Penticton Western News, September 02, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN

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Sea of orange fills PTCC for NDP leader Mulcair

VOL. 49 ISSUE 70

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Penticton’s Jeff Symonds takes fourth in strong field

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

entertainment Globally influenced music comes to Dream Café

destinations Freak’n Farmer race returns

with mud, fun and obstacles

BANNER BOTCH Steve Kidd

NEWS Western News Staff

PENTICTON WESTERN

CHALLENGING RACE — Devin Wittig of Yellowknife strains to catch his breath on the run course of the Valley First Challenge Penticton pro halfdistance event Aug. 30. Over 1,100 athletes took part in the third annual event. For more coverage see Pages 2, 13, 14 and 15.

Mark Brett/Western News

In the lead up to this year’s Challenge Penticton triathlon, one of the most talked about items wasn’t the race or who was competing, but a mistake made on promotional banners. Large banners placed around the city promoted the race as “Challenge Pentiction” — in some cases the extra “i” was covered up with red marker, and in others a circular Challenge logo was used to cover the mistake. “It’s actually an autocorrect mistake we didn’t catch,” said Michael Brown, a co-owner of the race, along with Kevin Cutjar. He explained they contracted for the banners with a southeast Asia supplier, Quidy Apparel, that is a regular Challenge Family contractor, and has appropriate templates for banners and other materials. “It’s a Challenge Family global partner that does a lot of printing for them. It’s a template that they would just change the name of the city in,” said Brown, who admitted the mistake was made on both sides. “It’s a 50/50 mistake. They sent it to us, and I didn’t recognize it when it came through,” Brown said. “It is unfortunate, but it is one of those things that happens sometimes.” The mistake, however, raised concerns among residents who shared the pictures on social media of the misprinted banners that were out on display before they were caught. The concerns include whether Challenge Penticton is investing in the community. When the City of Penticton purchased the Challenge Family

license in 2012, leaving a 30-year relationship with Ironman, one of the selling points was that the community, through the local race society, now controlled purchasing. Dan Ashton, who was mayor of Penticton at the time, said it was the intent of the society to engage local merchants and local suppliers. “It is only because of an error that it has become quite the talking point,” said Jason Cox, president of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. “It uncovered the fact the work was not done locally. As the largest business advocate in the community, it is not something we are excited about,” continued Cox. “The event is so well supported by local athletes, by local volunteers, by the local business community in terms of sponsorship, to go overseas to save a few dollars for the banners and materials seems to have not worked out well.” Brown said they looked at local suppliers, and in many cases that was who ended up getting the work for their promotional material and other items. “Sherwood Signs is a big supporter of the race and they did 90 per cent of our signage,” said Brown, who also noted they hired

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local staff, used the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre for all their catering, used Westminster Rentals and Moduloc Fencing for site setup, along with contracts to other local businesses. “Kevin and I are trying to stay ﬁnancially viable and sometimes you have to make hard decisions on that, to either be able to put on a race or not. We decided we needed to make sure we put on a race. With that, some stuff had to get outsourced but we tried to do the majority of our stuff locally,” said Brown, who doesn’t want the spelling mistake to take attention away from the race. “The event is what matters and the event was amazing. I just think it was an unfortunate printing error, it was a small amount of stuff we got from this company,” Brown said. Cox said he remains positive and supportive of the race, but is concerned about not using local suppliers. “The event is so well supported by the community, I think that where you can have something done locally, it should be done,” said Cox. “I really do support it and don’t want to come across as the chamber slamming Challenge for making one mistake.”

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Western News photos by Mark Brett

Pentictonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jen Annett (at left) is all smiles after finishing the pro half-distance event while being video taped by Erick Thompson of ET2media. She wound up seventh in the female standings. Father and daughter volunteers (at left) Perry and Maia Vitoratos strip the wetsuit from Marie-Anne Prevost of Whistler in the first transition area. Bicycle ballet (at right) as cyclists dismount in unison. Tina Matheson (below right) watches as her husband David (below, left) talks to the media following his full-distance victory in the Challenge Penticton triathlon.

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NDP leader affirms promises of funding Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

Thomas Mulcair pledged support to firefighters and the national tourism industry at a rally at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre Monday night. The first federal party leader to visit Penticton in the 2015 federal election had the room awash with orange as Mulcair promised $30-million in funding for tourism and outlined his plan to support disaster relief in an area where wildfires and drought hit close to home. Mulcair made a pledge to fund Destination Canada over the next three years, a promise he initially revealed in Niagara Falls on Aug. 17. “Tourism is a vital part of B.C.’s economy, but Stephen Harper’s plan has seen a decade-long decline in tourism,” Mulcair said, adding that the Harper government slashed $21-million from Destination Canada’s budget. “Businesses and tourism deserve a federal partner that works with them to showcase Canada to international visitors,” Mulcair said. The first talking point Mulcair brought to the podium was hardworking firefighters and the effects of climate change. “Across British Columbia and much of Canada we’re facing the worst fire season in memory,” Mulcair said. “Just up the road in Oliver there are 235 men and women fighting a wildfire that would cover almost half the area of downtown Vancouver.” Mulcair outlined a three-point plan to support training, equipment and disaster relief, promising to restore funding for the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) and reopen the Emergency Preparedness College in Ottawa, shut down by the Conservative government.

NDP leaDer Thomas Mulcair made a campaign stop in Penticton Monday night at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre pledging funds for Destination Canada and a plan to support firefighting efforts.

