Vanderhoof Omineca Express, October 21, 2015

Inside

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ICBC RATE HIKE P. 2 EDITORIAL P. 6

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POLICE UPDATE P. 3 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION P. 5-9

E xpress OMINECA

Publications Mail Contract # 40007840 Published by Black Press Ltd., 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC

$1.30 Inc. GST Vol. 38 No. 34

Serving Vanderhoof ● Fort Fraser ● Fraser Lake & Area www.ominecaexpress.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

RTA appeal declined by court, First Nation case continues Cameron Orr Northern Sentinel Press, Kitimat The Saik’uz and Stellat’en First Nations have been allowed to proceed with a lawsuit against Rio Tinto Alcan.

The Stellat’en First Nation released a media advisory last week saying the Supreme Court of Canada has denied the company’s leave to appeal relating to an earlier case from April.

RTA was appealing a decision by a lower court granted the First Nations ability to sue the company.

The issue relates to the flow of water in the Nechako River, which is affected by the company’s Kenney dam.

According to the Canadian Press, the nations say the dam breaches their rights to the waterway and are seeking damages for property-rights violations.

The Stellat’en news release states that “the case now confirms that, in British Columbia, First Nations may sue an industry or private company for damaging lands or interfering with their use and occupancy of lands and rivers.”

Stellat’en Chief Archie Patrick is hailing the victory.

“Rio Tinto Alcan

Photo submitted by Mike Robertson, senior policy advisor for Cheslatta First Nation

BURIAL GROUNDS: Cheslatta First Nation cemetary is under four feet of water due to flooding. had claimed immunity authorizing them to willfully continue to damage our lands until we proved aboriginal title,” he said. “We’re pleased that the court recognized that such rights are under Canada’s constitution...and that we have rights to access the courts just as much as non-First Nation landowners.”

e m o c Welestline! to W

Former Saik’uz Chief, and a named plaintiff in the case, said the dam is one of the largest “environmentally damaging” projects in the province’s history.

“First Nations’ interests were never considered nor were we ever consulted,” he said. “We’re pleased to finally have a victory in front of the

Canadian courts.”

In a statement, RTA said it acknowledges the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Rio Tinto strives to engage with aboriginal communities where it operates,” said Kevin Dobbin, a spokesperson from RTA. “These matters are still before the courts we will decline

further comments at this time.”

The Nechako River’s high water levels earlier this year, as well as in 2007, had led to residential and public property damage in nearby communities, including Vanderhoof and the Cheslatta First Nation.

- with files from the Omineca Express

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Express

NEWS A crash last month at Highway 10 and Scott Road in Delta. Injury crashes and the resulting claims are driving basic rates up at ICBC. SUBMITTED photo

Ali Lutick of the Southside 4-H Club would like to

THANK Vanderhoof & District Co-op for purchasing her 4-H Lamb.

Thank you for supporting 4-H in Burns Lake.

ICBC settles on 5.5 per cent rate hike Jeff Nagel Black Press The Insurance Corp. of B.C. has decided to raise basic auto insurance premiums by 5.5 per cent, driving up the annual cost by more than $44 for the average driver.

And a further jump in optional premiums for coverage like thirdparty liability will add nearly $16, for an annual increase of about $60 on average.

The basic premium increase is less than the 6.7 per cent jump ICBC had warned in August might be required as a result of rapidly rising injury claims and the resulting payouts.

The hit is lower in part because the province has approved an unusual $450-million transfer of capital from ICBC’s optional insurance business to the basic insurance side.

There’s been growing financial pressure on the basic side, while ICBC has had more wriggle room in recent years to actually decrease rates on its optional side, where it does not hold a monopoly and competes with private insurers.

But officials say optional costs are now also on the rise because optional third-party liability insurance covers injury payouts over $200,000.

Adrian Dix, the NDP’s critic on ICBC, noted the average driv-

er will be paying nearly 30 per cent more in basic premiums than they did when Christy Clark became premier in 2011.

