Creston Valley Advance, January 08, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

SLIGHT DIP IN PROPERTY VALUE / PAGE 3 THUNDER CATS STILL IN FOURTH / PAGE 23 ®

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Volume 67, No. 2 | Thursday, January 8, 2015

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TOTE MAKERS — Creston Valley Embroidery Guild members (from left) Hildegard Mercredi, Hanne French, Gertie Brown, Juhli Ladner and Judy Dyck with the bags they made for the guild’s Totes for Cancer project, which gives a handmade tote bag to women undergoing cancer treatment. Story on page 2.

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Advance Staff

A change is as good as a rest, as the old saying goes. With this edition of the Creston Valley Advance, the second of 2015 and the first one actually printed this year, readers will notice a new design for the front page. “Like any business, we need to make occasional changes to stay

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fresh and current,” publisher Lorne Eckersley said on Monday. “Our old logo has served us well for decades, but even with occasional tweaks we felt that it was looking a bit dated.” The design changes were made in-house by Advance staff. “We are fortunate to have a very talented production assistant, Asha Wainionpaa, who took on the challenge of creating a new front page

design,” Eckersley said. “With input from all the staff, she made changes until everyone was satisfied.” The first edition of what was then called the Creston Valley Advert rolled off the mimeograph machine in 1948, marking the start of a dream for a new beginning in life for former Vancouver Island resident Alex Carruthers. He continues to be acknowledged as the Advance’s

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Thursday, January 8, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

LOCAL NEWS

Totes remind cancer patients someone cares BY BRIAN LAWRENCE Advance Editor

Nearly a decade after a Creston Valley Embroidery Guild program began, 88 Totes for Cancer have been given to Creston Valley women undergoing cancer treatment. The guild’s program has been running since 2005, when former member Anne Mann made a bag for a friend undergoing cancer treatment. “She wanted to give her friend something to remind her that she was thinking about her,” said guild member Judy Dyck.

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The guild quickly joined in and developed a pattern—which was sold to other sewing groups to raise funds for the Totes for Cancer project — and created a guideline for the size and what pockets should be included. “We try to make it useful, so they can put all their cancer pills and paper in it,” said a project member who wished to remain anonymous. “They started out being very strict, and now are a little bit more freeform,” said Dyck. Two things are required inside, though: a zippered pocket for security and a flat pocket for a journal.

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and Dyck is glad that she can use her skill to create them, and teach others to do the same. “It’s something I can do,” she said. “I’ve had a couple of workshops in my basement.” And through their hard work, the current Totes for Cancer makers are carrying on the legacy of caring that Mann created with her first bag. “The constitution of the guild says one thing we do is reach out to the community in whatever way we can,” said Dyck. For more information, contact Marg Brown at 250-428-4223.

Advance updates FROM PAGE 1

20 15

Women undergoing cancer treatment are able to request totes from the guild, but often, members hear about a patient in need of one and make sure a donation is made. They make it easy to spot Creston patients — nurses at cancer treatment facilities have been known to recognize the guild’s work. And they’re appreciated by the recipients, who are glad to pass them on to others in need. “Some of the bags that have been given out in the past have come back to us,” said Dyck. The group that makes the Totes for Cancer is small — about a half-dozen —

dently by Bill and Sue Betcher and then Helena and Don White, the Advance has been owned by several media corporations. “Today we are proud to be part of the Black Press group of newspapers,” Eckersley said. “It is Canada’s largest privately owned community newspaper company. The Black family has never wavered in its commitment to operating newspapers in small communities like the Creston Valley, and there is no cookie cutter approach. We have great independence in what we publish and how we operate our businesses.” Eckersley said the new look of the front page (and smaller changes inside) are indications that the Advance is not complacent. “We don’t make change for change’s sake, but because they make sense to us, our readers and our advertisers,” he said. “More and more subscribers are reading the Advance on the Internet and this new design reflects changes in our industry. We think it works for all of our readers, whether they are logging in to read stories online each day or settling in to open up their newspapers each week.”

The Advance’s previous logo (top), designed by Lucienne Douville in the late 1970s, and a logo (above) from the early 1970s. (Below) The first edition of the Advance, then called the Advert, published Dec. 16, 1948.

