Creston Valley Advance, November 22, 2012 by Black Press Media Group

Congratulations, Shannon Nickisch! Serving the Creston Valley since 1948

Volume 64, No. 47

Thursday, November 22, 2012

$1.00 (plus HST)

Nickisch receives Queen’s medal BY BRIAN LAWRENCE Advance Editor

Following in the footsteps of Ken Miller, Lower Kootenay Band Chief Jason Louie, Lew Truscott, Harry Haberstock, Chris Luke, Muriel Buhr and Henry Schoof, Sirdar ’s Shannon Nickisch received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on Sunday in Nelson. About 70 people gathered in the Hume Hotel’s Hume Room for a reception led by Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall, who also organized voting for four recipients in her riding. Over 700 online and phone-in votes were recorded, with Salmo’s Dorothy Hearn, Nelson’s Joan Reichardt and Kaslo’s Bruce Walker being selected along with Nickisch. “The medals commemorating the sixtieth year of our monarch’s reign are not only a once-in-a-lifetime award, but such medals are rare over the course of history,” she said. “Each one of you has made outstanding positive contributions to both your community and your country, and we are all the better for it.” Some of Nickisch’s votes came during what seemed to be a Sirdar voting party. “We got some great voice mails one Saturday night,” Mungall said to Nickisch. “People love you.” “I don’t know what we would do without her,” said Wynndel Hall president Bruce Johnston in a letter read by Mungall. “Shannon has been an unsung hero on our board for such a long time.”

TODAY'S WEATHER

Town weighing cemetery options

See QUEEN’S, page 2

BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

Brian Lawrence

Sirdar’s Shannon Nickisch with Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall at Sunday’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal ceremony in Nelson.

This week's weather artist:

Caleb Wells, Erickson Elementary School

DISCOVERy REAl ESTATE

local Expertise Global network

MP opens Kingsgate port of entry Page 3

There may

Faced with the possibility of going it alone, the Town of Creston has received a report on its options for the operations of cemeteries, including the valley’s largest, Forest Lawn Cemetery. Former Regional District of Central Kootenay treasurer Barry McLean reported to council on Nov. 13 that it has limited options and recommended that it try to negotiate a continued cost-sharing agreement with the RDCK. The RDCK notified the town earlier this year that it intends to pull out of the funding for Town of Creston cemetery operations in two years. In 2011 and 2012, the regional district provided $36,000 grants toward the operation of Forest Lawn. Although the Town of Creston now operates and maintains Forest Lawn Cemetery (located in Erickson on town-owned property), it does so under the Regional District Cemetery Service. Under the agreement established in 1977, the town and areas A, B and C have contributed to its operation based on a tax of the participants’ property assessments. RDCK areas, however, are not obligated to contribute. The cost-sharing agreement has been a bone of contention with Area B director John Kettle, who has argued that the use of the town’s unionized labour force makes maintenance costs too high. See CEMETERY, page 5

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From page 1 Nickisch has been a familiar face in the community for decades. The Creston Valley native served on the Prince Charles Secondary School student council, and later moved to Sirdar in 1964 and purchased Sirdar General Store. In 1977, she continued a family history at the Wynndel Hall — her grandfather used to play the harpsichord at dances — by joining the board, on which she has served as secretary ever since, and has published a regular hall newsletter since 1982. For 17 years, she was a trustee for School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) and the former School District No. 86 (Creston-Kaslo), staying on for two years after SD86 amalgamated with Nelson School District No. 7 (Nelson). With even a brief visit to her store, it’s easy to see her passion for her unofficial position as Sirdar’s historian; the room is chock full of photos and artifacts. Despite the list of accomplishments, no one was more shocked at the nomination than Nickisch herself. “It was a complete surprise that someone put my name in,” she said. “It’s been quite an honour.” She’s quick to brush off praise, though — getting involved is the only sensible thing to do. “If you’re not on a committee, you don’t have a say in what happens,” she said.

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Thursday, November 22, 2012 Creston Valley Advance

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Creston Valley Quilters Guild vice-president Winnifred Pinchak shows off a quilt hanging on a stand bought with funds from Regional District of Central Kootenay areas B and C, and the Community of Creston Arts Council. The guild purchased quilt stands that will be used at the next quilt show, which runs April 12 and 13, 2013. Submitted photo

Creston resident phoned the Advance to warn others of a telephone scam, with an unusually hostile caller. A number that registered on the call display as “New York, 585-637-0915” was used to inform her that she needed a computer upgrade. When prompted, she said her computer was on, and the caller replied, “You’re lying to me. If you’re lying, you’re going to be very, very sorry. Go bang your head against the wall.” She then called the Creston resident “every name she could think of. Then after she got finished, she hung up on me.” Anyone receiving a similar call should contact the Canadian SHOWTIMES 7:30PM

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or if you would like to volunteer, please call 250-428-9100 or call any Church. For donations call 250-428-9100 or drop off at any Church or at the Creston Valley Advance office • 1018 Canyon Street Hampers will be distributed Tuesday, December 18 upstairs at the Creston & District Community Complex from 9:30am until 5pm For information, call 250-428-9100 or 250-428-3476

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ingers 14 and under who are interested in competing in the youth division of Creston’s Best Singer will have a few more weeks to practice. Producer Vern Gorham has moved the date for the youth contest from Dec. 4 to Jan. 17, two weeks before the Jan. 31 quarterfinal. “It made more sense to place it closer to the other contests,” Gorham said. “With a shorter time between it and the adult quar-

terfinals, it will help keep the excitement building.” The top two youth singers will compete with the top 20 adults singers in a Feb. 14 semifinal show, and the top 10 from that will compete in a final round on March 7. •••

rade 6/7 students from CanyonLister Elementary School will be holding a bottle drive on Nov. 24, to raise funds for a spring field trip to Victoria. Recyclable pickup can be arranged by calling 250-428-9748 or calling/texting 709-6409208. Refunds can also be donated to CLES all year, by telling the staff when you drop

bottles and cans off at Columbia Bottle Depot. •••

he Community Pride Committee and the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce are inviting all residents in town boundaries to take part in the inaugural Creston Valley Tour of Lights. If you are decorating your house, yard, neighbourhood or business with Christmas lights, contact the chamber of commerce for more information or an entry form — every entry received will be entered in a draw. BC Transit is adding evening routes from Dec. 16-23, and your location will be

added to the list. Tours start at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. each night. •••

f you haven’t yet liked the the Advance’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ cvadvance), Monday morning would be a good time to do so. The first 10 new likes after 9 a.m. Nov. 26 will recieve a free ticket to the Nov. 29 opening night of Footlighters Theatre Society’s presentation of Fractured Fairy Tales. And if you strike out there, like the Footlighters page (facebook.com/crestonfootlighters) or I Love Creston’s (facebook. com/ilovecreston) after 9 a.m. that day to try for one of 10 tickets there!

