AHN OCT 20, 2022

PUCK STRUGGLES

winless streak now at

For all the news we couldn’t fit into print: alaskahighwaynews.ca

Hansen to take lead of incumbent council, plus one

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The City of Fort St. John has its new mayor.

Former chamber of com merce executive director and current councillor Lilia Han sen will take on her new role next month after she earned 1,620 votes, or just over 63%, of the 2,567 ballots cast for the city’s top job.

“This really means a lot for me to have the confidence of my neighbours of the com munity,” said Hansen, cele brating the news Saturday night at the annual Of The Vine fundraiser for the Association for Community Living. “I’m delighted they are giving me a chance to do this and continue being a champion of Fort St. John.”

Hansen, who will replace retiring mayor Lori Ackerman, finished 883 votes ahead of her nearest challenger Shan non Stange whose 737 votes translates to 29% of the total.

“I think it was essential to give the people of Fort St. John a choice,” said Stange, on hand at the Seniors Hall to hear the results read out.

“I commend Lilia Hansen and Steven Labossiere on their campaigns and I wish them all the best. To those who were

hoping for a different result tonight, I encourage you to remain engaged in our city. I know I will.”

Rounding out the mayoral race, Steven Labossiere placed third with 156 votes or 6%.

Meantime, it was status quo for the position of councillor

with all five incumbents being returned to office.

Trevor Bolin received the most votes with 1715, followed by Gord Klassen at 1678, Tony Zabinsky with 1539, Byron Stewart with 1530 and Jim Lequiere two back with 1528.

Sarah MacDougall becomes

the new face on council, re placing the vacancy left by Hansen in her run for mayor.

MacDougall, with her family by her side as the numbers were released, placed third be hind Klassen with 1675 votes.

“I’m overwhelmed and so honoured to be chosen,” said MacDougall.

“To begin with, I just need to start learning, speaking to other councillors, more specif ically, what are we doing right now. I’ve been following the council meetings so I know what’s on the table but really just getting up to speed.”

Mayor-elect Lilia Hansen said she was pleased to have MacDougall on board the new council.

“I think she will add per spective, not only her involve ment with Northern Health, but also being a young mom and her experiences with day care,” she said.

“It’s always nice to hear somebody coming in and what they see of Fort St. John with fresh eyes.”

In going down the list, Lyle Goldie was seventh in the race for councillor with 798, Amy Cox had 757, Gary Patara was next with 492 and Morgan Robinson brought in 407 votes.

The new council will have its inaugural meeting on Nov. 7.

puts it, the avid golfer is ready to roll up his sleeves.

For Fort Nelson’s new incom ing mayor, Rob Fraser, it’s been quite an October.

The well-known local leader, who’s completing an eight-year term as mayor in Taylor, found out the news of his election to the mayor’s chair in the Northern Rock ies while in a hospital bed in Vancouver.

Fraser confirmed to Alaska Highway News he underwent open heart surgery last Thurs day at St. Paul’s Hospital after an earlier scheduled appoint ment revealed the urgency for the operation.

“I’m looking at a 100% re covery, maybe even more than 100%. I have full confi dence my health is going to be better. You could even say my heart is in it,” said Fraser, his sense of humour still in check.

“It went well. The surgeons here are the best in the prov ince. I expect to be back in the community mid to late this week. I fully intend on being at the first council meeting.”

While new to the role of an

elected leader in his home town, Fraser has twenty years of council experience in the District of Taylor, eight of those as mayor. Since leaving Fort Nelson,

he’s stayed connected through family and friends, visiting regularly, and establishing a trap line about two hours out side of the community.

At 62 years young, as he

“The first priority will be to sit down with council and meet with staff and look at the vision and future for the community and from an elec tion perspective, it’s looking at the petty theft and some of the wildlife that’s been plagu ing the community,” said the mayor-elect.

“To see what the staff and regulatory agencies are do ing. I want to look at the his tory, with respect to wildlife, the programs that they have in place, and what we can do next.”

“As for petty theft, I would like to meet with the detach ment commander and, again, find out what the history has been. Fort Nelson is one of the only places I’ve been where there’s a Facebook page dedi cated to the issue of theft. If these people need help, we need to get them the right help. If they don’t need help, and they’re not prepared to take it, then we need to ad dress that too.”

Fraser and the entire coun cil will be sworn in to a fouryear-term Nov. 7.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Fort St. John mayor-elect Lilia Hansen earned 1,620 votes, or just

‘You could even say my heart is in it,’ says Fraser Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Northern Rockies mayor-elect Rob Fraser ready for new challenge after needing medical surgery.

History of local schools at your ngertips

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Talk about a class project.

A years-long effort to chron icle the last century of educa tion in Fort St. John and the North Peace is finally digitized and available to the public.

The archives went live on the museum’s website Wednesday to coincide with World Teach er’s Day on Oct. 5.

“It’s a celebration and people really want to know what happened in the past,” said Margaret Little, a retired elementary school teacher who has led the considerable effort to preserve school history with support from the Peace River North Teachers Association.

“To me, education is tops. What is important about this is it brings to mind how import ant our pioneers of the day val ued education. Because each small community had kind of a board of trustees where they governed the school, the school teacher lived in the commun ity, and the school become the real focus of a community.”

The research collection, first donated to the museum in April, has continued the work of Winnis Baker, a resident who years ago started documenting the growth of education in the north, and who had previously donated her collection of per sonal papers, memoirs, and memorabilia to the museum.

The collection covers 1920 to the present, and includes

SD60 election results

a range of letters, speeches, maps, and stories from the past, everything from the herit age history of local schools and who the teachers were, to memories of life in the old high school dorm in the 1950s and 60s.

“We didn’t have the popula tion, really, until the late 1910s, early 1920s, to have schools, and up here there was all sorts of transportation and supply chain issues,” said museum curator Heather Sjoblom.

Incumbent Fort St. John school trustees Helen Gilbert and Bill Snow were re-elected to the Peace River North board of edu cation Saturday night.

Joining them to represent Area 5, which also includes Charlie Lake and rural areas north to Wonowon and Pink Mountain, is new trustee Thomas Whitton.

“You have schools start ing with no windows, you have schools using tar paper for blackboards. You have no books,” she said.

“The province was suppos ed to send up books and the teacher ends up sending the class home to bring any book that they have at home to use until the books arrive.”

Now that the collection is finally online, it’s hoped to be a living document.

“It can continue on, not

Rounding out the board are ac claimed rural trustees Madelaine Lehmann (Cecil Lake, Goodlow, and Clayhurst); David ScottMoncrieff (Prespatou, Rose Prai rie, Buick, Doig River, Blueberry River, North Pine, Montney, and Wonowon-east); Nicole Gilliss (Hudson’s Hope, Upper Cache, Tsay Keh Dene and Williston

only the first century of edu cation of the North Peace but also the second,” said Bruce Christensen, president of the nonprofit North Peace Histor ical Society, which operates the museum.

“I get questions all the time because people know that we’ve done this,” said Little.

“Our connections across the province are phoning or email ing saying, ‘Do you have infor mation on…?’”

“There are gaps, of course,”

Lake); and Ida Campbell (Taylor, Baldonnel and Two Rivers).

Also in the running in Area 5 were Raena Townsend and Bap tiste Marcere, who finished with 1021 and 441 votes, respectively, but did not win a seat.

Peace River North School Dis trict 60 election results: x - Helen Gilbert - 1631

she added, “because of the way information was presented to the ministry. It was quite a chore putting all of the infor mation together.”

Teachers came to the north from across B.C. and Canada, either billeted with a family or given a little one-room teach erage to live in. Many of the first teachers were women who later married local men, and stayed here to start and raise a family.

“When we opened the new school in Hudson’s Hope, the person that did the ground breaking was Edith Kyllo who was one of the first teachers in the Hudson’s area, and it was that,” said Helen Gilbert, chair for the School District 60 board of education. “She married a local and they had four sons, and the Kyllos have been an important family in this region for a long time.”