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Creston Valley Advance Thursday, January 8, 2015

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Local News

How can Columbia Basin Trust help you and your community? Share your ideas online, in person, by mail...and more. Visit:

Creston and area property assessments showing slight drop BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff Property values in the Creston Valley and East Shore have not changed significantly and even dropped, in the last year. “Assessments in the Kootenay Lake area have, for the most part, remained relatively stable in value compared to last year’s assessment roll,” said Dennis Hickson last week. Hickson, who works out of Nelson, is a deputy assessor with BC Assessment. Property taxes are based on the values assessed each year by Hickson and his team. “A typical single-family home in Creston that was previously valued at $272,000 is valued at $268,000 for the 2015 assessment roll,” he said. “In Kaslo, a similar home saw a shift from $181,000 to $173,000 for 2015. Most homeowners in the surrounding rural areas are seeing changes in the minus 10 per cent to plus 10 per cent range.” The 2015 assessment for properties in the Town of Creston has dropped by $7 million to a total of $699 million. Kaslo had an identical $7 million drop to $175 million. Rural areas around the two towns have a total assessed value of $2.1 billion, which remains unchanged from 2014. When property owners receive their assessment notices in the mail this week they also receive information about how to ques-

Submitted

A June fire damaged the Yasodhara Ashram’s Temple of Light beyond repair.

Yasodhara Ashram planning rebuild BY BRIAN LAWRENCE Advance Editor

The Yasodhara Ashram is preparing for a redesign and rebuild of its cherished Temple of Light, which was destroyed by a fire in June. The design process will be led by Patkau Architects, a Vancouver firm. “It’s so rare to have a project that is about aspiration as opposed to meeting some sort of expedient requirements,” said architect John Patkau in a press release. “The opportunity to do something that speaks to all the senses and the spirit is a rare and wonderful challenge.” The original temple, completed in 1992, was a longtime vision of Swami Sivananda Radha, who founded the ashram in 1963. “The temple represented the values and vision of the ashram — that this is a place open to people from all spiritual traditions,” said current president Swami Lalitananda in the

press release. “The next iteration of the temple is to say, yes, we honour that vision.” The Temple of Light’s white dome was a landmark on Kootenay Lake, and attracted visitors and spiritual pilgrims from around the world. “Even though this is one little temple in the wilderness of the Kootenays, we see it as a symbol of hope in the world,” said Lalitananda. “The world can feel so divided, and the temple is where we recognize unity — the light in each other — not division. The temple was, and will be again, a sacred space where we can come together in harmony.” The design and planning phases will run 2015, with a goal of having construction completed in 2016. The fire broke out late in the evening of June 5, and the Riondel and Balfour-Harrop volunteer fire departments responded, working through the night and extinguishing the fire after about 12 hours.

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tion the information, and how to appeal it if they are dissatisfied. “Property owners who feel that their property assessment does not reflect market value as of July 1, 2014, or see incorrect information on their notice should contact BC Assessment as indicated on their notice as soon as possible in January,” Hickson said. “If a property owner is still concerned about their assessment after speaking to one of our appraisers, they may submit a notice of complaint (appeal) by Feb. 2, for an independent review by a property assessment review panel.” The Property Assessment Review Panels, independent of BC Assessment, are appointed annually by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and typically meet between Feb. 1 and March 15 to hear formal complaints. The Nelson/Trail Assessment Office is located at Suite 176, 333 Victoria St. in Nelson. January office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) or online by clicking “Connect” at www.bcassessment.ca. A free online service allows the general public access to search, check and compare properties throughout British Columbia. The newly enhanced website features improved navigation, an interactive map and streetfront imagery.

Refugee committee screening Moving to Mars Advance Staff

of the challenges it, and others, face while adapting to a new and different culture. With one family of refugees from Burma comfortably settled in Creston and another (unrelated) family having arrived last month, the movie is a timely one. While a small group of dedicated volunteers

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takes on the sponsorship of refugee families, a broader understanding of what these new residents experience can make their transition easier. Moving to Mars will be shown at Prince Charles Theatre at 7 p.m. Jan. 12, sponsored by the refugee committee and Columbia Basin Trust.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 8 (KOOTENAY LAKE) BUDGET STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING at 1:30 P.M. EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING at 2:30 P.M. BOARD MEETING at 5:00 P.M. (times are PST) Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Board Office, 570 Johnstone Road, Nelson BC Video Conferencing to Creston at: Creston Education Centre, 617-11th Ave S, Creston Public Welcome

