EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Creek upgrades don’t address all concerns Page 2
Students show support for Pink Shirt Day Page 6
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 PM40008236
Vol. 59 No. 10 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Sicamous man investigated for threats RCMP: Police and school district assure public safety not at risk. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
Sicamous RCMP are assuring residents a local man taken into custody for uttering threats that may have involved a local school has been determined to pose no threat to public safety. On Saturday, Feb. 22, a 21-year-old Sicamous man was arrested after police received a report of threats. Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Dave Dubnyk said officers acted immediately and the arrest was made the same day. “We take it very serious any time we receive a report of threats, and when one of the targets of the threat is a school, it definitely adds a heightened level of urThere was a gency,” said Dubnyk. reference made to a In response to conschool, it was not as cerns being voiced in direct as what people the community, Dubbelieve, and that was nyk notes how stories part of our risk ascan take on a life of sessment… their own. He said the Sgt. Dave Dubnyk threats were part of an RCMP exchange between the 21-year old and another individual, that the two are known to each other and have a history of negative exchanges. “There was reference made to a school, it was not as direct as what people believe, and that was part of our risk assessment… I thought what the school district released was right on the money,” said Dubnyk, referring to a newsletter released subsequent to the arrest by School District #83 superintendent Glen Borthistle. In the letter he states there was no immediate threat to the school, and that police have taken actions to ensure the school’s safety. “We wanted to reassure you that all threats to our schools or students are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly,” states Borthistle. “We See Social media on page 2
Artistic approach: Shirley Schandelle, Kristine Bohnsack and Carol Pell check out some of the banners on display during the Sicamous Banner Project open house held Saturday morning at the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre. Photo by James Murray
Mayor says cost of conventions worth outcomes Ontario: District sending four delegates to Niagara Falls event. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
Sicamous Mayor Darrell Trouton says there’s much more to lose than gain by not sending four delegates to an upcoming municipal government convention in Niagara Falls. The mayor, two councillors and the district’s chief administrative officer will be attending this year’s Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) convention in Ontario, May 3 to June 2. Though the district’s 2014 budget hasn’t been approved, $10,431 has been set aside to cover the cost of attendance. As per the district’s council remuneration bylaw, councillors also receive a daily $120 daily per diem and can claim food expenses up to $60 a day. FCM is one of three major
annual local government con- see what the other munici- all I can for them.” ventions attended by council. palities are doing, meet the Asked why the district There’s also the Union of different people that are deal- doesn’t just send one or two B.C. Municipalities and the ing with the same problems representatives instead of Southern Interior Local Gov- that we’re dealing with,” said four, Trouton explained counernment Association conven- Trouton, emphasizing these cillors bring back different tions, for which the district events are not a holiday and points of view on policies and has earmarked procedures to discuss $21,889 and $3,723 and learn from each respectively. other. He also noted Trouton says how the show of numthese events are bers speaks volumes Maybe it is a holiday to some people. something the diswhen you’re wanting But I feel that when I’m out there trict’s mayor, counother communities to representing Sicamous, I’m doing the cil and staff attend support your motions best I can to get all I can for them. every year, and that and they’re wanting they represent an yours. Darrell Trouton opportunity to raise Trouton notes how Mayor local issues or conas of late, Sicamous cerns with higher council’s presence levels of governat these conventions ment, as well as present reso- can, in fact, be very draining. has helped the district reap lutions to garner the support “Maybe it is a holiday to rewards unheard of by other of other local governments some people,” said Trouton. communities the same size. and support them in turn. “But I feel that when I’m out “How has it been put – Its “It’s our only chance as lo- there representing Sicamous, See Lobbying on page 2 cal government to get out and I’m doing the best I can to get