The Jasper Local December 1, 2017

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friday, december 1, 2017 // ISSUE 110

Tree felling to improve wildfire protection The Municipality of Jasper is cutting its teeth— and its trees— in community wildfire protection.

For the first time, MOJ is taking the lead on FireSmart work and will soon be removing trees from public lands.

Residents and visitors will notice contractors harvesting trees along the south and west edge of town, including along the Discovery Trail on Connaught Drive.

EDMONTON’S RILEY SIMONITE CRANKS A TURN WHILE ROCKING A VINTAGE ONE-PIECE AT MARMOT BASIN. DESPITE WARM TEMPS IN THE VALLEY, EARLY SNOW CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT IN THE ALPINE. // BC

“We’re reducing fire fuel in general but also cutting down hazardous trees,” said Christine Nadon, Legislative Services Manager for the town.

The project will target pine beetle-affected trees and other forest

fuel within 250 metres of residential areas.

Jasper received a $200,000 grant to implement a plan which identifies priority areas with the intent to expand the project scope as more funding becomes available. Work is expected to start December 4.

From 2004 to 2011, led by Parks Canada, extensive FireSmart work took place around Jasper. However, with more forest fuel accumulating and with the impact of the mountain pine beetle, more efforts are needed to improve community protection in the event of a wildfire.

Wood burning will be kept to a minimum. Up-todate information will be available through Jasper National Park’s trail office. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 110 // friday, december 1, 2017

editorial //

Local Vocal A former boss once told me that at the end of the day, the only thing you can

expect from a hard day’s work is a paycheque and the experience of having put in a hard day’s work.

For the last 18 months, many of Jasper National Park’s employees have only been able to rely on the latter. And experience doesn’t pay the bills.

This would be laughable if it wasn’t so devastating.

And so ongoing. What other employer could possibly get away with such egregious malpractice?

Canada’s auditor general has weighed in on the Phoenix disaster and it is now clear that the fix is still a long way off. Employees here will have to continue to monitor their pay, cross reference their pay stubs with their time sheets and either chase down payments they’re owed or ensure they don’t overspend if the system overcompensates them. For most of us who don’t have bookkeeping training or the extra time in our days to keep track of such things, the cumulative effect of this ongoing fiasco would be very stressful indeed.

And it has been. We spoke to families who are feeling the weight of not knowing if they are being paid properly. It’s a huge burden. Occupants of the part time, contract and seasonal positions that are most vulnerable to payroll mistakes aren’t typically in income brackets where there’s a ton of latitude around revenue and expenses. Miss a paycheque and the creditors come calling. That’s terrifying.

Local Poetry: The Gathering I’m not asleep, in no way tired I haven’t anywhere to be So come to me, dear, by the fire Feel the warmth, sit close to me

We can worry of tomorrow When the final flame has died Let the morning’s joy or sorrow Wait until the night’s behind

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the folks we talked to The bonfire crackles down to Tell a story, ghosts and faeries are feeling totally isolated by local management. It embers would be one thing if your pay gets screwed up, but Hover near the firelight’s edge Sing, be close, hold on, when your superiors fail to exhibit any empathy for Magic, Danger, Treasures remember buried your situation, going to work becomes downright depressing. Even if payroll errors are out of Tales of Wonder, tales of Dread ~ Les Fossum, Jasper management’s hands, the human thing to do would be to show some compassion.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last issue we ran an anonymously penned letter (Skier Unfortunately, this business-first trend has been the and the schnauzer) which was meant to be read in the same satirical tone as the previous edition’s dispatch from “Alfie.” In hindsight, it was a poor MO at Parks Canada as of late. Beginning with the precedent to set. We will no longer run letters without names attached. - BC cuts of 2012, seemingly, and culminating with the termination of a local senior scientist in 2015, the The Jasper Local // Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper nickel-and-diming, muzzling and intimidating has noticeably affected staff morale. That’s usually a hard 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e 1e0 thing to measure, but right now it’s as plain as day.

Published on the 1st and 15th of each month As they say in the restaurant industry: good food will never make up for poor service, but great service can definitely make up for bad food. In this case, a little moral support would go a long way.

