B.C. BUDGET PAGE 2
DEVELOPMENT PERMITS UP PAGE 3
ON THE RUN PAGE 9
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Local couple gets lucky on scratch ticket By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
A hankering for beef jerky changed the lives of two Merritt residents for the better on the weekend. While working on some paperwork Sunday afternoon at the Nicola Valley Medical Centre, Dr. Drew Soderberg — who came to Merritt last year to work as a doctor — went down the street to the 7-Eleven where he bought his snack, and a couple of Set For Life scratch-and-win tickets. Soderberg went back to the office to finish his work, but kept the tickets for his wife to scratch. While watching TV at home later that night, Soderberg’s wife Deidre scratched the lucky ticket and screamed when she realized it was a winner. “I thought she was screaming at a spider or something,” Soderberg said. Deidre was in disbelief.
Dr. Drew Soderberg and his wife Deidre will use their $675,000 windfall to pay off their house, Drew’s student loans, and to prepare for the child they’re expecting this summer. Photo courtesy of BCLC
“It was just like, ‘Am I reading this right? Can you double check this?’”
she said Monday from the BCLC office in Kamloops, where they had the ticket
verified and collected their winnings. Stunned at the winning
ticket, the two didn’t tell many people at first just in case the ticket wasn’t in fact
the big winner, Deidre said. “We couldn’t sleep last night,” she told the Herald on Monday. Even after the ticket had been validated, Soderberg said he and his wife still found it hard to believe they were $675,000 richer. “My brain’s still not really with me right now,” he said. The money will be a significant help to the couple has they’re expecting a baby in August, and Soderberg has student loans to pay down from medical school. The Soderbergs will use a portion of the winnings to pay off their house, they said. Soderberg said their child will also have a nice education fund in place thanks to the cash. The Soderbergs opted for the lump sum offered by Set For Life, which also gives the option for winners to receive $1,000 weekly for 25 years.
Loaded handguns in crashed car leads to arrest By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
A 29-year-old Merritt man is facing charges after police found two loaded handguns in his crashed car. At about 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 19, the driver of a 1998 Crown Victoria travelling southbound 20 kilometres south of Merritt along the Coquihalla Highway lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle hit a concrete
median and rolled to the other side of the road where it hit another vehicle, which was travelling northbound. The four passengers of the northbound vehicle sustained minor injuries, as did the driver of the Crown Victoria. Police arrested the driver of the Crown Victoria and charged him with two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon. He will appear in court on Monday, Feb. 23.
A man involved in a single-vehicle crash on Friday morning was arrested by Merritt RCMP on outstanding warrants. At about 7 a.m. on Feb. 20, Merritt RCMP attended the scene of a car crash 40 kilometres south of Merritt on the Coquihalla Highway. When the officers arrived,
they did not find any passengers, but a witness on scene said the vehicle had passed her going northbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle hit a dirt shoulder, turned into a ditch and rolled several times. The witness said she then saw a man wearing a black hoodie and bright red sweatpants with a backpack exit the vehicle and enter the woods. Police discovered the
crashed 2006 Chevy pickup truck had been reported stolen from Abbotsford earlier that day. At 8:30 a.m., police received a report of a man hitchhiking about a kilometre north of where the accident took place. His description fit that of the suspect driver of the pickup. RCMP located the 21-year-old man and charged him with possession of stolen property over
$5,000. He was taken to the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre for a knee injury and released into police custody, where he remains. He also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest from Invermere for possession of stolen property under $5,000 and failing to appear in court. Both files remain under investigation.
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2 • TUESDAY, February 24, 2015
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS MERRITT SLO-PITCH
Balanced budget doesn’t bode well for school districts By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
School District 58 will need to find sixfigure savings as school districts are being asked by the provincial government to tighten their belts in 2015. The provincial budget, announced last week, calls for a clawback of $54 million over the next two years. School District 58 board of trustees chair Gordon Comeau said this will result in his district needing to find about $350,000 in savings over the course of the next three years. He said this will limit the amount of surplus funds school boards can carry and use in case the need arises.
Comeau said he thinks SD58 is strong enough to “weather the storm� for a few years, but the cuts will force the district to be more frugal. The district was looking to put more money into human resources, which is an initiative that will be put on hold for the time being. These savings are being asked to come from administrative costs, he said. Comeau said he thinks this budget doesn’t do much to help school boards. “It’s definitely not a good news budget for school districts,� he said. Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart said in the past, other minis-
tries have been asked to find efficiencies and in this budget it’s the education ministry’s turn. This year’s budget has allotted more than $550 million more over the next three years for B.C.’s education sector to compensate for the new collective agreement with teachers. MLA lauds budget highlights Following the provincial government’s balanced budget announcement last week, Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart believes there are a few highlights that should prove beneficial for Merritt-area residents. The government will be ending its deduction of child sup-
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port payments from income-assistance calculations come September — a move Tegart said will benefit single mothers. There’s an additional $20 million added to the budget for income assistance and $100 million in additional funding over the next three years for Community Living B.C., a provincial agency that assists adults with developmental dis-
abilities. These changes are good news for people throughout the riding and B.C. who have a hard time making ends meet, she said. New funding for hospice and palliative care for children and adults is an area that the government has heard concerns on and committed new funding toward in this budget as well, Tegart said.
