LOCAL NEWS: YEAR IN REVIEW JAN - APRIL 2012 ▼ A16-17
Times
Thursday, January 10, 2013 ▼ Volume 48 No. 2 ▼ www.clearwatertimes.com ▼ $1.40 Includes HST
THE
NORTH THOMPSON
HITTING THE SLOPES:
Second Place General Excellence B.C. and Yukon <2,000 circulation 2012
Clearwater ski hill opens for season. See page A24 inside.
Blue Ribbon Runner-up Best All Round Newspaper All of Canada <1,250 circulation 2012
Roundabout meeting coming soon, says Lake
Keith McNeill A twicepostponed public input meeting about a roundabout proposed for the junction of Highway 5 and
learned with the HST was that, when people have concerns, we need to listen.” The KamloopsNorth Thompson MLA noted that a number of people
MLA Terry Lake the road to Wells Gray Park likely will be held in late February or early March, according to MLA Terry Lake. Originally scheduled for midDecember and then mid-January, the meeting was postponed first because of the tragic death of two local teachers, and then because some desired information was not yet available. “We want to gather as much information as possible, so people can make informed decisions,” Lake said. “One thing we
have signed a petition against the roundabout. Representatives of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure met late last year with people from the BC Trucking Association. Concerns raised at that meeting have resulted in some design changes, he said. One or more people from the trucking association likely will attend the upcoming public input forum in Clearwater. “I hope to be at the meeting myself,” the MLA said, “but we will be in session then so it will
depend on when it is held.” A roundabout would help address safety and speed concerns at the location, he said. Lake noted that he was recently in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. There is a roundabout there on the road that connects the highway with the beach. The mayor told him there had been some concerns before the roundabout went in but since it has been constructed, most people have been happy with it, he said. A news article stating that there would be an open house and information session about the roundabout proposed for the intersection of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park on Jan. 14 appeared on page 3 of the Jan. 3 issue of the Clearwater Times. To add to the confusion, an item in District of Clearwater’s What’s Happening column just below the news article stated the meeting would be on Jan. 16. Unfortunately, neither the news article nor the District column turned out to be correct, as by the time the newspaper came out the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure had decided to postpone the meeting.
Hockey night in Clearwater Clearwater Midget Rep Icehawk #12 Everett Raschke goes for a backhanded shot on Princeton’s goal during a game at the Sportsplex on Saturday evening. The local squad won the game 8 — 1. For more about the game and Clearwater and District Minor Hockey, see pages nine to 15 inside. Photo by Keith McNeill
Chamber to talk about forestry and tourism Keith McNeill Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce will be holding a general meeting at Community Resource Center on Monday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m., says Chamber manager Hettie Buck. Speakers will be Bas Delaney of the Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities initiative and Brad Bradbury of Tourism Wells Gray. Delaney will speak about the Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities initiative and about Bridges II, a project focussed on valueadded forest products.
“Bas is an experienced forester and very knowledgable about forestry in our region,” Buck said. Bradbury will share information about the newly created TOTA (Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association) initiative called EQ. “He will explain how this new program may assist tourism operators in the region and how it will be implemented here in the North Thompson,” said the Chamber manager. Buck noted that everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and that refreshments will be served. “Join us for this informative evening and opportunity to network locally,” she said.