Merritt Herald April 11, 2024

Local byelection countdown

All four candidates participated in an all-candidates forum so community members could get to know their platforms and raise their concerns.

On April 3, Merrittonians and all the candidates running for the vacant seat in council have gathered at the Merritt Civic Centre for a forum. Photo/Kenneth Wong

On Wednesday, April 3, the Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce hosted an all-candidates forum at the Merritt Civic Centre.

The four candidates – Yvette Baxter, Peter Coghill, Norma Jean Littleton, and Michael ‘MJ’ Phillips – spent approximately two hours answering questions from Merrittonians and the current city council.

The forum was moderated by Darcy McLeod. He has also moderated candidate forums for the City of Vancouver’s mayoral

election, federal housing debate in Ottawa, and the provincial election housing forum in Victoria.

Topics such as qualifications, leadership, economics, infrastructure, and more were discussed.

What’s the top issue you’re dedicated to addressing?

Baxter: “Working with local bands and trying to make sure we all work together so that we can prevent floods in the future.”

Coghill: “Liability, finding resources to come to Merritt, businesses.”

Littleton: “I’m really interested in the

water, the condition, because so many people complain about the way it used to be, and then the chlorine flavour and they can’t drink it from the tap.”

Phillips: “Our aquifers are running dry.”

The role of the city in homelessness?

Baxter: “I believe it’s not the city’s problem per homeless, we can help them find agencies but if we start using taxpayer dollars to pay for homeless people, we will get taxed even further.”

Coghill: “Working with

The Herald is covering the Merritt Centennials’ playoffs journey, the first time the team reaches the playoffs since 2018-2019 season.

Search ‘PLAYOFFS’

On April 9, city council discussed when the Claybanks RV Park should be reopening.

‘

How will the candidates catch up?

From Page 3

individuals and the communities around to find out what’s happening with the homeless people… They have a really good program that they’re doing in Edmonton about trying to help and try to get to root of the issues of that and if we don’t address the homelessness, then that’s when we start to get mental health and drug addictions.”

Littleton: “I think that it’s worth the research to see the grant as much as we can to help them because if they don’t know they have a problem, they don’t know what it is, how do they deal with it? So there’s counseling that’s needed. It’s a high suicide rate with these people and then I think that’s important to look at and try to get to the bottom and like Edmonton, try to solve the homelessness.”

Phillips: “Our goal should be trying to figure out ways to go and help these people that are out there that have addictions to be able to go and get their lives together and trying to get themselves into a living situation that can work for them.”

The byelection winner will be entering office 18 months into a term, how will you catch up?

Baxter: “You have to hit the ground running, you have to talk to every single councillor as soon as you get into the office, you have to find out how far they’ve gotten, what they’re working on, and what they’re going to plan to for the future and you have to just work your butt off is at the beginning, you’re good playing catch up so you’re running at 100 miles an hour, and you’re trying to get to the same point

that other councillors are at.”

Coghill: “You kinda just have to dive into it and do a lot of research, a lot of back checking on what council has been doing for the last 10 years, not just the last two years, because they’re taking over for a group that was before them and they’re finishing off some of tier stuff that they might have already started back then.”

Littleton: “If you’re going to take a job on like this, you’ve got to have a passion for working and following the needs of the mayor and the council and follow the lead where they’re at, and just stay, work, and research and be pliable. It’ll be willing to learn and it’s a new adventure, but if you’ve got your energy there and you’re willing to work, then how can you go wrong?”

Phillips: “I like to go and I keep track of what’s going on, so I read the minutes and sometimes I watched the whole meetings, but not all of them, but a good portion of them I’ve watched and trying to keep up to date on all the little details… Joining the council, I’m going to be heading in partly in the dark and because it’s a new experience, and I’m happy to get acclimated to how the system works. I understand Robert’s Rules of Order so I have that going for me.”

As the countdown to April 20 comes closer and closer, the forum provided an opportunity for residents to better understand the candidates and their platforms.

The byelection winner will serve as city councillor until November 2026.

TEGART: British Columbians need relief from affordability crisis OPINION

JACKIE TEGART VIEW FROM LEGISLATURE

Despite repeated calls from our BC United Caucus to halt the carbon tax hike, David Eby went ahead and increased the tax by 23 percent on April 1, anyway. This comes at a time when many British Columbians are already finding it increasingly

difficult to manage the rising costs of everyday life.

Our province already bears the burden of the highest gas prices and taxes In North America. This latest carbon tax increase hits hardest in our small communities, where public transportation options are limited, and reliance on personal vehicles is a necessity for daily commutes to work and school.

When first introduced in 2008, the carbon tax was a revenue-neutral tax. This meant that every dollar collected was returned to British Columbians in rebates, ensuring it didn’t add to their financial burdens.

Yet, since 2017, there has been a

significant shift. When the NDP was elected, they dismantled its revenue neutrality, instead directing revenue right into government coffers and setting the stage for its continuous escalation.

Today, the carbon tax has more than doubled, with projections indicating a potential tripling by 2030.

The impact of this policy shift is felt deeply across the province. My conversations with constituents have revealed heart-wrenching stories: seniors resorting to living in their cars, families giving up on homeownership dreams, and a surge in food bank visits — a clear sign of the growing difficulty in affording

even basic necessities.

That’s why, under Kevin Falcon’s leadership, BC United is committed to delivering critical affordability measures so families receive some much-needed relief. By scrapping the provincial fuel tax, removing the carbon tax on all home heating and on-farm fuel use, and cancelling David Eby’s planned carbon tax hikes we will challenge B.C.’s affordability crisis head-on.

For far too long, life in British Columbia has been unaffordable for many; however, BC United has a plan.

United, we will fix it.

TIMMS: A vision beyond CleanBC

JONAH TIMMS BC Green Party MLA candidate

It is odd to begin an article in defense of a program by first tearing it down but the CleanBC program that we have is not what will save British Columbians from the impacts of climate change. It is a document of half-measures that depend on “market forces” to correct our addiction to fossil fuels.

