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TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Merritt schools finish near the bottom of Fraser report By Craig Lindsay THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Steven “Hyde” Archachan was inducted into the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame on Friday at a special ceremony during the Cowboy Festival in Kamloops. Craig Lindsay/Herald
Local cowboy honoured at Hall of Fame By Craig Lindsay THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Local cowboy Stephen “Hyde” Archachan has been selected for the 2013 B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Working Cowboy category. Although 77 and mostly retired, Archachan still gets the occasional call to help out. Archachan, who was nominated by several ranchers he has worked for including John Lauder and Mike Rose, was honoured on March 8 at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival. Also honoured at the festival
was local saddle maker Don Loewen (see story in Tuesday’s Herald). Archachan was born in 1934 at Quilchena Creek in a willow bush and began his cowboyin’ career a short time later. He started his first job at age 16 for the Guichon Ranch. He also broke horses for his family and for others for $10 a head. He has worked at Douglas Lake Ranch, Lauder’s Ranch, Blue Ridge Ranch in Lillooet, North Kamloops and at Lake Jamison. “I started off with Guichon Ranch,” said Archachan. “We started in the spring. Then
in the fall we’d go out again and bring cattle in. We did that every year. I rode for Guichon until around 1956 and then went to Douglas Lake and cowboyed there. I just wanted a change.” Archachan took time off in the mid-60s to try his hand at logging, but eventually returned to what he loves the most, cowboyin’ in the Nicola Valley. A true character, Archachan is known as ‘Hyde’ to pretty much everyone. His niece Phoebe Archachan relates the story of how he picked up the name. “I guess they were at
a rodeo dance a while back. I’m not sure how far back, but a while,” she said. “My uncle Hyde and his buddy were at the dance and he told his buddy, ‘Look at that gal over there. She has a pretty good looking hyde.’ And it just kind of stuck from there. So he’s been Hyde ever since.” Phoebe says the honour is much appreciated and well-deserved for her uncle. “He’s been working for pretty much all the ranches here in the Nicola Valley,” she said.
See “Cowboy’ Page 3
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in 2008. The grade 4 numeracy score was 477, up from 400 in 2008. “I’ve heard in the Kamloops news about the ratings for the schools, and I take a look at the ratings, and overall I watch and say, ‘the ratings have gone up,’” said Bob Peacock, superintendent for SD58 (Nicola-Similkameen). “Take a look at the elementary schools, in four schools the ratings have gone up for 2012, while the other has stayed the same. So, that’s a good thing. Teachers are working hard to improve the educational chances of students. That’s even a better thing.” Peacock says the low numbers given to several Merritt schools in relation to other schools around the province can be attributed to several factors. “Historically, those schools have ranked low,” he said. “There are a whole bunch of factors in what the Fraser Institute has come out with and what they say. When we look at the Fraser rankings, are we happy we’re in the bottom 10 per cent? No. What direction is the overall ranking heading in our schools?
See ‘Schools’ Page 5
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The Fraser Institute’s school report cards are out, and for a couple of Merritt schools it’s a failing grade. The controversial institute ranks schools across B.C., as well as Canada, based on a number of different criteria. “We get from the Ministry of Education, school by school results of the Foundation Skills Assessment which are administered in grade 4 and grade 7 every year,” said Peter Cowley, spokesperson for the Fraser Institute. “We analze those results and come up with nine indicators with how the school is doing. For each of the exams - reading, writing and numeracy in grade 4 and grade 7 we look to see how the kids at each school do and what their average mark is. We then look to determine how many of the tests were written were assessed at being below average. We look at the grade 7 level on whether their was any gap between the boys and the girls, we call that the gender gap. Finally, we look at the tests that could’ve been written but weren’t. We bring all those ratings together in what we call the overall rating using a statistically valid
method of combining them. It’s intended to answer, generally, how is the school doing?” Merritt Bench Elementary School was the lone Merritt school with a passing grade. MBES finished 267th out of 853 schools in B.C. with a grade of 6.8. Diamond Vale Elementary came it at a paltry 830th out of 853 schools with a 2011-12 rating of 2.5. Merritt Central wasn’t much better with a ranking of 822nd and a score of 2.8. Diamond Vale’s grade 4 average reading score was 435 for 2012, down from 462 in 2008. The grade 4 writing average was 414 down from 592 in 2008. The grade 4 numeracy score was also 414 down from 460 in 2008. Merritt Central’s grade 4 reading score was 430 in 2012, up from 404 in 2008. The grade 4 writing score at Central was 419, down from 565 in 2008. The school’s grade 4 numeracy was 444, up from 392 in 2008. Nicola Canford was ranked 795 with a rating of 3.2. The grade 4 average reading score at the Lower Nicola school was 432, up from 2008’s 412. The grade 4 writing score was 432 as well, down from 497
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Local artists wanted for gala event By Craig Lindsay THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council is putting a call out to local artists to submit artwork for their upcoming ‘A Night of the Arts Gala Evening in Black and White’ which will be held on April 26 at the Merritt Civic Centre. “All of the artwork and photography will be black and white,” said Kathleen Dahlquist-Gray, Courthouse Gallery director and curator. “There might be one piece of colour. I’ve decided I’ll allow the pieces to come in as long they have 95 per cent black and white or shades of grey so people can introduce one accent colour.” The event is part of the Nicola Valley Arts Council’s 30th anniversary happenings. “The star of the night will be Bruce Voght, who’s a concert pianist,” she said. “It’s a black and white chandelier grand piano.”
