VOLUNTEERS
Get to know some of Merritt’s residents who give their time to make the city shine.
LIBERALS AIM TO CLAIM KAMLOOPS-THOMPSON NICOLA
PAGE 27-29
SPORTS
Read about awards given to the Merritt Centennials, as well as other local events and competitions.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Editor’s note: Over the next couple of weeks, the Herald will feature candidates seeking your vote in the Kamloops-ThompsonNicola riding in the April 28 federal election.
The Herald is releasing articles in the order in which they were interviewed. Today, we focus on Liberal candidate Iain Currie.
There’s less than two weeks to go until the Federal elections wrap up.
The Kamloops-ThompsonNicola has become a political battleground as candidates from the Conservatives, Liberals, Green, NDP and PPC all vie for the public’s support in the riding of over 110,000 potential voters.
Last week, the Herald sat down with Conservative MP and incumbent candidate Frank Caputo who is running on a platform to advocate for more affordable housing and justice system reforms.
Running in the opposing party is the Liberal candidate Iain Currie, who ran last election as
a member of the Green party. Currie, a former prosecutor in Kamloops and now a lawyer in private practice, is running on a platform of advocating for minor law enforcement changes to give more power to municipal governments, new housing supply and a pragmatic approach to dealing with US tariffs.
After his campaign in the Green party didn’t pan out, Currie thought he would never go into politics again. When U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on a 51st state and implementing tariffs first came out, Currie became inspired to return to the political scene.
“I was feeling quite pessimistic about the way the world was going,” he said. “I was struck, and I wanted to get involved in the movement of buying Canadian and that our flag became a symbol of the country again and a symbol of the Canadian values that I hold dear.”
“I want to use the voice that I have to stand up for the country
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PHOTO
LOCAL BOWLERS MAKE HISTORY: Read about the the first local bowlers Doreen Nikkel (left) and Debbie Tansca (right) to bring home an intercity trophy in decades on page 29
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
CURRIE TO PUT RIDING OVER PARTY IF ELECTED
that I love and the community that I love.”
Currie believes Mark Carney and the Liberal government will guide Canada through today’s difficult economic times.
“Forces from the outside that we can’t control have decided that this is the time to enact tariffs and to make threats on our sovereignty. The voice I think we need is one of the world’s leading economists who has led two different countries through serious financial crises similar to the one that we’re facing now.”
As not only an MP, but a Kamloops native, Currie said he would put his community ahead of party alignment when it comes to local issues, something he said Caputo and the Conservatives won’t do.
“What sets me apart is I can express my feelings and bring my constituents’ concerns to Ottawa and bring that to push forward, whereas Frank (Caputo) is hamstrung by his party.”
He cited an example where Caputo couldn’t advocate for a $15 million housing accelerator project because it was a part of a Liberal program.
“The simple thing is, the Liberal party is not run based on ideology. So Mark Carney, myself, the Liberal party, we’re pragmatists.”
If elected as an MP for the region, Currie said he would “absolutely” advocate for local issues. One such issue is of Federal funding for disaster mitigation to be allocated to Merritt.
“As I understand it, that pocket of money is in the federal budget. It needs to come to Merritt ahead of other municipalities and other areas that got funding under the
same program that weren’t dealing with anything near as severe as a disaster as what happened in Merritt,” he said.
He said he expects the Liberals to make significant investment in new housing, which would in-turn bring more jobs to the construction industry. He said the Liberal government aims to bring 10,000 jobs to the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola region.
He also said the party would be looking at making significant investments in Canadian timber.
“We’re talking about making huge investments in Canadian timber products, and the sort of ingenuity and industry that is all over this riding. I am hoping to help make this riding a sort of poster child for building Canada-strong,” he said.
If elected he would also like to advocate to make more realistic changes to the justice system. He said he would like to get municipalities more involved, potentially providing more weight to sentencing input for less severe crimes.
“There are some small changes that can
be made to the criminal code to give municipalities more of a say in how the law is applied,” he said.
He said he would like to see a larger role from first nations courts as well. An example he provided were that some minor crimes committed by members of first nations could be diverted from the traditional justice system and into first nations courts.
“Off ramps from the justice system have been proven successful over and over again in other contexts. So for petty crimes, for street crimes of disorder, and have first nations take control of their justice system and perhaps expand that out to municipalities, to have an extrajudicial or outside of a courtroom. Have a process in which the community can direct people to treatment,” he said.
He said a process like this will also expedite the traditional court system.
Currie ended the interview giving three reasons to vote Liberal.
“Mark Carney has one of the world’s most impressive resumes, particularly for the times that we’re facing. He has faced crises before as the Governor of the Bank of Canada, governor of the Bank of England and he has the calm, measured approach,” he said.
“The second (reason) is, I think people need a strong voice for their interests, not for an ideological position handed down by Pierre Poilievre. The third reason is, I think I can be a strong voice to bring to this area, the investments that are going to be made by a Carney government to build Canada back strong and independent from the issues we’re facing from the U.S. and the tariffs.”
CHRIS ENNS WANTS TO SECURE FIRST EVER PARLIAMENT SEAT FOR PPC
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
Editor’s note: Over the next couple of weeks, the Herald will feature candidates seeking your vote in the KamloopsThompson-Nicola riding in the April 28 federal election.
The Herald is releasing articles in the order in which they were interviewed. Today, we focus on People’s Party of Canada candidate Chris Enns.
With the federal elections approaching, candidates in the Kamloops-ThompsonNicola riding are out and about in the communities that they represent, hoping to earn voters’ trust.
The Herald sat down with People’s Party of Canada candidate Chris Enns, who is running for the Kamloops-ThompsonNicola riding, to discuss his background, values and vision for the future of the riding if elected.
Enns, who currently resides in Clearwater, says his political interest stems from his upbringing and education.
“I’ve always been somewhat political. Politics was never a taboo subject in my family. I studied history in university, and so I became very aware of the context for our current situation,” he said. “Over the past few years, with everything that’s happened with COVID and the assault on individual liberties and government overreach and government waste, I decided that it was time to enter the political sphere.”
Enns said that he decided to run for the PPC because of their “principles, freedom, responsibility, fairness and respect.”
AFFORDABILITY
CURRIE: continued from page 1
PHOTO/CASTANET
Liberal party candidate Iain Currie is seeking to win the KamloopsThompson-Nicola riding.
AFFORDABILITY TOP OF MIND FOR ENNS
“I think that having guiding principles like those keep candidates honest. They keep the parties honest and they make sure that we act in a way that is respectful and responsible, that we will represent our constituents accurately the entire time that we are in office,” he added.
Enns highlighted some of the major
pressing issues facing our riding that he would prioritize if elected –– including affordability, the fentanyl crisis, and food quality and security.
“The People’s Party of Canada has a few ways that we’re going to address
PPC candidate Chris Enns looks to win Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding.
‘THE PPC HAS THE POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES TO CORRECT THE COURSE FOR THE NATION’
affordability and our overall economic predicament as a country. So the number one way is we’re going to reduce housing demand so that supply can catch up. That ends a moratorium on immigration for a presently undetermined amount of time,” he said.
He added that he would also support stricter regulation on foreign ownership of land, both residential and commercial. Beyond housing, Enns said inflation and the declining value of the Canadian dollar are major concerns.
“That means no more money printing, no more stimulus, no corporate welfare, no more supply management, which keeps prices high, and no more funding of foreign wars or foreign development programs, as they like to call them,” he said.
Enns identified the fentanyl crisis as another urgent issue and said border security is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
“To tackle the fentanyl crisis, the first thing we need to do is enhance our border security, specifically with regard to import of goods,” he said. “We need more resources to scan and search containers at ports, very few containers are inspected thoroughly.”
He added that deportation of individuals involved in fentanyl production and
trafficking — if they are not Canadian citizens or gained citizenship as adults — should also be considered.
A third key issue for Enns is food quality and security, which he says is rooted in personal experience.
“This isn’t a party-wide solution; this is something out of my own personal playbook that the party is looking at adopting,” he said. “Myself and my children all have a lot of allergies, and we would like to see more food production in Canada and more of our agricultural land devoted to food production, as opposed to other agricultural commodity crops that are not used for food.”
He advocated for more organic and less genetically modified food, reduced use of chemical additives, and more investment in year-round food production technologies like greenhouses. He also linked this issue back to affordability.
“That would also help to tackle the affordability crisis from another direction,” he said.
Enns said that while his party opposes government waste, he supports redirecting funds toward meaningful environmental action.
“The current government has spent our money on everything but the essentials,” he said. “Responding to environmental
disasters and promoting environmental resiliency measures like pre-burning areas that are fire risk to communities is a top priority, both nationally, provincially, and locally.”
He said once the PPC cuts unnecessary spending, funds can be allocated toward these initiatives, using existing bureaucratic structures currently dedicated to international development.
Enns concluded with a message for voters in Merritt and across the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding.
“I would encourage people to keep an open mind and to be willing to consider
newer ways of thinking and solutions which might seem different to the way things have been done in the past,” he said. “And to also support candidates who are willing to talk about the hard decisions of the government and who are willing to be transparent with constituents about how those solutions are going to need to be delivered.”
“People should vote for me because I’m transparent, I have integrity and I represent the People’s Party of Canada, which has the policies and the principles to correct the course for a nation that is headed towards a cliff.”
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NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY IN MERRITT
BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations
Yesterday, while walking through Merritt, I was reminded just how vibrant and welcoming our community truly is. I met someone for lunch, enjoyed a coffee and chat with a traveler from Logan Lake, and later wandered into the Arts Council, where I reconnected with an old friend. Each encounter was a meaningful moment of connection—reminding me how vital community is for our mental well-being.