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Thursday, January 8, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

LocaL News

RCMP respond to numerous MVAs over holidays BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

Creston RCMP responded to 56 calls for service from Dec. 22-28, Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan said on Dec. 29. December 22 •A vehicle that drove through a field and got stuck in a yard on Erickson Road was gone when police arrived on the scene. •Police attended a Cedar Street residence to locate a female, who was OK. •The year couldn’t end soon enough for a couple driving from the West Coast to Saskatchewan. After an argument while they were stopped for gas on Canyon Street, he went inside to pay and she drove away. Police later determined she was returning home and he was making arrangements with friends for a ride out of town. •While conducting a wellbeing check on Sylvester Road, police determined the resident had gone away for the holidays. •Minor damage resulted when a vehicle backed into another on 15th Avenue North. •A Wynndel Road resident turned in a firearm for destruction. •A man reported to be driving erratically on Northwest

Boulevard was located and told police he was lost and had been looking for a restaurant. •An argument between adult brothers on Northwest Boulevard broke out over a legal issue. •A driver was taken to hospital for examination after his vehicle went off Highway 3 near Kootenay Pass when he swerved to avoid a deer in icy road conditions. •A Highway 3 resident complained that a person serving a civil claim document had come to the door. •A driver who required hospital treatment after going off Highway 3 near Kootenay Pass was issued a ticket for driving too fast for conditions. December 23 •A person who cut an eightfoot blue spruce from a Highway 95 property said he thought it was Crown land and offered to pay for the tree. •Police assisted Kamloops RCMP by serving a warrant on a Highway 3 resident. •Minor damage occurred during an attempted break-in to a Cook Street building. •No injuries resulted in a collision caused by a vehicle making a left turn in front of another on Canyon Street. •A Kitchener resident complained that he had purchased a vehicle that was not registra-

ble and was refused a refund. •A male reported to be “freaking out” on Eighth Avenue South was found to be intoxicated, but otherwise okay. •A male who assaulted a male and female on Reclamation Road was arrested and then released on conditions. December 24 •Police are investigating a shoplifting on Canyon Street. •Extensive damage resulted when a vehicle went off Canyon-Lister Road in slippery conditions. •Minor damage resulted when a vehicle went into the ditch on Highway 3. •No damage or injuries resulted when a vehicle went into a ditch on Highway 3. •A driver reported to being driving at high speeds on Highway 3 was located at his residence and warned. December 25 •A Sixth Avenue North resident reported two people as missing because they didn’t come for dinner as invited. December 26 •A well-being check on an elderly male found he was OK. •A noisy party was reported on Elm Street. December 27 •A male kicked out of a car on Highway 3 by his brother was found to be OK and staying in a hotel.

•A vehicle sustained minor damage when it went off Meadow Creek Road. •No injuries resulted when a vehicle crashed into a power pole on Highway 95. •A Chevrolet pickup reported to be driving erratically on Highway 3A near Boswell was not located. •A well-being check on Erickson Road conducted at the request of police in Quebec revealed the resident was OK. •No theft resulted from an attempted break-in to a 12th Avenue North building. •Police were unable to locate a prowler who attempted to enter vehicles and a tool trailer on Highway 3. •An elderly male who had been drinking was found sleeping in his vehicle on Canyon Street was given a ride home. December 28 •A historic assault complaint from Kootenay River Road is being investigated. •A vehicle collided with a fire hydrant on an icy Hillside Street. •A vehicle missed a turn on Erickson Road and ended up in a yard, causing some damage to a tree. •A wallet, credit card and passports were stolen from a vehicle on 36th Avenue North. •A damaged vehicle in a Beam Road ditch was towed. •A Balsam Road resident reported receiving harassing text messages. Creston RCMP responded to 48 calls over a quiet New Year’s period from Dec. 29-Jan. 4, Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan said on Monday. December 29 •Police are investigating a possible sexual assault of a female youth who was attending a party. •A female with a medical emergency on Centre Road was transported to hospital.