CleanBC doesn’t do enough to support what is needed to reduce emissions and that’s why we aren’t seeing mean-

www.royallepage.ca/merritt

Johnisaac@telus.net

www.realestatemerritt.com

Office: 250-378-6181

Cell: 250-378-1586

F: 250-378-6184

3499 Voght St., Merritt, BC

ingful change. We need transformative, creative, and structural improvements if we want lasting change.

Some parties would have us be fearful and give us vague promises of “common sense measures”. These are often disingenuous as no elected party in BC has once met any of their climate targets and often had to reduce their climate “goals”. That’s not climate leadership. That is bowing to other interests while holding a large, green paint can.

The CleanBC program does support decarbonizing our lives and it often saves people thousands of dollars for those who are able to take advantage of the funding. It supports purchasing heat pumps and electric vehicles as well as reducing emissions. These programs are only utilized by those who can afford heat pumps and

who can manage the cost of a new electric vehicle.

To enable society-wide positive change that people support, we need broad programs that help everyone reduce impacts and improve lives. We need inter-community transit; improved regulation, enforcement, and compliance for companies; and we need to think about what we want in 2050.

BC Greens know that we must tackle the climate crisis head on and this means action - now and by everyone. We need to work towards carbon neutrality at the same time as preventing ecological collapse and ensuring our communities are safe, and that people are housed and taken care of by a wellfunded healthcare system.

We need dedicated and creative leaders intent on working in good faith to solve the climate crisis and mak-

ing BC better. We don’t need political parties focused on making up kitschy names for the other team’s programs and if we actually want things to change, we have to be that change. We should not sit back and wait for others. I envision a province of leaders motivated by our common goals not greed or power.

The BC Greens have plans and people ready to step up with legitimate strategies to lower our emissions. We can’t depend on vague promises by a party with a history of cozying up to polluters. BC

United has never been a leader in anything before other than selling out our future for a few dollars in the present. We need leaders who can both increase our standards of living while ensuring a future we want to live in. We need more BC Greens.

The Merritt Centennials won the B.C. Junior Hockey provincial championship last Wednesday night by edging the Richmond Sockeyes 6 to 5 in overtime. The victory gave the Cents the right to represent B.C. in the Western Canada Centennial Cup semi-finals. Merritt won the best-of-five series against the Richmond Sockeyes three games straight.

Trailer caught re close to former Tolko

Laísa Condé

NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

A travel trailer caught fire at housing complex at the hill located south of former Tolko site, on April 4.

In an email to the Herald, Merritt Fire Chief David Tomkinson said that the fire is currently under investigation.

“What we know is that firefight -

Wildflower Bl m Campaign

ers arrived to find a travel trailer on fire, with flames extending to the adjacent structure,” he said in the email. “Firefighters were on scene quickly, controlling the fire, and able to prevent a much more serious incident.”

According to Chief Tomkinson, 15 firefighters were on scene with three fire apparatus – an engine, ladder truck and a water tender.

In April, we’re spotlighting the vital services provided by hospice societies in BC. Hospice Societies are valuable members of healthcare teams, offering a diversity of services aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals living with a serious illness and their loved ones and caregivers.

CONTACT merritthospice@shaw.ca •250 280 1701 www.merritthospice.org

or PURCHASE your flowers through these participating businesses Purity Feeds, Dr. Gage Chiropractor or Carrie Ware Accounting

Fundraising for this campaign will go towards the continued delivery of quality grief and bereavement support, symptom management, wellness programs, education and resource lending, respite and many other services to our community.

Merritt Fire & Rescue Department on scene after a travel trailer caught fire at a housing complex at the hill located south of former Tolko site, on April 4. Photo/Kenneth Wong

Merritt man dead after crash involving homemade go kart

Mounties say a 67-year-old Merritt man died last week after the homemade go kart he was driving blew a stop sign and collided with another vehicle.

The incident happened on March 26. At the time, a Castanet reader reported seeing paramedics and a large police presence on Coldwater Avenue, along with an area blocked off with yellow tape.

Merritt RCMP Sgt. Brock

Hedrick told Castanet officers were called to the incident, which happened at Coldwater Avenue and Blair Street, just before 5 p.m.

“It was originally reported as a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle,” Hedrick said.

“Our investigation determined that actually it wasn’t a pedestrian, it was a 67-year-old male resident of Merritt who was actually operating an unlicensed, three-wheeled homemade go kart and had failed to stop

at the stop sign going through Blair Street and was struck by the vehicle going the other direction.”

Hedrick said the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

He said there won’t be any motor vehicle act charges laid, adding multiple witnesses reported seeing the go kart fail to stop at the stop sign before it was struck by the vehicle.

“That particular vehicle was not doing anything wrong,” Hedrick said.

He said RCMP victim’s services have been offered to the occupants of the vehicle.

“Obviously, it’s a tragic incident for them,” Hedrick said, adding police are supporting families of both parties involved in the crash as best they can.

He said the BC Coroners Service was notified and is investigating.

Kristen Holliday CASTANET

A Merritt man died after a homemade go kart blew a stop sign and collided with another vehicle. Photo/ Kenneth Wong

Upper Nicola Band lls vacant councillor seats

Laísa Condé

NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Upper Nicola Band has filled the three empty seats in council chambers.

Jeanette McCauley, Matthew Manuel and Stuart Michel were voted in as the new members of council following this weekend’s special election, in seats left vacant by the resignation of three councillors.

According to the Upper Nicola Band website, elected Coun. Jeremy Tom resigned his position on July 29, 2023, followed by then Coun. Eva Tom, who resigned on Sept. 4, 2023. Shortly after, on Oct. 23, 2023, Coun. Kayla Boston resigned her position.

McCauley garnered 150 votes, Manuel garnered 107 votes and Michel accumulated 100 votes.

They join councillors Fred (Scotty)

The three candidates elected will serve until March 2026.

From Page 11

Littleton hopes to bring her prior experience into council. “I think I got a lot of creativity and sort of blind innocence, that way I’ll just step out and do it. It’s surprising how it turns out,” said Littleton.

“Whatever to make it an interesting community, a fun community and a safe community, and that they can turn to the council and there’s people that care, care if they’re really struggling or upset or need to find answers.”

Another priority Littleton has is flood recovery and the downtown. “The flood needs to be looked at and also the water is definitely a concern for a lot of people, and the upkeep of the downtown for the upkeep of the businesses.”

