Caledonia Courier, April 30, 2014 by Black Press Media Group

Inside

u RDBN composting program P. 2 u Letter to the editor P. 4 u Erickson twins P. 5 u Refinery needed P. 3

Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759

WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014

NEWS BRIEFS Northern Health Nurses recognized Six Northern Health nurses have been recognized in the 2014 College of Registered Nurses in British Columbia (CRNBC). In total 36 awards were presented to nurses in B.C. in seven categories. The CRNBC website says the awards program is an opportunity to “honour colleagues for their outstanding contributions to the profession and demonstrating excellence in relation to the CRNBC Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.” “Northern Health staff, including our nurses, work hard every day to provide high quality care to northerners,” said Suzanne Johnston, Northern Health Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “Having our staff recognized by the CRNBC is a big honour, and further shows the fantastic team of registered nurses working in northern B.C.” The Northern Health award winners are: Excellence in Nursing Administration l Val Waymark Regional Manager Community Care Facilities Licensing Public Health Protection - Prince George Excellence in Nursing Practice l Linda Keefe - Coordinator HIV / AIDS Prevention Program - Prince George l Barb Schuerkamp - Head Nurse - Tumbler Ridge Health Centre l Celia Evanson - Nurse Practitioner - Nak’azdli Health Centre l Leslie Murphy UHNBC Maternity Child Manager - Prince George Rising Star l Lisa Cox – Registered Nurse – Valemount Health Centre The award winners will be honoured at an event in Vancouver this September. Details about the CRNBC Awards of Excellence are available here: https://crnbc.ca/CRNBC/ AWARDS/EXCELLENCE/Pages/Default.aspx

PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com

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Playfair named new CNC Board Chair A new chair of CNC’s Board of Governors and a new vicechair were named at the college’s annual general meeting Friday. Keith Playfair won by acclamation as CNC’s new Board Chair after serving as vice-chair for regional campuses since April 2012. “I am honoured to be taking on this important role at CNC,” Playfair said. “We have a lot of work ahead and I am looking forward to ensuring that CNC continues to serve its communities and provide excellent education.” Playfair replaces Robert Murray, whose six year term on the board comes to an end on July 31. Murray,

who was first elected as board chair in 2011, also served a two-year term as vice-chair for regional campuses. “Bob has been a very dedicated and active board chair and he certainly leaves some big shoes to fill,” Playfair said. “We are looking forward to continuing his great work.” Murray said the board made an excellent choice in choosing Playfair as his replacement. “Keith has deep knowledge of the college and how it operates and his many years in forestry and as a business owner will greatly benefit the board and the college,” Murray said. Long-time Prince George Lawyer Lee Ongman also won by acclamation as Prince

On April 15 and 16, The District of Fort St. James hosted an Emergency Operations Centre Essentials course, with participants from Fort St. James, Nak’azdli, Fraser Lake, Quesnel, Nisga’a, and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako. Participants learned the basics of emergency management. Left to right: Paul Mercer, Nicholette Prince and Emily Colombo. Photo courtesy of District of Fort St. James

George vice-chair of the board. “Lee is very intelligent and knowledgeable and always asks excellent questions,” Playfair said. “She will be even stron-

ger as vice-chair.” Ongman was first appointed to the board in March, 2012. She holds a law degree from UBC and has been an adjudicator for the Ca-

nadian Human Rights Tribunal and has served more than 12 years on the board of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. Linda Smerychyn-

ski will leave her role as vice-chair Prince George to take on the vice-chair of regions role until her six year term on the board ends July 31.

Little movement as school strike starts By Jeff Nagel BC Local News The provincial government is so far holding off on a threat to try to force the B.C.Teachers’ Federation to pay $5 million a month to cover the cost of its members’ benefits in response to their limited job action. That possible financial weapon was broached earlier in the month by negotiators with the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association and Education Minister Peter Fassbender said it remains an option, particularly if the union escalates its tactics. “The BCTF has said they’re taking this action to put pressure on us,” Fassbender said Thursday in an interview. “We may need to add some commensurate pressure to the BCTF if we find we’re not getting any solid options from them.” The union has demanded pay hikes estimated at 13.5 per cent over three years, while the government has offered 6.5 per cent over the first six years of an intended 10-year deal. Fassbender said the BCTF has made some movement in negotiations, but not a significant amount. He expressed disappointment that despite continued talks the union opted Wednesday to begin its

first-stage strike action – restricting administrative duties and supervision of students outside of class time – a move that has prompted several rural districts to cancel recess. The BCPSEA had notified the union any strike action could trigger a call for it to cover health and welfare benefits for B.C.’s 40,000 teachers, estimated at $5 million a month. “I don’t want to inflict pain on anybody,” Fassbender said. “But there are tools available to government as there are to the union. “I don’t think we want to put out any threats but by the same token we need to ensure that we have stability in the classrooms. That’s our goal.” BCTF president Jim Iker said he doubts the Labour Relations Board would approve a request ordering the union to pay benefits, noting a similar effort to make the union pay 15 per cent of wages was denied in the last teachers’ strike. “We would see that as retaliatory and punitive for them to even think about or threaten that the union pay the cost of the benefits when teachers are in the classroom working as hard as they normally do with students,” Iker said. Iker said it is the government that has not moved much off its position, including a refusal to bargain smaller class sizes and more access to specialist

teachers. “Our hope is we can get this deal done by the end of June and not be going into September still at the bargaining table.” Overshadowing the labour dispute is last year’s B.C. Supreme Court ruling that the province must restore class size and composition to what existed in 2001. The province has appealed the decision, saying it would impose enormous costs and disrupt programs. Waiting until the fall for an appeal court ruling would be unfortunate, said Dan Laitsch, an associate education professor at SFU. “It really is kind of an all-or-nothing case,” Laitsch said. “They’re playing a fairly high stakes poker game because either side could lose big depending on the outcome of the appeal.” Ideally, he said, the two sides would recognize it’s too risky to wait and instead craft a settlement that doesn’t subject schools to a months-long strike action. Laitsch said budget shortfalls now surfacing at many districts mean the province will be under pressure to find more money for the school system regardless of the outcome of the teachers’ dispute.

