FIRE INJURES ONE
RACERS ROAR
Housefire on Clapperton sends occupant to hospital / Page 2
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Stock car racers bring Merritt Speedway to life / Page 17
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MERRITT HERALD THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
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A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY IN THE SHADOW OF A MOUNTAIN Putting on a new country music festival four years later / PAGE 5
PHOTO SPREAD Didn’t get enough of the Rockin’ River Music Festival? Check out the Herald’s exclusive photos / PAGES 12-13
Headliner Lady Antebellum played the festival on Friday, July 31. Right to left: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood. Michael Potestio/Herald For all your landscaping needs call the professionals at
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
HOUSEFIRE INJURES ONE
MERRITT CENTENNIAL BOOSTER CLUB
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 10 @ 6 PM LOCATION: Ska-lu-la Workshop
EVERYONE WELCOME!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
WITH IN-SCHOOL MENTORING The In-School Mentoring program provides girls and boys with a role model and a friend to talk to. Mentors meet with their mentee for 1 hour per week and engage in activities such as board games, crafts or just hang out in the playground.
Adult mentors needed! Please contact: Brittney Parks, Mentoring Coordinator for Merritt brittney.parks@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
TO BECOME A MENTOR IN MERRITT CALL 250-280-2327
A single occupant was taken to hospital with burns. Jody Tait Loewen/Submitted photo David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
Merritt Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) was called to a house on the corner of Clapperton Avenue and Orme Street yesterday morning (Aug. 5) to suppress a fire that was already in full blaze when they arrived. According to Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson, the blaze injured one. “One occupant of the building had been taken to the hospital with some burns and smoke inhalation,� he said Wednesday morning. BC Emergency Health Services confirmed the patient was taken to Kamloops in critical condition. A total of 19 firefighters responded, with the ladder truck and engine. Don Loewen, a neighbour, said his family heard the sirens at around 5:30 a.m., and his son, whose bedroom faces the now decimated home, told them it was on fire. By then the fire department had already arrived, and had it out within minutes. “It was very efficiently and professionally done, for sure,� he said. [The house] definitely looks gutted from this standpoint, we’ll have to investigate further,� said Tomkinson. Fire investigators will now look into the cause.
“Good Care with a Good Heart.�
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Neighbours said the blaze was brought under control within minutes. Jody Tait Loewen/Submitted photo
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Using acupuncture needles to treat tight, shortened, and tensed-up muscle bands, which can contribute to abnormal functioning of the nervous system. Example: neck, back, shoulder & hip pain issues
• Ultrasound Therapy
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Hands-on treatment option for treating stiff joints and tight muscles.
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Max is extremely well trained, affectionate Nina is a medium size dog looking for an Otto is a very sweet medium size boy with LOTS and loving. He is a natural protector and will active adult family to call her own. She is in- of puppy energy. He is house trained and rides make sure your car and house are safe. He dependent, travels well, is house trained and well in the car. He behaves well in public and walks well on a leash. He would love an active gets along well with other dogs both large and well mannered. family with no small animals (cats, gerbils, rabsmall. He loves to play, swim, hike and has exDonations desperately needed for spay and neuter services. bits etc) We suggest no small children. cellent house manners.
Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, Account #1193739.
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THURSDAY, August 6, 2015 • 3
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Westerly wildfires causing smoky skies in Nicola Valley
Find the Herald online www.merrittherald.com Merritt Herald @MerrittHerald
Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
INSIDE
Strong winds have brought smoky skies to Merritt from wildfires burning to the west of the Nicola Valley. The BC Wildfire Service says it’s received many reports and questions about smoke in areas of southern B.C., particularly in the Nicola and the South Thompson. However, none of the wildfires burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre have caused the smoke that’s settling in the local valleys, fire information officer Kelsey Winter told the Herald. Wildfires burning on the west coast of the province are the sources of the smoke that’s settled here. “[The smoke] hasn’t been able to lift up into the upper atmosphere yet, so right now we’re just socked in from those fires on the coast,” Winter said. There are currently no active wildfires in the Merritt Fire Zone. The last was the fire that broke out in a wood waste pile at a hogfuel plant in Lower Nicola last week. That fire has since been extinguished. At the moment, no smoky skies advisory has been issued due to the smoke, Winter said. While that could change, she said the fire centre is expecting some rain in the Merritt Fire Zone today that could help clear up the smoke. The smoke in the Nicola Valley is coming from fires on the coast settling in valley bottoms around the B.C. Interior. It is also drifting in from fires such as the Wood Lake fire near Harrison Hot Springs, and the Cougar Creek fire west of Boston Bar. The Wood Lake fire was discovered on
Opinion ------------------------------------------ 6-7 Health --------------------------------------------- 16 Sports --------------------------------------------- 17 Classifieds --------------------------------------- 20
The Wood Lake fire near Harrison Hot Springs is responsible for some of the smoke around Merritt. BC Wildfires photo
Sunday about 20 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs and has grown to an estimated 650 hectares in size as of Wednesday morning. On its webpage, the BC Wildfire Service stated the fire is suspected to have been humancaused, and 135 firefighters along with nine helicopters are attacking it. Although it’s burning in a “much-used recreational forested area,” the BC Wildfire Service states it isn’t a threat to homes or structures, and the fire is currently burning northward away from Harrison Hot Springs. Some nearby campers, however, were moved out of the area. The fire is not contained at the moment.
