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NVSS ENROLLMENT P. 2 EDITORIAL P. 4
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PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS P. 5 CNC CAMPUS P. 6
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Man disarms peacefully
School board releases new facilities audit In need of reconfiguration, school district assesses options with comunity Cameron Ginn Omineca Express Five scenarios for the reconfiguration of district schools were presented to the community during a meeting at Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS) on Monday, Feb. 4. The scenarios, part of an audit developed by Matrix Planning Associates, involve renewing existing facilities with renovations and replacements, optimizing schools by utilizing their full capacity through closures and amalgamations, or maintaining the status quo. "There's no gun to your head. You can go ahead the way you are," said William Wood, a Matrix consultant who presented the firm's findings at the meeting. About 150 people attended the meeting, the beginning of a 60-day public consultation process by the Nechako Lakes School District Board of Education on reconfiguring district schools. "Neither I or any member of the board have made a decision in this matter," said Chairperson Steve Davis. "I'm very excited to have you here as partners in that process," he said. The public consultation process was prompted by the deteriorating condition - drainage, foundation, windows and exterior wall problems - of Prairiedale Elementary School that was made evident to the board in April 2000, and again in a 2008 audit, according to notes released by Superintendent Charlene Seguin. The 2008 audit identified six major building issues at Prairiedale that required upgrades to bring the school up to acceptable standards.
Ahead of the Feb. 16 by-election, candidates Peet Vahi, left, John Murphy and Marje Makow participate in a forum hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at Nechako Valley Secondary School on Thursday evening. Cameron Ginn/Omineca Express
Differing in views, candidates address issues at public forum Cameron Ginn Omineca Express Forestry, recreation and seniors housing were some of the topics discussed at an all-candidate’s forum in Vanderhoof on Thursday, Feb. 7. The meeting, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and held at Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS), lasted almost two hours as candidates John Murphy, Marje Makow and Peet Vahi outlined their priorities and responded to questions from residents ahead of the Feb. 16 by-election. Although the forum covered a broad
range of issues in the community, seniors' housing was a primary topic of concern for each candidate. Vahi, whose 90-year-old mother is awaiting a room in The Manor, stressed the importance of shelving seniors' housing projects and concepts in preparation for the day when federal or provincial funding becomes available. There is ample land in Vanderhoof that could be zoned, sold to entrepreneurs and developed into long-term housing for seniors, Vahi said. "We need more private people to start putting it together." Continued on page 3
A potential hostage situation ended peacefully on Monday, Feb. 4, when an armed man was taken into custody by RCMP. At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, Vanderhoof RCMP, acting on third-hand information of a domestic dispute, attended a home where an intoxicated male was reportedly handling a firearm in the presence of a woman and numerous children. The Prince George Emergency Response Team (ERT) was deployed to the scene after attempts to communicate with the man proved unsuccessful. "It was the volatility of the situation," said Sergeant Jason Keays of the Vanderhoof RCMP detachment. "The male was armed, intoxicated and distraught and had the potential to hold the female and several young people hostage." At a distance from the home, an ERT negotiator contacted the man by phone and convinced him to disarm and surrender peacefully. The man now faces two counts of pointing a firearm and one count of assault. The incident, despite lasting at least six hours, is not being regarded as a standoff, said Keays. "The reason this took the time that it did is due to the delicate nature of the situation. We would never rush into something as volatile," said Keays. To help resolve the situation, an undisclosed source provided information and specific equipment to Vanderhoof RCMP. "That person knows who they are and I would like to thank them," said Keays. Unfounded rumors and "outlandish stories" surrounding the presence of black ERT tactical SUV's in Vanderhoof swirled and multiplied until Tuesday, when RCMP released details about the incident. "I'm dedicated to the community and, when possible, discussing events that take place in Vanderhoof," said Keays. "However, I can't stress enough that it's not healthy, or helpful, to start or spread rumors. This is a prime example."
t SPRING r a t S Kick Continued on page 2
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Publication Date: March 13 & 20, 2013