“Overall what we’re talking about is a major, major increase in rates for the average motorist,” said Dix, who lays part of the blame on management decisions at ICBC and trouble with the rollout of its new computer system.

He noted the provincial government has not opted to forgo the $160-million annual dividend it extracts each year from ICBC’s optional side.

“They’re not sacrificing,” Dix said. “They’re doing a double dip on the optional side.”

Canadian Taxpayers Federation spokesman Jordan Bateman said the continued flow of dividends to the government is particularly frustrating.

“Despite the fact we get gouged for more money each year, the government continues to suck all the profits out and puts them into general revenue,” Bate-

man said.

“We have a government that talks about affordability but erodes it when it comes to ICBC rates that continually jump higher than the rate of inflation.”

Transportation Minister Todd Stone said more than 80 per cent of motorists use ICBC for both basic and optional coverage and they are paying only 13 per cent more than in 2011 after recent optional rate cuts are taken into account.

Forgoing the annual dividend to government would have only trimmed the basic rate hike to 5.2 per cent, Stone said.

That 0.3 per cent reduction would have been “negligible” in terms of impact on customers, he said, but would “blow a pretty significant hole” in the province’s budget.

He called the $450-million transfer a one-time shift that can’t be repeated next year because there won’t be enough excess capital on the optional side.

ICBC officials also

said they’re stepping up efforts to combat exaggerated and fraudulent claims.

A new fraud analytics tool is to be deployed early next year to use data, algorithms and statistical methods to quickly flag patterns and high predictors of fraud early in the claims process.

ICBC projects bodily injury claims costs will hit $2.3 billion this year, up from $2.17 billion in 2014.

Those costs are up 64 per cent since 2008.

The number of injury claims are up about 11 per cent from the previous year.

Another basic rate hike is guaranteed next year.

The province’s rate

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BC Livestock Producers Livestock Market Report

MARKET REPORT FOR October 15, 2015 Heads of cattle for Williams Lake, Vanderhoof and Kamloops & Team Sales STEERS HIGH AVG HEIFERS HIGH AVG 0-299 N/A N/A 0-299 286.00 253.33 300-399 332.00 317.27 300-399 330.00 276.57 400-499 326.00 294.47 400-499 286.00 256.72 500-599 287.00 235.33 500-599 248.50 232.33 600-699 258.25 248.60 600-699 246.50 224.34 700-799 249.75 235.81 700-799 219.00 201.77 800-899 244.00 230.14 800-899 209.00 201.00 900+ 227.00 208.64 900+ 194.00 188.00 Butcher Cows 85.00-109.00 Butcher Bulls 110.00-135.00 Ad donated by the Omineca Express

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smoothing policy requires each new year’s rates be no more than 1.5 per cent above or below the previous year’s.

That means ICBC will be considering an increase of between four and seven per cent next fall.

The proposed basic rate hike, effective Nov. 1, must still be approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission.

DISTRICT OF VANDERHOOF A weekly feature highlighting meetings/proposals, events important to Vanderhoof residents.

District of Vanderhoof The District of Vanderhoof wishes to advise that the Public Works Department will be flushing water mains throughout the municipality during the weeks of October 8th through to October 28th. During this time, residents may experience discoloured water and should allow the cold water to run until clear before use.

Wayne Robert Ackerman December 26, 1938 – October 1, 2015 Wayne Robert Ackerman passed away peacefully on October 1, 2015.

Wayne was born to Elizabeth Helen Cumming and Robert Edward Ackerman on December 26, 1938 in Rorketon, MB. In 1946 the family moved to Canoe, BC, where Dad and his two surviving brothers, Rae and Ted, grew up and had many adventures on the small family farm.

In 1960, Wayne married his high school sweetheart Margaret Schulz; they were married for 21 years. After getting married, Wayne went on to become a successful Chartered Accountant. His career took him briefly to Kamloops and Williams Lake before settling in Prince George in 1964. He later moved to Vanderhoof, where he retired in 1996.

