InteriorNEWS THE
106th Year - Week 8 PM 40007014
STEELHEADS SLIP The Stampeders bested the Steelheads 3-2 in game one of the CIHL final.
SPORTS/A10
ROTARY RARIN’ TO GO
Rotary members are anxious to finish the entrance project.
COMMUNITY/A17
LEARNING TO TEACH Course teaches instructors how to help disabled skiers.
OUR TOWN/A19
INSIDE LETTERS A7 SPORTS A10 COMMUNITY A17 OUR TOWN A19 THREE RIVERS B1 CLASSIFIEDS B7
SMITHERS, B.C.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
www.interior-news.com
Single Copy • $1.34 ($1.20 + 14¢ HST)
South Hazelton disgruntled
By Jerome Turner Smithers/Interior News
The South Hazelton Community Association hosted a meeting last Wednesday to discuss the future of the community and residents responded in numbers and unity. Nearly a quarter of South Hazelton residents attended the meeting and voiced a resounding no to the option of amalgamating with the District of New Hazelton. Amalgamation has become one of a few options remaining for South Hazelton after the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine decided to install a water treatment facility without properly involving South Hazelton in the decision, Julia Sundell-Pierre, president of the SHCA, said. “We formed the association because we felt ignored by the regional district,” Sundell-Pierre said. “But we are still being ignored today.” Sundell-Pierre and the rest of South Hazelton have waited for a formal budget regarding the water treatment facility from the RDKS for nearly two years.
South Hazelton residents are now faced with paying estimates of more than triple their 2010 taxes due to the water facility, but the final tally won’t be known until the RDKS reveals what the project cost to complete. Several community members received some good news from the RDKS on the morning before the meeting in the form of a letter stating the boil water advisory was lifted, a ban in place since the mid-90s. Yet, the problems pertaining to the water facility outweigh the end of the ban, Sundell-Pierre said. “Our water pipe infrastructure was installed in the 1960s,” she said. “There have been a number of blown mains since the new facility has been in. “Each break costs over $10,000 to fix.” To alleviate some of the confusion and frustration in the community, the SHCA is conducting a study, which it hopes will determine the best way forward. Incorporation is an option to be researched, but Sundell-Pierre already knows taxes will increase more than what is currently
SLIP SLIDING FUN DAY Jaimie Wlasenko, with the Telkwa Volunteer Fire Department, took a bit of time out Saturday afternoon to try the slide during Telkwa Fun Day at the BBQ grounds.
Percy N. Hébert photo
predicted. “People are in for a real surprise if they think incorporation is the way to go,” she said. The SHCA also reminded the
community of the blanket bylaws enacted by the RDKS in July 2012. “It seemed like the new bylaws were directed towards Thornhill,” Sundell-
Pierre said. “But now people in the Kispiox Valley, Two-Mile and here have to fall in line after not being given a chance to have input.” Whatever happens
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.
the SHCA president knows South Hazeltonians don’t wish to amalgamate. “They really showed a lot of care for their community tonight,” she said.
Bring in your pennies for the