Caledonia Courier, January 27, 2016 by Black Press Media Group

Inside

◆ TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT - pg 2 ◆ VEOLIA PRESENTATION - pg 3

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PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com

WEDNESDAY, January 27, 2016

NEWS BRIEFS Funding supports tackling racism in FSJ As part of a B.C.wide initiative, the College of New Caledonia (CNC) has received $20,000 from the provincial government toward the delivery of a local anti-racism project. The funding will be used to support the delivery of the Safe Harbour program to businesses, organizations and individuals in Fort St. James. After a successful first run, the College will once again be hosting workshops and training for business and organizations to better understand and celebrate the differences in the community. “The college is pleased to be able to offer the Safe Harbour workshops for the community of Fort St. James,” CNC Fort St. James Campus supervisor Ann McCormick said. “These workshops are oriented to diversity and workplace inclusion which participants will find interactive and practical.” “The Safe Harbour program promotes diversity and inclusion, creating a safer and more welcoming community,” Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad said. “The participation of our local businesses and organizations helps raise awareness and makes a stronger community.” See more on page 2

VOL. 38 NO. 48 $1.30 inc. GST

Tornado Hunter brings whirlwind of excitement to David Hoy Elementary School BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

He has one mission in mind: to find the biggest and baddest tornadoes in North America and head straight for them. But on Jan. 20, Ricky Forbes of the popular T.V. show, Tornado Hunters, headed for David Hoy Elementary School in Fort St. James. With his storm chasing vehicle in tow, Forbes arrived at the school and presented information about his show, educational facts about tornadoes and actual storm footage that he and his fellow storm chasers captured after an incredibly successful storm chasing season. “I love this. I can’t see myself doing anything else right now”, the 29 year old Forbes said. But the six-foot-five Saskatchewan native wasn’t always busy chasing tornados. After high school, Forbes graduated from the University of Saskatchewan completing his Bachelors of Commerce degree with a major in finance. But after a while, he traded in his suit and tie to pursue his passion and love for adventure. “When I saw and felt that first tornado that was it. I was hooked,” Forbes said. When not chasing tornados with his fellow chasers, Greg Johnson and Chris Chittick, Forbes keeps busy by jumping his dirt bike, falling out of a plane, dropping cliffs on his snowboard or trying to find the biggest jumps on his snowmobile. His dream of getting up close and personal with tornados came true in 2012 when the first season of Tornado Hunters was first aired. Since then, Ricky has driven over 250,000 km crossing three provinces and 25 states catching over 75 tornadoes. The students at David Hoy were thrilled to hear Forbes as he spoke about hitting ditches and dodging debris as he navigates through each storm he and his fellow chasers encounter. “It’s very exciting, Richard Gratz, a teacher at David Hoy said. “It’s not every day we have a celebrity like this visit Fort St. James.” For more information about Tornado Hunters visit: www.tornadohunter.ca

Students at David Hoy Elementary School are excited to catch a glimpse of the Tornado Hunter vehicle.

Ricky Forbes from the popular T.V. show, Tornado Hunters, visits David Hoy Elementary School in Fort St. James.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Caledonia Courier

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NEWS Fort St. James RCMP are stepping up traffic enforcement Courier

logging trucks for speeding. Notice and orders for deficiencies were also issued to drivers. The Fort St. James RCMP is partnering up with RCMP North District Traffic Services, Commercial Vehicle Inspectors and other agencies to conduct random enforcement initiatives in the coming weeks. “Please slow down and drive to the road conditions. Personal vehi-

cles are no match for the large commercial vehicles as witnessed on December 7, 2015 on Tachie Road with the loss of a life. Road safety is all of our responsibility.” stated Sgt. Poppy Hallam of the Fort St. James Detachment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sgt. Poppy Hallam of the Fort St. James RCMP Detachment.

Funding supports tackling racism in Fort St. James From front CNC is one of 14 B.C.-based organizations that are sharing nearly $263,000 from the provincial government in the latest round of grants to fund local antiracism projects. These anti-racism projects include community events, works of art, theatre productions and a variety of other forms of community engagement designed to fight racism. In November 2015, the B.C. government announced it had provided $240,000 to 14 organizations belonging to the Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) network to support the work they do to address racism in B.C. British Columbia is Canada’s most ethnically diverse province, with almost 30 per cent of residents having emigrated from another country.

Cst. Mark Hilland, Fort St. James RCMP stepping up traffic enforcement on Tachie Road. Photo submitted by Poppy Hallam from the Fort St. James RCMP Detachment

Fort St. James RCMP have received an increase in the number of complaints regarding speeding vehicles including logging trucks and unsafe passing on Tachie Road and Highway 27 north of Fort St. James. In one day, three people con-

tacted the Fort St. James Detachment to report unsafe driving on Tachie Road. Some complaints included small commercial vehicles passing when unsafe and at high rates of speed, loaded logging trucks hugging the centre line with their trailers encroach-

ing into on-coming lanes, logging trucks passing other logging trucks at high rates of speed. On Thursday January 14, 2016, Fort St. James RCMP conducted patrols on Tachie Road and within a short time, issued four violation tickets to loaded

District of Fort St. James Calendar Get Active in 2016!!!

JANUARY, 2016 SUNDAY 24

MONDAY

Public Skating 5:30-7:00

Municipal Website: www.fortstjames.ca

31 Public Skating 5:30-7:00 Novice Tournament

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nak’azdli

FEBRUARY

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nakalbun

Mixed Curling Bonspiel

Valentines Day 2 for 1 Ski Public Skating 5:30-7:00 Ladies Curling Bonspiel

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nak’azdli

Parent & Tot Skating 3:45-5pm Lunch Program @ The Anglican Church

2 Parent & Tot Skating 3:45-5pm Lunch Program @ The Anglican Church

Parent & Tot Skating 3:45-5pm

Legion Meeting 7pm

Lunch Program @ The Anglican Church

Women Connect NVCSS Boardroom 349 Stuart Drive 6-8pm

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nakalbun Hospital Auxiliary Meeting, 7pm

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nakalbun

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nak’azdli

9:30 Story Time at the Library

Public Skating 7:00-8:30 Mixed Curling Bonspiel

Green Energy BioMass Info Session 7pm @ Community Centre

9:30 Story Time at the Library

Mixed Curling Bonspiel

Public Skating 7:00-8:30

9:30 Story Time at the Library

Novice Tournament

SATURDAY

Public Skating 7:00-8:30 Ladies Curling Bonspiel

Dads & Kids Ski

19 9:30 Story Time at the Library

Ladies Curling Bonspiel

Onesie Ski

Public Skating 7:00-8:30

Poker Ride Zonnis @ Pope Mt Arts Centre 7:30pm

Parent & Tot Skating 3:45-5pm

FRIDAY

Parent & Tot Skating 3:45-5pm Lunch Program @ The Anglican Church

THURSDAY

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nakalbun Friends of Historic Park AGM 7pm @ Historic Park