In 1997, for outstanding career achievements as well as outstanding service to the community and the profession, Wayne was awarded the designation of Fellow Chartered Accountant, an honour of which he was extremely proud.

Wayne and Marg had two children, Derek (1963) and Paige (1967). Derek and his wife Julie had two children, Troy and Kendra. He had to settle for grandcats from Paige and her husband Kirk who live in North Vancouver, BC. In 2006, Wayne moved to Cranbrook to be closer to family.

Over the years, Wayne volunteered countless hours of his time to Kiwanis, Rotary, and Ducks Unlimited. Wayne enjoyed travel, fishing, and watching the geese and other birds on the river, from his front yard in Vanderhoof. He also took it upon himself to adopt, feed, and care for, feral cats that took up residence on his property, naming each and enjoying their aloof companionship.

Helping others, human or animal, was always a high priority; all who knew him will miss his gentle kindness, honesty, and generosity.

Wayne’s family would like to extend special gratitude to the staff at Joseph Creek Care Village for their exceptional level of care during the past four years.

Memorial donations are unnecessary, but may be given in Wayne’s honour to a reputable charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

An informal gathering to celebrate Wayne’s life will be held at Burrard Yacht Club, 10 Gostick Place, North Vancouver, on Friday, November 6th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Please join us to share your experiences, anecdotes, and any stories of the times you spent with our Dad. If you are unable to attend, please remember our Dad by raising a glass to him, or paying someone a kindness on his behalf.

Please feel free to share any cherished thoughts or memories of Dad with us by email to derek.ackerman@shaw.ca or paige_ackerman@me.com.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

INSIDE NEWS

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Express

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NEWS

October: Community Living Month

Child bike theft At 4:00 a.m. on Oct. 13, a man and a woman, intoxicated, were seen going up Kenney Dam hill with a new child’s bike that was obviously stolen, given the bike’s unique look, the RCMP said.

Now arrested, the individuals had breached drinking conditions previously imposed by court as well.

The stolen bike is awaiting its owner at the Vanderhoof detachment.

On Oct. 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Co-op mall, parents and local community services will gather to chat with residents on recognizing the disabled population and their contribution to the community.

The district council has proclaimed October as Community Living Month in Vanderhoof for the first time this year.

Business Walk in Fraser Lake On Oct. 28, Fraser Lake business owners and managers are encouraged to be at their business.

The Village of Fraser Lake’s first Business Walk event will take place next Wednesday on Oct. 28, taking the pulse of local business by conducting short face to face interviews with business owners and managers.

Volunteer teams (composed of business leaders, local and provincial government, and business support service providers) will be going door to door asking owners or managers about the state of their business.

Businesses that need assistance will receive follow up visits and will be provided one on one support.

Police update

Parish break and enter The St. Joseph’s Parish Centre was broken into and vandalized overnight on Oct. 10, as reported to the RCMP the following morning.

Along with numerous items broken and fire extinguishers set off, the police are processing forensic evidence that was found on scene, as well as following different leads.

The RCMP advised individuals with information to contact the local detachment or report through Crime Stoppers.

VIVIAN CHUI photo

There’s a new cop in town Cpl. Cameron Fergusson has started his first day with Vanderhoof’s General Duty unit on Oct. 13.

With his Vanderhoof-born wife and two school-aged children, Fergusson had previously served in Smithers, Tahsis, and most recently in Campbell River on Vancouver Island.

At his fourth detachment, Fergusson said he prefers a smaller community, though he has spent his formative years in Kamloops.

He added that he also travelled around the province with the RCMP when he was younger — his father, now retired, was a former member.

Cpl. Cameron Fergusson, on his second week at the Vanderhoof RCMP detachment, said he looks forward to spending his off hours with his family.

