Boundary Creek Times, September 03, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

Kettle River Museum Presents

Tiller’s Folly FUNDRAISER FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE ROCK CREEK FIRE

September 11, 2015 Call 250-449-2614 to get your tickets

1.10

Includes tax

WILDFIRES

Times THE BOUNDARY CREEK

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

It’s hunting season, but the Southeast Fire Centre is asking hunters to avoid areas with active wildfires. P

VOL. 33 Number 36

OPINION

BUSINESS

Some apologies to the local people are in order regarding actions during the emergency, writes Fred Marshall. P

Kirkaberry Farms harvests its P haskaps.

Resilience Centre closes its doors

Wing Night

Wednesday 5 - 8 pm

Texas Holdem Poker

Thursday, Registration 6:30 pm

Karaoke

Saturday, September 26 8:30 pm Family Friendly • Rooms Available

250-449-2655

Boundary Creek Times Staff

Bob Bugeaud 250-449-1982

bordercountrybob.ca

KELOWNA (Wstbrg)

A doll named Diane Red Cross volunteer Susan Hodges travelled to Midway from Delta to help with the fire recovery effort. When she heard about fire-struck resident Terry Gentry’s loss of her favourite doll, Hodges contacted good friend and doll expert Carolynne Whereatt, who was able to locate one similar to that burned, which Hodges presented to Gentry at the Resilience Centre last week. Asked what she would name her new friend, Gentry smiled and said “Diane, just like the other one.” PHOTO: ANDREW TRIPP

As most residents who were impacted by the Rock Creek/Westbridge wildfire have now met with support agencies, the Midway Resilience Centre was closed yesterday (Wednesday). However, all residents will be able to continue accessing all the same services by calling the Red Cross at any time at 1-888800-6493. Residents can also continue their recovery process by confidentially discussing what help they still need with the newly-formed Needs Committee. The members of this committee will collectively assess the needs in the affected areas and decide how best to use donated funds and keep them local.

Committee established to oversee donations

An ad hoc committee has been (Area E director for the Regional struck to oversee the distribution District of Kootenay Boundary), of donated funds and resources for and Joyce Evans (Westbridge/Christhe residents directly affected by the tian Valley resident). While the committee is advised fire. The purpose of the Needs Com- by representatives from the Red Located in Westbridge and proud to service the area mittee is to help households and Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, Men1-250-446-6808 businesses meet their ongoing basic nonite Disaster Service, Interior needs �� in order to regain pre-disaster Health, the regional district, Habitat �� for Humanity and other agencies, self-sufficiency. The committee is comprised of it is the members of the local comLes Jackman (president of the Kettle mittee who (on a case by case basis) River Lions Club), Cathy Riddle decide on the placement of donated (Victim Services Coordinator), funds (keeping the decisions as loRyan van Kuik (Pastor of Bound- cal as possible). 0 24543 16681 8 It is the primary goal of the comary Community Church), Vicki Gee

loans for all purposes

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a new purchase or unexpected expenses. we have a loan product for all your needs

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mittee to meet immediate basic needs of those directly affected by the fire. The next priority is to assist with long-term housing solutions for those who are uninsured or under-insured. Thirdly we will work to help with other losses incurred by the fire. To donate, stop by the Green wood branch of the Heritage Credit Union or by mailing your donation to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (202 - 843 Rossland Ave., Trail, B.C., V1R 4S8). Please designate your donation is for the “Rock Creek/Westbridge Fire Needs Com-

256256 Copper, 76box #S. 100 630 -Box 17th Street, S. -Copper, p.o. 76, Castlegar, B.C. V1N Greenwood, b.c. voh ijo Greenwood, BC V0H 1J04G7 phone: 250-365-7232 Phone: 250-445-9900 Tel: 250-445-9900 Fax: 250-365-2913 Fax: 250-445-9902 Fax: 250-445-9902

Slocan valley 3014 Hwy 6, P.O. Box 39, Slocan Park, B.C. V0G 2E0 Tel: 250-226-7212 Fax: 250-226-7351

online: www.heritagecu.ca a

mittee” and include your full name and mailing address so your tax deductible receipt can be issued. While the regional district is handling the funds, the committee decides how and when it is spent. The committee encourages other collections of donations to either be forwarded to this fund or to be in communication with the committee. If you have any questions or would like to recommend recipients/highlight needs, contact the committee through Vicki Gee (250446-2042 or vgee@rdkb.com).

2 Calendar of Events

Boundary Creek Times Thursday, September 3, 2015

Page

263 South Copper Avenue, PO Box 99, Greenwood, B.C. Phone: 250-445-2233 Email: admin@boundarycreektimes.com

Be sure to send in your event information. This section is free of charge.

