COUNTRY RUN PLANNING PAGE 2
BONJOUR FROM FRANCE PAGE 3
UCL 21: A BATTLE PAGE 9
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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Suspected bank robber arrested
BURN AWARENESS On Jan. 29, Merritt Secondary School’s Grade 11 and 12 drama class put on a performance for elementary school classes to demonstrate safety around hot liquids as part of Burn Awareness Week, which runs from Feb. 1 to 7.
Police have arrested 26-year-old Shaun Christopher Cornish in connection to at least nine bank robberies in three provinces. The robberies began in Princeton on Dec. 1, 2014. Over the next several weeks, robberies took place in Vernon, at Merritt’s Royal Bank on Dec. 23, and in banks in Aldergrove, High River, Lethbridge and Claresholm in Alberta, and Swift Current, Sask. The final heist before Cornish’s arrest took place in Dawson Creek on Jan. 28. In each case, the suspect mentioned or produced a weapon, though nobody was hurt during any the robberies. Cornish was arrested on Jan. 30 at the Grande Prairie Lodge Motor Inn in Grande Prairie, Alta. The owner of the motel told reporters Cornish stayed at the motel for two nights. He said employees became suspicious when the man went to his truck every time he needed money. Cornish is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Okotoks, Alta. on Feb. 6. Charges in B.C. and Saskatchewan are pending.
The plot involved an inattentive babysitter, appropriately named Distracted Debbie, looking after a group of disobedient children. The kids continuously get in trouble for playing around with matches or boiling liquids, and firefighters have to come in to stop them and teach them about fire safety. “Common things can be dangerous too,” Grade 11 student Anneka Stroes — who played Distracted Debbie — said of the play’s lesson. Students in the drama class built their own props for the performance, too. Michael Potestio/Herald
Lady Antebellum added to Rockin’ River lineup Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will take the stage at Merritt’s festival grounds this summer as headliners at the Rockin’ River Music Festival. Organizers of the fourday country music festival announced Monday some of Nashville’s finest will join fellow Tennessee-based platinum-selling solo artist Dierks Bentley and make Merritt Youth & Family Resources Society
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their way north this summer for the festival’s first year in Merritt. Also on the bill is longrunning California-based classic folk group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. A few Canadians are slated to round out the bill, including Haligonian troubadour Ridley Bent and rising star MacKenzie Porter of Medicine Hat, Alta. The festival is relocat-
Dierks Bentley
Lady Antebellum
ing from the site it outgrew over six years in Mission.
Last year’s attendance over the weekend totalled
Kenny Hess has said Merritt’s reputation as a country music festival site, its designation as the Country Music Capital of Canada, and its proximity to major B.C. highways makes Merritt a natural choice for a location that can accommodate the expanding festival. Big & Rich Photos submitted Rockin’ River begins July 30 and runs until Aug. 26,000 people. 2. Rockin’ River organizer
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Merritt Country Run seeks title sponsor By Emily Wessel
Merritt Country Run director Colleen Mullin (left) and founder Mary Jorgensen give their post-race speeches at the 2014 event. They are in the thick of the planning stages for this year’s run, and are looking for a title sponsor. Ian Webster/Herald
THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Organizers of the sixth annual Merritt Country Run are looking for a title sponsors for its June 14 races. “We need someone to take that pressure off of us so we’re not running around looking for money,” director Colleen Mullin said of the Merritt Country Run board. “That’s the most daunting task of the whole thing.” It costs about $17,000 to put on the race, and organizers figure $6,000 will buy title sponsorship. It doesn’t have to be cash only — it can be a mixture of in-kind donations and cash. All in-kind donations are assigned a value. “We’re looking for creative ways of getting a title sponsor while taking away costs in other areas,” Mullin said. Local runner Mary Jorgensen founded the race six years ago as a way to get people excited about physical activity. “It’s beautiful what she’s created and what she’s done for the community,” Mullin said. These days, the certified 5K, 10K and 21.1K races comprise the biggest local fundraiser for Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, which purchases sporting equipment and helps cover registration fees for kids who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Jumpstart helps hundreds of local children annually and also works with community sport clubs to purchase equipment. Last year’s Country Run raised $3,750 for Jumpstart, which was matched and then some by local Canadian Tire owner Mike Wekking for a grand total of $8,500 donated to the cause. All the money raised during the run stays in the community, Mullin said. Every donation to the Merritt Country Run, whether it’s cash or in-kind, helps organizers free up resources in other areas to maximize
their contribution to the charity. “We want to be able to say 90 per cent of your registration fee goes to the Jumpstart program,” she said. “The more we can put into the Jumpstart program, the more Canadian Tire matches that, and the more kids that can participate in recreation and sport opportunities.” The board has nine directors, but Mul-
lin said there is always room for more people willing to contribute. Plus, they’re recruiting about a hundred volunteers for race day. “More hands make lighter work for everybody,” she said. Mullin said each director contributes to the race in any aspect they can or feel comfortable with, from organizing volunteers and registrants to managing race day to securing sponsor-
ships to managing social media. “We have all been a part of everything,” she said. Organizers are already planning for the health and wellness expo at the Civic Centre the day before the race, when runners pick up their race packages. Vendor fees for that event go directly into the fund that will be donated to Jumpstart. Organizers are also
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Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, Account #1193739.
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planning for their Begin to Run program, which is run in partnership with the City of Merritt.
Runners meet every Tuesday for 10 weeks until the Merritt Country Run and participate
in a 20-minute workshop, then hit the streets for a group run/walk for the remainder of the hour. The program offers two streams: one that’s designed to get people from the couch to running 5K, and another one for people moving up from 5K to 10K. The cost of the program covers the registration fee for the race. Last year, the program had north of 30 participants. Begin to Run starts up April 7. For more information, email mcrun@ telus.net or call City of Merritt leisure services at 315-1050.
