MSS COMPUTERS STOLEN PAGE 3
ROSEWOOD PERFORMS PAGE 7
CENTS DRAW FIRST BLOOD PAGE 8
Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905
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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
The Merritt Fire and Rescue Department sent nine firefighters to a hedge blaze outside Diamond Vale Elementary School around 3 p.m. Thursday. Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson said the fire was maliciously set and police are investigating. Tomkinson said the flames reached 30 feet wide and 14 feet high. No one was reported hurt. A smaller fire was allegedly set to a tree near Merritt Secondary School the day before. Phillip Woolgar/Herald
Man tells MSS students about watching son die An ICBC speaker talks to grads about the deadly results of dangerous driving Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
As grad season approaches, ICBC is ramping up efforts to educate students about the deadly results of irresponsible driving. ICBC’s road safety speaker Greg Drew visited Merritt Secondary School Friday to talk to students, as part of his tour to B.C. high schools. His son died in a singlevehicle accident. “Young people seem to have this Superman syndrome,” Drew said. “They believe, ‘It’s not going to happen to me and my actions aren’t affecting anybody,’ when actually what they do can hurt a lot of people.” He witnessed his son, Jay, trapped inside of a car after
M E R R I T T
a high-speed collision. The vehicle hit a tree and Jay was sitting conscious in the tattered vehicle. Jay later died in hospital while holding his father’s hand. Drew spent 32 years in fire services, responding to the carnage at countless vehicle accidents. ICBC credits him with “captivating audiences with his powerful presentation.” “All I want to do is impact one of you,” he said to students at MSS on Friday. “When I go out that door, I’ll have my head held high because I made a difference.” Drew told students about the possible results of overconfident drivers. ICBC’s Director of Road Safety Fiona Temple said the speaker program has ran for 15 years.
Phone: 250-378-6181
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See our full Real Estate Review inside the Thursday edition of the Merritt Herald.
“This is one way that we’re reaching out to students, because we care about their safety and we want to help them make smart choices when it comes to driving or getting in a car with their friends,” she said. “Our road safety speakers tell students about their first-hand experiences of horrible crashes that have had profound effects on their lives.” An average 250 youths are killed or injured in the southern interior during grad season — April, May and June — according to ICBC 2006 to 2010 statistics and police data. Youths are defined in the stats as being between 16 and 21 years old. ICBC credits this stat to inexperienced, overconfident and risky young drivers. Car crashes are rated as the No. 1 preventable cause of death among youths in B.C.
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2 • TUESDAY, March 20, 2012
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
9
378-099 Garbage Day The City of Merritt’s new garbage truck hit the streets last week. People credited the new process with making the roads look cleaner. While those whe disposed their garbage weren’t required to have the new bins out this week, Public Works Superintenent Darrell Finnigan said about 90 per cent of people put out the new bins. The new truck uses a fork to pick up the bins, making the job less strenuous for the city’s garbage man. Phillip Woolgar/Herald
PO Box 98 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
Custom welding and bending. On radiators and mufflers.
894 Coldwater Road, Merritt, B.C.
City imposes licensing for regular garage sales Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Those who open their own garage sale will now need a business license if they operate more than four times in one year. The City of Merritt approved the motion 6-1 last Tuesday. Bylaw Services Officer Bob Davis responded to a series of complaints during garage sale season last summer that accused home owners of holding the sales every weekend. Traffic holdups and an excess of vehicles parked along the road were a couple of the issues. “With some investigation on the weekends, I found there were four residents
that magically opened a garage door and put out a sandwich board and became a business,” Davis said. “They were selling items you might find in Acapulco [Mexico]. “Some of them were even wrapped and priced in Southern United States and Mexican currencies.” Coun. Harry Kroeker, who was the only councillor opposed to the motion, said people may need more garage sales if they decide to move. Davis said he is aware of three homes in the Quilchena Avenue, Jackson Avenue and Coldwater Avenue areas that host garage sales every weekend in the summer — he’ll use the information to monitor when the operations exceed four, and
then the person hosting the garage sale will receive a notice to purchase a business license. Councillors were suspicious about how Davis will know when a person has exceeded four days of selling. “It just so happens that I am a garage saler,” Davis responded. “Every Saturday, I became extremely familiar with them. I’ll get them all.” Davis said he discussed Merritt’s current 14-day allotment for garage sales with the Community Safety and Enforcement Manager for Kamloops, who said the number of days was laughable. A garage sale license costs $125 per year.
How’s your hearing? Ask an Audiologist.
Carolyn Palaga, MSc, Aud (C)
Merritt Hearing Clinic A division of Carolyn Palaga Audiology Ser vices Ltd.
Call Monday - Friday
315-9688 2076A Granite Avenue, Merritt (Located at Nicola Valley Chiropractic)
Authorized by: WCB First Canadian Health Veterans Affairs Registered under the Hearing Aid Act (B.C.)
Police search for stolen MSS laptops Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt RCMP and the Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 are searching for computers that were allegedly stolen from Merritt Secondary School over the past several months. Approximately 15 computers were stolen and one was returned by a parent who recognized that the laptop didn’t belong to his child, said RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore. “The parent had discovered that his son was in possession of a
laptop that the family had not purchased,” she said. “He contacted the local police and turned in the computer as found property.” Police said they determined the computer was taken from MSS, though there was no registered serial number. After the report of the initial theft, police discovered the disappearance of the 14 other computers. The missing computers, which are valued at approximately $700 each, are Toshiba Tecra R700 laptops that are either black or silver. The others are
said. “No charges have been laid as yet but RCMP have a person of interest in the computers that have been returned.” Anyone who has
Dell Latitude D620 and are traceable. “The file is still under investigation pending further information from the public,” Dunsmore
Adopt a Pet
information about this or any other crime is asked to call the local RCMP at 378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
from Angel’s Animal Rescue Society
2 Annual
Angel’s Animal Rescue will be holding a Garage Sale on Sunday May 27th
r
g fo Lookin
donations of gently used items No electronics or clothing please. For more information or to donate please call Trish at 250-315-2495
DEXTER 3 to o 4 year old, Husky Cross, Male. Very ery well mannered. Typical of a Husky, y, Dexter is not good with cats but is very good with dogs. Dexter er is extremely affectionate, kind and gentle. He is great inside.
View other adoptable dogs available at Angel’s Animal Rescue Society by going to http://www.angelsanimalrescue.ca.
Donations desperately needed for spay and neuter services.
DIABLO III Arrives on May 15th! “The End of Days approaches…. Diablo III will be unleashed from the Burning Hells on May 15, 2012. Blizzard has already written the fate of Diablo fans and the path to our destruction starts by choking down the $60USD price tag. However there are some pleasant surprises for the fans as well. Including a more effective way to identify items and teleport without wasting inventory slots. If there was one thing I would’ve wished for in D3, it was definitely the wasted inventory slot Then again you zen out.... With what you have been given regardless and it could’ve been just as effective making the scrolls rare to find? Meaning by that, less chance of having them in the inventory. “Beginning May 15, players around the world will be able to return to Tristram to discover the dark secrets of a fallen star and begin their quest to save Sanctuary from the impending demonic invasion. To secure your place as a barbarian, monk, demon hunter, witch doctor, or wizard right now, simply log in to your Battle.net account, and then purchase and download* Diablo III, and you’ll be ready to play when the game launches.” After visiting the website(s) and seeing the rather awesome movie clip, they have posted, where the grandfather of an innocent young woman, disappears in a great ball of ethereal fire. Thinking the quest probably begins there, more or less. Glancing over the posted ‘new features’ also indicates the level of detail they have devoted to the graphic quality. Surprisingly Blizzard has elected to keep the minimum system requirements to a mere Windows XP with a fairly decent video card that could handle a smooth 1024x768 rez. I’m currently benchmarking a new GridBug EGG configuration that’ll work nicely, with a cost at < $300 per BuG, going on sale April 1st, at Country Bug Books & Gifts, ask in-store for details. There’s clear indication that Blizzard hopes to achieve a quick enough interface so you’d spend more time in battle. The Monk I created called, Spirit Walker. Took about a half hour, without going deeply into all possibilities. This dude needs to be 43rd level for all the cool skills I selected. As mostly we all expected not to see this until the 4th Quarter, this better not be a crash and burn for the mighty Blizzard. That will depend on if it’s ready and not buggy. My fate has certainly changed now that one of my favourites is back from history. Now that Diablo III is on the pre-release, expect to see one of our great users from the past, LrTcH, back here on the GameGrid, wiser than he was before. Read the full story at www.GameGRiD.org
Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, account #1193739.
