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MERRITT HERALD THIS WEEK
THURSDAY, March 25 2021 •
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FREE
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SLAUGHTER WOES
SPRING BANK A development on Spring Bank Ave. was discussed at length at council on Tuesday night.
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Small producers are feeling the pinch of delayed Ministry action regarding rural slaughter.
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Avery Warren of Love to Dance Academy has receieved a Ballet 3 scholarship.
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A GROWING CITY DEVELOPMENTS AFOOT: An Indigenous housing development proposed for Spring Bank Ave. went to Public Hearing on tuesday night, before being debated by mayor and council. STORY/PG. 5
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2736 Eagle Crescent
SOLD MLS#153193
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Panoramic views of the beautiful Nicola Valley. Build your dream home in the up & coming Bench subdivision. City services need to be connected at time of permit. No requirement to build by a certain date.
4250 Falcon Crest Drive
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Panoramic views of the beautiful Nicola Valley. Build your dream home in the up and coming Bench subdivision. City services need to be connected at time of permit. No requirements to build by a certain date .
2720 Peregrine Way
NEW
MLS#157597 $119,900 .29 ACRE Lot. Make a Fresh Start in this beautiful Grandview heights subdivision! Rest your eyes on the peaceful Nicola Val-
MLS#161069 $139,000 Panoramic views of the beautiful Nicola Valley. Build your dream home in the up and coming Bench subdivision. City services need to be connected at time of permit.
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MLS#157320 $179,000 1 Acre lake view lot located in the Nicola Lake Shore Estates, just 2.5 hours from Lower Mainland, 1 hour from Kamloops & 1.5 hours from Kelowna. Crown Land backs onto this lot, easy access for ATV’S, walking & exploring.
MLS161062 $198,000 Build your dream home on this .94 acre lot overlooking the beautiful Nicola Lake. This development is becoming one of the premiere locations due to the proximity to the larger city center.
MLS#160070 $225,000 Nice 2 bed, 1.5 bath apt located in The Summit strata development. This apt features an open kitchen to dining room and living room.
MLS#160368 $229,900 Want to get into the market? Check out this 3 bed, 1.5 bath townhouse in a nice central location close to shopping amenities. Townhouse offers a nice sized yard, spacious layout, & has great potential.
MLS#161064 $235,000 Handyman special. Three bedroom house in need of some TLC, old 24x14 shop. Property straddles two roads which is great for potential small redevelopment. R2 zoning. House currently rented month to month.
2399 Clapperton Ave
436 Brenton Ave
2387 Nicola Avenue
2698 Irvine Ave
377 Merritt Spences Bridge
NEW
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MLS#161061 $289,000 Good Investment, starter or retirement property. Home has 3 spacious bedrooms with a large kitchen and living room. Corner lot and close to downtown Merritt. Home has an attachment workshop.
MLS#160168 $325,000 Very cute 2 bed, 1 bath home w/ lots of potential located in the desired Lower Nicola, approx. 15 minutes from downtown Merritt.
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2570 Forksdale Place
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MLS# 160155 $389,000 Spacious 3 bed, possibly 4, 2 bath family home w/ fully fenced back yard, tons of storage space & ample parking. Location is walking distance to groceries, shops, and elementary school.
2501 Bremner Ave
838 Trans Canada Highway
1464 Miller Road
MLS# 160859 $1,199,000 The Ultimate Escape! Only 2.5 hrs from lower mainland. 70 pristine acres not in the ALR, 1 km south of beautiful Lytton. Stunning views from every angle, freshwater spring, & 2 water licenses.
MLS#159274 $1,499,000 RETREAT & SERENITY in Miller Estates, panoramic views in an area of custom built homes and equestrian estate properties. Oversized great room with vaulted ceilings to complement bright open living area. Delightful decor.
MLS#158376 $438,000 Investors! Just minutes from Merritt in the Lower Nicola area, this 1.2 acre parcel of land offers 6 income producing homes. The property is pre-existing, non-conforming for the current zoning.
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SOLD MLS#160554 $499,999 Waterfront lot in the desired Nicola Lakeshore Estates! Build your dream home or perfect vacation home on this large 1.17-acre waterfront lot. Only 2.5 hrs from the lower mainland.
MLS#160778
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MLS#160587 $679,000 2+ beds, 3.5 bath home w/ double car garage in desirable Bench location! Features a unique design which is open concept on the main floor, but also open to the downstairs level.
MLS#161065 $769,900 Large family home in an excellent location. Main floor has a beautiful chef’s kitchen w/ double sink, gas range & large island w/granite countertops. Kitchen is open to formal DR & LR w/Juliet balcony & B/I book cases, oiled oak HW flooring & never ending views of the valley.
THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 3
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VENDORS RETURN
Province reverses restriction on artisan vendors
For all your landscaping needs call the professionals at
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INSIDE THE HERALD Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Sports ------------------ 16-17 Weather --------------------- 18 Classifieds ---------- 20-22
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The Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market is shown with patrons browsing in this Herald file photo. The province has reversed its decision to ban artisan vendors from markets this upcoming summer.
NVFM Vice President Lucas Handley said the relaxation comes as “a huge relief.” Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER As BC entered the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry tightened restrictions that had been relaxed during the warmer summer months when transmission rates of the virus were lower. One of these restrictions, re-instated on Dec. 2, 2020, barred
artisan vendors from selling their wares at Farmers’ Markets across the province, in a move that deemed any vendor not selling food as ‘nonessential’. Non-food vendors pushed back on this order, which came at a particularly difficult time as many were hoping to make up sales lost throughout an uncertain, pandemic-affected year by capitalizing on the busy Christmas shopping season. Artisan vendors insisted that they would be able to sell their items as safely as their food vendor counterparts. Products would be appropriately packaged, customers would be expected to wear masks and use hand sanitizer, and social
distancing would be maintained. The Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market, which continued to operate through the pandemic, being deemed an essential service like all farmers’ markets around the province, recently published an open letter in support of allowing artisan vendors to return. “Artisan Vendors are an integral part of farmers’ markets, and especially for small, rural markets, where artisans make up a large portion of the market,” reads the letter, penned by Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market Vice President, Lucas Handley. “Without the whole ‘vendor family’ present, small markets run a real
risk of folding. Markets are years of investments in time, education, and promotion, and they simply will not just reappear after the pandemic if they are lost to the pandemic.” It appears that this plea did not fall upon deaf ears, as Dr. Bonnie Henry announced last week that artisan vendors would once again be permitted to set up at markets. “It’s news that so many people were waiting for,” said Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham. “The amount of public feedback we’ve gotten about this issue in particular has been quite strong.” “This is a huge relief for vendors as well as farmers’ markets as we
prepare for our spring season,” said Handley, who expects the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market to open in May. “Being able to operate with all our vendors there makes the market a much more enjoyable experience and a great place for vendors and customers alike. And it supports the full spectrum of buy local.” The Nicola Valley Farmer’s Market was particularly affected by the previous orders, as their vendor base is an estimated 50% non-food. The relaxing of these restrictions will mean a potential doubling in the number of shopping options for Merrittonians, all while maintaining a COVIDsafe layout and experience.
VACCINE ROLLOUT
Beginning Monday, Mar. 29 people considered “extremely vulnerable” and at higher risk from COVID-19 due to existing medical conditions will be able to register for their COVID-19 vaccine.
Search ‘VACCINE’
DISTRICT RFP The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) publicly on BC Bid for an independent, third-party financial audit and review of the TNRD’s financial records.
Search ‘TNRD’
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4 • THURSDAY, July 30, 2020 4 • THURSDAY, March 25, 2021
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4 • THURSDAY, June 13, 2019
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City of Merritt
CITY
to meet with Mayor Brown every YOU’RE INVITED! Wednesday 10:00 to meetfrom with Mayor Brownam everyto 1:00 pm
COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE City Meetings have resumed residents are All Council City Council Meetings will nowin-person be held and online with live Regular Council Meeting June 11, 2019 strongly links encouraged toat watch online via www.merritt.ca streaming available www.merritt.ca and on the City
- Age-Friendly and Accessibility ofMarch Merritt29 social media channels. Public questions/ Regular Council Meeting - Juneinput 25,Committee 2019 Meeting - 2:00 PM information can be submitted prior to the Council Regular Council Meeting - July 9, 2019 meetings to communications@merritt.ca April 6 - Regular Council Meeting - 6:00 PM Regular Council Meeting - July 23, 2019 Regular Council Meeting - August 4 - 7 pm
2021 SPRING Regular Council Meeting - August 18 - 7 pm ACTIVITY GUIDE NOW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The City of Merritt would like to invite Nicola Valley Position: The City of Merritt is inviting applications for the position of CASUAL LIFEGUARD/ residents to view the 2021 Spring Activity Guide to INSTRUCTOR I. help maintain active lifestyles while keeping safe.
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC TUESDAY 4th, 2020 at 7:00PM For complete HEARING details, visit Cityon of Merritt website atAugust www.merritt.ca
www.merritt.ca/2021-spring-activity-guide-now available
page
in Council the Mayor’s Office at floor), 2185 VoghtStreet Street In Chambers atCity CityHall Hall (second (First Floor), 2185 Voght
Wednesday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
These appointments are available in-person, but phone and In-person meetings areHall currently paused, phone in the Mayor’s Office at City (second floor), but 2185 Voghtand Street. video calls calls are are encouraged encouraged to to discuss discuss issues issues and and opportunities. opportunities. video
Interested citizens are welcome to stop by, say250-378-8634 hello and discuss Booking an appointment ahead of time is required by calling
issues and opportunities for the City, its residents and businesses.
If you would like to schedule a particular time to meet with the Mayor please contact Corporate Services at 250-378-8614
THE CITY OF MERRITT NEEDS REPORT PLEASE NOTE A HOUSING NOTICE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY IS NOW AVAILABLE HEARING SCHEDULED FOR
Position: The City of Merritt is inviting applications for the position of PUBLIC WORKS SEASONAL LABOURER.
AUGUST 4, 2020 AT 7:00 PM IS ON PAGE 5
For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca
Current resumes reflecting applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the position; detailing educationisand qualifications, andthat proof of andwill licenses be accepted prior to Notice hereby given a required Publiceducation Hearing be will held on Tuesday 4:00 p.m. 4th, Friday,2020 July 12,in2019 August theby:Council Chambers at Merritt City Hall, located at 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC with respect to the following proposed Carole Fraser, Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Manager PO Box 189, 21852284, Voght Street, Zoning Bylaw 2020.Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca
Current resumes reflecting applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the position; detailing education and qualifications, and proof of required education and licenses will be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 08, 2019 by:
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be Acontacted. copy of the proposed the Bylaw and other relevant documents may be viewed during normal business hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Thursday Date Posted: Monday, June 17, 2019 July 23rd to Tuesday August 4th, 2020 at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt Posting Expires: Friday, July 12, 2019 BC, or online at www.merritt.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
Anyone who wishes to address the above Bylaw will be given the opportunity at the Public Hearing to be heard in person, by a representative, WHAT: Summer Nights Market or by written submission, onMerritt all matters contained in the proposed Bylaw. WHEN: every Friday June 28th to August 30th 5:00pm to 10:00pm If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing, written submission must be WHERE: 2000-2100 Block Quilchena Avenue received NO LATER THAN 12:00PM THURSDAY, JULY 30th, 2020, to ensure their availability to Council at the Public Hearing.
