ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A6 | NEWS | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020
Peace Island Park plans to be redrafted Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
COASTAL GASLINK
Coastal GasLink pipeline route clearing in the McLeod Lake area.
Pipeline route nearly cleared Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Clearing for the first two spreads of Coastal GasLink pipeline construction through the Peace region is nearly complete. The Surerus Murphy Joint Venture is building the first two sections of the pipeline. The right-of-way for the first 92 kilometres to the Brule Mines area is 86% cleared, while the right-of-way for the next 48 kilometres to the McLeod Lake area is 76% cleared. There have been 73 kilometres of pipe stockpiled to date for the two spreads, and pipe hauling will continue as crews ready for installation this summer, the company reported May 21. Ongoing road maintenance and bridge upgrades, and environmental monitoring continues. “A key focus for the nearterm is managing erosion and sediment control to protect local waterways from potential run-off, and planning
for additional site preparation activities,” the company said. The Sukunka Lodge is temporarily closed for spring break-up, while development of the Chetwynd work camp site will resume in June. The company says it is working with Northern Healh and its contractors to implement enhanced health screening measures for its workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “As spring thaw comes to an end, we are preparing for a slow and steady increase in activities leading up to our summer construction program,” the company said. “Towards the end of May, we anticipate workforce numbers to gradually increase to approximately 650 workers – including those from local areas – with work focused on environmental monitoring and field work, grading, grubbing and site preparation to position the project for pipe assembly and installation later in the summer.”
District of Taylor councillors want more details on what it will take and what it will cost to fully reopen Peace Island Park to campers this year. Council met May 19 to review a proposed plan to open the park June 1 to RVs only to limit the spread of COVID-19. The plan proposed to open 22 sites with no public washrooms or other facilities, and the potential to reopen more sites if campers followed the rules. But council agreed that opening the park to full capacity is key to recovering the costs to operate it. The District has budgeted $188,600 for the park this year. “This is going to be, for me, about cost recovery, whether it be achieved. If it can’t be achieved, then why are we opening the park?” said Coun. Brent Taillefer. “If we can’t do it safely, or if it’s going to be hard for the caretakers to police it, and we’re not going to recover the money from it, then why open it?” Mayor Rob Fraser agreed, and said he wasn’t willing to open the park with the proposed limits. “It’s too much money for the results that we get out of it,” Fraser said. “I just want to know what it’s going to cost us to operate fully, with some basic restrictions.” Council agreed that campsites are spread far enough apart to allow for social distancing, and that restrictions can be put in place to limit the number of units and campers per site. Campers could also be limited to one family at the group sites if they were to open, they said. However, the pavilion will remain closed for the season
due to a ban on mass gatherings, and the park will not be open for group events, including weddings, reunions, and grad celebrations. “We would be in a better position to cost recover and make it worthwhile rather than just shutting it down and closing it entirely for the rest of the year,” Fraser said. “If we can’t come up with a reason to do it to where we’re actually recovering some costs, and we can do it safely, then there’s not much sense in doing it.” A key concern for park caretakers Adam and Nancy Ragan is maintaining the regular sanitization of park washrooms, which were proposed to stay closed for the season. Up to five extra employees would be needed to clean them more often throughout the day, they said, and sanitizer has been difficult to due to shortages. Crowd control and enforcement is also a concern, especially when campers have been drinking and are belligerent. And monitoring the hundreds of day users who would use the park would be much more difficult, they said. “The problem is a lot of people are very frustrated. They’re very stir crazy right now because they’ve been pinned down with this for long already. It’s not like going to Walmart to pick up 15 items on your grocery list and go home,” said Adam Ragan. “These guys are coming here to let loose, unwind, forget about COVID-19, and have a few drinks around the fire. Once they get a few drinks in, then they’re like, ‘Let’s call our buddies up, it’s not a big deal, there’s only two of three of them,’ and that’s how it does progress.
