Merritt Herald, May 12, 2015

Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905

merrittherald.com

bcclassified.com

MERRITT HERALD TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS

FREE

TWO-WEEK CLOSURE

AT ASPEN PLANERS A declining lumber market has led to cutbacks.

Michael Potestio reports. Story on page 3

------------------- UP IN SMOKE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wildland firefighter recruits are back

By Emily Wessel THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

Sixty-six wildland firefighting recruits from around the province tested their mettle last week during the second of three week-long bootcamps run out of Merritt’s Provincial Wildfire Training Centre.

Nearly 200 new recruits who will work as wildland firefighters around B.C. will graduate from the bootcamps

this month.

Each week-long training session begins with a rigorous fitness test, which determines admissibility to the rest of the week.

It also sets the tone for the physically and mentally challenging week ahead.

Although 24-year-old recruit Holly Stewart worked as a wildland firefighter twice before, she said preparing to work in the field each season is tough.

CITY RELEASES 2014 FINANCIAL INFO

“Mentally and physically, it’s demanding,” she said.

She said one of the biggest challenges is “seeing how hard you can work and pushing a little bit beyond that.”

But with hard work comes reward, and Stewart said the rewarding aspect of doing such a tough job keeps her coming back each summer.

See Wildland Page 2

MERRITT RUNNERS TAME HALF MARATHON / Page 9

/ Page 3

MERRITT FUNERAL CHAPEL A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC

Celebrating lives with dignity Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10:00am - 3:00pm Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm

On Call 24 Hours A Day

250-378-2141

or 1-800-668-3379 2113 Granite Ave. Merritt, BC

www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com

• FUNERAL SERVICES • CREMATION CREMA BURIAL • BURIA MONUMENTS • MONU COMPASSION HELPLINE • COMPA ESTATE FRAUD PROTECTION • ESTAT • 100% SERVICE GUARANTEE

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.

2 • TUESDAY, May 12,

www.merrittherald.com

2015

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Wilderness bootcamp has trainees working 12-hour days New recruits work on their strategy to move logs in order to construct a helipad during their field exercises in the Merritt area on May 6. Emily Wessel/Herald

From Page 1 “I just thought it seemed like a really interesting and challenging job and I’m sort of interested in forestry and it’s a great way to work outdoors and challenge yourself,” she said.

In general, each day of bootcamp is about 12 hours, beginning with fitness training from 6 to 7 a.m.

“It’s been everything from running as fast as you can to carrying lots of gear around to just strength training exercises,” Stewart said.

After that, recruits do classroom training for most of the day.

Subjects covered in the classroom include fire behaviour, fire weather and fuel types.

For Stewart, that classroom training has shed light on the differences between fighting forest fires in B.C. and in Alberta.

“The terrain is a lot different from the majority of Alberta, so that’s been really exciting for me, at least, to learn about different terrain and different fuel types and different tree identification,” she said.

Recruits do field exercises in the late afternoon or evening, depending on the day’s work.

Halfway through the bootcamp, training was a day-long field exercise that involved laying hoses (which weigh an estimated 80 pounds), navigation challenges and hand-digging fireguards in a relay course.

“It was just as much stuff as you can do probably in like nine

hours of just running around a forest,” she said, adding that was her favourite part of training so far.

Perhaps the most vital lesson the new recruits learn in bootcamp is the importance of effective communication and teamwork in the field, with nearly every exercise involving working with a strike team of five, and working with other teams on group exercises.

“We’ve just gradually gotten better and better at working together and better at being efficient with tasks and everyone knows what they’re doing right off the bat,” Stewart said. “We’ve been really good about trading off leadership roles and also learning opportunities, making sure if someone is a little bit weaker in one

area they get to really work on that and practise, whether it’s setting up the pumps or navigating.”

A Fernie ski patroller in the winter, Stewart said she’s impressed with the calibre of the week-long camp in preparing new recruits for the summer ahead.

“I don’t know who’s been working harder — the students or the instructors,” she said.

New recruit bootcamp chair Ryan Chapman has run the camp for the last 15 years, and said each year’s exercises are designed to bring out the recruits’ teamwork.

“We’ve done a lot of leadership and group dynamics exercises,” Stewart said.

As far as the biggest reward: “Just finishing the day, having completed something with a

good group of people.”

Stewart said the instructors were fantastic and she felt well prepared to head into the field for the summer.

“It’s amazing how quickly you get to know your group of five people,” she said.

They practised looking for smouldering fires that could come back up, extinguishing a small fire.

“Good communication is really important because you want to know what everybody else is doing around you,” she said.

The final bootcamp for this forest fire season wraps up this week.

After their final exam, the recruits are placed in stations around the province, including in Merritt.

The $4 million Provincial Wildfire Training Centre on

“Breaking the Chain of Abuse”

9

378-099

PO Box 98 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8

Custom welding and bending.

On radiators and mufflers.

894 Coldwater Road, Merritt, B.C.

How Does Your Garden GROW? Enhance your soil and see the results

Top Soils - “ready to grow.”

Farm Manure blend & Regular Compost blend Fine Screen Compost

Excellent top dressing for lawns & mixing into existing soil.

Regular Screen Compost

Work into all existing soils, adding nutrients & organic matter increasing soil porosity.

Fertilizing Mulch

Excellent of mulching shrubs, trees & to top dress flower beds.

www.goodearthcompany.ca For sales at other times phone: 250-378-9674 or 250-936-8363

Site Location: Airport Road, next to Valley Helicopters

Open To Public: Mon., Wed. & Fri: 10 am - Noon Saturdays: 9 am - 1 pm

Adopt a Pet

PREVENT THEFTS FROM YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE

Please make an appointment to visit Ph: (250) 315-5276

Here a few helpful hints to help prevent motor vehilcle break-ins: 1 Don’t leave purses or valuables

E: gwc.9@hotmail.com View other future best friends @ www.angelsanimalrescue.ca

Buck

Airport Road is in its second year of operations.

“It’s been positive and really good. It’s been a lot of new stuff to learn and working with new people and working hard. It’s definitely been a busy, hectic week but it’s been really fun.”

Cutie Pie

Lady (Adoption Pending)

Buck is fun and outgoing, very affectionate, Cutie Pie loves to cuddle, is very good in the Lady is a sweet lovable terrier cross who is loves kisses and hikes, down to the river. Great house, travels well in a vehicle, loves people nick named “Sparkles” because her personalwith most other dogs. He has been at Angel’s and is very good with children. Due to her past ity doest just that. She walks well on leash and for some time now and would really like to find history she is not good with other animals and loves to be with you snuggled up in your lap his forever home. He requires a patient home must go to a home where she is the only pet. or begin carried around. She is very well beDonations that can teach him basic house manners. desperately needed for spay and neuter haved,services. seems to tolerate cats and older kids.

inside vehicles overnight.