Carole Fraser, Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Manager PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca
Date Posted: Friday, June 21, 2019 Posting Expires: Monday, July 08, 2019
WHAT: MSS GRAD WALK WHEN: June 20, 2019 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm WHERE: Merritt Senior Secondary High School to Nicola Valley Memorial Arena
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
Written submission can be provided by any of the following methods: Don McArthur, Planning & Development Services Manager dmcarthur@merritt.ca PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
City of Merritt Active
All submissions must include your name and street address. No letter, Transportation Now report or representation Plan from the public will be received by Council after the conclusion of the Public Hearing. All written submissions are public Available information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection Engagement for the Active Transportation of Privacy Act. For more information, please contact the Planning & Plan occurred in the Fall of 2020. Development Services Manager at 250-378-8620 or at dmcarthur@merritt. ca Community members are encouraged
to view the Active Transportation Plan at www.merritt.ca/atp.
Community Policing Office Reopens As of Monday, July 27th, 2020 the City of Merritt Community Policing Office (CPO) will reopen to the public. The Community Policing Office will be open by appointment only for bike registrations, crime prevention information, and program inquiries.
Tourism Merritt
ToConnect book an appointment phone thewebsite 250-378-3955 or email with us on our new tourism and social media.cpo@merritt.ca. www.tourismmerritt.com • #ExploreMerritt For more information on the CPO programs and services please visit www.merritt.ca/community-policing
WHAT: MSS GRAD CAR PARADE WHEN: June 21, 2019 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm WHERE: Merritt Rotary Park (2000 Block of Voght Street) to Merritt Civic Centre (1950 Mamette Avenue) NOTE: Parking will be reserved at Rotary Park and the Church from The City of Merritt recently 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Junepartnered 22, 2019 with the ThompsonNicola Regional District and M’akola Development Services to study housing needs in the community and to develop a Housing Needs Report.
WATERING RESTRICTIONS
6:00AM - 8:00AM and 7:00PM 10:00PM Community - members are
encouraged to view the Housing EVEN ADDRESSES Needs Report and learn more at www.merritt.ca/hnr. Mon/Wed/Fri ODD ADDRESSES Tues/Thurs/Sat ROAD SWEEPING & LINE PAINTING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS: 31 PROGRAM • MARCH 15 – MAY The City of Merritt Road Sweeping Program will on commence full-time your respective days starting Monday, March 15th. Citizens can expect to see the road sweeper out in mid-March, however, the temperatures aremidnight required to to 4:00 AM be above zero degrees for the sweeper to work due to the sweeper utilizing water. This program will continue for approximately one month *NO SPRINKLING SUNDAYS to prepare for the line painting contractor to complete all of the street line painting throughout the City of Merritt. Residents can ST expect to Effective Mayin1May. to 30TH see the line painters mobilizing throughout Merritt The September line
painting project is scheduled for a completion date of May 31st. Phone: (250) 378-4224 or E-mail: info@merritt.ca
VISIT TOURISM MERRITT VISIT TOURISM MERRITT FOR MORE TO SEE AND DO
� TOURISM
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THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 5
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Local first nations throws support behind Spring Banks project
A proposed development on Spring Bank Avenue has been a hot topic recently, and was a lengthy discussion at the March 23rd City Council meeting. Both positive and negative reactions to the plan from the public were brought out through letters and presentations, prompting a lengthy discussion from city staff and council members. By the end of the meeting, the third reading for the property at 2640 Spring Bank Avenue was passed four to three by council members, with members Adam Etchart, Melvina White, and Mike Bhangu opposed. The proposal is for 40 new homes to be built for Indigenous Peoples, through the Nicola Native Lodge Society and with funding provided by BC Housing. It includes 15 studio apartments for youth and elders, 17 one bedroom apartments, six two bedroom apartments, and six three bedroom apartments. The Society has owned the property since 2004. City staff spent over an hour reading out letters from the public regarding the proposed development. The negative responses included the dispersement of local wildlife, a lack of water, and the medium to high density residential property. There were some concerned citizens that stated geotechnical concerns in their letters to city staff, though council ensured that there would be a geotechnical survey done before the development would be given the
green light. All five of the local first nation communities, though, joined in in a joint presentation to present their approval of the project. Shackan Indian Band Chief Jordan Joe said that as of 2016, 1,575 people in Merritt identified as Indigenous. That represents about 23% of the city’s total population, while the Indigenous population has also increased about 41% over the last ten years. “The property was purchased to provide long-term, stable, and affordable housing,” said Joe. “The city recognizes that it’s neighbouring first nations are tremendous supporters of businesses and services in our community.” Joe added that at the core of these economic activities is safe and affordable housing. Lee Spahan, Chief of the Coldwater Band, said that the lack of adequate housing for first nations members in the community has often led to poor and overcrowded living conditions. “The reasons for this are varied, but often come down to poverty and prejudice from the general public. Our people have faced a long history of racism and systemic discrimination, where a lot of our Indigenous people were taken away from their homes…it created a lot of displacement and social issues, however housing is central to healing from that trauma.” Spahan added that this is “an important step” to building stronger first nations communities. “We believe that everyone has the right to a fully functional home.” Chief Stu Jackson of the Lower Nicola Indian Band echoed his fellow Chiefs’ sentiments.
that they are safe and being taken care of, not forgotten, and in a good place. To not be by themselves, and that they are with their friends and relatives. “We all know that as we become isolated, we spend more time alone. And this we do not want to happen. As leaders back in the day, we said we should build our own home, for our people, so that they can be together.” NVIT, the Nicola Food Bank, and ASK Wellness all also threw their support behind the project. School District 58 has directed the city that they do not intend to build a school in the area, and all students in the new development would be directed to Bench Elementary.
Date: Tuesday, March 30th • Time 10 am - 12:30 pm Location: Zoom To sign up, phone 250-280-1701 or email: merritthospice@shaw.ca
Merritt & District Hospice Society
Loca<on: Zoom Loca<on: Zoom Merri? & District Hospice Society 250-280-1701 Loca<on: Zoom Merri? & District Hospice Society 250-280-1701 Email&orDistrict phone Hospice to sign up! Merri? Societymerri,hospice@shaw.ca 250-280-1701 Email or phone to sign up! merri,hospice@shaw.ca
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Quilchena Cannabis Co. Email or phone to sign up! Date: Tuesday, March30th Date: Tuesday, March30th Date: Tuesday, March30th
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Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM
“It is with great excitement that we have finally come to this point,” said Jackson. “It’s been a very, very long and arduous process, that has had many challenges, hurdles, and obstacles that we have had to overcome over the years. As a representative of my community, it’s so exciting that now I can go back to my people and tell them, ‘here’s an opportunity for us to house our elders and perhaps our families’…tell them, ‘we have more housing opportunities for you, and for our future.” Chief Harvey Mcleod of the Upper Nicola Band said that the proposal has been a dream for the community and the valley for a number of decades. “To find a way, of how we can take care of our elders, our parents, and to ensure
S T BE
19+
Time: 10:00AM-12:30PM Time: 10:00AM-12:30PM
Time: 10:00AM-12:30PM
For more information stop by Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC or call 250-378-5
420
6 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021
VIEWPOINT
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GOVERNMENT
TEGART: Let’s all do our part in vaccination rollout We must all do our part to ensure a safe and organized vaccine rollout. As the days get longer, the weather gets JACKIE TEGART warmer, and VIEW FROM more vaccines LEGISLATURE arrive in British Columbia, people are beginning to have cautious optimism that we are finally turning the corner in our fight against COVID-19. While it is the incredible work of thousands of our frontline healthcare workers who have brought us to this point, who are ensuring we see the vaccines rolled out as quickly and safely as possible, it is now more crucial than ever that we all do our part to support each other and keep our communities safe. While there is light at the end of the tunnel, it is essential that we continue to follow the protocols and guidelines outlined by our Provincial Health Officer and provincial health authorities. While we are now allowed to gather in groups of up to 10 outdoors, it is important to remember that indoor gatherings are still banned, and that we must only gather with a core bubble of trusted friends and relatives. If you are displaying any See ‘THANKING’ Page 7 symptoms of
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MERRITT HERALD
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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.
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THURSDAY Date, 2021 • 7
OPINION
Speak up You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com
MITRA: The Holy Week exposes a holy dualism During the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, two symbols stand out NARAYAN MITRA – palm You Gotta Have branches FAITH and the cross. The palm branches represent the acclaim of crowds, greeting a Messiah coming to His own. The cross represents tragedy. Why did not the Christian church take the palm branch as its symbol, a joyful token to be happy ever after, with its recollections of hosannas to the conquering Christ? Now we know well that the Christian church would never have survived the centuries with only a palm branch over its high altar. The cross goes deeper, much deeper! Deeper than anything else into the heart of man’s experience, need and deliverance. Sin and saviourhood on Calvary, locked in desperate encounter, with the fate of the world depending on which of those two will win in the end. The central issue of history is this struggle between sin and saviourhood and the cross of Christ is the climactic exhibition of them both. There on Calvary one also sees
sacrificial saviourhood at its best, the supreme rescue story in man’s history, One who did not need to do it voluntarily taking on Himself the burden of the world’s iniquity that He might deliver men and women and blaze the trail for a kingdom of righteousness on earth. One of the first things that this struggle between sin and saviourhood says to us is “Don’t oversimplify your philosophy of life.” We are all tempted to do that, to seek some neat formula that will smooth out, at least in theory, life’s disharmonies and conflicts and help us to forget them. This philosophy goes on to say that evil is not real, but only the shadow cast by good. As the rising sun is real, so is goodness, they say, but all the evil of the world is but the passive, transient shade some temporary obstacle casts as the sun rises. That is a childish philosophy! Sin is no mere shadow cast by good, but a demonic devastating power. It can incarnate itself in a moral maniac who plunges the whole world into such collective agony as mankind has never, in all its history, endured before. Such oversimplified philosophies will no longer do in 21st century. The Devil is real. I do not mean, of course, that he is an individual with horns and a tail, he is much worse than that. He is the symbol of a positive, devastating force in history that can destroy every human hope. Well, the Holy Week that we
Thanking Merritt health professionals
From Page 6 COVID, stay home and stay safe. When it comes to vaccine appointments, people are all too aware of the government’s bungling of the call-in booking system on the day it opened to our seniors. It was quickly overwhelmed with thousands of people calling in and trying to book vaccination appointments — many of which were not in the eligible cohort of 90 and older. It is important that we wait until our cohort is called upon so we don’t overwhelm the staff and volunteers responsible
BUTTER CHICKEN • SAMOSAS • FRESH FISH & CHIPS
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saviourhood, never expect Christianity to pipe down on the reality and terribleness of sin. So long as Christianity is here at all, it will be insisting on sin’s reality, its power and its catastrophe. Where, for example, is intellectual dishonesty most clearly seen as an evil, and most insistently hated? We had better go to a scientific lab for that, for in that lab the eyes of men are centred on a great good, indispensable to the progress of the truth – intellectual honesty, objective, disinterested, uncompromising. But, sadly, it is also there that the relative curse of intellectual dishonesty would be most strongly felt and hated. So not in the dens and moral slums of life is sin best understood and its diabolical reality most powerfully felt, but in the gospel of Christ. For there the central struggle of human life stands out, no over-simplified Pollyanna philosophy, but the real truth – a great conflict, sin against saviourhood and saviourhood against sin. The Holy Week celebrates that exciting truth at the heart of the Christian faith. There is saviourhood in this world, and in it is a quality which, really seen, lays hold on us as nothing else ever does. Narayan Mitra is the Pastor of Merritt Baptist Church.