Dale Boyd/Western News

Mulcair also promised to sit down with the premiers to strengthen the disaster financial assistance agreements. “That program has to be strengthened to be able to respond as disasters are becoming more frequent,” Mulcair said. Mulcair reiterated an announcement made earlier Monday at a campaign stop in Saskatoon to restore a shelter enhancement program that was scrapped by the Conservative government. “We will provide a coordinated, national approach that seeks an end to violence against women,” Mulcair said to the loudest and lengthiest applause of the night.

His promise to make missing and murdered aboriginal women a priority and engage in nation-to-nation talks with First Nations communities resonated with Penticton Indian Band member Jeannette Armstrong. “(Nation-to-nation talks) are 200 years in the making, so for him to promise that I think that’s going to go a long way in getting him elected,” Armstrong said. “Also, the murdered and missing aboriginal women because there are some right from here, from Penticton.” Changing the status quo in Ottawa and “replacing the politics of fear and division with the politics of hope and optimism” were major talking points that Mulcair has

towed along the campaign trail, but they managed to receive cheers and applause in the packed ballroom. Not everyone was completely sold on the divisiveness and constant jabs at both the Prime Minister and federal Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau. “It seemed like good promises, a lot of it was a bit of the spin and a lot of ‘boo Harper’ which is obvious, I have a good feeling with him, but with a bit of a grain of salt, he’s still a politician,” said Penticton resident Rebecca Carmichael, who attended the rally with her nine-month-old daughter. “I’d vote for him though.” Mulcair went over prior campaign promises pledging to rein-

vigorate the manufacturing sector, invest in infrastructure, strengthen the middle class and create a $15-aday childcare program nationwide. He also revisited some familiar digs at the Conservative incumbent, re-iterating that “Stephen Harper has the worst job creation record since the Second World War, and the worst economic growth record since the Great Depression of the 1920s,” points made during the Maclean’s leaders debate. Mulcair was joined by Richard Cannings, NDP candidate for South Okanagan-West Kootenay, Central Okanagan-Similkameen Nicola candidate Angelique Wood and others in the Thompson Okanagan. Cannings warmed up the crowd for Mulcair, touting the need for change in federal politics. “If there’s one thing I’m hearing over and over again on the doors of Penticton and South OkanaganWest Kootenay, it’s that people want change in Ottawa,” Cannings said. The ballroom was standing room only towards the beginning of Mulcair’s 30-minute speech. “This is our biggest rally yet in Penticton, probably the biggest rally ever in Penticton,” Cannings said. Some voters were undecided prior to the rally, like Elizabeth Van Os. “I was impressed, I came here to check out what the leader of the NDP party had to say because before I cast my vote I want to hear everybody’s platforms and how everyone feels, but I was very impressed,” Van Os said. “There were quite a few things on the forefront of what really matters to me. The environment, was one of my big things, really more so than the economy right now after spending the last week choking on smoke.” Mulcair spent Tuesday touring the Okanagan with campaign stops in Kelowna and Kamloops.

More delays for Osoyoos RCMP officer’s code of conduct hearing Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

A disciplinary hearing for an Osoyoos RCMP officer has once again been delayed. Two years after his suspension, suspended Osoyoos RCMP officer Amit Goyal is still receiving pay, and his Code of Conduct hearing has been delayed twice. The hearing was initially scheduled for July 28 in Fed-

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granted. I don’t have any information who asked for the adjournment,” said Rob Vermeulen, Senior Media Relations Officer with BC RCMP Communications Services, in an email. Former Osoyoos man Steve Condon is currently suing the Town of Osoyoos, the Province of B.C. and the RCMP for alleged incidents of harassment by Goyal. Condon’s lawyer, Paul Evans, has yet to receive any information as to why the hearing has been adjourned twice.

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eral Court in Vancouver, but was moved to Aug. 31. Inquires made by the Western News to the RCMP were responded to by email confirming only that the hearing had been moved, providing no reasons as to why. No date is set for the upcoming hearing. Attempts to contact the RCMP were once again met with only email responses, after two requests to speak with a RCMP representative over the phone. “Much like court proceedings, adjournments can be

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Pool shutdown July 27 – Sept. 14 Penticton Community Centre users should note that the annual pool shutdown begins on Monday, July 27, and will last for seven (7) weeks. The annual shutdown has been extended to accommodate the tile replacement. The pool is scheduled to reopen on Sept. 14. During the shutdown, Community Centre and Fitness room operating hours will be: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to noon The Community Centre will also be closed on all statutory holidays. We apologize to all of our customers for the inconvenience. For questions or more information, call 250-490-2426 or visit www.penticton.ca/

Man with ‘atrocious’ record sentenced Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

A 19-year-old Penticton woman, who later died of an accidental overdose, told police she was introduced to injecting drugs by a repeat offender in the Penticton area. Anthony Donavin Werden, 24, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 months jail time for possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of obstructing a peace officer, breaking and entering, multiple breaches of probation and failure to appear in court as required relating to incidents in March. Nelson Selamaj, Werden’s defence counsel objected to the teen’s statements about Werden introducing her to injecting drugs being allowed the sentencing proceedings. “There’s no information leading from these allegations that the Crown is making. The witness is not here for me to interview her,” Selamaj said. “Respectfully, there’s no information that comes from these allegations and that’s not why Mr. Werden is before the court,” Selamaj continued. “It’s a pretty touchy subject,” Werden interjected via video from the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre. “I know it is. I’ve been sitting here for 27-and-a-half years. I know what’s wheat and what’s chaff and I’m not sentencing you for anything that’s not in front of the court,” said Judge Gail Sinclair. On March 26, 2015 police received reports of a suspicious