NEWS Smart meter refusal RDBN backyard composting

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Caledonia Courier

Courier

program launch

fees trimmed

Have you been wanting to start backyard comBy Tom FletcherMonth-long Events spite evidence that their signals are weak- posting for a while but Alcohol Awareness Month Black Press er than the natural background of radio haven’t had the tools or National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. frequency signals even in remote areas. 212-269-7797 don’t know how to start? BC Hydro customers who refuse to BC Hydro’s meter upgrade was exwww.ncadd.org part with their mechanical power meters empted from review, but the commission Are you having troubles Child Abuse Prevention Month will continue to pay $32.40 a month for ruled last year on similar equipment for with your existing backPrevent Child Abuse America manual meter readings, with a refund on FortisBC’s electrical grid in the Okana- yard composter? 312-663-3520 Come join the Rethe balance of the www.preventchildabuse.org $35 they’ve been pay- gan and Kootenay regions. gional District of Bulking since December. Commissioners rejected testimony BeaverOnGolfCourseC0804.EPS Jazz Appreciation Month ley-Nechako as they kick The B.C. Utilities Commission ruled from smart meter opponents, noting that Smithsonian National Museum of American History on BC Hydro’s smart meter opt-out fees their spokesmen were unqualified and in off the new backyard 202-633-3129 www.smithsonianjazz.org composting program in Friday, after an order from the B.C. gov- most cases repeating false or exaggerated Hot Retail Co-op Categories your community! ernment required the regulator to approve claims in order to sell solutions to the Bicycles, Accessories and Supplies National Car Care Month The Regional District Lawn and Garden fees covering all ofCarBC Hydro’s purported hazards. Care Council costs. and Snowmobiles A $20 a month240-333-1088 charge will continue BC Hydro spent nearly $1Motorcycles billion to will be hosting compost Outdoor Furnishings www.carcare.org for BC Hydro customers who accept a upgrade its grid, forecasting savings from Recreational Vehiclesworkshops in each municdigital meter withNational the radio transmission automatic meter reading to faster detec- ipality within the RDBN, Donate Life Month Hotof Manufacturer function turned off. commission cutHuman tion of outages and elimination power Co-op U.S.The Department of Health and Services providing residents with 202-619-0257 the one-time fee for disabling the meter theft from meter bypasses. Benjamin Moore Paints a Garden Gourmet comCamp Healthcare www.organdonor.gov radio to $22.60, far below BC Hydro’s The commission also reduced fees forMowerspost bin along with a Grasshopper proposed $100. National Lawn Care Month customers who move and request radio- compost mixing tool at RolexaWatch Corporation Most of BC Hydro’s nearly two mil- Network off meter at their new address.Whirlpool To switch PLANET, Professional Landcare a subsidized price of $40 800-395-2522 lion customers now have fully function- from a mechanical meter to a radio-off (an $80 value). www.landcarenetwork.org ing smart meters, which send daily read- meter will cost $77.60, reduced from the Special Section AdBuilder ToBuilder be Themes eligible for a • Financial ings to a collection network and signalMonth BC Hydro’s proposed $100. Going from National Parkinson Awareness composting package, res• Planning a Garden Parkinson Foundation, when power goesNational out and comes backInc. one radio-off meter to another will cost • Earth Day idents must pre-register 800-327-4545 on. $132.60, down from the proposed $155 • Easter www.parkinson.org A few customers cling to theories that that includes activating the meter in the for the workshops. There are limited quantities, so Special Events the meters presentPrevention a health hazard, de-Monthformer residence. of Animal Cruelty

be sure to sign up in advance! Residents who already have compost bins are also welcome to attend the workshops! For more details on the workshops in your area or to register, please contact the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako at 1-800-320-3339 or email inquiries@rdbn. bc.ca. The workshop in Fort

St. James will be June 6, 12pm to 3pm beside the

Farmer’s Market at Spirit Square in Fort St. James.

Lakeshore Realty 11875 Sowchea Road Located between Sowchea Bay and Paarens Beach Provincial Parks. This well built, well maintained 5 bedroom, 2 bath home comes with a beautifully landscaped front yard. While the backyard boasts raspberries, DaffodilsHC0804.EPS huckleberries, and mature trees. Plenty of storage in the house and outside. Must see to truly appreciate this property! $246,000

You’ll find us at 169 STUART DRIVE, FSJ lkshore@telus.net 250-996-8618

ANNOUNCEMENT Fort St. James Falcons Speed Skating Club

Annual General Meeting Monday, May 12

ManRidingLawnMowerC0804.EPS

NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship National Stress Awareness Day National Volunteer Week Week of the Young Child Boston Marathon National Jelly Bean Day Take Our Daughters/Sons to Work Day

David Hoy Elementary School Library 6:30 - 7:30 pm

4&6 5&7 16 19–25 19–25 20 22 23

ManPlayingGolfC0804.EPS

District of Fort St. James Calendar

ASPCA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 212-876-7700 www.aspca.org

MomGirlHuggingTreeC0804.EPS

A2 www.caledoniacourier.com

April, 2014

SUNDAY

MONDAY

March 2009 27

28May 2009

TUESDAY 29

Municipal Website: www.fortstjames.ca

5 Palm Sunday

6 WATER LINES

9-2pm Ref Clinic @ FSJSS

11 19 Mother’s Day

513

Easter Monday (Australia & Canada)

12pm Strong Start 7-9pm Effective Meetings Session @ District

12 20 Taurus

10am Food Bank

9am Strong Start

28 (Canada)

12pm Strong Start

9am Strong Start

@ FSJSS Administrative 2:30pm Toy Lending ProfessionalsLibrary Day 4pm Strong Start 7pm Hospital Aux Mtg 7pm Council Mtg

21 29

91First Day of Passover

2 Good Friday 10

Pitch-In Weeks

12pm Strong Start

9am Strong Start

6pm Snrs Potluck

6-9pm Ref Clinic @ FSJSS

8 16

9 17 9am Strong Start 12pm Strong Start 8pm AA Mtg

2:30pm Toy Lending Library

3 11 9-4pm Ref Clinic @ FSJSS

10 18

12-3pm Composting Workshop @ Spirit Square 12-4pm Farmers’ Market Opening Day!

15 23

16Arbor Day 24

17Anzac Day (Australia) 25

9am Strong Start

12pm Strong Start

12pm Farmers’ Market

8pm AA Mtg

22 10am Food Bank

Transportation Service Daily Services VOLUNTEERS NEEDED More Info ! 250-996-8233

2:30pm Toy Lending Library

11-6pm Career Fair 14 22 Earth Day

20 Workers Mourning Day

SATURDAY

“SENIORS HELPING SENIORS”

4pm Strong Start

13 21

FRIDAY

8pm AA Mtg

7 15 Tax Day 9am Strong Start

12pm Strong Start

May, 2014

614

2:30pm Toy Lending Library 4pm Strong Start District Utility Bill Discount Deadline

Flushing of water lines will take place from April 27 - May 9. If you experience dirty water please run your taps for a couple of minutes. For more info, contact Public Works Department at (250) 996-7161.

