Merritt Herald, February 05, 2015

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MERRITT HERALD FREE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS

MOVING ON UP Three Merritt Secondary School students were awarded prizes by the Royal Canadian Legion’s Thompson-Nicola Zone in its annual Remembrance Day writing and poster contest.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 secretarytreasurer Jan Oswald (left) presented Olivia Boven, Cameron Johnson and Hayley Zabek with their awards on Wednesday.

Boven’s poem placed third at the zone level, while Zabek’s black and white poster placed second.

Johnson’s colour poster placed first at the zone level and will be moving up to the provincial level to be judged by the Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command.

MSS teacher David Finch (right) sponsored MSS’ participation in the contest.

Emily Wessel/Herald

Three rescued from Kicking Horse avalanche Three men from Saskatchewan were rescued from an avalanche at Golden’s Kicking Horse resort on Tuesday afternoon.

The there men, all in their early 20s, were skiing out of bounds near Terminator 2 when it appears they were caught in an avalanche, RCMP said in a press release.

One of the men was able to call 911 and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s safety team located them.

Two of the men suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries while the other appeared uninjured.

Search and rescue members attended and took the men to hospital for treatment.

Family of Monica Jack seeks community support

By Michael Potestio THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

Elizabeth Kraus cried when she found out police were arresting someone for the murder of her sister, Monica Jack, who went missing almost 40 years ago while riding her bike home along Highway 5A near Merritt.

“I was in shock that finally someone was going to pay for what had happened to my sister,” a teary-eyed Kraus told the Herald.

“I thought about her every day, and the pain of her being gone will never go away.

“I still think about her all

the time,” the 47-year-old said.

“She never got to get married, never got to graduate.”

In December, RCMP charged 67-year-old Gary Taylor Handlen with first-degree murder in the 1978 death of 12-year-old Monica.

He is also charged in the 1975 murder of KathrynMary Herbert of Abbotsford.

Handlen made his first appearance in court in Abbotsford on Dec. 8.

Kraus, along with other members of Monica’s family, travelled to the courtroom expecting Handlen’s appear-

Monica Jack. File photo

ance to be made via television monitor.

They gasped when he was brought into the room.

“We all were just astonished,” Kraus said.

“He was an old man —

white hair and pot belly. He looked like anybody else.”

The man accused of murdering Monica will be in court again on March 2.

In order to ensure Monica’s family can be in the courtroom for the trial, Kraus is holding a fundraiser out at the Shulus Hall on Feb. 14.

Her hope is to raise money for expenses incurred by travelling to the Lower Mainland for court proceedings.

The Valentine’s Day fundraiser will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kraus, her mother and her aunt Maggie and uncle Francis Shuter — who

helped who raise her and her siblings — will be at the Shulus Hall selling Indian tacos with tea for $10.

There are about 15 family members who have travelled to the Coast so far, once for the recent court hearing and once for the press conference with RCMP announcing the charges.

“Everyone comes with us for support,” Kraus said.

Kraus, who has seven siblings, remembers her older sister Monica as a strong, beautiful and outgoing woman.

“She was the kind of person that loved everyone,” Kraus said.

Both born in May, the

two were only about a year apart in age, and would often go swimming, tobogganing or set up tree forts together.

“We weren’t rich or anything, so we made up things to do,” Kraus said.

Kraus and her sister would even hunt for golf balls to sell back to the nearby golf course.

“We played all the time,” Kraus said.

On May 6, 1978 — the fateful spring day she went missing — Monica left her home near Nicola Lake on her new bike to go shopping in Merritt.

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Mental Health Act calls taxing RCMP resources THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Sheila White presents the local detachment’s fourth quarter policing activity report to city council on Jan. 27. In the last three months of 2014, police responded to 44 calls under the Mental Health Act. Emily Wessel/Herald

is not an efficient use of police resources, Sgt. Norm Flemming said.

In some cases, paramedics can transport patients in ambulances, but in the event an ambulance isn’t available or the patient presents as violent, waiting for the person to be suitable for transport can take up hours of officers’ time.

“One of those files at five o’clock or six o’clock in the evening can take one member his whole shift — eight or 10 hours,” Flemming said.

However, if a person is not admitted, the next steps become even more complicated.

He said it’s not ideal to incarcerate someone who presents as having mental health issues without knowing if the person is a danger to

themselves or others.

“It presents as a moral and legal dilemma for police,” Flemming said. “How is it helping them to spend a night in jail?”

He said RCMP detachments around the Southeast District are having to handle a high volume of Mental Health Act calls.

“A lot of us are having an undue amount of calls dealing with the Mental Health Act and so it was kind of gratifying to know it’s not just us,” Flemming said.

In other, larger centres, police forces and health agencies are partnering in order to address the rising volume of mental healthrelated 911 calls.

Car 67 in Surrey is a partnership between the RCMP there and the Fraser Health Author-

ity to provide on-site emotional and mental health assessments, crisis intervention and referral to service.

The team is comprised of an RCMP officer and a clinical nurse specializing in mental health who attend mental health calls in an unmarked police vehicle.

The team can facilitate admission to hospital if necessary.

Fraser Health has also partnered with Chilliwack RCMP on a formalized consultation and intervention process for responding to Mental Health Act calls.

Terrace RCMP and the Northern Health Authority meet monthly to share information about cases that might involve both the healthcare and justice systems.

Flemming said local police and social service

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Calls to the RCMP for Mental Health Act reasons are becoming a significant drain on local police resources, according to the city’s top cops.

Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Sheila White delivered the local detachment’s fourth quarter policing activity report to city council at its regular meeting on Jan. 27 and said between October and December of 2014, local officers responded to 44 calls for reasons related to mental health.

Of those, 24 calls resulted in police taking a person to the hospital to be seen by a doctor, and another five people were committed to hospital for extended care.

Under B.C.’s Mental Health Act, police can apprehend a person who they believe to be acting in a way that could endanger their safety or that of others.

Police take the person to the hospital to be seen by a doctor, who can determine if the person meets criteria for extended treatment.

If a person meets that criteria, he or she can be involuntarily admitted to the hospital and is then under the hospital’s jurisdiction.

The problem arises for Merritt police officers because there is no local place to admit those people, and bringing them to Kamloops

agencies generally have good working relationships and open lines of communication, but information sharing and early intervention simply can’t mitigate all calls.

The problem isn’t a lack of information, he said, it’s a lack of 24-hour mental health expertise and extended care in Merritt.

He said more training for RCMP officers to handle Mental Health Act calls is not the answer.

“It’s requiring the level of expertise of someone who’s dedicated their academic and working life to this very subject.”

Flemming said police officers’ role is to make sure nobody gets hurt at a mental health call.

“To an extent, it’s

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By Emily Wessel

THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 3

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS SKILLS TRAINING Interior Savings Credit Union donated $2,500 to the food bank that will be spent on educating people who access the food bank skills in areas such as canning, food preparation, budgeting and shopping. The money will be put toward equipment for the educational service.

(From left) Interior Savings Credit Union employee Tami DeSimone, branch manager Trisha Graham, Nicola Valley and District Food Bank manager Marlene Fenton and credit union employee and food bank volunteer Helen Croft.

Michael Potestio/Herald

Relatives raising funds for travel to Lower Mainland for murder trial From Page 1 Nearly 40 years later, Kraus is emotional when she talks about her sister’s disappearance.

“The reason she went to town was because I asked her what she got me for my birthday,” Kraus said through tears.

“She hadn’t got me anything, so she decided she’d go in to town to get it.”

Later that day, Kraus and her mother were on their way to Stoney Lake where she was to have her birthday party.

In the back of her mother’s station wagon, Kraus saw her sister for the last time as they came upon Monica riding her bike back home along the highway.

Their mother asked Monica if she wanted a ride the rest of the way back, but Monica declined the offer, wanting to continue riding

‘‘

her bike the rest of the way.

“She never got there,” Kraus said in a whisper.

After returning from the lake the next morning, Kraus’s brother — who had stayed home — told them Monica hadn’t returned.

Their mother reported her daughter missing to the police, who began a search, as did the family and members of the community.

Kraus said that they searched for Monica for weeks.

Her bike was found down a bank near her home, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Nothing was ever the same again,” Kraus said.

Kraus said that after her sister went missing, she didn’t have the same freedom to go out on her own anymore, and her mother became very protective of her children.

‘She was older than me, she had a strong personality. I never thought of her as a little girl, ever.’

— SISTER OF MONICA JACK

“She was protective of us before, but then she wanted to know where we were all the time until the time I moved out,” Kraus said.

That protectiveness is a trait Kraus said she has with her own two children.

“I watch them like a hawk,” Kraus said.

Monica was about two weeks shy of turning 13 at the time she went missing.

Seventeen years passed before her remains were found on June 2, 1995 by pure coincidence.

Forestry workers came across bones in a ravine

ELIZABETH KRAUS

on Swakum Mountain, a few kilometres from Highway 5A. The bones were confirmed to be human later that month, and police looked up old missing person cases to help identify them.

In February of 1996, through DNA testing and dental records, the bones were confirmed to be those of Monica.

Kraus said that the finding of her sister’s remains was a relief, but it ushered in the same feelings of grief that had plagued her in 1978.

Kraus — in her late 20s at the time — recalled visiting the

police station in Merritt in 1996 where she and her sisters were given some of Monica’s clothes police had used to try and track her scent.

Kraus remembers them being shocked by the items in the box.

“They were the clothes of a little girl,” she said.

“I never thought of her like that. She was older than me, she had a strong personality. I never thought of her as a little girl, ever.”

That winter, family members and friends made a trip to the site where Monica had been found.

An indigenous doctor conducted a prayer.

While the group prayed, a gust of wind came up, Kraus recalled, noting it wasn’t a windy day.

“She left then, I think,” Kraus said of her sister.

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MERRIT T HER Suspected ALD bank rob ber TUESDAY, FEBRU ARY 3,

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2015 •

MERRITT NEWSPAPER S

arrested

Police have arrested Christopher 26-year-old least nine Cornish in bank robberi connection Shaun inces. es in three to at provThe robberi es on Dec. 1, 2014. began in Princet weeks, robberi Over on es took the next several Merritt’s place in Vernon, banks in Royal Bank on at Dec. 23, bridge andAldergrove, High and in Swift CurrenClaresholm in River, LethAlberta, and The final t, Sask. took place heist before Cornish in ’s arrest In each Dawson Creek produced case, the suspect on Jan. 28. hurt duringa weapon, though mentioned or Cornish any the robberi nobody was es. the Grande was arrested on Prairie Lodge Jan. 30 at Grande Prairie, Motor Inn The owner Alta. in ers Cornish of the motel told reportstayed at nights. the motel for two He said when the employees became suspicio time he man went to his needed truck every us money.

Cornish is schedul court appeara ed to Feb. 6. Chargence in Okotokmake his first s, Alta. s in ewan are pending B.C. and Saskatc on . h-

Lady Ante bellum ad ded to

Lady Rich andAntebellum, Big Band will Nitty Gritty Dirt& their way mer for north this sumMerritt’s take the stage the festival’ at festival year in this summe ground s first Merritt. r as headlin s at the Rockin Also on ’ River ers running the bill is longFestival.

Music Califor nia-bas classic folk Organi ed Gritty Dirt group Nitty day countryzers of the fourmusic festival announ A few Band. ced slated to Canadians are of Nashvi Monday some includin round out the join fellowlle’s finest will bill, g Tennessee-bas badour Haligonian trouplatinum-sellin Ridley Bent Dierks Bentley g solo artisted rising star and MacKe ter of Medici and make nzie PorLady Antebellu The festivalne Hat, Alta.

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“Common be dangerouthings can Grade 11 s too,” student Anneka Stroes played Distracted— who Debbie — said of the play’s lesson.

Students in drama class the own props built their performan for the ce, too.

Michael Potestio/He rald

Rockin’ Ri ver lineup Kenny Hess ritt’s reputat has said Mertry music ion as a coundesigna festival site, its tion as the Music Capital Countr and its proxim of Canada y B.C. highwa ity to major, ritt a natural ys makes Merchoice for location a Big & Rich modate that can accomPhotos submitted festival. the expand 26,000 ing people.

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The plot involved an inattentive appropria babysitter, tely Distracted named looking afterDebbie, disobedie a group of nt children.

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• Lady Antebellum added to Rockin’ River lineup Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will take the stage at Merritt’s festival grounds this summer as headliners at the Rockin’ River Music Festival.

• Suspected bank robber arrested Police have arrested 26-year-old Shaun Christopher Cornish in connection to at least nine bank robberies in three provinces.

• Merritt Country Run seeks title sponsor Organizers of the sixth annual Merritt Country Run are looking for a title sponsor for their June 14 races.

• A night at the fights: UCL 21 A Funeral Pre Planning advisor will be available at the Merritt Funeral Chapel on the second and fourth Friday of the month, between the hours of 10am 3pm (or by appointment).

A Personal Planning Guide will be provided.

4 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

www.merrittherald.com

Drop-In Sessions in 2015 with Mayor Menard will be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall (second floor), 2185 Voght Street.

You’re Invited!

DROP-IN SESSIONS

WITH MAYOR MENARD

Mayor Menard invites interested citizens to stop by and say hello and discuss issues and opportunities for the City, its residents and businesses.

If you would like to schedule a particular time to meet with the Mayor at a Drop-In session please call reception at City Hall 250-378-4224.

