AVALANCHE WORKSHOP PAGE 3
MILL EXPLOSIONS UPDATE PAGE 11
CENTS MAKE A TRADE PAGE 12
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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Avalanche crews prepare for worst By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Provincial road avalanche crews are getting ready for what could be another year of steady snowfall after last year’s record-setting pack. Manager of avalanche and weather for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Mike Boissonneault, said a challenge in monitoring the Coquihalla “is
when a persistent weak layer develops early in the season. That’s usually associated with cold temperatures and a low snowpack depth on the ground.” A fragile snowpack to begin the season heightens the risk of avalanches late in winter, particularly when a heavy snowpack forms on top. When warning signs aren’t as straightforward as comparing the two
levels, the Hope avalanche crew from the Canadian Avalanche Association are well trained to meet safety standards. The crew uses information from 175 weather stations installed specifically for the avalanche team. The information collected from the stations is sent to a base, from where avalanche staff access the updates.
See ‘Coquihalla’ Page 3
Company scammed, loses $5 million: owner Alleged fraudster who made his way through Merritt is blamed for firm’s fall By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
SIMPLY STUNNING Ryan Ganton-Stanley took the prizes for best dressed and second runner-up as Mz. Cellaneous at the Mz. Judged 2012 pageant on Saturday at the Merritt Civic Centre. The event raised money for Nicola Family Therapy and featured 19 local men walking a runway in women’s shoes and clothes. Emily Wessel/Herald
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A man who says he was conned by the same fraudster who duped Merritt Coun. Harry Kroeker out of $60,000 is making his case known. “I lost a $5-million business because of Robert [Robertson], and I have been pursuing his actions now going back about 25 years,” former co-owner of HomesDelivery Marten Kroes said of the man who allegedly conned Kroeker in 2006, (reported in the Herald’s Nov. 20 issue). In July 2007, when Kroes’ former company broke ground for a 40,000square-foot factory that would eventually build modular homes, he reportedly hired “aggressive salesman” Robertson. Kroes said this turned out to be his worst hire ever. After about one year, Robertson had
tarnished the company’s reputation with creditors and the general public, he said. In one of his opening moves in an attempt to allegedly take over the company, Robertson gained the trust of a partner in the firm who gave Robertson power of attorney. The alleged con artist then went to the banks and told creditors the company was doomed to fail. “So the banks pulled in the reigns and shortened the line of credit,” Kroes said, adding that Robertson then told suppliers that he was taking over the business. At that point, HomesDelivery already sold $4.5 million in its first year, and employed 55 people, Kroes said. Next, Robertson allegedly executed his most deadly blow: “He had our accounts frozen.”
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