Merritt Herald, January 22, 2013

LIBERAL MLA CANDIDATE PAGE 3

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MERRITT HERALD FREE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS

Merritt property values stable despite drop in B.C., assessor reports

By Emily Wessel and Tom Fletcher

Merritt City Hall was busy last Tuesday, as the Committee of the Whole debated the draft Economic Development Strategy authored and presented by City of Merritt’s Economic Development Manager James Umpherson (above). Phillip Woolgar/Herald

Tempers flare at City Hall Staff, council and the public are torn over the draft Economic Development Strategy

By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

A City of Merritt draft Economic Development Strategy presentation last Tuesday was met with conflicting views among several councillors and members of the public over the intended scope of the document.

The councillors, and two men who stood up in the gallery to make their voices heard,

public a lot of opportunity to be involved in this,” Roline said. “You need a draft plan that can evolve with public input. We will have the engagement and then the plan will evolve into something that is operable.”

Councillors Mike Goetz and Dave Baker said anyone is able to attend public consultation periods to voice their opinions.

But the mayor and

slammed the document by calling it a far cry from the report that was requested last summer.

The majority of complaints claimed the plan is vague and lacks public input into its creation.

But as other councillors, city administration and Mayor Susan Roline pointed out, documents such as these are typically a framework, with more detailed planning coming later.

“We are giving the

M E R R I T T

going with this document to the community because it says that we already have made up our minds,” he said. “In my mind we should go to the community and then ask the experts.

Otherwise, the community goes, ‘Well these people are experts,’ and they go and they mutter and mutter, and down the road that muttering gets worse.”

See ‘Public’ Page 2

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councillors seemed to be ignored, as the same criticisms continued to be raised throughout the nearly two-hour meeting.

Coun. Alastair Murdoch likened the report to previous initiatives that he said the public wasn’t consulted about, such as a Merritt branding strategy that pegged the town as the Country Music Capital of Canada.

“I struggle with

www.realtor.ca

See our full Real Estate Review inside the Thursday edition of the Merritt Herald.

ber of properties in the region are actually HERALD/BLACK PRESS decreasing in value,” reporter@merrittherald.com said Reuben Dankody, assessor for the Capital While property Region. “Since our assessments show slight valuation date of July drops in estimated 1, 2012, the overall values for most regions property market shows of B.C., assessments signs of further decline remain stable for the in sales volume, while second year in a row in prices have generally Merritt. been stable.”

“The news in our Property values region seems to be that generally remained we’re holding our own, stable in the Okanagan, and that the market is stable,” Deputy Assessor with changes from five per cent up to five per Graham Held said. cent down depending Most Merritt homon location and type of eowners can expect property. changes in the minus In the Kootenays, five per cent to plus total assessment roll five per cent range on value decreased slightly the valuation of their in Nelson, Salmo and homes, according to a Slocan, while rural BC Assessment press property values held release from Jan. 2.

The city’s assessment steady. Cranbrook also roll increased $15,000 to saw a small average decline, with assessed $898.086 million from value of a typical singlelast year, with nearly family home going from $5.4 million added to $256,000 to $250,000 as the 2013 roll for new of last summer. subdivisions, new conIn the Northwest, struction and rezoning.

Assessments are con- Terrace bucked the trend with a slight aversidered a snapshot of age increase in assessed the property value as of values. In Smithers and July 1, 2012, which predates some of the recent surrounding communities, residential values decline in real estate generally held steady markets. while commercial and In Greater Victoria, industrial properties saw most homeowners will decreases between five see reductions in the and 20 per cent. range of two to six per cent.

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Homeowners’ grant increases by $10,000 From Page 1 Despite the decreases, Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced Wednesday that the threshold for the B.C. homeowners’ grant is increasing by $10,000, to $1.295 million.

The grant is set to make 95.5 per cent of homeowners eligible for the full amount, which is $570 in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts. The

northern and rural benefit adds an extra $200 for homeowners outside those districts, an amount added to compensate rural people for extra costs of the carbon tax on fossil fuels.

An additional grant of $275 is available to homeowners who are aged 65 and up, permanently disabled or qualified war veterans.

Property owners can check their assessments online at

bcassessment.ca (click on e-ValueBC) and compare with others in their neighbourhoods to decide if they wish to file an appeal by Jan. 31.