4 Easter 12

1April Pitch-In Fool’s DayWeeks 30

THURSDAY

12pm Strong Start

8pmAA Mtg

Please submit all events by Wednesday for the next Wednesday paper distribution. ofﬁce@fortstjames.ca

Community S MThe T W T F S S Art M TCouncil W T F of S Fort St. James Pitch-In Weeks 1 2 Pitch-In Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Presents... Pitch-In Weeks 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 411am 5 Day 6 of 7 8 9 9am Strong Start ‘3 Generations of Women in Art’ Exhibit 5th18 Annual 1510am 16 17 19 20 21 10 11 12 Ceremony 13 14 15 16 Mourning April 22 May 2 Run/Walk 22 23 24 Event 25 26from 27 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 6:45pm Hoop Dance Nak’azdli Ctr Strong Start 29 30 31 Health 2412pm 25Arts 26 27 29 30 Week! Celebrating & 28 Culture 31

WEDNESDAY

4pm Strong Start

WANTED:

PITCH-IN WEEKS!

Igniting Your Ad Sales

• AdBuilder® Retail April 20 - May 2 Used books in good condition for a Book Sale the Seniors Centre will have in May. • AdBuilder® Classified • Co-op Sales Ideas Please drop off donations at the Seniors Centre on Pick up your FREE garbage bags from the District Office

AdBuilder.com & Adopt-a-block today!

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Mondays, Wednesdays &/or Fridays from 11:00am - 1:00pm.

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Caledonia Courier Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Courier

NEWS

www.caledoniacourier.com A3

Refinery needed of how bad an oil spill at sea can be, however, a spill of bitumen at sea would be much worse. The Exxon Valdez carried light crude and lost 250,000 barrels, one eighth of a tanker load. The light oil floated and could be removed from the beaches. Even so, after four years of work with up to 11,000 workers and 1,400 boats involved, less than 10% of it was recovered. Roughly 200,000 birds and many kinds of other wildlife were killed. Approximately 1,300 miles of shoreline were affected and the fishery has yet to fully recover. Bitumen is very different. It would harden up on shore and much of it would sink to the bottom, making it unrecoverable and killing virtually everything with which it came in contact. Imagine if we lost a full tanker load. Some say that, with GPS-based navigation and double hulls, spills such as Exxon Valdez are not possible today. They are wrong. Double hulls do not prevent hull fracture if there

t for Even ers & d Rea ters Wri

David Black is a collision at speed, only if there is a gentle scrape. As for the GPS claim, most marine accidents are caused by human inattention, not by a lack of knowledge about position. All ships carried systems to indicate their location before GPS came

along. The Exxon Valdez crew could have glanced at their instruments to determine their location but they didn’t, neither did the crew on the Queen of the North. Marine disasters regularly occur and a quick search of the internet shows hu-

ster y Write y M Coming to Town! r

Every Welc one ome!

Mystery writer Phyllis Smallman is coming to

Fort St. James Public Library On Friday May 2, 2014 From 6 – 7 PM Phyllis will talk about her books. From 7 – 8 PM Phyllis will talk about the writing process for the benefit of budding writers in Fort St. James! You could win an opportunity to have Phyllis critique the first five pages of your fiction! Phyllis Smallman’s Sherri Travis mystery series was a Good Morning America summer read in 2010 and a Zoomer Magazine choice for a cottage read. Her first mystery, Margarita Nights, won the inaugural Unhanged Arthur award from the Crime Writers of Canada. Her writing has appeared in both Spinetingler Magazine and Omni Mystery Magazine. Before turning to a life of crime, Smallman was a potter. She divides her time between a beach in Florida and an island in the Salish Sea. Visit her website at www.phyllissmallman.com

Fort St. James Public Library 425 Manson St. Fort St. James, BC Phone: 250-996-7431

man error is most often the problem. Undoubtedly there will be many more marine accidents in future. Our grandchildren will not thank us if we willingly risk the destruction of the BC coast on our watch. Fortunately there is a solution that is beneficial for all concerned: all we have to do is build a refinery at Kitimat. The refinery will convert the bitumen to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel which float and evaporate if they are spilled. Often little or no spill remediation is required. These refined fuels simply do not cause the habitat destruction of conventional or synthetic crude oil, or anywhere near the devastation caused by bitumen. The second part of this OPED will run in the next issue. It will discuss the enormous value-add benefits and environmental advantages of a modern green refinery. The pipeline from Alberta and the tanker fleet to export the refined fuels will also be considered.

Let me declare my biases. I am for creating thousands of good permanent jobs in BC. I am for creating billions of new tax dollars for government coffers. I am for reducing the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. I am for building an oil pipeline that will never leak. I am for building a modern tanker fleet that car-

ries only refined fuels that float and evaporate if spilled. I am against shipping bitumen in tankers. If you agree that we should not put bitumen in tankers please contact your local MP and say so. The Canadian government makes a decision on this next month. David Black

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My name is David Black. I am the majority owner of Black Press, the company that owns this newspaper. This is the first of two columns addressing what I see as the greatest threat to the BC environment in our lifetime. I am a reasonably sensible and conservative businessman, not an alarmist. All of the information in this column can be confirmed from public sources. The oil industry wants to export Alberta bitumen to Asia via tankers. Under no circumstances should we allow that to happen. A bitumen spill at sea could destroy our coastline, together with the fish and wildlife that depend on it, for hundreds of years. Bitumen, even if it is diluted, does not float in sea water if there is sediment present. This has been proven many times, most recently in a thorough Environment Canada study published on November 30 2013. Page 51 of the study provides graphic evidence of sunken bitumen. Given that there is an abundance of sediment along the BC coast, the bitumen will sink rapidly and there will be little chance of recovering any of it if there is a spill. By Northern Gateway’s own admission the likelihood of a bitumen spill at sea is over 10% over the next 50 years. Others say that it is much higher. We are in agreement with the position taken by the Coastal First Nations that even the slightest risk of a spill of bitumen at sea is unacceptable. The grounding of the Exxon Valdez in Alaska in 1989 is often held up as an example

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Student of the Week ✦ Grade 12 Fort St. James Secondary 17 years old ✦ Nominated Mrs. Stainton “She’s a wonderful, wonderful student,” said Stainton.”

Danielle Sutherland

Stainton has worked with Danielle as her advisor on grad transitions and called her very talented and a “fantastic visual artist” who has also done a lot with the youth committees to benefit other students. “I had the pleasure of watching her visual portfolio,” said Stainton. “It was stunning.” Danielle is planning on attending either Langara College or Selkirk College to study digital photography after graduation.