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TUESDAY, February 24, 2015 • 3
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Folk duo plays at Seniors Centre Thursday
IN STEP The Dancing Divas from the Love to Dance Academy performed for residents of the Nicola Meadows retirement home on Feb. 18. The Divas performed to a handful of songs and even danced with some of the residents at the end of their performance. Their next stop will be at the Florentine at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Michael Potestio/Herald
Local MLA named caucus chair By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt’s MLA is moving up the political ladder. Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart has been acclaimed as chair of the BC Liberal caucus, making her not only responsible for overseeing caucus meetings, but a liaison
between Liberal MLAs and the Premier’s office as well. As chair, Tegart meets with Christy Clark once per week to discuss concerns, as well as the caucus agenda. She said having this position is an opportunity to build relationships with the decision-makers in
cabinet and the Premier’s office. “I think any time that we can build stronger relationships, that bodes well for the riding,” she said. Nominated by members of caucus, Tegart said she thinks her acclimation indicates her colleagues respect her and see her as a leader.
Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart
Vancouver Island-based folk duo The Great Plains will play at the Merritt Seniors Centre Thursday. Saskia and Darrel Delaronde, the married couple that plays Canadiana as The Great Plains, are stopping at the facility as the kickoff for a tour that will take them around B.C. into July. Their country-tinged music draws on a variety of quintessentially Canadian influences, from Louis Riel, the renegade Métis rights fighter in Manitoba, to rodeos in B.C.’s grasslands. Their crowd-friendly, engaging live show also features lyrics sung with gusto in Spanish, Dutch, German, French and Gaelic. The duo has an extensive back catalogue, having recorded nine albums over their decadelong career, from which they’ll draw at their Feb. 26 concert in Merritt. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at 1675 Tutill Court. Tickets are $10 and are available by phoning 378-4407.
Development permits show Merritt growth By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt is experiencing a spike in growth and development these days. The city’s planning and development manager said there were 70 new businesses registered with the city in 2014, bringing the total number up to 585. That’s about a 20 per cent increase in the number
of businesses from 2013, Sean O’Flaherty said. The new Diacarbon pellet plant and all the companies that worked on that project are included in those numbers. With the Merritt Green Energy project under construction, O’Flaherty anticipates another increase in businesses operating in Merritt in the next year and a half, balancing out those
that may fall out of 2015’s numbers now that the pellet plant is up and running. He said the anticipated building of new hotels in Merritt’s Gasoline Alley area should also yield a number of new business licences. O’Flaherty said this upswing in development is the first spike of its kind in 10 years. He said between 2005 and 2015, growth in Merritt
has been on a steady, slow increase. The total value of building permits in Merritt more than doubled in 2014 from the previous year’s number, and is expected to double again for 2015, O’Flaherty said. In 2014, the valuation of building permits in Merritt was about $11.65 million, compared to $4.1 million in 2013.
The number of businesses counted in Merritt includes storefronts, contractors, home-based businesses and out-of-town trades. City of Merritt chief administrative officer Allan Chabot told city council he thinks the majority of new job growth in Merritt will come from existing businesses, and wants more focus placed on supporting their expansion.
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REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: February 1993 Medevac service could be lost A service that may have saved a local woman’s life could be lost to area residents if it isn’t utilized more. The medevac air ambulance operating out of Kamloops was called into Merritt Sunday to transfer a medically unstable patient with low blood pressure from Nicola Valley General Hospital to Royal Inland Hospital. A reliable source indicated the woman had been brought into the local hospital early Sunday morning, but her condition wasn’t improving so Advance Life Support paramedics were contacted around noon. By the time she arrived in Kamloops, her blood pressure had apparently improved. “We’re not getting enough flights to warrant our staying here. It’s not bringing back the dollars expended,” explained pilot Sid Peltier.
