Issue 20 Oct. 27th

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Your source for weekly news and views in the Robson Valley

Volley for gold

Volume 1 Issue 20

Local teen nabbed for World Junior A Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

Since he began skating at age three, Dylan Walchuk of McBride has had his stick on the ice.

Earlier this week, the 18-yearold learned he will be playing among the best junior players in the world in the World Junior A Challenge tournament being held in Penticton, B.C. this November.

“It was just an unbelievable experience,” he says of the tryouts. “Not many guys get to put on that Canadian jersey.”

He says he skated alongside many talented players in the training camp where other young hopefuls jostled for one of 22 spots on Canada West.

The team is chosen from five leagues, from B.C. to northern Ontario, about 55 teams in all.

Dylan was one of the four centremen that were chosen from 220 who play that position in the league.

His team will be playing against many of the best 17, 18, and 19-year-olds from their respective countries. Unlike the World Juniors you will see at Christmas time these are the younger all stars and the Canada team is allowed a maximun of five 19-yearolds. Other countries such as the U.S. do not have a WHL league so Walchuk will play their best players, which in the USA come from the USHL.

A new sort of local timber

Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com

Photo: Ellen Duncan Valemount Secondary student Kate Soucy serves the ball in last weekend’s tournament in Jasper. The team brought home gold, which was their second gold in only two tournaments this year. See A11

The Valemount Community Forest has decided to take a new direction, focused on accommodating local mills.

Community forest director Shane Bressette says the idea is to bring in 20 or 30 loads into a yard and sort it.

While dealing with large volumes of mountain pine beetle wood has been the priority, he says he understands that small mills need local wood supply to continue producing.

“When some of the local smaller guys needed to meet an order, they needed the wood on short notice. It can be hard to facilitate these spot markets. A lot of times, it is only one or two loads.”

He says it is not operationally efficient to send equipment out for one or two loads. A sort yard should help by acting as a type of log bank, where wood can be harvested at an economic volume. Then, small buyers can buy stored wood as needed.

More Inside:

The Goat goes subscription

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The danger of the mineral lick

See A8

A2 Wednesday, October 27, 2010

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Fewer dead animals, target of new program Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

They are wet, they are mucky and they are attracting wildlife to the highway. Mineral licks- naturally occurring mineral-rich ponds- are attracting moose along Hwy 16, but a new program intends to help.

For the first time in B.C., researchers and highway maintenance crews will be filling in those beacons for wildlife with the goal of decreasing vehicle-animal collisions, says Gayle Hesse, co-ordinator of the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, which is managed by the B.C. Conservation Foundation.

“The moose are attracted to these mucky wet soils and the minerals associated with them,” she says. “They will come and lick up the water and the soil found next to the highway.”

Researchers have identified 29 moose collision hot spots in north-central B.C. along Hwy 16. Nine of those hot spots are associated with mineral licks.

Carnivores get a variety of minerals through meat. But herbivores, such as moose and deer, don’t have access to minerals through eating meat, Hesse explains.

Females crave these minerals, especially during the spring when they are nursing new calves.

During rutting season in October and November, one deer dies every four to five days as a result of colliding with a vehicle around Valemount and McBride. In December and January, when moose are most active, a moose dies every four to five days. There’s another peak in deaths during spring, due to calving season.

Maintenance contractors have been out in the McBride-Valemount area deactivating sites in the past couple of weeks, Hesse says. They are using one of two methods: fencing or filling-in.

The fencing method is effective, but expensive, Hesse says; and filling in the area with rocks is still attracting animals to the location.

“What we’re finding is the moose are coming to the fenced area and they look around and then they go away,” she says.

“There’s a lot more activity at the rocked areas.”

And while effective, fencing also has drawbacks when it comes to disturbing free movement in the surrounding ecosystem.

“You could almost fence the whole thing from Prince George to McBride,” she says.

“But if you fence, it kind of restricts animal movement throughout the landscape.

That has a really big effect on carnivore populations.”

Hesse says the increase in collisions in the past 15 years is significant. The number of deer collisions in the Robson Valley more than tripled between 1996 and 2005, going from seven to 27.

She says for every dead animal that

Valemount

Map courtesy of the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program

highway maintenance contractors remove from the road, they figure another three are hit and killed, but move away from the road to die.

Hesse says they’ll put rocks on the licks that are close to the road, and the ones further away will be fenced, but it’s too early to determine the best method. They are monitoring animal presence at each site.

Moose are more attracted to mineral licks, and they have not yet examined a correlation between deer and mineral licks.

“In terms of reducing collisions, it’s pretty hard to tell,” she says. “We don’t yet have a year of data.”

Minerals licks are widely distributed in north-central B.C., so taking away sources near the highway should push animals to other available sources, Hesse says.

“It’s a success story in many ways,” she says. “The Ministry of Transportation is taking some proactive steps.”

Due to the discovery of mineral licks, Hesse says they can now pinpoint where to put up new reflective signage warning motorists.

Wildlife Collision Stats for B.C. • Six people are killed annually (five-year average 2004-2008 RCMP data) • 381 people are injured annually (fiveyear average 2005-2009 ICBC data) • $600,000 is spent by MoT to clean up and remove roadkilled carcasses annually (MoT data published in 2004) • 19,600 animals are killed by wildlife vehicle collisions (MoT WARS data) • $31 million spent on animal related crashes (five-year average 2005-2009 ICBC data) North Central B.C. • 2939 animal related crashes reported to ICBC (five-year average 2005-2009 ICBC data) • 133 people are injured annually (fiveyear average 2005-2009 ICBC data) • 2 or 3 people are killed annually (fiveyear average 2005-2009 ICBC data)

• $12 million spent on animal related crashes (five-year average 2005-2009 ICBC data) McBride-Valemount area including Mt Robson and Tete Jaune: Deer • Highest risk months are May, Oct. and Nov. • In Oct. and Nov. the highest risk times of day are between 6-8 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

• About one deer is killed on the highway every five days • About 60 deer are killed every year.