Appeal requests go to independent property assessment review panels that convene in February.

Changes in the property tax payable depends on the actual tax rates to be set by each local municipality, so a home that’s assessed five per cent higher

might not pay any more in tax if the average assessment in the city rose 10 per cent and the local council sets its rate to generate a smaller tax revenue increase.

The total assessed value of real estate in B.C. rose 2.3 per cent from a year ago.

Most cities are seeing gains of around 1.5 per cent in their assessment rolls from new construction, expanding their tax base.

9

378-099

PO Box 98 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8

Public comments ‘uncalled for’: Goetz From Page 1 Coun. Kurt Christopherson agreed, saying the public should have been consulted prior to writing the strategy.

“Regardless of what the public can do, they have it in their minds what could be accepted,” he said. “Before we even get to the [public portion] we should demonstrate that we were listening to other people.”

Overarching reports such as these are typically quickly approved as information by the Committee of the Whole in municipalities throughout the country before they are tweaked by council. (Both the Committee of the Whole and council are made up entirely of councillors and the mayor.)

Economic Development Manager James Umpherson said the report was completed to a standard applied throughout Canada.

“The intent of the report was to provide a framework for city council to understand what the document was about, rather than expert knowledge and critical assessment,” he said. “And then once we see that it is something that the City of Merritt wants, then we can get feedback and discussion with those outside agencies.”

As part of the draft proposal, Umpherson outlined a public online questionnaire, which includes a series of closed- and open-ended questions. Interviews are also scheduled with community and business leaders, education representatives, aboriginal

people, education institutions, non profits and community volunteers.

Provincial and federal association stakeholders are also slated for inclusion. Engagement workshops are also scheduled with youths and representatives from other demographics.

Those consultations are scheduled for April, May and June.

But according to Ron Sanders, who left his seat in the gallery to address council and administration, Umpherson hasn’t done his job.

“I think I could get someone to cut and past those comments for $5,000,” he said.

“I’m talking about the downtown focus and tourism. The report is full of weather and age statistics that are available everywhere. I don’t see

anything about tourism in this report.”

The document contains 32 references to tourism.

Merritt’s chief administrative officer, Matt Noble, said, “People who are criticizing the document should read it first. I can compare [the scope] of this document to be consistent with that of much larger cities within the province of British Columbia, and [Umpherson] has done his job.”

In an interview after the meeting, Coun.

Goetz said Sanders’ comments were uncalled for.

“It’s really not up to the public to come in and make statements such as that and attack the man’s character, and when the character of [city staff] is being attacked, so is the character of coun-

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cil, because we hired the man to do the job under our direction,” he said. “Not only did [Umpherson] have to put up with it, so did council, and it was uncalled for.”

Goetz went on to say Umpherson’s report was exactly what council requested last summer, and despite the criticisms, even among councillors, “Everybody sitting up there asked him to do exactly what he presented.”

Committee of the Whole eventually voted unanimously to accept the draft as information.

Council will discuss the document at their regular meeting today (Tuesday), at which time they can request changes. Council will also vote on whether to appoint an economic development committee to provide further input

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The draft Economic Development Strategy is available at Merritt.ca.

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Liberal MLA candidate added to election race

By Emily Wessel THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

The B.C. Liberal Party announced that Ashcroft’s Jackie Tegart will be the party’s candidate for the Fraser-Nicola MLA in May’s provincial election.

Tegart, who is serving her third term as a councillor in the Village of Ashcroft, said she is excited about her first foray into provincial politics.

“I’ve always been very interested in provincial politics,” Tegart said. “I just feel that this coming election is so critically important to B.C.” The former school trustee and president of the BC School Trustees Association

Fraser-Nicola Liberal MLA candidate Jackie Tegart said the main focus of her platform is on job creation, particularly in resource industries.

“I come from a mining family. My dad worked at a mine, my husband worked at Highland Valley Copper, and we know how impor-

tant forestry, agriculture mining those kinds of issues are. We need a strong voice in Victoria.”

Tegart said a strong voice in the province’s capital is a pillar of her campaign.

“I think when decisions are made in Victoria, we need a very strong voice for people to understand what it means to those of us out here in the hinterland,” she said. “It’s about strong representation; it’s about staying on the path.”

