Kamloops This Week October 12, 2022

to Community Safety

to Accountability

to Fiscal Responsibility

DAY ACTION PLAN

Oc

Y PAG

2022

Council Calendar

The public, media, delegations, and staff are encouraged to par ticipate in meetings vir tually through Zoom or to observe through the City YouTube channel

October 18, 2022

1:30 pm Regular Council Meeting

October 27, 2022 (cancelled)

2:00 pm Community Services Committee November 1, 2022

7:00 pm Inaugural Meeting

TRU Grand Hall, 1055 University Drive

The complete 2022 Council Calendar is available online at: Kamloops.ca/CouncilCalendar

Council Meeting Recap

Sign up for the Council Highlights e -newsletter at: Kamloops.ca/Subscribe

Notice to Motorists

Please use caution when driving in the vicinity and obey all traffic control personnel, signs, and devices in the following areas:

• Lorne Street

Mt Paul Way to River Street

• Bebek Road Westsyde Road to Westsyde Pool Entrance

• Highland Road Highway 1 to Valleyview Drive

• Flamingo Road Highland Road to Glenwood Drive

• 12th Street

Tranquille Road to Kenora Road

• 6th Avenue

Columbia Street to Lansdowne Street

• Highway 5A

Rogers Way to Running Horse Ranch Road

To stay up to date on road work projects, visit: Kamloops.ca/Kammute

G O V O T E K A M LO O P S !

Today is the last advance voting day and the election is this Saturday, October 15, 2022. I t's time to decide who you will suppor t for Mayor, Council, and School Board Trustee Check with your local news outlets for information about the candidates These elected leaders make many decisions about local issues that affect you, your family, and your neighbours ever y day. Your vote makes a difference

Eligible voters can vote today from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at:

• Heritage House 100 Lorne Street

• McAr thur Island Spor t and Event Centre 1665 Island Parkway

Thompson Rivers University students, faculty, and staff can also vote today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during a special voting oppor tunity on campus On Saturday, there will be 16 voting locations across our community open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Find the one nearest you with our interactive map on: LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/Vote.

C U LT U R A L S T R AT E G I C P L A N

Sur vey Closes This Weekend!

The City is seek ing residents’ input to help inform the update to the City ’s Cultural Strategic Plan. This plan will provide direction on the development of culture in the city over the coming years I t is a comprehensive strategy that recognizes the diversity of the cultural sector in K amloops, whether it be amateur or professional par ticipants or small or large organizations from a range of different cultural sectors, such as visual ar ts, heritage, per forming ar ts, and cultural industries.

WA S T E R E D U C T I O N W E E K

October 17–23 is Waste Reduction Week, a national event that encourages residents to think about the social, economic, and environmental impacts of consumption and waste

There are many ways you can reduce waste, including:

• Reducing plastic waste by bringing your own bags grocer y shopping

• Reducing textile waste by donating unwanted clothing to a thrift store or donation bin.

Let's Talk K amloops is our engagement website where you can share your voice and shape our city Please subscribe to the project of interest to receive updates Sign up and speak up at: LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca

Repor t an issue: 250-828-3461

For after-hours emergencies, press 1.

The Cultural Strategic Plan, which was last updated in 2003, will clarify an ongoing commitment to enhancing cultural presentation, suppor t public access to all forms of the ar ts and heritage, encourage the growth and development of ar ts organizations and companies while also promoting the work of individual ar tists, and suppor t marketing and cultural tourism.

Take the Sur vey

The online sur vey is open until October 16, 2022.

To take the sur vey, visit: LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/CulturalPlan

• Reducing food waste by mak ing (and stick ing to) a meal plan for the week

• Reducing e waste by properly rec ycling your electronics and electrical appliances

• Reducing household waste by sharing items like tools or occasional-use small appliances and learning how to make basic repairs to clothing and other items

• Participating in the circular economy by reusing, sharing, repairing, borrowing, renting, and recycling materials Examples include using car, ride, or bike share apps; borrowing tools from a neighbour or friend instead of buying them; and borrowing books from a librar y.

To learn more about Waste Reduction Week, visit: Kamloops.ca/WasteReduc tion.

WEATHER FORECAST

Oct. 12: Sunny 22/8 (hi/low)

Oct. 13: Sunny 21/7 (hi/low)

Oct. 14: Sunny 22/9 (hi/low)

Oct. 15: Sun/clouds 20/9 (hi/low)

Oct. 16: Sun/clouds 20/9 (hi/low)

ONLINE

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Get updated on the city’s sporting scene with plenty of information

ON AND OFF THE ICE, FIELD AND COURT A29

New women’s shelter opens in city

IT IS LOCATED AT THE MUSTARD SEED, DOWNTOWN ON VICTORIA STREET WEST

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER

What was once just a storage area has been transformed into a new service.

On Tuesday, the Mustard Seed Kamloops, in partnership with BC Housing, welcomed the first three people into its women-only shelter.

Dubbed Harbour House, the dry shelter for sober living is located in the basement of the Mustard Seed’s outreach centre, downtown at 181 Victoria St. W., with a 12-bed capacity, meals and wraparound services for women in need in Kamloops.

The 1,600-square-foot women’s shel ter has shared living space, laundry services and a shared washroom facil ity. It accommodates all women, includ ing transgender women, non-binary and two-spirit people. Shelter users have access to support, such as gender-based violence resources and women’s health services. Harbour House is open nightly, yearround.

The renovation involved both tearing down and building walls, installing new flooring, turning the former hair salon into a bathroom and creating a laundry with all new fixtures. The renovation included adding an office space, computer room and some pieces of donated art above each bed.

The shelter is accessible from two entry points — a staircase and chairlift leading to the day room, as well as an elevator.

BC Housing gave approximately $250,000 in funding for the shelter renova tions and will provide $620,000 in annual operating funding, enabling the Mustard Seed to have 14 staff operating the shelter. Two employees will always be at the shel ter, with shifts running 24/7.

Brook Baird, Mustard Seed health and wellness supervisor, said there was a gen eral need for another women’s shelter in Kamloops, noting only one other, via the

YMCA-YWCA, was operating until now.

Katie Hutchins, Mustard Seed manager of administration and shelter project lead, told KTW the shelter was something they felt would be beneficial, adding women on the street are often in survival mode.

Hutchins said the space will provide shelter users peace of mind, with women not having to worry about their safety or where their next meal will come from. She said the shelter will enable them to instead focus on getting their lives back together.

“The fact we were able to turn it into such a life-giving space is really exciting for me,” Hutchins said, noting more social services are needed in Kamloops.

Mustard Seed director of operations Nysha Mananye said women can stay at the shelter as long as they need, adding it will depend on each woman’s goals.

Mananye, who will vet potential shelter candidates, told KTW their intake criteria includes women fleeing violence, those whose lives are in peril and/or are expe

Mustard Seed director of administration Katie Hutchins tidies up at one of 12 beds now open at the facility at 181 Victoria St. W. The shelter, operated in partnership with BC Housing, is for women who are homeless and those fleeing violence.

riencing homelessness and those who are currently not using drugs.

He said the intent is to target women seeking recovery programs.

Once housed, Mananye said, the women will have access to the variety of in-house supports Mustard Seed offers via the wellness clinic, noting shelter users can also be connected to outside resources.

For women who are using drugs, they can still access a 20-bed facility upstairs in the Mustard Seed, Mananye said.

Mustard Seed general manager Kelly Thomson said the organization brought the shelter proposal to BC Housing, having identified a gap in their services for a dry women’s shelter.

“There really wasn’t a safe space for women to go,” Thomson said.

BC Housing supportive housing advisor Dawn Himer said the agency is excited to serve women in Kamloops, noting there’s a need for diversity in shelter types.

MICHAEL POTESTIO/KTW

Dominant salmon run stalled

WARM WATERS MEAN LATER ARRIVAL FOR SPAWNING FISH

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

Hundreds of thousands of salmon are likely taking refuge in Kamloops Lake, waiting for streams to cool before heading farther upstream to spawn.

Higher than average sea sonal temperatures have meant that late-run Fraser River salm on have delayed their journey to places like the Adams River, which sees a surge of sockeye every four years.

This year is one of those dominant years — but the return has been slow, so far.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist Scott Decker said it is likely that hundreds of thousands of fish have found their way into Interior waterways like Kamloops Lake and are holding out in deeper, cooler water, waiting for stream temperatures to drop.

“Typically, if you went to the Adams [River] last weekend, in a dominant year, you’d be see ing hundreds of thousands of fish. We’re not quite there yet,” Decker said.

Decker estimates about

20,000 fish have arrived to spawn in the Adams River so far, with more arriving each day.

Another factor is that salmon tend to hold in the Strait of Georgia, delaying their migration, depending on the temperature of the Fraser River, Decker said.

A sonar station in the Lower Mainland recorded 1.6-mil lion fish moving into the Fraser River to head upstream, Decker said. That population, known as late-run sockeye, is the same group that ends up in the Adams River, Eagle River and Shuswap River and their tribu taries around October of each year.

But sockeye returns on the lower Adams River have been declining since 2010, when a record 3.9-million salmon returned to that system. In the late-run dominant salmon years of 2014 and 2018, just 707,087 and 535,564 returned, respectively, to spawn in the system.

“Like many other salmon species, Fraser sockeye are experiencing a long-term decline in their productivity.

The leading hypothesis is that it’s largely driven by ocean survival,” Decker said.

Decker estimates about 500,000 sockeye will return this year.

Along with the anomalous late arrival is another regional issue — the Fraser River run, as a whole, has seen fewer fish than forecast, bucking a trend seen elsewhere.

“In fact, every major salmon-producing region in the northwest coast of North America this year has seen returns well above what was forecast,” he said. “That’s concerning.”

Despite a smaller-than-forecast run, festivities and education around salmon are continuing full steam ahead.

The Adams River Salmon Society is currently holding its Salute to the Sockeye event, hosting thousands of visitors to Tsútswecw (formerly Roderick Haig-Brown) Provincial Park.

Executive director Michelle Comeau said visitors can find cultural and interpre tive presentations, live storytelling and music, local food trucks and local arts and crafts as part of the festival.

The society ramps up its fundraising efforts every four years in order to provide free interpretive programs every year from the spring to the fall.

Currently, there is a $10 admission fee per vehicle to access the park — funds Comeau said go directly to the society’s education programs in the years between dominant runs.

Hair Clips

“We have a full complement of Adams River Salmon Society guides out there, DFO guides and fisheries officers out there who are more than qualified to answer kids’ and visitors’ questions,” she said. “You don’t have to join a guided tour to be part of an interpretive program.”

Comeau said she has seen plenty of salmon activity already, with more arriv ing each day. She anticipates spawning will continue through the end of October.

In partnership with the DFO, BC Parks, the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the Little Shuswap Indian Band, more than 7,500 students from across B.C. between grades 2 and 5 tour through the park each fall.

For more information on the Adams River salmon run and the Salute to the Sockeye, go online to salmonsociety.com.

A diver recently sent Shuswap author Jim Cooperman images of masses of salmon in Shuswap Lake, near the mouth of the Adams River.

Man in schoolyard had knife

corner of McGill Road and Columbia Street.

Kamloops Mounties are seeking more information from the public in connection with the arrest of a man on a schoolyard late last night.

The man is known to police and was under court-imposed conditions that barred him from being at a school or playground and pro hibited him from being in possession of a knife, which he was carrying.

Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said police were called to the McGill Road school on the morning of Sept. 23 after receiving a complaint that a man was refusing to leave the grounds.

Police will not identify the school, citing pri vacy reasons, but Beattie elementary is at the

Evelyn said officers who arrived recognized the man as being on the above-noted release conditions.

“Police arrested the suspect and, in doing so, located a knife,” Evelyn said, noting the man was arrested and held for a bail hearing.

Samuel Robert Theodore Moller, 35, of Kamloops is charged with mischief, posses sion of a knife for dangerous purposes, failure to comply with an undertaking by attending a school or playground and failure to comply with an undertaking by possessing a knife.

Anyone who witnessed or has informa tion related to the incident is asked to call Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and refer ence file 2022-34019.

Let’s Grow

Look forward to hearing and seeing Kelly on City Council. His business Acumen along with his business connections will be a beneficial for all of Kamloops. Join me in supporting Kelly Lets get him working for all of us.

Terry Lake I’m excited that Kelly is running for City Council. He brings a thoughtful wisdom, a balanced perspective, and a love for the community I hope you will join me and many others in voting for him!

DAN HINES, Leadership Coach

What is a Cohabitation Agreement?

It’s a written contract signed by couples that governs their relationship while they are living together Common in blended families, it ensures that both partner’s assets are protected.

If you are wondering if a Cohabitation Agreement would be helpful for your relationship, call our family law team we’re here to help

Kelly has a keen business sense and has great ideas to intertwine our sporting community with our thriving Arts community He is determined, motivated, and ready to get to work with a strong vision to ‘Grow Kamloops’ Into a vibrant, safe place to call home. Let’s put Kell Hall in City Hall.

Tara Holmes

After many years in the media and through my involvement in the Arts community, I have come to know Kelly Hall as someone who cares about Kamloops and wants to see it grow and thrive.

Henry Small

JOHN GROVER

Civic elections can bring seismic shifts

Decisions

made at city hall impact you far more than those made in Victoria or Ottawa, but still civic elections draw about half the percentage of eli gible voters than do their provin cial and federal counterparts.

There has been talk of this year’s civic election finally being the one in which Kamloops escapes its one-third voting rate and edges up to perhaps 40 per cent.

Voter turnout in civic elec tions in Kamloops this century has ranged from about 29 per cent to 34 per cent.

Will a robust mayor’s race between five people (and three incumbent councillors) and at least five new councillors lead to a spike in voter turnout? Will the consensus No. 1 issue — streetrelated problems, including crime, homelessness and a growing contingent of those with mentalhealth and addiction problems — spur a spike in ballot box activity?

If it doesn’t, you can hardly blame the City of Kamloops, which has done plenty to make voting easier for residents — although one may ask how much easier does a voter need than 12 hours on a Saturday afternoon?

Well, how about three advance voting days, each with a 12-hour window, at easy-to-access loca tions on either side of the river, plus unprecedented mail-in ballot options and mobile polling sta tions visiting Thompson Rivers University, Royal Inland Hospital and a long list of care homes?

Never has it been easier to vote, but never would I predict record turnout, democracy being behind yard work, golf, shopping, watch ing college football on TV and napping among the list of weekend priorities for many.

It’s a shame, really, considering civic elections have at times had a tectonic impact on political his tory at senior levels of government, for better or worse, depending on your political spectrum placement.

Consider a young Michael de Jong, circa 1994. He was a lawyer in Matsqui (now Abbotsford) serv ing his second term on school board when the local BC Liberal machine chose him to run against the Grand Dame of BC politics, Grace McCarthy of the Social Credit Party, in that year’s byelec tion.

The BC Liberals were ascend ing, the venerable Socreds were plummeting — but many believed a McCarthy victory could reverse the flow and return W.A.C.’s leg endary party to relevance.

And, had McCarthy won that

byelection, it is quite possible the political landscape in B.C. would have looked awfully different these past three decades.

Alas, de Jong and his band of “Banzai!”-yelping supporters eked out a 42-vote victory, cementing a brand new era in provincial poli tics. He went from school trustee to MLA in one step and eventually served as finance minister, health minister, labour minister and attorney general as he rolled to eight straight election victories.

Or consider some interesting civic election outcomes locally that have had — and may have had — a butterfly effect on politics elsewhere.

In 2011, incumbent mayor Peter Milobar was waiting to essentially be acclaimed to his second term at Kamloops City Hall when a relatively unknown Dieter Dudy entered the race, if only to create a race of some sort.

Two other candidates also entered the race, but conventional wisdom had Milobar coasting again to victory. In the end, Dudy made Milobar sweat, coming within 236 votes of upending the incumbent — 9,391 votes to 9,156 votes.

In that election’s final days, a third candidate, Brian Alexander,

urged his supporters to vote for Dudy. Had they all heeded his advice, Alexander’s tally of 256 votes would have served up a mas sive surprise and given Kamloops a new mayor.

And, had Dudy won that elec tion, consider the seismic ramifi cations going forward.

Would Ken Christian have pro gressed from unbeatable school trustee and councillor candidate to a mayoral hopeful? Would Milobar have secured the BC Liberal Party nomination in Kamloops-North Thompson in 2017 without the office of mayor freshly decorating his resume?

Consider the last civic election, in 2018. Sadie Hunter finished sev enth among the eight candidates elected to council for her first term at city hall.

Two years later, Hunter took leave from council to run for the BC NDP in Kamloops-North Thompson in the 2020 provincial election. Her opponent in that bat tle? None other than Milobar, who would again endure an agonizing ballot count, eventually winning by a margin of victory — 192 votes — even tighter than his razor-thin triumph over Dudy in 2011.

Had Hunter prevailed, a city council byelection would have been held. How would that result have affected this coming week end’s election? With Hunter in Victoria, what would the mayoral candidate field look like today?