recreation. Public Hearing Notice A Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at Penticton City Hall, 171 Main Street, Penticton, BC to consider the following amendment to Zoning Bylaw 2011-23. Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2015-45 (2922 Wilson Street) Rezone Lot 2, District Lot 116, Similkameen Division Yale District, Plan 9696 located at 2922 Wilson Street, Penticton B.C., from RD1 (Duplex Housing) to RM2 (Low Density Multiple Housing) with a site specific zoning amendment to increase the maximum density from 0.75

occurrence on Roy Avenue and found Werden with the teen. Werden attempted to run away and when police caught up to him there was a five-minute struggle before he was eventually handcuffed. Werden was released with a promise to appear in court, but failed to do so on April 1. The next day, six days after being released from custody, police received reports of a stolen vehicle. The Drug Task Force was simultaneously searching for Werden due to outstanding warrants. Werden was located at the home of a known associate where the stolen red 1990 Ford Ranger was found as well. An officer pulled his vehicle up behind the Ford Ranger and found Werden and the teen to be inside. Werden put the truck into reverse and hit the police vehicle. The officer drew her gun and yelled at Werden telling him he was under arrest. Werden climbed over top of the teen and attempted to flee out of the passenger door. After a chase involving multiple officers, Werden was once again arrested. Upon examination of the vehicle police located break-in equipment including bolt cutters and screwdrivers and found the ignition of the vehicle had been broken off. Police also received reports earlier that day there had been damage to three vehicles in the parking lot of Total Restoration Services on Dawson Avenue. Surveillance footage obtained by police identified Werden on multiple cameras during the time that the damages, totalling $450, occurred.

Crown counsel Nashina Devji called Werden’s criminal record “absolutely atrocious” saying he has spent significant periods of time in jail and calling him a “well-rounded offender.” Werden was convicted of theft under $5,000, assault and breach of probation. He was sentenced to time served in February. Devji said the teen met Werden after his release from custody. “Up until that time, the police had no involvement with her,” Devji said. Selamaj said the facts are not in dispute, but noted the pre-sentence report said that Werden had a “turbulent upbringing.” Selamaj also said that Werden has been in solitary confinement since his April 2 arrest. He cited reports from KRCC staff saying that Werden was placed in a separate unit because he had been assaulted by other inmates, and suffered a broken finger, but that his behaviour had improved. Werden became emotional when given a chance to speak and said he doesn’t “want to die.” “Ever since I got prescription medication from a doctor, I became a junkie. It happened so fast. My life is spiralling out of control. Prison is not helping me, you guys don’t seem to see that. I need help.” “If her death doesn’t turn the light on for you nothing will,” Judge Sinclair said before giving Werden his sentence. “Here’s a young lady who was still, I think, a teenager, dies needlessly. If that doesn’t turn on the light, nothing will sir.”

FAR to 0.92 FAR. The applicant intends to develop a strata, multi-family project with one duplex building facing Wilson Street and one single family dwelling and a duplex facing the lane. The development will have a total of 5 units.

conclusion of the Public Hearing. Please note that all submissions are a matter of public record. Those persons with special hearing, language or access needs should contact City Hall at 250-490-2400 prior to the meeting.

Any person whose interest may be affected by the proposed amendment may appear in person, by petition or by attorney. Delegations and Submissions will be received no later than 9:30 am on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 to Attention: Corporate Officer, City of Penticton, 171 Main Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 5A9; Email: publichearings@penticton.ca. No letter, report or representation from the public will be received by Council after the

The above mentioned bylaw and supporting information will be available for public inspection up to and including Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the following locations during hours of operation: Development Services and Corporate Administration (City Hall,171 Main St.), Penticton Public Library (785 Main Street) and the Penticton Community Centre (325 Power St.); or online at www.penticton.ca/ publicnotice.

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Fire season slows down

filling the Okanagan Valley last week. The Wilson’s Mountain fire, which broke out at the same time as Testalinden, was listed as 100 per cent contained at 317 hectares Prices in Effect September 2 - 8, 2015 on Aug. 24. The Rock Creek fire is also under control. As of noon on Aug. 31, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary rescinded the evacuation alert for all areas of Rock Creek, Westbridge, and Christian Valley. Wildfire crews continue to work on hotspots within the fire perimeter, patrol Batt ions t ing and mop up along the fire boundo N ary. Thirty homes and 15 addiDrap tional structures were damaged rics ery or destroyed in the blaze, which Fab started on Aug. 13 and scorched 4,417 hectares before it was contained. The B.C. Wildfire Service responded to seven new fires over Buy 1 full metre or unit of selected merchandise the weekend, some suspected to at Fabricland’s regular price and get the next 2 be human caused. units of equal value or less, FREE!! Total cost and damage for the 2015 forest fire season continues to track at a similar pace as All Prices here Exclusive to Fabricland Club Members MEMBERSHIP CARD MUST BE PRESENTED FOR DISCOUNTS last year, with 296,000 hectares burned and $255 million spent as (exclusions apply to Promotional, Clearance, “Special Purchase”, Signature Styles & Yarn products) of Monday. That’s above the 10www.fabriclandwest.com year average for B.C. fires, but Mon. to Thurs.: 9:00am - 6:00pm lower than the worst seasons in Friday: 9:00am - 8:00pm 2392 Shaka Lake Rd., Penticton recent years, in 2003 and 2009. Saturday: 9:00am - 5:30pm Campfire bans are lifted in the Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Kamloops and Southeast fire centres, although restrictions continue on the use of burn barrels and fireworks. No fire bans remain across northern B.C., and the only September 2015 Buy 1 Get 2 Sale Insert usual basebar at bottom So made your 3will Ad you’ve Size 5.062 X 7. Group remaining campfire ban is in the namedORDER your FOR executor. Cariboo fire centre for areas west SEE and INSERTION PUBLICATION DATE of the Fraser River. “Even though campfires are now allowed, we do still monitor the compliance. They have to keep it small,” said Melissa Klassen of the B.C. Wildfire Service. “We don’t want the public to be negligent out there, even with the cooler conditions.”

