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Vol. 58 No. 47 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Musical accompaniment: Fred Duck, Gerry O’Reilly and Carol Arbuthnott, members of the Sicamous Three Chord Ukulele Group, provide music for shoppers and vendors Saturday at the well-attended Christmas Craft and Trade Fair at Eagle River Secondary. Photo by Lachlan Labere
Council issues challenge to raise money for Philippines
By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The District of Sicamous is raising funds for victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines, and challenging other municipalities to do the same. As of last Friday, more than 3,600 people were believed dead and 600,000 left homeless as a result of a typhoon that struck the Philippine islands. On Nov. 8, Typhoon Haiyan brought record-setting winds of more than 300 kilometres per hour, followed by a 16-foot devastating surge of water akin to a tsunami. Sicamous Deputy Mayor Terry Rysz called the event, and the impact it has had on the Philippines, “absolutely horrendous,” and he recommended that council try to help out. He suggested putting out a challenge to other
municipalities District ad(with a population ministrator Heidi of under 5,000), Frank noted come up with to council, during This could be a way of $1,000 each to showing people in other parts budget discussupport the Canaof the world how much we do sions, had dedian Red Cross’ cided it would care. Typhoon Haiyan only support local fund (http://www. initiatives, adding Terry Rysz redcross.ca). this is not district Deputy Mayor “This could be policy. She said a way of showing the district could people in other parts of the world how much collect personal donations to meet Sicamous’ we do care,” Rysz explained at last Wednes- $1,000 commitment. day’s council meeting. “It wouldn’t have to “I think it’s incredibly important, so I be a huge amount of money, but at the end think we should put some program in place of the day, if we had 200 municipalities giv- so the community is aware they can drop off ing $1,000, that would be $200,000 we could donations here, and maybe even us, as a dissend off to the Philippines, and every dollar trict, could find a way we could contribute to there could help a family for a week.” this fund as well,” said Rysz. “I think if we
can raise $1,000 per community, then we can challenge other communities to meet or beat it.” During question period, resident Pam Beech suggested the district also consider action against climate change as part of the challenge. “I’m asking if council would consider taking a stance and putting out a challenge to other municipalities on climate action, because that would speak very loudly,” said Beech. “This is not just about helping people who are victims of these disasters, but we also could be taking a stance to be proactive against climate conditions that make them worse.” Beech was asked by Rysz to submit her suggestion to the district in writing. Donations can be made at the District office at 446 Main Street, Sicamous.