August 18 full document

WILDFIRE UPDATE

FUTURE RODEO STARS

Wildfires near Merritt extinguished, Oliver fires continue / Page 5

Young cowboys and cowgirls strut their stuff / Page 9

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS

SEATBELT USE URGED FOLLOWING TRAGEDIES

Driver in cliffside accident says event was a wake up call Both driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts

Father and son were killed near Spences Bridge, while another son, also ejected from the wreckage, was able to call for help None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts

The interior of Deane’s vehicle, with both airbags deployed. Submitted photo David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD

The vehicle left Drinkwater Road and went down an embankment last Friday evening. Only one of the three occupants survived.

Photo courtesy Kamloops Search and Rescue Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD

Three people were found dead in the early hours of Friday in two separate car crashes. According to authorities, had they been wearing seat belts there’s a chance they all would have survived.

At about 11 p.m. Thursday night, a vehicle with three people driving along Drinkwater Road between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft had their vehicle fall off the road and down a steep embankment.

Sometime overnight on Highway 97C, a 26-year-old man lost control of his vehicle and hit an embankment hill and rolled several times at Hamilton Hill, about five kilometres east of Merritt.

He wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

In the case of the Drinkwater road accident, the vehicle was travelling on a narrow stretch of road and plummeted 175 feet. The vehicle rolled and none of the three men inside were wearing seat belts.

CREDIT

See ‘Buckling up’ Page 2

Seventeen-year-old Cameron Deane nearly had his life cut short on Sunday, Aug. 9, when he lost control of his vehicle and was sent off the road and careening down a steep embankment just outside of Merritt.

Just two days prior to the accident on Aug. 7, Deane had passed his class 7 road test and received his N license.

“I had no idea how quickly that ecstasy of freedom could turn to absolute hell,” Deane told the Herald.

He was travelling along Lindley Creek Road with a passenger — who requested his name not appear in this story — at about 11:45 p.m. that Sunday

evening. He said he was travelling at about 40 km/hr, but had never driven that road. His car hit a loose patch of gravel and he went straight off the road, down a steep embankment. Police estimated it was about 50 feet down, though Deane said his father speculated it was at least 100 feet.

“Feeling my car pull off the road as I hit that loose spot of gravel, feeling the ground beneath me leave, feeling the G-force of suddenly careening down roughly 50 to 100 feet — possibly more — and feeling the strength of two football players tackling straight into my chest as my airbags deployed, was honestly the most terrifying and eye opening experience of my life,” he said.

See ‘New driver’ Page 5

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2 • TUESDAY, August 18, 2015

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Buckling up can save your life, says rescue worker From Page 1

Rescue workers from Kamloops and Merritt attended the Drinkwater Road incident.

Photo courtesy Kamloops Search and Rescue

All three were ejected from the vehicle.

Two of the three men died, one of whom was found some 250 feet away from where the car came to a stop.

“I speculate everybody would have survived had they been wearing seat belts,” said Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) president Alan Hobler — who attended a rope rescue of the crash at about 3 a.m. that night.

On Highway 97C, the male driver, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, failed to properly handle a curve and ended up colliding with a gravel embankment causing his vehicle to roll.

He too was ejected when the vehicle rolled.

Merritt RCMP responded to the single vehicle accident at about 4:30 a.m. and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

RCMP Cpl. Tim Lyons said the man was ejected out of the vehicle’s back window.

Lyons said police are not sure exactly how fast the vehicle was travelling, but suspect it was more than the posted 110 km/hr speed limit and less than 150 km/hr. Alcohol is not considered a factor in this case and Lyons said the

driver may have been distracted or fell asleep at the wheel.

Lyons said he’d bet his career the man would have survived had he been wearing a seatbelt.

“The vehicle rotated backwards and hit the embankment backwards,” Lyons said, adding the seatbelt would have held him in place.

When a vehicle rolls over at high speeds, occupants are fighting strong G-forces, Lyons said.

“At 50 kilometres an hour the G-force is like trying to lift a one tonne pickup, so at 100 kilometres an hour it’s like lifting two one tonne pickups,” Lyons said.

Not wearing a seatbelt leaves little chance of occupants being able to hold themselves in place during a crash, he told the Herald.

“You’re talking an extraordinary amount of force that people just don’t understand,” Lyons said.

He said he’s seen dozens of crashes where people have worn their seat belts and lived.

People should also remember to wear their seat belts properly, with the strap over the shoulder to ensure the belt performs as designed.

“Seat belts do save lives, 100 per cent. I’m a believer in that,” Lyons said.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

ALL YOU NEED TO BRING IS YOU!

The In-School Mentoring program provides girls and boys with a role model and a friend to talk to. Mentors meet with their mentee for 1 hour per week and engage in activities such as board games, crafts or just hang out in the playground.

