Gazette Grand Forks
Seiko Lorus Bulova
available at
Like us on
7353 2nd Street Grand Forks 250-442-2213
Start the ith a New Year w ! look fresh new
e
Call Natali
Your community voice since 1897
Follow us on
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
$1.10 (includes tax)
City seeking legal advice over contract CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
After some discussion and confusion, the new council agreed on a resolution to silence themselves in regards to water meters until staff can receive legal advice. The motion was voted on by a 5-2 margin with Mayor Frank Konrad and Coun. Julia Butler voting in the negative.
“This morning I made a motion to defer discussion and direct staff to obtain legal advice in order to protect the municipality from potential legal action with regards to the water meter issue.” said Hammett. Coun. Butler attempted to add an amendment to allow the mayor to speak to legal staff but it didn’t go anywhere. Coun. Krog initially spoke against the vote stating that lawyers will not tell you ‘yes or no’
Hedz Up Hair Studio
475c Market Avenue, Grand Forks 250-442-5223
LOWER Interest Rates set to help first time Home Buyers! CALL TODAY!
Brian Thate 250-442-7370
www.brianthate.com LITTLE OAK REALTY
Grand Forks Fire/Rescue crews were on hand quickly at a fire on 16th Street. Crews managed to contain the fire to the attic. Craig Linday photo
F
love of fishing! e h t or
Fire displaces family CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
Wilgress Lake 4th Annual
Ice Fishing Derby Feb. 7, 8 and 9 FREE DRAWS ALL WEEKEND Contact: Greg 250-442-5848 for more info!
VOL 118 NO. 4
THE WINNERS! Page A12
A fire at a house on 16th Street had emergency crews working hard at around 8 a.m. on Jan. 23. Crews blocked off much of the street as they battled the blaze. Deputy fire chief Kevin MacKinnon said the fire crews were on the scene quickly. “We got the call around quarter to eight,” he said. “Our first truck was on scene probably six or seven minutes later. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. We’re thinking probably electric. We’ll now more later on with some further investigation. We’ve got some suspicion that it was possibly electric in nature.” McKinnon said the fire was contained to the attic space and that structurally the house is in
Spring is a great time to list your property! Let Ron or Tammy help you in all your real estate needs. Together we work for you!
ED
PRIC
!!!
ELL TO S
250.442.9866
250.442.7636 250.442.2711 www.grandforksrealestate.ca
City supports changing cannabis laws
CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
Council for the City of Grand Forks will send a letter to the federal government asking them to consider changing the law to allow the legal sale and use of medical cannabis derivatives. The motion, which was proposed by Coun. Neil Krog, reads: “Whereas the Council for the City of Grand Forks on behalf of its citizens believe that everyone has a right to access the best medical treatment available and further that marijuana derivatives such as cannabinoid oils have been shown to have great benefit to patients that cannot use the approved smokeable product; • See CANNABIS LAWS page A8
Looking for a place to put your passion? Consider getting involved. Look inside for more details about becoming a Director on the GFCU Board.
Tammy Schembri Ron Woods
good shape. “There’ll be some water damage in the main floor but the fire itself did not spread to the main floor. It was contained to the attic,” he said. McKinnon did say the family will be displaced until the owners can fix the smoke and water damage. He added the crews were able to evacuate the house quickly. “There was someone with mobility challenges and we were prepared for that but the good news is the residents got him out themselves,” he said. “So we had no problem there.” In all, 17 firefighters were on scene. “Considering that time of day—right at the start of the work day—I was happy for that,” said McKinnon. “I’m quite appreciative of those employers that let the guys show up late for work because of the fire.”
and will tell you that you are probably in a conflict of interest and it is up to you whether or not to continue. He also said consulting the lawyers is very costly. Hammett clarified that the motion is to obtain legal advice to protect the municipality from legal action. “I supported what Mr. Krog said about the cost it takes to seek a lawyer for this kind of advice and that they wouldn’t come back with any clear information for us on it,” said Butler to the Gazette after the meeting. “I didn’t think it would be a good investment of taxpayer money.” The legal advice question originally came up at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier in the day. Mayor Konrad voted against the motion after voting for it the first time, moments before. He then said he didn’t understand the reference of the question and called a re-vote in which he voted against the motion. Coun. Krog originally thought legal advice was regarding a potential conflict of interest with the water meter project and Mayor Konrad, whose company originally expressed an interest in the project but was rejected by the city. “When Coun. Hammett read out her (motion) that it was about council not talking about water meters until we get a legal opinion (than I understood),” he said. “It is tied into the whole conflict thing, but to get a legal opinion to protect the city against a lawsuit.” “I believe there is no conflict of interest,” Konrad told the Gazette afterwards. “It’s a witch hunt and I’ll stand by that statement. We’re wasting taxpayer’s dollars going after legal advice over a witch hunt. As mayor, I will stand solid on that.”
RIVERFRONT / 5 ACRES $189,000 MLS® 2401815
Grand Forks Credit Union Tues to Fri 9:30am-5pm & Sat 9:30am-1pm • 250-442-5511 • www.gfdscu.com
Second Class Registration # PM0034