- with files from Sgt. Svend Nielsen, Vanderhoof RCMP

New model integrates records and minimizes patient travel Vivian Chui Omineca Express A new primary health care model that aims to integrate patient care and minimize patients’ need to travel for different services is rolling out in Vanderhoof, as well as 13 other prototype communities across B.C. In a two-day workshop last week, over 200 health care staff, physicians, and patients met in Vancouver to share plans for new models of primary and community care in communities including Prince George and Vanderhoof, as well as other communities in the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

Vanderhoof’s model includes using an electronic medical record system to share information and communicate between family doctors and community clinicians. The new model will be patient-centric, more efficient and streamlined, said Vanderhoof family physician Dr. Sean Ebert.

“We were serving the same patients and sharing the same information already,” Ebert said.

“This just means we can do it more seamlessly and quickly, to create a real inter-professional team between family doctors and our colleagues

in home and community care, rehab medicine, mental health, and public health.”

In fact, the Omineca Medical Clinic is the first private clinic in Northern Health to share its electronic medical records with other health professionals to create a true inter-professional team, he said.

“If you look at a patient’s journey through the system right now, it can be very disjointed,” Ebert said. “Patients have to re-tell their story at every step and information may be missing or unavailable. That reflects problems in our system and doesn’t help with the patient’s care.”

He explained that in addition to sharing and synchronizing records, the new model can extend to specialized services and avoid the need for patients to travel out of town. A recent example being a video conference discussion with specialists in different parts of the province about a patient with complex needs. “Then entire interprofessional team was able to attend the video conference and provide input to come up with a plan for a complicated patient,” said Ebert. “It was a great example of team based care.”

The current provincial focus is on seniors care as they are a group of patients who have high com-

plex needs and require coordination of services among teams, he added.

“The idea is that if we focus on seniors care and get all the integration work done properly… consolidating services around the patient and family,” Ebert said.

“We can be successful in other groups.”

The attendees of the workshop last week will continue to share new approaches to primary health care for the next three to six months. The work is part of a two-year plan across the provincial health system to improve care in the community for seniors, according to the Ministry of Health.

“We have been working with health authorities, physicians, patients and other stakeholders to develop strategies for real change in a number of challenging areas, with a key focus on more proactively responding to the needs of frail seniors,” said Health Minister Terry Lake, who attended the forum on the opening day.

“We are starting to see a more patient-centered approach come to fruition. I was inspired by the local teams’ levels of enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to seniors in providing greater access to supports close to home.”

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AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE

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THING IN COMMON.

All of which makes advertising in newspapers a very smart move.

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Express

OPINION

Published by Black Press Ltd at 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0

Election 2015: NDP, Tories battle over Pacific trade Tom Fletcher Black Press NDP leader Thomas Mulcair stepped up his attack on the TransPacific Partnership in the last days before the Oct. 19 federal election, rallying union support to oppose Canada’s biggest-ever trade agreement.

The NDP campaign emphasized support from the Canadian Union of Public Employees and health care unions, adding to vocal opposition from Unifor, the union representing auto workers. The NDP has described the TPP as a secret deal that could drive up drug costs and cost jobs by removing tariffs from imported vehicles and other products.

The TPP, agreed to in principle last week by 12 countries including Canada, the U.S., Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, provides only minimal foreign access to supply managed poultry, dairy and egg markets in B.C. and across the country.

International Trade Minister Ed Fast took a break from his Conservative re-election campaign in Abbotsford to conclude the TPP talks in Atlanta last week. Fast said it keeps the government’s promise to preserve supply management in farm products, by offering “modest” import access and paying farmers for any loss of revenue.

Over five years, the TPP would open to imports 3.25 per cent of Canada’s dairy production, 2.3 per cent for eggs, 2.1 per cent for chicken, two per cent for turkey and 1.5 per cent for broiler hatching eggs.

For beef and other farm products, the TPP gives Canada full access to the U.S., Australia and other competitors in the Pacific Rim, Fast said. The NDP’s opposition to trade deals goes back a long way.