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Local News

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, November 22, 2012

Columbia River Treaty review team visits Creston BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

The lengthy process to determine the future of the Columbia River Treaty (CRT) continued in Creston on Nov. 15, with about 80 people in attendance. Coun. Joanna Wilson, who represented Creston as acting mayor, said on Monday she was impressed with the knowledge and impartiality of the panel. “They were very good at bringing out the issues and giving local residents a voice in the process,” she said. The Columbia River Treaty review is designed to help inform the future of the CRT. Signed in 1961 and ratified in 1964, the CRT was designed to optimize flood management and power generation with a coordinated effort to operate reservoirs and water flows of the Columbia and Kootenay rivers in Canada and the U.S. While there is no specific end date to the treaty, either country can terminate it in or after September 2024 with at least 10 years notice. Canadian activity in the CRT is managed by BC Hydro, which works with the Bonneville Power Administration and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to implement the terms of the treaty, which gives each country a half share in the downstream power benefits. Wilson said the major concerns expressed on Thursday focused on the management of Kootenay River levels, which local farmers claim is leading to erosion of the dykes that allowed the Creston flats to be reclaimed for agriculture in the 1930s. “I think a lot of people aren’t aware of the impact the damming of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers for power generation had on residents,” Wilson said. “When my family came to Canada from England we first lived near Robson.

Years later, I made a pilgrimage back there and the whole area was under water — it was astonishing to see how much farmland disappeared and how many families were displaced without even being consulted.” The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) was born out of a demand that residents of the Columbia Basin receive compensation for the impact of the power dams. It was created in 1995 to support social, economic and environmental well-being for the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin. It was provided with an endowment of $321 million, which included $276 million to invest in hydroelectric projects, $45 million to invest in other projects and $2 million a year through 2010 for operations. Currently, the CBT provides $20 million annually in support of the efforts of Columbia Basin residents to create a legacy from the power benefits. CBT partnered with the province of B.C. to develop three power projects at Hugh Keenleyside Dam, Brilliant Dam and Waneta Dam. The Columbia River Treaty made the news earlier in 2012 when unprecedented water levels forced Canadian and American operators to manage dams and reservoirs to limit flooding in communities on both sides of the border. As part of the BC Hydro system, power generation at Columbia Basin facilities helps to provide approximately 44 per cent of low-cost electricity to B.C. residents and businesses. Residents also benefit from water rentals, fees paid to the province for the use of publicly owned water to produce power. Over the last 10 years those fees have been about $120 million annually. For more information and to provide input into the CRT review, visit gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty.

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 3

Brian Lawrence

Kootenay-Columbia member of Parliament David Wilks (with scissors) cut the ribbon on Nov. 15 to officially open the Kingsgate port of entry. Pictured (from left): Kootenay area ports operations chief Lorne Black, CBSA officer Mark Meijer, Okanagan and Kootenay district director Anita Andersson, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Eastport chief Donavan Delude, USCBP Eastport port director Patricia Lagerwey, WIlks, Pacific region executive director Kim Scoville and CBSA officer Marco Korotash.

Upgraded Kingsgate border facility officially opened BY BRIAN LAWRENCE Advance Editor Nearly eight months after it opened to traffic, an official ceremony and ribbon cutting were held for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) port of entry facility at Kingsgate on Nov. 15. Kootenay-Columbia member of Parliament David Wilks announced the opening on behalf of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, the culmination of more than a year of work on the $20 million project. “Today’s announcement serves as a clear demonstration of our government’s commitment to create jobs and investing in the infrastructure that our country needs,” said Wilks. “Our government is committed to the free flow of legitimate goods, travel and trade across our shared border with the United States, and improvements to CBSA facilities such as this one help ensure that this gets done in an efficient and effective manner.” Completed on time and within budget (previously reported as $16 million in the March 29 Advance), the facility will improve efficiency at the port — the busiest commercial port between Osoyoos and Coutts,

Alta. — which processed, from January-November 2012, 45,000 commercial vehicles, 90,000 automobiles and 250,000 travellers. During the same period, border services officers made 113 personal seizures, including 17 related to firearms, ammunition and weapons, 11 tobacco, 25 drug or narcotic and 20 alcohol seizures. “By improving the quality of the Kingsgate crossing, we are ensuring that Canada, and in particular British Columbia, continues to be a destination of choice for tourists and commercial importers alike,” said Wilks. “We are all committed to making travel easier for Canadians, while ensuring their security and safety.” The new facility has a primary inspection canopy over three lanes with bi-level booths featuring a standard-level window and one at a height suitable for semis. Attached to the new 4,186-square-foot (1,276-squaremetre) main building is a canopy at the north end that allows shelter for secondary searches, and for travellers to park for examination or to pay taxes or duties. Beyond that is a tertiary garage for holding vehicles. A separate 1856-square-foot (566-square-metre) commercial warehouse has two bays to allow the complete offloading of two

semis, in the event that a total search is necessary. On occasions when semis crossing at Rykerts or Roosville, south of Jaffray, must be searched, they are escorted by the RCMP to the Kingsgate facility. “I am proud to note that the Kingsgate port remained open to all traveller and commercial traffic throughout the construction period,” said Wilks. “That said, I would like to thank the travellers, truckers and others who use this port of entry facility for their patience during the construction phase.” The Kingsgate port of entry, located south of Yahk between Creston and Cranbrook, was established in 1906, primarily processing passengers and freight into the mining communities of the east and west Kootenays, explained CBSA district director Anita Andersson. “The building that stood here before the reconstruction was built in 1953,” said Andersson. “It underwent a number of renovations to accommodate the evolving roles and functions of customs and immigration. “This port has been an important part of our history, and this new facility ensures that Kingsgate will continue to be a valuable part of our future.”