4 • TUESDAY, February 24, 2015
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Community life begins with Public Works: NPWA The following is an excerpt from the City of Merritt regular council meeting agenda from Feb. 24, 2015. Dear mayor and councillors, The Public Works Association of British Columbia (PWABC) is seeking your support to recognize and promote National Public Works Week (NPWW) by acknowledging May 17 to 23, 2015 as National Public Works Week in your community. This year’s theme is “Community begins here.” National Public Works Week is observed each year during the third full week of May and this is the 55th year. NPWW calls attention to the importance of
public works in community life and seeks to acknowledge the efforts of tens of thousands of men and women in North America who provide and maintain civil infrastructure and services. NPWW also allows councils to remind the public of the 24-7 services that they are responsible for and are proud of. Many councils and public works departments make this an annual celebration in their communities. The APWA encourages public works agencies and professionals to take the opportunity to celebrate the week with parades, displays of public works equipment, high school essay contests, open houses, programs for civic organizations and media events. The occasion is
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Applications are invited for a temporary bylaw enforcement officer position. The City of Merritt is seeking an individual to serve as Bylaw Enforcement Officer on a full time basis. The position is for a forty (40) hour work week with shifts rotating occasionally to include weekends. For complete details, please see City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca Applications will be received by the undersigned until 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2015 Carole Fraser Human Resources Manager, City of Merritt 2185 Voght Street, Box 189 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8 cfraser@merritt.ca As only those candidates short-listed will be contacted, we thank you in advance for your interest in this position.
marked each year with scores of resolutions and proclamations from mayors and premiers and raises the public’s awareness of public works issues and increases confidence in public
works agencies like yours, which are dedicated to improving the quality of life for present and future. Deryk Lee PWABC president
Programs at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre AWSI – ASSISTANT WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR COURSE The first step in becoming a swimming Instructor. Must be 15 years of age and strokes at a level 10. March 16 - 19th, 8:30am - 4:30pm NATIONAL LIFEGUARD RECERT must have proof of NL within the last 5 years. Sunday March 15th 12:30 - 4:30pm STANDARD FIRST AID March 24th & 25th 8:30am - 5:30pm
SUMMARY OF CITY OF MERRITT SNOW REMOVAL POLICY This procedure outlines the responsibility of the City, residents, businesses and contractors as it pertains to snow removal in Merritt. NOTE: For purpose of this procedure “Area 1” is designated by heavy black line and “Area 2” is all remaining streets.. Service Level based on Snow Accumulation: 0 – 5 cm: Area 1 only sanded AS PRIORITY 5 – 20 cm: City streets are graded and sanded in the following time frame: Area 1 – within eight (8) hours Area 2 – within thirty (30) hours Over 20 cm: Exceptional Snowfall – will call out such manpower and equipment as may be available and required to maintain city streets in as passable conditions as possible. Priorities: No.1 Emergency access routes to essential services such as hospital, police, fire, ambulance, City services. Dangerous roadways including hills and intersections. No.2 Schools; No.3 Downtown Business Core; No.4 Highway Commercial properties; No.5 Residential properties Disposal: Residents, businesses and contractors are not permitted to blow or plow snow from private property onto right-of-ways, streets, lanes or walkways. Residents and businesses in areas with City sidewalks adjacent to roads shall be permitted to place snow from the walk on the road. Sidewalk Clearing: Every owner or occupier of residential zoned property shall remove snow or ice from sidewalks or pathways abutting the said property within twenty-four (24) hours of accumulation except for weekends and holidays.
STANDARD FIRST AID RECERT must bring proof of SFA March 26th 8:30am - 5:30pm
Every owner or occupier of real property shall immediately remove snow, ice or rubbish from the roof or other part of a structure adjacent to a highway or pathway or sidewalk where such snow or ice or rubbish presents a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
THE FIRST STEPS TO BECOMING A LIFEGUARD
Every owner or occupier of commercial or industrial zoned property shall remove snow or ice from sidewalk or pathways abutting the said property by ten (10) a.m. of any day and, as needed, following the accumulation of snow or ice.
BRONZE STAR, MEDALLION, CROSS March 23 - 27th 9am-5:30pm Bronze Star: 8 - 12yrs of age, ability to swim 100m Bronze Medallion: bronze star or 13 yrs of age Bronze Cross: bronze medallion
Complete copies of this procedure can be obtained at City Hall during regular business hours.