City councillor and school trustee roles may be officially considered part-time occupations, though most who get elected find out quick that those part-time gigs

carry with them full-time hours.

The people elected to those seats are often situated at the bot tom of the political ladder in the minds of most voters — hence the disparity in turnout at polling places between civic, provincial and federal elections.

But not only does the civic vote shape so much more of your dayto-day life, that ballot can, indi rectly, have a significant impact on how British Columbia grows in the coming years.

VOTING INFORMATION

The last day of advance voting is Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Heritage House, downtown at Riverside Park, and on McArthur Island on the North Shore. You can cast a ballot from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

General voting day is Saturday, Oct. 15. Again, you can cast a bal lot from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at any of 15 elementary schools across the city. You can also vote at Heritage House. All voting locations are listed online at kamloops.ca/vote.

To cast a ballot, you must be at least 18 years of age, be a Canadian citizen, be a resident of B.C. for at least six months before voting on Oct. 15 and be a resident of Kamloops or a property owner in the city for at least six months before voting on Oct. 15.

Remember to bring two pieces of identification to prove your identity and residency and ensure one of the pieces of ID has your signature.

FRONT

PRODUCTION

CIRCULATION

Robert

thisweek.com and via Canada Post to 1365B Dalhousie Dr., Kamloops, B.C., V2C 5P6.

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LET CASH AGAIN BE KING

On Oct. 6, businesses were permitted by law to charge cus tomers the transaction fees the businesses had been paying to

card companies.

This charge was already fac tored in to the price of items by some businesses that accepted credit cards.

Accepting credit card charges was justified as a big boon for business. This allowed traffic to flow faster through the cash reg

Editor:

and increase profit.

To charge those credit card transaction fees to the consum er, without a reduction in prices, would be a greedy move.

Perhaps it is time to go back to cash at all places and have businesses hire extra staff to work the tills and speed up traf fic.

Cash is legal and there is no charge to use it.

Les Evens Kamloops

For years, some business owners, big and small, have built into their retail product price the extra cost to cover credit card fees.

The only reason I have a credit card is to reserve a hotel or rental car.

I choose to pay by cash and have been doing so for years. I once asked a cashier if I get discount because I am paying cash and he said no.

So logic says to me that if people once again pay with cash, the retail price of something should drop in price.

Will that happen? I think not.

Lois Ward, Kamloops

TIME TO GET TO ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

Editor:

I attended the Oct. 4 mayoral forum at TRU and it was apparent that the biggest issue of concern for attendees was the homeless and crime.

The mayoral candidates mostly responded that it is complicated, that it needs to involve higher lev els of government and that there is no simple solution. One can easily interpret from this that the problem is going to get worse.

Everyone seems to agree that the root of the problem is not homelessness, but is related to drug

addiction and mental illness.

So, why do we continue to build more facilities to service these people, rather than addressing the root cause? Why inject socially prob lematic people directly into com munities where people are trying to contribute to society by working and paying taxes? These projects are being constructed without any com munity consultation, covertly alter ing properties to serve as shelters. Conflict is inevitable.

The latest alteration of a munici pal building to a shelter is the old Yacht Club on River Street.

Residents in the area are angry that there was no consultation prior to the decision being made. This building has been utilized by many organizations to host positive activi ties that the whole community can enjoy. It is hard to believe our com munity is being forced out.

Our elected politicians have all of the expertise and resources at their disposal. We expect them to solve the problem using those resources, not simply conclude that the prob lem is unsolvable.

Perry Grunenberg Kamloops

RIH UNIT NEEDS MORE PROGRAMMING

Editor:

I have a question for Health Minister Adrian Dix: Why is there no therapy (other than medica tion) offered to patients in the mental-health unit of Royal Inland Hospital?

In years past, there were struc tured classes on topics such as self-esteem, stress management, cognitive behaviour therapy, group therapy, addiction recovery and

mood disorders.

This programming increased the likelihood of a quicker and sus tained recovery.

At present, this unit appears to be merely a holding tank. Patients spend many days and nights aim lessly wandering the unit or being secluded in their rooms.

Dressed only in hospital garb and being observed by staff who are behind glass barriers leaves the

patients to believe they are danger ous or unworthy of receiving help from staff.

Considering the thought that idle bodies lead to idle minds, wouldn’t it be better to have patients be active participants in their own recovery?

Thank you for your kind consid eration of this matter.

Judi Ekelund retired registered nurse Kamloops

Kamloops This Week is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email  editor@kamloopsthisweek.com or call 250-374-7467

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at  mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163

DUDY

"As your Mayor, I will make tackling crime and street disorder a top priority.

a leader needs to address multiple issues simultaneously. Every Spring, road conditions and potholes are still City business."

Mayoral candidates face off in media forum

JESSICA

Kamloops’ five mayoral candi dates faced voters’ questions on Oct. 5 during the largest civic election forum to date.

About 500 people attended the forum in the Grand Hall at Thompson Rivers University, with more watching online at KTW’s Facebook page (where the event can still be viewed).

The election forum was orga nized and hosted by KTW, CBC Radio and Radio NL 10 days before

the Oct. 15 civic election.

Voters canvassed candidates on issues including pesticides, commu nity safety, disinformation and more.

Four out of the five candidates running for mayor have some type of council experience.

Arjun Singh has spent 13 years on city council, including a stint as interim mayor during the 2017 wild fires. Dieter Dudy has two council terms under his belt. Sadie Hunter was first elected to council in 2018. Ray Dhaliwal sat on council for one year after being elected in the 2017 byelection.

Reid Hamer-Jackson, an auto

motive dealership owner, is the newcomer.

Hamer-Jackson said he is a “very concerned citizen” and business owner who has been working on solutions to street-related safety issues for four years. He owns Tru Market on West Victoria Street and has been vocal about issues in that

area impacting businesses and has voiced his concerns about how social housing and facilities are run.

One voter labelled HamerJackson “Trump’ and asked him about his “grand plans.”

“But you never actually elabo rated on anything, other than build ing a facility out in Rayleigh,” the voter said. “So, what are your grand plans? Are you planning on building a wall around Kamloops now?”

The question elicited audible boos from Hamer-Jackson sup porters and a response from the candidate.

“You must work for ASK

Wellness, eh?” Hamer-Jackson replied, referencing the social agency he has criticized. “Anyways, I don’t have grand plans — I have goals. And those goals are to try to have a safe community.”

Hamer-Jackson said account ability and wraparound services at social housing sites and shelters are needed as overdose deaths continue to rise in Kamloops.

Another voters asked mayoral candidates whether they agree the city should end its use of pesticides.

meetings

Street-related issues debated

From A10

Hamer-Jackson said he did not see why not. Singh, who was involved in tense council discussions on the issue, called the pesticide discussion “challenging” adding he wants to move toward less toxic substances, but noting considerations need to be made for sports fields, due to tripping hazards.

Hunter noted turf considerations as the Tournament Capital of Canada. Dhaliwal suggested the city xeriscape areas, such as medians, to reduce pesticide usage.

Dudy, meanwhile, said he had questioned the residential ban put in place and pledged to entertain the idea of banning pesticides completely for any cosmetic use.

Another voter questioned candidates on why the root causes of street issues have not been addressed, while the community instead reacts to spinoff effects, such as funding initiatives by business improvement associations.

Council recently approved funding for a new clean streets program on the North Shore. Another voter asked for a plan to rehabilitate and treat people with mentalhealth and substance-use issues who have been housed.

Hunter said there is no one solution, add ing that anyone who said they had one was “lying.” However, she said health care and wraparound solutions are needed and the city has to continue pushing Interior Health.

Dudy said complex care is needed to address 30 or 40 people on the streets creat ing the majority of the havoc.

Hamer-Jackson, however, suggested Interior Health is not needed to open recov ery centres.

Candidates were also asked how they would ensure council decisions are made based on data and research in an era of misinformation, as well as how they would

increase transparency.

Singh said he would host open office hours as mayor and noted he has hosted community brainstorming events in the past.

“When you actually do that, what we just saw doesn’t hap pen,” Singh said, referring to the testy interactions between Hamer-Jackson and the voter who dubbed him ‘Trump.”

“We actually get together as a community and work together,” Singh said.

Hunter said her deci sions are based on facts, citing her journalism and

science backgrounds.

She said division was created during the COVID-19 pandemic and she wants to host a health and safety forum as mayor to allow frustrations and fears to be expressed, while hearing from subject-matter experts and working toward community solutions.

Added Dudy: “A very respect ed mayor in this city once said that the city’s business is not conducted on Facebook. We can’t trust Facebook to get our information. We need to go to the experts.”

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

Kamloops mayoral candidates, from left: Reid Hamer-Jackson, Arjun Singh, Sadie Hunter, Ray Dhaliwal and Dieter Dudy.

Civic election forum: Councillor candidates #1

JESSICA WALLACE

International student support and a performing-arts centre were issues canvassed by the first group of council candidates at the Oct. 5 civic election forum in the Grand Hall at Thompson Rivers University.

About 500 people attended the forum, organized by KTW, CBC Radio and Radio NL

The first council candidate group included George Dersch, Stephen Karpuk, Caroline King, Francois Lambert, Daphane Nelson and Jesse Ritcey.

Karpuk, who is running for council for the third time, said he has lived in the city for 45 years and wants to be part of “Team Kamloops.” King said she is the only

candidate with boots-on-the-ground experience with social issues, argu ing accountability is needed to quell community anger and help the vulnerable.

Nelson said she is well-rounded, citing coaching minor-league base ball, volunteering with Kamloops Arts Council and her work as a busi ness and co-op developer. Dersch, an armed forces veteran, pledged to bring to council honesty, dedication, integrity and sensibility and listen twice as often as he speaks.

Ritcey, who previously presented himself as an openly gay council candidate who rents in the city, cited the need to address the envi ronment, family doctor shortage, affordability, community safety, a performing-arts centre, recreation facilities and more. Lambert, mean while, reiterated his desire to create

CIVIC ELECTION • OCT. 15

an inland port in Kamloops.

One voter asked for support for international students, whom the speaker said have been “forgotten” and “neglected” when coming to Kamloops to study at Thompson Rivers University, citing among other issues lengthy waits to access care at Royal Inland Hospital’s emer gency room.

Karpuk said the city can advocate for on-campus housing. King said infill housing will result in cheaper rent and shared concerns about emergency room wait times. Ritcey

said ER waits are lengthy because of a family doctor shortage, something for which he said he has a plan.

“I think we should actually should spend money as a council on family doctors,” Ritcey said to audience applause. “Traditionally, we have not. That’s been a provin cial area. I believe we should spend a million dollars to build two new medical hubs — one on the North Shore and one in the Aberdeen and Sahali area. For perspective, that’s a million dollars out of a $212-million operating budget, so that is about $20 additional property tax per household.”

Candidates were asked by a member of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society whether they sup port construction of a performingarts centre.

Nelson said she would sup

port any facility to attract tourists. However, she noted operational and debt-servicing costs need to be cov ered each year.

Ritcey said he supports an arts centre, citing a decades-long gap since new facilities have been built in the city. He said an arts centre would help attract young people and professionals.

King said she is concerned the estimated $90-million price tag for a performing-arts centre is unrealistic, given the rising costs of construc tion.

Dersch said he is in favour, but wants private funding, suggesting financial input from Kelson Group and Kruger, new owner of the pulp mill. Karpuk said he is in favour of an arts centre in the right location, one that has a sound business plan and necessary infrastructure.

Civic election forum: Councillor candidates #2

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER

Councillor candidates in Group 2 included Nancy Bepple, Mac Gordon, Dennis Giesbrecht, incum bent Bill Sarai and Katie Neustaeter. They faced three questions from the crowd: two on crime and one com paring the arts centre and cancer care needs.

A voter asked how the candidates would use the city’s nuisance bylaw to work on eradicating street crime.

Gordon said the city needs to use a “carrot and the stick approach,” adding that the cheapest and most effective way in reducing crime is putting a roof over people’s heads.

Sarai said not all homeless people are criminals and not all criminals are homeless individuals. He said while the current council (of which he is a member) has worked on the issue, what’s missing is mandatory addiction treatment, which he said must be implemented by other authorities.

“The courts are letting us down, the health authorities are letting us down. If we can take licences away from our seniors because they can’t drive no more, why can’t we put those individuals in hospitals and get them better?” Sarai said.

Giesbrecht said there must be repercussions for social agencies that are not acting in the best interests of surrounding neighbourhoods. He said that within the first 60 days of his term on council, he wants to use a memorandum of understanding and the nuisance bylaw to hold agencies to account with fines.

“We cannot have somebody walk out of a facility with their breakfast coffee cup, sit down on the front lawn and start shooting up ,” Giesbrecht said.

Neustaeter said the city needs to advocate for expansion of the Car 40 program, which pairs a police officer and an Interior Health nurse on certain mental health-related calls. She said council also needs a strategy that brings other levels of govern ment to the table working together

on the issue, treating crime as crime.

Bepple said there are three ave nues to address the issue: housing for people with drug addictions, holding B.C.’s attorney general to account on prolific offenders and remembering that drug overdoses affect people from all walks of life.

Another voter asked the candi dates which was more important — a performing-arts centre or a complete cancer care centre, the lat ter of which has been promised for Kamloops by two NDP governments separated by about three decades.

Kamloops’ current cancer care capacity includes chemotherapy and diagnostics, but there is no radiation oncology unit in the city, forcing patients to drive two hours to Kelowna for treatment that some times takes a less than a half-hour to complete per visit.

Neustaeter said the funding sources and green light for each would come from different levels of government, noting the city does not need to choose between them.

Bepple also noted it’s not an

either-or decision. She said the city needs to come to the table with oth ers as a unified voice advocating the province for a cancer centre. She said the arts centre would likely get funding from all three levels of gov ernment.

Giesbrecht said if he had to choose, he’d go forward with a can cer centre, though he noted he likes the arts centre idea and thinks the project should be explored.

Sarai said council has looked into the cancer centre and was told in the past that Royal Inland Hospital didn’t have the capacity for one. He said now that the recently build patientcare tower has been completed, council needs to revisit the issue with Victoria. He said the arts centre is something the city can fund with its taxes, but a cancer centre is not.

Gordon said the city gets passed over too many times and needs to start making demands of the provin cial government.

“This is not right. We don’t have any courage. We’ve got nothing but scarecrows on council,” Gordon said.

A local teacher said she is appalled by crime levels in the city and has been a victim on more than one occasion. She asked whether the candidates would support a citizens committee on crime.

Sarai said he would agree to that, while Bepple said the next council has to make crime its No. 1 priority. She said input from citizens, while important, should be coupled with insight from social agencies, which themselves need to be held more to account for their clientele.

Neustaeter said there are good, little-known programs in town that look to address crime from its source — trauma from people when they were youth in care.

Gordon suggested looking into the feasibility of a municipal police force in order for Kamloops to have more authority over police detach ment priorities.

Giesbrecht said the city has that power over its bylaws officers, noting the city gutted that department when it switched over to the new commu nity service officers format.

SARAI FOR CITY COUNCIL

Forum: Councillor candidates #3

POTESTIO

Councillor candidates in Group 3 included Jamie Allen, Mike O’Reilly, Randy Sunderman, Jordan Proctor and Darrel LaRiviere. They faced three questions from the crowd regarding seniors advocacy, fear at transit exchanges and the need for bike path enhance ments.

One voter asked how each candidate could advocate for seniors, noting issues of sup portive housing and mental health.

Allen said he has family members who have dementia, adding he can advocate for those services.

O’Reilly said the current council has done a lot for seniors, noting its support through tree-cutting and snowshovelling programs, but con ceded more is needed in advo cacy and grant funding.

Sunderman said his platform

calls for a “campus of care” for seniors support services near Royal Inland Hospital, while LaRiviere said he cannot relate to people with dementia, but understands and will listen.

Proctor also noted his lack of knowledge in this area, but said he would listen to those who do have knowledge of the issue.

Another voter asked how candidates would use com munity service officers to fix issues of loitering at city transit exchanges in town, which she said is creating fear among seniors who take the bus.

Proctor said reallocating shift time of community service offi cers or adding full-time staff at the transit exchanges to enhance feelings of safety is a “clear requirement.”

O’Reilly noted a City of Kelowna program station ing a booth and worker at the exchanges to liaise with people as something Kamloops should consider replicating. Sunderman said it’s not only seniors, but

mothers and children, too, who see bus exchanges as intimidat ing places. He said more “boots on the ground” are needed and called for lobbying the prov ince for an integrated court in Kamloops like what was imple mented in Kelowna.

LaRiviere stressed the need for housing the homeless, while Allen said people need to be held accountable for their actions, adding that he doesn’t know why the city doesn’t already have community safety officers at the transit exchanges.

A voter from the Kamloops Cycling Coalition asked the can didates if they agreed Kamloops needs safe, efficient cycling net works to encourage more active transportation and, if so, what measures they would take to

implement them.

Sunderman said it’s critical for Kamloops to create a rails to trails pathway network and noted the importance of creat ing connected bike lanes in the city. Proctor concurred with the need for connecting bike paths and said council needs to sup port its bike lanes as the city densifies.