•An erratic driver reported on Highway 3 was not located. •A male with an outstanding warrant turned himself into the police station, where he was processed and then released with a promise to appear in court. •A family embroiled in a dispute on Third Avenue South was advised to seek a civil court solution. •A Seventh Avenue South resident blamed a number of problems on his neighbour’s use of rat poison. December 30 •A Cory Road garage was broken into and stolen were a Stihl chainsaw, rifle and wallet. •A male was located on request at a Lakeview-Arrow Creek Road residence and found to be OK. •An intoxicated male reported to be walking on Mallory Road was not located. •An Erickson Road resident was accused of doing burnouts in his own driveway, but the neighbour said he was slipping on the ice in his pickup that had no weight in the back. •Following a family dispute on Centre Road, children were taken to a relative’s home to stay. •An erratic gold Ford Explorer on Ainsworth Road in Riondel was not located. December 31 •An iPhone 5 was lost on Hagey Road in Lister. •No theft occurred during an entry to a garage on Cory Road. •A 16th Avenue South resident called 911 when a female attempted to enter her house. •Police were “quite pleased” when they had issued only one ticket after checking 50 vehicles in a checkstop on Northwest Boulevard. •An Eighth Street resident complained that someone had knocked on the door and rattled the doorknob. See poLICe, page 5

Town of Creston 2015 Council Meeting Schedule Property Owner’s Checklist Have you received your 2015 property assessment notice?

If not received in your mail by January 18, call toll-free 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) If so, review it carefully Visit www.bcassessment.ca to compare other property assessments using the free, newly enhanced e-valueBC™ service Questions? Contact BC Assessment at 1-866-valueBC or online at www.bcassessment.ca Don’t forget...if you disagree with your assessment, you must file a Notice of Complaint (appeal) by February 2, 2015

•

Regular COMMITTEE meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, commencing at 4:00 p.m., in Council Chambers. Additional meetings may be called as required.

•

Regular COUNCIL meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, commencing at 4:00 p.m. unless changed by Council resolution. Special meetings can be called either with the unanimous consent of Council, or upon 24 hours notice, posted as per the Community Charter. ** (Note Schedule changes for June, July, August, September and December.)

2015 Council Meeting Schedule Council Meetings

Committee Meetings

January 13 and 27 February 10 and 24 March 10 and 24 April 14 and 28 May 12 and 26 June 10 (Wednesday) June 23 July 14 only August 11 only September 8 and 29 October 13 and 27 November 10 and 24 December 15 only

January 20 February 17 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16 July 21 August 18 September 15 October 20 November 17 December 8

Regular Council and Committee Meetings are open to the public and are held in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 238 - 10th Avenue North, Creston. POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY CHARTER, this 16th day of December 2014. Bev Caldwell, Executive Assistant

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, January 8, 2015

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 5

LocaL News

SNOW VS. BOATHOUSE — These photos were taken at the

Riondel marina Monday by Carol Brassuer. Although her family’s boathouse is fine — they shovelled the roof that morning — she posted the pictures on social media so the community could see how severe the damage was and boat owners could check on their vessels. Similar damage was reported in Procter, according to the Nelson Star.

Police news From page 4

January 1 •An 86-year-old male died suddenly in his Crestview Road home. Circumstances are not considered suspicious. •A grey Dodge pickup reported to be doing donuts on Helen Street was gone when police arrived. •An Ash Street residence’s door was open, but no evidence of a crime was found. Nearby, a neighbour reported that motorhome had been entered and possibly stayed in, but no theft had taken place. January 2 •A Canadian passport was lost on Eighth Avenue South. •Minor damage resulted when a vehicle backed into another on Seventh Avenue North. •A Donnelly Street resident reported that someone had cancelled his flight reservation with a call to the airline. •A well-being check on Hillside Street revealed the male in question was OK. •A 911 call from a Crawford Bay pay phone was made by a child playing with the phone. •A Crawford Bay youth was caught in a blackmail scheme after sending revealing photos on the Internet. January 3 •No injuries to passengers resulted when a vehicle collided with an elk on Highway 3 near Kidd Creek. •A Foster Road resident was bilked in an Internet scam. She was told that Microsoft was shutting down and she was due a refund if she provided a credit card number. The card was billed for $2,300 and Microsoft did not shut down. •Police assisted local fire departments in responding to a house fire on Smith Road. •A family member complained about a relative harassing an elderly person to get money. •A well-being check on Canyon-Lister Road revealed the resident was OK. January 4 •An intoxicated male who was causing a disturbance on Simon Road was arrested and held in cells until sober. •A well-being check on an Ibbitson Road resident revealed no problems. •A mother and three children escaped without injury when her vehicle went out of control on an icy Highway 3A and rolled onto its side.