The gala will be accepting paintings, drawings, sculpture and photography. All work must be appropriately presented for display and only original art will be accepted. “They can’t be half-silver, or a quarter of the way red,” said Dahlquist-Gray. “They have to be 95 per cent black and white or shades of grey. That’ll be determined by me and I’m a hard (judge).” The deadline for submissions for the show is Saturday, April 20. “After the show is done that weekend at the Civic Centre, the show will be moved to the gallery where it will reside until the end of May,” said DahlquistGray. “Anyone can submit their work for review, but there will be a level of quality expectation.” There is no cost to submit artwork, although for work to be shown at the Courthouse Gallery, the artist needs to be a member of the Nicola Valley
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GOOD MORNING! Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Business ---------------------- 9 Sports ------------------------ 10 Entertainment ------------- 12 Classified ------------------- 16
REMEMBER WHEN? Courthouse Gallery director and curator Kathleen Dahlquist-Gray shows off some of the great art pieces that will be on display at the upcoming Aboriginal art show which goes March 16 at the gallery. Craig Lindsay/Herald
Community Arts Council, which costs $10 per year. Artwork can be for sale with a 20 per cent commission for the arts council. Dahlquist-Gray says she expects a great turnout and a fabulous display of art at the gala event. “We have a really strong arts community,” she said. “And I’m really happy to acknowledge that the
City of Merritt has now stepped up and is supporting the arts. It’s been a long time coming. I really have to commend Susan Roline on stepping up and supporting the arts. She’s always supported the arts before she was mayor, but now the city council has stepped up and that’s really good to see. It makes life a lot easier for us non-soccer and non-hockey MAJOR MONEY FOR MINOR HOCKEY Nicola Valley Tourism Association President Anoop Sekhon (right) presented a cheque for $3,500 from the organization to Merritt Minor Hockey Association, represented by acting president Shane Jarvie (left). The money is slated for the hockey association’s general operations, and will ultimately help keep fees down. Emily Wessel/Herald
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players.” Aboriginal Art Show The next art show hosted by the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council will be the ‘Ancestor Teaching: First Nation Arts and Culture, Past and Present,’ which will be curated by Bernice Ball on March 16 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Gallery.
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“There will be all sorts of great things in here from pine needle baskets to birch baskets to moose tufting artwork,” said Dahlquist-Gray. “There will be carving, drums, flutes, masks. A lot of the artwork is museum quality pieces from all over the valley.” After the show, the exhibition will remain at the gallery until the first Saturday in April.
Cowboy honoured From Page 1 “He’s still actively team roping. He’s been working for a long time. Like a true cowboy, he knows the cow inside and out, and has even been known to rope a bear from time to time.” Archachan bounced back from serious injuries he sustained after being bucked off a horse in 2006. “The doctors said he wouldn’t ride again,” she said. “But the stub-
born cowboy he is, he wouldn’t take that for an answer. He’s still working for a couple of ranches whenever they need help which is usually a day here or a day there.” Archachan even picked up two separate awards for team roping in his 70s including one with his nephew. “Those are the only saddles he’s won, late in his 70s so he’s pretty proud of that,” said Phoebe.
From the Herald archives: March, 1983 Four area bridges to be replaced Contracts for the reconstruction of four bridges on Highway 8 to Spences Bridge will be ready for call this summer subject to funding approval, Highways Minister Alex Fraser informed the city recently. Council had previously sent a letter to the ministry complaining of the condition of the old bridgs, which was was such that the necessary load limit was proving restrictive to logging truck drivers. “I appreciate the constraints placed on the logging industry by these bridges and I do place a priority on their replacement,” Fraser wrote. Permanent twolane structures with concrete bases and steel or concrete superstructures are better designed to replace the Curnow, Rattlesnake, 3 Mile and Potatosillihie Bridges.
