COMMUNITY
The Journal Thursday, November 22, 2012
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Blain returned as chief in AIB election Incumbent Chief of the Ashcroft Indian Band, Greg Blain, was reelected for another two-year term during elections held on Nov. 15. Blain was challenged by former Band Councillor Angie Thorne and Esther Spye. Blain’s memGreg Blain bership in the Band, and therefore his eligibility to remain as or run for chief, has been disputed by several Band members over the past few years and the subject of a recent court action. The group, led by Ray Cameron, took chief and council to court for not maintaining the membership list. On May 16, a Supreme Court judge suspended the Band’s June 16 election and ordered the chief and council to correct the membership list and bring it up to date. Band administrator Darcy Robinson says that has been done, Blain is now a legitimate member and all other lawsuits have been settled out of court. Earl Blain and Dennis Pittman were elected to Council in the same election. Chief Greg Blain, 65 (elected) Angie Thorne, 31 Esther Spye, 5 Councillor Earl Blain, 55 (elected) Dennis Pittman, 53 (elected) Cynthia Hewitt, 22 Raymond Cameron, 21 Sara Boomer, 19 Glenda Wilson
(Above): Jordi Flaherty (CiB), Andrea Walker (CiB), Deanna Porter, David Porter and Lorna Delling (CiB). Porter family missing: Randy Porter, Chris Porter and Lana-Rae Porter.
They will remember Cache Creek Elementary Grade 2 students Emma Gross, Sophia Harris and Sierra Porter read their Remembrance Day statements at a school assembley earlier this month.
Desert Hills receives Best Bloomin Business Award The recipient of Ashcroft’s Best Bloomin Business Award for 2012 is Desert Hills Ranch. Sponsored by the Ashcroft Chamber of Commerce and chosen and presented by Communities in Bloom, the award takes into consideration use of color, curb appeal, improvements and cleanliness. Desert Hills Ranch was the unanimous choice this year and we all wonder how they will outdo themselves after the show they put on this year. This business has evolved from a family farm to a “go to” destination. The climbing goats are a huge hit with the children who can’t get out of the car fast enough to head over and see them. Sights and scents of jewel-colored annuals filling the greenhouse in the spring make way for the opening of the “wagon” in the summer. But, no matter what the season, this business keeps drawing people back. Although this hard work-
ing family continues to build their business, they are generous contributors to the community and they continue to impress everyone with their innovative ideas and decorations. This year’s addition of the pumpkin cannon was a huge hit (no pun intended), the haunted house with its cobwebs and spooky sounds drew the curious and the wagons full of giggling children on their way to the to the pumpkin patch made everyone smile. But it was the display of pumpkins that took your breath away as you rounded the last corner to the farm. Glorious orange pumpkins of all sizes and shapes lined the road, covered haybales and nestled beside cornstalks. Breathtaking may sound like a cliché, but that is what it was! So, congratulations to the Porter Family at Desert Hills Ranch for a well deserved award. Andrea Walker