TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
IL
TH
NEWS
TRA
IL
S I N C E
1 8 9 5
DA
E
TH
Follow us online
1895 - 2015
IM ES
TR A
IL
TRAIL T
INCLUDING G.S.T.
ES
CREEK NEW
S
TIM
105
TRA
Y IL
Vol. 120, Issue 140
$
E
Smokies, Saints split pre-season tests Page 9
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
COINS FOR CHANGE
KIDSPORT WEEK
Communities and candidates commit to spending night under the bridge Event on Sept. 18 raises awareness about homelessness in Greater Trail BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Coins for Change is a bi-city challenge this year after Castlegar joined the drive to end homelessness in the region. Following the Sept. 18 event in Trail, Castlegar Coun. Deb McIntosh confirmed a similar gathering is planned in Castlegar the next day, though details haven't been released. Locally, Rossland, Montrose and Trail officials have commit“And if you can’t ted to the awareness and fundraising camspend the night, paign that asks politibut really believe cians, service groups, and anyone else in in this cause, the area to experithen charitable ence homelessness donations can be firsthand by sleeping under the Victoria dropped off” Street Bridge. SHEILA ADCOCK Those participating will be asked to build shelters out of boxes, or pitch a tent and sleep outdoors in the makeshift refuge from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. and all money pledged will support the Getting to Home project. “It's not just about spending the night,” says organizer Sheila Adcock, from Career Development Services (CDS). “It's about gathering pledges. “And if you can't spend the night, but really believe in this cause, then charitable donations can be dropped off.” Liberal MP candidate Connie Denesiuk and NDP MP candidate Richard Cannings have committed to the cause, the Salvation Army will provide food and beverages, and Trail businesses have donated cash or contributed gift certificates to be given out during the night. “A lot of people are only a paycheque or two away from homelessness,” said Adcock. “The perception is 'those' people. But the stories we could tell, because against all odds, this person is standing in front of me able to ask for help, when I'd be a puddle on the floor.” Single mothers, seniors on the verge of losing housing, youth transitioning out of foster care, brain injury clients and people struggling with mental health or drug and alcohol issues have all found housing through "The Homeless are Here if You Choose to Look" project. See GETTING, Page 2
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The City of Trail has proclaimed Sept. 6 to 13 as KidSport Week following the lead of the provincial government, which also proclaimed the week to honour the program that helps encourage participation in an active lifestyle. The local chapter has helped fund 201 children since its inception in the fall of 2011 investing over $35,000 to enable local kids to get off the sidelines. Highlighting KidSport Week locally will be a free event promoting the diversity of options for activities in the area. The Sport, Recreation and Culture Marketplace will be held Wednesday at the Cominco Gym from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will also be free public skating from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. From the left; Gord Menelaws, Eleanor Gattafoni Robinson, Betty Anne Marino and Kristine Forbes.
WARFIELD
Council quashes new business idea BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Roger Larose has lost faith in Warfield council. The Okanagan-based business owner and eight-year village resident questions council's efficacy after it pulled the plug on a rezoning idea for St. Joseph's Church. “I am disappointed,” Larose told the Trail Times Monday. “I think they got scared off by 20 people from a community of 1,400. And I don't think that's fair.” In a three-to-two vote, last week Warfield council kiboshed Larose's
vision to convert the empty church into a retail space. Warfield Mayor Ted Pahl says there was significant debate over the rezoning, but who voted in favour or against, won't be public until the Sept. 16 meeting. “It was a difficult decision as the purchaser seemed like a very professional guy with a solid plan for the building,” said Pahl. Roger and Tina Larose planned to develop the property, which has been vacant 15 years, into a mom-and-pop shop for antiques, home decor, a wom-
an's boutique, plus new and used appliances, tools, and equipment. Before they could proceed, the couple had to ask Warfield council to rezone the Lytton Street lot into General Commercial from its institutional/residential classification. Written concessions to the bylaw amendment were inked prior to an Aug. 11 public meeting. Those included, all commercial activity would be restricted to the alley side of the building, and no business operations like signage, inventory, or vehicles See RESIDENTS, Page 2
C o l u m b i a P o w e r is a place of great potential - a place where our employees shape their community and their future everyday. Visit columbiapower.org to learn why Columbia Power was named one of bC’s Top employers for 2015.
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012