RCMP PROMOTES SAFETY The RCMP Community Policing Office (CPO) is rolling out new programs to improve safety in Merritt. The CPO has three new initiatives for businesses, service groups and individuals in the city, including property identification, the antigraffiti program and home safety and security assessments. Property identification will involve the use of an engraving device to mark personal items in the event of a burglary.
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 and address. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.
for safely booking and administering vaccines. As the Merritt Health Centre and other vaccination centres emerge in our communities, it is a sign that sooner or later we will all receive a vaccine. I would like to thank the health professionals and frontline workers in Merritt and across British Columbia for everything they are doing to rollout our vaccination program and help our communities return to normal. Jackie Tegart is the MLA for Fraser-Nicola.
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are about to enter, brings us another message. The central fact of history is no easygoing harmony but the fierce conflict on which the whole outcome of our human adventure depends – saviourhood against sin. Let us say to ourselves that on the Palm Sunday, as we see Jesus enter Jerusalem amid the crowd’s hosannas, that saviourhood is still present in this world. Dreadful diseases like COVID-19, but the quest for billions of doses of vaccine too. Frontline workers giving up their days off and leisure in order to save precious lives of seniors. Devil and all his representatives, but Christ too. Lowly and riding on a donkey’s foal He came to the great city, a Saviour, and there He did face sin as all saviours do – the sin of religious fakes who did not wish their orthodox establishment disturbed, of businessmen wanting no money changers’ tables overturned to their profit’s hurt, of politicians like Caiaphas playing their clever, selfish games, of cowards like Pilate washing his hands off his responsibility, of Roman soldiers doing whatever cruelty they were commanded, of the crowd persuaded by the skillful propaganda to cry “Crucify Him!” So, as always, saviourhood faced sin. But today, after two thousand years afterwards, it’s not the sin we are celebrating on Good Friday and Easter 2021, but the saviourhood. Now, because the central fact of history is this struggle between sin and
From the Herald archives: March, 2008
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8 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
IH appoints administrator to oversee Florentine operations Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER The Interior Health Board of Administrators has appointed an administrator to manage the day-to-day long-term care operations of the Florentine senior’s care home in Merritt. The appointment follows a host of operating infractions that were recently made public in a report by Interior Health. The board’s decision to appoint an administrator, which will be a full time position for a period of four months subject to adjustments if conditions warrant, came at the recommendation of Interior Health Medical Health Officer, Dr. Carol Fenton. “I strongly support the decision by the Interior Health Board of Directors to appoint
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top priority to ensure The Florentine is brought into legislative compliance.” According to the findings of a reviews process by Interior Health’s Licensing Officers and Quality Review Team, several issues were highlighted at the residence, which indicated that expectations defined in the Provincial Community Care and Assisted Living Act were not being met. Ongoing challenges were listed as site leadership and care planning, as well as staff education, training and reporting. “Recommending the appointment of an administrator is an option reserved as a last resort solution to ensure people get the standard of care they need,” said Interior Health chief medical health officer, Dr. Albert De Villiers. “I am confident that with the appointment of
an administrator,” said BC Health Minister Adrian Dix. “We have and will continue to put the care and safety of seniors first before any other consideration, which is what is happening here.” Dr. Fenton concluded that the operator of the long-term care facility was unable to meet the legislated standards of care for residents after several regular inspections by Interior Health’s Licensing and Quality Department. “This decision is based on ensuring seniors who live in long-term care receive the high quality, safe and dignified care they need,” said Interior Health board chair Dr. Doug Cochrane. “Interior Health’s board of directors has full confidence in the decision presented by staff and it is our
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Matt Renfrew as administrator, Interior Health will be able to stabilize The Florentine’s operations and set it down a path towards improved conditions for its residents, staff and leadership alike.” Renfrew will be responsible for operation and management of the Florentine, supporting critical functions such as: -Care planning and delivery -Site management -Staff recruitment, orientation and education -Developing and implementing policies and procedures -Overall compliance with the legislated standards of care In his role as administrator, Renfrew will report to the IH board chair. According to IH, “Matt Renfrew is an experienced health-care leader
informed him they would with expertise in longnot be issuing the press term care. He has manrelease until the staff and aged at the Overlander families of the affected indilong term care home in viduals were spoken to. Kamloops since 2013 “I don’t believe that and is currently Interior our residents are at any Health’s interim director risk in terms of care,” said of clinical operations for Community Seniors Care.” Rizzardo. “The fact that we The Florentine consists of 20 independently funded haven’t necessarily filled out a form doesn’t, in itself, crelong-term care beds on ate a risk for a resident… the second floor, which the I’ll give you an example, administrator will oversee. are you aware that if you The assisted living portion of the facility falls under the have a hospital bed against a wall that’s considered a jurisdiction of the Assisted restraint? So, because we Living Registrar and is not put a hospital bed against subject to the administraa wall at the request of the tion process being applied family to help prevent the to the long-term care secclient from falling on the tion of the home. floor and possibly breakOwner of The Florentine, Frank Rizzardo, ing a hip, which we’ve had spoke to the Herald regard- happen, but we didn’t get a piece of paper that has ing Interior Health’s decision, taking the opportunity to be filed about that bed against the wall, it’s classito clarify what he believes are several misconceptions, See ‘FLORENTINE’ Page 15 also claiming that IH had
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Home renos spike during pandemic Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
While many people around the province have been at home under selfisolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, homeowners decided they had been given the perfect opportunity to perform some long-awaited home renovations. However, BC Hydro conducted a study which found that about 20% of BC homeowners regretted their renovation choices because they chose on style over substance, focusing on aesthetics instead of increasing their home’s value. The report, titled ‘Room for Improvement: why British Columbians are experiencing renovation regret after making home upgrades’, found
that over half of British Columbians have completed a home reno since the pandemic began. Major motivators were improving aesthetics (35%), increasing comfort (29%), increasing energy efficiency (10%), and having the time to complete the projects (10%). Although many reported being happy with their renovations, many, particularly those who did the work themselves, said that they would do things differently if given the chance. “When it comes to past decisions, B.C. homeowners’ top regrets include bathroom and kitchen renos followed by flooring changes,” reads the report. “At the root of these regrets, was the wish they had used different
products, spent more time planning or invested the money to do the renovation they really wanted.” About 60% of BC homeowners believe that a change that increases aesthetics will increase the resale value of their home, however, these changes do not necessarily increase or maintain the long-term value of a home. Maintaining worth, BC Hydro states, is heavily dependent on energy saving upgrades such as updating the heating and cooling system, and replacing windows, doors and roofing. Despite the ‘renoregrets’ of some, BC residents are not slowing down on their home makeovers, with more than 40% planning a renovation or home improvement project this spring.
BC Hydro recommends that those planning a renovation, whether major or minor, follow a few simple solutions to improve energy efficiency and minimize regrets. Doing the research: find out which renovations provide the best energy efficiency returns on the market – bchydro.com/ homerenorebates is a good place to start. Taking advantage of rebates and incentives: BC Hydro offers home renovation rebates of up to $10,000 year-round to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Tracking electricity use: Identifying areas for improvement in the home by using MyHydro, BC Hydro’s online electricity tracking tool.
THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 9
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Cache Creek mayor wants completely independent audit of TNRD expenses Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER At the TNRD regular Board of Directors Meeting of March 11, the board voted to authorize an independent, third party forensic financial audit. This audit would probe the recently revealed, exorbitant expenses of former CAO Sukh Gill and the processes and policies by which those expenses were allowed to accumulate. “Questions have been raised about whether some past transactions and expenses at the TNRD should have been incurred at all and whether or not they were appropriate,” reads a report from the board. This audit, which would examine the expenses from 2015 to 2020, when Sukh Gill left the TNRD under a shroud of mystery that was never fully explained, is expected to cost $50,000 to $75,000. At the time, TNRD Director and Mayor of Cache Creek, Santo Talarico voted in opposition to the motion that
the Regional District authorize staff to begin the procurement process for an independent, third party review and audit of financial records from 2015 to 2020, which would lead to recommendations to improve internal controls and oversight measures. He was the only director to do so. Talarico later provided the Herald with an interview, which explained his reasoning for his opposition to the motion. “I didn’t vote against the audit in principle,” explained Talarico. “I voted against the motion as it was spoken to, regarding it being the Regional District doing an independent, third party audit. I was not in favour of that, I was in favour of someone other than the Regional District, whether it was the committee struck by a ratepayers association or someone that was totally not involved with the Regional District, to put the criteria together and proceed with the audit based on their terms so we are as transparent as possible.”
Although the end result may be the same, Talarico does not believe that the TNRD should have any further say in how the audit or the auditors progress, and that the board should not be responsible for the criteria by which the third party investigates the expenses. “It should be a third party, independent audit,” said Talarico. “I’m not saying that an independent audit and an audit struck by a committee of sorts will not come up with the same sort of resolution or same sort of answers to the public’s questions, all I’m saying is that it should be done outside of the Regional District, we should not have anything to do with that third party audit,” Talarico continued. “The RCMP doesn’t investigate themselves, why would we be setting the criteria in which the audit should be proceeded with?” Talarico also questioned the settled upon timeframe, which would only examine five years’ worth of records for what could very well be an ongoing issue. Indeed, Gill was CAO for eight years, and perhaps more alarmingly in light of his unchecked expenses, Chief Financial Officer before that, bringing his time with the TNRD to about two decades. “Why is it five years, why is it not ten years, why is it not 15 years?” Talarico
said. “Depending on the criteria that the independent lays out. And I’m not saying independent in the sense that the Regional District hires an independent auditor, I’m talking about a group of people that will stipulate what they want to see in an audit and at the end of the day be satisfied with the results of that audit. That’s transparency at its best. And if we’re going to spend $50,000 to $75,000 without our staff ’s wages, our staff costs, which could bring it well over the $100,000 mark, and the general taxpayers are still not happy with the results, then we’ve wasted potentially another $100,000 of taxpayers’ money, and I’m sorry but it just doesn’t make sense to me.” Talarico knows that as this saga of spending, which shows more than half a million dollars worth of expenses in the past five years alone, has made the residents and taxpayers of the TNRD “more than leery”. “We’re not talking pocket change, we’re talking a sizeable chunk of money,” said Talarico. “If transparency is really what the board wants to achieve, then, in my opinion, they’ve gone about it the wrong way.” As of yet, no date has been announced as to when the audit will begin.
