SMALLER MARKET HELPING FARMERS SELL /PAGE 9
DARIUS SAM EARNS CITIZENS AWARD /PAGE 14
Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905
MERRITT HERALD THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS • www.merrittherald.com
FREE
INSIDE...
Paralympian Tristen Chernove finished an over 1000-km cycle from Fernie to Merritt over the weekend to raise money for the Canadian Paralympic team. STORY/PAGE 14
MOVING MERRITT An extensive survey was recently completed by the City of Merritt on how we get around, with results now released.
/PAGE 3
CHANGE OF GUARD An internal search to replace longtime Community Police Officer Tracy Dunsmore has seen the role filled.
EPIC
1000
/PAGE 5 RETURN TO PLAY The Cents have released their return to play plan, while Governor Neil Menard made a presentation to council Tuesday.
/PAGE 15
Thinking of selling or listing your home? WE HAVE BUYERS looking to relocate to Merritt Call us for a comparative market analysis and see what your home is worth. Karen Yakimchuk, Sales Associate 250-315-3076 • www.karen-yakimchuk.c21.ca
Moving Real Estate BC Ltd. 250-378-6166
Brad Yakimchuk, Personal Real Estate Corporation 250-315-3043 • www.brad-yakimchuk.c21.ca
2 • THURSDAY,
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July 23, 2020
Your local RE/MAX Legacy Experts providing you with the highest level of care.
250.378.6941 https://legacy.britishcolumbia.remax.ca/ #113-1700 Garcia Street Box 2257 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 2743 Grandview Heights Road
Janis Post
Karen Bonneteau
Ray Thompson
Brenda Thompson
PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
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2637 Priest Avenue
NEW
250-315-5178
1608 Fir Avenue
250-315-3377
250-315-8377
Valerie Kynoch REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
250-280-0994
2742 Eagle Cres
6403 Monck Park Road
NEW
MLS#152851 $74,900 Build in a great subdivision of newer homes in this preferred neighborhood. Panoramic view of the beautiful Nicola Valley, close to shopping, restaurants, services, schools, and highways. Priced to sell!
MLS#157537 $89,900 Build your dream home or investment duplex on this large 68 X 130 flat lot, zoned R2. The lot is waiting for your ideas. All measurements are approx.. buyer to verify deemed important.
MLS#150725 $109,900 New river view lot located in nicely developed Country Pine Estates. Water & sewer service to lot line. Build your dream homes & enjoy the river views from the privacy of your home.
MLS#155537 $112,000 Nice view lot in Phase 2 – Eagle Crescent. Build your home in the up and coming Bench subdivision. City services need to be connected at time of permit. No requirement to build by a certain date.
MLS#157315 $149,000 Build your dream home on this .899 acre lot overlooking the beautiful Nicola Lake. Only 3 hrs from Vancouver, 45 mins to Kamloops & just over 1 hour to the Okanagan you can’t go wrong.
291 Fyall Road
33-1749 Menzies Street
1481 Miller Road
1-1717 Granite Avenue
2175 Nicola Avenue
NEW MLS#155926 $215,000 This beautiful lot with over 2 acres of usable, flat land is ideally located in the lovely community of Lower Nicola.
MLS#157548 $259,900 Immaculate, move-in ready 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhouse located in desirable Sun Valley Court. The home features a nice open design with kitchen, dining and living rooms.
MLS#152760 $260,000 Just over 10 acre located in beautiful Miller Estates, a subdivision of custom built executive homes, just 10 minutes west of Merritt. Fantastic treed property to build your dream home and enjoy the Views.
MLS#153672 $265,000 Bright open concept 2-3 bdrm, 3 bath adult townhouse in excellent location near downtown core. The main floor has it all - kitchen, bright eating area, living room w/ electric fireplace, den, laundry, master bdrm w/ensuite.
MLS#157078 $275,000 1500 sq ft per floor. Zoned R-2 which allows for home with suite. Original ceiling is 14” with drop down t-bar ceiling currently in place.
2614 Clapperton Avenue
1775 Blair Street
1887 Nicola Avenue
106-2514 Spring Bank Avenue
2465 Paige Street
MLS#157457 $289,900 Solid starter/retirement home with beautiful backyard. This 3+ bed home has been loved over the years with many updates inside and out. New kitchen, roof, & hot water tank in 2018, new bathroom in 2016.
MLS#154482 $399,900 Nice family home only minutes walking distance to the downtown core. Three bedrooms up and three down. House is situated on a 12,000 sq ft fully fenced corner lot with 22 x 26 detached cinder block shop and power.
MLS#154580 $409,000 Very nice, move-in ready 3 bedroom rancher with full lower level, located within walking distance to downtown Merritt. Has a detached 14X24 insulated, wired shop with lane access.
MLS#156662 $421,000 Welcome to Nicola Bluffs! This classy 4-bedroom 3 bath rancher with over 2800 sq ft of gorgeous quality finishings and upgrades is sure to impress. This home has 9 foot ceilings, a stunning kitchen with a large island.
MLS#157230 $455,950 Very nice, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home located on .42 acre in the desired Lower Nicola area. Just minutes from downtown Merritt. New roof in 2020.
3015 Hilton Drive
1849 Pineridge Drive
1640 Chestnut Avenue
1618 Fir Road
2276 Garcia Street
NEW
SOLD MLS#156124 $479,900 This lovely home offers peace of mind with a full 2-5-10 year home warranty and is nestled in a nice subdivision with all newer construction. The concrete driveway leads to the attached 2 car garage.
MLS#156871 $499,900 Very nice 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom family home located in the desired Merritt bench area. The home features the most amazing views from your large front deck off your living/dining room. The home has a new roof in 2017.
MLS#154507 $509,800 Don’t miss out on this newly built west coast contemporary rancher style home with full crawl space. 1705 sq ft 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath luxury home features open concept. Home offers a full 2-5-10 home warranty.
MLS#156960 $539,900 Amazing river & mountain views from this immaculate move-in ready, custom-built rancher w/daylight basement. The home features a bright open design w/kitchen, dining & living room all open with lots of windows.
MLS#155584 $609,000 CHARM, COMFORT, LOCATION, MORTGAGE HELPER AND A POOL! This stunning 1920’s craftsman home is a must see! This 5 + 1 bedrooms 4 bathroom home is located on a double lot with walking distance to downtown.
1741 Sunflower Avenue
7021 Brolin Road
6441 Jagpal Way
108 Veale Road
6557 Monck Park Road
MLS#156711 $629,900 Beautiful new custom-built basement entry, two level home with many extras. This home features 4 bedrooms (possible 5) master suite with walk-in closet & very nice spa like ensuite with large walk-in shower.
MLS#157112 $725,000 This is the property of your dreams. This 3 bedroom charming character home is nestled on 11 acres of rolling fields of pasture land with panoramic views and fenced/ cross fenced. Property has a 2 bedroom guest home.
MLS#156673 $739,000 Breathtaking views of beautiful Nicola Lake. Retreat in this lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath home w/ a 2 car garage/shop. Indulge yourself w/ bright kitchen featuring warm dark maple cabinets & granite top island & radiant heated floors.
MLS#154942 $795,000 Beautifully designed Winton home situated on 10.2 acres located within 10 minutes from Merritt city center. This 3200 sq foot home features 3 bdrms up & 2 down. Laundry room on main floor.
MLS#153296 $1,100,000 Indulge yourself with 3800 sqft of high end living as you enjoy a panoramic view of Nicola Lake. 3 Beds 3 bath home features dream kitchen with 5 burner propane stove & capacious breakfast bar.
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 • 3
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
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STAYING ACTIVE
Cycling a hot topic in town survey tlcpond1@telus.net 250-378-4166
INSIDE Opinion ---------------------- 6-7 Sports -------------------- 14-15 Classifieds --------------- 17-18
Online
Jake Courtepatte MERRITT HERALD
The City of Merritt recently invited residents to fill out a survey to provide input regarding active modes of transportation, and where the city could improve. Active transportation is defined as using your own power to get from one place to another: this could include walking, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding or even skiing or skating. The city was able to pull in 164 responses, having offered up the questions from mid-June to early July. Despite the survey offering up some universal questions when speaking on activity, cycling and walking mostly dominated the topics. Just 15-percent of Merrittonians, according to the results, bike or walk to work: seven-percent bike, eight-percent walk. 85-percent drive, whether that be alone or in a carpool with co-workers. In terms of recreation, four-percent of respondents said they ride their bikes daily, while the majority of the population either never ride a bike or ride only a few days per month. Some light was shed on why these numbers are so low by another offered
this week merrittherald.com
question, with the majority saying that it is due to a lack of separation from car traffic. More respondents ticked off that they felt mostly unsafe cycling around town (37-percent) than mostly safe (34-percent). Bike lanes and paved trails seem to be hot-ticket items to get Merrittonians pedalling. Another aspect of the cycling lifestyle that Merrittonians seem to think is missing is a sufficient amount of bike parking: when asked where around town more bike parking is needed, the vast majority answered either downtown or at the grocery stores. Don McArthur, the city’s Planning and Development Services Manager, said the recently proposed zoning bylaw change would allow
Health Minister Adrian Dix announced a return to regularly scheduled surgeries as the province moves forward in its phases to return to normal.
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for businesses to install more bicycle parking, helping to alleviate the issue. When it comes to walking, the results are fairly positive. 37-percent replied that they walk daily, though similarly to the cycling community, walkers would
like to see more trails and sidewalks. As for all aspects of society, COVID-19 has made a significant impact on Merritt’s active lifestyle scene: though, seemingly, a positive one. 36-percent answered
6 Veggie Samosas
HARD ICE-CREAM, FRESH SALADS, COLD SANDWICHES AVAILABLE! BUTTER CHICKEN • SAMOSAS • FRESH FISH & CHIPS
Two week SPECIAL
Only.....
EAT IN OR TAKE OUT Starting July 16 - July 29, 2020 NEW HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday to Friday - 11 am to 6 pm 2052 Quilchena Ave.
SCALPEL PLEASE
Work commutes in Merritt
250-378-6292
9
99 + tax
that they are running, hiking, cycling, and walking more than they did before the pandemic. There have also been results in less car pollution, with 45-percent indicating that they are driving less due to working from home.
1 pc Fish & Chips with gravy and coleslaw
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9
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ART TRIBUTES Artists from the Nicola Valley are invited by Conayt Friendship Society to design an art piece that pays tribute to Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and LGBTQ2S individuals.
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Club House
with fries and gravy
Only.....
9
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e
4 • THURSDAY, July 23, 2020
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4 • THURSDAY, June 13, 2019
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City of Merritt
COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE All City Council Meetings will now be held online with live Regular Council - June 11, 2019 streaming links available atMeeting www.merritt.ca and on the City of Merritt Regular social media channels. questions/ Council MeetingPublic - Juneinput 25, 2019 information canCouncil be submitted to 9, the Council Regular Meetingprior - July 2019 meetings to communications@merritt.ca Regular Council Meeting - July 23, 2019 Regular Council Meeting - August 4 - 7 pm
CITY
INVITED! PLEASE NOTE A NOTICEYOU’RE OF PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR to meet Brown every 5 AUGUST 4, 2020 AT 7:00with PMMayor IS ON PAGE Wednesday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall (second floor), 2185 Voght Street.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Interested citizens are welcome to stop by, say hello and discuss issues and opportunities for the City, its residents and businesses.
ontime TUESDAY 4th,Corporate 2020Services at 7:00PM IfPUBLIC you would likeHEARING to schedule a particular to meet with theAugust Mayor please contact at 250-378-8614
Regular Council Meeting - August 18 - 7 pm
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Position: The City of Merritt is inviting applications for the position of CASUAL LIFEGUARD/ INSTRUCTOR I.