Tegart will be formally nominated at the Central Cafe in Ashcroft on Saturday at 4 p.m. She said she plans to visit communities throughout the riding between the formal

nomination and the May 14 election.

“I want to meet people who have questions, who have issues, who have a sense of where they’d like to see the province go, and I think it’s really important that we listen,” Tegart said. “I have a sense of the regional issues. I see beyond my borders. I’m hoping that with the experience I bring to the table that people will give me a chance to seriously consider a Liberal candidate for success in this riding.”

Fraser-Nicola’s current MLA, New Democrat Harry Lali, said the nomination won’t affect his campaign strategy once it becomes official on Jan. 26.

“Regardless of who it is the B.C. Liberals put up to run for them in FraserNicola, the people of this constituency are fed up with Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals,” Lali said. “The Liberal candidate will also have to answer for the creation of the mess in health care and the downgrading of medical services in our communities — specifically, in her own backyard in Ashcroft.”

Lali was first elected as an MLA in 1991 and reelected in 1996. He did not run in the 2001 election, but returned to provincial politics in 2005 with a win over Liberal Lloyd Forman.

Lali was re-elected again in 2009.

Reading club caters to visually impaired

By Emily Wessel THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

The Out of Sight Reading Club plans to hold its first meeting for people with visual impairments, at the Merritt library on Feb. 5.

The monthly meeting is a new program offered at the library through a partnership with CNIB. CNIB Kamloops office manager Les Nolin said the meet-up is the first of its kind in the area.

“We feel that it’s time to start something in Merritt and get visually impaired people together to have some activities,” Nolin said.

The reading club provides people with information about resources that can help people with vision loss read, from powerful magnifiers

to audio books to book readers. Nolin said he also hopes to secure a permanent projector for the library that can magnify items up to 80 times.

He said partnering with the library to develop a program was a natural choice.

“The thing that people miss the most when they lose vision is the ability to read,” said Nolin, who is legally blind. “People don’t realize how important reading is until they lose the ability.”

The reading club will be supportive as well as informational, where people can share the challenges they’ve faced living with vision loss. He said there are about 33 visually impaired people in Merritt who have registered with CNIB, but there are likely more

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who haven’t registered or who might not realize the extent of their vision loss, as it can happen gradually.

“A lot of people who live in smaller communities might not even be aware of the other people who exist there with vision loss,” Nolin said.

“It will be an opportunity for low-vision people to get together.”

The first meeting also falls during White Cane Week, an aware-

ness campaign that CNIB offices across the country participate in to raise awareness about Canadians living with vision loss that the organization has run in the first week of February since 1947.

Although the first meeting hasn’t happened yet, Nolin hopes to bring the reading club to other branches of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Library system in the future. He

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Opinion --------------------- 4-5 Sports ------------------------- 6 Classifieds -------------------- 7

REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: January, 1983

School board to delay teachers’ increase A refusal by the Merritt School Board to immediately pay an arbitrated three per cent increase to teachers will lead to the Nicola Valley Teachers’ Association taking legal action.

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The reading club is scheduled to meet on Feb. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library.

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said he hopes someone will take on the role of leading the local reading club so he can hit the road and bring the pro-

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HERALD OPINION Smart meter deniers’ last stand

TOM FLETCHER B.C. VIEWS VICTORIA – The news was trumpeted with alarm here on Vancouver Island, which along with the Gulf Islands is the heartland of tinfoil-hat opposition to smart meters.

Of the 140,000 power customers who didn’t have a wireless meter by the end of the year, many have simply refused. Now BC Hydro has sent letters informing them “we can no longer delay the installation of a new meter at your home.”

“StopSmartMetersBC” sent out a panicky e-mail advising its resistance movement to brace against “storm trooper tactics” from BC Hydro staff, and urging phone and fax attacks on their local MLA office.

“Anger and outrage should be expressed, in a quiet way, so that we don’t sound hysterical, but people are being threatened, police called, etc.,” the anonymous e-mail helpfully suggests.

BC Hydro has also confirmed what I told you a few months ago. Those bogus locks, chicken wire cages and important-looking signs, which were sold like modern-day snake oil, have no legal effect to prevent the utility from working on its own equipment.

