Fun-FLy aiR SHOw 21 July 31, 2013
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Van Osch resigns as SD27 chair
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100milefreepress.net
COuLdn’T ReSiST
By Carole Rooney Free Press
School District #27 chair Will Van Osch has stepped down from his lead position on the school board. “We only have a year and a half left in our term, and if I don’t run again, I want to make sure that other people have an opportunity to serve as chair.” This will allow another trustee to train as chair before heading into the election, so someone is experienced in that role to potentially carry on. “Being a chair even for a year, it gives you a taste of what the job is like.” While he plans to continue as Zone 1 trustee until the next local-government election in 2014, Van Osch has given up his seat. By policy, his seat as chair went to vice-chair Joyce Cooper until the board’s next election. Typically, the trustees elect their chair in November, so Van Osch notes that will leave another year of training for whoever is chosen for the role before the local elecWill tions take place. Van Osch “We have quite a qualified board, and I think everybody would be able to do the job. But in this term, it would be nice if other people got the opportunity to do the job as well.” Van Osch explains if he didn’t step down now, and waited for the board election, it would have left things “a bit tight” for training between November 2013 and June 2014. In September 2014, the October municipal elections begin. His Zone 1 trustee role covers Bridge Lake, Forest Grove, Buffalo Creek and Horse Lake. Van Osch remains undecided if he will run again, but notes he has already held the trustee role for many years. “I’ve been on the board for quite a while – for nine years – and if I go for another term, it will be 12 years. And, it seems like a long time.”
Arlene Jongbloets photo
Betty Warman found a couple of treasures to add to her Teddy bear collection while helping out at the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department yard sale, July 27. The sale drew strong support and raised $1415 for the department.
Presentations recognized by federal panel ken alexander Free Press
Day 2 of the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project public hearings in Williams Lake before the federal review panel on July 23 was emotionally charged as proponents and opponents gave their 15-minute presentations and answered questions. Three 100 Mile House area men - Al Roberts, Nick Christianson and Len Doucette - set the bar high, as they spoke passionately about the positive socioeconomic impact the mine would have on their families and their community.
All three asked the panel to recommend that New Prosperity be given a green light. Roberts, a business owner in 100 Mile House, says he felt his, Christianson’s and Doucette’s role was to speak to the social and economic impact the mine would have on 100 Mile House. “I’ve been here since 1959 and Nick was here before that, so we’ve both been here for over 50 years. We’ve watched it grow; we’ve watched it develop. We’ve watched people live and die and come and go. “So, we told the federal panel where we were and where we are now and
where we’re going to go, and we’re not very happy.” Roberts says he spoke from the heart and it was very emotional. He adds the youth are moving away from the community in search of jobs. “We need our youth; they’re the pulse of the community.” With the “inevitable downfall” of the forest industry, Roberts asks where are we going to be? “With this mine opening, 100 Mile has very viable project that is 60 miles away - one-hour drive – and it’s going to require upwards of 600 employees when it’s up and running. Continued on 7