Moose Highest risk months Dec, Jan • In Dec and Jan the highest risk times of day are between 5 -7 a.m.

• About one moose is killed on the highway every 5 days

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

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A3

Photo: Laura Keil The high school storage room behind the theatre contains horns, flutes, guitars and drums among other instruments and stacks of music books. Music programs were cut several years ago in the Valley.

Last year Dylan Walchuk’s hockey stick was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

submitted photo

Local hockey phenom heads to U.S. next year Cont’ from A1

WHL players are ineligible to play as they are considered pro players.

Walchuk, who ordinarily plays with the Vernon Vipers, scored the winning goal for his team last year during the RBC Cup rookie all-star game in Winnipeg. After that, his hockey stick was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

At age 16 and 17, he led the entire league in points and was rookie of the year. Last year he scored 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 56 games for the Vipers.

“I think his mother met Wayne Gretzky one time,” says his dad Stan Walchuk. “I’m not sure where he gets it.”

Next year he will be playing with Northern Michigan on a full four-year scholarship to the university. He says he chose to go the Junior A route instead of the Western Hockey League, because he wouldn’t be eligible for post-secondary scholarships.

Dylan says it will also allow him a few more year to develop his skills.

Stan Walchuk says roughly 40 per cent of NHL players do the college route. He says his son has already had European coaches

tell him they will eventually offer him a professional contract to play in Europe.

But Dylan hasn’t always had his path go smoothly – it’s his determination that got him through.

“Even though he was passed over at times in his life, he just stuck with it,” Stan says.

Dylan began his hockey career with CanSkate and the McBride Grizzlies. Now, At 5’9” and 173 lbs. he is known for his speed and agility on the ice.

Hockey scout Dan Sallows wrote of Walchuk on his blog: “Walchuk is a good team player, that comes to the rink ready to work every shift.”

Dylan says he is excited to play and work hard to show his grit.

His team will play in Group B at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, joined by Russia and Switzerland, while Canada East, Sweden and the United States will comprise Group A. Round-robin play will run until Nov. 10, with both semifinals taking place Nov. 13. The gold medal game, which will be shown nationally on TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, is set for Nov. 14.

Parents seek music program Laura Keil year. Soucy says it’s possible they lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com could do it for as little as $5,000.

The ArtStarts grants are a The parent advisory coun- maximum of $1,800 per school cil for Valemount’s elementary to cover up to 60 per cent of the school is looking at ways to start cost of bringing an artist into the a music program. school.

PAC member Monique Bos The school applied for the same says many parents want more funding last year and was turned music in their children’s lives in “It brings out the crea more formal way than is available in their regular classrooms. ativity in children. Not “It brings out the creativity in everyone can paint children,” Bos says. “Not every- and draw.” one can paint and draw.”

She says it’s not that the school Monique Bos, Valemount is void of music, but that parents parent advisory council want a more substantial program. No formal music program has been available to students at the school for several years. down. The grants this year will Valemount Elementary School be announced mid-November. principal Priscilla Soucy has apBos says the PAC is also planplied for a grant from ArtStarts, ning to advertise for a coma not-for-profit organization munity volunteer to teach an that promotes the arts in B.C. after-school music program. If schools. they can find a qualified instrucIf all the costs are included, Bos tor, she says they have already says they expect it would cost received word that they could roughly $20,000 to run a music borrow instruments from the program in entire school for one high school, which also no lon-

ger has a music program due to budget cuts and lack of a trained instructor.

In the high school storage room behind the theatre horns, flutes, guitars and drums are piled among other instruments and stacks of music books.

“They have some really nice ones, we just need people who know how to play them,” she says. “If there’s a flute player out there, we’ve got flutes. If there’s a guitar player that could teach a couple hours a week, or even a couple hours a month would be good, if we could get enough people willing.”

Bos says even without full funding, they hope to obtain some of the instruments that were taken out of the Dunster Fine Arts School and are now in storage in McBride.

Instruments are generally controlled by individual schools, says Valemount schools trustee Valentine Crawford, meaning trading and sharing can be coordinated on a local level.

Dunster students await Nov. 1

Students of the Dunster Fine Arts School will be headed back into their school building on Nov. 1, as the building is transferred hands from the School District 57 to the Dunster Fine Arts School Society.

The school will be hosting a Halloween party and potluck that day, says parent Seth Macdonald. A fundraising event will also be held later this November. Students have been locked out of the school building since the beginning of the school year. A sale agreement was reached at the end of September.

The Rocky Mountain Goat is issued every Wednesday

A4 Wednesday, October 27, 2010

We are going subscription Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com

Wow! What an amazing five months it has been. There has been no lack of support for our new newspaper and both Laura and I appreciate this greatly. All in all, we are on a good course to becoming well-established both as your source for credible and professional journalistic coverage, as well as a locally owned and operated business through which local commerce can promote itself. We are getting more and more interest every week for public involvement. Letters are starting to come in regularly. People are commenting more and more on our stories. Local and provincial politicians and business leaders are starting to quote our paper and its content, which indicates we are on the mark and covering stories which are relevant to you, our Robson Valley reader base. It was one of our main missions to ensure that the entire valley got equal coverage and we definitely hope to keep this up in the future.

It is interesting how many comments

we get about our name. So far, none have been negative. It is certainly not easily forgettable, and this was one of the reasons why Laura and I settled on it last spring. Our newspaper is starting to show up high on the list of Google searches and our website has attracted a regular following of mainly out-of-town readers, many former residents.

We have reached a point where we are going to change our marketing strategy.