2 Lock vehicles when exiting, make it a habit.

3 If leaving valuables in a vehicle; hide from sight.

4 Park in a well lit area.

5 Report any thefts, damage or suspicious persons to police

This message brought to you by

STOP BY AND SEE OUR NEW SELECTION OF

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

This feature brought to you by...

MERRITT HERALD M Advertising: sales@merrittherald.com Publisher: publisher@merrittherald.com Editorial: newsroom@merrittherald.com www.merrittherald.com * \ÊÎÇn {Ó{£ÊUÊ >Ý\ÊÎÇn Èn£n Óä äÊ À> ÌiÊ Ûi Õi]Ê*°"°Ê ÝÊ ]Ê iÀÀ ÌÌ]Ê ° °

beachcomber HOT TUBS

COPPER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD. 2151 Coutlee Ave., Merritt

250-378-5104

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 • 3

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Aspen Planers closed for two weeks

By Michael Potestio THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

About 150 mill employees are out of work at Aspen Planers as the company has shut down production at its two Merritt sites for the immediate future.

The mill ceased sawmill and planer operations May 4 and the company intends to have it remain that way for two weeks, reopening May 18.

However, the closure could extend past that, said Aspen Planers vice president Bruce Rose.

“We’re monitoring what the situation [is] in terms of both log supply and [what] the lumber markets are on a weekly basis,” Rose said.

How many of the 150 workers will see their jobs again when the mill does reopen depends on whether or not operations restart at the same levels they were before the closure.

“If we go back to operation at the same scale, we would need

the same employees back at work. I guess it depends on what the operational plan is when we come back,” Rose said.

Aspen Planers hasn’t determined that yet as it will depend on what the market looks like and their log supply.

The closure was brought on by constrained timber supply in the region and a poor lumber market, Rose said.

“Lumber pricing is down about 25, 26 per cent from what it was at the beginning of the year,” Rose said.

He said that as of May 5, the benchmark price was $252 U.S. per thousand board-feet.

Rose said there’s a variety of perspectives as to why prices are down, such as increased supply in North America and bad weather in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2015 that restricted demand.

“Those are some of the issues that have really weakened the price and the returns

from the market on our products,” Rose said.

Another hindrance Rose pointed out is a likely increase in export taxes from five to 10 per cent in June, a consequence of lumber prices falling below a certain number as stated in the Softwood Lumber Agreement with the U.S. Rose said the Chinese market for lumber

has been down as well.

The 150 people out of work isn’t inclusive of logging contractors, whose operations have also been affected by the closure, but not completely halted.

“We can’t keep bringing in [logs] at the pace we were bringing it in, obviously, so it’s curtailed significantly, but there is still some movement of logs,”

Rose said.

Some employees remain at Aspen Planers in Merritt doing miscellaneous work, Rose said.

The Tolko mill in town is still operational for now, but a representative said they’re also watching the market closely..

“We don’t expect this to be the crash we saw in 2008/2009,” said

Tolko plant manager Clayton Storey.

“If things do continue to slide, lumber markets may not support the continued operation at some locations at current capacity levels.”

He added that Tolko has curtailed operations at one of their mills in Quesnel. “We do our best to try to keep the future of our business in mind,” he said.

THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

Higher than normal expense totals for some city employees highlight the City of Merritt’s recently released annual Statement of Financial Information.

The document lists the salaries and expenses for employees who earn more than $75,000 as well as all members of council for the year.

Jerry Sucharyna, the economic development manager who parted ways with the city a few months ago, was paid nearly $83,000 in 2014.

Sucharyna, however,

incurred approximately $15,000 in expenses — more than twice as much as the next highest city manager on the list, which was planning and development manager Sean O’Flaherty with $6,241 expensed.

The city’s financial services manager Ken Ostraat said most of that $15,000 stems from a trip to Forth Worth, Texas, that Sucharyna took to attend an international economic development conference.

Chief administrative officer Allan Chabot said the trip was justified as a training and networking opportunity

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/MerrittHerald

GOOD MORNING! Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Sports ------------------------- 9 Classified --------------- 10-11

REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: May, 1980 Police manpower request not approved

PHOTO SPREAD Local photographers Anya McVean (left) and Julie VanKoll at the opening reception for their exhibit Dynamic Range, put on last Friday by the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council. The exhibit will run again this weekend, May 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Courthouse Art Gallery. David Dyck/Herald

2014 financial statements reveal higher than average expenses for some city staff

By Michael Potestio

Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/ merrittherald

with the hope of identifying some economic opportunities for the City of Merritt.

“He attended a number of conferences, seminars [and] training events,” Chabot said of Sucharyna’s expenses.

These conferences are usually attended to learn better ways to attract new business to one’s community, Ostraat said.

Going to a conference or class must be justified and cleared by the CAO, he added.

“He also travelled a great deal while he was here representing the city to neighbouring jurisdictions,” Chabot

said.

Merritt’s previous economic development manager, James Umpherson, had a salary of $78,175 in 2012 with $4,780 in expenses.

“I think they had different focuses, different approaches to economic development,” Chabot said.

He said the expenses were within reason. “[It was] not inconsistent with what the budgeted amount would have been — maybe slightly over,” Chabot said.

Travel expenses for the economic development office in 2014

were budgeted at $13,500, Ostraat said.

Chabot’s salary was about $79,400 last year, and he incurred more than $20,400 in expenses.

About $15,000 of that was incurred from the fact the city reimbursed him for relocating from Fernie — where he last worked — to Merritt when he was hired.

Ostraat said Chabot paid commission on the sale of his house in Fernie, something that can cost more than $10,000.

In 2012, then-CAO Matt Noble earned about $126,251 with

expenses of $5,872.

The CAO position sat vacant for a portion of 2013.

Ostraat said he expects Chabot’s 2015 expenses to be similar to the 2012 amounts.

The Statement of Financial Information is a requirement of the Financial Information Act, and must be approved by council before being filed with the provincial government.

It includes information such as expense reimbursements for attending the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities conference.

A request for additional manpower by the Merritt RCMP was not approved by the city council Thursday night in its regular meeting. The council instructed the RCMP to first have the request endorsed by divisional headquarters.

The Merritt RCMP has eight rural men and eight municipal men.

In some cities, the two forces are split.

But in Merritt, they both spend much of their time in the city where the crime rate is higher.