The Cougar Creek wildfire, south of the Nahatlatch River, was discovered a month ago and is 45 per cent contained. It is nearly 2,900 hectares in size and 77 firefighters along with four helicopters are working to extinguish it. Winter said the wildfire danger rating is currently extreme in the Merritt Fire Zone and the expected rain is only about one to three millimetres, meaning it won’t do much to drop the fire danger rating. The BC Wildfire Service is advising the public that if they spot a column of smoke — not general haziness — or a wildfire, please report it immediately by calling *5555 or 1-800-6635555.
Council approves Double D makeover Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
The Double D Inn is getting a makeover. The 17-bed motel, located along Nicola Avenue at the western entrance to Merritt, will undergo renovations this fall. Expected to be complete by November, the renovations include three
new rooms, new landscaping, new siding, doors and windows, and a residence for soon-to-be caretaker Steve Ahuja, whose father owns the business. The motel will also be renamed the River Inn. To accommodate the new rooms, a second floor will be built atop one of the three buildings the motel consists of. Last Tuesday, city
council approved a development permit needed to complete these renovations. A report to city council stated this project will improve the overall image of Merritt’s western gateway and be appealing to residents and visitors. “It’s going to clean up that side of town for sure,” Ahuja said. Merritt Mayor Neil
Menard said that the Double D Inn has looked like an “eyesore” in the past and suggested staff inform the owner to keep the motel looking neat, emphasizing that it’s one of the first buildings one sees when driving into Merritt from Highway 8. Once the new rooms are in place, Ahuja said he plans to have the existing ones renovated in
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phases. “The whole building’s going to get renovated,” he said. “All new furniture, T.V.s, kitchens, washrooms.” The Double D Inn was built in the 1960s Ahuja said. He said the renovations will cost approximately $350,000 and the motel is in need of a facelift.
Today’s HERALD Flyers *Selected distribution Century 21 Smartsource* Coopers Fields Extra Foods* Safeway* Home Hardware Rona* Canadian Tire* Jysk* Natures Fare*
Did you pick up tuesday’s herald? GETTING FRE
Aug. 4 Headlines Available at news stands today.
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ic work s manager temporari Shawn Boven will ly take over from administr outgoing ative office chief r Allan Chabot on Aug. 10.
The City public works of Merritt has as its interim manager Shawnnamed Boven officer effectivchief admini strative Current e Monday, August CAO Allan will be leaving 10. for the Chabot Revelstoke, and his same job in City of last day Merritt at the The CAO is Friday, August position manage oversees 7. ment the staff, ensures and operati ons of policies, and other program city s implem directions of ented council are city affairs. and advises council on ing Merritt Mayor firm council Chabot Ravenhill Group appointed Neil Menard ’s perman he’s been said to an interimBoven because “We definite ent replace find past. ment. CAO in ly want CAO’s Respon the input,” the new City council “I’m hoping Menard said. province ding to a continu Aug. 11, is still leaning toward we hire that the hiring tion on has placed a temporing level 4 drough will time, no when the restricti person work under a corpora the Coldwa t, the very positive be able give water whatsoe on will the CAO, te officer to ter River ary water use restricThe Ministr the river, wants to escalate. and its but should do,” guidance onus some At until Sept. ver may be y Resourc filled first.have the CAO council diverted that what we e Operat of Forests, Lands tributaries. “These 30. position from Boven he said. put in place ions and viding watermeasures strike Once to protect said the measur Natural able to said he’s honour a balance salmon during a es are assist produce with theirit is, council will coho, populat between critical transition. council in ed to be rs, stream flows. ions, which chinook and being this time protect fish while still taking time for agricult proing whethenew CAO beforeconsult are threaten steelhead of “I’m just The restricti press release.populations,” the action necessa ural rate officer. r or not to hire decided by low tunity and excited for the ministry ons went night. a corpory the opporto There are into place Decidin stated in to work staff in g what Friday at a Water a greater with council restriction. 50 water licenses vacant econom to do about midhave been,” and capacit 6 p.m. to from the river affected the ager position ic develop may only The Nicola Boven told y than I 6 a.m. by this Boven served be diverted This will is a decisionment manValley has the Herald. Level 4 will make continue from “extrem back as been once council an in 2013 suffering interim ely dry” for a week On July they hire sult their CAO from last vacated when the drought 22, all angling and a half, Coldwa since July a Menard permanent CAOand con, sharing position was until was ter River, the role said. as well, the duties rivers. with as well as suspended on the21. Menard of ager Larry leisure services the Nicola he wants has told the Plotnikoff. manand Spius Herald That, CAO by to recruit a perman this time however, won’t ent working the end of the respons around as Bovenbe the case year with the ible for municipal and is will be all come the recruitwith duties that to his role the CAO job in additio as public works manage n r.
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Public works manager Shawn Boven will temporarily take over from outgoing chief administrative officer Allan Chabot on Aug. 10.
•Water use restricted on Coldwater Responding to a continuing Level 4 drought, the province has placed a temporary water use restriction on the Coldwater River.
• Food bank looking for fresh produce
As opposed to donating the stereotypical can of cranberry sauce to the food bank, Merritt residents can give fresh garden vegetables.
• SPORTS: MSS grads doing well around Canada 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,
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August 6, 2015
2014 annual report: fire rescue services The following is an excerpt from the City of Merritt regular council meeting agenda for July 28, 2015 Looking towards 2015 For the Merritt Fire Rescue Department, the operational tempo for 2015 is expected to increase over former years as the department migrates to FDM Elink Software in our Fire Dispatch Center located at Kamloops Fire and Rescue. The new software will simplify dispatching to first responder medical emergencies when ambulance paramedics are delayed. It does this by integrating BC Ambulance incident information with our fire department’s dispatch system. The result will be proper allocation of resources and improved fire department response times to first responder medical emergencies within our community. A continued goal for 2015 is to increase the focus towards prefire planning of major industrial sites within our community and to work with their staff to ensure their emergency preparedness. Since being delegated the management of the Municipal
Emergency Program, the demand for training, planning, input, project management and public education continues to increase as the program develops. The city has received grant funding to host emergency operations center logistic function training for key personnel in the fall of 2015. The training division will focus their efforts on expanding firefighter knowledge through technical instruction beyond that of the regular training program.
The Department intends to host courses pertaining to emergency vehicle operations, fire service instructor, fire officer program training, advanced level auto extrication and hazardous materials response; plus, complete the certification of additional medical first responders. The department will work to meet the new requirements of the British Columbia Fire Service minimum training standards for both firefighters and fire officers. Final evaluations of
T N A ORT E P IM C I T O N
firefighters for NFPA Firefighter II certification will occur in the winter of 2015. The continuation of the fire service work experience program (WEP) is considered a priority to ensure an adequate level of service is provided. WEP firefighters enhance the response of the city’s paid-oncall firefighters who find themselves with less time available to respond to emergencies during day-time working hours. The MFRD is confident the WEP will
remain viable in future years. Constant interest is expressed by candidates willing to relocate to the City of Merritt after completing training in various fire academies in colleges across Canada. Their efforts are focused on gaining firefighting experience as they pursue a career in the fire service. The WEP continues to offer the citizens of Merritt an enhanced level of service at a nominal cost. (See the full report at www.merritt.ca)
Watering restrictions Expanded watering restrictions are now in E effe effect until September 30th or further notice. WATERING IS ONLY PERMITTED during the following days WATE and times (and this includes soaker hoses):
D E T C I R T RES
Basic B r klers Sprin
6 am - 8 am & 7 pm - 10 pm EVEN ADDRESS: Monday & Friday ODD ADDRESS: Tuesday & Saturday
Automatic Sprinklers
Midnight am to 4 am EVEN ADDRESS: Monday & Friday ODD ADDRESS: Tuesday & Saturday
THERE IS NO WATERING
ON WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, and SUNDAY! Sprinkling violations will result in a $50 ne for each offense.
It is vital that we all understand how important water regulations are to the community. The water we use in Merritt is the single most valuable resource that we have in our community. Most residents comply with sprinkling restrictions, and the City is able to maintain the city reservoirs at reasonable levels for all users including re protection. With your help we can insure that this resource continues to ow uninterrupted this year and in years to come. Of course if it’s raining, don’t water at all! There are many ways to conserve water both indoors and out. Please do your part. Sprinkling violations will result in a $50 ne for each offense.
Please call (250) 378-8628 for more information.
Next council meeting: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca
You’re Invited! to meet with Mayor Menard on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in August between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall (second floor), 2185 Voght Street. Interested citizens are welcome to stop by, 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.
HELP KEEP MERRITT’S BOULEVARDS AND LANES CLEAN As spring wanes and summer arrives many of us are aware of the unusual amount of precipitation that has fallen on our City. With this rain and warmer weather comes plant growth and it does not require a lot of searching to find out-of-control grass and weeds in empty lots, alleys and boulevards. We all want Merritt and the neighborhoods we call home to look the best that they can be. A frequent question to the City bylaw department is “Who is responsible for maintenance of boulevards and lanes?” The short answer is the adjacent property owner. Just as with winter snow, the adjacent property owner is responsible for shoveling the sidewalk in front of their home, so during the rest of the year the adjacent property owner is responsible for keeping the boulevard and lane abutting their property in a neat and tidy condition. As a property owner you are responsible for the vegetative growth outside your property lines to the curb and if there is an alley you are responsible to the centre of that alley that abuts your property. We may all even want to consider some of our neighbours who for very good reasons may not be as able. With this in mind Merritt’s Nuisance Abatement Bylaw provides for minimum property standards within City limits. This Bylaw allows the City to regulate and in some cases hire outside contractors to complete any work that is not done by the property owners. Unless we all do our individual part to maintain our neighbourhoods it could simply not be done. One of the pleasures of living in a smaller community like ours is that the little extra that we contribute can translate to a huge difference that will positively reflect on the City of Merritt as somewhere great to live.
