AHN OCT 6, 2022

HIGHWAY

2022 street banners unveiled

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The next time you’re driv ing through downtown Fort St. John, look up. You’ll see the latest instalments of the art council’s street banner program, Where Happiness Dwells, created by four young artists from the Doig and Blue berry River First Nations.

“It’s very inspiring for myself because I didn’t know I’d ever get an opportunity to do this,” said Tahliyah Herle, a Grade 12 stu dent and aspiring animator, after an unveiling outside the ArtsPost on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Herle’s banner features a large and graceful swan swoop ing over a shining sunrise, or a glowing sunset, however you choose to look at it.“In our cul ture, the swan is the only thing that can go up to heaven and back. It represents the spirits, the children,” she said.

The three other artists who took part in the project were Jus tice Adekat, Savannah Lagace, and Teneshia Yahey.

“It makes me feel proud; proud of my heritage, my cul ture, that people are making it more aware and involving

more people in it,” said Lagace, whose banner features four drummers playing in a circle.

“My inspiration came from watching drumming when I was a little girl; having it be a part of ceremony, celebration... it just brings everyone together.”

“I think it’s awesome,” she added of seeing her art on public display in the city. “It makes me feel so fulfilled.”

In Teneshia Yahey’s banner, two rivers flowing through the mountains merge into one, a symbol of reconciliation. There is also Beaver to represent the ani mal’s cultural significance to the Dane-zaa people, and a drum to represent Charlie Yahey, a great dreamer in their culture. “A lot of the things that are happening to day he dreamt about. He’s a real ly big part of our people and our history,” said Yahey, also taking inspiration from nature. “A lot of our history is in the mountains, a lot of our medicines.”

“It’s given me a lot of time to be more creative, and think about our history here… who we are and where we come from,” said Yahey.

Justice Adekat’s banner fea tures a medicine wheel encirc ling a mountainous landscape, the feathers of a dreamcatcher

swaying below. “When I was asked to do this, I was work ing on the reserve so I was sur rounded by all the elders and all the people that I’ve grown up with… it helped a lot be cause I got to hear stories and hear them speak their language more than I did when I was younger,” Adekat said. “Listen ing to them speak about stuff like this and helping make pro grams for healing helped me bring this light.”

The banners were produced in partnership between the arts council and the city, which in cludes an honorarium for art ists. You can see the banners on the streetlights lining 100 Street and 100 Avenue. Arts council president Rosemary Landry says the goal and focus for this year’s banner program was truth and reconciliation.

“They’re absolutely beauti ful, the colours are gorgeous,” Landry said, noting the two languages featured on the ban ners was done to recognize the efforts to revitalize the Beaver language among local First Na tions. “We’re really excited. The artists have done such a great job that they need to be hon oured,” she said. “This is the greatest day to do it on.”

shared as mayor Lori Ackerman leaves municipal

SPCA in a crunch

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Just what the future of animal control in Fort St. John might look like has sparked conver sation among city councillors.

“We’re hearing on the streets that the SPCA has been condemned by the BCSPCA,” said mayor Lori Ackerman at Monday’s council session.

“I’m concerned. We have a pound keeper’s agreement with them.”

While under normal cir cumstances, there would a longer-term contract in place between the city and animal society, deputy CAO Darrell Blades clarified to council that’s not the case.

“Our current agreement is just being carried on month to month or year to year, be cause it actually expired…I’m going to say 2019…and we’ve been trying back and forth to get them to enter a new one with us.”

However, just as the two sides were about to sign, came word of structural issues with the building on 82 Avenue and Blades said the facility was closed.

“We met with (our) staff last week and we’re looking at the possibility of putting out an expression of interest for pound services moving forward because we just can’t get an agreement done with the SPCA at the current time.”

Blades admitted, having to make other arrangements for animal care, is impacting the budget and beginning to af fect operational services.

The city is currently using a costlier option, a local vet, to house strays and other pets picked up by animal control.

Councillor Lilia Hansen asked if a report by staff, agreed to in a motion, could include background as to who condemned the building.

“They did it themselves,” answered councillor Trevor Bolin, referring to the SPCA.

“It wasn’t up to their stan dards of operation.”

“Could the city look at, if we have some building space…something tempor ary?” asked Hansen in a fol low-up question.

“We’ve been asked before for space on different things. We don’t have extra space and we don’t have a structur al engineer on staff,” mayor Lori Ackerman responded.

Lagace,

Herle, and Teneshia Yahey with their street banners.

MATT

Hundreds

Congratulations shared as Ackerman leaves municipal life

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Friends, family, council members and city staff turned out to recognize the accomplishments of current Fort St. John mayor Lori Ackerman last Thursday afternoon.

While it was billboarded as a farewell, she admitted to those in attendance, in reality, it’s more like the closing of one chapter.

“I’m not leaving. I’m just shifting gears,” said Ackerman.

A member of council for 17 years, and 11 as mayor, Ackerman announced earlier this year her intention to step away from the role once a successor is chosen in next month’s municipal election.

“Lori is creative, ambitious, optimistic for our community, dedicated, driven and pas-

sionate for success,” said CAO Milo MacDonald in opening the event.

“She is a tireless advocate for our community, for industry, and for our organization.”

B.C. premier John Horgan added his congratulations to Ackerman through a pictureframed letter read aloud by MacDonald.

“As premier of British Columbia, I would like to extend my sincerest best wishes as you move on from municipal politics. Having dedicated yourself for nearly two decades and three terms as mayor, your service to the community is a legacy worthy of commendation.”

Trevor Bolin spoke on behalf of the current council.

“It’s going to be a big change with you retiring. I think back to 504 council and COW (com-

mittee of the whole) meetings that we have attended,” said Bolin with the entire council standing behind him at the podium.

“I think back to chairing and co-chairing of committees that all of us have been apart of and the changes we have made. We’ve had kids while we’ve been working together. We’ve had grand kids since working together. We’ve lost ones and we’ve gained loved ones.”

“At the end of the day, our differences is probably what brought us closer together as a council under your guidance for so many years.”

“The role she’s played for Fort St. John, the region, for our province, for the country...I said this in the summer, we’re losing a powerhouse of an individual

representing her community and the region like no other,” said Dawson Creek mayor Dale Bumstead.

“To me, Fort St. John and the region are a much better place as a result of that leadership, that passion, that dedication that Lori has given to the role of mayor.”

Mackenzie mayor Joan Atkinson added her congratulations, saying that Ackerman has been there since her beginning in political life.

“We have not just developed a working relationship but we’ve developed a friendship. I am so grateful for the guidance that’s she’s provided me in the last four years,” said Atkinson who is completing her first term as mayor.

“I often remind myself when I’m having a tough day in the community, someone up in

arms about something, Lori’s words of wisdom – if you don’t have somebody mad at you, you’re not doing a good job.”

Doig River First Nation chief Trevor Makadahay was last to speak of Ackerman.

“Leadership is Lori Ackerman. The inclusivity in making everyone feel a part of it and that’s the biggest thing,” said Makadahay.

“I think Fort St. John is a leader in many, many ways and we’re all one big family. There are many different nationalities. We’re all one. We work together to make it happen for our people.”

Makadahay closed by thanking Ackerman on behalf of Treaty 8 first nations, a sentiment shared by all the speakers.

Ackerman will chair her last meeting as mayor Oct. 31.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Mayor Lori Ackerman accepts a framed letter by premier John Horgan congratulating her on her years of service from city CAO Milo MacDonald during the mayor’s farewell held Sept. 29 at the fire hall.

Huskies home-opening weekend

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

After playing their first three games of the regular season and all of the pre-season on the road, the Fort St. John Huskies will finally get to play in front of a home crowd Friday night.

Coming off an 8-4 win in Peace River Sept. 30, the Huskies improved their record to 3-0, and sit in third, but only by the fact they’ve played one less game than Friday night’s opponent, the Grande Prairie Wheat Kings, and two less than the 5-0 Sexsmith Vipers, who they’ll face Saturday.

Kurtis Lee, who led the team in points last season with 70, has already accumulated 10 points in just his first

three games – half of those coming in the last one against the North Peace Navigators.

Lee had a five-point night including the hat-trick.

