Trail Daily Times, September 10, 2013

Page 1

TUESDAY

S I N C E

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 Vol. 118, Issue 142

105

$

INCLUDING G.S.T.

1 8 9 5

Strong start for Smokies Page 11

Follow us online

PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO

MONTROSE

LEATHERS AND STEEL

Council unable to opt village out of smart meter program BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff

Sometimes there’s power in numbers but not for FortisBC customers in the Village of Montrose. Resident Mario Como approached council last week with an impassioned plea to Mayor Joe Danchuk to unite the village to opt out of the utility company’s 2014 smart meter program. “We had the vision of a moratorium in Montrose,” said Como, delegated to speak on behalf of “concerned citizens of Montrose.” “What I would like to see is opting out for all of our community and send a clear message to Fortis.” Como cited health concerns related to the radio frequency technology used to “read” the wireless meters, and infrastructure expenses FortisBC electrical customers will inevitably be on the hook to pay. “The village has the responsibility to resist high pressure tactics by providing sanctuary against the harmful effects of radiation and protecting human rights,” said Como, adding, “only as a whole community are we able to avoid ill health effects, security issues, expenses of wireless metering and misinformation by FortisBC.” In August, FortisBC announced its approval from the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) for the company to proceed with its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project next year. See COST, Page 3

GUY BERTRAND PHOTO

Santa Claus led the way as the West Kootenay Toy Run rolled over the Victoria Street Bridge in Trail on Sunday. Over 350 motorcycles took part in this year’s event. For more photos of the Toy Run’s stop in the Silver City visit the Trail Times online at traildailytimes.ca or check out our Facebook page for the slideshow.

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY

Crisis line provides valuable link for support BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff

The phone rings and there is a voice on the other end. But it’s not your mom, sister or best friend, it’s an anonymous person ready to listen. That is the beauty of the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Crisis Line (1-888353-2273). Since 1987, the 24-hour support line has helped those who feel like they’re in a crisis, whether it’s struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction or thoughts of suicide.

Today, the support team feelings, I really appreciate based in Trail, is stepping their honesty and the risk “We really try to out for hope and resilience that they’re taking because it listen without on World Suicide Prevention takes a lot of courage.” judgement and Day. Crisis line staff and volSuicide is a complex issue unteers will join other organ- not a lot of advice that involves numerous facizations for a kite-flying ceretors and should not be attriband that’s really mony at Kinsmen Park in uted to any one single cause, hard to come by Castlegar this afternoon. according to the Canadian “I think for me I see it as a Association for Suicide sometimes.” real opportunity,” said Karen Prevention. KAREN MILLER Miller, crisis line coordinator. People considering suicide “I mean if someone is willing feel as though their pain will to come forward and be honest about their never end and that suicide is the only way

to stop the suffering. Miller has been working with crisis lines for 22 years in some form or another and says the West Kootenay line made some real strides last year when it pooled regional resources and developed a website (www.westkootenaysuicideprevention.org), a one-stop place to find support and links to local and national resources. But this year marks the first time the Trail Family and Individual Resource (FAIR) Centre’s program has spearheaded an event. See RESOURCES, Page 3

Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012

columbiapower.org | 250.304.6060


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.