I was worried when we first started this paper that there would not be enough advertising revenue to remain free. While there certainly is during the summer months, the winter is much slower. As such, we are going to start charging for our paper effective next week. Our mail subscriptions for anybody residing between Blue River, Mt. Robson and Dome Creek costs $62.50 plus HST ($70). Our weekly print will also be available at local stores for newsstand prices. We will also be adjusting our ad rates accordingly. In a way it is unfortunate that we will not be able to throw our work out to the world like we used to. It certainly has been fun crashing onto the scene and watching people read and comment on our work. But the print world is entrenched.

Sadly, the business side of a newspaper is critical, and good journalism on its own does not pay the bills. In an effort to help secure our business we have decided to broaden our income base.

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We certainly have made inroads on government ads, but the system is set up to make it difficult to make it through the first year. Government advertisers are leary of newer publications. We have been told that we must simply exists a year. June 2011 is now our target.

Membership in the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspaper Association is critical, and this also requires one year of existence. We have a dream. We are going to continue to grow and become a new model for community newspapers: a newspaper owned and operated by professional journalists and the people who work there. Our home base is an infectious buzz of youth and hope. We have even more young journalists already on the way to join our team. With your support, we will help turn this valley into an amazing, dynamic center where the old interacts with the young, where old ideas adapt into new ideas. Where we can be proud of our past, without hanging onto it to the detriment of the future. While the buzz and adrenaline of the summer have been rewarding enough to plough through to where we are, we are looking forward to settling down, becoming more established, and adopting a much more sustainable pace. We look forward to serving you well into the future.

The Rocky Mountain Goat

100% locally owned and operated

Thank You, Joseph Nusse, Publisher/Co-owner

The Rocky Mountain Goat is distributed weekly Office: 1070, 5th Avenue, Valemount, British Columbia

Laura Keil

Co-Owner Editor/Reporter lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

Joseph Nusse

Telephone: (250) 566-4606 E-mail: jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com, or lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com Advertising: sales@therockymountaingoat.com Website: www.therockymountaingoat.com Mail Address: Box 21, Valemount B.C., V0E 2Z0

Leigh Jackson

The Rocky Mountain Goat is produced and distributed by ‘The Rocky Mountain

Co-Owner Publisher/Sales jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com Sales Associate sales@therockymountaingoat.com

Harmeet Singh

Reporter hsingh@therockymountaingoat.com

Goat News’ and is subject to copyright. Reproduction, or distribution of any article, photo, or other content must recieve prior consent from Joseph Nusse (Co-Owner/ Publisher) or Laura Keil (Co-Owner/Editor).

Illustrations by Luke Siemens

The Rocky Mountain Goat is a free distribution newspaper serving a population base of approximately 5,000 residents from Blue River and Valemount, to McBride, Dome Creek and Jasper.

Convenience Mail Delivery Subscription For questions, call The Goat at (250) 566-4606, or e-mail jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com

Robson Valley ($70/Year) Subscriber’s Name: P.O. Box #: Street Address: City/Province/Country:

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Please check off the appropriate boxes, fill out all of the lines, cut out the form along the dotted line, and mail with a cheque, or money order to: Subscription The Rocky Mountain Goat Box 21 Valemount, BC V0E 2Z0

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Editorial

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Goat’s Letter Policy

Signs are the valves to our hearts

Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

Whether they plan it or not, tourists often drive bumper cars. Only the thing that knocks them in a new direction is not a wall – it’s a sign.

In the city, we are bombarded by billboards, flashing lights, and signs telling us or confusing us about lane changes and exit ramps. The landscape can be obnoxious and send your mind into a tailspin.

But in places like Valemount, Dunster, Blue River and McBride, signs are the valves to our communities’ hearts. Without them, we would have no new blood pumping through.

Let me draw a picture of common tourists in the region: they are geographically unaware of our roads; they don’t read maps; they dislike gravel roads, especially long ones; they believe there is nothing beyond the commercial area of town and that the unknown is scary and should be avoided.

These are gross assumptions, obviously not true of the attitudes of many people.

But let’s deal with the lowest common denominator. Tourists are like parents in Disneyland: after they’ve hit Cinderella, Toon Town and the Wookies, they are only going to walk around in the confusing, busy hub if there are signs to guide them. At this point, their minds are likely cinders, and they need a bread crumb trail just to find a washroom.

If you place said tourists in Valemount, Dunster or McBride, they will see only one entrance to the community from the

In addition, the signs that do exist are often tiny, vague or broken: the signs’ state of disrepair a sign in itself.

Now clear your mind and imagine a Valemount or McBride that is like Google Maps: images of boating the Fraser River and Kinbasket Lake pop out of billboards along the highway, much like on the digital map people can find on the internet. The road that leads past the old mill site in Valemount would have reassuring signs that this is indeed the way to Photo: Harmeet Singh the lake – and to continue past the tracks past the slight curve towards Canoe The sign in front of the Trading Post in Road. In Dunster, you could install sevValemount. eral “bread-crumb” signs along the road highway. At the end of Main Street in after the bridge, letting motorists know McBride or 5th Avenue in Valemount, that the store is just up the hill and to the they look left, they look right, and our left – and here’s a photo of the cute shop unadventurous middle-aged couple or you’re looking for. time-strapped musical group turns right Ramping up the idea even more, for back around to the highway munching people who walk up and down 5th Avon their puffed wheat. enue, past the Saas-Fee property/off-leash To be fair, there are often a few signs dog park, why not install historical panels signalling that something lies somewhere ahead after several unmarked forks in the explaining some of the village’s history or interesting personalities? Most tourists road – but that isn’t good enough. do not bother to check the museum for Every town or city has a personality.

Valemount’s personality is a beautiful girl these facts – they want them on the road, Google Map style, not on a map or under who is reading her book and does not museum glass. want to be disturbed. If pressed, she’ll The same goes for trailheads. We canpoint in a direction with her head still not assume tourists will make an effort down. to decipher local maps or visit the Visitor I’m talking the physical village, not the Information Centre. Signs must be large, people – the people of the Valley are unwith smaller signs in between acting as arguably very helpful to newcomers. But the bread trail. Our imaginary tourists do not all newcomers know they need help.