22 Public Skating 5:30-7:00

8 Public Skating 5:30-7:00

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nakalbun

Lunch Program @ The Anglican Church

9:30 Story Time at the Library

Public Skating 7:00-8:30 En Point Dance @ Old Gym 6pm Music Makers 7pm Family Night Caledonia Classic Sled Dog Race Men’s Curling Bonspiel

27 Music Makers 7pm Adult Night

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

Fort Trap & Handgun Club AGM 7pm @ David Hoy

Fort St. James Curling Club: 250-996-7022

Men’s Curling Bonspiel Caledonia Classic Sled Dog Race

Winter Fest Coming in February 12 to 28 lots of winter fun and more. Looking for volunteers, contact the District Office 250-996-8233 or get your sport club or interest group involved Office: 477 Stuart Drive West

Telephone: 250-996-8233

Like us at Facebook: District of Fort St. James

Email: office@fortstjames.ca

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NEWS Veolia Fort Green Energy: Courier

Lakeshore Realty 376 ELM STREET Within walking distance of David Hoy School and Goodwin Park. Updates including bathroom cabinets and fixtures, kitchen cabinets, tile backsplash, cherry hardwood flooring, ceramic tile in the kitchen/dining room. Natural gas fireplace in the living room with marble tile and solid wood mantel, fresh paint. Workshop or hobby room with outside entrance and potential 5th bedroom located just off the large main entry. $227,000

presentation coming to Fort St. James BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

The Veolia Fort Green Energy Plant is planning to be ready for operation in December 2016. Plant Manager, Rick Peterson will be presenting information on Veolia on Thursday, Jan, 28 from 7-9 p.m. at the Community Centre Theatre Room in Fort St. James. Veolia, considered to be one of the leading providers of environmental solutions, are looking forward to the future in Fort St. James. Their mission is to resource the world in helping their customers address their environmental and sustainability challenges in energy, water and waste. According to Veolia, this means improving their client’s efficiency, better managing their water and wastewater and recovering resources from their wastes. How will this affect Fort St. James? Peterson says that the presentation will allow community members to learn more about the plant, the effects and affects, environmental issues and future opportunities. “It will not be a technical presentation,” Peterson said. “After the presentation, there will be a

Keep your home warm with some cost saving heating tips On average, British Columbians spend 60 per cent of their energy dollars on space heating, so it’s worth trying to heat your home as efficiently as possible. Hydro One has some helpful tips for you to consider: Make sure your furnace is running smoothly: • Clean the filter regularly to extend the furnace lifespan and reduce energy. • Set your furnace fan switch on “automatic” instead of “on” or “continuous”. Try these settings if you have a programmable thermostat: • 21° (70°F) when you are relaxing; • 20° (68°F) if you are working or exercising; • 18° (64°F) for when you are sleeping or away for the day; • 16° (61°F) when you are away on vacation. • You can also turn down your thermostat when your fireplace is operating. Fires can draw heat from the room through the chimney, so your furnace has to work even harder. Stop the drafts and air leaks by sealing windows and doors: • An inexpensive option is to build a barrier against the cold by sealing your windows with plastic sheeting. All you need is a hair dryer, double sided tape and some inexpensive plastic sheeting. There is indoor and outdoor sheeting available, so be sure to read the label. • If you cannot seal your windows, try hanging heavy drapes or blinds to help keep the cold out and heat in. • Rubber weather stripping is also an easy way to seal doors by creating a skirt on the door frame. More energy saving tips are available at www.HydroOne.com.

question and answer period followed by refreshments.” All are welcome to learn more

about Veolia. For more information visit: veolianorthamerica.com/

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

Environmental Assessment of the Blackwater Gold Project

Public Comment Period and Information Sessions New Gold Inc. is proposing the construction and operation of an open pit gold and silver mine located approximately 110 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof, British Columbia. As proposed, the project would produce 60,000 tonnes per day of gold and silver ore, over a mine life of 17 years. The Blackwater Gold Project is subject to review under both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) and B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Act and is undergoing a coordinated environmental assessment. Public Comment Period The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) and B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) are inviting the public to comment on the ongoing environmental assessment of the Blackwater Gold Project. The proponent has recently submitted its Environmental Impact Statement / Application (EIS / Application) which describes the project and its potential to cause environmental, heritage, health, social, and economic effects. A copy of the complete EIS / Application and more information is available online at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca and at www.eao.gov.bc.ca. A summary of the document in English or French is also available on the Agency’s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca. Submit comments from January 20, 2016 to February 19, 2016: By Online Form: www.eao.gov.bc.ca By mail:

By Email: Blackwater@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Blackwater Gold Project Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 410-701 West Georgia Street Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1C6

By Fax: 250-387-2208

Blackwater Gold Project Environmental Assessment Office PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9V1

The Agency accepts comments in either English or in French. Comments only need to be submitted once to either the Agency or the EAO to be considered for both the provincial and federal environmental assessments. Copies of the summary and the complete EIS / Application are also available for viewing at these locations: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Vancouver, B.C. Viewing by appointment only Telephone: 604-666-2431 Fraser Lake Public Library 228 Endako Avenue Fraser Lake, B.C.

Vanderhoof Public Library 230 Stewart Street East Vanderhoof, B.C

Burns Lake Public Library 585 Government Street Burns Lake, B.C.

Fort St. James Public Library 425 Manson Street Fort St. James, B.C.

Prince George Public Library Bob Harkins Branch 888 Canada Games Way Prince George, B.C.

Prince George Public Library Nechako Branch 6547 Hart Highway Prince George, B.C.

Cariboo Regional District Library Quesnel Branch 101-410 Kinchant Street Quesnel, B.C.

Information Sessions: February 2, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Nechako Senior Friendship Centre 219 Victoria Street East Vanderhoof, B.C.

February 3, 2016, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mouse Mountain Elementary School 266 Taluk Avenue Fraser Lake, B.C.

Information on the Blackwater Gold Project and the EIS / Application will be available at the information sessions, and interested individuals will be able to speak with provincial and federal representatives and New Gold Inc.’s technical team. All submissions received by the Agency and the EAO during the comment period in relation to the Blackwater Gold Project are considered public. Comments will be posted to the EAO website and will become part of the Agency project file.

Find quality employees.