Adult mentors needed! Please contact: Brittney Parks, Mentoring Coordinator for Merritt brittney.parks@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

TO BECOME A MENTOR IN MERRITT CALL 250-280-2327

TUESDAY, August 18, 2015 • 3

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

New driver wants others to learn from his nearly fatal mistake “[That] night was any family’s worst nightmare and it just happened to be mine.”

www.merrittherald.com Merritt Herald @MerrittHerald

INSIDE Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Sports ------------------------- 9 Classified ------------------- 10

From Page 1 His first thought when the car came to a stop was that it was smoking. He grabbed his wallet and phone and bailed out.

But he soon realized that what he mistook for smoke was actually a fine powder that is ejected with the airbags.

Deane and his passenger climbed the embankment in a daze, met by emergency services who had been called by an older couple who lived nearby.

They’d heard the accident and called for help.

Miraculously, neither of the two were harmed.

According to police, both passengers were wearing seatbelts, and drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be factors in the accident.

“A lot of people are going to say you were driving like an idiot, you were on a high of ‘I just got my license, I can do anything, I know everything,’ and honestly I was on that high,” he said. “But I was going not even 40 km/hr and I’m glad to say that for once I wasn’t speeding, because my speed is what saved my life that night.”

Since that experience, he said he’s had a major shift in his outlook on life.

“It was terrifying but at the same time it was an amazing experience,” he said. “I honestly learned more about myself and my life in the past two days of thinking about it and in that five seconds I went down that hill than I did in 17 years.”

The night he got his license, he said he had snuck out to go for a drive without telling his parents. If an accident had occurred then, he said there would have been no telling what could have happened.

“I see now that I could have died that night and my parents might not even have known for a week

REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: August, 1997

TRAINING A KEY TARGET OF FRBC FORESTRY PROJECT

The front of Deane’s vehicle, which suffered some damage in the fall on Sunday, Aug. 9. Submitted photo

or more where I was,” he said.

Deane wants others to learn from his experiences.

“Please learn with me, don’t repeat my mistakes,” he said.

“When someone tells you to drive slow, to come

straight home after work, to put your phone down to look up, do it. If you don’t feel up to driving, give someone your keys who can. Call a cab, call your parents, call a relative or whoever you can to get home safe. Last Sunday night was any family’s worst nightmare and it just happened to be mine.”

New website for Friends City intends to buy land for of the Nicola Valley nature preserve The not-for-profit anti-biosolids group Friends of the Nicola Valley has launched a new website aimed at collecting and disseminating information related to their cause. www.biosolidsbc.com has been active since last Friday, Aug. 7.

“I think what’s really critical is that this isn’t just a local issue,” said member Randy Murray. “This is a B.C. wide issue, it’s a national issue — it’s almost international.”

Although the group is active on Facebook, Murray said that the group needs a bigger

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presence than just the social media site.

“This allows us control over content,” explained Murray.

“Now on there you can find information about alternatives, you’ll find information about the facts on sewer sludge and what it contains and how to become involved, and there’s a live streaming feed underneath that’s linked to the Friends of the Nicola Valley Facebook page so you can see what’s happening on a realtime basis.

It’s just another vehicle for getting information out there.”

Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD

City council intends to spend $75,000 to purchase property to utilize as a nature preserve.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, council gave three readings to an expenditure bylaw that will enable the city to purchase three lots along Charters Street, one of which is beneath the Nicola River.

The land is home to a variety of wildlife and the city’s intention is to develop it as little as possible.

“It’s a very rare site to have downtown,” Coun. Ginny Prowal said at council’s regular meeting last Tuesday.

The lots of 2801 and 2802 Charters St. comprise a three-

acre island in the Nicola River, that was created back in the 1940s when the Nicola River was rerouted to reduce flooding in town, putting the third lot council intends to purchase — 2807 Charters Street — under water.

The two lots that make up the island have no legal access to them except through private property and are effectively land locked, a report to council stated.

Ultimately, a pedestrian bridge would need to be constructed to allow public access to this ‘park’ from Charters Street, and the city could look for grant opportunities or other fundraising options to finance the bridge, the report stated.

Merritt Mayor Neil Menard

said he’s heard good things from other communities about developing this type of park in their towns.

“There isn’t one that I ever talked to that doesn’t want more of this type of thing,” Menard said.

The first three readings of the bylaw passed 6-0 with Coun.

Mike Goetz excusing himself on a perceived conflict of interest.

If the city doesn’t buy the lots now, they are expected to go to public auction in October.

The city plans to spend $75,000 plus legal costs and disbursements and is taking the funds out of an account that currently has $86,000 in it, so there should be sufficient funds to complete the purchase if the bylaw is adopted.

The sound of chainsaws rings through the woods 50 kilometres southeast of Merritt.

Workers, who might not have jobs otherwise, are spacing out dense-growing trees to allow for better growth in the future.

“It means a better economic value when they harvest them,” says Will Sloan, Tolko’s Forest Renewal coordinator.