All were wearing seatbelts. •An erratic grey Honda car was not located on Highway 3/95. •When police investigated a fight between brothers on Riverview

Road they refused to co-operate in questioning. •A well-being check on Cavell Street revealed the male in question was OK.

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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND AFFECTED AREAS PROGRAMS

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Saturday, Jan. 17th, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Canyon Community Hall, Creston Valley

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Judy Madelung Grants Clerk jmadelung@rdck.bc.ca 250.352.8170 Box 590, 202 Lakeside Drive Nelson, BC V1L 5R4

Application forms and guidelines are available: • RDCK office, Nelson • Municipal and Village offices • Electoral Area Directors • Online at: rdck.ca/cip-aap or cbt.org/cipaap. Apply by 4:30pm, Monday, March 2, 2015. Applicants are required to present their proposal at public meetings during April 2015. A PROGRAM OF

Connect with us

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oPiNioN LiNe

Thursday, January 8, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca

Phone: 250-428-2266 • Fax: 250-483-1909 P.O. Box 1279 • 1018 Canyon St. • Creston, B.C. • V0B 1G0

Published Thursdays except statutory holidays Alex O. Carruthers, Founder

PUBLISHER: Lorne Eckersley Ext. 206 - publisher@crestonvalleyadvance.ca

EDITOR: Brian Lawrence Ext. 203 - editor@crestonvalleyadvance.ca

SALES CO-ORDINATOR: Anita Horton Ext. 205 - sales@crestonvalleyadvance.ca

CIRCULATION/OFFICE MANAGER: Dianne Audette Ext. 200 - office@crestonvalleyadvance.ca

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT production@crestonvalleyadvance.ca

Letters to the Editor

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

Subscriptions

By carrier: $33.50 (includes GST) Local mail: $50.00 (includes GST) National mail: $58.00 (includes GST) Seniors get free month with yearly subscription Published by the Creston Valley Advance, a division of Black Press Group Ltd. Publications Agreement No. 40069240 The Creston Valley Advance is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and complainant. If talking with the Editor or Publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council within 45 days. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For further information, go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

All rights reserved. Contents copyright by the Creston Valley Advance. Any reproduction of material contained in this publication in whole or in part is forbidden without the expressed written consent of the Publisher. Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. It is agreed that The Creston Valley Advance will not be responsible for errors or omissions and is not liable for any amount exceeding the cost of the space used and then only such portion where the errors actually appeared. We reserve the right to edit or reject any submission or advertisement that is contrary to our Publishing guideline.

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Look before you jump

As much as I enjoy my weekly visits with RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan or one of his team to get the police news, it is also the source of frustration. It is not uncommon to learn of yet another scam that has relieved yet another member of our community of what is often a significant amount of money. Not always, but all too often, the scams involve computers. You get a phone call that your computer has been infected with viruses and that the caller’s firm will remove the threats — for a price. Or perhaps an email arrives from an unfamiliar address, trying to lure you into clicking on a link or downloading a file — for your own benefit, of course. Another common one comes in form of a message from “your” bank, claiming that there is a problem with your account and inviting you to click on a link to “update” your information. Some of the more successful scams come by telephone and don’t involve a computer at all. They play on our concern for family members. Someone at the other end of the line claims to be a grandson or nephew who is travelling and has become involved in some sort of legal issue that requires immediate payment of a large sum to keep them out of jail. Please send by Western Union or provide a credit card number. These scams are often so obviously bogus that they defy belief. The spelling and sentence structure in emails, for example, is often a dead giveaway that the message originates not at your bank but in a far away country that has banks of callers trolling the world for unsuspecting, innocent and downright naive victims. Mixed in with all these opportunities to have a modern-day con artist relieve you of your hard-earned savings are legitimate calls, too. A few months ago I received one from the bank that administrates a credit card

I use most often for online transactions. In this case, the caller identified the name of the bank and provided his own, then said that I had made a purchase that had been flagged for security purposes. Would I provide