And though many of the region’s earliest schools have long since amalgamated and no longer exist, Little says pi oneering families valued edu cation so much that they made every effort to ensure their kids had the chance to go to school.

“My dad only had a Grade 6 education and he was bound and determined that his family was going to have more. So they worked hard to get that,” she said. “The value of educa tion for people is still there to day. We just don’t talk about it as much. We carry on day to day.”

x - Bill Snow - 1266 x - Tom Whitton - 1260 x - Madelaine Lehmann - Acclaimed x - David Scott-Moncrieff - Acclaimed x - Nicole Gilliss - Acclaimed x - Ida Campbell - Acclaimed Raena Townsend - 1021 Baptiste Marcere - 441

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

A new historical archive for education in B.C.’s North Peace River region is now online.

Taillefer elected new Taylor mayor

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Brent Taillefer will become the new mayor for the District of Taylor in Nov ember after beating challenger Peggy Alexander 217-184. A councillor with 11 years experience, Taillefer put his name forward when current mayor Rob Fraser announced his intention not to run.

“I’m glad we had an election for may or, because people had a choice,” said Taillefer. “There should be elections, I believe that,” in commending Alexander for stepping up.

For Taillefer, the first order of busi ness will be to get two new councillors, Murray Giesbrecht and Desirae Graz iano, the training and knowledge the

job brings. Among the mayor-elect’s priorities: establishing more seniors housing spaces in the community and addressing the future of the recentlyclosed medical clinic. The father of three young children also wants to en sure the seasonal pool, set up each May inside the curling club, is re-opened in 2023.

Huskies winless streak at four

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John Huskies head coach Todd Alexander isn’t reaching for the panic button just yet, it’s not in his nature.

“It’s not about the wins and losses. It’s about how we play,” Alexander said last Friday after a 2-1 defeat to the Beaverlodge Blades; that, though, was followed up by an identical 2-1 loss on the road in Dawson Creek Saturday.

“We’re struggling right now. When things aren’t going your way, you have to get back to the basics and play simple,” said Alexander Saturday after the Huskies’ winless streak was pushed to four games.

“We need to get back to work. Get a little chip on

our shoulders. We’re the only ones who can help ourselves...no one else.”

Friday night’s game against the Blades saw the Huskies out shoot their opponents 51-15.

On any other night, that should have resulted in a win.

“I wouldn’t say we’re playing bad, pucks just aren’t going into the net,” explained team captain Cayden Frenette when asked about the team’s play.

“I think we’ve out played every team so far but if you’re not scoring, you’re not winning.”

“This is up to us now,” said veteran Tanner McCracken, who scored the team’s only goal of the game on Friday night. “It’s our battle. Our loss out there.”

“I think each of us individually just need to find it,” said goaltender Jackson Powers, who played both games on the weekend.

“I don’t know what that is yet but we’re going to get together as a team and keep pushing. Hopefully, something happens to get us back on track.”

The Huskies will have the chance to get back on track, and a bit of a team bonding scenario, with a weekend series in La Crete Saturday and Sunday.

Heading into the weekend, Fort St. John is tied for fourth with the Blades but have two games in hand.

The Huskies return home Oct. 29 against Fairview, after playing the night before in Sexsmith.

Silver Willow 4-H Report

Hi there, this is Wren Shipley reporting from the Silver Willow 4-H Club. As winter is approaching 4-H clubs across the peace country area are preparing for another amazing 4-H season. The Silver Willow Club will be having their weigh-in for beef projects in November. Members have been picking steers from their family’s herd or purchasing a steer for their market projects. The steers are chosen for their looks, conformation and disposition in hopes that in July they will have a Grand Champion.

Silver Willow Club which is located in the Montney/ Rose Prairie area, will also have sheep projects and possibly small engine repairs. If you are interested in 4-H there are currently six clubs in the Fort St John area with projects in beef, swine, sheep, horse, dog and small engine repairs. If you are

district facebook page called North Peace District 4-H.

you would like

Willow 4-H Cub

sponsor

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

The Fort St. John Huskies’ struggles continue after the team lost its fourth-straight game Oct. 15, something not seen in recent memory.

LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY.

That’s all for now, Wren Shipley

season an excellent year

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Peace Motocross Associa tion put a wrap on its 2022 ra cing season in Chetwynd on the Sept. 3-4 weekend.

“It was an excellent year,” said Aaron Krafczyk, who just completed his first year as president. “We had a full race schedule which included nine stops and, thankfully, didn’t have any major injuries.”

On Oct. 8, the PMA held its annual year-end awards ban quet. Below is a full list of this year’s trophy winners and top three finishers in each of the classes.

- Free spirit: Wade Mathison

- Most Improved (small wheel): Karter Christiansen - Most Improved (big wheel): Miles Torgrimson - Rookie of the year (big wheel): Gillian Wuthrich - Rookie of the year (small wheel): Ryder Knoblauch

- Most Outstanding Rider: Jayden Ostaszewski

- Nicholas Coates Award: Harry Newey

- Kory Davidge Memorial Award: Keston Marcy - Sportsmanlike (big wheel): Ethan Toews - Sportsmanlike (small wheel): Cruz Gordon

Class Finishers: 40+

1. Jason Berlinger 2. Dan Kraeleman

3. Scott MacGregor 50cc 7-9

1. Jaxson Keddy

2. Payton Young 3. Jake Kraeleman 50cc Intermediate

Kaizyn Bloor 2. Oliver Berg

Lincoln Deschamps 50cc Open 1. Jaxson Keddy

Payton Young

Jake Kraeleman 65cc

1. Wyatt Bowler

2. Max Kraeleman

Cruz Gordon

80cc 7-11

1. Karter Christiansen

2. Cruz Gordon

3. Jack Nickerson 80cc 12-16

1. Jayden Ostaszewski

2. Marshall Krafczyk

3. Brett McCracken Ladies

1. Hayley Wuthrich

2. Nicole Hommy

3. Sadie Thibert Mx2 Expert

1. Ethan Toews

Seth Pleice

Braden Gunther Mx2 Intermediate

Terron Anderson

Hunter McFadden

LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES

3. Miles Torgrimson

Junior

Angus Campbell

Cormick McFadden

Morgan Gunsolley Mx3 Expert

Adam Haycock

Bernie Klassen

Reis LePine Mx3 Intermediate

Terron Anderson

Hunter McFadden

Hunter Bergen Mx3 Junior

Dillon Waller

Terry Braun

Angus Campbell

NPSS Athletics update

Jaclyn McNicol NPSS Athletics Director

It was an eventful week into the week end for the Grizzlies community.

The Senior boys Soccer team trav elled to Vanderhoof to compete in three games during the week. These were the first games of the season.

In highly competitive matches, the senior boys won a game, tied a game, and lost one. Overall, it creates a start ing point for the athletes in preparation for zone championships and provin cial-level competition.

JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL

For the first time, the junior boys volleyball team stepped onto the court in an exciting best-of-five match up with Mount Christian from Dawson Creek. Both teams did not have a lot of experience. You could see the growth in game knowledge happen through the course of the five sets that were played.

NPSS lost the first set, and won the next two. MCS held on and won the next set to tie it up. In the final set, the Grizzlies held strong and won the game.

It’s fantastic to see a Grade 10 boys volleyball team here this year as they develop their skills and knowledge around the game. Player of the game went to Mario Lemoine.

SENIOR VOLLEYBALL

Both senior boys and girls volleyball travelled to Grande Prairie to compete in the GP Comp Phoenix Invitational.

The girls finished fourth out of 10

teams this weekend. The girls played a high level of volleyball battling teams like Charles Spencer and JPII, the Grande Prairie AAAA and AAA teams.

The first game of the tournament was a three-set battle against JPII re sulting in a 23-25 set one loss, 25-23 set two win, and lost in the third set 8-15.

Over the weekend, the girls applied pressure and aggression by staying of fensive and giving their teammates confidence to swing and go for the “big kill”.

We had moments of brilliance this weekend but ultimately fell short to JPII again in the semi final and lost the bronze match to GP Comp.