This feature brought to you by...
A CANADIAN COMPUTING & GAMERS PORTAL
Offer ends March 30, 2012
Police provided an example of what the Toshiba brand of stolen computers looks like. Submitted
www.GameGRiD.org
TUESDAY, March 20, 2012 • 3
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Hydro smart meter complaint rejected By Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS
St. Patty’s Day A crowd came out to The Grand Pub and Grill on Garcia Street on Saturday to drink, dance and listen to the music of “Cod Gone Wild,” which sang various Irish ditties. Phillip Woolgar/Herald
The B.C. Utilities Commission has dismissed a complaint by an anti-smart meter group trying to put a stop to BC Hydro’s installation of the meters. Citizens for Safe Technology applied to the commission in late December seeking a “freeze” on the installation of wireless electricity consumption meters. Lawyer David Aaron argued that the province’s Clean Energy Act exempts the installation from commission approval, but the legislation doesn’t cover the “wireless and snooping component of the smart meter program.” The commission found that the term “snooping” referred to a radio chip in each meter that would only be activated if the customer wishes to install an in-home feedback device to show elec-
tricity consumption readings from the meter on a small wall display. Once the smart meter system is complete, BC Hydro customers will be able to review their consumption by logging into their online account, which currently displays BC Hydro bills and a summary of manual meter readings and estimates of consumption. The in-home display is an option to make tracking consumption more convenient. In its submission, BC Hydro said the chip is not capable of collecting or storing data, “real-time collection and monitoring of detailed information” or remote control of networked appliances or systems. The commission also noted that the provincial legislation did not prescribe any particular kind of meter, but left the technical details to BC Hydro engineers.
Abbott waits to appoint mediator in teacher dispute By Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS
Education Minister George Abbott says he won’t appoint a mediator in the long-running B.C. Teachers’ Federation dispute until after he returns from an education trade mission to China on Monday. Abbott said Wednesday his Asian trip was planned long before his ministry developed Bill 22, the legislation designed to force an end to months of teacher work-to-rule action that culminated in a three-day strike two weeks ago. Once Bill 22 passed in the legislature Thursday, Abbott said he would send letters to the heads of the BCTF and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association, inviting them to take part in mediation before he leaves for China. The legislation requires the BCTF and BCPSEA to bargain “in good faith” with the yet-to-be-named
mediator in an effort to reach agreement without adding new costs to the overall B.C. education budget. Abbott acknowledged there is no practical way to compel the BCTF to negotiate if they refuse. BCTF president Susan Lambert has repeatedly rejected the idea of a ministry-appointed mediator as well as the government’s “net zero” financial restriction. Abbott said because of the long history of disagreement, court challenges over restrictions on class size and special needs support and other unique complications, he will be seeking a mediator with significant education experience. In earlier interviews, Abbott has mused that a mediator who can “walk on water” would be preferable, and suggested that the skills used by Mahatma Gandhi to unite the disparate religions of India and achieve its independence would be useful in the teacher dispute. If no settlement is reached by the end of June, a
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GOOD MORNING! Opinion --------------------- 4-5 Sports ------------------------- 8 Take a Break ----------------- 9 Classifieds ------------- 10-11
TODAY’S HERALD FLYERS *Selected distribution Staples
REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: March, 1982 Failure to blow results in 14 days
Education Minister George Abbott is in Asia promoting B.C.’s education system. He is expected to appoint a mediator after he returns to Canada on Monday. Tom Fletcher/Black Press
new contract would be imposed that extends from last spring to June 2013, after the next provincial election.
Johnny William pled guilty in Merritt provincial court Monday to a charge of failing to provide a breath sample in connection with an impaired driving incident. Judge Terry Shupe sentenced him to 14 days in jail to be served intermittently. William also will be on probation during that time.
SCHOOL CONFIGURATION MEETING School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) will be holding a public meeting to discuss the conÀguration of Merritt schools for September 2012. The meeting will be held on:
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)
Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. @ Merritt Secondary School Multi-Purpose Room All interested members of the public are invited to attend.
4 • TUESDAY, March 20, 2012
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HERALD OPINION Matching students with needed jobs The noise of the teachers’ strike drowned out debate on the B.C. budget so thoroughly that one of Finance Minister Kevin Falcon’s more controversial ideas only made news last week. Reporters dubbed it “Welfare Air.” Falcon plans a pilot program to offer social assistance recipients training and airfare if they can line up a job in B.C.’s northern energy boomtowns. Workers are being imported to fill jobs there, while in Metro Vancouver and elsewhere the number of single employable people applying for social assistance is rising. Much of oil and gas work is dirty and dangerous. These days, most industrial jobs involve sophisticated electronics, and the technical skill level required is high. But there are entry-level jobs going begging, and relatively high pay is offered to fill positions in a shortstaffed service sector in the Peace region. NDP MLA Carole James, no stranger to northern B.C., dismissed Falcon’s plan as a stunt. There are unemployed people in the region who should be offered training before we start flying people up from Vancouver, James said. Yet I repeatedly hear from northern employers that the labour shortage is real and growing. The NDP warns that B.C. faces a future of “people without jobs, and jobs without people.” Mostly they blame the B.C. Liberals for removing apprenticeship programs from union control. I spoke with James about postsecondary needs a couple of weeks ago. She mentioned NDP leader Adrian Dix’s signature policy to restore B.C. student grants, funded by a capital tax on financial institutions. She also agreed that part of the problem is young people taking post-secondary education that leads to fields with poor job prospects.
See ‘One Job’ Page 5
Publisher Kelly Hall publisher@ kamloopsthisweek.com
Music Fest, Campground ‘C’ welcome in Valley
PHILLIP WOOLGAR Merritt HERALD With the recent announcement of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival lineup, Nicola Valley residents can rest assured that summer is finally approaching and it is with ferocious drive that the festival continues to bring out top names. On July 19, the crowds are expected to
gather for the event that has helped put Merritt on the music map. The price for admission is considered high by many people, and crowds keep dwindling at the fest, despite reopening Campground ‘C’ last year. The campground has been the site in the past to countless drunken hoards, and organizers reopened the infamous tent city last year after a brief hiatus, in hopes of boosting attendance. Campsite ‘C’ was opened to help draw in more younger crowds. The option is free, unlike camping in other areas of the
Editor Jade Swartzberg reporter@ merrittherald.com
Associate Publisher Theresa Arnold production@ merrittherald.com
MERRITT HERALD 2090 G
Mountainfest site. However, cold weather and a flood likely contributed to a lower turnout than anticipated. Campground ‘C’ caters to 300 campsites. The entire grounds has about 3,000 spots available. Last year, attendees were limited to a 2 a.m. curfew, but there’s no word on whether this will be enforced again this year. In past years, security has turned their heads to people out past 2 a.m., as long as they weren’t causing problems. Good on the organizers for reopening the campground. The
Reporter Phillip Woolgar reporter@ merrittherald.com
RANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241
more people who attend Mountainfest, the more people there will be spending money in town and helping the local economy. People are allowed to camp-out four days in advance to wait for the site to open. This stretches the economic boom that Merritt experiences during this time of year, particularly at local liquor and grocery stores. General admission for the four-day event is $185 if you buy before June 30 and $197 after July 1. Single day tickets cost $80 before July and $100 during. For reserved seats, people can pay
Advertising Sales Alisa Saunders sales@ merrittherald.com
$375 for rows 1-5, $325 for 6-13 and $275 for 14-26. This year’s lineup includes Gord Bamford, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Gary Allan, Hey Romeo, Tonya Kennedy, Stacey McKitrick, Coty Hawthorne, Steve Gibson, Dave St. Germain, Charlotte Fisher, Blake Havard, The Matinee, The Steel Toe Boots, Outlaws, Alanna and Brianne, Brent Lee, Christina Jean, Dixon Road, The Jardines, Carli and Julie Kennedy, Lisa Nicole, Smith and Jones, Stonebolt and the Washboard Union.
