Burns Lake Lakes District News, March 07, 2012 by Black Press Media Group

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

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Volume 92 - No. 10

Don’t forget on Saturday night you have to set your clocks ahead one hour!

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REBECCA BILLARD District of Mackenzie municipal representatives dished up some advice to the Village of Burns Lake mayor and council during a special meeting of council recently. Mackenzie Mayor, Stephanie Killam, chief administrative officer, Mark Fercho, councillor Pat Crook and economic development officer Diane Smith arrived in Burns Lake to offer some suggestions on how their community coped with the temporary loss of a Canfor mill in June 2008. The sawmill was the last large forest products operation remaining in the town of 4,500 and more than 200 workers were laid off indefinitely as a result. This was also on the heels of two other sawmills owned by Abitibi-Bowater, a paper mill and a Pope and Talbot pulp mill closing in the area within a period of six months, putting more than 1,000 members of Mackenzie's workforce out of work. A total of

300 loggers were also affected by the industry closures. However in July 2009 as a result of growing demand from across the Pacific, Canfor reopened the Mackenzie mill To help, the District of Mackenzie offered the mill a tax reduction saving the company $100,000 a year. The province also lowered the price of fibre after finding anomalies in the inputs into its stumpage formulations. Jobs Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell said at the time, the reductions were in line with requirements of the Canada U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement. Then, in April 2010 it was announced that Netherlands based Paper Excellence B.V., a unit of Indonesia's Sinar Mas Group, was to spend up to $40 million to put the pulp mill back into production, restoring more than 200 direct jobs at the mill and employment for more than 300 people in logging and other support services. The pulp mill was officially reopened on Aug. 17, 2010. During the meeting Mayor Luke Strimbold summarized the local recovery projects and initiatives that are underway in Burns Lake following the Jan. 20, 2012 Babine Forest Products explosion and

$1.34 HST inc.

LEDA move out of the Foresty Heritage Centre building. p13

Advice from Mackenzie District of Mackenzie meet with Village of Burns Lake

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Budget silence on hospital Hospital replacement decision could take months REBECCA BILLARD

TAKING A STAND Lakes District Secondary School (LDSS) teachers formed a picket line Monday morning. Also on Friday, LDSS students staged a walkout in support of their teachers. The event turned into a rowdy curb side protest as a fight broke out between some students and there was also reports of kids yelling profanity to drivers passing by. Turn to page 5 for more on teachers strike. Rebecca Billard photos

More on page 7 ...

Public Welcome!

Phone: 250.692.1700 • Fax: 250.692.1750 • Toll Free: 1.866.692.1943 545 Highway 16 West • PO Box 5000, Burns Lake, BC • V0J 1E0 Email: lksdist@cnc.bc.ca • Website: www.cnc.bc.ca/lakesdistrict

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lakes District News

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Speaking from experience

From page 1 ... fire and he thanked the District of Mackenzie for offering their support and advice. According to Mayor Killam, the District of Mackenzie was forced to change their priorities to focus solely on recovery efforts for a long period of time following the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s succession of industry closures. They said municipal staff workloads were doubled as a result, but more staff were not hired. The District of Mackenzie also reduced property taxes by five per cent and then by 10 per cent and the municipality has had a zero per cent tax increase for the last three years to help

ne Forest Products may have and also suggested that council pressure the government to extend the allowable weeks of Employment Insurance assistance for displaced employees. They suggested that council should also review their proposed 2012 budget, predicting the worst case scenario that may face the community and then determine the priority projects that council should proceed with in their budget. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I recommend that council and staff act as a collective unit in the eyes of the public to bring comfort and stability to the community,â&#x20AC;? Mayor Killam said. Representatives also said they thought the situation the village of Burns Lake will face is likely more of a social impact than an economic impact. In response to the statement, Mayor Luke Strimbold later said to Lakes District News, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think a tragedy like this, the loss of jobs and the uncertainty does have social implications. Loss of jobs as well as those now having to leave their family for work will have a social

impact on our community.â&#x20AC;? He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Council is looking at all options that the District of Mackenzie carried out. Council and I found the meeting very beneficial. There was great information provided at the meeting, but more importantly we built a relationship with a strong community that has been successful in working on the impacts of their mill closure. Communication between local governments is key as we move forward. We are working with our staff to make sure they have the support they need as well as making sure that we collaborate to be as efficient as possible,â&#x20AC;? he said adding that if another opportunity arises to meet with the District of Mackenzie Village of Burns Lake council will accept. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will certainly utilize their expertise again. We are very thankful for their offer to come to our community and meet with us to provide support as well as their community and local government experience,â&#x20AC;? Mayor Strimbold added.

ACCORDING TO BROCHEZ...MS. BEERLING SPOKE FOR MAYOR LUKE STRIMBOLD AND SAID THE VILLAGE CANNOT SUPPORT THE SOCIETY AS THEY WOULD BE SEEN TO FAVOUR ONE GROUP OVER ANOTHER

...SEE STORY ON PAGE 11

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3347

MAYOR LUKE STRIMBOLD

local residents cope with job losses. District of Mackenzie management employees also took a voluntary five per cent pay cut, while other staff took a zero per cent pay increase until 2013. They said Mackenzie residents and businesses were all encouraged to shop locally during the downturn, which they said, helped to keep the community afloat. While there was no fund set up similar to the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund, they said they did have organized clothing drives and breakfast and lunch programs at schools. Food drives were also arranged. They said they found the support of a grant writer through the Northern Development Initiative Trust to be useful in obtaining grant funding for community projects, which also helped to employ local residents. A number of suggestions were made to village council by the District of Mackenzie, which included contacting BC Assessment to gauge the effect on local property assessments that the closure of Babi-

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

OPINION

TOM FLETCHER

Indoctrinating our kids Perhaps the single most ridiculous stunt in the lead-up to this week’s teachers’ strike was pulled at an elementary school here

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:

Do you think the province’s initiatives for economic recovery in Burns Lake are going to help? 70% No 30% Yes

CAST YOUR VOTE THIS WEEK:

Do you support the teachers strike action? To vote log on to www.ldnews.net

Lakes District News

REBECCA BILLARD

A little patience is necessary Over the last few weeks, we here at the Lakes District News have received several phone calls from people complaining about the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund. I have heard comments from a number of people who have said they feel that either all the dollars have already been spent, or the money is not being dispersed properly. This is just simply not true. I have since spoken with several members of the temporary committee who have explained the process to me. First and foremost it is entirely necessary to have the funds administered by a society. The temporary committee, who incidentally are all volunteers, are held liable for the way the donations are dispersed. They not only have an obligation to ensure the funds will be dispersed in a fair and appropriate manner, but they have an obligation to the donors to ensure the funds are distributed properly. These funds just cannot be distributed on a first come first serve basis, and it just can’t be a free for all, there has to be some structure and organization. Many people feel that things are not happening fast enough but behind the scenes these volunteers have been working long hours to ensure that things are running like a well oiled machine. To become a society, a lawyer needs to

LAKES DISTRICT

NEWS

be hired, which was done and kindly those hours were also donated by a local lawyer. The forms are then processed through the government. Usually this entire process takes upwards of six months to a year, but because of the situation things have been fast tracked. Currently, no one can touch the money. Money can go into the fund, but cannot come out until the society has been set up and a board of directors has been elected. After which, the temporary committee will no longer be involved in the process. There is a tentative date of March 19 set up for the annual general meeting, in which the board will be elected. This date could be moved up depending on when the society paper work comes through so keep an eye on the Lakes District News or check the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund’s website at www.burnslaketragedyfund.org. Seats on the board are filled by election and are open to everyone. A criteria for the distribution of the funds has also been set up and you can go to the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund’s website to download the forms and see if you qualify. I will again stress that at this point in time, no money has come out of the fund and won’t until the society has been officially set up and directors are in place. The temporary committee are all volunteers who have just been trying to do something good and help our community move forward so go easy on them. For information about the food bank go to page 20 of this paper and again please be patient - volunteers are working as fast as possible.

Distributed every Wednesday in the Lakes District

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in the capital. A teacher gave her Grade 1 class an assignment for anti-bullying day: take crayons in hand and write to Education Minister George Abbott, demanding he stop bullying their teacher and address class size and composition. This North Korea style political indoctrination of six year olds was a mistake, according to the local teachers’ union boss, who vaguely indicated that the unnamed teacher would apologize to parents. Is this self serving abuse of teacher authority an isolated incident? My experience as a parent and journalist suggests it is not and recent events support that. By Friday, students across B.C. were skipping class in solidarity with their teachers, led by budding campus radicals suddenly conversant with B.C. Teachers’ Federation talking points about “Bill 22.” This left wing group think pervades the education system from public schools through taxpayer supported colleges and universities. After a couple of generations of this indoctrination, almost everyone ‘knows’ that government under funding is at the heart of every school problem, standardized testing is an assault on the fragile self esteem of students, and reducing class size is the top priority for improving educational outcomes. All of this is glaringly false union propaganda, reinforced in classroom current affairs discussions. Don’t believe me? Google “Study: Class size doesn’t matter” for the latest on a growing stack of scientific evidence that shows you and your children are being force fed lies. B.C. Teachers’ Federation president Susan Lambert announced the strike on live TV with a remarkable string of rhetoric about the “Orwellian” legislation that will soon put an end to this teach-

er tantrum. The government needs to negotiate “clearly, rationally and respectfully,” said the boss of union representatives who have spent the last year insulting the taxpayers’ negotiators by telling them to “go back to your masters” and get a couple of billion more. Clearly? It was the BCTF that announced its work-to-rule plan for the fall and then took the summer off. It was the BCTF that didn’t even present its outrageous 16-per-cent wage demand until January, a full 10 months after formal negotiations began, and accompanied it with a false costing. Orwellian? At a sparsely attended rally on the legislature lawn, local teachers’ unions marched out their most strident tame trustee to demand the government “come to the table” with billions. One teacher in the crowd held up a large sign adorned with three mug shots: Premier Christy Clark, ex-premier Gordon Campbell and Benito Mussolini, to illustrate a multiple-choice question about “fascism.” This teacher should be assigned to write an essay about the Italian dictator’s formative years, and his schooling in particular. In Vancouver, a protesting teacher got big media play, holding up a sign proclaiming that “it’s not about a wage increase, it’s about classroom conditions.” This too is a lie. The BCTF trotted out its standard “children first” rhetoric, then tabled its breathtakingly out-of-touch benefit demands. It doesn’t take a math teacher to see what its $2 billion wage and benefit fantasy would actually do to classroom conditions. For his part, Abbott started out pretty keen about students and parents heading down to occupy their local school and replace striking teachers with volunteers for a couple of days. But he changed his tune after the support staff union started grumbling about parents colouring too close to their craft lines. One fight at a time, I guess. The next one will be over teacher performance assessment and the choke-hold of union seniority on school jobs. Tom Fletcher is legislative reporter and columnist for Black Press and BCLocalnews.comtfletcher@blackpress.ca

PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING: LAURA BLACKWELL EDITOR: REBECCA BILLARD LEGISLATIVE REPORTER BLACK PRESS: TOM FLETCHER OFFICE MANAGER: KIM PIPER PRODUCTION MANAGER: ANNAMARIE DOUGLAS CONTRIBUTOR: HUGH NEAVE BC Press Council - Lakes District News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

School District 91 teachers walk off the job this week Teachers to return to their classrooms tomorrow REBECCA BILLARD The B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) has served strike notice for March 6, 2012 after teachers endorsed the option in a province wide vote. Following the strike notice, Charlene Seguin, superintendent of School District 91 announced that all teachers will not be reporting for duty at School District 91 schools from Monday to Wednesday this week, with classes scheduled to resume tomorrow. Seguin said, "Based on the rules established

by the B.C. Labour Re- this strike will be con- to impose a cooling-off lations Board this with- cluded quickly so that period the end of Audrawal of services is ex- school operations can gust and impose heavy pected to run for three resume as soon as pos- fines on the union and days next week. sible. its members for strikes School will resume Last week the B.C. during that time. on March 8, 2012." government began a Nearly 9,000 teachDuring the strike debate on legislation ers did not vote and Seguin said that School that would extend the more than 10 per cent District 91 schools will current teacher pay and [or 4,263] voted against remain strike o p e n PRESIDENT USAN AMBERT action. but she A b advised HAS DISMISSED THE LEGISLATION TO bott and parents WORK WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT S Premier to keep Christy t h e i r TWO YEAR NET ZERO WAGE MANDATE C l a r k children would AS BULLYING TACTICS at home. n o t "Because teachers benefits for another six specify how long the will not be in schools months, while a me- government would wait we will be unable to diator works with the before passing that legprovide students with BCTF and the B.C. islation. instruction or normal Public School EmployClark said she wants safe levels of supervi- ers Association in an to give the union time sion.” effort to find common to climb down from the “Buses will not ground on class sizes, cliff after seven months be running, children special needs support of teach only strike acshould be kept at home and other issues. tion. and parents should plan Nearly 28,000 BCTF As reported in the for alternate care as members voted yes to Lakes District News needed," she said. the strike option out of edition of Sept. 6, 2011, Sequin said that it is the 32,209 who voted, as part of the teach only the sincere hope of the after the B.C. govern- strike action, teachers board of education that ment tabled legislation have not be filling out

BCTF

“ S

’

report cards, meeting parents for interviews, providing recess or lunch hour supervision, collecting money for fundraising activities or attending meetings with the principal. BCTF president Susan Lambert has dismissed the legislation and restrictions on mediation to work within the government's twoyear "net zero" wage mandate as "bullying tactics." She said an extra $30 million fund for special needs support this year, on top of more than $800 million currently budgeted, is a crumb that won't even cover inflation. "The results of our province wide vote are strong evidence of the unity and determination of BCTF members in rejecting this government's provocative and damaging legislation," Lambert said. With files from Tom Fletcher

“A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR REGION” 37, 3RD Avenue, PH: 250-692-3195 PO Box 820, TF: 800-320-3339 Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0 FX: 250-692-3305 www.rdbn.bc.ca E-MAIL:inquiries@rdbn.bc.ca

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

LETTERS

Lakes District News

I am fed up with the favouritism

Editor: I live in Burns Lake and first of all I want to say it's a tragedy what happened at the Babine Forest Products sawmill, however upon speaking with other residents, we are all coming to the same conclusion. I am fed up at the favouritism being

shown. I am a struggling individual that is also in great financial difficulty who has lost my job and have had to wait 12 weeks for my employment insurance. No one has given me any help with any assistance.

I have many skills that apply to the local job market with excellent references but Babine Forest Products workers are all being given priority. People seem to forget that this tragedy affects the community as a whole and not only just the Babine Forest Products workers.