RECRUITMENT

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AUDIT

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Caledonia Courier

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• Letter to the Editor

Protecting our watersheds As winter ever so slowly releases its chilling grip the ice on Stuart Lake and surrounding rivers and creeks is beginning to thin out, soon to be replaced by reflections of azure blue skies and puffy white clouds, and sunbeams glistening off the water’s surface. Not far behind, boaters will be on the water in search of a welcoming strip of shoreline to relax on, or a spot to go for a dip. The fishers, too, will be out in pursuit of those endless rainbows the Fort St. James area waters have to offer. That may not be the case in the future, if the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines project is approved by the federal government. The receding ice could instead reveal oil, courtesy of a wintertime leak into the Necoslie or Stuart Rivers, Pitka Creek or Stuart Lake. The boaters and fishers could be working on oil cleanup rather than being able to enjoy their usual right of spring pass-times. Those were my thoughts as I prepared for questioning the Enbridge Northern Gateway spill detection and response witness panel during the Joint Review Panel oral hearings in October 2012. Review of two Enbridge wintertime pipeline leaks helped me formulate my questions of the panel. The first was a January 17, 2001 pipeline rupture near

Hardisty, Alberta. Although being automatically detected and the pipeline being shut down within minutes, approximately 3,800,000 litres of crude oil was released under an ice-covered slough. The exact location of the rupture was not found for 13 ½ hours despite having been both walked and flown along numerous times. The spill, contained within a 2.7-hectare area, took a minimum of five months to clean up. The second was their Norman Wells pipeline pin-hole leak that went undetected by their automated leak detection system, being found instead by hunters in May 2011. That leak put 258, 000 litres of oil into the surrounding soil and permafrost. Enbridge did not know how long the pipeline had been leaking. An undetectable slow leak has the potential of causing as much damage as a rupture as far as I am concerned, so that was the scenario I put to the witnesses. I asked “The oil could be releasing for quite a period of time under the ice before being detected by manual methods couldn’t it? A witness replied: “Oil will find its way to the surface at some point through cracks or fissures in the ice or along the edges of the ice. So it will show at some point.” The reply gave me no assurance that Enbridge Northern Gateway would be

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capable of detecting under-ice leaks, in a timely manner. It was also said that Enbridge conducts emergency exercises in winter and that Northern Gateway would learn from those experiences. During one of their recent exercises Enbridge official Katie Haarsager said that not all the oil can be cleaned up through the ice; Enbridge crews have to return after it has thawed to look for and clean up more oil. That gave me no assurance Enbridge Northern Gateway would be capable of responding to under-ice leaks, in a timely manner either. All that was left to convince me that the future I see will not become a reality, was a statement made by Enbridge Northern Gateway’s President, John Carruthers in an effort to convince Kitimat residents to vote yes in their recent plebiscite: “Again, we’ll try to get [oil spills] as low as possible with the technology available. That’s a very solid commitment.” That statement did not convince me. It did not convince the majority of the voters in Kitimat, either. Brenda Gouglas member of Fort St. James Sustainability Group United Against Enbridge

Gas prices are never going to get better The angst at the pump this week was predictable. Anytime somebody informs you the cost of living is going up by a few hundred dollars, or more, during the next year, the groans are inevitable. Unfortunately, what also seems inevitable is the resignation. Gas price hikes aren’t new, or unusual. It wasn’t that long ago that prices were under a dollar per litre, and at least half the people reading this are going to remember filling up when that rate was less than 30 cents a litre. Every time those rates jumped, people greeted the jump with the same type of response we heard Thursday. And every time, by and large, people continued to do what they’ve always done — filled up their cars and headed out to the highway. The simple fact of the situation is all of us are slaves to the gas pump. Try as we might to avoid it, our society is built around the automobile and has been for at least 60 years. Where we live, where we work, where we learn, where we eat and where we play are often impractical and sometimes impossible to link without the aid of a gas-powered vehicle. Most of us don’t think we can do anything about it; it doesn’t occur to some of us why we should even try. But we need to. We need to start directing our society away from its reliance on gas. It’s easy for some to dismiss the climate change crowd as intellectual zealots, and the 100-mile diet people as trendy hipsters, but the fact remains: we can’t continue down the path. Never mind the environmental issues, we simply will not be able to afford it financially. The future is coming and our lives are going to be different. Start embracing change before change buries us all.

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NEWS Leon and Diana Erickson Caledonia Courier Wednesday, April 30, 2014

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Courier

are proud to finally be able to bring their children home Holly and Hugh leased from the were born in the Prince Prince George hosGeorge Hospital af- pital where Leon ter an emergency run and Diana hapfrom the Fort hospital pily brought them to the PG hospital via home. ambulance. They were “Hugh had some born by emergency C- issues with JaunSection just before mid- dice (a condition night. of an improperly On March 20, a day working liver, combefore their older broth- mon among babies) er Logan’s birthday, the and was a bit small twins and their mother for the hospital’s were flown to Vancou- comfort. Hugh was ver (BC Childrens’ Hos- born at 3lbs and 04 pital) for extensive care oz. Upon release and observation. They Hugh weighed in were met by their father at a hefty 5lbs 1oz”. Leon who flew West Jet. (Leon) “The children re“And Holly was ceived some procedures born at 3lbs 14oz, and excellent care at but was released at both hospitals”. said a healthy 5lbs 10oz” Leon Erickson. The twins were Diana followed that born about 2 sentiment with, “Yes, months premature. the nurses, doctors, They were origifellows, support and nally to be born Hugh Clark Lee Erickson born March 10 11:19pm. cleaning staff as well as on Leon’s birthday, Holly Kara Lee Erickson born March 10 11:17pm the receptionists and May 9. Being born Photo by Diana Erickson liaisons were great and on March 10 puts time of need”. People much as exhaustion”. we are very thankful them around 31 for everything they’ve weeks of gestation upon had sent prayers, com- (Leon). Logan Erickson, done”. birth. As a result of the fort items and even assisted fi nancially during the twins’ older brothApril 9 saw the fam- prematurity, there were this time of stress. er stated plainly that ily return to Prince a couple issues. “The hardest part he will help his stepGeorge NICU (Neo- InLeon stated very elotensive Care Unit) for quently, “We are very was seeing our babies mother and his father follow-up care and ob- thankful for the prayers, hooked up to ma- as much as he can while servation. the support and the chines that whirred and they are home and is April 24 at 6:30pm comfort given during beeped. The days were very protective of the the (MJHP TZY \JJPQ^ Ć^JWX children were re- the twins’ (and our) long and nights were twins. worse. Sleep was not All in all, the family part of the equation as is home and happy.

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Wednesday, Caledonia Courier Courier Wednesday,April April30, 30,2014 2014 Caledonia

Your community. Your classiﬁeds.