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Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.
This Merritt Herald 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 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
TUESDAY, March 20, 2012 • 5
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YOUR OPINION One job available for every three teacher grads: Abbott
Puppy season approaches
From Page 4
It is almost puppy season. Are all your dogs vaccinated ? Last fall I spent two weeks in puppy hell. I had whelped a litter of 10 weimaraner puppies for a breeder friend at my place. At almost 6 weeks old they got Parvovirus. If that word doesn’t strike fear into every dog owner’s heart it should. Parvovirus is spread from infected dog feces. Puppies are most at risk being small and not having a lot of reserves to fight such an illness. But all dogs, unless vaccinated against it, can get it. The symptoms are lethargy, followed by violent watery diarhea, fever and vomiting.
I suggested that if B.C. taxpayers are to increase their subsidy to post-secondary students, already worth about two thirds of their schooling costs, perhaps grants could be targeted to areas of pressing economic need. To my surprise, James agreed that is worth considering. This is significant, not only because it is likely to be unpopular in the education establishment. There is a good chance that James, a former school trustee, will be B.C.’s education minister in 14 months. After writing about the labour shortage last week, I was bombarded with messages from an irate Vancouver high school teacher who mocked the whole notion as corporate propaganda. No labour shortage exists, globally or in B.C., he claimed. Rather, “capitalists” of the “one per cent” have tried to “vocationalize” public education for a century, but the “people” have always “resisted.” Radical socialists aside, why would matching student aid to employment demand be unpopular with teachers? Education Minister George Abbott offered a clue during the lengthy debate over ending the teachers’ strike. Abbott noted that for every three teachers coming out of B.C. universities, there is currently only one job available. Certainly student debt is an issue worth discussing. And most would agree it’s easier to pay off loans if one can find a job in one’s field upon graduation. Should further subsidies go to soon-to-be-unemployed teachers? No. Our education system trains too many people for what they want to do, rather than what the economy needs. And our economy definitely does not need more kids taught Marxist claptrap. Further to that, a tax on banks will be popular with some of today’s students, who protested against capitalism in the “occupy” camps that will resume as the weather improves. Others will examine the idea and conclude that financial institutions will recover the tax from customers, and perhaps find ways to get the job done with fewer employees. - Black Press
Dear Editor:
There is no cure once the dog is sick; you can only treat the symptoms. It is a very serious disease and has a very high mortality rate if not treated. Even with treatment, you will likely lose 20 per cent of infected dogs. The vets here in town see about 80 cases a year. Some owners feel that because adult dogs can sometimes survive it, there is no need to vaccinate. It will still be very expensive to treat your dog and it is much cheaper to just vaccinate in the first place. That is also a very irresponsible attitude. By allowing your dog to get ill, you spread the disease around the valley and your property
For the past four months, the B.C government has provided free access to smoking cessation therapies for
British Columbians who want to quit. It is a valuable program that would be money well spent, but many who try to quit must pass through drug stores
22nd 22 2nd A Annual nnuaal
the dehydration, which so often kills the pups. I also had to clean non-stop for the whole two weeks. Bleach is the only thing that kills the virus on surfaces, I went through gallons of it. Even after the puppies recover, they still shed the virus in their feces for up to 25 days. In the end, I lost only one puppy. I was very lucky to have noticed it early and to have the fabulous help of Dr. Flemming and Dr. Molnar and the staff at Merritt Veterinary Hospital. I want to thank them for all the help, research, late nights and many ,many phone calls. Cindilla Trent Merritt
Bill 22 reminiscent of ‘Owellian doublespeak’ Dear Editor: It appears that after more than 10 years in government, the B.C. Liberals are still content to follow a path of denial and mean spiritedness regarding teachers and public education. Calling Bill 22 the “Education Improvement Act” is Orwellian doublespeak of the highest order. Bill 22 strips all class size legislation currently in place and replaces it with the same wording from 2002 legislation that the Supreme Court of Canada said was unconstitutional. How does that improve education? Bill 22 denies teachers the right to even mention class size at
the bargaining table. How does that improve education? Bill 22 strips negotiated processes for hiring, firing, transfer, layoffs, and discipline and replaces them with yet-to-bedetermined government dictated processes. How does that improve education? Bill 22 removes teachers rights to teach in a way that the teacher determines is best for their students. How does that improve education? Bill 22 makes sure that B.C. teachers pay remains behind eight other provinces for at least two more years. How does that improve education?
Drug stores make it harder for people to quit smoking: health authorities Dear Editor:
becomes infected for up to two years. Putting your visitor’s dogs at risk and anyone with puppies at home could help carry the virus home on their shoes. It can also be spread by coyotes. The Nicola Valley seems to get more Parvo cases than many other places. Perhaps our climate plays a role in that. It is unclear why this is so. The many unvaccinated rural dogs surely play a role, as well as the many abandoned dogs that are driven up from the coast and left at the visitor center or down our back roads. In my case, it was a rough two weeks with many vet visits. I had to learn to give subcutaneous fluids for
where cigarettes and other tobacco products are sold to get to the dispensary at the back of the store to pick up their cessation medication. The
sale of tobacco in pharmacies is contrary to the health professional role pharmacists play. It’s time for the British Columbia government to leg-
islate the removal of cigarettes and all tobacco products. Diego Marchese Heart and Stroke Foundation
While the B.C. Liberal’s complain that there is no more money, they will go ahead with a planned one per cent decrease to corporate profits this year with another one per cent drop the following two years. Over the next three years, the B.C. tax base will be eroded by almost a billion dollars due to these cuts. This is enough money to cover a cost of living increase for every unionized worker in the province for three year. So really, is Bill 22 about improving education or paying back Liberal supporters on the backs of students? Peter Vogt Merritt
Correction: In the Merritt Herald’s Thursday, March 15, issue in the story “Snee’s Got Talent,” the number of contestants moving on to Canada’s Got Talent next round is “hundreds,” according to Citytv. Also, Brian Snee is a manager at a local optometry clinic. He also said he was in Jamaica during the filming helping people with their optometry needs.
Speak up You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com
?
HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK To vote, go online to merrittherald.com
Do you think B.C. teachers will come to terms with the government by September?
PREVIOUS QUESTION Do you feel the teachers were justified in striking? YES: 81% NO: 18%
LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.
Merritt M i & District Di i Chamber of Commerce
s s e n i s u B
s d r a w A e c n e l l e Exc WEDNESDAY, March 21st
at the Culture Club
(formerly Iron Mtn. Music)
Tickets $45 (plus HST)
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT CHAMBER OFFICE OR CALL 250-378-5634
6 • TUESDAY, March 20, 2012
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Women honoured for achievements mote measures that will bring a healthy social economic, emotional and physical environment for women and families.
JEANETTE MCMASTER In FRIENDSHIP
Audrey Elaine Ward, member of the Upper Nicola Band, was honoured on International Women’s Day, March 8, for her contributions to the community. Phillip Woolgar /Herald
The last week has been very eventful, full of great things. There was the Nicola Valley Women in Action, which is a voluntary society made up of individuals concerned about conditions facing women in the community. They seek to pro-
Their statement of Philosophy:
BC’s treaties mean jobs, more business, community development and infrastructure investment for First Nations and all of us. Treaties are good for BC.
Learn more at www.bctreaty.ca
See ‘Spirit’ Page 7
14TH ANNUAL KAMLOOPS TRACK & FIELD CLUB MANURE SALE FUNDRAISER AGED MUSHROOM MANURE $7.50/Bag* approx. 60lbs per bag Free Delivery to Merritt & Logan Lake with min. 4 Bag ORDER
When ordering please provide the following information: Name, address, telephone number/ e-mail & number of BAGS of Manure. Orders will be confirmed by telephone or e-mail.
Order Deadline: March 22, 2012 Delivery Date: March 23 - 25, 2012
ORDER TODAY 250-851-2512 or e-mail:kamloopsmanuresale@gmail.com
FUNDING FOR STUDENTS, NOT FOR WAGE HIKES. The BCTF is demanding a 15 per cent wage hike and other benefits that would cost $2 billion and raise taxes for BC families. Virtually all other public sector unions have settled for no wage increases. It’s unacceptable that schools are disrupted and that students and their families are inconvenienced over an unreasonable salary demand in difficult economic times. The union is making claims and demands that simply don’t add up.