O’Reilly said he agrees with enhancing active transporta tion networks, but noted the city needs help from the provincial and federal governments to accelerate the number of bike lanes that can be built. He said bike lane work has been ongoing in the city, pointing to Summit Drive and Sixth Avenue as examples.

Allen said he is glad to see more paths being created, but thinks the city needs to do bet ter, noting he wants to see bike paths connecting Valleyview, Barnhartvale and Dallas.

LaRiviere said his plan calls for all new neighbourhoods built in Kamloops to be bike-friendly.

Forum: Councillor candidates #4

MICHAEL POTESTIO

Councillor candidates in Group 4 includ ed Taj Sandur, Bonnie Cleland, Dale Bass and Kelly Hall. They faced six questions as the final group of the night.

One voter asked what actions would be within their purview and which of those will be their priorities.

Sandur said he wants to focus on more housing, noting the city needs to change its zoning to promote projects and digitize documents to expedite that work.

Bass said councillors have to push to get things done, adding she did that in order to create day spaces along Victoria Street West for the city’s homeless.

Hall said there are many actions council lors can undertake, noting the need to listen to and regularly meet with neighbourhood associations to take the pulse of the com munity.

Middleton said they can evaluate city operations from within and determine if money is being spent wisely, while Cleland said that while she is not sure of the rules, but is excited to take ownership city prob lems and work on solutions.

A voter asked if any of them would move forward in supporting a performing-arts centre, if elected.

Bass said she would, but needs to review

a new business case given that it’s been three years since the last proposal.

Hall noted the centre is already in the recreational master plan, which also includes two new sheets of ice and a North Shore pool. He said these projects need to begin sooner than later to avoid added costs.

Sandur said he supports the arts centre proposal, but would like to see options, such as multi-family residential units, built above it to help defray costs.

Middleton said she is in favour of build ing the arts centre and Cleland said that as a dance instructor, she would support it, not ing she would want to ensure what is built reaches all potential user groups.

Another voter asked about their support for the Kamloops-Thompson school board’s initiatives.

Cleland said she is committed 100 per cent to work together with trustees to sup port children, while Sandur and Hall said to get results, they all have to work together.

Bass noted council meets twice a year with trustees, but added more collaboration is needed, and Middleton said the city needs to work together with the school district, noting the use of each other’s facilities are intertwined.

A voter asked what they would do to ensure equity and inclusion of voices of minorities and disabled people if elected to council.

Middleton said they need to ensure the

city listens to advocacy groups.

Sandur said he plans to listen to recom mendations of the city’s newly hired direc tor of inclusion and equity, while Hall said council needs to educate the community.

Cleland suggested having councillors take part in a simulation of what it’s like to live in the roles of people, something Bass said the previous council has done. Bass said the exercise showed them and senior staff, for example, that there are issues with sidewalk letdowns, but the problem was no action from the city. She said councillors need to push for more action.

The last question of the night came from a 75-year-old man who asked how the can didates could convince him and his wife to stay in Kamloops as they feel unsafe, due to bad drivers and street-related issues.

Middleton said there’s been a decline in livability in Kamloops and the new council should put forward changes that keep peo ple like him here.

Bass said she wished she had a clear answer and asked that they believe in Kamloops to find answers to those ques tions, while Hall said there’s work to be done on issues such as road safety. Sandur said there is no apparent solution, but that he will fight to find one. Cleland cited the work of the grassroots Kamloops Caremongers group during the pandemic as an example of having reason to hope for a community coming together.

Connect with your Candidates

Bill Sarai

Facts About me

• President of the Kamloops Airport Authority Board.

• Current elected 3rd term member of Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA).

• Current Civic-Ops Chairperson, committee member since 2018.

• Current committee member of the Development, Engineering and Sustainability Department (DES).

• Current City liaison to Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA).

• Current Kamloops City Council and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Cultural and Recreation Committee Member.

• Current lead Council member for the application to the Provincial Government to implement the Kamloops Community Health Court.

• Current member of the Kamloops Sikh Cultural Society 1995 – present.

Forthe past four years, I have had the privilege to serve my community of Kamloops as a City Councillor. The role of being a City Councillor has been extremely rewarding and I will continue to engage with the local community and take active roles in putting my ideas forward. I have met with citizens in every corner of the city to hear about issues good, bad and sensitive. Also to help them navigate the inner workings of City Hall and provide guidance or petition their concerns.

I have used my position and voice to advocate for:

• Increased transparency within the city in trying to keep tax increases to a minimum for the citizens of Kamloops.

• The fostering of a stronger relationship with our Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Chief and Council which we recently received an award for.

• Supporting the recreation master plan as well as increasing core city services such as increased snow removal on city sidewalks.

• Putting pressure on judicial governmental agencies to provide increased support for local businesses and citizens affected by all types of crime.

• Continuing to advocate for all higher levels of Government for additional wraparound services for individuals suffering from mental health and addiction.

Kamloops has been my home for 27 years. We are proud parents of 3 adult children and recently proud new grandparents to two beautiful grandchildren.

Prior to my foray into local politics, I was a letter carrier for Canada Post for over 31 years, allowing me to interact with and gain the pulse of my community through daily interactions with my fellow Kamloops residents.

I would love to connect with you and pride myself on being readily available and approachable. Thank you for your support.

Authorized by Financial Agent David Deol daviddeol@telus.net

Facts About me

• Former chair, School District 73’s District Parent Advisory Council

• Member of the SD73 superintendent’s task force on genderachievement gaps

• Former president, Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association

• Former president, Family Tree Family Resource Centre

• Former president, Kamloops Society for Community Living — now known as Inclusion Kamloops

• Parent representative on the committee that created Beattie School of the Arts — now known as Kamloops School of the Arts

• Former board member, Volunteer Kamloops

• Former board member, People in Motion

• Former president, Kamloops Child Development Centre

• Former chair and BC/ Yukon representative, Canadian Association of Journalists, former co-chair of CAJ ethics committee

Dale Bass

I’m

running for re-election because I get things done.

Obviously not enough got done in this term — but a lot did, too. I’m proud to have advocated for incentives to build childcare centres, to ban singleuse plastic bags, to do more to address our street issues, to hire more community-service officers, to budget for 25 more RCMP officers and much more. We need to do more and I want to continue that advocacy.

We need to keep pushing the federal and provincial governments to fix the broken judicial system. We need to push them to fix the broken housing affordability sector. We need to push them to fix our broken health-care system.

There are local issues I want to continue advocating. We promote active transportation but our transit system doesn’t make it easy for many to choose it as an option. Our parking stall requirements need to be adapted to reflect our belief in active transportation.

We promote safety and security but many live with neither. I pushed for day lodges so those living on the streets would have somewhere to go when told to “move along.”

We need the treatment centre we have been promised. We need the sobering centre we asked for. We need another Car 40 to help address street issues.

And we need housing. We need housing not only for the homeless but for the youth starting out, the seniors downsizing, the adults living on a disability pension and the young families struggling with too many bills and not enough income.

That means creative zoning, a faster permitting process and working with house builders to fill that missing middle of the housing continuum.

Finally, we need to spend your tax dollars wisely and transparently.

I’ve got this experience. I want to continue doing this. I want to get more things done for this city we call home.

Authorized

Connect with your Candidates

Facts About me

Find your voting place

Residents in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District seeking to find out where to vote in the Oct. 15 civic election can go online and access a new digital tool.

The voting loca tion tool can be found online at https://tinyurl. com/54rdnx97.

The regional district board recently heard from a staffer about confusion from some residents about polling

stations and electoral area boundaries.

The tool is designed to simplify the process and make it easier to get out and vote.

A number of directors in various areas have already been acclaimed, including:

• Lee Onslow in Area B (Thompson Headwaters);

• David Laird in Area M (Nicola Valley North);

• Herb Graham in Area N (Nicola Valley South);

• and Jill Hayward in Area

O (Lower North Thompson).

Six electoral areas (Wells Gray Country, Bonaparte Plateau, Blue Sky Country, Copper Desert Country, Grasslands and Rivers and the Peaks) are up for grabs, with multiple candidates running.

Advanced voting is underway in the regional district.

General voting day is on Oct. 15.

• Born and Raised in Kamloops

• 4th Generation Kamloopsian

• Past City Councilor 2017-2018

• Business Owner-Rays Lock and Key/Browns Locksmith for over 40 years

• Kamloops Multicultural Society President for 15 Years

• Hosting Canada Day Celebrations for 15 Years

• Member of the Ana Vets, Royal Canadian Legion

• Brock Lions Club

• Past Board Member of the Center for Seniors Information

• Past North Shore Rotary Club

• Member of the NorthShore And South Shore Business Associations

• Chamber of Commerce Member

There have been a number of civic elec tion forums held during the 2022 civic election campaign, including the Oct. 5 allcandidates meeting organized by KTW, CBC Kamloops and Radio NL

The entire three-hour forum, featuring mayoral and councillor hopefuls, can be viewed in its entirety online at kamloop sthisweek.com by clicking on the Civic Election 2022 tab.

There is one last civic election forum, an Oct. 12 event hosted by the Central Interior chapter of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and the Interior Association of Realtors.

The focus of the forum is housing. It will take place at Colombo Lodge, 814 Lorne St.,

just east of the downtown core.

Registration and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner event will run until 9:00 p.m. Voters planning on attending must first register on the CHBA-CI’s website at chbaci.ca.

• Safety and Security of Our Community

• Affordable and Attainable Housing

• Plan and Support Healthy Living for our Youth Seniors and Families

• Support for our Heritage, Arts,Tourism

• Work with City Staff and Council TO Plan for the Future Needs of our Rapidly Growing City

Ray Dhaliwal

RUNNING FOR MAYOR

Asa small business owner, creating employment for the youth of our community is one of my goals. I was a city councillor in 2017 and I am ready to serve my community as the Mayor of the city of Kamloops. I will bring a different perspective to City Hall and make the changes we need. From keeping spending under control, to safety and security, to roads, arts, culture and transportation, there are many issues that need to be addressed. Supporting our business community, seniors and youth is a priority. As your Mayor, through strong decisive leadership, I will not only take us down the road to recovery, but will lead us down the road to prosperity, helping Kamloops to realize its full potential. I come to you as a Mayor that is committed to a safer community, mindful of our social issues and as a mayor who will support economic recovery and development. As your Mayor, I will build on what Kamloops has been known for, the Tournament Capital of Canada. Most importantly, as your Mayor, I have a vision for completing us as a city, not for just this generation but for future generations to come. I will strengthen our leadership so we are seen as leaders by other municipalities. Great leaders have come out of Kamloops. This October 15, A vote for Ray Dhaliwal is a vote for Strong Decisive Leadership.

Grieve: more work to be done on SD73 board

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

Heather Grieve has learned a lot about the role of school trustee over the past four years and she’s hoping to put that knowl edge and experience to good use by serving anoth er term.

“You learn a lot about what you have control over and decision-making, compared to what I thought when I first got into it,” Grieve told KTW.

Grieve, the school board’s current chair, said she is proud of the work that has been done to date, calling the job a big under taking with more work left to do.

“It’s all about growth and development and wanting to be a part of that conversation, learn

ing more, doing more. It’s certainly a lot more than showing up to meetings every couple of weeks. It’s a big commitment and one I don’t take lightly,” she said.

Grieve said there aren’t any new issues she’s look ing for the board to tackle, but continuing ones — mainly that of ongoing concerns of overcrowding in Kamloops schools.

A lack of capital fund ing provided to the district by the province continues to be an issue of primary focus for the board. Grieve said she wants to continue

having conversations with other politicians in the community, including MLAs, city council and other partners.

She cited the Surrey Summit, a meeting held between the Surrey school board, the municipal ity and the Ministry of Education. That’s the kind of collaboration Grieve is hoping for in the coming term.

“In the last couple of years, our space problems have been highlighted. They’ve grown,” she said. “We’ve seen people move to our city — and that’s a fantastic thing, you want to see growth — but capital funding has been hard to come by.”

Grieve said she also wants to continue work ing with the B.C. School Trustees Association and its capital working group.

Johal wants to give back as a school trustee

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

Jimmy Johal said he wants to give back to the community by serving as a school trustee.

The 42-year-old small business owner, parent and volunteer said education is important to him, pointing to a family full of educators behind him and a young son in school.

“This is my city, this is my community. I want to make sure our children have the best possible way to find their suc cess,” he said.

The born-and-raised Kamloopsian said the city needs more schools to deal with overcrowding issues, pointing to the many portables that have popped up as a tem porary solution.

“We need more schools. We’re overcrowding our cur rent schools. With my back ground as a licensed builder

JIMMY JOHAL

and my accounting back ground from university, I think I have the skillset to do that,” he said.

He’s also calling for trustees and other officials to come together with “one voice” to attract the attention of the Ministry of Education.

But with new schools still years out, Johal said he also wants to address student well being.

“In the meantime, we’re going to have to prioritize stu dents’ learning and well-being while crowding them into a small space. I want to focus on the social, physical, emotional

and mental health of children and hopefully work on some policies that support our chil dren,” he told KTW

Johal said he’d like to instill a sense of belonging among students, imagining a system of wraparound ser vices available to children to help them fit in.

He said if a parent has an issue and doesn’t understand the district’s policies, he’d always be available to help them through it

“I want to make it so simple. If they want to see how easy it is to get a hold of Jimmy, they can just give me a quick call and I’ll phone them back,” he said.

Johal welcomes calls to his number, 250-318-0009, and also encouraged voters to go to his website, jimmyjohal.com.

“I’m one of those guys that likes to listen and learn things from other people, so I wel come anyone to call me.”

HEATHER GRIEVE

LOCAL

New schools No. 1 issue for candidate Karpuk

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER

sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

Kathleen Karpuk still sees a lot of work ahead of her on the KamloopsThompson school board, hoping she is elected to a fifth term on the board in the Oct. 15 civic election.

Issue No. 1 for Karpuk is the ongoing need for new schools in the district.

“The way we’ve been growing, the pressure is just going to continue, so we need to see some movement on that,” Karpuk told KTW

Karpuk, 50, said she would like to see the rebuild of Parkcrest elementary finished and a new school in Pineview Valley at least started — as well as new schools in Batchelor Heights and Sun Peaks.

Karpuk said one key to getting those schools built will be to communicate together with other local and regional institutions.

“When we get a louder voice with that many more people communicating with the provincial govern ment, that’s when we get heard. That’s when we get

KATHLEEN KARPUK

movement on it,” she said. Another issue Karpuk is interested in continuing to pursue is parity in out comes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous stu dents.

“One of the things I really focused on as a new trustee back when I started is getting more equity in our system for narrowing the achievement gap,” she said.

Karpuk said the district is close to doing so, but she’d like to see it a lot closer.

Data from SD73 shows that in 2020-2021, the five-year completion rate among Indigenous stu dents in the district was 72.4 per cent. That figure has nearly doubled since the 2005-2006 school year, but is still below the latest non-Indigenous five-year completion rate of 91.8 per cent.

Karpuk said she also wants to help students and families reconnect after interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We took our system and basically stood it on its head when COVID hap pened,” she said. “We’ve constantly had to make changes and adjustments. That puts a lot of strain on the system and on kids when their support sys tems are disrupted.”

Karpuk wants to build more supports into the sys tem in a thoughtful way to minimize further disrup tions.

She said she has learned a lot about meeting differ ent needs in different ways, emphasizing there is often not a one-size-fits-all fix to a problem.

Karpuk is one of 10 can didates running for school trustee in Kamloops. Five will be elected on Oct. 15.

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O’Fee wants to continue progress

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

John O’Fee is looking for ward to a fifth term as a school trustee in Kamloops, hop ing to finish what the school board started in delivering new schools to the city.

O’Fee, who had a 34-year career as a lawyer and now teaches at Thompson Rivers University, served three terms on the school board from 1988 to 1996 and has served in the past term, since being elected again in 2018.

In that time, the board has made progress toward a num ber of new schools and larger capital projects, including the

JOHN O’FEE

replacement Parkcrest elemen tary, a new school in Pineview Valley and a new school in Batchelor Heights.

“I’m really excited about that. The fruits of our lobbying are starting to come to fruition and it’s something I’d like to see through to the end,” O’Fee told KTW

O’Fee and other trustees have, in the past, voiced their

frustration over space issues in many Kamloops schools.

In the past two years, SD73 has made a number of catch ment area changes to eliminate or reduce reliance on portable classrooms, moving students around to efficiently use space.

He said the district is grow ing by roughly one elementary school per year.

But O’Fee, 61, said the board has already done the work on being efficient, not ing it’s well past time for a new school.

“We’re still going to have to make do, for years, before we get that new school, and the district continues to grow — we’re growing by roughly an elementary school

per year,” he said.

O’Fee said he’d also like to continue working with trustee Diane Jules, who will be acclaimed for the area of Chase and Sun Peaks. Jules was the first Indigenous trustee elected in the Kamloops-Thompson in 2018.

As a former chief execu tive officer for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, O’Fee said Jules brings an informed and nuanced perspective to the board that “has only enhanced our ability to start to address some inequalities.”