FREE TEEN SWIM 13 -18 yrs - Friday Feb 27th 9 - 11pm FREE PRE-TEEN SWIM 7-12 yrs - Saturday Feb 28th 5:30 - 7:30pm Come hang out with your friends, pizza, pop, prizes and fun! AQUA JOGGING Need a change in routine? Too cold to run outside? Tired of running on a treadmill? Joints sore from too much impact? Try Aqua Jogging! Great Cardio workout, the water provides extra resistance with no impact! Come give it a try! Excellent program for triathlon athletes. Wednesday Mornings 6:15 - 7am For more information on any of these courses give us a call at the Aquatic Centre 250-378-6662 2040 Mamette Avenue, Merritt
Next council meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015 Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca
City of Merritt ★ 2185 Voght Street, Box 189 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 ★ Phone: 250-378-4224
TUESDAY, February 24, 2015 • 5
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
TNRD looks at options for biosolids management By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Directors for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District are looking at ways to gain regulatory control over biosolids activities in their district — a move that would be the first of its kind in B.C. To do this, TNRD directors would need approval from the provincial government, Area M director Randy Murray told the Herald. No other regional district has this kind of jurisdiction, he said. Under current provincial regulations, the TNRD doesn’t have to be notified that a proponent intends to use
a piece of RL1 zoned land for processing biosolids as it is a permitted use. No public consultation process is required either, and only the Ministry of Environment and IHA need to be notified and give approval for such a practice. Murray, who presides over the part of the Nicola Valley where biosolids are currently being processed, said the TNRD needs to look to alternative methods of management to spreading biosolids on land as fertilizer. Murray said the TNRD also has the option of passing a bylaw prohibiting the export of biosolids
Annual women’s conference focuses on self-esteem Journeys Into Tomorrow transition house is holding its annual women’s conference on Saturday, offering women from around the Nicola Valley a free day of fashion advice and self-esteem building workshops. The event, which begins at 10 a.m., features two presentations in the morning: one on how to refurbish a wardrobe, and the other on sewing tips. Various booths will also be set up throughout the day, from ones that have accessories for women to try on to ones that help women identify properly fitting bras. Local consultant Rona Sterling-Collins, who specializes in working with aboriginal communities, will lead a workshop on self-esteem in the afternoon. Dinner will be served beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the day will wrap up with a fashion show.
Snacks, lunch and supper are provided. There is no cost to attend the event, but pre-registration is recommended. Journeys Into Tomorrow women’s support worker Dale August said women who register are advised to bring a change of clothes they’d like to show the designers at the event. August said it’s important for women to develop self-esteem, and being happy with how they look is one way to increase their selfconfidence. “We try to show the ladies there are different options and how to feel good about themselves and not get into these kinds of relationships,� she said. “Violence prevention — that’s what our house is all about.� The event runs at the Coldwater Band School from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 28.
produced on their land. On Feb. 5, the TNRD board of directors heard presentations regarding biosolids from the Ministry of Environment, Interior Health Authority (IHA), biosolids industry representatives and the anti-biosolids group Friends of the Nicola Valley.
“It was a good information session that helped the board understand the issue better,� Murray said. The TNRD is expected to have a strategic planning session at the end of this month where it will identify top priorities, and Murray expects biosolids to be one of the top five.
CASUAL CHILD CARE ASSISTANTS Child care assistants provide support to children and their care providers in community centres on an outreach basis. CTFRC has casual on call positions available for Child Care Assistants in our Supported Child Development program at our Merritt location. QualiďŹ cations/Requirements: t &BSMZ $IJMEIPPE &EVDBUJPO PS FRVJWBMFOU t &YQFSJFODF XPSLJOH XJUI DIJMESFO XJUI developmental disabilities t 7BMJE 'JSTU "JE $FSUJmDBUF t $SJNJOBM SFDPSE DIFDL SFRVJSFE VQPO IJSJOH t 7BMJE ESJWFS T MJDFOTF BOE PXO WFIJDMF t .VTU CF BWBJMBCMF .POEBZ UP 'SJEBZ Salary starting at $18.95/hr
Please submit resumes to: Sarah Morrison Administrative Assistant $IJMESFO T 5IFSBQZ 'BNJMZ 3FTPVSDF $FOUSF .D(JMM 3E ,BNMPPQT #$ 7 $ 3 &NBJM TNPSSJTPO!LBNMPPQTDIJMESFOTUIFSBQZ PSH 'BY
Thank you for your interest in this position, only short listed candidates will be contacted.
SPAGHETTI DINNER
CANCER FUNDRAISER FOR MARCEL HALLER Marcel Haller has been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer. His illness is progressing and the family is now facing large costs to continue treatments in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kamloops. It has now come time for his wife, Donelda, to take leave from her employment to continue her support for Marcel. At this time, their family is requesting your help to cover costs for travel, expensive medications and loss of wages. Family and friends are pulling together and starting a fundraiser campaign. We are hoping to raise $5000. If you are interested in volunteering or helping out in any way please call or text Angie Haller at 250-315-5400
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6 • TUESDAY, February 24, 2015
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HERALD OPINION Individuals and political parties As I have commented in the past, many of the major issues on Parliament Hill are often very different from DAN ALBAS the concerns View from the heard back at HILL home. MPs who are suspended from their caucus, satellite office expenses, costs of inappropriate partisan mailings, and most recently an MP floor-crossing are issues that receive a considerable amount of media attention in Ottawa but are less frequently raised by citizens in Okanagan-Coquihalla. All of these issues are quite rare, but floor-crossings are unique as they tend to involve an MLA or an MP leaving one party (which they were presumably a member of when elected) to join another party they were not a member of when first elected. As some may know, the NDP have a long-standing position that any floorcrossing should automatically trigger a byelection, which is a position that we were reminded of last week and which continues to be the subject of debate. In this conversation it is important to recognize that citizens can be elected without a party affiliation. Often we refer to these citizens, once elected, as Independents. Likewise, there may also be an MP or MLA who was elected as a member of a political party who decides to leave that party or join another. These can be very difficult decisions for all involved. However, they are legitimately recognized positions in public office. In fact, the House of Commons Procedure and Practice manual confirms that “members are not obliged to retain that party label during the whole of their mandate” and further states “a member who changes party allegiance is under no obligation to resign his or her seat and stand for re-election.”