Some will honestly assume there is noth- not like making leaps of faith.

And here’s the worst: out-dated signs. ing here. Or they will not bother, since Sushi restaurant on Main Street? You’re they assume the residents don’t care two years late. enough about their town to flaunt it.

The more we integrate the psychologiThese assumptions are obviously cal landscape into the physical, the better wrong. There is plenty to explore and chance we will have of tourists bouncing residents do care. But most locals don’t around our community, discovering its realize that newcomers don’t read maps, beauty, and knowing that the people here hate the unknown gravel road, and talk are rooted to a place they are willing to only to their pet Chihuahua instead of to share. I’m willing to sign onto that. a helpful local.

Nusse Construction Basements to roofing Bathrooms and decks Renovations and retrofits If you need a job done right, put 35 years of experience to work for YOU!

Professional woodworking shop Completely self-equipped Concrete forms

Call 250-566-4840, ask for Tim

A5

The letters section is an open forum through which anybody can let out their opinion regarding any general policy or public issue be known. We reserve the right not to print any letter we deem to be libellous or offensive. Accusations of wrongdoing should be brought to us personally. We have our tools to verify facts and, if justified, print a story on an issue.

For instance, we will not print a rant out of the blue, but we will print comments in response to a public process, as long as the response is coherent and founded on reasonable grounds.

As a responsible newspaper, we cannot print anonymous letters. There is no accountability back to the author. A newspaper is a powerful medium. It is a permanent record that every valley resident can access for perpetuity. So please do not hesitate to send us letters outlining your opinions and comments about our stories or any local public issue. But write it in such a way that you can put your name on it and look other residents in the eye saying the same things to their face.

Thank You The Rocky Mountain Goat

Thank you

The McBride Anglican United Church Women thank all those who contributed to the success of our 2010 Harvest Supper.

This event would not have been possible without the work of the volunteers who gave so generously of their time to prepare the vegetables and desserts and to cook the hams and turkeys for our event.

A special thanks goes to Susannah Krinke who, for several years, has singlehandedly provisioned and manned the beverage table. We appreciate all the donations of foods and cash so generously given by members of the McBride/Dunster and Area residents, making this event possible. And special thanks to all those who attended our social event in celebration of the meaning and atmosphere of Thanksgiving.

McBride Anglican United Church Women D. Simpson, Secretary

Coming up...

Be sure to visit our website this Halloween weekend for a special audio slideshow from the Valemount Elementary school costume parade!

A6 Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Briefs:

Berg Lake trail use down from 2009 Poor weather this season is likely the cause of a decline in use of the Berg Lake Trail, says Wayne van Velzen, area supervisor for Mt. Robson Park.

Use of the trail during the day was down 18 percent, from 49, 860 to 40, 624. Overnight use, or people camping on the trail, was down 11 percent.

“Several weeks of ‘no fires’ and heavy smoke in August, generally our busiest month, kept visitors from the area. Many thought the park was actually closed dur-

Winter Driving Tips B.C. drivers should be preparing for winter, says Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. She recommends the DriveBC website as a resource for highway conditions, road reports, weather forecasts and winter driving tips.

Some important recommendations include: *Before the trip, check the current road conditions and weather forecast. *Learn and practice winter driving skills after a storm in an empty parking lot – practise such manoeuvres as handling a skid. *If you absolutely need to drive in stormy weather, take someone else with you. *Try to travel during daylight only and let someone know your route. *Keep at least four seconds distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. *Drop your speed to match road conditions - the posted speed is the maximum speed under ideal conditions. *Watch for black ice - slow down when approaching shaded areas, bridges and overpasses as these sections of road freeze sooner than others. *Avoid sudden moves - slow down and steer smoothly and gradually to avoid skidding. *Be extremely cautious when approaching maintenance vehicles. *If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic - stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth.

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Historical presentation piques local interest Tales of a historical surveyor Harmeet Singh hsingh@therockymountaingoat.com Valemount residents were treated to a unique perspective of the village and of B.C. history last week. Jay Sherwood, author and historian, presented photos and journal entries detailing northern British Columbia’s past through the eyes of Frank Swannell, one of Canada’s most famous surveyors.

Return to Northern British Columbia: A Photojournal of Frank Swannell is the third, and likely final book in Sherwood’s series. It laid the basis for his presentation at Valemount Secondary School Oct. 21, which focused on Swannell’s work from 1929 to 1939.

As part of his research, Sherwood travPhoto: Harmeet Singh elled the same paths as Swannell, taking Author Jay Sherwood answers questions from Valemount residents about his photos from the same spots as the famous latest research on surveyor Frank Swannell. Sherwood’s Oct. 21 presentation surveyor. focused on Swannell’s work during the 1930s, during which time he surveyed “It’s interesting going back and seeing and photographed Valemount. the areas and re-photographing,” he says.

The presentation began with an open ton to northern B.C., and other projects sentation very interesting. Several other field and a stunning mountain landscape involving Swannell and the Blackmans, Blackmans also attended the event. behind it—a black and white photo of she says. “It’s been talked about always in “It was good to see our family come toour family,” says gether.”

Valemount in 1936. Before the “It’s sweet because Grandpa passed Courtoreille, who Sherwood will be making similar preincidentally lives sentations around B.C. Much of the village was built away when we were really young,... on Blackman material found in his books can also be up around it, the any pictures like that are really neat. ” Road. land was surfound through the Royal B.C. Museum’s What her family archives. veyed by SwanPenny Courtoreille, didn’t have were nell and various Valemount resident many of the phoother people. tos and journal Sherwood’s past entries researched and colas a surveyor, along with his interest in the outdoors and in history, inspired his lected by Sherwood.