Front line workers prioritized for vaccines Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@ MERRITTHERALD.COM More than 300,000 front-line workers will be eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine in BC over the coming weeks. Premier John Horgan announced in a press conference last week that the province’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan moves forward ahead of schedule,
after a particularly slow start. Beginning in April, people in priority groups identified by public health and the COVID-19 Workplace Task Group will start to receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. These groups include: - K-12 educational staff; - child care staff; - grocery store
workers; - postal workers; - bylaw and quarantine officers; - manufacturing workers; - wholesale/ warehousing employees; - staff living in congregate housing at places such as ski hills; - correctional facilities staff; and - cross-border transport staff. These priority groups have been identified as workers
in places and sectors where: - the use of personal protective equipment and barriers can be challenging; - outbreaks and clusters have occurred or are ongoing; - workers must live or work in congregate settings; or - maintaining the workforce for a critical service is necessary.
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THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 11
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Ministry of Ag. not forthcoming on risk assessment, slaughter modernization Morgan Hampton LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
For many years, smallscale producers across the province have been lobbying the government for more options and increased access to slaughter for their livestock. The situation has reached crisis levels, with some producers unable to access slaughter facilities, having to book slaughter dates more than a year in advance, or facing cancelations from an overloaded system, which necessitates holding livestock and thus eliminating any profit as the animals rack up additional feed and labour costs. In response to these concerns the Ministry of Agriculture released an Intentions Paper titled Rural Slaughter Modernization in Sept. 2020. The paper concludes with the statement: “The Ministry of Agriculture will develop and finalize approaches suggested in this intentions paper and begin regulatory and policy change by late fall 2020.” However, those regulatory and policy changes have yet to be released or implemented. An announcement was reported to be coming last month, but it similarly never materialized.
“In spite of Minister Popham saying in February that there was going to be a big announcement coming in the next couple of weeks that was going to open up all kinds of opportunities for livestock producers in BC, there has been no announcement and I was told that there isn’t going to be one any time soon,” said Small Scale Meat Producers Association President Julia Smith who owns Blue Sky Ranch near Merritt. “This is putting producers in an impossible situation. It takes eleven months for me to produce a pork chop. Almost three years to produce a grass finished steak. With no idea what the future holds, it is very difficult to make decisions. Many of us, myself included are giving up hope and scaling back or shutting down. I bought a herd of cows this year but did not take last year’s calves, for example, as I have no way of knowing if or when I will be able to get them processed. “I cannot make money unless I finish my calves so there is no point staying in the cattle business if I can’t finish. I have sold almost all of my piglets for 2021 because I can’t book kill dates. But I can’t make any money selling piglets so I might as well get rid of my
breeding stock.” One proposed solution to this problem would be to allow and expand the traditional, age-old practice of on-farm slaughter once again, which would allow farmers and ranchers to
Information (FOI) request. SSMPA found that, despite frequent claims to the contrary, the risk assessment very clearly supported on-farm slaughter as being at least as safe, or safer than, conventional slaughter in
have control of when their stock is slaughtered and then processed. In the Sept. 2020 Intentions Paper, reference was made to a Risk Assessment which the Ministry undertook in 2009, an assessment which would outline potential risks for small scale, on farm slaughter. The SSMPA requested that they be given a copy of this assessment. None was provided by the Ministry of Agriculture or the Ministry of Health before the feedback deadline. The document, marked ‘draft’ and ‘confidential’, was only obtained in February of this year after a lengthy Freedom of
large scale facilities. According to the Hazard Identification and Characterization portion of the assessment, the most common causes of food borne illness were identified as Salmonella, E. coli and
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Campylobacter. Information about each of these pathogens as well as transmission and key carriers and how the infection presents in humans is provided. Risk Ranger, a simple food safety risk calculation tool, was used to determine risk based on three scenarios: - Literature values (based on large scale slaughterhouse research) - Small scale on-farm slaughterhouses - Inadequate cooking. The risk assessments were broken down into three separate values, low risk, medium risk, and high risk, with small-scale slaughter consistently showing as low to medium risk. “We shared this document with the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture who were specifically tasked with provid-
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ing options for regulatory and policy change and were informed that they had not been provided with this important document,” reads a statement from SSMPA. “We have questions. Why was this report never published? Why was it never referred to when small-scale producers slaughtering legally on-farm were repeatedly attacked and their processes maligned? Why did no one mention the results of this study when it was repeatedly suggested that on-farm slaughter was putting public safety and the whole export market at risk?” As of yet, there has been no response to the SSMPA’s questions regarding either the risk assessment or how it will affect policies moving forward now that it has become public information.
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“Your Merritt Real Estate Professional” 1690 HILL STREET Great family home with awesome detached shop. This home features 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, certified wood stove in the basement, Home has had extensive upgrades over the years Including Cell: 250-315-8539 Windows, roof, wiring, melodyproperty2@gmail.com bathrooms, and Kitchen.
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12 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021
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REGIONAL RELIEF & RECOVERY FUND
To date Community Futures Nicola Valley has disbursed approximately $800,000 in funding to support local businesses. - is the RRRF right for you?
1 2 0 2 , H 31
C R A M : E N I L D A m E p D 0 3 : at 4 What is the RRRF? To assist in relief and recovery efforts for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Futures offices have been tasked with disbursing the Regional Relief & Recovery Fund. This funding provides up to $40,000 for businesses who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. CFNV has assisted close to 30 local businesses with funding to aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RRRF FAST FACTS: Available to all businesses who experienced a revenue decline in 2020 and have not taken CEBA or Emergency Loan Program through Aboriginal Financial Institutions Up to $60,000 disbursed as loan, no payments or interest until December 31, 2022 Those who are already clients of the original $40,000 RRRF loan can now apply for the additional $20,000
25% forgivable of first $40,000 if
Recently additional support for the RRRF
75% is paid by December 31, 2022
initiative was provided, allowing CFNV to
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March 31, 2021 - so apply now if you wish
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Manuel Olguin at manuel@cfdcnv.com or 250.378.3923
THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 13
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Great 3 bedrm, 2 bath family home on a quiet street in central location. Lots of options for carport, shop or carriage house. Lots of storage. 2 wrap around decks overlooking large back yard.
Large family home, close to school. Top floor has 3 bedrms, 2 baths & huge oak kitchen with appliances. 2 bedrm inlaw suite with large kitchen on main level. Huge family & rec. rooms. New HW boiler a year ago. Fenced backyard
2020 mobile home with 2 bedrms, master bedrm with W/I closet and 3 pce ensuite. Home has 10 yr warranty. Comes with natural gas S/S stove, S/S fridge & dishwasher, and new washer/dryer. Laminate flooring
Country living at its best in this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with partially finished basement on approx. ½ acre lot in Aspen Grove. Has 16x30 workshop/ garage with 240 power & a compressor that stays. New well.
Former auto repair shop in a highly visible location. 3 bay shop with 1 bay with 12 ft door & hoist, other 2 have 10 ft doors. Has storage room & office with reception area. 2608 sq.ft. building with parking. Call for details.
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2985 CLAPPERTON AVE.
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2749 PEREGRINE WAY
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2113 BLACKWELL AVE.
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2712 EAGLE CRESCENT
2663 QUILCHENA AVENUE
NEW Beautiful 5 bedrm, 3 bath home with many upgrades including toilets, sinks &showers doors plus new kitchen sink & 4 new high end appliances, light fixtures, new furnace, newer roof & new fence.
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2770 PEREGRINE WAY
2760 PEREGRINE WAY
2845 NEILSON ST
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$639,900+ GST
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#17, 1749 MENZIES ST.
Great family home features 3 bedrms, 1 bath, built-in wine rack in the kitchen and a sliding barn door on master bedrm. Enjoy sitting in the sun room overlooking the deck & nicely landscaped yard. Has shop in back.
Build your dream home on this view lot. All services underground. New homes being built in this very desirable area on the Bench. South facing sunny slope. 9763 sq.ft. lot. Building scheme on all lots.
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.
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1561 MILLER ROAD
2288 BURGESS AVE
1863 MENZIES STREET
Spectacular 76 acre property in Miller Estates with fantastic panoramic views of the river and valley below. Has Cooperative water system & power at lot line. GST applies.
A rare waterfront lot of 0.94 acres waiting for development with over 50 metres of river frontage, not subdividable. In neighbourhood of high end custom homes. Call for more details.
3 bedrm townhouse with newer roof in 2016. Kitchen, laundry & living room on main floor. Kitchen has access to fenced back yard. Spacious master bedroom plus 2 other bedrooms up & 4 pce bath. Extra parking in back. Quick possession.
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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
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$739,9000 + GST
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2859 PEREGRINE WAY
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900 KANE VALLEY RD
$475,000
390 COYLE PLACE
2625 JACKSON AVENUE
5 bedrooms family home with 2 baths, upstairs has new floors installed, newer HW tank & boiler furnace. Large lot with tons of parking. Access to back yard from front. All appliances included
This 10.53 acre property is ready for your cabin getaway from the city. Power is at the paved road. Great recreational area to x-country skiing, fishing, hiking, biking. Has seasonal creek. Easy access from Coquihalla Hwy. at Exit 256
Riverfront property in nice Lower Nicola location on approx. 2 acres with great shop with 3 phase power supply. Comes with unfinished rancher of 1686 sq.ft. House is framed and with roof. Home plans available. Septic is installed.
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1926 QUILCHENA AVE
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#3257
$739,900
Well maintained strata end unit with larger yard & gazebo. Main floor has 2 pce powder room, open concept kitchen/living room & nook. Included appliances. Has gas F/P skylights & BI vac. 3 bedrms up and 2 baths. Strata fees are $235 per mon.
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14 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021
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THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 15
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Florentine subject of multiple infractions
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From Page 8 fied as a restraint. We didn’t fill that paper out so that’s a demerit on our plan. And that’s the kind of review that has been done, it’s very dogmatic, relative to the Act.” Rizzardo said that in this case, they have taken note and moved the bed away from the wall, but he believes there should be more room for interpretation of the policies outlined in the Act, when it is in a resident’s best interest. “If that individual falls, as we’ve had happen, because we’re trying to comply with IHA guidelines, that individual ends up fracturing a hip and then going to the hospital,” said Rizzardo. “That is not our goal. Our goal is not to have them in the hospital at all, but the regulations are the regulations, and we’ll have to
work out whether or not we’re going to appeal or take other action relative to the decision of IHA.” According to Rizzardo, there is a 30-day window for The Florentine to appeal IH’s decision. In the meantime, he hopes to hear back on the compliance plan, which he said was submitted on Mar. 16 and has not received any response. “We’ve actually submitted a compliance plan, actually multiple compliance plans to the licensing officer and in a lot of instances the licensing officer’s responses are simple, ‘your compliance plan is not accepted’, with a period,” said Rizzardo. A consultant RN was also brought in nearly a month ago to help The Florentine discover and correct any deficiencies in their operations, some-
thing Renfrew and IH were allegedly not aware of. “That tells you the degree of up to date-ness, if you wish, of the process,” said Rizzardo. In the meantime, the consultant RN and the on-site director will meet with Renfrew to discuss operations, how to ensure compliance and the process for returning the administration position back over to Florentine staff. “We’ve been in operation 14 years, we’ve never had any issues up to now, but we have a licensing officer who is bent on making sure we tick all the boxes, or we’re not in compliance,” Rizzardo said. “But that’s just the way it is, and we have to resign ourselves to the fact that this is an opportunity perhaps for staff to learn from someone who is running a much larger facility.”