ZONING BYLAW PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca
Current resumes reflecting applicants’ and abilities relevant to the position; detailing The City of knowledge, Merrittskills would like your education and qualifications, and proof of required education and licenses will be accepted prior to feedback on the proposed new 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 by: Carole Fraser, Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Manager PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Date Posted: Monday, June 17, 2019 Posting Expires: Friday, July 12, 2019
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ONLINE Q&A WEBINAR
Stream at merritt.ca WHAT: Merrittlink Summer Nights Market Thursday, July 23 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm WHEN: every Friday June 28th to August 30th 5:00pm to 10:00pm *Please submit WHERE: your question ahead of time to planning@merritt.ca 2000-2100 Block Quilchena Avenue by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 21st
OPEN HOUSE
Civic Centre (1950 Mamette Avenue) Tuesday, July 28 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm Please RSVP to planning@merritt.ca before 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 27th:
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday August 4th, 2020 in the Council Chambers at Merritt City Hall, located Position: The City of Merritt is inviting applications for the position of PUBLIC WORKS SEASONAL at 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC with respect to the following proposed LABOURER. Zoning Bylaw 2284, 2020. For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca Current resumes reflecting applicants’ skillsother and abilities relevantdocuments to the position;may detailing A copy of the proposed theknowledge, Bylaw and relevant be education qualifications, andbusiness proof of required will pm be accepted prior to viewedand during normal hours education of 8:30 and amlicenses to 4:30 on Thursday 4:00 Monday, July 08, 2019 by: 4th, 2020 at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt Julyp.m. 23rd to Tuesday August Carole Fraser, Deputy Resources Manager BC, or online at Clerk/Human www.merritt.ca PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca Anyone who wishes to address the above Bylaw will be given the We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be opportunity at the Public Hearing to be heard in person, by a representative, contacted. or by written submission, on all matters contained in the proposed Bylaw. Date Posted: Friday, June 21, 2019 If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing, written submission must be Posting Expires: Monday, July 08, 2019 received NO LATER THAN 12:00PM THURSDAY, JULY 30th, 2020, to ensure their availability to Council at the Public Hearing.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
Written submission can be provided by any of the following methods: WHAT: MSS GRAD WALK WHEN:Planning June 20,&2019 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm Manager Don McArthur, Development Services WHERE: Merritt Senior Secondary High School to Nicola Valley Memorial Arena dmcarthur@merritt.ca PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
All submissions must include your name and street address. No letter, report or representation from the public will be received by Council after WHAT: MSS GRAD CAR PARADE the conclusion of the Public Hearing. All written submissions are public WHEN: June 21, 2019 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm information pursuant to (2000 the Freedom of Information and Protection WHERE: Merritt Rotary Park Block of Voght Street) to Merritt Civic Centre of Privacy Act. For more(1950 information, please contact the Planning & Mamette Avenue) Development Services orthe at dmcarthur@merritt. NOTE: Parking willManager be reservedatat250-378-8620 Rotary Park and Church from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on June 22, 2019 ca
Y,
ce of nly in for
For more information, and to view the proposed bylaw, visit www.merritt.ca/zoningbylaw
40 to en op es/ as
WATERING RESTRICTIONS
6:00AM - 8:00AM and 7:00PM - 10:00PM
NICOLA VALLEY AQUATIC CENTRE
IS NOW OPEN
ds ce as ng elp
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Tourism Merritt
Connect with us on our new tourism website and social media. www.tourismmerritt.com • #ExploreMerritt
VISIT TOURISM MERRITT VISIT TOURISM MERRITT FOR MORE TO SEE AND DO FOR MORE TO SEE AND DO
EVEN ADDRESSES Mon/Wed/Fri ODD ADDRESSES Tues/Thurs/Sat AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS: on your respective days midnight to 4:00 AM *NO SPRINKLING SUNDAYS Effective May 1ST to September 30TH
Add your event and see all other events in Merritt at Including safe visiting advice and local services www.tourismmerritt.com/events www.tourismmerritt.ca
For both locals and visitors to discover more about Merritt and great upcoming events in the community!
page
� TOURISM
#ExploreMerritt
TT
#ExploreMerritt
�
THURSDAY, Public Notice Public Notice
www.merrittherald.com
PUBLIC HEARING on TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020 at
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Public NoticeAUGUST 4, 2020 at PUBLIC HEARING on TUESDAY, 7:00PM PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice 7:00PM PUBLIC HEARING on TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020 at
Notice is hereby given on that a Public Hearing will be held on HEARING TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, be 2020 at on PUBLIC HEARING Notice onPUBLIC TUESDAY, AUGUST 4,Hearing 2020 will at 7:00PM is August hereby given ameeting Public 7:00PM Tuesday, 4, 2020.that This will be held in theheld Council
INTERNAL HIRES
7:00PM Tuesday, 4, 2020. meeting willatbe2185 held in the Council ChambersAugust at Merritt CityThis Hall, located Voght Street, Chambers at Merritt City Hall, locatedHearing at 2185 Street, Notice isBChereby given that Public willVoght be held on Merritt, with respect to thea following proposed Zoning Bylaw Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, Merritt, BC with respect to the following proposed Zoning Bylaw Tuesday, August 4, 2020. This meeting will be held in the Council amendments: Tuesday, August 4, 2020. This meeting will be held in the Council amendments: Chambers at Merritt City in Hall, located at 2185 Voght Street, August 4, 2020. This meeting will be held the Council Chambers at Chambers at Merritt City Hall,following located proposed at 2185 Zoning Voght Street, Merritt, BC with respect to the Bylaw Merritt City Hall, located at 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC with respect Merritt, BC with respect to the following proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments: PROPOSED REZONINGS: amendments: to the following proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments: PROPOSED REZONINGS:
WE CAN PROPOSED REZONINGS:
HELP! 1902 Parker Drive (LOT G DISTRICT LOT 181 KDYD PLAN KAP11174) – Recreational Commercial (C6) to Park & Cemetery (P1), to create a park.
VOVOG VOVO GH HT GHGH T S ST T ST S T T T
PRI PRI EST A EST VE AV E PRI PRIEST A EST VE AV E
CO CO LDW LD AT WA ER TE AV R A E CO VE COLDW LD AT WA ER TE AV R A E VE
GO GO VERNM VER NM ENT A ENT VE AV E GO GOVERNM VER EN NM T A ENT VE AV E
SPRING BANK NKE SPRING BAAV AVE
RNK SPRING BA NK VERAV E SPRING RI BA LA RIVE AVE O C LA I N CO I R N VE RI ER LA IV CO LA R I N CO NI
2502 Spring Bank Avenue (LOT 2502 Spring Bank (LOT A DISTRICT LOTAvenue 121 KDYD A DISTRICT– Agricultural LOT 121 KDYD KAP57842) (AR1) KAP57842) Agricultural (AR1) 2502 Spring Avenue (LOT to Park & –Bank Cemetery (P1), to 2502 Spring Bank (LOT to Park & Cemetery to A DISTRICT LOTAvenue 121(P1), KDYD create a park. A DISTRICT LOT 121 KDYD create a park. KAP57842) – Agricultural (AR1) KAP57842) Agricultural (AR1) to Park & – Cemetery (P1), to to Park & Cemetery (P1), to create a park. create a park.
CON
KLIN AVE
ST
2801, Charters 2801,2802, 2802, and and 2807 Charters Street (LOTS (LOTS & 19 Street 17 & 17 19 DISTRICT DISTRICT LOT KAP747 124 KDYD LOT 124 KDYD and KAP747 Lot 18 DISTRICT Lot 18 and DISTRICT LOT 124 LOT 124KAP997) KDYD KAP997) KDYD – Single Family Residential (R1) and Agricultural (AR1) to Park & Cemetery (P1), to create a park.
Anyone who wishes to address the above Bylaw will be given the
at the Public Hearing toBylaw be heardwill in person, by a Anyone who wishesopportunity to address the above be given representative, or by written submission, on all matters contained the opportunity at the Public Hearing to be heard in person, by in the proposed Bylaw amendments. If you are unable to attenda Public Hearing, written on submission must be received NOin representative, or bythe written submission, all matters contained LATER THAN 12:00PM THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020, to ensure the proposed Bylaw their amendments. If you are unable availability to Council at the Public Hearing.to attend the EST PublicPRIHearing, written submission must be received NO LATER THAN AV E 12:00PM THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020, to ensure their availability to Written submission can be provided by any of the following Council at the Publicmethods: Hearing.
Do you have questions regarding • COVID-19 federal 1301 & 1302 Voght Street (LOT A DISTRICT LOT 125 KDYD programs?
VO GH T S
T
PLAN KAP34245) – Recreational Commercial (C6) to Tourist Commercial (C2).
• Old Age Security?
Donbe McArthur, Planning Development Manager Written submission can provided by&any of the Services following methods: dmcarthur@meritt.ca
• Guaranteed Income Supplement?
PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
Don McArthur, Planning & Development Services Manager All submissions must include your name and street address. No dmcarthur@merritt.ca letter, report orMerritt, representation from the PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, BC, V1K 1B8public will be received by Council after the conclusion of the Public Hearing. All written
DISTRICT federal LOT 125 or BLOCK any2other KDYD PLAN KAP838) – High Density Residential (R4)issues. to City government
submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of
Centre Commercial (C6).
CALL: 1.800.665.8711 EMAIL: Dan.Albas.C1D@parl.gc.ca WEB: DanAlbas.com “Government Avenue Park” (LOT 1 DISTRICT LOT 173
R ER D PARK ER DR PARK
A copy of the proposed Bylaw may be viewed A copy of theamendments proposed Bylaw amendments may be during viewed during business hours of 8:30am 4:30pm July 23 normal business hours of normal 8:30am to 4:30pm from toJuly 23 from to August to August 4, 2020 at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt BC, or JUNIPER DR 4, 2020 Kat 2185 Voght Street, Merritt BC, or online at RCity Hall, online at www.merritt.ca ER D PAR www.merritt.ca
ST
served as a lawyer for a municipal law firm
AN
Merritt CAO
M
SEAN SMITH
the past few years and in Victoria. He holds degrees from both the he has proven himself time and time again.” University of Victoria Normally the city and the University of would have an expanBritish Columbia. sive, external search Mayor Brown to fill such an imporadded that residents tant position, though “will appreciate Mayor Brown said Sean’s energy, comthat the decision to mitment to providing hire Smith to the posiexceptional service, tion was an easy one. and genuine desire Public Notice In an outgoing to make the City message, Hildebrand of Merritt the most PUBLIC HEARING on TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020 at 7:00PM said that working in dynamic small comhas been outmunity in British Notice isMerritt hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday,standing, August 4, 2020. andThis he meeting will will be held in the Council Columbia. Chambers at Merritt City Hall, located at 2185 Voght Street, “Council has relied Merritt, BC with respect to the following proposed Zoning Bylaw See ‘MAYOR’ Page 12 on him heavily overamendments:
CH AP
Sean Smith has been given the title of City of Merritt’s CAO, replacing outgoing Scott Hildebrand. Smith has been the Director of Corporate Services for the city since 2017, and took on the responsibility of deputy CAO in 2019. Hildebrand will be moving on to the Thompson Nicola Regional District as their new CAO in August, with Smith taking on his new position as of August 10, 2020. “We are extremely thankful for Scott’s contributions over the past 16 months,” said Mayor Linda Brown. “In a short time, he brought a high level of professionalism to our organization and has instilled a culture of service excellence. He will be missed greatly, but we had a succession plan in place because we knew that this day would come eventually.” Mayor Brown said the city is “thrilled” to be able to keep the momentum f lowing by hiring Smith for the
position internally. Smith previously
“Spring Bank Avenue Park” “Spring Bank Avenue Park” (DISTRICT LOT 121 KDYD (DISTRICT 121 KDYD KAP63309) –LOT Agricultural (AR1) KAP63309) Agricultural (AR1) “Spring Avenue(P1), Park” to Park Bank & –Cemetery to “Spring Bank Park” to Parka park. & Cemetery to (DISTRICT LOTAvenue 121 (P1), KDYD create (DISTRICT LOT 121 KDYD create a park. KAP63309) – Agricultural (AR1) KAP63309) Agricultural (AR1) to Park & – Cemetery (P1), to to Park & Cemetery (P1), to create a park. create a park.