See ‘Nomination’ Page 7
Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com
Strip searches not school appropriate
Emily Wessel Merritt MUSINGS Educators across the country have their eyes on Québec’s education ministry as it investigates the circumstances surrounding the strip search of a 15-year-old girl at a high school in Québec City. The girl was suspected of selling drugs and was brought into a room, where a female teacher held up a blanket in front of her
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while she undressed. She handed over all her clothes to the principal, who’s also female, to search. Oddly, whether the school staff members actually found any drugs isn’t a prominent feature of the story. Instead, what has taken off is the news that strip searches are allowed in schools in Québec, and that province’s minister of education even stood up or the process in the media, stating it was done by the book. The book, it turns out, is a 2010 policy created by the province with input from police that states staff can search students’ personal belongings on reasonable grounds a school rule has been broken in order to
locate evidence. Under the policy, a student must be shielded by a screen or cover while undressing, and only clothes are to be searched — not the student’s body. No direct contact is allowed. Two staff members, preferably of the same gender, must be present for the search. While officials with the school and government feel the strip search fell within the rules, the girl and her mother certainly didn’t. The girl told media she felt degraded and humiliated, and her mother has said she’s considering legal action. Schools are tasked with ensuring safe and healthy environments for everybody within their walls, and
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that’s a responsibility they obviously take seriously. However, the limits of how far they can take the role of ensuring that safety without infringing on another person’s rights is the matter at stake here. In 1998, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled a school that searched a male student and found a bag of marijuana did not violate his constitutional rights. However, that student wasn’t strip searched. He was brought into the principal’s office and made to turn out his pockets then pull up his pant legs, which revealed a bulge in his sock. The sock bulge turned out to be a bag of pot, and the RCMP officer in the room arrested the boy. The Supreme Court ruling came back with a
Sports writer Ian Webster sports@ merrittherald.com
bunch of complicating factors that are resurfacing in the debate surrounding this recent incident in Québec. Among things school staff members must consider before they conduct a strip search are the nature of the threat, the age and gender of the student, and their task to keep buildings safe. Three years later, the Supreme Court heard arguments for and against police officers’ use of a strip search to bust a man for crack cocaine possession. In the decision, the Supreme Court called strip searches “inherently humiliating and degrading for detainees regardless of the manner in which they are carried out.”
See ‘Tactic’ Page 7
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This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
TUESDAY, February 24, 2015 • 7
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YOUR OPINION
Bear sighting raises injury question
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HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK
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Re: Bear spotted at Rotary Park, Merritt Herald, Feb. 19 When you reported a bear sighting in Rotary Park, you also reported the conservation officer to have said there were children in the park, but no one was hurt in this incident. This must raise a question in everyone’s mind. When was a child last hurt by a bear and its cub in Merritt? When was an adult last hurt by a bear and its cub in Merritt? When was a senior citizen last hurt by a bear and its cub in Merritt? Just wondering.
Are you happy with the B.C. Liberals’ budget? ANNUAL DONATION Members of the vintage car club stopped in at the food bank last Tuesday to drop off a $500 donation. Pictured are (back row, from left): Neil McLeod, club president Jack Cross, Marguerite Lund, food bank manager Marlene Fenton, Lionel Nunn, Ted Lund, (front row, from left) Kim Jurriet and Linda Nunn. Michael Potestio/Herald
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Death of a Liar Twelve Days Crash & Burn The Nighingale
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Motive Obsession in Death The First Wife A Spool of Blue Thread
Tactic crosses line in ensuring schools safe Nomination battles part From Page 6 It also states the general rule is strip searches are, at first glance, unreasonable. The decision continues: “It is necessary to have a means of preventing unjustified searches before they occur, rather than simply determining after the fact whether the search should have occurred.” Now, unfortunately, that’s exactly the position this school, its board and its provincial education ministry find themselves in. The education minister has since softened his staunch support of the strip search protocol, saying there will be an investigation into its
PREVIOUS QUESTION
place in schools. It is not clear if the school had attempted to have the matter sorted by police, who, after all, deal with matters relating to illegal drugs. But when the baseline for use of strip searches for even police officers — who have strict protocols when it comes to that technique — is not generally believed to be reasonable, surely these types of invasive searches do not belong in schools. When the starting line is not to go there, proponents of schoolbased strip searches certainly have an uphill battle in proving they are fair practice in schools.
