Inside
u Word puzzle P. 2 u Timber licence changes P. 3
u Children’s book P. 5 u Fond farewell P. 4
Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014
NEWS BRIEFS Arts fest programs
PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
VOL. 37 NO. 06 $1.30 inc. GST
Salty’s take the cup!
Print copies of the program for the Nechako Valley Festival of Performing Arts are available at the Vanderhoof Library, Vanderhoof Department Store and Woody’s Bakery. You can also view the program on the website www.musicfestivalweb. com/nechako.
New uses for DL With one million of its new high-tech drivers’ licences in use, the B.C. government is preparing to use them for access to medical records, applying for student loans and a range of other uses. The new driver’s licence was introduced a year ago, with a digital chip that replaces the existing medical CareCard system. The health ministry estimated that there were more than nine million CareCards in circulation, about twice as many as there are residents of B.C. Andrew Wilkinson, minister of technology, innovation and citizens’ services, released results of a public consultation on the new cards this week. With digital security similar to bank cards, he said the public appears prepared to use them to apply for prescription renewals, birth, death and marriage certificates, voter registration and criminal records checks.
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The Salty Islanders of Fort St. James won gold in the Carrier-Sekani Family Services winter games hockey tournament. Back left to right: Kaylan Bird, Chris French, Cyrus Prince, Cebo Tom, Shelby Tom. Front left to right: Marvin Martin, Clayton Hempke, Eric Sam, Willy Moise, and Hank Prince. The Islanders defeated the Canyon Bears of Moricetown 10-5 on Sunday to earn top spot in the six team tournament. The Bears, which featured a couple Burns Lake players, took home the silver. Earlier in the day, the Tribe team captured the bronze medal by downing the Burns Lake Bruins 10-4. The hockey tourney was one of several sports featured in the CSFC Winter Games. The Salty Islanders are named in honour of Barry Salt, “A great man who played hockey in Fort St. James,” said Chris French. Salt died in a drowning accident and French said “Fort St. James lost a very fun and loving man who loved to play sports.” Michael Riis-Christianson photo
Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier
Possible improvements for Cottonwood Marina
The District of Fort St. James will be making some changes to Cottonwood Marina and is looking at security, the reservation system and more. There was a wharf user meeting on March 21, 2014 to discuss some possible options for improving the municipal wharf. The meeting came about after Blaine Dionne had come forward last year with some concerns he had and changes he was requesting at a council meeting. Mayor Rob MacDougall and council were receptive to his ideas and asked if Dionne would then be interested in helping them look at possible changes to the marina and the security.
Dionne, Ken Duncan, Kevin Crook of the District of Fort St. James and Rick Claughton from public works were at the meeting which resulted in three suggestions being brought to council at their last meeting: a reservation system which would give last year’s user’s priority, fuel sales at the dock, and increased security. The changes to the reservation system suggested would mean people who were users in the previous season should be given a chance to reserve ahead of the general booking period. A list of pros and cons was included for each suggestion, with one of the negatives to the new reservation system being it would make it harder for new users. Fuel sales at the docks was proposed as a way to generate income and reduce fuel theft from boats
and Councillor Riley Willick said it could possibly also be environmentally beneficial, as people filling boats with jerry cans is more likely to result in spills than a fuel pump with a proper nozzle. Council will be considering the changes, with further consultation requested and some research on the part of administration. The wharf runs at a loss, with the income from boat users generating $14,905 last year. while expenses were $45,046. Revenue was down from projected revenue partially due to a late start while ice damage was repaired. The expected revenue was $18,104. Mayor and council have budgeted an additional $9,000 in upgrades and $32,397 in operating expenses for Cottonwood Marina in 2014, based on projected revenues of $25,000.
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