Properties cleaned up in 2014 The following is an excerpt from the City of Merritt regular council meeting agenda from Jan. 27, 2015.

Year-end bylaw report The year 2014 began with the bylaw office taking a very close look at four of the worst offenders with regard to unsightly properties in our city with a goal of taking on at least two of them.

All of the properties had long-standing issues dating back decades. That, in itself, created compliance issues as these properties were at one point within the TNRD with little or no bylaw enforcement and in 1996 became part of the City of Merritt with enforceable bylaws.

The bylaw office began formulating strategies to address the proper-

ties and included our fire department, Interior Health Authority, RCMP and building inspector. The goal was to achieve compliance with a minimum of disruption to the property owners while maximizing the resources used in the cleanup effort.

What began Jan. 15, 2014 ended successfully on Nov. 27, 2014 with two of the largest unsightly properties being brought into compliance.

After four years, the burned out house on Garcia was finally removed and hauled away by a contracted crew. This ended a long history of non-compliance, unsightliness and health hazards in our community. Finally removing the structure required multiple agencies and mayor and council to accomplish.

The lot remains empty but the area is once again esthetically pleas-

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III

Position Summary: The Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing and performing maintenance on the City of Merritt Wastewater Treatment Plant and municipal distribution wells, sewage lift stations and other related equipment and facilities. The Chief Operator will be able to trouble shoot, resolve complex problems, perform various water and wastewater tests and make adjustments as required, coordinate and monitor the work of contractors and junior level operators.

Current resumes reflecting applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the position and detailing education, qualifications and proof of required licenses/certificates/ degrees will be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m., February 13, 2015 by: Carole Fraser, Human Resources Manager City of Merritt PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

ing and safe.

In April of 2014 after a concerted effort over months from our planning department, bylaw, SPCA, Angel’s Animal Rescue and mayor and council, a notorious kennel was shut down permanently.

This leaves only one kennel left in our city that is pre-existing nonconforming to address.

It came as no surprise that public pressure also played an important role in achieving the final outcome on this file.

SUMMARY OF CITY OF MERRITT SNOW REMOVAL POLICY This procedure outlines the responsibility of the City, residents, businesses and contractors as it pertains to snow removal in Merritt.

NOTE: For purpose of this procedure “Area 1” is designated by heavy black line and “Area 2” is all remaining streets..

Detailed resumes attached with a cover letter will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 06, 2015 and should be addressed to:

Service Level based on Snow Accumulation: 0 – 5 cm: Area 1 only sanded AS PRIORITY 5 – 20 cm: City streets are graded and sanded in the following time frame: Area 1 – within eight (8) hours Area 2 – within thirty (30) hours Over 20 cm: Exceptional Snowfall – will call out such manpower and equipment as may be available and required to maintain city streets in as passable conditions as possible.

Priorities: No.1 Emergency access routes to essential services such as hospital, police, fire, ambulance, City services. Dangerous roadways including hills and intersections.

No.2 Schools; No.3 Downtown Business Core; No.4 Highway Commercial properties; No.5 Residential properties

Carole Fraser Human Resources Manager P.O. Box 189, 2185 Voght St. Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Or by e-mail: cfraser@merritt.ca

Disposal: Residents, businesses and contractors are not permitted to blow or plow snow from private property onto right-of-ways, streets, lanes or walkways.

Residents and businesses in areas with City sidewalks adjacent to roads shall be permitted to place snow from the walk on the road.

JOB POSTING: Roads & Solid Waste Supervisor Applications are invited for the position of a Roads and Solid Waste Supervisor for the Public Works Department in the City of Merritt.

For complete details, visit City of Merritt website at www.merritt.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

JANUARY 29, 2015 PUBLIC NOTICE RE: SEWER AND WATER PARCEL TAX ROLL IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTIONS NOTICE is hereby given that the Sewer and Water Parcel Tax Rolls are available for viewing in the Finance Department of City Hall from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays.

Sidewalk Clearing: Every owner or occupier of residential zoned property shall remove snow or ice from sidewalks or pathways abutting the said property within twenty-four (24) hours of accumulation except for weekends and holidays.

Every owner or occupier of real property shall immediately remove snow, ice or rubbish from the roof or other part of a structure adjacent to a highway or pathway or sidewalk where such snow or ice or rubbish presents a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Every owner or occupier of commercial or industrial zoned property shall remove snow or ice from sidewalk or pathways abutting the said property by ten (10) a.m. of any day and, as needed, following the accumulation of snow or ice.

Complete copies of this procedure can be obtained at City Hall during regular business hours.

A person who owns a parcel included on the parcel tax roll may request that the roll be amended respecting a matter referred to in section 205 (1) [complaints to review panel], but only in relation to the person’s own property; You may make a complaint under Section 205 of the Community Charter to the Parcel Tax Review Panel for one or more of the following reasons: • There is an error or omission about a name or address on the tax roll; • There is an error or omission about the inclusion of a parcel; • There is an error or omission about the taxable area or taxable frontage of a parcel; • An exemption has been improperly allowed.

The complaint must be received in writing on or before 10:30 am March 2, 2015 to the attention of: Ben Currie, Deputy Finance Manager and Collector, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8.

Next council meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca

City of Merritt ★ 2185 Voght Street, Box 189 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 ★ Phone: 250-378-4224

THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 5

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS CITY HALL

Facility upgrades highlight leisure services budget proposals

By Michael Potestio THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

The Civic Centre could be the site of a new emergency backup generator if a grant to purchase the equipment is approved. Herald file photo

power,” Plotnikoff said, given their roles as emergency centres.

The generator itself would be housed in a small building in the parking lot at city hall.

“If we have a power failure or a catastrophic disaster in the city — power lines go down, possible big ice storm, huge wind storm — we’re dead in the water right now,” Plotnikoff told council.

The generator is also grant contingent.

The leisure services department also plans

on fixing up the Rotary Park bandshell by refinishing all of the structure’s wood and making any needed repairs.

Repairs to the concrete of the skate park, which were delayed last year, proposed for the budget in 2015.

Claybanks RV Park is expected to receive new picnic table pads and a replacement of utility service poles that will be phased in over five years.

Increases to the cost of renting and the price of admission at city

recreational facilities are also being looked at, but no numbers have been determined.

The goal there is to ensure fees are on par with what other communities of similar sizes to Merritt charge.

Central Park improvements delayed again Residents hoping to revel in some outdoor skating at Merritt’s Central Park will have to wait a little longer than expected.

The City of Merritt is expected to begin its search for a new economic development manager in the coming weeks after parting with Jerry Sucharyna on Jan. 30.

The economic development department was established by city council in July of 2011 in order to bring business development activity under the city’s administrative direction.

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In some parts of the world, there is not taught about Jesus and the gospel. enough food to eat. It is a big problem.

We ask the question, where does all the And the church is involved in helping to money come from, for these things do not feed people, but that takes more that just always come cheap. The church does not supplying them with a basket of food. own gold mines that bring in big money.

There is a church organization called The people that are at the head and that Adra, which tries to help people learn to work for the organization do not get big help themselves. They give people seeds money but work for a livable salary, and and tools to work the soil. To some people love working for others as Jesus did. they will give a cow. This provided milk and The people that build the church call butter for the family, and maybe enough them the $10.00 church. What can you to sell. buy for $10.00? Not much, but if 1000 When the cow has a calf, it helps the people each give $10.00, it is a fair chunk organization. The calf goes back to Adra, of change! and when it matures, it is given to another In the church we are careful with how family. They also do this with goats. we spend even our food dollars. For the It seems like a slow process, but little at most part, we are all vegetarians. My sister a time, the people learn and are helped to in Armstrong, BC, actually does cooking help themselves. In the process, the people classes for people with low incomes. She are taught about Jesus, and His love. shows them the difference in food choices, such as comparing a pound of steak To help girls in danger of being sold into compared to a pound of beans. She the sex trade, they have schools and they compares drink choices too. pay to get these children from their parents, and put them in boarding schools where …more next week. they can learn to look out for themselves.

They are given an education, and are

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Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, Account #1193739.

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There are a few capital project proposals of note for the city’s leisure services department this year, which council heard at the City of Merritt’s second budget meeting on Jan. 28.

One proposal is to install UV water treatment equipment for the leisure pool at the Aquatic Centre.

Leisure services manager Larry Plotnikoff said that although the addition of UV water treatment is an enhancement and not a requirement, this technology has become an “industry trend.”

Plotnikoff said the equipment was approved by council last year contingent on receiving a grant.

The cost to install this equipment is about $20,000, he said.

Using UV water treatment means the Aquatic Centre will be able to use less chlorine in the pool.

The Aquatic Centre will still need to maintain chlorine levels as set out by the B.C. Health Act, but levels used in the pool can be reduced if they have this treatment in place, he said.

Another proposal for the Aquatic Centre includes replacing the front doors with sliding ones, which is also contingent on receiving grant money.

Upgrades to city hall were proposed as well, including adding vestibules to the front doors, replacing some linoleum tile flooring and making changes to the front reception area.

The city is also looking at acquiring a backup power generator that would power city hall and the Civic Centre in the event of an emergency during a blackout.

“It’s essential that those facilities have some type of backup

Thanks in part to the large snowfall Merritt received in early January, completion of the construction on the multi-sport lacrosse box and concession stand at Central Park has been delayed until March.

Plotnikoff said the facility is about 90 per cent complete. However, there is still lighting and landscaping to be done on the lacrosse box, and there is still work being done to the inside of the concession building.

Plotnikoff said the city is working with engineers on connecting utilities — such as water, gas and sewer — to the two structures, and wants to coordinate one excavation in order to connect the various services concurrently.

Contractors initially earmarked completion of the lacrosse box for the end of December.

Weather and unforeseen construction issues pushed back the completion date for phase 1 of the Central Park Improvement Project once before, to the end of January.

City, economic development mgr. part ways

6 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

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HERALD OPINION Teachers adapting, but not union VICTORIA – The B.C. education ministry put on a forum on the future of education last week, TOM FLETCHER bringing B.C. together VIEWS public and private school leaders with experts from around the world.

I watched the proceedings via webcast from the Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver, which gives you a hint about the forces pressing in on our century-old industrial model of schooling.

First up was Andreas Schleicher, on video link from his office in Paris, where he is director of education and skills for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He began with the international problem of people coming out of university who can’t find jobs amid a skills shortage.

Schleicher said this is happening today because, “it’s not what you know but what you can do with what you know.” Some education systems are adapting better than others as the value of merely passing on facts has declined.

He said these days, almost any student can pass any multiplechoice test if they have a smartphone. The question for parents is what to do “if you want your child to be smarter than a smartphone.”

The OECD runs international testing that consistently ranks B.C. and Canada among the best schools in the world, and Schleicher described how that testing has evolved to keep up.

See ‘Integration’ Page 7

Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com

Lawsuit lottery in the wings of windfall

Emily Wessel Merritt MUSINGS In the lottery of life, you win some, you lose some, and some you can hope to gain back with a little legal battling.

At least, that appears to be the logic of some people who find themselves suddenly feeling ripped off of a large chunk of change by lotto corporations, strangers and even (former) loved ones.

A Montreal man was seven seconds too late to claim a $13.5 million LotoQuébec jackpot in 2008.

That’s the kernel of the message sent to Joel Ifergan

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by the Supreme Court of Canada last week when it dismissed his case.

The story goes like this: Ifergan bought the contentious ticket at 9:00.07 p.m. on May 23, 2008 — just seven seconds after the 9 p.m. deadline for that night’s lottery’s draw.

All the numbers he chose matched up for the draw, but because the terminal printed the ticket out seven seconds late, the ticket said his numbers would be for the next week’s draw.

His court case rested on the fact that Loto-Québec said the electronic terminal had a delay of up to 10 seconds to process the numbers because of heavy demand just before the deadline for that night’s draw.

Ifergan had purchased another ticket that night — one marked at 8:59 p.m.

The total jackpot that night was $27 million, and another person had the winning numbers for that draw, so that’s why he went

for half.

Ifergan has taken the case through the court system twice previously — once in Québec’s provincial court, and once to a Québec Court of Appeal.

He left empty-handed from both of those proceedings as well.

Not only would Canada’s top court not hear his arguments, it also put him on the hook for court costs as well.

In B.C., a rather odd lottery lawsuit case is winding its way through provincial court.

A man is being sued by a co-worker at their Shoppers Drug Mart store who claims he’s got a $50-million winning ticket for a lottery draw that went unclaimed last March.

The man, who ran a lottery pool for the store’s employees, maintains he doesn’t have the ticket from the March 14, 2014 Lotto Max draw because he forgot to buy them that week.

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The man’s court filings show some confusion around the dates he purchased the weekly tickets and when he didn’t, and he recanted a claim he had previously made that he picked up the March 14 tickets at a Surrey gas station, saying he was mixed up.

The co-worker suing him says the man has the ticket with the pool’s winning numbers.

All this despite an email from BCLC dated May 5, 2014 that states the pool’s numbers weren’t purchased for the March 14 draw and weren’t the winners.

If the jackpot goes unclaimed this March 14, it’ll be returned to the lottery’s pot for another draw.

Late last year, a former city councillor in Maple Ridge lost his lawsuit against his ex-partner’s son, who he claimed had stolen his winning ticket to $3.6 million.

A B.C. Supreme Court

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judge heard the man and his ex-partner were shopping in August 2007 when they picked up the ticket.