The enhanced forestry project is receiving $163,000 from FRBC as part of a partnership with Tolko, the Upper Similkameen and Coldwater Bands, and the Ministry of Forests.

The joint effort has created jobs in the woods in the Merritt area for at least 14 First Nations members.

Using chainsaws, the crews chop away the smaller and unhealthy trees to allow the larger, healtheir trees a better chance at survival.

The cut trees are broken down and will fertilize the ground they stood in.

Stan Holmes, of the Upper Similkameen Band, said the project is needed because of the training it provides.

4 • TUESDAY, August 18, 2015

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MUSIC IN THE PARK LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Community policing office July report The following is an excerpt from the City of Merritt regular council meeting agenda for August 11, 2015 Merritt Community Policing Office month end report: July Asset Development Committee The Community Policing Program supports the Big Brothers Big Sisters Go Girls!

Summer mentoring program.

Designed to empower girls ages nine to 11 to make healthy decisions in life, this group runs Tuesdays and Thursdays for a total of eight sessions.

Smart Step Youth Association July was a busy month for Smart Step as the youth kicked off the month by participating in Canada Day activities such as games and face painting at Rotary Park.

The next big project

for the month of July was the Paint Our City event which included repainting and cleaning areas and businesses in Merritt which were covered with graffiti.

There were approximately 25 locations affected by graffiti which were identified prior to the event.

The youth were split into three teams and did a great job of tackling the painting and cleaning of these locations.

Child and Youth Committee This inter-agency collaborative group endeavours to improve the well-being of youth in our community by sharing information, promoting programs, and developing skill sets based on professional expertise and experience.

Members of this committee include: School District 58, Interior Community Services, MCFD, Nicola Family Therapy, Interior Health, Pacific Sport, MYFRS, the Phoenix

Notice: NVAC Annual Shut Down

The Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre

will be closing for our Annual Maintenance Shut Down as of August 31.

Shut down will be approximately 1 month The Fitness Room will re-open Tuesday September 8 Monday thru Friday 7am – 7pm If you have any questions or concerns please to do not hesitate to contact us at 250-378-6662 Thank you for your patience during this time. Enjoy the rest of your summer! See you all in the Fall!

Leisure Services Department City of Merritt Nicola Valley Aquatic Center 2040 Mamette Ave, Merritt 250-378-6662

Centre, and Conayt Friendship Society.

The committee does not meet over the summer months, but will be meeting again in September to continue promoting local youth programs, opportunities, and services through social media, websites and print materials.

Community Policing Office Volunteer Recruitment: The CPO office continues to advertise in the media for community volunteers to get involved

in one of or more of our many groups to support education and development of a safer community for all.

Opportunities exist in groups like Smart Step, Block Watch, Foot Patrols, Speed Watch, Crime Stoppers, Bright Red Book Shelf (Literacy Merritt), Nicola Valley Shelter & Support Society, Asset Development, Big Brothers and Sisters, and other collaborative programs.

THE BOOM, BOOMS Reggae, Rock

Thursday, August 20th.

Rotary Park from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Free for everyone to attend!

PLEASE BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIR CONCESSION OPEN

Pop, Popcorn, Chips, Chocolate Bars - $1.00/ea /

(See the full report at www. merritt.ca)

HELP KEEP MERRITT’S BOULEVARDS AND LANES CLEAN We all want Merritt and the neighborhoods we call home to look the best as possible.

A frequent question to the City’s Bylaw Department is “Who is responsible for maintenance of boulevards and lanes?”

The short answer is the adjacent property owner.

Just as with winter snow, the adjacent property owner is responsible for shoveling the sidewalk in front of their home, so during the rest of the year the adjacent property owner is responsible for keeping the boulevard and lane abutting their property neat and tidy. We may even want to consider helping some of our neighbours who may be less capable.

With this in mind Merritt’s Nuisance Abatement Bylaw provides for minimum property standards within City limits. This Bylaw requires property owners to also maintain lanes and boulevards.

Construction has begun on Voght Street for a 3m paved curvilinear multiuse pathway that’s been in the plans for over a year and follows the direction in the OCP. Construction is expected to take about a month to complete coinciding with back to school. Traffic flow should be minimally impacted. Dust control will be used only when necessary to minimize water use.

This is phase 1 of a longer term plan to connect self-propelled users between the area around Walmart to the city’s downtown.

Healthy, attractive communities utilize multiuse pathways. It provides a functional purpose by creating a safe connection between places of work or school, and a recreational purpose for those seeking a healthy lifestyle.

We all need to do our part to maintain our neighbourhoods. One of the pleasures of living in a smaller community like ours is that the little extra that we contribute makes a huge difference that will positively reflect on the City of Merritt as somewhere great to live.

