InteriorNEWS THE
SMITHERS, B.C.
105th Year - Week 50
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
www.interior-news.com
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GYPHONS WRESTLE SSS Wrestle on home turf
SPORTS/B1
HAMPER TIME The Christmas Hamper depot is open for business.
COMMUNITY/A9
DAZZLING CONCERTO Roxi Dykstra, foreground and Simone Hug begin an evening of Vivaldi music at the Smithers Canadian Reformed Church with an excellent performance of his Double Violin Concerto in A minor, from L’estro Armonico, RV 522 Percy N. Hébert photo
THE ENTREPRENEUR Stephen Dykstra is a hard working man
OUR TOWN/A19
INSIDE LETTERS A7 COMMUNITY A9 OUR TOWN A19 SPORTS B1 THREE RIVERS C1 CLASSIFIEDS C5
Burns Lake mill could cut into Smithers By Dan Mesec Smithers / Interior News
Hampton Affiliates announced last week they’re rebuilding their sawmill in Burns Lake, but dwindling timber supply in the northwest may not be enough to keep mill doors open along the Highway 16 corridor. Burns Lake residents rejoiced to the news of the mill reconstruction, but are still grieving after the mill exploded in January last year, killing
two workers and injuring 20 others. Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach said he’s happy for the community of Burns Lake, but remains concerned about a sufficient supply of fiber for mills in the valley. “We’re certainly happy for Burns Lake to have received this announcement after the devastating mill fire back in January,” Bachrach said. “Hopefully the construction of a new mill
will bring some certainty for Burns Lake families who have felt the impacts of this disaster.” “Time will tell what this announcement will mean for other communities and other mills in the region. Reducing the amount of wood available on the open market has the potential to weaken the competitive position of our mill here in Smithers. That’s something we remain concerned about.” Minister of Forest Lands and Natural Re-
sources, Steve Thompson was welcomed by industry leaders in Smithers last week to discuss current and future projects in the forestry sector. Following the Chamber of Commerce lunchen, Thompson said his government will continue to help mitigate the timber supply to ensure mills throughout the northwest have enough timber to support operations. “It’s a challenging time for all the com-
munities but I think had a very significant the important part is impact, the evidence to continue to work in shows now it’s abating partnership with the in terms of its growth,” those communities to Thompson said. help provide as much “The real focus mitigation as we can we have currently is for the timber supply,” working on the recomThompson said. mendation out of the The minister also midterm timber supply mentioned due to the committee report about devastation left by the how we mitigate the mountain pine beetle it impact of the downturn was imperative to keep of the midterm timber working on recomsupply to keep as much nd economic activity here as mendations from the midterm timber supply we can throughout the review. Bring in aregion.” non-parishable fo “[The Pine Beetle] has See MILL on Page A2
Sunday, Dec. 2
9:00 am - 1
the Hudson
of CHRISTMAS DRAW Enter today to WIN a Pallet of Groceries! see page A-24
Prize Draw starts Saturday