BCTF CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
FACT
The union wants more paid time outside the classroom – sick leave for teachers on call, expanded bereavement and discretionary leave.
The government wants more time for teacher training and to ensure that Pro-D days really are for professional development.
The union says all teaching positions should be selected on the basis of seniority.
The government supports seniority but qualifications must also count so that math teachers teach math, and science teachers teach science.
The union says that teachers who perform poorly in evaluations will be dismissed – ‘one strike and you’re out’.
The government wants to support teacher improvement through a standardized evaluation process.
The union says that government refuses to negotiate.
There has been over a year of negotiations and 78 full bargaining sessions.
The union says that class size limits have been eliminated.
Class size limits will remain in place on all grades across BC.
The union says that BC has 700 fewer special needs teachers.
2100 new teaching assistants have been hired since 2001. And, with a new $165 million Learning Improvement Fund, we will hire more.
It’s time to focus on what matters most in education – BC’s students. That’s why we are focused on per-student funding which is at an all time high, not on wage increases. We all want to do more to make BC’s education system even better. It’s the driving force behind BC’s Education Plan that teachers, parents and students are helping to shape. Teachers care about their students. Parents care about their children’s future.
LET’S PUT STUDENTS BCEDPLAN.CA
TUESDAY, March 20, 2012 • 7
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Rosewood’s Diary comes to Brambles Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Canadian folk group Rosewood’s Diary is slated to perform at Brambles Bakery Cafe tonight (Tuesday), as the group makes a stop during their B.C. tour. The indie group has managed to gain the attention of CBC Radio 3, even being featured on the station several times. Their latest CD, “Please Take Courage,” was released in September as the sophomore album after 2009’s “Tales of Hope and Crescendos CD.” “We’ve already started working on our next CD and we’ll be playing songs from that on our tour,” says Greg Ventin lead guitar/ vocals. “I can’t wait too long before I start writing. It’s very therapeutic.” “Please Take
‘I think I really connected with [Johnny Cash] because he wasn’t just feel-good music.’ —ROSEWOOD’S DIARY GREG VENTIN
Courage” was originally slated be released long before September, but a band member’s friend killed themself and production was haulted three songs into recording in Ventin’s basement. “The CD deals with a lot of heavy subject matter,” he explains. “There’s lots about the ups and downs of relationships.” He connects the style closely to the courage of Johnny Cash, who often featured emotional and heart-wrenching lyrics in many of his songs. “I think I really connected with him because he wasn’t just feel-good music,” Ventin says. “That’s something I want to touch on lyrically. If it’s
sadness you feel, then sing about it.” Many of Rosewood’s older and new songs are featured on the tour, but the appearances are an anomaly for the group who tend to stick close to home in Vanderhoof, B.C., performing at coffee houses. The group is scheduled to arrive in Merritt after stops in Quesnel and Kamloops last week. They will continue to Abbotsford and Victoria later this week. Rosewood’s CDs are available on iTunes. Brambles is located at 2151 Quilchena Ave. The show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Rosewood’s Diary has travelled from Vanderhoof, B.C., to perform at various venues, and they are scheduled to stop in Merritt tonight (Tuesday). Admission is by donation. Submitted
‘Spirit of Excellence’ reflects quality of one’s work: MCmaster From Page 6 • Social justice means a fair distribution of benefits and burdens in society. • Social justice cannot be realised in a society that discriminates on the basis of gender. • There continue to be incidences of systemic and individual discrimination on the basis of gender. • No person can ever be free in a society in which the rights and potential of women are constrained. • All people have the right to live in a safe and caring community and the responsibility to speak out when this right is infringed. • By encouraging active participation in creating solutions to social injustices, social change is possible, thereby creating a better society for all people. At Celebrating Women, five women were chosen to be honoured during International Women’s Day on March 8, which was held at the Merritt Civic Centre. Each of these women were called to excellence due to their service in the community. They are Katrina Walder, Trudy Geill, Florence Campbell, M.J. Berezan, and Audrey Elaine Ward. The Spirit of excellence reflects the quality of one’s work, which ultimately reflects the quality of one’s character. Excellence is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching you, to give your very best in any situation, to excel in the work place means being on time for
work, going the extra mile, or being an example to others in your workplace without being the centre of the stage, working quietly behind the scenes, being there for the people who need you, always being ready to sharpen your skills and always ready to do more than is required of you so your clients would receive the very best you have to offer them. Matthew chapter 5: verse 41, says “And if anyone urges you to go one mile, offer to go with him or her for two more miles.” Matthew chapter 5:16, says “Let your light so shine before men and women, that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds.” Ward is a registered Art Therapist. The name is fitting, in that Audrey brings light into the lives of her clients. Through her excellent counsel, she brings light into the place where darkness may reside inside the mind. This spirit of darkness can be from depression, anxiety, loss of self-worth, anything that brings harm to an individual ‘s well-being. It takes several years of study to gain a legal certificate as art therapist. One cannot just walk in and say, “I am an art therapist.” Oh no, it does take a legal certificate to qualify one to be an art therapist. An art therapist deals mostly with the mind, so it is crucial that one is knowledgeable in this field, or one can cause more damage than healing or restoration. Art Therapy is a skill in that one does bring healing through art.
Ward is passionate about her work, she does often go that extra mile to help her clients, even on her weekends off. As the ceremony began, Sue Stirling opened with her introduction of Ward. Her words came from her heart. She mentioned that Audrey is her mentor and an example to her. Sue mentioned that Audrey does challenge them to go beyond their safety boundaries to reach their ultimate best in their skill training. Sue also mentioned that Audrey does not just teach, she includes her students in the dialogue, causing her students to speak up and give their opinions on the various topics. Sue mentioned, “This is what makes a student excel in her profession.” After Sue Stirling’s introduction, Ward approached the podium. This was the signal for Adrian Retasket and his Big Drum group to begin their “Honour” song for the celebration. Their song of “Honour” was very powerful. The drum, according to Aboriginal people, represents the heart and each beat is the heart beat, very strong and very powerful. I do believe having the Big Drum group to perform for the very first time at a non-native women’s organization has opened the door of social justice. Adrian Retasket and his group are young native men who enjoy doing their songs and drumming. These young men do not partake in drugs or alcohol. They are a fine example to others in our community. Two things were a first here. My
daughter Audrey Elaine Ward is the very first native woman to receive such honour among non-native women and the Big Drum group did perform for the very first time for a non-native women’s organization. Everything happens for a purpose. And all things work out for the good of everyone. Family and friends gathered to honour not only Ward, but other women who were called to excellence. I say called to excellence, as each woman was noted for her excellent work in the field she chose. People in the community received help from these women in various ways, which has restored their self image, their health and their families. Even women who were afraid to speak openly at one time now have a voice. They know they have a right to speak out when justice is infringed upon or constrained in any way. They are encouraged to be active in creating solutions to social injustices. Social change, they find, is possible for a better society for all people. My son-in-law, Mike Ward, was a big part in Audrey achieving her goals and her dreams. He was there for their three sons while Audrey took her training. As for the other four women, I am sure their families were a big support to them too. I am very proud of my daughter. She is like a trail blazer opening doors of opportunity for other native women. Congratulations to the five women who were honoured. May our God, our Creator of every nation and tongue that is spoken, bless the work of your hands and establish them.