O’Fee said he, like others on the board, won’t be satisfied until the success of Indigenous students is on par with nonIndigenous students.

More polling stations in civic election

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

There will be more voting stations and mail-in ballots will be available in this month’s civic election as the City of Kamloops is aiming to create the most accessible election ever.

Kamloopsians head to the polls on Saturday, Oct. 15, to elect their next mayor, eight councillors and five school trustees.

This year, they will only have to be residents of Kamloops for a single day in order to vote as provincial legisla tion has been updated, removing the 30-day residency requirement.

Electors, however, must still have been residents of B.C. for at least six months to vote, while a 30-day time line still applies for non-resident prop erty electors.

Also new in the legislation is that

it permits all eligible voters to choose mail-in ballot voting. In past years, mail-in ballot eligibility was limited to people who were unable to attend a voting place in-person.

As for this year’s polling stations, two new locations have been added.

The city usually only operates one advance polling station for three days: Heritage House, downtown in Riverside Park. Another one has

been added for this election, on the North Shore at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre.

The final of three advance voting days is Oct. 12, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As for the general voting day, the city typically has 16 sta tions, but has added a 17th, at Juniper Ridge elementary.

On general voting day, Oct. 15, all inperson polling places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and transit will be free on that day.

A special vot ing opportunity will be available at Thompson Rivers University on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students or employees on duty.

Special voting opportunities for resi dents, patients and staff at Royal Inland Hospital and care homes will also be available and dates and times can be found online at kamloops.ca.

More than 2,400 voters attend advance polls

JESSICA WALLACE STAFF REPORTER

More than 2,400 people have thus far cast ballots in advance polls in the civic election — which is about three per cent of the 80,025 eligible voters in Kamloops.

While general voting day is Oct. 15, two advance voting days — Oct. 5 and Oct. 8 — have been held, with a final advance vot ing opportunity on Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Courtney Ranger, the city’s deputy chief elec tion officer, told KTW that 583 voters cast ballots at Heritage House downtown on Oct. 8, in addition to 693 people voting at McArthur Island on the North Shore.

The Oct. 5 advanced

voting opportunity drew nearly 1,200 people to both places to cast ballots. Ranger said a total of 2,442 voters have cast ballots on the two days at both loca tions.

“It seems to be that the Heritage House is compa rable to 2018,” Ranger said of voter turnout. “Then we

doubled with the McArthur Island location.”

For stories on candi dates, including where they stand on issues such as street-related problems, recreation facilities, climate action, housing affordabil ity and more, check out the Civic Election 2022 tab at kamloopsthisweek.com.

Pelley chosen as Kamloops RCMP commander

Insp. Jeff Pelley has been select ed as the new superintendent/ officer in charge of the detachment following a selection and inter view process involving Mayor Ken Christian, city CAO David Trawin and the Southeast District RCMP.

“Their recommendation was endorsed by the RCMP.“Inspector Pelley will build upon the legacy of Superintendent [Syd] Lecky with a strong focus on evidence and com munity-based policing,” Christian said in a release.

“Jeff has extensive general duty experience, strong leadership skills and a capacity to triage serious incidents. From gangs and drugs to domestic and mental-health concerns, Jeff will lead from the front and is committed to calming the streets and making Kamloops a safer city.”

Brad Haugli, chief superin tendent of the RCMP’s Southeast District, lauded Lecky’s leadership, while welcoming Pelley in leading

the Kamloops RCMP.

“Inspector Jeff Pelley has been a strong addition to the Kamloops RCMP’s senior management team. His experience, commitment to community and ability to inspire others positions him well for suc cess as the new detachment com mander,” Haugli said.

Pelley grew up near Kamloops and he has close to 23 years of policing experience with the RCMP.

His career has included posi tions in Kamloops, Prince Rupert, Kelowna, 100 Mile House, New Hazelton, North District and Williams Lake.

He has worked in frontline operations and serious crime, has worked with Indigenous com munities and has twice been a detachment commander — in New Hazelton and Williams Lake — along with a watch commander

In 2016, Jeff Pelley was named inspector at the William Lake RCMP, a rank he brought to Kamloops this past spring. Pelley has now been promoted and will become superintendent of the Kamloops RCMP.

and an advisory NCO.

During his career, Pelley has been recognized for resolution skills, strategic planning and enforcement strategies involving gang and offender violence.

In April 2021, Pelley became the operations officer for the Kamloops RCMP, where he was responsible for general duty, investigative ser vices and several support units.

Pelley is married with two chil dren.

In a release, Pelley said he is “extremely grateful” to be chosen to lead the Kamloops RCMP.

“My family and I are ecstatic that we were able to return to Kamloops last year after being posted here in 2003 as frontline

constable,” he said.

“I am alive to the commu nity issues and commend our employees on their dedication and tenacity over the past year, where I worked closely with the detach ment as operations officer. I look forward to being the team’s officer in charge and making Kamloops a safer community.”

Lecky, who arrived in Kamloops in 2018 as RCMP superintendent, has accepted a promotion to the rank of chief superintendent in the Northwest Territories, stationed out of Yellowknife.

In a statement, Lecky praised Pelley’s professionalism.

“Inspector Jeff Pelley joined our team as our operations officer and seamlessly transitioned into his role,” Lecky said.

“His impact was immedi ate, demonstrating leadership, professionalism and community engagement from the start. Jeff is definitely qualified and also a great person.”

City of Kamloops

WILLIAM LAKE TRIBUNE PHOTO

Trial of Trans Mountain protesters postponed

JESSICA WALLACE

STAFF REPORTER jessica@kamloopsthisweek.com

A medical emergency in court has postponed until December the criminal con tempt trial of four members of a Secwépemc group protest ing the Trans Mountain pipe line expansion project.

Romily Cavanaugh, Henry Sauls (also known as Secwépemc hereditary chief Sawses), April Thomas and Jocelyn Pierre of the Secwépemc Unity Camp to Stop the Trans Mountain Pipeline allegedly breached a court-ordered injunction against obstructing access to the company’s worksites on Oct. 15, 2020, around Mission Flats Road during work hours.

Their trial began last week in the Kamloops Law Courts, with the Crown wrapping its case on Oct. 4 following testimony from numerous witnesses. The proceedings were expected to conclude on Oct. 7, but on Oct. 5, while the defendants were giving tes timony, Thomas fell ill in the courtroom. Sheriffs came to her aid, called an ambulance and cleared the gallery.

Prosecutor Neil Wiberg told KTW Thomas was ordered by a doctor not to attend court.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Shelly Fitzpatrick has granted an eight-week adjournment of the trial until Dec. 5.

In a press release, the Secwépemc protest group said Thomas sustained “severe, non-cardiac chest pain due to stress.” The release said she was taken to Royal Inland Hospital, which is next door to the court house, by ambulance and dis charged that same evening.

Thomas and her three co-accused were arrested on Oct. 15, 2020, for allegedly breaching the injunction. The accused were not held in cus tody and the start of the trial faced delays due to the pan demic and last year’s wildfires and floods.

Protesters set up an encampment along the beach of the Thompson River in October 2020, near Trans Mountain’s worksite off Mission Flats Road, just west of the Kruger pulp mill.

From that site, workers were feathering the twinned pipeline under the Thompson

April Thomas, a defendant in a trial involving Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project protesters who allegedly breached a court injunction in 2020, fell ill in a Kamloops court on Oct. 5.

River to a spot near the Kamloops Airport — a proj ect that has since been com pleted.

The group claims the Secwépemc nation has not been consulted and has never given consent for the federal government’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project to proceed and cross waterways.

In 2020, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation denounced the protests, with elected Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir issuing a statement that the area Trans Mountain is working in is Tk’emlúps’ area of respon sibility, stating no one else has the right to speak on the band’s behalf.

At the time, the protest

ers informed KTW they represent the will of the Secwépemc people and contend First Nations band councils that support the pipeline project have been bought off to do so.

Tk’emlúps received $3 million from Trans Mountain as part of a benefits agree ment. The City of Kamloops received $900,000.

The City Of Kamloops to establish a system of community tasks for the disadvantaged (as in Japan) and involve them in Town Hall Forums to be a part of the solution process City to work in concert with: Federal Level, Militar y Ser vice Option

Level-Skill Training

Level-Clean

TRU

SECWÉPEMC SACRED WOMAN’S FIRE COUNCIL PHOTO

Residents await ruling on ‘renoviction’ bid

JESSICA WALLACE

Residents of the Pineview Heights town house complex in Pineview Valley, who are facing potential eviction from their homes, are awaiting their fate following a hearing with the B.C. Residential Tenancy Board (RTB).

In June, residents received so-called renoviction letters, informing them their landlord, Fraserview Development Corporation, had applied to the RTB to have tenants vacated from their rental apartments to complete a mass renovation of the 20-year-old complex.

A pre-conference hearing was held on Oct. 3, which one resident described to KTW as merely procedural. A 1-800 num ber was provided for residents to dial in for the hearing, conducted via telephone conference call.

The resident, who has lived in Pineview Heights, at 1920 Hugh Allen Dr., for the past four years, told KTW no evidence was reviewed at the pre-conference, just the application from the landlord.

She said the RTB will now move on to an arbitration hearing, a date for which has

not yet been set.

If the arbitrator determines the work would require tenants moving out perma nently, the RTB will give Fraserview an order of possession, leaving tenants four months’ notice, with the last month’s rent paid for by Fraserview.

In 2021, the provincial government changed legislation to protect residents from being victims of renovictions by requiring landlords to apply to the RTB for pre-approval before ending a tenancy.

Fraserview’s notice indicates tenants will have to vacate their addresses by February 2023, pending RTB approval of its application.

The company doesn’t require all 42 units to be vacant at one time — with work anticipated to be completed four units at a time — but Fraserview director Curtis Schlosser previously told KTW the renova tions are such that residents won’t be able to reside in the homes during the work.

According to B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act’s policy guidelines, each individual renovation listed by Fraserview is classified as causing minimal disruption to tenants and unlikely to require vacancy.

While legislation would give current Pineview Heights tenants the right of first

refusal (meaning they get first shot at mov ing back into their renovated unit), higher rents may be too expensive for them.

Residents in most units have been pay ing monthly rent of between $1,700 and $2,000. Some units that have been vacated since June have been listed with increases in rent.

Up to 42 families, many with schoolaged children, live in the complex. Some have spoken with KTW, noting they can not afford a rent increase — something the landlord said is coming with the renova tion.

About a dozen of the Pineview Heights residents met in July to discuss their options to remain in their homes with representatives of the Thompson Rivers University Community Legal Clinic, which is representing tenants at the RTB hearing.

If the landlord’s application is success ful, but the landlord doesn’t go through with the proposed renovations, tenants could apply to be compensated a year’s rent, but wouldn’t be entitled to move back into their homes at current rental rates.

While provincial legislation caps annual rent increases at 1.5 per cent in 2022, once a unit is vacant, rent can be set at any price.

I’m Margot Middleton and I’m running for a seat on Kamloops City Council.

I bring Thoughtful Leadership and Sound Counsel to the business I operate, to my family, and I plan to do the same as a Kamloops City Councillor My key areas of focus are:

Opportunities for Youth

Increase Capacity for Clean/Light Industry

Livability for All

The Power of Participation

I invite you to learn more at margotmiddleton.ca I hope I can count on your vote.

Up to 42 families, many with school-aged children, in the Pineview Heights complex at 1920 Hugh Allan Dr. in Pineview Valley received the letter from Fraserview Development Corporation on June 24,informing them of the pending evictions due to numerous planned refurbishments.

KTW PHOTO

Saturday, October 15th - Election Day

Endorsed by:

Free smoke, CO2 alarms for residents

In recognizing the 100th anniversa ry of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15, the ThompsonNicola Regional Library is offering up free First Alert smoke and CO2 alarms to encourage residents to embrace this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme of “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”

“Today’s homes burn faster than

ever. You may have as little as two min utes — or even less — to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” said Jeremy Denny, regional fire prevention officer with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

“Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warn ing from smoke alarms and advance planning,”

While quantities last, residents

Construction is under way in your area.

can pick up an alarm and find home fire information at any library branch, including the mobile library, during Fire Prevention Week. In Kamloops, there are libraries downtown at Victoria Street and Fifth Avenue and on the North Shore at 689 Tranquille Rd.

The First Alert smoke and CO2 alarms are certified for use in Canada, feature a 10-year battery life and do not require electrical work to set up.

DOE-N’T HAVE A CARE IN THE WORLD

Tobiano Golf buys Domenic’s Marine

developing much of west Aberdeen.

Tobiano Golf is adding to its roster of assets with the purchase of Domenic’s Marine Ltd. Domenic’s will continue to operate out of 461 Dene Dr. in the Mount Paul Industrial Park on the Tk’emlúps reserve, but will soon offer integrated marine sales, services and on-site boat demos out of Bruker Marina & Beach Club at Tobiano.

Tobiano Golf — owned by Kamloops developer Mike Ternier — purchased Bruker Marina from Bruce Robertson and Kerry Wiebe in December 2021.

“Connecting the marine sales and services available through Domenic’s Marine with the existing marina amenities available at Bruker Marina & Beach Club continues to build on the overall attractiveness of Tobiano as a golf, recreation, and community destination in which to play and live,” Ternier said in a state ment.

Ternier is also part-owner of Aberdeen Highlands Development Corporation, which is

Domenic’s manager Frank Lucia, son of founder Domenic Lucia, said he expects growth following the deal.

“We are very excited about the growth in our service offerings that will come by joining with Michael and the operations at Tobiano and Bruker Marina & Beach Club,” Lucia said in a statement.

“We have some great ideas to offer our existing clientele and to guests and residents at Tobiano.”

In that same statement, Bruker general manager Kerry Wiebe said future on-site ser vicing will be added to the marina.

In 2017, Ternier bought the golf course — repeatedly named best course in Canada by various magazines and organizations — from John Preston and Henry Bereznicki. The two men had purchased the 18-hole track out of receivership from the Business Development Bank of Canada in 2013.

The Tobiano real estate development and golf course went into receivership in 2011

when founder Mike Grenier, through his Pagebrook and Kamlands Holdings, was facing a $26-million debt with the Bank of Montreal.

In 2014, Ternier and partners Fred Fischer, Stan Moskwa, Enzo Lizzi and Tarn Ollek pur chased the Tobiano real estate development out of receivership.

Between 2014 and 2019, that ownership structure changed, with Ternier and Diverse Properties Ltd. of Abbotsford each sharing 50 per cent ownership. In 2019, Ternier sold his share of the real estate arm to Diverse.

NEW COO

Owen Matheson has been named new chief operating officer of Vanguard Development Corp., parent company of Tobiano Golf.

Matheson, who has experience in consult ing engineering, utilities and construction, will be responsible for Tobiano Golf Course, Bruker Marina & Beach Club, Domenic’s Marine and other related commercial devel opments.

Program to pair city staff with outreach workers

The City of Kamloops is working with the ASK Wellness Society and the Canadian Mental Health Association to pair outreach workers with community services officers beginning next month.

The program primarily aims to connect homeless people to shelter and support services.

In a release, the city said the

On Oct. 22, get to know your neighbours

The annual Know Your Neighbour Day Walk, which has been suspended since 2020 due to pandemic, will return on Saturday, Oct. 22.

It will take place at 11 a.m. at the Meeting of Waters Promenade in Riverside Park. Refreshments will be provided.

The event was started in 2012 by mem bers of the local Sikh community, honour ing the birthdate of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh religion, and his uni versal message of our common humanity.

The walk was initiated as a way of bringing people together to build bridges to mutual understanding and friendship.

People of all backgrounds, creeds, faiths and ethnicities are invited to take part.

In the spirit of the walk, organizers are also asking people to check on their neigh bours, and shut-ins in the spirit of caring, friendship and solidarity represented by Know Your Neighbour Day.

Remembrance Day concert set

The Cantabile Singers will soon host their annual Remembrance Day concert.

The 12th annual event will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1136 Sixth Ave. in Sagebrush (South Kamloops).

Ryan Noakes, the choir’s music direc tor, said the concert brings the community together to remember and honour those lost to war and conflict.

“Whether you were affected through service or living in an area impacted by conflict, or you know someone has been or currently is in active service or living through conflict, Remembrance Day can be a very emotional day for many of us,” he said.

Community Services Officer Outreach and Response Program will launch on Nov. 1 and operate from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days per week.

“We hear residents loud and clear on their concerns about health and safety in Kamloops,” the city’s community and pro tective services director, Byron McCorkell, said in the release, adding it is an “out-of-

the-box” program.

McCorkell noted connection, compas sion and a helping hand are needed. The partnering agencies further lauded the initiative.

The program will be funded through the Union of BC Municipalities Strengthening Communities’ Services Program.

The performance will feature a wide range of music, including a composition by Noakes of the iconic wartime poem In Flanders Fields

The first half of the concert will be dedicated to the theme of grief, while the second half will shift to a sense of hope for the future.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth, available in advance online from cantabile-singers.eventbrite.ca or at the door for an additional $5.