Has the town come forward and assisted the others that are struggling with aid and food that have also lost there job through no fault of their own. Are our financial status any less important? T. Potter

Disappointed about Support our society the changes made

Have an Opinion? Write to the Editor! Letters should be brief and to the point, with a maximum of 300 words. We reserve the right to withhold from print any letters which may be libelous, racist or sexist, and may edit for brevity and clarity. Letters MUST include the signature of the letter writer, a mailing address and a phone number. Only the name will be reproduced in the newspaper. Send letters to: The Editor, Lakes District News, Box 309, Burns Lake, BC, V0J 1E0. Fax to 250-692-3685 or email to newsroom@ ldnews.net

Editor: As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Feb. 29, 2012, As a former member of the Lakes District Health Advisory Committee, I wanted to discuss the recent change made by the Village of Burns Lake to the committee. It was disappointing to find out that the Lakes District Health Advisory Committee had been dissolved and rolled over into the health network before our meeting was even held. It was disheartening to realize that the new health network will move away from using committed volunteers and instead will ask employers to allow their employees to attend meetings during the work day. The Lakes District Health Advisory Committee had many committed volunteers who had worked to improve

health care in our area when our hospital boards were lost. Two members of the committee have worked for over eight years each. Along with other members, they were instrumental in organizing the health forum held at the Island Gospel Church last March. A a sub committee of the Lakes District Health Advisory Committee started a process to create a second, community owned, not for profit medical clinic. Members volunteered with the hospital auxiliary to provide a morale booster for hospital staff. With this new change, I thought it important to point out the work done by the Lakes District Health Advisory Committee in our community and for our community. Paula Van Tine

Editor: Come on Burns Lake. It is time to get behind a great thing happening right here in our own community. For the last 11 months, local volunteers have been tirelessly working to create another medical clinic in our area. But this clinic will be special, it will be owned by the community and it will work to make sure that our health is in our own hands.

With 21 century technology, the doctors will keep records electronically, receive lab and x-ray information digitally and will be able to set up teleconferences with specialists all over the province. Northern Health is on board, having written a strong letter of support for the not-for-profit, community owned clinic. Our local MLA, John Rustad has also ex-

pressed strong support. All we need is support from our own village council and from our own community. Call the village and let our mayor and council know that you support an initiative that already has one new doctor coming. Call our MLA and congratulate him on supporting such a good cause. Paula Van Tine

A great safety initiative Editor: Road safety is always a big issue for people so anything the government can do that increases road safety is obviously a good

thing and something we should be looking at. That’s why I was excited to hear about a new kind of reflective material being used on some of the province’s

roads to make traffic lines on roads easier to see. I think this should be used everywhere in B.C. Lesley Bates, Courtenay, B.C.

VIEWPOINT BY HUGH NEAVE

Looking out on the lake for the last 72 years

Seems every day we seem to get a bit more snow, we just get our hill cleared off so we can go up and own and another dump of snow. Good for the fields I would guess. March can be a nasty month on the prairie we used to start lambing in March. And we would get some warmer weather but some bad besides. Mother had a great big cook stove and huge oven and lots of times when the lambs would get cold we would lay them on this big oven door on a blanket until they warmed up. Some times there would be a box of little pigs on the oven door to warm up. Once or

twice there would be a half frozen calf or a colt maybe. Lots of the ranch ladies would have a cold calf or colt or lamb on her oven door to thaw them out. Hats off to these old time ladies and some of the hardships they had to go through. And of lots of them no running water and it had to be carried from an outside well. Farewell service On Saturday last there was a farewell service held at the Island Gospel church for the late Innes Short. Innes was what you would call the backbone of the Lakes District. He was known far and wide for his great knowledge of ranching and raising cattle. He had been at it most all his life. He knew it and did it well. Whatever Innes did he always did it well, what a credit he was to his family with wonderful memories he has left behind him. Innes will be missed by his family so much and also so many friends he had

made through his many years in this district. Old cowboys never die, they just ride into the sunset and wait there for us to catch up. (This is not one of my quotes). Otters Folks are reporting seeing the otters swimming in the lake. Yesterday one was on an ice flow enjoying itself. There are two adult and a younger one. They sure must have a warm coat to stand the cold water. They are in and out all the time. Makes me cold just to watch them. Bennett buggy If the price of fuel goes as high it has been predicted folks may have to do what folks during the depression had to do, and this is gospel truth. Strip the body off the auto, drop the drive line, remove the motor and weld a long tongue on the steering and hook on a team of horses. They were called Bennett buggies, named after R. B. Bennett who at that time was prime minister so he got the blame for the depression so to

honour him they called his horse drawn vehicle the bennett buggy. Our dad made a dandy one. Got an old car, as our car like many others was on blocks, no money no gas. Tore it down and built a frame of lumber, put on two seats and it was a bennett buggy. The wheels were the same size as our car so he took the tires off the car and mounted them on the buggy. After we could afford to drive the car again dad put the car ties back on and put tires on the buggy. In fact it was so handy we brought it to B.C. with us. As the first thing taken off the old cars was the gas tank, it left old gas tanks all over the country. One smart old boy took the motor out of his car, mounted it on a skid and used it to run his buzz saw for cutting wood. He used it for years. Good friends Once more I am very thankful and grateful to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation for bringing me another load of wood.

It’s such a nice load all split and piled for me. The whole band has been very kind to me and I really do appreciate it. Thank you all again, you are good friends. Good news It’s good news on the front page of our local paper and I quote “Welcome home reception for Babine Forest Products worker Derek MacDonald.” This is great news. Time is a wonderful healer and no doubt as time goes on things will get back to normal. This has been a terrible blow to our district. But we must look ahead and instead of looking back look into the future with hope. The good news is our food bank is responding to local needs and are doubling its operating hours to keep up. This food bank is a godsend to so many families who are in need. Time flies as it’s over ten years now helping folks in need. It’s open to anyone so don’t hesitate to pick up some food that has been so gener-

ously donated. It’s there for you. I have some friends who picked up a box of groceries the other day and they really did appreciate it. The box contained a very nice variety of food stuff. A big thanks to the volunteers who give their time and energy.I understand they can use more help. Sad news I am very sorry to hear of the accidental shooting causing the death of Carol Anne Sandercott. She was a very good friend of our family. She worked in the Burns Lake bank for many years. Carol was well known and liked. Wonderful memories I have a room upstairs which at one time was our boys bedroom. It looks over the lake and everyday something different happen out in the lake. I have looked out over the lake now for over a lifetime, 72 years now. There have been so many changes some good and some not so good. I have seen trag-

edy many times and also many wonderful things as well. Like loving the most precious lady in the world for over 60 years. Raising a family and enjoying living, making so many wonderful friends who have stayed as friends for a lifetime. I would not change my life even it I could. Yes, I have made mistakes no doubt many but I have forgiven myself. Why not? It will be a very sad day for me when I have to leave the lake, but time waits for no man. And these wonderful memories I have will stay with me for as long as I live. The folks that ready my column every week are more like family than readers. You have all been great. Take care have a safe week, the life you save could be our own so slow down and enjoy the drive, what’s five minutes in the rest of your life. Always remember God loves you and so do I.

Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net Check us out online...

Unsustainable tax rates discussed From page 1 ... 2011 the province had requested that Northern Health choose just one funding scenario for submission to the Treasury Board. Hans Berndorff, Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District treasurer explained Northern Health’s decision to the board recently. He said that the decision to proceed with the 20 per cent funding scenario was made due to Northern Health’s awareness of future funding challenges for the hospital district. “The Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District is one of the smallest regional hospital districts in B.C. and has a limited tax base, which has resulted in one of the highest tax rates in the province,” Berndorff explained. The boundaries of the Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District include most of the central and eastern portions of the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, including Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James, Granisle and Vanderhoof together with electoral areas B, Burns Lake rural,

C, Fort St. James rural, D, Fraser Lake rural, E, Francois Ootsa rural and F, Vanderhoof rural. The sole purpose of the Stuart Nechako Hospital District is to provide a portion [which is usually 40 per cent] of the funds required by hospitals within the boundaries for equipment, renovations and new construction. This funding is raised through property taxes. Bendorff said, “The average tax rate increased from 45 cents per $1,000 [property value] from 2001 to 2004, to the current rate of 72 cents per $1,000 in 2011, one of the highest in B.C.” She attributed the increase to the contributions made to capital reserves for the Lakes District Hospital Replacement project. He said the Stuart Nechako Hospital District would have been able to afford the 40 per cent capital contribution if the Lakes District Hospital was the only acute care facility replacement on the horizon. However, the Fraser Lake Diagnostic and Treatment Centre will have to be replaced in 2017 at an estimated cost of about $4 million and the Fort St. James Hospital will have to be replaced by 2018 at a cost of about $38 million.

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“The Vanderhoof Hospital will have to be replaced by no later than 2030 and while there is no cost estimate for this yet, it will surely cost more than $100 million. The Stuart Nechako Hospital District could not possibly afford to contribute 40 per cent to these hospital replacement projects without extreme increases in taxation,” he said. According to Berndorff funding all four projects at the required 40 per cent capital contribution could result in a tax rate of $1.67 per $1,000 starting in 2021. “This tax rate, which is more than double the highest tax rates in the province, is clearly not sustainable,” he added.

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PATHWAY TO SUCCESS An Aboriginal Forestry Contractors 'Pathway to Success' workshop was held at the Margaret Patrick Hall last week. The initiative is a partnership between Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association, Central Interior Logging Association, Lheidli T'enneh Band, Prince George Aboriginal Business Development Centre, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Natural Resources Canada. The workshop was for locals interested in the forestry sector and participants were provided with support, knowledge and skills necessary to develop their own business in the forestry sector. Rebecca Billard photo

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Major investment at Huckleberry Mine A $100 million capital plan launched

Treaties are good for BC.

Learn more at www.bctreaty.ca

Rebecca Billard photo

Huckleberry Mine’s extension plan was given the green light in November 2011. time to make sure we do everything right,” he added, noting Huckleberry’s strong record on water management and the tough lessons learned from leaching at older projects like Equity Mine. “I don’t think there was a great understanding in those years about ARD [acid rock drainage] and other issues,” he said. “Right off the bat, we committed to preventing issues like that.” Aside from the new tailings pond and a few new camp buildings, Deagle said the mine site will basically stay the same size, about 4 kilometres long and 2.5 kilometres wide. “The operation is not expanding. It’s extending its life,” said Deagle. Essentially, Deagle said the plan is not to dig a new pits but to simply widen and deepen the “bowl” of an older pit to

BURNS LAKE DART CLUB: Feb 28

Team 8: ____Happens!: 8 Team 9: DIG: 3 Team 10: The Babes & the Blind: 5 Team 11: Edmund’s Angels: 8 Men’s High Score: Leonard 100, Luc 114, Dave 100, Mike 100, 100, Edmund 100, 121, 100, 100

ROSE LAKE WHIST: Feb. 29

Women’s 1st: Sadie Dyck 152 Women’s 2nd: Judy Jordsvar 139 Men’s 1st: Justin Leach 147

Men’s 2nd: Doug Rowland 140 Low Score: Barb Petersen Door Prize: Al Petersen

LEGION CRIB SCORES: Mar. 1

Ladies 1st: Betty Hart Ladies 2nd: Debbie Pettiplace & Jean McCarron Men’s 1st: Ken Pettiplace

Men’s 2nd: Dick Olson Ladies Boobie Prize: Agnes Olson Men’s Boobie Prize: Al Pederson

Bring your scores to LD News before 12 noon Fridays to be included on the Score Board. Scoreboard proudly sponsored by:

LAKES DISTRICT

NEWS

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business, community development First Nations and all of us.

Score Board

Team 1: Couldn’t Care Less: B Team 2: “G” Thinkers: 0 Team 3: Mr. To Be!: 3 Team 4: Nickel Up: 5 Team 5: Allan’s Beauties: 0 Team 6: The Weeping Angels: 4 Team 7: Gail & The Lads: 4

BC’s treaties mean jobs, more and infrastructure investment for

ANDREW HUDSON Huckleberry Mine will see more than $100 million in spending this year as workers prepare to dig deep and extend the mine’s life to 2021. Vice general manager Bryan Deagle said Huckleberry’s 2012 budget will cover everything from a new tailings dam to major equipment and camp upgrades. “It’s a huge investment by our ownership. Owners Imperial Metals and the Japan Group are banking on the long term, he added, noting that this year’s $100 million capital plan exceeds the mine’s annual revenues. Huckleberry’s extension plan got a green light in November, when a review committee chaired by the B.C. Ministry of Mines permitted the company to log 70,000 cubic metres of timber and build a new tailings pond. That timber contract went to loggers at Tahtsa Timber and to the Houston Forest Products sawmill, Deagle said. Deagle said several earthworks companies have already bid on the contract to build a clay and rock dam for Huckleberry’s new tailings pond. “We want to take

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get at lower-grade ore that wasn’t profitable until copper, silver and gold prices hit their current highs. All that extra work means Huckleberry Mine will need new equipment and new workers. “Our employee numbers are going to climb from about 230 to 290,” said Deagle. Wendy Curtis, Huckleberry’s human resources manager, said the company has already received hundreds of job applications. “One of our mandates is to hire local,” Curtis said. “And local for us is anywhere from Smithers to Burns Lake.” About 40 per cent of Huckleberry staff live in Smithers or Telkwa. Roughly a third live in Houston or Granisle. Just seven per cent of Huckleberry staff currently live in Burns Lake, but Curtis said she’s received many

applications from residents there after the January 20, 2012 explosion and fire destroyed the town’s Babine Forest Products sawmill and main employer. To house the new workers, who typically work four days on, four days off, Deagle said Huckleberry is building a new camp and renovating its old one. “We’ve got a camp that’s been out there for 15 years,” he said. “It needs upgrades.” One of those upgrades is a land-based Telus line that will boost internet access to Huckleberry and to the several logging and exploration companies working along that 120-km stretch south of Houston. Until now, Deagle said Huckleberry Mine workers have had to rely on satellite communications that have limited bandwidth. While he looks for-

ward to the upgraded camp, Deagle is clearly most excited by the new equipment that is now rolling up to the mine. “It’s like going down to Sullivan’s and buying a new truck,” he said, laughing. “The guys are just drooling.” Along with six new 150 ton Caterpillar trucks and a front-shovel excavator, Deagle said operators are already getting to use a new grater equipped with ergonomic seats and dual joysticks. New operators will train onsite using simulators provided by Finning. All the new equipment is a big change for Huckleberry Mine, which was immediately saddled by low copper prices and had to run a bare-bones setup when Deagle first started back in 1996. “It’s been quite a ride for everybody at the mine,” he said.