The man alleged the woman’s son, who had access to the couple’s house, stole the ticket and claimed the prize 11 months later.

The son did indeed claim the millions, but the judge found the former councillor was unable to prove the ticket had actually belonged to him.

The judge heard the ticket was purchased on the woman’s credit card, used the son’s numbers, and the credit card bill was paid for by the former councillor.

Bizarrely, the case was delayed in the court system when the former councillor was shot twice. Nobody has been arrested in that investigation.

Though millions would be nice, cases like these lend credence to the saying more money, more problems. And just like in the lottery, you never know if you’ll win.

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THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 7

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YOUR OPINION Integration, not more money, can revitalize education

Not convinced biosolids are safe after meeting Dear Editor,

From Page 6 But our progress in the past 10 years has tended to be slower than some Asian countries, despite B.C. being on the “high end of investment” in education.

He warned against the trap of the industrial school model, “pouring money in” to “do more of the same.”

Some of the best results emerging from a decade of digitally-driven globalization have been achieved through innovations that were financed through bigger class sizes, Schleicher said.

This was too much for one B.C. Teachers’ Federation representative in the audience, who introduced herself as someone who spent the last transformational decade working for the union, not in a classroom. She disputed the OECD’s financial calculations, lecturing some of the world’s top economists that based on “spending power,” B.C. schools are cash starved.

She followed this with the laundry list of BCTF demands that hasn’t changed in 40 years – smaller classes, more prep time, more money.

The keynote speaker was Yong Zhao, University of Oregon professor of educational measurement, who gave a highly entertaining critique of standardized testing and creativity-crushing drills of the basics. (You can find a video archive at bcedplan.ca.)

Yong sparked a lively discussion about the need for foundation skills, which he and others agreed remain vital to success. The issue seems to be how to instil those basics while avoiding the disengagement of students who see school as irrelevant to their lives.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender announced at the forum that the province is about to unveil a new curriculum that moves toward individual learning for all students. And he said there will be a series of experiments conducted at yet-to-be-identified B.C. schools to pioneer new models of learning.

BCTF president Jim Iker sat stoically through the proceedings, where speakers described integrating community groups and businesses directly with schools. That’s underway here, with trades training in particular.

Iker’s record on adaptation is clear from his own career. The only school where he actually taught was in the northwest B.C. village of Topley, and it closed in 2010 due to a long-term decline in rural students.

By 2001 Iker had left the classroom to work for the Burns Lake teacher union local, which the BCTF continues to staff eight years after that school district and others disappeared through amalgamation.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Twitter: @tomfletcherbc

I would like to thank the Nicola Watershed Community Round Table for hosting the biosolids public meeting on Jan. 26. There was a lot of sentiment in that room during the meeting.

Mr. Kevin Boon (facilitator) and Allison Guichon (chair) did an outstanding job of controlling the conversations and questions, which optimized the information to all.

Thank you also to the Ministry of Environment representatives attending and supplying important information with regard to the regulations pertaining to the biosolids issue in B.C. Interior Health also provided and addressed some of the public health issues they are faced with in responding to the investigative request filed regarding the Dry Lake application plan.

I would also like to thank members of the audience for their professional opinions on the science presented, and Tom Neels.

The Neels family previously owned 2988 Sunshine Valley Road and operated it as one of the nicest hay farms in the Nicola Valley for many years, and grew the best alfalfa/grass hay money could buy. There was no need for fertilizer other than a one-time application in 10 years.

We came away not convinced for a second that there is any shred of benefit to the soil.

Dr. Joanne Harnkess of Urban Systems stayed well clear of stating there was no risk. Her overhead information consisted of information stating low risk or reduced risk. Not once did she say there was no risk.

We do not want to be the test case for catastrophic failure here in the beautiful Nicola Valley.

Chief Percy Joe was eloquent and compassionate in his request for consultation and dialogue, and Tracy Wimbush (fisheries program manager for the Nicola Tribal Association) had well prepared questions and presented a solid case for concerns for the fish habitat

likely to be affected by the contamination of the lands and water from biosolids applications.

I would like to quote invited guest Cassandra Caunce of the Ministry of Environment: “These activities, if they follow those regulations and guidelines, and they are acting in accordance with that, then there should be very little risk to the human health and the environment in the area.”

It is our serious concern that self-regulation of our public health is a disaster in the making. We, the people, are not prepared to accept our provincial government’s position with regard to the current regulations that pertain to the biosolids industry. We will not stop until changes are made and people are held accountable when it involves private enterprise, our health and the environment.

Georgia Clement Member, Friends of the Nicola Valley Merritt

Beautification better return on investment Dear Editor, Now that the position of economic development officer for the City of Merritt is vacant, I hope city council will carefully review the need for this position.

Since the position of economic development officer was created by Merritt’s city council several years ago, we seem to have received very little, if anything, in return from this position.

In essence, the position is a glorified public relations position and if it is public relations we need, then let’s look at some cheaper alternatives to the $75,000 or more (including ben-

efits) that the city pays for the position.

If we want to attract new people and new business to our town, then I believe that money would be better spent in making sure that people have a good first impression. Beautifying the area around Gasoline Alley was a good first start. A “Welcome to Merritt” sign at exit 290 coming from Kamloops that is buried in weeds and shrubs, on the other hand, is not very welcoming, nor are the many potholes on our streets giving a good impression to our visitors.

Apparently there is much work to be done in replacing aging infrastructure in Merritt.

Again, attracting people and business requires infrastructure that is safe and reliable. Putting some of the money from this position toward infrastructure repairs seems to make more sense.

Finally, the staff and employees of the City of Merritt will, at some point, require a raise just to keep up with the cost of living. It seems more prudent to be spending money on these employees who work hard to keep Merritt running than on the specious position of an economic development officer.

Peter Vogt Merritt

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8 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Friends & Neighbours Federal government

reforms Firearms Act New Merrittonian by the notoriously slow licence renewal process or who reside abroad during the time of their licence expiry date. However, during this grace period of six months, the firearm owner cannot legally obtain ammunition, additional firearms, or use the firearms for hunting and target shooting. Violations of these restrictions could result in the licence being revoked.

applicant to successfully complete a firearm safety course.

Firearms prohibition for domestic violence

OTHMAR VOHRINGER The OUTDOORSMAN In October 2014, the Harper government introduced an amendment to the existing Firearms Act they named Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act. Bill C-42, as it is called officially, passed second reading in November of 2014 and was widely expected to pass third and final reading despite strong opposition of the Liberals and the NDP, both of which announced that if they win the next election, would bring back gun control laws.

It was a long time coming, but Harper is slowly fulfilling his election promise to make life easier for lawabiding firearm owners and to put the blame of gun violence where it belongs: on criminals.

To this effect, the government introduced laws that mandate the courts to punish violent criminals much more harshly than was previously the case, and with less chance of parole and making up excuses to evade long-term prison sentences.

Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas attended the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club meeting on Jan. 21 to explain what Bill C-42 is all about and to get input from firearm owners that he will take to Ottawa for discussion.

Here are the essential points of this new legislation: Mandatory firearm safety training Under the new act, it still would be a mandatory requirement for any first-time firearm

The amendment in Bill C-42 would require courts to impose a mandatory weapons prohibition order when an offender is prosecuted by indictment and convicted of a violent offence. This order can be issued for life and is also applied to first time convictions. This means that a firearm holder convicted of a domestic assault or other violent crime could be forbidden to ever own a firearm again, including upon first conviction.

POL (Possession Only Licence) The Possession Only Licence (POL) would be eliminated in favour of only one licence: the PAL (Possession and Acquisition Licence).

The approximately 600,000 POL licence holders across Canada would be supplied with a PAL licence after their POL licence expires.

Grace period The grace period would allow a firearm licence holder to retain the firearm beyond six months of the licence expiry date without risking penalties and confiscation of the firearm. This grace period is designed to assist lawful firearm owners who may face challenges

Authorization to Transport (ATT) Under current law, owners of prohibited firearms, i.e. handguns, must fill out an application form every time

they take their weapon to a gunsmith or to a shooting range. Under the new law, such timeconsuming separate applications would fall away for routine and lawful activities, such as travelling to shooting ranges, going to an individual’s home following a Chief Firearm Officer (CFO) approved transfer of ownership, taking the firearm to a gunsmith, and so on.

One very important aspect of Bill C-42 will see to it that RCMP and CFO have to provide full disclosure and clear reasons for their decisions and administrating regulations in a fair manner across all jurisdictions.

As is widely practised now, those decisions are based on the individual officer’s discretion or interpretation of the law.

To read the full text of the proposed law, visit openparliament.ca and search Bill C-42.

I am happy with this new law and hope to see more improvements of legal firearm ownership made by future governments.

hits stride as Thrift Shop volunteer Kathy Parks has been a member of the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary since 2013.

As a newly retired person who recently moved to Merritt, she applied to be a volunteer as she thought it would be a good way to meet people and give back to the community.

She began volunteering at the auxiliary’s Thrift Shop two to three days a week, sorting donations and working with customers.

Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary volunteer Kathy Parks She soon became joined up with other local volunteers after relocating to responsible for one Merritt. Photo submitted of the shop’s window has met. forms, discusses the displays, an exciting “For those that are different volunteer new challenge for new to the Merritt, it positions that are her. She has found it is a great way to meet available, and supto be very rewarding people,” she said. “For ports them in finding watching the display youth, it’s an excellent a role that suits their come together and it asset to have on your is something she looks interests. resume and something Parks is also an forward to each week. that will enhance Recently, Parks also avid thrift shopper, filled the volunteer co- something that she fre- your skills. And most importantly, volunteerordinator position with quently does with her ing with the auxiliary grandchildren. the auxiliary. In this allows you to give back When asked what role, she supports new to the community.” the most rewarding volunteers throughout part of volunteering the application prois, Parks said it was the — Submitted by Brittney cess. She helps them Parks wonderful people she with the application

MA

OF YOUR PRESCRI E S N E PTIO KE S

NS

Under construction at the start of hostilities in August, 1914, the Merritt Drill Hall was formally transferred from builder to military authorities in February, 1915.

The drill hall at 100 An evening of First World War songs and marches Nicola Valley Community Band, Colin Kerridge, Musical Director Time, date Place Sponsors Guest of honour

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7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21 Elks Lodge, 1702 Coldwater, Merritt The Merritt Elks, Merritt Legion, Nicola Valley Museum Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon

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THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 9

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Year-end crime stats released; Merritt “busy”

By Emily Wessel THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

In 2014, Merritt RCMP responded to 6,093 calls for service, according to the local RCMP detachment’s fourth quarter report on policing activity.

Of those, 448 were for intoxicated persons in public.

Assault (199) and domestic disputes (195) accounted for the next highest call volumes to police in 2014.

“Domestic violence is still on our forefront,” Staff Sgt. Sheila White said while presenting the report to city council on Jan. 27.

Overall, the crime rate in 2014 saw a drop of 6.5 per cent from 2013, and that drop was felt sharply in some areas, White said.

In the first six months of 2014, calls to disturbances were down by half compared to the same timeframe in 2013, she said.

White attributed the decrease to the detach-

ment’s strategic priorities and actions on that strategy.

Among the local detachment’s priorities are community relations, crime reduction and substance abuse.

Longer-term trends show numbers going down in other areas, including violent crime.

Police responded to 251 person-on-person crimes in 2014, down from 291 in 2013.

Other Criminal Code offences saw a drop of about 22 per cent in 2014, from 314 cases to 244.

Property crime remains consistent, with only a two per cent increase in offences in 2014 from the year prior.

Merritt’s overall crime rate is calculated at 106.69 for every 1,000 people.

That rate is consistently higher than the rate calculated for other communities in the RCMP’s Southeast District, White said.

The Southeast District contains 28

detachments and 20 subdetachments, and covers from the Alberta border in the east to Lillooet in the west, and from the U.S. border in the south to Clearwater in the north.

“Your city of Merritt is a busy little spot compared to other communities,” White told councillors.

White said that higher rate of crime is not necessarily a reflection of the crime reduction work undertaken by local agencies, which she and councillors commended.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that all the issues have a basis in social issues or social problems,” White said.

“There are a lot of people who come into our town that don’t belong here and they commit criminal offences.”

Fifteen such people from outside of Merritt were charged with impaired driving in the fourth quarter, and their addresses ranged from as near as Lower Nicola to

as far as New York.

Ten local people had their driving privileges suspended in the same timeframe.

The full fourth quarter report is available on the city’s website under the Jan. 27, 2015 council meeting agenda on merritt.ca.

Case loads high The province published its Police Resources in BC report for

2013 on Jan. 21, which compares demand on police forces across the province.

The report covers costs, crime rates, and case loads for municipal RCMP, provincial RCMP forces and municipal and special police units across B.C. In 2013 in Merritt, municipal RCMP officers reported 1,129 Criminal Code of Canada offences, and

Merritt’s provincial force reported another 259.

Those Criminal Code offences include violent, property and other crimes, but exclude drug charges and traffic violations.

The case load is the estimated number of criminal cases per officer on the force, which the report states can more accurately illustrate a community’s demand on police resources than

simply population or crime rates.

Merritt’s case load for its five provincial officers comes in at 52 each, while the 15 municipal officers faced a case load of about 75 apiece in 2013, slightly over the average of 65 each for communities with populations between 5,000 and 14,999.