I’ve had to deal with many, many, many altercations. I don’t want to, but it will happen because people are people.” “How much do we police or monitor, and how much do we (say) you know what, it would be better to just leave it alone, let them break the rules, so our safety is first?” Ragan added. Council and caretakers agreed there would need to be a zero-tolerance policy, and that campers would face a summer-long ban for breaking the rules. “If they don’t like the rules, they don’t have to camp there, and they can go somewhere else,” Ragan said. “Whereas the people that say, ‘Hey, makes sense, let’s enjoy the park,’ I dont think we’ll have a problem with any of them.” Council directed parks staff and caretakers to draft a new opening plan for consideration, that takes into account campsite monitoring, and the costs to safely clean washrooms and collect garbage. Council also wants a legal opinion on whether park playgrounds should be opened, and what the District’s liability would be if a child were to knowingly contract the COVID virus at the park. The plan also proposed to limit campers to B.C. residents only, and require them to provide their recent travel history. Buildings including the pavilion and Old Fort would stay closed, while picnic tables were also proposed to be removed from all sites. All sites would be disinfected after checkout. “I would love to see the park open to full capacity as much as we can, but keeping everybody’s safety in mind,” said Coun. Michelle Turnbull.
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ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A8 | NEWS | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020
Tax bills in the mail The City of Fort St. John says property tax bills are in the mail. Municipal tax rates have been kept at 2019 levels. Average home assessments dropped 2% this year, meaning most homeowners will pay less taxes this year, unless their property values increased. Residential property owners will pay $4.86 per
$1,000 of assessed value to the city. For their share of taxes for the Peace River Regional District, including the regional hospital district and other services, residents will pay a combined $1.19 per $1,000; and $0.21 for BC Transit. Businesses will pay $13.67 to the city, $2.92 to the regional district, and $0.53 to BC Transit. Major industry will pay $26.97 to the city, $4.06 to the regional district, and $0.73 to BC Transit.
Light industry will pay $24.64 to the city, $4.06 to the regional district, and $0.73 to BC Transit. Farms will pay $1.45 to the city, $1.19 to the regional district, and $0.21 to BC Transit. Taxes remain due on July 2, however, the 10% late penalty fee will not be applied until Oct. 1 for any unpaid taxes. The city says it will collect $493,358 less in taxes this year than what was budgeted due to the drop in assessments and the cancelled 1.25% tax increase.
No Pride walk this year There will be no Pride walk and festival in Fort St. John this year, but organizers say they are making alternative plans to celebrate. City council proclaimed May 31 to June 6 as Pride Week. In a letter to council, North Peace Pride Society treasurer Don McMillan says this year’s public festivities are being cancelled due to
COVID-related restrictions, but there are plans to return to Centennial Park in June 2021. The Society is exploring its options to hold a drive-by parade for June 6, and looking to host a dance at the curling club on Sept. 12, if circumstances permit. “The Pride Society appreciates the continued support by City Council, as 2020 marks the fifth anniversary of the North Peace Pride Society. We are proud to call Fort St John our home,” McMillan writes.
BOREAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Reg Whiten checking on the Moberly Lake orchard.
Food, ecology projects planned Tom Summer tsummer@ahnfsj.ca Moberly Lake’s Boreal Centre for Sustainability is looking for innovative people and organizations to partner with for a series of local food production and ecology demonstrative projects. The centre celebrates 20 years this summer, having been founded by local agrologist Reg Whiten in 2000 in order to protect the watershed. “Over the last few years, we’ve continued to promote the idea of homebased green living where people can grow food and save energy,” said Whiten, noting food security has become hot topic in the wake of COVID-19. Community resilience is a core theme of the centre this year, says Whiten, adding they’re still in the planning phase with a University of Victoria student being hired to help facilitate the projects and partnerships. “People can do the research, but it’s sure nice to have it packaged up,”
said Whiten, adding that sharing local agricultural knowledge is also a huge focus. Orchards are being planned in Moberly Lake, with a variety of fruits, including cherries, plums, pears, and haskap berries. “It’s a bit of research effort, but the idea is to show people what’s possible to be cultivated,” said Whiten, noting the trees are provided through local nurseries. Previous projects included the creation of edible landscapes, by planting Saskatoon, Elderberry, and Skunk Currant near Moberly’s welcome sign by West Centennial. Medicine Woman Creek was also transformed into an interpretative trail with signs educating users on wild edible and medicinal plants. Plants are named in English, Cree, and Latin, accompanied by identifying pictures. More signage is planned to go up this summer, says Whiten. “It’s amazing the number of plants that people might overlook or call weeds,” said Whiten.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 | NEWS | A11
SENIORS HALL Remembering Ruth
RUBY MCBETH PHOTO
Grandson Benaiah on the electric bike.