This doe is a daily sighting on McArthur Island and has become oblivious to passersby who want to take a photo. ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

TRAVEL

Contrasts of languid Laos to hustling Hanoi

BARRY TRUTER

TO KTW

in Chao (goodday): Greetings from Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

I’ve been riding local buses across northern Thailand to the Mekong River and the Laos border town of Houei Xia.

Now, I’m travelling down the Mekong on a slow boat. The river is broad with sandy banks, at times narrowing to rocky channels. Vegetation is lush and green, the area sparsely populated.

I overnight in Pakbeng, a bend in the river with a frontier town feel rough, ragged and edgy.

In the morning there are elephants on the far bank and the mist, rocks and rapids remind me of scenes from the movies, The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now.

The day brings increasing river traffic and larger village populations, peanut farms, women in conical hats panning for gold, fishermen with their nets, a limestone karst landscape and a stronger current, which takes us to Luang Prabang — the UNESCO heritage site famous for its colonial architecture.

The night market is extensive, and the Royal Palace houses a highly revered gold Buddha statue.

A couple of days later, I’m on a hair-raising ride in a minivan across a mountain range. Heavy morning fog fills the valleys. As the road rises above the mist,

mountain peaks punch their way through, like green islands in a foggy sea. There are hundreds of switchbacks, hairpins and preci pices as we climb to 2,000 metres.

Villages cling to the cliff sides, caught between the narrow road and the edge of the world. Our driver is ruthless, reckless, relent less as he takes each turn. He hates being passed.

Eventually, we arrive at Vang Vieng on the Nam Song River, where beer flows faster than the river itself. This place has a reputation for outdoor activities — tubing, caving, rock climbing, hot air ballooning, kayaking, dirt biking and partying.

Another minivan ride takes me into the capital city, Vientiane,

where one walks on the road because the sidewalks are filled with parked cars and motorbikes.

The National Museum houses a decaying artifact collection, much of which concerns the unofficial, “secret” war waged by the U.S.

Laos has the dubious distinction of having more bombs dropped on it per capita than any other nation on the planet. Between 1964 and 1973, 260 million bombs were dumped on the country, of which an estimated 80 million failed to explode.

UXO (un-exploded ordinance) projects continue, hoping to find the explosives before farmers or children stumble on them.

My next stop is the border town of Lak Sao with its single main

street — wide, dusty and unpaved, like a scene from a spaghetti western.

The truck-crossing into Vietnam is sparsely populated with fledgling businesses, a handful of tourists and one restaurant. The market offers fresh fruit and vegetables for sale and fly-blown fish, meat, rats, moles, squirrels and insects.

A short ride takes me across the Vietnam border to Vinh (birthplace of Ho Chi Minh) to catch the over night train to Hanoi.

I’m holed up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where I find myself fall ing for the city, despite its traffic, which is nearly killing me.

Some cities have one-way streets, some two-way streets — Hanoi has all-way streets. Endless

streams of motorbikes weave aggressively between buses, trucks, cars, cyclists, pedestrians, street vendors and push carts.

One day, I take a break from the city and visit Halong Bay, also a UNESCO site. Two thousand lime stone islets dot the bay like stone soup. The scenery is breathtaking, the caves even more so.

But Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a source of wonder too — vibrant, vigorous, visceral.

Delicious pho is served in numerous noodle soup restaurants. Egg coffee is sipped on balconies overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Sidewalk food stalls, bakeries, bars and cafes abound, intermingled with mini hotels and hostels, family shops, small businesses and the never-ending hustle of street life.

The hammer and sickle flies prominently in both Vietnam and Laos. But there are many differences.

Laos is languid, land-locked, laid-back. Vietnam is industrious, and twice the size with 15 times the population — 90 million people versus 6.5 million for Laos.

Vietnam is strategic and fiercely independent having fought Chinese, Mongol, French and American invasions.

For much of that same period, Laos was considered a backwater buffer state. In Hanoi, the traffic greets the dawn, in Laos the cocks crow lustily in the pre-dawn stillness. I take these contrasts home with me.

Travel Writers’ Tales is an independent newspaper column. To check out more, visit travelwriterstales.com.

The vegetable market in Luang Prabang, Laos reveals a blend of rural and urban developments over several centuries. BARRY TRUTER PHOTO

‘Vendetta’ season underway

MARTY HASTINGS

They

grumble of being an after thought that feeds on scraps from the Coast and they join a generations-long cue that complains of secondclass citizenship in the B.C. high school sports ranks, of feeling like a nuisance from the north.

“We feel cheated, so we’ve kind of got a vendetta playing against anyone else in the league,” South Kamloops Titans’ senior football standout Kai Yamaoka said after practice on Oct. 4.

The 2022 Titans remember last year just fine.

BC School Sports rescheduled its playoff format in November in the wake of heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding and land slides in southern B.C., havoc that closed highways and eliminated road travel from the Coast to the Interior and the rest of Canada.

The new format meant South Kam and other Okanagan, Interior and North region teams could not advance to play in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver to compete for a B.C. championship in the Subway Bowl.

Titans’ head coach Brad Yamaoka, Kai’s father and a for mer CFLer, was outspoken in his opposition to the decision-making process, noting it was arbitrary and lacked transparency.

“We kind of got messed around a little bit last year with the flood ing and everything and it was unfortunate,” he said. “I thought we had a great chance to make it into the next round of the playoffs. Those are things out of our control, though.

“You’ve just got to move on.”

The AAA Kelowna Owls van quished the AA Titans 37-8 in the semifinal round of the rescheduled regional playoffs — the Interior/ North AA/AAA Subway Bowl — last winter at Hillside Stadium, bringing an end to a season that had potential.

“A lot of our guys are still mad about that,” said Kai Yamaoka, who plays linebacker and running back.

“I feel bad for all of the Grade 12s last year. They had a chance to do something special, go down to BC Place and play in their final year.”

South Kam relations with Lower Mainland-based league organizers have not improved

since a new playoff format was introduced for 2022.

Yamaoka said the change means only one team from the AA Interior Division — which includes the Titans, Vernon Panthers, Clarence Fulton Maroons of Vernon and Salmon Arm Golds — has the opportunity to advance to the provincial semifinal round, which will take place in BC Place, along with the title tilt.

In previous years, two teams had potential to escape the divi sion and play under the bright lights of the dome.

“My belief is it’s not the way to get the best teams into the semifi nals, but that’s another conversa

tion,” Brad Yamaoka said, noting North and Interior division squads challenged the new format and suggested an alternative, which was not accepted.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to make it to the dome in the semifi nals. That’s the goal,” he said.

The B.C. Secondary Schools Football Association has been con tacted for comment on the playoff format.

South Kam began regular season AA varsity action with a 38-0 win over the Salmon Arm Golds on Friday, Oct. 7, at Hillside Stadium.

Pegged at No. 6 last week in BC School Sports AA Football

rankings, the Titans have been building for this year and boast a core group that has been playing together since Grade 5 in the com munity football ranks.

“The potential for this group is awesome,” said key Grade 12 cog Jesse Peters, who plays quarter back, defensive back and punter.

“We pretty much have our core defence we’ve had since Grade 9. You can’t ask for much more than that on a high school team.”

Vernon, which lost by one point to AAA Kelowna in the regional final last year, was last week ranked fifth in the province.

Maxwell Manshadi finds a hole for the South Kamloops Titans last month in exhibition action against South Delta. South Kam blanked Salmon Arm 38-0 on Friday.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Clouston 10th WHL head coach to reach 500 wins

MARTY HASTINGS

Shaun Clouston became the 10th head coach in Western Hockey League history to reach 500 wins on Friday at Sandman Centre.

Bench boss Clouston and his Kamloops Blazers vanquished the Victoria Royals 5-2, a win that spurred congratulatory messages from across the hockey world.

“I think the neatest thing was just all of the congrats,” said Clouston, who turned 54 in February. “Life in hockey, you’re in a lot of different places, so there are former players and teammates and guys you coached with, so that was the neat thing, just hearing from a lot of different people.”

Clouston reached 501 wins on Saturday, when the Blazers earned their 23rd consecutive victory over the visiting Royals, a 3-1 triumph that inched him closer to the top of the heap,

where his associate coach stands alone.

Kamloops product Don Hay — a head coach in the WHL for 19 seasons — reached the 750-win mark and holds an eight-victory lead on second-place Ken Hodge.

“Yeah, you look at Don Hay across the desk. He’s got 750 and he still loves the game and is pas sionate about it,” Clouston said.

“He’s been a real inspiration for our entire group. He’s done a tre mendous job.

“You try and imagine how much more 750 is in bus miles and practices. It’s pretty phenom enal.”

Clouston, now in his 14th season as a head coach in the league, noted it was an added bonus to get win No. 500 on home ice.

“This has been a solid spot for me and my family,” Clouston said. “The organization has been great. It was nice to share it with a lot of the guys in there, like Brando [Ethan Brandwood] and Semi [Matthew Seminoff]

and Banks [Caedan Bankier] and Kuefs [Daylan Kuefler], guys who have been here since Day 1. They’re a big part of a lot of those wins.”

Hay, 68, is in his 12th season as a WHL deputy. Clouston has eight seasons of experience as an assistant/associate coach in the league.

“Without that, you just don’t get here,” Clouston said. “I learned a ton from Mike Williamson in Portland and, especially, in my seven years in Medicine Hat working with Willie [Desjardins].”

The number of wins behind the Blazers’ bench is stagger ing, experience the club will rely on for its push toward the 2023 Memorial Cup, with the tourna ment slated for next spring in Kamloops.

Next up on Clouston’s push toward Hay on the all-time-wins list is the late Pat Ginell, who holds down the No. 9 spot with 518 victories.

“It’s longevity,” Clouston said.

“Sometimes, guys don’t get there because they move up.

“And you have to have some good fortune. Somebody has got to give you an opportunity, more than once, and then you’ve got to persevere. You’ve got to be pre pared for that opportunity.”

TOP 10

Below is the list of the top 10 winningest coaches in WHL his tory as of Monday, Oct. 10.

1. Don Hay — 750; 2. Ken Hodge — 742; 3. Don Nachbaur — 692; 4. Lorne Molleken — 626; 5. Marc Habscheid — 572 (in 1,166 games); 5. Mike Williamson — 572 (1,176 games); 7. Ernie McLean — 548; 8. Brent Sutter — 526; 9. Pat Ginnell — 518; and 10. Shaun Clouston — 501.

— Stats courtesy Chris Wahl, WHL

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Kamloops Blazers’ head coach Shaun Clouston hit the 500-win mark on Friday at Sandman Centre, becoming the 10th bench boss in league history to reach the milestone.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Stankoven joins Blazers

Logan Stankoven has returned to Kamloops and is expected to be in the Blazers’ lineup this weekend when the club heads south to square off against a pair of U.S. Division opponents.

The Dallas Stars on Sunday reduced their roster to 24 players and reassigned Stankoven, the reigning CHL player of the year, to his WHL club.

Kamloops is slated to play the TriCity Americans on Friday in Kennewick, Wash, and the Winterhawks in Portland on Saturday.

Stankoven, who racked up 45 goals and 104 points in 59 games last season, is scheduled to make his 2022-2023 home debut on Tuesday, Oct. 18, when the

Brandon Wheat Kings come to town.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Sandman Centre.

For more on 19-year-old forward Stankoven, who was picked by the Stars in Round 2 of the 2021 NHL Draft, go online to kamloopsthisweekcom.

Subscribe to Kamloops Last Week on YouTube to see video of him meeting with the media on Tuesday after practise on Mark Recchi Way.

Blazers’ forward Fraser Minten is expect ed to return to Kamloops this weekend and is hopeful to be in the lineup on Oct. 21, when Kamloops plays host to the Winnipeg Ice at Sandman Centre.

The Maple Leafs’ prospect is rehabbing a wrist injury in Toronto.

TITANS TAKE AIM AT SUBWAY BOWL

Bench boss Yamaoka sought stringent competi tion for his club during pre-season play, arranging matchups against South Delta and Notre Dame, the 10th- and third-ranked AAA teams in B.C., respectively.

South Delta edged South Kamloops 28-21 on Sept. 17 at Hillside Stadium. Notre Dame bested the visitors from Kamloops 31-7 on Sept. 24 in Vancouver.

“I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to get bet ter, you’ve got to play good teams,” Brad Yamaoka said. “We loaded our schedule with some pretty good com petition. Hopefully, we got better out of it.”

South Kam’s defence is anchored by Kai Yamaoka and his long-locked line backing partner Grayson Peters, the core of the team’s “tight-knit family,” said Jesse Peters.

“The mullet is still beau

tiful,” Kai said of Grayson’s flow. “This is just fun, plainold fun. I’ve kind of grown up with these guys, and then with my dad coaching, it’s something special. On the field, I call him coach. I don’t call him dad. That’s like a cardinal sin.”

The team that places first in the Interior Division will get a bye to a quarterfinal matchup, a game against the winner of a tilt between the second- and third-place squads in the division.

A victory in the quarterfinal round will grant pas sage to a Subway Bowl semifinal matchup at BC Place Stadium.

That same format will determine which squad from the North Division reaches Vancouver. Two Coastal Division clubs will round out the group of semifinalists.

“Oh, man. It would be awesome,” Kai Yamaoka

said of playing under the lights. “I played in the Ottawa Red Blacks’ stadium a while back for a CFC (canadafootballchat.com) game. You look up at the big screen … That was an experience. I’d like some of these guys to be able to enjoy what I enjoyed.”

UNDER THE LIGHTS

The Titans put together a team effort on Friday in the shutout win over the Golds.

Kai Yamaoka recovered a blocked punt in the Salmon Arm end zone and tallied a rushing major.

Jesse Peters returned an interception for a touchdown and threw TD passes to Mitch Landry and Grayson Peters.

Marqus Crawford was perfect on extra points and tacked on a field goal.

South Kam will be in action next against Rutland, an exhibition tilt on Oct. 21 in Kelowna.

The wait is nearly over for Kamloops Blazers’ fans itching to see Logan Stankoven in WHL action at Sandman Centre. Stankoven was on Sunday reassigned to Kamloops by the Dallas Stars.

Emily Clark of Kamloops leads the TRU WolfPack women’s soccer team in goal scoring and points in 2022. She has four goals and five points in 12 games this season.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

TRU women earn soccer split; Sodaro to join Pack

The TRU WolfPack women’s soccer team split a pair of games with their rivals from Kelowna on the weekend, edging the UBC Okanagan Heat 1-0 on Friday in Kamloops before falling 2-1 on Saturday in the Little Apple.

Emily Clark of Kamloops nabbed the match-winning marker on Friday in the 70th minute in support of goalkeeper Marissa Young, who kept a clean sheet.

Alexis Virgo scored in a losing effort on Saturday for TRU, which has two matches remaining in the regular season and controls its post-season destiny.

The UNBC Timberwolves of Prince George will play host to the Pack on Friday, Oct. 14, before TRU bolts for Calgary to play the Dinos on Sunday, Oct. 16.

The top five teams in the Pacific Division will qualify for the playoffs.

Calgary (6-4-2) is in third place, TRU (5-5-2) is fourth and UNBC (4-5-3) and Victoria (4-5-3) are tied for fifth.

UBC Okanagan is 3-6-3 on the campaign.

WOLFPACK SETBACK

Two opportunities to solidify their place at the top of the Pacific Division standings went begging on

the weekend for the Pack men’s soccer squad.

The UBC Okanagan Heat, bolstered by stingy defence and strong goal keeping from Ronan Woodroffe, edged the Pack 2-1 on Friday in Kelowna and played to a 1-1 draw with TRU on Saturday at Hillside Stadium.

“We’ll give the guys a week off,” WolfPack head coach John Antulov told TRU Sports Information, with his club heading into a bye week. “I think every body just needs to recharge their batteries and get refo cused.”

Mikkel Rosenlund scored TRU’s only goal on the weekend. The Heat improved to 4-4-3 to improve their chances of qualifying for the postseason.

The WolfPack (7-3-3) are atop the Pacific Division, but have played fewer matches than both the UBC Thunderbirds (6-3-2) and UNBC Timberwolves (6-42) of Prince George.

TRU’s efforts to nail down top seed and a more favourable Canada West quarter-final matchup will resume on Oct. 21 against the Vikes (2-6-4) in Victoria and conclude in the regular-season finale against UBC on Oct. 22 in Vancouver.

The WolfPack will play host to the U Sports Men’s Soccer Championship in November and receive an automatic berth into the event.

‘BLUE-CHIP’ RECRUIT

TRU WolfPack men’s volleyball head coach Pat Hennelly said setter Walker Sodaro has poten tial to help push his club back into the conversation among the top teams in Canada West.

Sodaro, a 6-foot-2 set ter from Kelowna, has committed to toil for the Pack, alongside his brother, second-year outside hitter/ libero Mason Sadaro.

“He’s a blue-chip pros pect and our success has always come from getting a few international play ers and tying in Canadian standouts like Gord Perrin, Brad Gunter and Colin Carson. I see Walker as a lynchpin of our program for the next five years that will help us get back into the top third of Canada West and nationally ranked in the country.”