Player of the weekend goes to Maisie Thomas who displays excellent Griz zlies character and leadership with the team. Next up is Dawson creek next weekend with the junior girls volleyball team.

CROSS COUNTRY

Next up: the Cross Country team travelled to Dawson Creek in their final qualifying run before zones Oct. 22 in Prince George. With only a few run ners from NPSS, Bert Bowes, and Dr. Kearney, each of them demonstrated effort and hard work for our small Fort St. John crew. Austin MacGregor placed 4th in his division with a time of 25:02; Isabelle Boyjcuk and Lauryn Campbell pushed each other to the fin ish line with times of 31:23 and 31:24.

Next up, the athletes look to put their best times up when they compete at zones this weekend.

Tracker teams 4-for-4

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Northeast BC midget Trackers im proved to 2-0 on the season with a 10-1 win over the Peace River Royals on Saturday.

Taryn Hoskin led the way with four points, including the hat trick. Carver Lequiere had a four-point day, as well, adding two goals and two assists.

Cowyn Loney, Jayden Whitford, Xa vier Burgher, MacCoy Willms, and Nick olas Kimmie added one each to the goal total, while Ryder Hunt turned aside 25 of 26 shots he faced.

The U-18s travel to Fort McMurray for a doubleheader against the Oil Bar ons this Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The U-15s, meanwhile, are undefeat

ed through three games after games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. First up: a 12-1 decision Friday against the Sturgeon County Sting. Carson Batch elor and Mason McGinnis each had three goals; Easton Goulet added a pair. Others came from Quinten Loney, Ethan Avanthay, Brady Dietz, and Joshua Fung.

Luke Leuenberger netted two and Shea Feener, Joshua Fung, Dylan Stan ley, and Ethan Avanthay added singles in a 6-2 win over Fort Saskatchewan Saturday. The Trackers ended the week end Sunday with a 6-5 victory Sunday in Whitecourt.

There was no score sheet posted for the game.

The bantams are home to Grande Prairie Friday night, 6 p.m., at the Pom eroy Sport Centre.

Schoolboy

1. Angus Campbell

Morgan Gunsolley

3. Cormick McFadden Super Mini

Jayden Ostaszewski

Marshall Krafczyk

Brett McCracken Vet Junior

1. Dustin Hommy

Terry Braun

Michael Warrick

Vet Master

1. Cam Hood

Jason Berlinger

Erik Harvey Young Ladies

1. Teegan Hood

2. Ella-Mae Wuthrich

3. Kalli Christiansen Youth

1. Ethan Toews

2. Adam Haycock

3. Timber Wuthrich

50cc Beginner

1. Lexie Keddy

Knox Fraser

3. Elizabeth Hommy Mx2 Novice

1. Keston Marcy

2. Holden Rosebush

3. Addison Marcy Mx3 Novice

1. Spencer Taylor 2. Aaron Sandnes

3. Carson Mathison

The association is also look ing to document its history, started in 1979. Anyone with photos, news clippings, or old programs can reach out to Krafczyk at: peacemotocross@ gmail.com

AARON KRAFCZYK PHOTO

A very successful 2022 racing season for the Peace Motocross Association with all nine races completed and some new entries at the starting gates

Green

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Residents in the District of Hudson’s Hope have received the news they’d been hoping to hear for quite some time –their water is safe to drink.

“The District of Hudson’s Hope in consultation with Northern Health completed all corrective action at the water treatment plant. Aerator and pre-filter media have been replaced. Distribution system has been thoroughly flushed. Chemical and bacteriological analysis of treated water [is] satisfactory,” said an open letter to the community Friday morning, Oct. 14.

“No chemical or physical parameters exceed acceptable maximum concentrations. Two consecutive sets of bacteriological samples from throughout the distrubution system show total absence of coliforms and E. Coli. In consultation with the drinking water officer and medical

health officer, the DO NOT CONSUME order has been rescinded from today, October 14,” continued the statement.

Mayor Dave Heiberg termed it as good news but also as a starting point.

“We’re not there yet. This is a first good step, but it’s only a first step of several steps in the process,” Heiberg described.

“Right now, we’re actively engaging surface water application and having the conversation with B.C. Hydro.”

The parties met earlier last week on Wednesday.

“We seem to be all onboard going back to the river as a good option as soon as possible.”

Just what that might look like, still be worked out.

“What we’re trying to do is flush out details on the technical side,” continued Heiberg.

“Getting the community back to potable water was always a first step. The next step, obviously, is to get away

water

from the aquifer. We find it a deteriorating water source and getting back to a reliable long-term source was always our objective.”

The decision follows weeks where the community was under both a Do Not Consume and Boil Water Advisory after issues arose with the the filtering system inside the district’s water treatment plant – in essence, raw water was being pumped through the plant and not properly treated.

On Sept. 10, after a number of key components in the filtration system were replaced, the district began to flush out its system of impurities.

Combined water test samples taken on the 13th and 14th, 20st and 21nd, and 27th and 28th of last month all failed to meet acceptable levels set out by Northern Health.

That all changed this week when testing from Oct. 4-5

Northern Health has rescinded Do Not Consume and Boil Water advisories for the District of Hudson’s Hope. This is a photo inside the water treatment facility.

yielded a positive result and led to one final visit by the health authority to the treatment facility Thursday and the subsequent lifting of the orders today.

Heiberg added the district is thankful for the support of Northern Health as it tries to

secure a viable option and is hopeful it can help to expedite some of the processes that come when applying for permits. “There’s a lot of irons in the fire trying to move to that long-term solution.” For Heiberg and the community, that road can start now.

Hudson’s Hope election results

Returning District of Hudson’s Hope mayor Dave Heiberg will have some new faces around the council table beginning next month.

Tashana Winnicky, James Cryderman, Tina Jeffrey and Debbie Beattie will join incumbents Travous Quibell and Kelly Miller.

Mayor x - Dave Heiberg (acclaimed)

Councillor

x - Travous Quibell - 194 x - Tashana Winnicky - 193 x - James Cryderman - 189 x - Tina Jeffrey - 187 x - Kelly Miller - 149 x - Debbie Beattie- 146 Conrad Northeast - 80 Joseph King - 76 Val Paice - 56

Robin Stuber - 54 Lynn Blythe - 38

Less than 1 in 5 voted

Councillor

x - Trevor Bolin - 1715

Largest tax sale in over a decade

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fifty-eight properties with unpaid taxes were picked up by bidders at Fort St. John’s annual tax sale last month.

That’s the highest number of properties auctioned off in at least 14 years since 2009, according to data going to city council next week.

Properties go to public auction when property owners fail to pay their taxes for three consecutive years.

“The current property owners have now entered into their one year redemption period where they can redeem their property by paying all three years of back taxes owed, plus interest on the bid price,” writes finance director Shirley Collington in a report going to city council Tuesday, Oct. 11.

At the start of September, there were 111 properties eligible for tax sale due to their delinquent tax status, according to the report, which had

dropped to 58 properties by the time of the Sept. 26 sale.

“Before the tax sale auction, the affected owners are only required to pay one year of back taxes in order to be removed from the tax sale auction,” Collington notes in the report.

Thirty-five people attended the Sept. 26 sale, with bids made on all 58 listed properties, according to the report. Funds, however, were secured for all but six properties by the end of day, which were put up for auction again on Sept. 27 and sold.

“Bids were taken, and funds were secured by the end of the day and the annual tax sale auction was closed,” Collington says.

Funds from prospective buyers at the sale are held in trust by the city during the one-year redemption period, according to the report.

“Once the current owner has paid their redemption balance, the purchaser’s bid will be returned to them, plus the

interest paid by the current owner on the bid price,” Collington writes in the report.

Collington adds, “Generally, properties that have gone through tax sale are redeemed within the one year redemption period.”

That includes one property the city was declared the purchaser of in the 2021 tax sale, but was redeemed by the owner on Sept. 16, just 10 days before this year’s auction, according to the report.