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
New board set for NV food bank
Consultant Clara Irwin helped the Nicola Valley and District Food Bank elect a new board of directors, including new president Richard Deacon, at the food bank’s AGM on Fe. 28. Emily Wessel/ Herald
By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
A series of structural changes have begun at the Nicola Valley and District Food Bank, starting with a new 10-member board of directors. New board president Richard Deacon said two former directors remain on the
board after the annual general meeting on Feb. 28. He said the other eight members represent a variety of personal and business backgrounds, which he hopes will provide a foundation of skills on which the food bank can grow. “The goal of the organization is to ele-
vate its service and also its status in the community as far as how well it’s known and what we do for residents,” Deacon said. “If, a year or two down the road, we were one of the better-known not-forprofits or charities in the area, we’d be really proud.” Although its organizational structure is changing, Deacon said the food bank has always been run well. He said he was relieved to learn that the financial documents were fairly transparent. The main purpose of restructuring is to make the food bank more professional and to raise its status in the area. Deacon added that it will take a lot of collaboration between current volunteers, some of whom have years of experience at the food bank, and the new board of directors, so
that the food bank can have a dedicated vision and a firm direction. “While we want change and development in the organization, it’s still a small community that has roots and a lot of great people who’ve put in many hours and years, so we’re really respectful of the old guard and the new guard working together,” he said. Consultant Clara Irwin was recruited by last year’s board of directors in the fall when they realized the organization needed to restructure if it were to be of more service to the community. The next step is to recruit an Executive Director, which Deacon and Irwin said the food bank hasn’t had before. Deacon and Irwin said the board is also looking at other changes to the way the food bank operates, including
providing nutrition and food preparation education as well as sourcing fresh food sources from nearby farms and markets to supplement the non-perishable food items that make up most of the food bank’s offerings. Among these changes, Deacon said the board hopes to offer more food in general to the food bank’s users. “One shocker for me, anyway, was when two ladies showed me what a couple gets once a month in their bag,” Deacon said. “It would make most people absolutely shocked.” “It wouldn’t feed them for a week,” Irwin added. He said the first thing on the new board’s agenda is to create a strategic plan for the next three to five years to determine the overall direction of the food bank.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & ELECTION OF OFFICERS March 21 @ 7:00 p.m. 1675 Tutill Court (Senior’s Centre) Guest Speaker:
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
HELP FOR SMART STOP - Members of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Law Enforcement Preparation Program and RCMP make a joint $5,000 donation to the Smart Step Youth Association on Jan. 18. The goal of Smart Step is to establish a youth council in Merritt that will advise local groups and the city of the youth perspective on various issues. Emily Wessel/Herald
Failing grade for Central, DV schools From Page 1 In all of our schools, the overall result is heading upward.” The superintendent attributes much of the blame for the poor score for Diamond Vale to the fact that the school has a high number of ESL students which comprise 19.4 per cent of the school. “If you take a look at Merritt Bench they have zero ESL kids identified,” he said.
“Vermillion Forks (Princeton) has 0.8. As the ESL rates go up, the results go down. Is that an excuse? No. I take a look at the Fraser Institute results to say which direction are the schools heading. That’s one indicator we have as we move on. For the Fraser results (our schools) are heading up and that’s a good thing.” Peacock says the schools will continue to work hard to improve
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literacy. “We’re working hard with a literacy teacher to see where are we struggling with literacy,” he said. “So we have a helping teacher in both numeracy and literacy. We’re taking a look at the results. Writing and numeracy is an area where Diamond Vale has arrows going down. So, we need to ensure they have the support over there with our helping teachers work-
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ing with the teachers there and say, ‘let’s look at the programs and see what’s happening.” The Fraser Institute grades for secondary
schools is expected in six to eight weeks. In 2011, Merritt Secondary placed 211th out of 280 with a score of 5.0.
6 • TUESDAY, March 12, 2013
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HERALD OPINION Liberals’ selfdestruction overdue Like a plague of locusts that returns on a regular basis to wreak havoc, politics in B.C. have been, in the last generation, cursed with the implosion of parties in power. This self-destruction happens every decade or so and is accompanied by scandals of varying degree. In 1991, we saw the mighty Social Credit dynasty of 36 years destroyed in a few turns of the calendar by Bill Vander Zalm, a lady fond of hats, a hotel room and much other sordidness. In 2001, we saw the Gordon Campbell-led B.C. Liberals almost render the B.C. NDP extinct, leaving only Joy MacPhail and Jenny Kwan as NDP MLAs the morning after the election. And, this year, we are seeing the stunning dessication of those same B.C. Liberals, being ripped apart by scandals while their leader, Christy Clark, perfects the art of doing all the wrong things in response. The latest scandal to hit the governing Liberals is the one that will seal victory for the NDP in the May 14 election. The Multicultural Ethnic Outreach Plan is a 17-page document obtained by the NDP. It documents a B.C. Liberal plan to use taxpayer funds and staff to secure ethnic voting support. The document is brazen and insulting, citing apologies for past wrongs as “quick wins” with ethnic voters. There is more, much more, and it is so bad even Liberal stalwarts recognized no amount of spin could help. Deputy Leader Rich Coleman read Clark’s apology in the legislature. Clark apparently felt it more important to meet with the Vancouver Sun’s editorial board. “The language in this draft document and some of the recommendations are absolutely inappropriate,” Coleman said.
See ‘Clark’ Page 7
Associate Publisher Theresa Arnold production@ merrittherald.com
Are you ready for some play-off action?