Because, if at the end of a hard day’s work you’re not getting a paycheque, and your boss doesn’t seem to care, what kind of day are you going to be inspired to put in tomorrow? bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Editor / Publisher

Bob Covey.................................................................................... bob@thejasperlocal.com Art Director

Nicole Gaboury.................................................................. nicole@thejasperlocal.com Advertising + sales

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// Local government

friday, december 1, 2017 // issue 110 // the jasper local// page A3

CUT IT OUT // JUNIOR WOODCUTTERS SETH JOHANNESSON AND MARCO BULFON HELPED WITH LOCAL FIRESMART WORK WAY BACK IN OCTOBER. THE MUNICIPALITY OF JASPER WILL BE CONDUCTING HARVESTING OF FOREST FUEL AND PINE BEETLE-AFFECTED TREES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION. THE WORK WILL BEGIN THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 4 AND INVOLVE MINIMAL BURNING.//BOB COVEY

Payroll errors ongoing for frustrated JNP employees particularly as Revenue Canada calculates her child care benefits based on her income.

At that time, she said she could rationalize that the pay system was fresh and that there would be bumps in the road, so to speak.

But new issues with her new contract—the system wasn’t deducting her union dues and she was concerned not only about Moreover, employees are frustrated that paying those dues back, but that she might they aren’t getting any local support for not be in good standing with the union— their ongoing issues. have her at the end of her rope.

“The hardest part is you feel like nobody’s “It was difficult to have to constantly chase going to bat for you, that nobody wants after the money you’re owed, but this time to deal with your problem,” said a Jasper around, to face another round of problems National Park employee who spoke to The Jasper Local on the condition of anonymity. has been a lot harder to swallow,” she said.

“I can’t understand why it’s happening to For the past 18 months, since the me again.” government of Canada overhauled its Her only solace, perhaps, is the knowledge payroll program and implemented the that she’s not alone. failed Phoenix payroll system, tens of thousands of federal employees have been “It takes a toll,” she said. “At the end of the underpaid, overpaid or not paid at all. day you just want to feel appreciated and valued and I don’t feel that at all, other than In Jasper, one employee estimates those the team I’m working with. They’re the only errors have affected approximately ones that hold me up.” one-third of the staff, including “pretty much everyone in Res Con (Resource A request for comment from Jasper Conservation).”

National Park officials was forwarded to In 2016, that same staffer was underpaid to national headquarters. Media spokesperson Audrey Champagne wrote that Parks the tune of $10,000. While she was able to Canada fully understands the challenges rely on her husband’s salary to cover their basic costs of living, when the government employees face any time pay is affected and that they are committed to working finally did pay her what she was owed, with employees to address issues as fast as it wasn’t until the following fiscal year. possible.

That dramatic bump in earnings will have implications when she files her 2017 taxes, bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Jasper National Park employees are still experiencing significant payroll errors more than a year and a half after they were first reported.

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page B1 // the jasper local // issue 110 // Friday, december 1, 2017

Local recreation//

Avalanche professionals cautiously optimistic about early snowpack Large temperature fluctuations in Jasper National Park last month may have turned the valley bottom into slush soup, but the alpine snowpack remains relatively stable, according to a local avalanche professional.

“The higher elevations made it through most of the rain events relatively unharmed.”

The worry among some backcountry users was that a late October crust, coupled with oscillating temperatures in November, would create a weak layer which would present a significant avalanche hazard for a good part of the season.

However, apprentice ski guide Alex Lawson’s November 29 analysis suggests that warming temperatures, coupled with ongoing precipitation, have helped the snowpack bond.

“The higher elevations made it through most of the rain events relatively unharmed,” Lawson said.

Instead, what skiers and ice climbers venturing into the Columbia Icefields area should be cognizant of are wind slabs and storm slabs, Lawson suggested.

“The same rules apply to ice climbers as to skiers: when exposing yourself to avalanche terrain you need to understand the bulletin, have the appropriate equipment and choose terrain according to the conditions.”