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TUESDAY, February 3, 2015 • 3
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Merrittonian reaches halfway point of European Rotary exchange Hello from France! It is incredible how fast the days begin to blend together. I regretfully have to announce that my exchange is half over. In November, I had the opportunity to attend a Neonsplash paint party with a group of other exchange students from around the world. We had an incredible time listening to the music and attacking each other with bottles of paint. The morning after this event, I went with my Rotary counsellor and the other exchange students in my Rotary club to the art museum Louvre-Lens and the city of Lille, France to explore the town and visit the Christmas market. December brought a field trip to Liege, Belgium where we went to an incredible exposition on the First World War. I celebrated my first Christmas in Belgium at my host grandparents’ house. Christmas here is celebrated on Christmas Eve and lasts well into Christmas morning. On Dec. 30, I said goodbye to my first family and moved to my second host family. This has given me the opportunity to live the
New Year’s Eve I went to a small party with the kids of my host parents’ friends. New Year’s Day was celebrated with huge meals at my new host grandparents’ and the exchanging of gifts. The month of January was very busy. Last month, I volunteered to work at a badminton tournament, made Brazilian food, visited the city of Antwerp, and was fortunate enough to go skating. Add in playing with my three-year-old host sister and there has been very little free time. I am continuing to make friends at school; it becomes a lot easier as my language skills improve. Despite a few challenges, I have had an incredible last three months (I can’t believe it has been three months already) and I am looking forward to my remaining six months abroad. I am very excited to have my mom, dad and brother coming to visit me soon. Thanks again to both the Merritt Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Merritt — Sunrise for the wonderful opportunity. next four months in France, as they live in a small French town right near the Belgium border. On
Stephanie Tourand is Merritt’s Rotary Outbound Exchange student. She is spending the year in Belgium and France and returns in July.
Business Walk aims to help local economy By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt’s first business walk saw 16 community members canvass most of the downtown area in order to take a pulse on the business community. Volunteers from Community Futures Nicola Valley, the City of Merritt and the Merritt and District Chamber of Commerce walked to local businesses with a sevenquestion survey to hear from business people on the challenges and successes facing them in the local economy. The information gathered is meant to determine how these organizations can respond to the concerns of the business community and see if proposed solutions to those problems can be implemented. “It’s going to be a three-way response between ourselves as Com-
Jeanine Gustafson (centre) of Vision Quest in downtown Merritt shares her thoughts on running a business in town with volunteer Catrino Gurnon from the Royal Bank (left) and Coun. Ginny Prowal (right) during the 2015 Business Walk on Jan. 29. Michael Potestio/Herald
munity Futures Nicola Valley, the chamber of commerce and the City of Merritt,” Community Futures
Nicola Valley general manager Rob Miller said. The survey asked business own-
ers to give their perception of the health of their businesses, as well as to speak to their reasons for doing business in town, the impact consumers spending money outside the community has on their businesses and identify the biggest threats facing their businesses. A handful of interviewees along Quilchena Avenue said that location and their clientele were the reasons they do business in Merritt. Most said their businesses were doing well. One suggested adding signage in Gasoline Alley to let people know there’s more to the town. There are about 650 business licence holders in Merritt, and Thursday’s business walk saw retail and service providers surveyed. Business walks began in the U.S. and have been used to gather business intelligence and network for more than a decade.
New code of conduct coming to city hall A new code of conduct is coming to city hall after council approved a motion to direct city staff to develop one at its Jan. 27 regular meeting. The motion was made by Coun. Dave Baker after a similar notice of motion was made by outgoing mayor Susan Roline at her final
council meeting in November. However, a notice of motion made by an outgoing member of council is essentially null and void when a new council takes over. The new code of conduct will apply to city council members, city staff, and members of council bodies including committees, task
forces and boards. Some aspects of a code of conduct are in place in the council procedure bylaw under rules of conduct and debate, but no explicit, standalone code of conduct or code of ethics exists. Bylaw 2055 was adopted by city council in September of 2008 and states “no mem-
ber shall speak disrespectfully to any other member,” Baker said. He said he wants to put more teeth into the bylaw. The rules of conduct and debate are point number 16 in the council procedure bylaw. “I think it’s easy to overlook the code of conduct
aspect because it’s buried in a whole bunch of bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, procedures and Robert’s Rules,” chief administrative office Allan Chabot said. “Bringing it to the fore and making it top of mind for council and for staff, I think nothing but good could come from that.”
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GOOD MORNING! Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Sports ---------------------- 8-9 Classified ------------------- 10
REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: February 1993 Local trucker gets lucky Logan Lake resident Larry Thompson is one lucky trucker. The Highland Valley Copper truck driver and his wife Hennie cashed in his million dollar BC/49 ticket at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s Kamloops office last Thursday. The Thompsons are the second couple in the Merritt Herald reporting area to cash in a big win this year. On Jan. 20, Myrna Campbell, wife of Grasslands Hotel manager Dave Campbell, won $1,134,167 on the Lotto 649 draw. Neither couple have immediate plans to quit work. When he collected his winnings, Thompson said he plans to work for at least another 10 years. New reports indicate that Hennie also plans to keep her position as assistant manager at Highland Valley Foods for the time being. At that time, the Thompson family were planning to use a portion of the million-dollar windfall to pay bills.
4 • TUESDAY, February 3, 2015
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JANUARY 29, 2015 Drop-In Sessions in 2015 with Mayor Menard will be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall (second floor), 2185 Voght Street.
PUBLIC NOTICE RE: SEWER AND WATER PARCEL TAX ROLL IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTIONS
You’re Invited!