City of Merritt H 2185 Voght Street, Box 189 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 H Phone: 250-378-4224
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THURSDAY, August 6, 2015 • 5
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
IN THE SHADOW OF A MOUNTAIN The Rockin’ River Music Festival has restored the country music festival scene in Merritt Lower ticket sales, but also fewer police incidents compared to Mountainfest
Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Despite losing money and selling fewer tickets than expected, Rockin’ River Music Festival organizer Kenny Hess was still happy with its outcome. “A lot of people left very, very happy, so we feel on a musical level it was an extreme success,” Hess said. Over the course of the four-day festival, a little less than 25,000 tickets were sold, he said. “We would have liked to [have] hit 35,000 over the weekend,” he told the Herald. Saturday, when Dierks Bently played, saw the largest crowd at the festival site with an estimated 6,500 people, Hess said. He said the festival wasn’t financially successful, costing about $1.8 million, up from the average of $1.3 million it cost to hold the event at its former location in Mission, B.C. Hess said the numbers were good enough to suggest the festival has the potential to be as big as the former Merritt Mountain Music Festival, but can be maintained as a family event. “There was a lot going on that the kids really enjoyed and the parents still had a great time,” Hess said. Kids under 12 were allowed in free of charge. RCMP Sgt. Norm Flemming said the festival had a reasonably well-behaved crowd. “We didn’t have anything untoward ongoing and didn’t have any horrific problems like we may have had in the old days of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival,” he said. Flemming said police responded to 150 calls for service between last Thursday and Monday, with only about 10 per cent of them coming from the festival site for drug or alcohol related incidents such as drunk in public calls. Hess said he believes this festival left a positive mark on the community and has high hopes for its return next year. Musical acts are already being lined up to play at the 2016 Rockin’ River Music Festival, which has a 10-year lease in place for the festival grounds, Hess said. Country musician Sam Hunt has been confirmed for the 2016 lineup “He’s the hottest thing in country music,” Hess said. “When you talk to anybody, he’s the guy everybody expects to be the biggest artist out there next year, so we’re pretty happy about that,” Hess said. The Rockin’ River Music Festival found a new home in Merritt after outgrowing the Mission Raceway Park. This site is bigger and has more campsites than the one in Mission, but the turnout this year was similar to the crowds of about 20,000 people Hess said the three-day Mission festival attracted over the course of the three-day event during the six years it was held down south. Last October when organizer Kenny Hess announced the festival was coming to Merritt, he told the Herald he hoped to see the event draw about 15,000 people per day to the site — totalling 60,000 over the course of the long weekend. Despite the slow start, the Rockin’ River Music Festival is the new sheriff in town replacing the famed Merritt Mountain Music Festival, which was held in Merritt for the last time four years ago. At that festival’s peak in 2005 it had an attendance of approximately 148,000 people and featured Tim McGraw as the headliner. Mountainfest’s attendance waned in the following years, however, with only 12,000 people showing up
Festivalgoers equipped with cowboy hats take in opening night of the Rockin’ River music festival in Merritt. Michael Potestio/Herald
in 2009. The festival needed 18,000 paying customers to make a profit in 2009, and lost money in 2008 and 2009, according to an article in the Vancouver Sun. The Merritt Mountain Music Festival was cancelled for 2010 after a 17-year run, but was brought back to life for what would be the last festival in 2011. Hess, who performed at Mountainfest himself, said he thinks the festival world has advanced considerably since the days of the old festival. “Now, artists make all their money touring, they don’t make money off records, so there’s so much more planning, so much more thought, there’s so much more information available,” Hess said, noting when Mountainfest was in its heyday, the Internet wasn’t. Hess said that thanks to the Internet he can learn from festivals around the world. “I can watch the shows on the Internet, I can look at their site with Google Maps and see how they set it up,” Hess said adding that Mountainfest didn’t have that advantage. Tourism Nicola Valley president Anoop Sekhon said the economic boom the former Merritt Mountain Music Festival had on Merritt was evident during its time. “Everybody looked forward to that month, it was a huge month,” he said. “Everybody knew about Merritt, everybody knew about the festival,” he said noting the Walk of Stars program owes its existence to that festival. “It left a small legacy,” Sekhon said. He said he hopes the Rockin’ River Music Festival will reach the same heights the former one did. Hess said he believes the Rockin’ River Music Festival will be bigger and better than the Merritt Mountain Music Festival because he’s been able to learn from the former festival’s mistakes and accomplishments. “We have a beautiful road map in front of us,” Hess said. “If I [didn’t] think that I can get bigger than what it used to be, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Hess said.
Merritt Timber Supply Area Timber Supply Review Public Open House The province’s chief forester will be setting a new allowable annual cut – the maximum volume of timber available for harvest each year – for the Merritt TSA later this year. Section 8 of the Forest Act lists the factors that the chief forester must consider when determining an allowable annual cut. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations staff have been collecting and analyzing this information and the key findings are summarized in a discussion paper that is available for public review. An open house has been scheduled as outlined below to provide an opportunity for members of the public to review the discussion paper and to ask questions. Public Open House Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Room #2, Merritt Civic Center 1950 Mamette Avenue, Merritt, B.C. Public feedback on the discussion paper will be considered by the chief forester before the new allowable annual cut is determined. The discussion paper provides the results of the timber supply analysis, including a base case harvest forecast. It also describes the geography, natural resources and current forest management practices of the Merritt Timber Supply Area. The public review and comment period for the Merritt Timber Supply Review began with a news release on July 22, 2015. Comments will be accepted until September 23, 2015. The discussion paper can be viewed at: https://www.for. gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa18/index.htm (look for the words “Discussion Paper” in blue). For more information about the open house contact: Bruce D. Walter, R.P.F. Stewardship Officer / First Nations Relations Cascades Natural Resource District. Email: Bruce.Walter@gov.bc.ca Telephone: (250) 378-8421. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be provided to the public upon request.