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Heading into the last long weekend of the summer, campfire bans have been lifted for most of B.C. as the forest fire season slows down. Evacuation orders for the Testalinden Creek fire were downgraded to alerts Monday as cooling weather helped firefighters make progress. “Cooler temperatures, slightly calmer winds, and the little bit of precipitation we have had over the last couple of days has certainly helped slow the fire activity and aided our firefighting activity,” said Heather Rice, an information officer with the BC Wildfire Service. “The fire hasn’t really moved since it did that bit of a run on Friday and Saturday morning,” said Rice. “We are still sitting at 4,295 hectares and looking at 60 per cent contained.” Shifting winds increased activity on the fire on Aug. 28, with open flame visible from Oliver and along Highway 97, as the fire burned northward to Reed and Tinhorn creeks. That prompted an expanded evacuation alert from the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, which was later upgraded to an evacuation order for some areas. That evacuation order has since been lifted, but the alert remains in effect for homes north of Testalinden Creek and west of Oliver. “We certainly feel like we are starting to make more positive progress on the fire,” said Rice. “With this co-operation from the weather, we are getting a lot of success.” Despite the expanded evacuation alert area for the Testalinden Creek fire, winery owner Sandra

Oldfield says it’s business as usual at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. “It hasn’t yet crested the fold in the mountainside for us to see it above our winery. We see the smoke, but we don’t see the fire itself,” said Oldfield. Oldfield, who was preparing to meet a tour group when she spoke to the Western News Friday, said Tinhorn and other wineries in the area remain open for visitors have even begun picking grapes, about 2.5 weeks ahead of usual, thanks to this summer’s weather. “There is a natural stoppage for this fire as it starts hitting properties,” said Oldfield, listing green vineyards, irrigation, roadways around the properties and natural breaks in the terrain. “For me, I think the likelihood is low that we will have any immediate problems with the fire. On the other side of things, both the fire department and our winery are really well prepared,” said Oldfield, who isn’t taking the danger casually. “If I sound calm, it is because we have rehearsed this a lot. At Tinhorn, we have a super rigorous health and safety program. We have been rehearsing evacuations off our property twice a year for the last five years,” said Oldfield, adding that the winery has received top honours from Worksafe B.C. for its programs. “All of our employees are familiar with how to evacuate and how to evacuate customers. It is something we practice all the time,” she said. Changing weather has also helped with the Stickpin fire, burning five kilometres south of the Canada/U.S. border. Cooler temperatures and rain have played a significant part in helping suppress the fire, which is estimated at 21,638 hectares in size, and was a significant source of the smoke

Steve Kidd

Western News Staff

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Moose poacher fined $2,500 Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

An Oliver man who illegally killed and harvested a moose and its calf was fined $2,500. David Martin, 29, pleaded guilty to hunting and killing wildlife out of season, hunting or carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of dead wildlife and knowingly making a false statement Monday. Martin shot a calf moose with a seven-millimetre rifle on June 25, 2014. When attempting to recover the calf, the cow moose would not leave her offspring and Martin shot and killed the cow as well. There was no lawful hunting

season for moose in effect at the time. Martin loaded up the cow and most of the calf and returned to his residence, asking friends to assist him in the butchering of the moose. A witness contacted the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline on June 27. RCMP executed a search warrant on Martin’s residence finding meat with labels reading “moose meat” and stamped with a date that coincided with the illegal harvest, they also found Martin’s rifle loaded and unsafely stored in his residence. Crown counsel sought a fine in the range of $3,000 to $5,000.

“This is an extremely serious offence, not only was it a cow moose shot and killed, but also a calf,” said Judge Meg Shaw. Martin’s rifle was

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Published by Black Press Ltd. on Wednesdays and Fridays in Penticton at: 2250 Camrose St., Penticton B.C. V2A 8R1 Phone: (250) 492-3636 • Fax: (250) 492-9843 • E-mail: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com

EDITORIAL

opinion

There is no ‘I’ in team

Organizers of Challenge Penticton just got a lesson in economics: the lowest price may not always be the best price. Their lesson came in the form of promotional materials imported from Asia with the city’s name misspelled as “Pentiction.” In the two years since the City of Penticton switched its triathlon from Ironman to the Challenge Family, the new race has been slow to get its feet under it. It’s no surprise that the race doesn’t draw as many participants as the Ironman did. Just as it took the South Okanagan Events Centre years to build up to its potential, Challenge Penticton is going to need some time. After all, Ironman had 30 years to get to the point where it was ﬁlling hotels from Osoyoos to Peachland. But there were promises made when the city bought the Challenge Family licence. One of the key ones, after years of Ironman gradually shifting proﬁts away from Penticton, was that the community would control all the purchasing and promotion. In other words, the race would invest in the community by using local service providers. The race came under new ownership for its third year (2015). New owners that have found themselves under scrutiny after choosing to contract a company in Asia to supply some promotional materials. “Challenge Pentiction” banners were put out on display before someone caught the spelling mistake and photos were spread by the public on social media. Needless to say, a local contractor — though PENTICTON more expensiveWESTERN — would have likely caught the misspelling of “Pentiction” in time. Race organizers now had to pay those same locals to correct it. Obviously it was a budget decision to choose a company outside of Penticton to do the banner work, but it is an unfortunate mistake for an event still trying to gain a certain reputation.