8 • TUESDAY, March 20, 2012
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Cents take first two games at home By Ian Webster THE HERALD
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By the time this edition of the Merritt Herald hits the newsstands on Tuesday morning, the Merritt Centennials will have already played game three of their first-round, best-of-seven playoff series on Monday night in Prince George. The result of that game was not available by press time. The Centennials went into game three against the Spruce Kings up 2-0 in the series thanks to a superb weekend on home ice in games one and two. Friday, in front of a season-high crowd of 950 people, the Cents scored four unanswered goals in the second and third periods to defeat the Sprucies 4-1. Twenty-four hours later, after conceding the opening goal to the visitors for the second time in as many nights, the Centennials roared back with three of their own
for a 3-1 victory. Cents’ head coach and GM Luke Pierce expressed delight in his team’s ability to bounce back from a pair of onegoal deficits. “In Friday’s game, it [Prince George’s first goal, by Michael Betz] almost turned out to be a good thing. It happened and we realized that it wasn’t the end of the world. We had a pictureperfect response with a goal of our own just 23 seconds later. In the second game, our response was excellent again.” The Cents’ first tally on Friday, by centreman Brent Fletcher at 8:41 of the second period, got the Cents’ really rolling. It was followed shortly thereafter by a pair of almost-identical goals from the point by Merritt defenseman Brandon Pfeil. In both instances, the 19-year-old blueliner wired shots off the right post past a screened Ty Swabb in the Prince George net. It remained a twogoal lead for the Cents
until the 5:42 mark of the third period when another rearguard, 20-year-old Bill Marshall, finished off a nice passing play with forwards Regan Soquila and Chad Brears to beat Swabb. Between the pipes, Cents’ netminder Lino Chimienti was excellent, stopping 32 of 33 shots sent his way. Merritt directed a total of 36 shots at the Spruce Kings’ net, many of them quality efforts. The Centennials went 1-for-4 on the powerplay, while blanking the Sprucies on all six of their man-advantage opportunities. Saturday, the Cents’ response to a first-period fluke goal by Prince George came from winger Carter Shinkaruk. The native of Langley pounced on a centering pass from behind the net by linemate Brandon Bruce and buried the biscuit into a wide-open cage. The second period of game two featured some of the biggest hits seen at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in recent memory as the Cents’ line of Fletcher, Jakob Reichert and Sylvan Harper absolutely rocked the house, leaving Spruce Kings’ carnage all over the ice. With just under six minutes remaining in the middle stanza, Fletcher combined with Soquila
to spring Centennials’ captain Evan Stack loose up the middle. The team’s leading goal scorer made no mistake, snapping the puck fivehole past Swabb for the eventual game winner. The insurance marker came on the powerplay, in the third period, with five minutes remaining in regulation time. Shinkaruk burst down the left side, beat a Spruce Kings’ defender, then deposited a beautiful backhander behind Swabb on the glove side for his second goal of the night. Pierce knew the former Powell River King and three-time Fred Page Cup finalist would come up big once the playoffs got underway. “Right from the beginning, he [Shinkaruk] showed his composure. He’s been through it. His second goal in game two was one of the prettiest I’ve seen in my three years coaching here.” Chimienti was again solid in net, allowing just one goal on 28 shots. Swabb made 22 stops in total. For the second night in a row, the Cents’ won the special teams’ battle, scoring once on the powerplay while shutting out the Spruce Kings. Pierce was pleased with how his team stuck to the game plan in both weekend games.
PUCK WIZARD The Merritt Centennials’ Carter Shinkaruk (11) displayed some real magic with the frozen muffin on the weekend, scoring twice Saturday night in the Cents’ 3-1 victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings. The Centennials came out of the weekend with a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Sprucies. Ian Webster/Herald
“Our team effort and support for one another was tremendous. If there’s one thing we need to improve it’s being even more physical off the start. Up in Prince George, we’ll want to take the crowd out of the game early.” The Centennials bussed up to PG on Sunday, and were planning to have a light game day skate on Monday. The team is there for games three and four of the series with the latter slated for Tuesday night. Game five, if needed, is scheduled for Thursday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. The puck drop is 7 p.m.
2011-12 BCHL PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
(Best of seven series) Interior Conference March 16
Merritt 4 Prince George 1 Penticton 6 Chilliwack 2
March 17
Merritt 3 Prince George 1 Chilliwack 3 Penticton 2 (OT) Coastal Conference
March 16
Surrey 4 Cowichan Valley 3 Powell River 4 Coquitlam 2
March 17
Surrey 4 Cowichan Valley 1 Powell River 4 Coquitlam 1
Soquila wins Most Sportsmanlike Player Willcox a BCHL second-team all-star Eighteen-year-old Centennials’ defenseman Reece Willcox was selected to the BCHL’s second all-star team for the Interior Conference. The Surrey native had five goals and 18 assists for 23 points in his second season with the Cents. He also played for Team Canada West at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge. The Interior Conference all-star selections were:
Second-year Merritt Centennials’ forward Regan Soquila has been voted the BCHL’s Interior Conference Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year. The 18-year-old from Maple Ridge, BC scored 16 goals and added 54 assists for 70 points this season while only receiving 20 minutes in penalties. Other Interior Conference award winners were: Most Valuable Player Paul De Jersey - Prince George Spruce Kings Rookie of the Year Mario Lucia - Penticton Vees Best Defenceman Mike Reilly - Penticton Vees Regan Soquila Ian Webster/Herald
Coach of the Year Fred Harbinson - Penticton Vees
Reece Willcox Ian Webster/Herald
First Team
Second Team
G - Michael Garteig, P D - Brett Corkey, V D - Mike Reilly, P F - Paul De Jersey, PG F - Wade Murphy, P F - Joey Benik, P
G - Mitch Gillam, C D - Reece Willcox, M D - Troy Stecher, P F - Connor Reilly, P F - Mario Lucia, P F - Travis St. Denis, P
P - Penticton M - Merritt PG - Prince George V - Vernon C - Chilliwack
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DID YOU KNOW ➣ In many cases, the amount of storage space on a recordable CD is measured in minutes. 74 minutes is about 650 megabytes, 63 minutes is 550 megabytes.
REGIONAL EVENTS
CAPRICORN: The numbers do not lie. You have surpassed your goals, Capricorn. A relative also receives some good news. Invite them over to celebrate.
TAURUS: The number five appears in various forms, prompting you to question if there is more behind it. Only a superior has the answer to that question, Taurus.
VIRGO: Cats may be rumored to have nine lives, but you don’t, Virgo. Better attend to those nagging health concerns before they turn ugly. Finances improve.
AQUARIUS: Back off, Aquarius, and let your no. 2 take over. It’s their turn to shine. A home improvement project ends with a flourish. Thank those involved.
GEMINI: Your sixth sense tells you all is not right at home. Do a little snooping, Gemini, and find out why things are not adding up. It is not as you suspect.
LIBRA: Decades of work pay off this week big time, Libra. Throw a little party to celebrate. Ten envelopes present 10 different solutions—only one is right.
PISCES: Two heads are usually better than one, but not in this case, Pisces. You may have the brains, your friend may have the brawn, but you need an acquaintance’s money.
CANCER: Seven times over, you asked, and seven times over you were rejected, but not this time, Cancer. Things have changed and the pickin’s are ripe, so go for it.
SCORPIO: Eleven is your lucky number, Scorpio. Use it wisely for 11 times the fun at an upcoming function. A secret is revealed with awesome results.
ARIES: Want to quadruple your happiness? Stay as you are, Aries. Now is not the time for big changes. A bank mistake is rectified quickly. Good work!
LEO: Eight is enough. In fact, Leo, it might be a little too much and you might want to pare down in light of what lies ahead. Life is about to get hectic.
SAGITTARIUS: Offers arrive by the dozen. Don’t say yes unless you’re certain you can commit to them, Sagittarius. A gesture of kindness leads to a lifelong friendship.
CROSSWORDS
➣ The real name of Astro (the dog fromThe Jetsons) is "Tralfaz" -- his real owner appeared one day to claim him but wound up giving him back to the Jetsons. ➣ The original story from Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights begins, "Aladdin was a little Chinese boy."
CMS BAND FUNDRAISER Grade 7 & 8 students are having a steak dinner and auction table at the Grand Pub and Grill on March 31st to raise money for year end concerts and trips. Scheduled trips include Cultus Lake and Vancouver with performances along the way. Look for fitness certificates, jewellery, eye wear and many more items donated by generous members of our community on the auction table. Tickets are $15.00, available at the school office 378-6104 and at the door. For more info. call Sue 378-0811 NICOLA VALLEY FILM SOCIETY *New Date * Monday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the NVIT Lecture Theatre the society presents “BEGINNERS”, rated PG. & featuring Christopher Plummer. Parking is free and there is no food or drink allowed in the theatre. For more information phone 250-378-3974. The Film Society would like to apologize for the inconvenience of the March 12th cancellation and look forward to seeing you on the 26th. MERRITT NAVY LEAGUE CADET CORPS Would you like to help out the youth in our community (ages 9 - 13). The Navy League Cadet Corps in Merritt is currently looking for volunteer instructors and officers. You will be trained by Commanding Officers from The Navy League of Canada. For more information and to find out where to sign up please call Branch Pres. Michelle Fox at 250-378-4099 or CO Rob Wagar at 250-3787276. VALLEY VISUAL ARTIST’S 18TH ANNUAL SHOW & SALE Merritt Civic Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 23, 24 and 25. The reception will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday with refreshments and music. This latest show and sale will feature art by club members in a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, pastel, photography, pencil and pencil crayon. Subjects range from still life to floral, from area landscapes to the abstract. A boutique table offering greeting cards and smaller paintings illustrating local area scenes is also included. A tooney draw will be held throughout the weekend with the winner(s) being announced at the close of the sale on Sunday.