“They opposed the Canada-US free trade agreement, they opposed NAFTA, they have voted in the House of Commons against our trade agreement with the European Union,” Fast said in an interview. “They voted against trade agreements with countries like Switzerland and Lichtenstein and Israel and Peru.”

Mulcair has repeatedly demanded that Liberal leader Justin Trudeau take a position on the TPP, and that the Conservatives release the full text of the agreement before the vote.

Fast said the legal text is not completed and requires consent of all 12 countries, which is unlikely before the election. Implementation of the TPP is expected to take about two years, as each governThe Omineca Express is published every Wednesday in Vanderhoof by Black Press Ltd. Publisher: Pam Berger advertising@ominecaexpress.com

Office: Denise Smith office@ominecaexpress.com

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The Omineca Express is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a selfregulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council.

Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9.

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ment ratifies its terms.

B.C. International Trade Minister Teresa Wat praised the TPP

deal, noting it phases out tariffs in Asian countries on B.C. salmon, halibut, herring, crab, geoduck,

blueberries, fresh and frozen vegetables, pork and icewine.

Letter to the editor: just in case When the party I prefer is not the big winner, I would like to make some positive remarks. First of all that all Canadians are blessed to live in a free society. Right at this very moment millions of people flee from households established for generations.

They want to re-establish themselves where peace can be expected. As an immigrant family we feel very blessed with our new country. After all the political rhetoric, it would be nice if Canada would make a sincere effort to invite those who lost everything to re-established themselves and start living in peace and harmony. Ms. Merkel of Germany is giving the free world a good example. She is not innocent about the related risks she is taking by doing so. However, she learned her lessons in her younger years living under the reign of a Communist dictatorship. I believe that

Canadians at large are ready to follow her example.

Canada became “Canada” because over the years strangers were allowed to become part of us. With the addition of future immigrants our current cultural mosaic can only become more interesting and enhanced. May the “established” or new government adopt other country’s policies so together we can make Canada an even more exciting place. We have much to share and by doing so we only can become richer in culture and mature together.

Of course all precautions have to be attended to, so those who apply for Canadian citizenship will indeed enrich our wonderful society.

Ary Sala, Fanny Bay, B.C.

Letter to the editor: democracy Informed citizens are essential to democracy.

Are we Canadians “informed?” Who is informing us? Certainly not the secretive Harper government.

Mainstream media? Canada’s mainstream media has become a near monopoly. Bell, Rogers, Postmedia, and so few others, own just about everything Canadians watch and read. Media guru Conrad Black tells where that leads: “Diversity of opinion and aggressive news gathering tend to disappear with the disappearance of competition, and public opinion could thereby become more of a hostage to private interests then a

master of public policy.”

It’s no secret that Harper is out to kill the CBC. That would give Harper even more control over the flow of information. With the CBC gone, some special interest group with an unlimited advertising budget (like a political party?) could literally buy public opinion. You simply blast them with attack ads, distractions, and mis-information. Stop Harper’s war on information. Vote for true democracy!

Bryan Stawychny Edgewater, BC

Have an opinion and a burning desire to express it? Write a letter.

All letters must be signed and please include a day-time number where you can be reached for verification. Omineca Express, Box 1007, 150 W. Columbia St, Vanderhoof BC V0J3A0 Tel: 567-9258 Fax: 567-2070 e-mail: newsroom@ominecaexpress.com

Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

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Customer Appreciation and Small Business Week A Successful Small Business IS Within Reach in your BC Community Your local Community Futures offers invaluable advice to owners and owners-tobe during Small Business Month In celebration of Small Business Month, taking place across Canada this October, Community Futures, BC’s best resource to grow your small business, is offering advice from experts across its 34 local offices throughout rural BC. As a key business development organization within BC that supports entrepreneurs at all stages of their development, Community Futures’ has a track record of clients who have grown faster and lasted longer when compared to other traditional financing options.

