendan Gaughan 7) Justin Allgaier 8) Brennan Poole 9) Ryan Reed 10) Darrell Wallace Jr.
Points: 279 Wins: 0 Top 5: 2 Top 10: 7
7) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Points: 278 Wins: 0 Top 5: 4 Top 10: 5
8) Denny Hamlin
Racing News
In the face of increasing driver criticism about safety, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Scott Miller said that the sanctioning body will re-examine its lug nut rules. “Until this point, we’ve never really had too much trouble,” said Miller. Tony Stewart was fined $35,000 after criticizing NASCAR over the sanctioning body’s lack of lug nut enforcement on pit road. NASCAR stopped requiring teams to put all five lug nuts on its wheels at the start of last season. NASCAR said it was up to the teams whether they should put all five lug nuts on the wheel or not.
Points: 258 Wins: 1 Top 5: 3 Top 10: 4
9) Brad Keselowski
Points: 255 Wins: 1 Top 5: 2 Top 10: 4
10) Martin Truex Jr.
Points: 246 Wins: 0 Top 5: 1 Top 10: 4
Points 279 270 260 249 244 242 241 212 210 201
Racing Trivia Which driver won his first Cup Series race at Talladega? a) Denny Hamlin b) Kyle Busch
?
c) Jimmie Johnson d) Brad Keselowski
Answer : d) Brad Keselowski won his first Cup Series race at the 2009 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.
Race Det Race Detail tail ils s
Points: 331 Wins: 2 Top 5: 5 Top 10: 8
Xfinity Series Top Ten
Last Weekend’s Race: Carl Edwards won the Toyota Owners 400 Toyota Owners 400 Top Ten Driver Points Carl Edwards 45 Kyle Busch 40 Jimmie Johnson 39 Kasey Kahne 37 Kevin Harvick 37 Denny Hamlin 36 Matt Kenseth 35 Joey Logano 33 Martin Truex Jr. 32 Kurt Busch 32
The honeymoon at Joe Gibbs Racing may be over. On Sunday at Richmond International Raceway, Carl Edwards won his second straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in the Toyota Owners 400 and it was the fourth race in a row for JGR. Edwards did so with a last-lap bump-and-run on teammate Kyle Busch, who was seeking his third victory in four events. “We did everything right,” Busch was told on his radio, after Edwards moved the No. 18 Toyota up the track in Turns 3 and 4 and then beat Busch to the finish line by .675 seconds. Busch had taken his crews advice, but no doubt, was seething inside at the loss of a race he seemed poised to win. He maintained radio silence. Edwards applied the coup de grace in the next corner, nudging Busch out of the way to complete the first lastlap pass for the win in the history of the .75-mile track.
Carl Edwards Born: Aug. 15, 1979 Crew Chief: Dave Rogers Car: Toyota
Year 2016 2015
Wins 2 2
Top 10s 8 15
Avg. Finish 5.8 14.0
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B4 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Local Sports
SCOREBOARD NHL
Eastern Conference
NY Islanders Vs. Tampa Bay Gm 1 Apr 27 NY Islanders @ Tampa Bay Gm 2 Apr 30 NY Islanders @ Tampa Bay 1 2:00 PM Gm 3 May 3 Tampa Bay @NY Islanders 4:00 PM Gm 4 May 6 Tampa Bay @ NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET Gm 5*May 8
Y Islanders @Tampa Bay Time TBD N Gm 6*May 10 Tampa Bay @NY Islanders Time TBD Gm 7*May 12 NY Islanders @ Tampa Bay Time TBD Pittsburgh Vs. Washington Gm 1 Apr 28 Pittsburgh @ Washington 8:00 PM ET Gm 2 Apr 30 Pittsburgh @ Washington 8:00 PM ET Gm 3 May 2 Washington @ Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET Gm 4 May 4
Washington @ Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET Gm 5*May 7 Pittsburgh @ Washington Time TBD Gm 6* May 10 Washington @ Pittsburgh Time TBD Gm 7*May 12 Pittsburgh @Washington Time TBD St. Louis Blues Vs. Dallas Gm 1 Apr 29 St Louis@ Dallas 5:00 PM Gm 2 May 1 St Louis @ Dallas 12:00 PM
Gm 3 May 3 Dallas@ St Louis Gm 4 May 5 Dallas @ St Louis Gm 5*May 7 St Louis @ Dallas Gm 6* May 9 Dallas @ St Louis Gm 7* May 11 St Louis @ Dallas
Time TBD 5:00 PM Time TBD Time TBD Time TBD
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NHL playoffs roll on without you W
here did your hockey heart go, Canada? Once a proud, distinguished hockey nation, now more focused on lottery balls and how they fall than the game on the ice. It is slightly disturbing when Canada’s national game has lost the eyeballs that were once glued to television sets. At last report, only 234,234 watched opening night of the playoffs, a far cry from the record 2010 numbers when more than eight million people watched the infamous collapse of the Vancouver Canucks. It’s only six years removed from that, but it feels like we’ve entered a much less favourable alternative universe, just like what Marty McFly saw in his nightmares. Trying to sell hockey to Canadians seems like trying to sell ice to a polar bear, but here we are, watching polar bears dance on the beach with sunglasses and ‘Make America Great Again’ hats. There are no Canadians teams in the playoffs and it’s killing the game we all used to love. And it’s a shame.
Byron Hackett Hackett’s Halftime
See, Canadians have taken a vacation this year— and I’m not talking about “Vegas vacation” or “Weekend at Bernies” but a sad, morbid and early spring vacation that has rain, poorly recorded tapes and a tent too small for a family of four. It’s supposed to be a wonderful time of year for hockey fans, where rainbows and bright lights shine just beyond the end of the regular season as the journey to the Stanley Cup Finals begins. But like the polar bear, hockey fans are missing their ice this year, with no Canadian teams guiding you into the summer months when hockey probably shouldn’t be played anyway. So without their ice, hockey fans have taken to early reruns of MASH, the Blue Jays, Raptors or American Idol— but there is still ice; there is still something
worth rooting for if you’re that theoretical polar bear who is in NHL playoff denial. It’s a serious condition, one that keeps you from missing the Chicago Blackhawks almost complete one of the most epic comebacks in playoff history, or the San Jose Sharks exorcising playoff demons that were rivalled only by our country’s Stanley Cup drought (Hint: one of those is way longer than the other). It’s been easy to excuse yourself from the action when you don’t have a rooting interest, as it appears most casual Canadian fans have taken leave from their year’s playoffs— turning away faster than the time mom broke out your baby photos for your high school crush. Like those photos there are embarrassing moments in the playoffs, just like when Devon Dubnyk scored on his own net to ruin his playoff hopes or when Flyers fans thought it was a good idea to throw 10,000 plastic bracelets on the ice (hint: it wasn’t). For the first time since 2009, a team not named LA, Boston or Chicago will win Lord
Stanley’s mug and that should be at least one reason to tune back in. The NHL will go to the well one more time to promote the playoff matchup apparently we’ve all been waiting for with Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin facing off. It was the Pens last cup run when the Capitals collapsed, despite Ovie putting up a single-series record 14 points, one ahead of Crosby’s 13. But they’re much different team’s now, as the Caps don’t have Jose Theodore in net, and the Penguins are actually the better offensive team. Three of Ovechkin’s teammates had more points than him in the first round (Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Marcus Johansson) and the Caps struggled to score on the surprise Philadelphia Flyers on route to a round one win. The Penguins averaged 4.2 goals a game in round one, while the Caps gave up just 1.0 per game. Let’s save the relentless stat attack for another other piece, but for non-stats reasons, the San Jose Sharks have some beards that on their own merit
are worth cheering for, never mind the play on the ice. Their beards alone could probably beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s the best hockey of the year because players lay more on the line now than they ever have, they play hurt, underdog heroes emerge and unexpected teams scratch and claw their way to one playoff win at a time. The playoffs aren’t great because Canadian teams are in or not, the players make the games worth watching, the rivalries, even if they’re not Canadian teams are what should make it easy to follow. Come for the cheesy, and melodramatic plot lines, but stay for the product that most of us remember practising scoring the Game 7 overtime winner as a child. Byron Hackett is part-time wannabe athlete and a fulltime sports junkie who more often than not is willing and eager to share opinions on everything from backyard wiffle ball to the NHL and beyond. Follow him on twitter @byronhackett1
Kirstyn Beech skates down another gold standard byron hackett sports@ahnfsj.ca
Kirstyn Beech grabbed one last gold to cap her figure skating career earlier this spring and she did it in style, a year earlier than she planned. Beech, a Grade 11 student at North Peace Secondary School and a member of the Fort St. John Figure Skating Club, achieved her gold free skate at a test day in Grande Prairie, her fourth gold and quad gold status, something her coach Jen Hammond said not many skaters her age have accomplished. “It’s quite a high achievement in figure skating, not many skaters reach that level, so this is kind of special and we wanted to ac-
knowledge it,” Hammond said. Beech has her interpretative gold, dance gold and skating skills gold already, with the free skate the final golden hurdle, She called it one of her best skates of the year. “Found out after my skate, I was excited,” she said about the passing her gold free skate test. “It was my goal [to do this] before I graduate, so I did it a year early.” The newly minted quad gold skater will now have a full year at the gold level, with less pressure on her to hit certain marks throughout the season. “This year she will be competing at the gold level obviously all year long, so she can finally relax now and focus on her training and enjoy her last year,” Hammond said.
byron hackett photo
Kirstyn Beech achieved her gold free skate level earlier this spring at a test day in Grande Prairie.
first pitches fly
showing off the art
(left): Colby Busche (far left) fires a pitch as Stevan Fairlie and Isaac Calliou look on at the first practise for North Peace Minor Baseball. (right): Jack Petersen connects on a swing during a hitting drill on Monday night at Kin Park at the first minor ball practice of the year.