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COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PROGRAM CVITP started on March 6 at Crossroads Community Church, Tuesday & Thursday 9 am - 12 noon. Will run until April 24th and April 26th and will be pick-up only.
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) Watch for FREE comic book day in May
STUDENTS!! Show your student ID every Thursday and receive 5% off any purchase!
SENIORS DAY - 10% OFF Everything In Store! Every Monday!
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Answers
APRIL IS DAFFODIL MONTH The Baillie House staff and volunteers are selling daffodils to support the Canadian Cancer Society. All proceeds go to help support the Cancer Society. Please pre-order by calling 378-0349. NICOLA VALLEY BETTER BREATHERS Speaker, Curt Thoms, Pharmacist, Black’s Pharmacy on topic of “Use of Medications”. At Trinity United Church on Wednesday, March 21 at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. RUMMAGE SALE Rummage Sale at Trinity United Church Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER *VOLUNTEERS NEEDED If you are interested in volunteering please call the Community Policing Office at 250-378-3955 or drop in at 2013 Quilchena Ave. The Community Response Extreme Weather Shelter will be open until Mar. 31 at 2199 Coutlee
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French
January 4, 1923 - March 6, 2012 On Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Elizabeth Elsie French of Merritt passed ed away at the age of 89 years. She was born January 4, 1923 in Merritt, British Columbia. st of her life prospecting She spent most prospecting, enjoying the rugged outdoors. No formal service by request. Her memory will be forever remembered on the Garden of Memories wall at Hillside Cemetery, Kamloops. Cremation entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, Kamloops, 250-374-1454
HHDI RECRUITING is hiring on behalf of Baker Hughes Baker Hughes Alberta based oilďŹ eld services company is currently hiring;
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PRODUCTION WORKERS If you are a motivated self-starter, in good physical shape, and thrive within a challenging and dynamic setting please submit your resume, with complete references to:
Aspen Planers Ltd. P. O. Box 160, Merritt, B. C. V1K 1B8 Attn: Brenda Stockford before March 24, 2012. Fax @ 250-315-4237 or email: brendastockford@apgroup.ca Quote position you are applying for in the subject line. No phone calls please. USW wages and benefits will apply.
We thank all applicants who express interest, however only those selected for interview will be contacted.
Career Opportunities
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WELDERS/FITTERS required for busy Edmonton structural steel shop. Top compensation, full beneďŹ ts, indoor heated work, relocation assistance. Fax resume: 780-939-2181 or careers@garweld.com.
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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 Licensed Autobody Repair person required for busy autobody repair shop. Windshield replacement & heavy truck experience an asset but not necessary. $25-$29./hr ďŹ&#x201A;at rate depending on experience. Fax resume to 250-265-4022 or e-mail to kimkus@telus.net or call Kimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kustoms Nakusp B.C. 250-265-4012. LOGGING Truck Drivers needed in Maple Ridge and Harrison area. 2-3 years experience. if interested send resume, 2-3 references, and a clean drivers abstract by fax(250-578-8525) or e-mail (black.2@telus.net offering $25.00-$28.00 depending on experience. SOUTH ROCK has positions for road construction workers, BASE - heavy equipment operators (Finish Grader Op). Asphalt - (paver, roller, screed, raker). Heavy Duty Mechanic (service truck). General labourers. Forward resume to: careers@southrock.ca. Fax 403-568-1327; www.southrock.ca.
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is seeking a Financial Manager. Merritt Financial or Business Management CertiĂ&#x20AC;cation, Simply Accounting, Beanstream, Payroll, Maintain all Ă&#x20AC;nancial activities, reporting, audit. Closing 03/23/2012 â&#x20AC;˘ Contact: myfrsed@telus.net
PART-TIME CIRCULATION MANAGER (approx. 20 hours/week)
The award winning Merritt Herald is currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to Ă&#x20AC;ll the circulation manager position. Main duties would be to make sure our newspaper arrives at every doorstep in the Merritt, Lower Nicola and Logan Lake areas. Responsibilities â&#x20AC;˘ Communicating with carriers and customers. â&#x20AC;˘ Handle all phone inquires and complaints in a professional and efĂ&#x20AC;cient manner. QualiĂ&#x20AC;cations â&#x20AC;˘ Must have strong organizational and communication skills â&#x20AC;˘ Be able to work well under pressure. â&#x20AC;˘ Some ofĂ&#x20AC;ce/computer experience is also required. â&#x20AC;˘ Must also have own form of transportation. If you are interested please drop your resume off in person to 2090 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC. No phone calls please.
TUESDAY, March 20, 2012 • 11
www.merrittherald.com
Merchandise for Sale
Real Estate
Rentals
Heavy Duty Machinery
Mobile Homes & Parks
Mobile Homes & Pads
A- STEEL SHIPPING STORAGE CONTAINERS / Bridges / Equipment Wheel loaders JD 644E & 544A / 63’ & 90’ Stiff boom 5th wheel crane trucks/Excavators EX200-5 & 892D-LC / Small forklifts / F350 C/C “Cabs”20’40’45’53’ New/ Used/ Damaged /Containers Semi Trailers for Hiway & StorageCall 24 Hrs 1-866-528-7108 Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com
Misc. for Sale CAN’T GET Up Your Stairs? Acorn Stairlifts can help. Call Acorn Stairlifts now! Mention this ad and get 10% off your new Stairlift! Call 1-866-9815991. FOR SALE Inglis Washer - $150.00 Kitchenaid Dryer - $100.00 250-378-6865 SAWMILLS FROM only $3997 - make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free Info and DVD: 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT
er ord y r to Fac ale
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New 2011 14 wides from $49,900 Doublewides from $99,900 Call or Email for details
1-866-573-1288
Real Estate
Other Areas
Houses For Sale
Cars - Sports & Imports
Auto Financing Need A Vehicle! UapplyUdrive.ca
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Available April 1st - 2 bedroom mobile. Washer, dryer, fridge, stove, laminate flooring, large sundeck, fully fenced yard. $950/month ($800 rent, $150 utilities) 250-378-0887
ATTENTION COLLECTORS 1980 CAMARO, only 50,000 K on reblt punched 305 eng. 3 spd. Needs some body work. For more info. 1-250-5239762. (Logan Lake)
NAPLES FLORIDA Area! Bank Acquired Condos Only $169,900. Same unit sold for $428,895. Own your brand new condo for pennies on the dollar in warm, sunny SW Florida! Walk to over 20 restaurants/100 shops! Must see. Ask about travel incentives. Call 1-866-959-2825, ext 15. www.coconutpointcondos.com
Rentals Apt/Condo for Rent
NICOLA APARTMENTS
MOVE IN BONUS!
Newly painted, 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in good neighborhood. Comes with all appliances. $1100.00 per month includes hydro/gas. Also 2 bedroom, 1 bath level entry suite with f/s, w&d, $800.00 per month includes hydro/gas. Phone 250-315-3548
Indexes
Room & Board FURNISHED room in family home in Sidney. Close to town and bus routes. $500.00 per month. (778) 426-3433 or email: trumanhmason@gmail.com
Townhouses 3 bdrm, 2 storey townhouse, small front/back yard, pets negotiable, $890/mon. gas incl. 250-682-0409
Want to Rent Mature truck driver wants to rent rural property or single bay shop for inside tractor parking within 30 min. of Merritt. Ref. avail. 250-494-4486
Money Rates Canada Prime 1 Year GIC 5 Year GIC 10 Yr. CDA Bond
DreamCatcher Auto Loans “0” Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals
Spacious 1 & 2 bedroom apartments.