“It’s sweet because Grandinterest in Frank Swannell. As a school librarian, Sherwood’s research skills came pa passed away when we in handy. Each book took roughly three were really young,” she says, Dunster Community Association years of work in total, he says, including “so any pictures like that are Recreational Property – River Road researching, writing and travelling all really neat.”

Sherwood says it’s difficult The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George intends to consider around B.C. “I’ve had the chance to go places I would to find people who know adoption of the Dunster Recreational Property Use Agreement Authorization Bylaw No. 2648, 2010 at its meeting of Novemabout the history of north- ber 18, 2010. never go otherwise,” he says.

But, naturally, he couldn’t always do ern B.C. firsthand.

“Sometimes people have Bylaw No. 2648 will authorize the Regional District to enter it alone, and for Sherwood, the biggest the interest but they have no into a renewal agreement, terminating in 2015, with the Dunchallenge was making connections.

For his most recent book, he was able to documents at all,” he says. ster Community Association for the recreational property located off River Road, in Dunster, BC, Electoral Area H. The meet with a descendent of one of Swan- “Sometimes people have subject property is described as the West ½ of the Southwest ¼ nell’s team members, as well as Swan- these documents sitting in of District Lot 7180, Cariboo District. In consideration of the nell’s own grandson. Together, they trav- the back corner of some entitlements given, the Regional District will receive a nominal elled near the Swannell River Valley and place and they don’t know sum of $1.00 for the specified term of the agreement. the Ingenika River. Along the way, they what they are.”

For people like the Black- A copy of Bylaw No. 2648 is available for viewing on the Refound evidence of Swannell’s adventures, gional District website, at: http://rdffg.civicweb.net/Docuincluding surveying pins engraved with man family, he says, being ments/DocumentList.aspx (Agenda for October 2010 Regional able to connect their own Board meeting item #9.3), or in hard copy at the Regional Dishis initials.

Valemount resident Penny Courtoreille stories with archived jour- trict Service Centre at 155 George Street, Prince George, BC came to Sherwood’s presentation. She is nals and photos is a lot of during regular business hours. Persons wishing to file a writdescended from the Blackman family, fun. “I made them come. ten submission in respect of Bylaw No. 2648 should do so not some members of which were featured They weren’t really keen on later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010. in Sherwood’s presentation. Her grandfa- coming,” Courtoreille says J. Metcalfe ther, Bill Blackman, also travelled British of bringing her children Service Centre Leader Columbia during the 1930s and photos of along.

In the end, though, she says Main Office: 155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8 him were included in the presentation.

Telephone: (250) 960-4400 / Fax: (250) 563-7520 Her family was raised on stories of the Be- her daughter found the preToll Free: 1-800-667-1959 http://www.rdffg.bc.ca daux Expedition, a journey from Edmon-

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A7

TMX Pipeline expansion south on hold Kinder Morgan will wait for market demand before starting next phase

Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com While the second phase of twinning the Trans Mountain Pipeline from Rearguard Station near Mt. Robson to the lower mainland is still on the books, a representative from Kinder Morgan says market demand will need to pick up before it starts to build again.

Lexa Hobenshield, a media relations representative, says the company will proceed with public consultation once the market favours further expansion of the pipeline’s capacity. She says several key regulatory filings would also still need to be processed before expansion plans proceed.

In the summer of 2008, Valemount experienced a short economic boom as hundreds of pipeline workers moved into town for the Anchor Loop Project, or the twinning of the Trans Mountain Pipeline from Hinton, AB to Mt. Robson. The new pipeline was put in service at the end of October 2008.

The twinning of the pipeline increased capacity from 260,000 barrels per day to 300,000 barrels per day. According to Hobenshield, there are other smaller sections of twinned pipeline, but most of the remaining duration of the pipeline is single piped. She says twinning a pipeline has similar benefits to adding sidings to rail tracks. Even if the pipeline is not twinned the entire way, sections of twinned pipe do significantly increase capacity. If the pipeline is twinned the entire way to the lower mainland, capacity would increase to 700,000 barrels per day.

The Trans Mountain Pipeline is not typical of most other major pipelines in North America, since it is designed to move more than one type of product all at once. It is also unique in that Kinder Morgan does not own any of the product being piped. Instead, it charges fees for transporting products, similar to a railroad service. Hobenshield adds that because the Trans Mountain Pipeline transports a wide array of petroleum products, future expansion will be based on a general increase in market demand, rather than a sudden increase of one product.

Map submitted Future proposals by Kinder Morgan could include a pipeline capable of transporting 400,000 barrels per day branching north through McBride to an end point at Kitimat B.C.. The twinning of the line all the way from Mt. Robson to the Lower Mainland is the next priority, once market demand picks up.

In operation since 1953 The Trans Mountain pipeline transports about 90 percent of the diesel and gasoline delivered to lower mainland.

Products can be temporarily stored along the pipeline in 22 tanks in Kamloops, Sumas Mountain and Burnaby.

Westridge Marine Terminal Located on the southern shore of Burrard lnlet in Burnaby. It accommodates ships that transport crude oil to the U.S. and overseas markets, and stores incoming aviation fuel.

Puget Sound Pipeline System: A 110 km pipeline sends crude oil from the main pipeline at Sumas to refineries in Ferndale and Anacortes, Wash.

Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. sign mineral exploration agreement The Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. held a signing ceremony in Vancouver on Oct. 25 to officially mark a mineral exploration agreement for the Blue River Tantalum-Niobium rare metals project. The project is located in the Kamloops Mining Division, approximately 10 km north of Blue River in the heart of the Simpcw First Nation’s traditional territory.

The Simpcw First Nation is based in the North Thompson area. Today, about half of the 600 Simpcw people live on the Simpcw First Nation Indian Reserve at Chu Chua just north of Barriere, B.C. and on the Louise Creek Reserve. Commerce Resources Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company with a particular focus on tantalum, niobium and rare metal deposits that have the opportunity for environmental-

ly-sound and economically-viable development.