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Thursday, November 22, 2012 Creston Valley Advance

Fifty-two calls for RCMP during quiet week BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

Creston RCMP are settling into a slower winter routine with only 52 calls for service from Nov. 12-18, Cpl. Monte Taylor said on Tuesday. November 12 •A loud vehicle reported to be at Vancouver Street and 10th Avenue North was not located. •A wallet was reported lost at the Greyhound depot on 16th Avenue North. •When police were called to a disturbance at a Highway 21 residence they arrested a male, who was then held in police cells until sober. •No charges were laid when RCMP were called to a physical altercation between two males in the 8000 block of Highway 95. •When police responded to a 911 call from a Scott Street residence they found a female was being transported to hospital. November 13 •A resident in the 400 block of 10th Avenue South made the first of two calls in the week to com-

plain about a neighbor idling his loud vehicle at 4 a.m. •No injuries resulted when a vehicle slid off the road and into the ditch on Highway 3 at Thomson Road in Kitchener. •Canadian Border Services Agency requested RCMP help in locating an American citizen who is in Creston illegally. •When a male complained about not being allowed to retrieve items from his former residence he was advised to get a lawyer. •A Canyon Street business’s signs were stolen from private property near Highway 3A in Wynndel. •A collision occurred on Hillside Street at Seventh Avenue North when a driver cut a corner too sharply. No injuries were reported. •A Birch Street resident complained that a person had come to the door trying to sell a natural gas contract for Access, which appears to be a legitimate business in B.C. •When police responded to an abandoned 911 call from an Elm Street residence, they learned that

Hibernation Note Thank you to those who worked this season to help reduce human wildlife conflict Town of Creston - Community Wildlife Hazard Assessment process; Harvest Share Program – for picking seasonal community fruit; Schikursky Park Neighbours – for picking seasonal fruit; Creston Home Owners – who place their garbage out the morning of pick up! Creston Businesses – securing commercial food waste from wildlife; Ray’s Garbage – wildlife attractant reminder notes for customers; School District 8 – on going communication with families; Wynndel Foods – hosting the Home Owner’s Checklist board and posters; Race Track Gas, Canyon Store and Mountain View Resort – seasonal poster board space; Canada Post, Creston – program assistance; Gillian Sanders – hosting the Electric Fencing Workshop; Farmers and Orchardists – who participated in the 50% Fencing Survey; Creston Advance Newspaper – on going media coverage; Volunteers – Cory Phelps, Katia and Anna Plotnikoff; CVWMA staff –sighting reports and photos; Trans-border Grizzly Research Project – assistance and expertise; Creston Conservation Officers – Program delivery support; And to all those folks who called the RAPP-line to report wildlife sightings and conflict.

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unwelcome intoxicated males had left the party, but an intoxicated elderly female who had arrived on a scooter remained at the scene. She was advised that she shouldn’t be driving a scooter in her condition, so she walked home. November 14 •A theft of about 25 sheets of plywood was reported from the 100 block of Highway 21. •Break-ins to several trailers in Yahk during the month of October were reported. •Creston police were asked to service a summons to a local resident in a case of dangerous driving causing death elsewhere in the province. •An Eighth Avenue South resident reported that a puppy that had been tied up outside for 30 minutes was missing. The puppy was returned a short time later. •When police were advised that a female was in distress at her home near Highway 3A they attended the resident, only to be told she was not in distress. They had a similar call and result on Nov. 16. November 15 •A male behaving suspiciously around a business in the 1000 block of Northwest Boulevard at 2 a.m. was advised to leave the area. •A rear-end collision occurred at Hillside Street and 10th Avenue North when a driver entered the intersection, saw an oncoming vehicle and backed into a vehicle behind him.

•A well-being check on a female in the 1000 block of Reclamation Road revealed she was OK. •A tool theft in the 5200 block of Livesly Road in Yahk was reported to have taken place last March. •A father who found drug paraphernalia in his son’s backpack delivered the backpack and his son to the police station. November 16 •Police are investigating an incident in which a rock was thrown through a window of a 20th Avenue South residence a few days after a utility trailer’s tires were slashed at the same location. •A wallet was reported lost in the 1200 block of Ash Street. •A male on 20th Avenue South reported he was threatened by another male in a money dispute. •A mother reported her son’s bike was stolen, but he told police he had loaned it to a friend, who hadn’t returned it. The “friend” told police he had purchased the bike for $150. •Two inflatable eight-foot Santas were stolen from 19th Avenue North. Somebody’s getting coal for Christmas. •A pink and white Roots wallet was reported stolen from the 100 block of Vancouver Street. •A vehicle stopped at Erickson Road and Highway 21 was found to have an unsecured, unloaded rifle inside

and the driver had no firearms licence. •When a Mallory Place resident reported her common-law spouse had threatened her while intoxicated they learned he also had a no-alcohol court condition in place. He was arrested and a justice of the peace released him with a Dec. 6 court date pending. November 17 •Police talked a belligerent and intoxicated female out of making unwanted phone calls to a male. •Police were called to assist emergency health services personnel when a 94-year-old female refused transportation to the hospital. She relented before police arrived. •When police stopped to check on four youths drinking alcohol at Ash Street and 25th Avenue South, one smashed a glass bottle. The four were taken to the police station, issued $230 tickets for being minors in possession of alcohol and then released to their guardians. •Police are attempting to contact the owner of a motorcycle that was left behind after a house in the 3300 block of Highway 3 was sold. November 18 •An intoxicated male who was in a dispute over house keys with a female was arrested and held in police cells until sober. •Police are investigating a complaint that locks were cut on gates in the 7000 block of Highway 3 in Kitchener.