Connecting with others—whether in person or online—releases endorphins, those natural feel-good chemicals that lift our spirits and help us feel less alone. Fortunately, Merritt offers countless ways to build those connections. From sports to gardening, walking groups to fishing spots, there’s truly something for everyone. If you’re feeling isolated, volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people and
become part of something meaningful. Merritt is also a haven for outdoor lovers, and for seniors who are homebound, Interior Community Services—led by Judith Myrum and her team—is ready to lend a hand.
Not sure where to start? Churches in town welcome everyone with open arms, even if you’re not a regular churchgoer. The Arts Council provides creative outlets, and green thumbs can dig into the Nicola Valley Community Gardens.
Music is another great connector—keep an eye out for visiting musicians and local shows. I especially love Music in the Park during the summer. Don’t miss events at the Civic Centre, and with spring here, the Farmers’ Market will soon be in full swing. Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendar for the Garlic Festival on September 27 & 28, 2025.
In Merritt, community isn’t just a concept—it’s a healthy investment in your happiness and well-being. So step outside, say hello, and discover the joy that connection brings.
AFTERSUN: THE UNSAID THINGS WE CARRY
My movie recommendation this week is actually a rewatch.
Some films don’t just tell a story — they linger. They hang in the air like the last light of day, refusing to fade even after the credits roll. Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun is one of those films.
Quiet, intimate, and achingly human, it explores the tenderness between a father and daughter on a summer holiday, while gently unraveling the complexities of memory, loss, and growing up.
On its surface, Aftersun is simple: a young father, Calum (played with heartbreaking restraint by Paul Mescal), takes his 11-year-old daughter Sophie (Frankie Corio) on a vacation to Turkey.
But the real narrative isn’t in the dialogue or the plot — it’s in the silences, the glances, the grainy camcorder footage that blurs the line between nostalgia and reality. It’s in the way Sophie watches her father and the way he tries, often unsuccessfully, to keep his internal struggles hidden from her.
The brilliance of Aftersun lies in its subtlety. Wells doesn’t spoon-feed us emotions. Instead, she trusts the audience to feel
their way through the shadows — to notice the flickers of pain behind Calum’s smile, or the early moments of independence in Sophie’s growing awareness.
We are, in many ways, watching memory itself: fragmented, imperfect, filtered through time and love.
As adults, we revisit childhood memories with new eyes. What once felt like normal days suddenly carry a different weight.
We notice what we didn’t then — the exhaustion in a parent’s voice, the tension in their posture, the unspoken sadness they tried to shield us from. Aftersun captures that exact experience with devastating beauty.
Paul Mescal’s performance is a quiet triumph. He plays Calum not as a tragic figure, but as a deeply human one — kind, affectionate, and struggling. Frankie Corio is luminous, grounding the film with a natural honesty that makes every moment feel alive and real.
Watching Aftersun is like looking at an old photograph: warm, blurry, and suddenly overwhelming. It doesn’t provide closure or easy answers. Instead, it leaves us with a feeling — that love is imperfect, that memory is fragile, and that sometimes the most ordinary moments are the ones that shape us forever.
It’s not just a film — it’s a memory you didn’t know you had.
LAÍSA CONDÉ MOVIES’ CORNER
The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
Email letters to: newsroom@merrittherald.com.
QUESTION
LETTERS to the Editor
IT’S TIME TO RETHINK HOW CANADA MANAGES ITS OIL AND LUMBER INDUSTRIES
Editor,
Ever since the U.S., under both Democrat and Republican party administrations, began applying tariffs on B.C. softwood lumber imports in (I believe) the early 1990s, the international trade tribunal has consistently ruled that there are no grounds for the tariffs under the trade agreement between the U.S. and Canada (albeit not much of it is now still intact). Yet, U.S. governments have to this day disregarded those rulings, perhaps in large part due to the formidable lobbyist influence of the American big lumber industry.
At the same time, however, we allow bulk/raw/unprocessed-natural-resource-export lobbyists way too much influential access to governmental decision-makers — all without a truly independent news-media willing to investigative and expose corporate lobbyists’ corrupting overreach.
After almost four decades of consuming mainstream news-media, I cannot recall a serious discussion on why our national and provincial governments will not insist upon processing all of our own oil (and lumber) here at home in Canada, instead of exporting it bulk raw abroad and purchasing it back processed at a notably higher price (as we do with the U.S., for example). That is, without the topic discussion strongly seeming to have already been parameterized thus the outcome predetermined. And I’m not talking about just on the one and same day, open and closed topic, as I’ve witnessed two or three of those insufficient efforts.
Our governments consistently refuse to alter this practice, which undoubtedly is the most profitable for the corporations extracting and exporting en masse our natural resources.
– Frank Sterle Jr.
White Rock, B.C.
CANADA NEEDS A NATIONAL THIRD PARTY
Editor,
Canada needs a third political party. All we have to do is look at the two party mess south of us to see why. You are either a Republican or a Democrat. You vote accordingly even if the candidate (Trump) is a known liar and psychopath with one interest, to line his pockets with cash at the expense of the American public.
The only national third party in Canada of any stature is the NDP. So strategic voters should vote for the NDP to maintain a vigorous third party.
The Bloc is only interested in Quebec and they are very clear about this. The NDP has an admirable track record working on behalf of all Canadians, not just Quebec priorities.
And the NDP doesn’t work for millionaire buddies, unlike the Conservatives and Liberals. Vote strategically for a third party in Canada. Vote for the New Democratic Party.
– Steve Burke West Kelowna
A LOOK BACK
From the Herald archives
APRIL 10, 1963
ANOTHER VICTIM CLAIMED
Nicola Lake claimed another victim last week, when a car driven by a Kelowna woman plunged into the water during a snowstorm. This is the fourth victim claimed by the lake this year.
Whatever reason for cars running into the lake may be, it is high time that the provincial government investigate all possibilities to prevent any further loss of life, either by erecting fences, posts, walls or other protective measures.
APRIL 19, 1995
SNOWMOBILE ON NATIONAL TRAIL
Merritt will soon be part of a national snowmobiling trail.
Stan Clark of the Merritt Snowmobiling Club said Merritt is one of the many B.C. communities the trail will pass through. It’s part of the Rendezvous ‘97 plan to build a trans-Canada snowmobile trail.
Clubs across the country appointed directors for the trail April 1, Clark said.
Proposed Zoning Amendment
Noticeisherebygiven that theCit yofMerritt CouncilwillconsiderZoningA mendment Bylaw No.2399, 2025 forthe proper ty at 1500 Willow Crescent (subject proper ty shownonmap)inthe Regular CouncilMeetingscheduled April22, 2025 at6:0 0pminCouncil Chambers,Cit yHall, at 2185Voght Street ,Merritt, British Columbia
PROPOSEDCHANG ES: Proposed Zoning Amendment BylawNo. 2399,2025would amendthe Zoning forthe southern portion of thesubject proper ty from “R5–MobileHomePark” to “R7–MediumDensity Residential.”
TheproposedZoningwillallow development ofthe subjec tpropert yfor Medium Densit y Residential,includingtownhomes andapartment s.
As perthe Official Communit yPlan, thepropert yisdesignatedforLowtoMediumDensity Residential. TheproposedRezoningisaligned withthis designationandthe generalvision of thecorrespondingOCP sector of Middlesboro–toinclude amix of lowand medium densit y residential, parks, andindustrialuses. SincethisRezoningApplicationisconsistentwiththe Cit yofMerrittOfficialCommunity Plan,a PUBLIC HE ARINGWILLNOT BE HELD PROVINCIAL PROHIBITIONONPUBLICHEARING: Pursuant to theLoc al Government Ac t sec tion4 64 (3)the City is prohibited from holdinga public hearingregarding theproposed bylaw. Consis tent with provincial legislation, member softhe public arenot permittedtoaddress Councilregarding theproposedbylaw during theCouncil meeting. Please note that theCouncil will notreceive furthersubmissionsfromthe public concerning this applic ation after theconclusionofthe public hearing. Itis theresponsibilit yofthe submitter to ensure that materialsarereceived priortothe closeofthe public hearing.
MORE INFORMATION: Acopyofthe proposed Bylawamendment smay be viewed Monday toFriday8:3 0amto12:00 pm and1:15pmto4:3 0pmatCit yHall, 2185 VoghtStreet, MerrittBC, until Tuesday, April22, 2024,oronlineatany timeat WWW.MERRITT.C A.
L ABOUR MARKET
TheCityofMerrittisreachingout to localbusinesses,employers, an do rgan izati onstob etter understand ourcommunity ’s work forceneeds andjob opportunities. We need your voice!
KAMLOOPS-THOMPSON-NICOLA CANDIDATES DISCUSS KEY ISSUES
MICHAEL POTESTIO
Castanet
Weighing community impact
Liberal candidate Iain Currie, a lawyer who worked for 17 years as a Crown prosecutor, said he’s hearing from voters concerned about the impact of open drug use and street crime.
If elected, he said he’d like to make it impossible for judges to ignore the impact crime has on communities.
Community impact statements already exist in the justice system, but Currie said
there is nothing requiring a judge to consider them an aggravating factor, unlike victim impact statements, which are statutorily aggravating on sentencing.
“They would be a useful tool,” Currie said, giving the example of a business improvement association submitting a letter regarding the impact of an offender’s actions, potentially leading to a harsher sentence.
“I think that would be a sensible addition to the Criminal Code and an idea that I would like to push.”
Currie said he’d also like to have community and First Nations sentencing courts play bigger roles in the justice system.
He said he backs Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s plan to combat crime, which includes recruitment of police and border agents and new legislation protecting
women and children.
Bills already pending Conservative incumbent Frank Caputo, another longtime prosecutor who also worked as an instructor in Thompson Rivers University’s law school, said he has two private member’s bills addressing bail and one addressing sentencing — and he would work to move them forward if elected to another term.
