106th Year - Week 16
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
www.interior-news.com
Biz talks, town listens
PM 40007014
FINE FASHION
By Ryan Jensen
SSS Fashion and Food night impressive.
Smithers/Interior News
SSSCOOP/A22
Now, it’s time for action. About 150 residents and business people attended the most recent Town of Smithers Let’s Talk public forum last Thursday night to discuss how Smithers could better support current businesses and attract new businesses. The forum comes on the heels of a Letter to the Editor in the March 13 edition of The Interior News, from businessman Dennis Groves which sparked the initial town-wide debate. By the end of the night, most agreed any improvement in the business climate in Smithers will
KIND HEART Shaelyn Radu, 11, inspired to help homeless in Smithers.
COMMUNITY/A19
Walter Bucher gives back in his own way.
By Jerome Turner
OUR TOWN/A21
Hazelton/Interior News
INSIDE A7 A12 A19 A21 A22 B1 B12
require a joint effort between residents, businesses and the Town of Smithers. During the meeting, the town outlined current initiatives designed to stimulate and attract more business to Smithers — the expansion and renovation of the airport terminal, the leasehold subdivision of lands around the airport and the airport marketing strategy. Participants in the forum divided into two groups: business and residents, and asked to brainstorm on what they perceived as some of the strengths of the Smithers business community and to identify three specific doable projects that would enhance business in Smithers. See BIZ on p. A4
B.C. gives Hazelton cash to lure doctors
HUMBLE RESCUER
LETTERS SPORTS COMMUNITY OUR TOWN SSSCOOP THREE RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS
Single Copy • $1.30 ($1.24 + 6¢ GST)
SCHNAI DAI Hudson Bay Mountain employee Markus Haines maintains his balance as he surfs through the Slush Cup course at Schnai Dai on Sunday. Schnai Dai marks the last official day of operation of the year. Hudson Bay Mountain General Manager Nancy Treiber said the hill saw a 42 per cent increase in visitors over the weekend, compared to last year. See more photos on page A18 and at www.interior-news.com. Ryan Jensen photo
Friday Only! see page A-28
Wrinch Memorial Hospital is one of 17 rural hospitals in crisis where physician staffing is a concern and is now getting help in the form of $100,000 to recruit. Hazelton and the surrounding community is large enough to require seven full-time physicians, but currently employs only four full-time doctors. Dr. Peter Newberry, Hazelton’s United Church health services
medical director, hopes the money will be enough to draw one or two physicians to the area. “We haven’t had any takers yet,” Newberry said. “It is relatively early in the process. “We would be happy to land suitable physicians from anywhere in Canada.” This $100,000 incentive to practice rurally is available to physicians who either currently practice in an urban setting or medical students who have recently graduated. See DOCTORS on p. A3
TRESemmé
Shampoo & Conditioner Twin Packs, 2 Varieties, 2x1.3 litre
8
$ 88