“Kurt was hot tonight. He had some really good looks (chances) on the power play and some earlier looks, hit a couple of posts. Who knows, he could have ended up with a couple of more,” said head coach Todd Alexander after the game.

“He’s a special player. He’s a special person. For him, he can make a five-point night look pretty casual,” Alexander joked.

It was a night, though, that could have had a different result.

“Sometimes it was average. Sometimes it was really good, and sometimes it was lack-

WONOWON 4-H BEEF CLUB

Monthly Repor Monthlyt t

ing detail in assignment and awareness tonight,” the coach described of his team’s play.

“We were having stretches where we were playing our game. It was one of those games where our detail, especially in our own zone, was just not that good.”

Credit the Huskies, though, down 3-2 midway through the second, they scored five times before the period was out and five of the eight goals came on the powerplay.

While still very early, this weekend’s two match-ups will be a good measuring stick, with the Huskies, Wheat Kings, and Vipers, all considered, at the start of the year, contenders for top spot.

Opening face-off Friday night versus Grande Prairie is 8 p.m.

Hey Everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your summer!

Hi everyone,

I hope the start of a new 4-H year is going well for you !

Shipping and picking out our new 4-H animals: We shipped Oct 3,4 and 5th, it went great. Picking out my steer was a bit challenging for me this year, there was so many good steers, as there always is. I really liked a calf ever since it was born but it has longer legs then I would have wanted, his tail is really short and he is really big. So I was thinking that I would pick a different steer, but even though there is three things wrong with him, I still really liked his build.

I ended up picking him anyway, he is a dark red curly calf with not much white. Sara picked out a steer that day as well, it was a brown long bodied steer. She also wanted to wait and see one of the calves that was still out on the range at the time, to compare it with the long, brown steer. So she waited until it came in then she compared the two of them, she liked the red steer better. So she too now has a big dark red panda eyed steer. Picking out our 4-H heifers went great, Sara has picked her heifer off her own cow, like she has done for the last 3 years in a row. I sold one of my cows and decided to give Mom and Dad the money I got from it, in trade for one of their heifers and guess what that is my new 4-H heifer.

Achievement Days was on July 8-11 2022, it was the first Achievement Days in a couple years, it was awesome and very exciting, it could have been a bit more organized though. For one my steer is usually very well behaved and easy going, he didn’t like the show ring at all this year. He pulled away in the show ring, but that’s all he would do, he wouldn’t even try to pull away outside of the show ring. He got better over time; when I was selling him he didn’t even try to pull away. Everyone had very nice steers! A Huge Thank You to everyone that made Achievement Days possible, I enjoyed it a lot and I hope that others did too. Also A very big Thank You to all the buyers and the bidders for all your help and support, it all is very much appreciated! Our shipping is coming up here pretty soon; I am very excited to get to pick my next 4-H animals! But first we have to get our cows in and you know what that means, riding horses all day long driving cows in from out on the range. It’s one of the things that I really enjoy doing and plus it is a really good way of looking at the calves to see how they grown and how they are built.

Weighing the 4-H animals: I am not sure yet when we are weighing them but I think that Sara & I will soon see how big our 4-H animals are. I would also like to welcome our new members in the Wonowon 4-H Club too.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Fort St. John Huskies Colby Busche races in on Grande Prairie Kings goalie Cam Beson during game 6 of the NWJHL final. Busche scored the Huskies third goal in a 3-1 championship game win.

Sara’s Heifer

Sara and Quigley

Bowdrie

Kodiaks and Lakers are soccer champions

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was a beautiful day for a soc cer game last Saturday in Fort St. John.

Both Duncan Cran and Charlie Lake elementary schools won first place in the school district’s fall soccer tournament. held Oct. 1.

The Duncan Cran Kodiaks beat the Ma Murray Firebirds 5-0 in the B division, an impres sive feat for the shorthanded team, according to parent Neil Evans.

“This time came in the underdog with nearly 10 play ers less than any other team

they faced,” says Evans.

“Four of them are a close group of friends that play soc cer in the back yard all year long,” he adds. “Really cool to see this school succeed in any sport as apparently it has been many years if not decades!”

Twelve teams competed in the day long tournament held at Alwin Holland elementary school, set up with support and equipment donations from the Soccer Club.

In the Lakers vs. Lakers A division finals, Charlie Lake team 2 took first place, winning an intense shootout against Charlie Lake team 1 after going 0-0 in regular play.

Trackers, Flyers, and Predators hit the ice

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The first real action of the season for some of the northeast-based rep hockey teams on the weekend.

The NEBC midget U-18 Trackers, under new head coach Jared Winkel, were at a tournament in Kelowna.

The club was able to rattle off three wins in four games, beating the South Okanagan Knights 6-2 and blanking the Langley Eagles 8-0, but falling 6-2 to Abbotsford Hawks in round-robin action.

Their 2-1 record placed them in fifth and against Surrey’s Cloverdale Colts in the 5/6 game – a 4-0 shut out of the Colts gave the Trackers fifth place in the tourney.

They open their regular season Sat urday (Oct. 8) at 1:30 p.m. at the North Peace Arena against Grande Prairie. n n n

The U-15 Bantam Trackers went 4-and-1 down in Abbotsford at the Bauer Invitational, winning all three of their round-robin games: 6-3 over Surrey’s Semiahmoo Ravens, 5-1 over the St. George’s Saints from Vancou ver and 6-4 over the North Zone Kings from the North Okanagan.

The Trackers, though, were in tough in a re-match with the Kings in the quarterfinal, but came away with a 3-2 decision.

Their first loss of the tournament, unfortunately, was to the West Koote nay Crusaders 3-2 in the semi-finals, eliminating them from further play.

n n n

The Fort St. John under-13 Flyers opened league play on the road in Fort McMurray with a pair of games

against the Barons.

Keegan Wilson had the hat-trick while Declan Bookham added one in a 10-4 loss Saturday night.

It was a much better result Sunday morning when the two teams skated to a 2-2 tie – Linden Andersen and Chase King with the Flyers markers.

The peewee Flyers are home to the Whitecourt Wolverines Saturday after noon at 2 at the Pomeroy Sport Centre and Sunday morning at 9 at the North Peace Arena.

n n n

Meantime, some big wins for the Predators organization on Saturday and Sunday.

The under-18 midgets beat the Fort St. John Eagles in an exhibition game 7-2 Saturday.

The bantams got by a combined U15/U-18 team from Dawson Creek 9-7 in what’s called “league tiering games” to determine the divisions they’ll play in.

Paige Umbach, Taryn Storey, and Emmlinn Warren each scored twice in the contest.

And, the peewee Preds dropped Grande Prairie 10-3 Saturday and a U-13/U15 combined team from Beaverlodge 15-0 Sunday in another set of division-determining games.

All three teams will take part in the Richmond Classic female hockey tournament Oct. 21-23.

Taylor candidates dive into the pool

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

How much are you willing to pay for a new regional pool in the North Peace?

Fifty million? Seventy-five million? Some preliminary es timates have put the cost up wards of $100 million.

And just how much taxpay ers in the community of Taylor can afford to pay for a new pool and rec complex was among the many topics covered at an all candidates forum Tuesday night at the community hall.

“The sky is the limit; $50 mil lion, $75 million, tell me when to stop,” said Gordon Davies, one of five candidates running for district council in the Oct. 15 election. “It’s unaffordable for most communities to go on their own so therefore it re quires to be a North Peace in itiative, and it will be required to go to referendum.”

The North Peace Leisure Pool in Fort St. John opened in 1996, but 26 years later is becoming more and more costly to fix and maintain. A regional steering committee made up of politicians from Fort St. John, Taylor, and the Peace River Regional District has been studying its possible replacement.

“It’s a big project and it’s an expensive project,” said in cumbent councillor Michelle Turnbull, a member of the steering committee, and who

is seeking a second term after she was first elected in 2018.

“It’s not something I think that the people of Taylor would really want to spend money on themselves being here because it’s extremely expensive,” she added, noting the biggest question to be an swered about a possible refer endum would be the impact to local taxes.

Still, Turnbull said a new complex is needed and would draw more people, including professionals like doctors and dentists, to the area.