While in Ottawa as an opposition MP, Caputo put forward bill C-274, seeking to make it more difficult for some chronic offenders to get bail, creating a “presumption detention” for those accused of three indictable offences with a maximum penalty of five years or greater.
He also tabled bill C-313, which aimed to make it harder for repeat offenders to get bail by placing the onus on them to prove why they should be released.
His bill C-299, meanwhile, would raise the maximum penalty for nearly all sexual offences to life in prison.
He said his party intends to be stronger on bail and sentencing than the governing Liberals have. He said he’s heard from people in the riding that they’re finding it hard to run their businesses due to crime.
Caputo said the Conservatives want to address prolific offenders, which he described as a “small but discrete group”
that commits a large amount of crime.
“We’re not going after somebody who has made one or two mistakes, “ he said.
Caputo said Conservatives will also be tougher on those who commit gun crimes and traffic drugs.
Precursors matter
People’s Party of Canada candidate Chris Enns said he thinks addressing the precursors of crime would help to reduce the problem.
“Crime is a massive issue. We need to rehabilitate people. We need to house people. We need to get the drugs off of the streets,” Enns said.
“We’re the party for the people, and people who are involved in criminal behaviour, they’re still people, and we need to not treat them like an other and we need help get to the root of the problem and fix the root of the problem, so that we can all move forward and have a better society for subsequent generations.”
Education is key
When it comes to curbing crime and public safety NDP candidate Miguel Godau said the government needs to ensure there are support services for people working in any system dealing with public safety, including developing more supports
FOCUSES: continued on page 10
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Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola candidates questioned on stances around crime and public safety.
FOCUSES ON CRIME, PUBLIC SAFETY
FOCUSES: continued from page 9
for local policing and for the RCMP.
“I would also look at any programs in terms of enhancing education and awareness around public education on crime,” he said. What about three strikes?
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre this week promised a California-style three-strikes law if elected, which would see offenders locked up for 10 years to life after committing three “serious” offences. They would also be automatically denied bail, probation, house arrest and parole.
Some experts have said the measures are unconstitutional and would very likely be struck down by the courts — which is what happened with tough-on-crime legislation passed by the former Conservative government under prime minister Stephen Harper.
Currie dismissed the Conservative policy on crime as “performative.” He said Poilievre’s plan would make prosecutors’ jobs harder and create a further backlog in the courts, only to be struck down as unconstitutional.
“And it won’t have any real impact on on crime,” he said. “So if you want to be actually tough on crime, you invest in law enforcement, which is what the Liberals are proposing.”
Caputo said he feels the three-strikes legislation could be crafted in a way that would make it compliant with the Charter, and he said he would want to help with that work.
“This obviously takes time, but as Conservatives we’re committed to getting it right, and I am personally committed to assisting in this regard, as a former prosecutor and as someone who taught criminal law at the local law school,” he said.
Caputo, who has been an Opposition critic for public safety and justice, said legislation is oftentimes deemed unconstitutional because it’s overly broad and doesn’t take into account cases that might be on the margins.
“You have to legislate a law that is precise and is aimed at addressing ills — in this case, serious crime,” he said.
“You do it with laws that only focus on the discrete group that you are intending to address … and you do it with a measure of precision that does not catch people who are not intended to be caught up in your legislative provision.”
In 2022, a Liberal government bill ended mandatory minimum sentences for all drug convictions and for some firearms and tobacco-related offences. The changes reversed measures passed under Harper.
That bill came after Canadian courts pushed back against mandatory minimum sentences. In a 2016 decision, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down a number of mandatory minimum penalties in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
SUSPICIOUS FIRE TORCHES HOME
A blaze that sparked at an abandoned Merritt home Saturday night and left the structure gutted has been deemed suspicious.
In a statement to Castanet, Merritt Fire Rescue fire chief David Tomkinson said firefighters responded to the blaze around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.
He said the fire was already well-involved by the time firefighters arrived at the abandoned home on Midday Valley Road.
“An excavator was brought in to
remove and make safe portions of the building to access the fire and provide for firefighter safety,” Tomkinson said.
A total of 20 firefighters battled the blaze through the night and left at 11 a.m. Sunday morning.
There were no injuries reported. Tomkinson said the cause of the blaze has been deemed suspicious and has been turned over to the RCMP.
Two abandoned homes on the same road were destroyed in a suspicious fire in June last year.
PHOTO/MERRITT
Arson suspiscion after fire burns down abandoned home.
JOSH DAWSON Castanet
POLICE RAID MERRITT RESIDENCE WHILE CHASING FUGITIVE
CASEY RICHARDSON Castanet
One person has been arrested and charged after a police raid took place on Wednesday in a home in Merritt, which forced two nearby schools to go into lockdown.
RCMP announced on April 11 that Kristal Poirier has been charged with numerous offences after a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 2000 block of Clapperton Avenue.
Police said they were called to the Merritt Save-OnFoods on Wednesday and told by a male that he had escaped from the Clapperton Ave. residence after being held there against his will.
“With the assistance of the RCMP Southeast District Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services, numerous individuals were extracted from the residence and taken into custody,” RCMP stated in the news release.
“It was determined that two victims had been held in the residence and were
confirmed safe.”
RCMP said the schools in the area were also alerted of a police incident in the area, and as a precautionary measure, were placed on a Hold and Secure protocol.
Just before noon on Wednesday, April 9, emails from Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 were sent to parents asking people not to come to the schools.
An update from the school district came shortly after, stating that both Merritt Central Elementary and Merritt Secondary were downgraded to hold and secure — meaning that doors are locked, and it is business as usual inside. Two of the schools mentioned in the initial email were never locked down, the update said.
Police said that at no time was anyone in any school building in danger.
“The Merritt RCMP are very thankful for our partners at School District 58. Lockdown and Hold and Secure protocols are practiced just like a fire drill would be,” Cst. Blake Chursinoff of the Merritt RCMP said in the news release.
“The Hold and Secure protocol was put into place in an abundance of caution for students and staff within Central Elementary and Merritt Secondary. Both schools followed the protocols very well. Throughout this incident, no one within the school buildings was in danger.”
Poirier was charged on Thursday with
Unlawful Confinement (x2), Utter Threats (x2), Assault with a Weapon (x2) and Assault Causing Bodily Harm (x2) and remains in custody.
Following Poirier’s official charges, Merritt RCMP said their officers and the Forensic Identification Services executed a search warrant of the residence.
Inside, police said they found a large quantity of illicit drugs, prohibited firearms, cash and firearm manufacturing equipment.
Poirier could face more charges as the investigation evolves.
Poirier has a virtual bail hearing scheduled for April 14, 2025.
The Merritt RCMP request anyone with information regarding this incident to speak with them at 250-378-4262.
On April 28 you will decide Canada’s future. Canada needs steady, pragmatic leadership. Mark Carney has a positive, proactive plan to build a resilient and united Canada.
PHOTO/TY LIM Police gathering outside a Merritt residence on April 9.
KAMLOOPS-THOMPSON-NICOLA
LONGTIME VOLUNTEER RECOGNIZED FOR DECADES OF SELFLESS SERVICE
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Longtime volunteer and community advocate Betty Ann McDonnell has been awarded a King Charles III’s Coronation Medal in recognition of her decades of service to children, families, animals as well as her work with Métis Nation BC and Nicola Valley & District Métis Association.
When McDonnell first received an email about the honour, she didn’t believe it was meant for her.
“I thought it was sent to me by accident,” she said. “It was meant for someone else, perhaps our leader from Métis Nation BC. And so I sent it back and I said, I think you made a mistake. And they replied right away, ‘No, no mistake. You were nominated and you were selected.’ I was in shock for the rest of the day—I’m still in shock.”
McDonnell said the recognition is humbling.
“I’m honoured—very humbled by it, especially since I believe and I know there are people out there that deserve it much more than I do.”
A proud Métis woman, McDonnell says her values have always been rooted in community care and generosity.
“My mom used to say, ‘You know what, there’s room at the table for one more, throw another potato in the pot.’ And we might not have had much, but you shared. And so that’s just who I’ve been my whole life.”
Over the years, McDonnell has worked as a youth worker, outreach worker, and at a women’s shelter. She continues to care for children in her home, describing it not as a job, but as a way of life.
“When people say to me, when are you going to retire? This isn’t a job. It’s not a job. To me, this is my life and my passion.”
McDonnell is currently raising a nineyear-old, and has made a promise she plans to keep.
“I’ve promised I’m going to live until I’m at least 95. So I keep talking to Creator, saying, ‘Let me keep my promise, please.’”
For her, the greatest reward is the deep connection she’s built with the children she’s helped raise.
“You have no idea. When people say to me, ‘Oh, those children are lucky,’ I say, no, I’m the one that gets the gift. You get so much love in return. Almost all of the children I’ve raised through the years, they’re still part of my family. They are like sons and daughters.”
Her extended family includes not only the children, but their biological families as well.
“Building those bridges is very important, because every child needs to have their family with them.”
McDonnell also dedicates her time to animal rescue through Nicola Valley Animal Rescue. During the Lytton fire, she helped
SPIRIT: continued on page 14
PHOTO/MÉTIS NATION BC
Métis Elder Betty Ann McDonnell honoured with King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for work with children, animals, and families.
‘IT’S JUST FOR OUR SPIRIT –– BECAUSE IT FILLS OUR SPIRIT IN A GOOD WAY’
launch a community response to house pets for evacuees who had nowhere to go.
“There were elders that were not taking shelter—they were staying in their cars because they had nowhere for their pets,” she recalled. “So we opened up a program calling for foster families. People in Merritt were wonderful and they opened their homes to dogs and cats. The school district gave us the Central lunchroom to use as a gathering place.”
The initiative grew rapidly, with donations coming in from across the province. The team continued to feed and care for animals well into the fall.