“(My vision for Merritt is) to keep it safe, and to keep it healthy, and basically happy,” said Littleton. “Just getting in there and just being open and being excited and to be exuberant about Merritt and to help have things just fall in or keep going.”

The Herald will be interviewing all candidates prior to the byelection on April 20.

Holmes, Dennis MacDonald, Brian Holmes, Craig Shintah, Kevin Ned, Ira Tom, and Chief Daniel Manuel in chambers.

B.C.’s opposition parties demand probe into alleged goverment grant kickbacks

Rob Shaw

B.C.’s three opposition parties united this week to demand the auditor general probe a so-called “kickback scheme” involving one of the companies responsible for administering millions of dollars of government grants to clean technology projects.

BC United, BC Green and BC Conservative MLAs voted for an independent probe of accounting firm MNP, which the government has hired to administer at least two grant programs, but which is also facing allegations it demanded socalled “success fees” of as high as 20 per cent of the grant amount to help firms win money.

“Requiring 20-per-cent success fees on grants, success fees to the company that’s actually doing the adjudication, if true, is wrong on so many levels,” BC United MLA Todd Stone said in the legislature.

Do you live in a communit y that was impacted by the 2021 BC Floods?

Th e Ca na di an Re d Cr os s Re si de nt ia l Mi ti ga ti on In ce nt iv e Pr og ra m is of fe ring financ ial in ce ntiv es to he lp pr otec t yo ur ho me ag ains t fl oo ding Ap plic atio n de adline is Ap ri l 30 , 20 24

Fo r more info rmati on and to appl y, visit ww w. re dcros s.c a/2021BCFlo od s

“That practice, if it is happening, needs to stop.

The only way that British Columbians will know is if

BC Timber SalesKamloops

Invitation to Comment—ForestOperations Map

Thepublicisinvited to reviewand commenton BC TimberSalesK amloops (TKA)Forest OperationsMap.The Mapshows proposed road construc tion andcut blockdevelopmentunderForestStewardship Plan #671, #109 and #816 withinForestDevelopmentUnitsinthe 100 Mile House,Thompson Rivers and Cascades Forest Districts.The Mapwill be valid forthe operating periodfromMay 11, 2024 –March31, 2027. During the operatingperiod, the Timber Sales Manager mayinviteapplications forTimber Sale Licenses forthe har vestingofcut blocks shownonthe Mapand apply forroad permitstoconstruct roads shownonMap

TheMap is available forpublic review andcomment online,at: fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projec ts

TheMap is also available forin-person review and commentby appointmentatthe BC Timber SalesTKA office, MondaytoFridayfrom 8a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,at:

BC Timber Sales KamloopsBusiness Area

1265 Dalhousie Drive

Kamloops,B.C., V2C5Z5

Telephone: 250 371-6500

Comments will be accepted from April8– May10, 2024. Comments may be submitted online at fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects,emailed to TKAreferrals@gov.bc.ca,delivered in-person to theaddress aboveduring business hours, or mailed to theaddressabove to the attentionof: Planning Department

If youhavequestionsorrequire assistance, please email: TKAreferrals@gov.bc.ca.

When can children brush their own teeth?

Parents quickly learn that their children go through a transition marked by a desire to be more independent. They’re picking out their own mismatched clothes and no longer want any help when solving puzzles or complex toys. That newfound independence signals

getting older and can be a healthy thing to nourish. But what happens when a youngster suddenly believes he or she is capable of brushing his or her teeth without assistance?

Parents wrestling with their kids’ can-do attitude and if it’s wise to allow them

to brush their teeth unassisted can familiarize themselves with certain guidelines to determine their youngsters’ readiness. According to Scripps Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, most kids are at least six years old before they have developed the finesse and dexterity to handle a toothbrush in a manner that will effectively remove plaque. Dentists also may ask if the child can tie his or her own shoes, which can serve as a barometer of readiness to wield a toothbrush without assistance.

Pediatricians and pediatric dentists recommend that children visit a dentist as soon as a child’s first tooth starts to appear. This also is when parents should begin to clean their children’s teeth. As a child ages, the natural proclivity to want to take charge of brushing teeth takes hold. The child may not yet have the manual dexterity to brush alone, but parents can encourage the child to brush and then go over the teeth as a “double check.” This helps foster independence while also ensuring teeth are fully cleaned.

Flossing may require even more dexterity than brushing, but it is essential for sloughing off plaque that accumulates between teeth and below the gum line, according to Parents magazine. Moms and dads can introduce their children to pre-threaded Y-shaped flossing tools, which are easier to handle than loose floss.

Parents will have to check on children even as they age to be sure they are practicing good oral hygiene. Parents who are in doubt about their children’s readiness can work with dentists or dental hygienists to assess skills and get other pointers.

Health risks of poor dental care

Diabetes

People with diabetes are at increased risk for periodontal disease, speculating that diabetes patients’ risk is higher because people with diabetes are more vulnerable to infections than those without diabetes. While that suggests periodontal disease is a byproduct of diabetes, research points to the relationship being a two-way street. Periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar, making dental hygiene an especially vital component of routine healthcare for people with diabetes.

Heart disease

Research indicates periodontal disease increases a person’s risk for heart disease, with the inflammation caused by the former leading to the latter. People with existing heart conditions also may find that periodontal disease exacerbates those conditions. The Mayo Clinic notes that the link between heart disease and periodontal disease is not fully understood, but enough studies have been conducted for scientists to support the notion that the two are connected.

Can periodontal disease be prevented?

Periodontal disease is preventable. A daily dental hygiene regimen that includes brushing after meals, flossing at least once per day and swishing with mouthwash are some simple, healthy habits that can prevent periodontal disease. In addition, the AAP recommends that people at increased risk for periodontal disease, including the elderly and smokers, should discuss their risk with their dental professionals.

Dental hygiene can do more for individuals than produce a mouthful of pearly white teeth. In fact, people who prioritize dental hygiene may lower their risks for various diseases.

Early warning signs of oral cancer

Oral cancer is a significant threat across the globe. Data from the World Health Organization indicates that more than 450,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year.

