The Agricultural PlasĆ&#x;cs Pilot Program has begun. Recycle your Bale Wrap and Twine at select locaĆ&#x;ons. Call NEAT at 1-888-689-6328 for more informaĆ&#x;on. January 17, 2013 - Vol. 10 - No. 3
Inside
Fort St. John’s Mens Bonspiel - Page 15
Harlem Globetrotters shoot to entertain Dawson Creek Jill Earl photo
Women’s Entrepreneur Circle - Page 2
The world famous Harlem Globetrotters shared basketball skills and comedic prowess with a Dawson Creek audience last Sunday at the Encana Events Centre. Story and pictures on Page 19.
an ask to approach the Ministry of Environment, BC Parks branch to initiate the process of developing the site as a Despite rejection for regional park status, Provincial Park. “It’s a great place and I’m PRRD propose alternative option for sure that a lot of people are Peace Valley Lookout Point and beyond still going to go there, as they did even before it was By Jill Earl even developed. Hopefully it can be kept by someDAWSON CREEK - The Peace Valley Lookout has been frequented by area residents and visitors for body in very good condition that’s very accessible for everybody,� said Mayor of Taylor, Fred Jarvis, who is many years, directors on the Peace River Regional District believe that people will continue to enjoy the chair of the Regional Parks Committee. “I don’t think that we should be doing the park ourLookout despite the board voting to discontinue their selves,� said director Arthur Hadland. work at the site. Although the Committee originally felt that develDuring the Jan. 10 meeting, directors decided to withdraw the Peace Valley Lookout project from the oping the site would be a great opportunity for the Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan by recommen- PRRD, after a geotechnical report and study was dation from the Regional Parks Committee. The di- complete, they found that the cost to maintain the rectors are hoping that another interested government Lookout would be extremely high compared to other agency or non-profit group will take interest in the site potential park sites. According to Jarvis, a significant amount of work and will consider developing the site as a local park. Directors also voted to send a letter to local MLA has already gone into the project since it was sugPat Pimm with information about their decision with gested in 2009, including a feasibility study, an en-
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vironmental site assessment, a remediation report and geotechnical monitoring. In 2011 the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure removed a lot of the garbage that was dumped at the Lookout and developed the site by gravelling the parking area and installing fencing, concrete slabs and picnic tables near the edge of the slope. “The last couple of years it’s been upgraded substantially, and it’s had a lot of development, a lot of volunteer development and input of in-kind, there’s been a lot of work as well by staff,� Jarvis said. Work on the site so far has cost the PRRD approximately $78,000, but a $14,000 BC Brownfield Fund has reduced their cost to approximately $64,000. By discontinuing the project, the PRRD will save approximately one million dollars in capital investments for the site and roughly $80,000 a year to conduct ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the Lookout. “We’ve got a lot of region to make sure they have got parks throughout the whole region, right from Minaker River in the north, way north of Pink Mountain right through to Tumbler Ridge and all the rest of the Peace Country,� said Jarvis. Continued on Page 3
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January 17, 2013
Northeast NEWS
‘Saving grace’ keeps aboriginal business centre’s doors open By Kyla Corpuz FORT ST. JOHN – Last May the North East Aboriginal Business Centre sat on the brink of closure. After learning that their federal funding was pulled, NEABC executive director Paulette Flammond, was faced with shutting down the centre’s service after celebrating their ninth anniversary in the community. “We were extremely concerned because we would have closed our doors in December,” said Flammond. However, despite the loss of funding, a “saving grace” showed up and kept the NEABC’s doors open through the New Year. The provincial government announced a new investment called the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Skills Development Program for the three B.C. aboriginal business centres (Fort St. John, Cranbrook and Prince George). “We wouldn’t be sitting here today,” Flammond tells the Northeast News if it wasn’t for the additional funding. Kyla Corpuz
Aboriginal women gather at the North East Aboriginal Business Centre for the weekly Women’s Entrepreneur Circle on Friday, Jan. 11.
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The total funding for the program sits at $517, 500 and will be distributed among the three centres over 18 months. As part of the support offered in the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Skills Development Program, Flammond and NEABC business coach Carol Larson created the Women’s Entrepreneur Circle. “The whole intent of the program is that every week the women who come here and gather will take something away about
business,” said Flammond. In addition they learn how to make traditional products such as moccasins and dream catchers. They are then taught how to market their products successfully. “Their hands are busy and their minds are busy, that way they are learning the real traditional skills that are really important not to forget,” said Larson. “And they can share a culture and learn business practices.” Madeline Oker is the current art instructor teaching the group of women how to make slippers and moccasins. Oker said it’s important that she offers her knowledge so the students can then teach “their children … and their grandkids, that way the tradition is kept alive. People need to know their culture, they need to know their heritage and sewing and doing our crafts is part of our heritage.” Julia Miles, 30, is one of the Over the last few months, I’ve talked to provide enhanced initial containment, regular attendees. about the precautions, the safety and they will be available to all marine measures, and the selection criteria traffic in the event of an incident. “I am here today to learn involved in the marine elements of the how to make moccasins for my We will store equipment, such as Gateway project — all of them intended baby, make new friends and containment and absorbent booms, to prevent an oil spill on water. I’ve also meet new people,” she said. skimmers, and waste storage, in multiple discussed how Gateway’s marine safety well-maintained, readily accessible “I wasn’t aware of [the busiprogram was examined by an independent response bases, providing a wider area ness mentorship] until today, risk assessment group, which determined of coverage in a shorter amount of time. but I think it’s a wonderful that the chances of a major spill are once Barges will also be located throughout the idea. It gives us ladies somein more than 15,000 years. marine channels for additional storage thing to do with our time and Although statistics and reports suggest and equipment mobilization. We are make money doing it.” a marine oil spill is unlikely, you want to committed to having staff, contractors, Beginning in December know — what if one does occur? How and partners in place to maintain that will Gateway be prepared? While the enhanced state of readiness. 2012, the Women’s Entreprechances are slim, we continue to develop neur Circle started congregatThe Gateway project will likely never see a world-class marine response program. ing every Friday with an avera major marine oil spill. But if it does, age attendance of 12 women. The Northern Gateway Project includes we’ll be prepared to protect our coastline. a spill response capacity that’s more than The Aboriginal Entreprethree times the Canadian regulation. neurship Skills Development And while the Canadian requirement Program also offers help on for oil spill response is 72 hours plus one-on-one business training, travel time, our response time will be help in creating indivdual aca fraction of that number — 6 to 12 tion plans, cultural workshops, hours in the marine channels. This is mentorship and refreshments a significant increase to the response and snacks. It runs twice a capability available to B.C.’s north coast. Janet Holder Additionally, for immediate response, our week at the NEABC office and tug escorts will be equipped with booms, Executive Vice President is targeted at aboriginal (First Western Access oil skimmers, and firefighting equipment Nations, Netis, Inuit) adults. Enbridge Inc. While the new program is proving to be a success, Flammond said it’s always a chalJoin the conversation at northerngateway.ca lenge to secure funding. “You never know where your next dollar is coming from,” she said. “But at least now we’re set and we can now work on re-negotiating with the federal government...” Flammond said the three business centres are looking to meet with the federal govern©2012 Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc. ment in February.
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Page 3
RCMP LOCATE MAN MISSING IN TUMBLER RIDGE By Jill Earl TUMBLER RIDGE - An Alberta man is recovering in a Grande Prairie Hospital after Tumbler Ridge RCMP located him in a rural area last Tuesday. The 54-year-old man suffering from a medical condition was reported missing on Jan. 7. On Jan. 8, employees at Peace River Coal Mine notified police of an abandoned vehicle on Core Lodge Road. RCMP were called to the scene and after learning that the vehicles owner was reported missing, they sent in “Crash� a police dog and his handler, Cpl. Cam Long along with several other member of the unit to conduct a search. Due to recent snowfall and existing environmental conditions no identifiable tracks were visible but the man was eventually found breathing but unresponsive approximately 200m away from his vehicle in about one metre of snow. RCMP enlisted the help of Peace River Coal Mine Rescue personnel to assist them in moving the man, and BC Ambulance was called for immediate treatment. Later the man was transported by S.T.A.R.S helicopter to hospital where he was treated for severe hypothermia and frostbite.
File photo
The a view from the Peace Valley Lookout, located at the end of 100th St. in Fort St. John.
Peace Valley Lookout Continued from Front
“We’ve got to make sure that the people in the outlining areas and the whole area have regional parks where there isn’t other community or provincial parks‌That one [Peace Valley Lookout] we felt was going to tax us just a little bit too much to keep that one going,â€? he adds. In the spring and summer of 2012 there were two significant slides noted at the Lookout, and though the geotechnical report states that the potential for future slide activity is low, the risk is definitely not zero. In addition there are some risks in further developing the area. The report that came back to the district in October 2012
suggested that if they were to continue to seek Regional Park status for the Lookout they should consider a number of recommendations to make the area safer, such as; monthly and annual survey monitoring to identify slope changes, developing a drainage plan to reduce surface run-off and further erosion and additional signage and fences. “It will have to be monitored quite closely, if it’s going to be a public place, to make sure that there are no real risks [to] people on it.� Jarvis added that there isn’t enough staff or money dedicated to maintain the Lookout if it was given regional park status. He believes that the district substantially improved the Lookout and hopes people will continue to enjoy the spot even without the Regional Park designation.
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The new card can also be combined with residents’ driver’s licenses. All residents aged 19-74 are required to get the new card, except those whose enrollment is impractical or presents a hardship, like the elderly or those in extended hospital care. Residents will be issued a BC Services Card when they re-enroll in the Medical Services Plan, and will need to reenroll for the card every five years when they renew their driver’s license. Those without licenses can still enroll where driver’s licenses are available. Government has not yet mentioned what the new card will cost. This will be the CareCard’s first significant upgrade since it was first introduced in 1989.
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into a walk-in clinic, well that walk-in clinic, has none of my medical records but with the card that information will be available under a very secure system,� said Yamamoto. She adds that the health information feature is helpful for patients who are either forgetful, unconscious or those who have illnesses associated with memory loss, like her late mother. “She [had] dementia, Alzheimers, and when she was taken to the emergency, if it was up to her to tell the doctor what medication she was on, first of all, if she even knew she was on medication would be amazing, but she might actually say something incorrectly, and that’s the problem,� Yamamoto said.
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By Jill Earl DAWSON CREEK - Next month the Province will start phasing out the CareCard with a new BC Services Card aimed to take advantage of technological advances and provide residents with convenient and secure pieces of identification. The new card, which the Province will begin issuing on Feb. 15, will include a photograph, anti-forgery features, identity proofing and an expiry date. Minister of State for Small Businesses, Naomi Yamamoto, said there are more CareCards circulating than there are people living in B.C., there are nine million CareCards and approximately four million British Columbians. “This will be a more secure way of ensuring that the people accessing our health services are in fact B.C. residents and that’s to keep our costs down and to look at identity fraud—which is happening— and being able to monitor that closely. Hopefully it’s a savings to taxpayers,� Yamamoto said. The BC Services Card will also have the ability to hold health information on it, making it easier for doctors to access your medical records. “With the new card, they will be able to swipe it and they will be able to see the prescriptions and medication,� she explained. “I go
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Page 5
‘Local yokel’ builds Fort St. John’s newest stomping grounds By Kyla Corpuz FORT ST. JOHN – Oil and gas entrepreneur Terry McLeod, owner of Kamber Energy Services, has taken the reins to build Fort St. John’s first indoor rodeo arena expected to hold 3,000 people (2,700 spectators and over 300 participants). “I like the idea that we’re going to have the rodeo back,” said McLeod, who has taken on the project with the help of Greg Wilson, his “buddy” who owns an indoor riding arena.
