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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013
Proudly serving Williams Lake and the Cariboo-Chilcotin since 1930
VOL. 83. No. 17
$1.34 inc. HST
Xeni A FROSTY CHILCOTIN VETERAN Gwet’in election goes Feb. 27 Voters in the First Nations community Xeni Gwet’in (Nemiah Valley) will go to the polls Feb. 27 to elect a chief. Present Chief Marilyn Baptiste has been nominated, along with Lois Williams, Gene Cooper, Loretta Williams and Roger William. There are 419 people in the community’s membership and between 250 and 300 eligible voters. Chiefs are elected for a fiveyear term under the custom office election system. Election for councillors will take place in June.
Inside the Tribune
Dan Hicks photo
On a blue-sky February morning, a frosted veteran Douglas fir stands tall in a Bidwell Creek clearing. This great veteran has survived fires through the centuries, but not so its neighbouring pines which, both young and old, all perished in a vast 2009 wildfire.
NEWS A2 RCMP feeling strike effects.
City, union meet with mediator
SPORTS A9 Stamps take game one of finals.
Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer
COMMUNITY A12 Little Women on stage this week.
The union representing city workers on strike in Williams Lake and the city resumed talks, meeting with a mediator Monday in Williams Lake. Picket lines, however, remained up at all city work sites at Tribune press time as around 110 city workers participate in the second week of a strike that began Feb.
Weather outlook: Cloudy today, high of 1 C. Wednesday, mix of sun/cloud and high of 4 C.
16. The two sides have to go over some changes to what has to be provided with essential services, said International Union of Operating Engineers Local 882B representative John Dube. “The Labour Relations Board got a hold of us after we and the city filed an unfair labour practice and suggested we meet with a mediator. Our union’s business manager Saundra Taylor agreed that
we would attend the meeting.” Dube said the mediation is nonbinding and the mediator cannot impose any agreement. “If we find we’re not getting anywhere we can book out. Hopefully we can find a medium where we can move forward.” Mayor Kerry Cook said it is very important the two sides get back to the table. “The city is in support of respectful meaningful discussions.
We need to resolve this. The sooner we can get back to the table the sooner we can do this.” The city has never left the table, Cook added. “I am hoping that this time will be different. There has to be a willingness to negotiate in a respectful manner.” Meanwhile, the city confirmed Monday there will be no committee of the whole meeting Feb. 26 as there are “no items on the agenda.”
CCRHD to host Interior Health public meeting Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer
PM 0040785583
As promised last fall, Interior Health is coming to Williams Lake to provide an overview of services. The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District will host a pub-
lic meeting Thursday, Feb. 28 to provide Central and South Cariboo residents with an overview of health care services and projects underway within the region. “This is an opportunity for residents to ask questions and provide input about health care services
within the area,” a CRD press release noted. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the Cariboo Regional District boardroom 180 D North Third Ave., Williams Lake. For residents who are unable to attend, comments, suggestions or
questions can be sent to the mailbox@cariboord.bc.ca. Please include “IH Meeting” in the subject line. Written submissions can be mailed or dropped off at the CRD office located at 180 D North Third Ave., Williams Lake, B.C., V2G 2A4.