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, November 22, 2012

Town, director moving on after alleged comment BY GREG NESTEROFF Nelson Star

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1403 Hillside Street from R-1 (single businesses to control emissions created family residential) to R-2 (zero lot by idling vehicles. •The town has accepted a challenge line residential) received a third readfrom Lower Kootenay Band Chief ing and was adopted. •Coun. Jerry Schmalz will attend Jason Louie to partner in gathering the 2013 Federation of Canadian non-perishable food items for the food Municipalities (FCM) Sustainable bank. •A request for funds by the Communities Conference in lieu of the Canadian Fallen Heroes Association annual FCM conference. •Town staff will draft terms of refer- to create online memorials was ence for a select committee to review received. •Three building permits were the needs of local developers and business owners, to determine how the issued in October, including one for town could make efficiencies with the waste water treatment plant respect to development, inspection and building additions. The others were for a small structural upgrade of a permit approvals. •“I feel like were doing the grant- church and a demolition permit for a in-aid thing, only backwards, and it’s single-family residence. To date, only bugging me,” said Coun. Judy one permit for construction of a sinGadicke as council considered a fund- gle-family residence has been issued ing request for $500 from the Valentine in 2012. •Bases for a green gym are comBonspiel committee. After discussion, a motion was passed to donate $250 plete in Millennium Park and equipfrom the mayor and councillors’ dis- ment will be installed in the spring. The gym circuit is a Creston Valley cretionary fund. •The 22nd annual Santa Claus Rotary Club project. •A presentation about development Parade will be held on Dec. 1 at 6 cost charges by the manager of engip.m. •Council received a letter from neering was deferred until Nov. 27. Creston Airshed Management (CASM) requesting that an enforceable bylaw be created Producers West Financial to make Creston an “idlefree” community. It also urged council to limit further Mortgage Broker allowance of drive-through

From page 1 In his report, McLean said that Creston cemetery fees are in line with smaller B.C. communities, but larger municipalities have introduced much higher rates and provide a great range of services. In general, he said, municipal cemeteries are subsidized by taxation and use their own staff and equipment to open and close gravesites. While some contract out operations, none of those he surveyed show a profit. Although cremation has become increasingly popular, an average of 70 bodies a year are buried in Forest Lawn. There is no space available to the public in Creston’s Pioneer Cemetery. Some of the small, regional cemeteries are now charging higher fees for the interment of non-residents. “For both the municipal and rural area residents the best alternative is to make the operation as efficient as possible and adjust the rates required to minimize the deficit,” McLean said in his conclusion. “Engage the rural directors in a dialogue to come to mutually agreeable terms with regard to the continued funding of the cemetery,” is one of McLean’s four recommendations, which also include creating a cemetery development plan to address lowering maintenance costs and higher revenues and preparing a bylaw that allows for annual increases sufficient to cover any known LOCAL FOODS cost increases.

Regional District of Central Kootenay chair John Kettle and the Town of Creston have agreed to make up and move on after comments that incensed town staff. In a letter to the regional district, council claimed Kettle made a “defamatory” public statement against the town during an Oct. 19 workshop hosted by the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments. They alleged he said, “Creston is in serious trouble because of mismanagement.” “Council considers this statement to be both inappropriate and unfounded,” read the letter from Mayor Ron Toyota. “Council recognizes that such defamatory statements are part of a larger adversarial process which benefits no one.” Kettle, however, denies uttering the comment attributed to him and says he never meant to malign employees. He says his statement came during a discussion about the new municipal auditor general and was misheard or misinterpreted. He says he used Creston as an example of “a community in financial crisis” — although he now regrets naming it. He also says he spoke as an individual director, not as RDCK chair. “I never said [the town] was mismanaged,” he told the Star. “How they got that, I don’t know, but I categorically deny saying that.” Kettle says he was surprised to receive the letter of reproach because no one said anything to Council Briefs him at the time, even though Creston Coun. Wes •An amendGraham and two staff members were present. ment to rezone He has since met with council and thinks they have patched things up. “I told them, ‘If you CHRISTMAS TEA & BAKE SALE honestly believe I said that and can find someone to back you up, you need to sue me.’ We shouldn’t wash our dirty laundry [in public].” Toyota, who considers the matter closed, notes the letter to the regional district didn’t request any action. “It was a matter of 306 Northwest Blvd. making a statement,” he said. “We weren’t Fresh bread, fresh pies and Christmas delights! expecting an apology, denial, or anything. We just wanted it recorded.” Toyota called it “an The SEASON’S unfortunate situation” but believes they had to stick up for their staff. “Sometimes you 10am-2pm at Morris Greenhouse until Dec 22 have to make a stand, Did you know that the Farmers’ Market contributes and then move on. … I $ 1.72 million annually to this community? believe we are OK.” Congratulations and thank you to all our vendors and loyal customers for helping In addition to takmake our Farmers’ Market what it is. Contact us for more information about our ing Kettle to task, the Economic and Social Benefits Assessment Report. letter said Creston is New at the market ! “demonstrating great Fresh hot pizza and resiliency” in facing your morning coffee and paper the financial challenges of municipal goverLocal Produce • Baked Goods • Crafts nance, by holding the Questions? contact Martha Boland cVfarmersMarket@gmail.com line on taxes and negocrestonValleyfarmersMarket.ca tiating with the provThis ad sponsored by ince to save on policing costs.

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Thursday, November 22, 2012 Creston Valley Advance

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P.O. Box 1279 • 1018 Canyon St. • Creston, B.C. • V0B 1G0 Phone: 250-428-2266 • Fax: 1-250-483-1909 www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca Published Thursdays except statutory holidays Alex O. Carruthers, Founder All rights reserved. Contents copyright by the Creston Valley Advance. Any reproduction of material contained in this publication in whole or in part is forbidden without the expressed written consent of the Publisher. Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. It is agreed that The Creston Valley Advance will not be responsible for errors or omissions and is not liable for any amount exceeding the cost of the space used and then only such portion where the errors actually appeared. We reserve the right to edit or reject any submission or advertisement that is contrary to our Publishing guideline.