On November 30, the public avalanche bulletin for Jasper National Park rated the alpine “considerable” in terms of AS OF DEC 1, ALPINE SNOW CONDITIONS WERE MORE STABLE THAN RECREATIONAL USERS FEARED avalanche danger, while AFTER A PINEAPPLE EXPRESS-TYPE SYSTEM MOVED THROUGH JASPER NATIONAL PARK RECENTLY. ICE CLIMBERS LIKE MARIANNE DALLAIRE SHOULD TAKE JUST AS MUCH HEED FROM PUBLIC SAFETY the rating at treeline was BULLETINS AS THEIR SKI TOURING FRIENDS, AVALANCHE PROFESSIONALS SAY. // NICOLE COVEY pegged at moderate and avalanche danger below election), was followed by a series On November 29 public safety treeline was rated as low. Danger of storms, and led to a historic officials recorded the snowpack ratings can be rated as high (very avalanche cycle in March. near the Columbia Icefields at 130 cm dangerous) and extreme (avoid all Lawson believes that this year’s at 2,000 metres elevation. In 2015, avalanche terrain). it took until January to get that early crust won’t pose that same deep while in 2013 it was a mere Last year at this time, an early threat.

50 cm at this time.

November crust did not bond “It came in warm and came out well with precipitation which Lawson said the tree skiing has cold,” he said. “If that happens subsequently overlaid it. The been terrific. and it doesn’t stop precipitating result was a deep, “persistent that snow actually bonds better to “It was boot-top powder off of weak layer” which remained a moist surface.”

Hilda Ridge,” he said. “They hazardous throughout much of This year’s early settled snowpack were short runs but the snow was the winter. The “Trump layer,” as fantastic.” is already significantly higher it was known (it was formed on bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com than the past four seasons’. the night of the U.S. President’s

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friday, december 1, 2017 // issue 110 // the jasper local// page B2

Local community//

A meditation on community connection: LONG-TIME FOOD BANK VOLUNTEER MOVES ON After 14 years as the face of the Jasper Food Bank, Patrick Mooney has packed his final hamper.

And like the true observing Buddhist he is, rather than be troubled with, nostalgic for, or relieved by the fact that his weekly Dana (the Buddhist practice of giving) will be no longer, Mooney is simply accepting.

“Everything rises and passes away,” he said. “We should not be attached to anything.”

For the clients and fellow volunteers who will surely miss him, that notion might be harder to process. However, most of them know Mooney well enough to understand his philosophies on such matters. For more than 700 weeks since 2002, Mooney brought compassion and kinship to community members who—like him, during different periods of his life—needed a bit of help to get a leg-up.

From Mooney’s perspective, however, it was those folks who helped him.

“When I give out a bag of food to somebody I’m doing myself a favour too,” he said. “I couldn’t be a better person if I didn’t have that other person who needs me.”

SIT WITH BUDDHA // JASPER’S PATRICK MOONEY RECENTLY RETIRED FROM A 14-YEAR TENURE AT THE JASPER FOOD BANK, MANY YEARS OF WHICH HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT. MOONEY’S COMPASSION AND DEDICATION HELPED EXPAND THE FOOD BANK’S REACH TO MANY JASPERITES IN NEED AND HIS ENCOURAGEMENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS TO VOLUNTEER THERE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS. “ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO RECONNECT WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR COMMUNITY IS TO VOLUNTEER,” HE SAID. // BC

and with further study, the values instilled in those traditions influenced his volunteerism and his work life. He promoted selfreflection. He facilitated weekly mindfulness sessions. And he encouraged his clients to ask for help, rather than be embarrassed by it.

Mooney’s Jasper story started fairly ordinarily: in 2001 he arrived in town on “Learning to ask relatively for help is a deep hard times, and profound “Everything rises got an teaching,” he said. entry-level and passes away, we “It’s a hard thing job washing should not be attached to do for some dishes and people.” to anything.” eventually Certainly at the connected food bank it with was made easier Community Outreach Services. because of Mooney’s deft touch.

But instead of simply helping him He took pleasure in meeting get back on his feet, Mooney’s specific needs for clients, such as contact with COS changed packing rice rather than potatoes his course entirely. He started volunteering with the organization for a family that he knew would prefer the former. He was also and eventually landed a job as proud to affix the Jasper Food an Outreach Worker. Director of Bank’s name to the annual Community and Family Services, Christmas Dinner at the Legion.

Kathleen Waxer, saw in the thenThe dinner was for Jasperites who 49-year-old an uncanny ability were, like Mooney, far away from to empathize with others. Soon, home or without family. with Waxer’s support, Mooney “It was the most important night was spearheading one of Jasper’s of the year for the food bank,” he most well-regarded programs: said.