See ‘Science’ Page 5

Publisher Kelly Hall publisher@ kamloopsthisweek.com

Cougar apocalypse or phantom cougars?

PHILLIP WOOLGAR Merritt HERALD Reported cougar sightings around Merritt have people asking whether the predators are actually terrorizing the town?

While the reports can’t be confirmed — as was indicated in the Merritt Herald story printed on Thursday — it is interesting to note the

type of coverage given by larger newspapers.

National media reported the cougars as being a scary fact, without giving proper disclosure that the sighting haven’t been confirmed.

And that is to be expected. A news headline in a national or provincial publication that says there is a possibility of cougars being sighted, isn’t as interesting to that readership as “Cougar sightings in Merritt prompt warning.”

But leaving out that key piece of information makes the report false.

Just by using the term “cougar sightings” without the qualifier “possible” misleads the reader,

Editor Phillip Woolgar newsroom@ merrittherald.com

Associate Publisher Theresa Arnold production@ merrittherald.com

MERRITT HERALD 2090 G

and that is a big no-no as far as the intended purpose of the news media is concerned. Our job is to tell the public the facts.

National media is under a lot of pressure to report captivating stories. So when it is a reporter’s responsibility to file a story before a fast-approaching deadline, and nothing is happening, desperation could kick in. But in a fully accountable newsroom, there shouldn’t be wiggle room. Embellishing can discredit journalism, and it has. The occasional blip in facts is understandable, as newsrooms deal with a massive amount of information from expert sources who

Reporter Emily Wessel reporter@ merrittherald.com

RANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241

need to be taken for their word — and one small error can really stand out. But when reporters ignore facts so that a story can resonate, a disservice is done to the industry, and to the democratic system in which journalism is a key player.

So, should people be afraid of the possibility that cougars are roaming Merritt? After receiving an update from a local man who didn’t want to be identified — but has been described by other media as a “backcountry expert” — there are no cougars in town. He said snow tracks indicate other animals, but none as dangerous as a cougar.

Advertising Sales Alisa Saunders sales@ merrittherald.com

The reported bobcat sightings, however, have been confirmed by many sources who’ve seen the animals. Bobcats that don’t have rabies aren’t considered a menace to people, but owners of small animals should be concerned. At least one house cat was confirmed injured after a run-in with the small predator, which is usually about twice the size of a domestic cat. That type of story isn’t sexy enough for the national media to cover, but I think it’s a long way off before we see the large Canadian newspapers embellishing stories to the point where we are reading about a cougar apocalypse.

Office Manager Carol Soames classifieds@ merrittherald.com

FAX (250) 378-6818

Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.

For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

TUESDAY, January 22, 2013 • 5

www.merrittherald.com

YOUR OPINION Science vs. scare tactics as debate heats up From Page 4 These obstacles to inspection have been and continue to be removed, along with dangerous grow-op bypasses and fiddled mechanical meters.

The technical arguments against wireless meters have been demolished. False news reports and website claims still circulate, but no fires have been attributed to the installation of 1.7 million wireless meters in B.C. About 1,200 faulty meter bases have also been replaced at BC Hydro’s expense, and as crude power-theft bypasses have been removed, the incidence of electrical fires, already rare, has dropped substantially.

Another popular myth is increased electricity bills.

Yes, if your bypass is removed, your bill will go up. Like gas pumps, power meters are required by federal law to be accurate.

Which brings us back to Team Tinfoil, which has been sold a cascading series of fantastic tales about the effect of wireless signals that are already ever-present in all modern communities.

A Toronto-based expert group called Bad Science Watch has tackled claims of “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” head-on. I highly recommend their 10-page report and qualifications at badsciencewatch. ca.

In plain language, with references to the best available scientific studies, it describes the double-blind tests that prove people who claim this sensitivity, are not actually able to detect when they are or are not being exposed to wireless signals. No X-Men candidates have come forward.

It also exposes key “activists” in Canada. The most prominent is Dr. Magda Havas, an associate professor at Trent University who has “developed a career denouncing the safety of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation.” She gives speeches, promotes her book and has worked with one David Stetzer to promote an “EMF filter” to sell to those who insist they feel what science shows they don’t.

