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PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
WEDNESDAY, February 29, 2012
NEWS BRIEFS
VOL. 35 NO. 01 $1.34 inc. GST
Poker ride
Cullen adds his voice to protesters at Enbridge JRP
By Jonas Gagnon Caledonia Courier
Fort St. James’ local MP, Nathan Cullen, said his part in front of the Joint Review Panel in a 40-minute speech in defense of B.C.’s nature on February 17. “We have a saying in the Northwest: “The land makes the people, the people don’t make the land,” Cullen said.
Province looks at privatizing liquor distribution The Province announced it intends to approach the private sector to see how liquor distribution in B.C. can be delivered in a modernized and costeffective manner. The Province will conduct a Request for Proposals to transfer the government-owned and operated liquor distribution branch warehouses in Vancouver and Kamloops to the private sector by 2015. Currently, liquor is distributed throughout the province by both public and private services. The two government-owned warehouses distribute approximately 55 per cent of the liquor that is sold in British Columbia. The Liquor Distribution Branch is responsible for the implementation, distribution, wholesaling and retailing of alcohol in B.C., and operates 197 government liquor stores and two warehouses. The government-operated liquor stores will not be affected by this Request for Proposals.
◆ Historic Site P. 5 ◆ Hockey P. 9
◆ Pink Day P. 2, 7 ◆ Editorial P. 4
Adrian Barr and son Owen sit ready for action on their snowmobile at the Poker Ride, Feb. 18. “We’re coming out here for a ride every year,” said Adrian. Photo by Jonas Gagnon
This year’s poker ride was one of the most successful in the event’s history. “It was the biggest turn out for selling (poker) hands,” said Wayne Moll, president of the Fort St. James Snowmobile Club. A total of 405 poker hands were sold for the event which was a significant jump in hands. Previously the highest number of hands sold at the Poker Ride was 325. With people doubling up on snowmobiles, and riders buying more than one hand the actual snowmobile count was lower than the hands count. Organizers estimate anywhere between 250 to 285 actual snowmobiles made their way out to the ride. Besides selling a record breaking number
of hands the event was also successful in drawing people from all over the region. “We got people from Prince George, Burns Lake, Stoney Plain, Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake,” said Moll. Though the collection of cards to complete a poker hand was the key to the event, there was a plethora of draws at the clubhouse for everything from a chainsaw to a helicopter ride, along with a small concession to warm up the riders with coffee and hot chocolate when they got back. The event was a fundraiser for the snowmobile club, the proceeds of which goes to paying for the fuel and up keep for the machines that keep the trails groomed. The club keeps 256 km of trails groomed throughout the winter for snowmobilers. The poker ride also doubled as a member-
ship drive, as the organization hopes to lure in younger members. “We are really looking to getting some younger people out here” said Moll. The average age of the senior members in the club keeps creeping up, with one of their groomers still at it after turning 80. With 54 memberships sold the club saw some success in bringing in new people as well. Poker Ride Results First. Ashden Scheper 4 Queens. $1,600. Second. Cullen James. Flush King high. $ 800 Third. Grant Mortenson Flush Queen high $ 480 4th. Donna Leslie. Flush Nine high. $ 160 5th. Alicia MacDougall 3 Aces Nine high $ 160
B.C. budget taxes business, caps spending By Tom Fletcher Black Press VICTORIA – The B.C. government is restricting spending increases and keeping its small business income tax alive to meet its balanced budget target before the 2013 election. Finance Minister Kevin Falcon presented his first budget Tuesday, with a deficit of $969 million for the fiscal year starting April 1, as B.C. pays to end the harmonized sales tax. His three-year plan predicts a $154 million surplus in 2013-14 and $250 million surplus the following year. To do that, the budget aims to hold government spending growth down to two per cent for three years, with most of it going to health and education. That leaves most other ministries
with little or no increase for inflation, a restriction that is expected to reduce overall B.C. government staff from about 27,000 this year to 25,000 by 2014-15. Falcon also reversed course on business taxes. The government has been promising for years that it would eliminate the small business income tax this spring, after lowering it to the current 2.5 per cent. Now it will continue at 2.5 per cent until B.C.’s financial picture improves. Falcon is also considering a one per cent increase in the general corporate tax rate to 11 per cent, but not for another year depending on financial conditions. That move positions the B.C. Liberals politically for an election against NDP leader Adrian Dix, who has called for a corporate
tax increase. Canadian Federation of Independent Business spokesperson Shachi Kurl said business people understand the need for government revenue, but the extra tax burden will affect investment. The last scheduled carbon tax increase will go ahead on July, from 5.56 cents on a litre of gasoline to 6.67 cents. The budget holds that level while a review of the carbon tax program looks at the rate and offsetting income tax cuts. Falcon promised carbon tax relief soon for greenhouse operators, and hinted at additional help for other farmers. The cash-strapped government is putting surplus provincial assets up for sale starting next year, includ-
ing a seven-hectare property north of Kelowna that was proposed for a new Okanagan correctional centre before a new site near Oliver was chosen. Another six-hectare parcel in Surrey is to be sold, along with about 100 others around the province, many of them school properties. The budget also reveals a plan to sell B.C.’s liquor distribution system and warehouses to a private operator. Falcon called the move “an opportunity to get out of a business we don’t have to be in,” as well as a way to raise money. Falcon said the deal will protect union workers in the transition to a private wholesaler. Government retail liquor stores are not affected. Liquor and tobacco taxes will be adjusted to keep prices the same once the HST is phased out.
Student accosted on walk home By Jonas Gagnon Caledonia Courier Last Wednesday a student was accosted while walking home from school.
During lunch hour, while the student was walking home for lunch a male in a blue car, with dice hanging from the rear view mirror and flower deco-
rated seat covers, accosted her. The student was not injured and was able to return to her house. The male is described as being an
older teenager or young adult, medium build, medium height, light complexion, either bald or very close shaven, a full dark beard and goatee and
facial piercing. The male was wearing a black and grey jacket over a blue shirt and a hat with hand written lettering on it. Anyone with in-
formation regarding this incident is asked to call the Fort St. James RCMP at 250996-8269 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS