THURSDAY
< Back to blast the Byng
APRIL 10, 2014
Rock band Miss Quincy returns to Cranbrook | Page 13
Getting ready to roll > Gran Fondo registration now open | Page 9
1
Like Us
$ 10
TownsmanBulletin
INCLUDES G.S.T.
Follow Us @crantownsman
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
Vol. 63, Issue 69
www.dailytownsman.com
St. Mary’s Band set for major vote
The proposed land code would see the band freed from one-third of the provisions in the Indian Act SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
CHRIS PULLEN/CRANBROOK PHOTO
Jaedon Descheneau, pictured in front of Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Marek Langhamer, may have had a bit of snake bit luck in Wednesday night’s playoff match-up at Western Financial Place. But Levi Cable was spot on, scoring three goals in the Ice victory. The Ice go into tonight’s game in Cranbrook with a 2-1 series lead. See you tonight. And see Page 8 for a complete game wrap.
Members of ?aq’am (St. Mary’s band) will have a chance to control land use decisions on the reserve with a significant ratification vote next week. From Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 16, eligible voters will head to the polls to vote yes or no for ?aq’am’s land code. The land code will let the band govern its own lands and resources, without having to go through the federal ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
Leeanna Rhodes, governance coordinator for the band, said that relatively simple land transfers become complex because of the communication between the two governments. “Something that would take 20 minutes to do if we managed our own land is taking anywhere from three weeks to six months.” The land act will also allow the band to make laws about management of the reserve’s lands and resources, such as a land use plan for zoning, similar to an official community plan.
See ?AQ’AM , Page 3
Referendum on fluoride set for November A R N E P E T RYS H E N Townsman Staff
The City of Cranbrook has confirmed that there will be a referendum question on fluoridation of the water supply on the municipal election ballot in November.
At the Monday, April 7, regular council meeting, Mayor Wayne Stetski said he was asked about the issue at the mayor’s brown bag lunch on March 19. “The question came up on a referendum on fluoridation, and there will be a
y urda th t a S s Open e ril 18 g p n A Ra s Open e s r u Co
referendum question as part of the election next fall,” Stetski said during council. On Wednesday, Mayor Stetski further elaborated on the topic, noting that a proposed referendum question would be brought before council for approval,
tentatively set for the May 12 meeting, but said there wasn’t anything more specific he could say about it. “What we have confirmed is our interest in bringing this forward as a referendum question as part of the November 15, 2014
municipal election,” he said. “The addition of fluoride to Cranbrook’s drinking water was originally approved by Cranbrook residents through a referendum several decades ago, so it makes sense to ask them if they want to continue the
practice or not into the future. “I’m sure that there will be strong arguments on both sides of the question based on comments I’ve received from residents.”
See FLUORIDE , Page 4