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN) BUDGET PLANNING PROCESS – 2021/2022 ANNUAL BUDGET Tuesday, April 6, 2021:
A public budget presentation will be made to interested stakeholders via a zoom video conference call. Representatives from school Parent Advisory Council’s (PAC), District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC), teacher and support staff Unions, Principals, and members of the public are invited to attend this meeting to review provincial funding, District projections for enrollment and funding, as well as provide more specific information regarding the District’s annual budget. Stakeholder groups and members of the public are welcome to outline their priorities to the Audit & Finance Committee. The meeting will commence at 5:30 p.m. The purpose will be to discuss priorities and listen to concerns in order to help set the framework for the 2021/2022 annual budget.
Monday, April 19, 2021:
Audit & Finance Committee to meet in Merritt at 12:15 p.m. to go over a draft summary to be presented to Board on May 12, 2021.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021:
A draft summary prepared by the Superintendent and the Secretary Treasurer to be presented to the Board for discussion in Merritt at 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021:
Budget bylaw to be presented at the Regular Board Meeting. Subject to feedback, the budget for the 2021/2022 year will be adopted at either this meeting or the June 9, 2021 board meeting.
PLEASE NOTE:
Representatives from stakeholder groups or members of the public will also have the opportunity to make a presentation to the Audit & Finance Committee in private if they so desire. Individuals or groups interested in making such a presentation should contact the Secretary Treasurer at (250) 315-1105 to arrange a meeting. The presentation should be supported by a written submission, which should be provided to the Secretary Treasurer in advance.
16 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021
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SPORTS BCHL releases season schedule Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com.
Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM The BCHL has released its full season schedule, and the Cents are up first. It was announced from head office on Tuesday that the Merritt Centennials and Chilliwack Chiefs will open the schedule on April 2 at 5p.m., at Chilliwack Coliseum. All games will be played at the Chilliwack rink this season for the Cents, in a ‘pod’ system facing off against the Chiefs and Prince George Spruce Kings. BCHL Executive Director Steven
Cocker said it has been “a long road” in finally being able to announce a season schedule. “Our coaches and players have spent the past seven months focusing on on-ice and off-ice development and now we are able to provide them with a chance to play meaningful games to give them the NHL and NCAA exposure they deserve.” The remaining four pods, and their participants, are: Coquitlam – Scotia Barn - Coquitlam Express (host) - Powell River Kings - Surrey Eagles
Penticton – South Okanagan Events Centre - Penticton Vees (host) - Cranbrook Bucks - Trail Smoke Eaters Port Alberni – Weyerhaeuser Arena - Alberni Valley Bulldogs (host) Cowichan Valley Capitals Nanaimo Clippers Victoria Grizzlies Vernon – Kal Tire Place - Vernon Vipers (host)
- Salmon Arm Silverbacks - West Kelowna Warriors. Players are currently undergoing a quarantine period, and upon receiving negative results on a COVID-19 test they will be free to join their teammates. It is going to be a whirlwind season for all BCHL clubs, with games going on 36 of the 38 days of the schedule. The season will run until Sunday, May 9. The Cents season finale goes one day prior against the Chiefs. The full schedule for the Cents can be found at www.merrittcentennials.com.
Top 25 finish earns Merritt’s Sloan a payday
Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM
The 2021 PGA season has been good to Roger Sloan. The 33-year old from Merritt finished tied for 25th at the Honda Classic over the weekend, played at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. That finish was good enough for Sloan to earn a paycheck of just under $55,000. In total, the 2021 PGA season has seen Sloan earn prize money totalling $282,860, a season which also includes a top 20 finish at the Bermuda
Championship in November. This weekend’s event was the second tournament in a row that he was able to finish in the top 25, after finishing in a tie for 22nd in late February. His best round of the four-day tournament came on Saturday when he shot a 66, which included five birdies and just a single bogey. He closed out the tournament on Sunday with a two-over 72. Perhaps most crucial to Sloan’s solid recent play is a vault in the FedEx Cup rankings. He moved up eight spots this weekend to 122nd, while the top 125 at the end of the season earn their ticket into the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Love to Dance student earns scholarship Lizette Nel CONTRIBUTOR Through the generosity of Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts donors, Avery Warren has been awarded the “Ballet 3 Scholarship” The scholarship was donated by Shanno Lebano. She has also been recommended by the adjudicator, Justine Fraser, from Toronto, to participate in the 2021 Virtual Provincial Festival. Avery participated in five sections of the 2021 Virtual Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts. To qualify for the Provincials she had to do a minimum of two solos and a technique class, but also performed her own choreography and participated in a group item. Avery Warren is a student at Love To Dance Academy and has been taking ballet lessons with Lizette Nel since 2012. She started doing ballet with teacher Linda Sanford. Avery has always been a dedicated dancer, committed to her art form and participated annually in dance competitions, performances, exams and medal tests. In 2020 she completed her Grade 8 Royal Academy of Dance exam with distinction. The RAD is one of the biggest international dance organisations in the world. Students can also apply for High School Credit upon completion of the Grade 8 award.
THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 17
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
OPEN FOR VIRTUAL
Short-time Cent signs with Blazers Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@ MERRITTHERALD. COM Dylan Sydor’s stint with the Merritt Centennials didn’t last long just four pre-season games. The son of ex-NHLer Darryl Sydor signed with the Kamloops Blazers on Friday. The 17-yearold forward from Kamloops played for the Thompson Blazers in the 2019-2020 B.C. Major Midget
League campaign, racking up 17 goals
and 37 points in 40 games.
Sydor, whose father is Blazers’ part-owner, played in four pre-season games in November for the Centennials in the junior A B.C. Hockey League. He is expected to join the Blazers this week after completing quarantine and testing requirements. The Blazers kick off their schedule this Friday after a long waiting period, taking on the Vancouver Giants in the pod of Kamloops.
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City of Merritt Request for Expressions of Interest Proponent to operate a commercial concession facility located at Central Park Requests for expressions of interest are invited to submit proposals to operate a City owned commercial concession facility. It is anticipated that proponents would attend the open house to view the facility and submit an outline of relevant experience, qualifications, and business plan (not to exceed 3 pages). The proponent’s submission should include a description of how they will create visually attractive and locally inspired cuisine options for locals and visitors alike. The ideal proponent will have knowledge of culinary business best practices, strong interpersonal skills, and experience in the restaurant/tourism industry. The Successful Proponent will not be the lone food vendor in the park, as other food vendors may be permitted as part of a Special Event or pursuant to City Bylaws. Proponents are welcome to provide their own schedule, however the City is requesting the concession to be open during the following timeframes: • Weekdays 11:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. or dusk, June 28th, until September 10th, 2021; • Weekends 10:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. or dusk, June 28th, until September 30th, 2021. The Successful Proponent will lease of the Concession facilities at an all-in rate of $1200 per month, between May 01st, 2021 and September 30th, 2021. Monthly Fee structure outside of this timeframe can be discussed. Sale or rental of items other than food or beverages will be considered, and must be approved, in writing, by the City. Submission: Should be directed to smckeown@merritt.ca or the following address: Sky McKeown Recreation and Facilities Manager PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Site Visit: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 at the Central Park Concession located at 2975 Voght St., Merritt, BC. Deadline for submissions is April 8th, 2021.
22 March 25, 18, 2021 18 •• THURSDAY, THURSDAY,March
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BUSINESS FEATURE
Do Do you you want want to to nominate nominate aa business? business? Tell Tell us us about about itit by by calling calling 250-378-4241 250-378-4241 or or emailing emailing reporter@merrittherald.com. reporter@merrittherald.com.
Merritt Performance Company is the brainchild of Heather Clark, who hopes to use her passion for creativFor those lookity to ing to help take aspiring their performing art- or look up a notch, ists in the Nicola have their makeup Valley achievedone, their professionally dreams. look no further thanAlthough the newly Merritt mayKy seem established like an odd choice Artistry. forKylee a performing Torgalson, artscreative school, Clark the mind says sheKy hasArtistry, been behind amazed by the has turned her pasnumber of talsion for makeup enteda career people after she has into encountered here in receiving profesthe past three years. sional training in “We started with lashes, beauty and dance and special FX acting, makeup. there is somea crazy Always amount acting thing of of a hobby, talent in Merritt,” Torgalson really saidinto Clark. got makeup “In fact, hope artistry whenweshe to dosidelined a short film was by a in the summer serious injury. with some of the acting “I’ve been doing students pretty in order makeup to showcase their much my entire talent. I grew life, but really up, a very got intocreative it whenkid, Mackenzie BC, Iinbroke my knee atwo fewhours yearsnorth ago of Prince and had aGeorge. lot of I have always spare time on had my a heart for smaller hands,” explained communities and Torgalson. the“In artsMay because of of how I grew 2018, I got the up. It has always been
part of my vision to have art programs in smaller communities,” Clark continued. “I actually really like the kids and opportunity to the families in Merritt. work alongside I find everyone Ashley Deardento be quite down to of Sinfully Sugar’d earth and just good and learn lashes. people. That In January of makes it really easy to to do 2020 I went my job.” John Casablancas Clark(JCI) herself has Institute locatplenty of experience ed in Vancouver in creative endeavBC to get my diploours, performing ma for Makeup and touring a Artistry, and as when musician, singerI was there, I got songwriter, painter, my certification for author,toactress and lashes be able director. to do them on my “I have been own.” involved the arts JCI is in Canada’s for overfashion, 30 years leading and Imakeup have toured hair, and over 25 countries as beauty school. a musicianreceived with 19 Torgalson albums as a singer her Makeup songwriter,” said Artistry diploma Clark. there in December I started 2020. As a out in theand Christian born raised music industry, and Merrittonian, it was at a decided good Torgalson time because to come back itto the was anValley exploding Nicola and genre. One my provide her of newly albums ended up certified services in going number one her hometown. on“Growing iTunes in the up inspirational in Merritt mycategory. Ilife, hadIaabsodecent entire amount of interlutely love the national popularity
which opened up a lot of doors for me to be able to travel around the world. I used that platform to gain exposure for my paintings. atmosphere in our At one pointsaid I had little town,” a painting in Torgalson. the Pentagon!” “I also have a Clark’sofpreferred majority my art form, however, family here, and has been Ashley at dance, Sinfully which she uses as Sugar’d was kind both a creative enough to offer outlet and atotool for me a space doing good. branch out my “I have business in had townmultiple companies which was amaz-over the years touringis ing. Ky Artistry internationally simply me beingwith shows,” explained lucky enough to Clark. be able to do what “A for lot of the I I love work. work weKyhave done started Artistry hasbebeen to ableon to social justicemakeup issues, speoffer and cifically human or traflashes together ficking and the sex separate and I’m trade, child soldiers beyond excited to of war, slave labour bring my services to and poverty.” Merritt,” Torgalson At Merritt continued. Performance “I love being Company, able to helpteachers be a Shekinah and Eden part of someone have undertaken feeling their best!” extensive training Helping people ranging from and acrofeel beautiful batic arts and basic good about themfitness to human selves is one of anatomy and class Torgalson’s favoumanagement, in rite parts of her order to share their job. love“My for dance in the favourite genres of acro, jazz,
part about doing lashes and makeup hip hop, musical for others is seeing theatre and a ballet/ the smile on their jazz combo popular faces when the final with young children. look is revealed, I Last year, Clark love making people and her students feel beautiful.” were able to share Torgalson is their love of dancavailable for special ing with the comoccasions, such munity by staging as weddings and COVID safe perforgraduations, but mances for seniors. also emphasizes “I think my that there is no favourite thing that reason to wait for a we’ve done was once-in-a-lifetime last summer when event to utilize her the senior centres skills. She can also were on lockdown, help you achieve a we did parking lot lovely ‘day look’, performances for wow your partner them,” said Clark. for date night or “So, we were help you look your outside in the parkbest for an upcoming lots and they ing job interview. could watch through “I can also airthe window or bring brush, which could a lawn chair and sit include stencils or outside distanced body painting,” away. That made said Torgalson. me happy because “And I do we could bring Special Effects as something to the well, the fun scary community in a stuff. Even if you needed area.” aren’t fully sure Clark hopes on the look you’re to add guitar lesgoing for, I urge sons to Merritt anyone to contact Performance
me, and we can work together to Company’s roster, find something for and potentially the event of your additional arts in choice.” the future. When it When she’s comes to creating not busy working, and performing, Torgalson likes to the possibilities are get out and enjoy nearly endless. the backcountry of “I would love to the Nicola Valley provide a safe place and spend time for people to explore with her fourtheir creativity, both legged friend. kids and adults,” “In the summer said Clark. you’ll most likely “A place for find me out camppeople to get some ing and, in the winexercise and have ter, you’ll find me a lot of fun while snuggled up inside doing it. To train with a good book, students who want blanket, and my big to dedicate their old baby of a dog,” lives to some art said Torgalson. form or another. Torgalson conAnd also, to be continues to work out nected to the comof Sinfully Sugar’d, munity in an artistic practicing strict way. I think people’s COVID safety prolives need art. For tocols. some that might be “The compainting, for another munity has been it might be enjoying so supportive, it’s a painting. I think crazy in the best the arts are vital. way possible,” said If you are interTorgalson. ested in enrolling “COVID has in one of Merritt sadly made it difPerformance ficult for all of us Company’s classes,
I think, but I definitely feel the love and support from everyone. I hope to see some new faves soon.” You can find examples of Kylee’s work on Facebook at Ky Artistry or on Instagram @kyartistry_interior Her hours are flexible, and she is always willing to try a new look for a client. She encourages you to reach out contact Heather to her over socialat heatherclarkband@ media or from gmail.com, 250-at her work space 572-3000 or via the Sinfully Sugar’d at Merritt Performance 1922 Voght St. Company Facebook page.