Pat Pimm, M.L.A.
(Peace River North) Province of British Columbia
Legislative Office: East Annex, Parliament Buildings Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4 Phone: 250 952-6784 Fax: 250 387-9100
Constituency Office: 10104 - 100th Street Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 3Y7 Phone: 250 263-0101 Fax: 250 263-0104
e-mail: pat.pimm.mla@leg.bc.ca
head space
McLeod has already purchased a 132-acre farm at over $2 million and named it the Horse park. It is located on the Swanson Lumber Road. He is currently waiting to receive parts to build the riding arena and indoor bleachers. He will be transforming the land into a campground as well as an indoor and outdoor rodeo ground; he plans to use the rest of the land for real estate. McLeod has applied to rezone the northern acres of his property to C-4, which has the approval of the Peace River Regional District and now he’s waiting to hear back from the Agricultural Land Commission. He said even if he doesn’t get approved by the ALC, “I’m still putting it on.” “If for whatever reason it doesn’t go through, well, I’ll turn it into a private thing out of my house, so to speak.” McLeod plans to turn the house on the farm into a registration building for campground users. It will be equipped with rooms for the caretakers and offices for the accountants. When the rodeo isn’t in season, McLeod said he would rent the facility out to organizations that may want to use it, and the campground would be a year-round business. After selling two of his Kamber companies (which earned him roughly $26 million) he decided to put part of his money into something he was passionate about. “It’s a big job but I have some time,” he said. Along with his
love for riding, and having a facility for the High School Rodeo students to practice (one of his daughters graduated as an active High School Rodeo member and his youngest daughter will be in it next year), McLeod said building a proper rodeo ground is also a good investment. “I win because I’m selling real estate, [and] I win because I’m leasing out the venue.” He hired a caretaker so in the winter he can spend his time in Arizona with his family; once summer rolls around, he can come back to the Peace country—a place he’ll always call home—and sit in his corner office and watch the people roll in with their trailers or horses. He initially aimed to finish building the rodeo grounds for this summer, but the heavy winter pushed those plans back and now McLeod anticipates the opening for summer 2014. “Guaranteed it will be done. I could have made it this summer, but it would have been pretty hectic,” he said. McLeod was born and raised in Fort St. John with a love for the country life. “Born and raised local yokel, grew up riding horses … and I still ride,” said McLeod. He started his career in the oil patch at the tender age of 15. After dropping out of high school he went to work in the rigs. He started out at the bottom as a roughneck and worked his way up to become an oil and gas consultant, and ultimately an entrepreneur.
books t hat matter body jewelr y detox 10116 100 Street, FSJ 250.261.6979
Submitted photo
A rendered photo of the new indoor rodeo arena to be built at the Horse Park by summer 2014.
Page 6
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Hoping to keep the peace I have been following Fort Nelson First Nation’s efforts to increase public awareness around the issue of energy companies applying for long term water licenses to withdraw water from BC’s rivers, lakes and streams for oil field injection (fracking) purposes. I also read, with interest, MLA Pat Pimm’s piece in your January 3rd publication. My interest in the issue of water withdrawal is enhanced because of the situation my husband, Wayne Gillis, and I find ourselves in here on the bank of the Sikanni Chief River. About 8 ½ years ago, after raising our family in Fort Nelson, Wayne and I purchased the Sikanni River Campground & RV Park and 3 years ago we sold our home in Fort Nelson and have made Sikanni Chief our full-time home as well as our place of business. Progress Energy Canada Ltd (newly owned by Petronis, a Malaysia state owned enterprise) is active in this area and, with the recent change in ownership, their level of activity is increasing daily. Progress Energy has been granted permits, by the BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC), to withdraw water from the Sikanni Chief River, next door to our property, at the old bridge site. The permit that is in place right now is a short term use of water authorization (referred to as a Section 8) that was issued on September 20, 2012, and is set to expire on May 15, 2013. It authorizes Progress to withdraw up to 350,000 cubic metres of water during that time. That equates to 350,000,000 litres of water. In order to withdraw the water a staffed 24 hour 7 day a week worksite has been set up just above the high water mark at the old bridge site / boat launch area of the river bank. It houses 4 diesel generators, electric pumps, a diesel steam/heat trailer, a portable light plant, assorted pipes and valves, a portable outhouse and space to park a pick-up truck or two. From that worksite withdrawal hoses lead to the river and a plastic transfer pipeline leads the other direction, up over the hillside all the way to the brake check on the north side of the Sikanni Chief hill, where it joins a permanent freshwater pipeline that goes off in a couple of different directions. There is no grid power at Sikanni Chief so the diesel generators are needed to produce electricity for the pumps, lights and steam heat apparatus. These generators run 24 hours a day and we can hear them anytime we are outside. Once the weather gets nicer and we are able to open our windows we will hear them inside as well. Every minute of every day. Another distraction is the light plant that lights up the whole river bank. People who travel the highway during the hours of darkness are sure to have noticed it. For us, it’s like a stationary full moon shining in your bedroom window all night long, every night. Wayne and I have begrudgingly learnt to live with the noise and the light and activity on the river bank during our ‘off’ season. Unfortunately; it has diminished, slightly, some of the joy we experience by being able to call this special place home. Along with many British Columbian’s we are concerned about the long term effects of fracking and we don’t believe anyone has a clear understanding of what those effects may be.
Letter to the Editor
Today’s best science is only that – todays. Science is theory only and is subject to change when new evidence comes along at a later date. Examples of this abound. Theories are constantly being refigured, and new research can render old ideas outdated or incomplete. Think DDT pesticides, tobacco use, silicone breast implants, and plastic baby bottles. But, we understand that the great economic engine must be fed – or in this case – watered. Our small economic engine must be fed, too, and that is why we have put a lot of time and effort into putting our case forward to the BC Oil & Gas Commission, via written submissions, that our tourist business and the water withdrawal activity on the river bank only a few meters away are incompatible. We have asked that industry be allowed to withdraw water from midSeptember to mid-May and we be allowed to offer our guests a peaceful, enjoyable stay in our campground from mid-May to mid-September of each year. We believe that is a fair compromise. (Not only will it be beneficial to us and our business, but it will be beneficial to people who are not our customers but who make use of that corner of the river to fish and picnic and launch their river boats.) It appears that the OGC has considered our request, to date, and thus we see a May 15th expiry date on the current Section 8 Short Term Use of Water Permit. We are concerned that as Progress Energy gets busier and busier and they make plans to move their withdrawal point around the bend in the river (more out of site but just as noisy) and make it a permanent situation they will request that they
be granted a long term water license that would enable them to withdraw water from the river 365 days a year, 24 hours each day. So much for the peace and quiet of the fishing hole and the picnic spot on the river bank. We don’t know what Progress has in mind in regards to a permanent withdrawal means but if it is anything at all like the one that Encana has planned for the Fort Nelson River then river boaters may be extremely challenged to get by it. The Sikanni Chief River is much narrower than the Fort Nelson River. I support Fort Nelson First Nation’s efforts to raise awareness and encourage dialogue about both the short and long term implications of water licenses being issued to energy companies to withdraw water from BC’s rivers, lakes and streams. I cannot sit by and watch this happen without voicing my concern. I encourage others to do the same. Thank you to the Northeast NEWS for publishing my letter and to you for reading it. If you have questions or concerns of your own call the OGC. They have been as helpful as they can be, within the acts and regulations that they operate under, anytime we’ve called them. Ultimately it is the politicians that make the rules. Call one of them!! Call Pat Pimm! I’ve called him but he hasn’t returned my call. I’ll try again. By combining our voices we may be heard. Sincerely, Jackie Allen
WANT TO VOICE YOUR OPINION IN PRINT? HAVE AN OPINION YOU WANT TO GET OUT IN THE OPEN? EMAIL YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR TO: EDITOR@NORTHEASTNEWS.CA PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME , PHONE NUMBER AND COMMUNITY
www.northeastnews.ca • 9909-100 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 1Y4 • Phone toll free 1-877-787-7030 • Phone: 250-787-7030 • Fax: 250-787-7090 Email: editor@northeastnews.ca • salesmanager@northeastnews.ca • sales@northeastnews.ca • info@northeastnews.ca • reporter@northeastnews.ca 1509B Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1J 1Z9 • Phone: 250-782-7060 • Fax: 250-782-7066 lisa@northeastnews.ca • news@northeastnews.ca
Brenda Piper Publisher /Sales Manager Fort St. John
Lisa MacElheren Sales Dawson Creek
Kristine Budac Sales Fort St. John
Evelyne Brown Administration Fort St. John
Kyla Corpuz Senior Reporter Fort St. John
Jill Earl Reporter Dawson Creek
The Northeast News retains complete and sole copyright of any content, including stories, photographs and advertisements published in the Northeast News. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission or consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
EDITORIAL
PREPARING FOR THE PST In less than four months, on April 1st, we will be switching from the current HST tax system back to the PST system, and this changeover will affect families and businesses both large and small. I’d like to outline what these changes mean to you and give you some resources that will help you adjust to this change. On April 1st, B.C. will implement the PST at a general tax rate of seven per cent. The PST will apply to all of the same goods and services that were subject to PST before the HST came in to effect. The items that were permanently exempt under the PST previously will continue to be exempt when it is re-implemented, including groceries, most services, newspapers, all the permanent PST exemptions for business, etc. Many of you may be asking yourself if this is the same legislation that was in place before, and if so, why can’t the HST
be eliminated before April. The answer is no, it is not the same legislation; the original legislation and regulations were introduced in 1948, and are quite out-of-date and not comprehensive, so new legislation was needed to make the new PST work better. In regards to the transition, changing a tax system isn’t as quick or easy as it may seem; there are many steps involved, and it is quite complex. When we changed to the HST, it took many months – and changing to the HST was much simpler, because with harmonization, we just got rid of one tax and changed the rate of another. Re-introducing the PST means putting in a new, separate tax for government to administer and business to comply with. I know business owners have questions and concerns as to how the transition will affect them, and I want to assure you that our government is working to make the transition as easy and seamless as possible. Through a combination of one-on-one consultation services, online webinars, a toll-free information
Page 7
number, an e-mail address for questions, and many other services, we hope to give business owners the information they need to ensure a smooth transition. I hope most business owners in our community have received a letter informing them about these services, and have taken advantage of them. For those of you who have not yet had the chance to, if you have any questions or concerns about how the switch to PST will affect your business, our government is here to help you. You can call 1-877-388-4440 with all your PST-related questions, or e-mail them to CTBTaxQuestions@ gov.bc.ca You can also find more information at www.pstinbc. ca and at www.gov.bc.ca/PST, as well as on my MLA website, www.patpimmmla.bc.ca With these tools at hand, we hope to make finding the information you need as easy as possible. After all, we all want what is best for business and our communities. Pat Pimm, Peace River North MLA
Beaton Journals: JANUARY 1913 Wed 1st New Year’s Day A lot of Indians around. Self and Kenny in store most of the day. A fine clear day but cold. Thurs 2nd The Indians left this morning for their camps. Self cleaning up store. Kenny at wood. A fine clear day. Fri 3rd Self at odd jobs. Kenny hauling wood. Adisless brought in his horses on account of the Wolves. Kiry and Stewart arrived. Sat 4th Self & Kenny went out for a trip of hay. Very cold. 25 below this evening. Mon 6th Kenny off for a load of hay. Self busy around the place. Continues cold weather with a little snow. I turned out buckskin and horses across. Tues 7th Cold and stormy all day. Kenny got back with the hay. Self busy around the place. Wed 8th Self went across and cut fire wood. Continues cold and stormy with snow. Thurs 9th Self cutting wood on the Island. Very cold, thirty below. S. Appassisin & Shaw got back from Puskupy Prairie. Fri 10th Self and Samson hauling fire wood. 40 below zero this morning. Sat 11th (JAH 1913) Self out visiting traps. Samson at wood. Over 50 below Zero, the glass froze at 50. Very cold all day. J. Thomas came up from the South Pine River, Sun 12th A little milder today, 44 below Zero. Mon 13th All hands getting wood. A little warmer today. Cloudy with a light fall of snow. Tues 14th (JAH 1913) Self hauling firewood. Samson cutting wood across the River. Continues very cold. Wed 15th Self at books. Samson as yesterday. Continues cold. Thurs 16th Self and Samson chopping firewood. Continues very cold. Jack 2 Woods left this evening for landing, with a team of horses. Fri 17th Self as yesterday. Samson hauling wood. The mail arrived this evening. Sat 18th Self busy at fire wood. Joe Appassasin came in with a few furs and paid his dept. Chas Paquette arrived from H. Hope for freight. Sun 19th Cold and stormy.
