EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
TV show puts spotlight on The Burner Page 8
Eagles burn through Wranglers, Heat Page 9
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 PM40008236
Vol. 59 No. 44 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Mayes recounts shootout on Parliament Hill By Richard Rolke Black Press
Colin Mayes walked into the Conservative caucus room Wednesday not realizing that within minutes, a dramatic chapter in Canadian history would unfold. The weekly gathering of government MPs had just started and Prime Minister Stephen Harper was addressing the crowd when a series of gunshots were heard just outside of the room at 9:55 a.m. “I was at the back of the room. What was happening was on the other side of the wall,” said Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap MP. “Most of us stood up because the first reaction is to get away from danger. We looked at where we should go.” Mayes wouldn’t get into specific details as to what occurred inside the caucus room, but says he and other MPs turned to their colleagues with law enforcement and military experience. “They are trained to react and they took charge. They organized and knew the safest place to be and we all listened to them,” he said. Harper was immediColin Mayes ately removed from the MP caucus room and taken to a safe location. “For all of us, our first reaction was to surround him and protect him,” said Mayes, who was locked down in the caucus room for seven hours. “They (security) kept us briefed but the worst time was when the shots stopped. The concern was someone would be at the door that was not friendly. But the RCMP came to the door which was a relief.” At this point, Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers had shot an armed individual just outside of the caucus rooms. “He is a hero and was the right man for the job,” said Mayes. The entire incident began just a few minutes earlier when an individual approached the honour guard at the National War Memorial and shot Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a 24-year-old reservist in the Canadian Forces. Cirillo died from his injuries. On Thursday morning, MPs gathered at the War MeContinued on page 2
Safety first: Bill Hansma helps tighten grandson Corbin Braun’s helmet before the boy hits the ice Friday morning during the public skate at the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre. Photo by Lachlan Labere
District examines Burnout financial loss Motorcycle rally: Sicamous must cover $9,100 for 2014 event. By Barb Brouwer Eagle Valley News
There will definitely be a Summer Stomp and Burnout Charity Party in Sicamous in 2015. What part the District of Sicamous will play in the organization of the burnout will be reviewed by a new council following the November municipal election. At last week’s regular council meeting, Coun. Suzanne Carpenter raised the subject of the district’s 2014 Summer Burnout Report that shows a net loss of $18,000, with the district having to absorb half of that, or $9,100. As co-organizers of the burnout with the district, the Summer Stomp Committee eats the other $9,100. But Stomp Committee member Steve Hammer says the burnout was not a loss,
getting “99.9 per cent across-the-board positive (support) from the business community.” “We were ecstatic with the event and growth, and what it’s providing for the District of Sicamous,” said Hammer, calling the event a success for the stomp event as well. “It will generate income in the coming years. It takes time to build, and we don’t look at it as a loss; we look at it as investment in the community.” Hammer said the burnout is offered free to everyone and draws crowds to downtown Sicamous. However, the burnout brings organizers no revenues other than from the beer garden. The district’s report shows expenses for the burnout included $11,029 in beer costs, $25,280 for entertainment, $8,645 for rentals and security, $4,750 for power, $500 for first aid and $100 for volunteer
appreciation. Revenues included $27,180 from beer sales, $4,425 in vendor fees and $500 in sponsorship. Back in council chambers, Carpenter asked why the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce had only a $1,400 loss when the organization organized the burnout. “Pam Beech and Michelle Wolf, community members in the audience, also questioned the financial report and Mrs. Beech wanted to know if the District of Sicamous had ever checked with the community on the impact of the Burnout and Stomp to business and the community,” wrote Carpenter in an Oct. 23 email to this newspaper. “Council has asked for a more detailed report on the losses.” Interim chief administrative officer Kelly Bennett said she thinks most people are satisfied with the event. Continued on page 2