Havas has appeared on TV “news” shows with “activist-entrepreneur” Kevin Byrne. His website appears to be a hub of cell tower and smart meter scare reports, but it’s interspersed with product pitches for EMF Solutions Canada, of which Byrne is coincidentally president.

Then there’s “entrepreneur-activist” Rob Metzinger, president of something called Safe Living Technologies Inc. He doesn’t run a lurid scare website, but he’s appeared on CBC and CTV as some sort of authority.

(The main hazard emanating from TVs these days is bad information.)

As the election approaches, a fight is gearing up between the NDP and the B.C. Green Party for the ignorant, superstitious and angry vote. The Greens in particular have damaged their credibility in a desperate bid to quiet their own tinfoil-chapeau wing.

There are bozo eruptions ahead. I’ll have more on that in a future column.

Tom Fletcher is legislative reporter and columnist for Black Press and BCLocalnews.com tfletcher@blackpress.ca

Smart meters safe, installation imminent: BC Hydro Dear Editor, To BC Hydro customers without an installed smart meter.

You are getting this letter because the smart meter installation at your residence was previously delayed at your request. Please take a few minutes to read the following — it will help you understand why we can no longer delay the installation of a new meter at your home.

Since July 2011, when we began installing new meters, we have been working with customers to answer questions about the new system.

Over 1.7 million new meters have now been installed across B.C. and the meter exchange phase of the Smart Metering Program is nearing completion. However, this important grid upgrade can’t be completed until all customers have new meters.

Why is BC Hydro replacing the old meters?

The old meters are becoming obsolete and require us to manually perform services that have now been automated by smart meters. BC Hydro has a responsibility to ensure safe, cost-effective electricity delivery to homes and businesses all around the province. It will cost far more to set up and maintain incompatible and separate systems to serve customers without a smart meter and those extra costs will have to be passed on to customers.

For this reason, we can no longer delay the installation of the new meter at your residence.

Installers will visit you to exchange the old BC Hydro meter at your home for a new smart meter.

Customer service representatives will also be available in person to answer any questions you may have.

Smart meters, like power lines, are now standard equipment needed to get power to your home. That’s why all BC Hydro customers are receiving new meters. Smart meters will:

• •

automatically detect power outages; provide you with access to your hourly electricity-use data through a secure online account; • ensure your bill is based on actual consumption; and • help to ensure your service connects safely because installers will inspect your meter socket and provide free on-the-spot repairs by a qualified electrician if an issue is found.

Need more information about smart meters?

BC Hydro has responded to dozens of questions from customers about the new meters and we would encourage you to read the answers for yourself at bchydro.com/smartmeters. For example, we have: • confirmed through testing by a federal consumer protection agency that the new meters are accurate; • confirmed through testing, certified by professional engineers, that the meters use safe technology commonly used in our communities for decades; and • worked with the privacy commissioner’s office to meet all standards and guidelines.

Can I relocate the meter?

As always, you can choose to relocate your meter base to a different location on your property, in accordance with local electrical guidelines, and at your own cost. If you would like to move the meter, contacting a qualified electrician is the first step.

For more information about the new meters or what to expect during installation, visit our website or contact BC Hydro at smartmeters@bchydro. com or 1-800-409-8199.

To Mr. Murphy In your letter you stated that the installation of a smart meter at my residence was delayed at my request. Those are your words, not mine. I did not request a delay. I refused to have a microwave transmitting device unilaterally imposed upon me and installed anywhere on my property.

I challenge BC Hydro to disprove the scientific research

You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com

?

HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK To vote, go online to merrittherald.com

Are you concerned about the amount of wildlife arriving in Merritt?

PREVIOUS QUESTION Are you satisfied with Merritt’s snow removal so far this winter?

YES: 27% NO: 72%

Gary Murphy, Chief Project Officer Smart Metering Program

Refusal of smart meter within charter rights Dear Editor:

Speak up

that is presented and discussed in the BioInitiative 2012 report. The report can be found at bioinitiative.org.

Until such time that you can disprove this research to my satisfaction, I will continue to refuse to have a transmitting smart meter anywhere on my property and, furthermore, I will use all means at my disposal to defend my right to do so.