Next council meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015 Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca

City of Merritt ★ 2185 Voght Street, Box 189 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 ★ Phone: 250-378-4224

TUESDAY, August 18, 2015 • 5

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Wildfires near Merritt extinguished, Oliver wildfires almost completely contained

The Wilson Mountain fire is burning a kilometre away from Oliver. BC Wildfire Service photo Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD

The BC Wildfire Service continues to be kept busy extinguishing fires, including three near Merritt, that were all under control as of Monday.

On August 13, the Long Lake fire near Highway 5A sparked, and grew to 190 hectares in size before being completely contained, fire information officer Kelsey Winter said.

She said there are currently 50 firefighters on site, and the fire is suspected to have been lightning-caused.

The Skuhun Creek wildfire between Merritt and Spences Bridge was reported the same day as Long Lake

and grew to 402 hectares before being 100 per cent contained.

As of Monday there are 20 personnel on site, Winter said. The fire is under investigation and suspected to have been caused by humans.

A new, 0.5 hectare wildfire sparked in the area off of Highway 97C near Brenda Mine Monday morning at about 6 a.m.

Winter said firefighters had the suspected lightning-caused wildfire guarded by noon, with the expectation the initial attack crew and helicopter on site to have the blaze completely mopped up by the end of that day.

Two wildfires burning near Oliver have

claimed three structures.

The Testalinden Creek wildfire is estimated at approximately 1600 hectares and is 40 per cent contained and is believed to have been lightning-caused.

The Wilson’s Mountain Road wildfire, suspected to be human-caused, is estimated to be 315 hectares and is 70 per cent contained.

An evacuation order for Testalinden Creek and an evacuation alert for Wilson’s Mountain Road remain in effect.

While some residents were allowed to return to their homes over the weekend, about 100 homes remain under the evacuation order.

FREE

Teen Night

Wednesday, August 19TH

FREE

Pre-Teen Night Thursday, August 20TH

Join us at the Aquatic Centre for our Dive In Movie!

Featuring: Home

Water levels on Nicola River raised to assist spawning salmon

Water is being pulsed into Nicola River from Nicola Lake. David Dyck/Herald

The province is helping out Nicola River salmon who need a little help spawning.

A pulse of water, taken from Nicola Lake, was released to assist in the salmon’s journey upriver, as they are congregating at the mouth of the Nicola River, where it meets the Thompson.

They could not continue their journey due to low water levels on the river, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations stated in a press release.

“The pulse has already started, and local residents should notice increased flows from Nicola Lake to Spences Bridge for approximately the next two weeks,” said the release.

The ministry also warns that just because there will be more water on the Nicola River, does not mean that levels are going back to normal levels naturally.

The Nicola River is currently closed to anglers, as the Nicola region has been suffering from a Level 4 drought since July 21.

Friday, August ST 21 For more information give us a call at the

Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre:

250-378-6662

6 • TUESDAY, August 18, 2015

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HERALD OPINION With more time, will more voters care?

VICTORIA – Several readers took me to task for last week’s commentary on the beginning of our long, hot federal election TOM FLETCHER campaign.

B.C. They pointedVIEWS out, among other things, that there are substantial cost increases to Elections Canada as well as higher spending limits for the parties. And thanks to generous tax deductions for political donations, taxpayers subsidize all party spending whether they want to or not.

That’s the system as it is today, so rather than rail against it, it seems more useful to ask what we’re getting for our forced investment in this exercise.

First, more leader debates. The traditional main event organized by TV networks for Oct. 8 appears to be a bust, with only Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and Green Party leader Elizabeth May expected to attend. Conservative leader Stephen Harper declined, prompting NDP leader Thomas Mulcair to say he will only take part in debates that include Harper.

Harper, Trudeau and Mulcair have agreed to a Sept. 17 debate hosted by The Globe and Mail and Google Canada. This one is to be focused on the economy, which should force participants to get beyond their talking points and pointing fingers.

See ‘Debates’ Page 7

Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com

Saturday dances and Sunday church

JEANETTE MCMASTER In FRIENDSHIP Every Saturday evening, after we did our dishes, we would get ready for the dance at Alfred and Ginny Charters’ home.

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Everyone would come out to this event.

Alfred and other men who had musical instruments like guitars and violins would play for the dancers.

Women would bring baked goodies.

We curled our hair with an old curling iron. It was much like the curling irons used nowadays, except that we needed to heat the iron by dipping it into the coal oil lamp. The tiny flame from the wick would heat the curling iron.

My sister-in-law Elizabeth used to curl her hair first, then she would help the rest of us.

To get to the dance, we rode on a buggy hauled by a team of horses.

Outside the house there would be buggies and teams of horses tied to the corrals.

Before we got to the door, we would hear the music playing, and it sounded good.

I used to watch the adults as they had their square dances. The caller

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would say, “Swing your partner to the left, now swing her back to the right, swing her low, swing her high.”

The men dressed in their western shirts and riding boots. Women wore their best skirts and blouses or dresses.