Tuesday, Sept. 8: West Boundary Elementary Pancake Breakfast at 8 a.m. Staff and students invite the community for this “Welcome Back to School” event. Thursday, Sept. 11: Celtic group Tiller’s Folly will perform at the Kettle River Museum (Midway). The event is a fundraiser for Rock Creek fire relief. Tickets are $15 and available at the museum. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20: Rock Creek and Boundary Fall Fair, Rock Creek Fairgrounds. Sunday, Sept. 20: Having heard about the fire in Rock Creek, Fraser Valley Quartet will perform a one-time-only, free concert. It will be held at Kettle River Chapel (1735 Highway 33, Rock Creek) at 10 a.m. The quartet is a southern gospel group.

REGULAR EVENTS: Mondays: Drop-in crib at Greenwood Legion at 7 p.m. $3 buy-in. Mondays: Girl Guides of Canada meets after school from 3:30 to 5 at WBES. Contact Janine Fraser at WBES or Linda Sheppard at 250-4431529. First & Third Monday: Midway Village Council meeting; 6:30 p.m. with a delegation or 7 p.m. if none. First & Third Monday: The Bridge Drop-in Centre in Midway is open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed on holiday Mondays, but will be open the next day on Tuesday. First Monday: Greenwood Seniors Centre meeting at 2 p.m. Info: 250-445-2290. Second & Fourth Monday: Greenwood City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Third Monday: Bridesville Women’s Institute

meets at 11 am. Info: 446-2210 or 446-2121. Third Monday: Frolicking Fancies – the Greenwood Red Hat Ladies Group meet monthly in Greenwood. Information Francine 250-445-6734; or Shirley 250-445-9908. Third Monday: Discover Rock Creek Society meeting at 6:30 – for location info phone 250-5280227. Last Monday: Kettle River Recreation Commission meets at the Little Red School House at 7 p.m. Info Bill Watson 250-446-2325 or Sherry Dalziel 250-446-2997. Mondays and Wednesdays: Boot Camp at McArthur Centre in Greenwood from 6-7. $10 drop-in or $60 per month. Info 250-442-3664. Postponed until further notice. Monday & Wednesday beginning Sept. 15: Country Kids Playschool 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Rock Creek Health Centre. For info or to register call Sara Eek 250-446-2202. Tuesdays: AA Meetings at McArthur Centre in Greenwood at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: Drop-in social at the Greenwood Seniors’ Centre, 9 -11 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 11 - 3 pm Greenwood Seniors’ Centre Thrift Store, 100 Deadwood. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Taekwondo at BCSS gym from 4 to 5 p.m. Open to ages 6 (with supervision) to 106. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Boundary Women’s Resource Centre on Market Avenue in Grand Forks open from 9 a.m. to - 3 p.m. Info 250-442- 5212. First Tuesday: Elks #493 monthly meeting at the Slavonic Hall in Grand Forks at 7 p.m. Info: 250-

The Fun Spot

442-2856 or 250-442-4276. Third Tuesday: Kettle Valley Wildlife Association meets at the range in Rock Creek at 7 p.m. Wednesdays: Writer’s group meeting at 11 a.m. at Bored Room Bistro in Midway. Wednesdays: Girl Guides of Canada meet at King of Kings Church in Midway, Sparks ages 5-6 and Brownies ages 7-8 meet at 4:30-5:45; Guides ages 9-11 and Pathfinders ages 12-14 meet from 6 to 7:30. Info 250-449-2309 or 250-445-9955. Wednesdays: Midway Crib Tournament – Bored Room Bistro, 607 Eighth Avenue, Midway at 7 p.m. Wednesdays: Senior’s Bingo at 1 p.m. at the Greenwood Senior’s Drop-in Centre. $1 admission. Wednesdays: Women’s Counseling in Rock Creek and West Boundary: Free and confidential. For information call the STV counselor at 1-855-4413131 or 442-3131. Childcare and transportation subsidies are available. First Wednesday: West Boundary Senior Housing Society meeting at 1 p.m. in Parkview Manor Midway. Second Wednesday: Boundary Citizen’s Patrol meets at Midway Senior’s Centre from 7 - 8 p.m. Info: Wayne 250-449-2191, Paul 250-445-2111, or Wolfgang 250-446-2455. Second Wednesday: Greenwood Board of Trade meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Third Wednesday: Rock Creek Women’s Institute meet for a potluck lunch at 11:45. Info: 250-4462454 or 250-446 -2608. Third Wednesday: Main River Women’s Institute meets in Westbridge at 1 p.m. Info: 250-4462616. Third Wednesday: Rock Creek & Boundary Fair Assoc. meets at 7 p.m. at the pavilion from March through November. Info: 250-446- 2465. Thursday mornings: Free Yoga Classes in Greenwood at the McArthur Centre from 10:00-11:30 a.m. For more information call: Diane at 250-445-