CH CH C HC H A A AP AP M MA PMPM AN AN AN N ST ST ST ST
“Government Avenue Park” “Government Avenue (LOT 1 DISTRICT LOTPark” 173 (LOT LOT 173– KDYD 1 DISTRICT KAP 14807) KDYD KAP 14807) – “Government Avenue Park” Institutional & Public Use (P3) to “Government Avenue Park” Institutional & Public Use to (LOT DISTRICT LOT 173 Park &1 Cemetery (P1), to(P3) create (LOT 1 DISTRICT LOT 173 Park & Cemetery to create KDYD KAP (P1), 14807) – a park. KDYD KAP – a park. Institutional & Public14807) Use (P3) to Institutional & Public Use (P3) to Park & Cemetery (P1), to create Park & Cemetery (P1), to create a park. a park.
Smith named Merritt CAO Jake Courtepatte MERRITT HERALD
JUNIPER DR JUNIPER DR
1301 & 1302 Voght Street (LOT 1301 & 1302 Voght (LOT A DISTRICT LOT Street 125 KDYD A DISTRICTKAP34245) LOT 125 KDYD– PLAN PLAN KAP34245) – 1301 & 1302 Voght Street (LOT Recreational Commercial (C6) 1301 & 1302 Voght (LOT Recreational Commercial (C6) A DISTRICT LOT Street 125 KDYD to Tourist Commercial (C2). A Tourist DISTRICT LOT 125 KDYD to Commercial (C2). PLAN KAP34245) – PLAN KAP34245) – Recreational Commercial (C6) Recreational Commercial (C6) to Tourist Commercial (C2). to Tourist Commercial (C2).
BLOCK 2 DISTRICT LOT 125 BLOCK 2 DISTRICT LOT 125 KDYD PLAN KAP838) – High KDYD KAP838) DensityPLAN Residential (R4)–toHigh City Density Residential (R4) to City BLOCK 2 DISTRICT LOT 125 Centre Commercial (C6). BLOCK 2 DISTRICT LOT 125 Centre Commercial (C6). KDYD PLAN KAP838) – High KDYD PLAN KAP838) Density Residential (R4) –to High City DensityCommercial Residential (C6). (R4) to City Centre Centre Commercial (C6).
R ER D PARKER DR PARK
STMEME T IM ST T ST TGR T ST MEME IMIM GRGR GRIM
The Merritt RCMP detachment has selected Constable David Feller as the new Community Police and Street Enforcement Unit officer. In his new position, Cst. Feller will provide a visible RCMP presence by undertaking foot and bicycle patrols, and engaging in other
preventative policing measures to “ensure the downtown is a safe and pleasant area for everyone.” Cst. Feller will also be responsible for the Community Policing aspect of the job, which includes partnerships with local community groups and schools. Feller will be replacing Cst. Tracy Dunsmore who has held the position for more
and made many connections in Merritt. I’m now working in First Nations policing, which is also communitybased policing as well as investigation, so I will be able to use all of my past experiences in my new role. I still plan to work with the CPO and its prevention programs in collaboration with the First Nations policing unit.” Cst. Feller was selected as the best candidate through a competitive internal process which evaluated several members of Merritt’s RCMP officers for the role.
JUNIPER DR JUNIPER DR
GARC IA
Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
than a decade, and will assume his new duties in early August of this year. Cst. Dunsmore is now a member of Merritt’s First Nations policing unit, but still plans to collaborate with Cst. Feller and the CPO. “I am happy to see David taking over and making his own mark on the community policing office,” said Dunsmore. “When I went into community policing it was all new to me. I learned about the programs and preventative policing over the years
1902 Parker Drive (LOT G 1902 ParkerLOT Drive G PROPOSED REZONINGS: DISTRICT 181(LOT KDYD PROPOSED REZONINGS: DISTRICT LOT 181 KDYD– PLAN KAP11174) PLAN – 1902 ParkerKAP11174) Drive (LOT(C6) G Recreational Commercial 1902 Parker Commercial Drive G Recreational (C6) DISTRICT 181(LOT KDYD to Park & LOT Cemetery (P1), to DISTRICT LOT 181 KDYD to Parka park. & KAP11174) Cemetery (P1), to PLAN – create PLAN – create a park.KAP11174) Recreational Commercial (C6) Recreational Commercial (C6) to Park & Cemetery (P1), to to Park & Cemetery (P1), to create a park. create a park.
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Merritt RCMP name new Street Enforcement Unit Officer Constable David Feller takes on a new internal role with the Merritt RCMP, replacing the outgoing Tracy Dunsmore.
July 23, 2020 • 5
All submissions must include name and street No letter, Informationyour and Protection of Privacy Act.address. For more information, please contact the public Planning will & Development Services at report or representation from the be received byManager Council or dmcarthur@merritt.ca after the conclusion250-378-8620 of the Public Hearing. All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and CO Protection of Privacy Act. For more information, please contact LD WA TE the Planning & Development Services Manager at 250-378-8620 or R A VE dmcarthur@merritt.ca
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6 • THURSDAY,
www.merrittherald.com
July 23, 2020
VIEWPOINT EDITORIAL
Breaking the bubbles Who would have thought, prior to whatever we want to call this time that is the year JAKE COURTEPATTE 2020, that HERALD “bubble” EDITOR would be such a buzzword in professional sports? Yet here we are, with the world of pro sports finally returning, worried that athletes will be leaving their prospective bubbles. Keeping the topic limited to the Big Four North American leagues, the MLB is back in front of empty ballparks. The NHL and NBA’s training camps will soon transition into actual games (real games? Against real teams? What a concept!) Restrictions are through the roof for all three, as they should be. Teams are being kept in their bubbles: for the most part. Some seem to be having more trouble with the concept than others. These are men that are millionaires used to having the freedom to do anything, and go anywhere, that they want. I, for one, find it hard to sympathize with men who often make more in one game than the average joe makes in an entire year. NBA players, who will be playing their entire rest of the season in Orlando, seem to be struggling with the concept. The first major case of “breaking the bubble” came a few weeks ago when Richaun Holmes of the Sacramento Kings passed what is called the ‘campus line’ to pick up a food delivery. Really? A food delivery? The penalty for passing the line is a two-week quarantine. Clearly, some professional athletes are not taking the rules too seriously.
See ‘RULES’ Page 7
Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com
MERN200723_A
Education key to population control If you wanted evidence that reasonably competent government – not great, not corruption-free, just not awful – produces good results in the end, here it is. GWYNNE DYER Back in 1971, THE WORLD when the two coun- STAGE tries split apart, Bangladesh had 65 million people and Pakistan had 60 million. By the end of this century, Bangladesh will have around 80 million people – and Pakistan will have 250 million. Bangladesh is usually seen as a seriously over-populated country, and it still is today: 160 million people. But its birth-rate is dropping so fast that its population will halve by 2100, leaving it with no more people per square kilometre of farmland than the United Kingdom. It has achieved this mainly by educating its girls and young women and making contraception easily available. That’s what’s driving the global numbers down, too. The latest population predictions, published last week
Sales Associate Michele Siddall sales2@ merrittherald.com
MERRITT HERALD 2090 G
in the British medical journal The Lancet, forecast a global population in 2100 of only 8.8 billion. That’s just one billion more than now. True, we will reach a peak in about forty years’ time of 9.7 billion, but by century’s end we will be sliding down the other side of the population mountain quite fast. These are ‘surprise-free’ predictions, of course, and the future always brings surprises: wars, pandemics, a new religion or ideology. The forecasts don’t even factor in the impact of foreseeable calamities like climate change. Nevertheless, these numbers are not just fictions, and they really are good news. The numbers come from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation of the University of Washington, and they predict an end-of-century world population that is two billion lower than the UN Population Division’s forecast last year of almost 11 billion people. As they say: a billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real numbers. Even better, the assumption is that the global population will continue to go down after that. Give it another century of gentle decline, and we could hope for a global population of four or five billion by 2200,
Editor Jake Courtepatte newsroom@ merrittherald.com
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which would make the task of dealing with the long-term impacts of climate change a lot easier. Meanwhile, there are three other big things going on right now. The first is that more than two dozen countries will lose around half their population by the end of this century, including all the countries of East Asia (China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan) and most of the countries of central, eastern and southern Europe (e.g. Italy, Poland, Spain and Greece). Some will fall even further: Bulgaria from 7 million to 2.6 million, Latvia from 2 million to less than half a million. Russia, however, will only drop from 145 million to 105 million. The problem for all of these countries will be a huge overhang of elderly people as the younger population shrinks. The ‘population pyramid’ will be stood on its point, more or less, with each person in the working population having to support at least one retired person (unless retirement ages are raised radically, as they may well be). The second group are countries, almost all in Africa or the Middle East, where population growth is still out of control. These are the only regions See ‘TRENDS’ Page 7 where some countries
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Morgan Hampton reporter@ merrittherald.com
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FAX (250) 378-6818 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada
This Merritt Herald is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact newsroom@merrittherald.com or call (250) 378-4241. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 • 7
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OPINION
Rules unclear about pro Outsourcing of WE charity deeply athletes keeping safe concerning for student volunteers From Page 7 Albeit, to play my own devil’s advocate, he did admit in a statement that he crossed the line inadvertently. Perhaps the rules have not been layed out well enough. The Houston Rockets Bruno Caboclo, formerly of the Toronto Raptors, also claims to have accidentally crossed the line. In what may have been the biggest sense of confusion so far among bubble rules comes with the case of the Toronto Blue Jays. Similarly to the Raps, they are the only Canadian team in their
league, frequently crossing the border to play American squads. Though the MLB’s return to play format is entirely different from the NBA’s. While the Raptors will be spending the entire rest of the season playing in Walt Disney World with the rest of the league, the Jays would have been crossing into the States frequently: a big no-no at the moment. At first, it was said that if the Jays left the vicinity of Rogers Stadium while in Canada during the season they would be imposed a hefty, hefty fine. Complaints were made by certain players, and now it was
recently announced that the Jays will not be playing in Toronto at all this year: instead, they will be playing out the season in Pittsburgh. What an odd, odd world. As for the NHL’s return to play plan, the plan to move into the two hub cities of Edmonton and Toronto has not yet provided much controversy. Hockey and controversy rarely go hand-in-hand, really. Basically the biggest question that has come out of the NHL’s bubble is what the players will wear now that the dress code is relaxed. Long live the NHL.
Trends could see senior populations rise, younger populations fall From Page 6 will triple their populations (e.g. Israel and Angola), or quadruple them (Afghanistan and Nigeria). Many countries in this category have more modest growth rates, but if just these two regions were excluded from the count, the population of the rest of the world in 2100 would be lower than it is today. And finally comes the oddest group: the countries where birth rates are already far below replacement level, but the populations will hold steady or even grow somewhat by the end of the cen-
tury. They include not only the rich countries of Western Europe, North America and Australasia, but also many of the Latin American republics. What’s their secret? Immigration. They almost all have a well established tradition of accepting immigrants from other continents and cultures, and they’re prosperous enough to be attractive to immigrants. So Sweden, Norway, France and the United Kingdom will each add a few million people by 2100. Canada, Australia and the USA will each add around ten million (and New Zealand gets an extra million). The rest,
John Isaac
apart from Germany and the Netherlands, will attract at least enough newcomers to plug the holes left by their very low birth rates. This may seem unfair, but it gets worse. When the researchers factored predicted economic growth into the study, the ten countries with the biggest GDP eighty years from now were, in order: the US, China, India, Japan, Germany, France, UK, Australia, Nigeria and Canada. Six of those ten countries use English as their primary national language. To them that hath shall it be given.