DROP-IN SESSIONS
WITH MAYOR MENARD
Mayor Menard invites interested citizens to stop by and say hello and discuss issues and opportunities for the City, its residents and businesses. If you would like to schedule a particular time to meet with the Mayor at a Drop-In session please call reception at City Hall 250-378-4224.
JOB POSTING: Roads & Solid Waste Supervisor Applications are invited for the position of a Roads and Solid Waste Supervisor for the Public Works Department in the City of Merritt. For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca Detailed resumes attached with a cover letter will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 06, 2015 and should be addressed to: Carole Fraser Human Resources Manager P.O. Box 189, 2185 Voght St. Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by e-mail: cfraser@merritt.ca We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
NOTICE is hereby given that the Sewer and Water Parcel Tax Rolls are available for viewing in the Finance Department of City Hall from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays. A person who owns a parcel included on the parcel tax roll may request that the roll be amended respecting a matter referred to in section 205 (1) [complaints to review panel], but only in relation to the person’s own property; You may make a complaint under Section 205 of the Community Charter to the Parcel Tax Review Panel for one or more of the following reasons: • There is an error or omission about a name or address on the tax roll; • There is an error or omission about the inclusion of a parcel; • There is an error or omission about the taxable area or taxable frontage of a parcel; • An exemption has been improperly allowed. The complaint must be received in writing on or before 10:30 am March 2, 2015 to the attention of: Ben Currie, Deputy Finance Manager and Collector, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8.
EARLYBIRD
WORKOUT!
Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III
Position Summary: The Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing and performing maintenance on the City of Merritt Wastewater Treatment Plant and municipal distribution wells, sewage lift stations and other related equipment and facilities. The Chief Operator will be able to trouble shoot, resolve complex problems, perform various water and wastewater tests and make adjustments as required, coordinate and monitor the work of contractors and junior level operators. Current resumes reflecting applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the position and detailing education, qualifications and proof of required licenses/certificates/ degrees will be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m., February 13, 2015 by: Carole Fraser, Human Resources Manager City of Merritt PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
SUMMARY OF CITY OF MERRITT SNOW REMOVAL POLICY This procedure outlines the responsibility of the City, residents, businesses and contractors as it pertains to snow removal in Merritt. NOTE: For purpose of this procedure “Area 1” is designated by heavy black line and “Area 2” is all remaining streets.. Service Level based on Snow Accumulation: 0 – 5 cm: Area 1 only sanded AS PRIORITY 5 – 20 cm: City streets are graded and sanded in the following time frame: Area 1 – within eight (8) hours Area 2 – within thirty (30) hours Over 20 cm: Exceptional Snowfall – will call out such manpower and equipment as may be available and required to maintain city streets in as passable conditions as possible. Priorities: No.1 Emergency access routes to essential services such as hospital, police, fire, ambulance, City services. Dangerous roadways including hills and intersections. No.2 Schools; No.3 Downtown Business Core; No.4 Highway Commercial properties; No.5 Residential properties Disposal: Residents, businesses and contractors are not permitted to blow or plow snow from private property onto right-of-ways, streets, lanes or walkways. Residents and businesses in areas with City sidewalks adjacent to roads shall be permitted to place snow from the walk on the road. Sidewalk Clearing: Every owner or occupier of residential zoned property shall remove snow or ice from sidewalks or pathways abutting the said property within twenty-four (24) hours of accumulation except for weekends and holidays. Every owner or occupier of real property shall immediately remove snow, ice or rubbish from the roof or other part of a structure adjacent to a highway or pathway or sidewalk where such snow or ice or rubbish presents a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Every owner or occupier of commercial or industrial zoned property shall remove snow or ice from sidewalk or pathways abutting the said property by ten (10) a.m. of any day and, as needed, following the accumulation of snow or ice. Complete copies of this procedure can be obtained at City Hall during regular business hours.
WEDNESDAYS
FEBRUARY 4 - MARCH 8 . 6 WEEKS 6:15 am – 7:15 am $60 A morning workout featuring functional fitness and sport conditioning suitable for everyone who wants to improve their strength, balance, core and agility using tools such as free body weight, stairs, heavy ropes medicine ball and belts. Register at the Civic Centre 250-315-1050 or Aquatic Centre 250-378-6662
Next council meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 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, February 3, 2015 • 5
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PROVINCE
ICBC frauds include fires, faked crashes Crown corp. shares claims that raise eyebrows and an expired driver’s licence rear-ended another vehicle. The customer asked the driver in the other vehicle to tell ICBC the crash happened a day later so she could buy optional insurance, which would cover the
By Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS tfletcher@blackpress.ca
If you’ve ever had a car insurance claim greeted with suspicion by ICBC, there are a few hundred reasons for that attitude. B.C.’s basic car insurance monopoly has released a report on fraud attempts from 2014, part of an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of insurance claims it says involve fraud or exaggeration. During the year, ICBC investigators referred 131 cases to Crown prosecutors for charges, with convictions in nine out of 10 of them. ICBC highlighted some of the efforts to obtain insurance coverage that should not have been paid, and how investigators responded. • A customer reported his truck was stolen at a movie theatre. The vehicle was recovered, burnt. A vehicle inspection showed the burnt truck had serious mechanical problems, contrary to what the customer told ICBC. The customer’s cellphone records revealed
damage to her vehicle. The other driver refused. The underinsured customer then bought optional insurance on her way home from the crash. She was assessed the $7,400 cost of repairs to both vehicles.
9
378-099
PO Box 98 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
Custom welding and bending. On radiators and mufflers.