The Oral Cancer Foundation notes that oral cancers are part of a group of cancers referred to as head and neck cancers. All cancers in that group are potentially dangerous, but oral cancers account for roughly 85 percent of all head and neck cancer diagnoses, which underscores the importance of routine oral health checkups.

The Moffitt Cancer Center® in Florida notes that many dentists perform oral cancer screenings during routine checkups, which dispels the notion that checkups are unnecessary for individuals who practice proper dental hygiene every day.

The American Dental Association notes there is not a one-size-fits-all regimen for dental health. However, at least two visits to a dentist per year can ensure teeth stay clean and afford dentists opportunities to screen for oral cancers and detect other issues, including gingivitis. In addition to scheduling routine checkups, individuals can learn to spot the common symptoms

of oral cancer. The Moffitt Cancer Center urges individuals to seek medical attention if any of these signs persist for more than two weeks:

• A sore, irritation or thickness in the mouth or throat

• A white or red patch on the inside of the mouth

• A feeling that something is caught in the throat

• Hoarseness or other vocal changes

• Persistent coughing

• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking

• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue

• Numbness in the mouth

• Swelling in the jaw or neck

• Frequent nosebleeds

• Ear pain that does not affect your hearing

• Unexplained weight loss

It’s important that individuals recognize that the presence of these symptoms is not necessarily indicative of the presence of oral cancer. Some of these symptoms could indicate the presence of other issues that also require medical attention. For example, frequent nosebleeds could indicate high blood pressure or a blood clotting disorder, while unexplained weight loss is a potential indicator of diabetes.

NICOLA VALLEY

MNP denies con ict of interest on the matter

From Page 13

there is actually an audit and investigation into this, and that’s the role of the auditor general.”

At least one company has gone public with its concerns, Merritt-based Edison Motors, a new startup that is building electric semi-trucks used for logging, and which sought provincial aid to expand its operations.

The company has applied unsuccessfully for several grants through at least four different programs. It was rejected for $3 million grants under the CleanBC Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program, as well as the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots (CVP) program—both of which MNP administers on behalf of the province.

After the rejection, MNP reached out to Edison Motors to suggest it hire them to be more successful in winning government money, said company co-founder Chace Barber.

“They made it kind of clear, if we want to get a government grant we have to go through them,” Barber said in an interview.

“Morally, this feels fucking wrong,” he added.

Edison Motors wanted the grant money in part to purchase a trucking facility at a shuttered sawmill in Terrace, and convert it into an electric logging truck production plant. The move would allow the company to upscale production of their emissions-free heavy duty logging trucks, hire another 50 staff, help decar bonize the forestry sector and expand the company’s reach.

Currently it is the only company in North America to make a full plug-in elec tric semi-truck, said Barber. But so far, it has not been successful in any grants.

MNP denied any conflict in its role as both the administrator of some govern ment grants, and as a private firm trying to sell its services to clients as an expert on B.C. government grant procurement.

“MNP is careful to ensure there is no conflict with this type of service and programs that we consult on or help administer,” partner Todd Nash said in a statement.

“After looking into this situation, we can state that no conflict occurred and no one from MNP offered to provide services that relate to any program that MNP administers.”

B.C.’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation said there were no technical violations by MNP, because the grant programs in which the compa ny stipulated a 20-per-cent success fee—the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy fund, the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and the Investments in Forestry Industry Fund, for example—are not technically administered by MNP.

The forestry fund is federal, the innovation centre is a not-for-profit founded in part by the provincial and federal governments, and the forestry fund is run by Ottawa.

The ministry also confirmed MNP is not allowed to ask for fees paid out of public grant money. Yet there are ways around that provision, including asking clients to use existing business funds they had otherwise set aside if they did not receive grant funding, to keep the public grant amount whole. Still, the ministry said it investigated the issue and found no wrongdoing.

“Government requires MNP to have safeguards in place to ensure there is no conflict of interest in managing this specific grant process,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Following what happened with this company, MNP has told us that they have updated their processes to make sure businesses have clearer information.”

Edison Motors is not the only company upset at the CleanBC grant application processes, and the opaque role of MNP as both a consultant-for-hire and administrator in different streams.

“We have had subsequent examples brought forward

See SMOKE Page 17

“Where there’s smoke, there’s re.”

From Page 16

to us from other individuals,” said Stone.

BC Conservative party leader John Rustad said he’s also “received evidence from numerous companies about this program.”

“Clearly, there is a serious problem with this program,” he said in the legislature.

“It needs to be looked into. It should be taken seriously by this government. Yes, the auditor general has the ability to look into it themselves, but clearly, government should be very concerned about how taxpayers’ money is being spent on this, particularly from the carbon tax.”

Energy Minister Josie Osborne said the funding concerns related to MNP’s fees appear to relate to non-provincial programs.

“If there’s evidence that it’s around a government grant, then please would somebody provide that to us in my office?” she said in an interview. “That’s not what I understand has happened.”

Opposition MLAs said the confusing nature of the funding streams, fees, consultant relationships and provincial versus private streams necessitate a probe. That one company could use its government administrator work to leverage itself as a kind of gatekeeper to provincial funds is concerning, they said.

“There are hints that there’s corruption here, coming from a party that’s been appointed by government to distribute dollars for a clean energy plan, for a B.C. company that, fairly, wants to be subsidized by B.C. tax dollars,” Skeena MLA Ellis Ross said in the legislature.

“So 87 MLAs in this institution swore to uphold what this institution is supposed to stand for. We are not doing our job as MLAs if we allow this issue to be swept under the rug.”

Green MLA Adam Olsen said the allegations are a situation of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

“This is exactly the work of opposition: to critique government programs and to ensure that they’re being delivered fairly, to ensure that there aren’t corporations and business and other entities that are unfairly benefiting from government programs … being in a position not only to take in the applications but also to adjudicate the applications, and then reaching out and saying: ‘Hey, we’ll prepare the applications for you, at a fee,’” he said.

In the end, though, the opposition parties were unable to convince the NDP majority to allow the investigation.

“The auditor general has the ability to look into these matters if they choose to,” said Kahlon.

