$1.30 includes GST
CANADA POST CHANGES COMING A3
VETERANS VALOUR RECOGNIZED B1
INSIDE
opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment B3 sports A23 community B1 classifieds A26
The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
JINGLE BELLS A4
DECEMBER 18, 2013
Two Sections, 48 pages
Mine rally revs up support
100milefreepress.net
FOLLOWING TRADITION
Focus fuels Bill Bennett’s lobby in Ottawa
Carole Rooney
The gathering was sponsored by the British Columbia Chamber of Several Cariboo com- Commerce (BCCC) and was munity leaders were among aimed at helping the prova host of others from ince persuade the federal across the province who government to approve the attended a rally support- New Prosperity project. ing New Prosperity Mine in It took place two days Vancouver on Dec. 10. before B.C. Mines and South Cariboo Energy Minister Bill Chamber of Bennett met with Commerce (SCCC) four federal cabinet directors Len ministers to discuss Doucette and Allan the proposed mine Roberts, and local project on Dec. 12. businessman Nick Roberts said the Christianson joined rally gave further business, political, LEN DOUCETTE testimony to boost and mining associaBennett’s goals of tion leaders along achieving a convincwith other stakeholders who ing argument when he spoke gathered to voice support for to the officials on Parliament the Cariboo-Chilcotin min- Hill, so they don’t veto the ing project. controversial project. Within the next few The two-hour meeting months, Canada’s minister featured various speakers, of environment and cabinet but he noted those who are due to decide if they will stood out to him were approve the mine project at made by Bennett, Williams Fish Lake to move forward Lake Mayor Kerry Cook, to the subsequent planning former Alexis Creek First stages. Continued on A6 Free Press
Chris Nickless photo
Keeley Holloway, left, lit a candle while Bernice Enns looked on during a Canticle of Joy, Cantata for Christmas event at 100 Mile United Church on Dec. 15. Proceeds from the night went to the United Church Benevolent Fund.
Next RCMP commanding officer selected
Ken Alexander Free Press
Mayor Mitch Campsall and Cariboo Regional (CRD) District Area H Director Margo Wagner were members of the interview team that hired the next commanding officer of the 100 Mile House RCMP detachment. Along with two RCMP representatives, Campsall and Wagner recently interviewed three candidates in 100 Mile House. Noting she participated in the interviews because CRD chair Al Richmond was away on
holidays, Wagner says it was an extremely interesting process She adds Quesnel went through a similar process with community representatives on the panel, but the applicants just sent in letters. Wagner says she was told this is the first time community representatives participated in faceto-face interviews with the candidates. When the interview process was completed, Wagner, Campsall and the two RCMP representatives unanimously selected Sgt. Blake Ward who was stationed in the Village of Masset. Campsall notes Ward’s two sons – Jaidan and
Brady – play for the 100 Mile House Wranglers Junior B hockey team. “Yes, it’s really interesting the Wards’ sons play hockey here, so it will be good for the family.” Noting it took a day-and-half to conduct the interviews, the mayor says all three were really good candidates. Campsall adds all parties hope Ward to be stationed in 100 Mile House by Feb. 1, 2014. “He is very excited about coming to our community. I’m getting a lot of good reviews from the different people who know him and from the different municipalities he’s been in.”