Since the rural crime rate has dropped, Merritt lost one of its rural officers, even though he patrolled in the town. Merritt Staff Sergeant Don Walker requested the council to replace the rural man the town lost.

“Our budget doesn’t get that larger every year and every time there’s an additional man, it creates quite a burden on the revenue over the year,” said Mayor Bob Baird.

“I have no reason why we do not need another man, but the question is paying for it.”

4 • TUESDAY, May 12,

www.merrittherald.com

2015

National

Lifejacket 2015 first quarter policing activity report Day Thursday, May 14, 2015

The following is an excerpt from the City of Merritt regular council meeting agenda from May 12, 2015.

Merritt detachment policing activity report, first quarter: January to March, 2015 This format is being implemented by the Merritt detachment to provide a quarterly update to mayor and council. Our goal is to provide an overview of some of the projects we have been working on and some of the types of investigations that we have been involved in.

This quarterly report reflects just a representative sampling of our policing activities for the first quarter of 2015.

General duty During the first quarter of 2015, general duty responded to 1,345 calls for service.

Regular patrols are being made in the downtown area, which have resulted in the arrests of intoxicated persons and the seizure of significant amounts of alcohol. This trend is consistent during specific dates throughout the month.

During this quarter, Merritt detachment

PICKLEBALL

PLAY IT FOR FREE

members have processed 176 prisoners.

Of note, we have received 89, 911 emergency calls. All 911 calls are investigated to determine if an emergency exists. In this quarter 85 of those calls were determined to be false.

Merritt officers continue to be busy investigating impaired driving offences. In this quarter, 23 drivers had their driving privileges suspended for either 24 hours, three days, seven

days, 30 days, or 90 days.

Nineteen of these investigations were conducted within the City of Merritt while four investigations were conducted outside the city limits.

Of the 23 investigations: 12 local people were charged while the other 11 were not from Merritt.

Some examples are: Lower Nicola, Kamloops, Delta, Cherry Creek, Fort

Every year the Thursday before the May long weekend the Canadian Red Cross promotes water safety, reminding all those that will be in or around the water to wear their PFD’s and be safe!

For more information give us a call at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre: 250 378 6662 250-378-6662

BB B B

m

AL THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AL 2040 Mamette Avenue, Merritt

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #2015-04-17

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS

The City of Merritt requests proposals from qualified firms to develop a City-wide signage strategy to meet the needs of residents and visitors. The Strategy will promote an attractive, cohesive, coherent brand that conveys quality, sustainability and authenticity in its design and construction and demonstrates a deep understanding of human wants and needs with respect to way-finding and discovery of place.

H&M EXCAVATING LTD. WILL BE DOING UNDERGROUND AND SURFACE ROAD WORKS ON

TENNIS COURTS ON GILLIS CRES. (BENCH ELEM) Monday & Friday: 9 – 11 am Wednesday: 5 pm - Dusk Please register at the Merritt Civic Centre 250-315-1050 in advance

*Please note that proposals will not be opened in public

A paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.

NOTE: Should any potential bidders download this Request for Proposal, it is the proponent’s responsibility to check for Addendas which will be posted on the BC Bid website.

For more information call Brian DaFoe 250-378-7452 or briandafoe@shaw.ca

2 For 1 Admission All Day

250-378-6662

COMPREHENSIVE SIGNAGE STRATEGY

Tender Closing Time: 4:00 pm local time

The Basics 1. A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.

2. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badmintonsized court and a slightly modified tennis net.

3. Played with a paddle and a plastic ball.

St. John, Mamit Lake, Penticton, Abbotsford, Lillooet, and Surrey.

Central Interior Traffic Services also processed 22 drivers for impaired driving investigations.

Eleven of these investigations occurred within the city limits of Merritt while the other 18 were drivers from around the province.

There are a total of 24 RCMP members filling 24 available positions.

Tender Closing Date: Friday May 15, 2015 Tender Documents can also be found at www. bcbid.gov.bc.ca; or www.merritt.ca

Address: CITY OF MERRITT 2185 VOGHT STREET MERRITT, BC V1K 1B8 CONTACT PERSON: Allan Chabot, CAO Email: achabot@merritt.ca Tel: (250) 378-8613 Fax: (250) 378-2600

Next council meeting: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca

COLDWATER AVE. AND MAIN ST. STARTING ON MONDAY MARCH 2ND FOR A DURATION OF 4 MONTHS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE IS TO INFORM YOU OF THE TYPICAL NUISANCES INVOLVED WITH A PROJECT OF THIS TYPE -- MAINLY ACCESS TO YOUR PROPERTY. THE CONSTRUCTION ENTAILS INSTALLATION OF SANITARY SEWER MAINS AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROADWAY ALONG COLDWATER AVE. THE STREET WILL BE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC SOME OF THE TIME, AND THERE WILL BE TIMES THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO YOUR PROPERTY. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO NOTIFY YOU IN ADVANCE AND TO KEEP THESE INTERRUPTIONS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE. AS WITH ANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THIS SORT, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME DUST, NOISE AND VIBRATION. RESIDENTS WHO BORDER THE PROJECT SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY FRAGILE OR VALUABLE ITEMS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE DAMAGED DUE TO VIBRATION SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN OR SECURED FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND THAT THEY STAY CLEAR OF THE EQUIPMENT. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE. HOWEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU BE PATIENT THROUGH THE DURATION OF THIS UPGRADE PROJECT. IF YOU REQUIRE ANY ASSISTANCE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE PHONE OUR SITE SUPERINTENDANT, GEOFF PRESTON, AT 4934677 (OFFICE) OR 250-809-2405 (CELL).

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

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 • 5

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

City holds info session on “full circle” of Merritt water

By David Dyck THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Library was filled with about 30 people last Thursday evening for an information session on the cycle of our city’s potable water.

It was mentioned more than once during the evening that the reason there was such a high level of interest in this aspect of public works was the recent biosolids controversy.

However the host, superintendent of public works Darrell Finnigan, made it clear early on in the meeting that controversy wasn’t the purpose of the presentation.

residents could grant him, Finnigan said it would be to decrease their water usage.

“Every little bit helps,” he said.

Finnigan also underlined the fact that all of Merritt’s water is groundwater, and the only thing added is chlorine, as mandated by the Interior Health Authority.

As far as the waste treatment goes, he said that Merritt was unusually lucky that it does not have any organic or metal manufacturing in the area that makes wastewater more difficult to process.

Attendees said they were thankful for the information session.

Asked if he had one wish that Merritt residents could grant him, Finnigan said it would be to decrease their water usage.

“When I was called by the library to do this presentation, they approached me on doing biosolids, and I was like ‘heck no,’” he laughed. “We know nothing about what’s going on and we don’t want to touch on that.”

