POOL CLOSED FOR MONTH PAGE 3 merrittherald.com
BACK TO SCHOOL HOO OL SECTION B
GOLF TOURNEY A REAL CLASSIC PAGE 17
Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905
MERRITT HERALD THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
FREE F
Post office petitions against downsizing By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt’s Canada Post office was listed as a site that will be reviewed by Canada Post for downsizing in 2014. At the local office, Merrittonians can sign a petition to inform official Opposition deputy critic of Canada Post MP Robert Aubin they do not wish to see the Merritt post office downsized. By press time, 328 people have signed that petition. Michael Potestio/Herald
Canada Post will be looking to downsize some of its retail outlets across the country in 2014 and Merritt’s post office could be one of them. Canada Post spokesperson John Caines told the Herald while there are no plans to make changes to the Merritt post office right now, it will be considered for possible downsizing in the new year. “It’s an adjustment to the [business] model as opposed to the actual building that’s there now,” Caines said. In January, Canada Post sent a letter to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) stating it’s considering implementing changes to their retail model. That letter also contained a list of over 60 potential outlets that could be slated for downsizing. Merritt was on that list. The letter states those communities listed are the first batch to be reviewed and the list is subject to change. He said none of those communities listed are currently scheduled for any changes.
“It was just a list,” Caines said. Post offices across Canada will be looked at for potential downsizing, Caines said. Kamloops-area CUPW president Bob Mitchell said the union is concerned about the potential downsizing in the Merritt post office. Mitchell said the Merritt post office is a viable one as it serves a large area through its 3,000 post office boxes. Canada Post is considering a number of reconfigurations to their post offices across Canada. One potential reconfiguration would see a reduction in the number of counter stations and merchandise housed behind the counter instead of on display. Caines said the reason for moving the product off display is lower traffic in certain Canada Post outlets. It’s possible reconfigured outlets may be reduced in size as well, as Canada Post will be installing parcel compartments or lock boxes in some offices, Caines told the Herald. Mitchell said the basic reconfigured model Canada Post is considering implementing at some locations would see one counter with one clerk.
See ‘Canada Post’ Page 2
Pot activist brings decriminalization fight to Merritt By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Sensible BC was in Merritt last Friday looking for supporters and possible canvassers to gather signatures for a petition on a potential referendum to decriminalize marijuana possession in B.C. Director of the non-profit organization Dana Larsen and tour co-ordinator Cindy Heemeryck stopped in at the Grand Pub and Grill to
M E R R I T T Independently owned and operated
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS INSIDE Ph: 250-378-6181 1988 Quilchena Ave.
talk about decriminalization. Merritt was one of their stops on their provincial tour to meet and speak with supporters of their campaign. About 13 people attended the meeting and signed a form to become canvassers in Merritt, where they will collect signatures for a petition on the referendum Sensible BC hopes to make happen. Larsen said he’s visiting 32 cities around northern B.C. and the Interior in 12 days, raising awareness and
support for Sensible BC’s initiative. “Basically, we’re promoting this campaign. We want to have a marijuana referendum in British Columbia, similar to the Fight HST campaign in terms of getting signatures,” Larsen said. “And the reason I have to tour the whole province is we need 10 per cent of the registered voters in every single electoral district to sign our initiative within a threemonth period, which starts
Sept. 9.” In total, Sensible BC will need 400,000 people to sign the petition to qualify for a referendum. Larsen said he’s had about 100 Merrittonians express support for the initiative by either pledging to sign the petition or electing to volunteer with Sensible BC. Larsen said he was in Kamloops earlier in the day and had about 12 people come out to show their support.
S’more
the Merrier S’mores
Royal Shake
or cultivate marijuana legally “We’re not doing huge rallies with thousands of peo- without changing federal law, Larsen said. ple right now. We’re really “What we can do is what looking to find our key orgawe specify in this legislation,” nizers, talk to them one-onLarsen said, noting the act one, [and] get them excited instructs all police in B.C. about working in their comto stop making arrests for munities,” he said. possession of marijuana and The legislation Larsen changes the Liquor Control hopes will become law is and Licensing Act so minors the “Sensible Policing Act,” caught in possession are which the organization has penalized the same as if they written. were in possession of alcohol. This act would be the first step in fully legalizing marijuana as B.C. cannot sell See ‘Campaign seeks’ Page 3
S’mores
Blizzard Treat S’mores Frozen
Hot Chocolate
S’m o re Gimme
Gimme the one. Gimme the only.
er Long All Summ
3673 DeWolf Way • 250-378-5030