Chase said he’s disillusioned with the process. It was B.C. government officials who, when his company built its first truck, encouraged it to begin applying for grants to expand. He said he tried taking his concerns to Osborne’s office and had a meeting with her staff. But the only thing that happened, he said, is that his company was uninvited from a planned speaking engagement at a subsequent event.

“I know a lot of other guys like us, that are incredibly struggling,” he said.

“They’ve got innovative technology, and are doing cool things, and are all getting told no.”

ola ValleyJuniorNativeHockey saysa big

to all who made our3 4t hAnnual Jr.Hoc keyTournament arousing success.

•Toall thefanswho came outand visiting teamsfromall over BC

• Thereffingcrewled by Dave Garcia

•Max Bose andhis timing crew

•AnnieMajor andDoreen Harr yand others at admittanceand raffletable

•Cheslie andSondraTom on registration

•Jada Smithonfirstaid crew

•James,Carl, Phil D& Phile Congopherduties

•Toall whocontributed to thehockeyprogram

•Coaches andmanagersofall teamsfor aver ydifficultjob,welldone.

• Merrittarena andShulusarena crews, thanks forall your hard work.

•Kim Harr yand allworkers whosold50/50 andsomanyothers.

Thank youfor your splendid work.

We really appreciate thebusinessesinthe community that supported ourtournament. Thetournament generatesa lotofrevenue forthe communityand we hope to gain continuedsupport foryears to come. Nic

It takesa lotofdedicated workerstocomplete57games so thanks ever yone,Sorry if we missedanyone.

Yoursinhoc key- Wiliam “Punc h” Bose

Photo/Times Colonist

Hayter’s volunteerism transforms lives at food bank

Nicola Valley Food Bank highlights Cindy Hayter for volunteer week.

Since January, Hayter and her daughter have been volunteering at the Nicola Valley Food Bank (NVFB), greeting people at the door and helping them choose extra items off of the grocery shelf.

“We signed up to make a Christmas hamper for a family at Christmas time, and when we went to drop it off with the Legion, Dani was just like, everyone was just swamped there,” recalled Hayter. “So we stayed and helped out and then she’s like, “it’d be really great if you could help us up food bank on a regular basis,” they really needed extra hands so we just started in the new year when they reopened”

They started with the Thursday shift but currently they do the Tuesday shift every week.

Hayter believes that it is important to help the community because ‘everyone needs to eat.’ “It’s something we just feel that if we can help, it’s important to us,” said Hayter. “Feeding people is the most important thing, we all need food and especially in these times, it’s not really available for everyone.”

Volunteering at the food bank has made Hayter and her daughter more appreciative for everything they have and the fact that they are able to contribute. “Just being aware of the need for these services in our town and how important it is that we have these services,” said Hayter.

According to Hayter, the NVFB is one of the only food banks that provides top ups weekly. “This one, you can come in every week, and we top up your hamper, and you can pick off the grocery shelves, and

See NEED Page 19

Kenneth Wong

Photo/Kenneth Wong

Wuensche’s tireless volunteering at local Search and Rescue

with and the benefits he can provide to the community.

For Brian Wuensche, president of the Nicola Valley Search and Rescue, volunteering gives him a feel of joy.

“Give back to the community is basically why I became a volunteer,” he said. “I wanted to donate some of my time back to the community that I’m living in.”

His motivation to stay involved with volunteerism is connected especially with people he works

“The people that I work with is a big one, it’s like a family. Just being out, interacting in the community and seeing the benefits that Search and Rescue has provided,” he added. “I think of the time during the flood. Search and Rescue was a big part of being down there, evacuating people. Then, even afterwards, there was many team members that stayed

See ACT Page 20

Need to eat year-around

From Page 18

get extra stuff and,” said Hayter. “There’s really not many other food banks that provide that.”

Hayter says that the NVFB is only able to provide weekly hampers because of the donations the NVFB receives. “For $5 a year, you can be a NVFB member, it’s just $5 for the whole year,” said Hayter. “The more members the food bank has, the more funding they get for the community but people don’t know about it.”

“People need to eat all year, it’s not just Christmas time,” said Hayter. “The community all comes together and makes these donations and hampers and then after that, it kind of falls off.”

Outside of volunteering and donating, Hayter says that the community can also help by signing up for a NVFB membership. “That’s a huge thing, that probably is more valuable to (the food bank) than you dropping off food or giving them 20 bucks even,” said Hayter. “Because it’s those memberships that get touted and goes to whoever provides the government or whoever provides all the funding.”

Laísa Condé NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Photo/Brian Wuensche

A true curling community champion

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Merritt Curling Club highlights vice president Jerry Saunder for volunteer week.

Saunder has been on the Merritt Curling Club (MCC) board of directors for approximately 30 years.

“I’m from here. When I moved back here from Vancouver (for college), I was asked to curl on the mixed team and that’s how it started,” said

Saunder. “As soon as I started curling, I volunteered to sit on the board and been there ever since.”

Outside of the icemakers contracted at the beginning and end of season as well as an occasional bartender, MCC is entirely run by volunteers. “In a typical year, we have thousands of hours of volunteer time,” said Saunder.

Saunder’s input is ‘mostly regarding projects.’ “The roofing project that was my baby, I helped to

See

“Just act on it”

From Page 19

in town after the evacuation order was issued just to help, you know?”

Wuensche also stated that getting people interested in the group is another reason he keeps involved with the Search and Rescue volunteerism.

Since joining the group in 2021, Wuensche said that volunteering has changed him.

“It helped me get out of my comfort zone, it helped me get over some of the anxieties that I had in my life,” he stated. “And I think that’s just being around a group of positive people working towards the same cause.”

“This organization is more than just people coming together, like I said, it’s a family. You’re spending long hours in the field, walking side by side people that you wouldn’t know as much about them as we probably do.”

Wuensche added that volunteering taught him more patience, but it also strenghtned his sense on teamwork.

Wuensche encourages anyone who is thinking about joining a volunteer group to do so.

“If you’re thinking about it, just act on it. Find a cause that you’re passionate about and something that you would find rewarding and go out there and put yourself out,” he stated. “Get out of your comfort area, if you will. Just learn what it is to meet new people in your community and the benefits of it are so rewarding.”