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Letters to opinion line are welcome on any topic of local or general interest. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers; publication does not imply endorsement by this newspaper. Letters should be either e-mailed, double-spaced and typewritten or legibly handwritten, and generally not exceed 500 words. Letters will be edited in the interests of style, clarity, legality, brevity and taste, as necessary. The Advance reserves the right to refuse publication of any submission. All letters must be signed and include place of residence and telephone number; names may be withheld from publication for valid reason by approval of the editor. E-mail letters to editor@crestonvalleyadvance.ca; drop them off at, or mail them to P.O. Box 1279, 1018 Canyon St., Creston, B.C., V0B 1G0.

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Cemetery a taxing issue

As I sat through retired RDCK treasurer Barry McLean’s presentation about cemeteries at last week’s town council meeting, I was amazed at what a complicated situation the town is in, really through no fault of it’s own (John Kettle will disagree — more about that in a bit). How, I wondered, did it happen that local governments got into the business of operating cemeteries in the first place? I suppose it probably happened when legislation regulating burials and preventing them from being done on private property came into play. Anyone without a church — which was where most cemeteries were — affiliation would have been pretty much left out in the cold, so to speak, without a public, non-denominational option. So now the town is in a situation where the Regional District of Central Kootenay could carry out its threat to stop contributing to the operation of Forest Lawn Cemetery, leaving Creston with a fairly hefty bill. And taxpayers, especially those who have no family ties to the cemetery and who have no intention of ever using the facility, could start to question the wisdom of operating cemeteries with tax dollars. While there is, by law, a portion of each plot sale put aside to create a perpetual fund for the operation of the cemetery, it now totals only about $100,000, which doesn’t generate nearly enough interest to pay for the mowing and upkeep of what amounts to a large park.

To make up for the shortfall, town and regional district taxpayers have been kicking in annually and the issue might have carried on quietly, as is, had Area B direc-

the new owner eventually went bankrupt, the operation would revert to the town. The regional district is not obligated under law to help fund the operation but McLean makes it pretty clear that he thinks there is at least a moral obligation for it to do so. Kettle seemed to hear that message when he saw the presentation, but I have no doubt he will work hard to tie Area B’s continued participation into an attempt to force the town to contract Lorne Eckersley out the work. Of course, even if town council agrees, there is still the issue of a union contor Kettle not begun to make waves about the costs. For the past tract to deal with. Personally, I think the concept of few years he has been advocating burials is outmoded and certainly that the maintenance of the valnot a practice that needs to be fundley’s largest cemetery should be ed with tax dollars. But it is quite contracted out, on the theory that possible that I am in the minority. the use of non-union, private sector labour will result in a large sav- Council will have to weigh public opinion as it moves forward with ing (the opening and closing of how it will deal with cemetery costs. burial sites is covered by fees). When the cost issue began to sur- One option would be to hike prices to a level that, perhaps over a period face, it occurred to everyone of several years, would make the involved that they really had no cemetery’s operation self-sustaining. idea how various cemeteries in the But that could push families away Creston Valley and East Shore funcfrom using Forest Lawn, which tioned and local politicians wisely would mean that the maintenance asked for a report that would help costs would still have to be borne by them as they wrestle with what to the taxpayer, whether council likes it do in the future. In that report, they or not. heard that current charges at Forest At the very least, I suppose, the Lawn are pretty much in line with issue should be a warning for any other small communities in the local government — don’t get into province and, most important, the funding anything without knowing town can’t just decide to get out of how you or your successors can get the cemetery business. It owns the out of it when the political and ecoland and has a legal obligation to nomic tides change. carry on with its maintenance in Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of perpetuity. Even if it took the risky the Creston Valley Advance. decision to privatize, in the event

This is the Life

opiNioN LiNe

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, November 22, 2012

Creston must change time to avoid confusion To the Editor: I heard Coun. Judy Gadicke on the radio on Nov. 15 talking about changing Creston time to mountain time. Hallelujah! Please do this! The time of day is very important for doing business in Creston. Many retired people seem to think it is OK to live in a constant state of confusion about the time of day, but as a business person in Creston, it is a pain in the you-know-what. Years ago, (I think it was l984) a group of ladies and I drove to Creston in early November to participate in a conference. We were furious to find ourselves an hour late. The advertisers had not taken the space to explain that Creston does not do time like other people. You all know, living in Creston, the time of day is always an issue. If you are headed to Cranbrook, is it the same time or later or earlier? And when you go to Porthill, what time is it there? And when you have a medical appointment in Trail, are you on the same time as Trail or not? Normal people do not have to constantly think about the time of day. They change twice a year — spring for-

ward and fall back — and that’s all there is to it. When I lived in Creston, I was constantly thinking about the time before every road trip. As my work took me all over the west and east Kootenays, there was rarely a day that I was not confused about the time of day. This insanity should quit. The same time as Cranbrook would be fine — just choose one and stick with it. Yes, Joe, this means you too! And while you are at it, leave the change of time at the top of the summit, not halfway between Yahk and Cranbrook. If I were Rick Mercer, I would do a rant! Please settle this confusion once and for ever. Holly Pender-Love Trail

Keep dollars in valley when making donations To the Editor: This week while shopping at Extra Foods, a fundraising company was asking for donations for Stars Air Ambulance. Although this is a worthy cause, they are misrepresenting themselves by telling the public that Stars is flying out