894 Coldwater Road, Merritt, B.C. Aftermath of a three-vehicle crash in North Delta, October 2014. When emergency responders are called, accidents are independently evaluated, but when they aren’t, vehicle owners sometimes attempt to alter the circumstances for their own benefit. Evan Seal/Black Press
that he was at the scene where the burnt vehicle was found. The customer pleaded guilty to providing a false statement, was fined $4,000 and ordered to pay ICBC back more than $3,000 for investigative and claims costs. • A customer who was prohibited from driving claimed his vehicle had been sto-
len at the time it was involved in a threevehicle crash. Forensic testing of residue on the vehicle’s driver-side airbag revealed a DNA match to the customer and proved he was the driver at the time of the crash. The customer was found guilty of providing a false statement, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay ICBC back more than $18,000
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
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in claims costs and total loss payments for the other two vehicles involved. • A customer told ICBC his Honda Civic was parked outside his home when it was struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene. Damage was not consistent with a hitand-run and paint flecks matching the customer’s Civic were found
embedded in a vehicle from another hit-andrun claim. When confronted with this evidence, the driver of the Civic admitted to making a false claim, as he had fled the crash scene after his vehicle struck another. Fine: $1,000, plus $5,600 in claim and repair costs. • A customer with only basic insurance
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Nicola Valley Women in Action
CELEBRATE LOCAL WOMEN in recognition of International Women’s Day on
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Do you know a woman ...
munity in a dynamic manner? ...who has contributed to the com difference to the lives of people? ...who you would say has made a omplished community service? ...who others talk about for her acc
We are taking nominations for women to be honoured in our Celebrate Women event on March 5. Tell us why you think a special woman in our community should be honoured. Everyone is encouraged to nominate, and to come out and honour these wonderful women. NOMINATION DEADLINE: Feb. 6 For NOMINATION FORMS or more information please contact Shannon at (250) 378-9222 during the day, or email: nicolaft@telus.net
6 • TUESDAY, February 3, 2015
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HERALD OPINION Close the gate already By Christopher Foulds
KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK editor@kamloopsthisweek.com
It is the week after the Super Bowl and fans of football will be hearing a lot from analysts, not much at all from Marshawn Lynch and far too much of what too many reporters are calling “deflate-gate.” That maddening term is what the media continues to use to describe the NFL’s investigation into why and how some footballs used by the New England Patriots in their American Football Conference victory over the Indianapolis Colts were under-inflated. Apparently, an under-inflated football can be easier to grip and throw, thereby providing an advantage to the offence in control of said ball. The scandal has transfixed the sports media, which, naturally, has decided to once again attach the “gate” suffix to the scandal, despite the fact doing so makes no sense whatsoever. So, we are served “deflategate,” just as we were given “bountygate” during coverage of the New Orleans Saints bounty controversy and just as we were given “skategate” back in the 1990s when thugs attacked the knee of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. The annoying habit of reporters and others of slapping “gate” to the caboose of the scandal du jour is not confined to the sports scene, of course. We have had federal scandals (“tunagate”) and provincial wrongdoings (“casinogate” and “bingogate”) and various other controversy-gates. The problem is, there is no “deflategate,” nor was there a “casinogate,” nor a “bingogate.” There was, however, “Watergate,” which refers to the burglary in 1972 at the offices of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. The DNC offices were on the sixth floor of the Watergate office complex, a group of five buildings housing offices, apartment units and hotel rooms. Let’s just give up and call it “namegate” — the scandal of stolen creativity in sport.
Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com
Overthinking what makes us overweight
Emily Wessel Merritt MUSINGS We all know exercise is good for us. Chances are you’ve heard all about the great benefits of exercise again and again: it reduces stress, improves body image, releases feel-good chemicals in your brain, improves productivity, keeps your skin looking young, reduces your risk
Production Dan Swedberg production2@ merrittherald.com
Advertising Sales Terresa Rempel sales2@ merrittherald.com
MERRITT HERALD 2090 G
of chronic diseases, and oodles of other wonderful things. Still, though, Canada has a serious collective weight problem, contributed to in major part by sedentary lifestyles. That’s what has prompted a doctor in Prince Edward Island to start prescribing exercise to her patients. She uses a special prescription pad from Exercise is Medicine Canada, the Canadian branch of a movement of health-care professionals founded by the American College of Sports Medicine in 2007 that aims to get more people exercising to reduce their risk of chronic disease and improve their health.
The pad includes a line for ways to reduce sedentary behaviour: move more, sit less, use stairs, limit screen time. It also has a scale of intensity and frequency of exercise the health-care professional recommends. The guideline on the bottom of the pad states adults 18 and over should get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a week, and ideally complement that with strengthening activity at least two days a week. Most people know they should get this exercise in order to achieve good health and reduce risk for chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, but maybe more people would take this
Editor Emily Wessel newsroom@ merrittherald.com
RANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241
Reporter Michael Potestio reporter@ merrittherald.com
adults in Canada has almost doubled since 1978, from 14 per cent of the population to 26 per cent. It also finds more than 67 per cent of adult men and 54 per cent of adult women are overweight or obese. About two-thirds of overweight and obese adults gained the weight in adulthood, putting on just a pound or two a year on average. It also states most people didn’t notice an increase of one or two pounds, but over the years, that obviously added up to a lot more. Then, suddenly, they were tasked with trying to lose a lot of weight.
notion seriously if it came from their doctor and was clearly written out for them. In an interview with the CBC, the doctor said she doesn’t use the exercise prescription pad for all of her patients. She uses it for the ones who are keen to exercise and who show willingness to incorporate more physical activity into their lives. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care published a new guideline for healthcare practitioners on obesity management in adult patients in the Canadian Medical Association Journal last week. The guideline opens with the scary statistic that the number of obese
See ‘Keep it’ Page 7
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Office manager Ken Couture classifieds@ merrittherald.com
FAX (250) 378-6818
Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.