Times THE BOUNDARY CREEK

6364. Thursdays: Kinesiology at the old Kettle Valley School House from 9:30 to 12. Thursdays: Anglican Thrift Store from 11-3. Info phone Les Williams 250-445-2216. Thursdays: Quilters and other crafters meet at the Midway Senior’s Centre at 9:30 a.m. Come for coffee and bring your needle project to work on. Membership fee $10 per year. First Thursday: Rock Creek Medical Society meets at 7 p.m. in the boardroom of the clinic. First & Third Thursday: Food bank at the Evangel Chapel at 11 a.m. Donations welcome. Info 250445-2125. Second & Fourth Thursday: Kettle River Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. in the Medical Clinic boardroom at Rock Creek. Third Thursday: Founder’s Day 2016 panning meeting at 6 p.m. in Greenwood City Hall. Contact Janet at 250-445-6133 for information. Fridays: Bingo at Greenwood Community Hall. Doors open 5 p.m., early bird 7 p.m. Progressive jackpot. Fridays: Coffee at Midway Seniors Centre from 9:30 - 11. Fridays: Overeaters Anonymous 11 a.m. - 12 noon at St. Jude’s Church in Greenwood. First & Third Friday: Karaoke at the Royal Canadian Legion in Greenwood. 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Third Friday: Movie nights at Midway Community Hall; 7 p.m. Bring your own travel cup. $3 includes movie, drink and popcorn. Saturdays: Lion’s Club Meat Draw, at Prospector Pub in Rock Creek. Starts at 3 p.m. Saturdays: Greenwood Royal Canadian Legion Canteen open 2-6 p.m. Meat draw 3:30 p.m. Last Saturday: Karaoke at Hotel Midway – Hot-L Pub at 8:30. Last Saturday: The Bridge is open from 10 a.m. 12 p.m. Greenwood Public Library: Open Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat. Opens at noon.

CROSSWORD

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Quote of the Week: When someone tells you something defies description, you can be pretty sure he’s going to have a go at it anyway. – Clyde B. Aster Joke of the Week: A police officer stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street. “But officer,” the man began, “I can explain.” “Just be quiet,” snapped the officer. I’m going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back.” “But, officer, I just wanted to say,” “And I said to keep quiet! You’re going to jail!” A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, “Lucky for you that the chief ’s at his daughter’s wedding... He’ll be in a good mood when he gets back.” “Don’t count on it,” answered the fellow in the cell. “I’m the groom.”

Stay out of fire zones

Thursday, September 3, 2015 Boundary Creek Times

Southeast Fire Centre issues plea

Hunting season officially began on Sept. 1, and with it came pleas from the Southeast Fire Centre, asking that hunters avoid areas with active wildfires. Hunters are being asked to stay out of fire zones for their own safety and that of firefighters. “Hunting in the vicinity of an active wildfire could put the safety of fire crews at risk,” the centre said “and the burned areas also pose safety hazards for hunters.” In addition to the Rock Creek Fire, which has burned nearly 4,500 hectares but is now 100 per cent contained, there are several other major fires throughout the region, each attended by numerous personnel. These include: The fire west of Rossland in the Big Sheep Creek area is 190 hectares and 80 per cent contained. Today, 30 personnel and four helicopters are on site. There is an area restriction in place. The Deer Creek wildfire burning 30 kilometres northwest of Castlegar is 1,100 hectares and is 40 per cent contained. Twenty-nine personnel and two helicopters are on site. The 480-hectare fire burning on Mount Midg-

ley, northwest of Creston, is now 90 per cent contained. Twenty-eight personnel, five helicopters continue to work on the fire. The fire 10 kilometres north of Christina Lake at Paulson Pass is 320 hectares and 90 per cent contained. Fifty-nine personnel and two helicopters are on site today. The 1,700-hectare fire 25 kilometres north of Grand Forks in the Lynch Creek area is 15 per cent contained. This fire merged with another fire burning in Gladstone Provincial Park on Saturday, increasing the size. There are 62 personnel and three helicopters on site. There is a forest service road restriction in place. The fire 35 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook burning near Cherry Lake is 1,250 hectares. Fiftythree personnel and seven helicopters are on site today. Forest service road restrictions are in place. As of last Friday, 559 wildfires had burned 12,709 hectares in the region. Of those fires, 486 were caused by lightning and 73 were humancaused. Fire centre officials are hopeful that wouldbe hunters will respect their request and avoid areas where firefighters remain actively engaged.

Habitat also steps in to help Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC (HFHSEBC) has launched a campaign to raise donations to help the Boundary families who lost their homes due to the recent fires. HFHSEBC is now accepting cash donations and pledges of building materials or services for this initiative. The Rock Creek/Westbridge Needs

Committee has been formed to respond to the recovery effort; HFHSEBC will be a part of this committee and be in direct engagement as one of the stakeholders helping families who lost homes. Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC is a taxexempt non-profit organization. For information call 250-442-2722 or email bob.huff@hfhsebc.org.