McDonnell also advocates for neurodivergent children, regularly working with the local school district. She serves as the Métis representative on the Indigenous Advisory Council and as an Elder on the Elders Court—roles she describes as both humbling and meaningful.
“I love all the things I volunteer for,” she said. “And when I see a need, if there’s something I can do—and I know I can—I respond to that right away.”
When asked what advice she would offer someone looking to volunteer, McDonnell said to start with their passion.
“Find out what is your passion, where would you feel comfortable helping. And once you know that, go try it out. Even if it’s just to get hold of the soup bowl and help once a week. Most of us could afford an hour a week to do something for somebody else.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to see empathy and non-judgment shared across generations.
“That’s one thing I’ve instilled in all the children I’ve raised. They all have empathy for others. They often come with me to help out. My little nine-year-old is already helping at the cat rescue and coming to Métis events.”
“It’s not about bragging. It’s just for our spirit—because it fills our spirit in a good way.”
MERRITT’S ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS CARRY PRIDE PURPOSE AND THE WEIGHT OF SERVICE
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
While not strictly volunteers, Merritt’s paid-on-call firefighters give up much of their time as they wait on-duty, ready to respond to incidents from house fires to car incidents.
Paid-on-call firefighters make up most of the Merritt Fire Rescue Department, having 22 members in that role.
MFRD is currently looking to hire more paid-on-call firefighters to bolster their numbers.
“They (paid-on-call firefighters) are the bulk of the members that come and attend emergencies throughout the community,” said Gareth Tilt, Lieutenant at MFRD during an interview about these volunteer firefighters.
These volunteers have their own lives outside of the firehall. Many of them put in the extra hours of work for the ecstatic feeling of helping their community, or a chance to chase the adventure they craved during childhood.
“Why I like it? There’s always something different,” said Devon Lupton, 48, who is on his third year in the paid-on-call firefighter program, “I can remember (all my calls) for different reasons, the good ones and the bad. The ones I enjoy the most are the ones where you get to make a difference in the public’s life. Whether it be something small,
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Greg Hodson has recently hit a decade serving as an on-call firefighter for the Merritt Fire Rescue Department.
BE AVOLUNTEER
where you’re just helping somebody essentially get back to their feet [...] even the bigger (moments) You definitely make a difference in somebody’s life, even after a fire call, if it’s retrieving something from their house, a possession or something like that.”
Lupton, who works as a janitor as his day job, decided to join the fire department after seeing an online recruitment ad when he was 38-years-old.
Despite his decision happening fast, it wasn’t something impulsive, said the father of two. For Lupton, joining the fire department meant a chance to chase a childhood dream.
“It was something I’ve wanted to do since high school,” he said. “But there was always something else going on, and then it became sort of a bucket-list item. I told myself, ‘Well you’re getting older, you can’t really postpone it forever.”
Lupton said in high school, he gave up the chance to become a firefighter because he didn’t think he met the criteria for how much a firefighter would have to learn. Instead, he opted to go into the trades.
Still, working physical labour for his whole working life gave him a skillset he would utilise years later as he fulfilled that teenage dream.
His job allowed him to acclimate fast to the physical demands of being a firefighter. Endurance is a key trait firefighters must have. Lupton recounted responding to a 14-hour call last year.
“I enjoyed it,” he said. “Because I’m used to long days, and I used to work construction with my dad, so I’m more than happy to do 12 to 14 hours.”
Lupton has also proved to his former self that he can handle everything a firefighter needs to learn. He’s learned things such as,
the intricacies of structures, the makings of smoke alarms and how to read smoke fire.
“It’s way more stuff than I thought it was, but at the same time as much as it’s an extra weight on the brain, it’s been fun to learn all that stuff,” he said.
Lupton’s only wish is that he could have joined sooner. He said that being a doing the job on almost a volunteer basis has been enjoyable for him.
“I’m not a rich person, it’s never been about money for me, for anything I’ve done. It’s more been about enjoying myself,” he said.
Lupton wants others to chase their dreams too, even if it doesn’t pay.
“I think you have to try everything once, especially if there’s even a molecule of yourself that wants to do it. I think you gotta try it,” he said.
He quoted the late George Adair, who died in 1899.
“Everything you want in life is on the other side of fear.”
For others, they take the risk of being a firefighter strictly to serve the community.
Greg Hodson has recently hit a decade serving as an on-call firefighter in MFRD.
Raised in Merritt, Hodson has given most of his adult life trying to give back to the community that raised him.
Before joining MFRD, Hodson spent a few years as a volunteer auxiliary for the RCMP. He was also a teacher for shop work at MSS at his previous job.
While part of the reason he’s done so much volunteering is so he doesn’t go “stir-crazy” at home, the other reason is the simple feeling of helping someone.
“It’s not just here (Merritt), it’s everywhere,” he said about why he helps his community so much. “There’s a good feeling inside, helping people. You can’t really put a price on that and I think if more people did
Department.
‘THEY’RE LOOKING UP TO YOU’
LOOKING: continued from page 15
that kind of thing where they’re just helping their neighbours and helping their community members, this whole place would be better.”
He said when he responds to emergencies as a member of the MFRD it gives people ease-of-mind that they’re there with the best intentions.
“I think the good is still always there, and you’re there for a good reason, whether the outcome for a person is good or bad,” he said.
What he remembers most is people’s reactions when he helps them. He specifically remembered a recent call where he saved three seniors from a trapped elevator.
“You could just see on their faces, because they’ve been in there for 20 minutes, and they’re panicked,” he said.
Hodson also served in the MFRD during the 2021 flood. He remembers living in the fire department for a while, with 20 to 30 others members as they assisted the community through the natural disaster.
As Hodson has spent a decade with MFRD, he has gained some seniority within their numbers, reaching the rank of Acting Lieutenant. He said an interesting aspect is his relationship with some of the younger members of the fire department, especially those in work-experience.
“You’re kind of the leader, and so they’re looking up to you,” he said. “But it’s a two-way street too, because you might be able to teach them and mentor them, but they’ve also gone to fire school or somewhere, and their skills are honed and there’s these new skills they’re teaching us now.”
Meeting people from all walks of life is another perk of volunteering in general, he said.
BUCKLAND FINDS PURPOSE AND PASSION THROUGH SEARCH AND RESCUE WORK
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Nicola Valley Search and Rescue (NVSAR) has served the Merritt area for over 22 years, finding and saving people trapped in the most extreme of situations.
All members of NVSAR are volunteers for the organization, all of them have their day jobs and have had to gone through the seven month basic training program to be a member.
“It’s almost something that you would
think should be a full-time job in itself,” said Holly Buckland, Vice-president of NVSAR.
Buckland has been a member of NVSAR for five years. When she’s not in the field assisting the teams at NVSAR, she can be found using her medical skills at community events such as mountain biking or tobogganing races.
“I know it’s volunteering and it’s sometimes a drag on your social life, but if you can be that one extra helpful
THAN KS Volunteers
TheValueof ONE.ThePowerofMANY.
TheNicolaValleySkatingClubis aSkate CanadaClub andnot forprofitsocietythatteaches skating to youthandadultsinMerritt. We of fera varietyofdif ferentprograms:Precanskate, Canskate,Powerskating,Junior Academy, Junior Starskate, S TARSkate andAdultSkate.Behindthesceneswehavemanyvolunteer stohelpkeepthis organizationrunningsmoothly -weappreciateevery oneofyouand thankyou forsteppinguptohelpout yourcommunity!
OurProgramAssistantsspendmanyhours ontheicethroughouttheseasonhelpingourcoach withthevariousprograms.Theirhelpis extremelyvaluableand we appreciate allofthehour syougive to theclub. AbigThankYou to this year’s Canskate AssistantCoaches:JaydaandCharmen and ProgramAssistants:Jill,Amy,Lisa,Meera, Aver y, Aziza, Ryker, Lillian,Evelyn,Olivia, MacKenna,Cooper,JobieandEzra.
TheNicolaValleySkatingClubis runbya volunteerexecutive.These volunteers meetmonthly aswellasspendmany hour sbehindthescenesin avarietyof roles.Thankyou to this year’s executive:Jill,Diana,Kayla,Amy,Melissa,Lauren,Nicole,Hailey, ErinandJessie Wealsowanttothanktheparentsofourskaters –there areoftenmany jobsthroughoutthe yearinwhichwerequire someparenthelp.Wehavesucha wonderfulgroupof parentsand family member sthathaveoffered to stepup andhelpoutasneeded. Abigthankyou to allthe parentsthathelpedvolunteerwithourIceShow “UndertheSea”. WEAPPRECIATEALLYOUHAVE DONETHROUGHOUTTHESEASON! fromNVSCCoachandPresident
Holly Buckland poses with Ellen Miller as she is presented with a $5,870 cheque towards the Nicola Valley Search and Rescue back in October 2024.
FOR NVSAR VOLUNTEERS THE REWARD IS KNOWING THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE
REWARD: continued from page 17
person on a call-out, it would mean the world. It could mean life or death, to be quite honest,” she said.
This year, Buckland has been nominated as a standout volunteer by the NVSAR president.
“Holly is truly the backbone of our organization,” the NVSAR president said. Buckland is a member of two specialized teams in NVSAR and also holds an advanced first aid certificate (OFA Level 3).
Holly’s life has always revolved around helping others. She grew up in Merritt, but after graduating from high school she had decided to move north to Fort St. John and become a medic working in the oil patches.
“I fell in love with anything that had to do with medicine and emergency response,” she said.
family in that.”
Buckland said many of the active members of the group put in more than 200 hours of volunteer work a year including training and callouts.
This year, Buckland said there’s been more members than before. She said the number of active members has almost doubled from 12 to 20 or 30 people coming out regularly to training.
“I love that we’re getting enough people together who are actually wanting to commit to coming to those internal training nights,” she said.