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• Guest Editorial

The big perks of small-town life, Fort St James, from the perspective of an Irish city-girl Having lived in relatively big cities for 23 years of my life, moving to Fort St James came with a bit of a culture shock. I swapped student life and coffeeshop crawling in Glasgow, Scotland, for a little town full of logging trucks and cold white stuff. I knew that living in a small town would involve missing out on my favourite aspects of city life: noise and non-stop activity, regular retail therapy and an essential daily dose of Starbucks’ coffee. And yet, it has not taken me long to realise that Fort St James — as my introduction to small town life — has some truly wonderful things to offer. The novelty and new discoveries involved with everything I get to experience as part of my life here make it nearly impossible to feel like I’m missing out at all. Although I’d not object to a local Starbucks’ branch, I’m beginning to relish the truly unique joys of living here. One of the things I love the most about Fort St James is the way that nobody is a stranger. Or at least, no-one stays a stranger for long. I’ve lived in town for only two months and I feel like I simply

see the same people in different contexts as I go about a week’s activity. In a city it can take years to feel even remotely at home, and yet, I walked into a high school basketball game alone the other night and saw a sea of familiar faces in the bleachers. There are family reunions at stop signs and in the cereal aisle at Overwaitea. People become instantly recognisable by their vehicle and it’s totally normal to wave at trucks. You don’t speed because you know half the police force. After three trips to the gym you’re on first name terms. More than that, people in town are genuinely friendly. I shopped in the same supermarket in Glasgow for five years and barely saw the same staff member twice. Five minutes into my first trip to Overwaitea and someone had complimented my glasses and given me a discount on a loaf of bread. When people say ‘have a nice day’, I feel like they mean it, and if they don’t, they’re really good at pretending. The lady who serves me in the bank knows my name, and uses it, lots. You only have to leave your house to get to

know people in this town; a stark contrast to cities where the general mentality is to mind your own business and avoid human contact at all costs. I can understand the incentive for being kind here: you can’t avoid people. You’ll probably be back later for whatever you forgot off your shopping list. You’ll pull into the same parking lot, so keep your hand off the horn. Finally, Fort St James is beautiful. At the minute I feel like I’m living in a literal winter wonderland, and ski resort, all at once. Blue sky days are nothing short of heavenly, and pink sky nights are a masterpiece. There are wide open spaces and sky for days. There are snow covered trees that occasionally catch the most perfect hoar frost I’ve ever seen. There is the possibility of perfect silence, and perfect peace. You can get lost without trying and stand on unconquered ground. And everything beautiful about Winter carries the promise of a summer that will come (eventually). I know this town a little, and I love it a lot. Here’s to the next discoveries!

Look for us online at : caledoniacourier.com

Laura Campbell

Province files response to First Nations title claim VICTORIA - The Province has filed its response to the Tk’emlúps and Skeetchestn First Nations Aboriginal rights and title claim filed with the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Sept. 21, 2015. The B.C. Government will vigorously oppose a declaration that has the potential to create uncertainty over the land base and for private property owners across this territory. At the same time, government will continue to work collaboratively with First Nations to ensure they have a meaningful role in land and resource management, and that they share the resulting benefits and economic opportunities. While these efforts will continue, government must and will always defend, with conviction, the sanctity of private land and private land rights. The Province has been at the negotiating table with Tk’emlúps and Skeetchestn First Nations, clearly demonstrating our commitment to negotiate rather than litigate. We have been in discussions with both First Nations on a number of areas of interest, including their claim of Aboriginal title over land around the proposed Ajax mine site. We are continuing those discussions and are seeking ways to reconcile the interests of all parties. The Province is also developing a collaborative consultation approach with the First Nations for the environmental assessment and other associated permitting of the proposed mine. British Columbia environmental assessments provide significant opportunities for First Nations to participate, to make their concerns and ideas known, and to improve projects. These efforts will continue as we work through this court process.

E-mail us at : newsroom@caledoniacourier.com

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NEWS Fort St. James Syrian Refugee Group: Courier

determined to make a difference BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

The Syrian Refugee Crisis continues and members of the Fort St. James Community are determined to do their part, to help in some way through this most desperate calamity. Over 8 million Syrians have been displaced and over 4 million have fled conflict and poverty in hope of finding a better tomorrow elsewhere. 25,000 refugees are set to arrive in Canada in 2016. How is Canada helping these families make the transition? Can they adapt to a new community like Fort St. James? On Jan. 24, a meeting was held in the town library to discuss the opportunity of hosting

a family or two from Syria. Kelly Inden and Fatima Hatamleh facilitated the event that brought out about 20 people who were interested in finding out more. Hatamleh is from Fort St. James but she and her family are quite familiar with the struggles and challenges of coming to a new country. Having moved to Canada from Jordon, Hatamleh has visited there since. She has seen the impact this crisis has had in her own country. “Jordon was the first to open their doors to the Syrians. My own small town has taken in over 600,000 Syrians and this has affected electricity and water availability as well as

job security.” Hatamleh with her husband made the move to Canada in hope for a better future for themselves and their two children. “We are not refugees but we are immigrants. We wanted a better opportunity in Canada for our kids and we have found it here in Fort St. James,” Hatamleh said. “It’s so important that people here are taking interest,” she said. Hatamleh provided clips and information about the current Syrian refugee crisis including the basic journey of a refugee, statistics and the benefits they receive when they arrive in Canada. Discussion followed as various group members voiced their opinions and ideas.

Members of the Fort St. James Syrian Refugee Group attended their first meeting on Jan. 23. Photo by Barbara Latkowski

Father Frank Salmon from Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church is thrilled with the idea of sponsoring a Syrian family. “We will benefit as a

community if we sponsor a family,” Salmon said. Planning, options and fundraising ideas were discussed and the next meeting date is set

for Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. James Library. All are welcome. “Bringing up a family in Fort St. James is the best thing we can do because we can then see

the difference,” Hatamleh said. “And it’s all about providing these people with opportunities. That means more to them than anything.”

4-H Canada Program: registration underway in Fort St. James BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

The First 4-H meeting of the year took place on Jan. 24 at the Fort St. James Fire hall. Parents along with past and new participants attended as club president, Jaimie Fraser explained exciting opportunities, events and projects planned for the coming year. 4-H Canada is made up of over 25,000 members and 7,700 volunteers across the country. The program is centred on positive youth development. By providing 4-H’ers with mentors and

role models, youth are given the opportunity to enjoy meaningful, positive experiences that build confidence, positive self-identity, self-esteem and a sense of achievement. This year’s leaders: Jamie Fraser, Shelley Leatherdale, Valerie Crowley, Nancy Schlamp and Dawn Collins offer a world of experience and look forward to a new year. 4-H allows young Canadians to become skilled, engaged and responsible leaders who are passionate about making meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond. “It’s about learning to do by doing. This is our motto”, Fraser said. “We promote kids getting out there and doing stuff.”