“Being a successful small business owner is one of the most gratifying career experiences,” says Marie Gallant, Executive Director, Community Futures British Columbia. “The secret is not only perseverance, but also knowing who to go to for help along the way. We’re fortunate in BC to have fantastic resources for people looking to start or grow their own business. At Community Futures offices across the province, we offer a variety of services from business planning advice to loans. We’re not a bank, but rather a rural development organization that provides business financing to small businesses. It’s a system that works.”

Community Futures offers these Top 5 Tips for small business success: 1. The best business plan remains flexible with measurable and realistic goals – One thing constant is change. Operating a business can lead to a lot of surprises, so along with a solid Plan A have a well thought out Plan B. Many entrepreneurs know what success looks like for them; they’re just unsure of how to achieve it. We help our clients focus on realistic revenue projections, ex-

pense management, and where they want their business to be 1, 2 and 3 years later. This is imperative so business owners are making the right decisions and investments early on to reach their goals.

Being undercapitalized at the beginning makes everyday a struggle and could result in missed opportunity and goals.

2. Cash is king – Being profitable only on paper doesn’t mean all is ok. What really counts is what’s in the bank. Cash flow is the biggest issue for new businesses. Stay on top of your receivables (customers who owe you money); business owners need to keep a close eye on money owed to them as well as money they owe. Margins may be great, but if you are not collecting at the same rate you have to pay important expenses like payroll and taxes - it could be the end of your business.

3.

Keep your friends close and your competition closer – Studying your competition is one of the best ways to learn how you can make your business better. It’s an excellent way to learn from what they’re doing right,

while avoiding what they might be doing wrong. Rest assured that your customers are keeping a close eye on them too!

4. Don’t stop believing and don’t stop learning – Remember that old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”?

It’s very true and it very much applies to you and your business. It

takes time and patience to get your brand/business name out there.

The rate of change in today’s world is crazy, and you need to keep up somehow. As a small business owner you are the business.

We tell our clients that an investment in themselves is an investment in the business.

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District of Vanderhoof The District of Vanderhoof thanks our residents for shopping locally and making our community stronger.

Stuart Nechako Growing communities one idea at a time.

Q

Business Development

Q

Community Bridging, Networking and Capacity Building

Q

Development of New Technology

Q

Development of Processes and Decision Support Tools

Q

Financial Capital Incubation

Q

Marketing Intelligence

Q

R&D in New Technologies

Q

Training & Skill Development

250-567-5219 2750 Burrard Avenue Box 1078 Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0

1-800-266-0611 Fax: 250-567-5224 Email: gm@cf-sn.ca Web: www.cf-sn.ca

Growing communities one idea at a time

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Customer Appreciation and Small Business Week Small Business

From From page page 5 Turning to an organization like Community Futures allows you to get support and feedback as you grow your business. Also consider other key experts such as lawyers and accountants.

5. Treat your employees like they’re your customers – Your employees are your internal custom-

Speedway

ers; be open to hearing their feedback. Employees are stakeholders in your business, too! Employee engagement adds to workplace culture. Hire the right fit for your organization’s culture; you can teach skills but you can’t teach attitude. Communication is critical; having team meetings and a written policy manual can be helpful, you want to make sure your employ-

ees understand what is expected of them and what you want in return. Ongoing training is often overlooked by small businesses. How your employees deal with situations, questions and special requests are things you need to make sure they understand before they get in front of clients.

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Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce MEMBER APPRECIATION & SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Thank you to all our Chamber Members for your support over the past year!

16th Annual Pumpkin Walk!!

Saturday, October 31, 2015 Parade of Lights Saturday, December 5, 2015

2353 Burrard Ave, Vanderhoof

Office Hours Open Monday - Friday - 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Telephone: 250-567-2124

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Customer Appreciation and Small Business Week

The top 4 digital marketing tactics for your business Boosting business with a solid digital marketing strategy requires a few simple tools. So simple, in fact, that you may already be using them without knowing it. Digital marketing is both the most easily producible and easily accessible mode of promoting your business.