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 7

of the Creston airport. If you go to the Stars Air Ambulance website, it clearly states there are three bases in Alberta, one in Sask, and one in Manitoba. Last year, my brother in law confirmed with Stars headquarters that Creston is not on Stars response list. They cannot fly into Creston without refuelling. They have flown a few missions out of Cranbrook, but none from Creston. While I stood there listening to this individual, I heard him say that Stars is flying out of Creston, so I asked him if he was 100 per cent sure that Stars was flying out of Creston and he answered yes. Again although Stars is a wonderful service, these donation dollars are leaving our community to support a nonlocal service, when there are organizations in Creston like the Creston Airport Society, BC Air Ambulance or our local fire department and emergency services, who are volunteers and professionals working with the community and for the community to ensure that our airport and emergency response remains available for medevac flights with our current provider, which is not Stars, but is BC Air Ambulance. I feel that I need to inform the community that their donation dollars are not supporting the Creston community. If you have bought a calendar with the understanding that Stars is flying out of Creston, I encourage you to go online at calendar@stars.ca or call them on their toll-free number, 1-877-7788288, and let them know how you feel about being misled. Sue Eheler Lister

Lojong slogan 54: Train wholeheartedly

It is probably clear by now that Zen practice with these slogans is all about a commitment to training the mind. And since the nature of mind training goes directly against our entrenched and deep-rooted habit of selfcherishing, it is easy to come up with a variety of excuses for not keeping up with meditation and study. All humans have a tendency to ego solidification, and because of that we are ready to pounce on anything that threatens a longingrained fixed view of who we are. It is a natural function of the brain to be constantly scanning and seeking ways to secure ourselves further. Ego plays both a defensive and offensive game. Ironically, our ego trickery is such that even when studying Zen and the slogans, the philosophy of mind training can be co-opted as just another tool of self-gratification. That is why meditation and study alone is not enough. For these teachings to have

any effect at all they need to be practiced on a daily basis in our families and communities. Although practice is essential, Zen training is not a clenched jaw or heavy-

Zen's-Eye View Kuya Minogue

handed battle. However, it does require that you recognize the pain and claustrophobia of continually playing the game of ego, and that pain is hard to face. But as you practice, something radical occurs: You realize that you don’t have to play that game! You see that when you opt out, even briefly, there is relief, lightness and even joy. Sometimes people think the

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Buddhist practices are all about mind, nothing else. But the notion of wholeheartedness is that you really feel what you feel and that you feel it completely. You should bring your heart and your emotions into the practice so that you can feel more and more deeply the contrast between ego-imprisonment and freedom. Today’s practice: Pay attention to the boundary between wholehearted practice and a more vague and lukewarm approach. Notice your thinking process, your bodily sensations, and emotional undercurrents. What happens at those moments in which you click in and are really practicing? This column is a long series of short essays exploring the meaning of the Lojong Slogans. It is inspired by the work of Judy Lief. Kuya Minogue is the resident teacher at Creston’s ZenWords Zen Centre. For more information, she can be reached at 250-4283390.

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Opinion Line

Thursday, November 22, 2012 Creston Valley Advance

Haystack Meadow’s big toads Creatures that I encounter quite frequently on my trips into Haystack Mountain are large toads. There, I also often encounter lots of mosquitoes,

warm up even on a cloudy day. It is also a good place for toads to warm up in the morning and snap up insects on the wing or on the bare trail. My Haystack toads have seemed to always have a handy place of refuge. Their place of safety is quite obvious when there is an alpine Ed McMackin stream or pool nearby or dense ground cover, especially on warm, cloudy like along the trail. To seek cover, days. Perhaps this is the reason they just hop off the trail into the for all the toad sightings. In concealing vegetation. But this fact, I may meet up with two at one toad foxed me. It hopped to different points along the trail the edge of the trail to disappear up to the lakes. Sometimes they out of sight under a slight overcatch me by surprise, for what hang. “Ah, ha,” I thought. “I will at first seems to be a rock on the just peak under the little overtrail suddenly becomes a live hang and get a glimpse of this toad, hopping off the trail as I evasive personality.” Sure approach. enough, there it sat, but surprise; These wary creatures have it sat right in the entrance to a good eyesight as well as sensi- little burrow where, under my tive hearing, and are also quite prying eye, it immediately dissensitive to ground vibrations; appeared into the darkness. I thus, they can keep close tabs stuck my hand in to locate it, but on happenings in their sur- felt just more tunnel. Well, anothroundings. Like many forms of er place of refuge. animal life they are more aware In favour of alpine toads, of me than I am of them. snow comes early at high elevaThe trail makes a good place tions, protecting the ground and for these day-active toads to its inhabitants from winter’s hang out as insects use the trail frost, chilly blasts and dehydratfor a flyway and a place to ing winds. The burrow toad like-

Out There

ly uses the same ground squirrel tunnel winter after winter for hibernation. Or, each winter, it might co-habit with the owner. Neither a ground squirrel nor marmot would bother a toad, as those bumps under the skin on the back, if broken, would spill out a smelly, as well as poisonous, substance. Tiger salamanders are also known to occupy and hibernate in burrows coming out each day, or in the spring, unscathed from their underground existence. If you visit Haystack Mountain’s alpine meadows you may also find these large, often three-inch, toads on the open matted vegetation around pools and little streams and seeps waiting for food to pass by or, perhaps, waiting to see if they need to flee, out of your reach, to a place of refuge. For these creatures, burrows under large boulders, deep rock crevices and overhangs of thick moss along streamlets, make good places to spend the winter. Their body temperature will go with the surrounding temperature and even drop below freezing, while at the same time looking very lifeless. They do not freeze. They, like other amphibians and reptiles go underground for the inclement season, but other than that don’t make many external preparations for the winter. They just

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An alpine toad ready to take refuge by a quick jump into a cool alpine pool.

sleep away under that protective ten-foot blanket of snow. Now, you can’t go into hibernation for the winter like I have heard some of you say. You are not equipped for that. I guess you already know that, to stay healthy, you must be active all year round, as well as all winter. The results of hibernating would be devastating. In case you didn’t think about it, physical activity and exercise get oxygen into the

Ed McMackin

blood, increasing the blood flow, carrying oxygen to each individual body cell, a very necessary phenomenon. Oxygen deficient cells are weak cells. Weak cells are vulnerable to disease! So avoid “hibernation”, not only to stay alive but to stay healthy, or get on the road to health (a hard saying when a festive season is at the door). Ed McMackin is a biologist by profession but a naturalist and hiker by nature. He can be reached at 250-866-5747.