Still, not even the economic bust and oil crash of 2015, nor the last two years of the Covid-19 induced recessions of 2020 and 2021, saw as many properties put up for bid and auctioned off as was seen at this year’s sale.

The city saw an average of just three properties go to auction annually between 2009 and 2021.

In 2016, ten properties went to auction, all but one of them eventually being redeemed by their owner, according to the report.

Poilievre sweeps Northeast B.C.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was hardly much of a leadership race for Pierre Poilievre in Northeast B.C. last month.

The new Conservative party leader won by a massive margin locally on Sept. 10, the first choice of 86.2% of party members in the Prince George–Peace River–Northern Rockies riding.

Local MP Bob Zimmer, who endorsed Poilievre’s candi-

dacy, called it a decisive win.

“A leader with a work ethic like no other and now with a strong mandate to lead our party and get our country back on track,” Zimmer tweeted on Sept. 10.

There were 2,414 votes cast in the riding, according to the leadership election results.

Leslyn Lewis was the second choice for local party members, winning 8.5% of the vote in the riding, followed by Roman Baber at three per

cent.

Jean Charest and Scott Aitchison were the last choices of local party members, earning 1.57% and 0.57% of the vote, respectively.

Poilievre captured widespread support across the country, being the first choice for Conservative party voters in nearly each of its 338 ridings.

Less than one in five eligible voters in Fort St. John cast a ballot for their mayor and council in Saturday’s municipal election.

Voter turnout was around 17.9% this year, with just 2,567 ballots cast by an estimated 14,301 eligible voters, according to preliminary results from CivicInfoBC.

Compare that to the 2018 election, when 2,861 of 14,479 voters went to the polls, a turnout of 19.7%.

Lilia Hansen was elected mayor Saturday night with 1,620 votes. Hansen was first elected to council in a 2017 byelection, and re-elected to a full four-year term in 2018.

Incumbent councillor Trevor Bolin received the highest number of votes, with 1,715. First elected in 2008, Bolin heads into his fifth term on council.

The seven-member city council includes five men and two women.

With Hansen elected to lead the city through to 2026, Sarah MacDougall joins five incumbents as a new councillor. Rounding out the council are incumbents Gord Klassen, Tony Zabinsky, Byron Stewart, and Jim Lequiere.

Mayor x - Lilia Hansen - 1620 Shannon Stange - 737 Steven Labossiere - 156

x - Gord Klassen - 1678 x - Sarah MacDougall - 1675 x - Tony Zabinsky - 1539 x - Byron Stewart - 1530 x - Jim Lequiere - 1528

Lyle Goldie - 798

Amy Cox - 757

Gary Patara - 492

Morgan Robinson - 407

Elsewhere in Northeast B.C., turnout was highest in Pouce Coupe, where 265 ballots were cast by estimated 583 eligible voters, a turnout of 45.4%, according to CivicInfoBC. Danielle Veach was elected mayor.

In Taylor, there were 401 ballots cast by an estimated 1,039 eligible voters, a 38.5% turnout. Brent Taillefer was elected mayor.

In the Northern Rockies, 1,042 ballots were cast by an estimated 2,931 eligible voters, a turnout of 35.5%. Rob Fraser was elected mayor.

In Dawson Creek, there were 2,227 ballots cast by an estimated 8,709 eligible voters, a 25.5% turnout. Darcy Dober was elected mayor.

In Chetwynd, where 222 ballots were cast by an estimated 1,720 eligible voters, a 12.9% turnout. Allen Courtoreille was elected mayor.

Voter numbers could not be immediately confirmed for Hudson’s Hope and Tumbler Ridge.

DO YOU WANT THE NEWS?

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Fort St. John mayoral candidate Shannon Stange and wife, Rita, wait for ballot results to be tabulated on election night Oct. 15 at the Seniors Hall. Others on hand to watch the vote counting included councillor candidates Tony Zabinsky, Trevor Bolin, and Sarah MacDougall. For complete results, go to alaskahighwaynews.ca

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Kealy elected to PRRD in area B

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Jordan Kealy of Cecil Lake will take over the seat held by Karen Goodings for more than 30 years in area B of the Peace River Regional District.

Kealy was elected Saturday with 243 votes, beating Jeff Kitt of Wonowon, who had 153 votes.

According to preliminary results, Charlie Lake’s Brad Sperling had been re-elected in Area C by a one-vote margin over Suzanne Haab of Baldonnel. Sperling won 233 votes Saturday night, with Haab finishing with 232 votes. However, based on the margin, a recount was needed to be carried out Monday afternoon to verify the result.

Results of recount were not final by the time this edition of the News went to press.

Leonard Hiebert was acclaimed in area D, and Dan Rose acclaimed in area E, after both incumbents ran for re-election unopposed.

Results of the five funding

referendums for the dinosaur museum, Fort St. John library, Tumbler Ridge Geopark, regional connectivity, and sport and cultural events will be revealed no later than 4 p.m. this Wednesday.

For updates on this story, visit alaskahighwaynews.ca

Flu season expected to return

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The chief medical health officer for Northern BC is forecasting a surge in influenza cases in late November.

Dr. Jong Kim, speaking to a chamber of commerce luncheon in Fort St. John Tuesday afternoon, believes the potential is there to see the return of the once-common flu season.

“During the pandemic, the last two years or so, we didn’t have much of a flu season because our pandemic measures really blunted its transmission,” described Kim.

“So, we didn’t have significant transmission in the community. Going into this particular winter, we don’t have those measures in place that really suppress the flu.”

He pointed to Australia’s winter, which just ended in September, as an example.

“Without those restriction or pandemic measures, they did have a significant flu season. That’s why we’re thinking we might have the same and we need to prepare.”

At about the same time as Kim was addressing the chamber luncheon, the B.C. government announced the roll out

of this year’s flu vaccination program.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our communities, and we’ve made it easier for British Columbians to do so,” said provincial health minister Adrian Dix.

The free flu shots, Dix said, will be widely available through primary care providers and pharmacies across the province.

Meantime, Kim was asked following his presentation, with travel and gathering restrictions now lifted, if we’re

Zimmer named to shadow cabinet

Northern B.C. MPs remain in familiar roles in the latest edition of the Conservative shadow cabinet.

Last Wednesday, party leader Pierre Poilievre named Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty the Opposition critic for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, and Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer the Opposition critic for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty.

Zimmer was also named to the position when the party’s previous leader, Erin O’Toole, named his shadow cabinet in November 2021.

“I am honoured to have been once again appointed Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency,” said Zimmer.

“Liberal inflation is fueling a cost-of-living crisis in the North, and I will continue to work hard every day to be a strong advocate for our Northern communities. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also meant that we can no longer take our Arctic sovereignty and security for granted. I will continue to call on Justin Trudeau to take real, concrete action to defend Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security.”

“I also look forward to continuing to travel throughout our North to see and hear firsthand the challenges and opportunities that residents face when it comes to not only economic development, but also being on the frontline to protect Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security,” said Zimmer.

Doherty, who has been recovering from knee surgery, was left out of that version but was the special advisor to the leader on mental health and wellness when O’Toole appointed his shadow cabinet in September 2020.

Every Conservative MP was named to a role. Fifty, including Doherty and Zimmer, were named “shadow ministers” and 20 were named “associate shadow ministers” but a handful to significant portfolios such as finance and justice. No associate shadow ministers were named to the portfolios taken on by Doherty and Zimmer.

seeing an increase in the number of Covid-related cases here in the north.

“We’ve seen, almost in the last six months now, without those restrictions, the Omicron and (Omicron) sub-variant continue to transmit in the community but that the amount of immunity is making it less severe.”

Does he expect any jump with Thanksgiving celebrations earlier this week?

“We might see a spike, but it’s not going to overwhelm over our healthcare system,” said Kim. “With the booster and immunization campaign, we’re going to ensure, even with the new variants, we still stay stable.”

“We are preparing for the new norm. A respiratory season that we have both Covid and the flu. On the other end, what we’re expecting is a nonpandemic year.”