Dan Albas MP- NICOLA-CENTRAL OKANAGAN
Last week Prime Minister Trudeau apologized for not having recused himself from a cabinet decision that awarded a, sole-sourced, $900 million program to be administered by a charity with close ties to the Prime Minister’s family. It has been revealed members of the Prime Minister’s family received financial payments from the same WE Charity in question. As you may have also heard, the Ethics Commissioner announced an investigation relating to Prime Minister Trudeau’s involvement in this decision. This would make the third time that the Ethics Commissioner has investigated Prime Minister Trudeau. The purpose of my report is not to question the Prime Minister’s judgement nor his apology or the ethics investigation, but rather the decision to outsource the program as many of its details are deeply concerning. Many Canadians will know that, for decades now, the Canada Summer Jobs program has successfully matched students with employers and, for the most part, has been successfully and efficiently administered by the Government of Canada public service. Rather than increase funding by $900 million to the Canada Summer Student Jobs program and increase the mandate to include charities and not for profit organizations, the Trudeau Liberals came up with a different scheme. $900 million was directly awarded to the WE Charity, who in turn intended to use teachers and camp operators to recruit students to become paid volunteers.
The recruitment fees payable to teachers and other organizations would be in excess of $10,000 for a certain number of students. The students in question would then be paid below minimum wage to ‘volunteer’ for a set number of hours. Aside from the issue of paying volunteers, there is another challenge. Even if the program was able to recruit 100,000 students who worked enough hours to earn the maximum credit of $5000, this only works out to $500 million. Where does the other $400 million end up? In recruitment fees? Either way, it does not make sense to spend $900 million and have only $500 million reach students who are ultimately being paid less than minimum wage to volunteer. At the same time, there are small business owners and other organizations who have applied for the Canada Summer Jobs program and have been denied placements due to a lack of funding. The WE Charity and the Liberal Government have made the decision to end this project leaving the future uncertain. As the Conservative Opposition, we have recommended the Trudeau Liberal Government should instead use that $900 million and invest it into the Canada Summer Jobs program and ensure that charities and non-profit organizations have the opportunity to apply. My question this week is: Do you agree? I can be reached at Dan.Albas@ parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-6658711.
From the Herald archives: July, 2010
SOUTHERN INTERIOR TO GET NEW AIR AMBULANCE A specially equipped Bell 412 helicopter will be based out of Kamloops for two months. Over the course of the eightweek program it is expected to undertake 80 flight hours responding to emergency calls more than 30 minutes from RIH and performing patient transfers of more than one hour. The program is expected to cost $280,000. “Delivering health care across such a diverse region is a challenge,” said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. “A dedicated air ambulance service is going to be a critical piece health care for these patients.”v
LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.
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8 • THURSDAY,
www.merrittherald.com
July 23, 2020
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Baillie House returning to form Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
The Baillie House, a staple of Merritt’s historic downtown and the Visitor Information Centre for Merritt, was able to reopen on June 4 after being closed through April and May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic Baillie House manager Sandy Curnow worked at least ten hours per week answering phone calls and emails and mailing out packages of information when requested. Curnow also provided her own phone number on the Baillie House’s answering machine message so that potential visitors could contact her at any time. “Even when we were closed people were phoning and they were always asking about forestry campsites, if they were open,” said Curnow. From June 4-22 the Baillie House was open five days a week from 9a.m. – 5p.m., but with the addition of four summer student positions, the Baillie House returned to its seven days a week summer operating schedule on June 23. “Usually we just hire two (summer students) because we have lots of volunteers that help us, but our volunteers are all in their 70s and 80s, so I don’t feel that it’s safe for them to be in the visitor booth,” explained Curnow. “Some of them are still helping us outside and in the yard and sorting stuff, but not in the visitor centre. Because they’re all susceptible by their age and if they catch it, it could be a bad outcome.” In May, the Visitor Centre and the barn were also painted at a cost of $6,573. $4,500 of that was supplied by a grant from Heritage BC, with the remaining $2,073 raised by the Heritage Society. “It had been quite a few years since we’d had them painted and the paint was really peeling off,” said Curnow. “Those were the two worst ones, so we did those ones first.” Another improvement project in April and May was the installation of brick edging around all of the flower beds, at a cost of $325. New COVID-19 precautions have also been implemented, including barriers, PPE and additional sanitizing and cleaning materials and routines. “We put up barriers inside so we can be separate from the tourists,” said Curnow. “We also wear masks and we have two sanitizing stations and we have limits on the number of people that are allowed in any of the spaces at one time. And we sanitize everything, like the bathrooms, all the time.” The cost of COVID-19 supplies were broken down in the Second Quarter report as follows: Barriers & sneeze guards: $370 Hand sanitizer & masks: $350
Extra cleaning & sanitizing supplies: $200 For a total of $920. This cost will be covered by a grant for COVID-19 assistance given to the City of Merritt by Destination BC. In order to further limit contact between visitors and staff, the famous Baillie House ice cream will now be served in cups instead of cones, but fun toppings are still available as in years past. “As soon as it comes in, we put it into cups and then sell the cups,” said Curnow. “We have some interesting toppings, one topping is included with the ice cream purchase and then they can get another topping as well for 25 cents extra. We have sour gummy worms, mini M&Ms, mini Reese’s Pieces, dark chocolate curls, just fun stuff for them.” Although there has been a significant decrease in visitors due, no doubt, to the COVID-19 pandemic the Baillie House continues to attract tourists. “It’s slower than other years but still quite busy with tourists coming into town, so that’s good,” said Curnow. “A lot of them are passing through on their way out of town but they’re coming in to have a picnic in the yard, or use the restroom. Lots of people this year are asking about camping, especially at the forestry campground because at BC Parks no one from Alberta can camp there, so they’re wanting to camp at the forestry campsites.” 90% of visitors have been from BC, 5% have been from Alberta, 4% from the rest of Canada and 1% were from California. 76% of all visitors were in Merritt for only the day, with 15% reporting that they were spending the night and only 9% planned to stay two nights or more. At the end of June, the park operator at Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park requested that the Baillie House no longer send people there to camp as “they had hundreds of cars in their overflow area.” Nearby Bluey Lake faced the same issue when it received more than 50 camping parties in one weekend, overrunning their six campsites. Still, the sharp decline in visitors - in the Second Quarter of 2019 there were 8,747 visitors while in the Second Quarter of 2020 there have been 1,548 visitors – has resulted in less opportunities for the Baillie House to fundraise through their events, ice cream sales and ongoing flea market. Curnow would like to remind people that the Baillie House still needs their support, and that they are taking donations now that they are once again open to the public. “We’re still doing our flea market so if people have any donations, we would appreciate that,” said Curnow. “It all helps to pay our summer students, and pay our heat and light bills. We’re open seven days a week until the end of September.”
Habitat coming to town Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
Affordable housing may soon be coming to Merritt, as Habitat for Humanity Kamloops will begin accepting applications for families for a local housing project. “We’re going to start taking family applications for a housing
project in Merritt,” said Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Kamloops Society Bill Miller. “We’re bringing the Habitat model to Merritt,” Miller continued. Miller said the number of houses built will range anywhere from three to twelve, “depending on the need and
depending on the interest. “They’ll all be single family houses targeted for very low, low or moderate income. This is a market area for affordable housing. Our mission and vision is to facilitate the development and delivery of affordable or attainable housing.” For the past several
years, Habitat Kamloops has been evaluating communities within their service area for housing project suitability, and Merritt has been identified as an area where affordable housing is needed. Miller said that Habitat Kamloops’ service area covers four
See ‘HOUSING’ Page 12
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THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 • 9
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Farmers’ Market getting into full swing Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, Farmers’ Markets were declared an essential service and were permitted to open, with restrictions around types of vendors and the number of shoppers. Now, as BC gradually begins to reopen and relax regulations, the Herald caught up with the President of the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market, Garrett Grimshire, to see what changes have been made and how vendors and shoppers are adjusting as the summer progresses and the Market enters full swing. “Really for us, it’s actually looking pretty good because there’s been this huge resurgence of people who want to shop locally because they’ve lost faith in globalism and the supply lines and things like that,” said Grimshire. “So, that’s really playing into our wheelhouse, and we’re also seeing vendors who aren’t comfortable with the larger
markets in Kamloops or the Okanagan and they’re looking to come to smaller markets so they’re heading our way.” Being a smaller market also helped Grimshire and organizers react quickly to any new regulations brought into play by the province. “It also helps being a smaller market because as things come down from the Provincial Health Office, we can actually hit it and react very quickly, whereas the larger markets like on the coast, when you’re managing 200 plus vendors it’s a much different story.” The Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market was in a good position to withstand the pandemic due not only to its size, but to the open location which allows adequate social distancing and the fact that organizers knew they would have to implement COVID-19 protocols. “We saw it coming,” explained Grimshire. “I’m the one who wrote the COVID protocols, and we actually
had them written for our market before we even had the answer whether yes or no we would be allowed to run, so after that it was pretty quick to make adjustments as to what was set in stone from the government. We seem to kind of just be taking it in stride. Especially now that we’re into the reopening phase.” Although originally only food vendors were allowed under the province’s rules surrounding essential and non-essential services, other vendors have gradually been added back as allowed by BC’s Restart Plan. “I think it was Phase Two, they opened it up so that we could bring back our crafters and artisans,” said Grimshire. “The majority of them are back. We can have food trucks and hot dog stands and everything else, we just have to follow the same rules now as the restaurants. So, if you’re from different households you can’t be seated at the same table, people have to be a certain number of feet apart, stuff like that.” However, some ven-
dors have chosen not to return while the pandemic is ongoing. “We’re still lacking several of our vendors who are older or in the high risk group, who felt that their health was not up to it, they haven’t come back, but we’ll mention them on Facebook or if anyone is looking for them we’ll hand out their contact information,” explained Grimshire. “They’re being supported but they are just selling from home, they’re not at the physical market itself.” In recent years, BC has become famous for the many varieties of garlic farmers are growing, which have been showcased at ‘Garlic Festivals’ across the province. But, with restrictions still in place around gatherings and events, some farmers have been left scrambling as garlic festivals have been cancelled. Grimshire contacted other markets to see what could be done to fill the void and help farmers who potentially had the majority of their year’s profits hinging on
garlic festival sales. “Another thing we’ve got coming down is a two-day market in September, because global garlic farms as well as garlic farms throughout BC would normally have the garlic festivals as a sales point and this year they don’t,” said Grimshire. “…We’ve built a circuit with different farmers’ markets where we’re going to have, I think we’re up to six or seven market days now, where throughout BC it’s a garlic-oriented farmers’ market where we’re just going to really promote garlic as it comes into season and kind of help out the garlic farmers. We can’t do it as a festival like we’ve seen in the past, with bands and everything else, but we’ll still hopefully have a good turnout of garlic farmers throughout BC come through and be at our market in September.”
The Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market has also partnered with Community Futures Nicola Valley (CFNV) to get more vendors out to the market. “We do have a couple different programs running right now: there’s ‘Fresh Finds 2020’, which is a partnership with CFNV, it’s a program where CFNV will pay for your first two market days, and supply a tent,” explained Grimshire. “So, if someone is just sitting on the fence about coming or if they felt they had a surplus of something in the garden, they could come down and give it a try, they just have to contact Community Futures who then get a hold of us. We then set people up with a date, because with COVID protocols we need to work out spacing for their spot.” Grimshire said that, despite the difficulties, in
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some ways the COVID19 pandemic has been beneficial for the market as it highlighted the issues, impracticalities and dangers of a centralized food system, as well as given some people the push they needed to shop local. “Now that we’re getting into the warmer weather, tourist traffic has increased substantially, and there are a lot more locals as well who are coming down,” said Grimshire. “They’re very concerned, in my case, where the beef has come from because there’s all these concerns around Cargill and the plant and stuff like that. So, things that have been produced locally or done by small local operations that didn’t have people working shoulder to shoulder, there seems to be a lot more confidence in those types of operations right now rather than a mass producer.”