Mon 20th Busy loading up C Paquette’s sleds with freight to H. Hope. Snow all day. Tues 21st C Paquette left this morning with freight to H. Hope. Samson hauling fire wood. Cold & stormy with snow. Wed 22nd Self out after Horses. Found them but could not find Buckskin. Samson out turning Hay Stack. Continues cold and stormy with snow. Thurs 23rd Revillon’s team left for H Hope this morning. Samson hauling firewood. A little milder, but cloudy and looks like more snow. Fri 24th Self went up 5 dog Island with one of the Horses. A fine mild day. Sat 25th Busy around the place. A fine clear day . Samson off after Horses. Sun 26th A fine clear day and looks like warm weather. Jack Woods got back. He turned back about 40 miles below here. Joe Kiak and Wusculla arrived and brought in a few furs. Mon 27th The boys off for hay. Self busy in store. The Indians left this evening for home. Tues 28th The boys got back with Hay. Self busy around the place. Continues warm weather. Wed 29th The boys left for Hay. Self busy at wood. Started to snow towards evening. Thurs 30th The boys got back this afternoon. Mr. Jamieson arrived from H. Hope with a team of Horses. Continued snowing until noon and then cleared up. Fri 31st The boys as before. Self in store. A fine mild day with a little snow.
...because we live here.
Pet Photo of the Week Whisp is a non stop kind of dog. She puts the energizer bunny to shame.
Email your pet’s photo to editor@ northeastnews.ca for a chance to win a special prize from the North Peace Veterinary Clinic 1 pet will be chosen each week and will be featured in the Northeast News. Each pet chosen will be entered into a draw for a monthly prize supplied by the
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January 17, 2013
Northeast NEWS
2013 recipe for financial success A new year and a time for renewal - the time when many people look into their past and future and resolve to make changes for the better. Your overall quality of life is directly related to the overall quality of your finances so getting your financial life in order should be near the top of your list. Here are ten essential financial planning tips to make that resolution a 2013 reality. 1. Set a budget and stick to it: Take a critical look at your income and expenses and set a realistic monthly budget that includes an amount for saving and investing. 2. Get your debt under control and keep it there Develop good spending habits and use debt wisely. Always pay off credit cards and other highcost, non-tax deductible debt first. 3. Maximize RRSP contributions Investing in RRSP eligible investments is the best tax-sheltered savings builder for most Canadians. Strive to make maximum contributions for faster and bigger potential investment growth. 4. Develop an education savings plan for your children A tax-sheltered, compound-growth Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) eligible investments is an excellent way to cover escalating education costs and give your kids a head start on life. 5. Be a prudent money manager Carefully consider each dollar before it’s gone. Start with a careful and critical assessment of your life goals and your income and set aside enough on a regular basis to achieve those goals. 6. Check and revise your insurance coverage to match changing needs As your life changes your need for income protection and estate planning changes. Be sure your insurance coverage keeps pace. 7. Make ‘tax-efficient’ investment decisions Certain investments are more tax-efficient than others. For example, interest income is taxed significantly higher than dividends and capital gains – so it’s often better to hold investments that earn dividends and capital gains outside your RRSP eligible investments and interest-earning investments inside it. Take advantage of the Tax-Free Savings Plan (TFSA) eligible investments, which allows investment income to grow and be eventually received on a tax-free basis. 8. Establish an asset allocation plan that complements your financial planning needs An effective asset allocation plan delivers a portfolio that includes the right balance of assets from the three asset categories -- cash, fixed income investments and equities -- for steadier longterm growth.
9. Minimize your taxes Take advantage of all the tax deductions and tax credits available to you including moving expenses, child-care expense, tuition fees, medical expenses, charitable donations, and safety deposit box charges. 10. Develop a financial plan and stick to it A consolidated financial plan – and the common sense and discipline to stick to it – plus the help of a professional advisor will keep you on track to achieving your dreams. This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.
Investors Group Walk for Memories - Fort St. John One in three Canadians knows someone with Alzheimer’s disease—who do you know? Please join us on Sunday, Jan. 27th, 2013 as we celebrate our annual Investors Group Walk for Memories. Held in 23 communities around the province the event raises funds for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in support of research, education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. It is very exciting for us to be sponsoring this important Denean Arntson, CFP event, and we are asking you Financial Consultant to help by joining our team! At Investors Group, we 9319 - 100 Avenue strongly believe in supporting Fort St. John, BC V1J 1X8 the communities where we live Ph: 250-785-4312 Fax: 250-785-2344 and work. Alzheimer’s disEmail: denean.arntson@investorsgroup.com ease affects a growing numRRSPS • INVESTMENTS • INSURANCE ber of British Columbians, and • RESPS • MORTGAGES Denean Arntson, CFP we’re honoured to support the TM Trademark owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. Financial Consultant Mortgage products are offered through I.G. Investment Management Ltd., Investors Group great services of the Alzheimer Trust Co. Ltd. is a trust company licensed to lend money in all jurisdictions in Canada. Clients Society of B.C. This year’s with mortgage inquiries will be referred to an Investors Group Mortgage Planning Specialist. Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance Walk is being held in honour of license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company. All Caregivers.
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Lending Institutions Current Mortgage Rates Institute
6 mth
open
6 mth closed
1 year
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1 year 2 year 3 year 4 year closed closed closed closed
5 year 7 year 10 year closed closed closed
TD Canada Trust
n/a 4.60 6.55
2.75
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Volunteers are urgently needed to care for animals and assist with SPCA events. If you can help, please contact your local shelter today. www.spca.bc.ca
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Page 9
PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT CLEARVIEW GYMNASIUM GRANT-IN AID SERVICE AREA ESTABLISHMENT VOTE NOTICE OF OTHER VOTING TAKE NOTICE that voting proceedings will be held in regard to the Clearview Gymnasium Grant-in-aid Service. THE QUESTION The question that will be voted on is: “Are you in favour of Bylaw No. 2031, 2012 which establishes a service to provide a grant-in-aid to School District No. 60 (Peace River North) for the construction of a gymnasium at the Clearview School for the benefit of the residents of the defined portion of Electoral Area ‘B’ and authorize the borrowing of up to $1,200,000 to be repaid over a term of five years, for the purpose of providing the grant-in-aid?” For information purposes: Total project cost $3,600,000 Deduct School District No. 60 / Ministry of Education contribution 1,200,000 Deduct Area ‘B’ Fair Share Grant 1,200,000 Balance to be raised within the service area $1,200,000 School District No. 60 has undertaken to construct and operate the facility. The maximum tax rate is $1.29 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements. The residential tax is estimated to be $0.50 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements. BYLAW NO.2031 The following is a synopsis of Bylaw No. 2031: In general terms, the intent of Bylaw No. 2031 is to establish the service to provide a grant-in-aid to School District No. 60 (Peace River North) for the construction of a gymnasium at the Clearview School for the benefit of the residents of the service area. Requisition Limit The maximum amount that may be requisitioned annually for the service is the greater of: a) $294,000, or b) the product of a property value tax of $1.29 for each $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements included in the service area. The service area that is the subject of Bylaw No. 2031, 2012 is the defined portion of Electoral ‘B’, as shown shaded on the plan annexed hereto as Schedule ‘A’. This synopsis is NOT an interpretation of Bylaw No. 2031. INSPECTION OF BYLAW Bylaw No. 2031 may be inspected during the times and at the places listed below from December 21, 2012 to January 18, 2013 excluding weekends and holidays, at: Peace River Regional District office, 9505 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC; and Peace River Regional District office, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC. during regular office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (local time). The bylaw will also be available for inspection on Voting Day at the voting places. VOTING AREA The voting area is the defined portion of Electoral Area ‘B’ shown shaded on the plan annexed hereto as Schedule ‘A’. ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS In order to vote, a person must meet the qualifications as either a Resident Elector or a Non-resident Property Elector of the Voting Area, and the person must be registered to vote. To register to vote as a RESIDENT ELECTOR, you must be: (a) an individual who is, or who will be on January 19, 2013, age eighteen (18) or older; (b) a Canadian citizen; (c) a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; (d) a resident of the Voting Area for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration; and (e) not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law. To register to vote as a NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTOR, you must be: (a) not entitled to register as a Resident Elector for the Voting Area; (b) an individual who is, or who will be on January 19, 2013, age eighteen (18) or older; (c) a Canadian citizen; (d) a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; (e) a registered owner of real property in the Voting Area for at least thirty (30) days before the day of registration; (e.i) the only persons who are registered owners of the real property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust; and (f) not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law. In addition to the above requirements the following limitations also apply to Non-resident Property Electors: (a) If more than one individual is registered as an owner of the real property, then only one individual is entitled to vote with the written consent of a majority of all the registered owners that are on the title, including the person requesting registration on voting day. (b) A person may only register as a Non-resident Property Elector in relation to one parcel of real property in the Voting Area. To ensure that all requirements for voting as a Non-resident Property Elector are going to be met, it is recommended that you contact the Chief Election Officer at the Peace River Regional District office in Dawson Creek prior to voting day. REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR The Peace River Regional District does not have a register of electors. It uses voting day registration only. All electors must register at the time of voting. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (a) In order for any Resident Elector to register at the time of voting, at least two documents (one with a signature) providing evidence of identity and place of residence must be produced. Picture identification is not required. If documentation as to residence is not available, the Resident Elector may make a solemn declaration instead. (b) In order for any Non-resident Property Elector to register at the time of voting, the Non-resident Property Elector must produce at least two documents (one with a signature) to prove identity. Documents that may be accepted for identification and/or residency purposes include but are not limited to: (a) a real property tax notice; (b) a British Columbia Driver’s Licence; (c) a British Columbia Identification Card issued by the Motor Vehicle Branch; (d) an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia; (e) a British Columbia CareCard or British Columbia Gold CareCard; (f) a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution; and (g) a utility bill. ONE VOTE ONLY The Local Government Act provides that a person may vote only once on a question submitted for voting. VOTING OPPORTUNITIES General Voting Day is Saturday January 19, 2013. Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time), at: Clearview Elementary / Junior Secondary School, 13786 223 Road Flatrock, BC; Clayhurst Post Office, 6486 207 Road, Clayhurst, BC; and Peace River Regional District office, 9505 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC. ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITIES Advance Voting Opportunities will be available as follows: Wednesday, January 9 and Wednesday January 16, 2013 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (local time); and Friday, January 11 and Monday, January 14, 2013 during regular office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (local time) at the Peace River Regional District office at 9505 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC MAIL BALLOT VOTING OPPORTUNITY A mail ballot and elector registration package may be requested by a person who presents the Chief Election Officer with a written request for a package in person at the Peace River Regional District office, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC. during regular office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (local time), Monday to Friday (excluding holidays); by mail to the Peace River Regional District, Box 810, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4H8; by fax at [250] 784-3201; or by email at prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca between Friday, January 4 and Thursday, January 17, 2013. The only electors who may be permitted to vote by mail ballot are: (a) persons who have a physical disability, illness or injury that affects their ability to vote at another voting opportunity; (b) persons who reside further than 90 kilometers away from their nearest voting place at which they are entitled to vote, as measured by road distance; and (c) persons who expect to be absent from the regional district on general voting day and at the times of all advance voting opportunities. Faye Salisbury, Chief Election Officer, Peace River Regional District 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8 Telephone: (250) 784-3200 or (800) 670-7773
