Breaking news, video, photo galleries, and more always online at www.wltribune.com
TUESDAY MAY 15, 2012
Proudly serving Williams Lake and the Cariboo-Chilcotin since 1930
Benches set on fire
VOL. 82. No.39
Teen arrested for sexual assault
HAPPY Mother’s Day, Moms
Suspects lit benches on fire at Williams Lake Secondary School Thursday morning, report the RCMP, who responded to a report of arson at the school on Carson Drive. The benches, located outside of the school, had been set on fire and received a significant amount of damage. The investigation is ongoing and police are reviewing the school’s video surveillance. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Williams Lake RCMP at 250-392-6211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or visit www.bccrimestoppers.com.
Tribune holiday ad deadlines The Tribune will be closed on Monday, May 21 for the Victoria Day holiday. As a result, our classified and display ad deadline for the Tuesday, May 22 paper will be Thursday, May 17 at 5 p.m.
$1.34 inc. HST
Greg Sabatino photo
Hundreds turned up Sunday morning to the Save-On-Foods parking lot for the annual Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast, hosted each year by the Lions and Lioness Clubs. Here (from left) Sharon Dodson, Vic Rafuse and Lionel Burnier help cook up the breakfast.
Police have arrested a suspect in relation to several complaints of inappropriate touching and sexual assault that occurred within the city of Williams Lake during April 2012. RCMP received a number of reports from female victims who were confronted and attacked while out in public places. “This investigation struck to the core of public safety and was made a priority for the investigational team,” says Staff Sgt. Ken Brissard of the Williams Lake RCMP. The suspect, a 14-year-old male, has been released from custody, to his guardian, on strict conditions and is being closely monitored by police and his bail supervisor. As the person is a youth, his name or any other details regarding the identity of the accused are not being released. The investigation is still ongoing; however, the youth is to appear in court to face charges of sexual assault. The Williams Lake RCMP would like to thank all those who contacted police and provided information regarding the assaults.
Don’t log reserves: HFHC letter
Inside the Tribune NEWS Siwash fire contained.
A2
SPORTS Archers host local shoot.
A9
COMMUNITY A17 Walk for ALS next month. Weather outlook: Mix of sun/ cloud today, high of 18 C. Cloudy Wednesday, high of 16 C.
Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer The co-ordinator of Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities: A conversation on BC forests (HFHC) is calling on the B.C. government to remove the option of logging “forest reserves” in its upcoming public consultations on the mid-term timber supply. Bill Bourgeois, HFHC co-ordinator, says logging of the forest reserves is an “unwise and short-sighted option.” He’s written his request to Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations Minister Steve Thomson, but doesn’t expect to hear back anytime soon. “I haven’t received any response from an earlier letter either. I think he’s got a lot of letters coming in about various aspects, so I don’t anticipate hearing anything back for some time,” he says. While Bourgeois is relieved to hear that government has agreed to hold public consultations on the
mid-timber supply, Bourgeois is asking the government to remove forest reserves from the discussion because it will detract people from generating innovative ideas. “It’s an emotional aspect for a lot of people and they tend to focus on that kind of issue instead of saying OK, there’s this bigger issue called mid-term timber supply, and what are the things we can do to address that particular one?” Bourgeois says. Aside from emotions, he suggests it’s not a justified or economically sound decision to open up harvesting previously conserved areas. “There’s a lot of public views against it so take it off the table. Then, in the public consultation, people will focus on other ideas. But whether the minister is listening or not, I’m not sure,” he says. Responding to Bourgeois’s concerns, Thomson told the Tribune no final decisions have been made about the possibility of harvesting timber from areas that have been set aside for biodiversity, wildlife habitat and
scenic values. “Communities, First Nations and forest sector stake-holders will have an opportunity to provide input,” he says. When asked if the option of logging previously conserved areas could be removed from the discussion, Thomson suggests that all options will be considered during the upcoming public engagement process. “To remove any of the key issues from the discussion table would not be in the spirit of fair and open consultation,” Thomson says. The Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) (http://www.abcfp.ca) outlines reasons conserved areas have been set aside in the past. These include water quality, wildlife refuge and migration, recreation and tourism operations and the protection of old growth. “We’ve been saying that we absolutely have to continue to practice sustainable forestry in B.C.,” ABCFP chief executive officer Sharon Glover says, adding many compa-
nies across the province are committed to sustainable forest management. Their shareholders and the international community understand that commitment. The ABCFP believes any government consultation on the mid-term timber supply has to be vast, especially in communities that have been devastated by the mountain pine beetle. If the government is planning on changing any objections, deciding or implying that they might be changing any conservation values that have been preserved by forest professionals, there needs to be wide community dialogue, with a very broad discussion, Glover says, adding conserved areas cannot be harvested without substantial impact on communities. She describes B.C. as one of the most diverse places in Canada with more than 982 species designated as endangered or threatened by the province’s conservation data centre. See REMOVING Page A2