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. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
TUESDAY, February 3, 2015 • 7
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YOUR OPINION
Lack of consultation on biosolids use unjust
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I find it most interesting — actually fascinating — that few people involved in the struggle to keep sewage sludge out of the Nicola Valley mention anything about the prospects of big business pulling some strings in this whole scenario. Contracts in the millions of dollars are involved here. It’s not a penny business we are talking about. And if we allow our land, our air and our water, as well as animals, wildlife and ourselves to be compromised by the spreading of this filth on arable land, then we are in a great deal of trouble. Why do I target big business? Well, let’s take a look at who stands to win here. Would it not be the spin doctors who would have us believe that this muck is actually beneficial? Would this not be indicative of the spin doctors smoothing the way for sewage sludge to become a part of life here and in other parts of the province? We have enough of a chal-
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lenge coping with our own sewage sludge. The fact that big business has decided to move into the Nicola Valley with its sewage sludge is something we will need to address now. We can’t wait until the aquifers are polluted. When was the last time you took a barrel of creosote and cheerfully spread it upon your acreage? We need to be calling a spade a spade. It speaks volumes that this practice has been prohibited in many jurisdictions. It is unconscionable that this vile practice should even be considered for the Nicola Valley, which, for the most part, is a pristine part of the world. Big business stands to win if we back down now. Their trucks will roll down our highways to the respective dumping grounds while the various government bureaucracies continue to steadfastly maintain that sewage sludge is actually good for us. I am from the generation that protested for civil rights, women’s rights, and against the war in Vietnam. I have carried
placards and engaged in civil disobedience many times for worthy causes. This is a worthy cause. We need to take back the land before it is raped and rendered barren. It is hideous to imagine our lives tainted by someone else’s waste. Please, before it’s too late, make this battle your own. Step up to the plate and speak to the injustice of this whole matter. We were never consulted. It was not on the books for us to be consulted. I don’t care. That is not right, it is not ethical, it is not moral. We need to give a message to the government that we will not tolerate this use of our valley as a dumping ground. And we need to tell big business to take its stinking sewage sludge elsewhere. Together, we can force the government’s hand and also big business’. Let’s do so now, before it’s simply too late. Bonnie Cowan Merritt
Keep it simple still sound health advice From Page 6 Luckily, it appears exercise can be a bit of a gateway to other healthy habits. A study by University of Birmingham researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found an hour of running can cut cravings. Fifteen men ran on a lab treadmill for a modest but steady pace for an hour, then went into a functional MRI to scan their brain activity when they were shown pictures of food. Researchers found the parts of the brain that relate ORIES D-DAY MEM3 PAGE
ORGA
to appetite regulation lit up when the men viewed lowcalorie foods as opposed to high-calorie ones, which they reasoned indicated the lowcalorie foods would be considered, in the brain at least, to be rewarding physiologically. They also figured that the low-calorie foods (fruits and vegetables) contained more water than the dense, dry, high-calorie foods, and so appealed to the men because their core temperatures were elevated after their runs. That could explain why watermelon or an apple looks more appetizing than a slab of chocolate cake after a hard
PAGE 4
1905 Voice Since ley’s News Nicola Val
walk,� where the guide would remind them of the distance they had covered or had yet to cover. The other group was led on a “scenic walk,� where the guide encouraged them to look at the nature surrounding them. In reality, both groups did the two-kilometre hike at the same pace. Both groups then stopped for lunch, and the researchers noted people in the “exercise� group helped themselves to 35 per cent more chocolate pudding than the second group. This led researchers to
believe those participants were more inclined to reward themselves for doing what they thought of as a chore. Now, I don’t think these studies are definitive, and as for everything in life, there are a million exceptions to every one rule. However, it does give some weight to the idea that the more you like something, the more you’ll do it. If your exercise routine is a reward in itself, you might be less inclined to reach for that extra slice of cake at the office, and the reward down the line could be a smaller waistline.
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workout. Other studies on the benefits of exercise have found it could reduce your risk of agerelated brain shrinkage, and others have found that the attitude a person takes toward exercise can change what and how they eat later. In one study by Cornell University, researchers found people who frame exercise as work are more likely to overcompensate for their hard work with a sweet reward later. They took two groups of people on a two-kilometre walk around a lake. One group was led on an “exercise
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of the last He was one when the Kamloops. finish line but to cross the had amassed back at crowd, which in Voght Park, saw line MA everyone SSA the starting to GE PRO the finish, to back GR him heading GRA even went RA AM S its fourth annual SUC cheered. Oborne U UC the event Merritt held CCESS PAGEns M SU Butcher. Sunday and in jog a bit with BOWL running maratho 5 Country Run all ages participate of ERS NAT Butcher started 66 and said saw people and half-marathon runs. merri retired at age inspiration for he tther parION 10K 300 when 5K, big ald.co the were about r was a m PAGE AL CHAMPS his daughte In total, there organizer Mary 25 event [triathhim. ticipants, said the Ironman said, done “She’s [She] , and Jorgensen. led the way. so I did,� 157 runners lon] and she The 5K had 100 participants. don’t you run?’ ‘Dad, why the halfthe 10K attracted ran . people run as well. said Butcher Thirty-three bccla came out to arssifie Families d.come and her eight-ye marathon. Club of Merritt Helen AsseltinPaige finished the 5K Former RotaryOborne particir old daughte . Her husband Graeme race. The president Darch half-marathon race togetherold son Isaac were not pated in the an avid runner, having is in-law, and six-year ns in 53 68-year-old & Even her motherthree maratho on the 5K far behind. completing weeks ago. When asked e, 82, took Bernice Asseltin days just two s to run so much in Country Run. Oborne race at the her first 5K and it was how he manage period of time, ,� Helen “This was while such a short doing it together gotta do it race with her our first time answered, “You running the you’re young.to tomorrow, I’m young,� said about daughter. “Relative Herald. he told the y young runner Run’ Page 3 Another relativelhalf-marathon See ‘Country in the to take part old Bruce Butcher from was 78-year-