Sunday Community Dinners in the Activity Centre.

Mooney also was instrumental in the yearly food drive. For four As with COS, when Mooney started with the Jasper Food Bank, Saturdays in July he and a small team of volunteers would go he was happy to pour his energy into a enterprise that gave back to door-to-door collecting donations that would help keep Jasper fed the residents. He had a history of throughout the year. Now the drug and alcohol addiction which dated back to his teens, but he also drive is a Halloween tradition—an evolution that Mooney is pleased had a way of battling his demons: meditation. He eventually became with, since it receives a helping interested in Theravada Buddhism hand from a large group of young

community helpers, themselves connected to COS through his former colleagues.

Far from just helping introduce young Jasperites to volunteering, however, Mooney’s 14 years at the food bank helped empower a wide range of people. That included folks who were down and out, some who were addicted to substances, and some who were, at times, completely despondent.

Giving these folks a purpose— even if it was simply a shift sorting donations—was often just the thing to help them through a dark day.

“A large part of recovery is to reconnect,” he said. “And one of the best ways to reconnect with yourself and community is to start volunteering. It’s magic. It’s like medicine.” bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 110 // friday, december 1, 2017

FEATURE // STORY BY BOB COVEY // PHOTOS BY JOHN MARRIOTT

SHOOT FIRST, INSPIRE QUESTIONS LATER

FROM SEEKING OUT RARE WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS TO FINDING HIS VOICE IN THE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT, NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER JOHN E. MARRIOTT STRIVES TO MAKE THE CORRECT EXPOSURE ON THE ANIMALS HE LOVES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY EXPOSING THEIR PLIGHT TO THE PUBLIC. In June of 1993, John Marriott figured he had something special in his Pentax ME Super. He’d just been

ment with his manually-focussing camera and the results were blurry.

He was disappointed.

“I realized my gear was holding me back,” he said.

greeting cards—are am widely-distributed and in the Rockies. His wo out months in advance social media reach is ex followers on Facebook). has allowed him to not o the stories of his favouri feathered subjects, but i a platform from which h awareness of conservati “For me, the importan tography is getting inf whether it’s the grizzly hunt or the poisoning he said. “I’m not neces ing to be the one who

“For me, the important part of photography is getting information out, whether it’s the grizzly bear trophy hunt or the poisoning of wolves.” photographing grizzly bears near Marmot Basin and he couldn’t wait to develop the film.

“It was a beautiful female grizzly with two cubs. I was super excited,” the Canmore-based photographer recalled.

When he got back to the darkroom in Banff, however, Marriott saw that his shots weren’t sharp. He hadn’t properly tracked the bears’ move-

Twenty-four years later, camera gear has come a long way. But far more than just upgrading his quiver, in the last two decades Marriott has gone from amateur shutterbug to a powerhouse in the nature photography industry. His images of Canadian wildlife—be it through his best-selling books, magazine covers or his original business venture,

overwhelming change but maybe I can inspire some people to help do that.

Marriott has certainly ing the word. He is cu tour to promote his ne Tales, Long Lenses, tra Calgary to Vancouver

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s—are among the most buted and sought-after s. His workshops sell n advance, and his reach is expansive (130K Facebook). That exposure im to not only share his favourite furry and ects, but it has given him m which he can raise conservation issues. important part of phoetting information out, he grizzly bear trophy oisoning of wolves,” not necessarily goone who makes the

a dozen or so stops in between, including his home town of Salmon Arm, B.C. In a sense, that’s where Marriott’s interest in photography originally began. When he was six-years-old, Marriott’s parents bought him a Kodak Instamatic camera. He still has an album shot with it, a collection which documents a family trip to the Canadian Rockies wherein a young Marriott captured big horn sheep and black bears on the side of the road.