250.567.9258 fax 250.567.2070 email advertising@ominecaexpress.com Announcements

Information IN-FLIGHT Magazine...SOAR Magazine. This attractive business & tourism publication is published bi-monthly six times a year. Great impact for your BC Business more than 280,000 passengers fly Pacific Coastal Airlines. Please call Annemarie 1.800.661.6335 email: fish@blackpress.ca

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Career Opportunities EMPLOYERS CAN’T find the work-at-home Medical Transcriptionists they need in Canada! Get the training you need to fill these positions. Visit CareerStep.ca/MT to start training for your work-athome career today! LEARN FROM home. Earn from home. Huge demand for CanScribe Medical Transcription graduates. Start your online learning today with CanScribe Career College. www.canscribe.com. Call 1.800.466.1535 or email to: info@canscribe.com. QUATSINO First Nation is seeking the services of a Band Administrator to oversee all band programs and band related business. PostSecondary education in Business Management, Human Resources or related fields is a preference. A minimum (3) years experience in administration, human resources or related field or setting is required. Please direct any questions and/or your cover letter, resume complete with 3 references, and a criminal record check to: Attn: Rob Cahill 305 Quattishe Rd. Coal Harbour, BC V0N 1K0 Tel: 250-949-6245 Fax: 250-949-6249 Email: kakotlatsi@rocketmail.com

Education/Trade Schools APARTMENT/CONDO MANAGER TRAINING

• Certiﬁed Home Study Course • Jobs Registered Across Canada • Gov. Certiﬁed www.RMTI.ca / 604.681.5456 or 1.800.665.8339

Employment

Merchandise for Sale

Real Estate

Transportation

Employment

Recreational

Cars - Domestic

Trades, Technical

Help Wanted

Misc. for Sale

STERLING ELECTRICAL INC, in Terrace BC, has immediate openings for a full time Journeymen and an Apprentice electrician. Candidates should have 2-3 years of experience in commercial and residential work have the ability to work alone, with minimal supervision. Journeyman/Red Seal is preferred, but not required. The salary is negotiable depending on experience. Send resume to sterling@sterlingelectrical.net. For more information call 250-6351861 ask for Nicole. Vernon Service Company requires Journeyman Service Plumbers/Gasfitters, $36.00/hr Call (250)549-4444 or fax 250-549-4416

STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-4572206 or visit us online: www.crownsteelbuildings.ca.

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DON’T MISS Out! 62 acres, endless possibilities. 5500 sq. ft. house. 1500 ft. of lakeshore. www.lakeoftheprairie shome.ca www.lakeoftheprair iesproperty.ca Jackie 1-306744-2399 1-306-744-7432 Watch online for open house.

RV Journeyman & Apprentice Technicians required at Voyager RV, B.C. Interior’s Largest RV dealer! We’re just completing a brand new RV Service shop, and need fulltime Apprentice and Journeyman RV technicians now. If you have a passion to join a great service team, and want to work on the best RV brands, now is the time! Competitive wages, plus bonus plans and benefits! No layoffs. Please send your resumes to parts@voyagerrv.ca (Attn: Logan) or fax 250-7664711.

Collectors Currently Buying: Coin Collections, Antiques, Native Art, Old Silver, Paintings, Jewellery etc. We Deal with Estates 778-281-0030

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CRIMINAL RECORD? Don’t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certification, adoption property rental opportunities. For peace of mind & a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

Merchandise for Sale

Auctions BC LIVESTOCK SPRING AUCTION SALES May 3 – Williams Lake 10 am May 10 – Kamloops 10:30 am May 24 – Vanderhoof 11 am May 31– Prince George 10 am June 21 – Horseﬂy 10 am f.m.i. 250-573-3939 www.bclivestock.bc.ca

Misc. for Sale HEAVY DUTY sled deck, power tilt, hook to truck battery $2000 obo. Burns Lake call (250) 649- 8004 HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/ newspaper? SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSaw mills.com/400OT 1-800-5666899 Ext:400OT.

Recreation Paradise Year Round!

Fishing, hiking, hunting, quadding, snowmobiling or just relaxation. Great access within 3 hours of the lower mainland, 40 km from Princeton and steps to Osprey Lake. 2 years new this 3 bedroom, 2 bath open concept chalet has it all & more. Includes a guest cabin with a bedroom, living/sitting area, kitchen & bathroom. New detached garage for storing the toys. Call Adrienne (Royal Lepage Parkside Realty) at 250-809-6322 for a private viewing.

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Boats 1989 SUN RUNNER boat. 21.5 feet, 125 aq Volvo inboard motor, Merc leg, excellent running condition. $7000 (250) 698-7533 leave a message we will call you back. Pictures available.

Rentals Apt/Condo for Rent

Do you thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment with the potenƟal for conƟnuous growth and development? At Tolko people are our most valuable resource and our success depends on innovaƟve individuals who are aligned with our organizaƟonal values. We currently have the following career opportunity available:

HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC

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POSITION OVERVIEW: As part of a highly skilled and moƟvated maintenance team the Heavy Duty Mechanic will play a key role in maintaining the mechanical reliability of site mobile equipment. This key posiƟon works closely with maintenance and other staī to ensure quality and overall site mobile equipment eĸciency. QUALIFICATIONS: • Commitment to working safely • Strong communicaƟon & interpersonal skills • Ability to work independently with liƩle supervision • Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic cerƟĮcaƟon Tolko oīers an uncompromising focus on safety performance, compeƟƟve compensaƟon packages, sustainable business pracƟces, and a progressive environment. We are an industry leader in world markets and we are looking for some great people to join our team!

HILLCREST apts. Lg. 1 & 2bdrm suites. Clean and quiet. Adult orientated,Security system,Strict Management,no pets ph# 250-996-7854 Lakeview Apartments 752 Stuart Dr. W. Fort St. James. 2bdrm apt. Newly renovated. Quiet, clean building. Adult oriented. no pets R.R. Avail. 250-996-8044

Financial Services

Legal Services

Looking for your next great career opportunity?

Misc. Wanted

Services DROWNING IN debt? Cut debts more than 60% & debt free in half the time! Avoid bankruptcy! Free Consultation. www.mydebtsolution.com or Toll Free 1-877-556-3500 BBB Rated A+ GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s That Simple. Your Credit / Age / Income is not an issue. 1.800.587.2161.