Page 10
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
NRRM MAYOR AND COUNCIL RESPOND TO BCAS SERVICES IN COMMUNITY FORT NELSON – The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is a growing municipality of approximately 6,000 residents, the vast majority of which reside in and around the community of Fort Nelson. It is geographically separated by nearly 400 kilometres from the nearest urban centre, and it supports hundreds of thousands of annual travellers on Alaska Highway each year and thousands of workers in natural gas development camps. All residents and visitors within the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality expect and deserve to have their health care needs met when and wherever necessary. The Northern Rockies Regional Council is concerned that the current Air Ambulance system offered by the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is not meeting these needs. Fort Nelson’s geographic isolation makes air travel for attending local paramedics (even to the nearest centre) lengthy, removing them entirely from the community they are committed to serving. Additionally, attending on Medivacs reduces available
local staffing to sometimes critical levels. Consequently, BC Ambulance’s preferred model for air transfer is to send staffed aircraft from a larger centre (Vancouver, or Kamloops) in place of contracting private aircraft based in Fort Nelson and using local paramedics for the transfer (as was the practice in past years). The need for timely and reliable Air Ambulance services increases particularly when adequate local medical services are disrupted or unavailable. Unfortunately, the length of time expended in following appropriate BC Ambulance dispatch protocols, plus the length time for an aircraft from Vancouver to arrive in Fort Nelson is often excessive. Especially for a patient who is in a life and limb state where minutes, may mean life or death. A particular concern with this arrangement is that 89% of all 2012 transfers for care from Fort Nelson General Hospital were transfers within Northern BC or Northern Alberta Hospitals, while only the remaining 11% of transfers were to facilities in the Vancouver
PharmaCare
COMMUNITY ACTION FOR SENIORS’ INDEPENDENCE Submitted article By CASI, Dawson Creek Living independently is something we often take for granted. We take care of our home, we drive ourselves wherever we need to go, we shovel snow and rake leaves, we climb that ladder to change the light bulb. For many of our older citizens the erosion of independence starts in small, simple ways; the arthritis that makes raking painful, the heart condition that makes snow shoveling dangerous, the loss of a spouse who used to do all the driving, and suddenly independence isn’t as easy as it used to be. This column explores ways and means people in, or approaching, the “Golden Years� can use to make sure the years are golden and that their independence remains intact for as long as possible. An issue that seems to take on more importance as we age is health care. We get older and suddenly we find we’re on a first name basis with our pharmacists. Prescription drugs can easily become a financial burden, especially if you’re on a fixed income and aren’t registered with the Fair PharmaCare Plan. This Provincial plan provides coverage for prescription medicines to the citizens of British Columbia. Depending upon your age and net family income, you could be receiving TM
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area or other BC Hospitals. The Northern Rockies is not the only jurisdiction to have concerns about the current Air Ambulance service, a program which is currently under the review of the Auditor General. “The Air Ambulance system that we currently have in place causes unacceptable levels of risk and financial cost for all those involved,� stated Northern Rockies Acting Mayor Kim Eglinski. “Improvements are needed now!� Fort Nelson has formally expressed concerns in the past with the transportation standards and quality of service provided by BC Ambulance. Today’s matters of Air Ambulance service are of priority to Mayor and Council and are the easiest to resolve. The Northern Rockies is looking forward to working with the BC Ambulance Service to find solutions that can address everyone’s concerns. To this end, an invitation has been sent today to the BCAS for a meeting to be held with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality at BCAS’s convenience.
coverage of up to 75%, and, after your family maximum is reached, that coverage could increase to 100% of eligible costs. You aren’t automatically registered with Fair PharmaCare. You need to register by going online to http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare or by phoning Health Care BC at 1-800-663-7100. You’ll need to have your personal health number from your BC CareCard, your social insurance number, and your income tax return from two years ago (if you phone in 2012, you’ll need 2010 return). If you register online or over the phone, you’ll receive temporary coverage immediately. Then PharmaCare will mail you a consent form. It’s very important to sign the consent form and return it within 30 days if you don’t want your coverage to lapse! In a nutshell, this is how it works. From your income and age, PharmaCare calculates what your deductible is. The deductible is the amount you have to pay for prescriptions before the coverage kicks in. This can be as low as zero for low income applicants. PharmaCare will also calculate what your ‘family maximum’ is. After the family maximum is reached the percentage of coverage is raised to 100 per cent. Not all prescription medications are currently covered, but you can request that a medication be considered for PharmaCare coverage. Although the services offered by the CASI project are considered ‘non-medical’, many of our senior clients have friendly visitors who drive them to doctor’s appointments. We also have volunteers who can help out with more physical tasks, like snow removal, yard work, and small handyman tasks. You can contact CASI at 250-782-1138 ext. 228, or by stopping in to the office in the Co-op Mall. CASI is co-hosted by South Peace Seniors Access Services Society and South Peace Community Resources Society and is funded by the Province of BC and the United Way of the Lower Mainland.
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Page 11
Submitted photo
Dawson Creek Hospital Auxiliary representatives Gunda and Gloria presented New Year’s baby Bentley Berg with a basket filled with new born essentials. Submitted photo
The ladies at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson Creek have been busy making quilts for “Canadian Lutheran World Relief”. The ambitious ladies have completed 20 quilts since October, and will ship them out in May to a “Third World Country”. Back row left to right: Julie Gilbertson, Gerta Kut, Linda Sander, Sharon Bell. Front row left to right: Shirley Grayston, Helen Gilbertson, Edith Anderson, Sylvia Gix, Kathie Miner, Charlotte Odden, and Lorraine Lawrence.
Submitted photo
Jill Earl photo
The Harlem Globetrotters brought loads of fun and laughs to Dawson Creek on Jan. 13. This crowd was relieved when the bucket of water they thought was going to be poured on them turned out to be confetti.
On Dec. 1, 2012 the Fort St. John Council of the Knights of Columbus distributed new winter coats to needy children. This is the second year that the council has participated in the ‘Coats for Kids’ campaign. Funds for the coats were provided by individual Knights as well as several parishioners of Resurection Roman Catholic Church. Co-chair of the local initiative Doug Wigglesworth advises anyone who needs a winter coat for their children to check with the local Salvation Army branch, as they did not give them all away on Saturday and what was left went to the food bank.
This page will show up once a month to give our readers a chance to show themselves off. With the sponsorship of Northeast BC Realty, we will get to see more great pictures of people in the Peace. The Northeast News would like our loyal readers to continue sending their photos to us to use on our People Page. Send us photos of your group doing fun things, local sporting events, or other activities you think people might want to know about to: editor@northeastnews.ca. We look forward to running your fantastic photos in the future! **Please include name and phone number with the photo, along with information as to what’s happening in the picture. Pictures can also be dropped off at the Northeast News’ offices in both Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.
People of the Peace Photo Page is Sponsored by:
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Information is not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale, or buyers already under contract. Information is believed to be accurate but not guaranteed and should be verified.
Page 12
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
City rejects favouring local businesses to keep competition rolling By Jill Earl DAWSON CREEK - The City will continue to welcome an open and transparent bidding process for City contracts with the adoption of a purchasing policy that doesn’t give local businesses special consideration. Councillors adopted the policy on Dec. 3 and community members had 30 days to respond to the policy; any changes inspired by their comments could be added after the 30 days. During the public comment period staff received one letter expressing concern but council decided to leave the policy unchanged at their Jan. 7 meeting. The letter came from former councillor Marilyn Belak, who believes the City should take action in developing a local procurement policy to support local businesses. “I believe it is essential that the city demonstrate leadership in local sustainability and self sufficiency. In reading the proposed amendment to procuring and purchasing policy, I am disappointed that the City has still not embraced any level of local
first policy,” Belak’s letter reads. “Buy Local is a recognized bridge to post-resource boom economic stability and as a local government we cannot fail to recognize our purchases as key economic development tools,” she writes. One reason why council chose not to adopt a local procurement policy was because they were concerned that if they did, then that would encourage other communities to do the same, and Dawson Creek businesses would lose jobs in other communities. “The last thing we want to do is get into a position where we’re although favouring the local businesses when it’s local, we don’t want to get into a retaliatory situation where maybe our companies that are bidding in other communities will not be looked upon favourably for those jobs,” said Mayor Mike Bernier. “So we think that the competition is healthy and we’re going to continue on with the policy as we have it.” Bernier said that his sentiments were echoed by the business Advertorial
Tiger Office Plus a Top Choice For All Your Office Needs It’s a well-known fact that business plays a vital role in communities of every size. Not only do they provide essential services to a community, they also employ residents and are often relied on for sponsorships and donations for worthy local causes that need a little help, A community that sustains a healthy business community is in a better place to weather economic dips . Lake View Credit Union recognizes the value of every business in the community, and they go the extra mile to help these businesses grow and prosper. One happy business member from Lake View Credit Union is George Richmond, the owner of Tiger OfÀce Plus in Dawson Creek. Tiger was incorporated in 1971, and George has been the owner since 1997. Over the years, Tiger has grown from a small print shop to a reliable supplier of stationery and custom ofÀce furniture. They are also able to help you with ofÀce design services. “We went through a re-branding quite a while ago, so most people know us as Tiger Printing and Stationery. Now we’re a member of Canada’s largest stationery buying group, called the OfÀce Plus group, so with that afÀliation we’ve now made the move to Tiger OfÀce Plus. We want people to have Tiger OfÀce Plus at the top of their mind when they are thinking anything you could need for an ofÀce” said Richmond. In July 2011, George saw an opportunity to expand when the neighboring business moved out. It seemed like the time was right to knock out some walls and spread out to the adjoining building. For us the expansion process seemed fairly simple – especially with the Credit Union putting the right mortgaging in place. “Of course nothing is ever as simple as it looks, and we ended up with fairly extensive renovations. Without Lake View Credit Union’s assistance, the expansion would have taken longer and that would have meant added inconvenience for customers and employees alike” said Richmond. “For us, choosing Lake View Credit Union for our Ànancing was a no-brainer – we’ve been banking with them for as long as we’ve been in the building.” George went on to say that “it just made sense to talk to them about Ànancing the renovations for more than just the obvious reason. He went on to say “Corporations like Lake View Credit Union really live the “shop local” motto. They live and work here and they support all of their members in some way. They use the services of their business members and they volunteer and support countless community activities and groups. I have always felt like Lake View really believes in community spirit and shows it in a lot of ways. “It’s very rewarding to own and operate a business here in Dawson Creek” said George, going on to say “I love the challenge that every day brings – whether it’s taking on a complex print job, sourcing a particular ofÀce product or helping design the perfect ofÀce space. I hope we make people feel welcome when they come in and satisÀed when they leave – because that’s what we’re here to do.”