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Tweedsmuir Park Rod & Gun Club would like to give a huge THANK YOU to the following:

Businesses and individuals for donating to our Silent Auction and Rafﬂes. Members who donated wild game and ﬁsh for the banquet. Members who helped with the cooking. To everyone who came out and supported this yearly event. A good time was had by all. Also to LD News for always co-sponsoring our ads in the local paper. Advertising partially sponsored by LD News

Keefe’s Landing Café s many of you are aware we have faced some rough challenges for over a year now. It have been a struggle to keep everything running smoothly and up to our usual high standards because of Craig’s ongoing health issues. I have tried to do a balancing act for some time now but unfortunately it has taken its toll both on the business and my energy. It has been a tough decision but I have to step away now and concentrate on caring for my husband and devote my time to exploring available treatment and rehabilitation options. I want to thank everyone who has helped us out even in the smallest way... the names are too many to mention...but you know who you are. You will always have my enormous gratitude and if I can repay your kindness some day I surely will. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and I hope you will continue to include us in them as we continue the long journey ahead of us. Finally, I want to thank my son, Pete, and his lovely wife Jo for uprooting their lives to move here and manage the business for us. I hope everyone will stop by and welcome them to the Southside and give them the friendship and support you have given us. Look for some positive changes at Keefe’s like new menu items and extended hours. ~ Pam

Beginning March 1st our hours will be:

Café: 9am - 8pm Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5pm Sunday Store: 9am - 9pm Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday

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Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

WorkSafe B.C. still investigating Investigation into Babine Forest Products explosion and fire continues REBECCA BILLARD Scott McCloy WorkSafe B.C.’s director of communications said the investigation to determine the cause of the Jan. 20, 2012 explosion and fire and Babine Forest Products is continuing with more than 20 investigators now involved. "A number of key areas continue to be examined and the investigation team is also reviewing all of the evidence gathered to date, including dozens of interviews," he said. According to McCloy, there is still a number of

areas of the sawmill that are yet to be examined. "No date has been set for the return of the site to Hampton Affiliates although the team is working as quickly as possible to find answers." McCloy said WorkSafe B.C.’s claims team has set up office in the basement of the Lakes District Hospital, which he said will remain open to enable injured workers and their families ask any questions they may have about their claim or the status of their recovery and return to work. "The team will be in place for several months to come to ensure employee's ongoing needs are addressed," McCloy said. Bob Matters from the United Steelworkers Wood Council said they are also working to address Babine Forest Products employees needs. "Life claims are being processed and other claims are being handled by the local

office 1-424 in Prince George," he said. "Babine Forest Products employees can find work elsewhere without worrying about it affecting their severance pay, as long as they don't formally terminate their employment with Babine Forest Products and he encouraged all employees to look for alternative work," he said. Matters advised those employees thinking of

not looking for work and instead filing a WorkSafe B.C. claim, to file one, but he cautioned that employees should only file a claim with WorkSafe B.C. if they have medical support to backup the claim. He said, "I would question the success of any new claim that was not a direct result of the [Jan. 20, 2012] incident." According to Matters, hold ups in employment insurance payments due

to issues with holiday pay are being dealt with by the union, but he added that employment insurance rules will not be changed for Burns Lake. While the union is not offering any debt counseling advice to Babine Forest Products employees, Matters said, "Most of the financial institutions have contacted our members and offered advice on repayment options."

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The Burns Lake & District Chamber of Commerce presents

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Business Excellence Awards Banquet Monday March 12th, 2012 LIMITED SEATING TICKETS IN ADVANCE $25/person ~ On Sale NOW at the Chamber Ofﬁce

Grapevine Pub & Bistro 6:00pm A Gala Event for all Chamber Members & Guests

Congratulations! Business Excellence Awards Nominees... Outstanding Customer Service: Bulkley Valley Credit Union - Burns Lake Home Hardware - Village Of Burns Lake Community Ambassador: Babine Forest Products - Bulkley Valley Credit Union - Lakes Artisan Centre Image And Innovation: Aksenz Studios - Grapevine Pub & Bistro - Tahtsa Group Business Of The Year: Aksenz Studios - College Of New Caledonia - Lakes District Arts Council

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Daylight Savings Time Begins...

DROP IN HOCKEY A number of locals took advantage of ice time being sponsored by Hampton Affiliates. The company has provided funding to cover the rest of the season for Wednesday drop-in hockey sessions. They have also provided funding for a ski program taking place every Tuesday at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more info call the Village of Burns Lake Rebecca Billard photo

Lakes District News

Don’t forget on Don’t forget on Saturday night you Saturday night you have to set one have to your setclocks yourahead clocks aheadhour! one hour!

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Forest Congratulations! service in turmoil TOM FLETCHER Monday marked the B.C. Forest Service 100 anniversary. NDP forests critic Norm MacDonald said the recent auditor general's report highlighted the need to update B.C.'s forest inventory, 70 per cent of which is out of date. But he said last week's B.C. budget reduced spending on forest health over the next two years. Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson replied that his budget includes a $10 million fund for this year to update the Crown forest industry in priority areas, particularly those affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation in the B.C. Interior. Thomson said that effort responds to Auditor General John Doyle's recommendations on upgrading the forest inventory. But Thomson rejected Doyle's conclusion that industry-led reforestation of logged areas has been done cheaply and reduced species diversity, making the forests more vulnerable to pests or disease. Forest service seed orchards select the best stock for each elevation, soil and climatic zone, providing seed to forest companies responsible for replanting logged areas, Thomson said. The forest service has two seed orchards near Vernon, one near Salmon Arm, one near Prince George, on in Saanich and a research station at Cowichan Lake where scientific tree selection began in 1912. Brian Barber, director of the ministry's tree improvement branch, said in an interview it is in forest companies' interest to plant the best tree stock available for each site, as quickly as possible after harvesting. Strong, fast-growing trees outpace underbrush more quickly, saving money on brush treatment and meeting the companies' legal obligation to establish "free growing" trees on Crown land. Barber said the broad areas of lodge pole pine susceptible to beetle kill were created in part by decades of forest fire suppression, which allowed stands to live longer and become more attractive to beetles. But their origin goes back far beyond 40 years of intensive replanting activity. Alvin Yanchuk, senior scientist in the tree improvement branch, said research continues to determine if the latest beetle outbreak across western North America was a result of long-term climate shift, or simply a string of warmer winters that allowed them to multiply and spread. "This beetle is one of the thousands of bark beetles around the world," Yanchuk said. "There's a handful that go epidemic.”

94 athletes from the North West (Zone 7) competed at the 2012 BC Winter Games bringing home 11 medals. Thank you to the coaches, ofﬁcials, volunteers, and families who support these growing champions. See photos, videos and results at www.bcgames.org

Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

Physician signed on with society South African physician set to arrive in August 2012 REBECCA BILLARD Maria Varga, member of the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society said the group has officially hired a South African physician for their proposed not for profit medical clinic. Varga said to Lakes District News that Dr. Ronald Engelbrecht signed a three to five year contract with the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society last month. She said the physician and his family are scheduled to arrive in Burns Lake on Aug. 1, 2012. "His wife is an occupational therapist and Northern Health have a job posting for an occupational therapist in Burns Lake, so I have passed on this information to her," she said. "We do have other doctors lined up for the clinic," Varga said, adding that she did not want to give out any further details until things have been officially finalized. She said Dr. En-

gelbrecht is a family physician and an emergency room physician and has completed all of his training in South Africa. "Dr. Engelbrecht would have hospital privileges to allow him to also work at the Lakes District Hospital and he will be doing on call work. I have been working with Sheilagh Wilson from Northern Health on Dr. Engelbrecht's paperwork and work visa," Varga added. Jessica Quinn,

worked out between Northern Health and the physician at a later date," she said adding that there would be no issues with hospital privileges for the society's doctors. Varga said Dr. Engelbrecht is excited to come to Burns Lake and is looking forward to working in the community. The society has chosen a location for the proposed clinic but Varga said at this point she is not willing to disclose it until they soci-

“

ety signs the final rental agreement. Fundraising efforts for the clinic are also still continuing with start up costs expected to be about $250,000. Donna Brochez, society president said that the society will be meeting with a financial institution within the next couple of weeks to discuss a loan for the proposed clinic. She said, "We are meeting with a man in Smithers to go over the paperwork." Brochez said, "We would rather not have

IT [THE DISCUSSION REGARDING A LETTER OF SUPPORT] IS ON THE AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. Northern Health's media spokesperson said that the society has recruited the doctor but that Northern Health is helping the society with the paper work. Quinn said any doctor hired in Northern Health's area has to go through a recruitment process with Northern Health to determine their suitability through qualifications. As reported in Lakes District News edition of Feb. 22, 2012 Quinn had previously said that Northern Health had no knowledge of any doctor being hired for the clinic but was confused between the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society and the Burns Lake Medical Clinic. "Something like hospital privileges will be

to take out a loan as we are non profit, but this is a last resort. We sent out letters for [funding] support to Endako Mines, Pinnacle Pellet and Hampton Affiliates [before the Jan. 20, 2012 explosion and fire] but due to the circumstances with the Babine Forest Products tragedy we are not following up with our request to Hampton Affiliates. Our requests to large stakeholders in the area has not been promising, so we are left with no other choice." Brochez said the society is also still waiting for a letter of support from the Village of Burns Lake. "It has been a long

time [since a letter of support from the village was requested]," Brochez said, adding that she had spoken with Stephanie Beerling, Village of Burns Lake director of corporate services about the issue. "Ms. Beerling spoke for Mayor Luke Strimbold and said they cannot support the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society as they would be seen to be favouring one group over another," Brochez said. However Beerling said to Lakes District News, "Council has not yet made a decision on providing a letter of support to the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society, but this topic will be

included on the upcoming agenda for the regular council meeting on March 6, 2012." Mayor Luke Strimbold also confirmed with Lakes District News that no decision has been made by council on providing a letter of support to the society. "It [the discussion regarding a letter of support] is on the agenda for our next council meeting," he said. Brochez said, "We still have a couple of 'irons in the fire.' We have contacted the Spirit of the North Foundation, they have a meeting in March so we will have to wait and see, and we have applied to Nechako Kitimaat Development Fund Society, but because they match funds we would only be eligible for about $25,000." According to Brochez the society have about $25,000 banked towards the start up costs of the clinic. "Northern Health has been offering us some good suggestions and have been very supportive in this process," she added.

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Special Group $ Rates $ Available!

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BEACON THEATRE Adult Admission $17, Children $10 Advance Tickets Available @ Process 4 Advertising partially donated by LD News

More than your average Fitness Facility

APPLY FOR A POSITION COMFOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Village of Burns Lake is now accepting applications for positions on the Comfor Management Services Ltd. Board of Directors.

WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR presents

Beautiful Africa: A New Generation Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 at 7:00pm First Mennonite Church, 530 Kerr Road There is no charge for the concert but a freewill offering will be taken and there will be tables that promote Watoto’s Sponsorship Program and merchandise sales.

www.watoto.com

Advertising partially sponsored by LD News

Interested individuals must submit an Application to Become a Director no later than 2:00 pm on March 14, 2012. Applications are available at www.burnslake.ca or at the Village Office and are to be submitted to the Village of Burns Lake at village@ burnslake.ca or PO Box 570, Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0 or delivered to the Village Office at #15 3rd Avenue. Eligible candidates for the Comfor Management Services Ltd. Board of Directors must: • Be a resident of the Lakes District as defined in CMSL Policy 2007-05 • Be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director; and • Complete and submit an Application to Become a Director as per CMSL Policy 2012-07 Successful candidates will be appointed to the Board of Directors at the Comfor Management Services Ltd. Annual General Meeting. For more information on the Board of Directors for Comfor contact the Village of Burns Lake 692-7587.

Comfor Management Services Ltd. Annual General Meeting March 22, 2012 at 6:00 pm Village of Burns Lake Ofﬁce #15 3rd Avenue

Find your way to a strong mind and ﬁt body… your health awaits you! If you don’t take time for health you’ll eventually have to take time for illness. Optimal health involves three key factors; exercise, proper nutrition, and balance. If you can’t realize your full potential... nor will anyone else. Let your goals become reality by starting your journey to today!

Sign up for one of our upcoming classes or courses this spring; Elements of Healthy Eating, Men’s Wellness over 40, Preparing Healthy Meals for your Family, Secrets to Increasing Your Metabolism or Fitness for Teens. Join the gym, relax at our shake bar, sign up for an exercise class; beginner/ advanced or take personal training sessions. Great spring specials available!

250-251-4056

www.ldnews.net

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lakes District News

Build Your Future Come to the Burns Lake Career/Job Fair March 15, 2012

Muriel Mould Neighbourhood Learning Centre Employer Panel Presentations 9:30 to 10:30 Employer Booth Viewing 10:30 to 3pm

Public Welcome! Come to the CNC Booth and check out what your community college can offer you: CNC Adult Education Centre Your work experience can be used to grant credit towards some of your required Adult Dogwood Courses (Grade 12 Graduation). Talk to our advisors at the career/job fair. Open daytime, evenings and over the summer!

Ashurst Children’s Centre Bring your kid to College! Excellent kindergarten readiness programs. This daycare is open to all community members from 8:15am to 4:45pm.

Personal and Academic Counselling Looking at your future and wondering “where to now and how do I ¿nance my education?” We can help.

Upcoming Courses and Programs: - Residential Building Maintenance Worker Level 2 and 3 - Industry Field Medic - Of¿ce Workplace Essential Skills - Small Water Systems Workplace Essential Skills - Forest Equipment Operator - Carpentry Foundation - Professional Cook Level 1 - Social Service Worker Certi¿cate

- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Advanced Diploma (ONLINE)

- Transportation of Dangerous Goods

- Administrative Assistant

- Fire Suppression Recert

- OASW 100: Ethical, Legal, and Safety Issues for Working with Marginalized Families

- Beekeeping Basics

- SSWK 145: Communication & Interpersonal Relationship Skills

- Babysitter’s Training

- OASW 102: Culturally Appropriate Practices for Working with Aboriginal Families

- Fire Suppression

- Sugar Free Baking - Apple Welcome Sign

- SSWK 142: Helping Skills: Practical Applications

Do you have a program you would like the College to offer?

- ABST 100: Intro to Indigenous Peoples Worldview

Give us a call. We respond to training needs!