NEWS NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN

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The Penticton Western News is a member in good standing of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and the British Columbia & Yukon Community Newspapers Association. The Penticton Western News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, P.O. Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888687-2213 or go to <www. bcpresscouncil.org>. This publication reserves the right to refuse any material — advertising or editorial — submitted for publication and maintains the sole right to exercise discretion in these matters. Submissions by columnists and guest writers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper. All material contained herein is copyright.

Alaska sits in judgment of B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett spent much of last week in Alaska, trying to assure local ﬁshermen and environmentalists that B.C.’s mine approval process is “basically the same” as Alaska’s. Bennett visited an abandoned mine in northwest B.C. that continues to leak acid and metal pollution into the Taku River, vowing to supervise cleanup by a new operator. He noted that one of B.C.’s proposed new mines includes a 23-km pipe system to move ore out of the shared watershed for processing. This is typical of the discourse between B.C. and our American cousins. Only our industry is questioned. Meanwhile in Colorado, the latest mine spill disaster was blamed on a mistake by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And in Alaska as in the rest of the U.S., new metal mines such as

Tom Fletcher

BC Views the giant Pebble project depend on the same engineering and testing as ours. Here in Victoria, the Fantasy Island dialogue about oil continued, with Green Party leader Elizabeth May calling a news conference to announce she is (brace yourself) opposed to pipelines and tankers on the B.C. coast. She stood at Clover Point, where daily Alaska crude tankers sail past, many on their way to vast reﬁnery complexes just out of sight at Anacortes and Cherry Point in Washington. A good por-

tion of B.C.’s gasoline comes from there. Without a drunkcaptain incident since 1989, these tankers load up at the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Let’s take a closer look. For 47 years, the pipeline has pumped huge volumes of oil across Alaska from the charming northern outpost of Deadhorse to Valdez in the south, just east of Anchorage where cruise ships dock. In his new book, Rust: The Longest War, science writer Jonathan Waldman calls it “the biggest, baddest oil pipeline in the world. “From Prudhoe Bay to Prince William Sound, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System stretches 800 miles, which leaves engineer Bhaskar Neogi accountable for one of the heaviest metal things in the Western Hemisphere, through which the vast majority of Alaska’s econo-

my flows,” Waldman writes. “Daily, the fourfoot steel tube spits out $50 million of oil.” It was once the largest private infrastructure in the U.S. Today it’s the most regulated pipeline in the world, with planes flying infrared sensors to detect leaks of warm oil and “line walkers” looking for soft spots in the permafrost. And this isn’t lowfat, shade-grown oil for Seattle fuel-sippers. It struggles to flow, with a black asphalt bottom and thick wax that has to be scraped out of the pipeline by the ton with giant “pigs” that clean and monitor walls for corrosion. The five Prudhoe Bay oilfields have been declining in production for 20 years, to the point where the TransAlaska pipeline now carries about a quarter of its design capacity. It’s expected to run out around 2040, but for now Valdez still loads more than a tanker a

day. Waldman writes that when North America’s largest oilfield was discovered in 1968, companies first considered extending the Alaska Railroad up to Deadhorse. But they would have needed 63 trains a day of 100 cars each. Trucks, cargo planes and even nuclear-powered submarines running under the Arctic ice were briefly considered. Since we had a bit of hand-wringing last week about a small earthquake near Fort Nelson that may or may not have been triggered by hydraulic fracturing, it’s worth noting that Trans-Alaska oil also causes noticeable tremors as it rushes down the Chugach Mountains to a sudden stop at Valdez. But those are American earthquakes, so no story there. Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. tfletcher@ blackpress.ca.

Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 2, 2015

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A history lesson on Penticton’s beauty I can only hope that you will make a point of leaning on the rail of Ellis Street bridge and see what a remarkable transformation is taking place. The little creek is being widened, deepened and huge boulders placed along the bottom to produce riffles for the upcoming fish to spawn. In 1933 Penticton was a small, industrious town with the CPR locomotives coming from the east in the morning and going to Vancouver in the evening. We had barges going up and down the lake both CNR and CPR and their freight cars would be sorted and sent east or west via CPR. Penticton eventually had the only international airport in the valley. At the start, planes would land in fields near where the golf club is located. The river was untamed and wound back and forth from Okanagan Lake to Skaha (it

Runners safety

I was at my usual station on South Main and Dauphin between 8-9:30 p.m. offering hot herbal tea with honey to the athletes trying to finish this gruelling race. In the past, the athletes who were finishing in the dark were all given flashlights and glow sticks, what a shock when I noticed not one of these racers had anything. Someone in charge of safety for the Challenge really messed up. Bernice Horsman Penticton