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disorders, with mental s than those t says. and become the statemen B.C. Review Board royal assent ing, it gets In 2011, the orn escorted visits Cordon. the law. five-year-old the Port that reminds granted Schoenb old Max, and Galt have worked “This is a bill al review boards into the community from facility where provinci Clarke and of victims all it is psychiatric courts and Minister Stephen Coquitlam held. That permission we – the families– have been asking matter. In fact, with Prime y General Rob that victims reminder that victims he was being after opposition from across Canada not criminally Harper, AttorneCanadian Heritage than a y soon be more than revoked people found she was and hopefull was n for: bill said will the who Nicholso .com get better supports matter — it statement says. Moore on merrittherald Clarke’s family, responsible in place; the communewsroom@ Minister Jamesyears. They say the y the law,� the nearby. protecs of a womanby addresses imbalare currentl request to transfer ding living for nearly fivebring victims’ rights receives the d The bill also Family member Schoenborn’sfacility in Selkirk, nity as a whole s]; and the famiwere murdere legislation surroun changes will with those of people ric lly responances in the whose childrenMerritt in 2008 are to a psychiat tions [it] deserve[ ble. not crimina get more time d by the B.C.has in into balance those found g that there is no legal Man. was approve their father in support of the Not released of victims finally y, but criminally responsi readt lies not Februar the statemen in found a its second sible, includinnotify members of Reform speaking up Review Board out. Clarke’s famito heal,� reads her cousin, Stacy The bill passed Commons late Responsible obligation to a high-risk offender Criminally to be carried well, saying by Clarke andvictims’ advocacy web- ing in the House of to ity if and yet that move as vote of 242 a facility, a the the commun a area. Act. on with opposes from ly change Galt, by in the Selkirk last month or escapes ca. The act would those found not leavesMARC g those with now be reviewed she has family site 4darcie. for H classifyin orn was found on before 34 and will differently ESS The treating and MADN release reviews Allan Schoenb ble from annual histories ble by reason committee and reported Merritt Second lly responsi lengthy violent criminally responsi every three ary School not crimina for the mur- , hearings its third reading. class of its third read2013 hit hearings to Darcie Clarke’s family S of mental disorder the streets If the bill basses Clarke’s childrenarURE HOME for their grand years, which will correct an imbalof his and FEAT ders eight-ye e, march down Kaitlynn system. members say Voght Street 10-year-old current review on Fri ance in the being proposed is what Friday for commencemen “What is t. Full
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Cents’ Gould chooses Michigan Tech By Ian Webster THE HERALD
sports@merrittherald.com
Yet another Merritt Centennials player on this year’s roster has earned an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to continue his studies and play hockey at a U.S. college. According to a BCHL press release dated Jan. 28, 18-yearold Cents’ forward Gavin Gould has committed to attend Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Mich. beginning in September of 2016. The announcement regarding Gould’s future follows earlier commitments this season by Diego Cuglietta (Lake Superior State University), Josh Teves (Princeton University), Jake Clifford (Arizona State University) and Brandon Duhaime (Brown University). Gould, who calls North Vancouver home, is currently in his second season with the Merritt Centennials. The fleet-footed forward is enjoying an excellent campaign. In 46 games with the Cents this year, he has posted 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points. Gould ranks second in team scoring, and leads the club in assists. In his rookie season with the Centennials (2013-14), Gould recorded 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points in 57 games played. Gould’s older brother, Malcolm, is in his junior
year at Michigan Tech. In three seasons with the Huskies, Malcolm has scored 18 goals and added 20 assists for 38 points in 72 games. Prior to attending Michigan Tech, Malcolm played two seasons in the BCHL with the former Quesnel Millionaires and then the Chilliwack Chiefs. The younger Gould admits that his brother’s connection with the Huskies program put Michigan Tech on his radar early, and perhaps him on theirs. “In the past, whenever coaches or scouts from their program were in Merritt, they would always pop in so say hi, even if they weren’t there to specifically watch me play,” Gould said. “This year, they started to show a degree of interest in me. Because it’s such a great school, both academically and in terms of their hockey program, I definitely showed an interest back. When the time came, theirs was an offer that was very hard to turn down, and I’m definitely very excited to have accepted.” While Gould’s parents, Brian and Dawn, have been to the Michigan Tech campus in Houghton, Gould has not. He is looking forward to a possible flydown in the near future, so that he can appreciate the institution and its facilities firsthand. “Maybe I’ll even get to see my brother play a
game,” he said. Gould feels that waiting until 2016 to begin his college hockey career is a logical step. “It made the most sense. It gives me one more year of development hockey-wise, and will hopefully lead to greater opportunities when I do go to Michigan Tech. “It would have been amazing to go and play with my brother. We haven’t ever been able to play with each other because of the age difference, but I think it’s best for me to wait one more year.” Educationally, Gould is currently thinking that he would like to enrol in a business degree program at Michigan Tech. “I took French immersion throughout elementary and high school, and I would love to keep that and put it into use. I feel that if I go into business, I might be able to combine the two — say international business. I think that it will open up more doors for me.” Gould, who took Grade 12 French immersion at Merritt Secondary School during his rookie season with the Cents last year, is keeping his second language skills sharp this year by reading to young students at L’Ecole de Collettville on Thursday mornings. Gould says that he plans to take some French classes even at Michigan Tech. The Huskies men’s
