Broncos hauled down by Sun in front of record-setting crowd/A11
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Tuesday, Tu ues esddaayy,, August August 26, 26, 2014 20014 X Volume 227 No. 100
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Peter Mutrie throws his hat into the Liberal ring Page A4 Thompson River Publications Publi Limited Partnership
Iker still optimistic BCTF head calls Fassbender out for comments ahead of Kamloops meetings By Dale Bass
STAFF REPORTER
dale@kamloopsthisweek.com
Jim Iker knows parents — and teachers — are wondering what will happen a week from today, when schools are scheduled to open their doors for a new year. The president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation would like to have an answer for them but the reality is he has nothing more than optimism. He’s confident the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) — the main negotiator for the government — is also optimistic and, Iker said, he knows veteran labour mediator Vince Ready is a phone call away from bringing the two sides together to get a deal. “Clearly, the government has the control in this, not BCPSEA,” Iker said as he criticized Education Minister Peter Fassbender for recent comments “that weren’t accurate and weren’t helpful. “For Minister Fassbender to think he has hands-off, well, he doesn’t.” Most recently, Fassbender criticized Iker for travelling to Kamloops late last week to attend the BCTF’s annual summer conference, saying the absence was making negotiations impossible. Iker said he spoke with BCPSEA chief negotiator Peter Cameron and Ready about the conference and assured them he was just a quick plane ride away from heading back should bargaining start up again. X See BCTF A5
Soon-to-be newlyweds Dan Davidson and Amanda Makortoff were the first to sample wine at the downtown Kamloops Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Aug. 23. Allen Douglas/KTW
‘It’s been a long time coming’ By Adam Williams STAFF REPORTER
adam@kamloopsthisweek.com
T
HE VINEYARDS have come to the market — now vintners are hoping the market will make its way to the vineyards. For the first time ever on Saturday, Aug. 23, wine sales took place at the Kamloops Farmers’ Market, following city council’s decision this past week to give the nod to sales of locally made wine and beer at the twiceweekly events in the downtown core. Harper’s Trail Estate Winery and Privato Vineyard and Winery joined the regular vendors on St. Paul Street on Saturday. Patrons were lined up in front of the winery’s tent, waiting
Kamloops wine now on offer at farmers’ market for 9 a.m., when liquor sales could start. “It’s been a long time coming and we’re very excited to be here today,” said Vicki Collett, owner of Harpers Trail Estate Winery. “It’s just another tool, another avenue for us to be able to showcase what we do — and our fine product.” Though the market will make her wine more accessible to the average resident, Privato owner Debbie Woodward is hoping the market will help bring marketgoers to her Westsyde vineyard for the complete tasting experience. “It’s great to get the exposure,” Woodward said. “People love to come to the winery. That’s where we want
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them to come, eventually.” Reviews were positive amongst market patrons, with many customers stopping for samples. Amanda Makortoff was the first taster for both vineyards. She and her fiancé were testing wines for their wedding and were pleased with the convenience — though Makortoff said she was still a little uncertain what she thought of the introduction of liquor sales at the market. “I don’t know yet,” she said. “It’s kind of nice, so you can get all the shopping done in one place because you can get all your groceries for your dinner, then you can get your bottle of
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wine for dinner or dessert. It’s kind of nice.” Collett said the market should provide wine sellers with an opportunity to sell their products to those who wouldn’t normally make it out to the vineyard. Customers who don’t drive are among those who the market will help her reach. Pat Moran walked over from his downtown home to grab a bottle at the Harper’s Trail booth. “It’s for a friend,” the 85-year-old said after buying the first bottle at the market. “She don’t drink, but her son is coming up from the States, so we wanted to give him a good Canadian treat.”
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