“I absolutely support a new facility in town,” she said. “I think it’s beneficial to all.”

Mayoral candidate Brent Taillefer, currently vice-chair of the replacement pool com mittee, noted that a refer endum to build the current leisure pool failed in Taylor.

“As for building a new one… we don’t have enough infor mation yet,” he said. “My job there is to have that informa tion and bring it back…I’m there listening and learning and bringing that back to help educate you.”

Taylor currently operates its own seasonal pool inside the district curling rink during summer, which the candidates supported continuing.

“Our pool here, absolutely we need it,” said Taillefer. “The school district here, every class including preschool uses it to learn and to do lessons,”

he said. “We need kids to learn to swim. It’s a life skill.”

It costs about $100,000 a year to maintain and staff the seasonal pool, though the dis trict has been challenged the last five years hiring trained lifeguards. This year’s planned opening was pushed to 2023 due to staff shortages, a situa tion that candidates noted is a Canada-wide problem.

“I have fully supported the pool here and still do as long as we can keep it going,” said long-time incumbent council lor Betty Ponto. “As far as the one in town, my vote would be private to myself quite per sonally, but being on council I

would be listening to the resi dents and what they want, be cause all of us are going to the ones that are going to be pay ing for it over time.”

Council candidate Murray Giesbrecht suggested building a community spray park.

“I’m willing to support Fort St. John I think in a large pool but I’d like to also see some type of water park or some thing in Taylor in the future,” he said. “Maybe not some thing quite as expensive and extravagant as a full-size pool but something for the kids in the hot summer.”

Council candidate Desi rae Graziano is supportive of

a new regional pool but said Taylor’s seasonal pool was a needed facility for kids, adults, and seniors in the community.

“Maybe there’s a way of do ing programs where we can train our own lifeguards,” she said. “Maybe there is a way for Taylor to team up with Fort St. John to have additional space for training and for lessons.”

Mayoral candidate Peggy Alexander said she favoured consultation on a new pool, and bringing the informa tion to referendum. She also supported maintaining and providing the local seasonal pool, saying “it’s very, very important.”

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Duncan Cran Kodiaks - Back row: Brandon Ross, Coach Kyle Moist. Front row: Marshall Alcock, Davis Stoll, Wyatt Hickey, Jason Langlitz, Maverick Evans, Logan Fagan, Caleb Pearson, Chase Needham.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Some of the region’s rep hockey teams were in action over the weekend, including the bantam Trackers seen here during training camp in August

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

The District of Taylor

Gary Foster looking to return as Northern Rockies mayor

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Current mayor Gary Foster came to Fort Nelson nearly 43 years ago.

His brother, an RCMP of ficer in the community at the time, suggested he come up. He hasn’t left.

“The outdoors are like no place else. I enjoy the sum mers here, the days are long. The weather in the summer is great,” said Foster when asked what he loves and what’s kept him in place for over four decades.

“We have such a huge abun dance of wildlife. Beautiful scenery, lakes, streams and, of course, the Northern Rockies that seem to go on forever.”

Foster is completing his first term as mayor for the North ern Rockies Regional Munici pality and decided recently to put his name forward, again.

Re-igniting the forest indus try, he considers, as one of the biggest challenges facing the community.

Have News ???

“As I said, when I was elect ed four years ago, we will roll up our sleeves and do what we can to change the economy of the Northern Rockies. Rail seems to be the last hurdle that we have to get over. I’m confident the provincial gov ernment is going to do their share to help us re-establish our forest industry,” Foster continued.

“We have to have an eco nomical viable way to get our resources to market.”

He believes that’s by rail.

Foster was asked if growing business was another priority as he seeks re-election.

“You know, when I first took office four years ago, we had over a hundred foreclosures in houses, in homes, in Fort Nelson. Today, there’s five,” he pointed out.

“I think the economy of the Northern Rockies is growing. It’s growing slowly, but what we really need is primary in dustry, like any other rural community like Taylor or Mackenzie or Tumbler Ridge.

You need to have that resource base to provide the jobs for people.”

Foster feels his top priority is getting the municipality away from, what he terms, as the current economic downturn.

“Re-establishing forestry, re-establishing the oil and gas industry. We have huge re sources in oil and gas. Moving forward to brand new forms of energy like the geo-thermal plant being constructed by the Fort Nelson First Nation.”

Proposals for hydrogen production and facilities for carbon sequestering, other possibilities, Foster adds.

While forestry will likely al ways be a staple, he points to another project already in use as the future of industry.

“We have a mini-LNG plant that liquifies natural gas and sends it up to the Yukon. These types of things are going to provide fuel for our economy.”

Bill Snow seeks a third term as school trustee

First elected in 2014, Bill Snow is seeking a third term as school trustee on the Peace River North board of education.

Snow moved to Fort St. John from Halifax in 2000, and has been involved in all areas of school life, from sports to working as a custodian and educational assistant.

“School is a building block,” he said. “You get through school to get through life.”

Snow now works as a youth care worker, dealing with foster kids and even kids who have already been to jail.

Having grown up “on the other side of the tracks,” he says it’s a position that has helped him see firsthand the issues facing local youth.

“I played a lot of sports and to play sports you had to go to school. If you skipped school, you didn’t play. So I just learn ed that I went to school and I played sports and I stayed out of trouble,” he said. “With my work now...I encourage them to get involved in things and it doesn’t have to be sports.

“I got a kid that’s in a chess club. They don’t have be hockey players or soccer play ers, they can go to musical theatre, whatever they like. But the more they get in volved, it’s going to help later on in life.”

Over the last two terms, Snow says trustees have

built a good reputation for teamwork to see their goals accomplished, such as the two new elementary schools recently built and opened, Ma Murray in 2018, and Anne Roberts Young 2020.

The biggest challenge, he said, remains staffing.

“It’s not only with teachers, it’s all the support staff,” he said. “And unfortunately, it’s a challenge for schools in all of Northern B.C. right now.”

One way to address that, he says, is increasing intakes for the Alaska Highway Con sortium on Teacher Education program training local teach ers in Northeast B.C.

“Once they graduate, they’re already part of the community, before they start teaching,” said Snow. “They’re not walking into the community lost.”

And despite two new school openings in the last four years, the district still needs more of them — especially for a grow ing generation of elementary students who will soon be ag ing into higher grades.

“We ask and we ask. Right now, the two middle schools are busting at the seams. I’d love to get another one of those,” he said. “Within the next four to eight years, the next two terms, all those kids are going to be going through the middle schools.”

General election day is Oct. 15 at the seniors hall, with ad vanced voting opportunities on Oct. 5 and 12.

Current District of Taylor mayor Rob Fraser is challen ging Foster for the mayor’s chair. Election day is Oct. 15.

TOM SUMMER PHOTO

Mayor Gary Foster wants to create a strong economic future for the Northern Rockies.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

SCHOOL

Bill Snow has lifelong experience working in schools and with students.

Regional district work not done, says Brad Sperling

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

First voted in as the director for Area C in the regional dis trict in 2014, Brad Sperling is hoping to continue the work he began.

“I think we’ve done some good things over the last eight years, we have some good projects on the way, and we need to keep that momentum going.”

Like many candidates seek ing office in this month’s mu nicipal elections, the former carpenter saw concerns that drew him to public life, prob lems he wanted to see fixed.

“At the time, the Charlie Lake Fire Department was not in good shape. We need ed equipment and we need ed volunteers,” explained Sperling.

“The Charlie Lake sewer system had a moratorium on it that couldn’t take anymore hook-ups and there were pressure issues.”

Sperling said he became familiar with the issues as an alternate director for thendirector Arthur Hadland and realized quickly the commit

ment the role requires.

“This takes my time. This is, by no means, a part-time job,” he added.

Sperling has also held the role of board chair since 2017.

“You really are involved, not just in your local area, but in the region advocating provincially and one ties into the other. You look at mov ing your electoral area for ward but you have to do it in conjunction with your neigh bours in Taylor, Fort St. John and the South Peace.”

He believes advocacy, lob bying for the interests of resi dents, is well over half of the job.

“Of course, the big one is our health care. We can’t let up on advocating for that... connectivity,” which Sper ling hopes residents will sup port in a referendum ballot question.