Driver 75 km/h over limit

EHS attends to driver doing active patrols in Greenwood MIDWAY LIBRARY when he noticed a vehicle driving On Aug. 25, Midway RMCP slowly was weaving slightly and received a report of a possible imhad its turn signal on but not turnpaired driver. Investigation reing. vealed that the person showed The member pulled the vehicle all the signs and symptoms of an over and determined that the driver was imimpaired driver but was not impaired and was paired. diabetic. Emergency Health Services were called The driver was issued a 30-day immediate and tended to the driver. roadside prohibition from driving and the veDriver going 125 km/ in a 50 km/h zone hicle was impounded for a minimum of 90 days. On Aug. 26, a Midway RCMP member was It’s a scam doing active patrols and radar enforcement in Police would like to warn the public about a Rock Creek when he observed a vehicle going at telephone scam occurring right now. A person high rate of speed in the 50 km/h zone on Highclaiming to be with the Canada Revenue Agency way 33. Radar confirmed the vehicle speed of 125 km/h. The driver was issued an excessive speed- (CRA) is calling people demanding payment of ing ticket and his vehicle was impounded for a outstanding taxes. The public is advised to ignore these phone minimum of seven days. calls, as they are not originating with Canada Driver impaired Revenue Agency. On Aug. 29, a Midway RCMP member was

POLICE BRIEFS REPORT

Fire claims three lives

Three American flags serve as a makeshift memorial for the three Washington firefighters killed in one of the large fires still burning in the state. 20-year-old Tom Zbyszewski, 26-year-old Andrew Zajac, and 31-year-old Richard Wheeler died when their crashed vehicle was consumed by flames near Twisp in Eastern Washington. Thousands attended a memorial service last Sunday in Wenatchee, about 140 kilometres south of where the tragedy occurred to honour the victims. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

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Boundary Creek Times Thursday, September 3, 2015

Editorial

Times

THE BOUNDARY CREEK

A DIVISION OF BLACK PRESS LTD. Mailing address: Box 99, Greenwood, B.C. V0H 1J0 Street address: 263 South Copper Street, Greenwood, B.C.

Boundary Strong! by Pat Kelly I was contacted by Andrew Tripp last weekend and invited to share my feelings about the fire. For some bizarre reason I thought myself up to the task. My feelings are many and very mixed; it is difficult to know where to start. Obviously, not having been there during the crisis, I am in great danger of writing something which will offend or cause pain. Of course I am first of all very grateful that no lives were lost. Things can be replaced—lives cannot. But that statement needs to be qualified. While no human lives were lost, pets and other animals were. Homes are gone, and with them many cherished belongings. Once again, things can be replaced—lives cannot. So gather those you love close to you and cherish this opportunity to look into their eyes and hold them in your arms. I am grateful for the men and women who both fought the fire on the line and those who supported the fire fighters and the evacuees. Many of those who stepped up are my friends and former neighbors; and you dropped everything to come to the aid of others whom I call friends and former neighbors. For that I am eternally grateful and so very proud of you all. Someone wrote the phrase “Boundary Strong” on a Facebook post. True and even more true, because that which does not kill us makes us stronger. We are in it for the long haul. Take care of someone who loves you, and everything will turn out right.

Letters Policy The Times welcomes letters to the editor that are of interest to our community. Whatever the subject, there are a few basic guidelines to follow before The Times will publish your comment. – Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Monday for the following week’s paper. – One letter per person per month. – Letters should be typed or neatly written and present the issues as clearly as possible in 500 words or less. – All letters must contain the name, address and signature of the writer, and a phone number where they may be reached during business hours. – Anonymous letters will not be published and pen names may not be used, except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the editor. – The editor reserves the right to edit for length, clarity or reject letters over matters of libel, legality, taste or style. Letters published do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or belief of this newspaper. Send all letters to reporter@boundarycreektimes.com