Fri. March 19 Fri. March 26
Sat. March 20 Sat. March 27
Chance of Shower Mixed Precipitation High 14˚C High 9˚C Low: 1˚C Low: -2˚C
Mix of Sun & Clouds Mix of Sun & Clouds High: 8˚C High: 9˚C Low: 0˚C Low -1˚C
Light Cloud Cloudy w/Sunny Breaks High: 7˚C High: 11˚C Low: 0˚C Low:1˚C
Sun. March 21 Sun. March 28
Light Rain Chance of Showers High: 6˚C High: 10˚C Low: 0˚C Low: -2˚C
Mon. Mon. March March 22 29
Cloudy w/Sunny Breaks Mex of Sun & Cloud High:7˚C High:6˚C Low: -2˚C Low: -2˚C
Tues. March 23 Tues. March 30
Mainly Sunny Mex of Sun & Cloud High: 6˚C High: 6˚C Low: -1˚C Low: -2˚C
Approved Approved mini-storage mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers storage containers ■ ■
1750 1750 Hill Hill Street Street ■■ Phone: Phone: 250-315-3000 250-315-3000
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THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU Crossroads Community Church
2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Crossroads Community Church
Lutheran Fellowship 2990 Voght St.Merritt • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m. in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Fellowship ServiceMerritt Time: 3rdLutheran Sunday each month 1:00 p.m.
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 &Catholic Blair • 250-378-2919 Sacred Heart Church Mass Time: Sundays a.m. Corner of Jackson & Blair •9:00 250-378-2919 Mass Time: Sundays 9:00Church a.m. St. Michael’s Anglican
1990 ChapmanAnglican St. • 250-378-3772 St. Michael’s Church Service Times: and 4thSt.Sundays only - 10:00 a.m. 19902nd Chapman • 250-378-3772
Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church
Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Corner & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time 2ndof&Quilchena 4th Sundays/ Sunday School (K-Gr. 4) - 10 am
Service Time 2nd & 4th Sundays/ Sunday School (K-Gr. 4) - 10 am
Somang SomangMission MissionCommunity CommunityChurch Church(SMC) (SMC) 1755 1755Coldwater ColdwaterAve. Ave.(The (TheCadet CadetHall) Hall) Sunday SundayService ServiceTime: Time:3:30 3:30pm pm••250-280-1268 250-280-1268
Nicola NicolaValley ValleyEvangelical EvangelicalFree FreeChurch Church 1950 1950Maxwell MaxwellSt. St.••250-378-9502 250-378-9502 ServiceTime: Time:Sundays Sundays 9:00 9:00a.m. a.m.&&11:00 11:00a.m. a.m. Service
MerrittBaptist BaptistChurch Church Merritt
Sundayservices servicestemporarily temporarilysuspended suspended--for forprayer prayerand and Sunday counselling call 250-378-2464 counselling call 250-378-2464
77 Day March 18 - Wednesday, March 23, 2021 Day Weather Weather Forecast Forecast for for Merritt, Merritt, BC BC -- Thursday, Thursday, March 25 - Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Thurs. March 18 Thurs. March 25
CONTAIN-IT STORAGE STORAGE
Wed. Jan. 20 Wed. March 31
Mix of Sun & Cloud Sunny High: 5˚C High: 6˚C Low: 0˚C Low: -35˚C
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS HERE? Give us a call 250-378-4241
THANK YOU!
THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 19
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to our donors for making it possible to bring back our printed edition of the newspaper. We would not have been able to do it without you.
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MERRITT HERALD THIS WEEK
THURSDAY, February 18, 2021 •
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ELDER CARE
Nicola-Canford students prepared crafty gifts for
seniors for Valentine’s Day.
/PAGE 9
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RUBY ROYAL
Valentine cheer.
Some winged angels took to the streets to spread some safe
/PAGE 14
FREE
CENT ALUM
A former backstopper of the Centennials is making headlines in NCAA college hockey.
/PAGE 23
FRESH HONEY: Gavin Walter of Coquihalla Apiaries shows off his bee collection as part of our five-page spread celebrating Agriculture Day. PAGE 15-19
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l a i c e p S ank You Th to all the businesses who have continued to support us throughout these difficult times. Please remember to support local shopping. Supporting local helps everyone thrive.
LIST OF DONORS • Freda Allen • Robin Clarke • Karen Szabo • Corinne Pitt • Maureen Lisle • Mark Remming • Charles Pimms • Jurgen Lutter • Beth Guthro • Betty Stone • Brian Wuensche • Gertrude Leslie * Mary Anderson • Haley Rutherford • Community Futures Nicola Valley
• Anne Wray • Kristyna Murphy • Linda Brown• In memory of Walter Evans, Love Callie, Zach & Maria • Janet Hohner • Joanne Woods • Stephanie Troughton • Chris de Haan • Miss Vicki’s Petals & Plants • Clemens Kummerlaender • Ho Ka Fai Simon • Gillian Rose
• Mike Hilton • Callie Langlois-Torgerson • Alex Doll • Jana Rosenberg • Bill and Tina Mikita • Joyce Crosina • Elizabeth Perdok-Waboose • Janet Hohner • Amy & Bradley Courtepatte • Naga Shunmugam • Carolyn Wainwright • Steve & Pat Gontar • Elizabeth Nel
• Evan Walsh • Charmaine Staley • Hans Treis • Carmen Fairley • Terence Grams • James A Clark • Sheila Butler • Matthew Starr • Stacey Krajci • Elizabeth Nel • Peter Spencer • Rod & Sharon Courtepatte • Mary Macgregor • Ross Horrocks • Sarah Sandusky
• Emily Wessel • Marise Sasges • Jeanette & Mike Matthias • Terrence Neilson • Lavinia Wilson • Dara Hill • Jurgen Lutter • Ellen Nast • Ka Fai Simon Ho • M.Cooper BCYR Fundraising Coordinator • Brent Campbell • Scentman • Anne Wray
• Shirley Dumma • Ben Klassen • Margaret Carlson • Alice Murray • James Murdoch • Cole Wagner • Gayle Munz • Barinder Chauhan • Joan Negrin • Betty Ann Mcdonnell • Ted Lund • Extra Foods • Gordon Swan • Diane Quinn • Plus a few generous anonymous donors
If you would like to donate, please go to support.merrittherald.com or drop by the office at 2090 Granite Avenue
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Obituaries
MERRITT & DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY ADVANCE CARE PLANNING is a choice that allows individuals to make health care decisions now, in case they cannot give consent for treatments offered in the future P: 250-280-1701
www.merritthospice.org Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca
Obituraries
Obituraries
Obituraries
Dorothy North (Eichler) June 21, 1941~ March 15, 2021 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dorothy North, at the age of 79. Dorothy received her teaching certificate at Brandon University in Manitoba and her first teaching assignment was at a country school (Floredale) in Minnitonas, Manitoba. She met and married Ed North in 1965, then moved to Windsor, Ontario where she taught for 7 years. In 1972 they moved to Merritt, where they found their true home, and she continued her teaching career for the next 30 years. It was always a bright spot in her day when greeted by one of her former students. Dorothy loved god, church, family, friends, teaching and cooking. She had a big heart, loved to laugh, and always took the time to hand write a long note to all of her friends at Christmas. Dorothy is pre-deceased by her parents Rudy and Lydia, her brother Fred Eichler and nephew Todd Eichler. She is survived by her husband Ed, her children Eddie, Sherri and Bradley, her grandchildren Katie, Kyle, Jeffrey, Noah, Abbie, Jacob, Jackson and Dominic, and her brother Leonard and sister Ann. A poem she liked: “Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free! I’m following the path god laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day. To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone, must stay that way. I found peace at close of day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy! A love shared, a laugh, a kiss ah yes! These things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don’t lengthen it with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, HE SET ME FREE.” [Author Unknown]. Rest in peace Dorothy. We are comforted to know that you are enjoying heaven, but you will be missed dearly here on earth.