In Fort St. James, which is part of the greater Vanderhoof District, 4-H council participants 6-21 years can partake in various projects including: communication/public speaking, photography, gardening and animal projects such as beef, sheep, dog and poultry. “Every project offers different units and each unit has certain requirements that must be completed,” Fraser said. The program also offers various activities such as camps, family days, and rally days where participants are graded and awarded for their achievements. “We are not competitive. We work on

Early Deadlines Due to Family Day Holiday (Monday, February 8th, 2016) Please note the following changes to deadlines. Omineca Express & Caledonia Courier February 10th issue DEADLINE: Thursday, February 4th @ 4pm.

OFFICE HOURS CLOSED: Monday, February 8, 2016

growth, not competition but these are great experiences for the kids,” Fraser said. 4-H also offers participants the opportunity to apply for various scholarships and their involvement can also be applied towards high school credits. Cost of the program covers insurance, regional program fees and administration including manuals. The program runs from January to August and meetings are held once a month with project meetings in between. Registration deadline is Feb. 15. For more information about 4-H visit: https://4-h-canada.ca/about-4-h

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Caledonia Courier

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Courier

NEWS

Taekwondo Junior Dragons rising to the top BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

They might be small, but their strength and courage is not to be underestimated. Vera Poole, from Fort St. James Family Taekwondo was thrilled to host the first Junior Dragons Skills test. Children ages 3-6 yrs brought their best moves forward at Energy Connection Limited on Feb. 16. “I’m so excited. This is the youngest group I’ve ever tested,” Poole said. The first time participants completed a number of tasks as they ran, jumped punched, kicked and

broke their way through plastic tiles. Families and friends watched as the juniors displayed all of the hard work that they’ve practised in class. Senior students also attended and helped their younger counterparts perform each assigned skill. All junior participants were awarded stripes. “Thank you to my senior students and parents for all of your support today. I’m very proud of the Junior Dragons,” Poole said. For more information about Fort St. James Family Taekwondo visit: vnsw@live.ca

Above: Vera Poole with her Junior Dragons. Left: Senior Students stood by the Junior Dragons after they received their new stripes. Photo by Barbara Latkowski

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Courier

NEWS

Two elite Fort St. James speed skaters win gold KEITH GORDON Two elite Fort speed skaters won gold medals in completely different circumstances on Sunday, January 17. In Montreal, at the National Senior Short Track Championships, Jamie Macdonald received impressive but non-podium finishes in the 1,500 metre, (6th) 500 metre, (5th) and 1000 metre (5th) races. Following these races, the top eight skaters raced a final 3,000 metre race. Here Jamie found herself lined up in a field with the best short trackers in Canada including three with Olympic medals and all with World Cup experience. The 27 lap race started slowly but after about 6 laps Audrey Phaneuf made a huge break and most of the field decided to let her go but not without Macdonald or Marie-Eve Drolet (who has six world championship medals and 2 junior world championships) who gave chase. The three finally managed to catch up to the lapped skaters ensuring them a “free ride” in the draft of the skaters who were behind them. But about 6 laps later the pack

40 skaters competed in the 5,000 metre mass start race where “all comers” challenged for the win. took off again at a furious pace and Jamie came close to being knocked down by a sharp elbow but she hung on and was able to pass Phaneuf and nip Drolet at the line for first place points. In Fort St. John Morgon Bennison completed a sweep of 4 distances in the Junior Male category at the Provincial Long Track Championships and won the “overall” competition. It was Morgon’s first ever gold medal at any level. He had the fastest times in the meet for the 500, 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 metre Olympic style distances. At the same competition, San-

dra Sulyma won an age group gold for her division and Aidan Duncan won the silver medal in the Age 11 division. Nyah, Connor and Tessa Duncan all competed in the FUNALE events with Nhah winning all her races. As the event concluded, about 40 skaters competed in the 5,000 metre mass start race where “all comers” challenged for the win. This year the event has been renamed the Randy Sulyma Memorial Open 5000. Randy was a Fort St. James skating coach who lost his life five years ago while travelling to Fort St. John for the championships. The 5,000 metre race was very exciting with Morgon leading many of the laps and then giving the lead up, getting briefly boxed in and then making a spectacular pass to take the lead in the last straight before having a worstluck fall. Everyone was hugely entertained. Sandra Sulyma (spouse of Randy) got to present the inaugural winner’s plaque to Erik Orlowsky from Prince George. It was a wildly successful windup to the championships.

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

From left to right, Morgon Bennison and Aidan Duncan celebrate their winnings. Photo submitted by Eileen Bennison

Celebrate

Presented by:

PRINCE GEORGE Winter Festival

February 5-14, 2016 10 days of winter festivities!

PLUS a Plaza Party on Feb 13th including: + Concerts on the BCLC Centre Stage + Free admission to Two Rivers Gallery + Food trucks + Fireworks

For a full list of events visit

www.celebratepg.com #celebratepg

COMING EVENTS... Will appear as space is available, free of charge in this section. Coming events are available to non-profit organizations only. This area is not intended for thank you submissions or selling products. It is simply a place for nonprofit organizations a place to announce upcoming free activities. You can e-mail your item to advertising@ ominecaexpress.com or by fax: 567-2070. Your organizations’ announcement can also be dropped off at our office located at #111250 Stuart Drive, Fort St. James. Decision of the publisher is final. *** We are looking forward to the 38TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS!... Dates are March 7- 20, 2016 and will be held at Nechako Valley Secondary School. Monday March 7, Speech Arts. Friday March 11, Strings. Monday March 14- Thursday March 17, Piano. Please check the website at www. musicfestivalweb.com/nechako for program details *** MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE... advocating for better services in our communities, such as: housing, counseling, education and job opportunities. Meetings held on the second Thursday of each month via – video conferencing from the communities of; Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Granisle, Ft. St. James, Southside and Vanderhoof. 1:30 – 3:00. In Vanderhoof meetings are held in the boardroom at the hospital. Clients, family members and community partners are invited to attend. Your voice is IMPORTANT. For more info on the committee and it’s works contact: Heather @ 250692-7500. Or your Mental Health Service Provider