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www.tolko.com Help Wanted

Townhouses 1-250-762-9447

Stuart Lake Townhouses Newly renovated, family oriented, 3 bdrm, 2 bath with basement, 2 parking stalls, No dogs. Ref Req’d 250-996-8044

Community Newspapers

Help Wanted

We’re at the heart of things™

! HELP WANTED ! Join the newest economic development project currently being constructed on the Gitanmaax Reserve. The newly constructed 17,000 sq. ft. Gitanmaax Market “Going to the Maax” is looking for the following senior positions: • Assistant Manager • Meat Manager • Pharmacist and Tech • Grocery Manager • Produce Manager • Bakery/Deli Manager • Head Cashier Candidates should have a minimum 5 years managerial experience in the retail grocery trade. Knowledge of First Nations culture and/ or Gitksan would be an asset. Located in the historic and pristine setting of Hazelton, BC this opportunity would appeal to those candidates who would enjoy living in the “Serengeti” of BC. A better than average compensation package is offered based on relevant experience, and will include a base salary, Bene¿t Plan Medical and Dental), and may also include some or all of the following; • Performance bonus • Housing allowance • 5elocation (xpenses if necessary) For more detail on these positions please go to www.visionquestbc.ca or email directly to tom.danyk@visionquestbc.ca

Administrative Assistant & Reception KDL Group is currently seeking a permanent full-time Administrative Assistant and Receptionist to join our growing team in Fort St. James. This is a salaried position at a competitive wage with excellent benefits. The responsibilities of this dynamic position include: O Greeting visitors in a professional, courteous manner O Answering all incoming calls and directing them as required O Data entry in multiple accounting areas O Distributing faxes and mail O Maintain & order all office supplies O Assist in the preparation of special events and meetings O General office administration, filing, & system management Qualifications and Experience: Certificate or diploma in related field (experience will be considered in lieu of educational experience) O Minimum 1-2 years previous experience in an office environment O Excellent computer skills in MS Office – Excel, Word, Outlook O Strong attention to detail with the ability to multi-task O Can-Do attitude with a desire to complete tasks efficiently and follow through O Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills O

Please forward your resume and cover letter to Human Resources at admin@kdlgroup.net or fax to 250-996-8742. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. www.kdlgroup.net

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, April 30, 2014

FORT ST. JAMES AM BAM TRUCKING AND AREA

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

. James B.C. Call (778) 667-0346

n a Jam, call BAM BAM.

Courier

NEWS

The Learning Hub puzzle April showers bring May flowers! Here are some great flowers for our northern climate. All ages welcome to enter.

d Treatment. Gravel Hauling, Excavation work.

Northern Water and Waste Management. For Residential and Industrial uses.

Bloomers

GRAVEL HAULING/ EXCAVATION/ WATER g. (manufactured by Norwesco) including small and large vertical and TREATMENT ess polyethylene tanks. Pick up tanks, freestanding tanks, below ground tanks.

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ng Term Storage of Wastewater. GRAF Rainwater harvesting solutions. ion Cisterns, Drinking Water Reservoirs. Ft. St. James B.C. Call (778) 667-0346 Remote Water Hauling, Water testing and Treatment. Gravel Hauling, Excavation work. l Now providing Liquid storage tanks for Water and Waste Management. For Residential and Industrial uses. l Rainwater harvesting solutions.

BLUESTAR CENTAUREAS YARROW BUTTERFLY WEED

Water Delivery and Gravel Seamless Polyethylene Tanks Excavation

NEWSPAPERS

WHITEROCKCRESS COLUMBINE Excavation

WORMWOOD CHRYSANTHEMUM

Serving Fort St. James and area since 1972

DELPHINIUM MONKSHOOD

Pam Berger Publisher

ASTILBE

250-996-8482

CERASTIUM

Advertising: advertising@ominecaexpress.com News: newsroom@caledoniacourier.com Website: www.caledoniacourier.com

Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake

Pam Berger Publisher 150 W. Columbia St Box 1007, Vanderhoof BC V0J 3A0

Tel: 250-567-9258 Fax: 250-567-2070 Email: advertising@ominecaexpress.com

ADvertiser STUART NECHAKO

Reaching Every Door

Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake

Pam Berger Publisher 150 W. Columbia St Box 1007, Vanderhoof BC V0J 3A0

Tel: 250-567-9258 Fax: 250-567-2070 Email: advertising@ominecaexpress.com

SNAKEROOT LADYSMANTLE

ne Telepho y r Directo

Go with your instincts and use the Classifieds today. Call Caledonia Courier: 996-8482

onia Courier Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Community Events are free of charge as they are sponsored by the Caledonia Courier

COMING EVENTS... Will appear as space is available, free of charge in this section. Coming events are available to non-profit organizations only. This area is not intended for thank you submissions or selling products. It is simply a place for nonprofit organizations a place to announce upcoming free activities. You can e-mail your item to advertising@ ominecaexpress.com or by fax: 567-2070. Your organizations’ announcement can also be dropped off at our office located at #111250 Stuart Drive, Fort St. James. Decision of the publisher is final. *** ST PaTrICk’S aNGlICaN ChurCh...Services at St Patrick’s Anglican Church will now take place only on the first Sunday of the month except for special occasions. www.caledoniacourier.com A11 www.caledoniacourier.com A11 *** ThE NEChakO VallEy FESTIVal OF ThE PErFOrMING arTS... has a new website. www.musicfestivalweb. com/nechako. The festival will take place from Apr. 12-25, 2014 with the festival concert happening on (Across from the Petrocan Station) Apr. 27, 2014. 14 *** 20 hako SUNDAY LITURGY: Saturday Stuart/Nec7:30 pm & Sunday 10:30 am FORT ST JAMES CHRISTIAN OUTREACH GROUP FOOD DAILY MASS: Monday - Friday 9:00 am BANK SCHEDULE 10.00am to PASTORAL TEAM: FATHER FRANK SALMON 250-996-8343 12.00noon...Wednesday, January 8, 2014 Wednesday, January 22, SR. PAT MACAULAY, SR. DIVINA PEDRO Wednesday, February 12, Wednes250-996-2275 day, February 26, Wednesday, March 12, Wednesday, March 26, Wednesday, April 9, Wednesday, April 23, Wednesday, May 7, Wednesday, May 21, Wednesday, June 11, Wednesday, June 25, Wednesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 23, Wednesday, August 13, Wednesday, August 27, Wednesday, Sep. Serving.. , tember 10, Wednesday, September hoof Vander mes, . Ja 24, Wednesday, October 8, WednesFort St Lake, Fraser culz Lake, day, October 22, Wednesday, Noaser, Clu Fort Fr ie and area Tach vember 12, Wednesday, November 26, Wednesday, December 10. *** uNTOlD TrauMa...author seeks contributions from nonFirst Nations students and staff who experienced Catholic residential or day schools abuse in Northern BC. For more info email Kathyhansen1@gmail.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Don’t Shell Out a Lot of Cash; Use the Classifieds. Smart shoppers know about the bargains hidden within the Classified pages. In the Classifieds, you can track down deals on everything from travel to trailers. It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want.

Community Events

Drop off your entry at the Learning Hub in the Goodwin Bldg #250 - 122 Stuart Dr. East before 6 p.m. and pick up a book. We are open until 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and closed Fridays and holidays. You’re invited to join us for our Tuesday Gardening Club from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

FRE

OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS

BLEEDING HEART

000 set ual,

ECHINACEA

In a Jam, call BAM BAM.

Seamless Polyethylene Tanks

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E!!!