F/S, heat and hot water included. Ask about move-in incentives For appointment call
Ph: 250-378-5614
SCRAP BATTERIES WANTED We buy scrap batteries from cars & trucks & heavy equipment. $4.00 each. Free pick-up anywhere in BC, Minimum 10. Call Toll Free 1.877.334.2288
www.PreApproval.cc DL# 7557 SHIFT AUTO FINANCE Get Approved Today! CREDIT DOESN’T MATTER.. For The Best Interest Rate Call: 1.877.941.4421 www.ShiftAutoFinance.com
Trucks & Vans
Transportation
For Sale - 1995 Chev 3/4 ton 4x4 mint cond. over $2000 invested last 2 yrs. No rust, canopy and box liner. 200,000K $5000 obo. 250378-4125
Financial Services
Financial Services
Financial Services
YOU’RE APPROVED
FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION
Debt troubles? Get your financial life back. Ǧ Ǧ Ǧ
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CALL 1.877.898.2580 or visit
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Legal Notices
Legal Notices
CRIME OF THE WEEK Police and SD58 request assistance from public for
RETURN OF STOLEN LAPTOPS Thanks to a perceptive parent, Merritt RCMP and SD58 have determined that approximately 15 computers have been stolen from MSS in the past few months. The parent had discovered that his son was in possession of a laptop that the family had not purchased so he contacted the local police and turned in the computer as found property. Although there had been no thefts of computers reported and the serial number was not registered, further investigation determined that the computer had been taken from MSS. It was then discovered that several others had gone missing as well.
Fid Intnl Portfolio Ivy Cdn Fund Ivy Foreign Fund Bissett Cdn Equity RBC Balanced Fund RBC Cdn Div. Fund CI Signature Select Cdn
24.73 26.21 31.01 70.94 12.19 48.24 18.75
THIS WEEK’S MARKETS .... The S&P/TSX Composite Index lost 0.05% last week, or 7 points, to Änish at 12,497. Five of the ten sectors Änished in negative territory for the day led by the Materials, Energy and Telecommunication sectors. In the energy complex, crude oil fell $0.34 (-0.32%) to close at $107.06/bbl while natural gas futures were Åat for the session. Gold bullion Änished at $1656, down $56 (-3.25%). The Canadian dollar weakened against the US dollar, closing at $0.992/USD.
Five laptops have been recovered thanks to information from students at the school and the public but there are still several missing. Police are asking parents, students and members of the public that if they have knowledge of any of the missing laptops they contact the local RCMP.
CHARITY FACE OFF FOR 3 PAGE
Award Winning Newspapers
BABY 2011 BEAUTIFUL PAGE 7
USE ART SHOW NEW COURTHO 13 PAGE
News Voice Since
1905
Royal Bank 58.02 Research In Motion Ltd. 14.36 Sun Life Financial Inc 23.44 Shaw Comm Inc 20.53 Shopper’s Drug Mart 41.53 Suncor Energy Inc 32.92 Toromont Inds Ltd 24.75 Toronto Dominion Bank 83.45 Transcanada Corp 43.79 Telus Corp 57.20 Tim Hortons Inc 52.70
U.S. Common
Alcoa Inc. American Express Co. Mellon Corp Cisco Systems Inc. Deere & Co. Walt Disney Co. (The) Gap Inc. General Electric Co. Home Depot Inc. Johnson & Johnson Macy’s Inc. Microsoft Corp. Sprint Nextel Corp PÄzer Inc. Pepsico Inc. AT&T INC Staples Inc. United Tech Corp Walmart Stores Inc. Wendy’s Arby’s Gr.
10.54 56.55 24.14 20.03 83.22 43.19 25.39 20.20 49.05 65.12 39.73 32.60 2.89 21.94 64.47 31.59 16.42 85.48 60.84 5.04
Fred is an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities specializing in efÄcient money management strategies. Any questions or comments can be directed to him at 1-800-774-9631 or e-mail fred.feistmann@rbc.com
If anyone has information on the whereabouts of this individual please contact the Merritt RCMP at 378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. This message brought to you by the Merritt Herald
Fetch a Friend from the SPCA today! spca.bc.ca
Brands Sionna Cdn. Eqt 10.12 IA Clarington Cdn. Eqt 25.27 IA Clarington Glbl. Eqt 13.61 CI Harbour Fund 21.00 Dynamic Cdn Value Cls 11.64 Fidelity Asset Allocation 24.75 Fidelity Disp Cad Eqt 26.43
A&W Revenue Royalties 21.91 ATCO Ltd. 69.95 Arc Resources Ltd. 24.00 BCE Inc 39.64 Barrick Gold Corp 43.62 Ballard Power Sys 1.53 Bonavista Energy Corp 20.05 Bombardier 4.05 Bank of Montreal 59.01 Bank of Nova Scotia 55.86 Can. National Railway 78.49 Canadian Tire (NON VTG A) 65.10 Cameco Corporation 22.95 CIBC 77.26 Canadian Utilities Ltd. 65.78 Can. Real Est. Trust 37.93 Can. Nat. Res. Ltd. 35.04 Enbridge 38.05 EnCana Corporation 20.34 Finning 28.95 Husky Energy Inc. 25.99 Imperial Oil 46.00 Kinross Gold Corp 9.90 Loblaw Companies 33.42 Maple Leaf Foods 11.58 Molson Coors Can Inc. 43.00 Manulife Financial 13.71 Pembina Pipeline Corp. 28.23 Potash Corp of Sask 45.40 Pengrowth Energy Corp.10.05 Power Financial Corp. 29.99 Precision Drilling Corp 10.83 Rogers Comm Inc. 38.62
The laptops are described as Toshiba Tecra R700 laptops either black or silver in colour or Dell Latitude D620 and can be traced through an address on the computer.
The eyes have it
Commodities Gold am/pm Äx London 1658.00 Copper Highgrade 3.91 Lumber (day session) 269.70 Live Cattle 125.08
Canadian Common
Call 1.877.898.2580
Trustees in Bankruptcy & Proposal Administrators Suite 600, 235-1st Avenue, Kamloops 320-1620 Dickson Avenue, Kelowna (Resident Office)
KENGARD MANOR
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Legal Notices 4950494
Currencies
12496.96 $CAN/US 13232.60 $US/CAN 1404.17
S&P/TSX DJIA S&P 500
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• 2 bedrooms starting @ $600/month
Fred Feistmann, Investment Advisor
As of Market Close on March 16, 2012
Under new t. managemen • 1 bedroom starting @ $500/month
Financial Services
Homes for Rent
Suites, Lower
inquires@eaglehomes.ca
For Sale By Owner
Transportation
2 bdrm basement suite. 2063 Clapperton Ave. Near Central School 378-4483 or 315-5592
STEEL BUILDINGS For all uses! Spring deals! Make an offer on sell-off models at factory and save thousands now! Call for free Brochure - 1-800668-5111 ext. 170.
2470’ 4 level split. 4 bedrooms plus den. 2 bathrooms 3 living areas A/C tank-less hot water on large nicely landscaped yard. Lg. deck. $285,000 Call Len 250-315-9974
Transportation
DID YOU KNOW. . . .
A quarter has 119 grooves on its edge, a dime has one less groove.