TheNVFall Fair Association wouldliketothank their volunteers who work countless hours throughout the year. Your hours of dedication have helped raise fundstoimprove the building,bathrooms and land that we have.

From the extraordinary individuals who work so hardduring our community yardsales andthe Fall Fair,to theartists who helpmakethe annual Fall Fair such awonderful event to attend and to the volunteers whowork hardtokeep our grounds clean and tidy.

Dunsmore pens a legacy of literacy

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Literacy Merritt highlights Tracey Dunsmore for volunteer week. For 12 years, Dunsmore has been on the board of directors at Literacy Merritt.

Dunsmore started when she was working with the community policing office. “We were looking at literacy and how it joined with prevention in the community and how literacy helped put people back into school and prevent crime,” she recalled.

“I just love reading and literacy and saw how much good things they were doing so I’ve stayed on the board.”

Dunsmore decided to stay on the board due to her love for reading and seeing how valuable Literacy Merritt’s programs are to the community such as the red bookshelf, free books, one to one reading, youth tutoring, and technological literacy for seniors.

Literacy Merritt is also working to increase Indigenous literacy. Dunsmore and coordinator Kelly Reid have been researching with elders in

See HELPING Page 21

Memories in volunteering

From Page 20

get grants, I did a lot of fundraising, I organize the engineering firm to look after our interests in the roof, I worked with the contractor.”

Saunder also helps with kitchen duties, preparing meals and looking after supplies and appliances.

Throughout his decades at the MCC, Saunder has made a lot of memories. “In the past I have been named Curl Canada volunteer nominee, I wasn’t the official Curl Canada volunteer of the year but I was one of the three finalists in the competition and I was awarded some pretty cool stuff, a nice jacket I like to wear to show off,” said Saunder. “I’m not the greatest curler in the world but I’m a pretty good volunteer.”

Saunder’s favourite thing about curling is strategy. “There was a famous quote once about a football game by an American commentator who said football’s a game of inches, well, curling is not a game of inches, it’s a game of millimeters,” said Saunder. “It’s very critical to be able to make the right call and know what your rocks are gonna do, it’s called curling because the rocks curl, and you can’t stop them from curling so you have to learn how to use them to play the game. He also enjoys the social aspect of the club. “Really, it’s a social club and I really enjoy the time spent with my teammates,” said Saunder. “The game of curling is the only sport I know where the players all shake hands before the game and after the game.”

A pillar of support for Merritt’s young athletes

Mike Simpson, head coach for the U18 Team A and senior director at Merritt Minor Hockey Association, started volunteering 30 years ago, when he was still living in Kamloops.

“I was involved in minor hockey in Kamloops, that’s where we moved from.

I was also involved in youth soccer camps, curling, baseball,” he said. “When we moved here, my son was involved in hockey so I continued on. Coached where I could, helped out where I could.”

“I’m just one person in a community of people that are helping out. So, if I didn’t do it, would it continue on? Absolutely. I guess, it’s just like one cog in the wheel ... I think that the more people involved, the better the programs are for the kids.”

He added that he kept motivated on being involved in volunteering as his kids were playing.

Simpson said that volunteering gives him a sense of accomplishment.

“That’s one thing that’s kind of kept me going. It’s nice to be involved. One thing I came to realize was that it wasn’t just my own shelter. All these kids, you know, I called them my kids more than anything, my kids on the team. Just seeing them progress and have fun in what they’re

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Helping fill the gaps and needs

From Page 20

Indigenous communities around Merritt, and working to create stickers and signs for schools in English, Sylix, Nłeʔkepmxcín, and Métis.

“I’d like to see more of that in the community, with the different languages and showcasing that we don’t just speak English in the community, that there are other languages, and indigenous communities, and others,” said Dunsmore. “So, I think that’s important for our community and I’m quite proud of the programs that we’ve put on in the past.”

Beyond reading and writing, Literacy Merritt’s ultimate goal is to support the community. “It’s just to help fill those gaps and needs, and what’s available and make it accessible for everybody in the community is kind of our role.”

Despite being highlighted herself, Dunsmore extends her gratitude to the volunteers that make Literacy Merritt possible.

“As a board member, I would like to thank the volunteers that work with literacy, the ones that go into the schools, the ones that do the reading programs, the ones that help with the red bookshelves, even the community organizations that host the red bookshelves in the community,” said Dunsmore. “It takes just so many people to provide this literacy to the community and they’re the people that are hidden in the background, so I’d like to thank them for all the work that they do.”

Forsyth: a beacon of charity

Cameron Bridge

MERRITTHERALD.COM

Hannah Forsyth was born on July 7, 1906, in Glasgow, Scotland. When Forsyth was five, her and her father came to Canada in June, 1912. They arrived in by ship in Montreal and then took a train from Montreal to Spences Bridge, and then came to Merritt.

She lived with her grandmother in town until her mother and younger sister joined Hannah and her father in Merritt in February 1913. Hannah began

Worth every minute you put in

From Page 23

doing.”

Simpson also realized through volunteering how much work goes behind the scenew when it comes to sports.

“It’s helped me appreciate all the work that goes behind the scenes, you know? A lot of people just see the kids playing a game or going to the rink to play hockey, bu there’s so much going on to get them to that point,” he stated. “Parents, all the volunteers, the people that work at the rink. Everybody is involved. We have our junior team too and just them being great, these kids look up to them.”

The kids are the biggest motivation he has in continuing to volunteer. Simpson told a story about a kid who had to write a speech and speak in front of his group, a speech that talked about him.

“I was quite surprise when his mom sent me the speech notes and I was quite surprised actually about the impact of just what a coach can have in a kid,” he added. “After reading that, I realized that these kids are going to be grownups and they are also going to volunteer. That’s what the subject of that speech was, was that he realized the importance of voluteering and the impact of volunteer can have on a kid.”

Despite being time consuming, Simpson said that he encourages anyone who is thinking about volunteering to do so.

“Do it. I mean, it’s just seeing those kids smile, you know? It’s worth every minute that you put in and you gather some tears too, but it’s the smiles that keep me going,” he said.

“Everybody’s involvement, it makes it happen. More people that can become involved in minor hockey, especially, the better the program will be for all the kids.”