I have taken steps in my personal life to reduce my exposure to the radio frequen-

cies that will be emitted by smart meters, including the choice not to use a cellphone, the choice to hardwire my computer, and the choice to eliminate cordless phones from my home, not to mention others. BC Hydro and the government are crossing a line. I will consider any attempt to install a smart meter on my property an act of trespass and a violation of my charter rights.

James G. Smith

LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

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HERALD SPORTS Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing sports@merrittherald.com

Growing pains: it’s been a steep learning curve for young Panthers squad

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

Another loss. Another lopsided score.

Last Wednesday’s 52-13 defeat at the hands of the visiting Valleyview Vikings seems to epitomize what has been a tough basketball campaign for this year’s Merritt Secondary School senior girls basketball team.

Not only is head coach Dwayne Suzuki’s Panther squad very young and inexperienced (with only two Grade 12s and eight Grade 10s), but they’re operating in somewhat of a vacuum.

There was no senior girls team last year, and the loss of almost 18 months of development is painfully evident on the playing court. Many of the skills are still in the early stages of evolution, and the familiarity with systems and with teammates just isn’t there yet.

Add to the mix the fact that all of MSS’s basketball teams have had to operate outside of their own gymnasium until last week’s senior games against Valleyview. The high school’s gym has been

undergoing a major renovation since late summer, and all team practices and games have had to take place across town at the former Coquihalla Middle School. It doesn’t quite make for the same “home court advantage.”

“It’s been tough,” Suzuki said of all the obstacles facing his youthful hoops team.

“We talked at the beginning of the season. The girls know that this year is very much a work in progress. We’re already looking forward to next year and the year after.”

Against the Vikings on Wednesday, there were plenty of hopeful signs for the future. The Panthers actually scored the first basket, and held a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes.

“I thought that we moved the ball quite well offensively,” Suzuki said, “and we were getting good looks. The shots just didn’t seem to want to go in.”

This year’s senior girls’ side isn’t blessed with a lot of size, so Suzuki has the team running somewhat of a motion offence.

“We’re posting up

YOUNG GUNS (Left) Merritt Secondary’s Taylor Carmichael competes for the opening jumping ball in last Wednesday’s basketball game between the host Panthers and the visiting Valleyview Vikings. (Above) The Panthers are led by point guards Jaycee Chenier (14) and Kaitlyn Suzuki. Ian Webster/Herald

just one player and setting the other four all above the free-throw line. We’re trying to run lots of cuts. There’s plenty of options with this kind of offence. The hard thing right now is getting the girls to recognize the options. They’re getting better.

“We’re also working on a fast break,” Suzuki added, “and seeing if we can score some points that way.”

The Panthers head

coach liked what he saw from his players on the defensive side of the ball against Valleyview.

“We’re doing a manto-man defence this year instead of a zone,” he said. “It’s hard work, but the girls are buying into it. I’m trying to get the team to adopt the mentality that a stop on defence is like a score for us. I want them to treat it that way.”

This week, the Panthers travel to Kam-

loops for their second matchup against the provincially ranked Sahali Sabres. It was a bit of a blowout when the two teams met back in December.

“After the first game against them, the Sahali coach had some really nice things to say about our girls,” Suzuki said. “I think that the future for our team looks promising.”

Unlike Merritt’s senior girls squad, the Panthers senior boys team, coached by Dave Anderson and JP Lancaster, is more of a veteran group with eight

Grade 12s on the roster.

While they’ve lost more games than they’ve won, the boys have definitely been in the mix in every outing.

Against Valleyview, the Panthers kept the score close through three quarters before falling to the Vikes 81-54. Forward Bryce Dixon had a game-high 22 points, while point guard Harman Bhuttar chipped in with 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers from beyond the arc.

“Bryce picked up a lot of his points from rebounds on the offen-

sive boards,” Anderson said. “He’s very good at finishing under the hoop. He also got a few baskets off the dribble which was nice to see.

It’s a new part of his game that is starting to emerge.”

Anderson’s players also face the Sabres on Wednesday. They gave the Kamloops team a bit of a scare a month ago by keeping them within two points at halftime.

“I think we surprised them the first time around,” Anderson said. “We’ll both know what to expect on Wednesday.”