Continuing Education

Early Intervention Programs

- Pleasure Craft Operator - H2S Alive - OFA Level 3 - OFA Level 3 Recert - Occupational First Aid - Level 1 - OFA Transportation Endorsement - Canadian Firearms Safety - Foodsafe Level 1 - Welding Basics - WHMIS - Pleasure Craft Operator - Traf¿c Control Flagging

• Physiotherapist, Speech Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist assisting children birth to 6 years of age. • CDBC (Complex Developmental and Behavioural Conditions Diagnosis and Support) assists families to understand why children age birth to 19 years of age are experiencing behaviour related concerns. • Healthier Babies Brighter Futures (HBBF) provides support for families to help reduce the incidence and impact of FASD. • Family Centred Program in Burns Lake and on the Southside provides programs and resources to help with parenting.

250.692.1700 • 1.866.692.1943 • LKSDIST@CNC.BC.CA • WWW.CNC.BC.CA/LAKESDISTRICT

Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

LEDA moves out of Forestry Heritage Centre be used as an interpretive centre and public space, with First Nations involvement. LEDA subsequently set up shop in the Forestry Heritage Centre, sharing the space with the Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce. As reported in the Lakes District News edition on Jan. 25, 2012 a Village of Burns Lake in camera release stated that the Village of Burns Lake and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako's (RDBN) area B, Burns Lake rural have both decided not to renew LEDA's funding agreement for 2012. The village contributes $46,613 and RDBN's area B contributes $62,988 to local economic development initiatives annually. Of this, $60,000 went toward funding LEDA, $20,000 goes to tourism coordination and management in the Lakes District and $29,601 is for community economic development grants. While Mayor Luke Strimbold said the village will still be making

Council ups the rent REBECCA BILLARD The Lakes Economic Development Association (LEDA) have officially moved out of the Village of Burns Lake owned Forestry Heritage Centre building. They had been cotenants at the building with the Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce for approximately two years. As reported in the Lakes District News edition of July 15 2010, LEDA relocated from the building at 585 Hwy. 16, now known as the Interpretive Centre following outstanding issues the Village of Burns Lake was having with the use of the building. Grant funding received from Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative administered by Western Economic Diversification for the construction of the building required it to

the $46,613 contribution to the RDBN for economic development purposes, he said the $60,000 that has gone to LEDA in the past will not be granted this year and said the reason being is that both the village council and RDBN's area B director Bill Miller, would like to re-evaluate the vision of economic development for the region. Brenda Hiebert LEDA chair confirmed LEDA's recent relocation from the Forestry Heritage Centre. She said, "LEDA has moved out of the Forestry Heritage Centre as of Feb. 29 2012. With our funding being cut we have to watch the dollars we do have left and the expenses at the Forestry Heritage Centre were just to great for us." While Hiebert did not want to comment further on the reasons for the move she did say that the Village of Burns Lake was not renewing LEDA's tenacy agreement for 2012. Hiebert said, "We are currently without a home, however we are

actively looking for affordable space. Our phone is being call forwarded to Cindy Shelford [LEDA's economic development officer]. Our possessions are in storage for now until we find some new office space. We have some projects to clean up and we are exploring new funding opportunities." Laurie Reimer chamber manager said that the rental agreement for the Forestry Heritage Centre is still in the process of being worked out. “Any rental/tenancy agreements have not been discussed yet,” she said. Late last month, councillors unanimously agreed to increase the rent at the Forestry Heritage Centre. A council review of the amount of rent charged for the building resulted in an amount of $800 per month being set, which excludes all utility charges. Previously the village charged $100 rent per year for the building, including snow plowing, general building main-

tenance and lawn care. Tenants were responsible for paying the utilities, such as BC Hydro, natural gas, phone and internet bills. As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Feb. 15, 2012, council released an in camera resolution which stated that the building would be reserved primarily for the operation of the Visitor Information Centre, and that the proponent would be charged rent at a fair market monthly expense to operate from the building. Council has also previously made a recommendation that the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) proceed with contract negotiations with the Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce for the operation of the Visitor Information Centre. Sheryl Worthing village chief administrative officer said that the organization that is chosen may also choose to rent out space in the building to another or-

ganization, if it is determined that there is extra space available. Funding for operation of the Visitor Information Centre comes from the RDBN's economic development function, and is contributed to by area B, Burns Lake rural and the Village of

Burns Lake. "The Village owns the Forestry Heritage Centre which will be used to operate the Visitor Information Centre from, therefore the village will collect rent for this building," she said. See part 2 of story on page 16.

CORNER ommunity Forest

“NAR” - “NSR” - “SR”?? “NAR” – Net Area to Reforest - is an abbreviation for the area that a forest licensee is responsible to reforest. The number of hectares is calculated by subtracting the area of permanent roads and leave patches from the gross area of a cutblock. This area is the hectares on which the licensee must establish a stand of healthy, ecologically-suited species. “NSR” – Not Satisfactorily Restocked - is an abbreviation for the area that is not successfully restocked, and is labeled such as soon as the area is harvested. After establishing a new plantation (through planting or natural means), the licensee may report that the area is now “SR” – Satisfactorily Restocked - meaning a new forest is established and on its way!

For more info on the community forest, call BL ComFor (250) 692-7724

55th Annual Lakes District Festival of the Performing Arts Monday, March 12th - Saturday, March 17th

The Festival at a Glance:

Monday March 12th Tuesday March 13th

Wednesday March 14th Thursday March 15th

Piano 10:00 AM

Piano 9:00 AM

Speech Arts 9:00 AM

Vocal 10:00 AM

Contemporary, Canadian, OCP, Romantic

Classical, Duet, Baroque, Concert Group

Choral Speech, Spoken Poetry, My Favourite Poem, Poems for Two voices, Junior Prose, Humourous Poetry

School Groups

1:00 PM

Concert Group Baroque

Beginners, Introductory, Popular, Baroque

6:30 PM Romantic, PostRomantic, Concert Group, Baroque

1:00 PM 6:30 PM Classical, Post-Romantic, Contemporary, Canadian

My Favourite Poem, Spoken Poetry, Junior Prose, Humourous Poetry, Sight Reading

Friday March 16th

Saturday, March 17th

Vocal 10:00 AM

6:00 PM

GALA HONOURS CONCERT

Adult solos, duets, and choirs

7:00 PM

2:00 PM Young Singer Solos

Classical

1:15 PM Musical Theatre

The public is welcome to all Monday - Friday sessions. Admission by donation.

Ticket price: $5.00

All Festival Sessions will be held at Island Gospel Fellowship Church, Gerow Island

Meet the adjudicators...

We are delighted to welcome pianist Sarah Hagen to our Festival. Sarah is a sought-after soloist and chamber musician, performing in concerts across Canada as well as in the United States, France, Italy, Germany and Sweden. Her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive,” performed with “inﬁnite skill.” She has been on faculty at the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre for more than 10 years, performing in the CYMC Summer Festival. While Sarah travels regularly for performances in Europe, she also delights in playing with the premier Canadian ensemble, Trio Accord. Her solo album, “Glass House Dancing”, was nominated for a 2009 Western Canadian Music Award. As an educator, Sarah receives rave reviews for her joyful and informative workshops and master classes. Sarah’s motivation is the belief that music has the power to be a window into our souls regardless of age or knowledge. She currently makes her home and studio in Vancouver.

Gordon Long was born in Burns Lake and brought up in Palling by Art and Margaret Long. He has a BA in English, an MA in Theatre, and a Professional Teaching Certificate from UBC. Having taught in Prince George for 27 years, he is now semi-retired and working as a playwright, director, and novelist. When asked to be an adjudicator this year, Gordon said that he was as delighted to be able to come back to Burns Lake as we are to welcome him. Gordon is presently the artistic director for the Society for the Preservation of Vaudeville, a seniors’ performing troupe which does about 20 shows a year. He was recently hired by the Surrey Seniors Community Planning Table as director of an intergenerational theatre troupe. Their first production will stage in late May. His speech arts text “Expressive Poetry Performance: a Handbook for Students and Speech Arts Contestants” will be available at the Festival. We hope he also brings along copies of his recently published first novel!

We are excited to have award-winning Canadian professional singer

Michele Capalbo as our vocal adjudicator. Michele has performed major operatic roles and concert repertoire all over the world. She has conducted master classes with Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artists and Brandon University performance students. While on the road, she has coached aspiring young singers. Michele ﬁnds the mentor/student relationship to be very rewarding, and has much to offer to our vocal entrants.

www.ldnews.net

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lakes District News

Brought to you by your MLA John Rustad

Pioneers Courageous Battles

Serving the community of... Burns Lake

Athletes Achieving

Human Interest

Featuring the spirit of the local people BladeRunners program helping local youth On the job training, life skills and education improving opportunities for youth REBECCA BILLARD On the job training and experience is proving to be a valuable asset for a number of aspiring young locals participating in the BladeRunners program. The program is recognized both nationally and internationally and it targets at-risk youth aged 15 to 30 years of age by providing them with basic training to facilitate entry into the labour force. It is funded through the Ministry of Jobs Tourism and Innovation and is free of charge to participants.

Companies from all sectors of industry provide employment experience opportunities and the ultimate goal is for program participants to gain sufficient skills and experience that will eventuate into a long term attachment to the labour force. BladeRunners participants also receive certified health and safety training and learn life skills and job readiness skills that help them build self-esteem and confidence. Local participants have been accredited in a baby sitting course, first aid level one as

Contributed photo

Customer service was one of the skills BladeRunners participants learned.

well as WorldHost customer service training, Health Canada's Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System [WHIMIS] and cashier training. Garry Klugie, principal of the K'ay Skak Higher Learning Centre and Teanne Paulson, BladeRunners team leader are working together administering the program. According to Klugie, the Burns Lake BladeRunners program is one of three being offered through the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association. Approximately 10 local youths have signed on to the program and have participated in training and employment initiatives at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) Lakes District campus, the Real Canadian Wholesale Club, traffic control training, Kal Tire, The Bargain Shop, Village of Burns Lake public works department and Fields. Paulson said the participants have had numerous opportunities in the community for on the job training as well as completing a Food Safe level one course and an opportunity to try welding at CNC.

"How do they know that they don't like a job, or if they like a job, until they try it," Paulson said, adding that the program gives the participants an opportunity to gain basic skills in a number of job related fields. "They may then choose to pursue a career in one of these jobs. One of the boys has even been offered a job at the Real Canadian Wholesale Club as a result of the program," she said. The Village of Burns Lake gave a number of students the opportunity to ride along in a dump truck and a snow plow truck as well as work with the village works crew clearing snow off the tennis courts and garbage pick up duties around town. There is also an opportunity for participants to help the works crew with spring flower planting. "We had access to the Babine Forest Products sawmill on Jan. 14, 2012 and toured the mill, but it is hard to get access to the mines ... transportation is difficult, we have to work with the industry that we have here in the area. We don't have a lot of construction, but we will try everything ... whatever opportunities

Contributed photo

BladeRunners participants completed the a number of courses at the College of New Caledonia including First Aid level 1. we can secure," Klugie experience or training resolution, how to write said. for three days and in the a resume, what to say in The program has classroom on Fridays. an interview and learned been running In Burns Klugie said it is the life skills such as how to Lake since Jan. 6, 2012 second year the pro- manage a personal budand Klugie said a sec- gram has been held in get. ond BladeRunners pro- Burns Lake, but it is the "This is an amazing gram will begin in the first year the K'ay Skak group of young people. local area in April or Higher Learning Centre Aboriginal youth is the June 2012 and possibly has taken the lead in of- fastest growing popua third over summer, fering the program. lation in the local area which would be open to "We used this pro- so this program is very all local youth. gram for students as a beneficial. It is giving The BladeRunners building block to future participants the skills program runs for 12 opportunities," he said. they need to gain emweeks, with particiParticipants said they ployment," Paulson pants getting on the job learned about conflict said.

John Rustad, MLA Nechako Lakes 183 First Street Vanderhoof Tel: 250-567-6820 Fax: 250-567-6822

Toll Free: 1-877-964-5650 E-mail: john.rustad.mla@leg.bc.ca Website: www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca

2500 Butler Avenue Houston Tel: 250-845-7770 Fax: 250-845-7780

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

the

Lakes District News

ADVISOR RBC Wealth Management Services

Rolling a Severance over to an RSP Eligible vs. Ineligible Retiring Allowance and Special Rollovers to RSP If you receive a severance payment it may be considered as a retiring allowance under Canadian income tax rules. This article explains the special tax rules for retiring allowances and ways to reduce the withholding taxes that may apply. A retiring allowance is generally an amount paid to an employee upon termination of employment or early retirement. There are special Canadian tax rules that apply to the eligible portion of a retiring allowance. As a result, an employer is required to determine the “eligible retiring allowance” and “non-eligible retiring allowance”.

Eligible retiring allowance Special tax rules allow the transfer of an eligible retiring allowance to your own RSP without affecting your regular RSP contribution room. Your employer is not required to withhold tax on any portion of the eligible retiring allowance that is transferred directly to your RSP. Therefore, you should consider advising your employer to make a direct transfer of the eligible retiring allowance to your RSP. Any portion of the allowance received in cash will be subject to withholding tax between 10% - 30% (25% - 38% in Quebec). Even if you receive the allowance in cash net of withholding tax, you can still beneﬁt from the special rollover rules. You can make an RSP contribution for the gross amount of the eligible retiring allowance, however, you must make this contribution to your own RSP within 60 days from the end of the year you received your eligible retiring allowance; otherwise, this opportunity is lost forever.

How is the eligible retiring allowance calculated? The eligible portion of your retiring allowance is determined by your employer using the following formula, which is based on years of service as follows: The smaller of the two following amounts: i)

The actual amount you receive as a severance OR

ii)

The sum of: a) $2,000 per year of service up to and including 1995, plus b) $1,500 per year of service up to and including 1988 that your pension contributions are not vested at termination (i.e. generally if you were not a member of a pension plan for years before 1989 then you may be eligible for this additional $1,500 per year).

Note: any partial years of employment count as full years for the purpose of this calculation.

Non-eligible retiring allowance Although the non-eligible retiring allowance does not qualify under the special rollover rules, you can still make an RSP contribution to your own RSP or to a spousal RSP provided you have sufﬁcient RSP contribution room. If your employer is willing, you can advise them to make a direct RSP contribution based on your RSP contribution

room. A direct transfer avoids the requirement of your employer to deduct withholding tax. However, your RSP contribution room will be reduced by the amount of the contribution. Your employer may require reasonable proof that you have available RSP contribution room in order to feel comfortable with not withholding tax. A copy of your Notice of Assessment for the previous year showing your RSP deduction limit might be sufﬁcient for this purpose. Even if you provide this proof, it is at your employer’s discretion on whether they are willing to make a direct transfer to your RSP. Even if you receive the non-eligible portion of your retiring allowance in cash you can still reduce your taxable income if you contribute the net amount to your RSP provided you have sufﬁcient RSP contribution room and you make the RSP contribution within 60 days from the end of the year you received the allowance. If you have withholding tax deducted and you make an RSP contribution, you will receive a refund of the withholding tax, or it will offset the tax owed on other income resulting in less taxed owed on your personal income tax return.