However it wasn’t until his early 20s, while working for Parks Canada in Banff, that Marriott’s interest in photography began in earnest. Inspired

by Calgary wildlife shooters such as Terry Berezan and the Japanese luminary, Michio Hoshino (who was mauled to death while photographing bears in Russia), Marriott spent his days off driving up and down the Bow Valley and Icefields Parkway, looking for wildlife. His big break came in 1997, when he sold a photo of a grizzly bear to Canadian Geographic, but it wasn’t until he got more serious about the business side of photography that he was able to scratch out a living doing it.

g

p do that.” certainly been spreadHe is currently on a ote his new book, Tall enses, travelling from ancouver Island with

“Going pro, besides having a fantastic portfolio of whatever subject you’re passionate about, you’ve got to have some form of business skills,” he said. “That’s what makes

the difference.”

Soon, Marriott will be doling out friendly advice to photographers in these parts. On December 12, he will be presenting Tall Tales, Long Lenses to a Jasper audience when he brings his stories of his most memorable wildlife encounters to the Habitat for the Arts (7 p.m.).

Then, in January, Marriott will host his annual Jasper National Park winter workshop and tour, bringing five guests to his favourite locations to learn what it takes to spot and photograph some of Jasper’s most elusive and beautiful beasts. Marriott says besides technical tips and composition techniques, he focuses on the ethics of wildlife photography.

“I try to teach my guests to give animals space,” he sad. “The best wildlife encounter is the kind where the animal doesn’t notice we’re there.”

If successful, not only does the photographer have a chance to create an authentic image, but the animal remains undisturbed.

As it turns out, that’s also the conservation message Marriott wants to drive home. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page B5 // the jasper local // issue 110 // Friday, december 1, 2017

Local sports //

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting If skiing and hiking is not your thing, there’s another perfect way to get a full body and mind work-out in Jasper: Shaolin Kung Fu.

yet somehow relaxing— full-body work out that awakened my senses, not to mention my pores.

Shaolin Kung Fu is an ancient martial art originating in China and is categorized as the grandest of all Chinese martial arts.

It was first developed by monks in the Songshan Mountain Shaolin Temple.

Prior to attending my first The monks, having honed ever Shaolin Kung Fu class, my only knowledge of Kung slower-paced Zen Buddism exercises such as Qigong (a Fu came from once visiting moving meditation of body Bruce Lee’s grave outside and mind), realized a need Seattle, coupled with a mild to improve their self defense skills with more comprehensive, aerobic movements.

“Shaolin Kung Fu is an This Kung Fu ancient martial art system comprised power, coordination originating in China and a fluidity of and is categorized as body movement the grandest of all through balanced footwork, stances, Chinese martial arts.” stretching and striking self-defense techniques. obsession of blaxploitation martial arts films such as Black Belt Jones. Suffice to say, when I entered the Jasper Wellness Centre, I didn’t know what to expect.

What followed was an hour and a half of an intense—

Upon arriving at the Jasper Wellness centre, I was intrigued by the small class size (only four of us) and the calm interior of the basement space where the course was offered. Our instructor, Alan Phung— polite, calm, and attentive—

ALAN PHUNG OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE INSTITUTE OF HINTON/JASPER OFFERS KUNG FU CLASSES EVERY SATURDAY AT JASPER WELLNESS. RECENTLY, OUR INTREPID REPORTER GOT HIS SWEAT ON. // SUPPLIED

started the class with a bit of light jogging and stretching. We then began engaging in various stances and directed movements.

I was quite surprised that within no time at all, I had a good sweat on and was breathing heavily. I was amazed that with just my own body movement, and no exercise equipment involved, I was getting such a complete work-out. I’m not one for going to gyms, so this was definitely up my alley. A lot of the stretches were new to me and I will try to incorporate them into my hockey playing routine and before hiking.

Phung has more than 17 years of martial arts

experience, including winning a gold medal at the International Shaolin Wushu Festival in China.

At a young age, thanks to his love of martial arts films, Phung decided to get involved in Kung Fu. Growing up in the Niagara Falls area, he learned the art through a Shaolin Warrior Monk in Markham, Ontario.

After honing his skills in Ontario, Phung relocated to Hinton, and has since created the Shaolin Temple Quanfa Institute of Hinton/ Jasper. Offering classes in Jasper was a natural fit, he said, as the community is known for its healthy and active citizens.

I very much enjoyed my

first experience of Shaolin Kung Fu. Maintaining certain stances was quite challenging at times, and I got a sense of of just how non-flexible I truly am.