My cousin Joe Pete Saddleman, one of my favourite musicians, played the accordion.

At dances back in those days there was no alcohol allowed.

There used to be danc-

Sports writer Ian Webster sports@ merrittherald.com

es at my Uncle George Pete Saddleman’s home in Quilchena. His home was big, so it used to hold a crowd.

Sundays, when we used to hear the church bells ring, we knew the priest was having a service.

That was another event we did not miss, it was a time to gather and visit and exchange family news.

People would travel from far and wide to attend.

See ‘Many’ Page 7

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FAX (250) 378-6818

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This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.

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TUESDAY, August 18, 2015 • 7

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YOUR OPINION NEW AT THE LIBRARY fiction The Marriage of Opposites

by Alice Hoffman Broken Promise

by Linwood Barclay Badlands

by C.J. Box Alert

by James Patterson

non fiction The Awakened Introvert

by Arnie Kozak

Many people attended monthly service

Check your candidate’s voting record Editor: (Re: “Final MP report from the 41st Parliament,” Aug. 11) In an effort to assist Merritt voters in getting to better know Conservative Party incumbent Dan Albas, I offer the following supplementary information to his otherwise highly informative article.

In 2013, according to the Parliament of Canada’s website, Albas voted against a bill that would have severely limited travel budgets and restricted partisan activities conducted by members of the Senate.

In that same year, Albas voted not just once, but twice, to prevent the Standing Committee on Access

Jeanette McMaster is an Elder and member of the Lower Nicola Band Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I chose you.”

Max Rundle Wilkie Kelowna, BC

Debates won’t be attended by all candidates

From Page 6 My cousin Caroline, Tom Haller and her mom used to come by our home on Saturday and stay overnight so they could go to church on Sunday.

Other people travelled from Quilchena, or if they worked for Douglas Lake ranch they took the day off to attend church.

Church was only held once a month.

Everyone travelled by horseback or horse and buggy, not many people had cars.

It was only much later that my dad bought our first car, a Chevy, which he bought brand new from Johnny Bann.

He decided to sell some of our cattle so he could pay cash for the car.

My brother Clement drove, as my dad did not have a driver’s licence.

Getting ready for any social event, we used to have to iron our clothes.

We had irons that had to be heated on the cook stove. We would have to attach the handle to the iron before we began ironing.

Our water for bathing or laundry had to be brought up from the creek with water pails, then heated on the cook stove in a big tub.

to Information, Privacy and Ethics from calling Prime Minister Harper to testify under oath regarding the Mike Duffy “Repayment Gate” scandal.

Mr. Albas was even busier in 2014, voting against strengthening Canada’s retirement income system and preventing another bill that would provide Canadian veterans and soldiers timely access to mental health services. He has also voted to allow no limits on ATM fees.

This publicly accessible information should help all Merritt voters better understand why Mr. Albas chose to “refrain from discussing” some of these particular events in his last report.

From Page 6 On Sept. 28 there will be a debate focused on foreign policy hosted by Munk Debates, a charitable foundation. Harper, Trudeau and Mulcair have accepted. May and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe were not invited to either of these.

The national media have decided that the biggest issue currently is the trial of suspended senator Mike Duffy, but this has turned out to be a rehash of facts and assertions heard many times over by those who care.

The expense account abuse has pushed the issue of senate reform to the forefront. Harper declared his intention to starve the Senate by refusing any more appointments, after most provinces ignored his call to elect their nominees.

Trudeau, having expelled all Liberal senators from the party caucus, has warned that Harper’s plan and Mulcair’s

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long-standing position to abolish the Senate are both unworkable, if not unconstitutional. Trudeau has promised changes to the senate appointment process, but no specifics so far.

Party policies are being doled out one bit at a time, and the national and local candidate debates may help clarify them.

Here are a couple that could use closer scrutiny.

Harper has promised to revive a stimulus program from the 2009 economic crisis, offering a 15 per cent tax credit for home improvements between $1,000 and $5,000. This sounds great if you’re a homeowner, but does nothing for renters, drives up the cost of housing in already overpriced urban markets and encourages more consumer debt.

Trudeau has promised an additional $2.6 billion over four years for First Nations education on reserves, and accelerated spending on school infrastructure.

Mulcair has promised to hold

a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women. Mulcair and Trudeau both pledge to reverse the Conservative moves to eliminate what’s left of door-to-door mail delivery, and to extend the age of eligibility for the Old Age Security pension from 65 to 67.

All of these promises are presented in the most appealing way possible by the parties that promote them, and all involve spending and taxation trade-offs that the parties would prefer not to discuss.

Another possible dividend from a formal campaign stretching more than two months is that more voters will pay attention to the real issues and actually take the time to cast a ballot. If that happens, and the long decline in voter turnout is reversed, it’s a good investment.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Twitter: @ tomfletcherbc Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca

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?

HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK To vote, go online to merrittherald.com

Will you watch all of the federal election debates?