Instead, he gave an overview of the city’s water system, from where it comes from to where it ends up, and all the stops along the way.

One of the stats that surprised many

of the audience members was the amount of water that Merrittonians use as compared with the national average.

Where the average Merritt resident uses 230 gallons of water per day, the average Canadian uses only 149 gallons.

Finnigan attributed that primarily to water sprinkler systems, which create a literal drain on the system.

Asked if he had one wish that Merritt

DANCE OFF Brigham Young University was in Merritt last Monday to perform Living Legends, a show that celebrates Latin American, Native American, and Polynesian song and dance, as performed by descendants of these cultures.

(Pictured) Students perform the New Zealand Te Wa o Tumatauenga, He Korero Riri.

Michael Potestio/Herald

“THE TOUGHEST SPORT ON EARTH!”

FREE SH

UTTLE B

US SERV

FROM T HE STARTI MERRITT ARE NG AT 2 NA & M :30 PM E & WILL RRITT TRAVEL RUN AF TER TH LODGE E EVENT

SAT. 30

TH MAY

ICE

AFTEART MERRITTINHGOTCHKEEYEVAENT.

EVENT BEGINS AT 5:00PM

E

ANC D & Y T RENA PAR

FOLLOW

TICKETS "EVMUT t $IJMESFO BOE VOEFS Cash only, can be purchased at Purity Feed

FOR MORE INFO: LEANNE POZZOBON (250) 378-7893

6 • TUESDAY, May 12,

www.merrittherald.com

2015

HERALD OPINION Is the Orange Tsunami headed west?

VICTORIA – Albertans have always laughed about their long-standing reputation as a reckless, TOM FLETCHER immature B.C. society.

VIEWS The classic bumper sticker, now available as a T-shirt or coffee cup in several variations, states: “Please God, give us one more oil boom, we promise not to p--it away this time.”

Now they’ve thrown out the government that finally tried to stop blowing money like a roughneck fresh out of the bush. Jim Prentice had the gall to propose raising income taxes for high wage earners, doing away with former Alberta treasurer Stockwell Day’s signature flat tax.

In response, voters have abruptly replaced the 44-year Progressive Conservative dynasty with an upstart NDP that wants to tax the rich and corporations even more. Facing an oil slump, layoffs and a huge structural deficit in Alberta’s lavish public service, NDP premier-elect Rachel Notley is committed to a 50-per-cent increase in the minimum wage and another “review” of resource royalties.

One headline in a national paper summed it up: “Go home, Alberta.

You’re drunk.”

In the sober days after the election, a few truths emerge. Alberta hasn’t been a fiscally conservative, smallgovernment place for a long time.

Among other things, it has ratcheted up teacher and nurse wages across the country.

Alberta is broke, again, and even the NDP is afraid to resort to a sales tax.

See Alberta Page 7

Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com

Sales Associate Holly Roshinsky sales2@ merrittherald.com

What really happened in Alberta David Dyck In between THE PAGES So there’s a new party in Alberta. After forty-plus years of the Progressive Conservatives in power, the NDP did what even the Wildrose Party could not. Please indulge an ex-

Production Dan Swedberg production2@ merrittherald.com

MERRITT HERALD 2090 G

Albertan’s musings on this topic.

A lot of people are shocked, and for good reason. This is an accomplishment that, until last week, was thought to be impossible, and the media, particularly the CBC, was not shy about reporting this with more than a little exuberant flair.

But if you look at how Alberta typically votes, it really isn’t that crazy.

Here’s what did not happen: Alberta did not all of a sudden turn from a conservatively-minded

province to a liberallyminded one. If you look at the popular vote, those numbers tell a much less interesting story than a sudden Albertan change of heart.

Centre-left parties like the Liberals and New Democrats have done fairly well in Alberta, historically, getting around thirty to forty per cent of the vote in almost every election over the past several years.

The combined centreleft vote in last week’s election was an admittedly high but not particularly

Editor David Dyck newsroom@ merrittherald.com

RANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241

Reporter Michael Potestio reporter@ merrittherald.com

remarkable 44 per cent.

Unremarkable except that the NDP, led by the strangely-competent Rachel Notley, got a whopping 40 per cent of that, leaving the Liberals with a miniscule four per cent.

On the other side of the political spectrum, the centre-left parties of Wildrose and PC fought over a pretty much equal share of the majority vote. Don’t worry, it’s the same old Alberta we all know and love, it’s just that they aren’t all rallying behind one conservative party, and the NDP took

Sports writer Ian Webster sports@ merrittherald.com

advantage of that.

Also at play here is that the popular vote does not equate to number of seats won in the legislature, skewing the results in favour of the NDP. The problem with that rather simple explanation is that it doesn’t make for great headlines. Just know that when the CBC gleefully tells its audience that this has been “50 years in the making” or whatever weird, obtuse, anti-West, subjective headline they have leading this story, raise an eyebrow.

Office manager Ken Couture classifieds@ merrittherald.com

FAX (250) 378-6818

Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.

For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 • 7

www.merrittherald.com

YOUR OPINION Fletcher’s flights of fancy get the BCTF and teachers all wrong Dear Editor, Tom Fletcher’s “B.C. Views” about the BCTF are mainly flights of fancy. He has shown contempt for the BCTF in his columns over the years, including his latest attack, without solid foundation.

Jim Iker, president of the BCTF, looked like nothing had changed because nothing has changed.

The B.C. Liberal government continues to underfund education and funds students

$1,000 less per student than the national average.

Mr. Fletcher feels vindicated in his continued attacks against the BCTF because the B.C. Court of Appeal made a ruling Mr. Fletcher agreed with. However, Mr. Fletcher didn’t point out that the ruling was not unanimous and that one judge sided very strongly with the BCTF position.

Mr. Fletcher is wrong when he asserts that the BCTF wants a trip back in time. The

BCTF already got that trip back in time when the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in 2011, and the government did not appeal, that Bill 28 from 2002 was unconstitutional.

The Liberal government agreed to pay out $105 million to teachers because the government had acted under an illegal law for nine years until the law was ruled unconstitutional. This is hardly a “baseless grievance.”

His assertion about how special needs stu-

dents are assisted in schools is both callous and uninformed.

Somehow, Mr. Fletcher knows more about running schools than teachers, school administrators, and district administrators, all of whom agree that mainstreaming students is good for special needs students.

Mr. Fletcher’s flights of fancy really take off though when he tries to relive the bargaining and strike of last year. Money was not a key issue.

The key issue was spe-

cial needs support.