The Northern Tigers Shotokan Karate Association had an InHouse Tournament on Saturday, April 23. 40 competitors anging in age it was a very fun and exciting day for all to sharpen thier skills. Grand Master Bernardo Salinas was proud of all his students.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 B5
Arts & Culture
CONTACT US ALEISHA HENDRY 250-785-5631 ahendry@ahnfsj.ca
Chocolate is not cheating! After a salty meal, you need a little bit of sweet. This is living, not cheating. - Ali Landry
A very sweet festival The 16th Annual Chocolate Festival satisfies the sweet tooth, raises funds for kids art camp
ALEISHA HENDRY PHOTO
There were many delicious treats to sample at the Chocolate Festival. ALEISHA HENDRY PHOTO
Twelve-year-old Emma Haggerty with her award winning gluten- and dairy-free brownies at the Chocolate Festival. Haggerty has been baking since she was seven years old, and would like to open a bakery some day. Since she has Celiac Disease, she wants to provide gluten-free baked goods.
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It was a mother/daughter night out at the Chocolate Festival for Andrea and Shelby Rollefson.
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Barry Moss with the Peace Arts Gallery Society welcomes the crowd to the the 16th Annual Chocolate Festival.
B6 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
ARTS & CULTURE
Twin Peaks held their fifth annual tour kickoff concert at the Lido Theatre on April 23. Joined on stage by The Ramblers and Rose Prairie Romance, Twin Peaks—Naomi Shore and Lindsay Pratt—played to a packed house and showed what Ontario can expect when they arrive there next month.
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TO SEE AARON PRITCHETT WITH SPECIAL GUESTS ROSE PRAIRIE ROMANCE
HOROSCOPE ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) In the next three weeks, you will be able to attract money to you. You might find a better-paying job, or you might see a way to make money on the side.. TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) Buy wardrobe items in the next three weeks, because this is the perfect time to do so. You will enjoy doing this, because you like what you see in the mirror.. GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) Secret love affairs and flirtations will occur for some in the next few weeks. Others will seek out opportunities to enjoy solitude in beautiful surroundings! CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) A friend might become a lover in the next few weeks. Basically, friendships, especially with creative, artistic people, will be warmer. LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) A romance or a flirtation with your boss is likely in the coming month. Meanwhile, someone will ask you for your creative input in the next few weeks.. VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) Travel for pleasure will please you in the next three weeks. If you can’t travel, enjoy learning something new that expands your horizons.! LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) It will be easier for you to get a mortgage or a loan in the next three weeks. This is also a good time to negotiate financial matters with others. SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) Today fair Venus moves opposite
For Thursday April 28, 2016 your sign to stay for the next three weeks improving all your relations with close friends and partners. Nice benefit! SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) Relations with co-workers will improve in the next few weeks. Some of you will get a raise, and most certainly praise for your efforts on the job. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) If you can slip away on a vacation in the next few weeks, you will love it! Romance, love affairs, playful excursions and the arts will delight you. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) Go ahead with redecorating ideas for your home in the next few weeks, because this will please you. This is also a good time to be open to realestate opportunities. PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) You can make money from your words in the next three weeks. This is an excellent window of time for those in sales, marketing, teaching, acting and writing. Ka-ching! BORN TODAY? You have excellent social skills because you understand human nature. You are aware of your image when dealing with others. In the next three years, you will experience a time of culmination, success and financial accumulation. That’s why it is wise for you to settle your debts this year. This is also a social year that deals with the repercussions of last year’s change.
Name:
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TWIN PEAKS TAKE OFF ON TOUR
Phone Number:
Tickets courtesy of the Drop off your entry at the Alaska Highway News Office at 9916-98th Street, Fort St. John B.C.
Tragedy strikes family Dear Annie: Tragedy has struck our family. A cousin killed himself on Easter Sunday. I never thought my cousin would do this. He worked with troubled teens and their families. He was outgoing and strong, and helped others through their own tough spots. A few years ago, his son died by suicide. Since that time, my cousin struggled with depression and a host of other things. Apparently, the pressure and depression overcame him that Sunday. Yet in his everyday life, he was surrounded by people who might have noticed the signs of what was happening had they known what to look for. Sometimes we get so caught up with our own issues that we forget to pay attention to what’s going on around us. We need to take time to see the needs of those we love and care for -- things that may lie beneath the surface. Please help your readers to recognize the signs of someone struggling, and to help that person before it’s too late. Suicide doesn’t solve the problem -- it only creates devastation for those left behind. -- One Left Behind Dear Behind: Not everyone who chooses suicide shows signs that others would pick up on. Chances are, your cousin never got over the suicide of his son, a horrible tragedy that undoubtedly contributed to this one, no matter what face he put
ANNIE’S MAILBOX on for everyone else. Here are some signs to watch for: Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself; looking for a way to kill oneself; talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live; talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain; talking about being a burden to others; increasing the use of alcohol or drugs; acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly; sleeping too little or too much; withdrawing or feeling isolated; showing rage or talking about seeking revenge; displaying extreme mood swings. If you or someone you know is in danger of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Trained crisis workers are available 24/7. If you think someone is in immediate danger, do not leave that person alone. Call 911 and stay until help arrives. Dear Annie: I am responding to “Stuck in Upstate NY,” whose wife wants her Greek parents to move in with them. You know nothing about Greek culture if you think your suggestion to move them into a nearby retire-
ment community has any chance of success. First, the wife’s parents probably don’t speak English, and second, the idea of having space of their own is nonsense. I experienced the same thing with my Greek husband and his mother many years ago. It doesn’t matter how small the house is. His wife’s parents will always come first. He needs to face up to the reality that his marriage is probably over. -American Daughter-in-Law Dear DIL: It isn’t only Greek culture that puts the parents ahead of the spouse. But these same cultures strongly disapprove of divorce. Perhaps once the parents acclimate themselves to their new country, they will be more willing to move into separate quarters -- and preserve their daughter’s marriage.
Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@creators. com, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. You can also find Annie on Facebook at Facebook.com/AskAnnies. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 B7
ARTS & CULTURE
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Make sure you never Miss out on an event! To inquire about tickets or reserving a booth, contact the Lido.
The Lido Theatre is available to rent for Special Events, Corporate Functions, Parties, etc. Please contact us for more information.
10156 - 100 Avenue Phone. 250.785.3011
Fort St. John, BC V1J 1Y6 www.thelido.ca
Peace filmmakers scramble this weekend as Frantic48 Film Challenge gets underway Filmmakers throughout the Alberta and B.C. Peace Region will be getting frantic this weekend—including a trio of filmmakers from Pouce Coupe and Fort St. John. The clapboard drops Friday night on the third annual Frantic48, where a dozen filmmaking teams will have 48 hours to shoot a two to seven-minute short film using an assigned genre, prop and line of dialogue. “Our film challenges are open to filmmakers of all levels and age groups,” says Monty Simo, president of the Peace Region Independent Media Arts, the organization that puts on the fest.
“The point is to learn as much as possible by creating something hands-on.” The majority of teams hail from Alberta, but the B.C. Peace will have some skin in the game—including a pair of newspaper editors who respect the contest’s 48-hour deadline. Rob Brown and Matt Preprost, editors of the Dawson Creek Mirror and Alaska Highway News, respectively, along with Eagle Vision Video Productions cinematographer Jesse McCallum, will compete for the challenge’s Juried and Audience Choice Awards. Completed films will be shown Sunday, May 15, as part
of the Reel Shorts Film Festival in Grande Prairie. The weeklong event kicks off Monday, May 9. In last year’s Frantic48, filmmakers were challenged to create a film using a red balloon and the line: “just because you feel it, doesn’t mean it’s there.” Genres included Shakesperian horror, a coming-of-age sci-fi, and a time-travel drama. Only nine of the 13 teams made the deadline. At the end of the weekend, Simo says, the competition is not really even a competition. “It’s is actually much more of a challenge,” he said. For more, vist primaa.org. — AHN
CAPTURE photo contest opening this weekend entries. The deadline for entries is June 1. There will be a public exhibition at the Totem Mall of the top entries from June 5-11, and awards will be handed out at the Lido Theatre on June 12. Go to the group’s Facebook Page, NP FILCAN Bayanihan Fort St. John, for more information on entering. — AHN
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The North Peace Filipino Canadian Association is holding a photography contest, and everyone in Fort St. John is invited to enter. The contest, called CAPTURE, has the theme of “Filipinos and Canadians: At work, at home and at play in FSJ.” The contest begins April 30, and participants can submit two
B8 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Community
Contact Us Aleisha hendry 250-785-5631 ahendry@ahnfsj.ca
We have all known the long loneliness, and we have found that the answer is community. - Dorothy Day
Ninth Annual Fort St. John Community Awards Residents were honoured for their contributions to the community at the aptly named Fort St. John Community Awards on April 21. The event recognizes cultural, sport and recreational contributors, as well as humanitarian efforts, the promotion of literacy, youth who have made a positive difference to their community, and the Mayor’s Citizen of the Year, who is a recognized leader who has achieved positive notoriety outside his or her community. The show opened with May Apsassin offering the traditional First Nations prayers, as the Lido Theatre is on Treaty 8 territory. Emcee Ted Sloan took a moment to recognize the community for standing together through not only the economic downturn, but also the recentwildfires. Citizen of the Year The Mayor’s Citizen of the Year is a recognized leader who has achieved positive notoriety outside the community. The winner of the Citizen of the Year Award was Sterling Middleton, for his work in the curling community of Fort St. John, as well as representing the community and the country at the Youth Olympics in Norway, bringing home a gold medal. Aleisha Hendry Photos
Cultural Award: This award acknowledges an individual or group that supports the arts in the community. The winner of the Cultural Award was the North Peace Historical Society for its work in preserving the history in Fort St. John. Evelyn Sim accepted the award on the society’s behalf.
Youth Award: This award recognizes youth who have displayed outstanding leadership and support, and who have contributed to their community in a meaningful way. The winner of the Youth Award was Erica Thomas-Schulenberg, who was honoured for her dedication to raising awareness for accessibility.
Recreation Award: This award recognizes volunteer efforts in the promotion, organization, and support of sports, recreation and leisure pursuits. The winner of the Recreation Award was Paul Van Nostrand for his tireless efforts in the Fort St. John hockey community, as well as his work in getting the World U-17 Hockey Challenge organized in a short amount of time. Humanitarian Award: This award is given to a person or group who has demonstrated a strong commitment to making a better future for Fort St. John residents. The Winner of the Humanitarian Award was the Evangel Chapel, for working to bring the community together through various events. Pastor Tony Warriner accepted the award.