of democratic process From Page 6 I disagree with the NDP position that a member crossing the floor should trigger a byelection. Ultimately, a party cannot exist if it does not elect members to a Parliament or legislature in electoral ridings. For individually elected members, to retain the right to leave a party, sit as an independent or join another party are all means that a member can use to help ensure a party is held accountable. I mention this as also coming back before the House this week for debate is Conservative MP Michael Chong’s private member’s bill The Reform Act of 2014 that seeks to rebalance Parliament by increasing the powers
available to party caucuses, individual MPs and electoral riding associations. This has been a widely debated bill but one that most citizens I have heard from are supportive of and one that I have also supported within the House of Commons. Over the past few months as the federal election approaches, we have witnessed how some willing candidates have been summarily dismissed and blocked from running for a particular party. In some cases, cause is given but in many cases, no cause is provided. In extreme circumstances, litigation has occurred. From my standpoint, I have observed how some who are supportive of the democratic
reform act have turned a blind eye to arbitrary candidate blocking. Ultimately, this serves as a reminder to why the democratic reform bill is one that should be taken seriously not just by elected officials but by those who are actively involved in various political parties and organizations. Democracy should be an open process. Nomination battles, as they are sometimes called, can be challenging but they are an important part of our democratic process. For further comments and concerns, I can be reached at dan. albas@parl.gc.ca or toll-free at 1-800-665-8711. Dan Albas is the member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla.
Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow Canadians access to doctorassisted suicide? YES: 91% NO: 9%
LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.
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8 • TUESDAY, February 24, 2015
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Politicians puzzled Federal tax over high gas prices credits target By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Which came first: the consistently high gas prices in Merritt or people willing to pay them? That’s a question Merritt’s city council and OkanaganCoquihalla MP Dan Albas sat down to talk about on Feb. 10 at a committee of the whole meeting. Committee of the whole meetings are public and involve members of council, but council does not make any motions or decisions at them as it does at regular council meetings. At the meeting, Albas and councillors discussed how gas prices are set and potential reasons why prices in Merritt are typically higher than those in neighbouring communities. Albas said four main components influence the price consumers pay at the pump: the price
of the crude product (in B.C.’s case, bitumen from Alberta); refining costs; taxation at the provincial and federal levels; and local competition. He said the introduction of Costco in Kamloops created a price war in that city that has driven the prices to be among the lowest consistently in the province. “You’re seeing less and less independent operators now,” he said. “Not every community is going to be able to accommodate a Costco.” The individual business owner’s strategy also plays into the end price that users pay at the pump, he said. However, in many cases, the prices at Merritt’s gas stations are set by head offices in larger centres and not by the station operators. Albas said the local gas stations fall on a supply chain that’s international in scale and a bump anywhere along
that line can raise or lower prices. While the Fairness at the Pumps Act is a piece of federal legislation designed to ensure consumers get the quantity of gas they’re paying for, any further regulation of prices would fall under provincial jurisdiction. He said the federal government’s jurisdiction over the issue comes into play via arm’s-length investigative bodies that can look into anti-competitive or anti-consumer behaviours such as collusion or price fixing. The federal gas tax constitutes about 40 per cent of the total gas tax, while the other 60 per cent of the gas tax is provincial. Part of the federal portion of the gas tax is also redistributed to municipalities, and it was gas tax funding that was used to beautify Gasoline Alley several years ago. The roles of different
levels of government combined with fluctuating prices can make it difficult to pinpoint any long-term differences in prices in B.C., Albas said. At the local level, Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said gas prices are a road block in council’s ‘buy local’ agenda. Coun. Kurt Christopherson said the gas prices are a two-way street: if corporations lower their prices in Merritt, more local people will support the stations here. He said it’s a matter of corporations setting their prices to prioritize the local population over the travelling public. Coun. Mike Goetz uses part of his report to council at regular council meetings to recite gas prices in communities around B.C. “How does one community consistently miss the boat all the time?” he said.