No cure

The Penticton and the RDOS governing bodies in the surrounding areas each have a knack for pitting neighbour against neighbour. I just read Dale Boyd’s article (Penticton Western News, Aug. 28, ‘Nightmare‘ for rural property owner) about property owned by Terry Shull who resides in Osoyoos. I was surprised upon reading that Area A Osoyoos has no unsightly or untidy premises bylaw. Why even forgotten Olalla has such a thing, but just try getting our unsightly premises bylaw enforced is far worse than pulling hen’s teeth. The RDOS approved having one horse only on a said property but two to three roam there at times with no enforcement in sight. The RDOS has approved raising pigs. chickens and turkeys with two new adjacent homeowner’s unaware that this new barnyard fiasco was blowing hard in the smelly hot air. Let’s not forget the busy rooster and his early morning vocals that continue through out the day. I contacted the RDOS, fire department, highways

was known as Dog Lake then). On each side of the river were acres and acres of slough where we would skate and chase the carp under the ice. The river in the fall would be red from the colour of the Kokanee that would fill it trying to reach Okanagan Lake to spawn. We kids at the time would play hookey from school to gaff them and sell them around town, 12 fish for 25 cents. I must admit I never saw Kokanee in Penticton Creek, but there were many thousands of Grayling and lots of Rainbow trout. I have told a few people of seeing an older friend of mine gaffing a 15 pound Rainbow trout just below the Ellis Street bridge. My family lived where Guerard’s Furniture is today, next to Lampard’s garage and across from Chinatown, which consisted of six or seven buildings and businesses. I would

department, MLA Linda Larson and finally the transportation ministry who told me, the problem of a potential fire hazard in a back lane was too bad, so sad —nothing will be done as per usual. Don’t feel left out, Terry Shull, as I assure you, the RDOS bylaw enforcement along with ministry for the environment etc, are a joke and the proof lies here in Olalla, the forgotten beautiful valley that is a last frontier. One resident was told to clean up his backyard disaster or his home insurance would be denied. It worked. The yard looks nice. The elected who could help, care less if the problem is not in their backyard, then forget it. The disease in politics be they big or small has no cure. Tom Isherwood Olalla

Setting a precedent

There is more at stake with the Skaha Lake development proposal than just waterslides, control of the beach or a potential hotel. If completed, the result will be a model for developers to use in other regions to acquire control of valuable waterfront park land. Skaha Lake Park is minuscule in size when compared to the world’s larger environmental issues. However, the abuse of power, inadequate dissemination of information in a timely manner, haste and lack of public input to privatize an ecologically sensitive park may be of interest to the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. Perhaps the former mayors and councillors who oppose this project could collectively contact representatives of the Sierra Club and Greenpeace and stress the urgency that they visit Penticton. A group walk through Skaha Lake

Park would attract both print and TV media as well as the attention of our elected provincial and federal officials who have remained silent. Yesterday, I deposited $100 into the Save Skaha Fund hoping that the above idea comes into fruition. Residents are donating on a regular basis and the account is steadily growing. This is great news for Skaha Park and thanks to those who are donating to challenge a defiant council. A possible second consideration for use of the funds is to prepay the cost of a referendum by presenting a cashier’s cheque to the mayor and council at a regularly scheduled meeting. In all likelihood the cheque would be refused on the pretext of some technicality, further flaming the fires of impeachment and the boycotting of their businesses. C. Otto Knaak Penticton

Don’t jump on the bandwagon

Lots of folks with obsolete and scary ideas suggesting we ought to consider support for an alternative government come October, in particular the NDP. You know, they are the anti-capitalist, anti-big business crowd, with their heads in the clouds and their hands in your pockets. They probably believe the state is better qualified to raise children than the family, they prefer teachers’ unions to teaching and are naively convinced that if the west leaves its enemies alone, war and terror will dissolve. The painful conclusion is that social democracy leads to mediocrity, failure, unemployment, inflation, higher taxes and economic stagnation.

go and stand in the doorway, afraid of going in, and watch the Chinese people gamble with the tiles. We also had a black gentleman who came from the U.S. and settled here. He married and spent most of his time teaching us kids how to play baseball. His name was John Norton and I believe he did some teaching of school. We had five fruit packing warehouses and one cannery along the lakeshore from Main Street to the Prague Café. Penticton had a brothel on Front Street adjoining the B.C. Hotel and the ladies were always kind to us kids looking for cookies. We probably filled a need in their own lives. Well, as usual, I have strayed from my original intent which was to get the town behind this creek effort. If done correctly and it looks as if it is being done correctly it will be

We as Canadians have an elected government that gives us the most stable economy in the world during a time of global economic strife. The perpetually outraged might want to bear in mind there are countless countries in the world which clearly lack meaningful, grown-up leadership. We don’t need to jump on the band wagon. Paul Crossley Penticton

Harper had his chance

My favourite definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That’s why I have to shake my head when Harper, “the great economist,” tells us: “We have a plan and it’s working. Now is not the time to change governments.” Harper has been in power for nearly 10 years. The “plan” is glaringly not working (except in Harper’s propaganda factory). He didn’t see the 2008 recession coming and he’s in denial about the recession we’re in right now. If the economy was doing well would Penticton city council be so desperate as to give away park land just to bring in a few dollars? Harper has had his chance. Please do not give him another four years. That truly would be insane. Bob Nicholson Penticton

Thumbs up and down

Thumbs down to the people who keep on watering even though we have a level 4 drought plus fires and smoke. Thumbs up to the fire fighters who are risking their lives in B.C. and States. Janice Dumka Penticton

an oasis of serenity in the middle of the city and a wonderful place to walk or sit and enjoy just the sounds of nature. I don’t think we should get upset about the lack of jobs. Leaving to find work makes it possible to come back to stay, but it behooves we permanent people to make sure we don’t trade away the things they are coming back for. There is no reason that visitors will not decide to stay or come back and our city will grow with the assets it already owns. Other cities cannot buy the natural beauty, calmness, and temperatures that are here. The world is in chaos and it can encompass our valley but in the meantime we should all be doing everything we can to preserve what we have. Warren A. Kaines Penticton

That artwork makes me smile and put on a happy face each time I turn down into Kaleden. What a lovely green village Kaleden is; the art work fits right in. The children should be rightly proud of their creations. And I am sure, the walkway is something the residents are proud of too. To the lady who organized this, and the children, those budding artists who created the banners, I say thank-you. What a splendid idea and effort.