Sadly, the deal BCTF did agree to for student support has been twisted by many districts around the province so that the money supposedly going to support special needs is being dumped into their general budgets without so much as a whimper from the B.C. Liberal government.

The BCTF is, in part, a social justice union. Teachers walk into classrooms where children have come

from all over the world, where some children come to school hungry, questioning their sexual identity, abused, suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, or so abandoned that the only adult they can talk to without fear is their teacher. In that “real world,” that Mr. Fletcher is not part of, it would be irresponsible of the BCTF not to be involved in social justice.

Peter Vogt Merritt

Whatever happens next, B.C. NDP will be watching Alberta closely From Page 6 The minimum wage hike is a pet policy of Canada’s labour federations, which somehow remain convinced that poverty can be eliminated by state order.

On the positive side, Notley has promised to end corporate and union donations to political parties, as has already been done federally. B.C. should be next, but the gravy train of business donations is too tempting for our nominally Liberal government.

Here at the B.C. legislature, an NDP staffer passed out cans of Orange Crush to cel-

Horgan insists he supports a natural gas export industry, but his party seems more concerned with an ascending Green Party, and an urban base that believes you can run a resource economy on windmills and solar panels. ebrate. NDP leader John Horgan pronounced himself “ecstatic,” and hastened to assure reporters that Notley is “as competent as she sounds.”

Notley now has to sort through a caucus that includes typical NDP place-holders, college students and union staff running in faint-hope constituencies.

Soon after the result,

the party pulled down its website platform and candidate biographies, as Notley began phoning energy companies to reassure them Alberta will be “A-OK” on her watch.

Horgan likes to describe the “capital flight” from new NDP governments as if it’s just a show put on by big business.

Plummeting stock

prices and relocation of corporate offices are all staged, according to the party line, nothing to do with actual investment conditions created by NDP policies. This fiction is all Horgan dares to say publicly, because it’s what his party base devoutly believes.

Besides, they’re only branch offices of multinational oil companies like Shell, Horgan said.

He used his favourite Tommy Douglas quote, about the bad news of a big oil company leaving.

“The good news is, the oil is staying here.”

B.C.’s natural gas might be staying here too. Horgan insists he supports a natural gas export industry, but his party seems more concerned with an ascending Green Party, and an urban base that believes

you can run a resource economy on windmills and solar panels.

Notley supports twinning the TransMountain pipeline, while Horgan continues to insist he has no opinion on the project Adrian Dix so memorably opposed.

The Alberta NDP has a steep learning curve ahead. The B.C. NDP has a couple of years to see if the appearance of a like-minded Alberta government is a boost for them, or a cautionary tale for voters.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Twitter: @tomfletcherbc Email: tfletcher@ blackpress.ca

Friends & Neighbours Please bring them in to:

The Merritt Herald is looking for COMMUNITY-SUBMITTED STORIES about your Friends & Neighbours.

MERRITT HERALD Ph: 250.378.4241 Fax: 250.378.6818 reporter@merrittherald.com www.merrittherald.com 2090 Granite Avenue, P.O. Box 9, Merritt, B.C.

Speak up You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com

?

HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK To vote, go online to merrittherald.com

Does the NDP victory in Alberta signal a change in Canadian attitudes?

PREVIOUS QUESTION Would you rather see the city cut services or raise taxes?

CUT SERVICES: 67% RAISE TAXES: 33%

LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

8 • TUESDAY, May 12,

www.merrittherald.com

2015

FAITH

Accommodating affairs of the heart under God’s rule Sin mars and scars the creative beauty of God that He intended for us to enjoy. Sin is bad and tragic.

As such, we should hate sin and abhor evil.

NARAYAN MITRA You Gotta Have FAITH Now that Hillary Clinton has publicly announced her intention to stand as a Democratic presidential candidate, many political pundits would dive into her chances.

Of some relevance in the quizzing process by party bosses could be the baggage that her husband carried, while president, by his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

While Mr. Clinton’s fall from grace seemed sudden, it was perhaps developed over time.

The whole White House situation was a tremendous embarrassment for then-President Clinton.

He was later suspected of perjury, for denying the details and extent of the relationship, and became only the second president to be impeached.

At a cost of millions of dollars, he was investigated and tried. Though he was ultimately acquitted of the charges, the whole scandal tarnished his reputation, and possibly had adverse effects later on vice-president Al Gore’s failed presidential run.

Adultery is the breaking of the Seventh commandment and as such, it is sin in God’s sight.

We don’t hear a lot about sin these days.

This does not mean it has diminished or ceased to exist as the transgression of God’s holy law. It’s just that we don’t hear the word much.

I am not suggesting we should focus on guilt and condemnation. Even the biblical teaching about sad consequences of sinning should be presented in the context of God’s

love.

We should warn people heading for hell only with tears in our eyes.

We have tried to minimize sin by giving it new names: “Fornication” has been replaced by “making love” or “having fun.” Adultery is now reclassified as “fling” or “affair.”

But do we pause to see sin to be the serious matter it is in the eyes of God? Sin is rebellion. It breaks relationships and fellowship with God and man.

Sin mars and scars the creative beauty of God that He intended for us to enjoy. Sin is bad and tragic. As such, we should hate sin and abhor evil.

There has been a rapid change of climate in the way adultery is viewed in our time.

Those who commit adultery are no longer considered to be in any way morally bankrupt.

There is a sense that we are entitled to a good life, that “we only go around once,” that life is hard and that we should grab all the gusto we can get before kicking the bucket.

Some think that the Bible is anti-sex. This is a warped view.

The Bible prohibits sexual relationships outside marriage but celebrates God’s good gift within marriage between a husband and a wife.

Sex is more than a physical thing. It binds two people into a close psychological and spiritual unity.

By prohibiting extramarital sex, God has protected our most intimate human relationship.

Marriage relationships and our relationship with God are exclusive relationships.

We can have only one God, as we can have only one spouse in one’s lifetime. In the Bible, a broken relationship with God is compared to a broken marriage.

The first two commandments and the Seventh Commandment have a special relationship.

Idolatry – worshipping any god other than the Lord God – is spiritual adultery.

It is not surprising that, in the context of the Second Commandment, God describes Himself as a “jealous God.” In the same way, when people break the Seventh Commandment, they sin against God and are also breaking the first two commandments.

God wants the best for His people and He knows we don’t always understand what that is. Sin hasn’t changed regardless of our euphemisms.

The consequences of sin have not changed in spite of our accommodating attitude. Let’s not rationalize or justify our failures.

Let’s be honest enough to acknowledge the truth, courageous enough to face the facts, and spiritually tender to repent.