owners he’s talked to, as well as other councillors. “I believe we would be unwise to adopt such a motion,” said Coun. Charlie Parslow. “It’s protectionism and it’s not healthy,” said Coun. Cheryl Shuman. Jim Chute, chief administrative officer, also highlighted the fact that although it’s assumed that local business don’t have any associated costs to projects like travel and lodging for workers, their bids aren’t necessarily the lowest. For the past several years, almost annually, council has had to make the decision on whether to buy their hanging flower baskets locally or from out of town, which is cheaper for the City. For many years there was only one bidder for the annual contract, but now the City usually sees four competing bids each year. Flower basket spending is within City staff authorization, but the topic has become highly politicized by community members that staff prefers council to make the decision. In recent years the contract has been awarded to the cheaper, out-of-town bidders. “We’d hope that the local businesses would be able to put in an RFP [request for proposals] that would benefit them, we want to see local businesses grow, but we have had times where businesses from Fort. St. John or Grande Prairie come in and they’ve had a lower price and under our policy we will take that,” said Bernier. “I’ve never had anybody come forward and say to me, ‘I’d prefer that you spend more of my tax money to hire the local person,’ it’s usually, ‘what are you doing to lower taxes?” he said. The updated purchasing policy may not include a local-procurement objective but it does however include an operational purchasing policy. Before now, the City only had a purchasing policy for capital spending for purchases related to infrastructure upgrades, council’s adoption now means that staff have a formal policy for operational spending which addresses service provisions. An auditor suggested the City update it’s purchasing policy to include operational expenditures in 2007 and it has been on the finance department’s hit list since then. Chief financial officer, Shelly Woolf, has been working on the policy on and off for the past two years. In that time her department has done a significant amount of research on best practices of other local governments, and even had some staff attend a course on purchasing. Besides including operational policies in the purchasing manual, Woolf has included a number of objectives all spending should be applied to. “Any purchasing, whether it’s capital or operating money should go through principles of fairness and equal opportunity. It shouldn’t be different procedures for one versus the other, it’s all City money. [Purchasing policy] talks about responsibility, it talks about objectives which the old ones didn’t really...where this is talking about overarching objectives like open and transparent competition, fairness and equal opportunity, accountability, stewardship,” Woolf said. “[Purchasing policy] does not speak to using local [businesses] over anything else because one of the objectives in the policy is open and transparent competition process including fairness and equal opportunity for qualified suppliers. If you bring in a preference for local, you’re not following that policy,” she said.
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January 17, 2013
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
SPORTS
Page 15
Kyla Corpuz photo
Left to right: Dave Buiak, John Mast, John Dame and Dean McLeod take home the ‘A Class’ win in the Fort St. John Men’s Bonspiel on Jan. 12. They beat out Horst Hoffman’s team, 7-4.
Kyla Corpuz photo
Fort St. John Senior Flyer’s Luke Middleton ties the scoreboard, 4-4, with six miutes left in the third period, brining the game into overtime. The night ended with a shootout that gave the advantage to the Dawson Creek Canucks ending the bout 7-4.
Two locals head to South Korea for Special Olympics Sheryl Jakubowski is one of 141 athletes, volunteers, coaches and mission staff members from across Canada who were named to Team Canada in May. She qualified for this spot through her performance at the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in St. Albert, Alberta where she earned two gold medals in the 400 and 800-metre races and captured a bronze medal in the 1600-metre event. Together she also helped run the BC women’s snowshoe relay team to a bronze medal. In the 2011 Special Olympics BC Snow Sport Championships Sheryl captured gold in her 400-, 800- and 1600-metre races with a bronze in the 200-metre event. No stranger to competition Sheryl has been involved with Special Olympics in Fort St John for 13 years and is thrilled to represent Canada on their journey to Korea. Darlene Jakubowski is another local Special Olympian who will be travelling to South Korea to compete in figure skating/
With their selection, Team Canada athletes will be supported by a strong national training program. Athletes commit to an enhanced weekly training regimen and take part in all aspects of the conditioning and training program: physical and mental training; committing to a healthy lifestyle; attending all team functions, including multi-day sport-specific training camps and staging; and being role models for other Special Olympics athletes, both on and off the field of play. The 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held from January 29 to February 6 in PyeongChang, South Korea. It will feature seven categories of sports including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, speed skating, figure skating and floor hockey. Special Olympics athletes train throughout the year in Fort St John.
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Less Fuel. More Power. Great Value is a comparison between the 2013 and the 2012 Chrysler Canada product lineups. 40 MPG or greater claim (7.0 L/100 km) based on 2013 EnerGuide highway fuel consumption estimates. Government of Canada test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on powertrain, driving habits and other factors. See dealer for additional EnerGuide details. Wise customers read the fine print: •, *, ‡, § The First Big Deal Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after January 3, 2013. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. See participating dealers for complete details and conditions. •$19,998 Purchase Price applies to 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package (29E+CL9) only and includes $8,100 Consumer Cash Discount. $19,998 Purchase Price applies to 2013 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package (22F+CLE) only and includes $2,000 Consumer Cash Discount. Pricing includes freight ($1,500-$1,595) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees and other applicable fees and applicable taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. See participating dealers for complete details. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select new 2013 vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. Amounts vary by vehicle. See your dealer for complete details. ‡4.49% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package\2013 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package models to qualified customers on approved credit through Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, TD Auto Finance and Ally Credit Canada. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. See your dealer for complete details. Examples: 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2013 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package with a Purchase Price of $19,998/$19,998 (including applicable Consumer Cash Discounts) financed at 4.49% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $115/$115 with a cost of borrowing of $3,823/$3,823 and a total obligation of $23,821/$23,821. Pricing includes freight ($1,500-$1,595) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees and other applicable fees and taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. §2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew shown. Price including applicable Consumer Cash Discount: $27,395. 2013 Dodge Journey Crew shown. Price including applicable Consumer Cash Discount: $27,595. Pricing includes freight ($1,500-$1,595) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees and other applicable fees and applicable taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. ≠Based on R. L. Polk Canada Inc. January to October 2011 Canadian Total New Vehicle Registration data for Chrysler Crossover Segments. ^Based on 2013 Ward’s Middle Cross Utility segmentation. ¤Based on 2013 EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide ratings published by Natural Resources Canada. Transport Canada test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on powertrain, driving habits and other factors. 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan – Hwy: 7.9 L/100 km (36 MPG) and City: 12.2 L/100 km (23 MPG). 2013 Dodge Journey SE 2.4 L 4-speed automatic – Hwy: 7.5 L/100 km (38 MPG) and City: 10.8 L/100 km (26 MPG). TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC.
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January 17, 2013
Page 17
Harlem Globetrotters bring skills, comedy to audience By Jill Earl DAWSON CREEK- Dribbling, dunking, shooting and passing skills of the Harlem Globetrotters were impressive but not the highlight of their World Championship game at the Encana Events Centre last Sunday. The Globetrotters won 113 to 111 against their All-Star opponents Jan. 13, all the while performing impressive tricks and the family oriented slapstick comedy that audiences have come to expect throughout their 87-year history. Many audience members were even chosen to tryout some of player’s tricks during breaks throughout the game.
During their tour, fans are able to vote on new rules that will be introduced every quarter. In Dawson Creek fans selected a four-point shot in the first quarter, where there were four designated areas on the court and if players made a basket from there would receive four points for their team, the second quarter saw an introduction of every point being worth double. In the third and fourth quarter the teams had to play with two balls for the first two minutes of the quarter. Residents could have also chosen to put players in the penalty or had a six-on-five game. “We’re ready for whatever rule they throw at us and we’re always pretty excited about it and it just makes the game that much more exciting. Most challenging, that would probably be the two balls at one time just because it’s two balls at one time while the game is going on. Any rule that they pick we will be ready for because we’re Harlem Globetrotters we’re supposed to be ready to do anything,” said Tay Fisher, aka Firefly, a member of the
Harlem Globetrotters who was not playing in Sunday’s game. Fisher says that other then basketball skills, players must also possess personality, which is essential to interacting and entertaining people. He believes the key to the Globetrotters success lies in being all-around entertainers. “They [audience] can expect a little bit of everything, obviously razzle-dazzle high flying dunks and dribbling…they’ll be getting comedy, that’s the reason why we’ve been so successful because you don’t have to love basketball in order to enjoy a Globetrotter game,” Fisher said. Another key to their success lies in the fun family oriented entertainment they provide for their audiences. “We’re a family-oriented organization, and that’s what we strive on is the bond that families can have with each other, so in order for us to have that we have to be a family within ourselves, and that’s exactly how it is...we’re with each other more then we’re with our families” Fisher said. A lot of families and basketball enthusiasts came out to see the players do what they do best and were treated to an autograph signing after the game.
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Agenda: 1. To receive the financial statements of the Association for the financial year end. 2. To elect Directors of the Association. 3. To appoint an auditor of the Association. Jill Earl photo
T-Time is the 10th female Globetrotter in their 87-year history. She shows off her basketball tricks along with all the other players.
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
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A MUST READ FOR ALL WHO DEPEND ON NORTHEAST B.C.’S NATURAL RESOURCES
Building for B.C.’s economic driver By DeLynda Pilon Prince George Free Press PRINCE GEORGE - He never doubted Canada would win the gold medal at the hockey game at the Vancouver Olympics. In fact Russ Girling was even happy when the teams tied two all. It made it more interesting. “I had no doubt they were going to win. Similarly that’s the case for B.C.’s development of this resource,” he said. Girling is the president and CEO of TransCanada Corp. and TransCanada Pipeline Ltd., the company chosen to design, build, own and operate the proposed $5 billion Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project for Progress Energy. The line will move natural gas from the North Montney region (near Fort St. John) to the Pacific Northwest LNG plant which will be constructed near Prince Rupert. Girling said at TransCanada they have the view that natural gas may be one of the most significant drivers of the economy of Canada in the near future. “These aren’t just words. We are putting our money where our mouth is.” The point now is building transportation to get the product to off-shore markets. Participating in new markets is nothing new to TransCanada. It was pivotal in bringing natural gas from the west to markets in the east. In the 1950’s it took natural gas to California and other US markets. “Today it’s one of the largest pipeline companies in North America,” he said. “We move about 20 per cent of the supply in File photo North America today. We are the third largest base of operations in Michael Colbert (right) of Progress Energy and Russ Girling TransCanada Pipelines announce at the B.C. Natural
Resources Forum in Prince George Wednesday, that TransCanada will build a $5 billion pipeline for Progress.
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North America today. It is this long-term experience we are going to bring to B.C.” Girling spoke about the importance of safety to TransCanada as well as social licence. “We do recognize maintaining our social licence is based on trust,” he said. Girling said they have a lot of community engagement, including with Aboriginal groups, adding they have engaged with over 150 communities within 50 km of the pipeline system. He added they have the single largest gathering system in North America. Speaking of the coastal gas link, Girling said the descriptions which start the environmental process, one provincial and one federal, were both filed in April. In 2013 the company will be gathering data for an advanced engineer design. The Pacific northwest LNG project should be in service by 2018. “We are pleased to be partners with Progress on this project,” Girling said. The project will extend Nova Gas further into B.C., interconnect with Prince Rupert and travel further north to connect with additional reserves. He added about 20 Aboriginal communities have already been contacted with the news. More will follow as the engagement process begins. About 2,500 people will be involved in the construction process, and there will be numerous spin-off benefits.