CRAIG LINDSAY Merritt HERALD It’s not the way they likely wanted to head into the postseason, nevertheless, the Merritt Centennials are heading into the first round of the BCHL play-offs this weekend. Losing two on the weekend, and having not won in six games, the Cents are a team lacking momentum at the worse time. Fortunately, the play-offs are a completely clean slate. West
Reporter Craig Lindsay newsroom@ merrittherald.com
Kelowna may have won the regular season series handily, but it’s all even now. As a capper to my first week on the job at the Merritt Herald (look for my full introduction column in Thursday’s paper) I took in the Cents’ game Friday against Salmon Arm. After covering the Junior B Castlegar Rebels, it’s nice to see the faster pace and bigger bodies in the BCHL. The Cents got off to a good start but were unable to hold off the Silverbacks. Still, it’s clear that the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena is a great place to catch a game. With almost every seat at ice level, you feel like you’re right in the game.
Reporter Emily Wessel reporter@ merrittherald.com
MERRITT HERALD 2090 G
It was a nice mix of young and old fans alike at the rink. It was also great to see a team mascot, Rhockey, in action. We missed that in Castlegar. I love the way the fans surround the ice. There’s nowhere for the opposing team to escape. Let’s make sure we get the barn full and rocking next week. Merritt plays in West Kelowna Friday and Saturday, but return to the Memorial on Monday and Tuesday for games three and four. Game six goes Friday if necessary here in Merritt. There’s no better way to show your community spirit than to come out and cheer on the home team. These young kids
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work their heart out to pursue the dream of hockey greatness. It’ll take a strong team effort to get past the Warriors, and you can help by coming out and screaming and cheering for the boys! Hockey is, of course, the main attraction at the hockey game, but there’s more. Hockey games are a great chance to meet up and socialize with your friends and have some snacks. Oh, and speaking of snacks, who doesn’t love those arena fries and arena dogs? There’s just something about them. So make sure you get out to the games next week and cheer, cheer, cheer on the home team. Hardwood hopes
Office Manager Carol Soames classifieds@ merrittherald.com
To switch gears for a moment, local NCAA basketball fans might see an unfamiliar name atop the national rankings. Little Gonzaga from Spokane is ranked #1 ahead of traditional powers like Duke, Indiana and Louisville. And who leads the Zags? forward Kelly Olynyk from Kamloops. Olynyk, a 7’ junior, is having a superb season,averaging 18 points and seven rebounds in leading the Zags. He’s also had NBA scouts drooling with his combination of size and athleticism. With the NCAA tournament starting in two weeks, look for Gonzaga to be one of the favourites.
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TUESDAY, March 12, 2013 • 7
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YOUR OPINION Leg trap story: Who let the dogs out?
Cristopherson clarifies conflict question Dear Editor I see the Herald Question of the Week concerns whether or not conflict of interest rules are too strict. I would like to clarify the comment attributed to me that says I think “the voters should simply trust that politicians won’t abuse their positions”. Even I am not quite that naïve. However, I did say, and continue to believe, that there is an element of trust involved when voters choose who they wish to support in an election. Conflict of Interest guidelines are there to prevent misuse of political power. They are not there as roadblocks to prevent good things from happening in a community.
The legal system is still sorting out how those guidelines should be interpreted and applied. We certainly need to work within those guidelines as they are clarified. We need to recognize the intent, use common sense, and not yield to fear and paranoia. We cannot allow misinterpretation or misuse of the guidelines to be used as excuses to do nothing. It is already difficult enough as it is to attract volunteers into positions of leadership. As a case in point, I wonder whether we would have a public transit system in place for Merritt and district had not a public official worked so hard on a volunteer basis to make this dream a reality. A final comment
Dear Editor
relates to budget discussions. Throughout the entire process I have stated on numerous occasions that we needed the opportunity at the end of presentations to have the ability to adjust the budget. Just because an idea or project is good doesn’t mean we can afford to do it. Sometimes you have to choose between what is necessary and what is desirable. Sometimes you have to choose to make the necessary cuts in order to keep increases to a minimum. Sometimes you even have to listen to the electorate and not simply assume a 2.25 per cent tax increase is automatic! Kurt Christopherson Merritt
This story (March 7 Herald front) is a load of crap! She doesnt know what she is talking about at all. If there is so many dogs getting caught in “harmless” leg hold traps wouldn’t the people of Merritt hear about them long before they hit the paper? If all these dogs
caught in leg holds were true then I pose the question why are these dogs running around out in the wild chasing animals anyways? Like Kim (Robinson) said there are laws against that and there are no laws against trapping. It was noted in the article that Gibsons has banned the use of traps in the city limits
yes that is city limits! Are these apparent traps set in city limits? I doubt it! There was mention of a rotwieller caught in a head hold trap? Was it a snare? If so how was it not dead because snares kill pretty fast and painlessly! Darcy Willson Merritt
HST change out tough on ranchers Dear Editor As you likely know, the NDP made a foolish and costly mistake in getting rid of the HST, a form of tax that all of the many non-partisan experts said was in the best interest of British Columbians including more jobs and a better future for our kids. As well, it is costing you and I, as taxpayers, $1.6 billion that must be returned to the feds and multi-millions of dollars
in a provincial bureaucracy to collect the PST. Dumb! We ranchers and farmers now have to deal with increased costs in the form of the PST, a $15 to $20 million dollar annual hit to B.C. farmers. We know from the past that the NDP is all about increasing taxes and spending our kids future in the form of dramatically increased debt but it is ironic that the NDP can increase our taxes even when not in power!