The 2014 Stuart Nechako Telephone Directory may

be picked up at the following locations THE CHURCHES Vanderhoof OF - Omineca Express - Co-op Mall FORT ST. JAMES - Chamber Office/ Visitors Centre Fort Fraser - Petro Can Fraser Lake - Village Office Fort St. James - Overwaitea ed by rier Publish nia Cou & Caledo Express assimo nne DiM Omineca by Dya Picture

www.caledoniacourier.com A11

*** FIrEwEED STOPPING ThE VIOlENCE & OuTrEaCh SErVICE For those who believe all is possible!...Provides free Confidential, Safe, and Supportive counselling and outreach services for women. Hours of Service: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and every other Friday. Location: Room 203, 349 Stuart Drive, Fort St James, BC Phone: (250) 996-1214 Fax: (250) 996-7647 Email: fire. or@telus.net *** ST PaTrICk’S aNGlICaN ChurCh... hosts a free lunch every Tuesday from 11.00am - 1.00pm. All are welcome. This lunch is made possible through the generous giving of time and resources,by many people in the region, including The Roman Catholic Church, Camp Living Water, E-Free Church and many other individuals. We wish to thank all those who contribute their labour to this program as well as those who provide food and other necessities. We also run a small food bank on Tuesday morning, and are very thankful for all who contribute to this endeavor. For further information please call Gwen Andrews 567-6744. *** SErVICE TIMES... at St Patrick’s Anglican Church, Fort St James, will be 10:30 am every Sunday. Free lunch every Tues between 11-1pm with music and Prayer. Please come and join us. *** FIrEwEED ClOThES DrIVE...The Fireweed Safe Haven is doing a winter clothes drive. We are looking for jackets, boots, snow pants, mitts, hats, scarves, fleeces, etc, for men, women and children. The items will then be given to families in the community that need them. If you do not have anything at home that you can part with but still wish to contribute, you can purchase mitts, socks, or thermal underwear. Please drop items off at the Fireweed Safe Haven. For more information please contact Talia at (250) 9968081. Every little bit helps. *** auxIlIary TO STuarT lakE hOSPITaL... Monthly

meeting 2nd Wednesday each month. Hospital Cafeteria 7:00 p.m. *** FOrT ST. JaMES PuBlIC lIBrary hOurS... Tuesday 11:30-8:00 Wednesday 11:30-4:30 Thursday 11:30-4:30 Friday 11:30-8:00 Saturday 11:00-3:00 *** NEChakO VallEy COMMuNITy SErVICES SOCIETy...Child and Youth Mental Health and Counseling Services available at no cost. Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Call 996-7645 for appointment. *** FOrT TraP aND haNDGuN CluB... meets last Sunday of every month. Contact (Sue) at 250-9967728 (h) for more information. *** FOrT ST. JaMES SEarCh & rESCuE... steering committee meetings first Tuesday of every month. 7:00 p.m. above the Fort St. James Firehall. Training is the third Tuesday of every month at the Firehall at 7 p.m. New members welcome. For more information please contact Paul at 250.996.7478 or Rod at 250.996.7269 *** MuSIC MakErS...New members always WELCOME. Not everyone has to be on stage, there is lots of work behind the scenes. Call Heike Fonda at 250-996-7006 for more info. *** ThE ThrIFT STOrE...has a new name! “The Bargain Basement”. We are still at the same location, across from Shoppers Food Mart. Donations of clean clothing and small housewares are greatly appreciated. Please, no books or magazines. Proceeds are used for community needs. Open Wed-Sat, 12 noon to 4pm. *** PuBlIC SErVICE aNNOuNCEMENT...If you know anyone, including a child, who has been abused or harmed by a psychiatrist call the Citizens Commission on Human Rights at: 1-800-670-2247. ***

6 www.houston-today.com A8 www.caledoniacourier.com

Wednesday, April March30, 26,2014 2014Caledonia Houston Today Wednesday, Courier

y t y i t B i B n u n u u iilld u m de m e m m rrs o o C

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Serving the Serving the communities Serving theof... community of... Endako, Fraser community of Houston Lake,Fort FortSt. Fraser, Cluculz Lake, & James Vanderhoof

Featuring the spirit of local people Featuring the ofthethe the localpeople people Featuring the spirit spirit of local

Houston girls crowned rodeo Houston leads Search & Rescue gameroyalty changer By JackieAndrew Lieuwen Hudson