Literacy Award: This award goes to a person or group who has promoted literacy in the form of language, multiculturalism and community issues. The winner of the Literacy Award was Jane Drew, for her work in helping newcomers to Canada get familiar with their new home, as well as promoting multiculturalism in Fort St. John.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 B9
Community
Animal of the week Figi is a recent arrival to the North Peace SPCA shelter, and is still on hold for adoption, but she won’t be for long. This little lady is believed to be between eight and 10 months old. She was found near Northern Lights College by some staff members, who brought her to the SPCA.
She currently has a broken tail, which is causing her some pain. Due to an infection, a portion of her tail will have to be amputated, which means she’ll just have a short, but very special, tail. Figi is very friendly and affectionate, and once she is cleared for adoption, would love to find her forever home.
Still available...
Aleisha Hendry Photo
Krissy has been at the North Peace SPCA shelter for along time. This lovely lady could really use a home where she can be both an indoor and outdoor cat. She would make an excellent barn cat. She’s not one for being pet, or picked up, but she could be a great companion for the right person. Come visit Krissy at the North Peace SPCA.
Aleisha Hendry Photo
T
here are some amazing stories of pets finding their way home after long absences. But, an octopus? Octopi are intelligent, curious creatures. They are so intelligent that aquarium keepers use an enrichment manual to help ward off boredom for octopi in captivity. Aquarium octopi have toys like Mr. Potato Head and Lego, and some can solve puzzles that have a series of locks and keys. A couple of years ago, an octopus named Inky got himself caught up in a crayfish pot and was in bad shape when a New Zealand aquarium received him. But, despite the aquarium’s tender care and advanced education program, it seems Inky had no intention of staying forever. Whether Inky was more inquisitive and restless than other octopi, he was wily enough to escape. I can imagine him plotting his jailbreak like the fish in Finding Nemo, the tale of a clown fish that gets captured, put in a tank, and makes it back to the ocean to be reunited with his father. Inky’s opportunity for escape came one night a couple of months ago when someone failed to secure his tank properly. Under cover of darkness, he made his slippery exit from the tank, crept across the floor and squeezed his supple rugby sized body into a 6” floor drain. Good thing the drain led to the ocean. We can explain Inky’s daring and successful escape using scientific knowledge and common sense. A number of factors coalesced in his favour. An unsecured tank, no keepers in sight, a wet floor, a drain leading to the ocean, an intelligent, curious creature whose body is perfect for Houdini maneuvers converged in a perfect storm. But I prefer to think of Inky’s escape in terms of mystery. For Inky, the ocean was
Louise McEwan Everyday Theology
home. It was where he belonged. While the aquarium restored him to health, provided for his physical needs in a safe environment, and stimulated his brain, Inky was restless. His tank mimicked the ocean, but was not the ocean. Ultimately, enrichment activities with intriguing toys were a poor substitute for life on the reef; he was itching to leave the ivory tower of the aquarium and try out his new skills in the real world. Perhaps something of a metaphysical nature, something that eludes our understanding, fueled Inky’s desire to escape. Perhaps Inky had an intuition of divinity and his place in creation that compelled him to make a break for the ocean. So while media reports of Inky’s escape focused on the intelligence of octopi, I saw allegory in the story about Inky. Inky’s restlessness points to the restlessness of the human spirit of which we are often oblivious. Like Inky, we are not satisfied with the place we inhabit. While crayfish pots draw us in and capture us, they cannot hold us for long. Nor can the finest tanks and toys stave off our dissatisfaction. They are merely distractions from our spiritual longing. So, as we attempt to transcend our traps and tanks, we spread our tentacles in search of drains that may lead nowhere. We wind up following the wrong gods home. Trail BC resident Louise McEwan is a freelance writer with degrees in English and Theology. Her blog is www.faithcolouredglasses.blogspot.com. Contact her at mcewan.lou@ gmail.com
Inky the Octopus
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Inky’s great escape Sponsored by: Conway Electric “The company that service built”
FORT ST. JOHN & DISTRICT CHURCH DIRECTORY ANGLICAN CHURCH of CANADA NoRTH PEACE PARISH Please join us at our temporary location at the Lutheran Church 9812 108 Ave Ph: 250-785-6471 “All are Invited and Welcome Here” - (Luke 14:23) SERVICES St. Martin’s, fort St. John, BC Sundays 1:30 p.m. Rev. Enid Pow ********** Church of the Good Shepherd Taylor, BC - Sundays 9:30 a.m. ********** St. Matthias, Cecil Lake, BC 3rd Sun. of the Month 3:00 p.m. Holy Communion BAHA’I fAITH BAHA’I fAITH National Baha’i Information 1-800-433-3284 Regular Firesides Mondays @ 8:00 p.m. Deepenings continued Wednesdays at 250-7870089 Next Feast Info. 250-787-0089 ********** BAPTIST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 9607-107th Ave., fSJ Ph. (Office) 250-785-4307 Pastor: Michael Hayes Associate Pastor: Doug Janzen SUNDAY SCHooL: 9:30am SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE 10:30AM ********** CATHoLIC RoMAN CATHoLIC CHURCH (Resurrection Church) Pastor: Rev. Vener Sabacan Phone 250-785-3413 9504-100th Avenue www.catholicchurchfsj.org MASSES: Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday - 10:00 a.m. oNLY OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. BAPTISM: Contact the Pastor 3 months before baptism. MARRIAGES: Contact the Pastor 3 months before the wedding. ********** ALLIANCE CHURCH 9804-99 Ave., fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8 Ph: 250-785-4644 fax: 250-785-8932 e-mail: office@fsjalliance.ca www.fsjalliance.ca SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE: 9:15am & 11:00am KIDVILLE: for ages 2yrs.-Gr.6 @ 9:15am **********
CoMMUNITY CHURCH CHARLIE LAKE CoMMUNITY CHURCH Lead Pastor: Alfred Reschke Associate Pastor: Jared Braun 250-785-1723 fax: 250-785-4136 clcc@pris.ca SUNDAY SCHooL: 9:30am SUNDAY WoRSHIP: 10:40am 1st left turn off Alaska Highway past the Charlie Lake Store. ********** PEACE CoMMUNITY CHURCH 10556-100th Street, Taylor, BC Pastor: Wally Pohlmann Phone: 250-789-3045 HoURS: 9:00am-Noon Monday-Wednesday & friday Email: office@taylorchurch.ca Website: www.taylorchurch.ca SUNDAY ADULT CLASS - 9:30am SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE - 10:30am ********** EVANGELICAL foRT ST. JoHN EVANGELICAL MISSIoN 8220-89th Avenue, fSJ Pastor: Art Voth Sunday School September-June begins at 9:30am Sunday mornings. Worship Service - 10:45am Phone: 250-787-2550 ******* INTERDENoMINATIoNAL UPPER PINE GoSPEL CHAPEL Church Phone: 250-827-3833 Email: upgc@pris.ca Board Chairman: Andy Burkholder 250-827-3811 Box 66, Rose Prairie, BC ********** LUTHERAN PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 9812-108th Avenue, fort St. John, BC V1J 2R3 Office Phone: 250-785-2718 Pastor: Rev. Kebede Dibaba Regular Worship Schedule: 9:00am Youth, Adult Bible Study 10:00am Sunday Worship Service & Sunday School ********** PEACE RIVER MUSLIM ASSoCIATIoN Information: 250-787-1264 Jumm’a (Friday) Prayer @ 1:00pm 203-10903-100th Street, fort St. John, BC email: tahermorsi@shaw.ca ********** MENNoNITE NoRTH PEACE MENNoNITE BRETHREN CHURCH North Peace Mennonite Brethren Church 10816 106 St. fort St. John,
BC V1J 5V2 250-785-3869 Lead Pastor: Andrew Eby Associate Pastor of Youth & Young Adults: Don Banman SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES: 9:15am & 11:00am Kids Zone During Both Services ********** MENNoNITE MoNTNEY MENNoNITE CHURCH SUNDAY MoRNING: Sunday School & Worship: 9:30am SUNDAY EVENING: 2nd & 4th Sundays: 7:00pm Everyone Welcome! Pastor Warren Martin Phone: (250) 827-3131 ********** NoNDENoMINATIoNAL CHRISTIAN LIfE CENTRE “Associated with “Fellowship of Christian Assemblies” “King Jesus is Lord Over the Peace” 8923-112th Avenue, fort St. John, BC V1J 6G2 website: www.christianlifefsj.ca Ph: 250-785-4040 fax: 250-785-4021 Pastor Steve Oboh Principal of Christian Life School: Garry Jones Everyone Welcome Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00am Nursery available and Sunday School is held during the sermon for ages 3-12 years. Christian Life Centre is “Home of Christian Life School” ********** foRT ST. JoHN NATIVE BIBLE fELLoWSHIP Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wed., Night Bible Study: 7:30pm Pastor John A Giesbrecht 250-785-0127 ********** GIDEoNS INTERNATIoNAL Fort St. John Camp Ray Hein 250-827-3636 John Giesbrecht 250-785-0127 ********** NoRTHERN LIGHTS CHURCH INTERNATIoNAL (Rose Prairie, BC Sunday Service: Pre-Service Prayer: 10:30am Worship Service: 11:00am Everyone Welcome ********** THE SHELTER CHURCH “...the Lord will be a shelter for His people” Joel 3:6 9808-98A Ave. fort St. John, BC 250-785-3888 SUNDAY SERVICE: 10am Pastor: Oral Benterud 250-785-9151 ********** PENTECoSTAL THE PENTECoSTALS of foRT ST. JoHN Phone: 250-787-9888
Pastor: Jason McLaughlin Sunday 10am Service, Sunday School Youth Sunday 11am Worship Service Tuesday 7pm Prayer Wednesday 7pm Bibile Study Friday 7pm Youth ********** PENTECoSTAL ASSEMBLIES of CANADA EVANGEL CHAPEL 10040-100 St., fort St. John Phone: 250-785-3386 Fax: 250-785-8345 Lead Pastor: Tony Warriner Sunday Services: 9:30am, 11:00am www.evangelfsj.com ********** PRESBYTERIAN fort St. John Presbyterian Church 9907-98th St., fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-2482 fax: 250-785-2482 Sunday Worship Times 9:30 a.m. - Regular Service Everyone is invited to participate ********** REfoRMED TRINITY CoVENANT CHURCH Sunday Service: 10:00am Meets at the Quality Inn Northern Grand 100th Ave & 98th St., fort St. John, BC Elder: Mike Donovan Phone: 250-787-7702 Affiliated with C.R.E.C. ********** THE SALVATIoN ARMY THE SALVATIoN ARMY Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am 10116-100th Ave., fort St. John, BC Come Worship With Us. For information; Phone 250-785-0506 or food Bank 250-785-0500 ********** SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 9008-100th Avenue, fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-8632 Pastor: Cavin Chwyl Phone: 250-719-7949 Saturday Service: 9:30am ********** UNITED CHURCH of CANADA ST. LUKE’S UNITED 9907-98 St., fort St. John, BC Office: 250-785-2919 fax: 250-785-2788 Email: stlukeuc@telus.net Rev. Louise Hart Sunday Worship Service & Sunday School @ 11:30am. All are Welcome! The United Church of Canada is a Union of Congregationalist, Methodist & Presbyterian Churches in Canada formed in 1925.