According to the latest figures from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, just over 4.5 million British Columbians have received their first dose, 4.4M, their second, just under 2.9M have been injected with the first booster and 846,000 have, so far, rolled up their sleeves for the second booster.

LIBRARY TRUSTEES WANTED

Did you know the Taylor Public Library is directed by a vemember library board which consists of four members from the community and one member from Council?

We are guided by legislation created by the BC Provincial Library Branch called the “Library Act” and a Provincial Strategic Plan for Libraries.

Our Board is the decision maker for the library creating its own policies and procedures for day-to-day operations of the library.

Funding comes from Provincial grants and a budget allowance from the District of Taylor.

Are you interested? We are seeking applicants to ll two 24-month terms from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2024.

There are approximately ten meetings per year (usually none for July or August) and the length of the meetings normally run from 1 to 11/2 hours in length.

If you would like to join us, please submit a letter of interest to the Library or drop one off at the District Of ce. Appointments to the Board are approved by District Council (as directed in the Library Act).

Do not hunt or discharge firearms in Site C project areas

Dr. Jong Kim

Jordan Kealy

TAURUS

KARTER RAE WALTERS

ELLIE BRYNN

Polio still a plane ride away

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

CELEBRATE BABIES

BABY BOUQUET WALL

APR 21/MAY 21

Taurus, you’re naturally good at juggling many di erent tasks simulta neously. Don’t be surprised if someone recognizes this and give you a few projects to handle.

MAY 22/JUN 21

GEMINI

The theme of this week is “opposites” for you, Gemini. If you’re a nor mally tidy person, you’ll leave a mess behind. If you are prompt, you will arrive late. It could be refreshing.

JUN 22/JUL 22

CANCER

This week there will be a great deal of pressure on you, Cancer. Try to remain as calm as possible while ticking o the boxes on your to-do list. Ask for help if you need it.

JUL 23/AUG 23

LEO

Your leadership skills will be on display this week, Leo. People at work and at home will call on you to make decisions and guide them ithrough various situations.

AUG 24/SEPT 22

VIRGO

Virgo, this week you could come up with a new plan to make a big di erence in the world. It may start with an assignment at work or be inspired by volunteering.

LIBRA  SEPT 23/OCT 23

Libra, try to learn as much about the people around you as possible. They may share strategies that can a ect your life in many positive ways. Start asking the right questions.

SCORPIO  OCT 24/NOV 22

You may need to brush up on your charm skills, Scorpio. Sometimes you come at people at full force. You could bene t from employing a more slow and stready approach.

SAGITTARIUS  NOV 23/DEC 21

Sometimes you can be naturally shy and quiet, Sagittarius. This week show others what lies beneath that quiet surface. Use your voice and get others excited about your thoughts.

CAPRICORN  DEC 22/JAN 20

Try not to hide in the shadows this week, Capricorn. This is your time to be in the spotlight and show others what you are made of. A spark will inspire you to act.

AQUARIUS  JAN 21/FEB 18

Getting back into the swing of things after time away can take a little while, Aquarius. You may have forgotten some steps or feel out of prac tice. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

PISCES  FEB 19/MAR 20

You’re used to dealing with situations as they arise, Pisces. Plan ahead for what you anticipate will come along this week.

The district governor for Rotary Inter national in northern B.C. and Alberta paid a recent visit to Fort St. John to tour local projects and bring a timely reminder to local residents that there’s still much work to do in the fight to eradicate the crippling polio virus.

“Over the last 30 years in co-oper ation with the World Health Organiza tion, we’ve been able to eliminate polio out of Canada and the U.S. and most of western countries,” says John Nicoll. “We’ve worked our way through the Af rican countries, we’ve worked our way to the point where we’re now in Afghan istan and Pakistan with the last couple of cases still remaining.

“It’s a challenge to get those last couple of cases because polio is only a plane ride away, and if we’re watch ing the news right now, there are some polio cases that are springing up.”

Nicoll was referring to the first polio case in the U.S. in a decade, discovered in July and where the patient report edly developed paralysis. The case has prompted public health officials in New York to checking for signs of the virus in wastewater and indicators of its spread throughout state communities.

Canada won’t necessarily be immune from its spread, and Nicoll says the solu tion is simple: keeping up efforts to en sure people are vaccinated against the virus.

“Most people today have not seen the devastation that polio can wreak on the children of a community. Can ada and Alberta and British Columbia went through that in 1954, and the older members in Rotary remember that,” he said.

“We’ve all had an aunt or an uncle

who suffered from polio. People haven’t seen that for many, many years, and it’s really simple to avoid it, it’s just a ques tion of having the polio vaccine, which we’ve been giving all over the world.”

Polio is a viral disease most com monly found in children under 5 that invades the nervous system and often causes paralysis, according to the World Health Organization. It’s mostly trans mitted through feces, though it can also spread by contaminated food or water.

The disease can be mild, but in se vere cases forms will damage lung muscles and make breathing difficult — iron lung ventilators were common in hospital wards at the height of polio outbreaks in the 1940s and 1950s.

According to the WHO, polio cases have plummeted from an estimated 350,000 cases in 1988, to just six in 2021. The agency says one in 200 infections leads to “irreversible paralysis.”

Locally, it’s been at least 60 years since the last cases of polio were seen, according to local historian and former Rotarian Larry Evans, who wrote about the efforts to eradicate the disease in an Alaska Highway News column last year.

When the polio epidemic first struck Fort St. John in 1948, some 50 patients were treated, according to Evans. An improvised “clover tank” used to for hydrotherapy to support patients is now used as a flower bed near the entrance to the Fort St. John museum.

“This is a disease that we had almost eliminated entirely from the western world and if we allow it to come back...” Nicolls said, trailing off. “It’s an effort we spent millions and millions of dollars on, and avoided a tremendous amount of pain and suffering.”

“The number of children that haven’t had polio in Canada, the U.S., and West ern Europe is outstanding.”

Site C workforce steady over 5000

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

More than 5,000 workers continued to work on the $16-billion Site C dam in August. There were 5,396 workers in all that month, according to the latest labour stats from B.C. Hydro, down slightly from a record 5,414 workers counted on the project in July.

Of the total August workforce, about 19% of workers were local, with 1,004 Peace region residents employed by construction and non-construction contractors. There were 3,571 B.C. resi dents, or 66% of the total workforce, working for construction and non-con struction contractors, and in engineer ing and project team jobs.

B.C. Hydro reported 162 apprentices as well as 407 indigenous workers and 570 women working on the project in July.

There was one temporary foreign worker employed in a specialized pos ition, and another 34 managers and other professionals working under the federal international mobility program.

B.C. Hydro says not all workers were on site or in camp at one time. As of Oct. 14, there were 1,936 workers reported in camp on the Peace River just outside Fort St. John.

The dam is in its eighth eighth year of construction. Employment first sur passed the 5,000-mark in October 2020 when 5,181 workers were reported. The project workforce has surpassed that mark several times since:

June 2021 - 5,046 workers

July 2021 - 5,108 workers

August 2021 - 5,087 workers

May 2022 - 5,060 workers

June 2022 - 5,209 workers

July 2022 - 5,414 workers

August 2022 - 5,396 workers

Actor (60)

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Rotary Club President Samantha Warren with District Governor John Nicoll and his wife Donna during a visit to Fort St. John.

BC

Construction of the Site C spillways.

Christmas presents

By Ruby McBeth

Wild re mismanagement?

By Evan Saugstad

On Aug. 30, a lightning bolt ignited the Battleship Mountain Fire west of Carbon Inlet about 50 kilometres west of Hudson’s Hope. Subsequently, it crossed Carbon Inlet/Carbon Creek, headed eastward, and almost reached the WAC Bennet Dam. which resulted in several evacuation alerts and orders for the community.

As I write this column a month and a half later, the fire is still burning, and still, in the view of BC Wildfire Service, being fought. A brief update on Oct. 14 stated that 30 firefighters, two officers, and two helicopters were still assigned to this fire and actions consist of lighting more fire to stop the spread. The fire is listed as “being held,” which I will assume will remain its status until winter weather puts all of it out, or it once again awakens and heads east.