“And, for Area C, we’re do ing the study on the aquatic plants on Charlie Lake that we hope to get a permit to har vest, partially.”

The incumbent is being challenged by Baldonnel’s Su zanne Haab. Voting day is Oct. 15.

Suzanne Haab inspired to run

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Suzanne Haab is looking to represent residents in area C of the Peace River Regional District as its director.

Although her name has never appeared on a ballot, the Baldonnel resident does have political experience in another way – she’s a mom to eight kids.

“It feels political some times,” she jokes.

“And, we just had our first grand child this past week end,” she added.

It was after a conversation over coffee with longtime area B director Karen Goodings that Haab knew she wanted to run.

“I really feel the position is to advocate for the local com munity and I feel like some times it’s about the policies instead. I really feel like you’re there to serve the people and community and I’m not sure that’s always been the case.”

If elected, Haab believes a good health care system is also something she’ll lobby ing for, drawing from personal experience at the time of this interview.

“Driving home right now from a short ‘day procedure’ for my husband that’s turned into a three-day ordeal. We had a five-hour drive to get that simple procedure done.”

Originally from Vancouver Island, Haab is very familiar with the lay of the land, hav ing moved to the area 30 years ago at the age of 20.

“There is something really special about this area...it’s different, culturally and geo graphically...it’s like, cowboy boots, belt buckles, and get ‘er done, and very much that pi oneer spirit.”

She believes that’s not con sidered when policies are

drawn up by the province.

“That’s why we need boots on the ground, talking to the people, looking at the land and be a strong voice for our area. I feel that more-thanever we need to have that con nection. The last two years has shown us just how im portant government is.”

Haab is challenging current area C director and region al district board chair Brad Sperling in the Oct. 15 run-off.

Jeff Kitt looks to step fully into regional district role

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

With long-time director Karen Goodings stepping away af ter 34 years, there will be a new face representing Area B in the Peace River Regional District.

Jeff Kitt is one of two candi dates hoping to step into that role.

Born in Fort St. John’s old general hospital in 1971, he describes his home area as a very diverse culture.

“In people and environ ment and in work oppor tunities,” explains Kitt, who has been the Area B alter nate, under Goodings, since February.

“I got to see how the regional district and the regional board work. It’s one of those things, if you stand back on the sidelines and you don’t participate, you really don’t have a say in what’s go ing on. So, I figured I should participate, do my civic duty of representing the people of Area B.”

Kitt said while speaking with residents, he’s heard two

things more than others – to make sure their voices are heard and that their way of life is preserved.

“Going forward, that’s kind of my platform, to listen to the residents and assist them in keeping their dreams, of what they want in this area, alive within my ability in this pos ition of office.”

Area B residents will have five referendum questions they’ll be asked to answer.

One, in particular, Kitt hopes ratepayers will support – rural connectivity.

“I think communication is a big one up in this country because we are so vast and an improvement in the com munication infrastructure –broadband and the cellular networks allows our residents to stay connected. I think it’s very important and it should be supported.”

In saying that, he’s looking for a good balance.

Kitt is facing Jordan Kealy for the right to represent the rural area beginning in November.

Voters will head to the polls

15.

Jordan Kealy wants to be strong voice

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

For Cecil Lake’s Jordan Kealy being on a farm is nothing new – he grew up on one in the Fraser Valley.

Since 2008, the 39-yearold has taken everything he’s learned and with the help of a local farm girl he fell head over heels for, right about the same time, has turned an idea into a successful ‘gate to plate’ operation.

“My main concern has al ways been trying to help sup port our local infrastructure and helping out farmers,” said Kealy, who is also the cur rent vice-president of Fort St. John’s farmers’ market.

“So, I wanted to try and look at bigger ways to help improve our local infrastruc ture and I thought what better way than to run for our local area.”

With outgoing area B rep resentative Karen Goodings stepping down next month, he felt the time was right.

“I really care about the country mentality we have and trying to improve it in dif ferent ways. Try to give a voice

back to the residents, as well,” added Kealy.

Connectivity (rural inter net) and a funding question (area B only) related to the Fort St. John public library are two of the five referendum questions area B residents will vote on.

“Me, personally, I think if we can improve connectivity in our region...it makes it that you almost have the library in your pocket.”

But, Kealy is quick to add that decision is not his to make but the voters.

“My main reason for doing this is to make sure we have a strong voice in the region. Be ing able to have my farm the way it is. It’s one of the things I love the most.”

Residents in area B will have two names to choose from for area director – Kealy and Wonowon’s Jeff Kitt when they go to the polls Oct. 15.

PRRD PHOTO

Charlie Lake’s Brad Sperling is asking residents in Peace River Regional District’s Area C to select him as their director for four more years

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Longtime Baldonnel-area resident Suzanne Haab is challenging incumbent Brad Sperling for area C in the Peace River Regional District on Oct. 15 election day.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Peace River Regional District area B candidate Jordan Kealy is hoping to a be a strong voice for residents within the region

Helen Gilbert seeks second term on Peace River North school board

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

MAYAH LYNN SACCARY PLOUFFE

Parents: Ashley

Weight:

KOURTNEY MARIE SACCARY PLOUFFE

Parents: Ashley Saccary & Braeden Plouffe

Weight: 3 lbs 15 oz

CELEBRATE BABIES

BABY BOUQUET WALL

Helen Gilbert didn’t expect to become chair of School District 60 so soon after she was first elected in 2018.

The long-time teacher and school principal had just finished her first year as trustee in fall 2019 when she was acclaimed to the role, a position she’s nevertheless embraced over the last three years.

“I wasn’t totally sure I was ready, but there’s lots of situations in my educa tional career where I’ve had to embrace something that I wasn’t necessarily fully ready for,” said Gilbert. “But then you dig in and you do what you need to do.”

Gilbert worked for 38 years in the Peace River North school system be fore turning her attention to the board of education after her retirement. As trustee, she’s been active with the B.C. School Trustees Association, and taking part in the provincial climate change working group, where she says she’s been bringing the voice of the north.

“We have people in southern districts that are saying everybody should have electric school buses, and you have to say, timeout, that fits you, and that fits your reality,” she said.

Gilbert is happy to see a new gym being built at Upper Halfway school, and says lobbying continues for a new school in Wonowon. Students often fin ish elementary school but then struggle transitioning to going to school in town, she says.

“I’m fighting for equity of opportun ity for our district as a whole, and I want to see equity of opportunity within our district,” Gilbert said. “We’ve really done a lot of advocacy related to improve ments in those rural schools.”

Gilbert says the district now has edu cation agreements in place with the Blueberry, Doig, and Halfway First Na tions, but there’s more work to do to en sure the agreements lead to educational success.

“We’re partway through something

that’s called an equity scan, where we’re spending a lot of time looking at the needs of our Indigenous learners, both on and off reserve, and results in gaps,” she said.

“Anytime you make improvements for a group that has vulnerability, it benefits the whole system.”

With the pandemic, Gilbert admits she wasn’t able to get into schools as much as she would have liked due to health restrictions.

She says blended learning with both online and in-person instruction is go ing to grow coming out of the pandemic, a chance for continued advocacy with regional district to improve internet connectivity in rural areas.

“One of the things that pandemic ac tually did was showed people the im portance of those social connections that kids build at school, and that socialemotional piece,” she said.

“I look forward to a term under what I see as more normal.”

General election day is Oct. 15 at the seniors hall, with advanced voting op portunities on Oct. 5 and 12.

Arts, culture, and schools

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

ARIES – MAR 21/APR 20

Aries, others are counting on you this week, so you’ll need to direct all of your attention toward a special project. Don’t let distractions get in the way.

TAURUS – APR 21/MAY 21

Taurus, rather than wishing for something to happen, figure out a plan to make it happen. Before taking action, consult with a few close friends for guidance.

GEMINI – MAY 22/JUN 21

Someone may come to you this week with a problem asking for your advice, Gemini. It’s tempting to react right away. However, take a few hours to mull things over.

CANCER – JUN 22/JUL 22

Someone at work may not agree with your point of view lately. Rather than cause friction, try to look at things through this person’s perspec tive.

LEO – JUL 23/AUG 23

Leo, cooperation could be essential in the days and weeks ahead. This week you will benefit from being more open-minded to other people’s suggestions.

