InteriorNEWS LITERACY WEEK
THE
106th Year - Week 6 PM 40007014
SMITHERS, B.C.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
www.interior-news.com
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Geraci fined for illegal guiding
OTTERS EXCEL Fast times propel swimmers to provincials.
SPORTS/A14
Upper Stikine River Adventures levied $39,600 in fines By Percy N. Hébert Smithers/Interior News
LITERARY DUDS Students in Telkwa dressed in their favourite characters.
COMMUNITY/A23
OUR TOWN READS Smithers’ finest share their reading stories.
OUR TOWN/A25
INSIDE LETTERS SPORTS COMMUNITY OUR TOWN THREE RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS
A7 A14 A23 A25 B1 B10
Gerald Geraci, a guide outfitter from Smithers, won’t be guiding for a while following convictions on several contraventions of the B. C. Wildlife Act. Geraci, 66, a part owner in Upper Stikine River Adventures Ltd., was fined $9,750, Conservation Officer Services, Omineca zone, Tracy Walbauer said. Specifically, Geraci was convicted on single counts of hunting game without a hunting license and knowingly making a false statement in a book, record, certificate, report or return (guide declaration). Geraci was also convicted on two counts of killing wildlife either by accident or for the protection of life or property and failing to promptly report to an officer. In all, six individuals, including Geraci as well as Upper Stikine River Adventures Ltd., were fined $86,740 for close to 50 offences under the B. C. Wildlife Act. “This is the largest wildlife case that I’ve seen,” Walbauer, a 13-year veteran with the Conservation Officer Services, said of the investigation. The investigation into Upper Stikine River Adventures Ltd. involved 20 Conservation Officer Services staff as well as two U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff because some of the clients connected to the case were American citizens, Walbauer explained. “The number of individuals involved and obtaining information from all of them was a challenge,” Walbauer said. The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund receives $16,000 of the total amount of fines levied. In the same investigation, Wesley Allen Berge, 44, an associate with Upper Stikine River Adventures Ltd., was convicted of guiding without a licence and employing unlicensed guides. Berge was fined $34,500. See GUIDE on p. A2
STEELHEADS SINK LUCKIES Darryl Young looks for an open man during Game 2 of the first round of CIHL playoffs at the Smithers Civic Centre Saturday night. The Steelheads won 5-3 to advance to the next round against Kitimat. For more see p. A14. Ryan Jensen photo
RDBN asks town for OCP input By Ryan Jensen Smithers/Interior News
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) is allowing the Town of Smithers to have input into the drafting of their Official Community Plan (OCP). At the town’s Council of the Whole meeting Jan. 29, councillors focused on eight key questions brought forward by the RDBN and
provided feedback to planner Adam Cseke, the town’s representative on the RDBN’s OCP Working Group. Some of the questions brought forward for discussion included: Should the regional district entertain future residential development on Agriculatural Land Reserve land; should industrial and commercial development be contemplated in the Lake Kathlyn corridor and at what densities should
rural residential development be permitted? “They are our neighbours and growth and development that happens that close to our boundaries directly affects the Town of Smithers,” Councillor Phil Brienesse said. “It’s important we provide some comment to the regional district as to how we’d like to see the growth managed in their area.” See OCP on p. A3
Say good-bye to your Pennies, Say hello to helping children. See page A32
A little contribution from you equals a whole lot of benefit.
Bring in your pennies for the