Province digs deeper into ICBC, Hydro piggy banks The B.C. government intends to pull more money out of ICBC in the years ahead. The annual dividend from the public auto insurer – which goes into general government revenue despite repeated demands from critics for lower premiums instead – is estimated at $160 million a year in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017, according to budget documents. That’s an increase from estimates of $155 million for 2015 and $125 million for 2016 in last year’s budget. By the end of 2017, the province will have taken $1.5 billion from ICBC coffers since 2010. — Jeff Nagel, Black Press
“Breaking the Chain of Abuse”
LNG investment By Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS tfletcher@blackpress.ca
The federal government is offering tax breaks for equipment and buildings for liquefied natural gas production. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the tax breaks in Surrey Thursday with Industry Minister James Moore and three B.C. MPs. LNG producers will be granted capital cost allowances of 30 per cent on equipment and 10 per cent on buildings, which reduce their income tax to offset construction costs. The standard rate for capital cost allowance is eight per cent for equipment and six per cent for buildings. B.C. took a similar approach with its LNG income tax, offering credits on corporate income tax until initial plant investments are paid off. Premier Christy Clark welcomed the
federal move, which she said B.C. has lobbied hard to get as international producers have delayed final investment decisions. She said the drop in oil prices has made the decision more difficult for big companies that get part of their revenue from oil, but B.C. is competitive on LNG. “We’re already more competitive than Australia,” Clark said. “Our real main competition in the world is the U.S. and the west coast of North America.” NDP natural gas critic Bruce Ralston said the front-end tax credits are the right approach to take, but
the federal tax break doesn’t change the economic conditions for B.C. trying to enter a global energy market. “Our objections are the same,” Ralston said. “If LNG proponents want, as one proponent did, 70 per cent temporary foreign workers, and 70 per cent of the [greenhouse gas] emissions are not being counted, then we don’t support the plan.” David Keane, president of the BC LNG Alliance, said the federal decision is encouraging and the industry continues to work with First Nations and other local governments to develop.
9
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HERALD SPORTS Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing sports@merrittherald.com
Merritt runners past and present take to the pavement By Ian Webster
INTERIOR RUNNING ASSOCIATION
THE HERALD
sports@merrittherald.com
A trio of runners with ties to Merritt took to the roads on Feb. 15 in the Starting Block 10K race, held in Lavington on the outskirts of Vernon. Hans Aabye, 37, who lived and worked in the Nicola Valley for several years before transferring to West Kelowna, placed first in a field of 206 participants with a time of 33 minutes and 40 seconds — 25 seconds better than his winning time one year ago. Second place went to 31-year-old triathlete Nathan Champness from Vernon (34:02), while top female finisher was Calgary’s Maria Zambrano, who finished fifth overall in a sparkling time of 36:36. Thirty-sixth overall finisher, and first in her age group (F40-44) was Merritt’s Marie-Josée Bedard in a time of 44 minutes and 18 seconds. Bedard is currently the principal at Collettville Elementary School. Not far behind Bedard was former SD 58 superintendent Bob Peacock (M65-69) in
Canadian Tire Road Race Series
FLEET OF FOOT Hans Aabye (left), MJ Bedard (top left) and Bob Peackock all put in good performances at the Starting Block 10K run in Lavington on Feb. 15. Photos courtesy of Lorne White/Okanagan Sports Page and Dirk Handke
forty-second place overall with a time of 45:17. Peacock retired last summer and now calls Vernon home. For the six-foot eightinch Aabye, the Starting Block 10K was his first competition in almost a year after taking seven months off from training due to a heel fracture in one of his feet. Entering the race was a last-minute decision.
“Because I had worked so hard to get close to where I was last year, I didn’t want to run this course if it was going to be at all treacherous,” Aabye told Lorne White of Okanagan Sports Page. “But the conditions could not have been better. The course was dry, the sun was shining and the turnout was great... and super competitive. There were no freebies,
that’s for sure.” As White stated in his article, Aabye looked like his old self again — racMERN150224_A ing to an early lead, and then maintaining it the rest of the way for his third straight victory on the Lavington course. “By the time that I reached the top of the hill with about two kilometres left to go, I knew I still had 20 seconds on Nathan, and that he would have to do something special to catch me at that point,” Aabye said. As for Bedard, she was quite pleased with her time for the 10K run. She credited teammate Cindy Rhodes
from Kelowna for setting a brisk early pace that helped her get going. As for Zambrano, her appearance in the Starting Block 10K came two weeks after she was declared the official winner of last year’s Calgary Marathon following a positive drug test by the original victor — Emily Chepkorir of Kenya. This year’s Starting Block 10K was the first race in the 2015 Canadian Tire Road Race Series put on by the Interior Running Association. The second event will be the The River’s Spring Runoff 10K in Kamloops on March 15.
February 15
Starting Block 10K Lavington, B.C.
March 15
The River’s Spring Runoff 10K, Kamloops, B.C.
March 29
Okanagan College Half Marathon, Kelowna, B.C.
April 12
Wine Capital of Canada 10K, Oliver, B.C.
May 10
Blossom 10 Miler, Naramata, B.C.
May 24
Blackwell Dairy 15K, Kamlooks, B.C.
July 1
Beach 10K, Peachland, B.C.
July 6
Midsummer 8K, Kelowna, B.C.
July 27
Kamloops Half Marathon, Kamloops, B.C.
September 21
Peak to Beak 18K, Kelowna, B.C.
For more information on the Interior Running Association and the Canadian Tire Road Race Series, go to: www.interiorrunningassociation.com
Elementary handball takes the spotlight By Ian Webster THE HERALD
sports@merrittherald.com
A total of 12 Grade 4/5 teams representing six area elementary schools took part in the SD 58 handball championships last Wednesday. All six girls’ teams
converged on the former Coquihalla Middle School gymnasium for their half-day tournament, while the six boys’ teams were divided into two pools, with games held at Central and Collettville Elementary Schools.