VIRGO – AUG 24/SEPT 22

It seems that you have been tasked with moving from one difficult situation into another one, Virgo. Find ways to set aside time strictly to unwind.

LIBRA – SEPT 23/OCT 23

Keep careful track of your expenses, Libra. You may find that lately you have been going a bit overboard with expenditures and not bringing in any extra money.

SCORPIO – OCT 24/NOV 22

Maintain a positive outlook this week, Scorpio. Things may not go exactly according to plan, but that doesn’t make it any less successful and satisfying.

SAGITTARIUS – NOV 23/DEC 21

Sagittarius, you may have to put others first for the next few days, par ticularly if you care for an elderly relative or a young child. It’s a sacrifice worth making.

CAPRICORN – DEC 22/JAN 20

Capricorn, let another person lead a team or spearhead a project at work, even if you have an urge to take control. You can use a break from your responsibilities.

AQUARIUS – JAN 21/FEB 18

Aquarius, hands-on work not only helps save you some money, but also strengthens your skills. Think about a more DIY approach with your next project.

PISCES – FEB 19/MAR 20

Pisces, if life has been tedious and filled with analytical requirements as of late, take on a creative project that will work your brain in new ways.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

OCTOBER

(71)

Travis Kelce, Athlete

Shue, Actress

Baptiste Marcere has two daughters in the Fort St. John school sys tem, and will soon have a third starting her studies at the city’s only French immersion elementary school next year.

As a Francophone with a career spent working in nonprofit organizations, Marcere believes he can bring a unique combination of perspectives to the table as a school trustee.

“What I’m bringing is a taste of another cul ture, another take on things, a great know ledge of nonprofits,” he said. “I know how you can work with a tight budget, I know how you can do things with basically no money.”

“I can bring the understanding of what it is to be in a second language environment, for all families with an other first language,” he adds, and “what it is to learn a second language and also the need for people to learn second languages.”

Marcere moved to Canada from France 13 years ago, and to Fort St. John from Winnipeg in 2018.

While his wife was working on her PhD, Marcere says he was slowly gaining work ex perience for his perma nent residency, and ultimately his Canadian citizenship.

“I worked in non profit for more than 18 years, different levels,

being chair, being in the boardrooms, and being also employed,” he said. “I’m pretty familiar with working in a commun ity and what it takes, the positive and the negatives.”

Now executive direc tor for the North Peace Cultural Society, Mar cere has a big focus on learning through the arts.

“School District 60 is really involved in the arts in the commun ity, and doing a lot for the arts. The amount of plays the kids are doing in the schools, and in the arts, it’s phenomen al,” he said.

“Because of my work, I know the fastest way to get a hold of an artist, I know who is interested in doing activities with the school district.”

Among his other pri orities, teacher recruit ment and retention.

“Are there better ways to find teachers, and lobbying also for the education in the north?” he said.

One challenge he foresees should he be elected is communicat ing what a school trustee does.

“It’s still a role that is not really understood by the general popula tion,” he said. “Even my self, I thought the school trustee he was doing more than I discovered.”

“I had a lot of ideas and then I discovered exactly what was the jurisdiction of a trust ee so everything was shrunk. But I think con trolling the budget is really important, and tailoring it to all the needs.”

General election day is Oct. 15 at the seniors hall, with advanced vot ing opportunities on Oct. 5 and 12.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO Helen Gilbert attending the official opening of the Bert Bowes track in May 2022.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Baptiste Marcere is one of five school trustee candidates on the ballot on Oct. 15.

Where does giving thanks fit in our 2022 mindset?

By John Grady

One of the first steps responsible parents implement when raising children is to teach them to say please and thank you. When you hear children expressing themselves with those two expressions it is beautiful music to your ear. You know the parenting and the child are on the same page, and your respect for both is confirmed.

As we mature as adults and become “sophisticated,” we seem to loose our thank fulness as our dreams are not realized, we get hurt by others, as our plans are not fulfilled, as tragedy happens, as governments don’t do what we feel they should, as health issues arise... the list goes on and on.

As we prepare for Thanks giving weekend, you have to wonder where the word “thanks” fits into our mind set in 2022. In our polarizing world of critique, negativ ism, attacks, criticism, finger pointing, and blaming, you have to wonder where the word “thanks” even begins to fit into our thoughts, our hearts, and our vocabulary. It all depends what lens we

choose to look through.

Yes, there is a lot we can gripe about, especially how governments are run by the people we elected, or not run, or not run to our liking. Think about health care, taxes, environment, energy, educa tion, infrastructure, criminal justice, agriculture, govern ment waste, etc. You don’t need to have a PhD to poke holes and make fun.

As Canadians, would you rather move to Ukraine, Russia, some countries in the Middle East, Africa, or other hot spots in the world?

As Canadians, let’s try and do something different this Thanksgiving weekend and just give thanks.

It is very easy to act like nine of the 10 men who had leprosy, and who called out to Jesus as is noted in Luke 17. Jesus healed all 10 but only one of the 10 thanked Him for the healing. We can be so fixed on what we think we want that we forget to give thanks for what we have.

If we can’t think of any thing to give thanks for, then it is good to look into God’s word as it can be both chal lenging and encouraging to us. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians,

he writes: “Be loving always: pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

As we know, that can be trying especially for health and grieving processes but helps to change our heart and attitude of mind.

As we celebrate Thanks giving, let us give thanks for the incredible country that we live in and join with the Psalmist in giving thanks to the Lord, who wrote in Psalm 100, “Shout for joy in the Lord, all the earth. Wor ship the Lord with gladness: come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His: we are His people. The sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise: give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithful ness continues through all generations.”

May you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and give thanks.

John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John.

My love/hate relationship with computers

By Ruby McBeth

Ihave a love/hate relation ship with computers. I love that my computer is like a huge library answering my questions. I love that I can print off what I find and I love that I can communi cate quickly with family and friends and pay bills online.

What I hate is that the smallest problem can trip me up. I excuse myself by saying that I didn’t learn about com puters in school. I learned the 3 R’s. While that is true, when I look more closely, I see young people learning as they go.

Computers really are something we “learn by do ing,” to quote the 4-H motto. Another old saying we might follow is, “If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.” Re cently my computer didn’t do what I asked but I waited a minute, tried again and it worked just fine. Early on, I learned that turning the computer off and restarting it could do the trick.

Another tactic is to use the help that the computer provides. The other day I hit the button that said “diag nose the problem.” It told me

to “check the connections.” I shoved on the connec tions and wonder of wonders it worked. I don’t have to understand why, but I do need to stop treating every computer problem like an intelligence test that I just failed.

Of course, you can always “phone a friend.” I find that sometimes stating the prob lem to someone else moves me towards the answer. And remember people like to help when they know their help is appreciated.

THANKFUL FOR NOVELS ON LIBBY

When I canned fruit in August and early September, I was thankful for the audio books I listened to on Libby.

For light listening, I chose mystery novels by M.C. Beatton with her detective Hamish MacBeth, and for psychological murder mys teries I got novels by Louise Penny with main character Chief Inspector Gamache.

Louise Penny’s husband was a doctor treating chil dren with cancer. She tells us that Gamache is modelled after her husband. Gamache brings out the best in people

who are rejected by others – a wise older man who men tors younger officers. In her novels, Penny is not naïve about evil but gives her char acters a chance to choose the good. While the Hamish MacBeth novels take place in northern Scotland the In spector Gamache books take place in Quebec.

55+ GAMES

This year’s Senior Games in Victoria saw athletes from Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Taylor, and Fort St. John competing in golf, snooker, darts, swim ming, pickle ball and biking. Because of the cost of travel ling to Victoria, there were many sports not represented. Planning for next year will now begin. The next meeting for Zone 12 is on October 5 at the Lutheran Apartment Drop-In Center at 11 a.m.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Smart Money: Recession, recession

Lately, I have had so many people ask me if we are heading into a recession. Recession, recession, recession. That seems to be the big ques tion that is weighing heav ily on the minds of some.

I was speaking with one person, who seemed to be thinking that this could perhaps be financial Armageddon, and I asked, “Do you even know what a recession is?”