PREVIOUS QUESTION Who are you voting for in the upcoming federal election?

Conservative: 57% NDP: 12% Liberal: 12% Green: 12% The results of this straw poll are not necessarily reflective of actual voter attitudes, as respondees were not fielded.

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8 • TUESDAY, August 18, 2015

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Conditions named for Trans Mountain approval Kinder Morgan is proposing to twin the line to ramp up shipments of diluted bitumen from northern Alberta that began intermittently in the late 1980s.

Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS

The National Energy Board has released a draft list of 145 conditions for approval of Kinder Morgan Canada’s oil pipeline expansion project, including environmental protection plans for land and marine operations.

Conditions include the possibility of dredging for the expansion of the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby, where the original Trans Mountain pipeline has delivered crude oil and refined products since 1953.

Kinder Morgan is proposing to twin the line to ramp up shipments of diluted bitumen from northern Alberta that began intermittently in the late 1980s. The $5.4 billion expansion project would nearly triple the line’s capacity to 890,000 barrels per day, resulting in a seven-fold increase in oil tankers entering and leaving Vancouver harbour.

Kinder Morgan Canada president Ian Anderson said Thursday the company will be seeking clarification on the timing of some of the conditions, and will file its comments to the NEB review panel Aug. 20.

Most major conditions, including plans for watercourse crossings along the route, are to be filed at least 90 days before construction begins.

“Our initial review of the draft conditions is that they are rigorous but achievable,” Anderson said.

NEB hearings are to resume Aug. 24, where the B.C. government is expected to formalize its position, based on Premier Christy Clark’s five conditions for new heavy oil pipelines.

They include a “worldclass” spill response capability on land and sea, approval and benefit sharing by affected First Nations, and a still-undefined “fair share” of benefits for the province.

Those conditions were included in B.C.’s position opposing the Enbridge Northern Gateway project, which the federal government approved with its own list of more than 200 conditions. The province does not have authority to veto either pipeline project, as each would run from Alberta to B.C. Draft conditions for Trans Mountain include identification of all sites on the proposed second line affected by earthquake, including the “Holocene for Sumas Fault, Vedder Mountain Fault, Fraser RiverStraight Creek Fault and Rocky Mountain Trench, as well as other possible hidden faults.”

Conditions also

include submitting records of landowner consultation on the route, and a plan for aboriginal participation in monitoring construction.

ELECTRIC STORM Last week’s lightning storm was caught on camera early Wednesday morning. R. Pinel/Submitted photo

CARNIVAL TIME There were games, such as the scissor jump (left), music and activities for kids of all ages at Merritt’s First Annual Community Carnival held on International Youth Day August 12. The event was hosted by the Success By 6 and the Nicola Valley Early Years Co-operative. Michael Potestio/Herald

“Breaking the Chain of Abuse”

Adopt a Pet

Please make an appointment to visit Ph: (250) 315-5276

E: gwc.9@hotmail.com View other future best friends @ www.angelsanimalrescue.ca

Connie

Natalie

Joey

Pups born July 22 - available once 10 weeks Pups born July 22 - available once 10 weeks Pups born July 22 - available once 10 weeks old female at 3 weeks. old female at 3 weeks. old male at 3 weeks.

Donations desperately needed for spay and neuter services.

PREVENT THEFTS FROM YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE Here a few helpful hints to help prevent motor vehilcle break-ins: 1 Don’t leave purses or valuables inside vehicles overnight.

2 Lock vehicles when exiting, make it a habit.

3 If leaving valuables in a vehicle; hide from sight.

4 Park in a well lit area.

5 Report any thefts, damage or suspicious persons to police

This message brought to you by

STOP BY AND SEE OUR NEW SELECTION OF

Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, Account #1193739.

This feature brought to you by...

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TUESDAY, August 18, 2015 • 9

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bcclassified.com

HERALD SPORTS Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing sports@merrittherald.com

Little Britches competitors shine in Armstrong NORTH OKANAGAN LITTLE BRITCHES RODEO Merritt Top 10 Finishers Saturday Jr. Girls Barrel Racing

6. Gracie Garthwaite 10. Maya Starrs

Jr. Girls Pole Bending

2. Maya Starrs 5. Gracie Garthwaite

Jr. Girls Goat Tail Tying

Jr. Girls Dummy Roping

HANGIN’ ON Young Merritt-area cowboys and cowgirls performed admirably at the North Okanagan Little Britches Rodeo in Armstrong on the August 8 and 9 weekend. (From the top) Maya Starrs takes her horse hard around the barrel. Taylia McKeown scored 72 to place first in the coed steer riding on Saturday. Taylor Rodie races home in the junior pole bending event.

