We Remember
107th Year - Week 46
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
www.interior-news.com
Single Copy • $1.30 ($1.24 + 6¢ GST)
PM 40007014
NAIL-BITING LOSS Steelheads fall to Terrace 5-4.
Telkwa poor in spending: CFIB By Kendra Wong Telkwa/Interior News
SPORTS/A6
CHEESY INVENTION Smithers resident makes own cheese.
OUR TOWN/A14
HEATING UP Biomass energy plan for Hazelton schools.
THREE RIVERS/B1
INSIDE LETTERS A5 SPORTS A6 COMMUNITY A11 OUR TOWN A14 THREE RIVERS B1 CLASSIFIEDS B5
Some of the towns in northern B.C. aren’t the best when it comes to spending taxpayers’ dollars, according to a report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The B.C. Municipal Spending Watch 2014, released recently, analyzes how well municipalities across the province have been spending money over the past 12 years. According to the report, which ranks municipalities based on their operating costs and the rate of operating spending growth, the costs of local government per capita was highest in northern B.C. at $2,324. The Village of Telkwa is the worst when it comes to spending in the Bulkley Valley, ranked 138 out of 151 municipalities, dropping 67 spots from the previous year, when it was ranked 71. In 2012, the tax spending per capita was $1,881 in the village. “It seems like there are many municipalities in the North that have some spending problems. We understand that there needs to be some expansion of the operating budget, some of
these communities are growing, some aren’t, but there are some that are growing and they know that necessitates a bigger budget to provide municipal services to that added population,” said Richard Truscott, B.C. director with the federation. But Telkwa’s deputy mayor and mayoral candidate Rimas Zitkauskas defended the municipality’s spending. “Nobody wants to spend more than we need to. But at the same time, we need to realize that we have to start spending what we have to spend otherwise, more and more communities, especially rural communities are going to head down that road,” said Zitkauskas, noting that some rural communities have asked to be dissolved or are merging with larger neighbouring communities because they were unable to support themselves. “We need to ensure that the long-term growth of our community is there. As we grow, we can reduce the contributions needed by individual residents.” The Town of Smithers rounded out the pack, dropping to 70 from 64 last year; and Hazelton was ranked 107.
Boom Boom Raven (left), the outgoing 2012 Mz Judged ambassador, crowns this year’s Mz Judged winner Mz. Matriarch at the Hudson Bay Lodge in front of a sold-out crowd Saturday.
Nick Briere photo
Mz Judged raises thousands of dollars for society By Kendra Wong Smithers/Interior News
Seventeen men showed some leg and strutted their stuff at the biennial Mz Judged pageant, raising thousands of dollars for the Northern Society for Domestic Peace on Saturday. The men dressed up as women and performed a variety of talents ranging from interpretive dance and singing to specially-written poems and belly dancing in front of a sold-out crowd at Hudson Bay Lodge. There was also a swimsuit and formal wear portion of the night — and it was all done in heels. “It’s really a parody on
Friday Only! see last page in A
Island Farms Salted Butter 454 grams
beauty contests and it’s certainly trying to challenge gender stereotypes. But I think it takes a lot for people to do that and be proud,” said Carol Seychuk, executive director with the society. “Everybody is kind of part of it, and that’s what it feels like for us.” Final totals were unavailable before press time, but Seychuck estimated contestants raised $48,000 alone. All the proceeds go towards the society to help provide support programs and services that address violence in relationships and to raise public awareness. “As a Wet’suweten First Nations person, I felt it was very important to be involved in any initiative that tackles
2/
violence against women,” said Trevor Jang or Mz. Beeni Wello. “Violence against women is something that should not exist in 2014.” In the end, it was Mz. Matriarch or Travis Hebert who was crowned this year’s winner, while Mz. Amira, Jayson Chaplin was the runner-up. “I would say that at least 30 per cent of the people here have taken part in the services that are offered by the Northern Society for Domestic Peace and I think they can appreciate where the money goes,” said Boom Boom Raven, the outgoing 2012 Mz Judged ambassador and one of this year’s judges. “All fun aside, it’s just such a great cause.”
6.98 Limit 4 / Family Purchase