*** VOLUNTEER WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY!...Are you or anyone you know interested in becoming a volunteer? No matter your age or your interests, there are plenty of opportunities for you or your family members to volunteer within our community. At Volunteer Fort St. James we assist local non-profit organizations in recruiting volunteers and assist volunteers to find an organization(s) they want to work with. If you chose to become a volunteer you are in control. You get to choose the event(s) you volunteer for, how often you volunteer and how much time you’d like to volunteer. Volunteers are not obligated to volunteer for any opportunities, no questions asked. It is as simple as that! If you’d like to become a volunteer, when opportunities become available you have the option to be notified by email, or you can check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/volunteerfsj or stop by the Volunteer Fort St. James Office Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 – 12:30 pm. You can sign up today to become a volunteer at www.volunteerfsj. ca. For more information you can e-mail us at volunteerfsj@telus. net or call us at 250-996-8284 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 11:30 – 12:30 pm). *** STUART LAKE OUTREACH GROUP FOOD BANK SCHEDULE... is the third Wed of each month: 10:00 am to noon at the Food Bank behind St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, Stuart Drive. Volunteers needed. Call 250-567-6744. Food Bank needs canned meals, beans, stews, soups, tuna, salmon, sandwich meats, pasta and sauce, tea, coffee, toilet paper, canned milk, cereals, etc. At this time we have lots of sugar! Thank you for

your generosity. *** UNTOLD TRAUMA...author seeks contributions from nonFirst Nations students and staff who experienced Catholic residential or day schools abuse in Northern BC. For more info email Kathyhansen1@gmail.com *** FIREWEED STOPPING THE VIOLENCE & OUTREACH SERVICE For those who believe all is possible!...Provides free Confidential, Safe, and Supportive counselling and outreach services for women. Hours of Service: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and every other Friday. Location: Room 203, 349 Stuart Drive, Fort St James, BC Phone: (250) 9961214 Fax: (250) 996-7647 Email: fire.or@telus.net *** STUART LAKE OUTREACH GROUP... hosts a free hot lunch each Tuesday from 10.00am to 1.00pm in the space behind St. Patrick’s Anglican Church. Meals are served by members of area churches and other volunteers from the community. We wish to thank all those who assist by cooking, serving, and cleaning up. Your help is invaluable. We also host a free Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day to all who are lonely or in need. Volunteers for these programs are needed. Please call Gwen at 250-567-6744. *** FORT ST. JAMES SEARCH & RESCUE... New members are welcome, training is provided for more information please contact Paul at 250-996-7478 or Rod at 250-996-3231 *** FORT ST. JAMES PUBLIC LIBRARY HOURS... Tuesday 11:30-8:00 Wednesday 11:30-4:30 Thursday 11:30-4:30

Friday 11:30-8:00 Saturday 11:00-3:00 *** AUXILIARY TO STUART LAKE HOSPITAL... Monthly meeting 2nd Wednesday each month. Hospital Cafeteria 7:00 p.m. *** NECHAKO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY...Child and Youth Mental Health and Counseling Services available at no cost. Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Call 996-7645 for appointment. *** FORT TRAP AND HANDGUN CLUB... meets last Sunday of every month. Contact (Sue) at 250-996-7728 (h) for more information. *** MUSIC MAKERS...New members always WELCOME. Not everyone has to be on stage, there is lots of work behind the scenes. Call Heike Fonda at 250-996-7006 for more info. *** PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT...If you know anyone, including a child, who has been abused or harmed by a psychiatrist call the Citizens Commission on Human Rights at: 1-800-670-2247. *** AA MEETINGS...Thursdays at 8:00pm. United Church on 2nd Ave West. Call 250-996-8290 for more information. *** FIREWEED SAFE HAVEN...a safe place for women and their children leaving violence or abuse. 24 hour access - please call 996-8000. *** FORT ST. JAMES PARENT ADVISORY...3rd Tuesday every month 7 p.m. at High School.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Caledonia Courier

A8 www.caledoniacourier.com

Courier

NEWS

Things that are going well in B.C. Tom Fletcher Black Press In the early days of this new year, readers have advised me to do several things. I’ll go with one that seems relatively painless, embracing the “sunny ways” of our new federal government and seeking optimism in these fragile times. Tom Fletcher For starters, we have a building boom going on in the southwest. Here in Victoria, cranes dot the skyline as new residential-commercial projects emerge from bedrock, and hardhats are mostly on construction workers, scratched and backwards, rather than shiny and forward on politicians. Shipyards are busy, with Royal Canadian Navy work and cruise ship refits to reduce their emissions, plus work on ferries, tugboats and barges. Most of the activity is private investment, much of it in a hot housing market. Surrey has just recorded its second-highest total for building permits in history, a value of $1.46 billion nearly matching the pre-recession peak of 2007.

Thousands of provincial employees get a small raise in February, based on stronger than forecast economic growth in 2014. It works out to $300 a year for a medical technologist and $346 for a teacher. Health care costs are rising less dramatically. That should ease the crisis atmosphere at provincial and federal health ministers’ negotiations over the funding formula, taking place this week in Vancouver. Health Minister Terry Lake announced last week that the province is increasing funding for a promising program in cancer research, using genetic analysis to improve targeting for drugs to treat the hundreds of different cancers diagnosed in B.C. patients each year. The B.C. Cancer Agency’s new director, Dr. Malcolm Moore, oncologist Dr. Janessa Laskin and Dr. Marco Marra, director of the agency’s Genome Science Centre, described a world-leading centre of research that is reaching out to specialists and their patients across the province and attracting international funding and talent for groundbreaking research. Outside the urban regions, where retail sales and real estate mainly drive the economy, sunny ways are harder to find. The mining and natural gas sectors are in the grip of a slump in commodity prices, with more temporary mine closures expected. The forest industry is being helped by the low Canadian dollar and a steady recovery in the U.S. economy, and tour-

Justice framework guides action to address violence against Indigenous women and girls VICTORIA - Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton met with her federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to discuss key justice and public safety priorities and release the Justice Framework to address violence against Indigenous women and girls. The framework identifies priorities to guide jurisdictions, and their partners, in a more coordinated approach as they develop programs and initiatives to address violence against Indigenous women and girls. Created with input from Indigenous organizations and peoples across Canada, the framework identifies priorities for the justice system in the areas of crime prevention, law enforcement, courts, corrections, victim services and other justice services, with an emphasis on improving relationships between justice sector professionals and Indigenous people. At the one-day session in Quebec City, the attorney general shared views on the design of the national inquiry on missing and

murdered Indigenous women and girls and ministers discussed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, physician-assisted dying, financing an innovative justice system, cyber security and countering radicalization. Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton - “B.C. was invited to share its experience coming out of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and our government is committed to addressing it in collaboration with partners across the country and within British Columbia. The release of the Justice Framework is another step in making meaningful progress to create a legacy of safety for all vulnerable women.” Quick Facts: * Addressing violence against Aboriginal women is a key priority in the Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy - the Province’s long term strategy to prevent, respond to and rebuild from violence against women in B.C. * Following the Missing Women Com-

mission of Inquiry in British Columbia, the Province has provided compensation to children of the victims, helped improve cell coverage on Highway 16 by almost 50%, and brought in new tools for police to find people who go missing. * British Columbia provides $2.5 million in ongoing annual funding for services and supports to victims of crime and women who have experienced violence in Northern British Columbia. Throughout the province, there are 13 programs specifically designed to serve Indigenous victims of violence, as well as an additional eight programs run by Aboriginal organizations. * The Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women was established in 2011 to provide advice on how to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal women throughout the province and has worked on several projects focused on reducing violence and improving the lives of Aboriginal women. * Of the $5 million in Civil Forfeiture