I will ask our MLA, Harry Lali, to bring this to the attention of his colleagues and lobby to exclude agriculture from all PST, not just the few exemptions. Or, better still, go back to the HST to improve the economy and offer a brighter future for our kids and get $1.6 billion for health care and education! Dave Chutter Merritt
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HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK To vote, go online to merrittherald.com
Will the Cents beat West Kelowna in the first round of the BCHL play-offs?
PREVIOUS QUESTION Should animal traps be banned? YES: 75% NO: 24%
Clark should follow Harcourt and fall on political sword From Page 6 After failing to face the heat in person, Clark flew to Prince George to do some ribbon-cuttings and attend a luncheon. There, she noted the person who drafted the obscene document, her deputy chief of staff and longtime friend Kim Haakstad, had resigned. Clark claimed she knew nothing of the plan and seemed to believe Haakstad’s resignation was appropriate closure. Not even close. As we say in the media, this story has legs and the B.C. Liberals are the ones pumping those limbs. Had the NDP not been given the document, this immoral (and possibly illegal) venture would still be in the works.
If Clark had a shred of integrity, she would resign now. She may not have known about the scandalous plan, but it happened on her watch, in her office. Would her resignation help the party’s fortunes at the polls? It might, though the Liberals will be clobbered in any event. Think back to 1995. In November of that year, the governing New Democrats were not unlike the current Liberals — a party with a majority with a major scandal making headlines day after day. The scandal involved former NDP MLA Dave Stupich eventually pleading guilty to fraud for using the Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society to take money raised for charity via bingo and send
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it back to the NDP. Premier Mike Harcourt was not involved and had no clue this was happening in the society, which had been created in the 1950s Yet, the premier resigned out of principle. Among those who gave Harcourt kudos for falling on his political sword was thenLiberal leader Campbell, who told Maclean’s magazine: “Mr. Harcourt has done the right thing.” Should Clark resign, would a new leader change party fortunes, with the election two months away? Not a chance, but a new face, perhaps someone as respected and likeable as George Abbott, could mean a few seats here or there. Several riding-association presidents are disgusted enough with party shenani-
gans to have quit. “My experience with the B.C. Liberal Party is that the people that are involved in the local riding associations are nothing more than procedure,” Cory Cassel, who stepped down as president of the Abbotsford-Mission Liberal riding association, told the CBC. James Plett quit as vicepresident of the SurreyTynehead Liberal riding association and terminated his membership, citing the ethnicvoters scandal as the last straw. “What makes it so repugnant is that the government misused taxpayer dollars to put together a document explaining how the government could misuse taxpayer dollars further and to offer apologies for absolutely horrible things all for a bump in the polls,” Plett wrote on his
blog. “Not to actually apologize for the events, but with the end goal of winning popularity points.” The fact is, this latest scandal involving a plan to use government resources for partisan purposes is not the first. Last year, the Province revealed an anti-Adrian Dix website was being worked on by taxpayerpaid government workers. It really is overwhelming how a political party can plumb such depths of desperation when the end is nigh. It is overwhelming, but not surprising. Not in B.C. If Dix and the NDP manage to win re-election in 2017, look for another implosion of government about a decade from now. Christopher Foulds is editor of Kamloops This Week.
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Senior abuse hotline expanded Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS
VICTORIA – The B.C. government has announced a $1 million boost to its seniors’ abuse protection programs, including extending the hours for a hotline to report suspicions of abuse or neglect. The bulk of the funding is to allow the Vancouver-based Seniors Abuse and Information Line to extend its hours to 12 hours a day, seven days a week. It offers information, advice and emotional support for seniors and their friends and relatives who suspect elderly people are being abused or taken advantage of. The number is 604437-1940 in Metro Vancouver and tollfree province-wide at 1-866-437-1940. Saanich councillor and former MLA Susan Brice, a volunteer with the seniors’ support organization Silver Threads, said members see cases of abuse frequently. “It’s the elderly woman who comes to her craft class with unexplained bruises,” Brice said. “It’s the
Fred Feistmann, Investment Advisor
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Saanich Councillor Susan Brice, Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon and Minister of State for Seniors Ralph Sultan announce new funding for senior protection organizations at the B.C. legislature Wednesday. Tom Fletcher/Black Press
couple who lose thousands of dollars through a telemarketing scam. And it’s the quiet-speaking gentleman, who while living with family, appears neglected and uncared for.” Minister of State for Seniors Ralph Sultan said he has encountered abuse and exploitation of seniors in his own family, and it comes up frequently as he has traveled B.C. asking seniors and their caregiverws what
they need from government. In an interview, Sultan acknowledged that the funding is a modest effort to bolster volunteer efforts. “It is a beginning step, but it also reflects the fact that this problem can not be solved top-down,” Sultan said. “It will have to be solved bottom-up by mobilizing many different organizations around the province.” The B.C. government also provided
Try-A-Trade at TRU Logan Lake Grade 7 student Christian Holmstrup (right) learns to weld a piece of aluminum with the help of Thompson Rivers University Level C welder Jessica Austin on Friday (March 8) during Try-A-Trade sponsored by the TRU School of Trades and Technology. It is an opportunity for area youth to practice some of the “hands-on” skills used on a daily basis by automotive technicians, cabinet makers, carpenters, electricians and welders. These events, for students from Grades 6 to 9, are held in conjunction with The Cariboo Regional Skills and Cariboo Junior Skills Competitions at TRU. Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week
$1.4 million last year to the B.C. Association of Community Response Networks, for prevention and education to reduce elder abuse and neglect. Katrine Conroy, NDP critic for seniors, said she agrees with extra support for the information line, which is supported by lawyers and other experts to help seniors find help. “Anything that’s done to eliminate elder abuse is a good thing,” Conroy said. “The
community resource networks are really good organizations.” She added that the government’s proposed Seniors’ Advocate is inadequate, because it is not an independent office and won’t deal with individual cases. Sultan said the advocate is to help develop policies to protect seniors, and a federal study being funded partly by the program will provide the information needed to to that.