If we pretend we are righteous when our hearts are not pure, we condemn ourselves, but if we confess our sin, God forgives us.

The Gospels affirm that, even in most highprofile public celebrity cases, redemption is possible.

King David in the Old Testament is often cited as an example in this regard.

Divine forgiveness does not mean the consequences of betrayal would immediately

go away. David was forgiven, but it cost the life of his infant son.

Finally, it is possible to withstand the subtle sexual temptations that people in high places in society face.

Joseph, in the court

MERRITT

& NICOLA VALLEY

of Pharaoh, encourages us to believe that sexual temptations can be overcome.

God knows what is best and what is best is that sex be reserved within marriage – the relationship of an

exclusive commitment.

Narayan Mitra is the pastor of Merritt Baptist Church. merrittbaptist@gmail. com The views expressed in

this column don’t necessarily reflect those of the Merritt Herald and its staff. The Herald welcomes qualified writers with views on this or other faiths to submit their work to newsroom@merrittherald.com, to be considered for publication.

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE U O Y O D O T T N WA ISE? T R E V AD

CONTACT US NOW! BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING SPOT BEFORE THEY’RE ALL GONE!!

250-378-4241 OR EMAIL THERESA AT:

publisher@merrittherald.com HURRY! LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!!

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 • 9

www.merrittherald.com

merrittherald.com

bcclassified.com

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

Merritt runners tame the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

The weather conditions were perfect and the scenery breathtaking for the three Nicola Valley runners who took on the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon on May 3.

Merritt’s Mark Nendick, Colleen Mullin and Stacey Krajci were all successful finishers of the challenging 21-kilometre event that attracted a total of 7,850 participants.

Competing in the men’s 35-39 age group, Nendick finished the half-marathon distance in one hour, 30 minutes and 24 seconds — good for 177th place overall, and 29th in his category.

It was Nendick’s second BMO Vancouver Half Marathon. Last year, he completed the event in 1:29:47.

“This year’s race went well,” Nendick said. “I was a little bit excited at the beginning and took off a bit fast. I paid for it later on, and had to grind out the last

part of the race.”

Nendick went through the halfway point (10.5 km) in a blistering 42:49, suitable for a 1:25 half-marathon finish. His second half time was 47:35.

“I did the first mile in 6:06, when I should have been running at 6:40 pace,” Nendick said with a laugh. “I learned a bit of a lesson.”

Scheduled to run with Nendick was his regular training partner and fellow Merrittonian, Kevin Black. Unfortunately, Black was sidelined a month ago by a nasty foot injury incurred on a trail run the two were doing as part of their build-up for the BMO half.

“It was definitely more challenging to keep at it without Kevin,” Nendick said.

“Six days a week is tough. But it is what is.

No excuses.”

When Black returns to full health, the twosome are considering trying to qualify for the prestigious 2016 or 2017 Boston Marathon.

“We’ve floated the idea around quite a bit,” Nendick said. “It’s a pretty big commitment.

We’ve got to talk it over with our families.”

In the meantime, Nendick is definitely planning to take part in this year’s Merritt Country Run. The winner of last’s year’s 10K event, Nendick is looking to bump up to the half-marathon distance this time around.

“I’ll try to run my game plan from the BMO in Vancouver,” he said.

Training partners Mullin and Krajci are also planning to do the MCR in June following their recent success in Vancouver.

Competing in the women’s 35-39 age category, Mullin finished 776th overall and 31st in her division in a time of one hour and 44 minutes.

“It was a good race,” she said. “There was a lot of great energy with the crowds.”

Mullin has been doing half-marathons for more than 10 years,

and only now feels like she knows her pace.

“Three years ago, I broke my watch in a race and had no idea of my pace. It was complete panic. Since then, I’ve been doing a lot of runs without a watch and learning to feel my pace and trust myself. It takes a long time.”

Kracji, who didn’t take up running until she hit the age of 40, finished the Vancouver run in 2:32:52. She was quite pleased with her effort, given that she’d never done a spring race before.

“This is the earliest I’ve ever begun training,” she said. “I didn’t put much pressure on myself for time. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy things.”

Mullin, Krajci and good friend Lisa Cavaliere from Merritt all have their sights set on the Whistler Half Marathon on June 6.

The setting for that race is at about the same altitude as Merritt, and the course is quite flat.

“It’ll be our first time there,” said Krajci.

V FOR VICTORY Merritt’s Mark Nendick gives the sign that all is well during the late stages of the BMO Half Marathon in Vancouver on May 3. Nendick was one of three Nicola Valley runners who tackled and completed the 21-kilometre event. Photo courtesy of marathonphotos.com

2015 Merritt Country Run one month away

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

It’s going to be a fantastic 2015 Merritt Country Run! So says event spokesperson Colleen Mullin.

“Things are looking great! We have our first title sponsor, a steady stream of volunteers signing up, and lots of individuals and teams registered already.”

This year’s Merritt Country Run takes place on June 14 at Voght Park. The run/jog/walk extravaganza includes a Twice Around The Track event for the wee ones, a 5K run, a 10K and a full-fledged half marathon (21K).

Last year, over 350 participants of all ages took part in the Merritt Country Run.

Colleen Mullin

“We’re thrilled to have Merritt Printing come on board as our premier title sponsor,” Mullin said. “They’ve always been so supportive.

“The new manager at Canadian Tire and his wife have also been a huge addition, along with their Jumpstart program in support of youth.

“The City of Merritt is looking at partnering

with us in a larger capacity next year.

“We’re getting a new wave of volunteers,” Mullin said. “Right now, we’re about halfway to our goal of 100 helpers.”

Anyone interested in lending a hand on June 14 is asked to email merrittcountryrunvolunteers@gmail.com.

Mullin is also excited about this year’s Lifestyle Expo, which will take place on June 13 at the Civic Centre — the same location for race package pickup.

“It’ll run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Mullin said. “Runners Sole from Kamloops will be there, along with a whole bunch of fitness vendors.”

Mullin is reminding all groups that the deadline for registration is this Friday if they’re wanting their team shirts made up by the organizing committee.

“Otherwise, they can just go ahead and arrange for their own shirts,” she said.

Regular registration continues right up until the final week of the race.

Anyone wanting more information about the Merritt Country Run or wishing to register can go to the MRC website: www.merrittcountryrun. ca.

DAT’S A BIG DOG! Diesel, a five-year-old Alaskan malamute took his owner, Merrittonian Lindsay Chenier, out for a run on the weekend. Ian Webster/Herald

10 • TUESDAY, May 12,

www.merrittherald.com

2015

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

INDEX IN BRIEF

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

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

Travel

Employment

Employment

Employment

Employment

Coming Events

Timeshare

Career Opportunities

Help Wanted

CANCEL YOUR Timeshare.