Traditionally, First Nations become involved in mineral exploration during the advanced stages. This agreement means that both the Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. will be working more closely together during the early stages of mineral exploration.

Winter can be long.

Stay informed and entertained!

Subscribe to The Goat Box 21, Valemount, BC, V0E 2Z0

Currently, about 100 Kinder Morgan staff are positioned along the pipeline route in BC.

A8

www.therockymountaingoat.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Local wood production a priority ...Cont’ from A1

Bressette says this means they will down fall sorts such as short tops. probably end up sitting on some wood “We are just going to start small and for a while. see if it will go. The message we have “We are trying to help out these small- been getting is that if there was wood er guys.” available when the local mills need it, He says initially it is going to be a small our smaller guys could grow in proenough volume so that the risk is low, duction capabilities,” says Bressette. “If but big enough that loggers can cover that’s what it takes to keep more wood their costs of setting up. The location in the valley, we will try to expand that.” of the yard has He says that not been final- “We are just going to start small and see cedar will be a ized, but several if it will go. The message we have been pretty big part local options getting is that if there was wood avail- of this new small including exist- able when the local mills need it, our scale supply, but ing yards with smaller guys could grow in production it could include scales are being anything. capabilities.” explored.

“I would like Shane Bressette, “I will be phonto get a range VCF Director ing around to of species and our locals, insorts. Then we cluding McBride, to get a bit of a feel for can have some wood on hand if somewhat kind of wood, what kind of sorts body wants to jump into a new product we would be most likely to move in the and take a different direction.” next six months and then I would try to Bressette says the community forest tailor the wood to these demands.” will try to have the wood brought in this Bressette says that the new National winter and available for this spring. This Choice Mill in McBride will be a part of should align with many of the spot marthat puzzle since it looks like they will kets for specialty woods which typically be interested in picking up some of the start opening up at that time of the year.

Cabinet shuffle, who is who?

B.C. premier Gordon Campbell announced several changes to the provincial cabinet on Oct. 25.

Ministers with new or changed portfolios include: Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Hon. Barry Penner Minister of Agriculture – Hon. Ben Stewart Minister of State for Building Code Renewal – Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Education – Hon. George Abbott Minister of Energy – Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment – Hon. Murray Coell Minister of Finance (Minister Responsible for Small Business) – Hon. Colin Hansen Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands – Hon. Pat Bell Minister of Health Services – Hon. Kevin Falcon Minister of Labour – Hon. Iain Black Minister of Natural Resource Operations – Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General (Minister Responsible for Housing) - Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development – Hon. Moira Stilwell Minister of Science and Universities – Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Social Development – Hon. Kevin Krueger Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment (Minister Responsible for the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat) – Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid Ministers retaining their existing portfolios include: Attorney General – Hon. Mike de Jong Minister of Children and Family Development – Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Citizens’ Services – Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of State for Climate Action – Hon. John Yap Minister of State for Mining – Hon. Randy Hawes Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure – Hon. Shirley Bond

Gardening with Pete Peter Amyoony Special to The Goat

The end of October is a good time to see if we have done a good job of putting the garden to bed. If we have, then we can go with a clear conscience to the next stage of our gardening year – “the winter dream stage” – where we take the time to ponder garden books and magazines for those new or even old ideas to try in next year’s garden. Soon the seed catalogues will be arriving in the mail and you can let your imagination run wild if you are anything like me! But first, back to reality with a checklist of fall chores.

Has the garlic been planted and is the mulch ready to cover it once the ground freezes? Some gardeners mulch their garlic as soon as they plant it while others wait until the ground is frozen.

Have the raspberry canes that produced fruit this year been cut back to the ground? They are the two year old canes that have the bark that is beginning to fall off and the dried up flower spurs. Also remember to cut the new canes back to armpit height. This will encourage more side (lateral) branches next spring and thus produce more fruit.

Have you planted your fall bulbs such as tulips and daffodils? A sprinkling of bonemeal mixed with the soil in the bottom of each hole will give better blooms next spring. Be careful to plant the bulbs to the depth recommended on the package or ask your bulb supplier for the depth appropriate for this area. If you have a problem with voles (very common in this area) you can make “bulb cages” from hardware cloth or chicken wire and plant a cluster of bulbs in the cage

buried at the correct depth. A few years back a friend invested over $200.00 in bulbs and got only a few dozen blooms but miles of vole trails the next spring when the snow melted.

If you can build a new compost pile with all the fall leaves, garden waste and a few pails of manure, it can get working before the really cold weather sets in and will be ready for next spring.

Remember to dry off your potatoes well before putting them into storage. For the first eight weeks after harvest, potatoes go into a “sweat” where they give off a lot of moisture. If you have any scabby potatoes or their skins are constantly wet, this is the ideal time for rot to start. I try to check the spuds once a month until January.

If you grew dahlias or purchased some bedding dwarf varieties, dig the tubers and dry them well. Cut the stems to a few inches (5-6cm) and remove the dirt from between the tubers. I spread mine on wooden trays in the root cellar where there is sufficient moisture. Other folks pack theirs in peat moss. Too much moisture will cause rot. Too little will dehydrate them over the winter. Check them every month or so.

If you have ideas you would like covered in future columns, please feel free to call me at 968-4334.