Cents derail Express in 5-0 shutout victory on Saturday

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Centennials got back on track, both literally and figuratively, on the weekend — thanks to a solid 5-0 victory over the visiting Coquitlam Express on Saturday night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The shutout win over the lowly Express avenged a disappointing 5-4 double overtime loss to the same Mainland Division opponent eight days ago in Coquitlam.

After a scoreless first 30 minutes on Saturday that saw the Cents dominate territorially and in

the shot count, Merritt finally got on the board — courtesy of a gritty goal by rookie (and Kamloops native) Diego Cuglietta.

Less than 20 seconds later, it was Merritt’s own Payton Schaefer who upped the score to 2-0 by finishing off a great play by linemate Brendan Lamont and first-year blueliner Kevin Lohan.

The Centennials’ top line of Regan Soquila, Derek Huisman and Sean Maktaak went to town in the third period, with team-leading scorer Soquila picking up two goals and an assist, Huisman one

goal and an assist, and Maktaak three assists.

Between the pipes, Merritt netminder Tyler Steel turned aside all 26 Express shots to pick up his third shutout of the season. At the other end of the ice, Coquitlam’s Cole Huggans was peppered with 44 shots, including 17 in the first period.

The Cents’ decisive win over the Express — in terms of offensive output and determined defence — was just what the doctor ordered prior to tonight’s Interior Division showdown between Merritt and the West Kelowna Warriors at Royal LePage Place

in West Kelowna.

The Cents and Warriors are tied for second place in their division with 47 points each (although Merritt has played three fewer games).

The Centennials have yet to beat the Warriors in three previous matchups, all of which were decided by one goal. In their most recent engagement, on Jan. 16, the Warriors edged the Cents 3-2 despite being outshot 46-22.

Both Merritt and West Kelowna continue to pursue the Penticton Vees who hold down first place in the Interior

with 59 points. The Vees have played five more games than the Centennials and two more than the Warriors.

Following Tuesday’s tilt in West Kelowna, Merritt embarks on a three-game Island road swing that sees games in Victoria Jan. 25, in Cowichan Valley Jan. 26, and in Nanaimo Jan. 27.

C-R-U-N-C-H The first star of the game, Payton Schaefer of the Merritt Centennials, delivers a bonecrushing hit on Ben Israel of the Coquitlam Express during Saturday night’s game. Ian Webster/Herald

TUESDAY, January 22, 2013 • 7

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WANT TO WORK OUTDOORS? Established utilities services company is seeking part time and full time METER READERS for Cranbrook, Sparwood, Vernon, Cache Creek, Trail, Kamloops, Grand Forks, Salmon Arm, Osoyoos, Penticton, Merrit, Nelson, Revelstoke and surrounding areas. Â&#x2039; E_perience reading meters is considered an asset Â&#x2039; 4ust have a reliable vehicle Â&#x2039; 4ust be customer oriented ^ith good communications skills Â&#x2039; 4ust be capable of ^orking independently in various ^eather conditions Â&#x2039; 7hysically demanding Qob Â&#x2039; *ompany provided uniforms and training Â&#x2039; 7aid by piece rate paid per meter that you read Â&#x2039; 0f hired clean +riversÂť (bstract clean *riminal )ackground *heck and proof of business class vehicle insurance required Â&#x2039; Earning potential of appro_imately per hour Email resume to employment@olameter.com noting location of choice in the subQect line or fa_ to 877-864-2831

Editor The Merritt Herald, an award-winning twice-weekly newspaper published in the Nicola Valley, is seeking an editor.

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Please apply to: Theresa Arnold Merritt Herald 2090 Granite Ave. Merritt , BC V1K 1B8 Phone: (250) 378-4241 Fax: (250) 378-6818 Email: publisher@merrittherald.com

8 â&#x20AC;˘ TUESDAY, January 22, 2013

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Y T I N U M M O C P O H S K R O W M S I TOUR Tourism industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend a

ONE-DAY TOURISM PLANNING WORKSHOP as part of the Community Tourism Foundations program.

This program is hosted by Tourism British Columbia, part of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Time: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm Location: Merritt Civic Centre The Community Tourism Foundations program offers destination development assistance to BC communities.

RSVP by January 31 via email: communitypartnerships@gov.bc.ca For information contact: Simone Carlysle-Smith, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association via email: community@totabc.com