Publisher: Chuck Bennett

Associate Office Publisher: Administration: Dyan Adele Stoochnoff LaRiviere

Reporter: Andrew Tripp

We want to read your stories As the Rock Creek wildfire approaches full contain- destroyed home on Bishop’s Bend might well have been ment, the rebuilding efforts of those impacted by the fire home to my small flock of sheep this summer had the begin in earnest, and undoubtedly there will be many owner not turned down our offer to lease the land. stories forthcoming of help given and appreciation reInstead, we were offered pasture further up the mountain, at the Hulme Creek home of our good friends Nick turned. This community has pulled together in remarkable and Sarah Bond. It too, was threatened by fire on that fateful afternoon, escaping destruction only fashion throughout this uncertain time, and IN FOCUS many quiet heroes have emerged in a number through the swift actions of retardant bombof ways, from helping contain the fire in its ers. early manifestation, to pulling together a team As fate would have it, the lack of rain and to feed and clothe evacuees while disaster reabsence of irrigation had forced us to move the lief services were being mobilized. sheep to Bridesville only a few days before the Their story will make a long article in of fire hit, likely sparing our flock and causing me itself, and is one that needs to be told again to tip my hat to the Chinese Zodiac. This, after Andrew TRIPP and again, as a sobering reflection of an event all, is the Year of the Sheep. that rocked this region to its very foundation, ~~~ though, through the efforts of these individuThe change in weather has been a welcome als, failed to crack it. relief for most of us in the area, but if the weatherman is I have assembled much of the background material re- on the ball, it appears we’re headed for a pleasant Septemquired for such an article, but would appreciate any stories ber, which bodes well for one of Boundary’s biggest annual you, the readers, have to relate. If you wish to be heard, events, the Rock Creek and Boundary Fall Fair (you may or know somebody whose story needs to be told, please have heard of it). contact me! The fair’s board of directors has worked extremely hard ~~~ this year to make the event one of the best fairs ever and, Mother Nature dealt us a nasty blow this summer in the despite the additional challenges the fire has presented, form of heat, drought and fire, but already she is showing they are ready to roll on Sept. 19 and 20. her lighter side in the very fields scorched by the fire. This will be my first time covering the fair as a reportLooking above the remnants of the first residence lost er, and I look forward to photographing people enjoying to the blaze, one can clearly see the ongoing emergence themselves again, doing their best to move through this of new grass, as regeneration begins and lush pastures are decidedly bleak period. promised. The fall fair will almost certainly put a much-needed In a personal twist of fate, the acreage surrounding the smile back on people’s faces.

Editor: Della Mallette

A division of Black Press We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

PO Box 99, Greenwood, B.C. V0H 1J0 Phone: 250-445-2233 Email: sales@boundarycreektimes.com

Annual subscription rates Local (West Boundary): – $40.00 (plus $2 GST) Elsewhere in Canada – $50.00 plus $2.50 GST Outside Canada – $90 (plus $4.50 GST) Canadian

Thursday, September 3, 2015 Boundary Creek Times

Opinion

Phone 250-445-2233 sales@boundarycreektimes.com

We must be better prepared

by Fred Marshall While the Rock Creek fire was a very unpleasant event, it was not an extraordinary one. With ever increasing temperatures, reduced rainfall and the absence of natural fires for nearly 100 years this fire was, in many ways, long overdue. Without the relatively recent intervention of settlers to the area and their descendants who have become ever more active and effective in suppressing fires, fires occurred on a regular basis, approximately every 35 years. While many of the earlier fires started naturally via lightning, many were likely also set by the natives to improve wildlife habitat, grazing for their horses and to stimulate berry production. Fire Events: Shortly after the fire started on Thursday afternoon evacuation orders and Highway closures were implemented. The three levels of the evacuation orders are Alert, Orders and Rescindment. They are set by the Emergency Operations Center (the EOC) under the authority of the regional district. The appropriate levels are determined in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Once set, they are administered by the EOC and enforced by the RCMP. The alert means that the danger levels are threatening and residents should be ready to evacuate and any animals moved to safe areas. The order means that residents must evacuate as there is imminent danger. While this is a mandatory order it is not enforced. If and when a person evacuates is, therefore, entirely up to them. The exceptions to enforcement pertain to minors or incompetent persons the evacuation of whom may be enforced. As the regional district is in charge of emergency operations, it has a responsibility to protect the people under its jurisdiction. By issuing the evacuation orders, they are fulfilling their due diligence by ordering the people to evacuate. Those refusing to evacuate inherently accept the responsibility for their own safety with no negligence accruing to the regional district

However, once a person leaves their property, they cannot return until allowed to do so via rescindment of the evacuation orders or ad hoc authority by the incident commander, the MFLNRO person in charge of the fire-fighting operations or the EOC. Unfortunately, on the Rock Creek Fire, the RCMP did enforce this order and some people were forced to evacuate under threat of arrest. One person, a female, was actually arrested and physically removed, in handcuffs, from the home she and her husband were trying to protect. Fortunately they were able to return a bit later and were successful in saving their house and several outbuildings etc. Both were well experienced in firefighting and had two escape routes identified in case their efforts were unsuccessful. They also had over 20 horses in barns that needed to be either protected or released. Rescindment: The evacuation orders are rescinded and people are allowed to return to their properties. Commentary: While the local RCMP may have had good intentions in enforcing the evacuation orders, they acted quite independently and with some arrogance and disrespect for the local people and without due regard for their rights. Such actions, instead of reassuring and supporting the local people, added undue anxiety, frustration and some well justified anger to their already stressful situations. This should not have happened; some apologies to the local people are in order. When evacuation orders are given, the rationale behind them must be well understood and they must be enforced with some discretion and not blind absolutism. As noted above, they are generally not enforced. On the Rock Creek fire, there were too many instances where people with legitimate reasons to enter the closed area were, in most instances, refused access without good cause Also, under subsection E of the Emergency Program Act the EOCs can “authorize or require any person to render assistance or a type that the person is qualified to provide …..etc.”