6 • THURSDAY,
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August 6, 2015
HERALD OPINION editorial
The shot heard round the world The famous writer and thinker G.K. Chesterton once said “Wherever there is animal wor- David Dyck ship there is In between human sacriTHE LINES fice.” That sentiment rang quite true again last week, when a lion was killed, by all accounts illegally, unsurprisingly in Africa (where humans die consistently and in rather large quantities — an irony lost on many). I don’t want to minimalize the tragedy. Overhunting is killing off lion populations, and the lack of legitimate rule of law in many African countries makes poaching easy. In fact, it’s a miracle the Minnesotan dentist was even caught. But caught he was, and the way folks on this side of the world reacted to it left old Chesterton’s words ringing in my ears. The grim prophesy would have been realized, too, if PETA had their way. The radical animal rights group said they’d like to see the good doctor charged, tried, and “preferably hanged” if convicted. It would be funny if they weren’t so serious about it. Charge him, yes. Make the man pay the consequences for his thoughtless actions. But hang him? We don’t even have that legal recourse with the worst criminals any more. And now a week has passed and it’s not even in the headlines any more. Something else will be loudly disseminated over brunch tables everywhere. God is in His heaven, and all is ripe for hot takes in the world.
Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com
Sales Associate Holly Roshinsky sales2@ merrittherald.com
Biosolids and prions: a deadly combination Editor: I wonder if the honourables Clark and Polak truly do not know, or know but choose to ignore, the issue of biosolids and prions. They certainly believe that pathogens are destroyed in the treatment process of producing biosolids. However, they could not be more wrong! The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Water Research Compendium 2009-2014 lists prions eight times as an emerging contaminant of concern in sew-
Production Dan Swedberg production2@ merrittherald.com
MERRITT HERALD 2090 G
age sludge (biosolids), wastewater effluents and manures. There is a rising concern precisely because the prions are not destroyed in the biosolid “treatment” process. “Pathogen” is a term used to describe an infectious agent such as bacteria, parasite or prion that causes disease in its host. A prion is a small infectious particle composed of abnormally folded protein. They are the only known infectious agents that do not contain DNA or RNA but do cause progressive neurodegenerative conditions. These misfolded proteins do
Editor David Dyck newsroom@ merrittherald.com
ranite Ave., PO Box 9, Merritt, B.C. Phone (250) 378-4241
not multiply in their original host organism. It is when the prion moves from their original host to a new living host that they begin their deadly journey. Prions affect the brain structure by acting as a template, inducing proteins with normal folding to convert to the abnormal prion form causing progressive neurodegenerative conditions such as chronic wasting disease (CWD), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) — seen in cattle and livestock — and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) seen in humans and now believed
Reporter Michael Potestio reporter@ merrittherald.com
Sports writer Ian Webster sports@ merrittherald.com
to cause Alzheimer’s Disease. All known prion diseases, collectively called transmissible spongiform encephalopathy’s (TSEs), are untreatable and fatal. Current research suggests that the primary method of prion infection in animals is through ingestion. It is thought that prions may be deposited in the environment through the remains of dead animals and via urine, saliva and other body fluids. Prions may then linger in the soil by binding to clay and other minerals.