Sodaro is in Grade 12 at Kelowna secondary and helped the Owls claim the AAA boys’ provincial high school volleyball cham pionship in 2021, earning tournament MVP honours in the process.

Tk’émlúps bidding to host 2027 North American Indigenous Games

The City of Kamloops is sup porting Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc’s bid to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games in the city.

The support includes up to $500,000 of in-kind support in the form of facilities and staff time and a potential cash contribution should the bid be successful.

The 2027 North American Indigenous Games is the largest multi sport and cultural event host ed in Canada and the United States and specifically targets Indigenous populations. Historically, the North American Indigenous Games has brought together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from more than 756 Indigenous nations.

The city noted the North American Indigenous Games Council— the international govern ing body for the Games — ensures the purposes and philosophies are reflected in all aspects of the Games and works in a manner that is consistent with the cultural,

spiritual and traditional values of the people it represents.

Each North American Indigenous Games features eight days of competition in July, with up to 16 sports featured. The sporting events may include 3D archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, box lacrosse, canoe/kayak, golf, rifle shooting, soccer, softball, swim ming, volleyball and wrestling.

The North American Indigenous Games are held every four years and use a geographic rotation when choosing the next loca tion. The 2020 North American Indigenous Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The next Games will be held in Halifax in 2023. The 2027 bid is for the western region and the next opportunity for the region to host after 2027 is in 2039.

“The North American Indigenous Games represents the pinnacle of interprovincial/territo rial sport and cultural celebration which embodies the cultural, spiri tual, and traditional values of our people,” Tk’emlúps Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir said in a release.

Sean Smith, the city’s business operations and events supervisor, said Kamloops has world -class facilities and the city has a proven track record of “providing an exceptional athlete experience.”

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Kaleb Senz (left) and Evan Guizzo celebrate a touchdown earlier this month at Hillside Stadium. Kamloops posted a 4-6 mark in 2022.

BRONCOS’ SEASON ENDS

The Kamloops Broncos finished the 2022 B.C. Football Conference season with a record of 4-6, improving on their one-win season in 2021.

Reece Wyke of the Valley Huskers rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-29 victory over the Broncos on Saturday in Chilliwack.

The BCFC playoffs will begin this weekend, with the No. 1-seed Okanagan Sun (10-0) of Kelowna playing host to the No. 4 Langley Rams (5-5) and the No. 2 Westshore Rebels (7-3) of Langford host ing the No. 3 Huskers (7-3).

Kamloops has neither qualified for the post-season nor posted a record of .500 or better since 2015, when it recorded a 5-5 mark to reach the playoffs.

Bachelor

UNTIL SOLD RUNUNTIL RENTED GAREMPLOYMENTLISAGESALE TINGS

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The Smorgasbord Deli for Sale

P A P E R R O U T E S A V A I L A B L E

NOTICE OF SALE

Notice is hereby given to Jules Joseph Keith, please be advised that your 2012 Ford Focus VIN 1FAHP3F25CL136660 located at 1350

Kootenay Way, Kamloops, BC will be sold to cover debt of $3519 on Oct 19 2022, at 10:00 am Kamloops Auto Recycling Ltd

NOTICE OF SALE

Notice is hereby given to Wilde Jessica, please be advised that your 2005 Dodge Dakota VIN

1D7HE42K75S126870 located at 1350

Kootenay Way, Kamloops, BC will be sold to cover debt of $1445 25 on Oct 19, 2022 at 10:00 am Kamloops Auto Recycling Ltd

The Smorgabord

cosy deli

a deli/ grocery store/gift shop in the heart of Kamloops.

homemade soups and sandwiches

local produce, gift shop sells fair trade items,

DOWNTOWN

Rte 306 261 6th Ave 614 911

Seymour St 600 696 St Pau St 753 761 Victor a St 26 p

Rte 308 355 9th Ave

703 977 St Pau St 35 p

Rte 310 651 695 2nd Ave 660 690 3rd Ave, 110 292

Co umbia St(Even S de)

106 321 Nicola St 43 p

Rte 311 423 676 1st Ave

Rte 403 405 482 Greenstone Dr Tod Cres 28 p

Rte 405 Anv Cres 98 279

Bestwick Dr Bestwick Crt E

Bestwick Crt W Morrisey P 51 p

Rte 449 Assiniboine Rd Azure Pl Ch no Pl Sedona Dr 90 p

Rte 451 Odin Crt Wh teshield

Cres Wh teshield P 39 p

Rte 452 1430 1469

Garymede Dr G asgow P

Greystone Cres 58 p

Rte 522 604 747 Dunrob n Dr Dunrobin P 65 p

Rte 526 2015 2069

Van Horne Dr 69 p

Rte

Westsyde

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both local produce

European

new equipment

garden centre

400 533 2nd Ave 107 237 Batt e St, 135 173 St Paul St 27 p Rte 313 430 566 4th Ave 520 577 5th Ave, 435 559 Battle St 506 Co umbia St 406 576 Nicola St 418 478 St Pau St 34 p

Rte 317 535 649 7th Ave, 702 794 Columbia St(Even Side),702 799 N cola St 40 p

Spr ngh l Dr 64 p Rte 453 1575 1580

Spr ngh l Dr 73 p Rte 454 Crosby Rd Humphrey Rd 580 Sedona Dr Spr ngfield P 1600 1799 Spr nghil Dr 45 p

Rte 455 1780

Spr ngv ew P 32 p

Rte 456 Spr nghaven Pl Spr ngridge P 1730 1799

well

Rte 318 463 6th Ave 446

490 7th Ave 409 585 8th Ave 604 794 Batt e St 17 p

Rte 319 545 6th Ave 604 690 Columbia St(Even Side), 604 692 Nicola St 12 p Rte 322 694 11th Ave, 575 694 13th Ave 1003 1091 Batt e St 1004 1286 Columbia St(Even S de) 1004 1314 N cola St 56 p

Rte 323 755 783 6th Ave 763 884 7th Ave, 744 764 8th Ave 603 783 Columbia St(Odd Side) 605 793 Dom n on St 52 p

Rte 324 606 795 Pine St 33 p

Rte 325 764 825 9th Ave 805 979 Columbia St(Odd S de) 804 987 Dom n on St 805 986 Pine St 64 p

Rte 326 850 11th Ave, 1003 1083 Columbia St(Odd Side) 1003 1195 Dominion St 33 p

Rte 327 1103 1459

Co umbia St(Odd Side 1203 1296 Dominion St 38 p

Rte 328 935 13th Ave

Cloverleaf Cres Dominion Cres, Park Cres Pine Cres 62 p

Rte 329 880 1101 6th Ave, 925 1045 7th Ave 878 1020 8th Ave 605 795 P easant St 39 p

Rte 330 1062 1125 7th Ave 1066 1140 8th Ave 601 783 Doug as St 37 p

Rte 331 984 987 9th Ave 1125 10th Ave 901 981 Douglas St 902 999 Munro St 33 p Rte 335 1175 1460 6th Ave 1165 1185 7th Ave Cowan St, 550 792 Munro St 56 p

Spr ngview P 47 p

Rte 459 Monarch Crt & P 38 p

Rte 467 1605+1625

Summit Dr 28 p Rte 471 100 293

Monmouth Dr 37 p Rte 474 Coppertree

Crt Trophy Crt 21 p

Rte 475 Castle Towers Dr Sedgewick Crt & Dr 47 p

Rte 476 Tanta us Crt, T nniswood

Crt 2018 2095 Tremerton Dr 50 p

Rte 485 690 Robson Dr 2020+2084 Robson Pl 45 p

MT DUFFERIN/ PINEVIEW VALLEY

Rte 561 Ash Wynd Fir Pl 1700 1798 Lodgepole Dr 58 p

Rte 580 1300 1466 Pac fic Way

Pra rie Rose Dr, Rockcress Dr 83 p

Rte 582 1540 1670 H lls de Dr, 1500 1625 Mt Duffer n Ave Windward Pl 38 p

Rte 584 1752 1855 Hi lside Dr 26 p

Rte 586 Mt Duffer n Cres Park Way P ateau P 26 p

Rte 587 Sunsh ne Crt & P 51 p

Rte 588 Davies Pl 1680 1751 H llside Dr H l s de P Monterey P Scott Pl 46 p

Rte 589 1200 1385 Copperhead Dr 48 p Rte 590 1397 Copperhead Dr, Saskatoon Pl 36 p

ABERDEEN

GOT

Use it to earn CASH!

Kamloops This Week is looking for energetic individuals to join our team of Contract Drivers

This is a part-time, 1 night per week contract delivering newspapers to carriers, businesses and apartments.

Applicants must have a suitable vehicle (van or covered pickup) with all necessary insurance and a valid BC driver’s licence

Pay is based on a combination of hours worked, papers delivered and kilometres driven but each route usually averages out to between $79 per delivery for about 3.5 hours worth of work per regular delivery with extra pay during busy holiday periods!

Rte 339 1265 1401 9th Ave, 916 1095 Fraser St 26 p Rte 340 McMurdo Dr 23 p

Rte 370 N cola Wagon Rd 35 377 W Seynour St 36 p Rte 371 Connaught Rd 451 475 Lee Rd W St Paul St 73 p Rte 380 Arbutus St Chaparra Pl Powers Rd Sequoia Pl 69 p Rte 381 20 128 Centre Ave Hemlock St 605 800 Lombard St 42 p Rte 382 114 150 Fernie Pl Fern e Rd 860 895 Lombard St 23 p Rte 389 Bluff P 390 Centre Ave 242 416 W Co umb a St, Duffer n Terr, Garden Terr, Grandv ew Terr 51 p

LOWER SAHALI/SAHALI

Rte 400 383 W Co umbia St 21 p

Rte 401 250 395 405 425 Pemberton Terr 81 p

Rte 501 655 899 F em ng Dr Fleming Pl 49 p Rte 503 Fleming Circ Hampsh re Dr & P Hector Dr 51 p Rte 505 2005 2141 S fton Ave 51 p Rte 504 2146 2294 Sifton Ave S fton Lane 48 p Rte 508 700 810 Hugh Allan Dr 49 p Rte 509 459 551 Laurier Dr, Shaughnessy Hil 46 p Rte 510 372 586 Aberdeen Dr, 402 455 Laurier Dr 36 p Rte 511 Drummond Crt 50 p Rte 512 A nsl e Pl, Ba four Crt Braemar Dr MacIntyre Pl 69 p Rte 513 Braemar Way 556 696 Laurier Dr 2214 2296 Van Horne Dr 36 p Rte 516 Garymede Crt 2204 2263 Garymede Dr Gi mour P 38 p Rte 518 2100 2198

Rte 527 Hunter P Hunt eigh Cres 25 p Rte 528 1115 1180 Howe Rd 1115 1185 Hugh A len Dr 47 p Rte 530 Benta l Dr Ed nburgh Blvd & Crt Ta bot Pl 2688 2689

Wil owbrae Dr 61 p Rte 532 Harrison Pl & Way 1181 1290 Howe Rd 38 p Rte 538 Talbot Dr Wil owbrae Crt & Pl 2592 2672

Wil owbrae Dr 51 p Rte 540 Galbra th Dr Raeburn Dr Telford Dr & Pl 58 p Rte 542 Coa H ll Pl Crosshi l Dr Dunbar Dr

VALLEYVIEW/JUNIPER

WESTSYDE/WESTMOUNT

DALLAS/BARNHARTVALE

Rte 701 Freda Ave

Dr,

Westsyde Rd (Even S de) 53 p

249 3085 3132 Bank Rd

655 Bissette Rd Cooper P Hayward P , Norbury Rd 57 p

253 Irving Pl 2401 2477 Parkview Dr Rhonmore Cres 2380+2416 Westsyde Rd 45 p

255 2478 2681 Parkview Dr 28 p

261 2214 2297 Grasslands Blvd Woodrush Crt & Dr 57 p

BROCKLEHURST

Rte 1 Argy e Ave Ayr P 1063 1199 Crestline St 1008 1080 Moray St Perth Pl 93

901 935

Rte 718 Be

Rte 721 5530 5697

Coolr

Rte 751 5310 Barnhartva

5485 5497

Dal

Viking

Rte 752 Coster

5600 5998 Dal as Dr Harper

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P Yarrow Pl 71

Rte 760 Beaver Cres Chukar Dr 62

NORTH SHORE/BATCHELOR

Rte 102 1071 10th St, 1084 1086 12th St 813 1166 Lethbr dge Ave Rte 103 1167 1201 8th St 1179 1229 10th St 1182 1185 11th St, 1188 1294 12th St, 823 1166 Sudbury Ave Rte 107 1177 8th St, 1109 1139 10th St 1110 1140 11th St 1138 12th St 809 1175 Pembroke Ave 84 p Rte 108 1010 11th St 831 1017 12th St 821 1161 Selk rk Ave 68 p

your resume,

vehicle

Circulation Manager

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Week

V2C

ALLAN SCOTT ACKLES

- 2022

In Loving

In Loving Memory of Sandi Moore

Five Star General

I t has been a year since you left us

hear t still aches for you

love you, think of you and miss

ever y day

Paddy, Jay, Tyler, Anjie, Kiya & Amira

In Loving Memory of Miss You

I lost the love of my life of over 50 years on September 5, 2022. Allan sadly passed away after a 3 ½ year long hard battle with cancer He was a true fighter with a brave heart.

John Jack

Norman Paul Schurman

June 20, 1959 - September 18, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Norman Paul Schurman. Norm courageously said goodbye to friends and family after a lengthy battle with cancer on September 18, 2022 at Clearwater ’s Dr Helmcken Memorial Hospital.

Norm’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses who treated him with such amazing compassion and care during his time in Hospice. We are truly blessed to have this level of care available.

Anyone knowing Norm would know how much his softball years meant to him. So in “Stormin’ Norman” style we’re honouring his memory in a ‘Celebration of Life’ at Capostinsky Park in Clearwater, BC on October 23, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. Please join us.

In lieu of flowers Norm requested donations be made to the Hospice Society in Clearwater so they could upgrade their satellite package to include a sports network.

Condolences may be sent to Norm’s page at DrakeCremation.com

He is survived and will be deeply missed by his loving wife Kathy Ackles, his son Kyle (Nikki) Ackles his daughter Kimberly (Chris) Fisher He was Papa/Grandpa to his grandsons Bryn, Jarvis, Lynden and granddaughter Cedar, whom he loved all four to bits!

He will also be remembered by his siblings, Gary (Kathy) Ackles, Marnie (Paul) Apsouris, Shane (Christine) Kerpan, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by the greatest friends ever Allan was predeceased by his mother Geraldine McGill and his brother Gerald Ackles.

Allan was born January 27, 1952 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. When he was 9 years old, he ventured out of the big city to Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Kelowna and finally Kamloops, which he called home.

In his younger years, he was in the Militia (Surrey/Chilliwack) and worked for Stanzl Construction (Vancouver). Then drove a water truck for Kerpan & Delfs and Gallant Trucking in Kamloops. In 1973 Allan worked one year at Weyerhaeuser Sawmill on the green chain (Kamloops). In 1974 Allan went to work as a summer student and holiday relief in security at Weyerhaeuser Pulpmill (Kamloops). Then after pursuing additional education at Thompson Rivers University, he was hired full time in 1975 at Weyerhaeuser Allan worked in the bleach plant until 1980, then received an industrial instrument/electrical technician apprenticeship (BCIT). In 1985 he received his red seal journeyman ticket, which was awesome to have. Allan also was the union safety coordinator with Weyerhaeuser/Domtar for 15 years, which allowed him to attend a lot of safety audits in Canada and the United States. When Allan retired from the mill, one of favorite sayings was he worked at the mill for “40 years and 9 days”!

While Allan was in high school in Kamloops, he met Kathy who worked at A & W, one of his hang outs. He would cruise in his 1969 cherry red Beaumont, finally a shy Allan proposed to Kathy and they were married. They had two great children Kyle and Kimberly and four wonderful grandchildren Bryn, Jarvis, Lynden and Cedar

Over the years, Allan had a lot of interests such as camping, fishing, the scouting movement, slo-pitch, curling (got an 8ender), volunteering for years with St. John’s Ambulance. He loved listening to music (mostly country), did 17 years of Merritt Mountain Music Festival. First two years was looking after the first aid (volunteering) with St. John’s, then enjoying the other years listening to the best artists. Also volunteering first aid at a couple of cattle drives, plus other Kamloops city events. Allan’s ski team won the Canadian Ski Patrol First Aid completion at Sunpeaks in 1992.

Most of all Allan, when he retired, he was very happy he could take Kathy, his children and grandkids for a family vacation to Disneyland (favorite ride was “it’s a small world”). He also travelled to PEI for a Gallant family reunion in 2015 (great adventure), was able to visit several European countries and did Mexico with the Dunn’s in 2018.

Allan was also very passionate about his Green Bay Packers football team. He was thrilled he got to go to see a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay with his nephew, Dave. Actually, Allan met Bart Starr (quarterback) at a campground in Cache Creek. Very excited about that.