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NOTICE OF PRUNING

FortisBC Inc. has contracted Asplundh Canada ULC to manage vegetation near power lines within its service area. This work is necessary to reduce safety hazards near electrical wires and to prevent power outages caused by trees or tree limbs making contact with the lines. Clearing around the low voltage lines that deliver power to individual residences remains the responsibility of the property owner. For safety reasons, FortisBC encourages homeowners to enlist the help of a qualified professional when pruning near low voltage lines. Over the next few weeks, Asplundh Canada ULC crews will be pruning, treating and removing hazard trees in the FortisBC service area of Rock Creek/Midway for Midway #1 Feeder area. The work area is described as – North End of Ingram Mtn. Road, Kerr Creek Road on the North – Canada U.S. Border on the South – Kerr Creek Road on the East and Junction of Hwy #33 and Hwy #3 on the West. Every effort will be made to minimize disturbance to local property owners. If you have any questions about this project, please call Asplundh Canada ULC at

1-800-663-5860.

As a by-product of this work, free wood chips will be available in 8 cubic meter loads. If you are interested please call 1-800-663-5860.

Thank you for your cooperation.

• See BETTER PREPARED page A6

TAX SHELTER or EXPOSER? You have likely heard the news reports, as of late, in which a number of tax shelters have come under fire by the CRA. What has resulted are some rather unfavorable tax reassessments as deductions or tax credits claimed from the tax shelter arrangements are disallowed. Other than RRSPs, TFSAs and flow-through shares there are relatively few legitimate tax shelters available to help reduce your tax liability. Taxpayers should be aware of the criteria that must be met according to the CRA:

The “hallmarks” of a tax avoidance plan are: • Contingent fees for the promoter which are often a percentage of the tax the investor saves; • Confidential protection in which a taxpayer is not permitted to disclose the details of the scheme to others; • Contractual protection in which insurance is provided or a promise given in defense of the scheme should a taxpayer/ investor be reassessed and denied its benefits by the CRA.

1. The promoter of the “tax shelter” is required to obtain an official tax shelter ID number from the CRA. Further, your name and social insurance number along with the tax shelter number must be evident on the tax slip(s) you receive. This information enables the CRA to review your investment and determine the validity of any tax benefits claimed as a result of participating in the arrangement. Generally, a tax shelter is “any scheme where a promoter represents that the tax savings an investor receives will exceed the amount invested in the scheme.”

In recent years, charity donation tax shelters have undergone a fair amount of scrutiny by the CRA. Typically, these tax shelters provide the investor a tax receipt from a charity for a significantly higher amount than the original amount invested in the arrangement. The old adage “if it sounds too good to be true... it likely is” should be applied. Taxpayer/investors should be cautious when contemplating participation in such a scheme even if the promoter assures you that the scheme works and it’s been endorsed by other professionals. Taxpayers should note the following:

2. If the promoter does not register the tax shelter with the CRA and the taxpayer fails to file Form T5004 with his/her tax return detailing the shelter being used and how much claimed, then any losses or credits the taxpayer hoped to claim will be denied – even if they would otherwise qualify. 3. There are other schemes that may not meet the definition of “tax shelter,” but have at least two of the three hallmarks of a tax avoidance plan. These must be reported on Form RC312. Similarly, if they fail to be reported on the specified form, the tax benefits will be denied by the CRA and the taxpayer may be subject to reassessments for an unlimited time.

• The CRA doesn’t accept any charity donation shelters as valid, other than simple donations of flow-through shares in which the rules require that a capital gain also needs to be reported; • The scheme must be reported as a tax shelter on the tax return otherwise the donation credit will be denied; • Expect a fairly lengthy delay in receiving a Notice of Assessment as the CRA will first audit the tax shelter before issuing the assessment notice and if the tax shelter is not approved, the donation tax credit will also be denied; • Should the taxpayer decide to appeal the assessment and CRA’s denial of the donation credit, the taxpayer must still pay half of the amount in dispute while the appeal is underway.

In addition to the special tax shelter rules, the CRA can apply the general anti-avoidance rule to deny a taxpayer a deduction or credit that is part of an “avoidance transaction” which may be considered a misuse or abuse of the words of the Income Tax Act, Income Tax Regulations or any tax treaty. Simply put, most tax shelters simply don’t work anymore — keep with the legitimate tax-saving arrangements such as RRSPs, TFSAs and flow-through shares.