No risk program stop mortgage & maintenance payments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consultation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.

Business Opportunities

Help Wanted

*Street Vendors Wanted* *Downtown Merritt* *Limited Space* Music Festival Weekend July 30th, 31st and Aug. 1st Reasonable rates. Contact: manager@merrittchamber.com or 250-378-5634

HIP OR knee replacement?

COPD or Arthritic Conditions?

The disability tax credit. $1,500 yearly tax credit. $15,000 lump sum refund (on avg) Apply today! 1-844-4535372.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONISTS are in huge demand!

Train with the leading Medical Transcription school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today. 1-800-4661535, www.canscribe.com or info@canscribe.com.

Employment Information APPLY NOW: A $2,500 Penny Wise scholarship is available for a woman entering the Journalism Certificate Program at Langara College in Vancouver. Application deadline May 31, 2015. Email applications: fbula@langara.bc.ca.

More information: www.bccommunitynews.com/ our-programs/scholarship.

DO YOU have a disability?

Physical or mental. We can help you get up to $40,000 back from the Canadian Government. For details online: disabilitygroupcanada.com or call us today Toll-Free 1-888875-4787.

Personals ALL MALE Hot Gay Hookups!

Call FREE! 1-800-462-9090. only 18 and over.

Anniversaries

Business Opportunities GET FREE vending machines.

High cash producers. $1.00 vend = .70 profit. Can earn $100,000.00 + per year. Be first in your area. No competition. Protected territories. For full details call now 1-866-6686629 www.tcvend.com.

I<>@JK<I KF;8P 7D: H;9;?L;

=H;7J :;7BI ED IJK<< JE :E" FB79;I JE ;7J 7D: J>?D=I JE I;; Register Online at www.bcdailydeals.com

BCDaily

Anniversaries

Celebrating 50 Bernard and Deanna (Caruk) Mathieu celebrate 50 years of marriage. Saturday May 16th, 2015.

We welcome their friends and family to an open house, at their home from 1-4 p.m.

COPYRIGHT

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.

JULY 11TH WEEKEND

Starts Friday At the Grand Pub

CALL L NAN N NANCY CY FOR MORE DETAILS nancyellingsen@hotmail.com or 250-378-3975

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

As a seasoned Publisher, you will achieve financial growth by developing and implementing strategic marketing and sales plans to generate new business and achieve the company’s business objectives.

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

GRAD ‘75 REUNION

Are you a seasoned Community Newspaper Publisher looking to relocate to the Okanagan?

We are looking for a Group Publisher to manage our South Okanagan markets.

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.

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.

Coming Events

Group Publisher

bcclassiÀeds.com

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION

Coming Events

You will have at least five years’ experience in a sales or business development role, and knowledge or experience in a community newspaper publishing environment. Your success in developing and implementing sales strategies is a result of your entrepreneurial spirit, well developed customer service and communication skills, knowledge of the publishing industry, and extensive business connections.

As the largest independent newspaper group with more than 170 titles in print and online, Black Press has operations in British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Hawaii and Ohio.

This is a full-time position with a competitive compensation and benefits package. Qualified applicants should send a resume and covering letter before Friday, May 29th to: Bruce McAuliffe, President

The eyes have it

Black Press BC South c/o Kelowna Capital News 2495 Enterprise Way, Kelowna, B.C. V1X 7K2 Email: brucem@blackpress.ca

Fetch a Friend from the SPCA today!

spca.bc.ca

www.blackpress.ca

Leadership and Management Opportunity!

Nooaitch Indian Band is a First Nation organization located in the beautiful Nicola Valley, west of Merritt.

Band Manager The successful candidate will be working with the Chief and Council; will have post-secondary education, formal training, professional skills and management experience, preferably within Band Administration, and to be responsible for: • Providing effective management and organizational leadership skills and knowledge in governance.

• Managing the overall operating, Ànancial, capital, economic development and program affairs including health and wellness.

• Facilitating the development of formal plans, including strategic, capital, Ànancial programs and economic development.

• Implementing and facilitating development of policies • Proposal writing experience • Working in partnership with Chief and Council and employees to provide holistic and effective services to the community.

We offer a competitive compensation package. Appreciate submissions of resumes, and only the shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Please forward your resume with references to: Nooaitch Indian Band c/o Executive Assistant 2954 Shackelly Road Merritt, B.C. V1K 1N9 Telephone: (250) 378-6141 ext. 113 Fax: (250) 378-3699 Email: Christine@nooaitch.com Resumes will be accepted until May 29, 2015 – 4:00 pm.

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 • 11

www.merrittherald.com

Employment

Merchandise for Sale

Help Wanted

Heavy Duty Machinery

HELP WANTED Towing dispatchers required.

Part time, full time positions.

Please fax resume & driver abstract to

250-378-5200

HELP WANTED Drivers required for 1 ton, deck and tandem tow trucks.

Part time, full time positions.

Class 1 preferred.

Please fax resume & driver abstract to

250-378-5200

A-CHEAP, LOWEST PRICES STEEL SHIPPING Dry Storage Containers Used 20’40’45’53’ and insulated containers all sizes in stock. 40’ containers as low as $2,200.

Also JD 544 & 644 wheel Loaders & 20,000 lb CAT forklift. Ph Toll free 24 hours 1866-528-7108 1-778-298-3192 8am-5pm. Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com

Misc. for Sale 4 Snow Tires : IT245/75r16, 6bolt for a 1988 to 98 Chev Truck $200 for set. 20’ 5th Wheel Travel Air $3,000.

(250)378-3663 Ask for Roy SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSaw mills.com/400OT 1-800-5666899 Ext:400OT.

Misc. Wanted

OfÀce Support

Rentals

Lots

Room & Board

Fully serviced, flat city lot in great location. Build or bring your own home. 2916 Telemon Pl. Sale Priced at $55,000. Call Greg at FAIR Realty. 778-581-4950

Rooms to rent and/or room & board. $400/mon. for room.

Room & board negotiable.

Seniors or working person preferred. Contact Doug or Donna at 250-378-5688 or douggdixon@yahoo.ca. No alcohol or drugs. No Parties

Rentals Homes for Rent 2000’sqft rancher, 2 bdrm + den, 1 1/2 bath, w/d incl., private courtyard, pool, n/s, no pets, $1200/mon. Avail June 1st. 250-378-5519 4 Bedroom House W/D, F/S,N/S. $1,300/mth. Move in ready (250) 378 - 9660

Suites, Upper For Rent: 3bedrm Upstairs, Newly Renovated house. $1,000/mth 604-454-4731

Auto Financing Need a Vehicle?