Tax reporting When your employer initially advises you of the value of your severance payment, you may not be told what amount is an eligible retiring allowance. However, your employer is required to determine the eligible and noneligible retiring allowance amounts and report them on a T4A slip. Your employer must issue this slip to you no later than the last day of February following the year the allowance is paid. Since the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows the special tax treatment only for the eligible retiring allowance reported by your employer, you should ensure this amount was correctly reported on the T4A slip. The retiring allowances (eligible or non-eligible) reported on your T4A slip are included on your personal tax return on line 130 as other income. However, an RSP contribution receipt will be issued for any direct contributions to your RSP by your employer or any RSP contributions you make afterwards. To use the special tax provision allowing the direct rollover of the eligible retiring allowance without using up RSP contribution room, you must report the RSP contribution for the eligible retiring allowance as a transfer on line 11 of schedule 7 of your personal income tax return.

Financial Planning Considerations Even if a portion or all of the retiring allowance qualifies for the rollover, you do not have to roll it over to your RSP. You can request that it be paid out in cash, subject to withholding tax, if you have other needs for it. You may wish to take the eligible portion in cash if you need it to live on before finding a new job, to pay down debts or to fulfil another goal. If you are unsure whether you will require the retiring allowance to support your current expenses, there still may be some value in making the rollover while you can and then deregistering the RSP funds as necessary. This may allow you to take advantage of the tax-deferred growth of the funds.

Your employer may allow you to defer the receipt of your retiring allowance to a future tax year which may be beneficial if you cannot roll all of the retiring allowance into an RSP and if your income is expected to be lower in the future. One of the goals in financial planning is for couples to try to equalize their total incomes to be the most taxefficient. Sometimes being able to transfer 50% of your retirement income to your spouse under the pension income splitting rules may not be enough to achieve an equal split of total income. This is usually the case where one spouse has a larger amount of non-registered assets than the other. A spousal RSP allows you to split future income without the limitations imposed by the retirement income splitting rules, but this strategy requires thinking ahead. If you have a large RSP contribution limit that you may not otherwise be able to utilize and you would like to take advantage of a spousal RSP, you may want to transfer as much of your retiring allowance as your unused RSP contribution limit will allow directly into a spousal RSP, even if some of your retiring allowance is an eligible retiring allowance. The ability to split the future income and the resulting tax savings of this strategy may outweigh the benefit of transferring eligible retiring allowance to your RSP. The essential point here is that you are not obligated to make use of the eligible retiring allowance if it is not advantageous to you.

Other Important Facts on Retiring Allowances • Only once you have been terminated or have retired are you eligible for an eligible retiring allowance. If you terminate your employment but are re-employed with the same company soon after, even as a consultant, you could jeopardize the status of your retiring allowance. • The eligible retiring allowance amount cannot go into a spousal RSP. • Rolling over your eligible retiring allowance is not permitted if you are turning 72 in the year of receipt and are thus not permitted to have an RSP. • Your eligible retiring allowance must be contributed to your RSP on or before 60 days after the end of the year that the retiring allowance was received. If it is not rolled into your RSP before the deadline, the ability to make this special contribution to your RSP is lost forever. • Pay in lieu of notice and vacation pay that your may receive are not considered as a retiring allowance. • Any unused sick leave credit payment upon termination that you received may be considered a retiring allowance; • It is important to note that amounts you receive as a retiring allowance from a former employer are NOT considered as earned income for the purpose of calculating your next year’s RSP contribution limit. This applies to the whole amount of the retiring allowance whether or not it is actually rolled over to an RSP. • You cannot designate any portion of the amount of the retiring allowance that was rolled over, as a home buyers plan repayment.

This publication is not intended as nor does it constitute tax or legal advice. Readers should consult their own lawyer, accountant or other professional advisor when planning to implement a strategy. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time obtained but neither RBC Dominion Securities Inc. nor its employees, agents, or information suppliers can guarantee its accuracy or completeness. The examples provided in this article are for illustration purposes only and are not indicative of future returns; fees and commissions are not included in these calculations. This information is not investment advice and should be used only in conjunction with a discussion with your RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Investment Advisor. This will ensure that your own circumstances have been considered properly and that action is taken on the latest available information. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are afﬁliated. This article is supplied by Lorelei (Dolly) Hilton, an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Member CIPF. ®Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. RBC Dominion S ®Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. RBC Wealth Management is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

For more information call

Lorelei (Dolly) Hilton PFP, FMA Investment Advisor

Professional Wealth Management Since 1901

250-960-4925 or 1-866-332-5721 www.loreleihilton.com

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Village reviews rental rates A review of commercial rental rates was completed by Stephanie Beerling, Village of Burns Lake director of corporate services and was provided to council. Examples were provided to council which included a rental rate of $550 per month for a 650 square foot building which included a common entrance area and a rental rate of $1260 per month for a 1,550 square foot building. Beerling said these rates included insurance, general building maintenance, property taxes, janitorial services, municipal water, sewer and garbage collection rates. Further examples were also provided which included a rental rate of $3,600 per month for a 3,000 square foot building and a variable rental rate depending on the term for anther building. Beerling said the rate for this particular building ranged from $15 per square foot for a one year lease to $9 per square foot for a five year lease. "The average commercial rental rate per square foot is $9.94 in Burns Lake," Beerling said, adding that the Forestry Heritage Building is approximately 2,790 square feet in size. Beerling also noted in her report that the Lakes Artisan Cooperative currently rent the Interpretive Centre building from the village for a cost of $500 per month. She said the building is 1,500 square feet and the rent included property taxes, municipal water, sewer and garbage collection rates as well as snow plowing and general building maintenance. This equates to 33 cents per square foot. The cooperative pay their own BC Hydro and natural gas bills.

"It is the approximate overall size of the building," Beerling said. Councillor John Illes asked how much the current BC Hydro and Pacific Northern Gas charges are for the Forestry Heritage Centre?. "I think they [LEDA and the chamber] pay $500 per month each," said Mayor Luke Strimbold. "That's $12,000 a year for heating .... wow, we just did energy upgrades to that building," Coun. Illes said. Councillor Susan Schienbein asked when the lease agreement for the Interpretive Centre expires. Worthing said, "It is a one year lease that expires in August 2012." "We break even at $500 per month at the Interpretive Centre," said Mayor Strimbold, adding that he thought $500 per month rent is set too low for the Interpretive Centre. "We are going to have to take a look at the rent for the Interpretive Centre in August," he added. Councillor Quentin Beach said he felt the Lakes Artisan Cooperative was a different type of organization from LEDA and the chamber. "It is a tourism incentive and a way to show the local arts and crafts, they sell necklaces and beads," he said. "Yes, similar to Process 4 circle arts Gallery who is also selling arts, crafts and necklaces," said Mayor Strimbold. Councillor Beach said he thinks it is difficult to set a rental rate based on square footage in Burns Lake. "I think you just have to go on your gut feeling .... I think $1,500 per month in rent [only] would be fair," he added.

Rotary Club of Burns Lake

Part 2 of story

is currently acc accepting nominations for

Bill Gilgan YOUTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR 2011

Councillor John Illes said he would like the rent to be all inclusive of utilities and suggested $1,200 per month, all inclusive." At $1,200 per month Worthing said the village would just be breaking even. Councillor Frank Varga, who was not present at the meeting had previously sent input to council. He suggested a rental rate of $1,813 per month, which is 65 cents per square foot. "He said that's the rate he would be comfortable with," Mayor Strimbold said. "We have to keep in mind that the rent that we set will have a major impact on the chamber, they are only paying $100 per year now," Mayor Strimbold said. Worthing said the chamber does make a rental income from the building for the lease of the heritage room, which adds up to be about $6,000 per year. "It's a risk because on one hand we are saying we want you to be in this building for the Visitor Information Centre, but on the other hand we are tying them to the building with high expectations," Mayor Strimbold added. "I think $1,200 does sound high .... what about $800 rent plus they pay their own utility bills?" suggested Coun. Beach. Councillor Illes said he would agree to the $800 monthly rental rate providing the village paid the utility bills and then forwarded the utility bill invoices on to the chamber for repayment. "In the past there has been instances where the utility bills haven't been paid," he added. Councillors unanimously agreed to the motion.

Lakes District News

By shopping local you support local people.

“I’m not 40, I’m 18 with 22 years experience!” Happy Birthday Randy We Love You Laura, Cameron and Dylan

TOWING

For Sensible Prices See Us For All Your Mechanical Repairs Snow Removal

HANSON’S SHOP 13200 Bartlette Road, Burns Lake

250-692-3291

Looking for work? We can help. Get the training and support you need to find and keep a job in B.C. Job search resources • Personal employment planning • Workshops and training • Specialized services

Do you know a young person between the ages of 12 and 21 years who exempli¿es “Service Above Self” through their volunteer activities? Why not recognize their efforts by nominating them for the Youth Citizen of the Year Award? Send us the details of their activities and why you think they should be recognized. The award includes $250 for the recipient and $250 for the nominator to donate to a charity of their choice. Nominations can be sent to: Rotary Club of Burns Lake, YOUTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR PO Box 616, Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0 Or via the website: www.rotaryburnslake.org Name of candidate: _____________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Age: ______________ **Please attach a separate page outlining the candidate’s volunteer activities and your reasons for the nomination.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CENTRES

Nominated by: _________________________________________

Locations across B.C. Visit one near you. WorkBCCentres.ca 1.800.663.7867 TDD: 1.800.661.8773

Signature: ____________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________________

Deadline is April 15, 2012 Advertising partially sponsored by LD News

The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

Local schools say no to bullies Grassy Plains School students showed their commitment to a bully-free life by wearing pink T-shirts last week. Cheslatta Carrier Nation donated funds to purchase the T-shirts for all 85 students. William Konkin Elementary School students also wore pink in support of Pink Shirt Day.

Insurance Planning Investments Estate Protection Mortgage Insurance

Financial Planning Centre Gordon Hayward, CMS CLU EPC Catherine Stovel, CMS CLU EPC HM Assoc. Financial Planning Centre

Representing:

• • • • • • • • • •

Beneﬁts North Group Empire Life Great West Life Industrial Alliance Manulife/Maritime Paciﬁc Blue Cross Standard Investments SunLife Financial Transamerica Invests. WealthLINK Financial Services a member of the KHS Group

Email: fpcinc@telus.net

Toll Free: 1-800-773-3233

Just Because... Make someone’s day with this arrangement of cheerful ﬂowers guaranteed to make her smile. 416 Government Street, Burns Lake 250-692-2395 Toll Free 1-877-692-2395 Open Monday thru Friday: 10 am - 5 pm • Saturday: 10 am - 3 pm See our new website: www.burnslakeﬂowers.ca

Career and job fair CONTRIBUTED Everyone is invited March 15 to the second annual College of New Caledonia (CNC) Burns Lake career and job fair at Muriel Mould Neighborhood Learning Centre. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a panel presentation by five to six employers who will provide an overview of the future career trends within their organization. This presentation will focus on the jobs available and qualifications required to obtain employment in their sector. Sectors represented will be social services, forestry, mining, armed forces, banking and construction. Individuals are encouraged to bring their resumes and meet more than 30 local, regional and national employers to see what they have to offer.

A number of new employers are participating in the March career and job fair,” said Lynn Synotte, CNC’s marketing and recruitment representative. “We are very pleased to have partnered with

Burns Lake Band, Skin Tyee Nation and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation to present this valuable event. It is an excellent venue to meet potential employers and to discuss potential career

paths. It also allows students and community members the opportunity to investigate the diversity of jobs related to their training and to plan a career path.” For more information call 250-692-1700.

Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal

Member Positions Various Locations Part-time Renumerated on a per appeal basis Initial term of 2 years Reappointment to a maximum of 6 yrs The Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal is seeking a number of individuals to serve as members. The Tribunal is independent of government and hears appeals of most types of decisions made by the Ministry of Social Development under the employment and assistance program. The Tribunal also hears appeals of decisions made by the Ministry of Children and Family Development under the child care subsidy program. The Tribunal has developed a Candidate Training and Testing Package to enable members of the public to acquire and demonstrate the prescribed knowledge and skills. For further information regarding member qualiﬁcations and application details, visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/eaat or phone 1-877-557-0035.

WorkSafeBC’s claims team is committed to serving the continuing needs of workers who were injured at the Babine Forest Products incident on January 20. The team can discuss any questions workers or their families may have about their claim or the status of their recovery and return to work. To make an appointment to talk to a team member, please call our toll-free contact line at

1-855-349-3685

www.ldnews.net

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lakes District News

Remediation work continuing on brown fields REBECCA BILLARD Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure spokesperson Jeff Knight said the work underway at the former ministry works yard at 51 Francois Lake Drive is part of the on-going remediation process. He said, "Small areas of the site that were identified as having the potential for having contaminated soil have been excavated and the soil that was removed is undergoing a bio-remediation process. The soil near the water table has been replaced with clean pit-run gravel and water testing will con-

tinue." As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Dec. 14, 2011 the eight acre site is now being administered by the Ministry of Citizens Services on behalf of the province. The site was found to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, which can include hexane and benzene as well as other constituents of petroleum products. Site investigation undertaken in 1993 first identified the contamination, however since then, remediation efforts have been undertaken including soil excava-

tion and the installation of a groundwater containment system. During 2010 the system was reevaluated and as a result, additional groundwater monitoring wells were installed, the system design was modified and the permit was modified in February 2011 to reflect the changes. The updated system has been in operation since July 2011. The site is one of three brownfield sites targeted by Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs Tourism and Innovation as a potential for tourism related industry as part of the Ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic recovery initiatives for the area.

Rebecca Billard photo

The brownfield site on 51 Francois Lake Drive was a hive of activity last week as heavy machinery rolled on site.

Responsible budgeting in an uncertain world. To prosper in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s turbulent global economy, discipline and focus are essential. All around us we see governments paying the price for overspending and uncontrolled debt. In BC, we have a different story.

Budget 2012 builds on our progress. t 4 QFOEJOH DPOUSPMMFE UP KVTU PO BWFSBHF QFS ZFBS LFFQJOH VT PO USBDL UP CBMBODF #VEHFU

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Net Debt-to-GDP ratio is a key measure of debt affordability.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to keep BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy strong in the face of global economic uncertainty. When other economies are looking inward, BC is reaching out to seize opportunities around the world. British Columbia. Canada Starts Here.