She says, “No. That’s why I am asking you.”

Fair point.

A recession is sim ply when the economy slows down for at least six months. That’s it.

Here’s an analogy. You are driving 50 km/h and you come across a school zone. So you slow down to 30 km/h. Then the school zone ends, and you resume driving 50 km/h.

Think of the car you are driving as the economy. You are humming along, then you slow down, then you resume your speed. Not really that super-scary, is it?

In a recession, the econ omy is still growing, just not as quickly. Recessions happen all the time, and they are not the end of the world. They are a normal and natural phase of the economic cycle. In fact, you might experience a dozen or more in your lifetime.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that they are fun, and I am not saying that some individ uals won’t lose their jobs, or that some businesses won’t go bankrupt in a recession. Most definitely, some people will lose their jobs, and some business will go bankrupt. Because bad things happen.

It’s just bad things don’t happen only in recessions. Do you know anyone who lost their job in 2015? Tech nically, we were not in a re cession in 2015. That didn’t make the people who were out of work feel any better, did it?

So, let’s agree that eco nomic casualties are bad irrespective of where we are in the economic cycle, and just focus on the concept of a recession for now.

Historically, recessions have lasted three to nine months. The last one we had was in 2008, and it was a nasty one, earning the moniker, The Great Reces sion. But even that one, as bad as it was, only lasted seven months.

So, if recessions happen all the time, and they are

BRAD BRAIN

relatively short lived, what is all the fuss about? Well, to be blunt, the 24/7 busi ness media machine needs to talk about something, don’t they?

Anybody remember all the hullabaloo about the Greek sovereign debt crisis? No? Well, that’s not surpris ing. Because, in the long run, it wasn’t that big of a deal. But, for six months in 2009, Greek debt was the big story that everyone was talking about. Until the next crisis of the day came along.

An economic slowdown is a little more complicated than just the fear of what might happen though.

For one thing, right now we are dealing with the worst inflation in 40 years. And we have that inflation because the economy is booming. A slower econ omy is likely to provide inflation relief, and I think a lot of people would not be unhappy with that.

But the other thing is that measuring the econ omy is not instantaneous. It takes times time to collect and analyze the economic data of a nation. I would not be surprised if we are in a recession already. And since recessions might be as short as three months, a recession could already be over before the official numbers come out.

So, what are you going to do about all this? Well, un less you run a central bank or a multi-national corpor ation, there isn’t much you can do about the economy.

But what you can do is to keep focused on your per sonal financial goals. Tune out all the white noise, and do what you need to do. Make smart decisions that are consistent with your own financial objectives.

If you are uncertain whether a slower econ omy will affect your future employment, then feel free to act accordingly. But isn’t that just good planning, recession or not?

Brad Brain, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, TEP is a Certified Financial Planner in Fort St John, BC. This material is prepared for general circu lation and may not reflect your individual financial circumstances. Brad can be reached at www.bradbrain financial.com.

COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE

Dave

“What if for today, we were just grateful for everything?” - Charlie Brown

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.

Raena Townsend aims to represent young families

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Raena Townsend’s family has devoted themselves to the Fort St. John educa tion system.

And as a mother to a young son, Townsend says she’s at a point in her life where she has time to give back to the system herself.

“I’ve really grown up in the school,” says Townsend, whose great aunt spent her career teaching and work ing with the union, as well as her mom as a teacher, administrator, and counsellor.

“I’ve got a little one, and he’s not in school yet but he will be before this term’s up. I just want to have a chance to get some of my views and guidance in there, and set the education system up as good as it can be for all the kids as well as mine.”

Townsend says she knows many people with kids in school and wants to represent younger families.

She says one of the biggest challen ges for parents is that they don’t know the best way to advocate for their kids.

“They never sort of know if they should reach out to teachers, admin istrators, the school board directly,” said Townsend, acknowledging she was privileged to have a parent work ing in the schools when she was grow ing up, and being able to advocate for her needs.

“I think they just need someone to be a centre reference point who’s able

to advocate for them on the board, but then also be able to let them know, hey, this isn’t actually really a board issue, you should probably go take that up with this avenue.”

Townsend saw how her friends, and her mother as a local school princi pal, had to quickly adapt through the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Having to jump to that online model, it showed a lot of resilience. I think it also showed that being in the school is so important,” she says.

Townsend credits the district for programs such as Classroom Cham pions, giving students a chance to learn from Canadian Olympic or Paralympic athletes, and for going in the right direction to ensure di verse groups have a higher level of graduation.

Looking ahead to 2030, she hopes the district will be in a better position when it comes to staffing.

“I don’t see myself anywhere else, and people, coming from here, I think they don’t realize all the opportunities that there are in this community,” she said. “There’s so many programs for kids. There’s not as much for adults but I think the city’s really working on that.”

“Fort St. John’s not a dead end place for teachers. There’s a lot of room for growth here.”

General election day is Oct. 15 at the seniors hall, with advanced voting opportunities on Oct. 5 and 12.

Tom Whitton wants to set up students for a life of success

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Tom Whitton filed his nomination for Area 5 of the Peace River North school district Tuesday, Sept. 6, following up on his run for city council in 2021.

“The future of our children is pivot al to the success of not only our gen eration, but the next one,” Whitton said outside the school board office, his three young sons along for the occasion.

“I want to make sure I can provide them with the opportunities that they need to grow into productive citizens,” he continued.

“If we don’t set them up for success then they’re going to struggle with the same things we have struggled with, whether it’s mental health and addic tions issues, whether it’s the inability to socialize properly, whether it’s the inability to drive themselves when they enter the workforce.”

“We need to teach them now that they are able to push themselves a little further,” he said.

Whitton, who works in the informa tion technology sector, says he wants to ensure the school district is receiv ing its “fair share” when it comes to education.

Among his priorities: more class

rooms, more teachers, and more com munity involvement in working with local students of any grade level.

“We have one of the youngest popu lations in B.C. What that comes with, unequivocally, is a younger family dynamic. I am part of that family dy namic,” he said. “My kids are three, five, and six, and they are right at the start of going through this entire system.”

On building schools and recruiting teachers, Whitton says he’s seen the lack of space and difficulty recruiting teachers during his 10 years living in Fort St. John.

“We can build another three build ings but if we can’t retain the staff that we need to make sure that our kids are taught properly, then we’re just set ting them up for failure,” he said.

Whitton says he also wants to build interest and participation in local par ent councils, which he says struggle to get people involved.

“Us parents, if we’re too busy to be involved with our children and their education, we’re going to miss out on a lot of future opportunities for them, not for us,” he said. “They are the most important thing for any family.”

Voters head to the polls Saturday, Oct. 15, with advanced voting oppor tunities slated for Oct. 5 and 12.

Mammoth tusk stolen:RCMP

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John police are looking for the public’s help solving a break and enter last week in which a mammoth tusk and other unique collectibles were stolen from a local store.

RCMP say the break-in happened in the early morning hours last Wednes day, Sept. 21, at Penny’s Coins Cards

and Collectibles on 100 Avenue.

Suspects broke in through the back door and smashed several display cases, according to police.

Among the stolen items: a mam moth tusk, hockey cards, coin sets, collectible maple leaves, and collect ible Canadian currency in $1, $2, $5, and $10 denominations, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP at 250-787-8100.

City’s overdose prevention van destroyed in fire

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John’s new mobile overdose prevention service has been destroyed by fire.

City fire chief Bob Norton con firmed the department received a call at 8:58 p.m. Sunday night of a vehicle fire in the Ramada parking lot.

“Upon arrival, crews found the overdose prevention van on fire in the engine and passenger compartments. Five members and one apparatus were deployed. There were no injuries. The scene was turned over to RCMP for investigation. The cause of the fire is undetermined.”

The van could be seen parked be hind the Northern Health offices Monday morning surrounded by po lice tape.

“Northern Health and the Fort St. John OPS team are extremely con cerned and saddened by this senseless act of destruction of an important and well-used resource in the commun ity, and for the peers and other part ners engaged in this life-saving work,” Northern Health said in a statement.

“It is too soon to say what the im pact on services will be, but the team is already working to ensure these ser

vices continue.”

RCMP did not respond to a re quest for comment by press time on Monday.