Photo/Nicola Valley Museum & Archives

Legacy of selflessness

From Page 24

attending school in Merritt shortly after arriving in Merritt.

Forsyth’s greatest ambition was to become a nurse. In 1926 she moved to Vancouver to start taking a course to start the process of becoming a nurse, however shortly after her arrival she received word that her father had passed away, and as a result came back home.

Forsyth, being the eldest child and the only adult of the children became the breadwinner of the family, her mother had been rendered permanently disabled following the birth of her children.

Forsyth therefore began working in the community, acting as an aide to Mrs. Moore following the birth of her child, she also worked at the Freelands Dry Goods Dept. Store until resigning in 1928 and taking up a temporary position at the telephone office.

In 1928, Doctors Austin and JJ Gillis heard that Forsyth needed work, so they offered to have her come in to clean their medical office for a week. When that term ended they offered her another position as receptionist, bookkeeper, and in the registration of Foxes at the Gillis Fox Farm.

Hannah would continue to work for the doctor brothers for 37 years until the death of Dr. Austin Gillis.

One of Forsyth’s greatest achievements came during the Second World War. Forsyth was a member of the Rebekah’s Lodge, and in 1941, the Rebekah’s were approached by the local Red Cross chapter and asked them if they could knit sweaters for Canadian soldiers overseas.

Starting in March, 1941, she knitted 103 sweaters by January 30, 1942, an average of about 10 sweaters a month. Forsyth knitted throughout the duration of the war, and then continued to knit even after the war was over, donating her sweaters to refugees.

In 1947 she became one of three women in Merritt to earn the Red Cross Service Badge, hers being for knitting. In 1949, Forsyth suffered a fall which would ultimately result in the loss of eyesight in her right eye and hearing damage, nevertheless she kept a positive attitude and tried to never let them get her down, she lost two years of knitting due to the fall, but when she could she picked back up her knitting needles and got back to work.

In 1956 she was forced to hand in her last sweater, her 749 th , the only one she was unable to complete. Nevertheless, that was still not the end of her charity work in the community. She became very well known within the community for raising money for the Terry Fox Run, she would often canvas the streets looking for pledges and donations, promising to match whatever donations she could collect.

She also became a member of the Legion Auxiliary in 1948, having been pressured by Dr. Gillis, but promising to not get too involved. Ten years later she was awarded a life membership for her perfect attendance and ten years of perfect books as the treasurer.

Hannah Forsyth lived in the Nicola Valley for 85 years, and even wrote a poem about the Nicola Valley titled “In The Valley Of The Sunshine”

“Tuck me to sleep in my old Merritt home

Cover me with Merritt skies, And leave me there alone.

Just let the sun kiss my cheeks every morn, Let me stay there, stay there, Never no more to roam”

Hannah Forsyth passed away at Gillis House on December 17, 1997, at the age of 91.

Roth’s tireless dedication to Merritt

Laísa Condé NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Janet Roth has dedicated her life into volunteering.

When she moved to Merritt from Vancouver back in 1989, Roth got involved in numerous projects. From working at Baillie House to the Merritt Dance Society and Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary, Roth always found a way to give back to the community.

“In most cases it’s a real service to the community, you know? I always felt good about the Baillie House because it’s an unbelievable amount or tourists that come in,” she said. “It’s just a really good feeling because a lot of people go there and the same with the thrift store.”

“It’s one of the best places you can shop and they give an enourmous amount of money back to the community up at the hospital for equipments and at Gillis House too. It’s nice to be part of all that.”

Roth added that volunteering has the power of estabilishing a more giving spirit in people.

“I know a lot of people who don’t volunteer at all. I wish I could get them to volunteer because I think it makes you a better person in a lot of ways,” she added. “You get to meet a lot of people. I just find that it opens you in so many different ways.”

She keeps herself motivated in the cause through the enjoyment she gets when helping others.

“I just really enjoy getting out of the house and participating with those particular groups of women,” she said. “I’ve met them all and they do a tremendous job, you know, in helping out all those places and they’re just a great bunch of people.

Despite being time consuming, Roth said that one thing that caught her by surprise when it comes to volunteering was learning how much she enjoyed it and how much she has learned about people.

“I’ve learned a lot about people and working with people and how willing those people that are volunteers really put themselves out,” she stated. “Some of the women at the thrift store work very hard. They treat it like a paid job, but it’s not paid at all. It amazes me because a lot of them are older than I am.”

Roth added that if she wishes to encourage everyone in the community to give volunteering a shot.

“Step out of their comfort zone and check around town to see what’s available. Find something that they think would be a suitable fit for them and just try a few hours here and there, because everybody is in need of a volunteer.”

The Nicola Valley Skating Club is a Skate Canada Club and not for profit society that teaches skating to youth and adults in Merritt. We offer a variety of different programs: Precanskate, Canskate, Powerskating, Junior Academy, Junior Starskate, STARSkate and Adult Skate. Behind the scenes we have many volunteers to help keep this organization running smoothly - we appreciate every one of you and thank you for stepping up to help out your community!

Our Program Assistants spend many hours on the ice throughout the season helping our coach with the various programs. Their help is extremely valuable and we appreciate all of the hours you give to the club. A big Thank You to this year’s Canskate Assistant Coaches: Claire, Jayda, Charmen and Program Assistants: Jill, Amy, Lisa, Abby, Iggy, Meera, Avery, Aziza, Gavam.

The Nicola Valley Skating Club is run by a volunteer executive. These volunteers meet monthly as well as spend many hours behind the scenes in a variety of roles. Thank you to this year’s executive: Jill, Amy, Lisa, Charmen, Diana, Melissa, Kayla, Jessica

We also want to thank the parents of our skaters – there are often many jobs throughout the year in which we require some parent help. We have such a wonderful group of parents and family members that have offered to step up and help out as needed. A big thank you to the parent volunteers for Canskate Elements Event

WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON!

from NVSC Coach and President

Merritt athlete to shine in international lacrosse clash

Laísa Condé

NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Merritt-raised Bill Brewer is off to join the Canadian Lacrosse League Development Team in Prague, Czech Republic, once again this year.

“It feels great that I was asked to come back for another year. Just it feels good to put on a Canadian Jersey overseas,” he added.