The full report is available online at pssg. gov.bc.ca/policeservices.

WE NEED YOU

ARE YOU LISTED IN OUR Library programs proving popular CONNECTOR PHONE BOOK? Merritt’s library is a bustling place, city council heard at its regular meeting on Jan. 27.

Librarian Deborha Merrick presented on the library’s activities on the invitation of Coun. Ginny Prowal.

The library has access to 35,000 items and hundreds more online, including 300 online magazines.

The library’s newspaper service gives users access to papers all over the world in their original languages.

“If people come from India and they have a hometown newspaper, you can access it through the library with your library card,” she said.

Merrick said the local library is an equalizer in that people from all segments of the community use its services.

“From people who are the wealthiest of our community to the people who don’t have places to live,” she said.

“We have children who are babes in arms. We have a 99-year-old man who

we taught how to use computers and wrote his own autobiography using that computer.”

She said the main purpose of the library is to allow Merrittonians access to all types of resources they want access to.

“It’s not just coming in and getting out books, it’s putting people into contact with the things they’re hoping to connect with. And that’s not just things, that’s people.

“We had a woman who came into the library who had given up her child when the child was three years old. She came in when she was 80 years old and wanted to make contact with that child again. We were able to do that for her.”

Last year, almost 8,000 people attended library programs in Merritt, which Merrick said shows how well the library is used. For comparison, she said just over 5,000 people attended library programs in Kamloops last year.

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BUSINESS

Retirement saving requirement Learn to ice DAVID L. BROWN Managing YOUR MONEY Recent reports suggest many Canadians are not saving enough for retirement.1 And with Canadians living longer, healthier lives than ever before, your retirement income will likely need to last for 20, 30 or more years.

That’s why having a plan for your retirement has never been more important – and one of the most successful steps you can take is working with a professional financial advisor.

There’s no doubt that financial advice can improve retirement

readiness, according to a study which found that investors who do work with a professional advisor have a higher savings rate on average than those who do not.2 Here’s an example: You’ve been getting advice from a professional for 15 years and have been following that advice diligently.

By doing so, the study says your household assets could be almost twice as high as those of a household without a professional advisor.

The reasons for that difference and why working with a professional advisor sets you up for a successful retirement might surprise you. The study barely mentions investment performance – the prime focus of many investors – but, instead, highlights the value professional advisors add by encourag-

ing more disciplined savings and investment behaviour.

You may have the best intentions but it can be challenging to stay disciplined enough to try and achieve investment success on your own, especially when you are not following a well-designed financial plan.

But when you plan your retirement with a professional advisor, set realistic financial goals and work toward achieving them, success is more likely.

The recent study says that while setting those goals is vital, it is the professional advisor’s ability to create the discipline for you to save and achieve those goals that really brings value to your association with your advisor.

The study also found that the longer you work with a professional advisor,

the better – because the longer you receive financial advice, the more assets you will accumulate and the closer you will be to achieving your financial goals.

This is the ideal time of year to begin or revise your financial plan. Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are a key component of most financial plans and, given that the deadline to contribute to RRSPs is March 2 (for your 2014 income tax filing) now is the time to talk to your professional advisor about your retirement readiness.

Give your advisor a call and soon you’ll be able to say with confidence, “Yes, I am ready for retirement.”

McKinsey & Company, 2012 report 2 Boosting Retire1

ment Readiness and the Economy Through Financial Advice, Montmarquette and Viennot-Briot 2012 Canadian Study for the Conference Board of Canada This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a firm in Financial Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.

Contact David Brown at 250-3150241 or at david. brown@investorsgroup.com to book your appointment.

fish Sunday Anyone itching to get out on the ice to fish but without a clue how to get started can learn for free at Walloper Lake this Sunday, Feb. 8, at Learn to Ice Fish Day. The event is sponsored by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the provincial park about 50 kilometres north of Merritt.

The event is free.

Anglers 16 and older require a valid BC Freshwater Fishing licence, while kids under 15 can fish without a licence.

All ice fishing equipment and instruction is provided.

The Ministry of

Forests and volunteers from the Kamloops Fish and Game Association will also be taking part.

Instructors will give demonstrations on drilling holes in the ice and a variety of fishing techniques.

Walloper Lake is stocked with many small rainbow trout.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is a private notfor-profit organization funded largely through freshwater fishing licence revenues.

It also works in partnership with the provincial fisheries department to stock 50 per cent of all fish in B.C. lakes.

For more information, visit gofishbc. com.

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By Tom Fletcher

BLACK PRESS

Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell was sworn in Monday as B.C.’s minister for social development and social innovation.

Comox Valley MLA Don McRae asked to be relieved of his cabinet role last week to deal with an illness in his family, and Premier Christy Clark appointed Stilwell to tfletcher@blackpress.ca

Fuel Efficiency †

6.3 L/100km hwy replace him.

The ministry is in charge of social assistance, provincial disability assistance and Community Living B.C., the agency responsible for people with developmental disabilities.

The cabinet change comes as the ministry reviews its long-standing policy of deducting spousal child support payments from money paid to social assistance recip-

FULLY

LOADED

LEASE EVENT

RECEIVE UP TO ELIGIBLE OWNERS

Safety >

Airbags

10

LS

LEASE FROM

FEATURES:

ONSTAR 4G LTE WiFi ~ 10 STANDARD AIR BAGS > POWER WINDOWS, DOORS, LOCKS, MIRRORS

ALL 2015’s COME WITH CHEVROLET COMPLETE CARE:

2 Safety

YEARS/40,000 KM COMPLIMENTARY OIL CHANGES^

ients. Stilwell will likely be a target of opposition critics on that and other poverty-related issues when the B.C. legislature reconvenes Feb. 10.

A multiple medal-winning Paralympic athlete in basketball and wheelchair racing, Stilwell was elected to the B.C. legislature in May 2013, and has served as B.C. Liberal caucus chair.

Clark named Abbotsford South MLA Darryl Plecas to

$1 ,500 CASH WITH YOUR FIRST TWO BI-WEEKLY PAYMENTS ON US*

IN OWNER

††

^*

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OFFERS END MARCH 2ND

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AIR CONDITIONING BACK-UP CAMERA 7” MYLINK COLOUR TOUCH RADIO 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

YEARS/160,000 KM POWERTRAIN WARRANTY ^^

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LEASE FROM

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Chevrolet.ca

Call Murray Chevrolet Buick GMC at 250-378-9255, or visit us at 2049 Nicola Avenue, Merritt. [License #30482]

ON NOW AT YOUR BC CHEVROLET DEALERS. Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the lease of a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS/LT (1LS/1LT). Freight ($1,600) and PDI included. License, insurance, registration, administration fees, dealer fees, PPSA and applicable taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in BC Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer order or trade may be required. *Offer valid to eligible retail lessees in Canada who have obtained credit approval by and entered into a lease agreement with GM Financial, and who accept delivery from February 3 through March 2, 2015 of any new or demonstrator 2015 model year Chevrolet (except 2015MY Chevrolet Colorado 2SA). City Express excluded at outset of program; will be eligible once residuals become available. General Motors of Canada will pay the first two bi-weekly lease payments as defined on the lease agreement (inclusive of taxes). After the first two bi-weekly payments, lessee will be required to make all remaining scheduled payments over the remaining term of the lease agreement. PPSA/RDPRM is not due. Consumer may be required to pay dealer fees. Insurance, license, and applicable taxes not included. Additional conditions and limitations apply. GM reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time without prior notice. See dealer for details. †† Offer applies to eligible current owners or lessees of any model year 1999 or newer car that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2015 model year Chevrolet car, SUV, crossover and pickup models delivered in Canada between February 3 and March 2, 2015. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $750 credit available on eligible Chevrolet vehicle (except Colorado 2SA, Corvette, Camaro Z28, Malibu LS, Silverado 1500 and HD). Offer applies to eligible current owners or lessees of any Pontiac/Saturn/SAAB/Hummer/Oldsmobile model year 1999 or newer car or Chevrolet Cobalt or HHR that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2015 model year Chevrolet car, SUV, crossover and pickups models delivered in Canada between February 3 and March 2, 2015. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive): $1,500 credit available on eligible Chevrolet vehicles (except Colorado 2SA, Corvette, Camaro Z28, and Malibu LS). Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GMCL dealer for details. GMCL reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. † Based on GM Testing in accordance with approved Transport Canada test methods. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. > Based on WardsAuto.com 2012 Upper Small segment, excluding Hybrid and Diesel powertrains. Standard 10 airbags, ABS, traction control and StabiliTrak. ^*Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). ~ Requires compatible mobile device, active OnStar service and data plan. Visit onstar.ca for coverage maps, details and system limitations. Services and connectivity may vary by model and conditions. OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity is available on certain vehicles and in select markets. Customers will be able to access this service only if they accept the OnStar User Terms and Privacy Statement (including software terms). ¥ Lease based on a purchase price of $16,855/$21,225 (including $0/$1,500 lease credit and a $670 Owner Cash) for a 2015 Cruze LS (1SA) and Cruze LT (1SA/MH8/R7T). Bi-weekly payment is $79/$99 for 48 months at 0.5% APR and includes Freight and Air Tax, on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. Annual kilometers limit of 20,000 km, $0.16 per excess kilometer. $1,590/$1,590 down payment required. Payment may vary depending on down payment trade. Total obligation is $9,848/$11,931, plus applicable taxes. Option to purchase at lease end is $7,247/$9,600. ¥¥ Lease based on a purchase price of $15,225/$19,300 (including 0/$1,200 lease credit and a $750 Owner Cash) for a 2015 Sonic LS (1SA/M26) and Sonic LT (1SD/MH9/C60). Bi-weekly payment is $75/$89 for 48 months at 0.5% APR and includes Freight and Air Tax, on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. Annual kilometers limit of 20,000 km, $0.16 per excess kilometer. $1,600/$1,600 down payment required. Payment may vary depending on down payment trade. Total obligation is $9,396/$10,888, plus applicable taxes. Option to purchase at lease end is $6,040/$8,690. ¥/¥¥ Price and total obligation excludes license, insurance, registration, taxes, dealer fees, optional equipment. Other lease options are available. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offer which may not be combined with other offers. See your dealer for conditions and details. General Motors of Canada Limited reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. ^Whichever comes first. Limit of four ACDelco Lube-Oil-Filter services in total. Fluid top-offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc., are not covered. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ^^Whichever comes first. See dealer for details.

www.merrittherald.com THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 11

PROVINCE

Clark appoints new social development minister replace Stilwell as parliamentary secretary for seniors.

Clark has said the B.C. Liberal government will table its third balanced budget on Feb. 17, after considering revenues and spending priorities such as an increase in social assistance rates.

Right: Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell after winning the 100m gold medal at the Paralympic World Championships in Lyon, France, July 2013. Wikimedia Commons

12 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

www.merrittherald.com

Lower Nicola Band School

THE VOICE OF THE STUDENTS!

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Mike Sterling, Lower Nicola Band School

STAND UP ¡ SPEAK OUT This message brought to you by

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Students who feel safe and are free to develop in healthy ways are far less likely to be involved in inappropriate activities. Students who are learning and thriving take pride in themselves, their school, their accomplishments and the accomplishments of those they are connected to.

Setting a positive school climate and culture will help set the tone for a child’s learning. To do this, staff, parents and community must model behaviour and attitudes that are positive, respectful, fair and caring. This means creating a school climate that is equitable, inclusive, diverse, tolerant, respectful and accepting. By doing this, we will move towards reaching our goal of making B.C.’s schools the most inclusive in the world.

The 3 Cs

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Involves levels of communication and caring that create feelings of being valued, respected and wanted. School connectedness is the belief of students that adults and peers in the school care about their learning and about them as individuals, and it’s a very important protective factor.

Climate Is the quality and character of school life with a focus on the quality of the relationships within the school community – between and among students and adults. A positive school climate is one necessary component of creating an effective, successful and sustainable school.

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There are several actions you as a parent can take, at home and at school, to help your child feel more connected to his or her school. Talk to other parents or those in your school community about what you can do to help support or create a positive school culture, so your child is more connected and supported.

