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Local News . Local Matters
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Province to decide on Tim Jones Peak Mount Seymour’s second peak to get memorial plaque, helipad
BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
With nearly two years passed since the death of Tim Jones, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations will soon be making a decision on whether to officially
rename the second pump of Mount Seymour Tim Jones Peak. “Obviously, my family is extremely supportive of the idea,” said Curtis Jones, Tim’s son and North Shore Rescue teammate. Beyond a potential renaming, the province has something else in store for
the peak. North VancouverSeymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite and BC Parks have arranged for funding to have a new helipad and plaque memorializing Jones put on the peak. “It’s coming up on two years in January. It’d be nice to have that up there,” Curtis said. “We’re excited. The rescue team is excited. It means a ton.” The peak was a special place for Jones. That’s where
the North Shore Rescue team cabin is. It’s where he used to hike with his dog Abbi. It was the sight of numerous rescue missions and it’s where he was hiking back from when he collapsed and died in January 2014. Mike Danks, Jones’ successor at the helm of North Shore Rescue, is also looking forward to the lasting memorial. “It’s such a fitting tribute to Tim and it’s a really good
spot that people can go to and remember him. We’ll always think of Tim when we have calls in that area,” he said. The plaque is being designed by a Squamish Nation artist and features Jones’ image and an eagle – both “protectors of the mountain,” Curtis said. BC Parks had intended to install the helipad and plaque in September but bad weather put the project off
for the winter. Curtis said he’s hoping to see it move forward “as soon as the snow melts.” As for the renaming, the province recently wrote to the City and District of North Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, Belcarra, Port Moody, Anmore, BC Parks and various outdoor clubs asking for comment on the proposal. The province must See North page 9
Teen arrested after house fire BEN BENGSTON reporter@nsnews.com
HO! HO! HOLD IT RIGHT THERE: Santa spent a few hours moonlighting for the West Vancouver Police Department Dec. 23, reminding drivers that texting or talking on the phone behind the wheel would result in a lump of coal and a hefty ticket. PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD
A North Vancouver family’s “dream home” became more of a nightmare Tuesday after it was dealt heavy damage by a fire. Just after 11 p.m. a neighbour called the North Vancouver City Fire Department to the 200-block of West 22nd Street after smoke was noticed coming from the property. Much of the main floor was engulfed in flames when fire crews got there. “Pretty devastating, obviously this is their neighbourhood, their home,” said deputy fire chief Bob Schreiner of the department. “As it turned out, this home was just about ready for move-in. It was pretty much at the finished carpentry stage.” See Police page 11