Boundary Creek Times Thursday, September 3, 2015

70TH ANNUAL FALL FAIR

Saturday & Sunday September 19 & 20

One of the last “true” country fairs! Global FMX Freestyle Motocross Show (Saturday & Sunday) CCR Tribute Band Willy and the Poorboys (Saturday) Lisa Nicole (Sunday) Devon Coyote (Saturday)

SOLID The Trips • Borderline Swing Band T! Les Folles Jambettes • Drifter ENTERTAINMEN Mutton Bustin’ • Children’s Petting Farm • Exhibits Talent Show • Food & Commercial Vendors Lawnmower Madness (races) • Strong 4H presence

ALL DAY RIDES, FOOD & LOTS, LOTS MORE!

Midway provided by

Rock Creek, BC • www.rockcreekfallfair.ca

Thank You

The Old Cowboy Ranch wants to thank all our friends for their concern. We are fine but a lot of our neighbours, clients and friends were not so lucky. To those of you who have lost a lot and to those of you who have lost a little this event has touched us all in some way. Looking towards clear skies tomorrow.

All the best,

Johni de Groot

& all of us here at the Old Cowboy Ranch

Old Cowboy Ranch 3 km north of Westbridge on Highway 33 250-446-6808

Better prepared Shortly after the fire started and was threatening homes and other buildings many local, and well qualified and well equipped residents expended near heroic efforts in building fireguards, protecting structures and helping people in need. Without their action many more structures and improvements would have been lost and the fire likely grown even larger than it actually did. Once they left the area they were no longer able to provide such assistance. The effective and judicious use of these people could and would have strengthened the efforts of the ministry personnel yet, although legislation allows for local assistance, it was never authorized. It likely should have been. Similar instances occurred when people attempted to move livestock, left their home to get gas for their generators or fire pumps to further protect their homes or just to get groceries and, with few exceptions, were not allowed either into the fire or back to their homes! If a homeowner was returning from work to their home and knew the fire was threatening it and that their spouse was there defending it, there are likely few people that would not go through the roadblock to reach their home and spouse and, if deemed safe to do so, stay and defend their holdings. Restricting people from doing so would be very inappropriate. Highway Closures: Highways 3 and 33 were closed at on Aug. 13 and the evacuation orders issued simultaneously. Highway 3 was reopened on Aug. 19 and Highway 33 at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21. While the initial closure of both Highways 3 and 33 was appropriate, both could have been safely opened sooner especially, and at least, to local people. Or both highways could have been strategically opened earlier to all traffic with pilot cars if or as necessary. It is incongruous when hundreds of firefighters, some of whom are on their first fire event, are allowed to travel the highways and local roads, often to protect homes and fight the fire when local residents, many of whom are very experienced, are well equipped and have excellent knowledge of the local access routes are not allowed to travel these same routes and/or protect their own homes. These highways are the life-blood of the local communities and the longer they are closed the more the affected communities suffer. People or contractors can’t get to work, residents can’t return to their home even if they left temporarily to visit a doctor or purchase supplies as noted above. Tourists and others who use the highway are either stopped or incur huge expenses to complete their journey. Local businesses can’t get or deliver product e.g. gas, oil, food, etc. For example, a local egg producer had to use prodigious efforts to get his eggs to market. Also, the longer properties are unattended the more subject they are to theft and/or vandalism. Unfortunately there are some very aggressive and brash thieves in the area. For example, as the ministry fire camp was being set up in Midway, some lumber stacked on site for their camp was stolen during the night shortly after it was placed there! It is also contradictory and incongruous when local residents are restricted from staying or accessing their properties with the intention of protecting their structures and/or animals while the ministry and the regional district support, with millions of dollars, the implementation of the Fire Safe program. Under this program, residents and communities are encouraged and often provided with training and financial support to “fire safe” their

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homes and property. The main objective of this work is to provide a “defensible space” wherein one can safely and effectively prevent their home from catching fire. If people are forced to leave their homes or prevented from getting to them, then the very intent of the Fire Safe program is thwarted as the people are not allowed to defend their defensible space. As noted above, the MFLNRO and the regional district, supported by millions of dollars, have contradicted themselves by not allowing the people to protect their homes as previously encouraged. Or, at the very least, they were thwarted by those enforcing the evacuation orders and highway closures in an overly strict manner. It is especially incongruous when, even several days after the evacuation orders were rescinded, that ministry fire personnel were visiting local people and advising them about the Fire Safe program and encouraging them to participate. Hmmm?

Work for local contactors: Before Highway 3 was reopened, several outside contractors were brought in and cut down several trees along both Highway 3 and 33. This work should have been offered to the local logging contractors who had the qualifications and capability to do so. It is very disconcerting to observe local work going to outside contractor when the local contractors are sitting idle because of the fire situation and highway closures.

