Up front: Local NDP pick Crowder’s right hand to carry their torch page 5 On stage: Maladjusted takes you behind the mental health system page 11
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Friday, January 30, 2015
Kelsey students shake things up to help sick friend Fundraising effort: Community steps up to help family through its battle with cancer John McKinley
News Leader Pictorial
C
hocolate? Vanilla? Strawberry? The flavour of milkshake doesn’t really matter to the Frances Kelsey Secondary School community, not when it comes to helping one of their own. Students and staff downed 272 McDonald’s milkshakes earlier this month and, in the process, helped the family of Garrett Stalker, a Grade 9 student recently diagnosed with blood cancer. The milkshake fundraiser was the brainchild of the school’s student parliament. “Garrett has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, and his family is desperately trying to raise money for the treatments necessary,” student president Owen Laurie said. “Frances Kelsey has teamed up with McDonald’s to have milkshakes delivered on three different days, one day for each flavour.” The event certainly sparked applause for the student initiative. “The kids have been fantastic. It’s been wonderful to experience so much support and caring for Garrett,” Brianne Melnyk posted on the News Leader Pictorial’s Facebook page. But it’s not just Frances Kelsey stepping up for the family. About a month ago, with Garrett scheduled to begin treatment at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, his aunt, Paula Zerr, launched a go-fund-me site aimed at helping them out. “The doctors are very confident that with the treatment they have chosen, Garrett will be cancer-free in no time. He will undergo roughly six months of chemotherapy and will be commuting back and forth to Vancouver to do so,” Zerr wrote on the site. Garrett lives with little sister Emily and mom Kate. Kate is self-employed and only able to work in fits and starts around caring for Garrett — who spends about four days every second week in Vancouver. Add in travel costs and her lack of any benefit Andrew Leong plan and Auntie Paula didn’t want finances Student Jaden Findlater helps herself to a vanilla milkshake during a special fundraiser at Frances Kelsey Secondary earlier this adding to the family’s burdens. month. The FKSS Student Parliament teamed up with Mill Bay McDonald’s restaurant for a milkshake fundraising drive on Jan. 14, 15, more on page 8 and 16, to help Grade 9 student Garret Stalker, who is undergoing treatment for a form of blood cancer.
City begins demolition of old Red Balloon building
Methodical process: Complicated court case could ultimately decide who will pay for what John McKinley
News Leader Pictorial
T
he controversial demolition of the old Red Balloon building in downtown Duncan is underway. But the repercussions of that move could echo on in a courtroom for quite some time. Brian McDaniel, lawyer for building owner Susan Faulkner confirmed Tuesday that his client plans to proceed with court action intended to recoup her losses — losses that are expected to grow with the demolition. “The ultimate loss is going to include the cost of the building,” McDaniel said. “The game has changed, but the game is still on.” City of Duncan CAO Peter de Verteuil confirmed the city quietly prepared the building for the demolition process in November and December and began dismantling it from the inside about a week ago in what is expected to be a careful, drawn-out process. The building’s high-profile downtown location and the presence of asbestos and lead complicates things. De Verteuil said the amount of hazardous material was extensive, leading to the hiring of Tectonica Management to assist. The asbestos removal is ongoing and deconstruction will begin immediately upon its completion. Costs of demolition project — at $294,666, pending lead removal — are being paid by the city, which will then bill Faulkner. The city ordered the demolition of the 107-year-old building — located at the corner of Station and Craig — in September, five years after a protracted process that began when the building was damaged when it was hit by a Duncan snowplow. Citing safety and nuisance reasons after Worksafe BC closed the site, the city eventually rejected a bid by Faulkner to negotiate a deal to repair and save the building. more on page 6