See ‘Research’ Page 7
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YOUR OPINION We have the right to know what’s being put in our valley Editor: On the heels of the clear and persistent challenges in our stopping the flow of biosolids into the Nicola Valley comes the most troubling news that Huldra Silver would like to bring contaminated soils to the old Craigmont Mines site. For many of us, this news may well be a deal breaker for the remaining residents of the Nicola Valley. I came not once to Merritt to live, but twice. In the late 1970s, Merritt was a welcoming place for me to begin my career in social work. The Nicola Valley was pristine, virtually untouched by the problems of pollution and wastelands. The urban centres had not identified it as a potential dumping ground for potentially harmful waste generated by the big cities. I returned to Merritt in 1991, choosing a slightly different career path. I bought a home, brought my mother here to live with me, settled in, ran for city council, and life was good. Fast forward 24 years. I am appalled, concerned, alarmed and, quite frankly, horrified by what is being proposed for the Nicola
Valley. We as citizens have had absolutely no say in the matter of biosolids dumping, and now we are being asked to accept contaminated soils in an area that is very close to residential areas on our First Nation reserves as well as in Lower Nicola. Do we know what the contaminants are, per say? Was there any attempt by Huldra Silver to engage the residents of the valley in any consultative process? Who, exactly, is determining the “safety” of said contaminants? It seems that the Nicola Valley is being abused in a serious way by those who would not put our collective welfare first. Why don’t we just erect a massive sign on each of the three major highways saying to the offending parties, “Bring it on!” The last time I looked, we have not declared we are open for business to toxic and/or contaminated waste, nor have we been advertising that we are a massive dumping ground for hazardous waste, biosolids, and/or contaminants contained in soils. Just for the record, so that the politicians understand we are intelligent, articulate, educated, informed and motivated people; water, air and
land are part of a large ecosystem. They are interrelated in many ways. Hypothetically speaking, if the wind blows dust from a contaminated soils site, it doesn’t stop at a hundred yards, or at the declared “safe zone.” Water doesn’t know any boundaries. It doesn’t stop flowing three hundred feet from the approved “safe zone” for biosolids. Soil doesn’t know any boundaries. It feeds and sustains our wildlife, our vegetation, our livestock and us. So when I ingest a vegetable or fruit grown in soil contaminated by biosolids, or I eat meat raised on biosolids contaminated land, I am sure someone in government or public service, most likely in Victoria, will shout out that I have “safely” ingested toxins and pathogens that are “harmless” to me. Indeed. It is difficult, if not impossible, to believe what the provincial government politicians are telling us, in light of all the current research which points to a multitude of problems with biosolids as well as certain types of contaminated soils, especially soils containing PCBs. At the very least, we have a right to know precisely what is being proposed in terms of contaminated soils deposited in the old Craigmont
Mines site. With respect to the composition of biosolids, it is simply mindboggling to think of the toxic soup we put down our drains and into our sewers. It is hard to wrap one’s head around determining the “safety” of said soup. And to think that politicians will stand by their patent falsehood that biosolids are valuable fertilizers. I am more than tired of the political rhetoric regarding what is happening to our valley. I hear for all of us in terms of our safety, health and wellbeing. I am proud to be a member of the Friends of the Nicola Valley Society. I am willing to put all my efforts into stopping these egregious violations of our air, water and land by corporate interests. And if the polluting forces should triumph, then our homes and our way of life are clearly at risk. If we do not take a strong stand together, I assure you that we will eventually grieve for what has been forever and truly lost: a pure and pristine place, our beloved Nicola Valley. Bonnie M. Cowan Merritt
Research shows prion diseases are deadly From Page 6 A University of California research team, led by Nobel Prize winner Stanley Prusiner, has provided evidence for the theory that infection can occur from prions in manure. And since manure is present in many areas surrounding water reservoirs, as well as used on many crop fields, it raises the possibility of widespread transmission. There is considerable research on the uptake of prions by plants (crops or plants found in nature), which explains how the pathogen is transmitted from soil or biosolid or manure to plant to animal and or humans. Persons with prion diseases pass their prions into the sewage system through their urine and feces, and ultimately into the sludge (biosolids), which is spread on the land. What is the difference between biosolids and animal manure? Animal manure is generally raw or untreated feces
and urine when applied. Biosolids contain much more waste product such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial waste — whatever can go into our sewage system — and it has undergone treatment in an attempt to destroy pathogens. As of this date, there is no known cure for prion diseases nor is there a known simple, cost effective method for eliminating prions. It is believed that high heat incineration followed by immobilization of the ash (e.g. mix in with cement) is effective. It is certainly a wiser choice than land application of biosolids, given the mounting evidence of prion transmission. Deadly prions can enter the environment after land application of biosolids via the soil, water, or by going airborne. People who live or work near biosolid facilities are particularly at risk (see WorkSafe BC re exposures to airborne biohazards). Google biosolids and prions for more information on this subject. The Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) states, “The Government of Canada accepts the
basic principle that sustainable development is based on an ecologically efficient use of natural, social and economic resources.” Canada’s environmental policy is guided by the precautionary principle and is reflected in the FSDS as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, which states the Minister of Environment must “develop a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy based on the precautionary principle.” The precautionary principle states that: “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.” In light of this very real danger we ask the government to stop spreading sewer-sludge — aka biosolids — on the land. Failure to act will be the death of us. Sincerely, Patricia Ray Member of Friends of the Nicola Valley Merritt
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Alleged cat killer kept in jail Allegations have not been proven, but Merritt man is accused of having strangled his spouse’s cat
A Merritt man will remain in jail after a provincial court judge refused to release him on bail following allegations he strangled his spouse’s cat in a domestic dispute. Crown prosecutor Alex Janse argued Frederick Drynock, 49, should remain in jail pending his trial or guilty plea because he was a risk to break court orders and the alleged killing of the cat showed a propensity toward domestic violence. “There’s a link between animal cruelty and domestic violence,” Janse argued. “Harm to the cat was used to control and express violence toward his partner.” The allegations against Drynock have not been proven in court. He is charged under the Criminal Code with unlawfully killing an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The cat was sent for a necropsy as part of the investigation. Janse alleged the incident occurred on July 23, when a drunken Drynock phoned his common-law wife from a Merritt hotel, telling her he was coming home. She told him to stay away. When he arrived, she hid under a trailer. “While she was hiding, Mr. Drynock got a hold of her cat, a 15-year-old she’d had since a kitten. He told her if she didn’t come out, he would kill her
cat,” Janse said. Drynock told police the cat died of old age. Drynock has a criminal record dating from 2006 with 32 convictions, including for spousal violence. The vast majority are for failure to abide by court orders. Defence lawyer Dmytro Antonovych unsuccessfully urged provincial court judge Roy Dickey to release Drynock on bail to live with his brother in the Lytton area, where he is able to work. Dickey said protection of Drynock’s spouse and the public is paramount. “He appears to have an inability to comply with court orders,” Dickey said.