Photos courtesy of Trish Rodie

Sunday

1. Gracie Garthwaite 6. Kelsey Starrs 8. Ayla Goss 10. Eva Patry 2. Maya Starrs

2. Gracie Garthwaite 7. Maya Starrs

5. Maya Starrs 10. Ayla Goss

3. Maya Starrs 8. Andee Walker

Jr. Boys Stake Race

1. Jalen McRae 6. Kolt Alexander 10. Soren Anderson

6. Kolt Alexander 7. JW Stewart 9. Soren Anderson

Jr. Boys Goat Tail Tying

7. Soren Anderson 10. Kolt Alexander

8. Jalen McRae 10. Soren Anderson

Jr. Boys Dummy Roping

2. Jalen McRae

3. Jalen McRae 8. Soren Anderson

Sr. Girls Barrel Racing

9. Gracyn Bose

2. Taylia McKeown 9. Gracyn Bose

Sr. Girls Pole Bending

5. Taylia McKeown

3. Taylia McKeown 8. Daphne McRae

Sr. Girls Goat Tying

6. Taylia McKeown 8. Gracyn Bose

3. Taylia McKeown 8. Daphne Mcrae 9. Gracyn Bose

Sr. Girls Breakaway Roping

3. Taylia McKeown

Sr. Boys Stake Race

1. Armoni McRae

Sr. Boys Calf Tying

6. Armoni McRae 8. Bryce Garcia

9. Armoni McRae

Sr. Boys Chute Dogging

4. Armoni McRae 8. Peyton McRae

1. Armoni McRae 5. Peyton McRae

Coed Steer Riding

1. Taylia McKeown 2. Armoni McRae 5. Wyatt Smith 8. Tryton Bose

2. Armoni McRae 3. Tryton Bose Wyatt Smith Taylia McKeown

Sr. All Around Cowboy Cowgirl

Armoni McRae Taylia McKeown

Young rodeo stars of the future go to school LEARNIN’ THE ROPES Over 25 youngsters from as far away as the ChilcotinCariboo attended the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo Association’s rodeo school last week at the Collettville rodeo grounds. (Left) An eager group of Ty Pozzobon wannabes receives instruction from BCRA competitor Mike Gill on the nuances of steer riding. (Right) Sheyla Rodie tosses her loop at a mechanical steer. The Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo is set to go on September 5 and 6 with some of North America’s top cowboys and cowgirls slated to compete.

Ian Webster/Herald

10 • TUESDAY, August 18, 2015

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Tuesday issue noon the preceding Friday Thursday issue noon the preceding Tuesday

DISPLAY ADVERTISING

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The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. bcclassiÀeds.com cannot be responsible for errors after the Àrst day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors after the Àrst day of publication of any advertisement.

Notice or errors on the Àrst day should immediately be called to the attention of the classiÀed department to be corrected for the following edition.

bcclassiÀeds.com reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassiÀed.com Box Replay Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION

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COPYRIGHT

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Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

MERRITT HERALD Ph: 378-4241 Fax: 378-6818 Advertising: sales@merrittherald.com Publisher: publisher@merrittherald.com Editorial: newsroom@merrittherald.com Production: production@merrittherald.com www.merrittherald.com 2090 Granite Avenue, P.O. Box 9, Merritt, B.C.

Announcements

Employment

Information

Education/Trade Schools

CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canada beneďŹ t.ca/free-assessment.

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Employment Business Opportunities HIP OR knee replacement?

Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

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

Help Wanted HOUSE PARENTS for children’s residence. Looking to contract a couple to support children in a live-in home setting. Go to www.inclusionpr.ca - careers for more information.

Medical/Dental MEDICAL Transcriptionists are in huge demand! Train with Canada’s top Medical Transcription school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today! 1-800-4661535 www.canscribe.com or info@canscribe.com.

Services

Alternative Health

Health Products RESTLESS LEG Syndrome & Leg Cramps? Fast relief in one hour. Sleep at night. Proven for over 32 years. Online: www.allcalm.com Mon-Fri 8-4 EST 1-800-765-8660

Career Opportunities MARINE ENGINEERING and Deck OfďŹ cers required for civilian positions with the Department of National Defence Canadian Forces Auxiliary Fleet in Victoria and Nanoose Bay BC. Online applications only through the Government of Canada website jobs.gc.ca.

Applicants must meet all essential qualiďŹ cations. Engineer Reference# DND15J-009781000048, Selection Process# 15-DND-EA-ESQ-394701, Link https://emploisfp-psjobs. cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/ applicant/page1800?poster= 820743. Deck OfďŹ cer Reference# DND15J-013566000006, Selection Process# 15-DND-EA-ESQ-394258, Link https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp -psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/ page1800?poster=817589&to ggleLan guage=en. PossibilitĂŠs d’emploi MĂŠcaniciens de marine et ofďŹ ciers de pont requis pour des postes civils Ă la otte auxiliaire des Forces canadiennes du ministère de la DĂŠfense nationale Ă Victoria et Ă Nanoose Bay en Colombie-Britannique. Postuler en ligne seulement par le site emplois.gc.ca du gouvernement du Canada. Les candidats doivent possĂŠder toutes les qualiďŹ cations essentielles. MĂŠcanicien MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your workat-home career today!