hockey team presently has three former Merritt Centennials on its roster — goaltender Devin Kero (2013-14), defenceman Dane Birks (201214) and forward Max Vallis (2010-11). All told, 12 members of the Michigan Tech men’s team have ties to the British Columbia Hockey League, including Alex Gillies and Shane Hanna (Salmon Arm), Mason Blacklock (Vernon Vipers) and Brent Baltus (Trail). Gould won’t be the first Centennial to follow in his brother’s footsteps to Michigan Tech either. This September, former Cents’ goaltender Kero joined his big brother Tanner on the Huskies’ roster. Michigan Tech has been busy recruiting in the BCHL again this season. In addition to Gould, the Huskies have locked up Jagger Williamson (Vernon), Demico Hannoun (Penticton), Jake Lucchini and Mitch Newsome (Trail) and goaltender Angus Redmond (Salmon Arm). Michigan Tech plays in the NCAA’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association against schools such as Minnesota State, Bowling Green, Lake Superior State and the University of AlabamaHuntsville. The Huskies are enjoying a terrific 201415 season with a 17-2-1 conference record, good for second place in the
SPECIAL INDEED Members of the newly-formed Merritt chapter of Special Olympics BC were introduced at centre ice prior to the start of Friday night’s Merritt Centennials game against the West Kelowna Warriors. For more information on the local Special Olympics group, contact co-ordinator Byron Robbie (250-525-0400). Ian Webster/Herald
A HUSKY LOT Current Merritt Centennials forward Gavin Gould (above) has committed to play at Michigan Tech starting in September 2016. He will follow in the footsteps of his brother Malcolm (right). Asst. coach at Tech is former Centennial Bill Muckalt (far right). Ian Webster/Herald
10-team WCHA. An assistant coach at Michigan Tech is former Merritt Centennial star forward Bill Muckalt. He is currently in his fourth season with the Huskies after coaching stints at Eastern Michigan University and with the Valencia, California Flyers of the Western States Hockey League. Prior to becom-
Malcolm Gould
ing a coach, Muckalt played four seasons of NCAA hockey with the Michigan Wolverines before jumping directly to the National Hockey League. In five NHL seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild, Muckalt totalled 40 goals and 57 assists
Bill Muckalt
for 97 points in 256 games. Gould is happy to have his immediate future — hockey and otherwise — mapped out. “It’s nice to get [the signing] out of the way, but now you have to show that you’re constantly improving, that you’re always getting better,” he said.
THE BEAT GOES ON Longtime Nicola Valley resident Walter Archachan (left) presented eight-year-old Vanessa King with her very own traditional drum as a thank you for her great work helping mascot Jayson Charters (right) at Centennials’ home games. Ian Webster/Herald
TUESDAY, February 3, 2015 • 9
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UCL 21 a great night at the fights Merritt’s Devin Nagata one of a half dozen impressive winners in the octagon By Ian Webster THE HERALD
sports@merrittherald.com
Things were a little late getting started at UCL 21: King of the Valley, but once the action got underway, things couldn’t have been better for the soldout crowd at the Civic Centre on Saturday night. “We had a few issues at the beginning of the evening, but once we got those sorted out, everything ran smoothly,” Unified Combat League promoter Jesse Eller said. “We had wanted to have an open floor beer garden, but at the last minute, we were informed that we had to restrict it to the back area of the room only. That caused a few problems with seating and so on.” Lighting was another matter that Eller had to deal with at the last second as the company he had contracted simply didn’t show up. “We ended up only
having the room lighting which was a bit disappointing,” Eller said. In the octagon itself, everything went extremely smoothly with six featured bouts involving MMA fighters from both the Nicola Valley and communities as far away as Prince Rupert and Dawson Creek. The action began with an exhibition grappling match between Merritt’s Jordan Smyth and Derek Apps from Kamloops. Grappling consists of Olympicstyle wrestling only with no punching or kicking allowed. The first full-fledged fight of the night pitted a pair of popular local scrappers against one another. Matt Bobroski got the early advantage before Devin Nagata showed great ground work in executing a leg triangle from his back and winning by submission. Other Merritt fighters did not fare quite as well
UCL 21: KING OF THE VALLEY RESULTS
Exh.
Derek Apps (Kamloops) def. Jordan Smyth (Merritt)
Bout 1 Devin Nagata (Merritt) def. Travis Bobroski (Merritt) by submission (leg triangle) Bout 2 Tanya Nijjar (Kelowna) def. Veronica Charters (Merritt) by TKO Bout 3 Shawn Stewart (Prince Rupert) def. Brian Janzen (Vernon) by submission (guillotine) Bout 4 Mitch Burke (Penticton) def. Delton Mosley (Merritt) by submission (guillotine) Bout 5 Dan Bradshaw (Dawson Creek) def. Michael Heppner (Merritt) by TKO ONE TOUGH HOMBRE Merritt’s Devin Nagata celebrates his first-round victory over Matt Bobroski at UCL 21 on Saturday night at the Civic Centre. Photo courtesy of Pauline Paquet-Davidson/ Davidson Photography
as Veronica Charters fell to rookie Tanya Nijjar of Kelowna in the only female bout of the night, Michael ‘The Polar Bear’ Heppner lost to Dawson Creek’s Dan Bradshaw by a TKO, and Delton Mosley was defeated by Penticton’s
Mitch Burke. In a pair of all outof-town contests, Shawn Stewart of Prince Rupert forced Vernon’s Brian Janzen to submit by way of a guillotine move, while Janzen’s teammate Kenny Pope used a rear naked choke
hold to beat Prince George’s Paul Alec Jr. in a battle of undefeated fighters. Five of the six featured bouts lasted less than one round as UCL referees and medical staff intervened very quickly to stop contests
FIGHT NIGHT (Clockwise from above) Devin Nagata (dark shorts) takes down Matt Bobroski in a battle of Merritt competitors. Ring girl Taralynn Musfelt from Kamloops lets the crowd know what round it is. Main event combatants Kenny Pope (left) from Vernon and Prince George’s Paul Alec Jr. demonstrate that good sportsmanship prevails throughout UCL events. Merritt’s Matt Bobroski gets his hands wrapped by former Nicola Valley resident Ryan Harvey who now lives in Chelan, Washington and operates a fight team out of nearby Okanogan, WA. Observing the proceedings is B.C. Athletic Commission representative Kristal Poirier. Dr. Rafal Banas from Fort St. John inspects Kelowna’s Tanya Nijjar as part of a mandatory medical check following all bouts. Merritt’s Michael ‘The Polar Bear’ Heppner is all smiles between rounds while getting some ice treatment in his corner. Photos by Ian Webster/Herald and Pauline Paquet-Davidson/Davidson Photography
Bout 6 Kenny Pope (Vernon) def. Paul Alec Jr. (Prince George) by submission (rear naked choke) when one of the participants was in any form of distress. Saturday’s event was Eller’s fourth foray into the Nicola Valley. Previous UCL fight nights were held at the rodeo grounds and the Nicola Valley Memorial
Arena. Eller is unsure of his next event in Merritt. He is currently working on UCL 22, slated for Kananaskis, Alberta on March 21, and UCL 23, scheduled for Copenhagen, Denmark on April 18.