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THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 13

www.merrittherald.com

REAL ESTATE REVIEW

www.facebook.com/rlpmerritt

Helping you is what we do.™ M E R R I T T

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1988 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 • Fax: 250-378-6184

SALES TEAM

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LOGAN

Lynda Etchart Property Manager

Crystal Chandler Assistant

Claudette Edenoste Broker/Owner

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Karen Bonneteau Sales Rep

John Issac Broker

250-280-0689

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2709 GRANDVIEW HGHTS $389,900 MLS# 125029

79-2776 CLAPPERTON AVE $16,500 MLS# 126208

3435 D’EASUM RD 124-1401 NICOLA AVE 304-2285 BLAIR ST $91,900 MLS# 125317 $105,000 MLS# 125832 $139,000 MLS# 126000

2076 COUTLEE AVE $455,000 MLS# 122729

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Merritt up to $200,000 126414 125-1401 NICOLA AVENUE $14,900 126208 79-2776 CLAPPERTON AVE $16,500 126420 217-1703 MENZIES STREET $55,000 122407 314-1703 MENZIES STREET $62,000 118135 311-1703 MENZIES STREET $69,995 125434 #6-2776 CLAPPERTON AVE $72,000 120941 38-254 HIGHWAY 8 $84,900 125317 124-1401 NICOLA AVENUE $91,900 125832 304-2295 BLAIR STREET $105,000 125354 1752 NICOLA AVENUE $107,000 121249 1602 DOUGLAS STREET $108,000 124424 2375 COUTLEE AVENUE $125,000 121468 2637 QUILCHENA AVENUE $125,000 124501 1876 COLDWATER AVE $135,000 124089 432 BRENTON AVE $153,000 121146 1650 LINDLEY CRK RD $154,800 117739 2276 COUTLEE AVENUE $157,000 126129 1652 COLDWATER AVE $159,000 121540 305-1701 MENZIES STREET $159,000 EXC 2076 CLEASBY STREET $160,000 126048 2263 NICOLA AVENUE $165,000 126329 439 BRENTON AVE $166,500 121116 #4-2760 VOGHT STREET $170,000 123423 1326 DOUGLAS STREET $179,000 126255 1703 PINE STREET $179,000 121473 1576 HOUSTON STREET $190,000 125193 1802 BLAIR STREET $195,000 124541 13-1749 MENZIES STREET $199,000 Merritt $200,000 to $300,000 125489 12-1749 MENZIES STREET $207,000 124135 26-1749 MENZIES STREET $210,000 125644 1849 1ST AVE $219,000 125347 1610 BANN STREET $229,900 124333 2687 NICOLA AVENUE $235,000 123892 1532 COLDWATER AVE $236,900 126059 2225 PARKER DR $239,000 120472 2556 CORKLE STREET LN $246,000 124590 2825 CRANNA CRESC $249,000 125662 1769 SPRING STREET $249,000 125663 1599 COLDWATER AVE NEW PRICE $259,000 126290 1401 DOUGLAS STREET $264,000 125795 29-1901 MAXWELL AVE $269,000 121679 1642 LINDLEY CRK RD $288,000 125655 17-1901 MAXWELL AVE $289,000 121948 1401 CHAPMAN STREET $299,000 118338 2672 GRANITE AVENUE $299,000 122220 3387 BOYD ROAD $299,900 Merritt $300,000+ 120678 2612 FORKSDALE PLACE $319,000 125573 2108 CLEASBY STREET $322,000 125531 2950 MCLEAN PLACE $325,000

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Merritt $200,000 to $300,000 125552 1741 BANN STREET 119260 1700 BANN STREET 117612 1201 QUILCHENA AVENUE 125793 1876 LANGLEY ROAD 125029 2709 GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS RD 126386 1511 BANN STREET 126362 2215 COYLE ROAD 126307 2662 FORKSDALE COURT 125979 1750 SUNFLOWER AVE Homes on Acreage 124731 5033 LAUDER ROAD (GLMPS) 125213 3104 PANORAMA DR 125198 5080 STEFFENS RD 124087 1540 MILLER ROAD 125224 4557 IRON MOUNTAIN ROAD 116493 1444 LOON LAKE ROAD CC 124388 8600 MERRITT-SP.BRG HWY 114703 2797 MERRITT-SP.BRG HWY 125585 6036 BEECH ROAD 126113 311 MERRITT-SP.BRG HWY 120080 5360 MANNING CREEK FS RD 126334 1016 HIGHWAY 8 NW 116197 3793 PETIT CREEK ROAD 118481 5240 DOT RANCH CUTT OFF RD Bare Land 126450 2724 GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS RD 123431 1976 2ND AVENUE 121605 2730 EAGLE CRESCENT 125633 1305 FIR AVE 122077 2701 PEREGRINE WAY 124901 396 WILD ROSE DRIVE 126000 3435 D’EASUM ROAD 125721 2299 BURGESS AVE Commercial 1949+1951 COUTLEE AVENUE 125287 122580 2152 NICOLA AVENUE 124886 2008 QUILCHENA AVENUE 124243 2026 QUILCHENA AVENUE 125491 2175 NICOLA AVENUE 120483 1952-26 NICOLA AVENUE 124749 2551 PRIEST AVE 122016 1898 BLAIR STREET 122729 2076 COUTLEE AVENUE 115359 2208 COYLE ROAD 119521 1988 NICOLA AVENUE 123681 1601 WILSON ST 126112 311 MERRITT-SP.BRG HWY Logan Lake 125291 347 POPLAR DRIVE 120942 205-279 ALDER DRIVE 124762 306-308 CHARTRAND AVE

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Logan Lake 124340 306-279 124393 67-111 125939 29 125902 102-308 125072 307-400 125603 3 124678 161 126609 178 125782 244 125620 31 125033 8 125395 5 124218 403 124809 419 123631 227 126260 332

ALDER DRIVE CHARTRAND AVE(Business) TOPAZ CRESC CHARTRAND AVE OPAL DRIVE AGATE DRIVE PONDEROSA AVE PONDEROSA AVE JASPER DRIVE BRECCIA DRIVE AMBER CRESCENT EMERALD DRIVE OPAL DRIVE OPAL DRIVE BIRCH CRESCENT LINDEN ROAD

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The Royal LePage Merritt Team is proud to announce their support for the Merritt Movie Theatre.

Steak Dinner Fundraiser at the Grand Pub and Grill

SATURDAY MARCH 7, 2015 $20/TICKET

Silent Auction and More!

SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES!

14 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

www.merrittherald.com

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THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 15

www.merrittherald.com

PROVINCE

Mount Polley design, steep addition led to failure

By Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS tfletcher@blackpress.ca

complete.

Bennett said the government is willing

to see the Mount Polley mine reopen, but the other investigations must

The Mount Polley mine dam failed because of an overlooked glacial material layer in the foundation and a series of steep additions that eventually overcame it, an independent engineering review has concluded.

“Basically the weight of the dam was too much for the weak materials in the foundation to bear,” said U.S. consulting engineer Steven Vick, one of three experts called in to examine the failure that caused the dam to breach and fail in August 2014.

The report concludes that the concrete-like glacial till material in the base of the dam wasn’t understood in enough detail when the dam was designed and built in 1997. Later raising of the dam to hold more water and tailings weakened the base layer and led to the failure.

Vick said the additions to the dam were built at a steeper slope than the original dam, and plans to buttress the area were delayed until it was too late.

Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the report shows there were no warning signs, and no surface inspections could have detected the problem that was overlooked in the design and original construction.

be complete first. The parent company Imperial Metals has applied

to use an existing pit to store tailings and resume operations without using

the original tailings pond again.

“This was a horrible

accident,” Bennett said.

“We now know how it happened.”

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Two more investigations of the mine failure are pending. Bennett said the Chief Inspector of Mines is likely to release his report by this summer, and the Conservation Officers’ Service will also report when its investigation is

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16 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

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HERALD HEALTH Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com

Five stretches to ease back pain However, I thought I would share the article that she found with you and the stretches that author Denise Austin recommended.

I hope you find the stretches useful.

Neck stretch

DR. COLIN GAGE Spinal COLUMN I commonly have a magazine called Prevention in my office. It has lots of good health-related information in each issue.

One of my patients noticed an online article and after a few weeks of following its recommendations, her stiff back felt much better. I often give my patients similar stretches to do at home.

Sit on the floor with your legs crossed. Place your left hand on the right side of your head and gently pull your head toward your left shoulder (keeping your shoulder down), feeling a stretch on the right side of the neck. Hold for three deep breaths. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

Hip-buttock stretch Lie on your back with your feet off the floor and cross your right ankle over your left knee. Grasp back of your left

thigh near the knee and gently pull your legs toward your chest, feeling a stretch in the right hip and buttock. Hold for three deep breaths. Switch legs and repeat.

Seated spinal twist Sit with your knees bent and your left leg stacked on top (or sit cross-legged).

Extend your right arm, placing it on the outside of the left knee. Place your left hand on the floor behind you and twist gently to the left, moving your head and shoulders with your torso. You should feel a stretch up and down the spine. Hold for three deep breaths. Return to centre, switch legs, and repeat on the other side.

Child’s pose Lie face down with your knees tucked under you and

your arms extended in front so you feel a stretch from the shoulders to the lower back.

Take several deep breaths to release all the tension in your back. Now slowly walk your arms to the right so that your torso extends toward the two o’clock position. You should feel a stretch on the left side of your torso. Take three deep breaths. Return to the centre and repeat on the other side.

Back relaxer Lie on your back and bend your knees over your chest.

Hold the backs of your thighs and gently pull your knees farther in toward your chest, feeling a stretch in the lower back.

Hold for three deep breaths.

If you have back pain, neck pain or headaches, visit your local chiropractor to see what he or she can do for you.

Be honest about how you listen GWEN RANDALL-YOUNG Psychology FOR LIVING A husband recently told me he was worried because his wife was not talking to him.

I did not have the opportunity to discuss this with him, but afterwards, I did some thinking.

Of course, there can be many reasons for a partner to shut down or withdraw. Sometimes, though, one stops talking because he or she

feels the other is not listening, so why bother?

We are not really listening if: 1. We are thinking about what we are going to say while the other is talking.

2. We are interrupt-

ing the speaker.

3. We become defensive if negative feelings are being vented towards us.

4. We are not listening for the meaning behind the person’s words expressed

through gestures or facial expressions.

5. We pretend to be listening when we are not.

6. We are judging or criticizing while the other is talking.

7. We begin giving

advice before we are asked.

8. We assume we know what the person is going to say, so we stop listening.

We have probably all been guilty of some of these and tend to engage in more of them if a discussion is emotionally charged.

One of the most powerful ways to improve any relationship is to fine-tune our listening skills.

If someone is not talking to you, see what happens if you eliminate and/or change some of the above behaviours.

Gwen Randall-Young is an author and award-winning psychotherapist.

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THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 17

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HERALD SPORTS Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing sports@merrittherald.com

Cents and Warriors split; playoff race tightens

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

Going into Wednesday night’s midweek game against the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters, the Merritt Centennials found themselves in a dogfight for the final two playoff positions in the BCHL’s Interior division.

Prior to the outcome of their contest against the Smokies, the Cents were holding down the fourth and final postseason position in their six-team conference, two points behind the thirdplace West Kelowna Warriors and just two points ahead of the resurgent Salmon Arm Silverbacks in fifth.

The Centennials had an opportunity to create some breathing space for themselves in the standings this past weekend with a home-andhome series against the Warriors but could only manage a split of their two games.

Friday night, on home ice, Merritt got two goals from newcomer Stephan Seeger in a convincing 7-3 victory over their cross-Connector rivals. Other Cents’ marksmen were Michael

Ederer, John Schiavo, Colin Grannery, Rhett Willcox and affiliateplayer Josh Kobelka, a call-up from the KIJHL’s Kelowna Chiefs.

Jonah Imoo stopped 38 of 41 Warriors’ shots to claim the victory in the Merritt net. The Cents’ power play was efficient, scoring twice on five opportunities.

“I thought that we were well-prepared and stuck to the game plan early,” Centennials head coach and GM Luke Pierce said. “The plan was to initiate a bit more pressure without the puck and put them in a position to turn pucks over, instead of us having to create things on our own.”

The Cents jumped out to quick 3-0 lead against the Warriors before the visitors got one back late in the first period. West Kelowna then opened the scoring to begin the second stanza, but the one-goal deficit was as close as the Warriors would get on the night.

“I thought that at 3-2 we started to play like we were no longer in the lead — with a bit more risk than we needed to,”

BCHL STANDINGS to Feb. 03 INTERIOR DIVISION Team

GP W

L

T OTL PTS

Penticton 48 37 7 2 Vernon 48 30 15 1 West Kelowna 50 24 20 0 Merritt 47 25 20 0 Salmon Arm 48 21 19 3 Trail 47 16 28 0 ISLAND DIVISION

2 2 6 2 5 3

78 63 54 52 50 35

Team

GP W

L

T OTL PTS

Nanaimo Powell River Victoria Alberni Valley Cowichan Valley

48 50 48 47 50

12 16 16 20 28

0 0 1 2 2

33 25 22 22 18

3 9 9 3 2

DOUBLE TROUBLE New Merritt Centennial Stephan Seeger (28) scored his first two goals in a Cents’ uniform in his team’s 7-3 win over the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday night. The Warriors edged the Centennals 2-1 on Saturday. Ian Webster/Herald

Pierce said.

“For me, the turning point in the game was when [West Kelowna’s Liam] Blackburn was injured and stayed down on the ice. It gave us a break to regroup. We gathered at the bench and talked about how we didn’t need to be playing the way we were, which was tentative and nervous and trying to do too much at times.”

Pierce said that Willcox’s goal shortly thereafter, from Zak Bowles and Tyrell Buckley, was huge.

“At the break, we made a bit of an adjustment on our controlled break out, which turned into the next goal. For the first time in awhile, we actually executed something that we had

designed and it worked.

It kind of reaffirmed with the guys that if they stick to the things we had planned to do, they’re going to capitalize.

“I thought that Rhett’s play in that game was outstanding, and it was fitting that he score what was a big goal,” Pierce added.

“Rhett was under [West Kelowna’s] skin all night.

He has to play that way — on the edge but not going over. When he’s doing that, he plays his best hockey.”

As for his team’s three-goal third period, which included Seeger’s first two in a Centennials’ uniform, Pierce said his players were just playing with confidence.

“It allowed us to open

L

T OTL PTS

Chilliwack Langley Prince George Coquitlam Surrey

46 47 48 48 48

16 16 20 24 37

1 1 0 1 0

28 26 23 19 8

1 4 5 4 3

58 57 51 43 19

vs Merritt Centennials vs

Salmon Arm Sliverbacks 7:30 pm Saturday, Feb. 7 at N.V. Memorial Arena

MAINLAND DIVISION GP W

certain details against certain opponents, we expect the guys to be able to execute them,” the coach said.