Financial Services GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com LARGE FUND Borrowers Wanted Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts.

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

Inspire.

Perspire.

Participate in an event to help the 4 million Canadians living with arthritis.

1.800.321.1433 www.jointsinmotion.ca

TUESDAY, August 18, 2015 • 11

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Merchandise for Sale

Heavy Duty Machinery A-CHEAP, LOWEST PRICES STEEL SHIPPING Dry Storage Containers Used 20’40’45’53’ and insulated containers all sizes in stock. 40’ containers as low as $2,200DMG. Huge freezers.

Experienced wood carvers needed, full time. Ph Toll free 24 hours 1-866-528-7108 or 1778-298-3192 8am-5pm. Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com

Misc. for Sale For Sale: Tuthill Barrel Pump as new complete. $150.00 obo. 1 GPI Electric transfer pump. Complete. Winter hose and nuzzle. $275.00 obo.

(250) 215 - 6904.

Rentals Homes for Rent For Rent : 3 Bdr House with Big Yard and Sundeck.

Avil. Sept 01. (250) 378-6332

Transportation

Sport Utility Vehicle 2008 Toyota Rav4 all wheel, one owner, non- smokers, radio is wired for satellite radio, A/C, P/W, 4 extra winter tires mounted plus more extras. 216,000 km’s.

Little to zero off road.

Asking $10,900.00 or obo.

Call 1 - 250 - 833 - 8381

Real Estate Houses For Sale DON’T OVERPAY! Website: www.rtmihomes.com “Your Smart Housing Solution�

Canada’s largest provider of manufactured housing. Text or call (844-334-2960). In stock 16’/20’/22’ Homes on sale now!

Rentals Duplex / 4 Plex 1/2 duplex for rent. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, n/pets, ref. req. $1050 plus util. 250-378-8188

Misc for Rent Executive furnished bachelor suite for rent. Single, mature adult, NP, NS, utilities incl. $800/month. Avail Sept. 1st.

(250) 378 - 5580

Auto Financing Need a Vehicle?

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12 • TUESDAY, August 18, 2015

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Kamloops SOMETHING G IN IS HAPPENO PS O L AT KAM .

DODGE

THE COME FEEL YOURO EF R DIFFERENC F! E S L

2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CVP

Starting

$

From

2015 DODGE JOURNEY CVP

5/WK8 5 9 $

$

19,9

E. MIN FE 495 AD 0 DOWN. H XES & $ PLUS TA MONTHS WIT 96 R FO 3.49%

OR

$ OR 3

9$ 9/W9K9 34,9

2015 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD OUTDOORSMAN

WHY BUY FROM US?

STK#15533A

SALE PRICE

43,995

$

2014 DODGE RA 1500 CREW LARAMIE STK#A7492

SALE PRICE

44,995

$

2011 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD SXT

Dealing with the Johnston Auto Group has it’s benefits. We are the largest Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealer in the B.C. Interior.

We beat the competition with the lowest overhead and the strongest buying power.

KAMLOOPS DODGE YOUR BEST PRICE AND

OUR BEST SERVICE ON A TOP DODGE PRODUCT!

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5/WK8 5 9 $ 19,9

2015 CHRYSLER 200

Starting

SALES EVENT ALL THIS MONTH

E. MIN FE 495 AD 0 DOWN. H XES & $ PLUS TA MONTHS WIT 6 R9 .49% FO

From

E. MIN FE 495 AD 0 DOWN. H XES & $ PLUS TA MONTHS WIT 96 R FO 3.49%

OR

2015 RAM 1500 SXT CREW CAB 4X4

From Starting

Starting

25,995

$

$

OR

From

55/W98K

$

19,9

E. MIN FE 495 AD 0 DOWN. H XES & $ PLUS TA MONTHS WIT 6 9 R FO 3.49%

2013 GMC SIERRA SLE 4X4

STK#151223A

SALE PRICE

$

35,995

2013 FORD F150 FX4 CREW

STK#151265A

SALE PRICE

40,900

$

2008 DAKOTA CREW CAB SXT

STK#U7478A S STK#U 7478A

SA SALE ALE EP PRICE RICE

16,995 1 6,995

$

LOOK F UNDEROR US THE

2013 DODGE RAM 2500 MEGA

CANAD IAN FLAG

DIESEL

ON THE KAMLO OPS AU TOMAL L

ST#U7488

SALE PRICE

50,995

$

2013 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW SPORT ST#U7486

SALE PRICE

39,995

$

THE STORE YOU KNOW. THE PRICES YOU DESERVE. THE SERVICE YOU EXPECT.

8 6 9 1 e c n Si

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1-866-374-4477 2525 E. TRANS CANADA HWY, KAMLOOPS, BC

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