David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
The province is looking for public input on the upcoming timber supply review (TSR) of the Merritt Timber Supply Area, and will be in Merritt for an open house Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. at the Merritt Civic Centre. The timber supply review determines the total allowable cut per year. There is a discussion paper online for the public to review. There is typically a TSR done every ten years, however the last one was done only five years ago. “In this case, the last one was done in December of 2010, and the chief forester at that time said that as the mountain pine beetle was wrapping up its attack on the district that he wanted to get back sooner than the 10 year period. That’s why we’re back now,” said Bruce Walter, of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Cascades District. The 20-page discussion paper provides three different scenarios.
Those are what the public would likely comment on, said Walter, though any new information is also welcome. He said the decision, set to come down this December, is made independently by the chief forester. “It will take into consideration all the technical analysis, it will take into consideration the public input, it will take into consideration the First Nations consultation,” said Walter. “There’s quite a bit of stuff that goes into that determination.” Back in June, representatives from the Tolko sawmill told the Herald that if the allowable cut drops low enough, they could be looking at layoffs. Tom Hoffman, Tolko’s manager of external and stakeholder relations, said the timber supply review “will have an impact on the current industrial footprint,” Since 2010 the allowable annual cut is set at 2,400,000 cubic metres, down from 2,800,000 previously. Comments from the public are invited from now until Sept. 23, in person or online.
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Time is moving quickly, it seems. How two or more problems or issues. There is much we have to thank the good Lord one side that tells us what we should do, for. then the other side says it likes it’s own way better. It was my birthday on June 15. I am now 91. The Lord is blessing me greatly. I Are these just little things? Or are went for a two and a half mile (yes, miles these things that would affect our health, not kilometres) walk that morning. When happiness, and our peace of mind? I came home I made myself a vegetarian A lot of the problems I see on the news lunch. I had a nap and went on another surely don’t come from a healthy life. two and a half mile walk. God is good to What is the answer? Is there hope? me. Just now, on the news, they are He supplies out daily needs. Not always talking about a shooting that took place our wants as they may be hard to ll. in a historic black church during a prayer When I think of these things we also need meeting. A young man walked in and to be thankful for the stable government killed nine people. What was the reason? we have. They may not be perfect, but They say is was ‘hate,’ but why do we hate then are you? these of different colour? They cant help On the news last month they talked how they look. Where is peace? about the problems in Iraq. They were Jesus said, “Peace I give unto you, not asking if the U.S. should go over there and as the world do I give it.” eat the ISIS? That is not the permanent Jesus’ real peace of mind and heart solution for Iraq is made up of three religions that do not get on too well, to say that give love for Him. Jesus’ peace is not only for here today but for at home in the least. Heaven when He comes. I thought about that situation. It isn’t that a lot like people? Most of us have
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Council still looking for answers from Central Park project cost overruns Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
City council will seek an independent auditor to answer questions regarding how the construction of a multi-purpose lacrosse box and concession building at Central Park skyrocketed more than $300,000 over budget. The decision was made by a 5-1 vote at their regular council meeting last Tuesday. Coun. Ginny Prowal was the lone dissenter and Coun. Diana Norgaard was not in attendance. The parameters of this audit were not pinpointed at the meeting, nor were any costs determined for one before approving a motion to have an independent audit conducted. “I’d have to work with council to define the scope of the audit and the nature of it,� said chief administrative officer Allan Chabot when Coun. Dave Baker asked how much an audit would cost. “Is it looking at whether or not invoices came in and were properly approved and those amounts were paid, or is it more looking at the process and project management and who was supposed to do what?� he asked. Coun. Prowal said she didn’t think an independent audit was the right option, preferring instead a performance review. “Something that tells us who is supposed to do what, how it came about and did everybody do their job properly,� she said. Coun. Mike Goetz, who brought the notice of motion for an audit forward at an earlier council meeting, said someone outside the City of Merritt needs to find these answers for the sake of objectivity. “The key word here for me is ‘independent,’
and the reason I said independent is because any group investigating themselves is not going to work out very well,� he said. “It may come back that council simply wasn’t involved enough,� he said. Coun. Brown said the scope of the audit could be determined as they hire someone to conduct it. She said she views the audit as one that should focus on the management of the project as opposed to reviewing invoices. Financial services manager Ken Ostraat told the Herald that if the audit is a financial one, the cost would be in the neighbourhood of $3,000. As for an audit dealing with project management would be completely different, he didn’t know what that would cost the city. “It could be five grand, it could be 20 grand,� Ostraat said. He said council would need to approve the expenditure if an audit is to be conducted. A two-page report summarizing the cost overruns came out in June and since then, Goetz said he’s been asked questions by community members. He still has unanswered questions himself, he said. The budget for the project was $753,000 and ended up costing the city more than $1 million. Broken down, there was $512,000 for the contractor’s bid, $25,000 for LED lighting, $90,000 for utilities and landscaping and there was $126,000 left as a contingency, the report stated. Numerous change orders resulted in the city spending most of the contingency fund, but the project was still under budget at that point. There was about $70,000 in cost over-
runs just to bring the concession building up to code. The original building plans only required the kitchen area of the concession/washroom building to be equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors. After most of the building had been constructed, the city discovered that under its own bylaw, the entire building was required to have fire suppression equipment installed, contrary to the plans previously approved by the building inspection department. Major additions to the existing plumbing system, and utility installation were the
result. A mistake in the geotechnical study of the construction site, which is where the former beach volleyball court was located, sent the project costs off the rails. Pit test holes missed large amounts of silt and clay in the ground and once excavation began, these materials were found to be widespread. That resulted in the geotechnical engineer ordering the removal of a large amount of materials, in some spots digging four to five feet deeper than originally planned, leisure services manager Larry Plotnikoff said.