For Buckland and many other members of NVSAR, saving lives is the ultimate goal. She remembers every one of her call outs.
“I liked anything to do with volunteering.”
— Holly Buckland
She spent years doing this, but after bearing witness to a bad accident involving youth, Buckland knew she had to stop being an emergency responder for a while.
Between the years, Buckland still involved herself in selfless causes. She was a Big Sister for the charity Big Brothers, Big Sisters for a while.
“I liked anything to do with volunteering,” she said.
It wasn’t until years later, while working for Arnica Contracting in Merritt, that she was enticed to get back into an emergency response role.
Since joining, she has loved her role in NVSAR. She’s enjoyed everything from the training, to the nervous moments during a callout.
When asked why she would give so much time and put herself at risk for free she said if she was paid, the job wouldn’t be as special.
“(If) you’re getting paid to do it, it kind of takes away some of that passion and desire to do a really good job,” she said. “Just being able to help people is what drives you. I think if you were getting paid to do it, it would lose its luster. It wouldn’t be as interesting. It would be [...] you’re forced to do training because you’re getting paid to do it, but this, everyone is just doing it to help the community. I think there’s a sense of
Thank YouTo our VolunTeers!
TheRoyalCanadianLegionextendsaheartfeltthankyouto allourdedicatedvolunteers. Yourhardwork,commitment,and generositykeeptheLegionrunningstrong,ensuringwecontinue tosupportveterans,theirfamilies,andourcommunity.
“They all have a special place in my heart,” she said. She remembers one call that took place last year, specifically.
“There was a call that came for a lost hiker and they needed a medic. I was the only medic available to go out. So I was in the first truck to go out,” she said. “When we get there, we find out (the missing person) was a man who was missing for five days, an elderly man. When I got there, it was sad, your heart would break for him. You could tell he’d been out there for a long time, and it definitely showed on his body.”
Buckland said the man survived after being extracted using a helicopter, but in the moment she was worried for his health.
“I was definitely worried that I would lose him before I was able to get him out of there. That one will stick with me for a long time,” she said.
After a while, Buckland even reconnected with that person. She visited him in the hospital and got to meet his family. Unfortunately the man she rescued had dementia and was unable to remember her.
“We never really get that side of it either. Very seldom do we know what happened to them after we pass them off to ambulance or whatever the case may be. But in this case, we actually got to find out.”
Buckland hopes to keep interest in NVSAR high as she promotes the organization at each community event she volunteers in.
Fromorganizingeventstomaintainingourfacilities,every effortyouputinmakesadifference. We couldn’tdoitwithout you! Yourtime,dedication,andpassionaretrulyappreciated. Thankyouforallthatyoudo!
Quilchena Ave. Merritt 250-378-5631
legion@outlook.com
Purchase Your MembershipOnline: www.legion.ca
THAN KYOU to allpastandpresent CommunityFutures NicolaValleyVolunteersofthepastdecade.
OURCURRENT VO LU NTEERS
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LONGTIME VET AND VOLUNTEER KEEPS NICOLA VALLEY RODEO GROUNDS RUNNING STRONG
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Elisabeth Ladyman’s definition of a volunteer is simple. “A helper is equivalent to a volunteer, or vice versa.”
And by that measure, she has been one of the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association’s most committed helpers for decades.
Ladyman arrived in Merritt in 1976 as a large animal veterinarian. After establishing the Nicola Valley Veterinary Clinic in 1980, she quickly found herself drawn to the local rodeo scene. Her professional role eventually led to her becoming the on-site veterinarian for the Nicola Valley Rodeo, and from there, her volunteer journey truly began.
Over the years, her involvement deepened—from helping prepare and clean up after events to maintaining the grounds and eventually serving as a board director.
“It sort of got to the point where you then became a director on the board,” she said. “And then that leads to all sorts of committees that you’re either on or part of, or head of.”
As a volunteer, she’s had her hands in just about everything: managing buildings, taking on projects, organizing work parties, and helping write grants. While the work is rewarding, it’s also extensive. “Every event means cleaning the grounds, preparation for that event, the event itself, and the cleanup. That takes care of five days out of seven—even when it’s just a weekend event.”
Volunteering at the rodeo grounds, she explained, goes far beyond show days. That includes everything from physical
labour to administrative tasks like writing grants, managing finances, and organizing communications.
She also noted that volunteers often find themselves wearing many hats.
“Once you get involved and people involve you more, it’s hard to just back off,” she said. “I do have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies.” Still, she’s trying to step back a little to let newer volunteers take the lead.
Ladyman is especially hopeful that more young people and parents will step into volunteer roles.
“Most of our volunteers who show up are seniors,” she said. “We’re appealing to the youth, and in particular, the parents that have children in Little Britches or in high school rodeos.”
The Nicola Valley Rodeo Association, she says, is ultimately about building something lasting for the community.
“We’re all trying to help achieve a goal of marvelous-looking rodeo grounds,” she said. And she encourages others to check out what’s happening.
“Many people in Merritt have never even seen the grounds. I’d like to encourage people just to drive by and check it out.”
For those interested in lending a hand, Ladyman says there’s a place for every skill set—from gardening and carpentry to helping out during events or supporting behind-the-scenes efforts.
“We’re trying to encourage people to just become a member, show up at one of our work parties, and see what they can do to help.”
NICOLA VALLEY HEALTH CARE AUXILIARY POWERED BY GENERATIONS OF VOLUNTEERS
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
It’s no secret that the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary is run by a litany of Merritt-raised volunteers.
Since its establishment in 1912, the thrift store has had its shelves stocked by multiple generations, all volunteers.
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PHOTO/TY
Myrene Jones (left) and Jacquie Hall (right) have been volunteering throughout most of their lifetime.
Elisabeth Ladyman has been volunteering at the Nicola Valley Rodeo Grounds for over 30 years.
DECADES: continued on page 19
DECADES OF DEDICATION KEEP THRIFT STORE AND COMMUNITY CARE THRIVING
Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary say on their website that they are comprised of over 70 volunteers.
According to some of the current volunteers at the thrift store (Auxiliary) the demographics of workers there used to swing younger.
Today many of the volunteers have been involved with the thrift store for over decades.
Myrene Jones, 86, is one such member who’s been with the thrift store even as the town of Merritt changed around her.
To this day, she’s volunteered there for 57 years.
“The people (At the thrift store), I love. I love everything about it, and it’s for a really good cause,” Jones said. She added that another reason she volunteers in the community is because of her two daughters that live in Merritt.
Funds generated by the thrift store have gone to the hospital in Merritt and the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, which serves many people from the Nicola Valley.
She mentioned feeling great when she saw new babies being born playing with toys the thrift store had donated to the hospitals.
Hall has also spent over 20 years volunteering for the Merritt rodeo.
The two recount their earlier days working at the thrift store.
When they started out, the thrift store was a fraction of the size it is now. It shared the building it was in with two other businesses.
After those businesses closed, the thrift store was able to take over the entire building, being the property’s owner.
While the property itself has gone through changes including multiple renovations, according to Hall, the demographics of the people volunteering there has changed as well.
“I’m really worried because yonug people these days don’t have time (to volunteer).”
— Myrene Jones
Other funding comes goes towards community organizations like Gillis House and Ska-lu-la. The thrift store also provides $2,000 bursaries every year to Nicola Valley students going into the healthcare industry.
Another member of the board of executives at the thrift store is Jacquie Hall, 74, who has 42 years of experience volunteering not only at the thrift store, but some time at the Merritt Rodeo as well.
“It’s great to know that we are supporting our community as a whole, because almost everybody that lives in this community is somehow helped by the auxiliary,” Hall said, stating that they assist the food bank and try to provide recognition for the Merritt Fire Rescue Department and the local RCMP detachment.
“Here’s a great feeling for me, a great feeling of satisfaction when helping someone in the community that’s in need,” she said.
“It used to be that wives didn’t work (traditional jobs). So wives went and worked in the thrift store. So, you had young people working in the thrift store who were probably (around) 30 or 25 years-old,” Hall said. “Today, we have very few people that are younger.”
Hall said most of their current members are around 70-years-old to over 80-years-old.
Jones mentioned one member that was over 90-years-old.
With the demographic of volunteers skewing older, Hall worries Merritt will see a decline in service.
“I’m really worried because young people these days don’t have the time (to volunteer),” she said.
Hall said volunteers in Merritt run a lot of programs. She encourages young people to think about what happens when the current generation of volunteers are gone.
“I don’t think that people realize how important it is to volunteer within your community. I don’t believe the young families these days understand that if there’s no one to take our place, then there won’t be those services.”
The two encouraged more people to sign up to be a volunteer for the thrift store or for other places in the community.
THANKYOU toallthecoaches, managers,executiveandeveryoneelsewhomade MMHArunsosmoothlythisyear.Theassociation couldnotrunwithoutcountlessvolunteers.
Formoreinformationvisit www.merrittminorhockey.com
PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ
GEILL MARKS OVER 20 YEARS OF QUIET DEDICATION TO THE MERRITT CENTENNIALS
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
For more than 20 years, Joe Geill has been a steady and familiar presence around the Merritt Centennials—whether it’s running the 50/50 draw, helping out at the rink, or quietly connecting with players through the team’s chapel program.
Geill’s journey with the Centennials began in the early 1990s.
“It started out, we had a booster club that raised money, and that’s where I really started,” he said. “Then it kind of folded when we all got old and nobody wanted to
work. So I just kept going—probably since ’92 or ’93, somewhere in there.”
His involvement with the Centennials started, as he put it, “just through friends, more or less,” at a time when he felt there wasn’t much else to do in town.
“Somebody said, why don’t you come over to the booster club? That’s how it started.”
Volunteering, however, wasn’t new to him.