Lessons to be learned: As with any disaster mistakes are going to be made; as noted above, this was true with the Rock Creek fire. However, beneficial use can, and hopefully will, be made of the mistakes by learning from them to ensure they aren’t repeated. Obviously the main jurisdictions involved in these events need better training (both in the relevant legislation and the application and enforcement thereof—especially the evacuation procedures) and more effective coordination and collaboration among their activities. Hopefully several information and debriefing sessions will be held to achieve such learning. These sessions should involve everyone involved in and/or affected by the fire and a summary report with recommendations prepared. We must be better prepared for future disasters. The climate changes threaten to not only repeat such events but exacerbate them. A flash flood and/or severe erosion events could easily be the next such occurrences in our area with more fires and/or a severe drought to follow next summer.

Summary: One thing that was very evident from the start of the fire and ongoing was and is the outpouring of helping, caring, giving, sharing, praying and loving given by virtually everyone in some way or another. There is no doubt that this approach will continue into the future and will always be here as an inherent part of our place. It makes one very proud to be a member of the Boundary community. Also a heartfelt thanks to the ministry-directed firefighting crews. They did a great job and are making sure the fire is out before they leave. Much appreciated. And not to be forgotten are the similar generous actions exhibited by the many outside people and organizations that came, some from considerable distances to help out. They gave, and are continuing to give, freely and generously helping in whatever way they can. Overwhelming and very much appreciated. They broadened the proud feeling to that of being a very proud Canadian! Well done.

Thursday, September 3, 2015 Boundary Creek Times WEEKDAY AFTERNOON

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SC Top SC SportsCentre SportsCentre (N) SportsCentre (N) SportsCentre (N) 16x9 Continuum News SNL “Waterlife” W5 Amazing Race Orphan Black Bitten News CTV Jeff Wall: In Book-Negroes News Incen Life Story “Home” Love Child (N) White Collar Hawaii Five-0 News Closer 48 Hours 48 Hours 16x9 Continuum News SNL “Waterlife” Machu Pichu Heartbeat Park Waterfront Cities Quirke “Elegy for April” (N) College Football ABC Fall Made Insider Entertainment Ton. Scandal Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Repo Repo Repo Custom Custom Hunters Hunters Bryan Bryan Custom Custom Hunters Hunters (7:01) The First 48 (8:02) The First 48 (9:01) The First 48 The First 48 The First 48 “Fresh Dressed” Forensic Forensic Forensic Forensic Forensic Forensic Funny Videos Assem Haunting Haunting ››› “Peter Pan” Jason Isaacs. Iron Mn “Captain America: Return of the First Avenger” ››› “The Avengers” The Last Alaskans The Last Alaskans The Last Alaskans The Last Alaskans The Last Alaskans Million (6:00) ››› “The Blind Side” ››› “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” Steve Carell. Two Theory News Wanted Anima Scream Bullseye Home Free My Giant Life My Giant Life My Giant Life My Giant Life My Giant Life Marshals (6:00) ››› “The Rock” (8:55) ››› “The Fugitive” Harrison Ford. “Happy Gilmore” Amer ›› “Class Act” (9:40) ››› “Back to School” The X Factor HZipzer Connor “Contest” Kenton Duty. ››› “Robots” “Stand by Me” Fam Guy Fam Guy Seinfeld Seinfeld King King “This Christmas” “Wayne’s World” “Austin Powers-Spy” ››› “Dumb & Dumber” Jim Carrey. “Born Losers” ››› “Mrs. Parkington” (9:15) ››› “The Pirate” Guy’s Games Chef in Your Ear Chopped Guy’s Games Cutthroat Kitchen Liquida Liquida Mantracker Dog and Beth Conspiracy Beyond Survival Mountain Men Pawn Stars “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” Pawn Alien 3 (6:00) ››› “Prometheus” (8:35) ›››› “Aliens” Sigourney Weaver. ››› “The Matrix Reloaded” Keanu Reeves. ›› “The Matrix Revolutions” Ghost Adventures Expedition Un. Ghost Adventures Ghost Adventures Expedition Un. Caillou Mike Big Max, Back Bubble Umi Band Max, Toopy & Keep Up Time/By Masterpiece Contemporary (9:35) “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” College Football KHQ J’pardy! The Good Wife Dateline NBC News SNL Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Beverly Seinfeld Seinfeld Mother Mother Wealth Wealth White Collar WBZ News (N) Two Two Beauty & Beast KTLA News at 10 News Two Arrow Person of Interest Person of Interest Mother Mother Mother Mother Rules Rules News Sports Honey. Honey. The Pinkertons Alien Alien Laughs Laughs (Off Air) Aikam Taur Lashkara Waqt 4 Success Vehra Joyce Jesse Alfio in Concert Austin City Limits Artists Den Front and Center Excused CSI: Miami CSI: Miami › “St. Trinian’s” Rupert Everett. Security Security Security Security Security Security Security Security Security Security

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