When I read that Ruth Edwards had passed away, I was sad but happy to have known her. Ruth played floor curling at the seniors’ club. Like me, she played lead but for a different reason. I played lead because I was a beginner; Ruth was an accomplished player who played lead because she was visually impaired. Ruth was a cheerful lady. Her family did not live in Fort St. John, but Donna Butts filled in acting as a daughter to Ruth. Donna told me that even when Ruth’s health was deteriorating badly, she was still able to get a giggle out of her. Ruth set a good example on how to live well – even into your 90s. We will miss you Ruth.
Bicycles
Bolder
It finally arrived — our electric bicycle. We missed the delivery fellow the first time so we had to stay home all day the next Tuesday to be sure to be there when it arrived. We got him to put the big box in the garage and the next day our grandsons assembled the bike. Lorne and the kids tried it out and they all said it felt weird to use the electrical assistance. You can turn off the electricity and when you turn it on you have to peddle to make it work. I guess that is what makes it seem strange. I have to take a ride on it as the plan is to buy a second one for me if I like it. It has very wide tires, a headlamp, and a reflector on the back. Our grandson Melvin cautioned me not to ride through water. Hmm, I guess not.
I have started reading the book Bolder: Making the Most of Our Longer Lives. Chapter 3, called ‘Old Dogs, New Tricks’, talks about creativity. The author Carl Honoré says that while creativity after 40 may be a different style it can keep improving with age. This rings true as I know artists and writers whose work has blossomed as they aged. Honoré suggests that we can help ourselves by looking for challenges. He wants us to test the limits – to not avoid what makes us uncomfortable. Allow yourself to coast and you will lose out. Quote of the week “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” — J. M. Barrie — Ruby McBeth
What does it mean to be a Grizzly? — Part Two continued Gryphon Talbot - basketball High School sports are an absolute privilege to be a part of, more so being a Grizzly. Being a Grizzly is to wake up every morning with that fire and drive within, that every athlete knows and uses to improve their craft. It also means you compete to the best of your abilities, push your teammates whenever you can and of course enjoy the moment. I’ve created unforgettable memories and strong bonds with plenty of people in our community through sports with North Peace and I’m excited to build upon them. The life lessons one can learn participating in sports are so valuable and it’s an honour learning them as a Grizzly. 2021 Provincials here we come. It’s Grizzly Season. Haeli Ziegler - basketball Being a Grizzly is so much
more than just putting on a jersey and representing our school. It means that you are consistently trying to be better than you were yesterday. Being a Grizzly has given me the drive to want to improve and continually push myself to achieve my goals. Each and every coach I have had as a Grizzly has given me their guidance and support to be a better player and person on and off the court. You never will forget the relationships you make with your teammates and coaches. It means being a part of a family and creating everlasting bonds that you will cherish forever. A few months ago, our senior girls basketball team was playing our last game out of 3 to be able to move on to Provincials. We lost. We were all so disappointed because every single one of us was looking forward to playing some of the best teams in BC, but as Grizzlies we don’t focus on the fact that we lost. We focus on
what we can do next time to be better. Grizzlies win as a team, lose as a team, cry as a team and laugh as a team. We are a family with drive and determination to be the best version of ourselves possible. I am proud to be a part of the Grizzlies family and play on a team representing our school, my two years being a part of this has truly made a tremendous impact on me. It has changed me for the better. It has made me work hard at improving my skills and has made me want to try to get better and better every day. It makes me want to always be the best version of myself I can be whether that is on the court, in the gym or just in everyday life. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to be a part of this family and I can’t wait till I can get in the gym and begin my last season as a Grizzly.
SUPPLIED PHOTO
Haeli Ziegler, centre, with her NPSS basketball teammates during a tournament earlier in the 2019-20 NPSS basketball season. Ziegler said being a Grizzly means “creating — Sam Stackhouse everlasting bonds that you will cherish forever.”