BC *

Canada **

US **

France **

* Forecast for end of 2012/13. Source: Budget 2012 ** Forecast for 2012. Source: International Monetary Fund, Fiscal Monitor, September 2011

For more details on Budget 2012, visit www.bcbudget.ca or www.bcjobsplan.ca

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

SPORTS

Lakes District News

Spring Fling season finale

VILLAGE OF BURNS LAKE

R E N R O C C E R until running now All Programs 3, 2012 March 2

Every Thursday

Morning Hockey Drop-In THURSDAYS - 6:30am to 7:45am $6.00 per person

Mandatory equipment; Helmet, Stick, Gloves & Skates. All equipment is recommended to be worn to play hockey safely.

Parents & Tots Skate THURSDAYS - 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Disco skate

$4 per family with kids under 6 years of age! Helmets are recommended to be worn.

Noon Skate

The Village of Burns Lake rec department will be holding a disco skate March 9.

THURSDAYS - 12:00pm to 1:00pm See cost for Public Skating below

FREE! Afternoon Programs! These Free Programs are Made Possible by

HAMPTON AFFILIATES

FREE! Day Time X-Country Ski Lessons

Number one

EVERY TUES 1PM-3PM at Omineca Ski Club FREE Day Passes... Ski Rental... Lessons... & Transportation from arena to ski club & back.

FREE! Drop-In Hockey EVERY WED

Twenty-two year old Rory McIIroy, from Northern Ireland defeats Tiger Woods to become the world number one golfer last weekend.

12PM-1:30PM at the Tom Forsyth Arena

FREE! 3 On 3 Hockey Tournament Mar 22 - Mar 24, 2012 - Registration forms at Blue Jay Sports, Village of Burns Lake Ofﬁce and website, and Village Recreation Facebook page - Deadline Mar 9 @ 4pm. All Players MUST be 18 and older to play.

More On-Going Programs... EVERY TUES & THURS 4pm to 5:30pm at the Muriel

Mould Neighbourhood of Learning Gym.

Parents & Tots Skate EVERY WED 11am to 12pm - $4 per family with kids under 6 years of age! Helmets are recommended to be worn.

Public Skating EVERY SUN. - 4pm to 5pm

Bantams The Burns Lake Bruins bantams A1 team is heading to the BC Hockey Tier 4 Champs in Vanderhoof March 18.

The Burns Lake Figure Skating Club celebrated their season finale with the community last weekend by hosting the ‘Spring Fling’ skating show at the Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena. Dressed in their sparkling outfits, skaters performed individual routines to music as well as a number of group skating events with junior club members. Parents, family and friends filled the stands for the afternoon show. Flowers were also thrown onto the ice after routines in appreciation of the skaters efforts. After the show, figure skating club members hit the ice for a free skate around the arena to greet the audience. Rebecca Billard photos

& EVERY OTHER FRIDAY - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

DISCO SKATE march 9

New Glow Glasses Available!

PUBLIC SKATING PRICES:

1995 Quinn St., Prince George, B.C.

Ph. 250-562-8171

Toll Free 888-552-5532

We would like to introduce our staff members that serve the Northwest.

Preschool: under 6 years $1.00 Youth: 6-18 years $3.00 • Adult: 19 & up $4.00

Hi Everyone

tion forms will be Ball Hockey League registra 2 at the Village 201 , 9th rch available on Ma our website www. of Burns Lake Ofﬁce, on book page www. burnslake.ca and our face tion. Early Bird crea eRe illag m/V facebook.co until March 30, .00 $55 are s Registration fee . Goalies ey) jers m 2012 (fee includes tea t our webpage and visi se Plea E! FRE for play 9th for more details. facebook page on March

Logan Wilson, Rec Coordinator Roger Hladun

Grange Kingsmill

Royden MacDonald

Full Line Sales based in Houston

Field Service Tech based in Smithers

Field Service Tech based in Terrace

250-649-9218

250-643-0665

250-615-2256

Service Parts Inventory on hand at NADINA TRUCK SERVICE in Houston Contact us today for all of your equipment and service needs.

For more information, please contact: Village of Burns Lake 15 3rd Ave / P.O. Box 570, Burns Lake BC, V0J 1E0 Phone: 250-692-7587 Email: village@burnslake.ca www.burnslake.ca or our Facebook Page

Find us & like us on Facebook

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

Busy time for arts and entertainment CONTRIBUTED

60 Anniversary The Burns Lake Curling Club is holding a closing bonspiel, roast beef dinner and dance on March 23-24. For tickets call 250-692-7372

Watoto Children’s Choir is performing at the First Menonite Church tonight at 7 p.m.

The Beacon Theatre presents Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' in the 2011 Stratford Festival production on March 10 at 2 p.m. Fans of theatre and live entertainment won't want to miss Shakespeare's tale of love and trickery. This front row centre event will be streamed live via satellite from Stratford, Ontario. The Burns Lake Rodeo Club is hosting a fundraiser and family dance on March 10 at the Francois Lake Hall. All proceeds will be used to purchase kitchen equipment for the old rodeo kitchen at the Eagle Creek Fairgrounds. The Rose Lake Community is hosting a scrumptious three course supper, served in the tasteful surroundings of the Rose Lake hall and a coffee house entertainment on March 10. For more info call Karen Sirfalk at 250696-3379. The Omineca Ski Club is hosting the annual Lakes Loppet and Family Marathon on March 11. Start time 10 a.m. for racing category only. This event is open to all competitive and recreational theatres. Don't miss this family event sponsored by the Lakes District's vener-

able cross country ski club, serving the community since 1927. The 55 Annual Lakes District Festival of the Performing Arts takes place from March 12 to March 17 at the Island Gospel Church. The festival starts with the piano competition on Monday, with speech arts and vocal competition to follow later in the week. The gala honours concert takes place on March 17. Schedule on page 13. The sixth concert in the arts council's performing arts season takes place on March 14 at the First Mennonite Church. Toronto based Elmer Iseler Singers are one of Canada’s most illustrious professional choral ensembles. Conducted by director Lydia Adams, the Toronto based choir has built an international reputation through concerts, broadcasts and recordings across North America and around the world. Known for the beauty of their sound, the Elmer Iseler Singers bring to life exciting repertoire that spans 500 years of great choral music. The choir will perform music by Mendelssohn and Schubert, black spirituals, a suite of Celtic tunes and a medley of Canadian classics. The choir’s

Lakes District News

ATTENTION Babine Forest Products Workers Food hampers are available to you twice a month at the local foodbank. Bring a piece of ID and let them know you are a Babine Forest Products worker and how many people in your family and you will be given a hamper and also an option to get a turkey voucher from Overwaitea. The Foodbank is open every Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Location is below Process 4 & circle arts gallery.

Fundraiser Dinner & Family Dance March 10th, 2012

FRANCOIS LAKE HALL 5:00pm........... Family Activities 6:00 pm.......... Dinner 7:00 pm.......... Cake Walk 7:30 pm.......... Family Dance 7:00-9:00pm.. Family Activities

Nikki Maher preformed during last year’s Annual Lakes District Festival of the Arts event. 2012 B.C. tour takes them to the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan and Vancouver Island. Burns Lake is the northern most stop on the tour. We are proud to offer you a rare opportunity to hear Canada’s premier professional choir. We encourage you to take the opportunity to see one of the most well-respected choral ensembles in the country, and provide them a warm welcome to the smallest town they will visit on their 2012 BC tour. For more information on the Elmer Iseler Singers, check out www.elmeriselersingers.com And now, this month's

contest. To be entered in a draw for one of two copies of Elmer Iseler Singers CD's, send your answer to this question to jbarth46@telus.net: The Elmer Iseler Singers were in British Columbia almost exactly 32 years ago. In which city or town did The Elmer Iseler Singers perform on March 16, 1980, 32 years ago?

Loonie & Silent Auction All Evening

Jelly Bean Count ...... $1.00 per guess Tin Can Throw.......... $2.00 - prize every time Fish Pond ................. $2.00 - prize every time Donations to Admission: Auction can be Family Pass: $40.00 - Includes one dropped off at or two adults with immediate the LDFC Printing children under 17 Couple: $25.00 • Individual: $15.00 next to KFC and Pizzarama Ages 7-17: $10.00 (Tues - Sat) 6 & under: FREE

All proceeds to purchase kitchen equipment for old Rodeo kitchen at Eagle Creek Fairgrounds. More information: 250-699-8697 Advertising partially sponsored by LD News

Canada’s premier choral ensemble: Songs of the spirit, Celtic songs, songs of Canada

Thank you!

After the devastating explosion and subsequent ﬁre that destroyed Babine Forest Products, leaving our community in shock and grieving, a small group of volunteers got together with a need to help in the most basic way - love and food. With the help of many great people and organizations, we were able to deliver over 600 food hampers directly to those families affected by the loss of the mill. Most workers received between 2 and 4 boxes of food to help tide them over while they worked on ﬁnding a new path for their lives. As the spear head behind this project, I need to thank so many wonderful people for making this food hamper program work.

Raikoti Properties Ltd. for the rent-free space where we could make food hampers. Bob Hicks & the BC Food Bank Association for 18 pallets of food. The community of Fraser Lake for three truckloads of food. The communities of Quesnel and Houston for a combined 500 lbs of food. Nechako Elementary School in Kitmat for 15 boxes of food. And the wonderful volunteers who spent their free time boxing food, used their own funds to pay for fuel to deliver food and helped out however they were able: Steve Stanyer Cindy West Edith Peters Trav Woskett (Superwoman!) Clint Sitar Darin Michell Wade Woskett Ashley Peters Dirk Weissbach Norbert Tom Kasia Woskett Eva Sherwood Kathleen Weissbach Gina West Dawn Giesbrecht Spencer Sherwood Anthony Tom Tim Maertz Travis Giesbrecht Ben Thiessen Barb Tom Lyle Graham Gord Flegg Crystal Havens Carolyn Higginson Jack LaCerte Matthew Thompson Johnny Johnson Jason Anderson Rhoda Anderson Logan Thompson Joseph Whess Corinne Swenson Richard Vossen Gail Thompson Louise Miller Tanner Mielken Daniella Oaks Ed Thompson Marg Woskett Cynthia Mielken Laura Blackwell Dakota Woods Jason Charlie Jill Elliott Melissa Bergeron Pam Gilchrist Angie Lacey Steve Dominic Colby Bergeron Dieca Cooke Ed Levick Bruce Cunningham Beatrice Michell Joel Cooke Trent Benson Jason Jubinville Dwight Pittock Barb Adam Susan Benson Chris Bjarnason John Ruffell Mike West Tenille Woskett My apologizes if I forgot anyone! Sincerely, Becky Thompson ADVERTISING DONATED BY LD NEWS/BLACK PRESS

The Elmer Iseler Singers Wednesday evening, March 14, 2012 7:30 pm First Mennonite Church The Elmer Iseler Singers are one of Canada’s most illustrious professional choral ensembles. Conducted by Director Lydia Adams, the Toronto-based choir has built an international reputation through concerts, broadcasts and recordings across North America and around the world. Known for the beauty of their sound, the Elmer Iseler Singers bring to life exciting repertoire that spans 500 years of great choral music. The choir will perform music by Mendelssohn and Schubert, black spirituals, a suite of Celtic tunes and a medley of Canadian classics. The choir’s 2012 BC tour takes them to the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan and Vancouver Island. Burns Lake is the northernmost stop on the tour. We are proud to offer you a rare opportunity to hear Canada’s premier professional choir! www.elmeriselersingers.com

Doors Open at 6:45 pm, Performance at 7:30 pm Tickets at Process 4 circle arts Gallery: 250-692-3434 $17.00 adults, $12.00 seniors, students and youth presented by:

LAKES DISTRICT

ARTS

COUNCIL

Proud participant in:

www.lakesdistrictarts.com

Burns Lake Incentive Program

Live Entertainment. There is nothing else like it. Advertising partially sponsored by LD News

Lakes District News

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net

COMMUNITY

Lakes District News online calendar launched CONTRIBUTED

Maybe you’ve noticed our new online calendar at www.ldnews.net It’s definitely not the old one. The new calendar requires no login or password and the form to submit an item is easy to use.

You can designate where you wish the calendar item to appear within the Black Press B.C. family of websites. You can also spread the word about your event to Facebook and Twitter from our calendar. It’s free, of course. There’s even a spot for an image, say a rehearsal

Census data shows population decline in Burns Lake RDBN sees population growth REBECCA BILLARD

Burns Lake Tragedy Fund Annual General Meeting is scheduled for March 19 at CNC. See page 21 for more details.

Story time at the library For preschoolers with Bonny is held at the Burns Lake Public Library every Thursday morning from 11 a.m. until 12 noon.

Census data shows Burns Lake's population dropped by 8.2 per cent from 2006 to 2011. According to recently released 2011 Census data, Burns Lake's population is 2,029, down from the 2,107 that was reported in 2006, a difference of 78 residents. Outside the village boundary however there has been population growth, with the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako's (RDBN) overall population increasing during the past four years. Census figures show a 2.5 per cent population increase across the district, bringing the RDBN's population from 38,243 in 2006 to 39,208 in 2011, an increase of 965 people. The population of Fort St. James has increased by the largest percentage in the district, with a 25.3 per cent increase. During 2006, Census data shows Fort. St. James had a population of 1,355, which has expanded over the past four years by 336 residents, to 1,691. With the Mt. Milligan Mine and project ramping up it is expected that the population in the Fort St. James area will continue to increase over the coming years. Fraser Lake has also seen a 4.9 per cent increase in population, with Census data reporting the population has grown from 1,113 to 1,167 people. The population in both Smithers and Telkwa has also increased, Smithers population has increased by 3.6 per cent to 5,404, an increase of 187 resi-

dents while Telkwa's population has increased by 4.2 per cent, an increase of 55 residents. Also on the increase is Vanderhoof, reporting a 10.2 per cent increase in population, now up to 4,480 residents, an increase of 416 residents. The largest population decrease in the area has been reported in Topley, down to just 80 residents in 2011 from 118 in 2006, a decrease of 32.2 per cent. In Granisle too, Census data shows a decrease with the population declining by 16.8 per cent, down to 303 residents from 364. Similarly the population of Decker Lake has decreased by more than 16 per cent, down from 219 residents to 182. Census data shows that the areas of Southbank and Tintagel are also in population decline, with Southbank's population dropping by 9.7 per cent to 102 and

Tintagel's population down by 9.4 per cent to 174 residents. Houston's population has slightly decreased to 3,143 from 3,163, a 0.5 per cent decrease. Canada's entire population rose to nearly 33.5 million in 2011, which is approximately double the 18.2 million from 50 years ago. As a whole, British Columbia had a seven per cent growth in population between 2006 and 2011, up to 4.4 million people. That's part of a national trend that saw more Canadians living in B.C. than ever before. Laurent Martel, a demography expert with Statistics Canada, said that the census shows Canada is only growing because of immigration. "Over the last 10 years, migratory increase became the key driver of Canada's population growth." With files from Andrew Hudson.

photo from a high school play. Someone here in the Lakes District News newsroom will check each item before it posts just to make sure it complies with our simple guidelines, which lead off the submission form. Our guidelines state if your event is free then it is free to post - but annual

general meetings although are free do not fall into that category because of society’s rules not ours. Basically, you can’t post a business-oriented sale. Our online calendar is a great way to create buzz about your organization or your event.