Despite failing to score, Pierce felt that his team had the better scoring chances in the second period and completely dominated the third.

“Our players probably felt that they deserved to win Saturday’s game, but the lesson is that sometimes it comes down to five minutes of poor play in a game and that can be the difference. It happens in the playoffs all the time.”

Given the closeness in the standings, it will undoubtedly be a playoff atmosphere in all of Merritt’s remaining 10 regular-season games, beginning with this Friday’s visit to Trail and Saturday’s crucial home contest against the Silverbacks.

The last-place Smoke Eaters are officially out of the playoff race, playing loose, and almost certainly enjoying the spoiler role. They will be a formidable opponent on home ice at the Cominco Arena.

The surging Silverbacks are riding the redhot play of netminder Angus Redmond. The BCHL’s current Player of the Week recorded back-to-back shutout wins over Vernon last weekend, and has allowed a paltry single goal in his last three outings combined.

Game time Saturday night is 7:30 p.m.

Merritt Centennials

69 59 54 49 40

Team

up more space. And players like Stephan got to the right places at the right time. We’ve seen it coming with him. He’s a very intelligent player.”

Kobelka’s tally to close out the scoring was also noted by Pierce.

“It was nice to have Josh and [fellow call-up] Brett Jewell together on a line. I have such confidence in Brett at centre that we were able to use the two of them in situations that perhaps I normally wouldn’t have.”

There were no big leads in Saturday’s game between the same two teams at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna.

In fact, all the scoring took place in the first eight and a half minutes of the first period.

The Warriors took

advantage of an early power play to go up 1-0 at the 5:02 mark, then added another goal 35 seconds later. Cents’ defenceman Shane Poulsen managed to get one back shortly thereafter, but that was all she wrote in a narrow 2-1 West Kelowna win.

Pierce was not the least bit happy with the way things played out in the opening stages of the game.

“They scored their power play goal on a play that we had specifically reviewed on video and planned how to defend against. We didn’t defend it the way we discussed which was very frustrating.

“We had also talked about managing the puck well early in the game, particularly in the neutral zone. Thirty seconds after their first goal, we turned the puck over in the middle of the ice, gave them a three-ontwo rush and they scored again.

“For the first time in a long time, I went on a bit of a tirade on the bench,” Pierce said. “It was just inexcusable to me that we made those errors on those things we had explicitly discussed going into the game.”

Pierce felt that his players got the message.

For the remainder of the first period, the Warriors only registered one more shot on the Cents’ net.

“We’re a team that doesn’t ask for a tremendous amount of detail,” Pierce said. “Our systems are pretty basic. But when we do implement

As always, purchase your tickets before game time at Canadian Tire and Cooper's Foods.

NICOLA VALLEY MEMORIAL ARENA 2075 Mamette Ave., Merritt

Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2:00 pm Sunday, Feb. 22 at N.V. Memorial Arena

18 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

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SPORTS

Panthers and Whundas play a game for the ages

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

Don’t let the final score fool you. This was a barn burner! A basketball game the likes of which hasn’t been seen at the Merritt Secondary gym in years.

The MSS Panthers junior boys basketball team took the highly-rated Westsyde Whundas through two periods of edgeof-your-seat overtime before finally succumbing 68-51 to their Kamloops rivals on Thursday night of last week.

Tied 18-18 at halftime, a gritty group of Panthers used a stifling zone defensive and some timely scoring to build themselves a welldeserved 10-point lead with three-and-a-half minutes to go in regulation — only to see the Whundas scratch and claw their way back

PANTHER POWER (Left) Merritt’s Sebastien Dexel (23) uses a pick by teammate Silas Potter to move the ball up the floor against the Westsyde Whundas last Thursday. (Above) The Panthers’ Evan Sahota (8) attempts a hook shot against a quartet of Whundas defenders. Ian Webster/Herald

to within one on the scoreboard as the final seconds of the fourth quarter wound down.

An unfortunate Merritt foul and subsequent technical with 24.6 seconds to go in the game gave Westsyde

three free throws from the charity stripe and possession of the ball afterwards.

With a packed MSS gym holding its collective breath, the Westsyde shooter missed his first two foul shots

but managed to sink his last one, tying the score at 43-43.

Neither team was able to score in the final 20-plus seconds, and this beauty of a game was on its way to overtime.

In the first fiveminute session of OT, the lead bounced back and forth between both teams. Merritt’s Silas Potter netted two huge baskets from the field to keep the game tied at 48-48, then

the Panthers’ Denny Thomas drained a pair of free throws to put his team ahead 50-48 with just over 26 seconds left on the clock.

Another late Merritt foul at the final buzzer resulted in Westsyde

going to the foul line again with the game’s outcome once more on the line. The Whundas player calmly sank both free throws, sending both sides to a second overtime period.

An emotionallydrained Panthers squad proved to be no match for their more-experienced West Zone opponents as the Whundas went on a 16-point run that included six foul shots to win going away.

Evan Sahota led all Merritt scorers with 16 points, while Potter was close behind with 14. Sebastien Dexel, with a pair of beautiful fall-away treys, Sam McNiven and Thomas all pitched in with six points apiece.

The Panthers’ Caleb Hartwig was a beast on the boards at both ends of the floor.

All MSS basketball teams have this week off from league games due to exams.

Three Merritt hockey teams move onto the second playoff round

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

It was a wild weekend of minor hockey with a host of local teams involved in first-round playoff action at home and on the road. Here’s what has been reported to the Merritt Herald:

Midget Rep The Tracker Sportswear midgets swept the Winfield Bruins in their best-ofthree, first-round series, winning 8-3 in Merritt on Saturday and 5-2 on Sunday in Winfield.

starting at 3:30 p.m.

MINOR HOCKEY REPORT Marcelo Bose paced the Jr. Cents’ attack in the first game with an impressive seven assists.

Goals were scored by Dawson Kerslake (2), Grayson McMaster (2), Brayden Thormoset (2), Jesse Cunningham and Eric Lalonde.

Sunday, Bose and Lalonde each found the back of the net twice, while Sahil Bansi scored once. Sam Suzuki picked up both wins in the Merritt net.

The Tracker Sportswear team begins

CURLING CORRECTION

In last Thursday’s Merritt Herald, the members of the Irwin curling foursome were incorrectly identified. Here’s the real deal (from left to right): Christine Lishman, Patty Nash, Clara Irwin, Meg Irwin. Photo courtesy of Darlene Gellrich

round two play this Saturday when they host Kelowna in game one at the Shulus arena beginning at 1 p.m.

Peewee Rep The Ramada peewees got their playoff campaign off to a resounding start with a pair of one-sided wins over West Kelowna on the weekend.

Saturday, Spencer Vaughan scored six times and Garrett MacDonald notched the hat trick in a 15-1 beat down of the Warriors. Other scorers were Talon Zakall, Anthony Michel, Allison Moore, Breanna Ouellet, and Matthew Newman.

Sunday, it was more of the same, as Merritt skated to a 9-2 victory over their Okanagan opponents. Zakall led the scoring parade with four goals, Vaughan had three, and Michel and Moore one each.

Bryce Garcia picked up Saturday’s win in net for the Ramada squad.

Troy Holmes was credit-

ed with Sunday’s victory.

Like their midget rep counterparts, Merritt’s peewees take on Kelowna in round two playoff action, beginning with game one on Saturday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena at 12:15 a.m.

Peewee Girls The Joco Transport peewee girls swept Vernon in their opening round of the playoffs, winning 12-0 and 7-0 on the weekend.

Janelle Gage picked up the pair of shutout wins in net for Merritt, while scoring was taken care of by 10 different players: Avery Sigurdsson (3), Ivy Smith (2), Taylor Shackelly (2), Reese Paterson (2), Ashley Cavaliere (2), Kayla Gray (2), Eva Galbraith, Christa Michel and Talyn Ferch.

The Joco girls squad also plays Kelowna in round two action, with game two at home on Sunday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena

Bantam Rep The Murray GM bantams bowed out of the OMAHA playoffs, losing in two straight to the Winfield Bruins on the weekend.

Saturday, the bantam reps fell 6-2 in Winfield, with Marco Camastro and Anthony Tulliani scoring for Merritt.

Sunday’s game was much closer with the teams tied at 5-5 midway through the third period.

A late scoring surge by the Bruins lifted them to an 8-5 victory.

Merritt scorers on Sunday were Tyler Mosley with two goals, Camastro, Tulliani and Armoni McRae.

Midget Girls The McDonalds midget girls were edged two games to one in their best-of-three playoff series with Chase.

It took double overtime in the deciding game before Chase prevailed 3-2. They also won game one 2-0, while Merritt extended the

THREE STARS (Top left) Marcelo Bose (11) had seven assists in his midget rep team’s 8-3 victory over Winfield. (Above) The peewee reps’ Garrett MacDonald (9) notched his first hat trick of the season in Merritt’s 15-1 triumph over the Bruins.

(Left) Janelle Gage had two shutouts in the peewee girls’ sweep of Vernon. Ian Webster/ Herald

series with a 4-2 home ice win in game two on Saturday.

Merritt scorers in the three-game series were Renee Stockwell, Emmagin Richardson, Tiarra Sterling, Kierra Willey, Keisha Henry and Jenna Kane.

Novice In non-playoff minor hockey news, the Merritt novice Red Thunder travelled to Clearwater

for a tournament on the weekend. They recorded two wins and two losses in games against teams from Williams Lake, Kamloops and the host community. Goal scorers for the Merritt squad were Gracie Graham (9), Glen Newman (3), Mason Agar (3), Owen Bateson (2), Rae Bassett, Kaidyn Keough and Isaac Asselstine. The team received outstanding goaltending from Ezekiel Thuveson.

THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 19

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE NICOLA VALLEY

CONTAIN-IT STORAGE

Have an event we should know about? Tell us by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing production@merrittherald.com

Family Day Event

Pancake Supper Come out with the whole with Trinity family and enjoy a day United Church of family fun all for free!

Monday, Feb. 9, 2015.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ the Merritt Civic Centre, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. @ the NV Memorial Arena. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. @ the NV Aquatic Centre. For more info call 250-315-1050.

Nicola Valley Film Society Presents “LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON� Rated GENERAL on Monday, Feb. 16 at 7:00p.m. at the NVIT LECTURE THEATRE. Parking is FREE and there is no food or drink allowed in the theatre. For more info phone 378-3974.

Alzheimer Society of B.C. workshop 10 Warning Signs and Getting a Diagnosis, Alzheimer Society of B.C. workshop, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., NVIT Merritt Campus, Room U031, 4155 Belshaw Street. Pre-registration required. Tara Hildebrand, 1-800-886-6946, thildebrand@alzheimerbc.org.

NICOLA VALLEY FISH & GAME CLUB Awards Night

Tuesday Feb. 17, Trinity United Church is celebrating Shrove Tuesday with a Pancake Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church hall.

Enjoy pancakes,ham,syrup, applesauce, ice cream for dessert, coffee, tea, juice served by the friendly men of Trinity United. Everyone welcome. Trinity located at 1899 Quilchena Ave. Need a ride? Call 250378-5735 to leave message if ride needed.

annual coffee and dessert afternoon The Nicola Valley Women’s Institute will hold their annual coffee and dessert afternoon on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Association Hall.

There will also be a raffle table.

The Nicola Valley Community Band Fall season of practices on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the music room at MSS. info: James 250-378-9894.

Elks Bingo

Entry deadline Feb. 20, 2015. Entry drop off at Gun Fishin, Ponderosa Sports or contact Paul at 250-3784904. Awards presented at a pot luck dinner on March 7 at the Seniors Centre. For more information contact Paul 250-378-4904 or Ed 250-378-2547.

Every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Doors open at 12:00 p.m.

The Great plains in concert Presented by the Merritt Seniors Assn. Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. at the Merritt Seniors Centre.

For tickets and more info call 250-378-4407.

Volunteers Needed

looking for volunteers

The Gallery Committee of the NVCAC is looking for volunteers to join their enthusiastic team. We have repainted the Courthouse Gallery and are now organizing exciting art shows for the Courthouse Art Gallery.

Some things you can look forward to: Watercolour Workshop - March 1, Nicola Valley Ranch Life by artist Harold Allanson - Feb. 27 to March 7, Dance to the Rhyth of My Heart dance competition - March 14 to 28 and our 9th annual community Art Show - April 10 to May 2. For information on our activities, check our website: nvartscouncil. com, email us at nicolavalleyartscouncil@gmail.com or drop by 1840 Nicola Ave.

The Navy League is in need of officer’s and volunteers to help out with our growing Cadet Corps. Our children are age 9 to 13 and we meet every Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

If you have past experience or are interested in becoming a part of our Corps please contact us.

Ellen 250-280-6944, Sue 250-378-9880 or email at nlccventure@gmail.com

Conayt Bingo Join Conayt Friendship Society every Thursday for bingo. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 6 p.m. Everyone welcome to come and play bingo!

2164 Quilchena Ave.

Theatre Project Fundraiser Royal Lepage and Merritt Community Cinema Socieyt will be hosing a steak dinner and silent auction fundraiser at the Grand Pub and Grill on Saturday, March 7. Three seating available: noon, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.