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Page 19
UNITING COMMUNITY These funds were made available because Devon Canada Fort St John ran a successful campaign, coordinated by Valynda Foster, the Devon Canada campaign coordinator and her team of volunteers, resulting in extremely high employee participation! Staff raised over $34,085.00 through their Workplace Campaign. Thank you to Devon Canada employees and others who donated funds to make such an incredible difference and helping United Way Northern BC to improve lives and strengthen and address community needs. “Thank you to everyone that helped invests in our community�, said Don McLeod. “Devon has supported the United Way over the years in Fort St John and each year we have been able to exceed our donations from year to year. When we start our campaign there is always one question that comes up. How much is actually getting back into the community. If you have an opportunity to talk to a United Way representative, I think they would give you an opportunity to see what they are doing in your community and give you a new appreciation of their commitment to community. This is what we have found at Devon and this shows in our yearly donation drive. Devon is committed to the community and is happy to make this donation to the United Way of Northern BC�.
Submitted photo
Niki Hedges, United Way of Northern BC, the Community Development and Campaign Officer for the NE, Don McLeod, Randy Clark, Brock Hebert and Chris Dumanowski, present funds on behalf of Devon Canada Fort St John to Niki Hedges.
Local innovator misses award, walks away with bright future By Kyla Corpuz FORT ST. JOHN – Last week Prince George held the annual Northern B.C. Business and Technology Awards gala. Among the nominees for Technology Provider of the Year was Fort St. John local entrepreneur Jason Linley, who was recognized for his invention that he dubbed the Game Changer. However, Northern Development Initiative Trust took home the accolade instead for their Invest in Northwest BC web portal. “I think it was a great privilege to be considered to be Technology Provider of the Year,� said Linley a day after the award ceremony. “It was very exciting, I hope down the road we’ll get another chance.� Though Linley didn’t take home the title, the future still looks bright for the Game Changer; a massive tool that compresses the work of three jobs in one machine. “What we’ve developed is a machine that has three processes in it to cut down on emissions and diesel consumption,� explained Linley. “We’ve shrunk it all down like a transformer so
it doesn’t have to be taken apart with additional equipment or erected with additional equipment—it does it all itself.â€? The three processes it goes through is drilling, driving and screwing to help facilitate different foundation systems. The first prototype was made in 2003 and two years later it was out in the field. Linley invented the Game Changer but it was with the help of his dad that it came into fruition. “The driving force behind all of this was my father,â€? said Linley. “He was the one who pushed me to keep going on this, we both have an innovative type mind, but without him—he’s the ‘McGyver’ ‌ I come up with all the ideas and he actually makes them happen.â€? The Game Changer came about the way other good inventions are born: realizing a problem or missing link and finding a solution. “After going through the process of being in the foundation business and not having the proper tools, we started a machine that worked with the demand and business in the oil and gas and
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Page 20
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Local innovator Continued from Page 19
commercial side of things,” explained Linley. “We’ve done multiple projects in all them different areas and took the lack of equipment to do them jobs and we designed and built [the Game Changer].” In addition to being the inventor of the Game Changer, Linley is also the president of JD Piling and Anchor Ltd, a company that has been around since the early 90s. This was the first year Linley was nominated for a chance at the Northern B.C. Business and Technology Awards gala. Despite not taking home a win, attending the gala and two-day confer-
ence opened his eyes to other game changers in B.C. “It was just kind of cool to see that people are actually trying to develop things to make the north succeed,” he said. “They’re actually getting help from the government and getting help from other organizations and they’re being commended for it. “It’s neat to see that they’re not getting brushed off. So that was really cool, [it was] a really cool function.” Linley said he will be revealing a new company and brand name for the Game Changer this year where it will be sold separately from JD Piling and Anchor Ltd in Fort St. John and the U.S.
DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Application #: TAQA – BC 2013 - 2018 Applicant: TAQA North Ltd., 2100, 308 – 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0H7. Tel: (403) 724-5000, Fax: (403) 724-5001. Attention: Robert Martens. Robert.Martens@taqa.ca The purpose of the proposed Pest Management Plan (PMP) is to manage vegetation, including noxious weeds and invasive plants on all land owned leased, and/or controlled by TAQA North Ltd. (hereafter TAQA) for oil and gas production, transmission, distribution and storage within the plan area, including oil and gas wells and associated production facilities, access roads), pipelines and processing plants. These sites are located in proximity to the communities of Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. All sites are within the geographic boundaries of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Peace River Regional District. Using the principles of integrated vegetation management (IPM), the pest management methods proposed for use may include seeding, revegetation, hand-pulling/cutting, mowing, string trimmers, deep ripping, caping, brushing (selective slashing), biological control agents, and the use of pesticides. The use of pesticides is intended within the area to which the PMP applies. The common name and some example(s) of trade names of the pesticides proposed for use under this plan include: aminopyralid (Milestone, Restore), clopyralid (Transline), dicamba (Dyvel, Killex, Banvel, Vanquish), glyphosate (Roundup, Roundup Weathermax, Vantage, Vantage Plus, Credit, Touchdown), metsulfuron methyl (Escort, Ally), 2.4-D (2,4-D Amine 500, 2,4-D Amine 600). Application methods include: cut surface, basal bark, injection and foliar. The proposed duration of the PMP is from March 1, 2013 to March 1, 2018. A draft copy of the proposed PMP may be examined in detail at: 1. TAQA North Ltd., 2100, 308 – 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0H7, 2. Vertex 8812 – 107th Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 5R6, 3. TAQA North Ltd., 525, 9909 – 102nd Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2V4, or 4. Request a electronic copy by sending an email to: Robert.Martens@taqa.ca “A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the pest management plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice”
HHRA PHASE 2 LOOKS AT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM INDUSTRY By Kyla Corpuz
have an impact on human health.” Most of the work will be done in labs and on desktops in larger cities like Vancouver. “It’s more of a predictive exercise,” said Koppe. “You talk to industry and get an idea of what they may be emitting into the environment and into the air, and then we use pretty sophisticated models to determine what the air concentration could be or what the water concentration could be—and if you expose that to people to see what the risk associated with those are.” Koppe said Intrinsik would focus on environment related issues, “so potential changes in air quality, water quality [and] things like food quality…” Intrinsik has a lengthy history with taking on case studies like as the HHRA, particularly in dealing with the oil sands in Alberta. The information that “A new licenced family daycare and spots are available for all ages” comes out of it is usually used to direct management or monitoring programs. “We’ll look at accidental releases and operational emissions and then decide if we can quantify the risk associated with the different types of scenarios and those exposure scenarios.” Licensed Daycare Owner Phase 2 is expected to be 10424-114a Avenue 250-785-5094 fully completed by spring of Fort St. John, BC V1J 0C6 littlestarsfsj@gmail.com 2014.
FORT ST. JOHN – Phase 2 of the Human Health Risk Assessment has begun. The second leg of the three-part project was awarded to Intrinsik, environmental health service and consulting service. The project team working on Phase 2 was in Fort St. John this past week to inform residents of their activity during an informationsharing session. “We’ve got experts in air quality and water quality,” said Bart Koppe from Intrinsik. “And the entire study team will look at what the changes may be to environmental conditions assowith oil and gas activity Vold, Jones & Vold Auction Co. Ltd. ciated and whether or not that could
DAWSON CREEK AUCTION ‘MILE ZERO CITY’ DawsoAve. Dawson Creek, British Columbia 301-116th
Dawson Creek Office: 250-782-3766 VJV Main Office: 403-783-5561 Cattle Sales, Don 301-116th Fessler: 250-719-5561 Fax: 250-782-6622 D C
MARKET REPORT JANUARY 10, 2013
SLAUGHTER CATTLE
On Thursday, January 10, 2013, 605 head of cattle went through our ring D1 - D2 Cows 61.00-68.00 D3 - D4 Cows 50.00-59.00 Holstein Cows N/A Heiferettes 55.00-75.00 Bologna Bulls 60.00-69.00 Feeder Bulls 60.00-80.00 Good Bred Cows 1100.00-1400.00 Good Bred Heifers N/A Milk Cows N/A Cow/ Calf Pairs (younger) N/A Cow/ Calf Pairs (older) N/A
STOCKERS AND FEEDERS Good Feeder Steers 1000 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 900 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 800 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 700 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 600 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 500 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 400 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 300 lbs Plus:
N/A 107.00-127.00 115.00-130.00 120.00-131.00 121.00-139.00 130.00-154.00 135.00-170.00 130.00-175.00
Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers
N/A 100.00-117.00 102.00-119.00 110.00-120.00 115.00-131.00 120.00-134.00 125.00-142.00 125.00-150.00
Next Cattle Sale - Thursday, January 17th
Vold, Jones & Vold Auction Co. Ltd.