“I’ve always volunteered. I coached ball, I think grade 11 or so,” he said. One of his proudest moments came from those days
THET HRIF TSHOP
on the baseball field, when his team won gold at the BC Summer Games in 1987, followed by silver and bronze in the years after. But as interest declined, the teams eventually faded.
“At one time we had 23 teams here, and it cut down so we only had the one that we were traveling with.”
With baseball fading out, hockey became a bigger focus. Today, Geill coordinates the Centennials’ 50/50 draws and spends a lot of time at the arena.
One of the things he enjoys most is the people—especially those he meets while working the 50/50 booth.
“I see a lot of out-of-town people and get a chance to talk to them,” he said.
“Different things with the new people. You see the same thing—people that’ve never seen hockey—so you get to talk to them.”
Beyond the games, Geill has also been involved in the team’s chapel program, part of a league-wide initiative.
“We have a chapel program every—well, it used to be every Monday. This year was just every other Monday,” he explained. For Geill, that connection with players has been especially meaningful. “Just being with the boys, especially at chapel, we get a chance to see the more personal.”
Over the years, Geill has seen players he once coached in baseball return to town, now adults in their 40s and 50s. “They come up, ‘Hi Joe’—I don’t even recognize them. They know me, but I don’t know
them,” he laughed. “You know when you’re 16 or 17, and then seeing them now…”
Despite all the changes—including a new league for the Centennials this season— Geill continues to enjoy being part of the team.
“Actually, I thought this year was real good for a first year team,” he said. He sees volunteerism as a vital part of keeping community programs alive.
“I think it’s a big impact, because they need volunteers. Otherwise you wouldn’t get things done,” he said. “I think other people should volunteer. We’re always trying to talk them into it. I know at that arena, they’re always looking for volunteers, but not too many people want to get out and get involved.”
For Geill, giving back has always come naturally. “It means you’re doing something for the community and the team—and time to get out and visit people there,” he said. “It means a lot to give back to the community, and I enjoy it. Like I say, I’ve always kind of volunteered in different things. We built the curling rink and volunteered there all summer. And we built the church—that was the same thing. It was all volunteer.”
He plans to keep volunteering “as long as I can,” and has a simple piece of advice for anyone on the fence about helping out: “Try it. That’s the only way they get in, really.”
Volunteer spirit drives Joe Geill to keep showing up for his team and town.
Yourcourage,skill,andselflessnessmake ourcommunitystronger ,safer, andmoreresilient. We appreciateyoumorethanwordscansay.
WOULDYOULIKETOBE PART OFSOMETHINGTHATTRULYMATTERS?
Nicola ValleySearchandRescue(NVSAR)isactivelyseekingpassionateindividualswhoare readytomakeadifference.Ifyou’recommunity-minded,thriveunderpressure,andwantto betherewhenitmattersmost —wewantyouonourteam.
WHAT WEDO: NVSARispartoftheBritishColumbiaSearchandRescueAssociation, anon-profitsocietysupportingvolunteerSARteamsacrosstheprovince.
WEPROVIDE:
• Life-savingemergencyresponse
•Specialtyrescueservices likerope,avalanche,ice,swiftwater,andgroundsearch
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• Criticalsupport throughmapping,logistics,communications,andgearmanagement There’saplaceforeveryone —whetheryou’reonthefrontlinesorbehindthescenes
WHATWE’RELOOKINGFOR
To joinourfieldteam,we’relookingforindividuals whoare:
•Physicallyfitandmentallyprepared
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LevelOneFirstAid
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Youdon’tneedtobeoutinthefieldto bepartofthemission.
We alsoneedvolunteerstoassistwith:
•Commandlogs &recordkeeping
•Mappingassignmentsusingsoftware
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•Ever yroleplays apartinsavinglives.
LEARNMOREORGETINVOLVED.Ifyou’rereadytostepup,orsimplywant tolearnmoreaboutwhoweareandwhatwedo,visit: www.nvsar.com
CITY FINALIZES FINANCIAL PLAN FOR NEXT FIVE YEARS
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
City of Merritt has finalized the financial plan for 2025 to 2029 has been officially adopted, coming with a property tax increase of around 11 per cent.
After putting out a final call for public input on the budget, the city went through with their proposed financial plan with all councillors voting unanimously for it during a council meeting on April 8.
There was no public input on the budget during the
meeting.
Municipal taxes make up 55 per cent of a resident’s property tax bill. Taxes to TNRD, the school board and parcel taxes also make up large percentages of a tax bill.
For an average household valued at $445,000, the monthly property tax increase of 11 per cent works out to be $22 more each year.
TNRD also recently set their property tax increase at 5.9 per cent.
Earlier in the year Merritt residents were asked to submit feedback on the city’s budget plan, including giving suggestions on which city services could be reduced in order to lower taxes.
One of these options was to reduce the amount of budgeted RCMP members in Merritt’s detachment.
After overwhelming feedback, the city decided to make no changes to the amount of RCMP members budgeted and keep taxes at a slightly higher rate.
According to the current 2025-2029 financial plan, City of Merritt is operating with a monetary surplus of almost $10.3-million in 2025. Despite
total revenue from taxation being estimated to increase this year - The city’s 2025 net taxation value is listed at $12.8 million, in 2029 it is estimated to be nearly $16.4 million - total.
This is because a large portion of the city’s revenue is gained through government grants. 2025 has just over $14 million in grants secured, making it the bulk of the city’s revenue this year.
The most costly element of the city’s expenditure is in protective services, which costs almost $6.5 million to fund in 2025.
The city also has numerous capital projects it will work on over the five-year plan including water public works and sewer public works projects.
The total cost of the projects is $48.7 million. Most of the funding - 48 per cent of the total cost - will come from grants. Nearly $4 million from the city’s total surplus over the five years will be invested into these projects.
The City of Merritt is also borrowing money through long-term debt for their major capital projects. According to the financial plan, 11 per cent of capital funding is from borrowed funds.
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BUDGET CUTS ON TABLE FOR SD58
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Nicola Similkameen School District 58 (SD58) is looking at cutting $1.5 million from their expenses.
Prior to the last two SD58 board meetings held on March 12 and April 9, the school district was looking to cut $2.5 million from their 2025-26 budget of over $43 million. The budget for the previous school year was just under $40.5 million.
During the April 9 meeting, it was said that after a small spike in enrolment in February which accounted for almost 80 new full-time students. That, as well as cuts to budget surplus in specific schools and staffing cuts in the district office and the removal of a vice principal position, the school board only has brought their budget pressures down to $1.5-million.
Currently, the SD 58 is facing the highest number of enrollment in six years according to statistics from worker’s union CUPE 847, which has 160 staff members as part of said union in the district.
Right now there is an equivalent of 2,271 full-time students. This breaks a five year trend of declining enrollment. Enrollment in online schooling programs, such as the spike in February, and the addition of Indigenous Support Services being counted towards the tally, are factors in the increase.
Representatives from CUPE 847 who were at the April 9 meeting recommended that the SD58 board find alternative methods to save money rather than cut staff stating, “Student safety and inclusion is impossible to prioritize while cutting the staff who deliver it.”
For the past few years, funding allocated to teaching services from SD58’s budget has been in steady decline.
Vince Kanigan, president of the Nicola Valley Teachers’ Union, said the district’s current plan to lessen budget pressure is causing a decline in the number of teaching positions.
“There’s a significant reduction in the number of teaching positions in the proposed (budget pressure) mitigation plan,” he said.
The last five years has seen a decline in the percentage of budget that is allocated to teaching services of five per cent.
In the 2024-25 year, almost 75 per cent of the SD58 budget was directed towards teachers, which capped a trend in declining investment in that area. In 2020, 79.5 per cent of the budget was allocated to teachers.
At the same time, the average percentage of a school district’s budget directed to teachers from other school districts across the province is slowly increasing.
During the 2024-25 school year, the provincial average for funding for teachers was at 83 per cent of budget.
Kanigan said only a quarter of the school districts in B.C. spent less on teachers than the provincial average.
“Further reductions (to us) will impact students and teachers, as we can all anticipate larger class sizes, fewer dollars spent on resources and fewer support,” he said.
He implored the board to look at other alternatives to cut budget rather than teaching staff.
Trina Moulin, president of the Princeton District Teachers’ Union, shared the same sentiment.
She exemplified one class in her district, saying they benefited greatly from the addition of an education assistant.
“We are all aware of necessary budget cuts during these difficult times,” she said. “But cutting educators and those on the front lines is not the answer. It is kids who will miss out and the teachers who will burn out,” she said.
Public meetings planned by SD 58 on the budget were held in Merritt and Princeton on April 15 and 16 respectively.
During this, the strategies formed by SD58 on budget cuts were presented.
SD58 budget for teachers has been in steady decline for
APRIL
How parents can get kids excited about brushing their teeth
Dental hygiene is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s an element youngsters rarely embrace with open arms. Parents know that getting kids, especially young children, to brush their teeth is not always so easy. In recognition of this, here are some suggestions to help. The following strategies will encourage proper dental hygene and to make brushing teeth something kids will look forward to.
• Make it fun. Brushing teeth may not be considered a fun activity, but who’s to say it can’t benefit from a little levity? The ADA recommends turning tooth brushing sessions into dance parties and/or sing-alongs. Youngsters might be so busy cutting a rug or listening to mom and dad belt out a few hits that they don’t even realize they’re cleaning their teeth at the same time. If singing and dancing aren’t cutting it, then incorporate another fun activity, like reading a child his or her favorite story, into daily brushing sessions. The ADA advises adults and children to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, so activities need not be too advanced. But a fun activity that allows kids to do something other than brush their teeth can be a great way to help them meet the “two minutes, two times” guideline.
• Reward good behavior. Parents can reward youngsters who brush their teeth without incident by offering praise or allowing them to pick a bedtime book when brushing at night.