However, small businesses often get lost in the cloud of buzzwords being thrown around and don’t know where or how to implement a strategy. Here are four of the most effective digital marketing tools you can use to grow your business: 1. E-mail. Believe it or not, this underrated method has been around for 20 years and is still the best tool for customer retention. It’s great for both building awareness and increasing the likelihood of purchase. By optingin to your e-mail list, customers give you direct permission to send them messages. A personal inbox is a sacred place – take advantage of having this access to deliver the highest quality messaging with real value and interest.

Let’s use a local florist as an example. She could send a weekly, biweekly, or monthly e-mail (she could call

it a newsletter) to past and current customers reminding them of upcoming occasions where flowers would be nice to give or receive. Or she can tell them which flowers are best for which occasion (red roses say, “I love you”; yellow tulips say, “Cheer up.”). Just try to keep this messaging modest. Don’t over-sell

to customers or overwhelm their inbox with more than they want.

By finding this balance, email will prove to be a beneficial and cost-effective option for your digital marketing strategy.

2. Social Media.

Social media is everywhere: not for now, but for good. It is the most widely accessed outlet

for reaching your customers. So it’s smart to make good use of it.

Unless you’re paying to boost or promote a post or tweet, this digital marketing tool is free.

Social media is an easy way talk to your customers in the same way as if they were to walk into your store.

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A big THANK YOU to our valued customers and your furry friends for your business and support!

Bring this ad in to the store to receive 10% off all regular priced merchandise and 5% off regular priced food.

Come on down and meet our great staff and new owner Bill Reid.

Thank you to our loyal customers for your unwavering support!

And thank you to Linda for doing an awesome job over the last year!

HOURS !

Join usMonday - Friday: 7:30am - 5:00pm Saturday: 8:30am - 4:30pm Closed - Sundays and Statutory Holidays

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Farm O Commercial O Logging Equipment O Auto - ICBC & Private O Travel O Boats O Recreation Vehicles O Home O Driver Services O

California Dreamin Would like to thank all of our valued customers for your support during 2015. We look forward to serving you throughout the Christmas Season.

AS OUR THANK-YOU COME IN OCT 21-24 AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EARLY CHRISTMAS SALE.

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A8 www.ominecaexpress.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Customer Appreciation and Small Business Week

Marketing tactics for your business From Frompage page7 As a general guideline, it’s best to keep self-promotion through social media to a minimum. Focus more on keeping your audience engaged with enlightening information in a tone of voice particular to you.

Continuing with the Florist example, you can tweet something like: Want to send someone good vibes for their new beginning? #BirdsOfParadise are perfect for the occasion.

Or you can post a picture of a particular flower arrangement on Facebook coupled with: #JustBecause flowers say more about the giver than the receiver.

3.

SEO/SEM. Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are often mentioned yet seldom explained. They’re really just fancy terms for incorporating the right words into your web content to increase how searchable you are online. These words (or ‘keywords’) are what people type in to search for you. This means that you can specifically target people already searching for you (for the Florist, it might be flowers, bouquet, floral arrangements and red roses).

By knowing what keywords people use the most to search for what you sell, and simply paying closer attention to integrating those words into your web content, you’re using a digital marketing tactic. Imagine that! To find out what keywords your customers are using, check out Google Trends.

4. Content Marketing. Perhaps one of the most elusive buzzwords in the industry.

Content Marketing is most simply explained as communicating with your audience without selling to them. By focusing on bringing a valuable message to your customer as opposed to saying, “BUY THIS,” you show them that they’re more than a numbers adding to your profits.

People know when they’re being sold to. Avoid this by giving people something substantial that makes them smarter, more informed, or entertained. A relevant article, a joke, or an industry update says a lot about what you as a business find interesting and important. The florist could, for example, post a video showing her subscribers how to cut the stems so the flowers stay colourful for longer.