Merritt Funeral Chapel A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
Obituraries
Clayton William
CAMPBELL
July 5, 1944 - February 17, 2021
Clay recently passed away in Smithers after a battle with cancer. Survived by brother Al (Surrey) sons Russell (Japan) and Randy (Coquitlam). Cousins Bob and Jack Thompson, step mother Norma Campbell of Medicine Hat and many friends. Born and raised on Box-S Ranch in Buffalo, Alberta he was educated in Medicine Hat and attended university in Montana and Saskatchewan. As an agrologist was a BC beef cattle specialist in Kamloops, lived in Merritt working as a private consultant throughout BC. He co-authored the Rangeland Handbook for BC. His love of cattle, horses, rodeo, land and environment led to adventures of ranching, fishing and hunting. No service by request. Donations can be made to BC Cancer Society. Employment
Employment
Employment
Full Time Payroll/Tax Clerk The Payroll/Tax Clerk performs a wide range of senior level accounting functions. The Payroll/Tax Clerk is responsible for complex payroll and benet processing, all aspects of municipal property taxes, nancial software administration, and provides reception coverage as required. Minimum job qualications include: Completion of Grade12, Certied Canadian Payroll Designation, minimum of 2 years in a professional accounting program, minimum of 3 years related experience (preferably in a municipal setting), ability to produce procient and accurate work, working knowledge and skill in the use of ofce equipment.
Applications will be received by the undersigned until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 for the position of Payroll/Tax Clerk.
Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com
For further details on this position, please visit http://www. loganlake.ca/career-opportunities
2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 Please recycle this newspaper.
Obituraries
This full-time position is 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm). The 2021 wage rate for this position as per CUPE Local 900 Collective Agreement is $34.76 per hour.
Celebrating each life like no other On Call 24 Hours A Day
Obituraries
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
May the Sunshine of Comfort Dispel the Clouds of Despair
Colin Forsyth, Director of Finance District of Logan Lake PO Box 190, Logan Lake, BC V0K 1W0 Fax: 250.523.6678 • Email: cforsyth@loganlake.ca
THURSDAY March 25, 2021 • 21
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Joint Venture A FIRST NATIONS FORESTRY COMPANY
DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER Aspen Planers, LTD, Merritt, BC
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POSITION: FULL TIME FORESTRY TECHNICIAN Stuwix Resources Joint Venture is a forestry management and marketing organization that is owned by eight First Nations Bands and located in Merritt British Columbia. Stuwix provides services to governments, industries and Indigenous clients in forestry and other natural resource sectors. Stuwix is certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and is SAFE Certified. Position Summary: This is a full-time position that is a mix of both field and office work. The successful candidate will assist our current team of professionals with carrying out a broad array of forestry services. Duties may include (but are not limited to): • GIS mapping •` Timber reconnaissance • GPS traversing • Field crew training and supervision • Road and block layout • Road assessments • Riparian classification • Planting supervision • Stream classification • Limited harvest supervision • Timber cruising • Drone flying • Site Plan (SP) Data collection Qualifications: • • • • • •
Valid class 5 driver’s license required Minimum 2 years experience Technical diploma or degree in natural resources or forestry Organizational and time management skills Conditioned to work in an outdoor environment with limited supervision Safe work mindset is required
Applications: Your Application package must include a complete resume, including supporting documentation and references. Only those who qualify will be contacted. Deadline for Applications: April 5, 2021 Please submit your resume to: Email: lennardj@stuwix.com Fax: 250-378-2541 Mail: 2-98 Highway 8 Merritt, BC. V1K 0A7 Website: www.stuwix.com
Coldwater Indian Band School Job Posting ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Job Title Title Job Receiving all all staff, staff, students, students, parents parents and and community community members members in in aa •• Receiving welcoming manner manner welcoming Office management management skills skills •• Office Experience working working with with confidential confidential information information •• Experience Effective verbal verbal and and written written communication communication •• Effective Possess cultural cultural awareness awareness and and sensitivity sensitivity •• Possess Desire to to increase increase capacity capacity through through professional professional development development •• Desire Demonstrate good good work work ethic; ethic; punctual; punctual; respectful respectful •• Demonstrate Honest and and trustworthy trustworthy •• Honest Ability to to work work within within aa team team and and individually individually •• Ability Working Conditions Conditions Working The ability ability to to have have good good multitasking multitasking and and time time management management skills. skills. •• The You may may have have irregular irregular hours hours on on special special events. events. •• You Ability to to work work with with technology technology and and be be familiar familiar with with computers computers and and •• Ability photocopiers. photocopiers. Qualifications Qualifications General Administration Administration and and secretarial secretarial training training •• General • Valid Driver’s License • Valid Driver’s License Preference to to Native Native Language Language and and experience experience working working in in First First Nations Nations •• Preference Communities Communities Intermediate level level ability ability with with computer computer skills: skills: Microsoft Microsoft word, word, and and excel. excel. •• Intermediate Rate of pay: As per set rate in school policy Rate of pay: As per set rate in school policy Closing: On-going until this position is filled. Closing: On-going until this position is filled. Only Short Listed Applicants will be contacted. Only Short Listed Applicants will be contacted. Please send resume, cover letter, and 3 references in any of the three ways Please send resume, cover letter, and 3 references in any of the three ways listed below. All applicants must comply with the Criminal Records Review listed below. All applicants must comply with the Criminal Records Review Act and BC Drivers Abstract. Act and BC Drivers Abstract. Email: jantoine@coldwaterschool.ca Email: jantoine@coldwaterschool.ca Fax: 250-378-9212 Fax: 250-378-9212 Mall: Box 4600, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Mall: Box 4600, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
General Purpose The divisional controller is responsible for applying accounting principles and procedures to analyze nancial information, prepare accurate and timely nancial reports and statements and ensure appropriate accounting control procedures. Duties include: • Full cycle accounting up to and including timely preparation of internal nancial statements. • Preparation of month end account reconciliation’s. • Develop key performance indicators for operations and related reports • Variance analyses: actual to budget and actual previous period. • Preparation of audit working papers and regulatory lings (HST, WCB, etc). • Participation in monthly inventory counts. • Oversee accounts payable and Woodlands nancials system • Guides nancial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures. Key Competencies: • Attention to detail and accuracy. • Planning and organizing. • Information and task monitoring. • Problem analysis with information technology skills. • Judgment and problem solving. • Professional designation will be a strong asset We thank all applicants who express any interest; however only those selected for interview will be contacted.
Submit your resume to: email: shereesimon@apgroup.ca
Deliver newspapers and start to . . .
EARN EXTRA CASH
LOOKING FOR A CARRIER
VALUE ADDED LUMBER REMANUFACTURING PLANT
PRODUCTION WORKERS
• Good wages • Steady day shift • Students welcome to apply • No experience necessary • Will train
TRUCK DRIVERS WITH CLASS 1 Local steady work
LICENCED SECURITY GUARDS CERTIFIED FORKLIFT OPERATORS CARPENTERS Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt B.C. 250-378-6161
is looking for a
FULL-TIME LABOURER. • must have a valid driver’s licence • landscaping experience an asset but not required. • hardworking individual • experience with power tools Please fax resumes to 250-378-4166
Catch your next job in our employment section.
ROUTE ME24: Canford, Chapman, Coldwater, Greig, Hamilton, River And Voght Street. 56 Paperrs • A flexible schedule • A great way to lose weight and get into shape • A great way to supplement your income • Great first job - excellent opportunity to teach children the life skills for success Consider being a carrier for the Merritt Herald. You will earn extra money delivering an award winning community newspaper once a week to the homes in your neighbourhood.
If anyone in your family is interested in being a paper carrier, call Ken at 250-378-4241
To advertise in To advertise in Employment Employment call 604-630-3300 Call 250-378-4241
22 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021 Employment
Employment
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SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)
We can’t do it without you
Youth Care Worker • Merritt, BC
General Responsibilities Under the direction and supervision of the Principal or designate, the Youth Care Worker provides assistance to students who display vulnerabilities in social competencies and interpersonal relationships. The YCW will collaboratively work with staff in developing individual social and behavioural programs to assist students in reaching the goals outlined in the student’s Individual Education Plan, Behaviour Plan and when indicated, or Integrated Case Management Plan. • Report to the District Principal of Student Support Services and work under the direction of school Principals as a part of the Social Emotional Learning Team. • Work in collaboration with school staff and other agencies to foster and develop the individual student’s potential. • Encourage and assist students to have learning and coping skills that will enable them to perform more successfully in school and the community. • Support children and youth to achieve their goals using a strengthsbased approach. • Maintain liaison with teachers, counsellors, administrators, students and their families. • Assist in the development and implementation of specific academic/social interventions with students who present unique and challenging behaviors. • Provide guidance to students and their families. • Regularly participate meetings as required. • Regularly communicate with parents and community agencies under the direction of the administrator and School Based Team. • Participate as a member of a team to provide support to students with social, emotional, behavioural and mental health challenges. • Participate and contribute to regular staff meetings and professional development. • Assume additional responsibilities, which are site-specific. Qualifications Required • Demonstrated superior oral and written communication skills. • Ability to work cooperatively with family, community and school personnel • Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of an educational team. • Demonstrated ability to maintain highly organized records and detailed information on students and programs, as well as perform other clerical tasks of limited scope. • Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. • Ability to follow school and community protocols. • Ability to maintain confidentiality. • Required to have completed a Child and Youth Care Degree or equivalent. • Minimum of 2 years supervised recent and relevant work-related experience with children and youth is preferred. • Proven ability working with at-risk school-aged children and youth as well as experience running groups with children and youth. • Employment is subject to a criminal record check. • Vehicle and driver’s license 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. Deadline for applications: 11:00 am (PST), April 2, 2021 Address applications to: Lindsey Henderson Manager of Human Resources School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Box 4100, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Email: sblonde@365.sd58.bc.ca Wanted: Experienced Diamond Drillers and Helpers for busy 2021 exploration season in Yukon. For consideration send resume, copy of First Aid, TDG, WHMIS certificates plus drivers abstract to Employment@kluanedrilling.ca
Bring Home the Bacon!
Find your new job right here in your Classifieds.
merrittherald.com
or Call to advertise a job
250-378-4241
Employment
Volunteering
CUPE 847 POSITION
School District No. 58 invites applications for the position of Youth Care Worker in Merritt, BC. We are seeking an experienced individual to join the SD58 team to take on this important and challenging role. Duties will commence April 2, 2021.
Employment
The BC SPCA cares for thousands of orphaned, abandoned and abused animals each year.
CONTRACTOR WANTED The Nicola Valley Better at Home program is seeking an experienced, reliable contractor to provide yard maintenance for seniors. The successful candidate will be courteous, organized, and dependable, with a good eye for detail. Contractors will have their own equipment and liability insurance and be willing to undergo a Criminal Records Check. Please submit an expression of interest detailing your experience to: merrittbetterathome@interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca
How to Apply Drop off resume in person to 1953 Nicola Avenue, Merritt Ask for Felix Huang or Email: tropicofh@ gmail.com
spca.bc.ca/volunteer
AVAILABLE Get your steps in and get paid
COOK
Job Description: preparation of all dishes for lunch and dinner for a busy restaurant, must have min. 2 years experience in any food, professional cook certicate an asset.
SPEAKING FOR ANIMALS SPEAKI
PAPER ROUTES
Bamboo Panda Restaurant (previous Tropico Spice Restaurant) IS LOOKING FOR Salary: $34,000.00 $38,000.00/Annually Full Time, Permanent Start Date: ASAP
Volunteers are urgently needed to care for animals and assist with BC SPCA events. If you can help, please contact your local shelter today.