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Spectacular 76 acre property in Miller Estates just waiting for your dream home. Very private property backs onto crown land with fantastic views. Has Co-op water system and power at lot line.
This 1 acre lot with 180 degree view of Nicola Lake is perfect to build your dream home or recreational retreat. Lake access through the boat launch only minutes away. Services available
Fully fenced commercial property of approx. 30,000 sq.ft. with 2 titles. Seller is motivated & will consider carrying mortgage or a joint venture in a building complex
#3105
#3183
#3069
#3137
2725 PEREGRINE WAY
Beautiful 3 bedrm, 3 bath rancher with office/ den, and a fully bsmt. Features 9 ft ceilings, open floor plan with large newly renovated kitchen with island, laundry on the main & 5 pce spa-like ensuite. Bsmt has 2 bedrm inlaw suite. Lots of RV parking in fenced yard.
This 4 bedroom custom rancher with walkout bsmt is in exclusive Miller Estates on private fenced 10.87 acre property with fantastic views and setup for horses with hay storage & loafing shed. 3 car garage.
#3179
#3160
Build your lakeview dream home on this 1 acre lot overlooking Nicola Lake with views of the valley. Boat launch is just minutes sway. Great lake for swimming, boating, waterskiing & fishing. Just 2.5 hrs from Lower Mainland.
D
SOL Spectacular sunset views from this executive 5 bedrm home. Beautiful rancher with walkout bsmt. Open floor plan with Brazkian HW floors, ceramic tile & carpet on main. Mill Creek cabinets and S/S appliances. Large deck in back.
#3190
$575,000
New 2 storey townhouse in Nicola Bluffs with great views. Open concept kitchen with Quartz countertops, vinyl plank floors, gas F/P 3 bedrms up, 4 baths and full bsmt. Has $4,000 appliance package & central A/C. Under construction.
#3172
$414,900+GST
2770 PEREGRINE WAY
2760 PEREGRINE WAY
2749 PEREGRINE WAY
Spacious new home with open concept floor plan, spectacular views & high quality finishing. 2 bedrms up, master on the main & 2 more down, 4 baths & full unfin. Bsmt. New Home Warranty. Double garage
New executive family home on the Bench with views. 3 bedrms, 2 baths, designer kitchen with quartz counters, gas F/P in living room, 5 pce ensuite & a full unfinished basement. GST applies
New custom executive home with fantastic views. 3 bedrms on the main with open concept floor plan. Master has 4 pce ensuite & W/I closet. Large private deck in back off the family room.
#3174
#3175
#3176
$739,9000 + GST
315-3043
200 VEALE ROAD
6432 MONCK PARK RD
6433 MONCK PARK ROAD
D
#3184
Personal Real Estate Corporation
NEW
10.06 acre property just 25 mins. South of Merritt. House has approx. 700 sq.ft. finished & 2800 sq.ft. unfinished. Property has an art studio, outbuildings & Voght Creek running through. Backs onto Crown land & close to outdoor activities. Being sold “as is” condition.
#3194
Karen Yakimchuk 315-3076
Brad Yakimchuk
Jared Thomas 778-694-6804
Melonie Ivanic 778-803-6554
1425 MILLER ROAD
3001 HILTON DRIVE
#210, 2514 SPRING BANK
SOL
Good starter or retirement home in great location, close to schools & shopping. This 3 bedrm home has newer kitchen cabinets, furnace & some flooring. Large fenced yard with room to build shop. Single garage with upgrades. New roof.
$499,900,
Don Gossoo, Managing Broker
Doug Beech (Owner) 378-7392
BC LTD.
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 • 11
www.merrittherald.com
$739,900
$639,900+ GST
$569,900
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON THESE LISTINGS.
$739,000
$165,000
$75,000
$439,900
$165,000
$439,000
2338B COLDWATER AVENUE
6449 MONCK PARK RD
2800 PEREGRINE WAY
6348 MONCK PARK ROAD
3551 VOGHT STREET
2845 NEILSON ST
Very clean and comfortable 3 bedroom half duplex in good area. 2 bedrooms up, recently painted and has newer flooring in most rooms. 1 bedrm down, large rec.room and 3 pce bath. Private fenced backyard. Close to amenities
Build your dream home in one of Merritt areas finest development, Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Water & sewer hookups available. Close to water access. This lake is known for fishing, water skiing & more.
Build your dream hom on this 6674 sq.ft. building lot with spectacular views of the valley. Water & sewer are at the property line. Close to all amenities
1 acre waterfront lot on Nicola Lake. Build your dream home or vacation getaway . Land has gentle slope to waterfront. Great location for many water sports and close to Monck Park Provincial Park. Water & sewer to lot line.
1.5 acre C-4 lot in great area with good exposure just off freeway and located on Merritt’s motel row. Perfect place for hotel, motel, car wash, garden center & more. Call for zoning permitted uses.
15.9 acre RV Park zoning bordering the Coldwater River. Hookups in place & future set of plans for expansion available. Has city services. Has small rental home with long term tenants.
#3185
#3074
#3189
#3157
#3090
$249,900
4420 IRON MOUNTAIN RD
THINKING OF SELLING?
#3181
D SOL
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OR TENANT PLACEMENT ONLY Inventory is low and we have FULL Buyers looking. We can assist you in renting your investment. Call us for a Market Evaluation and let’s get your home listed!
$159,900
6436 MONCK PARK RD
#3188
$139,900
1101 MIDDAY VALLEY RD
$425,000
MIDDAY VALLEY ROAD
$495,000
$1,650,000.
LOT 1, HOUSTON ST
923 MIDDAY VALLEY RD
Approximately 4 acre residential development property. Zoned R1. Bring your ideas and call for more details.
Approx. 291 acres of land with great potential. Current plans are for a 2 acre estate lot development within the city boundaries. Fantastic views of the valley.
NEW
FULL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OR TENANT PLACEMENT ONLY
1 acre with large rancher of 1600 sq.ft. with full bsmt partially finished,. 3 bedrms on the main, 1 down & another potential. Open design kitchen with oak cabinets, 3 baths, huge rec.rm. Huge covered deck & a workshop.
We can assist you in renting your investment. #3166
Grandview Heights
-
DEANNA
Licensed Property Manager
RESIDENTIAL VIEW LOTS Prices Starting at $104,000 + GST Fully serviced residential lots with fantastic views of the Nicola Valley and surrounding mountains. Choose your lot, bring your plans & start building your future! Close to #2894 shopping.
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$419,900
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1 acre waterfront lot on Nicola Lake. Build your dream home in prestigious Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Only 2.5 hrs from Lower Mainland. Great lake for fishing, water skiing, swimming & more.
10 acre development site with CD-1 zoning. Will have city water and sewer (not connected yet). Bring your ideas and call for more details.
#3193
#2958
$439,900
$699,000
We can assist you in renting your investment 250-315-0000 www.merrittpropertymanagement.ca
#2962
$300,000
#2959
$230,000
#2956
$3,990,000
Spius Creek Estates
MOVING TO MERRITT?
Located Off Petit Creek Road
Merritt is a great community to raise your family, have a hobby farm, grow your business, retire or have a recreational property to escape to. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and ranch land, our unlimited recreational activities offers something for everyone to enjoy – fishing, ATV, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing
Country living at its best! Approx. 10 acres lots located 15 minutest
Let us help you find the right property that fits YOU!
RICK
Licensed Property Manager
FULL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OR TENANT PLACEMENT ONLY
Approximately 5 acre parcel, north facing, with fantastic views. City services, not currently connected. Zoned R-9 High Density Residential. Great opportunity. Call for details.
Prices starting at $224,000 west of Merritt in the beautiful Sunshine Valley. These properties have stunning views of the valley. Great area for horseback riding, biking, hiking and more. Call for full details. GST applies.
#3145
Give us a call 250-378-6166
movingrealestate.c21.ca • 378-6166 • movingrealestate.c21.ca • 378-6166 • movingrealestate.c21.ca • 378-6166
12 • THURSDAY,
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July 23, 2020
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Applications wanted for housing From Page 8 districts in the Central Interior. “We cover from Lumby to Revelstoke and Golden all the way up to Prince George. Merritt happens to be in our service area, and we have a position within the organization called a Procurement Coordinator. Part of his mandate was to find housing opportunities in different communities. We’ve had some ongoing discussions with the City of Merritt, and they’ve indicated that there is a need for affordable housing there.” Procurement Coordinator Rex Landis has determined there may be several people and families within the Merritt area that are in need of affordable or attainable housing that fits the Habitat for Humanity model. “He’s had a number of discussions with the city, and we’ve taken a long, hard look at Merritt and it’s within our territory, and we’ve done an outreach for the past two years to the
communities in our service area, trying to determine if there’s a need or a desire to have Habitat come to the community and do some housing,” said Miller. “Apparently, there is a need and possibly a waiting list of people in Merritt who would love to get into affordable housing. And that’s what we do, we’re a non-profit charitable society and our mandate is to put people in housing, so that’s what we’re trying to do. The preliminary information we have says that there is a need in Merritt.” Habitat has selected a handful of suitable sites in Merritt to develop, but the number of houses depends on how many applications are received and approved. Applications will be available on the Habitat Kamloops website later this month. Low to moderate income individuals and families, veterans, persons with disabilities or special needs, and single parents are welcome to apply. Applicants are then pre-screened by the selection committee which includes Habitat
board members. The screening process takes six to eight weeks. “Normally the whole thing, from family selection process to funding approval, to construction and delivery, it takes about six to eight months,” said Miller. “We’ll come and do a single house, but it’s more efficient if we can do three or four or six.” The Merritt project will be in association with Eagle Homes. “We operate with contributions, which are grants, gifts in kind, sponsorships, and donations from material suppliers and labour suppliers,” explained Miller. “We also have some financing involved. We capitalize each project depending on the nature of the project, it’s not 100-percent donated. We layer up other opportunities for funding, put a package together and go build a house.” Habitat for Humanity offers different levels of financing in order to facilitate home ownership for people who may not otherwise be able to afford it. “Historically Habitat
would, for a selected family, finance the house at 100-percent,” said Miller. “So, no down payment, zero interest loan, payments not to exceed 30-percent of their gross income, we limit it to 30-percent max, and all payments are applied to the principal, that’s still available. But we now have a different mortgage model that’s better facilitating us to continue to expand, which is a 65/35. 65-percent conventional financing and 35-percent Habitat. So, we’ll look at the family applicants and their ability to service the debt or make a mortgage payment.” Successful applicants must also commit to 500 ‘sweat equity’ hours in the building of their home. Miller hopes that the project will be well received and get underway as soon as possible so that the home building can take place throughout the summer and fall. “It will be a great Christmas present if it all goes ahead,” Miller concluded.
Mayor “thrilled” with internal hire From Page 5 miss working with his team. “We have built a solid foundation with council, our staff and the projects and initiatives we’re working on. We have tremendous moment right now, with so many opportunities for growth and I look forward to watching that unfold.” In his new position with the TNRD, Hildebrand expressed that this is not the end of his work with Merritt, and that he looks forward to helping better the Merritt and Nicola Valley community. Smith sad that Hildebrand has been an incredible mentor to him. “As for my new role, I have seen firsthand that this council wants to challenge the status quo and do local government differently. They want to be innovative, nimble, and do away with rules for the sake of rules. They want to create a thriving downtown, more high-paying jobs, recreational opportunities, and housing, and are implementing policies that support and give weight to those aspirations. First Nations relations will also be an important talking point in Smith’s new tenure. “These are causes we can rally behind, and I feel humbled and grateful that Council has tapped my shoulder to help them implement and share their vision.”
