106th Year - Week 49 PM 40007014
Money raised to date:
$215,620 GOAL
$400,000
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
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Square costs released By Ryan Jensen Smithers/Interior News
KLA HOW YA DOING? Smithers Figure Skating club begins competition season.
SPORTS/B12
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED New Hazelton FD looking for a few good men (and women).
THREE RIVERS/C1
INSIDE LETTERS A5 COMMUNITY A8 OUR TOWN A9 SPORTS B1 THREE RIVERS C1 CLASSIFIEDS C5
The Town of Smithers spent nearly half a million dollars on the purchase, remediation and construction of Bovill Square. According to a report filed by director of finance Leslie Ford that was included in the Nov. 26 regular council meeting agenda, the town came up with $467,485 to purchase and remediate the lot and for other contributions like landscaping and storm sewer and irrigation installation. The report said the total cost of the project, over the last three years, was $687,766. Ford’s total doesn’t include an estimated $80,000 to $100,000 in volunteer labour and in-kind donations the came in for the project. Mayor Taylor Bachrach said he thinks public spaces like Bovill Square can be a “game-changer for communities if they’re done right.” “You have to consider what we started with,” he said. “A contaminated site right in the heart of our downtown, directly on Main Street. It’s something that really detracts from what we’re trying to do here in Smithers. We took that contaminated site and unusable building and have turned it into what is going to be a really vibrant public space. “Yes, that costs money. I’m optimistic it’s going to be a place where people come together and it’s going to provide another venue for Smithers’ performing artists, which is something we’re widely known for.” Ford said the money for the project came from the town’s land sales and utility reserves. The cost of the stage makes up about 20 per cent of the overall total. Including foundation, it cost just more than $160,000. See SQUARE on A2
SEASON OF GIVING Anne Harfenist, Smithers Community Services Association Christmas Hamper program coordinator, is hoping Bulkley Valley residents are generous this year as they begin their annual campaign. Toys, food and books are being accepted at their depot located at the Smithers Mall until Dec. 20 from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The hampers help brighten the holiday season for more than 1,000 families annually. Nolan Kelly photo
Curbside recycling to start in May By Ryan Jensen and Nolan Kelly Smithers/Interior News
Curbside recycling is coming to the Town of Smithers. At the regular council meeting Nov. 26, a motion was passed to enter into an agreement with MultiMaterial BC to begin a curbside recycling service starting May 2014. Councillors also decided to reduce garbage collection to biweekly, with recycling to be picked up on off weeks. “I think this is something a lot of people in the
community support, we have had a lot of positive feedback,” said Mayor Taylor Bachrach. “What it comes down to for me is, what is our vision for the community? There are always going to be unknowns. Really it’s about long term, 10 years down the road. Where do we want to get and how do we get there?” MMBC was tasked by the provincial government to assume responsibility for managing residential packaging and printed paper on behalf of industry beginning May 2014. The Village of
Telkwa also voted last week to sign on with MMBC. They have already been collecting their residents’ recycling for the last three years. Terrace is the only other community in the region to have come to terms with the group. Discussion at the Smithers meeting centred on what many councillors said was a one-sided contract not able to work for all communities. Town staff raised concerns about the agreement including unknown commitments of staffing/personnel and equipment and the length of the contract. Council was also unable to get a response from
OUR ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE Thursday, Dec. 12th & Friday, Dec. 13th see page A-16
On location
Proceeds to the Smithers Food Bank
MMBC on the location of the town’s recycling depot, which according to the agreement could be as far away as 60 kms. In the end, only Deputy Mayor Counc. Frank Wray voted against the motion to sign the curbside recycling agreement. He cited the numerous issues he had with how the contract was written and MMBC’s take-it-orleave-it attitude. “I want to make it clear,” Wray said. “I’m against this contract, I’m not against recycling.”
See RECYCLE on A2