last November, a Houston Then the search would matched with was bred in a small town and youthe beatlocation some of SAR team made a success- begin. they werefeeling,” found. she said. these big shots, it’s a great ful night-time rescue, naviIn contrast, the “That’s where mistakes ThreeiPad months ago, her well-named horse Her crown came from New Mexico, but gating the massive lake in a takes what is often a sixhappen,” Muma said.plans to Houston Search and Crayola had a foal that Gregorowich when Houston’s own Rebecca Dallaire won the boat through the pitch black hour process and shortens it With the iPads, Muma Rescue headingRodeo an adtrain up in Alberta and Oklahoma. first-ever isSmithers Queen contest, the night to save the trapper. to minutes. sayscan they simply transvancement will have “I’m hoping she be can my world contendmoment waswhich totally Bulkley Valley. “Without the iPad, they When the RCMP get a fer data between iPads usnation-wide impact. er,” she says. When a stubborn sash worn by one of her wouldn’t have been able to call about a missing person, ing airdrop, which is instant The way Houston is apThe youngest of this year’s rodeo royals, fellow rodeo royalties needed a pin, it came go out at night. They would they meet withAdele the search and the allows perfect plying mapping Murray says contest wasaccuracy. her first courtesy of a spectatortechnolwho happened to have a have stayed and waited until manager and give pointa publicMuma said iPad ogy Search and Rescue timethe giving speech, let alonethe a TV inspareto in his arm sling. morning,” Muma said. the person was last seen. is also great because it’s (SAR) is drawing both proterview. And high among the diamond driller’s caps Improved navigation is The manager would docuuser-friendly, easyAndi to Houltrain vincial and national Murray did great, says organizer and Western art giveninterest, out as door prizes at the just the beginning of the ment the information onup searchers on,Most and Improved its comsaid Chris Mushumanski, den, picking the award for Aug.18 coronation was an egg carton filled with changes that come with the iPad app, Public including a patible with iPhones and Director of fithe B.C. Search Speaker. home-made re-starter and a bag of gardeniPads. description of the person smartphones. and Rescue Association. At home, Murray keeps eight fish and a fresh potatoes. Before the iPad, searches and a photo if available. It’s also six only dif“The impact could be cat named Chevy along with replaces her one and If that sounds too homespun a prize for such were done using paper maps They would layhorse, out Chip. search ferent field tools - maps, pretty significant a regal event, the threeingirlsthe who competed this and GPS. Muma explained areas and label them fora riding notebooks, camera, video SAR world. “I was on lesson and I ended up ridyear had plenty of sparkle on their crowns, belt the search organizing prosearch leaders, and then recorder, GPS and commu“This is the biggest teching her and fell in love,” Murray said. buckles and metallic blue riding chaps to outcess: email everything to“Itheir 25wantnication platform. nological said ‘I this one—I don’t care about shine it. advance I’ve seen RCMP would get a call searchers. in 17 years. It’s greater then any of the others.” “It takes six jobs and Dallaire’s mother Bibs says the sparkling that someone was missing. Searchers would load puts it about in one device,” when first handheld Murray bugged her dad Chip for years side ofthethevery contest, which combines fashion, They would contact SAR the information from the Mushumanski said. GPS came out, and that was until one fine December day in 2008. speaking and horsemanship events, is someand meet with a search email directly into their Mushumanski it pretty significant. This is “I woke up that Christmas morningsays and she thing best left to her daughter. manager. iPad map andwas thestanding searchoutside,” will also make a big differwell“She beyond she says. likes that shinybecause things,”itshe says with a Muma says RCMP often would begin. ence when the redoes a like GPSa magpie.” does plus Chip is a fast horse, Murrayteams said, ain thoroughlaugh.what “She’s wouldn’t have a map, but “It’s hours the old way, gion work together. tenDallaire’s times more,” he said. bred and quarter-horse cross who is more into father Marcel also more toward would explain to the manag- and literally minutes with After technology Paper are the main gymkhanas and barrel racing the than showing. rodeo thanmaps royalty. er the general area where the the iPad,” Muma said. was discovered, ap-a tool“I think used they by should SAR teams Murray also came to the contestSAR without all have to ride a bull,” person was last seen. The When searchers scour plied but for her regional funding across province, with lot of show experience, confidence grew he joked.the “The one who’s under 8.2 seconds manager would then con- a search area, they the session to get she iPads foratall SAR GPS beingthe used among after ause practice held herthe house in gets to keep crown!” Rebecca Dallaire, front, rides in the Bulkley Valley Fall in Fair on Aug. 22iPads with Amtact someone forestry or to navigate and docugroups in the region. teams who could afford it, the weeks before. But speaking with Dallaire and her felber Gregorowich, left, and Adele Murray, right. government to start print- ment clues accurately. The Regional District of Mushumanski said. Amber Gregorowich and “We hadItgood times,” she says. Each of the low rodeo princesses Photo by Grant Harris and took mistakBulkley-Nechako funded ButMurray, Houston leading a them a practice spin down a pretend “runAndy Muma, Adele it’s is clear that for too, beingHouston Search and Rescue director, is leading a ing maps - not knowing the avoids overlap girls area butareproducing en documentation, which $29,576 to the SAR major shift. means more than nation-wide stretched from her kitchen to groups the livhow different horse breeds bloodlines are exact “Paint horses my favourite breed because way” that in the Search andand Rescue program. rodeo royalties a smile and aadvancement maps of the general area to is easy when working only across the region buy It all started a year ago doing. Applying iPad technology to Search and Rescue significantly there one of the most versatile horses, and no ing room, she added, with coaching fromtoformer slow wave. for same,” searchers. with paper maps and GPS, iPads. with Andy Houston Williams Lake rodeo queen Savannah Davies. horses are favouritesand for be twoready look the she says. speeds up responsePaint time,and andquarter improves communication Now 22 Muma, years old, Dallaire has been riding Thencan the maps would Muma. heading up or a Search and before Rescueshe SAR di-walk. As for who finallyMuma won theisqueen’s crown barrel racing, says. “You do jumping, you can said do barrel racaccuracy in a search. “This isshe cutting-edge technology being horses since could be rushed to the manager The iPad also brings regional iPad training meetrector. “They’re to take offis from a standstill applied in Search and Rescue.built Northern B.C. the place where ing, Western pleasure, they make amazing kids’ the princess tiaras, Murray said the three friends And while she likes to show horses, Dallaire thenand manually theno big ing deal. on March 29. They are SAR gear-racing. agreedto it was highfirst speed, andsaid they handle corners really horses,would they drive, they’re notaccuracy as skittishand or speed we’re seeing thisinto for the time,” B.C. SAR Director Chris who saysHouston her biggest thrillwas is barrel sketch out search areas on compiling process which expecting 40smiling. searchers from ing“Your up toheart buygets several “We’re all good,” she said, spooky as some other breeds.” racingnew as soonMushumanski. as you come well also.” Photo submitted He would has meet a search. Smithereens got Vanderhoof, Fort $450 devices when“Everything haptheir first Smithers, chance to meet Of the two, her mother Bibs says she likes theAtmaps. 23, Gregorowich plentyfollows of Smithers throughGPS the gate,” she says. field work, Muma said he with the searchers, often 25 In the past, searchers St. James, McKenzie and Muma suggested they try a needs. and Terrace horse shows under her belt already, their rodeo royals during the fall fair last weekpens incredibly fast—you don’t have time to paint horses best. thought the device would be people, and distribute the would gather with maps, Prince George. few $550 iPads instead. The Houston crew has “They say on the fifth day, God created the but in the next two years she hopes to scout out end and Rodeo Queen Rebecca Dallaire will be make mistakes.” SAR.horse and on theused scribbles in notebooks and horse made In early Muma will Muma works in painted three searchriding a paint for May, celebrity. sixthiPads day he all the maps. the world show for paint horses in Fort Worth, “If you mess up in for your the patternperfect and losefor half Houston bought es since buying them in Texas. If more accurate infor- pictures on cameras. present Princehorse George to B.C. Government “He’ll definitely be theinprettiest there,” good ones.” or even a tenth of a researchsecond, that could change SAR four iPads and Muma mation was received and The search manager 24 SAR teams from northing technology to match it February 2013. Muma says Rodeo princess Amber Gregorowich agrees. “It’s the best of the best,” she says, adding says Rebecca’s mother. “He’s the Ashton Kutchyour position from first to fifth and your payout areawould changed, it would manually the world.” ern B.C. about the iPad. with field work. downloaded and Atailored it made awho huge difference. of the horse confident speaker won this year’s the that she like nothing better would than to win at ercollect mightgovernment not even happen.” severalevents apps, award including a craft, towith the acomputer to data horse. from all 25 searchers, a game Seeing watches the difference When a local trapper got be “He thinks he’s “It’s a male model, changer,” he really for speech Gregorowich warns that Fortback Worth Bulkley Valley-bred Dallaire rodeo and racetrack SAR making sure does.” photos are Muma said. it makes government stranded on Morice Lake print shesuit could talk about paints forever. “Ifnew you maps. go down to worlds with a horse that all over NorthinAmerica, keeping amapping sharp eye app, on to Houston Today

John MLA John Rustad, Rustad, MLA Nechako Lakes Nechako Lakes

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