GRADE 4/5 EUROPEAN HANDBALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN THE OUT-OF-DOORS? The lack of snow in the Kane Valley didn’t stop the 18 participants who signed up for PacificSport Interior’s one-day winter XploreSportZ camp on February 20 from having a great time outside. Instead of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the youngsters did a forestry walk with Ministry of Forests biologist/forestry technician Jordan Carbery, learned all about wilderness survival from Jack and Lynne Broekhuizen of Nicola Valley Search and Rescue and carried out a huge nature scavenger hunt. Above, Sports Development Coordinator Josée Warren cooks up a whole mess of hot dogs for (from left) Isaac Joe Manuel, Charlie Ware, Tyrese Basil, Ava and Hayden Spinks. Look for more coverage of the XploreSportz winter session in an upcoming issue of the Merritt Herald. Ian Webster/Herald
Girls
Boys (at Central)
1. Bench 2. Diamond Vale 3. Nicola Canford 4. Collettville 5. Central 6. Vermilion Forks (Princeton)
1. Central #1 2. Nicola Canford 3. Vermilion Forks Boys (at Collettville) 1. Diamond Vale 2. Central #2 3. Collettville
BALL BATTLE Nicola Canford’s Madilyn Hewton plays keepaway with Collettville’s Cienna Warrington-Wright during Grade 4/5 girls European handball action last Wednesday. In the background are Collettville’s Maya Starrs (left) and Hannah Hedrick. Ian Webster/Herald
10 • TUESDAY, February 24, 2015
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CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canada benefit.ca/free-assessment
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Help Wanted
SALES CONSULTANT Murray Chevrolet GMC Buick Merritt – Merritt, BC Job Posting: Sales Consultant We are currently looking for an outstanding individual interested in continuing their career with Murray Chevrolet Buick GMC in Merritt, B.C. We welcome any person that is interested in the business as well as seasoned veterans. Some reasons why we're an excellent company to work with: r New, simplified professional pay plan with guaranteed income based on volume. r Work with one of Canada's 50 best managed companies r Great team environment r Comprehensive training program with industry experts r Health care plan with full benefits Please contact in confidence our General Manager Richard Antonenko at, 1-250-378-9255 or apply online at www.murraygmmerritt.com
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HELP WANTED MATURE RESPONSIBLE LADY TO WORK PART-TIME WE WILL TRAIN PLEASE APPLY TO MERRITT DRYCLEANING AT 1926 QULICHENA AVENUE
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is seeking caregivers for 24hr. support within the caregivers hm. of individuals with mental / physical / developmental disabilities. Basement suites and / or accessible housing an asset.
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Medical/Dental MEDICAL Transcriptionists are in huge demand! Train with the leading Medical Transcription school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today. 1.800.466.1535 Online: www.canscribe.com. Email: info@canscribe.com.
Financial Services
RELIEF FIRST NATIONS SUPPORT WORKER School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) is accepting applications for a Relief First Nations Support Worker in Merritt. This is an on-call position. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing counseling support, communicating with students and parents/guardians, tutoring, and cultural education. Application forms are available at the School Board OfÀce, 1550 Chapman Street, Merritt, BC or on-line at www.sd58.bc.ca , click on Jobs/Support Positions/Job Postings, listed under Job Code # 897434, and follow the prompts. Applications, including a detailed resume with a minimum of three references, will be accepted until March 4, 2015. Please forward to: Attn: Secretary Treasurer School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) P.O. Box 4100, 1550 Chapman St. Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Fax: (250) 378-6263 Only those applicants being interviewed will be contacted.
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Transportation
Townhouses
Off Road Vehicles
3 Bedroom Townhouse, renovated, w/garage, large yard. Looking for mature, responsible, clean, N/S, N/P. References required. $1,100.00 plus damage deposit. 250-936-8538
1998 Jeep Sport 4dr. 4x4, Black, No Rust. Head Rebuilt in 2010. 2 sets of tires new. 214,000km. Asking $2,900.00 obo. 378-3648 or 525-1212 IN FIND IT THE CLASSIFIEDS
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Rentals
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TUESDAY, February 24, 2015 • 11
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Rotary Club of Merritt Sunrise presents the
7 Ê *, < -t
FUN FOR EVERYONE
Saturday, February 28, 2015 4:30 - 11:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre Team of 4 entry fee still only $120.00
THE EVENING INCLUDES: UÊ iÀÊUÊ ÀÊ*À âiÃÊUÊ,ivÀià i Ìà UÊ- i ÌÊ ÕVÌ ÊUÊ > ViÊLÞÊ LLÞÊ >ÀV >®
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12 • TUESDAY, February 24, 2015 www.merrittherald.com