InteriorNEWS THE
105th Year - Week 52
SMITHERS, B.C.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
www.interior-news.com
Quake takes top story
PM 40007014
MINI-MEET Otters swim team holds mini-meet for fun and experience.
By Percy N. Hébert Smithers/Interior News
SPORTS/A15
CONCERT TIME Christmas concerts were the rule last week.
COMMUNITY/A21
SANTA SPEAKS Santa Claus spent a few minutes speaking with the Interior News
OUR TOWN/A25
INSIDE LETTERS A7 SPORTS A15 COMMUNITY A21 OUR TOWN A25 THREE RIVERS B1 CLASSIFIEDS B9
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CHRISTMAS CONCERT Children like Rhiannon James, left and Jazijn Jarsma, across the region took the opportunity in the week before Christmas to showcase their talents in front of cheering family during the annual round of Christmas concerts. Percy N. Hébert photo
It was pretty much neck and neck for two weeks, but October’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Haida Gwaii took top story of the year honours, capturing 42 per cent of the votes. Although the epicentre was off the coast of Haida Gwaii the temblor was strong enough to give the Bulkley Valley a good shake and obviously catch the attention of our readers. Despite the good shake, no serious infrastructure damage was reported other than a crack in the wall in the gym at Gitsegukla elementary school. Coming in second place, was the decision by Smithers town council last February to oppose the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. In passing the motion, Smithers joined a host of municipalities in northern B.C. who also voiced opposition to the pipeline. At the time Taylor Bachrach, Mayor of Smithers, said council quickly realized the actual purpose of the joint review process and concluded municipal governments do have a legitimate role to play in the process. “I was surprised by how decisive the vote is,” Bachrach said after the vote last . “I think it’s an accurate representation of sentiment in our community. The vote, 5-1 in favour of the motion, drew some criticism from Councillor Charlie Northrup because the vote was held with one councillor absent from the meeting. “I’m disappointed and surprised,” Northrup said after the vote. Councillor Phil Brienesse who introduced the motion argued it was difficult and dangerous for council to wait for all councillors to be present to present any motion. However, with pressure building as neighbouring councils passed similar motions to oppose Enbridge, Councillor Brienesse felt the issue needed to be dealt with sooner rather than later. “You can’t keep pushing things down the field just because people aren’t going to be present,” Brienesse said. Today, many months after the vote, Bachrach is still comfortable with the decision. “While there was some discord around the circumstances of the vote I feel our community has really embraced and supported the position council took,” Bachrach said. Opposition to the proposed pipeline, the mayor said, has united the community in a common cause and also strengthened council’s relationship with the Wet’suwet’en. “That in turn strengthens the work we are doing together on other economic development,” Bachrach added. With files from Dan Mesec.