On Sept. 2, I wrote an arti cle “Déjà Vu All Over Again”, to which some took excep tion, while others expressed their view that this fire was a good thing, that it is natural, part of our environment, and something we need more of. Although I was not at, or part of, this fire, I watched how BCWS efforts unfolded and the subsequent results, and firmly believe our govern ment’s response to wildfires needs to be reviewed, and in some cases, overhauled.

The fire is currently estimated at 31,755 hectares, or 317 square kilometres, and has been this size for a few weeks despite continuing to burn. For the uninitiated, 100ha equates to a one square kilometre. For scale, this would cover an area over four kilometres wide for the entire distance between Fort St John and Dawson Creek (75 km).

There is an adage, or used to

be, that one could not overspend during the first 24 hours after a wildfire is discovered. This meaning all effort should be made to supress or control wildfires when they’re small, versus spending the millions large fires eventually cost. In this case, I don’t believe BCWS spared all efforts in attempting to control this fire during those first critical hours.

It has been reported that crew and aircraft with retardant drops were sent on initial attack (IA), and followed up with water scooping aircraft, but failed to stop the spread.

Based on online comments and responses, I have not heard anything to indicate they followed IA with sufficient crew, aircraft, and/or equipment, hence they watched as this fire spread eastward to become what it is today.

Other than a small crew sent to protect buildings in the area, it took about a week to put a team and equipment together and begin trying to control this fire. In comparison, a small fire west of Hope (Flood Falls) in early September had more than 50 firefighters at the fire in the first 24 hours. An even smaller fire on Oct. 14 in West Vancouver had dozens of firefighters and six helicopters immediately.

Amazing the difference in response when south of Hope and where the public can watch.

The quoted reason for the delay in getting crew and equipment to Battleship was a bridge on the Johnson Creek forestry road leading to the fire was being repaired and nothing could cross. OK, but what about renting a bridge and dropping it across the creek, or constructing a temporary creek crossing to let heavy equipment walk cross while empty trucks and crew use the WAC Bennet Dam to access the far side of the creek? None

of this is complicated and is something our local industries have expertise in and routinely do, and BCWS has the legal means to do without permits or permissions.

A weight restriction on the WAC Bennet Dam spillway of 23,000 kg (about the weight of a D6 crawler tractor) prevented heavy equipment from crossing on the dam, but crew vehicles, empty low beds, and fuel trucks could have still been able to cross and help move heavy equip ment to the fire.

I’m not sure why BCWS made the decisions they did, and as is their normal prac tice, answers will not easily be forthcoming. Nowhere will it say why no medium and/ or heavy lift helicopters were hired as they could be onsite in a matter of hours while the issues in moving heavy equipment were resolved. Didn’t seem to matter that this was a pending public emergency and that heavy equipment and aircraft could have made the difference be tween a small local fire versus the colossus we have today — Battleship accounts for about 25% of the total area burned in B.C. this year. The fire is within Tree Farm License 48, designated timberlands relied upon the community of Chetwynd to support one of its sawmills. Using general numbers for illustrative purposes, consider this: If one-third of the area burnd is mature timber avail able for harvest (10,000 ha), with an average of 250 cubic metres/ha, and an average value of $100/cubic metre, then $250 million worth of timber has burned. Consider that in trying to control this fire, back or controlled burns have been used. One report says 3000ha were lit up at one time, and if the same values were applied, then our gov

ernment deliberately burned $25 million worth of timber. This does not consider the economic and environmental loss of plantations, wildlife, and other values.

This fire could, and should, form the basis of a review on how BCWS looks out for and manages for the greater good of us all, rather than let them determine their own priorities and create what we have today.

Did you know that the same government ministry has requests for wildlife burns that are close to being a decade in the queue, yet a government employee can arrive a week late and make an instantaneous decision to burn thousands of hectares without any fore or after thought, or public accountability when it “overachieves”?

Did you know with the pressures put on the available timber for harvesting by removing large areas for caribou conservation, a Chetwynd sawmill was already in danger of closing, and this, will certainly make things worse?

And did you know, a similar fire in 2014 at Mount McAllister did a similar thing: started in the mountains, headed east, and burned a simar size area. Did we not learn what can happen from that?

Want to learn more, don’t expect it from the BC Wildfire Service. Just watch our fires grow on NASA’s FIRMS site. That little fire in the upper Moberly River, left to do its thing since August, was listed as 105 hectares as I wrote this, but has now grown exponentially and now threatens to burn a whole bunch more timberland.

As of Monday, it had exploded to 1,200 hectares.

Yes, time for a review on response and priorities.

Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John.

CONTRIBUTORS

Kucharuk, Ruby McBeth,

Bronwyn Moser, Larry Evans, Evan Saugstad, Charo Lloret, Kalpana Loganathan, Don Pe

Joleen Morrisson,

Fajemisin, Robin Routledge, Ken Boon,

LETTERS

Write

Iam

getting started early on Christmas gifts so I can enjoy the choosing and the buying (retail therapy). Our purchases can give us pleasure rather than being a last-minute worry. This year’s Canada Post Canadian Giftbook has arrived. They had some good advice for buying for children. Practice the “four gift rule” they say: “limit gift-giving to kids to just four presents: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.” That might be good advice for adults as well as for kids.

EATING RIGHT

Melanie Chapple, a registered dietician, spoke to the Seniors Club at their Tuesday social time at the beginning of October. Melanie gave advice about what seniors need in their diet. She also answered questions about what vitamins were best for seniors.

Melanie has specialized in seniors’ eating problems. She can help people who have trouble swallowing. One of the services she offers is to go to the grocery store with clients guiding them to shop for healthy food. Melanie is excited to be starting up her own business after working at the Care Home. An appointment with Melanie would make a good Christmas present for someone who has everything.

WI NEWS

I recently attended the Baldonnel Women’s Institute October meeting. The ladies were on a roll getting ready for their Fall Fair on Oct. 29 at the Baldonnel School. Norma Beaudoin has over 30 vendors lined up. The District WI Rally will be held in Dawson Creek at the Southview Apartments on Oct. 30 beginning with lunch at 1 p.m. Landy WI, who are putting it on, will have us carving pumpkins and making an apron.

LEARNING THE LINGO

This week’s term is ‘attachment’. If you have seen a paper clip on your screen that is the sign for attachment. When you send an email you may want to add a document or a picture. You do this by hitting the paper clip symbol and then finding the document or picture in the window that opens, selecting it and pressing “open” if prompted. With most email programs you can drag the item you want to attach into your email and it will automatically attach it.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We don’t build our lives by saving time. We build the lives we want, and then time saves itself.” - Laura Vanderkam

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.

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Inside Fort St. John’s new supportive housing complex

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was Homelessness Action Week last week across B.C., and in Fort St. John we can be thankful this week of all weeks that work is nearing comple tion on the community’s new and first of its kind supportive housing complex.

A grand opening is antici pated as early as next month, allowing an inaugural group of residents to move into their new home with the Salvation Army.

As part of its opening prep arations, the Salvation Army recently took members of its Supportive Housing Commun ity Advisory Committee, of which Alaska Highway News participates as a neighbouring business, for a tour of the facil ity. Here are some key things we learned from our visit.

SHELTER SPACE CRUNCHED

The Salvation Army cur rently provides three separate housing programs: 12 low bar rier beds for people at risk of homelessness and struggling with addictions, and 24 beds in a two-year, high barrier tran sitional housing program for people who have completed addictions programming, and living clean and sober.

It also provides 50 emer gency shelter beds through two different contracts with BC Housing; 24 during the sum mer, and another 26 tradition ally opened November through March as part of its extreme weather response.

All are at or near capacity, and because of increasing demands, executive director Jared Braun says the agency has had to lean on BC Housing for extra funding to keep all 50 emergency beds open.

“We’re averaging mid to high 40s each night in the shel ter right now,” he says. “We’re hoping with supportive hous ing that will soften as we move into next spring, that we’ll be back to the 24 beds.”