grants announced in 2015, over $1 million was provided to fund 58 projects focused on supporting Aboriginal communities in their anti-violence and prevention initiatives * In August 2015 British Columbia announced $1.5 million in funding for Aboriginal organizations and communities to increase direct services and supports throughout the province for Aboriginal people affected by domestic violence. * With First Nations leaders, the Province is co-hosting the BC Family Gathering, a three-day gathering of

ism is expected to have another strong year as Americans take advantage of a discount on visits to B.C. Central 1 Credit Union broke down the regional employment numbers for B.C. in 2015, and found job growth in every region except the Cariboo. Province-wide employment grew 1.2 per cent last year, ahead of the national rate. That may not sound like much, but compared to Alberta’s oil-dependent economy, it’s pretty good. Construction of a new dam on the Peace River is expected to ramp up this year, bringing workers home from Alberta, and the federal government is planning to fasttrack its promised infrastructure spending to create work across the country. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett was in Toronto last week to ring the opening bell at the stock exchange with B.C. mining industry representatives. Not much sun on mining stocks these days, but Bennett’s sales pitch to an investor luncheon included reference to two more mines under construction in northwest B.C., the province’s Pacific Rim trade advantage, and revenue sharing with First Nations that is attracting attention of other provinces. The Conference Board of Canada has forecast that B.C.’s economy will “lead the country by a wide margin over the near term,” with unemployment declining in 2016. We’re at the mercy of global forces, but things could be a whole lot worse.

Search for stars in Fort St. James BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

Local actors from Fort St. James were sought out to bring a movie, Never Steady, Never Still to life. Those interested in making it to the big screen attended an open casting call which was held on Saturday January 23. The movie is a feature length drama that celebrates the quiet strength of the human spirit, dealing with issues of loss, masculinity and love through the lives of an 18–year-old oil field worker, his mother, who has been living with Parkinson’s disease for over seventeen years. The writer/director is Kathleen Hepburn who was born in Vancouver and is a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Writers’ Lab. Never Steady, Never Still is her latest short. Film producers are James Brown and Tyler Hagan. The film is currently in pre-production and the script was developed in part through the Canadian Film Centre’s Writer’s Lab. For more information about the film visit: http://www.experimentalforest.ca/in-development/ healing and memorial for families of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls (Jan. 31-Feb. 2).

OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (Across from the Petrocan Station)

SUNDAY LITURGY: Saturday 7:30 pm & Sunday 10:30 am DAILY MASS: Monday - Friday 9:00 am PASTORAL TEAM: FATHER FRANK SALMON 250-996-8343 SR. MAURINE BARZANTNI, SR.RENEE RICHIE, SR. DIVINA PEDRO 250-996-2275

STORY

NO. 6

This Newspaper. It’s a good read. When crumpled and stuffed in your jacket, it’s a good insulator. That’s what Bethany had to do when she lived on the streets.

This toque. It helped Bethany ﬁnd a better life. Buy yours at RaisingtheRoof.org or donate $5 by texting TOQUE to 45678. Help the homeless in your community.

THE CHURCHES OF FORT ST. JAMES

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, January 27, 2016

www.caledoniacourier.com A9

Vanderhoof celebrating 90 years Fort St. James celebrating 210 years

The Depression was a good time in the Fort From June 1986, Caledonia Courier Bruce Russell Sr. remembers the Depression era in Fort St. James as the best of times. He remembers Fort St. James in the 1930’s when a family was fortunate to have three meals a day on the table, even if it was only porridge. He remembers when the government of the town consisted of a Board of Trade, one police officer and one game warden. He remembers when the 60 foot trees on the property he purchased in 1938 were mere seedlings. He remembers when life in Fort St. James was harder, simpler, and in his opinion, better. In 1924, Russell’s father a harness maker in Edmonton, heard word that there was money to be made in the Nechako Valley. He moved his family to the region, where they would spend the winter months in Vanderhoof and the summers in Fort St. James. Russell took his formal schooling by correspondence until Grade 11 and in 1931 he entered the work force. “I did a combination of anything I could do; I worked at the lodge, babysat, played an accordion at dances, just about anything I could find,” he says.

In 1934, Russell met his wife Peggy Turnbull. The responsibility of supporting a family pressed him to find more permanent work, and he was hired at the Department of Highways, where he “did everything.” After four years of developing Fort St. James area highways, Russell turned to the Shell Oil Company, where he would work for 18 years while doing a little trucking “on the side”. “I eventually got a truck -- I hauled anything and everything...groceries, fuel. I trucked north for 120 miles, before the highways.” Russell remembers the early days of Fort St. James as good years, although the residents there (approximately 70 white people in the period to which he refers) did not have much to their names or pocket-books. “We were never poor, but we never had any money. We were always healthy, always had a little on the table..for that we always felt fortunate.” He adds that it all depends on one’s definition of poor. “(The Depression) was the best time people ever had -- everyone was on a similar level.” The “same level” was defined in part by a monetary system that was a far cry from today’s paper legacy. Russell remembers

when everyone had a garden and when it was commonplace to be paid off for odd jobs with fruits, vegetables or meat. No one looked down at anyone, he remembers, except when they deviated from the status quo of the moral majority. “Drunks at dances were thrown out... and if a man came in with another man’s wife he was flattened. Some people were chased right out of town,” he says, adding: “It was good.” Russell remembers the 30’s as a time when “you appreciated every day.” Evenings out in the 1930’s Fort St. James were nothing less than “marvelous”, remembers Russell. “It was great -- you put on your snowshoes to trek over to a friend’s house and play cards and drink tea...You’d sometimes stay out till four in the morning.” Alcohol was usually completely out the question, reports Russell, partly because no one could afford to make it, and buying it was nearly impossible. If people had extra money, he says, it usually was used to purchase a sack of flour.” “You might have the odd drink on Christmas Eve or New Years -- probably about twice a year for most people,” he says. “You never had a beer after work or anything life that -- it would probably be frozen solid anyway by the time you got home. There were no refrigerators back

then.” Russell feels that if the quality of community life in Fort St. James has dropped since the 30’s, it’s because of alcohol. “There was never any vandalism, there was the odd murder, but it was always done by an outsider. Adultery was absolutely frowned on, and it almost never happened.” He believes family attitude against alcohol was a large deterrent. Fort St. James community spirit in the 1930’s was especially bright, remembers Russell. People were always willing to help each other out in a bind, and community projects, like the curling rink, were done by the sweat of everyone’s brow. “People would always give what they could give,” asserts Russell. Today’s Fort St. James, laments Russell, is not the same town as the one 50 years ago. Too much booze and too much money has resulted in a community with a much thinner lining. “People’s priorities back then were not to get a better car or take a trip at Christmas,” he remembers. “One of the main things was to have enough clothes to wear and something to eat.” Russell adds that he understands times have changed, but that people shouldn’t hold their breath that we will always be so comparatively rich.