For tickets call 250-3786181.

Snow CloudyLight w/Showers

High: 9ďƒťC 5ËšC High: Low: 6ďƒťC 1ËšC Low:

LightPeriods Rain Cloudy

High: 10ďƒťC 6ËšC High: Low: 3ËšC Low: 4ďƒťC

Sat.Mar. Feb. 16 7 Sat.

Light Rain Variable Clouds

High: 8ďƒťC 7ËšC High: Low: 4ďƒťC 3ËšC Low:

Sun.Mar. Feb. 17 8 Sun.

Chance a shower Wet ofSnow

High: 6ďƒťC 6ËšC High: Low: 2ËšC Low: 2ďƒťC

Merritt Baptist Church

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship

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Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church .BYXFMM 4U t 4FSWJDF 5JNF 4VOEBZT B N

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$PSOFS PG +BDLTPO #MBJS t Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

Seventh Day Adventist Church (SBOJUF "WF t 4FSWJDF 5JNF 4BUVSEBZT B N

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help us reach our goal Would you like to see a movie theatre in Merritt, then the Merritt Community Cinema Soceity can use your help!

Knitwits Love to knit or crochet? Come on down to Brambles Bakery Thursday evenings bring your yarn and needles and join in the fun.(1st Thursday of the month)

High: 6ďƒťC 4ËšC High: Low: 0ËšC Low: 0ďƒťC

Tue.Mar. Feb. 10 Tue. 19

Mainly Cloudy SnowRain Showers

High: 7ďƒťC 4ËšC High: Low: -1ďƒťC -1ËšC Low:

Sale of New and Used storage containers

2499 Coutlee Ave. (Corner of Coutlee and Orme) t 4FSWJDF 5JNF 4VOEBZ 4DIPPM 4VOEBZ B N

Fire relief fundraisers for Earth Walker Spiritual Shop. You can either donate money to the bank account set up at CIBC or drop off your bottle donations to the bottle depot.

LIght rain Variable Clouds

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The Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society is seeking volunteers to fill shifts at the Extreme Weather Response Shelter located at 1937A Quilchena Ave. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight daily.

Volunteer application packages are available at the Community Policing Office (250-378-3955) at 2013 Quilchena Ave.

Mon.Mar. Feb. 18 9 Mon.

On-site rentals

Q

Crossroads Community Church

Phase 2 has started.

Goal to reach $144,000 for design & architect fees

For more information call Rich Hodson 250-378-6794

If you would like to help donate to this wonderful cause please make cheque payable to Merritt Community Cinema Society and mail it to: 1952 Eastwood Ave., Merritt, BC V1K 1K3

DayWeather WeatherForecast Forecast for for Merritt, Merritt, BC - Thursday, 5, 2015 - Wednesday,March Feb. 11, 77Day Thursday, Feb. March 14 - Wednesday, 20,2015 2013 Fri.Mar. Feb. 15 6 Fri.

Q

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

Phone 250-378-4241 with any events that you may be hosting or email: production@merrittherald.com

Thurs.Mar. Feb.514 Thurs.

Approved mini-storage

1750 1 17 7 Hill Street Q Phone: 250-315-3000

Shelter looking for volunteers

RISING FROM THE ASHES

Contents are insurable

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Wed.Mar. Feb. 11 Wed. 20

MixLight of Sun Snow and Clouds

High: 7ďƒťC 5ËšC High: Low: 0ďƒťC 1ËšC Low:

Stain Glass by

Almerina Rizzardo

• • • •

STAIN GLASS SUN CATCHERS NIGHT LIGHTS PICTURE FRAMES

Available at Creative Company 2074 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC Monday - Saturday Ph: 250-378-0813

20 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015

www.merrittherald.com

Your community. Your classifieds.

250.378.4241 fax 250.378.6818 email classiÀeds@merrittherald.com ADVERTISING DEADLINES WORD CLASSIFIEDS

Tuesday issue noon the preceding Friday Thursday issue noon the preceding Tuesday

DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Tuesday issue noon the preceding Friday Thursday issue noon the preceding Tuesday

Announcements

Announcements

Obituaries

Obituaries

MERRITT & DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY Listening is sacred. Whenever you can do that for someone, you are honouring them.

INDEX IN BRIEF

Family Announcements Community Announcements Employment Business Services Pets & Livestock Merchandise For Sale Real Estate Rentals Automotive Legals

www.merritthospice.org Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca

P: 250-280-4040

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

bcclassiÀeds.com reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassiÀed.com Box Replay Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION

Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, colour, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condition is justiÀed by a bonaÀde requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of bcclassiÀed.com.

Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

MERRITT HERALD Ph: 378-4241 Fax: 378-6818 Advertising: sales@merrittherald.com Publisher: publisher@merrittherald.com Editorial: newsroom@merrittherald.com Production: production@merrittherald.com www.merrittherald.com 2090 Granite Avenue, P.O. Box 9, Merritt, B.C.

Announcements

Employment

Cards of Thanks

Information

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

CERTIFIED CAREGIVER

Community Health Nurse sought in Port Hardy, BC. Request job description or apply to marie.hunt@kwakiutl.bc.ca

by Feb 22. Competitive salary offered. Tel. 250-949-6625

On Behalf Of The People Living at Nicola Meadows. We all would like to say a great big thank you to Laura Abbinant.

For being there for us and for your kindness. Again, Thank You for Coming Here.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

KEITH ANGUS

Stand up. Be heard. Get help.

as soon as possible regarding a death in the family.

Casual Employment available to provide support for elderly lady in the Merritt area.

Companionship, light housekeeping and some meal preparation required.

Hourly pay rate offered commensurate with skills and experience.

Please send resume and references to: Box 100 C/O Merritt Herald P.O. Box 9, Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Help Wanted

•

24/7 • anonymous • confidential • in your language

YOUTH AGAINST VIOLENCE LINE

1-800-680-4264

info@youthagainstviolence.com

If you are related to Esther Flora Schaefer Murphy, please contact

Janet Helm 604-502-7705

Dakota Thomson July 20, 1992 - Jan. 10, 2014

AGREEMENT

It is agreed by any display or classiÀed advertiser requesting space that the liability of the paper in the event to failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. bcclassiÀeds.com cannot be responsible for errors after the Àrst day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors after the Àrst day of publication of any advertisement.

Notice or errors on the Àrst day should immediately be called to the attention of the classiÀed department to be corrected for the following edition.

Announcements

I thought of you today But that is nothing new I thought of you yesterday And will tomorrow too I think of you in silence And make no outward show For what it meant to lose you Only those who love you know Remembering you is easy I do it every day Its the heartache of losing you that will never go away

Love you baby - Daddy Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Your Journey Continues Baby Help Wanted

NICOLA VALLEY CHIROPRACTIC

is looking for a motivated employee to join our ofÀce team. Part-time position.

Wage is based on experience and skill level. Please fax resumes to 250-378-8259 or drop them off at 2076A Granite Ave. IN FIND IT THE CLASSIFIEDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN) School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) is accepting applications for the following relief positions: Relief Custodian: Applicants are required to have a minimum Grade 10 education and a valid BC Driver’s License. ( Job Code #122391) Relief Bus Driver: Successful applicants will be required to have a Class 2 or higher license with air, a minimum Grade 10 education and six months to one year commercial driving experience or equivalent combination of training and experience. Preference will be given to those with bus driving experience. Drivers will also be required to provide a Driver’s Abstract. (Job Code #122390) All positions are on-call positions. Salary and benefits will be in accordance with the C.U.P.E. Local 847 Collective Agreement.

Application forms are available at the School Board Office, 1550 Chapman Street, Merritt, BC, Princeton Secondary School, 201 Old Merritt Road, Princeton, BC, or on-line at www.sd58. bc.ca click on Jobs/Support Positions-Job Postings/Support Staff. Applications, including a detailed resume with a minimum of three references will be accepted until February 13, 2015.

Please forward to: Attn: Secretary Treasurer School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) P.O. Box 4100, 1550 Chapman St. Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Fax: (250) 378-6263 Only those applicants being interviewed will be contacted.

Interior Community Services enriching lives

Help Wanted

ABORIGINAL CHILD AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN- LILLOOET

Interior Community Services (ICS) is currently seeking a highly experienced Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician to provide direct clinical consultation and education services to aboriginal children and youth with mental health issues in Lillooet and the surrounding area.

QUALIFICATIONS UÊ Master’s degree in Social Work or related field with minimum 2 years clinical experience supporting children and youth.

UÊ Excellent problem solving, decision making, organizational and time management skills UÊ Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills UÊ Demonstrated proficiency with various computer programs within the MS Office Suite UÊ Ability to work independently UÊ Satisfactory criminal record check and safe driving record. Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and own vehicle.

POSITION UÊ Permanent part time (28 hs/ week). This position qualifies for group benefit coverage which includes coverage with Extended Health, Dental, and MSP. UÊ ICS is a member of the Municipal Pension Plan UÊ Core Training provided includes Non-violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) and Suicide Intervention (ASIST) training.

Submit your resume with cover letter by Monday February 9th at 4:30 pm to careers@interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca For further information please visit our website: www.interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca

Employment

SMALL ENG/SAW/OUTBOARD MECHANIC WANTED. Exp required. Wage/benefits negotiable. Send resume to crosback@telus.net

Vernon Service Company requires F/T Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter. $36/hr. Call 250-549-4444 or email: pres@aslanservices.ca

TRY A CLASSIFIED AD

Help Wanted

Honey Pot Daycare is seeking a temporary part-time ECE Assistant / Responsible Adult.

Send resume to labounty.advisor@gmail.com or Box 1856 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8

Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) Job Posting: Part-Time Position Department: Position Title: Reports To: Subject To:

LNIB Administration Receptionist/File Clerk LNIB Executive Assistant and/or Executive Director Terms and Conditions of the Personnel Policy & Annual Approved Budget

DUTIES AND TASKS: s Answers phones, direct calls, and take messages. s Receives and classifies, codes and stores LNIB correspondence/records/documents; s Maintains and updates indexes for LNIB filing system(s); s Reviews files periodically to ensure they are complete and correctly classified; s Locate files/materials when requested; s Provide clerical support (meeting preparations, photocopying, word processing); s Receive, redirect faxes to LNIB Staff s Scanning documents and distributing them with LNIB Chief and Council and Administration s Assist with receiving and providing general information to clients and public; s Assist with LNIB correspondence mail outs, notices, newsletters, etc. s Draft various correspondences on request.

WORK CONDITIONS: s Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 2:30 pm , 17.5 hours per week s High office productivity and short deadlines is expected.

QUALIFICATIONS: s Grade 12 Diploma and/or some post-secondary training s Or a combination of education and experience, preferably with a First Nation’s community; s A valid driver’s license; s A team player; s Ability to speak or willingness to learn the Nłe kepmx language.

Salary: To be negotiated Deadline: 10 am – February 6, 2015 Start Date: upon hiring of suitable candidate Applicants are requested to submit their resume to the Lower Nicola Indian Band office at: Lower Nicola Indian Band c/o Personnel Committee 181 Nawishaskin Lane, Merritt, BC V1K 0A7 Email: executiveassistant@lnib.net

THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 • 21

www.merrittherald.com

Services

Services

Financial Services

Financial Services

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

Community Newspapers We’re at the heart of things™

LARGE FUND Borrowers Wanted Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts.

We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime 1-800-639-2274 or 604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

Pets & Livestock

Merchandise for Sale

Rentals

Rentals

Rentals

Pets

Heavy Duty Machinery

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

KENGARD MANOR

NICOLA APARTMENTS

Property Management

Std POODLE pups, CKC, M/F, 16 wks, trained, all shots, health guar’t, exc. pedigree, $1800. Camaraderie Kennels, Victoria (250)381-0855

A-STEEL SHIPPING DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS Used 20’40’45’53’ and insulated containers all sizes in stock.

Trades are welcome.

40’Containers under $2500!

DMG 40’ containers under $2,000 each. Also JD 544 & 644 wheel Loaders & 20,000 lb CAT forklift.

Wanted to buy 300 size hydraulic excavator.

Ph Toll free 1-866-528-7108 1-778-298-3192 8am-5pm Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com

Give life .... register to be an organ donor today!

Job Posting Job Posting: Family Therapist The successful applicant will undertake duties associated with the Upper Nicola Band (UNB) in the Community Services Department – Health.

Employment Dates: Permanent beginning on or about March 15, 2015 Rate of Pay: Commensurate with level of education and experience.

Duties include: r Provide assessment and treatment services to children and their families and offer consultative services to community agencies. r To demonstrate strong clinical skills in assessment, formulation, and treatment with an ability to utilize flexible strategies for engaging and working with children, youth, families and community systems r To demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork and openness QualiďŹ cations: r M.S.W. or B.S.W. with minimum two years experience r Demonstrated ability to work independently with families and individuals r Demonstrated ability to formulate individual; and family Treatment/Wellness Plans r Demonstrated/Experience in collaborating, consulting and referring to treatment centers and other programs and agencies r Familiarity with a range of evidence based treatment modalities and approaches r Strong organizational and interpersonal skills r Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain appropriate record keeping systems. r Drivers license and own transportation.

for more information 1-800-663-6189 www.transplant.bc.ca

Misc. Wanted

Spacious 1 & 3 bedroom apartments.

F/S, heat and hot water included.