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B10 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Aleisha hendry 250-785-5631 ahendry@ahnfsj.ca
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Coffee Corner
Contact Us
REDUCED $349,900 8916 98 Ave. MLS# R2024351 5 bdrm 2 bath family home with so much to offer.
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Updated 3 bdrm 2 bathroom home with a huge attached double garage for all the vehicles and toys.
Clue
Find the correct word, joining the first word then joining the second word
TODAY’S PUZZLE
Copyright © 2008, Penny Press
12. Gas usage measurement 13. Fishhook point 17. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano 19. In a way, thrusts 20. Grimm brothers birthplace 22. Withered; dry 24. Genus salvia 26. About senator 30. Livestock enclosure 32. Work units 33. Hebrew name meaning dog 34. A tumor comClue of muscle posed tissue 36. Satisfy to excess 41. Third mast 42. A horse’s strut 44. Tree producing gum (Arabic) 45. Armour carried on the arm 46. Winged goddess of the dawn 47. Ego 49. Hesitancy 51. Young woman of society 55. Founder of Babism 57. Mark (abbr.) 58. Jeans maker’s initials
CLUES DOWN the lower Yenisei CLUES ACROSS River 1. Humbug 1. Besmear 37. Institute legal 4. Meaningless 2. Genus dasyproceedings against procta talk 38. Beam 10. Conceit 3. A male ferret Find the correct word, the first 39. Oldjoining World buf11. Not studied 4. Unit of volume falothe second word word then joining 12. Megabyte (abbr.) 40. Latch onto 14. When born 5. Italian hors 42. Physical ther(abbr.) d’oeuvres 15. Placed on a golf apy 6. N.W. German 43. Conditions of ball stand city & port 16. Melekeok is the balance 7. Signal sounds 48. Half pro capital 8. Adult females 50. Resounded 18. Mischievous 9. -__, denotes 52. Sales event 21. Mason’s mor53. Separates seat- past tars 23. Spain’s former ing areas PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS 54. N.M. Pueblo monetary unit people 25. Small fries 55. Bridge building 27. Article degree 28. Capital of 56. Fullback Yemen 29. Type of Theater 57. Peyote 59. Afflict companies 31. Plastic, paper or 60. Rests on one’s knees shopping 61. Having negative 32. Electronic qualities countermeasures 35. Language along
Clue
Find the correct word, joining the first word then joining the second word
TODAYS PUZZLE
how to play: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box. PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS
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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 B11
© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 20
What’s black and white and loved by kids all over the world? Pandas, of course! Read on to learn about these gentle creatures. 3 Can you imagine a world without pandas? Only about 1,800 giant pandas live in the wild today. They are in danger of becoming extinct—gone forever.
6
3
Giant pandas live in the Sichuan mountains of southwest China, where they feed on bamboo.
7
Giant pandas need to eat a lot of food every day. They eat day and night, constantly wandering through the forest eating and eating. Add up the numbers along the correct path of the maze to find out how many pounds of food one giant panda can eat in a day.
2
4
Pandas are losing their habitat. Giant pandas need forests with lots of bamboo to survive. These forests are rapidly disappearing as humans use them to meet their needs. Standards Link: Life Science: Students know changes in the environment can be detrimental to organisms.
4
3
Scientists debated this for years. About 20 years ago, a group of experts determined that giant pandas are most closely related to bears, Panda although they are also a eye lot like raccoons. Pandas are different from Bear other bears. For one thing, eye they have eyes like a cat. And their front paws have an unusual thumb—sometimes called a false thumb. This is not actually a thumb, like a human thumb. It is a part of the wrist bone that sticks out to the side like an extra finger.
5 While bamboo makes up most of a giant panda’s diet, pandas sometimes eat small animals. Because of this small amount of meat eating, giant pandas are classified as carnivores.
2
4
The largest giant pandas can grow to be about 250 pounds. Ask five friends how much they weigh. Add up their weights. Does it equal 250 pounds? Baby pandas are itty-bitty bears. They weigh only 4 to 6 ounces at birth (114-170 grams).
Use these four missing letters to fill in the blanks to discover the name of the organization.
_ OR _ _ _ I _ _ _ I _ E _ UN _
New 1350 sq ft home in new Taylor subdivision on 97 St S. Attached double garage 21x21’6. All rooms spacious. 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, great kitchen with island & pantry, dining area.
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Toronto Zoo
17+23-38 = ____
Zoo Atlanta
38-19-15 = ____ Several of these zoos have Panda Cams.
Complete the grid by using all the letters in the word BEARS in each vertical and horizontal row. Each letter should only be used once in each row. Some spaces have been filled in for you.
Find the words in the puzzle, then in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities. E Y E O C S B E T Y
Y G T O A J R Z B T Z I
I M E U W A O A
A A H P T O B O E S
This week’s word:
I T E N S N Z O O S
The noun status means the position or rank of a person or thing.
C O N A M U H P Z Y
Sarah lost her status as leading goal scorer when she broke her leg.
N N W A O O B M A B H R T D M O T H E R D O O F C K C A L B
Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognized identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
STATUS
Try to use the word status in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.
Which animal do you think is the cutest animal in the world? Why? Write a paragraph to convince other children of your opinion.
ANSWER: Winnie the pew!
PHONE: 250-785-5520 FAX: 250-785-2624
9+8-14 = ____
The Cutest Animal in the World
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.
10331 S 97 St., Taylor $465,000
San Diego Zoo
Standards Link: Writing Applications: Write brief expository descriptions.
Look at one page of today’s newspaper and circle in red all the words you know that begin with the letter P.
#101 9711-100 Avenue
Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington D.C.
22-13-7 = ____
The panda is a symbol of peace in China.
What’s black and white and red all over?
RE/MAX ACTION REALTY
3
Look through the newspaper and cut out parts of different animals to create a new animal. Give your creature a name. Describe where your animal lives and what it eats.
Standards Link: Life Science: Students know there is a variation among individuals of one kind within a population.
PANDA CHINA MOTHER HUMAN BABY GIANT BAMBOO CAT BLACK WHITE BEARS CREATURE ZOOS EYE FOOD
Do the math to find out the number of giant pandas in each of these zoos in America and Canada:
Memphis Zoo
Invent a Creature
A mother panda is about 800 times heavier than her baby. (If a human mother with a 7-pound baby weighed 800 times more, she would weigh 5,600 pounds. That’s nearly 3 tons!)
All giant pandas and their cubs are on loan from China. Agreements between these zoos and the Chinese conservation organizations are helping to preserve these endangered species.
14+8-18 = ____
3
Number the pandas in order from smallest to biggest.
Because of its distinctive features and its status as endangered, the giant panda was chosen by the world’s largest conservation organization as a symbol of conservation.
9
9
8
Standards Link: Number Sense: Calculate sums to 30.
W L F D
The Chinese call the panda “Da xiong mao,” which means “giant bear cat.”
3
About 300 giant pandas live in zoos and research centers worldwide. Threatened with extinction, these captive breeding programs are seen as hope for the giant panda’s survival.
FOR RENT ½ DUPLEX KIN PARK AREA AVAILBLE APRIL 30 CALL ME AT 250-261-4134 LIKE NEW!
NEW LISTING!
12848 Hilltop Dr., Charlie Lk $489,900 Private 4.95 acres. 3 main-floor bdrms, 1-bdrm suite down w/ 4-pce bath - separate entrance. Newer roof, siding, windows, and upgraded insulation. Greenhouse garden and lots of parking. Excludes Homeco washer. Includes Kenmore dryer, fridge down, fridge, stove, dishwasher upstairs, water softner downstairs. 200 amp service to shed with 100 amp sub off to the house. dug out close to garden, 10 minutes to City, school bus to driveway.
8612 74 STREET FORT ST. JOHN $275,000 CALL ME AT 250-261-4134 FOR DETAILS!
10996 Poplar Rd., Fort St. John $359,000 0.45 acres in Clairmount. Many updates include metal roof in 2007, new furnace in 2014, some newer windows, pump & pressure tank in 2014, newer laminate flooring, newer kitchen cabinets. Wrap around deck. Outbuildings include shop, shed. Fenced yard. 25x24 gravel pad with fire pit. All fridge, upright frost free freezer (Frigidaire), dishwasher (Whirlpool), stove (Frigidaire), microwave, Maytag washer & dryer. Shop is on concrete block. 2 raised garden beds, greenhouse on septic mound. 2 apple trees, wood shed off dock. 1973 Safeway manufactured home 14x68, Ser 685A2193 with an addition 14x68 built in 1979.
Lona Hirtz
B12 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Classifieds CARD OF THANKS
R0021161739
CRIMINAL RECORD? Canadian Record Suspension (Criminal pardon) seals record. American waiver allows legal entry. Why risk employment, business, travel, licensing, deportation, peace of mind? Free consultation: 1-800-347-2540
X THIS IS WHERE YOUR AD SHOULD BE
R0011234980
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IN MEMORIAM
Toots Maddigan
You Should Call
April 4, 1918 - May 1, 1991 MUNICIPAL God looked around his garden PENSION And found an empty space, RETIREES Then He looked upon the earth, ASSOCIATION And saw your tired face.