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Voting Extended Due to COVID-19
2020
We have extended the voting for our People’s Choice awards due to COVID-19. The Herald stopped the print edition of the paper near the end of the contest, therefore, we feel that the public was not given proper opportunity to place their votes.
People’s Choice
Please be sure to have your vote count.
MERRITT HERALD
Awards IT’S TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE IN THE NICOLA VALLEY PEOPLE’S CHOICE PEOPLE’S CHOICE
AWARDS AWARDS 2018
2019 2020
It’s time for people to make their choice. Indicate your top picks for the Merritt Herald People’s Choice Awards on this entry sheet, or using our online ballot form at https://www.merrittherald.com/peoples-choice-2020/
VOTE ONLINE!
https://www.merrittherald.com/ peoples-choice-2020/
Only original newspaper ballots and online entries will be accepted. No mechanical reproductions allowed. Employees of Merritt Herald and their immediate families are not eligible. All ballots must be received or entered online by no later than Friday, July 31, 2020 at noon PST. Some restrictions and conditions apply.
Name: Address: City:
Email:
BUSINESS Landscaping Company ___________________________ Plumbing Company ______________________________ Auto Parts Store ________________________________ Clothing Store __________________________________ Cold Beer Wine / Liquor Store ____________________ Convenience Store ______________________________ Daycare ________________________________________ Dog Groomer ___________________________________ Fitness Facility __________________________________ Gas Station ____________________________________ Grocery Store ___________________________________ Hair Dresser____________________________________ Hair Salon _____________________________________ Hotel / Motel ___________________________________ Insurance Office ________________________________ Logging Company _______________________________ Unique Business ________________________________ Building Supply Company _________________________ Tire Shop ______________________________________ Accountant / Bookkeeper ________________________ Bank __________________________________________ Dentist ________________________________________ Doctor _________________________________________ Storage Facility _________________________________ Catering _______________________________________ Restaurant _____________________________________ Pub ___________________________________________ Massage Office _________________________________
Telephone: BUSINESS Pharmacy ______________________________________ Real Estate Company ____________________________ Optical Business ________________________________ Building Contractor Company _____________________ Electricial Company _____________________________ Welding Company _______________________________ Coffee Shop ____________________________________ Agricultural Business ____________________________ PEOPLE AND PLACES (Include Name & Business Name) Coach _________________________________________ Business Owner ________________________________ Club Organization _______________________________ Cook __________________________________________ Mechanic ______________________________________ Manager _______________________________________ Personal Trainer ________________________________ Photography ____________________________________ Realtor ________________________________________ Receptionist ____________________________________ Salesperson ____________________________________ Server _________________________________________ Local Musician _________________________________ Local Band _____________________________________ Teacher/Educator _______________________________ Butcher ________________________________________ Veterinarian ____________________________________
Select who your top choices are in at least 25% of the total categories. Contest closes Friday, July 31 at noon. One entry per household per day. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY PEOPLE AND PLACES (Include Name & Business Name) Volunteer ______________________________________ Customer Service _______________________________ Music Venue ___________________________________ Sports Organization _____________________________ Non Profit Organization __________________________ Best Local Event ________________________________ Animal Rescue __________________________________ FOOD AND BEVERAGE Burger _________________________________________ Chinese Food ___________________________________ Steak _________________________________________ Pizza __________________________________________ Soup __________________________________________ Wings _________________________________________ Dessert ________________________________________ Sushi __________________________________________ Sandwich ______________________________________ Coffee _________________________________________ TOP BUSINESSES Business Of The Year ____________________________ Business Overall (Under 10 Employees) ____________ _______________________________________________ Business Overall (Over 10 Employees) _____________ New Business (1 year or less in business)__________ _______________________________________________
VOTE ONLINE at https://www.merrittherald.com/peoples-choice-2020/ Physical ballots can be dropped off at the Merritt Herald office, 2090 Granite Avenue, Merritt, BC
14 • THURSDAY,
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July 23, 2020
SPORTS
Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com
EPIC RIDE
Paralympian ends Epic 1000 cycle in Merritt Jake Courtepatte MERRITT HERALD
Tristen Chernove pulled into the sidewalk in front of BreatheBikes around 11:30 this morning: just over three days and seven hours after leaving Fernie on his bike, setting a new record along the way. Far from his first major accomplishment on a bicycle seat after having reached every level of the podium at the Paralympic Games, it was still quite a feat for Chernove to complete what is called the Epic 1000. The western route of the Epic 1000, 1,066-kilometres to be exact, takes the rider on an off-road terrain route with 11,600 m of elevation traverse. The previous record for the ride was three days, 15 hours, and 33 minutes. Chernove smashed the record by eight hours. When asked whether he expected to be able to best the previous time, Chernove said he was confident that he would do so. “And I slept in this morning!” joked Chernove, who let himself snooze until 5a.m. after getting so far through the first two
days of riding. “I could have gone through the night, but you have to hike your bike, and you’re sliding down stuff with your bike, it would have been hard.” Chernove has what is called Charcot-MarieTooth Disease: an often hereditary condition that causes damage to the peripheral nerves— the nerves that transmit information and signals from the brain and spinal cord to and from the rest of the body, as well as sensory information such as touch back to the spinal cord and brain. CMT can also directly affect the nerves that control the muscles. Longer nerves are usually affected first, with symptoms of the condition usually starting around early adulthood and continually progressing. Some of the toughest moments of the ride came right on day one, when the heat beat down relentlessly. He said he underestimated the impact of the weather. Though he pushed himself to still reach past his day one goal. Chernove left for the ride on day one knowing that it would be possible to get it done in under three days. He
certainly was correct: he reached Princeton by the end of day two, and decided not to push his body too much while still all but knowing that he would pull into Merritt having broken the record. “I could have gotten here by 4a.m. this morning,” said Chernove, who added that he could have ridden with lights through-
out the night. “I made the safety call...it just seemed like being under three days didn’t matter as much as just making the target of having a super fast time.” Chernove wanted to point out that his record is the record set for para, because his condition required him to go around one section in Trail where the conse-
(Top left) Merritt resident Anita Wessel, BreatheBikes owner Travis Fehr, Tristen Chernove, and racing buddy Atilla Avsar. (Bottom left) Tristen Chernove with his bike. (Above) Chernove stops for a quick bite to eat along his over 1,000-kilometre cycle. Photos by Jake Courtepatte/Atilla Avsar
quences would have been very high. Instead, he took the long way around and went through Castlegar instead, bypassing that section. “So this record, we’ll call it the ‘para-course,” said Chernove. As for any future Epic 1000 rides, Chernove said it is “too fresh” at the moment to think about, as he was
just in too much pain when reaching the final destination. “I’m certainly satisfied with having that done.” Though his training will resume again, probably within a week’s time, for the 2021 Paralympic Games. It was for the Canadian Paralympic team, of whom Chernove is a member
of, that he rode, earning almost $30,000 in donations from both the public and Canadian corporations. He said that that has always been the focus, and this was just “something else he had the time to do” during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The focus is 100-percent on the Tokyo Games.”
Sam receives Merritt’s Citizen Recognition Award Jake Courtepatte MERRITT HERALD
Though there may never be enough recognition for Darius Sam, the young Merrittonian was awarded the City of Merritt’s Citizen Recognition Award on Tuesday. A bevy of invited friends, family, and guests, including members of city council, gathered at the Civic Centre to honour the commitment Sam made to make sure the Nicola Valley Food Bank had no worries for the rest of the year. Mayor Linda Brown kicked off the festivities. She said that as of the last time she knew, Sam’s ultra-
marathon had brought in around $104,000. The manager of the Food Bank, Derlanda Hewton, was on hand. With a wry smile, she pointed up. The run has brought in a monumental $108,000, 108-times what Sam initially was hoping for: well worthy of the prestigious trophy. “This award is not something the city does very often,” said Mayor Brown. The award would, in normalcy, be handed out during a city council meeting. Though council was returning to chambers Tuesday night for the first time since midMarch, the event would have seen
too many bodies in such a packed room. So the Civic Centre it was. “These are extraordinary times, and you, Darius, are an extraordinary person. “For what you have done for this community is truly a blessing.” Sam himself then came up to the podium. The always humble man’s first words: “well, I didn’t prepare anything.” He thanked his friends that were along with him on the route and documenting the whole thing. He thanked the Rose family, past owners of See ‘SAM’ Page 15 Quilchena
Darius Sam celebrates earning the Citizen Recognition Award on Tuesday evening with his brother and mother at the Civic Centre. JAKE COURTEPATTE/Herald
www.merrittherald.com
Sam eyeing Guinness World Record attempt From Page 14 Ranch, for their generous donation of $35,000. He thanked his mom, and his trainer Mark, who he had just started working with three weeks before his run. Of course, he thanked Hewton. Hewton was one of the last to speak. She relayed Darius’ Origin Story: “This all happened because Darius was someone who would happen to stop and have a conversation with someone outside of our door. We have so many people that need the Food Bank, and all it took was a moment, and someone who wants to achieve goals, and he has done that for himself. He has done that for us. And we could never say how proud we are of you. “He has changed us at the Food Bank.” Hewton also made sure to give a heartfelt thank you to the Rose family, calling their contribution “substantial.” “We are not struggling. It is nice that we can breathe. All because he stopped and had a conversation. That is all it took.” Over one month later, Hewton is still getting phone calls from all over the province from people saying how proud they are of Sam: that he has become not just a local icon, but a provincial one as well. “He has touched the province with his ambition.” She added that Sam will always have a place in her heart. Near the end of the night, Mayor Brown joked that the city is now waiting for Sam’s next big event. “You do realize now that you have become a leader, for people to be inspired by you, to do great things,” she added in a more serious tone. However, as relayed shortly after by Sam’s trainer Mark Nedick, Darius already had another enormous goal in the works for late September. Sam is looking to break a Guinness World Record. 8,000 reps of a dead-
lift in 24 hours. The official record would be most weight lifted in a deadlift in a day. Both sides of the deadlift bar had a 45-pound plate. The record attempt will go down, not in a gym, no, but in his trainer Mark’s basement. Mark told the Herald after the event that for Darius, it was the proper environment to try to accomplish such a feat. During his training for June’s run, Darius would be at Mark’s house each morning for a 3:40a.m. workout. And being the humble young man he is, and as great as all the support he received along the run was, for him, feats of endurance are an individual game. The cost to actually get a Guinness World Records representative out to the event would be gigantic (around $8,000), so instead, a priority application has been submitted for Mark, a certified personal trainer, to officially keep count. “He knows the motion, so he’s certified to watch,” said Darius. The feat will involved lifting over 1,000,000 pounds if accomplished. “Most people couldn’t even fathom doing ten reps,” joked Mark. This writer certainly couldn’t. Mark is confident in Darius’ ability to complete the challenge, having watched him attempt, and complete his 100-mile run. “I don’t think a lot of people know the amount of work and mental fortitude that goes into something like that.” One thing he said he noticed about Darius, and that made him believe in him, is that it was never always just about raising the money. It was also about his own personal journey, and luckily he was also able to find a great cause to jump on in the Nicola Valley Food Bank. “He works himself harder than most people can even realize.” The attempt will be made on Sept. 26.