Auto Financing Call the

Private Collector Looking to Buy Coin Collections, Silver, Antique Native Art, Estates + Chad: 778-281-0030 in town.

Real Estate

Available 24/7 • mycreditmedic.ca

Homes Wanted

r (PPE $SFEJU r #BE $SFEJU r /P $SFEJU r %JWPSDF r #BOLSVQU

Medical/Dental MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-7683362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

Real Estate

Sml log cabin on sml. Acreage west of town/upper nic. Rent or lease to own. No amenities reqd. Call 604-783-7914 or email ladodgers@usa.com

Help Wanted

Guaranteed Approvals IF YOU WORK,YOU DRIVE

Call Steve Today 1.855.740.4112 t murraygmmerritt.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

***FULL time Marketing/Receptionist/Admin needed, Ucluelet BC. Send resumes to: info@discovervancouverisland.com ***FULL time Marketing/Receptionist/Admin needed Ucluelet BC. Send resumes to: info@discovervancouverisland.com

Lower Nicola Indian Band Capital/Public Works Clerk Job Posting

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 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

Home Improvements FULL SERVICE Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1800-573-2928.

Painting & Decorating

Primary role: To be responsible for support in the operation of the capital/public works department including reception i.e. answering of phones and taking messages at the request of the Executive Assistant. Candidate must be willing to learn Public and Capital works process and application process to AANDC and other funding agencies. Candidate must be willing to perform hands on maintenance and repairs to LNIB assets through a mentoring program.

Reports to: Director of Infrastructure Job s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

description/Duties: The answering of phones in a polite and courteous manner The dispersing of messages in professional manner The protection of Confidential materials from publication and exposure The handling and organization of keys for public buildings The organization of security codes to public buildings with Security monitor service The booking of public buildings for event rentals and community usage Liaison with security companies i.e. (Securetec monitoring services and Counterforce) Liaison with municipal service providers i.e. (Falcaan Septic Services, BC Hydro, Terason Gas, Telus and maintenance worker) Organization and payment processing of utility bills for Public Works Drafting of letters and notices for public works Perform tenant move in and move out inspections Perform any other duties related to public works directed by managers Annual building inspections Filing, Calendar organization, travel organization, event booking and proofreading of Capital and Public Works correspondence Assisting in the preparation of Capital project submissions and reporting Meeting minutes and agenda preparation Preparation of newsletter updates

WWW.PAINTSPECIAL.COM

250-318-2303

3 Rooms For $299 2 Coats Any Colour (Ceiling & Trim extra) Price incls. Cloverdale Premium Quality Paint. NO PAYMENT, until job is completed!

Prevent E. coli Infection (“Hamburger Disease”) Cook all ground beef until there is No Pink AND the juices run clear!

Qualifications: s Excellent interpersonal skills s Excellent communication skills; oral and written s Excellent clerical skills; typing, filing, dictation and computer knowledge s Excellent organizational skills s Must have a minimum grade 12 education s Achieved certification in an office administration course s Willing to learn hands on in public works maintenance and repairs s Must have class 5 drivers license s Willing to take post-secondary education in Water & Wastewater Compensation: To commensurate with experience and required duties.

Deadline for Application: May 25, 2015 by 2:00 pm Submit Resume and Cover Letter with Reference names to: Lower Nicola Indian Band Personnel Committee 181 Nawishaskin Lane, Merritt BC V1K 1N2 email: executiveassistant@lnib.net fax (250) 378-6188

4 OUT OF 5 PEOPLE WITH DIABETES DIE OF HEART DISEASE. Better your odds.

Visit getserious.ca

12 • TUESDAY, May 12,

www.merrittherald.com

2015

Kamloops G SOMETHIN G IN IS HAPPENOPS O L AT KAM .

DODGE

THE COME SEE FOR E DIFFERENC F! YOURSEL

$

1 3 IN ,500

BIGGEST 2014 20 14 RAM RAM 11500 5000 CR 50 CREW REW LAR LARAMIE AR RAMIE

317/BW*

$

STK#141130 STK#1 ST STK TKK #14 #14113 1 4 113 14 1130 13 0

2014 RAM 1500 CREW LARAMIE

$

8,900

$

8 GRAND CARAVANS TO CHOOSE FROM!

STARTING AT

8,900

$

2015 NISSAN FRONTIER 151078A

CLEAN

SALE PRICE

34,900

$

2010 JOURNEY CVP ST#1411598

229/BW*

$

246/BW* STK#141171

2011 TUNDRA SR5 4WD

WHY BUY FROM US?

ST#141090A

Dealing with the Johnston Auto Group has it’s benefits.

We are the largest Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealer in the B.C. Interior. We beat the competition with the lowest overhead and the strongest buying power.

KAMLOOPS DODGE YOUR BEST PRICE AND OUR BEST SERVICE ON A TOP DODGE PRODUCT!

SALE PRICE

24,900

$

2014 ESCAPE SE 4WD ST#15603A

ECO-BOOST

SALE PRICE

25,900

$

2011 F150 SUPERCREW LARIAT ST#15111A

LOADED

SALE PRICE

29,900

$

2010 RAM 1500 TRADESMAN

2014 TITAN CREW SL

151124A

LOW KMS

SALE PRICE

SALE PRICE

13,998

2014 RAM 1500 QUAD D

SSTK#141027 STK TK #14 TK#14 #14102 10277 102

All Payments are Plus Tax, OAC over 96 months at 6%

ONLY 40,000 KMS

$

$

SSTK#141131 ST STK TTKK #1 # 144 111 #14 #1411 1131 113 1133 1

151123A

SALE PRICE

2014 RAM 1500 QUAD SLT

319/BW*

2006 FORD RANGER LOW KMS

SAVINGS

ON AN 2014 RAYMIN STOCK TRUCK!

ST#U7455

CUSTOM

SALE PRICE

18,900

36,900

$

$

THE STORE YOU KNOW. THE PRICES YOU DESERVE. THE SERVICE YOU EXPECT. DL#C3287

**BI-WEEKLY BI-WEEKLY TAXES INCLUDED. 96 MONTHS OAC. 5% INTEREST.

1-866-374-4477 68 YOUR BEST DEALS S Since

19

2525 E. TRANS CANADA HWY, WY, KAMLOOPS, BC

WWW.KAMLOOPSDODGE.COM NOW AT DODGE YESCREDIT YE ESCREDIT KAMLOOPS

The eas easy sy way to your new vehicle!

NO CREDIT C DIVORCE SLOW CREDIT PAYER BANKRUPT BANK