100 Mile House
Wyse: Budget 2012 hurts B.C. families
All local athletes medal at BC Winter Games
Forum a real rib tickler
A3
A20
B1
FEBRUARY 29, 2012
LLH School celebrates Carnival
A18
• 44 Pages • Two Sections
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Teachers want a mediator
than 50 area residents turned out, some of whom are not customers, and expressed concerns about the possibility of financial or water supply impacts to them. Noting she attended the meeting, Price says she would “love” to see improvements bring good, safe water to the residents currently on the system, but adds she shouldn’t have to pay for it. “The cost is the main issue any of us have with putting it in. I didn’t want to pay [many thousands of dollars] when nobody helped to pay for my well.”
Public school teachers in the province will take a strike vote Feb. 29 in the face of a legislated end to their current labour dispute. Education Minister George Abbott announced last week he would introduce the legislation in the legislature sometime this week. Last week’s announcement came shortly after labour ministry official Trevor Hughes reported that a negotiated settlement is “very unlikely” to occur between the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). The teachers have been without a contract since June 2011, and since September, they have been performing essential services, but refusing to complete report cards, attend administrative meetings and some supervisory aspects of their job. Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers’ Association president Joan Erb said the results of the vote will be made public March 1. “We believe that a strong ‘yes’ vote will put more pressure on BCPSEA, resulting in what we hope will be fruitful mediation.” The BCTF has asked for the Labour Relations Board to appoint a mediator to work with both sides to reach an agreement, she noted, or failing that, appoint an independent arbitrator.
See WATER… page A6
See TEACHERS… page A3
Arlene Jongbloets photo
Bright idea... Olivia Gulliman, left, and Karisma Hopson, lone exhibitors from Horse Lake Elementary School, lit up the 100 Mile House Elementary School Science Fair with their project, “It’s the New Power.” The school gymnasium was packed with projects, and after careful scrutiny by judges, nine were chosen to compete at the District Fair, slated for March 8 at the school.
Gateway water system up for grabs Carole Rooney Free Press
The future of the Gateway Water System (GWS) is uncertain with the aging water-supply system to soon end operations unless a way is found to take over ownership. About half of the 20
The Voice of the South Cariboo Since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
customers on the water system attended a recent meeting held in Gateway to discuss their future water-supply options with GWS owner Randy McRoberts. Representatives from Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority, and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) staff also attended in advisory roles for the numerous options being explored. The CRD board later reviewed documentation, stating McRoberts will cease operation of the current “40-year-old, poorly constructed” water system in the near future, and the consensus of the water customers
Anita Price at the meeting was to pursue a water system managed by the regional district. Area G Director Margo
Wagner says for that to happen, it would involve designing a new, modernized system of pressure tanks and wells, which is otherwise similar to the existing one. At its Feb. 17 board meeting, CRD directors allocated up to $3,000 for a feasibility study to investigate the potential to take over responsibility for the system. Gateway resident Anita Price says she and several others in the area, who are not GWS customers, are concerned they will be expected to pay for a new service they don’t need. At a subsequent meeting, held Feb. 21 in 100 Mile House, more