The Chilliwack
Progress
3
Tuesday
11
16
Water
MMA
Bringing clean water to the Philippines.
Persian Warrior working toward UFC dream.
News
Neighbours
Innovative ways to keep eyes on the road.
Driving
Sports
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • T U E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 1 2 , 2 0 1 3
FHA’s water edict blasted Chilliwack angry over prospect of chlorinated water Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
Chilliwack is expressing outrage about the prospect of having chlorination imposed on its drinking water. “From what I can see, most residents have overwhelmingly rejected the idea,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz. Numerous posts opposing chlorination of Chilliwack’s water have popped up this week on Facebook, Twitter and on the The Progress website. “Our council shares the concerns being expressed by the people of Chilliwack,” said Gaetz, adding that council has already made this known to health officials. Calls and emails have been flooding in to city hall and to Fraser Health since the medical health officer dropped the bombshell on Chilliwack Tuesday that its awardwinning drinking water would soon require a disinfectant be added, namely chlorine. The main reason was the three incidents of E.coli infection detected over the past five years in the water system, along with a growing population base, meaning more people and animals in the area. But all three E.coli incidents were isolated, the mayor said, occurring in hillside reservoir tanks. City staff took immediate action activating the emergency chlorination system. Continued: WATER/ p6
Stephanie Kostrzewa, 21, proudly accepts a Diamond Jubilee medal on behalf of her late grandmother, Dorothy Kostrzewa, from Chilliwack-Hope MLA Gwen O’Mahony during an awards ceremony at the Coast Chilliwack Hotel Thursday evening. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Medal winners an inspiration: O’Mahony Stephanie Kostrzewa fought back tears as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal – awarded posthumously to her grandmother, Dorothy – was pinned to her lapel Thursday. The ceremony was another in a series of events, marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Presented by Chilliwack-Hope MLA Gwen O’Mahony, the medals were awarded to four recipients from the riding, all chosen by a selection committee. In addition to Kostrzewa – the much loved long-time city councillor who recently past away – awards went to Ted Westlin of Agassiz, Chief Willie Charlie of Sts’ailes, and Anne Schudeleit of Boston Bar.
O’Mahony also presented the first-ever “Chilliwack-Hope Citizenship Award.” That award, which will now be presented annually, went to long-time Hope physician Dr. Ernie Murakami. Said O’Mahony: “I am consistently inspired by the caliber of people we have here in Chilliwack— Hope.” Kostrzewa was celebrated for her “long service to Chilliwack in municipal government, her persistent volunteerism in the community, and to recognize her historic accomplishment of being the first Chinese-Canadian woman ever elected to political office in Canada.” Ted Westlin was recognized for his “promotion of local agriculture, dedication to his community, and
long service in municipal government.” The former teacher remains active in the community, having served six terms on council with the District of Kent Municipality. Westlin is an active director and member of the Agassiz Agricultural Horticultural Association, and active member of local drainage committees. Chief Willie Charlie was acknowledged for his leadership, vision, and his “unwavering commitment to justice for his people, his activism for aboriginal rights and title, and his services to his community as Chief of the Sts’ailes (Chehalis) First Nation.” Said Eddie Gardiner as he introduced Chief Charlie: “What gives
him his strength as a strong and brilliant leader is the teachings he got from his elders.” Those teachings are now being passed on to the next generation, said Gardiner. Schudeleit, meanwhile, was recognized for her volunteer work. But one achievement stood out above others at Thursday’s ceremony. Schudeleit successfully brought cable television to the Fraser Canyon. Diamond Jubilee Medals have gone to about 700 people in British Columbia. O’Mahony noted that only once before had diamond jubilee awards been presented and that was during the reign of Queen Victoria.
$1.25 12-12T JA13