Gas prices affect greenhouse industry

$2.98/GJ plus a delivery charge $3.37/GJ, a basic administrative charge and assorted taxes for our residential gas consumption. In any case, with the deregulation of natural gas sales there are, according to the manager of one sales firm, about 20 companies trying to sell you natural gas. As quite a few people have just now finished their first five-year term, “salesmen” are out and about trying to sign you up again. An Evan Davies elderly acquaintance of mine had just have always kept an eye on it. In escaped her contract paying three 1999, I decided to go looking for a times more for her gas than she farm of my own. I “wrangled” a should have been were she not on a quota for greenhouse tomatoes. I contract, when on Nov. 11 another wrote a solid business plan for the salesperson had her signed up to venture. Several banks offered fund- pay only two times as much as the ing. We ended up purchasing the going rate. Such a deal. I don’t have a crystal ball but I farm here in Erickson in 2000. If memory serves me correctly, wouldn’t bet on the price of gas for most of the 1990s, natural gas increasing by double over the next prices stayed at or around $2 a giga- few years. It seems there is now a joule (GJ). Towards the end of the surplus in the supply chain. Having nineties it doubled and then went read the Advance’s police news from higher, to around $6/GJ. The new Remembrance Day, I decided to pipeline went across the southern write this article. It looks to me like portion of the province (through an overbearing natural gas salesthe valley here, too) to connect with man. Keep in mind if someone is a main line heading south to selling you something in your own California via Sumas, B.C. home there are consumer protecTechnological improvements led to tion laws to assist you in cancelling it increasingly being used for gener- the deal. According to their own ating electricity. A few years ago, it paperwork, it looked like you had was reported that about 45 per cent 10 days. As for the smaller greenhouse of California’s electricity was provegetable producers left in the duced by burning natural gas. In the meantime, our Crown cor- Interior, many have switched to poration BC Gas was sold to an burn coal, wood waste or simply American firm that has since resold closed down. After $6/GJ, the price it. The price peaked at around $12/ of the gas eats into your labour fund GJ before coming back down as the and you end up working for free. Evan Davies owns Beltane Nursery economy has slowed over the last five years. We are now paying about at 2915 Highway 3 in Erickson. This column is for those of you who like to keep warm using natural gas. For many years, I have worked in the greenhouse industry and my livelihood depended on factors including the price of natural gas. I

Nursery Notes

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, November 22, 2012

B.C., Idaho singers offering Orthodox chants and hymns SUBMITTED Orthodox Christian singers and chanters from Southern B.C. and Northern Idaho will present a variety of styles illustrating the rich musical and iconographic tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church at the Snoring Sasquatch at 7 p.m. Nov. 24. Around 150 A.D., Justin Martyr described the liturgical worship service of his time. Although a bit fuller, the eastern Orthodox of today still follows that same basic structure, even using some of the same phrases. “Church music in the Orthodox Christian Church has been a vital component of worship in the divine services since the foundation of Christianity, following in the traditions established during Old Testament times,” says an orthodoxwiki.org entry. “The music and styles of today are of composite origin, drawing on the artistic and technical developments of the classical age, on Jewish music, and inspired by the monophonic vocal music that evolved in the early Christian cities of Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus, and Europe.

Orthodox services are sung nearly in their entirety.” For example, Gladsome Light (Phos Hilaron) “is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in New Testament Greek,” says an entry at choosingtolookeast.blogspot.ca. “This hymn, sometimes referred to as the Lamplighter hymn, goes back to the second century. It is the oldest non-scriptural hymn in Christianity and to this very day is still used as part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox Church.” Worship in the ancient church integrated all of the senses working in unison with the heart and soul, featuring the unaccompanied voice in the presence of the iconography of heaven. “Come” as the early chants compel us, “taste and see.” Explore ancient worship through sight and sound to doorways that lead us beyond this world. Music from the various services of the ancient Orthodox Church complements the vivid visual images presented during this night of mystery and majesty. A question-and-answer session will follow the free performance. For more information, call 208-304-3673.

LocaL News

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 9

Submitted

Members of the Creston Valley 4-H Horse Club present a cheque for $1,200 to Kler Nay Moo, a refugee from Myanmar.

4-H horse club donates to refugee family CRESTON VALLEY 4-H HORSE CLUB

On Oct. 6, the Creston Valley 4-H Horse Club held a ride-athon, with members riding from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The 4-H club rode to raise money for a family that has recently moved to the Creston Valley from Myanmar.

Going over and around obstacles with their horses on a sunny day, it was fun for all 4-H members and horses. The 4H club asked one of the many volunteers, Denise, to join one of their meetings. Denise happily came to a meeting and also brought Kler Nay Moo, a brother in the refuge family. Kler is 17

years old and in Grade 10. There are seven members in his family and all members are taking ESL, and managing to adjust to huge change in their lives. The 4-H club proudly presented Kler and his family with a cheque for $1,200 dollars, and extends its appreciation to all of the sponsors.

town of creston

When kids are hungry, it’s hard to learn Over 137,000 BC children are growing up in poverty. BC had the highest rate of child poverty for eight years in a row. It’s past time for the BC government to catch up with other provinces and create a comprehensive poverty reduction plan for BC families. Because there are no band-aid solutions to child poverty.