MARCH at the

Beacon Theatre! Beat those winter blues with a trip to the movies. All during MARCH, we’re offering

CRAZY DEALS on admission. Adults: $7* Students, Seniors & Children: $5*

On these... and other great ﬁlms* *

(3D fees not included)

Community Owned & Operated 441 Hwy 16, Burns Lake • 250-692-3334

www.beacontheatre.ca

Advertising partially donated by LD News

Mammograms Save Lives Book your appointment today Call 1 . 800 . 663 . 9203 or visit www.smpbc.ca

“As a technologist, I’ve seen ﬁrsthand the beneﬁts of breast screening. Mammograms are safe, effective and accessible.” Nancy Aldoff, Screening Mammography Program of BC

www.ldnews.net

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lakes District News

TRANSMISSION FLUSH & FILTER Eagle Automotive Center

COFFEE CORNER

ICBC Accredited Collision Repair Shop

Factory recommended service interval for changing your transmission oil and oil ﬁlter is typically once every 50,000 kms. Call for an appointment today...

Phone: 250-692-3805 Highway 16 West, Burns Lake, B.C.

OUR TOWN

The newly renovated

Omineca Ski Club Day Lodge IS AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL for meetings, conferences and events. With a brand new kitchen featuring two stoves as well as dishes and utensils for up to 120 guests, the lodge is a great spot to host your next event or get together.

Losing someone or something you love is a painful experience. Please join us for the coping with grief and loss workshop and learn healthy ways to deal with the pain. Mar. 20, at Muriel Mould School (Rm113), from 1:30–3pm. (250) 692.7500.

To book a rental: please contact Terri Dickson at (250) 695-6684, (250) 692-6684 (cell), or work at 1-877-695-6635. Email: tdickson@telus.net website: www.ominecaskiclub.com

Invite the whole community Invite the whole community to your to your next meeting, next brownie meeting, hockey game orski gala evening with a couple of swap or concert. clicks. Add your event today. Add your event today.

The Lakes District Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society is open the following hours: Tue., Wed. & Thur. from 11am - 2pm. We are located at 332 Highway 16 - next to Remax. Phone us at 250-692-7203. For Cancer Information Service 1-888-939-3333.

Want to know more about kids’ mental health & ADHD? Parents &/or Caregivers are welcome to attend the media-site viewing of ADHD BRAIN-A USERS GUIDE. ‘Society for Kids’ Mental Health. Mar. 14, 7pm–8pm. Rm #113, 270 9th Ave (Muriel Mould School) Call Heather @ 250-692-7500. Want to have positive connections with others? Drop in for homemade soup and a visit. Mar. 13 At Muriel Mould School (Rm113), 11:45am-1:30pm (lunch provided) (250) 692.7500. Have a family member living with A mental illness (depression, anxiety, bipolar)? Get Education & Support on Mar. 20, at Keefes Landing Cafe, Uncha Lake Rd 6:308pm (snacks provided). More info Heather (250) 692.7500. Parent’s support group. Have you been experiencing stress, frus-

tration and a sense of hopelessness regarding your children? Next meeting will be on Mar. 27, from 12pm-1pm (every 4th Tue.), in Rm#113, Muriel Mould School. Contact Heather 250-692-7500. Regular meeting of the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society. Mar. 7 at 6pm at the forestry building. Everyone Welcome. Southside Health & Wellness Centre: March 2012: Chair Yoga every Tues. & Fri. 10-11am. Mar. 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, & 29 Nurse Practitioner all day by appt. Mar. 8, 15, 22 Foot Care by appt. Mar. 13 Coping with grief Workshop 2-4pm. Mar. 20 New “Digma” 1pm-2:30pm. More info call (250) 694-3270.

Church Directory Lakes District & Area

Island Gospel Fellowship Gerow Island, Highway 35 Sunday School for all ages begins @ 9:15 am

Worship Service begins @ 10:30 am

events there’s moreWonline » www.ldnews.net www.vicnews.com

MEET US AT THE HERITAGE CENTRE Answers on page 27

Across 1. Most squalid 9. “The English Patient” setting 15. Disburser 16. Cut back 17. Gain control again by conquest 18. Paternal relative 19. Machine used to send electronic copies 20. Appear 21. “Am ___ believe ...?” (2 wd) 22. End 23. Eye afﬂiction 25. Object that shoots paintballs 27. Columbus Day mo. 28. Jeer 30. “Absolutely!” 31. Municipal magistrate (Scotland) 34. Cross this to score a touchdown (2 wd) 36. One year’s record 37. “Give it ___!” (2 wd) 38. “Smart” ones 39. Sharp 41. Entertains 42. Warm, so to speak 43. Courtroom

conference between lawyers and judge 45. Blueprint 46. Stripped the skin off 47. Apiece 51. In the style of (French) 52. Amscrayed 53. Pistol, slangily 55. Bygone bird 56. It might be cut by a politician 58. Record of employee’s start and ﬁnish 60. Region away from a sea 61. Lifts 62. Gets rid of 63. One who explains the universe in terms of energy Down 1. Drudges 2. Leave of absence 3. Adhesive 4. Calendar abbr. 5. Ancient Andean 6. School 7. Infected 8. “Don’t give up!” 9. Flipper?

Grassy Plains Gospel Church Sunday Service: 10:45 am

10. About 1% of the atmosphere 11. Barbarian 12. Plant or animal structures 13. Reserve 14. Great skill 21. Block house? 24. Cream puff 26. ___ Ann and Andy 29. Afﬂicts 30. Attraction 31. Similar to double boiler (2 wd) 32. Hardening by heat treatment 33. Lacking ability 35. Dalai ___ 37. Birdlike 40. Hawaiian ___ 41. Belly 44. In a spooky manner 46. Attack locale 48. Cremona artisan 49. Centers 50. Verb with thou 54. Hindu divine being 57. ___-relief 58. “First Blood” director Kotcheff 59. Video maker, for short

Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m.

ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH

At Muriel Mould Primary School 9th Ave entrance; Room 139

136 - 4th Avenue, Burns Lake

Burns Lake Community Church

FIRST MENNONITE CHURCH

~Everyone Welcome ~

Student Special includes snack box & medium drink

$ 99

Open 7 Days a Week 11:00am - 9:00pm Highway 16, Burns Lake • 250-692-3020

24 Hour Service

Complete Commercial/Residential/ Industrial Janitorial Service All Floors, Carpets, Windows, Upholstery, made like new Competitive Prices and Contract Rates available

Call Branislav 250-692-1812

Sunday 10:00AM

OLD LANDMARKS EVANGELICAL FREE

Contact: Roland & Lisa Cataford 250-692-9196

For more info or table rental call 250-692-9799

248 - 3rd Avenue, Phone: 250-692-3568

~ Everyone Welcome ~

Sunday, 10:30 am

9:00am-3:00pm Lots of goodies to buy... crafts, comforts, throw rugs, baked goods, canned goods, jams & jellies, woolen sweaters, socks & bags

JESUS CHRIST

250-694-3329 (Church)

(a Calvary Chapel)

Last Saturday of the Month

IMMACULATACatholic Church

Pastor Ed Peters Phone: 250-692-7551

Led by our rotating volunteers

Meeting on Sunday’s at Decker Lake Elementary School @ 10:30 a.m.

Kerr Road, Burns Lake Church Service at 10:30 am Sunday School at 9:15 am for all ages, Youth Group Fridays 7-9 pm

Phone 250-692-7202

Contact John Neufeld - 250-692-7949

250-692-3259

Sunday Worship 9:30am & Open Sunday School 9:30am ALL ARE WELCOME

Farmer’s Market

THE CHURCH OF OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

President Lambert 694-3748 Hwy 35 & Francois Lake 250-6956316 Everyone Welcome

Burns Lake

PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 724 Babine Lake Road

Sunday Services: 10:30 am Celebrating the Love of God Pastor Henry Washington 250-692-7464

DECKER LAKE MENNONITE CHURCH Sunday Morning Services: Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Worship Services: 10:30 a.m. Pastors - Ken Dyck 250-698-7629 David S. Burkholder 250-692-7057 Everyone Welcome Hwy 16, Decker Lake

Seventh Day Adventist Church Group Meets Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at the United Church on Centre Street.

250-695-6586

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15 to 40 OFF (With this ad - Sale ends March 10th)

Highway 16’s

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Gallery Hours for March: Tues. - Fri.: 12 Noon - 5pm Sat: 10am - 3pm • Closed Sun. Mon.

692-3434 toll free 1-888-990-2298

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HOROSCOPES Week of Mar. 7 - Mar. 13 th

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your genius side kicks in, and suddenly you’ve got the answers for everything. Enjoy the accolades, Virgo. It’s your turn to shine. An invite makes you giddy.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Drop the pretense, Aries. Your body language is giving you away. Say what’s on your mind and you’ll be surprised at what happens next.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Caution, Libra. You’re veering off course. Take steps now to get back on track or prepare to suffer the consequences. A sporting event takes an unexpected turn.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Try as you might, Taurus, you won’t be able to fool others, much less yourself, for long. Face up to your limitations, work within them and all will go well.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Relax, Scorpio. A friend has got your back. Keep plugging along on the big picture and let them attend to the minor details. A phone call puts you on cloud nine.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Gracious Gemini. You give, and you give, and you give some more, but these days, it seems like no one is giving back. Don’t let that stop you—you’re making a real difference.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A chilling tale reminds you that some offers are too good to be true. Remember that as you weed through the paperwork on your desk.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Pay them no heed, Cancer. Keep pursuing your idea, and you will prove to those naysayers that you’re on to something great. An order is completed.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) This will be a week to remember as old friends and new drop by. Roll out the welcome mat and prepare to have a lot of fun, Capricorn. You deserve it.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re the comeback kid this week, Leo. You manage to finish all of those tasks gone sour and take on more than your fair share of new responsibilities.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) One more time, Aquarius. You are so close to reaching your goal. Pennies saved here and there will make a big difference later when you need it most.

RATING: MEDIUM 6

5 1

8 1

6 7

Engine Game Gay Gets Graph Had Harsh Help Hens Holidays Italy Kite Knees

Locate Marched Newer Nod Not Number Oak Offered One Park Pastry Pit Pot

Guess who’s turning another year older...

Caterpillar Chopped Clue Cow Dash Dew Did Dip Dog Dough Ear Egg

I was born on March 5, 1989, in Fort Collins, CO. I played Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Who am I?

4 9

Answer: Jake Lloyd

Find these words in the puzzle... Add Ago Aid Aim Any Ask Aunt Away Both Bowl Boys Car Cash

Answers on page 27

Windows 8 Beta Released Microsoft has just released its Windows 8 Consumer Preview Beta, which boasts over 100,000 code changes since the earlier Developer Preview last year. The new Beta software, which is available for free from the Microsoft website, was downloaded more than 1 million times in the first 24 hours after the release. Though the future seems bright for Windows, it is still rather ironic that the current Microsoft operating system, Windows 7, still has not beaten Windows XP in market share. According to last month’s figures, Windows XP still accounts for over 45% of the OS market share, with Windows 7 trailing at just over 38%. Windows Vista is currently far behind at 8.1% of the market share, and Mac OS X 10.7 accounts for under 3%.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Projects around the house wrap up, making way for a hobby. Time to clean out the closets and get cracking, Pisces. A new face proposes an old idea with a twist.

WORD SEARCH

250-692-7314

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Quacks Quiet Ray Robbed Robe Rod Rows Sat Seem Sit Ski Sky Slit

Son Sums Tea There Thinks Thrill Toe Toy Uses Walk Wash Yes Yet

MAR. 4 - 10

I was born on March 8, 1982, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. I starred in L.A. Ink. Who am I? Answer: Kat Von D

• COMMON SENSE TEAS • WILD JOE COFFEES •

Lakes District News

Computer Repairs, Sales & Training Hwy 16, Burns Lake Open 9am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 12pm-4pm on Sat.

Phone: 250-692-7773 email: ACIComputerService@telus.net

Burns Lake Legion Branch #50

Open for Business! Come and see your New Legion

Grand Opening March 17th If you love your freedom, thank a Veteran. Support your local Legion. WE DO... * Catering for small functions * Banquet room facility “Members and bona fide guests welcome” Hours: Tues. to Sat.: 4:00-8:00 pm

250-692-3232

24 www.ldnews.net

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 Lakes District News

Your community. Your classiďŹ eds.

250.692.7526 fax 250.692.3685 email advertising@ldnews.net

â&#x2013;ź

TO REACH THE MARKET

â&#x2013;ź

First advertise in the Lakes District News! ALL WORD ADS go on the Internet for the whole world to see! www.bcclassiďŹ ed.com

REACHING US

Call 250-692-7526 or come by our ofďŹ ce. Hours are 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday thru Friday. Fax in your ad to 250-692-3685 or email: advertising@ ldnews.net

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HOW TO PAY

Announcements

In Memoriam Gifts

Obituaries

ALL FUNDS DONATED to the Burns Lake Health Care Auxiliary are used to provide ďŹ nancial support, equipment plus comfort and care for patients in our hospital, the Pines and all other community healthcare services. Mail a donation on behalf of yourself or a loved one to:

Come to our ofďŹ ce at 23 3rd Avenue, or you may pay with Visa or Mastercard over the phone. All ads must be prepaid.

â&#x2013;ź

CLASSIFIED AD RATES

REGULAR WORD ADS 1 issue, 3 lines $8.50 per week

FREE ADS For anything under $50.00 value. 15 words or less. Ad must contain one item and price. Misc. for Sale category only. Private party ads only (no commercial). Ads cannot be accepted over the phone.

$5 ADS For anything worth $50 - $500. 15 words or less. Ad must contain one item and price. Misc. for Sale category only. Runs for 4 weeks. Ads must be prepaid - cash only.