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3.00% 1.71% 2.45% 1.82%
0.972 1.029
Commodities Gold am/pm Äx London 1581.75 Copper Highgrade 3.49 Lumber (day session) 388.60 Live Cattle 128.70
Mutual Funds Brands Sionna Cdn. Eqt10.84 IA Clarington Cdn. Eqt 26.34 IA Clarington Glbl. Eqt 14.28 CI Harbour Fund 22.16 Dynamic Cdn Value Cls 12.86 Fidelity Asset Allocation 25.15 Fidelity Disp Cad Eqt 27.90
Fid Intnl Portfolio Ivy Cdn Fund Ivy Foreign Fund Bissett Cdn Equity RBC Balanced Fund RBC Cdn Div. Fund CI Signature Select Cdn
27.06 28.68 33.96 79.31 12.75 52.23 20.03
THIS WEEK’S MARKETS .... The S&P/TSX Composite was up 0.5% last week to close at $12,835.61. In the U.S., the S&P rose 2.2% to close at $1,551.18. Oil was up 1.4% to close at $91.95/bb, while natural gas futures rose 1.4% to close at $3.60/MMBtu. Gold bullion finished the week at $1,578.55, up 0.1%. The Canadian dollar weakened against the US dollar, closing at $.97/USD. The 2 year Canadian benchmark bond rose to 0.98% and the 10 year bond increased to 1.94%. South of the border 2 year US treasury yields increased to .25%.
Canadian Common A&W Revenue Royalties 21.95 ATCO Ltd. 91.14 Arc Resources Ltd. 26.55 BCE Inc 46.97 Barrick Gold Corp 29.77 Ballard Power Sys 1.18 Bonavista Energy Corp 13.30 Bombardier 4.15 Bank of Montreal 63.86 Bank of Nova Scotia 60.68 Can. National Railway 103.38 Canadian Tire (NON VTG A) 68.90 Cameco Corporation 21.60 CIBC 82.78 Canadian Utilities Ltd. 78.09 Can. Real Est. Trust 45.60 Can. Nat. Res. Ltd. 32.06 Enbridge 45.92 EnCana Corporation 19.92 Finning 25.75 Husky Energy Inc. 30.87 Imperial Oil 43.72 Kinross Gold Corp 8.13 Loblaw Companies 41.45 Maple Leaf Foods 13.50 Molson Coors Can Inc. 48.60 Manulife Financial 15.51 Pembina Pipeline Corp. 31.26 Potash Corp of Sask 41.34 Pengrowth Energy Corp. 5.22 Power Financial Corp. 29.58 Precision Drilling Corp 8.57 Rogers Comm Inc. 49.45
Royal Bank 62.43 Research In Motion Ltd. 13.01 Sun Life Financial Inc 28.64 Shaw Comm Inc 24.54 Shopper’s Drug Mart 42.75 Suncor Energy Inc 31.45 Toromont Inds Ltd 23.88 Toronto Dominion Bank 85.16 Transcanada Corp 48.88 Telus Corp 69.77 Tim Hortons Inc 52.62
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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.
8.61 64.70 28.52 21.83 90.88 57.39 36.23 23.77 71.37 78.19 41.67 28.00 5.88 28.19 77.20 36.68 12.96 92.07 73.03 5.51
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
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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 2012. All rights reserved.
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Bench badminton players make quite a racquet By Ian Webster THE HERALD
sports@merrittherald.com
A small contingent of Merritt badminton players from Bench Elementary School put on quite a show at the Kelowna Badminton Club’s Junior Invitational tournament on the March 2 weekend. Led by 12-year-old Gillian Moore, the eight-member team picked up no fewer than 20 top-three finishes in singles and doubles play. Moore won the U12 girls’ singles title, then teamed up with classmate Jenna Kane to take the U12 girls’ doubles crown. She also placed third overall in U12 mixed doubles play with partner (and peewee rep hockey teammate) Connor Ouellet, and placed first in the B Plate [division] of the U14 girls’ singles event. Ouellet was a firstplace finisher overall in the U12 boys’ singles title. He also picked up a pair of seconds in U14 boys’ singles and doubles action.