Kudos Kaleden

I have not been to Kaleden in years, but now that our son, Gord and wife, Kerry are the new lease holders of Kaleden General Store, we make trips out frequently for a visit and a coffee or a soft ice-cream cone. But what I wanted to share with you is the children’s art work banners hanging from the Fortis poles all along the new walkway on Lakehill Road. They are displayed from Highway 97 through to the school on Linden Ave.

Donna Schellenberg Penticton

Reader’s poll at

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Will Challenge Penticton become an economic driver for the area like Ironman was? Results: 1. No — 67.5%

2 1

2. Yes — 32.5%

We want to hear from you The Penticton Western News welcomes letters to the editor for publication. We suggest a maximum length of 400 words and reserve the right to edit letters for length, brevity, clarity, legality, abusive language, accuracy and good taste. All published letters remain the property of the Penticton Western News, which is the sole judge of suitability for publication. Letters must include the writer’s address and daytime phone number, which will not be published. Letters should be signed with the writer’s full name and be sent by e-mail to letters@ pentictonwesternnews. com; mailed to the Penticton Western News, 2250 Camrose St., Penticton, B.C., V2A 8R1; or faxed to 250-492-9843.

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Search and rescue on the hunt for new recruits Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

If coming to the rescue of those in distress is something you are interested in, Penticton Search and Rescue (PENSAR) may have a spot for you. The volunteer group is looking at adding 1014 recruits to their roster of 34, coming off one of their busiest years to date. An open house on Sept. 5 at 251 Dawson Avenue from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. will show those

interested the ropes. “This year we’re looking for more volunteers because this past year has been our busiest year,” said Randy Brown, public relations officer for Penticton Search and Rescue. On average, PENSAR is sent out on 3032 operations or “task days,” this year crews have responded to about 45. The crews in Penticton also assist other teams in the Okanagan including Kelowna, Vernon, Keremeos and

Princeton. “The open house this weekend is to encourage people who are outdoor enthusiasts and want to join a team that’s dynamic if they have some time available to contribute,” Brown said. Volunteers will assist PENSAR in medical evacuations in the backcountry areas of the Okanagan. The open house will display the technical side of things relating to ground search and rescue, rope rescues as well

as boat and helicopter rescue teams. Potential candidates will be given an overview of what PENSAR is all about and outline training requirements. Candidates will also be shown some of the basic equipment involved in PENSAR operations, and what they will have to provide themselves for equipment. “The ideal candidate is somebody who number one has an interest and number two is committed to the training,”

Brown said. Those who are chosen out of the selection process will have to complete a 75-hour ground search and rescue course. “We’re looking at somebody who is going to be committed to taking that training this fall,” Brown said. “It covers a wide range of things from survival to tracking, map and compass and rope rescue skills. There’s a wide range of areas that we teach people.”

... the police and ambulance really depend on us ... — Randy Brown

Brown added they are searching for people with first aid training, however PENSAR will provide first aid training as well. Another key trait PENSAR is looking for is availability, being able to spend the time on different tasks the crews take on, including helping with emergencies. PENSAR crews were recently tasked with aiding evacuation efforts in Oliver due to the wildfires. “We do things like that, besides the basic search and rescue stuff we help out with evacuations or support local governments in times of emergencies,” Brown said. Aside from the open house, PENSAR is also looking to recruit funding partners. “A lot of people think that we’re 100 per cent wholly government funded. It’s not the case. We get a small grant from the Regional District, but our opera-

tion budget is $60,000$65,000 a year to keep the doors open,” Brown said. “We’re really wholly dependent on community support and donations. It’s amazing how many people don’t know it.” PENSAR is looking at maintaining sustainable funding throughout the community. Brown said hot dog sale-style fundraising efforts are not very practical for the volunteers who spend much of their time training and gaining qualifications. “People don’t have a lot of time to do the fundraising traditionally,” Browns said. “I’d rather have people train, train, train and be ready to go.” PENSAR is looking at small businesses to support their efforts with nominal fees, however the plan isn’t concrete as of yet. Brown said he would like a global community to support PENSAR, not just a select few. Brown said that PENSAR is a positive addition to the community. “If anybody gets injured they call us, we won’t charge you a fee or anything for it,” Brown said. “We just get out there and do it, so the police and ambulance really depend on us to respond with people who are well trained.”

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own.” In addition to the willingness of Cuban people to utilize any instrument that’s available, Michaels said he was also impressed by their skills. “They are extremely educated musically – for their ages, I found the capabilities superior to what I saw in Canada.” During that trip, he befriended some Cuban musicians and now visits the country regularly to perform. He said Cuban people and culture have been extremely influential on his music. Throughout all of his experiences, Michaels said his flamenco sound has grown to dabble in the genres of jazz, alternative rock, and reggae. “Everything’s kind of blended in there.” While flamenco is taken to a deeper level within other cultures, Michaels said his style is palatable for the average person. “Hardcore flamenco can get somewhat intense, and unless you understand the culture

and energy of it, it’s kind of like trying to understand the flavour of jazz music and classical.” But audiences don’t need to be flamenco connoisseurs to enjoy his music. “My songs include a modern flavour with modern influences – not that I try to do it, that’s what happens spontaneously.” By absorbing every flavour of music that intrigues him, Michaels is never short on new ideas. “I like the freshness of keeping it new and innovative, and then adapt my own personal styles to it.” His shows both begin at 8 p.m. at the Dream Cafe on Sept. 4 and 5. Tickets cost $32 and can be purchased by calling 250-490-9012. “It’s always a fun, intimate show with a great audience,” he said. “I’m planning to come a few days early and stay a little after just to kind of roam around the area.”

