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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
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District lobbies more timber By Jackie Lieuwen Houston Today
IN THE Trenches
Jackie Lieuwen/Houston Today
Contractors and volunteers from Houston dug water and sewer lines last week for the new seniors housing complex in the Pleasant Valley Village. The Houston Retirement Housing Society has been fundraising since last year for the $700,000 building. They have collected $38,000 through fund raising and donations and are still looking for more to cover the expense. Started in May, the society plans to finish the new six-unit complex in November.
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The District of Houston and Dungate Community Forests are seeking more timber to support the community. “We are going to ask for another 10,000 cubic metres for Dungate Community Forests,” said Houston Mayor Shane Brienen. “Community Forests puts money back into the community… to community groups and to the District of Houston.” Brienen says they are advocating for this increase to help with the transition after the closure of Houston Forest Products last year. The Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) in the Morice Timber Supply Area dropped 11 percent on March 16 this year. The AAC is now 1.9 million cubic metres, instead of
2.133 million cubic metres. That 1.9 million cubic metres of timber gets split between all the licencees and logging businesses. Typically they all drop proportionally, but there is opportunity for licensees to seek more timber rights, Brienen said. Brienen says the District of Houston will send a letter to the Ministry of Forests this month requesting 10,000 cubic metres more timber for Dungate Community Forests. They are also advocating for small scale salvage to maintain 30,000 cubic metres. “It gives a chance for the small operators to have timber available to them,” Brienen said. “They employ people and buy most things locally. While small, it generates lots for the local economy.”
SD54 “should address disparities” between communities By Alicia Bridges and Jackie Lieuwen Black Press
The Bulkley Valley School District pitched its idea for a $3.5-4-million sportsplex to mixed reactions at a public meeting in Smithers last week. Last month
the school district announced it would start seeking financial support to build a facility which would make more sports accessible year-round. Turf and court space for indoor sports such as golf and rugby would be part of the proposed new facility, which the school
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regional events. The school district
has committed $1.5-million from
its budget surplus to put towards the project. The remainder would need to be secured in grants and sponsorship. School district Superintendent Chris van der Mark said last week’s meeting was about gauging community interest and seeking financial
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“There’s been a lot of tax dollars generated from Houston that hasn’t come back into the community,”
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support for the project. “We can’t do it on our own,” he said. “The board certainly can’t do it on their own and I don’t think they should. “If there is significant interest then how and who is prepared to make that a possibility?” See SD54 on Page 3
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