LEGAL ADS $16.01 per col. inch

,W WDNHV PXVFOHV WR UHDG WKLV DG

HWY 16 REGIONAL ADS 3 lines - No changes - ad runs in: Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Houston, Smithers, Ft.St.James, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat, Northern Connector, Northern Daily (1 week) ....................................... $78.88

BC BEST BUY ADS 25 words- No changes - ad runs one week, all papers covering: Lower Mainland .......... $102.28 BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Interior ............... $124.95 Vancouver Island ........ $119.00 All of the Above .......... $299.00 Extra cost for additional words

RUN IT â&#x20AC;&#x2122;TIL SOLD ADS 1x1 classiďŹ ed ad. For $31.50 we will run your ad UNTIL IT SELLS, any category, max. 30 words No Real Estate or commercial ads Please call if you need more information on any of our classiďŹ ed packages.

HAPPY ADS To announce birthdays, weddings, births etc.

2 col. x 2â&#x20AC;? - $20 2 col. x 3â&#x20AC;? - $30 2 col. x 4â&#x20AC;? - $40

â&#x2013;ź

ALL ABOVE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE HST

DEADLINES

ClassiďŹ ed Word & Display: Friday @ 3:00 P.M.

â&#x2013;ź

OUR POLICY

Lakes District News reserves the right to edit, revise, classify or reject any classiďŹ ed ad not meeting our standards.

No refunds on ClassiďŹ eds Ads. LAKES DISTRICT

NEWS

'RQŇ&#x2039;W WDNH \RXU PXVFOHV IRU JUDQWHG 2YHU &DQDGLDQV ZLWK PXVFXODU G\VWURSK\ WDNH WKHP YHU\ VHULRXVO\ /HDUQ PRUH DW PXVFOH FD

Announcements

Employment

Information

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to keep drinking thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your business - if you want to quit drinking thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our business. Burns Lake Meetings: Tuesday 7:30 pm Catholic Church, Saturday 7:30 pm Catholic Church. For information or transportation call (250) 692-6867 / (250) 6987325 / (778) 669-0070 Only requirement for AA is a desire to stop drinking.

The Arthritis Society B.C. and Yukon division is your primary source and resource of the latest print and electronic information, programs and services about arthritis. No matter where you live, you can access us at the touch of a button. Toll free 1-800-321-1433 or visit www.arthritis.ca/bc The Chronic Disease Education Clinic at the Lakes District Hospital is open Tuesday & Thursday from 9am-4pm. The clinic provides information and teaching on various chronic illnesses such as Diabetes & Heart Disease. A doctors referral is not needed. To speak with the nurse call (250) 692-2440

Education/Trade Schools

AIRLINES ARE Hiring- Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualiďŹ ed- Housing available. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783.

MORE JOBS Than graduates! Employers seek out CanScribe Medical Transcription graduates. New Course! New Low Price! We need more students! Enroll Today! 1-800466-1535 www.canscribe.com admissions@canscribe.com

Anyone needing information on Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s please call 1866-564-7533

B.L. Health Care Aux. Box 812 Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0 A tax deductible receipt will be issued

Announcements

BETTY POSTILL

Jan. 29, 1924 - March 2, 2012 Married to her loving husband, William â&#x20AC;&#x153;Billâ&#x20AC;? Postill, since 1959, Betty passed away peacefully in The Pines nursing home in Burns Lake on March 2. The couple built what was at ďŹ rst a holiday cabin in Takysie Lake nearly 30 years ago and moved there permanently. Born Bertha Adeline Anhorn in Walla Walla, Washington, Betty and her family became Canadians during the Great Depression, when they moved to southern Alberta to homestead. Her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early death necessitated Betty leaving school at 15 to work as a maid and later a waitress to help support her mother, Anna Margaret Anhorn (deceased) and her younger brothers, Bud, Ray and Johnny (all deceased). During World War II, while working in Calgary, Betty married Wilfred Poulton (deceased), with whom she had two daughters: Terry Poulton of Toronto, and Bonnie Cox, who died in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2001. Betty and Bill adopted three children, twins, Louise Poirier of Ajax Ontario, Linda Noronha of Calgary and Scott Postill of Calgary. Betty became a dedicated, admired and highly professional craftswoman who ďŹ rst pursued ceramics and moved on to quilting and weaving, both of which she taught to others while maintaining a crafts shop in Olds, Alberta, called Bitsa and, later, a studio and business in Takysie called Woolgathering. In her later years, when Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was taking a sad toll, Betty still managed to crochet hats for newborns and lap blankets for seniors, which she donated to charities, some of which distributed them around the world. Betty will be much missed not only by her husband and children but also by her surviving brother, Mike Anhorn and his wife Joyce of St. Albert, Alberta, and her grandchildren: Laura Wilson (Frank) in El Paso, Texas; Robert (Allison) Paauw in Louisville, Ky, Lesley Cox; Elise, Brittany and Nathan Poirier in Ontario, Trish Postill, daughter-in-law in Vancouver, and Emma and Sadie Postill in Vancouver; her great grandsons, Troy, Tayler and Michael Paauw; her son-in-law Mark Poirier in Ontario; Angelo Noronha, son-in-law in Calgary and her remarkable friends, Mary and Fred Gruen in Takysie. Bettyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family wants to thank the wonderfully supportive staff of The Pines, who helped make her last days extremely comfortable. Interment will be in southern Alberta, where a memorial service is being planned. There will be a service at Takysie Lake Resort, March 10 at 2pm.

Lakes District News

250-692-7526

Burns Lake RCMP Victim/Witness Assistance Program. 201 Hwy. 35, Box 759 Burns Lake. Open Monday to Thursday 9a.m. to 4p.m. (250) 692-3010 FOOD BANK distribution days are every Tuesday. Clients come at 11am and it closes at 1pm. The Lakes District Food Bank continues to operate due to the outstanding generosity of the community. If you would like to make a donation and receive a tax deductible receipt, please mail your donation to: Lakes District Food Bank, Box 777, Burns Lake, BC, V0J 1E0. LOCAL HOSPICE Services are available by contacting the Hospice Coordinator at (250) 692-2448. The Hospice ofďŹ ce, located in the Lakes District Hospital, is open every Thurs. from 10am - 4pm. A lending library of videos, books and information on bereavement is available. Please make donations to the local hospice and palliative care program payable to the Burns Lake Hospice Program, Box 7500, Burns Lake, BC V0J 1EO NECHAKO RIVER FLOW FACTS February 24, 2012 Reservoir Elevation: 851.58m

(2793.92.ft) 3

SLS Discharge: 125 m /s Overall snow pack is currently 170 per cent of historical average for this time of year. Skins Lake Spillway discharge was increased from 100 m3/s to 125 m3/s on Friday 24 February to reduce reservoir level in preparation for spring freshet. For more information please call Rio Tinto Alcan at 250-567-5105. A recording of Flow Facts is available 24-hours in Vanderhoof at 567-5812

PLANNING a wedding or anniversary party? Looking for plastic ďŹ&#x201A;owers for decorations. Call OPTIONS at Nourse House 9am- 3pm Mon. to Fri. Francois Lake Drive. Operated by residents of 8th Avenue Group Home. (250) 692-7845

Personals GET PAID To lose weight. $5,000 For your success story. Personal image TV show. Call to qualify: 416-730-5684 ext 2243. Joanna@mertontv.ca. www.mertontv.ca.

Travel

Timeshare CANCEL YOUR Timeshare. NO Risk Program. STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Free Consultation. Call Us Now. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248.

Travel BRING THE family! Sizzling specials at Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best beach! New Smyrna Beach, Florida. See it all at: www.nsbďŹ&#x201A;a.com/bonjour or call 1-800-214-0166.

Employment Business Opportunities Be Your Own Boss! Attention Locals! People req. to work from home online. Earn $500$4500+ P/T or F/T. Toll Free 1.877.880.8843 leave mess. BE YOUR Own boss with Great Canadian Dollar Store. Franchise opportunities now available. Call today for details 1-877-388-0123 ext. 229 or visit our website: www.dollarstores.com.

Drivers/Courier/ Trucking

250-692-7526

DRIVER. Class 1 Drivers wanted. Offering top pay. Close to home. Home most weekends. Family comes ďŹ rst! 1 year ďŹ&#x201A;at deck exp. & border crossing a must. Fax resume & driver abstract to 604-853-4179.

Career Opportunities

Lakes District News

Service Manager Respected International Truck Dealership located in beautiful Northeastern BC is seeking a Service Manager to oversee its service department. Will be responsible for overseeing all service department personnel, as well as monitoring their performance in serving customers. Will be responsible for creating goals and objectives for the department, customer growth and satisfaction, sustaining employee morale, setting and reaching sales and proďŹ t objectives while maintaining excellence and the highest ethical standards. Must have the ability to motivate and lead a team to success. If you are passionate about the transport service business and want to be a part of our growing company, please submit resume to:

Email: Andy.Schurmann@gearorama.ca Fax: 250-782-8142

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING Get Practical Skills That Get Jobs Vancouver Island University training for over 50 years, No simulators. Low student / instructor ratio. 1-888-920-2221 ext: 6130 www.viu.ca/ heavyequipment Lakes District News

250-692-7526

Help Wanted

Help Wanted An earthmoving company based in Edson Alberta requires a full time Heavy Duty Mechanic for ďŹ eld and shop work. We require Cat Dozer/Deere excavator experience. You will work a set schedule for days on and off. Call Lloyd @ 780-723-5051 P. Scheck Industrial LTD requires a CertiďŹ ed Electric Motor Winder and a handy man (must have grade 12) apply with resume 205A Lear Rd. or email: pscheck@uniserve.com

FFRONTIER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP Highway 16 West Smithers

â&#x20AC;˘ Licenced automotive technician â&#x20AC;˘ or 3rd/4th year apprentice This position is full time and includes a competive wage and beneďŹ ts package .

Interested applicants can forward resume to: email - glennb@frontierchrysler.net or call Glenn at 250-847-4266

We have an immediate opportunity for a committed broadcast sales person to grow a list of advertisers in the Bulkley Valley market. As a retail sales account manager for four radio stations and one TV station, you will work in unison with the market management team to develop advertising campaigns speciďŹ c to an established list of experienced clients. Must have a vehicle and valid BC Drivers licence. This position offers an attractive guarantee and competitive commission compensation plan with beneďŹ ts. Your working and practical knowledge of business software systems; candid and honest approach in dealing with people; skilled forcasting ability and questioning nature will enhance your ability to manage this position optimally. By setting the tone for the day, you will be responsible to meet and exceed performance benchmarks consistent with the Astral Radio & Television group of stations. You will live in one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most picturesque located where the world class ďŹ shing and skiing are surpassed only be the regions beauty. Please direct resumes: Brian Langston/General Manager blangston@astral.com Fax: 250-638-6320 or mail to: 4625 LAZELLE AVE., TERRACE, BC V8G 1S4 We thank you for your interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Astral Media endorses the principle of Employment Equity and is committed to ensuring that our workforce is representative of the public we serve.

Lakes District News Wednesday, March 7, 2012

www.ldnews.net 25

Employment

LAKES DISTRICT & AREA

Help Wanted

BUSINESS

ROXUL Inc.

is a manufacturer and marketer of insulation products in the North American market place with production facilities in Milton, ON and Grand Forks, B.C. Our expanding company is a subsidiary of Rockwool International, manufacturing high quality hi-performance mineral wool products.

We are now taking applications for:

Millwrights We currently have a position available for a Certified Millwright in our maintenance department. Candidate must hold a valid inter-provincial Millwright Certificate. This position entails shift work including 12-hour shifts. Competitive compensation package including benefits. Human Resources, ROXUL Inc. 6526 Industrial Pkway, P.O. Box 2890 Grand Forks, B.C. V0H 1H0 Fax: 250-442-5278 e-mail: Jim.holmes@roxul.com We thank all applicants; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Job Title: Position Type: Reports To: Subordinate Staff: Level/Salary Range:

INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTATION INSTRUCTOR We have an immediate need for a full-time, permanent instrumentation technologist or engineer who will teach for both Foundation and Apprenticeship programs. To apply online or view the complete job description go to nlc.bc.ca

Are you ready for a dream career opportunity? Live and work in beautiful Fort St. John, B.C., a vibrant community of over 19,000 with all the amenities needed for work and play. NORTHERN LIGHTS COLLEGE offers excellent remuneration with competitive salaries and beneﬁts.

INC.

Chief Administrative Ofﬁcer (CAO) Full-time TCC-Executive All Tahltan Central Council (TCC) Employees To Commensurate with Education and Experience

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES t Manages the day to day affairs of the councils, based on approved policies and bylaws of the Council. t Coordinates the development of policies and bylaws of the Council. t Prepares agendas and attends meetings of the Council and Council Committees. t Provides advice as required to the Council on matters of policy and finance. t Coordinates activities of TCC solicitor and other hired experts. t Ensures that risks are properly insured through the insurance provider. t Prepares and maintains current policies dealing with Council governance and management, e.g., finance, human resources, workplace safety, etc. t Coordinates information technology required by the operations. t Posts entries on a timely basis to the ledger. t Prepares monthly bank reconciliation for all bank accounts. t Prepares regular financial reports for the Council and staff. t Prepares working papers for the auditor as required. t Prepares and presents draft budgets to the Council. t Monitors budgets regularly and takes action on variances. t Prepares applications and claims for all grants available to the TCC. t Prepares and submits the annual reports to government agencies as required. t Administers employee benefit program. t Performs all other assigned duties. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS t University degree with studies in Public or Business Administration; and t Two or more years in a senior public sector management position. The position will be based in Dease Lake, British Columbia at the TCC office. Dease Lake is located in the Northwest Region of British Columbia, approximately 600km north of Terrace and Smithers, BC via Highway 37. Please visit our website at www.tahltan.org for more information on the Tahltan Central Council Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter, or CV to the address below: Attention: Annita Mcphee, President Email: annitamcphee@gmail.com Or info@tahltan.org Fax: 250-771-3020 Tahltan Central Council PO Box #69 Dease Lake, BC VOC 1LO Phone: 250-771-3274 Deadline is March 19, 2012

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NEWS

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Starting a Business? Expanding Your Business? The Comfor/CFDC Developmental Lending Program can help! For more information, call 1-800-556-5539

If you are a highly skilled professional with expertise in your ﬁeld, NLC provides intensive instructor training to help develop your teaching skills and share your technical knowledge with some of northeastern British Columbia’s best and brightest students and faculty.

1-866-463-6652•nlc.bc.ca

RAINBOW MOTEL

We now sell Propane!

250-692-7747 Fax: 250-692-7753

Chief Administrative Officer POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Tahltan Central Council Government Executive, primarily the President, the CAO is responsible for the day-to-day management of TCC’s operations. The CAO is responsible for the financial management and support to the Council, its committees and agencies. The CAO is responsible for coordinating the activities of all employees to ensure efficient delivery of public services approved by the Council.