DAWSON CREEK AUCTION ‘MILE ZERO CITY’
Dawso 301-116th Ave. Dawson Creek, British Columbia Dawson Creek Office: 301-116th 250-782-3766 VJV Main Office: 403-783-5561 Cattle Sales, Don Fessler: 250-719-5561 Fax: 250-782-6622 D
C
Stella Aikoroje
THE DISTRICT OF HUDSON’S HOPE NOTICE OF 2013 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE The following District of Hudson’s Hope regular Council meetings are scheduled for 2013 and will be held in the Council Chambers, District Office, at 9904 Dudley Drive, Hudson’s Hope. All meetings will commence at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise advertised. January 14 January 28 February 12 February 25 March 11 March 25 April 8 April 22 May 13 May 27 June 10
June 24 July 8 July 22 August 12 August 26 September 9 September 23 October 15 October 28 November 12 November 25 December 9 December 23
A copy of the schedule is available at the District of Hudson’s Hope, at 9904 Dudley Drive, Hudson’s Hope, BC. The Schedule is subject to change; please confirm meetings by contacting the District Office at (250) 783-9901 or by email at district@hudsonshope.ca or visit our website at www.hudsonshope.ca
Northeast NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
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Class 1 and Class 5 Drivers Wanted for our Dawson Creek Branch: Winch Tractors, Hot Shot Pick-ups, Picker Operators GT’s Oilifield Hauling is recognized as one of the most progressive enterprises in the oilfield transportation industry offering our customers cost effective and safe services within Western Canada. Like a family, people at GT’s come first and with team work and safety so important in our day to day operations, GT’s employees are trained to look out for each other every day. If you are a career minded individual and are interested in joining our team please fax your resume to 250-782-5758. (Medical Benefits and RRSP Benefits Provided) Check us out at www.gtoilfield.com
ELECTRICIAN WANTED
Raven Oilfield Rentals is now seeking a full time, all around general electrician. Job entails generators, heavy equipment, some mechanical buildings (etc). Competitive wages and benefit package. Please send drivers abstract with resume to: carl@ravenoilfield.com or fax 250-787-3097
HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC WANTED
Raven Oilfield Rentals in Fort St John is seeking a full time mechanic for heavy equipment repairs in shop. Competitive wages and benefit package. Please forward drivers abstract with resume to: carl@ravenoilfield.com or fax 250-787-8474
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January 17, 2013
Page 21
CALL 250-787-7030 TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE BEST READ REGIONAL
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SALES COORDINATOR We have a position available for a Sales Coordinator in our Fort St John location. Primary responsibilities include: inside sales, shipping and receiving, sales support and administration for the branch, inventory control, and pricing. Previous experience in the heavy equipment business, inventory coordination, and sales would be an asset. Brandt Tractor is the world’s largest privately held John Deere Construction & Forestry Equipment dealer and a Platinum member of the Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies Program. Find out more about our exciting career opportunities at www.brandtjobs.com or by calling (306)791-8923. Email resume indicating position title and location to: hr@brandttractor.com or fax (306)791-5986
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Page 22
CLASSIFIEDS
January 17, 2013
HOUSE FOR SALE 5 Bedroom House, 3 up & 2 down, 2 bath. Separate Entrance, shared laundry, excellent tenants. Keep the tenants or move in yourself on one acre.Bank Appraised Oct $350,000. Owner will sell for much less. Call 250493-1807 01/10
FOR SALE Large Pails of Honey, Hay Bales, Alfalfa, Brome, Timothy Mix Tamarack Corral Posts 10 ½, Corral Rails up to 24 feet long. Call 250-719-6142 04/13
LAND FOR SALE 1 Acre with good gravel driveway, power pole With Hookups and Lagoon Near the traffic circle. By the airport. Great for mobile home to set up on $144,000 Call 250-493-1807 01/10
NOVELTY Bills Books & Bargains. We Buy your collectables, Adult Magazines, Books and coins. Open 12pm to 7pm Mon to Sat. Phone 250-7852660 TFN
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Bach, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Townhouses & Duplexes Fort St John Dawson Creek Commercial Space For Lease/Rent Brandt: 9907-100th Ave 2500 sq ft retail retail or ofďŹ ce Dehod: 10614 Alaska Road 4000 commercial highway frontage Endicotte: 9512-100 Street 4248 sq ft retail or ofďŹ ce Pioneer Square: 9900-100 Ave 2050 sq ft approx. 100 Ave ofďŹ ce or retail Yenkana: Shop space 3000 sq ft OfďŹ ce space: 10615-102 St 5829 sq ft TD Bank: upstairs ofďŹ ce space 1323 sq ft Call Rob for viewing, rates and details - 250-785-2829 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL
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REMEMBER
FIGHT BACK
RELAY FOR LIFE
Join the Fight
Volunteer to make the biggest difference in the ďŹ ght against cancer. Relay For Life is returning to Dawson Creek, and we need your help and fresh ideas to make this a unique Dawson Creek event. Come meet the new team and ďŹ nd out more Saturday, January 26 (lunch provided). For times or more information, call Helen Owen at 1-800-811-5666. RSVP required by January 23rd.
relayforlife.ca
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Northeast NEWS
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Phone: 250-782-7060 www.northeastnews.ca
January 17, 2013
Northeast NEWS
Page 23
COMMUNITY CALENDAR UPCOMING
January 2013
Dawson Creek • Jan. 19: The Dawson Creek unit of the Canadian Cancer Society will be hosting its annual Survivor Luncheon at the Seniors Citizens Hall located at 1101 McKellar Street in Dawson Creek from 11am – 2pm. All cancer survivors and their caregivers are most welcome to attend to enjoy a great lunch and share some great entertainment. For further information, please call the Dawson Creek unit office at 250-782-5598. • Jan. 19: Country Music Dance - Music by Night Sounds at the Senior Citizens Hall, 1101 McKellar Ave from 8:30 to 12:30. Admission includes lunch, 19 +. More info: Fred, 2507822192 or Linda, 2508437418 • Jan. 29: The South Peace Seniors’ Access Services Society will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday at their office: Unit #7 10200 8th Street (Co-op Mall). We will be holding a welcome reception at 3 p.m. with the meeting to follow at 3:30 p.m. • Jan 29: Workshop “Preparing for Income Tax Time” to be presented by Grace Peters. At Seniors’ Access Office (Coop Mall) on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Everyone welcome but space is limited.
Fort St. John • Parents with Kids Family Literacy Program runs every Tuesday and Thursday for the month of December from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. English as a Second Lan-
ONGOING
Fort St. John • Ft. St. John Parkinson’s Support Group Parkinson Society British Columbia People living with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers and family members are warmly invited to the Ft. St. John Parkinson’s Support Group. Join others in your community to share information and resources, coping strategies, ideas for living well with PD, good humour, social support and more. Last Wednesday of the month at 11:00 am McDonald’s Restaurant 10920 Alaska Road North Ft. St. John, BC Note: there is no meeting in December For more information please contact: Sarah at 250 785 7348 • S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Northern B.C. Newcomers Integration Service Centre is a non-profit organization in Fort St. John. Our Settlement Program provides information, orientation, assessment, referral and service linking, educational workshops and short term adaptation counselling to immigrants. The program also offers assistance with form completion, correspondence between clients and service providers, navigating immigration processes including sponsorship applications, obtaining permanent residence cards and applying for citizenship. Bridging services are provided to a variety of community and government service agencies and organizations. Service is available in English and Spanish. The Settlement Program is located at: #211 10142-101st Ave (Execuplace building). From 8:30-4:30 p.m. Phone # 250785-5323 Ext 22. • Toastmasters International Club of Fort St. John meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. every Thursday evening at Northern Lights College, Room 105. Learn valuable communication & leadership skills. Contact Claire Seidler at 250-787-9697 or Gayle Wagner at 250785-3991 for more information. • Rocky Mountain Rangers Army Cadets meet at 6:30 PM each Wednesday night at the Royal Canadian Legion on 102nd and 105 Ave. If you are between 12 and 18 years old please drop in or call us at 250-787-5323. • Alcoholics Anonymous - If you think you might have a problem with drinking, come to an AA meeting. Call for times and places or someone to talk to (250) 785-8866. • Fort St. John Multiple Sclerosis support group. If you or anyone you know has MS and have any questions or just need to talk, please call Susie at (250) 785-2381 or Sandi at (250) 787-2652. • A Youth Relapse Prevention Group may be held weekly, in the afternoons at Mental Health and Addiction Services, #300 - 9900 – 100 Ave. For more information call Chris or Shaun at (250) 262-5269. • “Butterfly Families – Families Supporting Families” is open to all caregivers of children and youth with Special Needs. We meet the third Wednesday of every month at the Child Development Centre from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 10408 105 Avenue. Does your child have learning, behavior or other complex
guage classes every Wednesday at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Study Help for Adults will run every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All classes are located at the Fort St. John Literacy Society: 10142 101 Ave. • Jan. 22 – Jan. 25, Jan. 28 – Jan. 31: “The Minerva Helping Women
Work™ Combining Our Strength™ The Women’s Centre will be conducting intakes at our office now through Friday, January 18th. This is a 2 part series of workshops that will run Tuesday, January 22nd – Friday, January 25th and Monday, January 28th – Thursday, January 31st from 10am – 2pm daily (lunch included). Please contact Sarah at outreach@ fsjwrs.ca or (250) 787-1121 with referrals or questions • Jan 24: For parents interested in Kindergarten French Immersion, there is an informational meeting on Thursday, at Central School at 6:30 pm. Registration now being accepted at Ecole Central Elementary School for 2013. • Feb. 18 – Feb. 22: Students who are currently attending Kindergarten are being asked to take part in a screening and immunization clinic at the Health Unit in Fort St John. The clinic is scheduled for February 18 – 22, 2013. Screening will include hearing, vision and dental health status. School entry immunization boosters will also be available. Please call the Health Unit at (250) 263-6000 and make an appointment as soon as possible.
special needs? Would you like to connect with other caregivers? Child minding available but please call ahead a few days before the meeting. Call (250) 7853200 for more information. • Pregnancy tests, pregnancy options, peer-counselling and support are available at the North Peace Pregnancy Care Centre. New location at #208 10139 100 Street (above TD Bank). Drop in hours Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. or to make an appointment call our 24 hour hotline at (250) 262-1280. All services are free and completely confidential. • Are you tired of the crime? Then do the time. Join the Fort St. John Citizens Patrol. Donate a minimum of five hours per month. For information, call (250) 262-4530. • Pan African Caribbean Association welcomes the community to join our group to promote community awareness of culture, music and cuisine. Phone Donald at (250) 785-0815 for more information. • New Totem Archery hold their indoor shoots at the Fort St. John Co-op Mall every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. and every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. • Come out and join us for an afternoon of play, crafts, a healthy snack, circle time and an opportunity to borrow books from the Devereaux School Library. This is a chance to meet other people from your community and introduce your children to a school setting. We meet from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. every other Wednesday beginning Oct. 20th. This program is geared for three to four year-olds but siblings are welcome to come with their parents. Call Patti (250) 843-7813 for more information. • Join us for fun, fun, fun at the artSpace! ArtSpace classes are here again at the North Peace Cultural Centre with wonderful programming for all ages! Don’t miss out! Register today for preschool, Mommy and Me, afterschool and adult classes! Check out the great selection of activities at www.npcc.bc.ca, or pick up a brochure at the North Peace Cultural Centre. Call (250) 785-1992 for more information or to register.
Dawson Creek
• The Visually Impaired Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 12 noon at First Baptist Church, 1400 113 Ave. Each month we have a guest speaker and we share lunch. (cost by donation). Anyone who is visually impaired or who cares about someone with vision difficulties is welcome to attend. For further information please call Kathy 782-7539 orMargaret 782-3221. • If you know how to visit with a friend, you already have the skills required to be a CASI Friendly Visitor volunteer! There are seniors in Dawson Creek right now who would like to have a friend come and visit them and perhaps take them to doctor’s appointments or shopping. Can you spare an hour or two a
week to visit a senior? Call CASI (Community Action for Seniors’ Independence) today. 250-782-1138 ext. 228, email lstudley@spcrs.ca or visit the website at www.casidc.org. • Alcoholics Anonymous - meets Mon., Tues., Fri., & Sat., 8 p.m. at Peace River Health Unit. Wed. 8 p.m. Hospital Education Room. All meetings are open. • Mile 0 Al-Anon meets 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday evening at the Health Unit, Dawson Creek. • Mile 0 Quilt Guild meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m., Studio 10 at KPAC. Come join us for sewing, fun and friendship. Contact Gloria at 250 786 5597. for more info. • Dawson Creek Toastmasters meets every Thursday at 7pm at Farmer’s Advocacy Office 1032 103 Ave (Front door on 11 st.) Contact Heather at 250784-5700 or 780-353-3050.
Fort Nelson
• The Community Market is held at the Westend Campground every Saturday except on long weekends. For more info or a vendor package please contact Jaylene Arnold at (250) 774-2541 or Audrey Reynolds (250) 774-6574.
Pouce Coupe
• Youth Drop-In at Pouce Coupe Community Church Annex (the old Pouce library). Saturday nights 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ages 13 to 17.
Chetwynd
• Alcoholics Anonymous meets Tuesday and Friday at 8 p.m. at the Public Library, 5012 46 Street. If you think you might have a problem with drinking, come to an AA meeting. Call for times and places or someone to talk to, phone 788-9658 or 788-1100
Tumbler Ridge
• Alcoholics Anonymous - meeting Thursday. 8 p.m. 115 Commercial Park (Baptist Church). If you think you might have a problem with drinking, come to an AA meeting. Call for times and places or someone to talk to. Phone 242-4018. • Tuesdays: TR Seniors (55+) Drop-In – Floor curling, carpet bowling, card & board games, coffee & cookies. Community Centre Room 5 from 1-4 pm. Small drop-in fee. • Tumbler Ridge’s self-employed women will receive six months of free personal business monitoring beginning this October at no charge. If you are a self-employed woman in their first three years of operation, or partially operate a business, contact Sara Cooper at the Women’s Enterprise Centre at 1-800643-7014 ext. 104 or Mila Lansdowne by e-mail at mila@persona.ca or (250) 242-3389. Registration is required.