Extra costs totalling about $240,000 for rebar and concrete for the foundation and additional engineering costs were the result of this error.
Another $25,000 cost arose when BC Hydro changed its plans for power availability after engineers had already drawn up their own plans, the
report stated. Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said he’s still getting questions on a daily basis regarding this project’s cost overruns.
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Struggling economy hot election topic
Friends & Neighbours John Chace, hanging up the inspector’s hat David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces dissolution of Parliament at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, for a federal election Oct. 19. The Conservative Party of Canada Tom Fletcher BLACK PRESS
Conservative leader Stephen Harper promised an expanded tax break for hiring apprentices Monday, as parties started an extended summer election campaign. Campaigning in Laval, Quebec, Harper announced that if his government is re-elected Oct. 19, employers will receive a credit up to $2,500 a year for wages paid to qualifying apprentices for all four years of their training. Harper’s Conservatives established the program in 2006, with a credit of up to $2,000 per year for the first two years, to encourage hiring and training. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair began his campaign emphasizing signs of weakness in the Canadian economy, with the latest statistics showing the economy contracting in the first five months of the year. “Wages are falling, incomes
are stagnant, and household debt is skyrocketing,” Mulcair said at his campaign kickoff in Hull, Quebec. “Middle-class families are working harder than ever, and can’t get ahead.” Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has also focused his campaign on middle-class voters, with a central policy of reducing tax on middle income and increasing it for the top one per cent of income earners. Green Party leader Elizabeth May began the campaign in her home riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands. Her economic platform also calls for tax increases for the highest income earners, as well as increasing corporate income tax rates to 2008 levels. The early election call increases spending limits for parties and caps it for third-party advertisers such as labour unions that have been targeting Harper. It also leaves some ridings without nominated candidates.
Another change is in debate formats, as first Harper and then Mulcair declined the traditional debate organized by TV networks. The first national debate is set for Thursday, Aug. 6, hosted by Maclean’s magazine. Among the topics will be sharp differences over Canada’s role in the international military action against Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria. Harper renewed Canada’s commitment to maintain six fighter jets and special forces support in one of his last acts before calling the election. Both the NDP and Liberals are promising to end Canadian bombing of Islamic State positions. Mulcair would withdraw all military personnel from Iraq and Syria, while Trudeau supports keeping military trainers in place, with both promising increased humanitarian aid.
After just over ten years as Merritt’s building inspector, John Chace is hanging up his hat and retiring from municipal building inspection. But don’t think that means you won’t see him around. Chase’s first job as a building inspector was back in 1964, for the District of Sumas, now the city of Abbottsford. In 1975 he moved on to Mission to serve as their chief building inspector, and in 1980 he moved to Maple Ridge for the same position there. In 2000, his firm was contracted by the City of Maple Ridge to assist with their downtown revitalization program. While he was working on that, he did holiday relief for the Merritt building inspector. “Then he left and I came up here, and the holiday relief continued for 10 years,” laughed Chace. When he first started working in Merritt he did building and fire inspections, but then the fire department took over the fire inspection side of things, and he focused solely on buildings. He said the slow pace up here made the job enjoyable. “What we’d do in Maple Ridge in a week we’d do in a year up here,” he said. “Your job isn’t so much as a policeman, it’s more to help
MA
people build. Although codes and that are slowly changing so it’s harder and harder to be in a position just to assist people.” “Merritt’s a great little town,” he added. “We’ve got a lot of friends here. That’s one difference say between here and the big city is you make more friends in the job. Not as many enemies,” he laughed. He said that of all the places he’s worked over the course of his career, Merritt has given him some of the more pleasant experiences on the job. Now that he’s retired, he’s going to have more time for his hobbies. One of them is working on hot rods, which he does with his son and son-in-law, for racing and showing. “I’ll be able to do some of the work rather than have them do it all!” he said. He’ll also get some fishing done, but he’s always made time for that. Even before he started working in Merritt, they had a family and friends fishing derby up here. This will be the derby’s 21st year. “We take it to a different lake every year,” he said. “That’s one great thing about this place, what is the claim, we’ve got 100 lakes within an hour of downtown?” he chuckled. “It’s a little dusty, but it’s peaceful.”
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