This article is supplied by Fred Feistmann, an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. RBC Dominion Securities is a member company under RBC Investments. The member company and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities that are afÄliated. Member CIPF. (tm) Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. ©Copyright 2001. All rights reserved.
bcclassified.com
RALD MERRITT HE
m merrittherald.co
Nicola Valley’s
WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 2, 2011
• $1.34 AT NEWSSTANDS
• THOMPSON
S RIVER PUBLICATION
B.C.’s new premier
leadership race the B.C. Liberal business under Gordon Christy Clark winsBrigden. and will not
Campbell many By Dean Morrison Premier Gordon bring the change the THE HERALD in Campbell said Monday feel is necessary newsroom@merrittherald.com seat he will resign his B.C. Liberal Party. any Despite lacking in Vancouver-Point “As Minister of leader Clark Grey if Liberal of the heavy weight Education Christy conand premier-designate support that her gutted the education to saw Christy Clark wants tenders were brandishsystem, and over of rose run in his riding. ing, Christy Clark the largest closure leaderYet Clark has wasted schools in the history of to the top of the now a no time in sending will this country,” says Lali. ship race and will signal that she lead the B.C. Liberal “113 schools closed elec- clearlet the co-alition she was Minister not party into the next together when dissolve,putting tion. of Education.” point Clark beat out Kevin a team that should Lali goes on to by transitime as ensure a smooth Falcon on Saturday out that Clarks tion into power. a few hundred votes a Minister of Children saw Her transition team to become premier, say and Families also cuts. funding is made up of Gwyn result some pundits to significant oilMorgan, a former means she will have “As Minister of has hold patch CEO who work tirelessly to Children and Families coalibeen a major fundraiser we have the total the B.C. Liberal for the former federal tion together. destruction of the the “I believe that the Reform party and Children’s and Families somemasfederal Conservatives. party has elected Ministry, with both Sharon White, is Tory sive cuts and hundreds one who the majority the getting another prominent believes can win of children not former they organizer and a next election,” says the proper carethatLali. have,” says Social Credit candidate, Fraser-Nicola B.C. a long should bottom line Mike McDonald and Liberal Party President “The B.C. Liberal, Norm Brigden. is she was the bigthe time Harris, a former Mr. “Everybody is on Roger gest booster for we have MLA. and his team Liberal and B.C. same Campbell and It is believed by a new leader.” destructive social that The B.C. Liberal political analysts economic policies to this team is designed party was christened and for the abondonthe silence her detractors, with the ashes of ment of rural British who have said Clark now defunct Social Columbians. C the he mayy not possess Credit Party, bringing But for Brigden as lity to hold together ability together a co-alition sees Clark’s victory the for the co-alition that of federal conservaa turning point an 17 busifor and led and liberals ampbell Campbell tives, B.C. Liberals have for ars. years. ness leaders, who excellent first step a ensure to win “I believe that LOCAL joined forces to the liberals COWBOYS INDUCTED the next shee can do it, but the NDP does not fourth term in the B.C. PAGE 3 roof will be in six says election. proof regain power in will “The next step months from now,” “I think that people somethe Brigden. be a by-election that didn’t consider past merrittherald.com in the For Fraser–Nicola where, and we don’t we Clark B.C. Liberals but MLA Harry Lali, know where it is, as to may very well consider Liberals now. all have suspicions says iss just a representative doing the B.C. the 13th of the old way of where it might be,”
MERRITT HERALD Ph: 250-378-4241 Fax: 250-378-6818 Advertising: sales@merrittherald.com Publisher: publisher@merrittherald.com Editorial: newsroom@merrittherald.com www.merrittherald.com 2090 Granite Avenue, P.O. Box 9, Merritt, B.C.
NVIT CONFEREN CE PAGE 7
Nicola Valley’s
for Waldo’ disguises donned ‘Where’s Swartzberg/Herald and Gerg Hodson see Page 5. Jade Campbell, Jodie Arnott Club Saturday night. For full story Sara Thiel, Angus Rotary the Merritt Sunrise FOUR FRIENDS Classic hosted by annual Indoor Golf
ms First Choice Sunroo WANTED
News Voice Since
PROUD OF CULTURE PAGE 14
MERRITT HE RALD 1905
bcclassified.com
Ltd.
FRIDAY, MARCH
DISPLAY HOMES
4, 2011 • THOMPSON
RIVER PUBLICATIONS
area in your local Roomss 10 - 15 sun rooms Covers & Screen
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Collision results in fatality on Hwy.
pics.ca
By Dean Morrison THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
A 30-year old man ries received following has died as a result of injuHighway 97C near a two vehicle collision on Merritt on Tuesday “On March 1, at 8:08 p.m. members night. the Central Interior from Detachment, along Traffic Service and Merritt Services and Merrittwith Merritt Emergency Health two vehicle collision Fire Rescue responded to a on Highway 97C,” some 6 km south of Merritt says RCMP Cpl. Central Interior Traffic-Services(MerrDoug Hardy, “Investigation has itt). Civic was travelling determined the Honda crossed the center northbound, when the vehicle southbound lanes line and encroached into the hitting a tractor/trailer The 25-year old driver of the Honda unit.” taken to Royal Inland Civic was non life threatening Hospital, in Kamloops, with injuries. The passenger in the Honda Civic ported to the Nicola was transeventually succumbedValley Health centre, where he The male driver to his injuries. of the tractor/trailer injured in the accident. was not The two occupants Honda Civic are in the Kelowna Residents. The seriousness uted to a number of the accident is being attribtention, alcohol, of factors including driver inatand wearing a seatbelt. the fact the passenger was not Central Interior to investigate this Traffic Services is continuing incident, with probable pending. charges The name of the pending notification deceased male is being held of the next of kin.
Cent’s season ends
WINTER FUN Para-skier
MERRITT Locally owned & operated 1988 Quilchena Avenue Merritt, BC
Ryan Prentice is
1/3
ACRE
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks held off the Merritt Centennials 6-5 to sweep their B-C Hockey League first round Interior Conference
enjoying a day on
LOT
Lake. Mammette
Lake is a popular
lake for ice fishing
as well. Julie Van Koll/Herald
Quarterfinal in four games on Tuesday night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
NEW Location...
Angela Texmo
• Quiet subdivision in Sales Rep. Lower Nicola Royal LePage • Merritt Real Estate Services New windows in 2006 • Large deck off kitchen Office: 250.378.6181 • 2 bdrm & full bath up Fax: 250 378
frozen Mamette
• Partially finished basement • New siding in 2008 • 200 amp service C
The Centennials did win the special teams battle, going 1-for-2 on the power play and limiting the Silverbacks to 0-for-6 on their man advantages. This is the second year in a row the Centennials have it to the play offs made to be eliminated only in the first round.
Pick up your
catalogue today!
Return all your empty beverage containers to a Return-It Depot for recycling. Find locations at encorp.ca/locations
12 • TUESDAY, March 20, 2012
www.merrittherald.com
Merritt & District
C Chamber of Commerce
s d r a w A e c n e l l e c x E s s e Busin 22nd Annual
Presented P resentt ed d att tthe he
WEDNESDAY, MARCH
21ST
at the ‘Culture Club’ - 2058 Granite Ave.
5:30 pm Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres 6:30 pm AGM 7:00 pm Excellence Awards 8:00 pm Silent Auction Items
2012 2012 A AGM GM
2011 Business Excellence A Award Nominees
And the Nominees Are.... Nominated by the community of Merritt.
COMMUNITY BOOSTER AWARD 0 Peter Moyes 0 Brian Wiebe TOURISM AWARD 0 Adventure Management – BC Visitors Center 0 Merritt Dry Cleaning – Christine Astleford 0 Cowboy Corner Store – Al Prentis 0 Merritt Marketing & Great Canadian Bike Rally – Mike FairÀeld SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY AWARD Sponsored and Presented by Interior Savings Credit Union 0 Community Futures Nicola Valley 0 Community Policing OfÀce 0 Good Earth Company HARRY SANDERS MEMORIAL AWARD Sponsored and Presented by Sanders & Company Contracting 0 Good Earth Company 0 Vision Quest Optical HOME-BASED BUSINESS AWARD 0 2nd Avenue Signs 0 Footprints Harvest 0 R Brand Productions NON-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 0 Angel’s Animal Rescue 0 Nicola Valley Food Bank EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR 0 Adventure Management (BC Visitors Center) 0 Alastair Murdoch & Company
TICKETS
$45
(plus
HST)
AVAILABLE AT THE CHAMBER OFFICE
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 0 Margaret Brewer – The Grand Pub & Grill 0 Doris Anderson – Merritt Desert Inn 0 Erica Funk – Quilchena General Store 0 Tracy Brooks – Country Bug Books BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 0 Country Bug Books 0 Cowboy Corner Store 0 Linda’s Dance Studio 0 Merritt Dry Cleaning 0 Sanders & Company Contracting 0 TBM Cleaning NICOLA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARD Sponsored and presented by Community Futures Nicola Valley Announced at presentation
Thank you to our Awards Sponsors
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TICKETS PLEASE CALL 250-378-5634 or e-mail manager@merrittchamber.com