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WEDNESDAY, September 24, 2014
NEWS BRIEFS
Two councils
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BC Hydro warns against prank calls
community
Rebecca Watson Caledonia Courier
A new scam has been reported by BC hydro customers who have been receiving calls where the caller claims to be BC hydro and says power will be disconnected if a payment is not received. BC Hydro customers are remind that never will they be asked to give credit card or banking information over the phone. To check the authenticity of the call customers can hang up and call back. Also, customers are reminded that if an account is in arrears, BC Hydro will send several notices asking for payment in the mail and may also use an automated dialler before power supply is impacted. Fort St. James customers are asked to report any fraudulent calls by calling BC Hydro at 1-800-BCHYDRO, the local police at 250-996-8269, and the Canadian AntiFraud Centre at 1-888495-8501.
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VOL. 37 NO. 30 $1.30 inc. GST event is taking place on Nak’azdli land and it is a great day because from here forward we will be planning this community together. This road is an imaginary wall and tonight we took the first step to illuminating it and we will eliminate it.” The protocol agreement is the first of it’s kind and recognizes that both communities not only sit on Nak’azdli traditional territory but that they will officially start to work collaboratively as one. “We are not going to forget this day,” said Chief Fred Sam of Nak’azdli band. “It’s time we work together
in council-to-council meetings to develop an intergovernmental relationship moving forward on joint priorities. “We used to work together because we had to but now we work together because we want to,” said Mayor MacDougall. The agreement also includes a section stating both communities will strive to celebrate each other’s cultural values, protect the environment and provide employment opportunities that reflect each communities standards and values. A Partnership Steering Committee has also been put into motion whose members will work to implement the protocol agreement. Four representatives from both the District and Nak’azdli will sit on the committee and meet quarterly to discuss completed tasks and relevant updates. Some joint interests of both councils moving forward include cooperative land use planning and management, cultural and heritage protection, economic development, environmental protection, shared services (water, sewer, fire protection and snow removal) emergency preparedness, housing, and education. “This is the highlight of my political career,” said Mayor MacDougall. “This brings all of us together as one and we will become one.”
“This brings all of us together as one and we will become one.”
Photo by Rebecca Watson
HISTORICAL EVENT: The District of Fort St James and Nak’azdli band councils signed a protocol agreement last week that will have the two local governments working together on mutually beneficial terms. (Left to right) Carl Leon, Crystal Millard, Mayor Rob MacDougall, Chief Fred Sam, Dave Birdi and Riley Willick were present for the signing and block party on Kwah Road. Rebecca Watson Caledonia Courier
The District of Fort St. James and Nak’azdli band councils signed an agreement Monday Sept. 15 establishing a mutually beneficial re-
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lationship that will officially start their two councils working together. A block party on Kwah Road was a symbol of the governmentto-government connection with free food and
live music to celebrate the historical event. People of all ethnicities were seen mingling and having a good time. “Our history is so important to us it’s sometimes hard to work together with our
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cultural divide and religious divide but we need to get passed that,” said Mayor Rob MacDougall, on stage at Monday’s block party. “We need to set aside our differences. I acknowledge that this
for the betterment of both communities and for the betterment of everyone. This [agreement] will especially help the health side of things and get rid of the racial barriers.” Each councillor present took turns signing the agreement with the purpose of working more co-operatively with one another. By engaging in the agreement, both parties agree to develop more mutually beneficial initiatives and participate
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