He recalls his journey up until now.

“A couple years back, I tried out for the Canadian World Juniors’ team. It was a regional trial and within that trial, I didn’t make it through but they had like my results, I guess, from that and last year a coach texted me asking if I wanna play and I had to do some background checks on it because I didn’t know if it was real or not,” Brewer added. “It turned out to be a real life development team, but still, it was sweet to get to go.”

Brewer is one of the 20 athletes from across the country who will be joining the Canadian Lacrosse League at the U18 level.

“First time I had it was great. The first time I got to do a bit of flying on my own. And it’s still the overall experience was great. Prague is amazing,” he added. “I was not having

practice with the team at all. We were all kind of new faces and stuff, but we all worked together pretty long and did the best that we could.”

He added that his preparation for the competition is mainly going to the gym and practice at the local outdoor lacrosse box. Brewer also said that his past experience in the competition comes in handy.

“I think it’ll be a little bit different now knowing how it works. I’ll be more prepared. And yeah, I’ll have a better understanding of it,” Brewer stated. “I’ve been notified earlier this year, so I feel like I had more time to prepare as well.”

Brewer said he is excited to experience the competition once again.

“It feels nice to finally play in a competition internationally and it makes all the past years and hard work that I put into the sport worth it,” he added. “I’ve always thought about going to the Olympics and stuff when I was younger. So something like this is a real honour I would say.”

The 2024 E-Box will run from April 16 to 23 and CLL is set to compete against Slovakia, Czechia, Germany and England.

Volleyball fever took over Merritt during weekend

Laísa Condé

NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

The volleyball fever was back in Merritt over the weekend.

Merritt Volleyball Association has hosted its annual mixed Volleyfest tournament. In total, 48 teams have invade Merritt to participate in the tornament.

There were recreational games at Merritt Secondary School, at the former Coquihalla Middle School and at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.

From April 26 to 28, the local volleyball association will also host a all-ladies’ tournament.

Merritt Volleyball Association hosted its annual mixed Volleyfest tournament this past weekend. Photos/Kenneth Wong

Get ready to dance with goblins at Labyrinth Ball

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Cactus Annie’s to host Labyrinth Ball on April 20.

Cactus Annie’s will be hosting live music and screening the 1986 film Labyrinth.

“Everybody wants to get lost in some weird fantasy with the Muppets involved, and David Bowie,” said Cactus Annie’s manager Allison Greening. “So I asked the community and I had 150 people respond saying that they were interested in this event.”

Greening had originally planned for the event to take place during February but had to postpone due to building flooding. She hopes that Cactus Annie’s can become an event venue for organizers in the future.

“Merritt needs more entertainment, Merritt needs more things to do, what we’re trying to do is provide a place where you can drink but also be entertained by your environment,” said Greening. “A future of this place, I hope, will be an event venue for this town where people want to go, pay $5, and listen to a DJ play, and dress up.”

Greening cited the previous success of Jen Dickson’s birthday party. “We did have a 100 per-

son party about two weeks ago for Jen Dickson’s birthday party, we had Chick Jagger & The Rolling Tones play,” said Greening. “It’s the first big event that we’ve done. We did have a grand opening in January but there was only about 40 people that turned out for that.”

“I would love to have feedback from the community about what kind of events they’d be interested in doing. I want to see the young people out in this town again,” said Greening. “I feel I have a certain demographic of customers that are my regulars, but they’re not the young people, they’re not the people who are going to make this place a 270 capacity place at midnight.”

Moving into the future, Cactus Annie’s hopes to collaborate with food trucks and get a pool league going by the fall. “Merritt doesn’t have any place to eat after like 10 o’clock at night so if you have a cool place that has a couple of food trucks and the bar’s open ‘till 2 a.m., people will stop in here the last hour and go get food and have one last drink.”

Doors for the Labyrinth Ball open at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. There will also be a prize for the best costume.

Cactus Annie’s is throwing a Labyrinth Ball on April 20. Photo/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

■

Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911

Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Merritt Baptist Church

2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Omre) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899

Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772

Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church

Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC)

1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall)

Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church

1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502

Service Times: Sunday 10 am

Cindy MarieStreet

October21, 1981 -March 27, 2024

It is with profound sadness that thefamilyofCindy MarieStreet announces hersuddenpassing on March 27th, 2024 at theage of 42.

To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under heaven – a time to be born and a time to die ... a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.

250-280-1701

Ecclesiastes 3:1-24

www.merritthospice.org

Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca MERRITT &DISTRICT HOSPICE

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Excellent medical & dental plan

Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt B C 250-378-6161

Cindy wasbornonOctober21st, 1981 to Alex and AliceStreet in Merritt,BC. Cindy is survived by herparents Alex andAliceStreet,her bigbrother EmoryStreet,sister-in-law Paula, nephewHudson, nieceParker, grandma, HelenPiers and“adopted” brother, Jamie Stapleton. Shewill also be deeply missed by heraunts, uncles, cousins, herpartner AlfOdinson, alarge extendedfamily andmany friends that lovedher

Cindy graduatedMerritt SecondarySchool.She then followed in her momand grandmas footstepsand enjoyeda career in cooking in thetown of Keremeos whereshe chosetocallhome. Cindy wasknownfor her down-to-earth nature,her love of animals andclose relationships with family andfriends.She wasa hard-working womanwho approached life with determinationand asense of humour.Cindy’ssimpleyet unique styles reflected herindividuality.She waslovedbyall whoknewher for hergenuine,caring, funpersonality

While Cindy maynolongerbewith us,her memory will liveoninthe hearts of thosewho knewher.She will be dearly missedbyall wholoved her.

Afuneralservice will be held at CrossRoads Community Church (2990 Voght St,Merritt, BC) on April20that1:00pm. Teatofollowimmediately afterinthe church dining room

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Notice that Stuwix Resources has posted Forest Operations Map (FOM) Stuwix 2024-001 to https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects for public comment.

Review period star ts April 11th ending 30 days af ter and t he information may be used for up to 3 years.

Public may also view the FOM weekdays 8-4pm at 2-98 Hwy 8, Merr itt BC,V1K 0A7 - 250-378-2277 or comments emailed to planningforester@stuwix.com

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

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