I N S I D E : Make ‘em laugh. Page 3
Journal ASHCROFT t CACHE CREEK
Volume 120 No 2 PM # 400121123
The
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Serving Clinton, Spences Bridge, Lytton, Savona, Walhachin and surrounding areas Since 1895
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Metro Vancouver balks at paying royalties to Bands
Stepping out on the ice in style Ashcroft’s all-girl PeeWee hockey team took to the ice last Sunday in the Drylands Arena sporting their colourful new jerseys. They played a good game, but even as they were racing down the ice, they were kind of hard to miss. More on p. 6.
Local property values hold their ground Owners of more than 5,900 properties throughout the South Cariboo and Gold Trail area can expect to receive their 2013 assessment notices in the next few days. “Values of most homes in region are remaining stable compared to last year’s assessment roll,” said Graham Held, Deputy Assessor. “Most home owners in this region will see modest changes in the -5 to + 5 per cent range.” Ashcroft’s assessment roll remained stable at $180 million. Cache Creek’s assessment roll increased from $100 million to $101 million. Clinton’s assessment roll remained stable at $67 million. Lytton’s assessment roll increased slightly from $37.3 million to $37.8 million.
Commercial and Industrial property assessments in Ashcroft declined slightly, on average, by 0.14 per cent; increased in Cache Creek, on average, by 3.84 per cent; increased slightly in Clinton, on average, by 0.55 per cent; and increased in Lytton, on average, by 1.07 per cent. Owners of more than 1,300 properties throughout Logan Lake will noticed that the values of most homes in Logan Lake are remaining stable compared to last year’s assessment roll. Most home owners will see most changes in the -5 to +10 per cent range. Commercial and Industrial property assessments in Logan Lake increased, on average, by 5.21 per cent. Overall, the Logan Lake Assess-
ment Roll increased from $341 million last year to $349 million this year. Almost $7.48 million was added to the 2013 roll in the form of new subdivisions, rezoning and new construction. Owners of more than 1,400 properties throughout Lillooet can expect to see a slight drop in home value this year compared to last year’s assessment roll. Most homeowners in Lillooet will see modest changes in the -10 to +5 per cent range. Commercial and Industrial property assessments in Lillooet increased, on average, by 9.11 per cent. Overall, the Lillooet Assessment Roll decreased from $310 million last
Black Press It now costs Metro Vancouver more to use the Cache Creek Landfill because the landfill’s owner is paying royalties to local First Nations and passing along the cost. Belkorp Environmental, the parent firm of landfill operator Wastech, agreed more than three years ago to pay the Ashcroft and Bonaparte Indian Bands a royalty on each tonne of garbage dumped at Cache Creek, in order to secure the bands’ support for Belkorp’s planned expansion of the landfill. Metro challenged Wastech’s decision to pass along the royalty costs, arguing the regional district never agreed to the fees and they shouldn’t be counted as part of landfill’s operating costs. An arbitrator ruled in favour of Wastech in November and upheld the payments. Metro won’t disclose exactly how much taxpayers’ money now flows to the two bands via the landfill owners, citing confidentiality of the arbitration process. But when the province approved an initial extension of the landfill in early 2010, the environment ministry said royalties to local communities would be worth $1 million a year. Surrey Coun. Marvin Hunt said the royalties might mean at most a one or two per cent increase in Metro’s landfilling costs, but adds he thinks “a re-evaluation of the whole deal” with Wastech is justified. “That was never part of an agreement we made with Wastech,” Hunt said. “This was a deal Wastech cut on their own behalf to do a future proposal of a future expansion of the Cache Creek landfill. It should come out of their money, not our money.” “As operators of the Cache Creek Landfill for the past 20 years and, more recently, the Cache Creek Landfill Annex, Belkorp/Wastech has demonstrated its commitment to corporate responsibility and consultation with the hosting and neighbouring communities of our facilities,” stated Janet Tecklenborg, General Manager of Wastech Services Ltd. “We conduct our business in a way we believe is fair for the communities in which we operate. In our perspective, these communities have always included, and will continue to include, First Nations.”
See ASSESSMENT on p. 5
A NEW YEAR MEANS NEW PROJECTS CLEARANCE PRICING ON
12” x 12” CERAMIC TILES
See LANDFILL on p. 6
ONLY
99¢
ea.
REG $1.99
GOOD FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY OR WHILE STOCK LASTS
CLINTON BUILDING CENTRE
Tel: 250-459-2544 Fax: 250-459-2596