Did you know.... 1972 A $177,000 project to expand and improve long distance telephone facilities in Fort St. James will begin in 1972 by BC Tel. Construction plans were announced last week. Work involves replacing the outdated transmission equipment now used on the Prince George - Fort St. James system, with a more updated unit. Related transmission gear will be installed in the Fraser Mountain radio site. The work planned in Fort St. James is part of a $10.5 million program to expand and improve telephone facilities in the north central interior of BC. 1977 Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) union, working for the BCR here are being raided by two other unions according to one spokesperson. The Canadian Union of Transportation Employees (CUTE) and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) have both sent representatives to the Fort St. James area in recent

weeks in attempts to persuade BMWE members to transfer to the other two unions. 1980 Tachie and Pinchi are slated for phones this year as BC Tel’s service improvements program reaches these areas. A $452,000 project will begin this year to provide initial service to the inhabitants of Tachie and Pinchi, north of Fort St. James. The project includes installation of special switching equipment and a radio system. Residents of the Village currently have no telephone service other than access by radio-telephone. 1981 The Necoslie Band Manager has released a report on the cost of the proposed gymnasium on the reserve. The total cost of the structure is estimated at $623,200. The Band has $400,000 available in a capital fund in Ottawa and hopes to make up the rest of the cost in volunteer labour which has been estimated at $145,000 and grants from a number of sources.

Mail not getting through Feb 17, 1977 The combination of energy restrictions and extreme weather conditions is beginning to have serious repercussions on second-class mail entering eastern Canada from the United States. In a nut shell -- magazines, newspapers and other periodicals are simply not arriving. The area most affected is the New York State - Ontario area. Trucks, which normally transport second class mail,

are prohibited from travelling on roads and highways which cross the border. In addition, international traffic at other eastern border crossing points is considerably reduced. Emergency measures to divert natural gas and other forms of energy from commercial/industrial uses to residential consumption is resulting in the temporary closure of some publishing houses including a major one in Dayton, Ohio. Others are reported operating

well below normal. Specific publications reported to be affected by this unique problem include: The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Newsweek, and McCall’s. Many others will be involved before the current dual crisis concludes. Meanwhile subscribers to periodicals published in eastern United States are advised that the majority of those publications are not being received in the Canadian postal system at this time.

Taken from the August 4, 1956 edition of the Nechako Chronicle on the celebration of Fort St. James 150th Anniversary.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Caledonia Courier

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GET FREE High cash producing Vending machines. $1 vend = .70 proﬁt. No competition - ﬁnancing and locating services provided. Full details call now. 1-866-668-6629 Website: www.tcvend.com

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CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canada beneﬁt.ca/free-assessment HAVE YOU been denied Canada Pension Plan disability beneﬁts? The Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help you appeal. Call 1-877-793-3222. www.dcac.ca info@dcac.ca HIP OR Knee replacement? Arthritic conditions or COPD? Restrictions in walking/dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply today for assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

Timeshare

COPYRIGHT Copyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of Used.ca. Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

ON THE WEB:

Full Time Permanent Wage $39.86 - $48.23 Over 2 Years Civil Technologist diploma required. Duties include surveying, design, contract preparation and inspection on principal projects. Must be proﬁcient with electronic survey equipment, and AutoCad 3D. Please Apply By February 15, 2016 4:30 pm, by Fax: 250-632-4995, or email: dok@kitimat.ca Visit: www.kitimat.ca

Education/Trade Schools www.pitch-in.ca

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START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765.

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Plant Accountant

SEE POLAR Bears, Walrus and Whales on our Arctic Explorer Voyage next summer. Save 15% with our winter sale for a limited time. Call toll-free: 1-800-363-7566 or www.adventurecanada.com (TICO#04001400)

Pinnacle Pellet Inc. Houston BC POSITION TO BE FILLED IMMEDIATELY Please send your Resume to Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. hr@pinnaclepellet. com. Only select candidates will be contacted for interviews. For more information on Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. see our website www.pinnaclepellet.com

Career Opportunities

Fight Back. Volunteer your time, energy and skills today.

HEALTHCARE DOCUMENTATION Specialists in huge demand. Employers prefer CanScribe graduates. A great work-from-home career! Contact us now to start your training day. www.canscribe.com. 1.800.466.1535. info@canscribe.com. MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit today: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career!

If you see a wildﬁre, report it to

1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.

Help Wanted

Fraser River Chevrolet is looking for an experienced, career minded

Automotive Sales Consultant to set and meet sales goals and to consistently deliver results in accordance with our high company standards. The Automotive Sales Consultant will sell our products and services through the achievement of opportunity-based sales quotas. This individual will also develop ongoing relationships with customers and continually maintain their respective client portfolios. Integrity, passion, and presentational skills are essential for this role. Fraser River Chevrolet Offers An Industry Leading Compensation Package, An Incredible Work Environment & Career Advancement Opportunities. Qualified applicants should email resume and cover letter with “Sales Consultant” in subject line to Shane Thon: sthon@shaw.ca

Help Wanted

School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) P.O. Box 129, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0 Phone: (250) 567-2284 Fax: (250) 567-4639 POSTING NO. 176E LIMITED DURATION AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS AND ARTS COORDINATOR

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DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condition is justified by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.

Become a GREEN SHOPPER!

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST II District of Kitimat

Career Opportunities

Fraser River Chevrolet, Quesnel BC is currently looking to fill the following full time position:

Certified GM Journeyman Technician Fraser River GM offers a full benefit package including; • Medical • Dental • Life Insurance • RRSP Plans • Competitive Wage and Compensation Packages Please apply with resume to Shane Thon by email sthon@shaw.ca – please include references and a drivers abstract.

LOCATION: David Hoy Elementary School HOURS OF WORK: 4 hours per day, 3 days per week (2 pm – 6 pm) DUTIES TO COMMENCE: Immediately – June 29, 2016 RATE OF PAY: $21.11 per hour as per the current Collective Agreement Duties and Responsibilities • Complete ASSAI reporting requirements and submit them to School Principal for approval. This involves mid-year reports and end of year reports. • Communicate with the Principal about the program on a weekly basis. • Advertise and actively recruit students for each program. • Support and encourage student leadership opportunities to enhance program delivery. Oversee behavior management and help sports and arts leaders deal with challenging behaviours. • Organize, oversee and help deliver healthy snacks to program participants. Qualifications • Completion of Grade 12 (Dogwood Certificate) • Emergency First Aid Certification (1 day/CPR) • Food Safe Certificate • Valid Class 5 Drivers license & clear drivers’ abstract • High Five, BC Athletics – Run, Jump, Throw Program Skills • Training or professional development and experience in the area of building rapport with children and young people • Minimum of 2 years experience working with school aged children and youth • Skilled at building connections and establishing trust with young people • Experience with administration and book keeping an asset • Possess excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills • Strong knowledge of local community • Ability to work in a team environment • Energetic and creative in working with planning activities for youth • Is physically capable to perform the job duties • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written, using courtesy, tact and discretion **Please note that this job description is a draft and is under review.** Please mail, fax or email resumes to:

Community Newspapers We’re at the heart of things™

Lynn Maksymchak District Principal – Human Resources/Leadership Development School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) PO Box 129 Vanderhoof BC V0J 3A0 Phone: (250) 567-2284 Fax: (250) 567-4639 Email: cupejobs@sd91.bc.ca

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Career Opportunities

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Plumbing

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FULL SERVICE Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1800-573-2928.

