100 Mile House
Local Rotary Club proposes building a town square
Area archer Adrian Messner off to Nationals
Chris Zonruiter won’t let anything hold him back
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100 Mile House Elementary School Primary Fun Day
A16 JULY 4, 2012
• 44 Pages • Two Sections
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Teachers ratify agreement until 2013 Ken Alexander Free Press
British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) members have voted to ratify the agreement-in-committee reached with the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA), the B.C. Liberal government’s bargaining agent, on June 26. In a province-wide vote, 21,044 teachers cast ballots and 75 per cent voted ‘yes’ in the poll conducted June 27–29. The turnout rate was 52 per cent of all eligible members. BCTF president Susan Lambert says the union was able to get “modest improvements in terms of most teachers’ benefits and some leave provisions.” However, she adds the most significant achievement was the BCTF succeeded in getting the government take its concession demands – changes to hiring, layoff and performance evaluation of teachers — off the table. See TEACHERS… page A5
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
Arlene Jongbloets photo
O Canada... Lisa Evans, left, and Jessica Felce joined in on Canada Day fun at the 108 Heritage Site on July 1, along with hundreds of others who came out to celebrate Canada’s 145th birthday. Clouds parted for the day, allowing the sun to shine and people to enjoy the fabulous entertainment, exhibits and many children’s activities. See more photos on page A18.
Trail users propose 70 Mile underpass Carole Rooney Free Press
The Green Lake Snowmobile Club [GLSC] is pursuing the development of a legal road crossing across Highway 97 at 70 Mile House. Club president Peter McKie wrote a letter to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) in April, asking it to consider the club’s proposal and the two options presented. McKie says his club wants an underpass or safe and legal surface crossing at 70 Mile hub
for snowmobiles, ATVs, cycling and walking to connect the multi-use trails west of the highway to the Green Lake trail system on the east side. “Right now, [GLSC snowmobiles] do cross the highway. We have permits, but it’s really not marked or anything.” Originally his club wanted a legal crossing with signage indicating snowmobiles cross the highway there, but he explains after working with local MoTI personnel, it was determined an underpass could also accommodate horses, so
they put in both proposals. “An underpass was definitely the way to go. The safest crossing is the best for us, too.” The club is also requesting an extension of about 1.8 kilometres in the Barnett Perimeter/ Green Lake Trail management agreement GLSC has with the province, to reach Highway 97 and legally cross some railway tracks. In addition to safe and legal crossings, key benefits cited in the proposal include economic benefits from the connection of the
current Bonaparte and Gold Rush trails. McKie says it is “only logical” to have a wellmaintained Gold Rush Trail system providing users safe access to fuel, lodging and food. This would also boost business in Cariboo communities along the lengthy trail that spans from Clinton to Wells, he notes. Noting the project is still in the preliminary stages, MoTI Cariboo district manager Todd Hubner says it is “much more viable” if some of the funding can be sourced
by the user clubs. “We are working with the group. Certainly there are going to be some challenges along the way with the costs, particularly with the highway crossing, so we’re just exploring some options at this point.” If the ministry decides it is a viable project, Hubner explains it will then be put into consideration for future financial plans. McKie says other than small trail maintenance grants from the See UNDERPASS… page A6