Allan will be remembered as being quick witted, having a sense of humor, being so caring and an extremely kind person.

The family would like to thank the 8th floor cancer nurses and staff at RIH and the nurses and staff at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Home for the loving care they gave Allan (you are all angels). Thank you to Dr. Jacobus Malan (Allan’s physician and friend).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 25 at 1:00 pm at Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street, Kamloops.

Allan/Dad will be deeply missed, always loved and never forgotten To Papa/Grandpa – we love you more than all the stars in the sky

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

Carlo Giovani Ficarini

Born February 18th, 1936 - and passed away peacefully September 14, 2022

With great sadness we announce the passing of Carlo on September 14th, 2022. A husband, Dad, Pa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

Carlo is survived by his wife Dorothy, sisters Dina (Donato deceased), Liliana (Setimio) and Lena (Dominic), grandchildren Brandon (Forrest), Mike, Kaitlyn (Cody), Jade (Ayden), Sierra, Adrianna and Carlo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Carlo was predeceased by his daughter Carla (1977) and son Mario (2016), and his parents Francesco (Frank) and Marian Ficarini of Kamloops, as well as his nana Antonetta Pedi of Grimaldi, Italy, and several in-laws.

Carlo was born in Grimaldi, Italy, on February 18th, 1936. At the age of 21 he came to Canada. Carlo worked mainly in the construction, roads, dams and tunnels.

While working on the Creston Salmo highway, he met his wife to be, Dorothy, and they married on December 16th, 1961. They had five children; Frank, Fred, Carla, Mario and Lillianna (Lilli).

In 1969 the family moved to the new home in Brocklehurst. There they remained for 52 years. Downsizing to an apartment in 2021. In 2021, Carlo and Dorothy celebrated their diamond anniversary

Carlo loved company, and always enjoyed a full house. His Saturday dinners were enjoyed by all who came. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he always enjoyed spending time with them. He loved working in his yard, garden, fruit trees and grapes. The family spent many enjoyable weekends at the Shuswap.

Special thanks to Dr Leach for the care and help he made possible to Carlo. To Sally, for all the care and help she gave to Carlo. She went above and beyond. We love you like a daughter

A Memorial Service will be held for Carlo on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at 1:00pm at OLPH Parish Centre. Major Paul Trickett and Major Lisa Trickett will be officiating. Inurnment will take place at Hillside Cemetery at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed to the family from www.myalternatives.ca

Each Loss

Each loss is very different,

The pain is so severe.

Will I ever stop missing

This one I loved so dear?

Good times we had together, The moments that we shared We didn’t have to tell each other

How much we really cared.

I never dreamed you’d go away, Never thought of sorrow.

So sure you’d always be here Took for granted each tomorrow.

Now my life is all confused

Since you went away.

You took a part of me And for help I daily pray.

But when God sent you to me He never said that you were mine, That I could keep you always –Only borrowed for a time.

Now, He’s called you home, I’m sad and I shed tears.

Yet I’m glad He loaned you to me And we had these many years.

Donalda (Dona) Joyce Heidinger (nee Leavens)

October 11, 1949 - September 23, 2022 of Kamloops, BC

Dona passed away in the Foothills Hospital in Calgary from a stroke.

She will be missed by all her family who loved her deeply: Her husband Harold. Her daughter Liesl Heidinger & husband Frazer Johnston, granddaughter Keira & grandson Garrett. Her son Devin & wife Diana, grandsons Ronin & Zachary, granddaughters Matilda & Everly Her daughter Janet (Newans) Prime & Husband Murray Prime, grandsons Curtis, Neil & Alex. Her sister & brother-in-law Marilyn & Eric Jenkins. Sister-in-law Margaret Leavens

Dona was predeceased by her parents Harold & Alda Leavens & her brother Merle.

Dona was a loving, caring person with a bright, beautiful smile and an upbeat personality Everyone liked Dona instantly

Dona & Harold Celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary Aug 12, 2022. Dona wore the wedding gown she had worn 50 years before, no alterations were required.

Dona was born on a farm near Weyburn, SK.

She graduated from nursing in 1970 and worked in the Regina General hospital for 7 years. In 1977 she moved to Redvers, SK where she continued her nursing career part time, which allowed her time to care for her young family In 1990 she became the Home Services Coordinator for Cannington Home Care. The family moved to Kamloops, BC in 1994. Dona quit nursing, and worked with her husband in their family entertainment business until 2018.

After retiring life was about family & grand kids. Dona loved babies. Her children gave her 6 beautiful grand babies for her to enjoy Dona liked gardening, flowers, and traveling. Trips included every Canadian province, most US states, several trips to Mexico, a few European countries, New Zealand, China & some cruises.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UNICEF Canada - UNICEF Ukraine Emergency Fund.

Fly Me

He understands every mode of force

He knows what’s true of the elements

He is subtle but genuine at lift off and landing

He is an airplane ride blowing through the clouds

He is an airplane window that reveals a whole dimension

He is a propeller to delve farther deep into the universe like fractals

He is an airplane grounded in the sky mighty with fuel

He is an airplane engine efficient, sustaining and swift He is a wing of a plane that stabilizes my lift

He has an open storage to keep the baggage balanced on flight He has a trap door that releases the body of pain

He has a water tank to keep the peace

Here is a safe place to crash

A ride in the sky at night reveals a bright shiny movement You, my plane, are visible to the naked eye in each spectrum

by Kathy Ruth Manongdo Written on Father’s Day 2010

Am I your passenger?

Am I your wingman?

Am I your baggage?

Am I your well oiled engine?

Am I your wing?

Am I your lift in the air?

Am I your propeller that thrusts you to a new dimension?

I am all that you shape me to be You have a windshield view exposing the picture beyond

Only you fit the pilot’s seat

As your hands and feet heart and eyes are trained to work the plane

You know every part and how to fix it

You are navigating by the spirit

You belong to a solid tender heart and so accepted as firm to soar You’re worth the shiniest mint coins and bills in circulation and so loved Your competence as an airplane secures my place

For more experiences with you Will you invite me onboard?

the Sunshine of Comfort

Psalms 91:4 says, “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under his wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler”

Virginia (Maggie) Magdelene Fuergutz

Maggie Fuergutz passed away peacefully in her sleep at Pine Grove Care facility in Kamloops, BC on Friday, October 7, 2022. Maggie was born in Shaunavon, SK on May 14, 1931.

Maggie leaves behind her sons: Grant (Theresa) and Blair (Teresa), grandchildren: Jeramy, Carlin, Sabrina, Isaac and Hannah, as well as her sister, Marianne Girodat and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Maggie’s husband, Keith, passed away earlier this year on January 19th.

Maggie and husband of 65 years, Keith, lived in many locations including: Burnaby, Port Moody and Kamloops.

Prayers will be held on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 7:00 pm at OLPH Church, 635 Tranquille Road. The Funeral Mass will take place the following day on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 am at OLPH Church.

Condolences may be expressed to the family from www.myalternatives.ca

of

Earl Harry Smith

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather Earl Smith at the age of 88 years. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family

He leaves behind to mourn his passing his wife Marie of 66 years, his sister Anne Millar (from Victoria), his three daughters Linda Smith, Leanne Bertolotti, Rita (Kirby) Humphrey, son Brian (Colleen), and 4 grandchildren, Chantel Bertolotti (Jesse), Jenelle Bertolotti, Brendan Humphrey (Kendra) and Michael Humphrey. Also left to mourn his passing are his two nieces, Janice (Victoria), Joyce (Ian) (Port Moody) and their families as well as his sister-in law, SylviaBews Wright.

Earl was born in Victoria, BC on December 7th 1933. He graduated from Victoria High School in 1951. He then met and married the love of his life Marie Wright in 1956. The family then quickly grew to include his three daughters and one son. From 1951-1967 Earl worked for the Bank of Montreal travelling with the bank while growing his family From 1967 to 1973 Earl and Marie owned and operated the Dog & Suds drive in in Kamloops. From 1973 - 1980 he worked for the Bank of BC. After leaving the bank in 1980, and having a meticulous mind for numbers, Earl and Marie created their own business doing tax returns for many people in the Kamloops area. Earl then went on to become a Chartered Financial Planner and worked for different financial companies in Kamloops, alongside his wife, until they both retired and went on to travel the world.

They travelled to almost every continent in the world. First, for several years they decided to spend the cold winters down south in California or Mexico then later there were trips to Africa with Marie’s brother and sister-in-law, lots of cruises with his sister Anne and Danny, trips to Antarctica, China,

Douglas Peter Spivak

- 2022

Douglas was born in Edmonton on November 9, 1957, to Walter and Vera Spivak. He passed away in early September at his home near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he had moved for retirement over a decade ago.

The Caribbean, Turkey and Egypt, all taken with family and friends. They had many wonderful memories and stories of those trips they used to share with us.

In between their travels they liked to spend time with their now 4 grandchildren, whether it was going to the wildlife park for wild lights, or train rides, or going to any parks really where they could watch the little ones run around. For their 50th wedding anniversary they took all of us on a trip to Disneyland which will never be forgotten by any of them. Earl loved spending time with his family and friends, always giving us his “infectious smile”.

Earl was a devout catholic and that faith carried him through the more turbulent times of his life. He was an active member in his church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help church. He was a knight of the 3rd degree with the Knights of Columbus and was always helping in the church with pancake breakfasts, lot patrols, or would be willing do whatever was asked of him by his church.

Earl will be sadly missed, lovingly thought of, and never forgotten by all who knew him.

The family wishes to express our deepest thanks to the doctors, nurses and all the care aids from Kamloops Seniors Village who so lovingly looked after and cared for our father like he was their own, we can’t thank you enough!

In lieu of flowers, Earl would appreciate a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A memorial mass will be held for Earl at 11:00am on Monday, October 17th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, 635 Tranquille Road, Kamloops BC.

Condolences may be expressed at schoeningfuneralservice.com

Ask

Vinzenzo (Vincent) Unz

Sunrise: February 2, 1939 - Sunset: October 1, 2022

Vince was born in Labienschach, Austria to Johann and Maria Unz. In 1959, he arrived in Vancouver, Canada where, a few years later, he met his wife, Grace. He returned to Austria in 1983 with his daughters to visit his family for the summer and was amidst planning to permanently return prior to his stroke.

He was a bricklayer by trade and worked in the Forestry Industry until his retirement at 55yrs old. Not one to stay still for long, he then went to the Oil Fields in Alberta until his stroke at 72 yrs of age.

Vince is survived by his daughter Marlene Kato of Logan Lake, BC, his granddaughters, Taylor Kato (Jordan Day) and Kimiko Kato (Tanner Warring), his Grandson Adam Kato and his great-granddaughter, Isla Moriko Day, all of Kamloops, BC.

He is predeceased by his daughter, Monica; his wife, Grace; his brothers Hans, Martin, Ignaz; his sisters, Theresa, Agnes as well as his parents.

A Memorial service will be announced to close family and friends at a later date.

The family would like to give special thanks to the amazing staff at Ridgeview Lodge (Pacific- 2nd floor) for making him feel at home with their attentive care for 11 years and for their unwavering compassion in his final days. We sincerely thank each and every one of you.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed to the family from www.myalternatives.ca

Early years were spent in Edmonton and Calgary until the family moved to Kamloops in 1969. A graduate of North Kamloops High School, he spent several years working in the Alberta oil patch, before returning to Kamloops to establish a successful industrial sandblasting business. He will be fondly remembered for his easygoing demeanor, dry sense of humour, and uncanny rapport with animals large and small.

Please take a moment to pause and raise a glass in Doug’s memory on his birthdate, November 9th. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a donation to the animal rescue organization of your choice.

Can part of Murray go back to

Some countries are more open to this than others It’s best to check with the consulate if you’re not sure. I’ve heard from many people who have taken an urn or a keepsake to another country without incident

I’d check to make sure

Kirk William Davies

It is with great sadness that the family of Kirk William Davies announces his passing on September 27, 2022 at the age of 65.

be found at:

Guido Stellato

June 13, 1941 - October 5, 2022

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Guido Stellato on October 5, 2022. Guido died peacefully at Ponderosa Lodge at the age of 81 years.

He is survived by his wife Josie, and his children, Angie Mercuri (Amedeo) and son Peter (Christy). His grandchildren Victor, Julia and Emma. Guido is also survived by his brother Luigi (Lena) Stellato, sister Raffaela (Francesco) DeBartolo and brother-in-law Guiseppe Moretti and numerous nieces and nephews.

Guido was predeceased by his parents Antonio and Angelina Stellato, his brother Antonio, sisters: Virginia LaMontagna, Maria (Rocco) Tarantino and Carmela Moretti.

Guido was born on June 13, 1941, in Italy He moved to Kamloops in 1965 and made Kamloops his home. He worked with the Canadian National Railway until his retirement in 1997. His greatest joy was his family and the large dinners hosted with family and friends. He enjoyed playing golf, curling and tending to his yard.

We would like to thank Dr Choi and all the staff at Ponderosa Lodge for their excellent care and attention shown to Guido during his stay We know he appreciated everyone’s kindness and compassion shown towards him and his family

Prayers were recited at 7:00 pm, Monday, October 10, 2022, the Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 255 Nicola Street, Kamloops.

Should friends so desire and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation as this was the charity of choice for Guido.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

In loving memory of Donna Lee Pederson (nee Wicklund)

July 31, 1939 September 22, 2022

On Thursday September 22, 2022 in Kamloops Donna passed away peac at Trinity on her terms with pro family members at her side Donn had reconciled with her cancer diagnosis in August while still living in Summerland where she and Dad had retired 35 years ago

Donna was predeceased by her loving husband, John as well as her parents John & Hilda Wicklund, brother Pete Wicklund and sister Lea Kelly

She will be ver y much missed by Annette Glover (Bill), Mark (Patt Don (Shirley) and Coranne Dohler (L along with 12 grandchildren and 19 grandchildren who all came to visit her just prior to her passing She will also be missed by her extended family including sister in laws Margo Pederson, Barbara Wicklund and numerous nieces and nephews

Mom was born in Salmon Arm and lived in Solsqua on farmland with her Finnish immigrant parents She then met Johnnie through her brother and began their 63 year life’s journey together in Chase

In 1967 they moved to Smithers due to Dad’s work and raised their children and eventually baby sat their fun & loving grandkids

Donna raised 4 busy children in amongst working at the Smithers Super Valu Snack Bar where she

Maureen Marion Lepin

March 20, 1941 - September 27, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Maureen Marion Lepin at the age of 81 years old. She passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on September 27, 2022.

Maureen was born a “coal miner ’s daughter” in Zeballos, BC to Mickey McGuire and Lorraine King. She grew up in Lytton, BC and after starting her adult life in Toronto, she spent over 40 years in Kamloops, BC.

She is survived and, will be dearly missed by her loving children, Michael Glynn and Alyson Glynn along with her grandchildren Jessica Lemieux and Elias Melynk Glynn, and her husband of 36 years, Ken Lepin along with his children, Heather (Scott) Lepin and Ron (Joanne) Lepin.

In addition, she will be affectionately remembered by her big brother Kel (Lorraine) Simpson and her baby sister, Dallas Simpson. She was predeceased by her darling baby brother, Joe McGuire R.N. in 1998.

Growing up in Lytton, she worked in her grandmother ’s restaurant and would tell stories about getting up at 4:00 am to make special order sandwiches for the railroaders which left her with a lifelong dislike of making sandwiches. During her teen years, she was a waitress and a piano teacher Once married and living in Toronto, she was a secretary with Proctor and Gamble.

After the birth of her second child, she pursued and realized her dream of becoming a registered nurse, graduating from the second nursing class offered at Cariboo College in 1976. She worked at Royal Inland Hospital in the Obstetrics and Gynecology ward during the 70’s and 80’s. As those who knew her will agree, she was a class act and her co-workers often commented she managed to look like a lady even when carrying a bed pan. During her nursing career, she made many great friends with whom she stayed in touch and she enjoyed many “nurse lunches” over the years. After her daughter became a nurse in 2002, Alyson met many individuals who shared stories of respect and humour about Maureen.

In 1986 Maureen married Ken Lepin who always referred to her as his best friend. Maureen was proud to work with Ken on the many contributions he made to the community She especially enjoyed each year accompanying him to award the nursing scholarships and was humbled by the dedication of a room in her name from Ken for labouring moms on 3West at Royal Inland Hospital.

was ver y well known and appreciated. Spor ts the focus at our home, even over the ws, as visiting relatives and friends und out

When Mom and Dad moved to the Okanagan they chose the most serene location with a full size golf course Summerland Their choice turned out to be per fect for them as many friends and golf par tners were found and enjoyed for many years Mom and Dad were a working team at the Summerland Course for many years.