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MAKE YOUR POINTOF-SALE

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Advertise your goods and services in the Classifieds and reach hundreds of potential buyers daily. Call today to place your ad and make a sale quickly.

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DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN A Pest Management Plan (PMP), unique identifier # 2016-2021, has been proposed by Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Forest Management Group, Mackenzie Division. The Mackenzie address is: 1801 Mill Road, Post Office Box 310, Mackenzie, British Columbia, V0J 2C0. Telephone number: (250) 997-3271, Fax number (250) 997-2568, E-mail Douglas.Ambedian@canfor.com. Copies of the proposed PMP and maps may be examined at the above noted location in Mackenzie by appointment with Doug Ambedian. This proposed PMP covers Canfor’s managed silviculture obligations in the Mackenzie Forest District. The herbicides listed below are proposed for use within the context of this PMP for vegetation control. Application methods will include aerial and ground based. Application

Herbicide Trade Name

Active Ingredient

Usage

Aerial

Ground

Vision, Vision Max Vantage Forestry, Weed-Master

glyphosate

common

yes

Pesticide Control Products Acct #

This proposed PMP shall be in force for a five year period (2016-2021) from the date that the Pesticide Use Notice has been confirmed by the BC Ministry Environment (MOE).

Serving Fort St. James and area since 1972 Pam Berger Publisher

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A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the PMP, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

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

19899, 27736, 26884, 29009

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Caledonia Courier

A12 www.caledoniacourier.com

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Community Greenhouse keeps growing BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier

It’s said that as a garden grows, so does its gardener. Ron and Janice Atkins have come a long way since beginning their business venture, Atkins Growers Greenhouses, 15 years ago. The couple, married 47 years, admit that it didn’t come without its challenges and through trial and error the business has grown and has become a trusted member of the community of Fort St. James. Atkins Growers Greenhouses is now the go-to place for local gardeners, those just starting out and simply for those who share the same passion, growing. “We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t love it,” Janice Atkins said. “We are so passionate about helping people meet their gardening needs and helping them with any challenges such as growing the right plants, the right varieties and at the right time. It’s all about ensuring that the client’s needs are met and that means a lot to us, she said. Her husband, Ron couldn’t agree more. “We love to see people who share the same passion. We grow plants and we

love to watch them grow,” he said. And grow, their business certainly has. Ron and Janice have lived in Cluculz Lake since 1970. Today, with just under 300 acres of land, they have five greenhouses used primarily as growing operations. Two greenhouses are used for sales, one in Cluculz Lake and one in Fort St. James. Atkins Growers Greenhouses provide customers with a variety of plant and garden needs specialising in flower and vegetable starts, trees and shrubs, hanging baskets and planters. And they are always on the ready to offer any gardening advice. “It can be challenging because we have such a short season,” Janice says. Ron couldn’t agree more. “For a normal gardener, you are more than likely going to experience frost every month of the year here so it can be a challenge if you want to grow your own,” he said. Ron and Janice also provide larger than household needs including consumer retail, industrial, civic and commercial accounts. But at the root of it all, they are a greenhouse, not a garden centre according to Ron. So, how did the greenhouse idea come to be? “A sawmill business, Bond Bros., went out of business,” Ron said. Part of their business was a greenhouse. I bought it as a Christmas gift for Janice. It was disassembled and left for a while. At the time, we farmed cattle but then decided to sell the cattle and move on. This is when we decided to put the greenhouse up,” he said. Janice began growing and decided they had more than needed. “So, I started selling bedding plants to neighbours and that’s how it all began,” she said. “We were so surprised to see how many people bought our plants.” Life seems to have held many surprises for the couple who met in Toronto, Ontario.

Ron, once a credit manager for B.F. Goodrich met his soon to be wife who was a nurse at the time. He decided that he was in the wrong career and the two left the big city in 1969 and ventured off to B.C. They first settled in Prince George. Ron worked as a faller for the next 40 years while the two homesteaded in Cluculz Lake where they still reside today. “We lived without power and water for 15 years,” Janice said. “We were young. We did it and we enjoyed it” she said. Today, the couple are now ready to hand over the reins to their son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Tania Atkins. “We’re both over 70 now so it’s our time,” Janice said. “We can do some of those things that we haven’t had time to do. And we’re very thankful to be healthy.” If not tending to the greenhouses, you might catch Ron performing. He plays guitar and banjo and regularly sings gospel music at the Fort St. James Soup Kitchen. Through their business, Ron and Janice have had the opportunity to give back a portion of their profits back to the community. They have supported a number of causes including church, school, and seniors’ fundraisers, the local food bank and the Fort St. James Falcon Speed Skaters. Along with various business opportunities, Atkins Growers Greenhouses also grow tomato plants for the Mount Pope Greenhouse where Ron and Janice regularly provide gardening advice. Ron also travels to various First Nations reserves and delivers seminars. “There’s so much interaction there and it’s encouraging. I love it, he said. “Even though we won’t be directly involved with the business now, we will stay involved in this capacity.” “This business is a big job,” Janice says. “There’s always something to do. Heating the greenhouses takes dedication and waking up at 3am to throw more wood in the heaters is getting harder,” she said. But, despite their time being up, Ron and Janice have high hopes of success for Ben and Tania. Tania has just recently completed a course in horticulture in Kamloops. “They have the same passion and a new vision,” Janice said. “We want them to succeed and grow. We’ve had opportunities to expand but now it’s their time to seize these opportunities,” she said. Ron and Janice are deeply grateful for their dedicated and hardworking employees who continue to provide excellent service and advice, take pride in their products and have a genuine love for gardening. “We are so proud of what we and our employees can offer the community, Janice said. For Ron, it’s all about keeping people happy and his greenhouses seem to do just that. “We’ve heard customers say that this is their happy place and it really is a happy place to be,” he said.

John Rustad, MLA Nechako Lakes

Box 421 183 First Street, Vanderhoof Tel: 250-567-6820 Fax: 250-567-6822

Toll Free: 1-877-964-5650 Email: john.rustad.mla@leg.bc.ca Website: www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca