THURSDAY JANUARY 10, 2013
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Vol. 61, Issue 07
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A perfect storm of avalanche conditions SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
There’s danger in the back country this week as wet snow and warm temperatures have driven up the avalanche risk in the East Kootenay. The Canadian Avalanche Centre has issued warnings of high danger in the South Rockies, Purcells
Roads, back country around the East Kootenay are dangerous after deadly trifecta of winter storm, warm weather, and freezing conditions
and Kootenay Boundary through to Thursday, and Kootenay Pass was closed Wednesday morning for avalanche control. A severe snowstorm Tuesday evening clogged highways 1, 3 and 5, closing
the routes Tuesday night and limiting travel throughout Wednesday. Drivers on Highway 3 through Kootenay Pass faced delays of up to two hours from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday as crews
worked on avalanche control in the mountain pass. Meanwhile, the Trans Canada was closed between Revelstoke and Golden from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday due to avalanche control in Glacier National Park. West
of Revelstoke, the road was closed for avalanche control, as well, on Wednesday morning. The danger is high for recreational back country users in every area near Cranbrook and Kimberley, the Avalanche Centre said Wednesday, adding that travel in avalanche terrain is not recom-
mended while the risk is high. In the Kootenay Boundary area (south and west of Cranbrook), the danger was high at all levels on Wednesday. It was expected to improve slightly on Thursday, with a high danger rating in the alpine, and considerable at and below treeline. Storm slab avalanches are likely and wind slab avalanches very likely, said the bulletin.
See WEATHER , Page 5
Budget cut orders push SD5 to the brink “It’s like asking our Parent Advisory Council to do pizza and hotdog fundraisers to fund our support staff.” Frank Lento, SD5 board chair AN N AL EE GR AN T Townsman Staff
COURTESY JENNIFER OSMAR
Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett recently presented a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal to Mr. Jack Hunnisett of Cranbrook. The medal, struck to honour Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne, is to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, and is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada over the previous sixty years. The presentation was made privately on December 24, 2012.
On December 3, 2012, School District 5 received a startling document from the Ministry of Education, saying they will need to find three per cent savings over two years in their budget to cover salary increases for support staff. The letter was sent from Minister Don McRae, stating that under the Co-operative Gains Mandate, public sector employers were able to negotiate modest wage increases so long as the savings could be found within the existing budget. Costs must not be passed on to the public and service delivery levels must
be maintained. “There’s no way in the world that we can save three per cent. We’re scrambling,” said Frank Lento, SD5 board chair. Lento said the December 3 letter was the first they’d heard of the need to find savings in a budget that was completed back in June of 2012. “There was no consultation whatsoever,” he said. “It was a Merry Christmas on December the third.” The letter was followed up by a conference call with school boards on December 11.
See SCHOOL , Page 3