Lorne Eckersley my credit card number to confirm that I had indeed made the purchase? When I refused to provide the information the caller was unfazed, and then offered an alternative. Provide my mailing address and birthdate. Her demeanor on the phone was calm and co-operative, and she was happy to provide a phone number that I could call back on. I did so, then provided the information requested. I was then asked if I had indeed made a hotel reservation in the U.S. through a website. I had indeed. OK, then, we are approving the transaction. My hotel reservation worked as planned. Last week I got a call from the same bank. This one referred to the previous issue, then said that the security department wanted to confirm that I had made another charge to my account, this one for tickets on Southwest Airlines. I had, only 10 minutes earlier. The transaction was approved and the caller recommended that when I was on my trip out of the country I could avoid any questions about my card use by calling the number on my credit card and informing them of the dates I would be travelling. Debit card providers often recommend the same practice.

I like the idea that my credit card provider is aware of unusual transactions that could indicate that my card or the information on it had been stolen. But how to know when these things are scams? It’s not always easy. But legitimate callers will always provide you with a way to confirm their validity and easiest is to get a callback number. Banks don’t use email to contact their customers about account issues. Your “grandson” should be able to answer personal questions that would confirm his identity. Microsoft does not call you to let you know you have a problem with your computer. No legitimate business asks you to click on a link or to download information without giving you information about why you should do so. The easiest way to find if something is a scam is to Google for more information. Just type in some keywords, hit enter and chances are you will find sources explaining the scam. Snopes.com is another good source. It keeps an updated list of what are urban legends, scams and legitimate enterprises, and provides sources for its information. The best advice I can give, though, is one of my own personal guidelines when I am faced with unusual information: “Don’t just do something, stand there.” Don’t feel compelled to overreact or respond to demands or requests immediately. Ask for information about how to reconnect with the caller. Close the email without clicking on anything. Take some time to think about the requests, ask friends or family members, maybe even give the police a call. Protect yourself by not simply believing what you hear or read. Don’t be the next sad story I report in the police news. Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, January 8, 2015

No difference beween TWU grads and other lawyers To the Editor: The recent Trinity Western University sexual covenant controversy and the dustup between some law societies in Canada and TWU’s position on proper sexual intimacy has the government of B.C. weighing in heavily on the issue. I would say the main reason the B.C. government is vacillating on its final statement has to do with trying to be popular in a political way rather than with a morality statement. But that is another issue.

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TWU has a signed covenant agreement between itself and all people connected with the university that prohibits “sexual intimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman.” Here’s what the university is saying: All explicit sexual activity between people outside of marriage is incorrect. It applies to both heterosexual oriented and homosexual oriented activity. So, potentially they are talking about everybody, whether one is heterosexual inclined or homosexual inclined. And why would TWU bother to promote such an idea? Because of one main reason only. As Christians trying to be faithful to one’s beliefs, they recognize that serious questions about sexuality can be answered by going to the written source of the Christian faith, the Bible. What scripture has to say about this is well spelled out. All sexual activity outside a true marriage is sin. A great number of people today that I know are not too concerned with the validity of the word “sin”. But faith-

ful Christians realize that to not state the importance of sin as a moral pattern is to abandon truth. To abandon truth is to invite a false way of existence. The word that most distinctly speaks about how everyone should approach sexuality is the word “chastity”. Check it out for yourself as to its meaning and application. It applies to all — whether one is of hetero- or homosexual inclination. In the real world of today, the Law Society of BC statement against TWU is opinion only and has no force of law. TWU has an excellent record academically in university standing. Any student who graduates as a lawyer from its program would have to take the same bar exam that all potential lawyers must take. The graduates of TWU would practice law in the same law courts by the same rules that everybody else does, all within the same common judicial system in place in Canada. Pat Doyle Creston

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New year a compassionate place of curiosity and understanding

A new year is so nubile and tender I can hardly stand to wake to it, part of the new beginning of things. Our Canadian season of winter, just revving up, is harsh and grating, part of the apocalyptic side of new life. In our daily life we meet people who have been abused, degraded regularly even in their own families. We may not know how but most around us have known some kind of apocalyptic experience. We know people who have been raped, people who live in fear, people whose anger easily boils into fiery irritation. Some folks are jerked around by their own bodies, mind or skin by disease, psychosis or rot. I live in amazement that human society flows along as smoothly as it does, surprised when every day our banks don’t crumble, schools don’t fall apart and, I daren’t say, churches disintegrate, because being in one I know many are close to it. My fear sometimes makes me wish for a sense of delusion. Meanwhile, I have talked through Christmas about the new life heralded in the Christ Child, then a few months later, in early spring, the horrific crucifixion of that grown child’s life, then the miraculous, awesome continuation — in fact, inspiration — of Christ’s spirit in community. Am I silly to tell myself these stories, as I have again and again for almost 60 years?