Taylor
• Civil Air Search and Rescue (CASARA) meetings every second Tuesday at the Taylor Fire Hall at 7 p.m. For information call Bob at 250-789-9152 or 250-787-5802.
Page 24
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Tuesday, April 16tthh, 2013 | Prince George Civic Centre Conference & Workshops 8:00am–4:00pm | Trade Show Exhibit 8:00am– 4:00pm Awards Gala 6:00pm–10:00pm Thank you to the following partners of the Women of the North or th Conference: Conference
Keynote speakers:
Diane Buckner
Mayor Lori Ackerman
Host of CBC’s Dragons’ Den Fort St. John
Award categories: Rising Star Sponsored by: CNC
Opening Ceremonies:
Community Enrichment Award Sponsored by: Prince George Chamber of Commerce
Influence & Impact Woman of the Year Sponsored by: Central Interior Logging Association
Home Based Business Women of the Year Award Business Women of the Year Award
Shirley Bond, MLA
Mayor Shari Green
Sponsored by: Investors Group
Prince George – Valemount Justice Minister and Attorney General
Prince George
Professional Woman of Distinction Award Sponsored by: Business Development Bank of Canada
Aboriginal Women of Distinction Award Sponsored by: Aboriginal Business Development Centre
For more information contact Shirly Prokopchuk at spnorthernevents@gmail.com | 250.552.3817
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
AVAILABLE SOON - REGISTRATION AND NOMINATION INFORMATION WATCH THE PG FREE PRESS
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Page 25
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$
21,995
2010 Ford F-150 XLT
2010 Ford Ranger
2010 Ford F-150
95,000 km, 5.4l, reg cab, 6 speed, auto
24,531 km, FX4, 4.0l, V6, 4x4, SuperCab
24,728 km, STX, 4.6l, V8, 4x4, SuperCab
Stk# PI1410A
Stk# PI1398
Stk# 12LT7314A
$
18,995
$
19,995
$
20,995
2008 Toyota Tundra SR5
2011 Ford F-150
2010 Ford F-350 XLT Super Duty
149,003 km, 5.7l, V8, 4x4, Double Cab
37,318 km, XLT, 5.4l, V8, 4x4, Super Crew
15,428 km, Dually, 6.2l, V8, auto, 6spd, Crew Cab
Stk# 12LT1313A
Stk# 12SD0203B
$
21,995
$
31,995
Stk# 13LT1575A
$
35,995
DAWSON CREEK Dealer # 30814
www.capitalford.ca
Commission Free Dealer
0SGEP 8SPP *VII %PEWOE %ZIRYI (E[WSR 'VIIO
Page 26
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
Yamamoto encourages small businesses to get prepared By Jill Earl DAWSON CREEK - Minister of State for Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto, brought two messages to the region during her visit to Fort St. John and Dawson Creek last week: small businesses are important to the province and start preparing for the transition to provincial sales tax (PST). Yamamoto visited Chamber of Commerce members in both cities to reiterate how important the organization is. “If you have a strong Chamber of Commerce, you have a strong community,â€? Yamamoto said. Yamamoto was the chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce in Jill Earl photo 1997 and has been a business owner for 22 years. Minister of State for Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto, visits with Dawson Creek Chamber of Commerce members During her visit with Dawson Creek Chamber members, Yama- on Jan. 8. moto admitted that she personally was not in favour of returning to the PST but offered some benefits to its reinstatement, like the that date will coincided with the goods and services tax (GST). fact that businesses can now remit their PST online monthly and During her travels throughout the province, the minister is welcoming comments and suggestions on changes to PST legislation that might make it easier for businesses to comply; nothing will be changed until after the current legislation is approved. A draft of the PST legislation is available online so that businesses can be familiar with regulations when the PST statute takes effect on Apr. 1. “We can change it to make it easier for you to comply, I still wouldn’t mind all that information, but right now it’s all going back to where it was prior to July 2010, but if you have some good suggestions let me know,â€? she said. Of the approximately 400,000 businesses in B.C., only about 100,000 of them collect PST. Of the 100,000, about 30,000 businesses were incorporated after the HST was introduced and have never worked with PST before. In order for businesses to collect PST they have to register, registration began on Jan. 2, but according to Yamamoto only a few thousand have registered so far. Registration can be completed online. Yamamoto says that the Province is offering a number of aids in order to help businesses transition smoothly, including a website, helpline, email account, and a number of webinars that will take place between now and April. For complicated businesses the Province will send tax specialists to the business to make sure they are complying with regulations. She reports that 98 per cent of businesses in B.C. are considered small business, meaning companies with 50 employees or less. Of that 98 per cent an overwhelming majority have six employees or less. Small business accounts for approximately one third of the Province’s gross domestic product. Up to 50% of a home’s heating and cooling energy “Small business is quite a force‌If business is the backbone of our economy then small busiis lost through its windows. ness is the heart and soul,â€? Yamamoto said of its importance. Min. To help small businesses thrive in the province, Yamamoto introduced a Small Business AcWith the ‘honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb’ cord last October. Some issues the accord hopes to tackle include the skilled workers shortage and how to keep the regions—especially close to the Alberta border—competitive. construction and three insulating air pockets, “In my travels around British Columbia I’m asking for businesses to comment, consult, recÂŽ ÂŽ Duette Architella honeycomb shades increase ommend suggestions on the Small Business Accord. I’ve heard some themes that resonate all energy efďŹ ciency. over the place, and this area is no different,â€? she said.
Insulating air pockets. Inspiring design.
Energy Wise
Manufacturer’s Rebate
100
$
Purchase three DuetteŽ ArchitellaŽ honeycomb shades between January 1st and April 30th, 2013 and you’ll receive a $100 manufacturer’s rebate. Also, purchase any number of additional DuetteŽ ArchitellaŽ honeycomb shades and you’ll receive an extra $25 for each.
The Accord is a provincial initiative that will adopt recommendations to help with growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t create jobs, businesses do and we need to make sure we create the environment for businesses to actually prosper,â&#x20AC;? said Yamamoto. She said that supporting small business isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just essential for the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial well-being, but for the well-being of communities everywhere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Small business owners arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just owners of busi%DQNV VD\ ness, they are also your lo12 WR D ORDQ " cal coaches, the little league NO PROBLEM! coaches, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the spon/HW )RUW 0RWRUV sors, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the ones that +HOS <RX are on the PACâ&#x20AC;Śif you %DG &UHGLW Â&#x2021; 6ORZ &UHGLW donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support small business owners, sure you might 'LYRUFH %DQNUXSWF\ $/ 529 $33 ',7 &5( see a business leave your $17 167 72 , $SSO\ 7RGD\ DQG 'ULYH $ZD\ community but your also going to see a little league :H 6SHFLDOL]H LQ +HOSLQJ *RRG 3HRSOH L OL L coach leave...itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a trickle ZLWK %DG &UHGLW &DOO 0DUWKD RU *UHJ IRU down effect that will make 3UH $SSURYDO youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re community worse off,â&#x20AC;? Yamamoto said.
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$40 Rebate with each purchase of a Hunter Douglas Silhouette & Pirouette Window shade before Dec. 19/12
Call Sue Myles to get your Free consultation. Sue Myles, Alpine Windows Fashions - Specialist Hunter Douglas CertiďŹ ed Professional Dealer 9708-108 Street, Fort St John, BC V1J 0A7 smyles@alpinewindows.ca â&#x20AC;˘ 250-785-6409 Take YOUR windows from drab to FAB! Call for yor Complimentary Consultation Today!!
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Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
“Proudly Sponsors the North and South Peace SPCA” Lost a pet? Losing a pet is a traumatic experience. The following are some tips for finding your lost pet. Search your neighbourhood - Walk or drive through several times a day, especially early in the morning and at dusk. Use the internet - Websites for helping lost and found animals • BC SPCA Pet Search: www.bcpetsearch.com • PetFinder: www.petfinder.org • PetLynx: www.petlynx.net Put up eye-catching posters Put up “Lost Pet” posters. Place an ad in the paper - Put ad in lost column of local newspapers. Visit animal shelters - Go visit the animal shelters in your area. Check animal hospitals and vet clinics - Your pet may have been taken to a nearby veterinarian or animal hospital. Try the power of scent - Animals have a keen sense of smell and familiar smells can bring them home. Was your pet stolen? If you have evidence, contact police and your local BC SPCA or Animal Control agency. Don’t give up! Continue to search for your pet. Prevention - If your pet doesn’t have ID - DO IT TODAY! Contact the South Peace BC SPCA for more information, 250-782-2444.
SHORTY
I’m ready for my new family!
has found his forever home!
Pilar
This fun, furry, year old girl is ready to move on from the shelter. She is a laid back, friendly yet not in your face kinda cat. She gets along well with other cats, kids and dogs. Sound good? Well come and meet her!!
Inland Chrysler and the Northeast News are proud to announce that Shorty’s forever home is now with Lisa, Koelman, Michael, Madison and Peaches.
Yes. There really is a snow monster! Inland Chrysler is pleased to introduce K2 Snowplows All plows come with electric winch, skid shoes, markers, scraper blade and deflector. All plows mounted on castors that allow for easy installataion Simple to Operate – K2 Snowplow slides in and out of a Class 3, 2” receiver tube+. It comes with a wireless remote winch to control for easy up and down snow control. Castor wheels allow you to easily attach or remove the plow in seconds. Simple to Control Snow – Plow comes with a unique angle directing design. This allows you to angle snow in 3 different directions. You can direct on either side at a 45 degree angle or straight ahead. It’s all in your hands. Simple to Transport and Store – The plow design allows you to transport using your rear receiver tube. Just use the locking mechanism and you can bring the plow wherever you go. With locking caster wheels, plow can be moved and stored in seconds. Just drop the wheels and slide wherever you want to store. Wireless Remote Control Winch – You will be able to safely direct FREE snow from the comfort of your driver seat This is a feature found Wireless Remote!! on expensive plow systems but we can offer this to you on every K2 Snowplow.
INLAND
Chrysler Jeep 11600 8 Street, Dawson Creek
Toll Free 1-800-808-7844
250-782-5507 www.inlandchrysler.com
Eva
Dollie
Knight
Llily
ALL MAKE ACCESSORIES DODGE, FORD, CHEVY, TOYOTA, ETC.
Rex
Priced for Everyone!
2 year warranty!
Choose from 3 great models! 82”x19” , 84”x22”, 88”x26” from
$1611
*All plows require 2” front receiver which is sold separately and not included in price. Check with order desk for applications and pricing.
Cleopatra
Tux
Page 27
Page 28
Northeast NEWS
January 17, 2013
PAYMENT TERMS AVAILABLE Dawson Creek, BC We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sell... We help you buy!
10205-13 St.
(250) 782-8988
Fort Nelson, BC
Shop and Compare!
5003-50 Ave. (250)
We will not be undersold
HOURS: Monday to Thursday: 9-6 t Friday: 9-6 t Saturday: 9-6
774-2455
Fort St. John, BC
10052-100 Ave. (250)
785-7868