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A&E Editor: Dan Walton • Phone: 492-3636 ext. 218 E-mail: arts@pentictonwesternnews.com

Musical mosaic coming to Dream Dan Walton

Western News Staff

The globally influenced music of Robert Michaels is ready to be heard at the Dream Café. As a first-generation Canadian, Michaels was raised by Italian parents in Toronto. That upbringing surrounded him in his early years with classical and European music, though he soon found out about popular North American music through television and radio. “As a kid I wanted to play rock ‘n’ roll like most kids do, but as I got older I started to appreciate more of a world music sound,” he said. Another way he was able to expand his musical worldliness was though his first guitar teacher, who demonstrated the allure of classical music. It was still a few more years before Michaels embraced the flamenco style of guitar – which has been his

signature style throughout his career. “Classical really ended up helping me with flamenco; I was utilizing a lot of the same right-hand techniques as far as finger picking goes.” His musical abilities had more flavour added to them while studying a jazz program at Humber College in Toronto. A couple of years following graduation, in the early 1980s, he travelled to Cuba and steeped himself in that country’s methods of music-making. “I was extremely blown away by some of the Cuban musicians,” he said. “They had these inferior instruments – I guess they were the North American rejects. Instruments that, at the time, you would buy from Sears catalogues. Now I know what they did with all their stock that didn’t sell – they shipped it off to Cuba.” But regardless of how low quality the instruments were by Canadian standards, the

Flamenco guitarist Robert Michaels will be bringing his cultured style of music to the Dream Café on Sept. 3 and 4.

Photo contributed

Cuban musicians had no trouble making them sing. “That was a big les-

son I learned: music doesn’t come from the instrument, it comes from the person,” he

said. “That really woke me up to realize that it’s all about how you play, not what instrument you

Radio jockey to Local author pens parenting publication leave Penticton Dan Walton

Dan Walton

Western News Staff

SoCountry hit the ground running after launching three years ago in Penticton, but its time for the founder and its most popular host, Dennis Walker, to head Kootenay-bound and take the next step in his career. Walker will be filling the role of morning show host at the new Clear Sky Broadcasting station is Cranbrook. And while his full-time radio duties will be diverted east, Walker will continue to voice and produce Okanagan features from the Kootenays. In his three years overseeing the operations of SoCountry, the efforts of Walker and SoCountry have been recognized by the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards, the BCFGA - BC Fruit Growers, and Okanagan Life Magazine’s ‘Best of’ awards. He has accepted the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service. Before embarking upon SoCountry, Walker was named Penticton’s Man of the Year in 2003. Relocating alongside him will be his wife Jeab, who’s an employee of Interior Health. In Walker’s absence SoCountry will continue to operate with its regular features the team of cohosts that Walker recruited. The station can be enjoyed anytime online at SoCountry.ca.

Western News Staff

The invaluable experience of a local author is being shared to help all parents with the acutely complicated task of raising children. Brenda Fisher-Barber has 35 years of experience in childhood development. She’s well-known among the parenting community for instructing workshops and seminars; working as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) instructor at Okanagan College; writing an advice column; as well as raising her own child. By expanding her advice column into a four part series, Fisher-Barber is preparing for the release of Dear Ms. Barber: Managing Children’s Behavior Volume I. Much of the content incorporated is based on the ECE curriculum. The public’s first chance to get a copy will be out from of Hooked on Books

during the Penticton Farmer’s Market on Sept. 5. The book address 12 of the most common parent challenges, and how best to deal with them in 2015. One issue that parents are often distraught over is whether choosing to spank produces better outcomes. “For many parents and past students at the college, it’s a huge dilemma,” she said. “Some people who are parents now were raised different then the way children are raised today.” Fisher-Barber thoroughly explores the issue, but she doesn’t suggest one direction to be better than the other. “I give both sides and I also give a lot of supportive documentation on the positive and negative outcomes, and then parents can decide for themselves.” She said new disciplinary strategies have been developed over recent years which are advantageous for

parents and caregivers to understand. “It’s very different from any other parenting advice book,” she said. “It’s a nice, easy read. It’s written in layman’s terms so that anyone can read it and understand it, not just my college students.” In the chapter Nature versus Electronics, FisherBarber addresses the tricky balance of embracing technology. “Parents are always asking about screen time; how old should my child be when my child gets an iPad?” She said it’s also important to direct a child’s behaviour in the classroom as parents, and to work co-operatively with a child’s educator. “Parents are a child’s first teacher and a lot of educators forget that. They need to be supportive and understanding of the parent, and encouraging that parent to be their child’s best model.”

And whether at home or school, children who struggle with aggression or anger are beginning to use their teeth more often. “A lot of biting going on these days with the little ones.” Amid the ever-changing landscape of parenting, she also emphasizes the importance of many traditional family values, and how to incorporate them into our lives. “Getting back to having family meals in this fastpaced, fast food era is tough. A lot is missing from the family unit and raising our children.” While she self-published the first volume of Dear Ms. Barber: Managing Children’s Behavior, she signed a publishing deal for volumes two, three and four with FriesenPress from Victoria. To get a signed copy of volume one, visit her out front of Hooked on Books on Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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