Pete Amyoony is a gardener in the Robson Valley of central B.C. high in the Rocky Mountains near Mt. Robson. He has lived, worked and gardened in the Dunster area for more than thirty years.

www.therockymountaingoat.com

Call Leigh at 250-569-8807 or sales@therockymountaingoat.com

The Business Directory

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A9

$40 for 4 weeks, or $20 for one week

Teepee Meadows Cottage

Spectacular mountain and marshland scenery Phone:250-566-9875 Located 3 km west of Valemount

Hosts: Claude, Alke & Noland Germain 545 Jack Adams Road, Box 786 Valemount, BC V0E 2Z0

New Construction, Renovations Additions, Framing, Finishing Cabinetry & Wood Doors

Certified Septic Installer Bobcat Skid Steer With Various Attachments

G & A Moore Ventures Gerald Moore Contractor

McBride, BC

1152 - 5th Ave, Valemount B.C. 250-566-0154

CRACKMASTER Windshield Repair/Replacement Specialists

PET SUPPLIES-HOME ELECTRONICS SHAW DIRECT TV-SIRIUS RADIOS FLAT GLASS-MIRROR-SCREENS CUSTOM VINYL SIGNS-BANNERS-VEHICLE GRAPHICS-MAGNETIC SIGNS WOOD & PELLET STOVES & SUPPLIES WOOD PELLETS @ Country Wide Sales & Services Ltd Conveniently located downtown @ 1160-5th Ave

www.mooreventures.ca Tel: 250.569.2269

Eatery and Gift Shop

Cell: 250.569.7147

Open 9 am -5:30 pm Monday thru Friday

250.566.4380

For Drywall Services CALL TODD @

WAHOO ENTERPRISES

250-569-0320

STR8 UP Renovations New Construction, renos, form building. shops, decks.

Journeyman carpenter, 17 years experience.

Call Jeff Wagner, 250-569-7906

A10

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

www.therockymountaingoat.com

Twenty for a Toonie: The Classified Ads

Plain Talk Horoscopes

By Craig Elder, M.A. Economics

Classified ads policy If it is for free, it is free.

Up to 20 words for $2, 30 words for $3, 40 words for $4 etc. If the asking price is over $499, then it is $5 for 20 words, $6 for 30 words etc. Non-business announcements are welcome at the same rates.

The Rocky Mountain Goat reserves the right to refuse to print any classified submission that is not an advertisement of a private sale, or rental arrangement.

Building Materials

For Sale

For Sale

Salvaged metal siding for sale. Perfect for any outbuilding or shop. Approximately 550-600 square foot coverage. Will consider any offer! Call Joe 250-566-1444

5th Wheel. 28.5’ Citation Supreme 1997 Excellent condition, Queen walkaround Bed, Oakcabinets, 2 DoorFridge, Microwave, 3 Burnersstoveoven, Full Bath, Awning, Airconditioning, $14900.00. Call 1-250-566-9884, Valemount or jvgeorgeca@yahoo.ca

Glass carboys, $20 each (retail $40) and multi-purpose plastic tubs 30L, $15 Call 250-566-4606

Trusses for sale. Approximately 42 foot span. 14 units. Single slant, could be modified with a chalk line and skill saw. Now considering offers! Call Joe 250566-1444 and skill saw. Now considering offers! Call Joe 250-566-1444

Flooring, Wide Plank Fir, 8”, T&G, new, kiln dried, select grade, $2.95/sqft. Please call 250-573-1817 evenings.

500 gal. single-wall fuel tank. Asking $200. Call 250566-5069, ask for Jared Mobile Home with full addition, and large garage on a lot, in Valemount recently renovated. comes w/ fridge stove washer dryer.

Currently rented. Asking $110.000.00 O.B.O Call 778 328 7285 leave a message.

Mazda B4000 4/4 1994.

C/W Canopy, 2 sets of tires on rims, well maintained, kept all receipts, 293K. Reason for sale; family got bigger. Asking $2500. Call JF at 250-566-8411.

How to submit an ad Found

To submit your classified ad, e-mail or call the Goat, or place your ad in an envelope with payment and drop it in our mailbox at 1070 5th Ave For Rent Shared Accommodation dwntwn McBride Incl: lge bdrm with private entrance, ADSL, phone/voice box, furniture. Shared: util, TV, house/yard. NS, ND/A (no drugs/alcohol), No Pets.

Refs plse. $450 - 569-8807 Older 2 bedroom house on 6th Ave. $450/month plus utilities. 250-566-4790.

Roommate Wanted $295 plus shared utilities.

1 bedroom in 2 bedroom apartment in Valemount.

250-566-4044 Nanny Needed Nanny Required. Sept – Dec part time. Requires 2 days in Crescent Spur, 2 days in Dunster Jan–Apr – full time live in at Crescent Spur. Salary based on experience. Pls email resumes or inquires to Jessica@crescentspur.com.

You can reach me at 250553-2300 or 250-968-4486.

1 pair of black, OR, Goretex gaiters on McKirdy Peak.

Call 250-566-4396 to claim.

Post your ad online www.

Fishing flies for Christmas?

Call Garry at 250-566-4456.

Flies, Fly boxes, Rod building and rod repairs.

Two used satellite dishes. As is, taken off of house. Open to offers, 250-566-1444.

Minolta 2050 copier with two bottles of toner. Asking $300 OBO. Black and White copying only. Upto 11x17 size, also double sided. Older machine but still reproduces well. Handy for someone who needs to make copies of maps, booklets, handouts, etc. Call Rashmi at Infinity 250-5664225. Available for testing / viewing at Infinity Office & health, Valemount.

Carpool

Wanted

I am looking to carpool periodically with someone who travels to Jasper, and to travel to other towns. I will pay for part gas! Call 5660173.

ARE YOU BORED? I’m looking to start a friendship club for winter sports, hiking, events and activities in Jasper, and nighboring towns. Call Vanda at: 250566-0173.

Sudoku-Puzzles .net Sudoku, Kakuro & Futoshiki Puzzles

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Aries: An easily surmountable obstacle will see you skip physical exercise this week. All that matters is that you were definitely going to...

Taurus: Everyone thinks your idea is great. Too bad you meant it as a joke. Good luck implementing it.