Completing the list of top overall finishers from Merritt was Amrit Samra, who teamed up with Kelowna’s Billy Wang to take the U14 boys’ doubles title. Bench badminton coach and Grade 6 teacher Vince Kanigan was elated with his young team’s performance at the three-day Kelowna Invitational. “We had no idea what to expect,” he said. “It was our very first competition.” The coach said that the Kelowna Badminton Club facility had a few surprises for his novice group, such as a hardwood floor and a ceiling so high that many of his players couldn’t hit it even if they tried. “That was a big adjustment for our students,” Kanigan said. “They’re used to keeping their lobs way down because of the low ceiling in our gym.” The Bench players also had to make a last-minute purchase of safety glasses on Friday night, and wear them in competition for the
KELOWNA BADMINTON CLUB JUNIOR TOURNAMENT Bench Elementary Results
Andy Gush U14 Boys Singles 1st. “C Plate” U14 Boys Doubles 2nd. U14 Mixed Doubles 2nd.
A BIRD IN THE HAND Bench Elementary School badminton players (from left) Gillian Moore, Sam McNiven, Andy Gush, Connor Ouellet, Keenan Wudrich, Amrit Samra, Sara Yasunaga. Ian Webster/Herald
first time. They are a requirement for all junior-aged participants in Badminton BC sanctioned events. Kanigan was full of praise for the Kelowna Badminton Club, and in particular Mike Mitson, the tournament director. “Everyone was so accommodating and friendly. The Merritt kids and their parents had a great time.” Moore, Ouellet, Jenna Kane, Sam McNiven, Keenan Wudrich, Andy Gush and Sara Yasunaga all
joined Samra in partnering up with KBC players in one or more events over the weekend. “Amrit and Billy [from Kelowna] have already arranged to team up next year,” Kanigan said. The Bench Elementary badminton program is in its third year of existence. It runs from December through to spring break each year, and is open to students from Grades 1 to 7. “We had almost 60 members this year,”
Kanigan said. “We run sessions five mornings a week and three days after school. We operate on a sort of ‘farm dog’ philosophy with our older, more-experienced players working directly with new, younger members.” In the future, Kanigan would love to see badminton become a district-wide sport in the elementary schools, but for now he’s more than happy to grow the game and let the birds fly within the confines of his own school.
Sam McNiven U14 Boys Singles U14 Boys Doubles U16 Boys Singles
1st. “B Plate” 2nd. 1st. “B Plate”
Keenan Wudrich U14 Boys Singles U14 Boys Doubles
2nd. “B Plate” 3rd.
Amrit Samra U14 Boys Singles 1st. “D Plate” U14 Boys Doubles 1st. U14 Mixed Doubles 3rd. Connor Ouellet U12 Boys Singles U12 Mixed Doubles U14 Boys Singles U14 Boys Doubles
1st. 1st. 2nd. “C Plate” 2nd.
Gillian Moore U12 Girls Singles U12 Girls Doubles U12 Mixed Doubles U14 Girls Singles
1st. 1st. 3rd. 1st. “B Plate”
Jenna Kane U12 Girls Singles U12 Girls Doubles U14 Girls Singles
1st. “B Plate” 1st. 3rd. “B Plate”
Sara Yasunaga U14 Girls Singles 2nd. “B Plate” U14 Mixed Doubles 3rd.
Three Merritt Centennials named to BCHL all-star teams FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
On March 6, the British Columbia Hockey League announced its 2012-13 All-Star Teams. First and second allstar teams were selected for both the Interior and Coastal Conferences, along with one leaguewide all-rookie team. This year, 12 BCHL clubs had at least one player named to an allstar team. The Surrey Eagles led the way with five selections, followed by the Penticton Vees, Chilliwack Chiefs and West Kelowna Warriors with four each. The Merritt Centennials had three players chosen. Photos by Ian Webster/Herald
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM ALL-STARS
Interior Conference
Interior Conference
Interior/Coastal Conferences
FFFDDG-
FFFDDG-
FFFDDG-
Wade Murphy (Penticton Vees) Marcus Basara (West Kelowna Warriors)) Seb Lloyd (West Kelowna Warriors) Troy Stecher (Penticton Vees) Shane Hanna (Salmon Arm Silverbacks) Tyler Steel (Merritt Centennials)
Regan Soquila (Merritt Centennials) John Siemer (Penticton Vees) Brent Baltus (Trail Smoke Eaters) Brett Corkey (Vernon Vipers) Josh Monk (West Kelowna Warriors) Tyler Briggs (West Kelowna Warriors)
Coastal Conference
Coastal Conference
FFFDDG-
FFFDDG-
Mario Puskarich (Langley Rivermen) Brady Shaw (Surrey Eagles) Luke Esposito (Chilliwack Chiefs) Devon Toews (Surrey Eagles) Craig Wyszomirski (Surrey Eagles) Mirch Gillam (Chilliwack Chiefs)
Tyler Steel
Brad McClure (Penticton Vees) Phil Zielonka (Chilliwack Chiefs) Luke Esposito (Chilliwack Chiefs) Jarrett Brown (Cowichan Valley Capitals) Dane Birks (Merritt Centennials) Michael Santaguida (Surrey Eagles)
Adam Tambellini (Surrey Eagles) Austin Plevy (Chilliwack Chiefs) Phil Zielonka (Chilliwack Chiefs) DJ Jones (Victoria Grizzlies) Bo Pellah (Alberni Valley Bulldogs) Michael Santaguida (Surrey Eagles)
Regan Soquila
Dane Birks
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Employment Business Opportunities TRAIN TO be an Apartment/Condominium Manager at home! We have jobs across Canada. Thousands of graduates working. 32 years of success! Government certiďŹ ed. www.RMTI.ca or 1-800-6658339, 604-681-5456.