• Put kids’ favorite characters to work. The ADA notes that many popular children’s television shows and books have stories about brushing teeth. Watch these stories with your children, then reference the stories and characters if kids are reluctant to brush their teeth. Parents also can find toothbrushes and/or toothpaste that feature kids’ favorite characters to get youngsters more excited to brush.
• Become a storyteller. Parents also can make up their own stories, explaining to kids how they can be superheroes who brush away the bad guys that cause cavities.
• Brush alongside your children. Kids love to mimic their parents, so moms and dads can brush alongside their youngsters in the hopes they’ll follow suit.
Many children may never jump at the chance to brush their teeth. But parents can employ a few savvy strategies to make daily brushing sessions more fun for youngsters.
COLDWATER DIKE AIMS TO START BUILDING THIS SUMMER
before other sections, such as the proposed dike in the Middlesboro section, because it was easier to procure funding.
Dikes 129 and 130 already existed before the flood and the project is technically a rebuilding effort. The flood mitigation team said completely new dikes would be harder to find funding for.
“C-EPA Middlesboro P1 section is a brand new dike, and senior government funding opportunities for projects like this are extremely competitive and far more
difficult to find and successfully win,” the email said.
The flood mitigation team said dikes 129 and 130 will only provide protection for that area of the river. Until construction of the remaining section of dike is complete, the areas by the river will have to be protected by emergency response methods such as sandbagging, gabion baskets and other temporary measures.
City of Merritt is currently looking to procure contractors for dike construction.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Construction on a section of dike that will shield the Coldwater River is likely to start construction as soon as this summer, but it could cost more than expected.
As over $130 million in Provincial investment has been put into funding flood mitigation efforts in Merritt, the City is eyeing a start to construction efforts.
The dike around Claybanks Trailer Park was discussed during a March 25 council meeting.
That dike was funded by a $2 million grant from the Provincial government.
Construction is likely to start in July, during a tight work window of 11-days according to Merritt Flood Mitigation director Sean Strang.
The Claybanks dike’s cost-basis is estimated from previous dike construction work from 2018 using dikes constructed because of the Grand Forks flood that year.
Strang is expecting the $2 million estimate to increase. His expectations are based on experience with one of the city’s previous dike projects, the C-EPA North dike which was built next to the city’s public work’s facility.
Strang said that in 2019, after the Grand Forks flood construction estimations, the Department of Fisheries changed their regulations for provincial wide construction for dikes.
The Public Works dike is “almost identical” to the one being constructed by the Claybanks RV park, he said.
Prior to the construction of the Public Works dike, it was found that the dike would need different permits than the ones provided, permits based on the new regulations.
Due to increased inflation since 2018, as well as the new dike regulations, C-EPA North dike ended up costing $1.1 million more than expected.
So far, the permit for the actual construction of the Claybanks dike has not been approved by the Province. Strang said if the permit for the dike isn’t secured by May 13, he would recommend delaying the construction until next year.
Still, council would retain the option to go forward with the construction even if no permit is granted by Strang’s May 13 deadline.
In regards to the other funded dikes - dikes 129 and 130 - there has been no set date on construction start as the city still needs to aquire land around some sections of the dike.
In an email to the Herald, the flood mitigation team provided reasoning to why dikes 129 and 130 were some of the first sections to start.
These sections of dike cover around 2.9km of the Coldwater river at the location of the convergence of the Nicola and Coldwater rivers. This section of dike was covered by $60 million in funding given by the Provincial government. The entire dike plan for the entire river is 5km.
The flood mitigation team said the reason dike 129 and 130 were funded
Merritt Flood Mitigation director Sean Strang speaking with B.C. minister Kelly Greene March 25.
NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS
Contact Laísa or Ty at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241
BRAD ANSTEY NAMED FIRST-EVER RECIPIENT OF KIJHL’S GM OF THE YEAR AWARD
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Making league history, Merritt Centennials general manager Brad Anstey has been named the inaugural winner of the KIJHL’s Wayne March GM of the Year Award after a standout debut campaign.
The newly introduced award, named after longtime Sicamous Eagles’ GM Wayne March, recognizes the top general manager in the KIJHL for exceptional leadership, roster building, and overall team success.
Anstey earned the honour for his work guiding the Centennials through their inaugural campaign in the league.
“Brad and his staff did a tremendous job building their roster within a tight timeframe and putting a hard-working, entertaining team on the ice,” KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois said.
“His leadership and decision-making during the Centennials’ inaugural KIJHL season has the team positioned for consistent, long-term success.”
Anstey, working alongside head coach and assistant GM Wes McLeod, built the Centennials from the ground up.
The team went 26-13-3-2 in the regular season, finishing in seventh overall, and qualified for the Teck Cup playoffs. After a 2-6-1 start, Merritt surged down the stretch with a 15-5-1-2 run.
Though the GM of the Year award bears his name, Anstey was quick to deflect the credit.
“What’s really important about this award
is that it’s not an individual achievement,” he said. “Without a great coaching staff, especially Wes McLeod, who brought my vision to life on the ice, and without players who came to the rink every day wanting to get better, this wouldn’t have been possible. It takes a whole organization to make something like this happen.”
According to Anstey, establishing the team’s culture and identity was key from day one.
“Three things that I go for in terms of recruiting players are character first, then skating, then hockey IQ—and if there’s a fourth, it’s competitive drive,” Anstey said. “When a player checks all those boxes, that brings my attention level up. I want guys who have something to prove, who come to the rink every day ready to get better and put in the work. That’s the mindset we built this team around.”
realized the caliber of character he had and his skill levels, and to meet with his parents to present the option of coming to Merritt. They followed up after that and said ‘yes, we want to commit, sign to come play in Merritt.
“To me, that was the first time in three months I really felt like, ‘Hey, you know what? I can do this job.’ That gave me a great big level of confidence.”
From there, Anstey and his staff added key pieces throughout the year, including Cohen Poulin from the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, forward Dane Dietz from Quesnel just before the deadline, and Grady Sluggett and Dylan Kruchten from the SJHL.
The goaltending tandem of Andrew Krakora and Mathis Perron provided stability all season, combining for a 2.68 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Krakora finished second in the league with a .931 SV%.
with that commitment to our culture and that good work ethic and wanting to develop and learn every day.
“When you come with that mindset to the rink every day, wanting to learn and get better, they just clicked. They came together as a really tight family. And it’s almost like everybody had something to prove — even right down from ownership, to every player and everybody involved in our organization. We all had something to prove that we could all do this job and build this team and provide a product that our community would be very proud of.”
Looking forward, Anstey said the Centennials have built a strong foundation.
“For an expansion team, I thought we’ve done a really good job in terms of establishing a foundation for our culture,” he said.
“We had to fight for that culture every day. But now we’ve got some new, exciting recruits coming in. We’ve got 120 kids attending camp — probably the biggest spring ID camp in the league. We’ve built the reputation that players want to come play in Merritt.”
Assembling the roster wasn’t easy. Anstey recalled the early challenges of building a team from scratch and the moment things began to take shape.
“It was really hard, because we started from nothing,” he said. “In April, May, and June, I was going to a lot of showcase events and doing a lot of recruiting … When I met with Sam Giangualano and his parents and
That belief extended throughout the organization and was shared by a group that, in Anstey’s words, had something to prove.
“You know, I think the word ‘misfits’ is probably not the nicest word to say,” he said. “But every player on our team came from somewhere else. Came from a place where maybe somebody said no to them or they had something to prove. And they came in there
And for Merritt, Anstey said the Centennials are committed to being more than just a hockey team.
“The fans can expect our continued commitment to providing the best product, both on and off the ice,” he said. “We’re going to give our heart to the community, and we’re going to continue to keep Merritt on the map in junior hockey.”
SPRING FLING RIDE BRINGS 2024-25 SNOWMOBILE SEASON TO A CLOSE
Contributed
Snowmobilers from across the Merritt area gathered on the weekend of March 29 for the Merritt Snowmobile Club’s annual Spring Fling, celebrating the unofficial end of another thrilling season. The event, held at the club’s Honeymoon Cabin, brought together riders for a full day of sledding, socializing, and reminiscing about the great winter rides of the past few months.
With fresh snowfall leading up to that weekend and the trails freshly groomed, conditions were perfect for a final ride before the season winds down. Riders of all skill levels took to the backcountry, enjoying everything from smooth, groomed trails leading to the cabin to deep powder pockets for exploring the mountain peaks. Even the weather played along, with the sun making an appearance for most of the day.
“It’s always a great way to wrap up the season,” said Simon Rizzardo, the club’s vice-president. “This year, we saw a fantastic turnout, and the energy was just incredible. People come out to ride, but also to connect with
Adding to the excitement, some of the original members from the 1999 era, who played a role in building the Honeymoon Cabin, made a special appearance. They shared stories of the challenges of constructing a remote cabin in the backcountry, giving younger riders a glimpse into the club’s history.
The biggest surprise of the day came when Wyatt MacDonald proposed to KayLee Stirling—a moment that had the entire group cheering. With the mountains as their backdrop, it was a picture-perfect setting for a proposal that won’t soon be forgotten.
After a day of riding, the celebrations continued at the Merritt Bowling Centre, where riders gathered for a night of bowling and a silent auction to help raise funds for the club. Proceeds from the event will go toward covering insurance costs and fuel for the groomers next season, ensuring the trails remain in top shape for future riders.
“For many of us, the Spring Fling is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of the tight-knit snowmobiling community we have in Merritt,” said Rizzardo. “It doesn’t
Spring Fling ride on March 29, 2025.
matter if you’re a beginner or a pro—everyone’s welcome, and that’s what makes it so special.”
With the sleds soon to be tucked away for the warmer months, the club is already planning for next season, with goals to expand trail maintenance and organize more exciting rides. But until then, riders will be counting down the days until the snow flies again.
