Since 1923
Arrow Lakes News PAGE 6
50 0 1 6
PAGE 7
78195
BURTON CITY BACK IN THE DAY
7
DIP INTO CHOCOLATE MAKING
1
Vol. 90 Issue 33 • Wednesday, August 14, 2013 • www.arrowlakesnews.com • 250-265-3823 • $1.25 •
PM40036531
Help makes an old house into a new family’s home CLAIRE PARADIS Arrow Lakes News
A chest filled with linens and towels on the doorstep greeted Jan Termehr Dion on the morning of August 7. Someone in the community had heard that the Dion family were expecting company and needed a hand turning their renovation into a home for them. Friends of Jan and Pat Dion are coming to Nakusp from China just around the time that school starts, so the couple are now hustling to repaint and ready their little carriage house for their arrival. Unfortunately, the travellers from the middle kingdom are able to bring only one suitcase each, and so the task of outfitting their Canadian home lies with the Dion family. But luckily, there are people in the community who are already ponying up to make the house a home. “Somebody came this morning and left blankets and sheets,” an amazed and grateful Jan Dion said, pointing out the most recent act of generosity. It’s a great start, said Dion, who would also welcome side tables, carpets, a single mattress, and single sheets. And
some time. One of the biggest needs is to get the little house’s rooms painted so the furniture can be moved in and arranged. The weather is perfect for the job right now, hot and sunny so the windows can be wide open and drying times are short. Having lived in China themselves, the Dions also recognize the value of pieces of familiarity, so if anyone has some Chinese items that could help the family feel even more at home, it would be appreciated. “Everything is different,” said Pat about the culture shock that comes with living in another country, particularly one where there is a language barrier. Even with the pressure to get the painting done and the house together, Pat said people’s stellar generosity has been really helpful. “We’re doing great,” he said, “people have been great.” If you feel like being great too, you can contact the Dions at 250-265-4748. Both loans and donations would be accepted, said Jan, just let them know when you drop stuff off.
Jan Termehr Dion was surprised to find a chest filled with donated blankets and linens on her doorstep last week. Claire Paradis/Arrow Lakes News
Slocan Valley residents file class action suit over fuel spill Black Press
Residents of the Slocan Valley filed a class action suit over the spill of over 33,000 litres of jet fuel into Lemon Creek late last month. The action that was filed on Wednesday by resident Robert Kirk names the Province of British Columbia and Executive Flight Centre as defendants and alleges negligence and nuisance. Kirk says fuel was carelessly brought into the Lemon Creek area to fight the forest fire on Perry Ridge. “They set up an ad hoc fuel depot in an environmentally sensitive area without taking due care. They could have easily avoided the spill had they taken any one of various safety measures: a sign, map, a VHF radio or a flag person by the side of the road,” said Kirk.
Kirk lives on a 51-acre property on the east bank of the Slocan River six kilometres south of Lemon Creek. The retired man’s property consists of about 45 acres of wetlands within the flood plane of the Slocan River. The morning after the July 26 spill, Kirk says he awoke with a headache and sore throat to discover an evacuation order posted to his door. A pool of fuel accumulated fuel on his property remains today, with the addition of an orange flag placed by authorities. Kirk says he’s observed a complete absence of wildlife from his property. “The Slocan River is a dead zone. The wildlife are gone. Ducks, herons and deer have been pulled out dead from the river. The shorelines and wetlands that were once nesting grounds are now scattered
Summit Savings
RATES AS HIGH AS
1.60%
INVEST NOW AND YOU COULD WIN DOUBLE YOUR 2013 INTEREST!
with fish carcasses,” he said. Austin Greengrass is a local resident and member of the class action suit. He says this tragedy was preventable. “Tremendous suffering” includes the physical symptoms of burning eyes, blisters, sore throats, headaches, respiratory distress and neuromuscular symptoms as well as people being displaced from their homes, farms contaminated and businesses shut down. “This is over 30,000 liters of perhaps the most dangerous and longlasting types of fuel — released directly into an aquatic environment spanning over 40 kilometres,” he says. “This is the largest spill of its kind in Canadian history. The total impact of human suffering and ecological damage will not be seen for years.” The lawsuit alleges that the province used fuel-contaminated water
to fight the Perry Ridge forest fire exacerbating the harm. “They doused a forest fire with fuel contaminated water - we’re facing a circus of incompetence,” says Greengrass. “Who can we trust keep us safe?” The Perry Ridge Water Users Association is assisting the plaintiff in the administration of the class action. The association is a society incorporated under the laws of British Columbia with its offices in the Slocan Valley. It has represented local water users on environmental matters, including litigation, for 30 years. “The law suit stands to trigger full disclosure,” Marilyn Burgoon, president of the Perry Ridge Water Users Association. “At this point, we do not even have particulars as to the exact composition of the fuel. Material has been released into our
water and we need to know what’s in it in order to properly react.” David M. Aaron, plaintiff counsel explained the lawsuit seeks relief and an order requiring the defendants to consult independent environmental experts as they monitor and remediate damage. “The plaintiff is uncomfortable with the fact that clean up is in the hands of the parties that were allegedly irresponsible enough to let this happen. We are asking the court to compel the defendants to meaningfully consult with an independent environment scientist who may give input into monitoring and remediation strategies,” he says. The defendants will have 21 days from being served to file their defense pleading. Then the plaintiff will seek to have the action certified under the Class Proceedings Act.
Summit Savings offers high interest and total freedom. Earn up to 1.53% on deposits of $10,000+ or up to 1.60% on $100,000+ plus a chance to double your interest for the rest of the year! Rates shown are subject to change and without profit shares. Maximum prize $1,500. Contest closes September 30, 2013. Full details in branch and at kscu.com.
better. together.
kscu.com