Inside
u Pipeline still a no P3 u Editorial P4
u New cleanup agency P5 u Aboriginal Day P7
Published by Black Press Ltd at 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0 Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759
PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2015
NEWS BRIEFS
VOL. 38 NO. 12 $1.30 inc. GST
Sowchea Elementary may get stay of execution
Bill Phillipps
Town loses well-loved community member
The town of Fort St. James has lost a big part of the community this past week when Bill Phillipps, 67, died from complications with his heart, June 15. Phillipps, a retiree, volunteered his time with many community groups such as the Seniors Centre, Arts Council and was recently voted in as vice president for MoM festival board. Phillipps will be greatly missed in these communities, Lionel Conant, president of MoM, knew Phillipps for more than eight years and said he was always doing things out of the goodness of his heart. “If there wasn’t any money to be made off the event he’d just say ‘whatever’. He didn’t consider trade-offs for what he gave.” Doing sound was Phillipps’ hobby and he loved playing music with his partner Ingrid, Conant said. “There was nothing he loved more than playing guitar. He’d just get lost in it,” he said. Phillipps also volunteered at the Stuart Lake Seniors Recreation Centre cooking for the meal program on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s. “He was one of the retired people that just never retired,” said Conant. A service will be held at 1 p.m., June 24 at the Seniors Recreation Centre. – Michele Taylor
Michele Taylor photo
Shauna Hesse, District of Fort St. James grant writer, left, and Leslie Lantz and Christie Hoy with the Sowchea Elementary School PAC, presented an alternative to closing the school to School District 91 board members on June 15.
Parent Advisory Committee presents alternative to closing school, Mayor asks for one-year delay on board decision Michele Taylor Caledonia Courier
The June 15 community consultation meeting took an interesting turn which may mean a year delay in the decision on the possible closure of Sowchea Elementary School. Christie Hoy and Leslie Lantz, presented an alternative program to the Nechako Lakes School District Board of Trustees. During question period after the presentation, Nadine Frenkel, Vanderhoof trustee, asked if the group intended to apply to the Vancouver Foundation – which
would provide a large portion of the funding for the program - by the July cut-off. Lantz said the intention is to use the proposal as a working copy and to apply to the foundation depending on the board’s final decision that comes down June 22. “The proposal as its written is our working copy to present to the Vancouver Foundation,” Lantz said. “That is our goal pending on the decision is to move forward as quickly as we can.” Charlene Seguin, SD 91 Superintendent, asked the group if it was its intention to ask the board for an extension
on the June 22 decision. “When you spoke to district staff earlier you have had some communication with the Vancouver Foundation and there’s a timeline,” Seguin said. “You’re hoping for a grant and the grant comes if you can match the funds and you’re going to need some time to match the funds.” “Yes, that would be a letter of intent that would go in by the end of July and then you would have a formal proposal,” said Shauna Hesse, District of Fort St. James grant writer. “At this point basically we need to know where we are at or how this is
going to move forward in order to tailor that to make this happen.” “So, in reality what you’re asking for is a delay in the decision from June 22?” said Seguin. “As I interpret what you’re saying is ‘we need a little time to raise money’, would I be correct to say that?” “We don’t know if delaying the decision is the best for everybody either,” said Lantz. ”We’re just being honest about that. We know we need more time, but we don’t know how much time.” Mayor Rob MacDougall was the final speaker during
the question period. MacDougall asked the board to consider a one year stay on the decision to close Sowchea Elementary School. “About 10:30 this morning I was sitting in Prince George … with about a hundred individuals including the Minister of Education. We talked about how we can maintain a level of excellence in our province and our communities,” he said. “To give our children the absolute best opportunity we can so they can succeed with education and in life.” Please see, Chance , page 2