When the supportive hous ing building opens, 32 of its 42 new units will be quickly filled, with three quarters of the in itial residents list being guests currently living at the Northern Centre of Hope. The rest will be residents referred for hous ing from partner agencies such as the women’s resource and friendship centres.

“A number of those people [in transitional housing] are at their two years, or past, and they have had no other options. Now we have this longer-term option so that will alleviate some space,” says Braun.

“The shelter, hopefully, won’t be as crowded,” he says.

“It’ll open up space for transi tional housing to move people into there… and the low barrier program, we’ll probably have a couple beds open up there as well.”

Ten beds have been set aside for a future complex-care hous ing program, designed to serve those with overlapping chal lenges with mental health, sub stance use, and other trauma or acquired brain injuries.

WHAT IS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?

Each of the suites are de signed for independent living, with a kitchenette, washroom, bed, and small living area.

When residents move in, they’ll get a gift card to the Salvation Army’s thrift store so they can add their own personal flourish and decor, giving a sense of dig nity and ownership in a stable place to call home.

The building has shared laundry rooms, common areas, a commercial kitchen and courtyard, and rooms for med ical workers and caseworker

support staff. Three suites are purpose-built for people with mobility challenges, and one floor has been designated for women.

“What makes supportive housing unique is that it is a long-term housing solution for homelessness. So where people just have no other op tion other than the streets, our emergency shelter, or their brother-in-law’s couch, what ever it is, they’re now going to have that option for their own personal home with wrap around supports,” says Braun, “whereas the shelter is just meant to be temporary hous ing… It gets you out of the ele ments, it gets you meals, it gets you connected to a caseworker, but it’s not really home.”

“If we’re fighting home lessness, we want to provide home,” he says. “We’re trying to differentiate with people that this isn’t another newer, bigger emergency shelter, this is long er term supportive housing.”

Unlike emergency shelter where there is no cost to stay, supportive housing residents will pay rent, either the min imum government-subsidized $375, or a rent based on their income if they’re employed.

WHAT OUTCOMES ARE BE ING WORKED TOWARDS?

Supportive housing isn’t new to B.C., in place already in northern communities in cluding Dawson Creek, Prince George, Terrace, and Smithers.

Research from BC Housing last year found several posi tive indicators at one project in Abbotsford; residents reported improvements with their ad dictions and overall well-being, better access to employment and education, and reduced use of emergency hospital services.

“Statistics are showing the positive impact it has,” says Braun. “Where you have people who were in and out of the medical system, with not really any sense of control, you can see now that the unneces sary hospital visits decrease, and the necessary hospital visits increase. The things that they need to get attended to and cared for are more avail able to them.”

“Their engagements with RCMP goes down,” he adds. “The immediate impact in the community, we should see a change in that.”

Key to the new building’s success will be its staff: cooks to feed residents, custodians to maintain the property, sup port workers and caseworkers to facilitate programming, and help residents establish life goals and monitor their prog ress. Northern Health will hire its own staff for complex-care.

“Not a lot of people, I think, necessarily recognize the Sal vation Army as a significant employer in Fort St. John. We’re currently employing over 50 people, with the new facility we will be up over 70,” says Braun.

“We really appreciate the vol unteer support and help, and we will always be an organiza tion that relies heavily on vol unteers, but we also want to be a place where you can establish a career.”

Staff will see the positive im pacts of their work every day, he says.

“It’s very rewarding work.

Yeah, there’s challenges with it, but you also get to see and hear the gratitude of people that have a bed that didn’t have a bed last night; who have food, who didn’t have food last night; who have clothes, who didn’t have clothes last night,” he says.

“To be a part of a team where you show up every day and you recognize you’re part of some thing missional, that every body’s working together, and

you get paid for that, and you get benefits, and you get vaca tion, begins to make it a really viable career.”

WILL SUPPORTIVE HOUS ING END HOMELESSNESS IN FORT ST. JOHN?

The short answer is no. The long answer is it’s complicated; people who find themselves at the doors of the Salvation Army come with different life histor ies and traumas.

Some are in mental distress with no support, some sunk into addiction with toxic syn thetic street drugs that are now half as cheap and five times as potent—and, worse yet, five times as deadly. Others still have been seniors or people who simply can no longer af ford their rent or to support their family.

“It’s no surprise that the issues around addiction and substance use continue to rise and to be a challenge, and to complicates matters,” Braun says.

“We all are dealing with in flation in our country like we’ve never seen before. People that were already close to that edge, where maybe they have a limit ed income, they can only work so much, they’re on disability pay, that dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to,” says Braun.

“They start having to make decisions… can I pay for rent? Can I pay for food for my child? Now, all of a sudden, we see an increase in the demand on our food bank, or people that are homeless because there’s just no rental option they can lit erally afford.

“That pushes people into the margins that now then gets vis ible to others that they hadn’t seen before.”

The initial list for supportive

housing is filled, with 17 people already on the wait list, and ap plications still coming in. The city could use a second such facility before the first opens its doors.

“People need to acknow ledge there will always be homeless people, some people who, just because of whatever situation in life, the things that they’re dealing with, that’s just the option that they want to live with,” say Braun.

“The repercussions of men tal health and addiction will probably always be a part of a community; we’ll never fully eliminate that. But what we’re doing with this supportive housing should really provide a significant contribution to the solution in Fort St. John.”

ARE HOMELESS PEOPLE BEING SENT TO FORT ST. JOHN FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES?

“No, they are not,” says Braun of an unsubstantiated social media rumour that has become perhaps the biggest frustration among local social service workers. “I think most significant communities across the province have the same narrative that’s going around.”

“It’s difficult for people to drive the community, espe cially long-term residents, and to see people that are homeless and some of the things that are fallout from that, and feel like, well, this can’t be happening in my community, surely that’s coming from somewhere else. They want to try and point somewhere else.”

Certainly, the number of vis ibly homeless in Fort St. John has grown over the last four years. Stats from the Women’s Resource Society have shown that, with 76 counted during

the last point-in-time snapshot in 2020, a 25% jump from a pre vious survey done in 2018.

The reality, says Braun, is many now counting them selves homeless were once someone’s neighbour who lost their job, who went through a mental health crisis, who had a marital or family break down that pushed them into a place they never would have expected.

“We have people that have lived and worked in the com munity for years and years, and then hit a crisis where they’ve lost everything, and they’re now living in our facility. They used to own a home, they used to own a vehicle, their own business and so on,” Braun says.

Braun says there are people who have come to Fort St. John from other parts of B.C. and Canada for family or, in many cases, for work, only to end up in a bind because they were unable get their safety tickets, or work was more intermittent than expected.

“If you only work for a couple of weeks on, a couple of weeks off, and you haven’t got your financial stability in place, you can find yourself in a really tough spot really quickly,” he says. “But there’s no evidence and no rationale for any health authority, or BC Housing, to be putting people on a bus to move them from one location to another.”

“Every community is strug gling with their own challen ges,” he says. “We just need to do our work together to serve those that are here, and to find out who they are, to really be personal with people and get to know their stories... They’re somebody that deserves love and attention and dignity.”

MATT PREPROST PHOTOS

Above: The new Salvation Army supportive housing complex next to the Northern Centre of Hope in Fort St. John, and one of the 42 suites waiting to be furnished. Turn to page 12 for more pictures.

Inside Fort St. John’s new supportive housing complex

MATT PREPROST PHOTOS

Left: A shared laundry room for supportive housing residents. Right: The new Salvation Army building includes 42 units; 32 for supportive housing residents and 10 for a future complexcare housing program.

MATT PREPROST PHOTOS

Left: One of three accessible supportive housing suites. Right: Each feature a roll-in shower for people with mobility challenges.

MATT PREPROST PHOTOS

Left: An outdoor courtyard for supportive housing residents.

Right: A commercial kitchen for supportive housing residents.

The Salvation Army Supportive Housing Community Advisory Committee includes representatives from Northern Health, the City of Fort St. John, WorkBC, the Chamber of Commerce, RCMP, Friendship Society, Women’s Resource Society, Alliance Church, Fort St. John Public Library, and neighbouring businesses including Scotiabank and Alaska Highway News.