However, through Phung’s understanding tutelage and dedication to helping each one of us, I was made to feel comfortable and capable of maintaining his direction.

The course he offers is an incredibly well-rounded exercise; it’s great for those in an older age bracket and at $15 for a drop-in session, is definitely a steal.

See shaolintemplealberta.com for more information about Shaolin Kung Fu in Jasper.

Adam hvisc // adam@thejasperlocal.com

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friday, december 1, 2017 // issue 110 // the jasper local// page B6

local history //

Hinton’s William A. Switzer: A WWII Hero In 1957, Drinnan and Old Hinton amalgamated. Drinnan was in the valley. Old Hinton on the hill. It was a good fit.

An election was held and William Switzer became the new town’s first mayor, serving three terms before resigning to enter provincial politics.

Switzer became the region’s MLA after Social Credit MLA Norm Willmore was killed in a car accident. Switzer ran as a Liberal in the byelection, and joined a tiny minority of opposition members.

His bi-partisan approach was very popular, even with government members.

Switzer became well known as a community man with a keen sense of support for local business and local events. Even so, many people in the old days also knew him as a war hero.

communication systems. They were also assigned transport targets and given responsibility to bomb the Normandy beachhead.

Twice Switzer was shot down. The second time was the more serious of the two. He was flying low so he had no choice but to parachute over enemy lines. He landed in a wooded area, unconscious when he hit the ground. He awoke much later, aware that besides a broken leg he had

HINTON’S FIRST MAYOR AND EVENTUAL SOCIAL CREDIT MLA, WILLIAM SWITZER, IN HIS FLIGHT SUIT. // PHOTO CREDIT: HARVEY SWITZER (MY FAMILY, 1984)

In 1941, Switzer enlisted in the Air Force to become a fighter pilot. He did his training at Borden, Ontario, and following graduation was sent to Britain. He flew Hawker Hurricanes and then Hawker Typhoons as part of the newly formed 193 Squadron.

In addition to being fast (able to fly more than 400 mph), the Typhoon was designed to be heavily armed— initial versions had 12 wing-mounted machine guns and later versions had four 20 mm cannons.

During D-Day and the Allied landings in France, Switzer’s squadron was charged with taking out the enemy’s early warning and

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the next day, finally being picked up by Americans, who took him to a dressing station.

Brady, a long-time pharmacist in Hinton, worked for Switzer and ended up purchasing Switzer Drugs.

Switzer was flown to a British hospital where he spent months recuperating. He arrived home in Canada at Christmas time in 1944.

In 1969, William Switzer died suddenly at age 48 (heart attack).

His funeral was the largest Hinton had seen, with MLAs from all across the province attending.

Switzer then attended the University of Alberta, graduating as a pharmacist. He married Vivian McLeod, whose father was the

In 1974 the provincial government honoured Switzer by naming William A. Switzer Provincial Park

WAR HERO AND NAMESAKE OF BOTH WILLIAM A. SWITZER PROVINCIAL PARK AND HINTON’S SWITZER DRIVE, SWITZER IS SHOWN (SECOND FROM RIGHT) PLAYING CARDS WITH “A” FLIGHT DURING WORLD WAR II. // PHOTO CREDIT: ROYAL AIR FORCE, THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE BELLOWS OF BRAZIL SQUADRON.

burns to his face and neck. He had flown 135 missions by this point.

Switzer improvised a leg splint and began the laborious task of dragging himself toward friendly lines. He lived on escape rations and apples from local orchards.

He was eventually captured

by Germans, who attempted to extract information from him. When his captors became fully engaged by incoming Allied gunfire, Switzer managed to crawl into a ditch and escape toward Allied lines. He crawled all that night and most of

“Twice Switzer was shot down. The second time was the more serious of the two.”

manager of the Cadomin Mine. They had twin daughters, Joan and Janice.

In 1955, William and Vivian moved to Hinton to manage the new family drug store. It’s interesting to note that during those early years, Ken

after him. That same year, Hinton established Switzer Drive as a way to celebrate him and the contribution he made to the town, region, and country.

Stuart Taylor // Stuart Taylor is an amateur historian and former member of Hinton Town Council. Let him know what you think of his historical features or suggest another subject for him to cover.

Email: info@thejasperlocal.com