Drivers/Courier/ Trucking Class 1 Drivers to haul dry vans Western Canada & US. Only drivers with 2 years exp. & US border crossing capability. Dedicated tractors, paid drops, direct deposit. No phone calls Fax 250-546-0600
Lakes District Maintenance Ltd. has immediate openings for TJ Heavy Duty Mechanics
and a Mechanical Manager/Supervisor in Dease Lake, BC You will be part of a team of mechanics maintaining a medium sized ďŹ&#x201A;eet of trucks and road maintenance equipment. A valid CVI ticket or ability and qualiďŹ cations to receive one preferred.
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bedroom apartments.
F/S, heat and hot water included.
Homes for Rent
Suites, Upper 2 bedroom suite, within walking distance of downtown, very clean, all appliances included. No smoking or pets. Available immediately, $850.00 utilities included. 250-315-3548
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
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" Need a Vehicle?
Heavy Duty Machinery
CREDIT MEDIC
Call the
Guaranteed Approvals â&#x20AC;˘ Good Credit? â&#x20AC;˘ Bad Credit? â&#x20AC;˘ No Credit? â&#x20AC;˘ Divorce? â&#x20AC;˘ Bankrupt?
IF YOU WORK,YOU DRIVE Call Steve Today 1.888.378.9255
The Merritt Herald is looking for an Advertising Creative Consultant to work along side our award winning design team. Responsibilities: â&#x20AC;˘ Ad design using InDesign & Photoshop â&#x20AC;˘ Real Estate listings â&#x20AC;˘ Uploading information to the internet â&#x20AC;˘ Mockup of paper editions â&#x20AC;˘ Reception â&#x20AC;˘ Additonal duties as required This individual must be able to endure pressure/ deadline situations and yet keep a healthy sense of humour with their fellow employees. The Merritt Herald publishes and distributes to over 8300 homes twice a week. If you feel you have what it takes to be a star among our stars we look forward to hearing from you. To apply, please forward your resume with a cover letter to: Theresa Arnold, Associate Publisher Merritt Herald 2090 Granite Ave., P.O. Box 9 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8 e-mail: publisher@merrittherald.com
MERRITT HERALD
Auto Financing
Merritt Herald
Hours of work: 25 to 37.5 hours per week.
CKC RGST. Great Pyrenees Pups 9 wks. old 1st. shots, Hlth guar. $1200, free delivery. Vet chk. www.kindercubkennel.com 250998-4697
# ! $ #
Ad Designer
Ask about move-in incentives For appointment call
2 bdrm house for rent in Lower Nicola. 4 pc bath, full kitchen, 1/2 acre fenced yard. No smoking, no pets. $900/mon plus damage deposit, ref. req. 250-378-5579 3 BDRM, 1380 sq.ft. 1 bath Rancher. W/D, F/S, fenced yard, close to schools/bus stop. Non-smoker, no drugs. No Pets. Avail Mar. 15. $1100 mo. Refâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d. 778-791-0272
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Spacious 1 & 3
Pets
A-STEEL SHIPPING DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS Used 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;40â&#x20AC;&#x2122;45â&#x20AC;&#x2122;53 in stock. SPECIAL 44â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Container Shop w/steel trusses $13,800! Sets up in one day! Also Damaged 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122; $1950 Call Toll Free Also JD 544 & 644 wheel loaders JD 892D LC Excavator Ph. 1-866-528-7108 Free Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com
DreamTeam Auto Financing â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;? Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals
KENGARD MANOR
Available March 1st, 2 bedroom mobile with addition, washer, dryer, fridge, stove, utilities included close to town and school. $900 month. 250378-0887
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Need A Vehicle! Guaranteed Auto Loan. Apply Now, 1.877.680.1231 www.UapplyUdrive.ca
Mobile Homes & Pads
Help Wanted
Rentals
Ph: 250-378-9880
Help Wanted
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murraygmmerritt.com
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12 • TUESDAY, March 12, 2013
www.merrittherald.com
OPEN HOUSE
“We will be holding an OPEN HOUSE at the FraserNicola MLA community ofÀce in Merritt. You are all invited, so please join us for refreshments.”
- Harry
March 21 @ 3 pm - 7 pm 2099 Granite Ave., Merritt B.C., Info: 250-378-4802
LALI
Harr y
MLA, FRASER-NICOLA