The Municipal Pension Retirees’ Association is holding a meeting for all retirees of the Municipal Pension Plan Monday, May 2nd, 2016 10:30am to 12:30pm Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre 10401 10th Street Dawson Creek Contact us: 250-769-1519 npra@shawbiz.ca | www.mpra.ca
He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb, So, He closed your weary eyes And whispered, “Peace be thine”. It broke our hearts to lose you But you never went alone, For a part of us went with you The day God called you home. Lodes of love from your family
RAYMOND BONTRON
Every Wednesday-1:15pm to 2:15pm at the Coop Bistro-Seniors Computer Club-All Seniors are welcome to this free club. For beginners and people wanting to learn more. information, instruction and discussion. minor glitches attended to in class. Bring your laptops, notepads, cameras, electronic gadgets. No computer, no problem. we have some to lend. Call Anne Symons at 250-782-4668 for information and registration. PLACE YOUR AD IN THE
31 85-56 50-7 5-3522 2 : h P 8 50-7 Fx: 2 R0011234983
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He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest, God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.
Memorial Tea for the late
Enbridge Inc. is seeking a full−time Mechanic responsible for the maintenance of all running equipment in Dawson Creek. Apply at www.enbridge.com/careers. Req #23263.
COMING EVENTS
FSJ ELKS SPEED SKATING CLUB AGM Speed skating AGM to be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 5:30pm on the 2nd floor of the Pomeroy Sport Centre info@fsjspeedskating.com
Bonnie Carlson 250-827-3132 Community & Bridal
Enbridge Inc. is seeking a full−time HS&E co− ordinator responsible for the implementation of the HS&E Mgmt System in Dawson Creek. Apply online at www.enbridge.com/careers. Req #22762.
AND MAYBE SOMEONE WILL
CIRCLE YOUR AD!
OBITUARIES
of Fort St. John, BC will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in the basement of the Peace Lutheran Church from 2-4pm.
Gwendolyne Donn December 8, 1922 - April 1, 2016
If so desired expressions of sympathy can be made to the Fort St. John General Hospital Auxiliary Memorial Fund.
R0011227250
Gwen passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Regional District Hospital Palliative Ward. She will be missed by her family and many friends in Nanaimo and Qualicum Beach where she lived for many years. Gwen was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta and was raised on a farm just outside of Grande Prairie, Alberta. She and her husband Evan lived and worked most of their lives in Fort St. John, B.C. where they operated North Cariboo Flying Service. Gwen was a great musician, often playing the piano and singing at local gatherings. She also played the violin and would occasionally give everyone a treat by playing something special. She is survived by her sons Wayne (Rita) and Maurice (Lynn) and daughter Rita Mason (Kerry), as well as her eight grandchildren. Gwen was a veteran and long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion. She loved to keep active, square dancing, gardening and walking with friends. She was a great crib player, as many of her friends and fellow legionnaires would attest. A small service was held at Yates Funeral Home, 1000 Alsbrook Rd., Parksville, B.C., April 23 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Canadian Legion would be appreciated.
Have News ??? email Us news@ahnfsj.ca
Mobile Crusher Operator LaPrairie Works Inc. Location: Peace Region, Alberta and British Columbia A unique opportunity to live and work in the Peace Region of Alberta and British Columbia. If you enjoy the tranquility of living in a northern environment, with plenty of opportunities for year round recreation, then the Peace Region is the place for you! LaPrairie Works is a diversified and growing full-service contractor. With over 30 years of operating experience in Western Canada, our core business areas include on and off highway hauling, highway and bridge maintenance, road construction, earthworks, oilfield services, mine contracting and site services. We currently have an opportunity for an experienced mobile crusher operator with a strong knowledge of aggregate processing. You will have a good understanding of all aspects and procedures of operating a full crusher spread throughout the Peace Region of Northern Alberta and British Columbia. Must have experience with Power Screen jaw crushers, Power Screen shaker screen decks, Pegasus Cone crushers and Elrus stackers and conveyors. The ideal candidate will be: • Physically fit, able to lift heavy objects, • Mechanically inclined, • Willing to travel (own RV preferred), • Able to operate large Cats, Loaders, Hoes and other miscellaneous equipment, • Able to read and understand sieves, • Understand and follow directions. LaPrairie Works offers a comprehensive compensation program, a flexible work schedule, and an incredible work environment with opportunity for advancement. Please apply with your resume and current drivers abstract to: Human Resources Department Email careers@laprairiegroup.com Fax (403) 767-9932
Enbridge Inc. is searching for full−time profes− sional administrative support in Dawson Creek. Apply online at www.enbridge.com/careers. Requisition number 22741.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Carolynn Theoret 250-262-0078 Baby
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
GET RESULTS!
1-866-669-9222
New In Town... Getting Married... Had A Baby... New in Business...
The Aboriginal Education Centre hosted their 8th Hand game tournament for students of School District 60 on April 14th. The committee would like to thank all the ASSW’s for their contribution for the day, as well as a big shout out to Kalmar Construction, Progress Energy, and Clean Harbors for their generous donations.
community
R0011234154
Sean Holden, Fred MacDonald, Rod Houle, Nevada Finch, Glenna Andrews.
T H AN K Y OU
2016, May 07 Annual General Meeting of Fort St John Metis Society Time: 5pm Where: Fort St John Friendship Center When: May 7, 2016 Metis Auction to be held. Please bring something for the auction.
Midtown Mini Storage will be holding an auction on bid13.com starting May 6, 2016 unless accounts are paid in full. To recover fees from the following units that have accounts in arrears for more than 90 days. The owners of the units are able to make full payments on their accounts until the time of auction stored at Midtown Ministorage, FSJ (10508 95 Avenue). Please contact (250) 263-9723.
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT
R0011232372
We thank you for your interest in employment with us: Only those persons selected for interview will be contacted
COMING EVENTS Pouce Coupe Museum Pancake Breakfast & Yard Sale Sat. May 07, 2016 8:00 am - 2:00 pm Breakfast Cost: Children $3, Adults $5 Breakfast: 8-11 AM Donations for yard sale can be made at the museum. Please phone if you need items picked up. 250 - 786 - 5555 Yard sale: 8 AM-2 PM
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT DO YOU HAVE 10 HRS/WK to turn into $1500/mth using your PC and phone? Free info: www.BossFree123.com Gas Station Store Clerk Convenience Store/Gas Station Requires retail clerks. Prior retail experience is an asset. Secondary school or equivalent. Duties include assisting customers, Conducting sales by cash register, Monitoring inventory levels, stocking and maintaining product shelves. Starting salary $12/hr. Plus subsidized accomodation. Permanent, full-time. Redwood Esso 10216-100St Taylor BC V0C 2K0, redwoodesso@hotmail.com Fax 250-789-3195 Looking for an online business? I can help! You will receive free training and after support. Go to www.123freedom4life.com and check it out. Requires a computer and telephone and 5-15 hrs weekly.
R0011228967
ANNOUNCEMENTS
This is a notice of seizure of goods under the warehouse lien act.
250-785-5631 classifieds@ahnfsj.ca
Foreman, Highway Maintenance LaPrairie Works Inc. Location: Manning, Alberta A unique opportunity to live and work in the Peace Region of Northwest Alberta If you enjoy the tranquility of living in a smaller center, with plenty of opportunity for year round recreation, then the Peace Region is the place for you! LaPrairie Works is a diversified and growing full-service contractor. With over 30 years of operating experience in Western Canada, our core business areas include on and off highway hauling, highway and bridge maintenance, road construction, earthworks, oilfield services, mine contracting and site services. We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Foreman, for our Highway Maintenance group to be based in Manning Alberta. You will be responsible for the dayto-day direction and supervision of the highway maintenance yard(s) and the crews operating from those yards to carry out summer and winter highway maintenance work as well as a variety of other highway maintenance and construction activities. Associated administrative duties include scheduling of employees, toolbox meetings, and the timely submission of all related documentation. A good working knowledge of common office software is an asset. You will be expected to expedite emergency highway maintenance work at any time it is required. You may often have to work outside normal hours, especially during the winter season when your availability will be critical on a 24/7 basis. As a Highway Maintenance Foreman, you will have the ability to work independently. Good communication skills and a positive, cooperative approach to problem solving and community relations is an important and necessary aspect to this position. Prior experience as a supervisor in a related field is preferred. A valid, Class 3 w Air (minimum) drivers’ license, with an acceptable driver abstract is required. LaPrairie Works offers a comprehensive compensation program, a flexible work schedule, and an incredible work environment with opportunity for advancement. Please apply with your resume and current drivers abstract to: Human Resources Department Email careers@laprairiegroup.com Fax (403) 767-9932 We thank you for your interest in employment with us: Only those persons selected for interview will be contacted
R0011228964
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Book Your Ad Now!
JOURNEYMAN MILLWRIGHT Canadian Silica Inc., Location: Peace River, Alberta Canadian Silica is a part of the LaPrairie Group of Companies, with Silica mining operations in Peace River, Alberta. We have an immediate opening for a Journeyman Millwright with 2 – 3 years’ experience with plant equipment for a mining operation. Canadian Silica offers a highly competitive remuneration package plus a range of benefits and genuine opportunities for career progression. Relocation assistance is available. To take advantage of this opportunity, please send your resume to: Human Resources Department Email: careers@laprairiegroup.com Fax: (403) 767-9932
CLASSIFIEDS WORK! CALL TO PLACE YOUR AD...
Alaska Highway NEWS (250) 785-5631
We thank you for your interest in employment with us: Only those persons selected for interview will be contacted
For the best in LocaL news, sports and Features
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HOUSES FOR SALE R0011234143
REDUCED!
