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Vol. 64, Issue 172
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Refugee crisis a global responsibility BARRY COULTER
The image of a drowned Syrian toddler, Alan Kurdi, washed up on a Turkish beach last week, has become a defining image of a refugee crisis widely regarded as the worst since the Second World War. Hundreds of thou-
Locals can help out, with the assistance of the East Kootenay Friends of Burma
sands of people are fleeing wars in the Middle East and economic strife in Africa, for the most part trying to reach the countries of the European Union. But while Europe has been roundly criticized for the reac-
tion to the situation, there is growing awareness that the crisis is a worldwide responsibility, and people even at the local level can help out. Shauna Jimenez is with East Kootenay
Friends of Burma, an organization that has been sponsoring and helping settle refugees in the area for 30 years. She calls the sudden attention on the crisis a reality check and a call to action.
“People are wondering,” Jimenez said. “They saw the pictures of little Alan and are asking ‘what can we do?’” “One answer is, sponsor a refugee.” The refugee individ-
ual or family to be sponsored doesn’t necessarily have to be Syrian, Jimenez added. “There are 15 million bona fide refugees in the world [as designated by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees]. One million of these are Syrian — the number is growing every day.”
Jimenez says that “Fortress Europe” has been the term in the refugee community for a while now, describing that continents general reaction to refugees and migrants. But helping refugees is a global responsibility, she says. “The spotlight is on the Syrians, but it’s also brought attention to an issue that’s been huge in my heart for 30 years.”
See LOCALS, Page 4
Expect bears
With poor berry crop, bears are moving closer to town FOR THE TOWNSMAN
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
The East Kootenay and District Labour Council hosted its annual Labour Day Picnic, Monday, Sept. 7, in Rotary Park in Cranbrook, with local unions and groups represented on a balmy early autumn day. Above: Jackie Spain (President, East Kootenay and District Labour Council), Shelly Balfour (President, Crabrook and District Teachers Association) and Vanessa were on hot dog detail. All proceeds from the sale of frankfurters and corn on the cob were earmarked for the Cranbrook Food Bank.
School’s in session: Drive carefully C AROLYN GR ANT
Cranbrook’s students return to school on Tuesday, September 8 and drivers are reminded to watch their speed in school zones, watch for school buses and obey crossing guard directions. ICBC has prepared a tip list for both drivers and children. For kids walking:
Map it out. Plan your child’s walking route with them ahead of time. Review street names and landmarks to orient them. Quiz time. Make a fun, interactive game out of guessing the correct traffic signs and meanings with your child. Set a good example. Never jaywalk or run to cross the
street. Where possible, cross at intersections with a pedestrian crossing light or marked crosswalk. Look. Make sure all vehicles have stopped before entering the road. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, even if the walk signal is on.
See SCHOOL, Page 3
As of Friday reports, two juvenile grizzly bears were being monitored by conservation officers in an area off Mission Road, at the north end of the City of Cranbrook. The two grizzlies have been seen regularly by residents over the past few days, but are not causing any trouble, according to the Conservation Officer Service. Earlier this week, a mother bear and three cubs were seen in the Kennedy Road area, while a lone black bear had been spotted in the same area feeding on choke cherry bushes before moving closer to the popular Rails to Trails pathway nearby. There are also numerous reports of bear sightings in and around Kimberley. The Conservation Officer Service is expecting to see a growing number of bears and perhaps an increase in bear issues over the next month, as bears will be foraging for food for the winter.
With the drought this summer, the berry crop is extremely poor and bears are moving closer to communities where food may be more easily accessible. It is important for people — especially in the periphery of the City — to be very diligent with managing their garbage properly and cleaning up any fallen fruit from trees on their properties. Bears will be hungry and looking for easy meals. Please do not contact municipal offices or the local branch of the SPCA with wildlife issues. They are only able to deal with domestic animals – not wildlife. If you see or have issues with any wildlife, including bears, please contact the provincial RAPP line to report it at 1-877-952-7277, 24 hours a day, seven days per weeks. This information is passed along directly to the local branch of the Conservation Officer Service, where it is recorded and depending on the wildlife issue, it will be responded to.