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Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) Job Posting: Part-Time Position Position Title: Housing File Clerk Department: Housing Department Reports To: Housing Coordinator Subject to: Terms and Conditions of the Personnel Policy SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Housing Filing Cerk reports to the Housing Coordinator and is responsible for providing clerical support. This position develops to ensure that housing files are maintained and accurate. DUTIES AND TASKS: s Maintains and updates housing department files s Performs other related duties as assigned by the Housing Manager or Housing Coordinator. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: s Excellent communication both oral and written skills s Excellent interpersonal skills s Ability to work independently, follow direction, and verify own work. s Good judgment and problem solving skills. s Strong organizational skills s Attention to details and timelines. s Team player WORK CONDITIONS: s Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9am to 12 pm WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Frequent deadlines, short time lines, ability to multi-task Salary: To be negotiated Deadline: 10 am – February 6, 2015 Start Date: upon hiring of suitable candidate Applicants are requested to submit their resume to the Lower Nicola Indian Band office at: Lower Nicola Indian Band c/o Personnel Committee 181 Nawishaskin Lane, Merritt, BC V1K 0A7 Fax: 250-378-6188 Email: joeshuter@lnib.net
LNIB Administration Receptionist/File Clerk LNIB Executive Assistant and/or Executive Director Terms and Conditions of the Personnel Policy & Annual Approved Budget
DUTIES AND TASKS: s Answers phones, direct calls, and take messages. s Receives and classifies, codes and stores LNIB correspondence/records/documents; s Maintains and updates indexes for LNIB filing system(s); s Reviews files periodically to ensure they are complete and correctly classified; s Locate files/materials when requested; s Provide clerical support (meeting preparations, photocopying, word processing); s Receive, redirect faxes to LNIB Staff s Scanning documents and distributing them with LNIB Chief and Council and Administration s Assist with receiving and providing general information to clients and public; s Assist with LNIB correspondence mail outs, notices, newsletters, etc. s Draft various correspondences on request. WORK CONDITIONS: s Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 2:30 pm , 17.5 hours per week s High office productivity and short deadlines is expected. QUALIFICATIONS: s Grade 12 Diploma and/or some post-secondary training s Or a combination of education and experience, preferably with a First Nation’s community; s A valid driver’s license; s A team player; s Ability to speak or willingness to learn the Nłe kepmx language.
Employment
Interior Community Services enriching lives
ABORIGINAL CHILD AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN- LILLOOET
Interior Community Services (ICS) is currently seeking a highly experienced Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician to provide direct clinical consultation and education services to aboriginal children and youth with mental health issues in Lillooet and the surrounding area.
QUALIFICATIONS UÊ Master’s degree in Social Work or related field with minimum 2 years clinical experience supporting children and youth. UÊ Excellent problem solving, decision making, organizational and time management skills UÊ Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills UÊ Demonstrated proficiency with various computer programs within the MS Office Suite UÊ Ability to work independently UÊ Satisfactory criminal record check and safe driving record. Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and own vehicle.
POSITION UÊ Permanent part time (28 hs/ week). This position qualifies for group benefit coverage which includes coverage with Extended Health, Dental, and MSP. UÊ ICS is a member of the Municipal Pension Plan UÊ Core Training provided includes Non-violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) and Suicide Intervention (ASIST) training. Submit your resume with cover letter by Monday February 9th at 4:30 pm to careers@interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca For further information please visit our website: www.interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca
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Salary: To be negotiated Deadline: 10 am – February 6, 2015 Start Date: upon hiring of suitable candidate Applicants are requested to submit their resume to the Lower Nicola Indian Band office at: Lower Nicola Indian Band c/o Personnel Committee 181 Nawishaskin Lane, Merritt, BC V1K 0A7 Email: executiveassistant@lnib.net
Employment
Drive to Save Lives
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Rentals Homes for Rent 4 Bedroom House W/D,F/S,N/S. $1,400/mth. Avail. Feb.(250) 378 - 9660
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Misc. for Sale SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD available online: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/ 400OT or call 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.
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STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-4572206 or visit us online: www.crownsteelbuildings.ca.
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12 • TUESDAY, February 3, 2015
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Rotary Club of Merritt Sunrise presents the
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