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
Must be seen. This 3 bedroom home has been newly renovated with fresh paint, new carpet, siding re-done 2 years ago, shingles a year old, both bathrooms have been re-done, some new oak paneling in the living room and kitchen...and many more upgrades. Great for the first-time owner or as a rental investment. R2019037
Immaculate, first-time home or downsizing starter here, just like new. This 1012 26x76’ modular features an open concept, lots of cupboards, and 3 bedrooms. Master has het tub with walk-in closet, and there are two 4-piece bathrooms and a separate laundry room. Comes with all appliances, has several decks and a fenced yard. R2046990
This updated 3 brm family home is close to schools, walking trails & amenities, large yard with back alley access, detached garage & greenhouse, apple trees & lots of flower beds, beautifully landscaped, it's bright & has an open concept, updates include newly renovated kitchen, bathroom, hardwood and laminate flooring, newer windows, band new hot water tank...a definite must see! R2031174
reduced $289,900
$174,900
FISH CREEK ACREAGE
SOLD Bonnie Coté REALTOR®
262-1944
REMAX Action Realty Ltd.
A definite must see! This immaculate 3 bedroom, professionally painted throughout, offers an open kitchen and dining concept, features brand new upstairs bathroom, windows, light fixtures, washer & dryer. all appliances are included, Call for your personal viewing on this beautiful home today. reduced
$279,000
reduced
$389,500
Beautiful 3 bedroom 4 bathroom home situated on 5 acres just minutes from town. Spacious floor plan, huge kitchen with eating bar, separate dining room, large living room, formal sitting room, 2 fireplaces, large windows throughout, over sized master bdrm with walk in closet and ensuite, fully finished bsmnt with 2 oversized Dens and living room and much more.!!!
reduced
$939,900
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 B13
Classifieds
Book Your Ad Now!
HOUSES FOR SALE
and Commercial, Farms, Shops, Land, Property Management Gary 261-1214
(Suitable for commercial office/retail) – THREE - 1500 SQ FT UNITS – 2400 SQ FT Freshly painted – 1200 sq ft Avail april 1, 2016 $15.00 PER SQ FT PLUS NNN
Annette 793-4394
Gary Reeder Realty Ltd.
CHARLIE LAKE HOME - 5 AC
12564 SUNNYSIDE DR.
$9 NO 59 W ,0 00
QUIZNOS FORT ST.JOHN WELL ESTABLISHED BUSINESS WITH INCOME ALMOST DOUBLE NATIONAL AVERAGE; INCL FRANCHISE,FIXTURES,EQUIPMENT, LEASE ON PREMISES. PH/TEXT ANNETTE 2507934394
R0011235014
R0011234147
'Spouses Selling Houses'
FOR LEASE COMMERCIAL SPACE ALPINE VILLAGE COMPLEX PRIME LOCATIONS ON 98 A AVE.
250-785-5631 classifieds@ahnfsj.ca
DOMESTIC CARS
APARTMENTS / CONDOS-FOR
DUPLEXES FOR RENT
FOR SALE
12 UNIT APARTMENT FOR SALE. Mackenzie BC New Roof, New Hot Water Tank, Near new hallway carpets $639,000. 10% Cap Rate. Building always full. Fantastic Revenue. Financing Available. Call Seth 1-778-235-9293
2-Bedroom Duplex in Dawson Creek. $900/Month + Gas & Electrical. c/w Laundry, Pet Friendly. 250-7844572.
2008 Chev. Uplander Mini Van, 6 cyl. 52,000 klm. Braun wheel chair conversion, side ramp $25,000.00 Ft. St. John 250-262-8040
Office space available in FSJ banking district on 100ST. 500, 1000, 2000 or 3000 sqft. All ground floor with security entrance. Reply to corvettecapcorp@gmail.com or call 250-785-3569
HOME, GARAGE & BSMT SUITE - 11.2 AC
$6
29
,0
00
GREAT VIEW! SPACIOUS HOME, 4 BR, 3 BATHS; HUGE FAMILY RM HAS FIREPLACE; FENCED FOR HORSES; WATER WELL. MLS# R2035377. PHONE 793-4394
FOR RENT - $1,500/MONTH
BRAND NEW 1880 SF HOME WITH FULL WALK-OUT BSMT. & 3 CAR GARAGE PLUS TRUCK SHOP WITH APARTMENT ON SUNNYSIDE DRIVE; ON 6 ACRES WITH WELL, LAGOON, VIEW. CONTACT ANNETTE TO VIEW 250-793-4394
3 BDRM DUPLEx FOR RENT. FRESHLY PAINTED. AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD. SMALL PET FRIENDLY, NO SMOKERS. $1,500/MTH PLUS UTILITIES. CALL GARY AT 250-261-1214. RENTAL APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP @ GARY REEDER REALTY UNIT B - 10756-100 ST.
JUST LISTED, OVER 2800 SF MAIN, 3 BR, 2 BATHS, LARGE LIVING AREAS, 2 BDRM FULL BSMT SUITE, PRIVATE ACREAGE, FENCED FOR HORSES, WATER WELL. GREAT SPACE FOR YOUR FAMILY OR RENTAL INCOME FOR MORTGAGE HELPER - INCL APPLIANCES & SHOP. PH 793-4394 TO VIEW.
FOR RENT - $1600/MONTH
8724-77 ST - MAKE AN OFFER!!
FOR RENT - CALL GARY BRAND NEW ExECUTIVE HOME IN SUNSET RIDGE WITH SUPER FEATURES 5 BR, 4 BATHS, SAUNA & 2 CAR GARAGE $3,000/MO.
NEWER 1/2 DUPLEx (2014) FOR RENT. AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. APPROx. 1300 SQ FT 3 BR, 2 1/2 BATHROOMS 5 APPLIANCES. ASKING $1600.00/MONTH PLUS UTILITIES, AND SECURITY DEPOSIT. CALL GARY AT 250-261-1214. RENTAL APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP @ UNIT B, 10756-100TH STREET. REFERENCES REQUIRED.
MAIN FLOOR 3 BR, 2 BATHS, PLUS FULL BSMT WITH PRIVATE ENTRY IDEAL FOR INLAW SUITE. CALL ANNETTE FOR DETAILS 250-793-4394
$1,500/MO - 3 BDRM DUPLEx, AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY
Is now accepting applications for
Phone 250-719-0686
R0011225454
Experienced Paving Personnel, Finish Grader Operator and Distributer Truck Driver. Please apply in person from 9am-4pm Monday-Friday at the Dawson Creek office located at 11617 Rolla Rd.
TRADES HELP
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Learn how to operate a Mini-Office outlet from your home computer. Can be done on a p/t basis or full time if you choose. FREE online training and support. www.project4welness.com
Attachments for skidsteers, tractors, loaders. Large selection of pallet forks, grapples, buckets, snow and dirt blades, tillers, mowers and snow blowers, etc. Phone 780-354-2161, Beaverlodge.
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT
LIVESTOCK
Advice from a Hire Authority R0021173649
Hire us first At Macenna Staffing Services we can do all that for you and then some, saving you and your business time by shortlisting the top candidates for the job; pre-screening only those that qualify. Plus we can test typing skills and computer aptitude with programs like Word, Excel, even Windows itself.
GET FREE VENDING MACHINES. Can Earn $100,000.00 + Per Year. All Cash - Locations Provided. Protected Territories. Interest Free Financing. Full Details CALL NOW 1-866-668-6629 Website W W W.T C V E N D. C O M . BUSINESS SERVICES Have you been denied Canada Pension Plan disability benefits? The Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help you appeal. Call 1- 877-793 - 3222 Website: www.dcac.ca Email: info@d c ac.c a
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
M E D I C A L T R A N S C RI P T I O N! In-demand career! Employers have work-athome positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-ath o m e c a r e e r t o d ay!
Canbriam Energy Inc. is developing an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under British Columbia’s Integrated Pest Management Act and associated regulations. Under these regulations this plan is required to be renewed every five years.
FSJ MASSAGE, Deeply Relaxing Full Body Massage. Phone: 250-261-3923
The purpose of this renewal is to manage vegetation and invasive weed control on facilities, rights-of-way, lease sites and related infrastructure. This IPMP will cover various activities within the Peace River Regional District and associated communities such as Fort St John, Hudson Hope, Chetwynd and other small communities in those regions.
Li-Car Management Group
Using the principles of integrated pest management plan (IPM), the pest management methods proposed for use may include seeding, re-vegetation, hand-pulling/ cutting, mowing, string trimmers, brushing, biological control agents, and the use of pesticides. The use of pesticides is intended within the area to which the IPMP applies. The common names and some example(s) of trade names of the pesticides proposed for use under this plan include:
We have a variety of apartments, town homes, executive homes, and duplexes for rent. To apply for these,please email reception@licar.ca or visit our website at www.licar.ca
• Vantage XRT, Vantage Plus Max, Sightline, Clearview, Milestone, Navius VM, Escort, Tordon 22K, Tordon 101, Vanquish, Overdrive, Banvel VM, 2,4-D Amine, MCPA Amine 500, Truvist, Esplanade SC, Transline, Lontrel 360, Telar XP, Karmex, Garlon, Arsenal, and Startup. • Active ingredients in these products are: Aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl, diflunfenzopyr, MCPA, Picloram, 2,4-D, Chlorsulfuron, Dicamba, Aminocyclopyrachlor, Indaziflam, Clopyralid, Glyphosate, Imazapyr, Triclopyr, Diuron.
In Dawson Creek
The proposed duration of the IPMP is from June 5th, 2016 to June 4th, 2021.
t Available
1 bedroom Apartmen
• Canbriam Energy, 10923 Alaska Road Fort St. John, BC V1J 6P3 Phone: 250-785-8322
NO SMOKING, AND NO PETS For more information Please phone 250.782.6904
R0021173570
FOR SALE
SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD: www. N o r wo o d Saw m i l l s . com/400OT 1-800-5666 8 9 9 E x t : 4 0 0 O T.
POLE BARNS, Shops, steel buildings metal clad or fabric clad. Complete supply and installation. Call John at 403-9987 9 0 7; j c a m e r o n @ advancebuildings.com.