PHOTO/SIMON RIZZARDO
PHOTO/MERRITT CENTENNIALS
Brad Anstey, general manager of the Merritt Centennials, has been recognized as ‘GM of the Year’ by the KIJHL.
SIMON RIZZARDO
fellow sledders and celebrate what we love.”
MERRITT CENTENNIALS DEFENCEMAN SELECTED FOR TEAM BC AT UPCOMING NAHC
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Merritt Centennials defenceman Ezra Siemens has earned a spot on Team BC for the upcoming 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), set to take place in Kamloops this May.
Siemens, a member of the Bonaparte First Nation, said this is the first time he’s officially made the team after trying out for the past few years.
“It was pretty cool,” Siemens said. “I’ve been trying out for the past couple of years, and I haven’t fully made the team yet, so this is my first time this year.”
The national tournament will bring together top Indigenous youth players from across the country for a week of high-level competition and cultural connection. For Siemens, the moment he gets to pull on the Team BC jersey will be a meaningful one.
“It’s been in the back of my mind for a little bit, and it’s going to be pretty cool to get to throw that jersey over my head,” he said. “It should be a pretty fun week during the tournament.”
Growing up in the Bonaparte First Nations reserve, Siemens said he’s had strong backing from his community throughout his hockey journey.
“They’ve supported me pretty much the whole way,” he
said. “They’ve been super supportive of wherever I wanted to go to play hockey, and they’ve helped me a lot through everything that I’ve gone through in hockey.”
On the ice, Siemens said he plans to focus on a solid defensive game and doing what he can to help the team succeed.
“I’d just like to have a good tournament, play solid defensively, and try and help the team win the best I can,” he said. “And off the ice, I just want to be as respectful as I can and show a good image for not just Merritt, but my nation and B.C. as a whole.”
Siemens credits the Centennials for playing a key role in his development this season.
“They were big on player improvement the whole year,” he said. “I thought they developed me really well and did a really good job this year, and I’m super thankful for that.”
He also noted that his family and community have been behind him from the beginning. “They’ve played a huge role. They have supported me since I started playing hockey, and they’ve been a big part of why I’m at where I’m at now.”
When asked who he looks up to, Siemens pointed to NHL defenceman Ethan Bear.
“Seeing how he’s kind of been through the NHL and played hockey for as long as he has, the level he has—it’s definitely pretty cool to watch where he goes.”
His advice to younger players is to stay in hockey as long as you can and enjoy it.
“It’s one of the funnest sports, in my opinion, and I think it opens up so many doors for any future that you want.”
PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ
Ezra Siemens has been selected to represent Team BC in the upcoming NAHC.
Eight students at the Baek’s Taekwondo Academy in Merritt have won 14 medals over the weekend at a competition. The academy also ranked 16th place out of 40.
MERRITT BOWLERS MAKE HISTORY WITH TROPHY WINS IN SALMON ARM AND PRINCETON
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt bowlers brought home a few trophies from inter-city tournaments through March and April.
For the first time in decades, Merritt has brought home trophies. The accolades were earned by two members of the women’s team, who both played high scoring games in tournaments in March and April.
Doreen Nikkel, who has bowled for 26 years, scored the highest number of points in the A-intercity tournament in Salmon Arm in March with a score of 344. “It was very exciting,” Nikkel said on winning the high-game trophy.
When asked how she won it, she joked saying, “I don’t know, I got lucky.”
“I don’t put pressure on myself, and we all don’t here, I just like bowling,” she said. “We’re not serious about it, but the trophy is a good bonus.”
The other trophy winner was Debbie Tansca, who won the award for the highest total score in the B-intercity tournament in Princeton.
Tansca has been bowling since she was four-years-old.
This is also her first time winning a bowling trophy.
“(Winning) felt great. It was funny because the night before the tournament I stayed up all night and didn’t have any sleep,” she said.
“It’s funny because now everyone thinks that sleep deprivation makes for good bowling,” she joked. Tansca also didn’t have any expectations of winning going into the tournament.
Teams that competed in intercity competitions.
Women’s
Doreen Nikkel
Deb Tansca
Madison Auer
Jess Colweell
Bill Campbell, coach
Men’s
Stu Jackson
Rick McLeod
Richard Stirling
Harold Aljam
Helen Campbell, coach
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU
Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911
Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Baptist Church 2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) 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 1:30 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
Motion Church Merritt 2114 Nicola Avenue • 250-434-3333
Meets the first Sunday of the month at 10am
CLASSIFIEDS
InLovingMemoryofJohn"Jack" FrancisHoggard
March 4, 1943 ~April6,2025
We areheartbrokentosharethe newsofthepassingofJackFrancis Hoggard,whodiedpeacefully onApril6th,2025,attheageof 82.Jackwas abelovedhusband, father,grandfather,brother,uncle, andfriend.Hiswarmth,humility, andsteadfastpresencetouched everyonewhoknewhim,andhewill bedeeplymissed.
Itwouldenable Traveller AccommodationUse (“short-term rental”)withinanexistingsingle-family dwellingat6592MonckParkRd,at NicolaLake(PID:026-485-541), shownshadedontheadjacentmap, zoned LR-1:LakeshoreResidential zoneforuptothreeyears.The specificTUPconditionsarestipulated ontheproposedpermitwhichforms partofBylaw2822.
Bornin Vancouver,BC,onMarch 4th,1943,JackwasraisedonSea IslandinRichmond,wherehis familyoperated adair yandpotato farm.FarmingwasinJack’sblood, itshapedwhohewasandhowhelived.In1954,whenJackwas11, thefamilyrelocatedfromtheirfarmonSeaIslandtoEastDeltatomake wayfortheexpansionof VancouverInternationalAirport. Yearslater,Jack wouldgoontoinherittheEastDeltafarm,continuingthefamilytradition andeventuallyraisinghisownfamilyontheland. Spendingdecadesbuilding aliferootedinhardwork,carefortheland, andquietgenerosity.Jackwasknownforhisdeeploveofdair yandpotato farming,loveforanimals,unwaveringworkethic,andeasygoingspirit, becoming afamiliarandrespectedfigureinboththeEastDeltaandMerritt communities.Jackalsohad apassionforhorseracing,owningseveral racehorsesovertheyearsandspendingmanydaysattheHastings Racetrack.EvenaftersellingthefarmandmovingtoMerritt,henever stoppeddoingwhatheloved.Continuingtofarmwellintohislateryears, remainingactiveintheMerritt,Ashcroft,andCacheCreekareas,untilhis illnessinlate2024.
Allpersonswhobelievethattheir interestinpropertymaybeaffectedby theproposedbylawshallbeafforded areasonableopportunitytoprovide inputatthePublicHearing.AnyonewhowishestopresentattheHearingvirtually(viaZoom)mustcontact LegislativeServicespriortonoononJanuary16th,2024,toarrangevirtualaccess.Anyonemayalsomake writtensubmissionsonthematterofBylaw2822(viatheoptionsbelow),whichmustbereceivedatouroffice priortonoononJanuary16th,2024.Theentirecontentofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpart ofthepublicrecordforthismatter.
#300-465VictoriaSt Kamloops,BC V2C2A9 (250)377-8673
HowdoIgetmoreinformation? CopiesoftheproposedBylawandallsupportinginformationcanbeinspectedfrom8:30a.m.to4:30p.m., Monday-Friday(exceptstatutoryholidays)atouroffice,fromDecember22nd,2023,until1:30p.m.onthe dayoftheHearing;orpleasecontactusviaanyoftheoptionsbelow. Forinfo&submissions
LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD). FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsfileisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapplication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfficer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation.
Takeourquickandeasyquestionnaireto helpusunderstandriskfactorsand improvescreeningmethods.
postmenopausal atleast3yearspastyourlastperiod notreceivinganyhormonetreatment stillhaveauterus(nohysterectomy) Youmustbe: www.uterinehealth.ca/research-projects/restore
NorepresentationswillbereceivedbytheBoardofDirectorsafterthePublicHearinghasbeenconcluded. A.Krause,GeneralManagerofDevelopmentServices ReliableTowingMerrittLtd. 2900PooleyAve thefollowingvehiclewillbeauctionedon January18,2024fornonpayment 2008ChevroletUplander VIN1GNDU33W88D159142 Debtor:ErinBrar Amountowing:1,869.50
Jackwaswellknownas akind-natured,humblemanwhostayed connectedtohisroots,hisfriends,andhisfamily.Callinghisbuddies justto“catchup,”greetingeveryonewithhisfamouswords:“How’sshe going?”Jackwasalwayspositive,nevercomplainedandneverwanteda “fuss.”Headoredhisfamilyandwasalwaystherewhenneeded. Jackispredeceasedbyhisparents,ClarenceandAgnes,oldersister Marionandbrother-in-lawEric.Heissurvivedbyhis wifeof24years, MaryAnn;hischildren,JackJr.(Diana),Kimberlea(Andrew),Ed(Sarah); andhisstepchildren,Sandra(Jag),Kirk(Chelsea),andJordan.Hewas aproudgrandfathertoNicholas(Fiona),Brennan,Chanelle, Waylon, Heather, Jenna(Kira),Jocelyn,andRaine,and acaringstep-grandfather toAj(Lauren),Liam,Priya,andSunil.Jackalsoleavesbehindhisdear sistersPhyllis(Orvel),Claire,Jean(Allen),andMildred,aswellashisfirst wife,motherofhischildrenandfriendtillthever yend,Louise. AcelebrationofJack’slifewillbeheldonSaturday,May3,2025,at1:00 PMatEastDeltaHall.AllwhoknewandlovedJackarewelcometojoinus. Inlieuofflowers,donationsinJack’smemor ycanbemadetotheProstate CancerFoundationofCanada.
ThefamilyextendsheartfeltthankstoMelvilleHospiceinWhiteRock, especiallytonurseRochelle.
We loveyou,Dad,mayyourestpeacefully.
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