A2
www.interior-news.com
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 The Interior News
ROI THEATRE
NEWS
RAMP talk brings critics, supporters By Andrew Hudson Smithers/Interior News
Organizer Ben Heemskerk brought a hard hat to a Feb. 22 open house about a summer trail use plan for the Bulkley timber supply area, and it wasn’t a bad idea. To judge by standing shows of support, half the people who filled the seats, stairs and upper balcony in the Northwest Community College foyer came calling to scrap the plan. “Why do we need a RAMP?” asked Telkwa resident Ted Cullis, who says the Recreational Access Management Plan is an attempt by bureaucrats and foreign-born “transplants” to tell long-time valley residents where they can or can’t ride their ATVs. Heemskerk, a member of the volunteer board that re-convened the RAMP last October, said the plan is needed to protect the Bulkley’s many undesiginated summer
trails. “All the places I used to recreate as a kid—they’re all housing developments now,” he said, speaking of his childhood home in the Okanagan. “If we can get it right now, it’ll make a difference 50 years from now when this valley continues to change.” As for who sits on the RAMP table, Heemskerk said the key is to strike a balance of off-roaders, horse riders, hikers and other user groups—not to discriminate based on length of residency. “That’s not fair,” he said. “Everybody should be included in a planning process for community they live in.” Rick Fuerst, a Telkwa councillor who also called for scrapping the RAMP, agreed that length of residency should not be an issue. The problem, Fuerst said, is that a lot of motorized users do not feel the RAMP can fairly represent their interests.
I
Project X Fri. & Sat. – 7:30 & 9:30 Sun., Mon. & Tues. – 8:00 • 18A
Andrew Hudson/Interior News
Jeff Anderson, chair of the Bulkley Valley Community Resources Board, speaks at a Feb. 22 open house on a summer trails plan. “I beat the drums to get a lot of people out. If I had more time, I could have had a thousand people at that meeting,” he said. Fuerst said it’s not enough that six of the 12 RAMP members simply own an off-road vehicle, and two are members of the BV Quad Riders Club— the process should involve elected officials. “They talk about being the voice of the public, and I think an elected body definitely is that, just by its nature,” he said. Fellow Telkwa councillor Rimas Zitkauskas made a similar call at the meeting, suggesting that summer trails planning should
be handled by the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako. But the 736,000hectare Bulkley timber supply area stretches far outside regional district boundaries, said Kevin Eskelin, a recreation officer with B.C.’s Recreation Sites and Trails Branch. Eskelin also said that designating and maintaing trails on Crown land is ultimately a provincial responsibility. From the early 2000s until 2008, the B.C. government formed RAMPs in Vanderhoof, Golden, Fernie, Cranbrook and several towns in the Kootenays. Those plans were made with advisory committees made up of
1539 Morice Dr 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with garage & basement. Beautifully updated in wonderful location.
$379,500
4110 Broadway Ave Affordable 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home. 2,112 sq. ft. with carport and large 66x125 lot.
MLS N216032
$189,500
1175 Main Street, Smithers
Saturday Matinee 1:00
N PR EW IC E
Visit our website at: www.calderwoodrealty.com calderwoodrealty@telus.net drealty@telus.net
III
The Lorax Fri. & Sat. – 7:15 & 9:15 Sun., Mon. & Tues. – 7:45 • G
1786 Princess St Solid home, large lot. New kitchen, bathroom, wood & gas heat. Centrally located and waiting for new owners.
MLS N215932
$214,500
Happy Jacks Pub & Liquor St, Houston Great Opportunity! Established Pub and Liquor store, next to brand new Sunshine Inn!
MLS N4505001
$425,000
LE
AS
E
MLS N215991
LIS NEW TI NG
LIS NEW TI NG
LIS NEW TI NG
CALDERWOOD REALTY 250-847-9222 250-8479222
local recreation groups, but the Bulkley RAMP is the first in a provincial shift to have plans led by an arm’s length community board. After the Feb. 22 meeting, Heemskerk said the RAMP table may take more time with a draft that was expected in March. “You’re not just going to push something through when you haven’t adequately been able to deal with public comments,” he said. “People often have these lines in the sand,” he added, “But when they can actually have a real conversation they realize ‘Hey, we’re people too. We can get along.’”
II
Goon Wed. & Thur – 7:45 • Fri. & Sat. – 7:00 & 9:00 Sun., Mon. & Tues. – 7:30 • 14A
1171 Main St. Perfect spot for your business! 4000 square feet of office space in central Main Street location.
MLS
$3300/mth
5 Aurora Ave Nice building lot in Watson’s Landing. Quiet cul-de-sac location with a great view!
MLS N214139
$106,500
35191 Hwy 16 Large home on 40 acres (25 cleared), large pond, great views and Hwy access. 30 min to Smithers and 15 min to Houston.
MLS N214939
$249,500
John Butler - Managing Broker CasdaCasda Thomas - Sales Jeremy Penninga Jeremy Penninga Niomi Mio - SalesDJ Mio - Sales DJ Mio - Sales - Sales John Butler - Managing Broker Thomas - Sales - Sales - SalesNiomi Mio - Sales Laurel Borrett - SalesLaurel Borrett Jesse Butler - Sales 250-877-2141 Cell 250-877-9366 Cell. 250-847-0830 Cell 250-877-9040 Cell 250-877-9040 Cell 250-877-3677 CellCell 250-877-2141 Cell 250-877-9366 Cell. 250-847-0830 Cell. 250-877-9444 Cell. 250-877-9444 Cell. 250-877-2471 Cell 250-877-3677
1935 22nd Ave A truly nice, open, bright, clean home -1400 sf, detached garage/ workshop, guesthouse & more.
MLS N215307
$259,500
Jesse ChrisDan Timms - Hazelton SalesSales Hansma - Houston ChrisButler Timms- Sales - Hazelton Sales 250-842-0565 Cell. 250-877-2471 Cell 250-845-8234 250-842-0565
TUESDAYS: ALL SEATS $6.00 250-847-2440