Starting at $625/mth Move in bonus - 1/2 month free rent

For appointment call

Clean one and two bedroom.

Starting at $600/month.

MOVE IN BONUS 1 month free rent

250-378-9880

250-378-9880

VIBE APARTMENTS

NICOLA APARTMENTS

1&2 bedroom apartments

Clean one and two bedroom.

Starting at $600/month.

References required.

NO PETS, NO SMOKING. 250-280-7644

MOVE IN BONUS 1/2 month free rent

1 bdrm Apt. $600 plus hydro (X2) 1 bdrm Apt. $900 plus hydro.

2 bdrm Apt. $1100 plus hydro.

1 bdrm Executive Suite on Bench. $1000 inc hydro/heat & satellite.

1 bdrm Suite on the Bench. $650 plus utilities.

2 bdrm basement suite. $750 inc utilities.

2 bdrm duplex renovated. $650 plus utilities.

First 3 months FREE.

NO PETS

250-378-9880

3 bdrm duplex. $950 plus utilities.

2 bdrm in 6plex in Lower Nicola. $600 inc utilities 3 bdrm townhouse. Sun Valley Court $1200 plus utilities.

3 bedroom house. $850 plus utilities.

Help Wanted

3 bedroom Upper oor of house. $975 plus utilities.

Quaint Cottage in the Country!

Bachelor Suite. $800 including utilities.

Maintenance Worker \ Groundskeeper Coquihalla Gillis House

250-378-1996 Call for all of your Residential or Commercial Property Management needs!

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MERRITT REAL ESTATE SERVICES Property Manager: Lynda Etchart

SHOP LOCALLY

It’s more than a career....It’s a lifestyle!

Send current resume and cover letter to: Collette Manuel, Band Administrator, Box 3700 Merritt BC V1K 1B8 or in person at the UNB Health OfďŹ ce, by fax 250-378-6361 or email unbhealth@uppernicolaband.com.

1988 Quilchena Ave.

January 12, 2015

NO PETS

Private Collector Looking to Buy Coin Collections, Silver, Antiques, Native Art, Estates + Chad: 778-281-0030 Local

Help Wanted

MERRITT

Apply Online: Jobs.InteriorHealth.ca &RPSHWLWLRQ

Auto Financing Need a Vehicle?

Auto Financing Call the

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 4:00 pm Fri February 20, 2015.

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

BAND MANAGER

Cooks Ferry Indian Band is seeking an energetic and self-motivated Band Manager who will take on a variety of challenges and opportunities and play an integral role in the continued strengthening of the vision for the Cooks Ferry community.

Located in Spences Bridge, BC in the beautiful Nicola and Thompson River valleys, the Cooks Ferry Indian Band (CFIB) of the Nlaka’pamux Nation offers a wide range of recreational activities and outdoor adventures. With a proud history rich in culture and tradition, the community is building a promising future through cultural, social and economic development. Involved in the forest industry, mining, tourism and land management, CFIB is looking next to expand their economic development opportunities with capital projects that include housing construction and water system upgrades.

Duties: Working closely with Chief and Council and staff, the successful candidate will: Ĺ˜ 3rovide leadership over band programs and services including education, social services, health services, capital projects, housing, recreation, elders care, utilities, public works, and safety; Ĺ˜ Bring Ĺľnancial expertise to the budgeting process and encourage sound policies and practices; Ĺ˜ (stablish and maintain good relationships with other First Nations, governments, industry, and partners and develop service initiatives for Band members; Ĺ˜ Foster the vision of the organi]ation, coach and mentor staff, and encourage employee training and development; and Ĺ˜ Support Council goals and priorities.

4uDOiĹľFDtiRQs: 3referred TualiĹľcations include the following: Ĺ&#x2DC; <ou have a degree in commerce, economics, public administration or similar discipline, or eTuivalent education and experience; Ĺ&#x2DC; $re an energetic person with demonstrated experience in strategic planning, inter-government relations, program management, project management, budgeting and human resource management; Ĺ&#x2DC; +ave progressive leadership abilities and can work effectively in a team environment with Council, community members and staff; Ĺ&#x2DC; +ave superior interpersonal skills; Ĺ&#x2DC; +ave competent computer skills; Ĺ&#x2DC; +ave strong knowledge of social and economic issues facing First Nations; Ĺ&#x2DC; The ability to adapt to a rural, small community.

:e RIIeU DQ DttUDFtiYe sDODU\ DQG FRPPeQsuUDte ZitK e[SeUieQFe DQG TuDOiĹľFDtiRQs 3UeIeUeQFe ZiOO Ee JiYeQ tR FDQGiGDtes ZitK DERUiJiQDO DQFestU\ ([SORUe tKis e[FitiQJ RSSRUtuQit\ E\ suEPittiQJ \RuU UÂŤsuPÂŤ tR: .DtUiQD (OOiRt )RuU &RUQeUs 0DQDJePeQt &RQsuOtiQJ katrina.elliot@4cmc.ca

Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) Job Posting: Part-Time Position Position Title: Housing File Clerk Department: Housing Department Reports To: Housing Coordinator Subject to: Terms and Conditions of the Personnel Policy SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Housing Filing Cerk reports to the Housing Coordinator and is responsible for providing clerical support. This position develops to ensure that housing ďŹ les are maintained and accurate.

DUTIES AND TASKS: s Maintains and updates housing department ďŹ les s Performs other related duties as assigned by the Housing Manager or Housing Coordinator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: s Excellent communication both oral and written skills s Excellent interpersonal skills s Ability to work independently, follow direction, and verify own work. s Good judgment and problem solving skills. s Strong organizational skills s Attention to details and timelines. s Team player WORK CONDITIONS: s Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9am to 12 pm WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Frequent deadlines, short time lines, ability to multi-task Salary: To be negotiated Deadline: 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 6, 2015 Start Date: upon hiring of suitable candidate Applicants are requested to submit their resume to the Lower Nicola Indian Band ofďŹ ce at: Lower Nicola Indian Band c/o Personnel Committee 181 Nawishaskin Lane, Merritt, BC V1K 0A7 Fax: 250-378-6188 Email: joeshuter@lnib.net

Available 24/7 â&#x20AC;˘ mycreditmedic.ca

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Legal Notices

Legal Notices

CALL FOR BIDS Bids are now being accepted by the Lower Nicola Indian Band School for the Construction of a 3 Bay Bus Shed/Shelter extended onto our Current Bus Shed. This will include insulation of both bus sheds, gyprok, drywall, windows, door and installation of bay doors. a) Seeking bids by February 13, 2015. b) Cost estimates include all materials, lumber, etc. c) Project to be completed by May 31, 2015. d) 50% of bid could be advanced to successful bid to assist with cost of supplies. e) Responsible for clean up of materials after completion of project. f) Lowest bid may/may not be considered.

Deadline for bids is February 13, 2015, by NOON Submit bids to: Angie Sterling, Principal Lower Nicola Band School c/o Bids deadline: February 13, 2015 201 Horn Road, Merritt, BC V1K-1M9 asterling@lnib.net Phone: 250-378-5527 or Fax: 250-378-6389

22 • THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 Rentals

Rentals

Modular Homes

Suites, Lower

RENTAL AVAILABLE

2 bdrm suite, laminate flrs, recently reno’d, shared laundry $650 incl. util. Available Now. N/S, N/P, Ref’s. Req. 778-228-6378

Small 2 Bedroom Trailer Washer / Dryer / Fridge / Stove

Gas and Hydro included

Close to Town $850 a Month

250-378-0887 TRY A CLASSIFIED AD

Your Local ROOFING

WHERE DO YOU TURN

TO LEARN WHAT’S ON SALE?

YOUR NEWSPAPER:

The link to your community

Real Estate Business for Sale

Homes for Rent

www.merrittherald.com

4 Bedroom House W/D,F/S,N/S. $1,400/mth.

Avail. Feb.(250) 378 - 9660

DVD RENTAL business. Selling due to illness. Fully stocked $5500.00 OBO. www.tigressevideorentals.com 250-542-0473

Houses For Sale

Houses For Sale

DENTIST

For All Your Roofing Needs

KEVIN O’FLYNN ~ THEE RO OFER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Shingles ~ Cedar ~ Met al

250-936-9397 theeroofer@shaw.ca

NEW PATI ATTIEENT NTS & W WAL ALK-IN K INS WEL W COME

FREE CONSULTATIONS 2 FULL TIME DENTISTS & ORTHODONTIS T ON SITE Call 250-378-4888 to book your HOURS appointment.

Tuesday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

2731 Forksdale Avenue, V1K 1R9

www.dentistryatmerritt.ca

Dr. Sunil Malhotra

Dr. Jaspal Sarao

WINE MAKING

FARRIER

F THE ULTIMATE WINE FOR EXPERIENCE, VISIT THE WINE PRESS Quality products, friendly service!

gggmcneilage@hotmail.com

Now Serving the Merritt Area 778-208-0097

Member of the RJS Craft Wine Making Academy

250-378-6622

Location: 2865C Pooley Ave (Hack Electric)

www.thewinepressmerritt.com

STORAGE

SELF STORAGE UNITS

Safe, Secure, Easy Access, 8’ to 40’ Shipping Containers SUITABLE FOR: , %& , # '& , & , "#)!# & , #(& # ## & , #"' * % * ' & , (& " && #% $ %&#" + & #%

Starting @ $45./month with HST

at HACK Electric 378- 5580 2865C Pooley Ave., Merritt , B.C. Full-time Watchman on site

SWEEPING C CHIMNEY IO CHIMNEY SERVICES PION AMPI CHA CHAM 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE CHIMNEY CLEANING $150 SALES AND INSTALLATION OF WOOD AND PELLET STOVES AND INSERTS Wett Certified for Insurance compliance.

250-8 51-55 94

WWW. CHAMP IONCH IMNEY SERVIC ES.COM

PLUMBING & HEATING

eating H & g n i b m u l P Nicola Fully QualiÀed Tradesmen in..

Plumbing, Heating, Bonded Gas Fitters.

Service Work & Furnace Service.

Custom Sheet Metal Atlas RV Parts & Repairs

PHONE: 250-378-4943

2064 Coutlee Ave., Merritt, BC

AUTO SERVICES

Available 24/7 • mycreditmedic.ca

CREDIT

MEDIC

GOOD, BAD OR NO CREDIT. IF YOU WORK, YOU DRIVE. ROVALS! GUARANTEED AUTO LOAN APP

1.888.378.9255

MORTGAGE BROKER

Use the equity in your home to consolidate debt, top up RRSPs, or tackle renovations 1 Ca ll Ha rry Ho wa rd (250) 49 0-6 73

YOUR LOCAL MORTGAGE BROKER

TOLL FREE

TREE TOPPING T TT OT PO JIM POTTER

VICE SERVIC E SERV MERRIT T TREE • Fully insured, certiÀed faller • WSBC covered • Dangerous tree assessment ³ Schedule your FREE Estimate

CALL JIM at 250-378-4212

Solutions for your tree problems!

THURSDAY, February 5, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 23

www.merrittherald.com

Business Directory PLUMBING

BU B UILDING SUPPLIES

MEERR M RRI RIITT T T LUMBER SALES

2152 DOUGLAS ST., MERRITT, BC Ă&#x201C;xäÂ&#x2021;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2021;nÂ&#x2021;xĂ&#x17D;nĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;xäÂ&#x2021;Ă&#x17D;ÂŁ{Â&#x2021;{Ă&#x201C;{Â&#x2122;

Lumber, Plywood, Fencing SPECIALS

SCREWS, NAILS, ROOFING, INSULATION, JOIST HANGERS & much more LARGE LANDSCAPING BEAMS AVA ILABLE

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Mon to Fri.: 8 am - 5 pm & Sat.: 8 am 4 pm

ROOFING

E PLOYMENT SERVICES EM

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Merritt, BC

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The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia

in Merritt and South Central We are a full-service accounting ďŹ rm serving clients g our clients with professional, British Columbia. Our team is dedicated to providin and business needs. ďŹ nancial of personalized services and guidance in a wide range

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Startin g at $90 Call for a Quote Today!

Return s S

ROOFING

E ECHANICAL SERVIC FRANKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MEC RRANTY APPROVED OLD OR NEW WE HAVE WA R EVERYONE MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS FO â&#x20AC;˘ Tune Ups â&#x20AC;˘ Brakes â&#x20AC;˘ Exhaust /Oil â&#x20AC;˘ Suspension â&#x20AC;˘ Lube & Struts ks oc Sh â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘Radiator Service rvice â&#x20AC;˘ Air Conditioning Se

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2026 Mamette Aven

PLUMBING COLD WATER PLUMBING C

Ph: 250-378-9933 P

20 YEARS SERVICE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING AND HEATING NEEDS

24 HOUR ON CALL SERVICE AVAILABLE

Shingles, Metal, Torch-on & Cedar Serving Merritt & Area for 15 yrs

Joe: 250-315-5580 Sam: 250-315-5065

DENTIST

Y MA DENTAL CLINIC STOYO

p ien ts alw ays we lco me!

Ne w pat t nss of Merrit i g all citizen in Servvin nd and a surrou ing areas

L TODAY 250-378-5877 ALL CA 1999 Voght Street

(next to the Credit Union) PO Box 3090, Merritt, BC

HOURS: Mon-Fri 8AM - 4:30PM

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CONTRACTING SIONAL R PROFES R. P HR. 4H 24 SNOW REMOVAL

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