R E F O R E S TAT I O N NURSERY SEEDLINGS of hardy trees, shrubs, & berries for shelterbelts or landscaping. Spruce & Pine from $0.99/tree. Free Shipping. Replacement guarantee. 1-866-873-3846 o r w w w.t r e e t i m e.c a
HEALTH
CANADA BENEFIT GROUP - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888-511-2250 or www.canadabenefit. c a / fre e - a s s es s m ent HELP WANTED
SALES
POSITION
AVAILABLE for Floor Covering Centre in Salmon Arm, BC. Potential candidate must have experience in the industry . Apply by resume only via email to ashtonfloors@shaw.ca
Dawson Creek Northern Lights Apartments.1 bedroom apts. available. Cable/heat, water/hot water included. Please phone : 250-782-7130. ASK FOR INCENTIVES
TOWNHOUSES FOR RENT Large 2 bedroom townhouse renovated with partial basement. Quiet building, No pets, no smokers. Available April 1st.$1200./month References required. 250785-7788
Target Your Clients! Let people know what your business offers. Here at the Alaska Highway News we have the finest graphics team to build your business a quality ad that can promote the item or idea that you want to sell.
Any person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of this IPMP may send copies of the information to the address above within 30 days of the publication of this R0011233159 notice.
Ph: 250-785-5631 Fax: 250-785-3522
LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES
SERVICES
GET RESULTS! Post a classified in 110 newspapers in just a few clicks. Reach almost 2 million people for only $395 a week for 25-word text ad or $995 for small display ad. Choose your province or all across Canada. Best value. Save over 85% compared to booking individually. www. communityclassifieds.ca o r 1- 8 6 6 - 6 6 9 - 9 2 2 2 . STEEL BUILDINGS
APARTMENTS/ CONDOS FOR
New Rental Home $3000/month. 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and living rooms, with w/d. Call Greg 250-588-4411
Diagrams, maps and the IPMP document are available and may be viewed upon request at the following:
1497 Week of 4.25.2016
HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/ Dressing? Disabilit y Ta x Credit $2,000 Ta x Credit $20,0 0 0 Refund. A pply Today For As sistanc e: 1-844-453-5372.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN Reference #326-127-16/21
32017
10139 101 Ave. Fort St. John, BC V1J 2B4 | p. 250.785.8367 | f. 250.785.4795 | e. apply@macenna.com | www.macenna.com
CAREER TRAINING
LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES
FOR RENT
The next time you’re hiring, consider Macenna Staffing Services first.
H E A LT H CA R E DO CU M ENTATI O N SPECIALISTS are in huge demand. Employers want CanScribe graduates. A great work-from-home career! Train with Canada’s best-rated program. Enroll today. www.canscribe. com. 1.800.466.1535. info@canscribe.com.
Arctic Duct Cleaning, Furnace & duct cleaning, Chimney sweep. 250-787-7217 (FSJ)
Clean, quiet adult building. Looking for long-term, single mature tenant.
SRI Homes 16’Wide starting $110,500 in stock also 20’ and double wides in stock, or you can order your own custom home. Pine Ridge Modular Homes. 250-262-2847.
HOUSES FOR RENT
HATS AND CHAPS GYMKHANA CLUB AGM Notification for Hats and Chaps Gymkhana club. The AGM will be held on April 26 at 6:30 pm at the Bessborough Community Hall.
Phone: 250-785-2662
And did we mention we already have hundreds of resumes on file?
This is a notice of seizure of goods under the warehouseman’s lien act by Country Odds’N Ends located at 12214242rd-Grandhaven B.C. Goods stored by the following individuals will be seized on April 29, 2015. And sold on a future date to be advertised. Blake Skinner Fred Larsen May Mayling Tom Driscoll Michelle Freeland Payment must be received in full by seizure date. Call 250-7947611 for more information.
MOBILE/
FOR RENT: Furnished Downtown Apartments in DC. Bachelor or 1 Bedroom. All Utilities Included + Cable/Internet. 250-719-7043
NOTICES / NOMINATIONS
APARTMENTS/ CONDOS FOR
When it comes time to hire new staff, do you look forward to the hours upon hours that it takes? Time to place an ad, time to read through dozens of resumes, time to interview candidates, time to test their skills…
X
LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES
FURNISHED APARTMENTS
THIS IS WHERE YOUR AD SHOULD BE
BUSINESS SERVICES
ATTENTION RANCHERS WITH ORPHAN CALVES! 3 kids would like to buy and raise your orphan calves. Will pick up. 250−788−1806 nfri77@gmail.com
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CRIMINAL RECORD? Don’t let your past limit your career plans! Since 1989 confidential, fast affordable - A+BBB Rating. EMPLOYMENT & TRAVEL FREEDOM. Call for FREE INFO BOOKLET 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1866-97-7366) www.RemoveYourRecord.com
POWER WALL SYSTEMS: LABOURER /APPRENTICE Power Wall Systems is looking for a FT & PT Carpentry Labourer or Apprentice . Position starts immediately in Fort St. John. Wages to commensurate with experience and negotiable. Please email your resume or contact informa− tion to deryl@thepowergrp.com. deryl@thepowergrp.com
BROADWATER INDUSTRIES (2011) LTD INDUSTRIAL PAINTER Broadwater is a general contracting company located in Prince Rupert. We are looking for an experienced painter to help support its growing operation. Job description includes but is not limited to: − Sandblasting structural steel and aluminum − Painting using conventional and airless sys− tems − Paint maintenance on equipment fleet − Masking and prep. work prior to painting Experience in industrial painting is required and knowledge of automotive painting and body work would be an asset. This is a per− manent full−time position with competitive in− dustry wages including medical and dental benefits. All inquiries please respond via fax or email as indicated. Email: bw@citywest.ca Fax: (250) 624−5668 bw@citywest.ca broadwaterindustries.ca
Arctic Duct Cleaning, Furnace & duct cleaning, Chimney sweep. 250-787-7217 (FSJ)
LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES
$1,600/MO - DUPLEx 3 BR 2 BATH, 5 APPLIANCES
TRADES HELP
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT
BUSINESS SERVICES
INDUSTRIAL/ COMMERCIAL
5 BEDROOM DUPLEXES- FURNISHED in Pouce Coupe. Monthly & Weekly Rates Available. Please Phone: 250-719-9392
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Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that Ditmarsia Holdings Ltd. from Fort St. John, BC has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), Northeast Region, for a Crown Grant situated on Provincial Crown Land located at NW corner of Lot 2, Plan 12116, Block 7, Section 32. Township 83, Range 18, W6M, Peace River District. The Lands File for this application is 8015861. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Joyce Veller, Authorization Officer, Northeast Region, MFLNRO, at 100, 10003-110 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7 (250) 787-3438. Comments will be received by MFLNRO up to May 27, 2016. MFLNRO may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more information and a map of the application area. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions. R0011229685
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Community
Christy Clark says LNG can help reduce wildfires Jonny Wakefield reporter@dcdn.ca
Liquefied natural gas can help cut China’s coal consumption and turn the tide against climate change, which is contributing to an early wildfire season in Northeast B.C., Premier Christy Clark said Wednesday in Fort St. John. The premier was in the Peace Region for a pro-LNG rally, planned weeks before a rash of wildfires forced people from their homes across northern B.C. Asked about the early start to the fire season, Clark made a pivot to her government’s plan to export LNG to Asia. “This early start to the fire season is alarming for everyone in the province,” Clark told reporters after a speech to LNG supporters from the back of an oilfield crane truck. “I know it’s been an immediate, urgent issue for people in the northeast, but if it’s starting this early here, it’s going to start early everywhere in the province.” “This is the reality we’re facing today as the planet gets warmer,” she continued, saying climate change leads to dry conditions that exacerbate wildfires. “If there’s any argument for exporting LNG and helping fight climate change, surely it is all around us when we see these fires burning out of control.” Clark tailored her comments
Matt Preprost Photo
Christy Clark told a crowd in Fort St. John the LNG can help in fight against climate change, which she says contributed to a rash of wildfires in Northeast B.C. in April.
to the current wildfires, but the argument is far from new. The BC Liberal government has long argued that LNG is less carbon-intensive than oil and coal, making it a net-positive for emissions reduction. Clark alluded to the Chinese government’s 2015 approval of 155 coal-fired power plants meant to meet growing demand. While those plants are still on the books, their future
remains uncertain amid an economic slowdown and a shift towards renewables. “The only way China is not going to build those filthy, belching coal plants is if they have a different fuel to power the country. That has to be LNG,” Clark said in a followup interview. “If everyone who is using coal and oil switched to natural gas today, we would be a third less polluting. In one leap.”
“If we want to be able to slow down the rate of climate change and have fewer fires or at least get stable on that front, we’re going to have to step up our efforts to fight climate change.” ‘LNG is worse than coal over the short term’ Wednesday’s rally aimed to show public support for Pacific NorthWest LNG, a multibillion-dollar liquefaction plant
planned for Lelu Island near Prince Rupert. It would source gas from Progress Energy, the largest gas driller in the province and a major employer in the Peace Region. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government imposed a three-month delay on the project amid growing concerns about its greenhouse gas emissions and impact on salmon habitat. Peter McCartney, a campaigner with the Wilderness Committee, said that burned side by side, LNG is cleaner than coal. “But to get that LNG to Asia, there’s a whole polluting process that occurs that actually means that LNG is worse than coal over the short term,” he said, citing upstream methane leaks, venting, and the burning of natural gas needed to liquefy the product. “She’s absolutely correct that these wildfires are linked to climate change, and people are now seeing these climate change impacts in their everyday lives,” he said. “But if you were to build a new power plant in China, over the short term, it would be better to build it with coal. So this line from the government is just absurd.” He said that while LNG is sometimes considered a “bridge” to renewable energy, it’s currently displacing wind, hydroelectric and solar in many Asian countries.
