HOT JULY NIGHTS A13
JULY 16, 2014
$1.30 includes GST
Two sections, 36 pages
NDP leader makes pit stop in 100 Mile FIRERESCUE GETS IPADS A3
INGRID MAPSON BUILDING NEW SHOW B3
INSIDE
opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment B3 sports A15 community B1 classifieds A18
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RHYTHM AND REGALIA
John Horgan criticizes Liberals, talks Cariboo economy
Gaven Crites Free Press
New BC NDP Leader John Horgan is on a summer tour of the province, introducing himself to voters and giving them a chance to “kick the tires,” so to speak. His stop in 100 Mile House was fitting then as Horgan spoke with automobile enthusiasts by a row of classic vehicles on display under a merciless sun in the A&W parking lot at the Hot July Nights car and bike show on July 12. The Official Opposition leader and MLA for Juan de Fuca replaced Adrian Dix as head of the party in May in the fallout of a surprise election loss in 2013. In an interview with the 100 Mile House Free Press, Horgan spoke about the economy in the Cariboo, the recent landmark Tsilhqot’in Supreme Court decision, the contentious New Prosperity mine debate, and what the NDP must do before the next election to win over voters in the British Columbia Interior.
On his way south toward 100 Mile House, Horgan made stops in Prince George, Williams Lake and 150 Mile. People there are worried about jobs and the future, he says, and he criticizes the B.C. Liberal government for ignoring what he calls existing economic opportunities while trumpeting the province’s emergent LNG industry. “There are a lot of unanswered questions and there’s a lot of cheerleading going on,” says Horgan, a former NDP energy critic, of LNG development. “At the same time, people in communities like 100 Mile, they’re worried about forestry, they’re worried about mining, and they’re worried about agriculture and ranching, and the government is silent. “That’s basically what I’ve been hearing – ‘What about us?’” Horgan adds the B.C. Liberal government’s plan to consider converting volume-based forest licences to new or expanded area-based Continued on A3
Chris Nickless photo
The colours, beads and feathers were flying and spinning around the dancers to the rhythm of the beating drums at the annual Canim Lake Band Pow Wow on July 12. Local band member Patrick Riley performed traditional dancing in full regalia, along with numerous others from the band and across the province.
Liquor pricing law brings mixed reactions Carole Rooney Free Press
Various pubs and bars in the province are protesting the change in liquor laws that came into effect July 1 – some owners are saying it will put them out of business – since they have been offering drink specials below the new minimum prices. James Clancy owns Red Rock Grill in 100 Mile House with his partner, Natalie Cox, and he says they both feel most of the minimum prices indicated in the legislation change are “quite good.”
Happy hour pricing set, restaurants serve booze only The exception is an increase to the minimum price of a pint of draft beer to $5, which the Red Rock Grill has previously offered at a lower special price. “The price of the wine and spirits seems great to me, it just seems the draft beer for some reason is priced weird. My pints are cheaper than that already, so I have to raise my pint prices now.” The minimum charge for a pint of draft should
have been set at about $3.50, he explains. “My guests are not going to be as happy when they come in and have to pay more for a pint of beer than they have before.” The restaurant/lounge owner says he thinks the rest of the costing is otherwise fine. The new law won’t increase the Red Rock’s charge for a five-ounce glass of wine, a sleeve or bottle of beer, or an ounce of liquor, Clancy notes. The province has now stipulated a minimum price of $3 for each of those, while a jug of beeron-tap will now cost at least $15. Continued on A4