Unveils public works building

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

It was something Taylor mayor Rob Fraser remembers being discussed in his first term as councillor – that was close to 20 years ago.

On Monday, Oct. 3, the vision of a new public works building became reality with a ribboncutting ceremony declaring the roughly $2.3 million structure officially open.

“There may still be a few things like paving of the yard and fencing that are not included in that but the building as you see it now, with the apron in the front, and all of the amenities, is included in the $2.3-million price tag,” said the mayor.

“It’s been in the five-year capital plan for probably the last 15 years,” Fraser said light-heartedly.

“The money has been put aside into the building reserve fund and we’ve been able to pull from that to pay for this building.”

The property where the new facility is located on was not the district’s original choice.

“The first location was over behind the rec complex. It just didn’t offer enough synergies. By locating it where it is here now, we can get some synergies with the golf course maintenance yard. We can look at the entire fleet of equipment needed to be maintained out of these two buildings.”

Another benefit, Fraser pointed out, was tapping into an existing natural gas line rather than an earlier-considered source of propane.

The building has also been equipped to act as the dedicated emergency operations centre for the district, with its administration office and fire hall, the two back-up locations, depending just where the emergency incident might be.

For Fraser, though, the best part is that staff can bring larger machinery inside from the cold to be repaired.

“One of the real satisfactions I got was seeing the grader parked inside with a lot of room around it. We’ve never been able to park the grader inside. You could fit pieces of it in to do maintenance on it, but now we have a bay that it will fit in.”

It’s believed the new structure will have a shelf life of between 50 and 60 years.

As for the existing workshop behind the district office, Fraser sees upgrades to the smaller structure.

“Our old shop could now be used for cold or warm storage. The building itself is likely to undergo renovations to some degree. All of the equipment in the yard, the fuel tank, will be moved over here. With the yard opened up, maybe, more parking for our staff, to be able to plug in their vehicle and more secure because it’s fenced.”

Those determinations, though, he admitted, will be left to the new incoming council.

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DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

The District of Taylor’s new $2.3 million public works facility was officially opened Monday afternoon. Holding the ribbon (l-r) are Couns. Betty Ponto and Michelle Turnbull, mayor Rob Fraser with scissors, and Coun. Brent Taillefer.

Israel has been on holidays

By John Grady

If you are ever fortunate enough to go to Israel around this time of the year, you will find it is in holiday and feast, contrary to the hard-working industries and business patterns of life they traditionally experience. It’s also one of the busiest tourist times of the year as Jewish people from around the world go to visit recognizing the key dates and feasts that take place. In addition to the Jewish people visiting Israel during the feasts, thousands of Christians normally go to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel.

For the Jewish people, it starts with Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year that takes place this year from September 25 to 27.

It is the first of the Jewish Holy Days as noted in Leviticus 23 followed 10 days later with Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. The Jewish people attend a Synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and are not to work on these dates. There is the blowing of the Shofar horn and when they greet each other they say “L’shanah tovah,” which means “have a good year.” It is a celebration of the creation of man serving as a day of the coronation of God as King.

Yom Kippur took place this year on October 4 and 5, and is the holiest day of Judaism focused on atonement and repentance. Jewish congregations spend their time in prayer and meditation and end with the closing prayers and again the blowing of the Shofar. One year, Sandra and I were in Tel Aviv on their Yom Kippur Day. Tel Aviv is a busy city located on the Mediterranean coast, with a population just short of half a million people, but it was like a deserted city during this time.

This sombre holy event leads five days later into the Feast of Sukkot, which is also called the Feast of Booths and or the Feast of Tabernacles. This year it lasted from

Sunday, Oct. 9, to Sunday, Oct. 16. Sukkot commemorates for the Jewish people the 40 years they lived in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before they crossed the Jordan River relying on God’s protection and grace.

During this feast, Jewish families construct a hut or temporary shelters similar to booths as a reminder of their ancestor’s journey in the desert and Gods faithfulness. It is amazing to visit families and see the effort they place in preparing the celebration and driving through neighbourhoods during this time to witness apartment balconies with their foliage symbolic of the shelters. When you go into hotel dining rooms and see the resemblance of the booths, you are in awe.

For Christians who go to Israel during the Feast of Tabernacles, there is an event hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, which was founded in 1980 as an Embassy representing Christians from around the world that would stand with Israel contrary to so many countries who claimed they would move their Embassy to Jerusalem but reneged on their promises.

During the feast, there is a roll call of the nations and this year there were 85 countries represented with a full week of seminars, exhibits, worship time, including Christians with their nation flags having a parade in Jerusalem to the cheers of the Jewish people. Following, either the Prime Minister or a member of the Knesset will attend and thank the Christian participants for supporting Israel.

One unique highlight; we had organized a tour for Canadians of Israel during the Feast and while visiting Mt. Carmel it was our groups intention to sing In the Days of Elijah. While our tourist guide was explaining the significance of this site, all of a sudden, a group of about 25 Christians from South Africa came to the top of Mt. Carmel with the same intention of singing the same song. You can imagine the uniqueness of believers from Canada and South Africa worshipping together on top of Mt. Carmel.

During the feast there is an anticipation of the Messiah - for the Jewish people, His first time; and for the Christians, His return.

John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John.

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Sukkot commemorates for the Jewish people the 40 years they lived in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before they crossed the Jordan River.

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With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Duke (Donald) Devaleriola.

Duke was born on November 6, 1934 in Drumheller, Alberta, and passed away on September 26, 2022 in Vernon, British Columbia at the age of 87.

Duke leaves to mourn his children, Karen Esau, Kim Devaleriola, and Matt Devaleriola (Treena); grandchildren, Vince Esau (Maria), Jason Esau (Rheanna), and Robyn Sampson (Aaron); great-grandchildren; Carson Esau, Devon Esau, Blake Esau, Adam Esau, and Brandon Parry; sisters, Maimie Maxwell and Flo Soule.

Duke was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Goldie Devaleriola; brothers, George Devaleriola, Richard Devaleriola; and wife Marilyn Devaleriola.

As per Duke's request there won't be a service.

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October 24th

Oh, those warm summer nights!

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

So, how did you sleep last Thursday night?

Unless you had air conditioning, chances are, probably not too well.

It was warm...warmer than most nights we saw this past summer, in fact – the mercury reading anywhere between 15 and 17 degrees, depending on where you were in the Peace.

“Part of that was because it was very windy,” explained Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau.

“That’s why the temperatures didn’t drop overnight.”

On record to be the warmest overnight low for Oct. 14, a cooling off just before dawn spoiled the benchmark.

“We’re under a ridge of high pressure significantly warmer than normal. Usually at night you get that kind of cooling that starts at the ground as it’s losing heat and that helps to cool the air near the surface and temperatures drop,” said Charbonneau.

“Last night, with that front passing through, and that windiness through the B.C. Peace, meant that it never did

cool down. Once the winds died down, the temperatures came down.”

While overnight temperatures starting tonight will be in the single digits, Charbonneau says the forecast remains warm during the day.

“In the short-term, we’re still seeing this [high pressure] ridge dominating and warmer-than-normal and drierthan-normal conditions persisting,” she said.

“For example, the forecast into the weekend and into next week, we’re still in the high teens compared to a daytime high being in the single digits.”

Long-range, though, there could be a change.

“If I look out past our official [7 day] weather forecast period, there is a hint of a cooling towards the end of next week.”

But, like in the last few weeks, very little precipitation, if any, added Charbonneau.

“We’re probably still in for one more week of the hot, dry weather to continue.”

This Friday, by the way, is the 29th full day of autumn.

When do you suppose fall will actually arrive?

BALL AND CRANE — Reader Louis Morissette sent in this optical illusion photo where it almost looks like this Site C crane is picking up the moon and moving it to another location. This month’s full moon is known as the Hunter’s moon and was at its fullest back on Sunday. Keep the photos coming...we love to see them!