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WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2013
NEWS BRIEFS New school, old school Mrs. Darlene Turner, Secretary Treasurer, thanked the Ministry of Education for their recent announcement of $5.28 million dollars being committed to the upgrades required in Granisle. “The new fiveclassroom modular project is part of the BC government’s $16.91 million modular school pilot program.” The classrooms will accommodate students in Kindergarten to grade 12 and will feature a bright open design. School District No. 91 has also received approval to seek a buyer for the old Topley School.
At the table
Mr. Rick Pooley, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, informed the Board that contract negotiations are underway with the unions representing the teachers and the support staff. While it is still in the early stages, he described the process as involving constructive conversations at both tables.
VOL. 36 NO. 08 $1.30 inc. GST
Trash into treasure
Lynn George’s class from David Hoy Elementary was at the Integris Credit Union on April 16 to get ideas from the Other People’s Trash... art show displaying local art made from salvaged or recycled materials. The class had just been to the beach to look for their own treasured trash and were going to be doing some art of their own last week. The art show at Integris will be on display until May 4. Ruth Lloyd/Caledonia Courier
Ft. Fraser death ruled homicide Family makes plea for information from those at a party the night the young woman died
Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier An autopsy has confirmed the death of Destiny Rae Tom on Nautley First Nations Reserve near Fort Fraser on March 23 was a result of foul play. Destiny Tom’s badly beaten body was found outside a residence on the reserve after RCMP received a 9-11 call to the location at 5:25 a.m. on March 23, 2013. RCMP have interviewed some of those who were at the residence but no charges have yet been laid in relation to the incident. RCMP held a press conference in Fraser Lake on April 17, revealing little about the details of the case, but allowing Destiny Tom’s mother Vivian Tom the opportunity to make a plea for information. RCMP believe there was a gather-
ing at the residence the night before Tom’s body was discovered and while RCMP are continuing to investigate, they also believe a number of those at the party have yet to speak to police. “We’re still missing that one piece of the puzzle that can bring closure,” said North District RCMP spokesperson Lesley Smith in the Fraser Lake council chambers filled with relativesand family supporters. She then gave the floor to Vivian Tom, who gave an emotional statement pleading for people to come forward. “Our lives have forever been changed with the loss of our youngest child,” she said. “Destiny was a beautiful, caring and loving person. She was a loving mother to our three-yearold granddaughter Cassidy. Destiny loved life, loved people and had many friends that loved her.” Continued on Page 3
Dream big Meeting discusses possible future uses and plans for the new community hall Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier A meeting with potential user groups on the community hall brainstormed potential uses for the facility. There were representatives of a number of community groups with an interest in using the space, from all demographics, including seniors, youth groups, arts council and political leaders. The group provided input into potential renovations to bring the community hall building up to fire code regulations, which will be costly, especially if the theatre in the building is going to be kept to be used specifically as a theatre. Both youth groups members and arts council members spoke in support of trying to maintain the theatre, and so the District’s Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Crook said they will look at the options and costs involved with an engineer to see if it will be possible within the budget. The existing funding for the
community hall will require the work is completed by March 2015, but Crook said he hopes it would be possible to finish the project by 2014. There were some conditions put on the project, for example, trails connecting the new community hall to the curling rink and arena buildings in order to link the facilities and energy-efficiency in the upgrades. Some different ideas were brought forward as the group brainstormed and prioritized what they would like to see in the building. So far, the group proposed a wide range of uses, including using the building as a gathering place for all ages, seniors recreation space, concerts and movie nights in the theatre, creative art space, having a game or arcade room in the building, a non profit office space, or an indoor climbing wall. The group included some of the original Community Hall Committee members as well, and they seemed to like what they heard.