The van launched in January of this year and had been operating in key areas of the downtown.

The mobile service was aimed to support substance users and prevent toxic drug poisonings and fatal over doses by offering supervised drug consumption, as well as take home naloxone kits and other harm reduc tion supplies.

Though the overdose van was not directly connected to the local Salva tion Army, executive director Jared Braun said it was an important service being offered to the organization’s guests and clients.

“It’s sad to hear,” he said. “I know it’s been a very precarious time in the last while, well, ongoing; the amount of overdoses that are continuing is really tragic.

“We need every resource possible to try and support people, to protect lives.”

Since 2016, there have been 158 fatal ODs in Northeast B.C. Between January to August of this year, there were 15 overdose deaths attributed to toxic drugs.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Tom Whitton is one of five school trustee candidates on the ballot on Oct. 15.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Raena Townsend says there is plenty of growth opportunity for educators in Fort St. John.

National Scrabble champ

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John’s Wendy Clay son recently returned home from the Canada 55+ Games a national Scrabble champion.

Clayson won the gold in one of two word game tour naments held Aug. 24 and 25 in Kamloops.

Thousands of seniors from across the country met for a week of friendly competition in everything from curling, hockey, lawn bowling, and track and field.

Clayson says it was a priv ilege to represent the area, and B.C. “You get into your competitive spirit, laying down the tiles,” she said.

“You get to see sports you’ve never seen before.

We were right on the river watching dragon boat races.”

The games had been post poned since 2020 because of the pandemic, with close to 3,000 people taking part in more than two dozen differ ent sports and recreational games this year.

Some were in their midto later 90s, said Clayson, thankful for the experience.

“It gives you heart. You get such an appreciation for people in Canada,” she said.

“Thank you Kamloops and area for hosting because what a privilege it is to come and meet people from all over Canada.”

Clayson will have a chance to repeat as champion in 2024 when the national 55+ Games will be held in TroisRivières, Quebec.

Second First Nation MOU

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Prophet River First Nation has formally signed a memo randum of understanding with the City of Fort St. John. The 10-page document allows the PRFN to acquire additionto-reserve (ATR) lands within the city’s boundaries.

“For our community and for our members who reside in Fort St. John, this a huge deal,” said chief Valerie Askoty Wednesday afternoon follow ing the signing. “I am excited about our economic future for our members that already live here but also the ones that will be moving here.”

The city has already signed an MOU with the Doig River First Nation for a section of property on the city’s west side across the Margaret Ma Mur ray School on 105th Avenue.

“It really does show there’s a willingness for First Nations to re-establish themselves

here and to invest in our community,” said mayor Lori Ackerman.

“When you look at the leadership that the Prophet River chief and chiefs before her have shown in purchasing the land and wanting to build for their community inside of our community, it’s pretty significant.”

The first section of property, already chosen, is near the intersection of 100th Avenue and 86th Street. “We’re look ing at having office buildings, apartments…there’s so much opportunity here, so I am pretty excited,” said Askoty. “We can now start moving for ward for community involve ment, economic prosperity, and to work with our other First Nations communities al ready in Fort St. John.”

There are 288 members in the Prophet River First Nation with close to half living off-re serve; not all, however, live in Fort St. John.

City gathers for reconciliation

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

As if on cue, a morning fog burned off and the sun started shining last Friday as hundreds gathered at Centennial Park to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Fort St. John.

Rows upon rows of residents dressed in orange and walked through the streets, a show of solidarity to acknowledge the trauma Indigenous people suf fered in Canada’s residential school system of the 1800s and 1900s, and the lasting genera tional impacts still being felt today.

“Today’s orange shirt day, and they say that it’s honouring all the children that never made it home, and the surviv ors and the children of surviv ors,” said Connie Greyeyes of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, who led off today’s event. “But it’s so much more than wearing an orange shirt. It’s actually changing that mindset that many Canadians have regarding residential schools and their thoughts on it.”

The significance of this day, Sept. 30, traces back to Phyl lis Jack Webstad’s first day at the the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School near Wil liams Lake in the 1970s. She recounted, at the age of six, where she was stripped of her clothes, including a brand new orange t-shirt given to her by her grandmother. It was never returned.

Generations of Indigenous children attended residen tial schools in Canada, where many suffered horrifying ac counts of physical and even sexual abuse. The last school closed in 1996.

Last year, following the dis covery of several suspected unmarked grave sites at for mer residential schools across the country, the federal gov ernment declared Sept. 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; the day set aside to not only reflect on the impact residential schools had on a culture of children, but to learn from history.

“I can’t tell you how aggra vating and disgusting it is to be tagged in social media posts, where somebody has said, ‘Oh, but they got to go to school, and they got to go and stay in this place, and they got fed’, not wanting to acknowledge the atrocities that Canada and the churches have inflicted on indigenous people in these lands for for generations,” said Greyeyes.

“At the beginning of Sep tember, I often look at my so cial media and I see all of my friends posting, dropping their kids off at school, and taking their pictures and their new clothes,” she added. “So happy, you know: here’s kindergarten. Here’s grade one, here’s grade two.”

“Be mindful next September, and keeping your hearts with those families that didn’t have that opportunity to raise their children, that didn’t get those

first day of school photos, that didn’t get to go pick them up after school and bring them home to their families.”

Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman challenged resi dents to go out and inform and educate at least five people about the legacy of residential schools, and to bring them out to next year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“It’s an opportunity for us as treaty people to learn and understand what has hap pened over the years in Can ada,” Ackerman said. “The information is there, it’s not hard to find. You can start by reading the Indian Act and go ing into the national archives and seeing all of the informa tion that’s there.”

Friday’s event also included an opening prayer and songs from the Doig River Drum mers, as well as a community barbecue.

Later that evening, the Tay lor Community Hall played host to a round dance, which also included a tea dance and feast.

“Despite all the history, we’re so happy that all the people can come together as we are today, and support one another to move forward,” said Garry Oker, a councillor for the Doig River First Nation.

“We move forward with the support of community, and each one of us to be the best example we can be because of what happened in the past.” — with files from Dave Lueneberg

Search continues for new shelter

From the front page

“I believe the construction community has attempted to take a look at the situation. I think if our staff were to just put the feelers out there, they’d bring back the pertinent infor mation,” Ackerman said.

“We not only need to know but they need to know if we’re going to pull out of our pound keeper agreement after this many years of funding,” added Bolin. “That’s monumental to their operation. I think the tim ing of this is huge right now.”

A motion was made and passed for staff to delve further into the matter and return back with a report. It might be an entirely new council, though, that looks at a potential solu tion. The current council will only meet once more before next month’s municipal elec tion, unless a special meeting is called.

SPCA RESPONDS

The B.C. SPCA says it has ex plored at least seven different sites to get an animal shelter re-established in Fort St. John.

In a statement, the agency

says it’s been challenged find ing a location that meets both community needs as well as national standards.

“We are all anxious to get something in place as soon as possible, but we don’t want to go for a ‘quick fix’ that won’t be in the best interests of the community animals we serve,” said Adrienne McBride senior director of community animal centres for the B.C. SPCA, in a release.

“We are still exploring sites and are hoping to have a shortterm location in place rela tively soon with the goal of transitioning into a permanent new home.”

The current SPCA shelter on 82 Avenue was closed in March due to structural issues, with the ongoing closure the subject of a council discussion on Monday about the future of animal pound keeping and sheltering services in the city.

Since the shelter closed, McBride says the local SPCA has still helped more than 260 animals in North Peace re gion, including 150 strays, with

the help of the Dawson Creek branch, local vet clinics and foster families, and other prov incial outreach and transfer programs.

Some viable options have been investigated for office space and for the care of cats, “but the challenge has been finding a space that will also be suitable for dogs.”

McBride says requirements under the Canadian Standards of Care for animal shelters in clude biosecurity standards, as well as adequate ventila tion and space for animals to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.

“We are absolutely commit ted to this community and to continuing our programs and services for animals in need,” said McBride.

“We have been actively working with local real estate experts to identify a site where we can relocate SPCA services, exploring both lease and leaseto-own options as we assess how we can best serve North Peace animals and pet guard ians, now and in the future.”