Mom also made time to volunteer h the Smithers Hospital Auxiliar y he Summerland Thrift Store

Many thanks go out to the Penticton Hospital staff, Kamloops Palliative Care Team and Trinity staff all ver y caring individuals and Mom told them so repeatedly

Mom we are all so proud of you and respect all your decisions along the way We are happy that you and Dad will now be together forever Love you always

As Mom would have wished please donate to the charity of your choice to ensure their future successes whatever they may be

Summer 2023 a private family interment will conclude Mom and Dad’s wishes of being together in their chosen location at the Solsqua Cemeter y

Alyson would like to thank all those that cared for Mom at Royal Inland Hospital over the years and, especially, on her final day Despite the chaos surrounding them, the nurses, R.T.’s, lab technicians and physicians demonstrated nothing but professionalism and immense compassion.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the SPCA in her memory would be deeply appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service 250-374-1454.

Condolences can be send to the family by visiting www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

Love’s greatest gift is

To

or

a

in Kamloops

SLEIGHT OF MIND OPENS WCT’S NEW SEASON

SEAN BRADY

Western Canada Theatre will launch its new season with the world premiere of an original play inspired by real (and spooky) events and charac ters.

Sleight of Mind, by playwright and actor Daniela Vlaskalic, will hit the stage for the very first time on Thursday, Oct. 13, running through Saturday, Oct. 22, at Sagebrush Theatre, at Munro Street and Ninth Avenue in the Sagebrush (South Kamloops) neighbourhood.

Regular theatregoers may remember Vlaskalic as a coplaywright behind another WCT production, The Drowning Girls, staged in 2019.

Set in 1920s Europe, Sleight of Mind follows Rudi Schneider, a paranormal psychic who could be the real deal. Schneider finds him self torn between science, fame and love in his quest to become the greatest spiritual medium of all time.

“At a time when there were so many fake mediums and charla tans, claiming to be able to talk to loved ones beyond the grave, this guy actually came out of it and was known as the real thing,” director James MacDonald said.

MacDonald said Schneider was brought to London to be examined by Dr. Harry Price, who he described as a kind of mad scientist who had set up a lab to exposed frauds in his quest for the real thing.

Jamie Williams is set to inhabit

Dr. Harry Price on stage and said playing a character based on a real person was a new experience for him, conducting backstory research to inform his perfor mance.

Ultimately, however, Williams said the story being told comes mostly from the script, praising playwright Vlaskalic.

“Any time we start looking at what lies between life and death, it really raises the pulse and creates a lot of suspense and anticipation, and I think that makes for good theatre,” Williams told KTW Williams has appeared on many of Canada’s most prominent stages, including at the Stratford Festival,

the National Arts Centre, Canadian Stage and The Citadel.

He’s among four actors who will be making their WCT debut. Others include Teo Saefkow, Danielle Klaudt and Valeria Ascolese.

MacDonald said he really engaged with the historical per spective of the play, but always intended for it to feel modern, rather than like a period piece.

The play’s debut is something Western Canada Theatre has been working on since before the pan demic.

Along with a spooky musical score put together by Kamloops’ Lukas Vanderlip, who MacDonald

DAVE EAGLES PHOTOS/KTW

called “brilliant,” the play will also feature a number of practical spe cial effects.

Those effects will make for a tight timeline at the end of a long rehearsal period for Western Canada Theatre, with rehearsals taking place in Pavilion Theatre, but the play hitting the stage at Sagebrush.

Preferably, MacDonald said, theatre crews would take two or more weeks to fine tune every thing for the production, including lights, sound and special effects, but because of time constraints, that work had to be done in just four days.

“It’s one of the challenges we have in not having a dedicated performing-arts centre,” he said.

MacDonald said he is grateful for Sagebrush Theatre and the time

the theatre company has there, but noted it’s not optimal for WCT’s purposes.

“Part of it is the toll it takes on the team, but it’s even more than that. The Sagebrush is a really cool venue, but it doesn’t have anything modern in it, and it can’t, it just doesn’t have the capacity,” he said.

MacDonald said he is proud of the fact WCT is able to introduce new plays into Canada’s cultural conversation and is excited for Sleight of Mind to make its debut.

Tickets to the show are available at the Kamloops Live Box office, online at kamloopslive.ca.

Sleight of Mind is the first of seven productions set to be staged by Western Canada Theatre between now and May 2023.

Season details are available online at wctlive.ca.

LEFT: Cast members Teo Saefkow as Rudi Schneider (left), Jamie Williams as Dr. Harry Price and Danielle Klaudt as Mitzi Mengal rehearse a scene from Western Canada Theatre’s upcoming production of Sleight of Mind. Based on a true story from post-war 1920s Europe, Sleight of Mind is inspired by reported events surrounding the most documented paranormal psychic in history.

ABOVE: From far left: Klaudt,Saefkow, Williams and Valeria Ascolese as Lola Montez rehearse a scene. The play runs from Oct. 13 through Oct. 22 at Sagebrush Theatre.

Rotary Ribfest 2022

THAT MONEY WILL BE GOING TO LOCAL CHARITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Unlimited-sponsored Ribfest goes to worthy local causes.

The return of Kamloops Daybreak Rotary Ribfest this past summer raised $78,000 for local charities. Coupled with a provin cial grant, a total of $128,800 was raised via the annual three-day event in Riverside Park.

Tens of thousands of people attended the 10th annual Ribfest in August, which was the first such gathering since 2019 due to the pandemic.

Money raised during the Funktional Electric- and Locates

Applications for funding can be found on the Daybreak Rotary website — https://portal. clubrunner.ca/819 — where a committee evaluates projects to fund based on their impact, sustainability and hands-on component.

“Organizations our Rotary club funds have been hit hard from inflation over the summer and we are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and supporting our community

through grants and hands-on projects,” said Bryce Herman, a longtime Rotarian and Ribfest spokesperson.

While more than $128,000 was raised for local groups, Ribfest chair Danica Wilkinson said the event’s economic impact is mul tiple times greater.

“The economic impact of the 2022 event is estimated to be over $3 million thanks to all the local vendors, suppliers and partners we use in the local economy,” Wilkinson said.

“The partnerships and

sponsor support we have received over the years is astonishing. We extend our deepest thanks to everyone, and especially those who have been with us since day one.”

Since its inception in 2012, Ribfest has raised more than $750,000 for local charities and organizations in the Kamloops community, including Literacy Kamloops, BGC Kamloops, Power Start Breakfast Program, Breakfast for Babies in support of the Kamloops Food Bank, TRU schol arships, Kamloops Girl Guides,

Toys for Kids Breakfast, SKSS field hockey team, Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre, Kamloops Minor Baseball Association, Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice House, YMCA/ YWCA Strong Kids Program, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops and Region.

Organizers have confirmed Kamloops Daybreak Rotary Ribfest will be back in 2023, with cooking to take place in Riverside Park on Aug. 11, Aug.12 and Aug. 13.

City of Kamloops accepting social grant applications

The City of Kamloops is accepting submissions for this year’s intake of social and community

development grants. The grants are awarded to projects deemed a prior ity in the Kamloops Social Plan or fit within council’s goal of livability initiatives.

Up to $30,000 can be provided for operating costs, special projects, capital expenditures or one-year seed money for a social enterprise initiative.

Applicants should also demonstrate how their proposal promotes volunteer, strengthens the well-being of Kamloops, addresses social and

community issues and concerns, promotes cultural understanding and more. It must occur within the city.

The grant application

can be found online at kamloops.ca/grants.

The application period closes on Nov. 7.

Applicants will be notified in late December.

Kamloops

Week

local youth, adults

that are dedicated

ensure you stay

and we couldn’t

it without them.

FOR HE’S A GOOD FELLOW

City teacher honoured with national PM Award

Marion Schilling elementary teacher Brandon Bell has been recognized for his methods with a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

The awards have recognized exceptional teachers across all dis ciplines since 1994, for “remark able achievements in education and for their commitment to pre paring their students for a digital and innovation-based economy.”

Bell, a teacher for 25 years, teaches all subjects in grades 6 and 7. He said his approach to teaching is to keep learning himself, noting he is cognizant that not everyone learns in the same way.

“Students learn differently and at different rates,” Bell said.

“I have learned that help ing students see this is true for them, then getting them com fortable with learning in their own way and at their own pace,

has been very effective.’

Bell employs a number of dif ferent teaching methods, including using computer software, getting students on their feet, voting on answers, going outside for “real life math” and classroom discussions.

“These different approaches capture students’ imaginations and keep the classroom a fun and lively learning environment,” said one of Bell’s nominators.

School District 73 Supt. Rhonda Nixon said the district is “very proud” Bell has been recognized at the national level.

Rotarian Anthony Muzzillo (left) presents Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian with a plaque recognizing him as a Paul Harris Fellow. The award was handed out on Oct. 6 and recognizes Christian’s longstanding commitment and dedication service to the community. The mayor was recognized after he gave a keynote address to the Kamloops Rotary Club of Kamloops West at a luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel. The award is given in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peo ples of the world. The award is named in honour of Paul Harris, who founded Rotary International in 1905. Dave Eagles/KTW

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

BRANDON BELL

Dig It: Reconciliation in a time of transformation

HAS BEGUN IN

priority for change to achieve con sistency between provincial laws and the UN Declaration.

On

Sept. 30, people wore orange shirts to honour survivors, individuals, fam ily and community members who have endured the intergenerational impacts of resi dential schools.

For some, this is a time to learn about First Nations culture and listen to survivors talk about truth and reconciliation. In archaeol ogy, one aspect of reconciliation that needs to be addressed is the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA).

The HCA is provincial legisla tion intended to encourage the protection and conservation of cultural heritage in British Columbia.

Currently, there are more than 60,000 protected heritage sites in the provincial registry. More than 90 per cent of these sites are of First Nations origin. For several years, there have been formal and informal discussions with First Nations, heritage professionals and academics about the effectiveness of the HCA. These discussions may soon result in changes to the HCA through the collabora tive work being completed under the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project.

The HCA Transformation Project has been launched to reform the HCA and ensure provincial heritage legislation is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of

Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

In 2021, the federal UNDRIP Act was announced. It “provides a road map for the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples to work together to implement the Declaration based on lasting rec onciliation, healing and coopera tive relations”.

On a provincial level, British Columbia passed The Declaration

on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) in 2019. The Declaration Act estab lishes the UN Declaration as the province’s framework for reconcili ation. Specifically, the Declaration Act requires that all measures must be taken to make laws in B.C. con sistent with UNDRIP, specifically to “work with First Nations to reform the Heritage Conservation Act to

align with the UN Declaration, including shared decision-making and the protection of First Nations cultural, spiritual, and heritage sites, and objects.”

In an effort to implement the Declaration Act, a provincial action plan was established and the regulation of cultural heritage resources in B.C. through the HCA was identified as an immediate

Phase 1 of the HCA Transformation Project has begun with a series of virtual meetings with First Nations, modern treaty nations and key stakeholders to identify priorities for change to the Act. Phase 2 will consider how the standards of the UN Declaration may be reflected in changed laws, policies and practices. Phase 3 will result in the drafting of legislative, policy and program reforms.

The phases of the HCA Transformation Project are expect ed to be completed by the spring of 2024.

The Project has just begun, but the work will hopefully inform priority areas of change and see an alignment of the HCA with the UN Declaration.

• For more information on the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project, go online to tinyurl.com/mvc3k6uc.

• For more information on the B.C. Declaration Act, go online to tinyurl.com/24ffjmfm.

• For more information on the BC Declaration Act Action Plan, go online to tinyurl.com/ywcvrwm2.

Nadine Gray is a Kamloops-based archaeologist working in the unceded territories of St’át’imc. Interested in more? Go online to republicofarchaeology.ca. Dig It is KTW’s regularly published column on the history beneath our feet in the Kamloops region, written by a group of archaeologists.

NADINE GRAY

In 2019, the B.C. government became the first in North America to formally recognize the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

PRESS FILE PHOTO

THE DOG DAYS OF THE CIVIC ELECTION CAMPAIGN: Kamloops councillor candidates await their turn to take to the stage for some Q&A with voters at the Oct. 5 election forum at Thompson Rivers University, organized by KTW, CBC Kamloops and Radio NL. The canine in the shot is Sgt. Pips, the service dog of candidate George Dersch. General election day is Saturday, Oct. 15, with polls across the city open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last day for advance voting is Wednesday, Oct. 12, with polls at Heritage House, downtown at Riverside Park, and on McArthur Island, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CHRISTOPHER FOULDS/KTW

Humility, compassion at ballot box

Local elections greatly affect the lives of residents in relation to housing, educa tion, transportation and umpteen other areas.

The outcome of this Saturday’s civic election will guide our sustenance and welfare as we exercise our franchise. Designated lobbying groups have been busy during the campaign through visible signs, seeking to woo our votes.

But a point of contact of enormous and eternal signifi cance with the electorate has been missing — that of reliance on divine intervention.

If the word of God is to be believed, that the “authorities that exist have been estab lished by God,” then it makes sense that the highest author ity, namely God almighty, be made at least a consultant and perhaps even an appellant on behalf of the aspirants to civic chambers.

The Bible urges us to pray for leaders, civic or national, before they take their seats. It urges us

to invoke blessing upon their steps preparatory to the climb.

Can our cities and towns raise a moral majority that is waiting to set loose? I believe they can and should. It is time to restore spiritual values in public life.

The right of religious people of all faiths to influence our cit ies’ public and political process can slow down, if not prevent, erosion of godly ethics so essential to democracy.

Seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness was a slo gan of Jesus in his ministry on Earth.

When he spoke of the king dom of God, Jesus was not only referring to the general sover eignty of God over nature and history, but also to that spe cific rule over his own people, which he himself had inau gurated and which begins in anyone who is humble enough to accept it.

God’s rule is a righteous rule. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to hunger and thirst for righ teousness, to be willing to be persecuted and to exhibit a righteousness greater than that of the phony law-keepers — namely he Pharisees.

The difference between the two kingdoms lies in the fact that God’s kingdom exists where he is consciously acknowledged. To be in his kingdom is synonymous with enjoying his salvation.

But God’s righteousness is a wider concept than God’s king dom. It includes individual and societal righteousness, as well. Because God is righteous, he desires righteousness in every human community.

It is time to take stock of all

political fields — local, region al, provincial and national — and to reflect on whether our political convictions have pro duced the desired results.

More and more Canadians are living in intractable poverty, while ongoing debates over health care, climate change action, housing and so many other issues prevent relation ships and fellowship of hearts.

The time is now to develop greater intimacy with God and follow the means to be humble in God’s sight, starting with our politicians and leaders.

Perhaps we would be a better electorate if we eschew red-hot politics in order to focus more on practicing com passion.

Narayan Mitra is a voluntary Chaplain at Thompson Rivers University. His email address is ryanmitra225@gmail.com. KTW welcomes submissions to its Faith page. Columns should be between 600 and 800 words in length and can be emailed to editor@kamloopsthisweek.com.

Please include a very short bio and a photo.

City of Kamloops

AC T I V I T Y P RO G R A M S

Programs are cancelled if the minimum numbers are not met

Improve your Photography $130

Enter a whole new world of photography by becoming more creative with your camera and moving beyond the manufacturer’s settings In this five part series, you will learn composition, such as background is purposely blurred and the subject is sharp, where motion is accentuated or frozen and to capture images when flash is impractical or not allowed

Tuesday Oct 18 Nov 15

7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Macrame Workshop $85

In this workshop, you will be introduced to a variety of basic knots and patterns while creating your own medium sized wall hanging All supplies are provided Parkview Activity Centre Wall Hanging

Fri Oct 21

6:30 PM 9:30 PM

Learn to Felt $85

This course will teach you the technique of how to make wool dryer ball, a natural alternative to chemical filled fabric softeners and dry sheets

Heritage House

Sat Oct 22

9:00 AM 12:00 PM

XploreSportz Pro D Day Camp Ages 7 12 $40

Meeting Room D at Tournament Capital Centre

Fri Oct 21

8:30 AM 4:30 PM

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD FOUND ON B7

NARYAN MITRA You Gotta Have FAITH

It may be tempting to throw your weight around and asser t power in a situation, Aries But this may backfire in the long run Tr y to be a team player

Taurus, someone close to you may be driving you craz y, and you’re tempted to let them know However, go with the flow instead and enjoy this calmer approach

an impor tant decision must be made in the days ahead Take a calm approach and do your best to keep your emotions out of this discussion

Once you involve others in a situation, it can be difficult to dial back their involvement, Cancer Consider whether you should ask for input or go it alone this week

Leo, rather than shouting from the rooftops how much you love a person, it may be better to take a more subtle approach Reel in your excitement for the time being

Keeping secrets is not the way to go, Virgo, especially

A financial situation may be worked out this week or even inflamed, Libra The only way to stay ahead is to keep careful track of your expenditures

Be honest with yourself about your needs, Scorpio If you don’t feel like socializing in a loud and public manner, organize a group to come over for some more quiet R&R

Finances may get a boost this week as a new income stream falls into your lap, Capricorn

it fully before getting deeply involved

Opening up about your personal life may relieve some pressure and stress that you have been feeling, Aquarius Find someone who doesn’t have a close stake

ZITS by Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman

SHOE by Gary Brookins & Susie Macnelly

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by Chris Browne

PARDON MY PLANET by Vic ALee RCTIC CIRCLE by Alex Hallatt

Meghan Morris

BY THE NUMBERS