I do see new life and resurrection. It is those same people whose bruises and wounds I have mentioned who are the ones who not only carry on with jobs that make the world go around but turn their hearts to the deeper work of healing the world; the ones who share

Shelley Stickel-Miles their gifts selflessly; the ones who are poor, tired and worn out but who stoop to pick up another, smile, or sit and listen; the ones who find joy in spending time with those who cannot easily find social groups to belong in; the ones who understand pain, poverty or loss, and enter those places again with others to be a living witness to the possibility of life; the ones who have been maimed by life who though struggling still find some hope and share it. It is not just in the rich giving to the poor but the many sharing life and the warmth of friendship and care. It is a

vulnerable way to be, tender, like a new child, fearsome to enter, because it demands that we question the harshness, not of winter, but of ourselves and each other. We have seen the Christmas story and the crucifixion among us, true. Lest we be deluded, Canadians are not the gentlest culture. We do not have to treat each other as harshly as we do on the street, school or in family. We can still keep reaching for more tender and caring ways to act and be. We don’t have to be Christian to do that, which may or may not help depending on the group, the persons in it, the practices they promote or do not question. Life does not have to be a battleground of judgment about right and wrong. Can this be a compassionate place of curiosity, understanding, and courageous conversations? Courage means one can name offence without taking offence. Perhaps this is a child-like way to be — not childish and harsh. We are in the tender days of the new year, and it could be a gentle new time. It depends on all of us, each one of us, no matter what our circumstances, nor the harshness of the weather. Open to grace right where you are. Rev. Shelley Stickel-Miles is an ordained minister who works alongside all the delightful ministers at Trinity United Church in Creston.

Some resolutions are workable

Once again, we are in the throes of resolution season and we are starting to see the seasonal fitness influx that accompanies those promises. We know we don’t keep them all, but each year we seem to see more people staying longer or take a more active interest in staying healthy. I just heard some other resolutions that I thought ranked up there as actually workable. A friend of ours has the cutlery set they got when they were married a number of decades ago and believe me, this isn’t the stuff that you get from a big box store. This is the gold-plated, handpolished, few-thousand-dollar set that gets ceremoniously brought out on very

special occasions along with grandma’s/ great-grandma’s fine china, then hand washed and nestled back into the padded box to wait for the next extraordinary gathering. Our friend figured out it was

From the Centre Neil Ostafichuk

worth several hundred dollars for each dinner it was used and thus begat the resolution that these utensils now hit general circulation and get used as everyday knives and forks along with the fine china. Our particular generation collects “stuff”. Not only our stuff, but the stuff that came from our parents or others around us and has attached a value to it that often has moved elsewhere. An example would be the rock maple, highend furniture that my parents scrimped and saved to purchase pieces here and there, when they could afford it, through the ’60s and ’70s. See reSoLUTIoN, page 11

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Thursday, January 8, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

Remaining proactive reduces mortgage uncertainty

With the uncertainty of job loss racing through many people’s minds these days, taking a proactive approach to this issue by putting mortgage payments aside while

into a short-term GIC as security for a possible job loss. And, best of all, if your job remains secure, you can take the money out of your GIC and make a pre-payment back on your mortgage on your anniversary date, which can end up saving you thousands of dollars in interest payments. If it’s not plausible to save money each pay period, refinancing to access the equity you’ve Dean Bala already built up in your home is anothyou’re still actively employed er valid option for planning can help set your mind at ahead in uncertain times. In ease. Planning for the future addition to freeing up money and potential job loss is one to store future mortgage payof the most important under- ments in a GIC, some of the takings you can make to money can also be used to pay ensure you can pay your off high-interest debt — such mortgage in an uncertain as credit cards — and get you economy. and your family off to a fresh A mortgage professional financial start. You will find often suggests you put money that taking equity out of your aside each pay period so you home to pay off high-interest can place six to 12 months’ debt can put more money in worth of mortgage payments your bank account each