Gemini: Should you stand up for yourself or go with the flow? It’s up to you! ...But the stars will force you to be assertive.

Cancer: Instead of trying to become a better person, simply lower your expectations of yourself.

Leo: The heavens have set out a well-laid plan for you, but it is fragile- so for pete’s sake don’t touch anything!

Virgo: Stick to what you do best and you will be able to comfortably float through life unnoticed.

Libra: You can’t do everything. To prove this to yourself ,try to juggle four angry goats.

Scorpio: Distant images bring you great happiness this week. This should be vague enough to cover lots of different things.

Sagittarius: Get your life in order this week. I prefer alphabetically myself.

Capricorn: You need to make a decision regarding a relationship, finances or dinner very soon.

Aquarius: Last week was difficult and you made your sacrifices. The gods will be pleased.

Pisces: You’re feeling extra cozy of late. This being said, it is not socially acceptable to wear your housecoat in public.

Employment Quickway Pilot looking for part time drives. Phone 566-1722, or fax resume to 566-4207, or mail Box 69 Valemount.

Local Roman Catholic Bishop ‘severely beaten’ in Kamloops An adult male is in custody after Bishop David Monroe, the Roman Catholic bishop of Kamloops, B.C., was severely beaten at the city’s cathedral on Friday October 22. Another priest on the scene dislocated his shoulder trying to fend off the attacker.

RCMP were called to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in down town Kamloops on Friday night, and found Bishop David Monroe bleeding on the floor of the church rectory. Police believe he had been beaten with a blunt object. Monroe, 69, was rushed to hospital.

The assailant fled the church. Reports indicate that police found the man in a shed at his father’s home on the north shore of Kamloops. It appears he swam across the Thompson River. He also appeared to be in a very unstable mental state.

Monroe, who has been bishop since 2002 of the 155,000-squarekilometre central B.C. diocese including Valemount and Blue River parishes, was taken to hospital with what have been described as serious injuries.

On Monday, John Bandura, 30, was charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and mischief. He has been diagnosed with bi-polar and is on mood stabilizers. Monroe is expected to make a recovery and will be released from hospital shotly.

www.therockymountaingoat.com

Community Events October

November

Oct. 27 McBride Secondary Talent Night 7 p.m. at the Roundhouse Theatre $5 admission, children free For details or to enter, contact: 250-569-2295

Nov. 2 Canoe Valley Skating Club AGM 7 p.m.

Upstairs at the arena For more info call Crystal: 569-8491

Oct. 27 9/11 Truth Movie 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Valemount Free Admission Sept 11/2001, three skyscrapers were demolished in downtown New York and something damaged the Pentagon. The evidence indicates these events could not be achieved by a few radicals with box cutters.

Nov. 4 John Reischman Roots musician McBride Roundhouse Theatre

Oct 30 Indoor Yard Sale Tete Jaune Community Hall 9am - 12pm Table rentals $10 Call Wendy: 566-9706

Nov 6 McBride Elks and Royal Purple Garage Sale 10:00 2:00 p.m.. If you would like to book a table @ $10.00/ table, please call Barb Jackson: 569-2645.

Nov. 20 Valemount Arts and Crafts Fair Location: Valemount Secondary gym Contact Jan: 250-566-4396 to book a table

Got a community event or announcement?

Let us know!

Weekend Gold

lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A11

Ongoing diversions Every Wednesday Valemount Seniors’ Music Night, 7p.m.

Location: Valemount Golden Years Lodge Every Thursday Cribbage tournament, everyone welcome Location: Valemount Golden Years Lodge lower level 1-4 p.m.

Every Friday In Valemount: Musical jam at The Gathering Tree cafe, 7 p.m.

Hamburgers and drinks at the Legion, 5:30 p.m.

Every second Saturday Valemount Circle Dance, 7pm - 9pm Contact Micah: 250-566-1782 First Saturday of every month Dunster Family Dance 7pm to 10pm Instruction from 7-8pm and short sessions throughout the evening. Lots of variety dances (waltz, fox-trot, polka, cha-cha, two-step-schottische, etc). Pot luck snacks at 9pm and then more dancing until 10pm. Admission - $5 for anyone over 12 - maximum of $10 per family.

Photo: Ellen Duncan The Valemount Senior Volleyball girls placed first again this past weekend in a four-team tournament in Jasper. The girls met senior teams from Hinton, Edson and Jasper.

It is their second tournament of the season, and their second first place finish. Their first tournament was held in Barriere two weeks ago.

Back row: Kelsey Griffin, Rebecca Lerch, Lea Werner, Linnaea Van der Zwan, Stephanie Blanco, Coral Hogg, Sylvia Grigat, Kristin Prosser, Coach Cheri Denke Front row: Stacey Duncan, Kate Soucy, Rita Gonella, Natasha Frank, Nina Grigat, and Haley Van der Zwan. Absent: Carey Newby

A12

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Prince George medical student missing for more than a month, presumed dead Interned last summer in Valemount and McBridePhoto: Reiner Thoni

www.therockymountaingoat.com

Bagnall and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Jonathan Jette, went hiking on Saturday, Sept. 4. They were due to return on Monday, Sept. 6. They were experienced hikers and were equipped with appropriate gear and food for two to three days.

So far, the RCMP and search and rescue crews have only located the couple’s vehicle on a Forest Service Road approximately 14 km north of Mt. Currie, near Pemberton B.C..

is pleased to add SEARS Catalogue Orders to our list of services!

25-year-old Rachael Bagnall served as a medical intern in the Robson Valley during the summer of 2009. She and fellow medical intern Jan McPhee hiked and climbed many local mountains together, including McKirdy Mountain. McPhee asked that their entry into the summit log be taken down and photocopied. Both Bagnall and McPhee were finishing up senior years in medical school at UBC in Vancouver.

Pick-Ups - Returns - Payments Phone: 250-566-4225