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Community
An outstanding educator Retired diabetes educator Mary Marcellus was nominated for and received an Outstanding Health Care Professional Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association on April 25. On hand to present the award were Kathy Peters, Director of Care at the Fort St. John Hospital, and Boyanne Young, the branch coordinator for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
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A hot mic moment Judy Kucharuk
New S a n da l S Arriving Daily
the desk of the green-eyed girl
a hidden camera recording our conversations. Is this the world that we now live in? A world where we cannot have a reasonable expectation of privacy even in a cab? Yes, it is. Confrontations at coffee and donut shops are recorded and placed on YouTube. An argument with a customer is recorded and uploaded to Facebook. The video or audio recording allows the public to become the judge, jury and executioner without the benefit of hearing both sides of a story. Again, this is not about what the mayor said—it is about the lack of privacy in our world. Let’s face it, our lives are played out on social media and we have to conduct ourselves accordingly. It isn’t fair, but it’s a fact of life. Will Mayor Nenshi come out the other side of this controversy unscathed? I don’t know the answer to that question. At the time of writing this, Twitter is still abuzz with opinion and it seems to be divided: half defend the Mayor because he was not advised that he was being recorded and the other half chastising him for his choice of words. Regardless of what happens, a very big lesson has been learned and other public figures can thank Mayor Nenshi for being the first to be burnt by the hidden hot mic. You better bet that others won’t be so trusting.
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lways assume the mic is hot.” Sage advice for anyone in the public eye, especially if you are hooked up to a lapel mic waiting to go live on air or on stage. The rule is to never say anything that you wouldn’t want broadcast out inadvertently on a hot or “live” mic. Good advice, but what if you didn’t know you were being recorded? What if you had not the slightest clue that you were being filmed, recorded and broadcasted live to a social media stream? That is exactly what happened recently to Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi during a trip to Boston and while taking a ride from a Lyft driver (a company similar to Uber). It was during this ride that he was apparently filmed without his knowledge and it was broadcast over the social media platform Periscope. He was not doing anything illegal or illicit, but the conversation that was recorded was less than flattering considering his position as Mayor. I am not going to go into detail about what he said, but let’s just say that he has since issued an apology and (according to an online CBC news article) said that, “while he was not aware he was being recorded, that’s not the point.” He also said that, “One should be the same person in private as in public and I take full responsibility for my interaction with others.” I give him credit for owning the situation. I don’t really care what Mayor Nenshi said on the hidden camera because this column isn’t about WHAT he said. What he said can be debated in his own community and with his colleagues, not here, not in this column. I worry about the fact that he was recorded without his knowledge. We all say things in the privacy of our own home, car, etc. that we wouldn’t want anyone to repeat. We have a reasonable expectation that there will not be
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Judy Kucharuk is a lover of sarcasm, witty people and footnotes. You can follow her blog at www.judykucharuk.com or catch her on CBC Radio Daybreak North where she shares her “Peace of Mind”. Follow her on twitter @judylaine
Key to success
A MEMORY TO HOLD ON TO
Moms, dads and grandparents MAKE SURE your grad appears in this enjoyable keepsake. Your family, friends and neighbours will enjoy going through this now and for years to come. JUST FILL IN AND CUT-OUT Name of Graduate: ___________________________Phone Number: _________________ Congratulatory Message: ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Congratulatory Message From: ________________________________________________ Look for this souvenir supplement in June 23, 2016. Coverage will include school graduate photos, a message from the Principals, and congratulations from local businesses.
BOOKING DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2016
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Pat Ferris gave the keynote speech at the ninth annual Fort St. John Community Awards on April 21.
Drop off your congratulatory message at: 9916-98th Street or call Fort St. John (250) 785-5631 Please include your name and phone number.
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B16 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
Community
Back away from the phone O
ver coffee with a friend last week, we were gushing over the beautiful weather and all the wonderful time we’ve been able to spend outside. It’s really been so great! Well, not so great for everyone she tells me. As it turns out, a friend of hers was currently enduring home visits to check up on the wellbeing of her children because someone called her in for letting her kids play outside. You read that right. She has three young children, the youngest being 4, and while they were outside in their backyard playing like kids should do, someone reported her because she wasn’t back there hovering over them. Now, she’s going through the typical follow-up process. Please don’t get me wrong— I’m glad that whenever someone is concerned about the wellbeing of a child, it is actually followed up on. But the point here is earlier and much simpler. Back away from the phone. Parents are being reported for the smallest and most ridiculous things. Kids playing safely in their backyard? A mom zipping in to grab their dinner take-out on a cool day while still in full view of the car her child is sleeping in? Hearing a particularly bad tantrum through the open window? We’ve become so judgemental of others that we seem to have lost to ability to step back and actually consider the
Brianne Zwambag THE MOTHERLOAD
situation. Parents are feeling more lost and alone than ever, resorting to parenting out of fear of what others might think or do instead of parenting in ways that are right for their family. We are creating a society of parents who hover because they feel they have to, and our kids will suffer for it. My kids? They’re going to play outside. All summer long. When we go to the park or for a walk in the forest, yes. I will be right there with them. But in our backyard? Not so much. I personally can’t keep my kids inside. They know how to open the patio door and they are just out there. They want to be, and I am not going to stand in the way of that. We’ve gone to great lengths to make our yard fun and safe. We’ve put out age appropriate toys, ensured the fence is solid and the gate latched shut, we’ve removed any debris that could cause them harm and even gated off the slide on our deck because we realized it was too steep for our young children. We learned all this by being outside with our kids last summer when they were very young. We kept a close eye on them and learned where they were drawn to go, what they wanted to do and we put down
ground rules for things they could and couldn’t do. Now that they’re both a little older and seeking independence, I let them put on their shoes and head out on their own. Outside time is so important for children, and I honestly don’t always have time to just go sit. I really do have dishes to do, laundry to fold and four lives to manage. They don’t need to watch TV while I do those things. They need to be physically active, get different sensory experiences, learn about their world and be creative and imaginative and just plain silly. They also need to be independent. We all want for our children to be able to grow in to strong, intelligent, confident and capable adults. And that end goal starts with what we do today. I want my kids to learn their own limits by pushing themselves to climb higher, run faster or interacting with others. I can tell them what I think their limits are all I want, but the reality is that only they know what they are. And the only way they can find them is by pushing them, even if it does mean a scraped knee or broken arm at some point. By allowing them the freedom to play without a parent hovering, they start to learn about making decisions, doing things for themselves, problem-solving, taking care of each other and simply being happy on their own. The other important piece
of this puzzle is that you know that most parents, and this includes every parent I know, don’t just turn their kids loose and go take a nap. If my kids are in my backyard without me, I’m usually working at the kitchen table and keeping a fairly close eye on them. I’m listening in case I need to break up a fight or kiss a boo-boo better. I’m watching in case one of them pushes a limit a bit too far and needs help out of a tree or something. I’m there. You just can’t see me. When you get the urge to report a parent for something you don’t agree with, please have the strength to step back and consider the full situation and realize the gravity your report may have on the family. By all means, if we’re talking about a child who is wandering the streets barefoot day after day from dawn until dusk with no parent in sight, it might be time to chat with the child and reach out. But kids playing in the yard without a parent waiting to catch them beside the trampoline? Is that really so dangerous? I say, it’s just an important part of childhood. Brianne Zwambag is a fulltime boo-boo healer, snack artist, janitor, referee, master storyteller and child stylist in Fort St. John, who sometimes gets a chance to sit down and write about life, mommyhood and the issues that surround it.
Alzheimer’s Walk taking place May 1 Caregivers to those with dementia is a non-stop, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year job, and need just as much support. Those caregivers are the honourees of the Investors Group Walk for Alzheimer’s for Fort St. John, a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. “Memories make us who we are,” says Walk Chair Denean Arntson in a press release. “When you walk, you honour those who have passed and support our work to provide help and hope to those living with the disease today.” Arntson encourages participation because “everyone will be touched by dementia, whether it’s a relative, a friend or someone in your community. You can make a difference.” Caregiving affects people emotionally and physically, and requires determination, empathy and kindness. Caregivers require support for everything from assisting with legal and financial decisions to helping with everyday tasks. Walk registration takes place at 10:30 a.m. on May 1 at Pomeroy Sport Centre, the walk itself starts at 11 a.m. Residents can participate, donate and volunteer at www.walkforalzheimers. ca. — AHN
8407-112 Avenue, Fort St. john, BC v1j 0j5 • www.fsjhospitalfoundation.ca
Making a Difference
This page is donaTed by The ForT sT. John alaska highway news and The norTherner
Eastern Star members purchase Fetal Dopplers The Order of the Eastern Star Alcan Chapter #91 donated $2,800 to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation last month to purchase Doppler fetal heart rate monitors for the Birthing Centre. The Order of the Eastern Star has been a generous supporter of the Foundation since 1998, donating approximately $39,500 since then. Member Nicole Reid presents the Foundation’s development coordinator, Jill Earl, with the donation.
Calling all brave shavers! Bluey Day is back for Fort St. John’s bravest. The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation is seeking 50 brave shavers to help raise $100,000 during the 17th annual Bluey Day. Donations collected by shavers will help to purchase cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment at the Fort St. John Hospital. In the past, donations have helped to purchase an update for the CT scanner, a gastroscope, and a hysteroscope. This year Bluey Day will be hosted on May 28 at the BC Ambulance bay on 96th Street. Registration is now open and packages are available at the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation office. Call 250-261-7563 or email fsjhf@northernhealth.ca for more information. Join the fight against cancer and “Be Brave and Shave”! Right: Amanda Beaudoin takes a look at her new hairdo during last year’s Bluey Day.
Friends of the Foundation Monthly Giving Program Small, consistent donations make a big impact at the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation. That’s why the Friends of the Foundation Monthly Giving Program was recently created; to make donating easier than ever.
Do YOU have a story for us? Were you recently a patient of the Fort St. John Hospital? Did a staff member go above and beyond for you? Tell us about it! Whether it was a small encouragement or a gesture that made a big impact, we want to hear about your experience. Call us at 250-261-7563 or e-mail fsjhf@northernhealth.ca.
With a pre-authorized withdrawal, donors won’t have to write and mail gifts every time they wish to make a donation. The program is flexible to meet the needs of all donors; allowing them to set a gift amount, and easily increase, decrease, pause, or stop their gift at any time. The consistency of a monthly contribution ensures a stable and reliable source of funding that allows the Foundation to better plan for equipment purchases for the Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa Facility. No matter how big or how small, every gift to the Foundation truly makes a difference in the lives of patients. To sign up for the Foundation’s monthly giving program, please contact our office at 250-261-7563.
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