Mortgage Corner

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month. And since interest rates are at historic lows, switching to a lower rate may save you a lot of money — possibly thousands of dollars per year. There are penalties for paying your mortgage loan out prior to renewal, but these could be offset by the extra money you acquire through a refinance. With access to more money, you will be better able to manage your debt. Refinancing your first mortgage and taking some existing equity out could also enable you to make other investments, go on vacation, do some renovations or even invest in your children’s education. Keep in mind, however, that by refinancing you may extend the time it will take to pay off your mortgage. There are many ways to pay down your mortgage sooner that could save you thousands of dollars in interest payments throughout the term of your mortgage. Most mortgage products, for

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Make Your Home Safe for Independent Living Are you a low-income senior or a person with a disability who wants to live safely and independently in the comfort of your home? Do you have difficulty performing day-to-day activities? Does your home need to be adapted to meet your changing needs? If so, you may be eligible for financial assistance under the Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program. Find out today if you are eligible and if you meet all of the requirements as a low-income homeowner or as a landlord applying on behalf of an eligible tenant. To apply or learn more, visit

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H O U S I N G M AT T E R S

instance, include prepayment privileges that enable you to pay up to 20 per cent of the principal (the true value of your mortgage minus the interest payments) per calendar year. This will also help reduce your amortization period (the length of your mortgage), which, in turn, saves you money. Another way to lower the time it takes to pay off your mortgage involves changing the way you make your payments by opting for accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments. Not to be confused with semi-monthly mortgage payments (24 payments per year), accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments (26 payments per year) will not only pay your mortgage off quicker, but it’s guaranteed to save you a significant amount of money over the term of your mortgage. If, for instance, you have a $100,000 mortgage, an interest rate of five per cent and an amortization period of 25 years, your monthly mortgage payment would be $581.60 and your total payments for a year would be $6,979.20 ($581.60 x 12). To understand the savings accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments can make, take the monthly mortgage payment of $581.60 and divide it by two ($581.60 ÷ 2 = $290.80). Next, take that payment and multiply it by 26 to arrive at your total payments

for the year ($290.80 x 26 = $7,560.80). As you can see, by using the monthly mortgage payment plan, you’ve made payments totalling $6,979.20 for the year, while using the accelerated bi-weekly mortgage plan you’ve made payments totalling $7,560.80 — a difference of $581.60. Basically, with accelerated biweekly mortgage payments, you’re making one additional monthly payment per year. Using this example, you would reduce the amortization on your $100,000 mortgage from 25 years to just over 21 years and your total savings on interest over the life of the mortgage would be just over $12,000. By refinancing now and paying off your debt or putting money aside for future mortgage payments, you can put yourself and your family in a better financial position. Whether you are looking for a little more security, to save money in interest or to pay down your mortgage faster, it is a good idea to sit down with a mortgage professional once in a while to see if any of these strategies will work for you. Dean Bala is a mortgage broker and Realtor working out of the Creston Valley Realty office in Creston. For more information, he can be reached at 250 402-3903 or dean_bala@yahoo.com.

HAFI Funds Home Modifications for Disabled Man When Lorie and Walter bought their home in Port Alberni 13 years ago they slowly began renovating the unfinished basement to accommodate Walter’s changing needs as his muscular dystrophy advanced. “The basement was a black hole when we moved in,” recalled Walter. “After 12 years of skimping and saving, we made the downstairs completely wheelchair accessible, except for the bathroom. It was way too small. I could only stand for about a minute and a half without collapsing in the shower stall and I could no longer pull myself out of the tub in the upstairs’ bathroom, even with Lorie’s help.” Through funding from BC Housing’s Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program, Walter and Lorie were able to work with a contractor to transform the space. A wall was removed to make room for a wheelin shower with benches, grab bars were installed, and the vanity and fixtures were relocated.

“ I just slide into the shower now,” said Walter. “I feel safer and no longer dread trying to wash myself. What was previously a dangerous chore for me is now a welcome treat.” Walter and Lorie hope to spend the rest of their lives in their home. The HAFI program provides financial assistance to help eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities adapt their homes so they can continue to live independently.

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, January 8, 2015

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