Proclamation

national child day november 20, 2012

WHereas National Child Day is celebrated on November 20 each year as enacted in Bill C-371, otherwise known as the Child Day Act, by the Parliament of Canada in 1993 to commemorate the United Nations (UN) adoption of two landmark documents concerned with the human rights of all children and youths: the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child that took place on November 20, 1959, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989; and WHereas the purpose of National Child Day is to promote awareness about the Convention to Canadians, which spells out the basic human rights to which children (under the age of 18) everywhere are entitled; and WHereas National Child Day is also a day to support Canadian children’s rights by voicing your concerns about Canadian children’s rights violations to the politicians of Canada and to educate our children about their rights and responsibilities; and WHereas Canada’s future depends on healthy development of our children. Recognizing National Child Day shows that you believe Canada’s children deserve prime consideration in all economic, social and political decisions, policies, programs, and expenditures. · tHerefore, I, Ron Toyota, Mayor, do hereby proclaim in the Town of Creston, November 20, 2012 as

“National Child Day”

Signed this 14th day of November, 2012

A message from the Creston Valley Teachers’ Association To learn more, visit

Ron Toyota, Mayor

Local News

10 www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca

Thursday, November 22, 2012 Creston Valley Advance

Library offering films through National Film Board CRESTON AND DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY

For the past number of years the Creston and District Public Library has been proud to offer free public screenings of current, thought-provoking documentary films. The tradition continues in a new and exciting format as the library has recently joined the National Film Board of Canada’s Film Club. This film club offers monthly screenings of top-notch documentary films produced, co-produced or distributed by the NFB.

This fall, the library is pleased to present two feature documentary films: Pink Ribbons, Inc. (Nov. 29) and Surviving Progress (Dec. 13). Pink Ribbons, Inc., created by filmmaker Léa Pool, examines the breast cancer charity “industry”. Breast cancer, states the filmmaker, has become the poster child of cause-related marketing campaigns. Each year, countless women and men walk, bike, climb and shop for the cure. Millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does this money go and what does it actually achieve? Pink Ribbons, Inc. shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer has become overshadowed by a shiny, pink story of success. Pink Ribbons, Inc. will be preceded by an animated short film, Missed Connection, the story of a delusional young man who spots the girl of his

dreams in his favourite café and weaves a self-indulgent fantasy story of their imagined life together. Missed Connection examines our universal desire to connect in a world of beautiful strangers. On Dec. 13, see Surviving Progress, a film inspired by Ronald Wright’s bestselling book, A Short History of Progress. Surviving Progress presents the story of human advancement as awe-inspiring and double-edged. It reveals the grave risk of running the 21st century’s software — our know-how — on the ancient hardware of our primate brain which hasn’t been upgraded in 50,000 years. With rich imagery filmmakers Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks launch us on journey to contemplate our evolution from cavedwellers to space explorers. Surviving Progress is a cinematic requiem to progress-as-usual. Throughout human history,

what seemed like progress often backfired. Some of the world’s foremost thinkers, activists, bankers and scientists challenge us to overcome progress traps, which destroyed past civilizations and lie treacherously embedded in our own. Surviving Progress will be preceded by the animated short Drux Flux, which addresses the ideological excesses of the 20th century. Drux Flux is a frenetic animation inspired by Herbert Marcuse’s book, One-Dimensional Man. Admission is free to all films, which are shown at the Creston and District Public Library. Pink Ribbons, Inc. and Missed Connection start at 7 p.m. Nov. 29, with a running time of 100 minutes. See Surviving Progress and Drux Flux start at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 with a running time of 92 minutes. For more information, call the library at 250-428-4141.

Johnson and Kings of Kitchener backing five valley singers SUBMITTED Five Creston singers — Jennee Rumley, Llana Kilpatrick, Debra Mehrer, Joanne Ferry and Shelli Morris Hutcheson — will be backed by drummer Eric Johnson and the Kings of Kitchener when Songbird Suite runs at the Snoring Sasquatch on Nov. 25. Jennee Rumley moved to Kitchener when she was nine years old. She has enjoyed becoming a part of the diverse music that is in the Creston area. Although she is not fond of being in the spotlight, she has a passion for music and enjoys the opportunity to be involved in it. Llana Kilpatrick was raised in Montreal, lived in Edmonton raising her son, and moved to the Creston Valley in 1994. She has sung in pop

Introducing...

music choirs, studied music production, and tuned pianos in the Far North. Kilpatrick has also enjoyed some voice training classes with Elizabeth Stepkowski Tarhan and David Hatfield. She sang with a local trio named Evergreen a couple of years ago, and is currently singing in a yet-tobe-named trio, with Eric Johnson and Ken Gerding, singing soft rock and some folk. Kilpatrick is currently learning to accompany herself on guitar for solo work, and is also a local member of an a cappella improvisational singing group. Her personal musical regret is that she has yet to sing in a rock band. Joanne Ferry moved to the Creston Valley three years ago from the West Coast. She has always had a secret desire to sing and even studied voice but never pursued it. The Snoring Sasquatch became one of Ferry’s favorite haunts in Creston and it was there that she found the inspiration and courage to just get up and sing. A year ago at an open stage, she met Johnson

and asked him if he would help her prepare a few songs to perform and accompany her on guitar at an open stage and the rest is history. Debra Mehrer appeared on the music scene about six years ago, playing bass and doing vocal backups with Celtic/folk band Peanut Butter and Jam. She has played bass and done some vocal work with the Gone Country band, and is currently the bassist with blues/rock band Fat Charlie. She is exploring the solo aspect of singing and is enjoying the adventure of everything from folk to classical. Shelli Morris Hutcheson grew up singing in church and at community events in rural northern Alberta with her sisters and cousins — and thus began her love for folk and roots music. She was always drawn to music and the joy she and others received from it. Hutcheson was 12 years old when she got her first guitar and her uncle showed her a few chords. Music took a back seat to motherhood and career, however, until she opened the Snoring Sasquatch in 2005. Although an introvert and uninterested in performing publically, she began to sing ONE-BEDROOM SUITE reluctantly at karaoke. After singing a few AVAILABLE NOW!!! duets with Johnson and receiving encourCRESTON, BC agement, they began CALL (250) 428-9986 to perform at Snoring Sasquatch’s open Delicious Meals stage, the Wynndel 24-Hour Emergency Monitoring Coffee House, Swan Valley Lodge and variTransportation ous local events. Daily Activities Kilpatrick joined them to form the trio Housekeeping Evergreen. Hutcheson Entertainment continues to perform occasionally with her Private Suites with Kitchen musical friends. Tickets are $10 in advance at Black Bear Books and Kingfisher Used Books, or $13 at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.; the show starts at 7.

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Creston Valley Advance Thursday, November 22, 2012

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