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Vedder Mountain residents claiming gravel win
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Robert Freeman The Progress The Vedder Mountain Preservation Group is claiming a victory for the public after a proposal to build a conveyor to haul gravel down the mountainside was withdrawn this week by the gravel pit owner. “I think the citizens realize there is an opportunity to voice their concerns, and maybe a responsibility to do that,” said Victor Froese, spokesman for the group. But leaving the monitoring of gravel operations to citizens is “not terribly reasonable,” Froese added, pointing to the “lack of transparency” and “lack of monitoring at all levels” the group discovered in its opposition to the proposal. The group filed numerous freedom of information requests, which resulted in the discovery of permit violations that led to a temporary stop work order in January for over-mining. Pit owner Bryan Kirkness told The Progress Tuesday that he saw “no end in sight” to the government red tape, and the resulting spiraling costs, so he decided to withdraw his application to the B.C. Mines Ministry and the Integrated Land Management Branch. He also said a letter from the City of Chilliwack to the ministry led him to believe there was “no way” the project would ever get the zoning changes it required. Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz said after the city was “accused” by the citizens’ group of sending the ministry inaccurate and incomplete information that could lead to approval of the project, a second “clarifying” letter was sent. Continued: GRAVEL/ p4
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Students and staff with Mt. Slesse middle school clean up the Rotary Trail along the Vedder River last week. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
RCMP officers ‘risked their own lives’ evacuating burning apartment Robert Freeman The Progress An early morning fire that forced the evacuation of a threestorey apartment building in Chilliwack Wednesday is being treated as “suspicious” by police and fire officials. The fire started on a secondfloor balcony of the McIntosh Manor at about 4:37 a.m. and the flames spread up to the thirdfloor balcony, but firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze before any major damage was
done, said Assistant Fire Chief Ian Josephson. However, smoke got inside the building and set off the fire alarm which caused tenants to start evacuation, he said. Two RCMP officers arriving at the scene heard an explosion, and started helping tenants evacuate the building. Sgt. Glen Carrier and Const. Pierre Boivin carried one 67-yearold woman, who had recently been released from hospital for hip surgery, down three flights of stairs.
“These two members went above and beyond the call of duty,” Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth said. “They risked their own lives by running into a burning building to save the residents of this building to ensure everyone got out safely.” Carrier and Boivin were treated on scene for smoke inhalation, and taken to Chilliwack General Hospital for observation. Three other RCMP officers, who had knocked on doors and helped others to evacuate, were also treated on scene for smoke
inhalation. Three tenants were also taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, and all were later released. Chilliwack firefighters were also praised for their “timely and effective response” to the blaze. “Having suffered through two acts of arson in this city in as many years, (it) really puts me on edge any time I hear an alarm bell ringing,” said Bergeil DeBungie, a resident at McIntosh Manor. Continued: FIRE/ p17