SUPPLIED PHOTO

All smiles and all the right words for Wendy Clayson in Kamloops.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Fort St. John, Sept. 30, 2022.

Trevor Bolin seeking fifth council term

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Like many candidates running in the upcoming municipal elections, Trevor Bolin wanted to help shape Fort St. John’s future when he first stepped forward in 2008.

“I was young. My wife and I had just had our first son,” explained Bolin.

“There were some tax increases being planned. They were looking at putting up business taxes any where around 13 to 16 per cent.”

For Bolin, it was something he wasn’t comfortable with.

“Fort St. John has certainly seen its struggles over the years, but anything we can do to help busi nesses to survive and thrive…to help families to flourish and put down roots should be what our job is.”

“Honestly, at that point in time it was put up, shut up, or stand up.”

Born and raised in Fort St. John, the married father of two teenaged boys, is looking to being re-elected to his fifth term.

“We’ve made huge headway, and I would love to say that we’re done and I’m not going to run again…focus on some other things

in my life, but we’re not there yet, we’re not done yet.”

Included in the things he’d like to continue to work on, if elected – the new RCMP detachment and new pool or recreation centre, whichever is chosen.

“If we would have been able to get these things done I probably would have wrapped it up after four terms, but I want to see these projects to completion.”

Even with a pandemic now be

hind us and economic downturns, Bolin calls the city resilient and loves the fact the community sticks together through the tough times, using this analogy: “The people here will give you the shirt off the back even it’s minus 20 and that’s all they’ve got. If they can help you, they will.”

Bolin is one of 10 names on the ballot for city councillor in Fort St. John. Advanced polls are Oct. 5 and 12. Election day is Oct. 15.

Project Heavy Duty seeks support for restart

A popular high school program giv ing Fort St. John students real world work experience in heavy duty con struction is looking to dig back into the dirt post-pandemic.

Jeff Mayer has taken over Project Heavy Duty at North Peace Second ary from retiring program co-ordin ator Richard Koop.

Mayer says he’s starting from scratch, looking for potential work site partners and sponsors to get the program up and running for the spring. “It’s pretty exciting,” he says. “It’s a big learning curve.”

The program began in 2002 and

is technically going into its 18th year, the last two years lost to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In recent years, students have cleared and prepped land for the new Ma Murray school and the new Canadian Tire development on Old Fort Road.

The week-long program each May gives students behind-the-wheel experience working with excav ators, rock trucks, graders, packers, and other heavy equipment. Safety and machine maintenance lessons are also part of the learning. “It’s been a really big community event

for a long time,” says Mayer. “People donate equipment, machinery, fuel, the whole nine yards.”

There are just 15 spots for stu dents, who have to apply to the program with a cover letter and ref erences, just like they would have to do in the real world.

“There’s pent up demand,” says Mayer. “I’ve got a lot of kids inter ested in this program.”

Businesses interested in sup porting the program can email Mayer at jmayer@prn.bc.ca, or call him at the school, 250-785-4429 ext. 323.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Trevor Bolin is putting his name forward for city councillor in Fort St. John for a fifth time since 2008.

a

the scale of so many things,” added hospital foundation executive director Kelly Amboe. “The community is active again. Everybody’s out participating in activities. With businesses going back to normal, they’re able to make donations like this.”

New managing airport director

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The North Peace Regional Airport has introduced its new managing director. Carolyn Turner will take on the role left vacant with the departure of Mike Karsseboom.

“I am pleased to be joining the team and North Peace community in this role,” said Turner. “I look forward to continuing the development of YXJ as a progressive facility that offers great flight

options through our carriers, including sun charters, by growing our commercial and

general aviation traffic, and providing more food and beverage options in the terminal as demand for travel ramps up again.”

Turner began in aviation with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Since then, she earned pilot licenses to fly gliders, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

She’s also no stranger to the north having worked in the Air Operations section of the Yukon Government’s Wildland Fire Management brigade.

Carolyn Turner

Notice

Date:

What:

DorispassedawaypeacefullyattheGrandePrairieRegional HospitalonWednesday,September21st,attheageof92. ShewasbornattheGraceHospitalinCalgary,Alberta,to Danishimmigrantparents,HjalmarandSigridStoyberg.She wasabelovedsister,mother,grandmother,great− grandmother,auntyandfriend.Shewaspredeceasedbyher daughterDevonneCatherineNorman,youngersisterDagney, husbandWalterJohnson,youngerbrotherElmerandhis wife,ElsieStoyberg.Sheissurvivedbyheryoungersister Tova(Dewey)Lodewyk;youngerbrotherBrian(Donna) Stoyberg;sonsKim(Marnie)Sorensen,Danny(Gayle) SorensenandPerrySorensen;grandchildrenErica(Matt) Crowther,Lief(Emily)Sorensen,Axel(Heather)Sorensen, Christopher(Melissa)Sorensen,Jodie(Joe)Atkinson,Stacy (Liam)Cosgrove,Sasha(Randy)Dorscheid,Danica(Jared) Friesen,RyanSorensen,TaylorSorensenandChristian Sorensen;andseventeengreat−grandchildren.

Dorishasbeeninvolvedwithfarmingherwholelifeandlater workedasaJusticeofthePeaceandadeputycourtclerkin GrandePrairiebeforeretiringat65yearsofagein1995.

Doris’spassionhasalwaysbeenherhorses,buthergreatest joywasteachinghergrandkidsabouthorses.Doriswasa teacher!Shewouldridewithanyonewhohadthetime,but shewasmostpassionateaboutteachinghergrandkidsand anyoneinterestedinthefinerpointsofridinghorsesor competinginhorseshows.Shesupportedherfamiliesin theirmanyeffortsinthering,andtheyweresuccessfulin mostcompetitionstheyentered.

ShelovedtheDanishcultureandcooking,especiallythe DanishSmorgasbord.Shelovedhergarden,pickingberries, picklingandquilting.Shebroughtwarmthtoeveryroomshe everentered−shewaslovedandrespectedbyeveryone.She willbemissedandlovinglyrememberedforever!

Ourfamilywouldliketoacknowledgetheincrediblecare Dorisreceivedfromherdoctor,Dr.Pope,thestaffatthe MacKenziePlaceCareFacilityandthenursesatthe emergencydepartmentatthenewGrandePrairieRegional Hospital.Mymomwouldwantustopassonherheartfelt thankyoutoallofthem.

AcelebrationoflifewillbeheldatOliversFuneralHomein GrandePrairieonFriday,October28th,at2PM.Inlieuof flowers,pleasedonate,inhername,tothecharityofyour choice.

ASSENT VOTING

The Peace River Regional District will be seeking elector assent from residents living in all communities in the region, regardless of which local government election they vote in, both municipal and rural, for four proposed regional services. Formal notices regarding these assent voting opportunities have been published in local papers and may be viewed on the PRRD website –please review the information about these services prior to attending the voting place. ALL eligible voters, whether they live in a town or city, or in the country, are able to vote on the assent voting questions, even if the mayor, councillor, or electoral area director in their area was acclaimed.

Sports and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service Regional Connectivity Service

SCAN ME:

VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS

GENERAL VOTING will be open to quali ed electors of the District of Taylor on: Saturday, October 15, 2022 between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at the following locations:

Voting Places 1.District of Taylor Location Taylor Community Hall Address 9896 Cherry Avenue West

ADVANCE VOTING will be held as follows: Wednesday, October 5, 2022 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Taylor Community Hall 9896 Cherry Avenue West, Taylor, BC

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

RESIDENT ELECTORS:

To register as a resident elector

must:

18 years of age or older on general voting day;

be a Canadian citizen;

be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately

the day of registration (at time of voting);

be a resident of the District of Taylor on the day of registration (at time of voting); and

not be disquali ed under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from

in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disquali ed by law.

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:

To register as a non-resident property elector you must:

be 18 years of age or older on general voting day; • be a Canadian citizen;

• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

• be a registered owner of real property in the District of Taylor for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

• not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and

• not be disquali ed under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disquali ed by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors:

• The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.

• If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

In addition, in order to register at time of voting:

To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature). Picture identi cation is not necessary. The identi cation must prove both residency and identity.

To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identi cation (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the other property owners.

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