100 Mile House Free Press, February 19, 2015

Page 1

GRADS TEACHERS FACE OFF A22

$1.30

FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Includes GST

Two Sections, 40 pages

100milefreepress.net

RACING AGAINST BREAK-UP

HUNTERS NOT HAPPY WITH PROVINCE A3

Peter Hart photo

JODIE MATTOCK MAKING PROGRESS B1

INSIDE

opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment A23 sports A19 community A20 classifieds B3

The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net

Jim Baker eased his truck into the descent to Cabbage Corner on the icy Canim-Hendrix Lake Road. Loggers are saying this is one of the earliest spring break-ups they can remember. Jim is the third generation working in the logging industry on the Baker side of the family and fourth generation on his mom’s side (McNeil). See the Canim Lake column on Page A30 for details.

Petition protests proposed cell tower Rogers has public consultations underway at 105 Mile Carole Rooney Free Press

A group of concerned residents have initiated a door-to-door petition campaigning against a proposed mobile phone tower near Able Lake Road. They are gathering signatures to protest the tower on the primary grounds of the visual impacts they say will “completely overshadow” the larger, surrounding area’s views of Walker Valley. Rogers Communications Inc. has public consultations underway for a new 104.9 metre (344-foot) guy wired tower to be built on private land approximately 4.3 kilometres west of Highway 97 at 105 Mile. The concerned residents believe the communities of 108 Mile Ranch,

103 Mile Lake and 105 Mile will be impacted, but only the two residences adjacent to the tower received an information package in the mail. The sight of the tower will significantly mar the panoramic views over Walker Valley in the protected 108 Mile Greenbelt, they contend. However, Rogers’ consumer communications specialist Andrew Garas says the goal of the tower is to provide improved wireless coverage of 108 Mile Ranch. “Specifically, it would significantly improve coverage around 108 Mile Lake, Sepa Lake, 105 Mile Lake, Elliot Lake, Watson Lake and coverage along Highway 97, north of 108 Mile Ranch towards Lac la Hache. “This improvement would benefit residents, businesses, visitors and

emergency responders who often rely on our networks to make sure they can get to the scene as quickly as possible.” Rogers began consulting with the Cariboo Regional District in December to help determine the most suitable location to maximize coverage in the area, while having the least impact on residents, Garas notes. “On Jan. 30, we sent notification packages to residents within three times the tower height (314.7 m), providing them with details on proposal.” A public notice for the proposed installation was published in the 100 Mile House Free Press on Feb. 5 asking residents to submit any comments to Rogers before March 9, he adds. Once this 30-day comment period

is over, Rogers will acknowledge and respond to all comments within 60 days. Meanwhile, the concerned residents say the detailed 10-page information package includes a map showing the tower is tucked into a nook surrounded by the greenbelt, and is significantly more detailed than the “misleading” map in the advertisement. Rogers asks feedback to be sent to publicconsultation@cypressland services.com. The residents group encourages folks mail their feedback to Rogers and to also send feedback to the CRD planning officer Francesca Sanna at 175 Airport Rd.; 100 Mile House, B.C.; V0K 2E0; and to Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod at 118-475 Birch Ave., 100 Mile House, B.C. V0K 2E0.


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100 Mile House Free Press, February 19, 2015 by Black Press Media Group - Issuu