250-374-7467 Call 250-378-4241
Legal & Public Notices
250-374-7467
Legal & Public Notices
Legal & Public Notices
Legal & Public Notices
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION DISTRICT SURPLUS PROPERTY This is a reminder from School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) that a public consultation meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the surplus properties identied below. The Board of Education will be considering the input provided by stakeholders prior to making a decision on the future of these properties including, but not limited to, a potential sale to community organizations, community agencies, local government and private interests. The Board of Education values the input of all stakeholders and is committed to the goal of nancially supporting learning across the district while recognizing potential opportunities for the greater community. We look forward to hearing from our stakeholders. MERRITT SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE: 1550 Chapman Street, Merritt – PARCEL A, BLOCK 6, PLAN KAP838, DISTRICT LOT 125, KAMLOOPS DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT, OF LOT 1-7 FORMER BROOKMERE ELEMENTARY: 55975 Coldwater Road, Brookmere – PARCEL A, PLAN KAP7318B, DISTRICT LOT 659, YALE DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT (DD173502F) FORMER BROOKMERE TEACHERAGE: 860 Roundhouse Drive/860 Caboose Road, Brookmere – LOT 15, PLAN KAP6467 DISTRICT LOT 659, KAMLOOPS DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT
Attention
Inventors! Ideas wanted! Call Davison today! 1.800.218.2909 or visit us at
inventing.davison.com/BC
Free inventor’s guide!
VACANT LOT: 383 Merritt-Spences Bridge Hwy 8, Lower Nicola – LOT G, PLAN KAP1107, DISTRICT LOT 160, KAMLOOPS DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT, EXCEPT PLAN KAP70545 KENGARD LEARNING CENTRE: 2475 Merritt Avenue, Merritt – LOT 1, KAP18168, DISTRICT LOT 124, KAMLOOPS DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT, EXCEPT KAP 89885 FORMER PRINCETON SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE: 170 Vermilion Avenue, Princeton – LOT B, PLAN KAP33345, DISTRICT LOT 706, YALE DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT, EXCEPT PLAN M18345 RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTRE: 148 Old Hedley Road, Princeton – LOT 1, PLAN KAP 25461, DISTRICT LOT 1297, YALE DIVISION OF YALE LAND DISTRICT If you wish to provide input in writing, please submit your comments no later than 4:00 pm on April 9, 2021, to the Secretary Treasurer in one of the following ways: • Email: bross@365.sd58.bc.ca; • Regular mail: PO Box 4100, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8; and • In person: School Board Ofce, 1550 Chapman Street, Merritt The public consultation will take place via Zoom video conference call on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Please contact Barbara Ross at sblonde@365.sd58.bc.ca for the link to participate in the meeting, prior to April 9, 2021 at 4:00 pm.
THURSDAY, March 25, 2021 • 23
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GENERAL DENTISTS & SPECIALIST ORTHODONTISTS AVAILABLE Call
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2731 Forksdale Avenue, V1K 1R9
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COMFORT, CLARITY AND CONFIDENCE
Cashflow and Insurance Planning Portfolio Management Tax and Estate Planning
FLOOD SERVICES
Contact Kyle for your plan today!
TREE SERVICE JIM POTTER
MERRITT TREE SERVICE • Fully insured, certified faller • WSBC covered • Dangerous tree assessment ➤Schedule your FREE Estimate
Cell Phone: 250-879-6306 • Office: 250-372-2955 Ext. 259 e-mail: Kyle.schell@ig.ca • Website: http://advisor.investorsgroup.com/en/kyle_schell
MORTGAGE BROKER
Buying a home? Refinancing your home?
My Goal - to SAVE you money! 1964 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Tel: (250) 378-2215 • reception@carrie ware.ca
SPECIALIZING IN: Bookkeeping: We create specific accounting to meet the individual needs of each client PEOP Income tax Preparation: We pride LE’S ourselves in providing our clients with profe ssional tax services at a very competitive rate. 2019-202 A oun0 Best Tax season is around the corner - we are taking on new personal tant/ tax clients Bocc o
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
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Carrie Ware, BSc, CPA, CA • www.carrieware.ca
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FOR ALL YOUR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING & BOOKKEEPING NEEDS COME SEE
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NEW PATIENTS & WALK-INS WELCOME
THROUGH A COMPLETE
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PLUMBING & HEATING
Plumbing, Heating, Bonded Gas Fitters. Service Work & Furnace Service. Custom Sheet Metal Atlas RV Parts & Repairs
HERE FOR YOU!
Looking for an accessible way for people to find you?
Call 250-378-5 420 Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC
Fully Qualied Tradesmen in..
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE
Colleen Way
Your Merritt Mortgage Specialist
1.800.487.9035
colleenMway@gmail.com
CALL JIM at 250-378-4212
Solutions for your tree problems!
MECHANIC
RVICE FRANK’S MECHAWNARICRAANTLY SE APPROVED OLD OR NEW WE HAVE FOR EVERYONE MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
• Tune Ups t • Brakes • Exhaus il /O be Lu • n • Suspensio ks & Struts tor Service • Shoc ice ia ad •R Serv • Air Conditioning -1322
enue 2026 Mamette Av
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24 • THURSDAY,March 25, 2021
www.merrittherald.com
MerrittMerritt Real Estate Services Ltd.Ltd. HELPING SERVING MERRITT & AREA FOR 40 YEARS! HELPINGYOU YOU IS IS WHAT WHAT WE WE DO! SERVING MERRITT & AREA FOR 40 YEARS! Real Estate Services Visit: www.royallepage.ca/merritt Looking to sell? Call one of our for a complete list of current listings agents to see what your home is worth. 3499 Voght St. Merritt BC • 250-378-6181 email: rlpmerit@telus.net 1330 PINE STREET
$1,100,000 RARE 4.5 ACRE DEVELOPMENT PROPERTY ALONG THE RIVER IN TOWN AND JUST MINUTES FROM SHOPPING AND ALL AMENITIES. Currently Zoned R2 for multi family but possible rezone potential for higher density
5020 STEFFENS ROAD
$499,900
LD
PERFECT HOBBY FARM NESTLED ON 10.7 ACRES JUST 20 MINUTES FROM MERRITT & 40 minutes to Kamloops! This fully fenced property is set up for horses complete with hay storage for over 200 bales of hay, nice sized riding arena, fenced and cross fenced, electric horse waterer, 2 40’ containers
SO
MLS# 160758
MLS# 160424
DENISE DESILETS: • 250-315-8395 •email: denisedesilets@royallepage.ca
2669 QUILCHENA AVENUE
D
L SO
$529,000 111 VEALE ROAD
WELL-BUILT HOME AND PERFECT FOR A FAMILY OR INVESTORS. Upstairs rented for $1,600.00 and downstairs rented for $950.00 Both pay own utilities. Nice sundeck, fenced backyard and double car garage.
D
L SO
$779,000
RETIRE IN STYLE ON THIS 9.88 ACREAGE AND HORSE PROPERTY JUST 4 MINUTES FROM MERRITT The home was built in 2020 and offers outstanding quality
MLS# 159378
MLS#160550 Owner/Broker
CLAUDETTE EDENOSTE: • 250-280-0689 •email: claudetteedenoste@royallepage.ca
355 LINDEN ROAD
$649,900 254 CALCITE DRIVE LOGAN LAKE
$519,000
TO BE BUILT. THIS 3 BEDROOM 2 BATH NEWLY DESIGNED HOME with a walk out basement in beautiful Logan Lake is set to begin construction. Open concept design with a large 11 X 8 deck out the back overlooking the Highland Valley. Master bedroom has a 5 piece ensuite
IMMACULATE CUSTOM BUILT EXECUTIVE HOME IN THE HIDDEN GEM OF LOGAN LAKE. Zero scaped front yard and low maintenance back yard, mud/laundry room leads into double garage. Bright walk out basement with full 9 foot ceilings
MLS# 160599
MLS# 160781
FREDERICK SINGER (LOGAN LAKE): • 250-318-8392 •email: fred.singer@royallepage.ca
210-1703 MENZIES STREET
$109,000 SECTION 26 PIMAINUS LAKE ROAD
$99,000
ATTENTION INVESTORS & FIRST TIME BUYERS. Recently updated 1 bedroom 1 bathroom unit located in Nicola Apartments. This unit has new carpet, new laminate flooring, new light fixtures, new paint from ceiling to floor, new baseboard heaters, new light fixtures, new thermostat and an updated stove.
BEAUTIFUL LAKE FRONT LOT ON TYNER LAKE WITH 2 CABINS FOR YOUR FAMILY’S GETAWAY FROM IT ALL VACATION SPOT. Come check out this very private lot located approximately 25 minutes Northwest of Merritt. This lot is the perfect location for those of you who enjoy being in the great outdoors.
MLS#161043
MLS#160947
JENNIFER KIGHTLEY: • 250-315-3256 •email: jenniferkightley@royallepage.ca
$570,000 205 – 2295 BLAIR STREET
2125 QUILCHENA AVENUE
$189,900 GROUND LEVEL TWO BEDROOM UNIT WITH GOOD TENANTS IN PLACE. Good flooring and paint with in suite laundry and storage. Five appliances included. Has a patio area at front with good daylight.
GREAT STORE FRONT LOCATION WITH 1300 SQUARE FOOT RENTAL APARTMENT ABOVE Property has curbside parking at front plus parking at back for loading and unloading. Main floor is approximately 4,230 square feet and can be divided into two units.
MLS# #160814
MLS#158599
JOHN ISAAC: • 250-378-1586 •email: johnisaac@telus.net
1702 JUNIPER DRIVE
$789,000 904 COLDWATER ROAD
BEAUTIFUL LARGE FAMILY HOME LOCATED CLOSE TO ALL AMENITIES and on a landscaped .36 acre property in one of the most desirable areas of Merritt. Three levels of finished living area with amazing views through the large living/dining room feature windows
Managing Broker
$289,800
COUNTRY LIVING WITH VIEWS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING 1 ACRE VIEW LOTS IN THE MERRITT AREA. Situated on the Coldwater Road this lot offers the potential for a custom built home with room for horses.
MLS# 158828
MLS# 161040
TONY LUCK: • 604-217-5825 •email: tjluck@royallepage.ca
2455 BURGESS AVENUE
Personal Real Estate Corporation
$210,000 6469/6465 MONCK PARK ROAD
$1,595,000
ENJOY THE COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE RIGHT WITHIN THE CITY ON THIS .77 ACRE LOT located in a prestigious neighborhood on a quiet cul de sac. This lot is offers over 200 feet of river frontage and is located within walking distance to Central Park, churches and the downtown core.
BEAUTIFUL 4000 SQ. FT. CUSTOM HOME LOCATED IN NICOLA LAKESHORE ESTATES. Adjoining lot is included giving you an approx. 2 acre parcel. This quality built high-end home features a mill creek kitchen w/quartz counter tops, slate heated floors and more!
MLS# 157700
MLS#160726
DEBRA SCHINDLER: • 250-315-3548 •email: debbieschindler2@gmail.com