BCHL announces tentative start date Jake Courtepatte MERRITT HERALD
The BCHL is planning on returning on the first of December, pending approval from the Provincial Health Office. The decision was announced on Friday by BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb. “We’ve been having discussions with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture since March around a safe return to play,” said Hebb. “The PHO has indicated to us that waiting until December gives us the best chance at ensuring we have an uninterrupted season, while also maximizing the amount of regular-season games we’ll be able to play.” The full schedule is yet to be announced, though the early December start date correlates with the NHL’s plan
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 • 15 to start the next season following the upcoming playoff tournament. Chairman of the BCHL’s Board of Directors Graham Fraser said that fans in seats will be imperative to the junior league having success upon reopening. “It became clear from our discussions with the PHO that the best way to accomplish this would be to delay the start of our season to give them time to assess the effects of a potential second wave of COVID-19 during flu season.” The Cents extended training camp is set to begin on Sept. 8. All BCHL teams have the option to run extended camps between September and November. Camps will have a limit of up to 50 people on the ice and in the stands. Exhibition games will be a go once British Columbia decides to move into Phase 3 of the official reopening plan. “The BCHL’s Return to Play Task Force feels that the extended training camp model will give our players an opportunity to stay engaged and continue
to develop their game in a safe environment,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker. “Our teams will be providing on-ice and off-ice training resources to continue aiding players to achieve their hockey and education goals and to make sure they are ready to go when the season starts.” All training camps will follow the strict guidelines laid out by Sport BC. Cents Director of Hockey Operations called the BCHL’s scenario a “positive approach” to returning. “The positive is that all indications are there will be a BCHL season. We are looking at the extended three-month training camp as a chance to really build our team and culture before the season starts. We are excited to continue the tradition the Centennials have built for 47 consecutive seasons leading up to what will be a different looking 48th season, but hopefully one of our best.” Once exhibition play begins, games will be livestreamed on Hockey TV.
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July 23, 2020
COMMUNITY BOARD The Merritt Herald is changing up the way we do the community board. With all events being cancelled throughout the area we thought it would be nice to feature some local businesses. If you would like to nominate a business to be featured please email: publisher@merrittherald.com We want to help all businesses survive this pandemic.
CONTAIN-IT STORAGE
Contents are insurable
■
Approved mini-storage
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On-site rentals
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Secured
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Sale of New and Used storage containers
1750 1 17 7 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000
Business Feature Big changes are in the works for the Merritt Bowling Centre, which has been in the Turner family for more than 40 years. Originally opened in 1974 by Scott Turner’s parents, Turner stepped into his father’s role as owner on Sept. 1, 2019 and brought some new ideas along with him. Over the course of the next few years, Turner, and new Bowling Centre manager Katelynn Boszak, plan to implement four phases of upgrades and renovations designed to update and improve the Bowling Centre’s look and bowlers’ experience. “In Phase One we got new lanes, we just got those installed, they’re all brand new synthetic lanes and they’re all glow in the dark as well,” said Turner. “So, when we shut the lights off and we turn on the black lights, the whole lane glows. Also, part of Phase One is that we’re getting the walls which are blank now, painted in a cosmic bowling theme and it’s all going to be glow in the dark paint as well.”
Phase One will also include the installation of bumper gutters for young bowlers. “One of the other items that we’re adding in Phase One of our renovation is bumper gutters,” said Turner. “When the ball goes in the gutter, they don’t hit any pins but with the bumper gutters there’s railings that pop up, and it deflects the ball from going in the gutter. It just bounces and keeps on the lane and always goes towards the pins. All lanes will have them available to children and we’ll just pop them up when there’s kids bowling, so they don’t get discouraged because they’re always hitting some pins.” Phase One of the renovations should wrap up in September of this year, with Phase Two beginning next summer and Phase Three the summer after that. Phase Four is in the works but Turner maintains that project is top secret for the time being. “In Phase Two we’re going to be getting new scoring in place, the scoring system is going to have projection screens above the lanes
that are going to reflect an image on all of the lanes, so the whole lane will be like a television screen,” explained Turner. “There’s going to be aliens running around, or you’re going to be bowling on ice, so when you throw the ball down the sensors on the projection screen pick up the ball and now you’ve got the ice cracking, or a fire ball going down the lane, it’s super cool.” Phase Three will bring changes to the areas of the Bowling Centre off the lanes, known as the concourse area, where the counter and tables are located, as well as new food items to be served with the beverages already available. “Phase three we’re going to completely level the whole concourse area and redo the whole thing,” said Turner. “There’s a few different things we’re considering doing, we’re not exactly 100% certain, but we’re thinking about putting a brew pub in place here, or possibly a wood fired pizza oven.” Turner wants the bowling centre to cater
to all age groups, and be a place for anyone in Merritt to come and have a good time, which is one reason why he feels five pin bowling is a good fit for the establishment, despite some people requesting ten pin lanes over the years. “The nice thing about 5 pin bowling is that you don’t have the big bowling balls like 10-pin bowling with the holes in them,” explained Turner. “They’re smaller balls so kids as young as two and three years old can bowl, and one of our seniors last year was 95 years old.” Currently, the Merritt Bowling Centre hosts two seniors’ leagues which will start again in September on Mondays and Thursdays, in addition to the regular bowling league which meets evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For children, there is the option to have a birthday party at the Centre as well. “With the COVID rules the maximum we can go up to is six per group, but previously
we’ve had up to 30 at one birthday party,” said Turner. This will also be the first summer since 1974 that the Centre will remain open. To celebrate the inaugural summer of bowling, manager Katelynn Boszak also launched
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU Crossroads Community Church
2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Baptist Church
2499 Coutlee Ave. (Corner of Coutlee and Orme) • 250-378-2464 Service Time/ Sunday School: Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Lutheran Fellowship
in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919 • Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2451 Spring Bank Ave • 250-378-5603 Worship Service Sunday -10 am • Sunday School -11:10 am
St. Michael’s Anglican Church
1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772 Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church
Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time/ Sunday School (K - Gr. 4) - 10 am
Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:30 pm • 250-280-1268
Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502 Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
7 Day Weather Forecast Merritt, - Thursday, July 23 29, 2020 7 Day Weather Forecast forfor Merritt, BCBC - Thursday, March 14 -- Wednesday, Wednesday,July March 20, 2013 Thurs. July 23
Thurs. Mar. 14
Cloudy w/Showers A few showers High 24˚C High: 9C Low: 6C Low: 12˚C
Fri. July 24
Fri. Mar. 15
MainlyPeriods Sunny Cloudy High: 21˚C High: 10C Low: 10˚C Low: 4C
Sat. July 25
Sat. Mar. 16
Mix of SunClouds & Clouds Variable High: 24˚C High: 8C Low: 11˚C Low: 4C
Sun. July 26
Sun. Mar. 17
MainlySnow Sunny Wet
High: 26˚C High: 6C Low: 2C Low:13˚C
Mon. July 27
Mon. Mar. 18
Tues. July 28
Tue. Mar. 19
‘Kids Bowl Free’. “Kids two to 15 years of age, you sign them up and they get two free games every single day all summer,” said Boszak. “There is an option to get a family pass if parents want to get involved as well. It’s
Wed. July 29
Wed. Mar. 20
Stain Glass by
Almerina Rizzardo
• • • • SunnyClouds Variable High: High: 28˚C 6C Low: 0C Low: 14˚C
Sunny SnowRain Showers High: 28˚C High: 7C Low: -1C Low: 15˚C
$50, that includes four adults and again, two games every single day with their kids. And that’s one payment for the entire summer.” Turner, nostalgically pointing out a growth chart detailing his height since 1978 on the frame of the office door, said that he just wants people to have as much fun at the Centre as he has had. “Everybody that comes through the door we want them to have fun,” said Turner. The more fun they have, the better job we’re doing. That’s how we measure it.” “I was five when my folks bought this place. I have so many memories. A lot of my heart is here.”
Light MostlySnow Sunny High: 28˚C High: 7C Low: 0C Low: 12˚C
STAIN GLASS SUN CATCHERS NIGHT LIGHTS PICTURE FRAMES
Available at Creative Company 2074 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC Monday - Saturday Ph: 250-378-0813
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 • 17
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bccommunitynews.com/ advertise 1-866-669-9222 Book by province or whole country and save over 85%! For Sale - Misc INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008. Built with concrete posts. Barns, shops, riding arenas, machine sheds and more. Adam.s@integritybuilt.com 1-250-351-5374 www.intergritybuild.com
Wanted Cash for gold and silver! Also buying coin collections, old money old jewelry Contact Todd 1-250-864-3521.
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Apartments/ Condos for Rent 1 Bedroom For 1 N/S Adult, N/P’s. Heat & cable Included. $650 per month. Avail. Aug.01 Ref’s Req’d (250)378-2954
Obituaries
Obituaries
Legal/Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE Julia Lancaster Tye Schaefer
Payment for your storage is now overdue
Payment is required before July 30, 2020. After this date your contents will be disposed.
General Employment
Steve Thomson March 5, 1953 - July 9, 2020
Steve Thomson of Merritt, BC passed away on July 9, 2020 at 67 years of age. Survived by his loving wife Marcia, daughter Stacy Hunter, 5 grand children, 5 great grand children, sisters: Nancy and Louise and many other relatives. Predeceased by his father Hugh Thomson and mother Kathleen Thomson. There will be no service due to COVID. Special thanks to Merritt Homecare, Gillis House and to all those that helped him through his journey. Donations can be made to the BC Children’s Hospital in Steve’s memory.
MERRITT
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Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 Auctions
Auctions
4th Meridian Auctions & Vintage Shop Now Accepting Consignments of Fine Art + we buy quality antiques & vintage items ~ We host regular online art auctions & sell art, furniture + collectibles directly at our shop & showroom in the Cannery Trade Centre 104 - 1475 Fairview Road, Penticton
Open Tuesday - Friday 11 - 4 or by appointment: 250-462-4969 or 250-488-0850 www.4thmeridianvintage.ca | www.4thmeridian.ca
Special Events
Special Events
Manufactured/Mobile Homes for Rent 3 Bedroom Double Wide in Lower Nicola. Large Lot. N/P’s, N/S. $1,150/Month Plus Deposit . Ref’s. Required. (250)378-4166
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VALUE ADDED LUMBER REMANUFACTURING PLANT
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• Good wages • Steady day shift • Students welcome to apply • No experience necessary • Will train
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LICENCED SECURITY GUARDS Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt B.C. 250-378-6161 SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)
RELIEF BUS DRIVER
Catch your next job in our employment section.
School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) is accepting applications for relief bus driver positions to be kept on file for six months and will be reviewed should a position become available. Relief bus driver positions are on-call positions. Successful applicants will be required to have a Class 2 with air or higher driver’s license and must provide a current driver’s abstract. Applicants are also required to have a minimum Grade 10 education. Please apply online at www.sd58.bc.ca (Job Code # 2384201) or in-person by leaving a detailed resume with a minimum of three references at the School Board Office. Please forward to Attention: Lindsey Henderson Manager of Human Resources School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) P.O. Box 4100, 1550 Chapman Street Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Fax: (250) 378-6263 sblonde@365.sd58.bc.ca For further information, contact Mr. Darrell Finnigan at (250) 315-1113 Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
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SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)
Hot Lunch Program Coordinator School District No. 58 is accepting applications for Hot Lunch Program Coordinator at Merritt Central Elementary School. 5 days per week | 5 hours per day. Must have completed food safe course. Previous experience dealing with students would be an asset. If interested, please send your resume along with three references to Sarah Blonde at sblonde@365.sd58.bc.ca or on-line at www.sd58.bc.ca, click on Jobs, Support Positions, and Current Job Opportunities (Job Code 2867554).
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Coldwater Indian Band Job Posting
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN) CUPE 847 POSOTION
Executive Assistant Position: Executive Assistant Term: Permanent Full-time: 32 hours per week including evening meetings Start Date : ASAP Reports to: UNB Office Manager Wage: Commensurate with experience, as per salary range for Grade 3 level employee in UNB Personnel Policy Job Purpose: The Executive Assistant provides general administrative and senior clerical support to the Chief & Council, the Director of External Relations and the Band Administrator and therefore maintains a high level of confidentiality and discretion in all internal and external communications. Duties Include but are not limited to: • Produce a variety of documents such as correspondence, minutes, forms, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations; proof-read documents and correct errors. Update and / or assemble manuals. • Take minutes of Chief & Council meetings, Community Meetings, Annual General Meetings, and other meetings as required. Prepare digital PDF/meeting packages for the Chief and Council and other meetings in conjunction with senior manager. Distribute all Chief and Council documentation in a timely manner. • Draft correspondence on behalf of the Chief for approval and/or edit reports etc on his/her behalf. Manage the schedules of Chief and Council, arranging internal and external meetings, collating documentation for the meetings and preparing their meeting packages to be as efficient as possible. • Maintain a records management system for Chief and Council. Create files, retrieve files, and prepare files for storage. Regularly update correspondence and tracking database and maintain a variety of confidential labour relations, financial and other records. • Arrange meetings and events with a variety of participants and coordinates the logistics, including facilities, supplies and catering. Make travel and accommodation arrangements for Chief and Council and senior management as required . Desired Qualifications • High school diploma plus an Office Administration or Business Administration diploma or degree is required. • A minimum of five years’ experience in an administrative or secretarial position, including three years in a senior capacity. • Extensive experience with computer software applications, including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc). . • Experience in developing and managing a records management system is preferred • A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is required. • Knowledge of syilx history and culture is an asset. Position is open until July 27, 2020. If not filled, then open until filled. Please send cover letter and resume via hand delivery, mail, e-mail to: Human Resources, Upper Nicola Band – Box 3700 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 - Tel: 250-350-3342 email: hr@uppernicola.com Upper Nicola Band thanks all applicants. However, only those short-listed for an interview will be contacted.
Plumber – Operations Merritt, BC School District No. 58 invites applications for the position of Plumber – Operations in Merritt, BC. We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and leader to take on this important and challenging role. Duties will commence August 24, 2020. General Responsibilities The Plumber will report directly to the district’s Operations Manager. The plumber will be engaged in the construction, repairs and maintenance of district plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The successful candidate will be capable of repairing, remodeling, renovating and finishing work in their own applicable trade. The tradesperson will be allowed considerable independence in methods of carrying out his duties and in the use of materials. Tradesperson are employed for maintenance work, installation of equipment, renovations and other duties in connection with the school buildings. They must be prepared to assist each other in their specialized trade and may be required to act as assistants as the job dictates. It is intended that the current practice of tradesmen assisting in all areas of the Maintenance Department would continue and this description is not designed to restrict the tradesperson from assisting in areas other than his specialty. For full job description, please visit our website at www.sd58.bc.ca (Job Code: 2828219). Qualifications Required • Successful completion of a Grade 12 education program. • Completion of a Certificate of Apprenticeship in Plumbing as issued or recognized by the Province of BC or a Certificate of Trade Qualification in Plumbing as issued or recognized by the Province of BC. • Must possess a Certificate of Qualification to perform the duties of a Class B Gas Fitter as issued by Technical Safety BC. • A valid Class 5 BC driver’s license. • WHMIS 2015 and a familiarity with WorkSafeBC safety procedures. • Four (4) or more years of specific experience in similar duties. • Demonstrate ability to work effectively with a co-workers, suppliers, administrators, supervisors, teaching staff, students and the public. • Overall knowledge of requirements of other allied trades and basic understanding of tools and equipment used by them. Applications Your application package must include a complete resume, including supporting documentation and a minimum of three (3) current references, with permission for the search committee to contact references and previous employers. For further information about this exciting career opportunity, please contact Operations Manager, Darrell Finnigan at 250-378-5161. Deadline for applications: 11:00 am (PST), Monday, August 10, 2020 Address applications to: Lindsey Henderson Manager of Human Resources School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Box 4100 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Email: lhenderson@365.sd58.bc.ca
General Employment
EDUCATION COORDINATOR The Coldwater Indian Band is seeking an individual to fill the Education Coordinator position. The Education Coordinator is responsible for the planning, administration and coordination of Coldwater Indian Band Programs and services and reports to the Band Administrator. This position will be working from the Merritt Office. Responsibilities and Duties Planning – annual and long-term Education Plan for Coldwater Indian Band; membership and as directed. Human Resource – Supervises and valuates the performance of anyone with direct reporting relations to the Department when applicable. Financial – develops Education Program budges in consultation with the Band Administrator and administers the budgets as approved by Chief and Council and all other associated duties. Policy – Administers the approved Post-Secondary Education Policy. Liaison and Representation – participates as Ex-Officio when required on the Band School SAC; Represents the band in negotiating the Local Education Agreement; Attends School District 58 meetings where applicable; Liaises with Post-Secondary Institutions/Schools in support of the Coldwater Indian Band Education Policy and programs; Liaises with SD #58 re: L.E.A., F.N.A.C, and staff where applicable; Advocates for Coldwater students within School District 58, students attending different Educational Institutions; Liaise with Indian Services Canada in support of the Coldwater Indian Band Education Department programs. Post-Secondary Program Administration – Administers the Post-Secondary program as per Job Description. General Education Administration – Administers all pertinent Education Program funding through Xyntax; Develop and maintain individual student confidential files; Maintains records of all Education Programs, services and funding associated with this department; Keeps the Band Administrator informed of sensitive and important issues and events relation to the operation of the Education Programs; etc. Position Qualifications • Post Secondary Diploma (prefer in Business or Public Administration) • OR an equivalent combination of post secondary education and directly related work experience. Proposal writing an asset. • Lifestyle consistent with the importance of and responsibilities of the position • Strong Analytical and decision-making skills, tact, discretion and sound judgement • Demonstrated commitment to fiscal management • Superior communication skills, written and oral • Working knowledge of Xyntax an asset • Knowledge of N’lakapamux and Coldwater Community an asset • Ability to organize and manage workload • Good negotiation skills (Local Education Agreements) • Able to work independently and in a team environment • Satisfactory Criminal Records check • Valid Driver’s License and Reliable vehicle Send your resume with references and cover letter: Attn: COLDWATER INDIAN BAND H.R. COMMITTEE, c/o Band Administrator (lantoine@coldwaterband.org.) PO BOX 4600, MERRITT, BC V1K 1B8 Deadline for resume’s: July 31. 2020 @ 4:00 pm. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
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Criminally by Clarke victims’ advocacy ing in the with a vote of 242 a community ly oppose from a facility, in the Selkirk or escapes ing those with Act. Galt, on the.ca. last month now be reviewed by change the not leavesMARCH she has family classify MADN will found found The act would d on before differently site 4darcie ESS sThe treating and historie born was reason 34 and for those Merritt Seconda and reporte Allan Schoen ible by release reviews ible from annual committee ry School lengthy violent . lly respons the murrespons class of 2013 G third readcriminally hearings every three not crimina its third reading hit the streets basses its disorder for s children, IN HOMES If the bill hearings to Darcie Clarke’s family of mental ST for their grand march G FEATURE and Clarke’ eight-yearLI imbalhis which down Voght an of IN years, ders Street on Kaitlynne, say will correct Friday for G NEW LIST members current review system. 10-year-old commencement. IN what Full story EW ST ance in the being proposed is By on page 3, LIMicha el Potesti N more photos “What is o THE in section It was Financ B. Emily Wessel/H NEW reporter@mHERAL rancher D bed, 2 bth w/addierrittherald erald ial nice, 2 Manager .com shop Pat SibilleaService••s Very detached Fort 32x18 McMurray.water Merritlate ½ Duplex u’s , last tions t city The City trees, w/ fruit s including • Immacu “It’s of Merrit before she counci l meeting• 51 acres a newmore! down two Kane Valley Road and much t is • Many upgrade adventM3957 & paint. moves She said it’s nothin feature onmanag log home ac ure; to a new positioÁooring cul-de-s 1.6 acres ers and g •will • siding, n on against quiet will be a the job there in be bedroom Alberta 3 workin & in any way,” Merrit off -grid level, tank busy one. . M3954 g throug •a 3staff • Located After two with a counci & Privacy, s to H/W said Sibillea t h “I’ll be shortag years “I had • Seclusion • Upgrade l is quite of the summe e for mostM3953 City of Merritt, with the I think a great run here, u. time, what doing there, full- rewarding,” Sibillea Merritt more! living -6184 Sibilleau 9 kms from is moving 250-378 r, Chief “Pat’s given I do off I’ve more Admin Fax: acres, u said. • At contrib and 20 of • the 1B8 a corner my desk Creek istrative to some productivity us some real fencing, BC V1K an opport on to pursue M3832 Matt cil gave hermeeting, counsuccess uted • All new Merritt, with a laugh.here,” she said Noble saidOfficer administratio es of the na Ave., and she’s improvements Buffalo. unity in Wood applause a round of after a regular counci There, she 1988 Quilche Sibilleau when discuss but an opportn and counci time here,”invested a lot of the manag l meeting will be said her l, Tuesday. she depart ing proud of unity Noble said. on plannin er of financi up that I the good is most Mayor ure. Merritt “That said, couldn’t came al g for ship she’s relationSusan Roline down as turn she has an opportunity municipality, the regional established thanked an council during that’s with Sibilleau which include for my careeradvancement hard work for all the fit into her long-ra going to her time Merritt. so I’m on s way in nge plans north.” my the city. she has done for and certainly “To be we couldn compete NOW NO N OOW W BLEND ’t BLEN BL Noble with that, LLEEN that kind able to establish M E ENDI ENDI DIING DING NGG can do is of relation so all we departure said Sibilleau’s Independe R R I T really ntly owned ship T leaves a as she’s suppor support her and operated to fill. big hole ted us.” REA
Mothe
City facing staff shor tage
L ESTATE LISTING INSIDE S
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78-6181 1988 Quilche na Ave.
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ASK FOR MICHELE OR THERESA • 250-378-4241 or email: sales2@merrittherald.com
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July 23, 2020
SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT
Nicola Plumbing & Heating opened its doors on March 29, 1982. Five years later, on January 9, 1987 the company was purchased by Tom Matthias Sr. and has been in the Matthias family ever since.
knowing you’ve hired a qualified journyman plumber/gas fitter. Nicola Plumbing & Heating are fully licenced, bonded and insured for your protection.
Tom Sr.’s sons - Mike and Tom Jr. - were an important part of the company all along, with Mike specializing in plumbing and Tom Jr. in sheet metal and heating; on January 2, 2006 both became the new owners of Nicola Plumbing & Heating and Tom Sr. started his well-deserved retirement.
WHY SHOULD YOU HIRE A LICENCED CONTRACTOR.
A PIECE OF HISTORY:
In 2010 Nicola Plumbing & Heating moved into the current location on Coutlee Avenue, where the plumbing & heating showroom and store, as well as the office and the sheet metal shop are all under one roof. Supported by their wives Maxine and Jeanette, Tom Jr. and Mike are happy to look after all your plumbing & heating needs and always offer expert advice.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Commercial/light industrial plumbing & heating New construction Renovations General service work Custom sheet metal (duct work/ cleaning, through Modern PURAIR) Furnace service and replacement Air conditioning Boiler service & replacement Hot water tanks Gas fireplaces Wood fired appliances (pellet/wood/electric fireplaces) Counter sales for the do-it-yourselfers) Water conditioning
Licenced contractors make sure you are complying with proper requirements and permits. With a licensed contractor, you can breathe easier knowing that they have complied with safety and other regulations. This will also be helpful if, in the near future, you are planning to sell your home. Potential buyers will, of course, ask for the necessary permits and if you did not get a licensed and bonded contractor, you will not have anything to give them.
WHY SHOULD YOU HIRE AN INSURED CONTRACTOR. This means that should any damage happen during the renovation or construction, you are assured that your contractor will take the responsibility for it. That is a big relief for you, especially if you have set a specific budget for your project and you have no extra cash should anything untoward happen.
Store front is open 8 am - 5 pm Mon. to Fri.
Call us to book an appointment today!
Nicola Plumbing & Heating WE SERVICE: Residential, Commercial & Light Industrial
email: nicplumb@telus.net
Phone: 250-378-4943
2064 Coutlee Ave., P.O. Box 2999 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8