Content Marketing is an overarching tactic that can be applied to any channel. Whether it’s your website, email or social media. It is just a wise distribution of information. So, share something that interests you with your audience and see how being genuine never fails.

Moby Concrete Enjoy everyday low prices on your family’s favorite foods PIZZA SPECIALS ON FRIDAYS! WE HAVE PARTY TRAYS Regular Store Hours Friday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM Thursday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Donita Spencer Therapeutic Massage Ltd.

Thank you for your patronage and dedication to preventative health care!

DRUGStore Pharmacy™ Hours Monday 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM Tuesday 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM Wednesday 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM Thursday 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM Friday 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

Doni Spencer, RMT www.donitaspencer.com donitaspencerrmt@gmail.com 162 Stewart Street West Vanderhoof, BC

Ltd.

We thank you for your patronage and look forward to doing business with you in the future!

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Blue Mountain Taxidermy Thank you for your patronage and keeping your

VALLEY DIESEL LTD .

Chris, Rueben and the staff thank you for your continued business this past year!

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Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

www.ominecaexpress.com A9

Customer Appreciation and Small Business Week How to develop an effective safety program for your business Health and safety for business. What comes to mind when you read this? Perhaps your business isn’t in an industry where there are high safety risks involved, and therefore you wouldn’t think there was a need to put the time into a structured program. Not true.

Did you know that any business with five employees or more is required to have a safety program?

Running a small business of any kind, even if you are mainly in an office environment, has the potential for safety hazards. The truth is, no matter how big or small your business is keeping employees safe from any type of harm is imperative to your success. Safety programs provide a clear process to identify hazards in the workplace, prevent employee injuries and plan for emergencies.

Creating a health and safety program for your business also keeps you current with WorkSafeBC’s requirements and promotes employee engagement through a strong culture of safety.

Three areas to think about when developing an effective safety program are: 1. Create a Clear Safety Policy and Process 2. Maintain Proper Safety Equipment 3. Emergency Preparedness For more information on health and safety requirements visit http:// www.worksafebc.com/

TOOL AND EQUIPMENT

RENTAL

We would like to thank you for your support and shopping locally.

The Management and Staff of M4 Enterprises would like to thank our customers for their kind support over the past year .

We have... * Log Splitters * Scissor Lift * Mini Excavator & much, much more

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Commercial & Residential Tools & Equipment Across from Kal Tire in Vanderhoof

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Were you impacted by the Endako Mine closure?

Endako Mine TransiƟonal Training September 28, 2015 - January 21, 2016 The Learning Centre 298 McMillan Avenue, Fraser Lake

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Funding also available for additional certificates, upgrading, trades and/or programs/courses offered at other campus locations (Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof)

For a full listing of programs/courses offered, please visit

www.cnc.bc.ca

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These courses made possible by provincial funding aligned with the B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint

To Celebrate

Customer Appreciation & Small Business Week We would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to all our valued customers throughout the Stuart Nechako.Your patronage through 2015 was greatly appreciated.

We look forward to our continued partnership.

From the management and staff at...

STUART NECHAKO

Reaching Every Door

A10 www.ominecaexpress.com

Express

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

COMMUNITY Got an opinion?

Email newsroom@ ominecaexpress.com.

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VIVIAN CHUI photo

An educator from the Vancouver Aquarium’s mobile program taught ocean stewardship with aquatic artifacts and live animals to students from Mapes and W. L. McLeod elementary schools on Oct. 14.

AquaVan brings sea to Vanderhoof Vivian Chui Omineca Express In addition to the occasional moose and other less-talkative wild neighbours, Vanderhoof’s kids got a chance to welcome faraway visitors from the sea last week.

AquaVan, the Vancouver Aquarium’s mobile education program, brought live animals and artifacts to students from Kindergarten to Gr. 6 at Mapes Elementary school on Oct. 14.

At the last stop of its northwest B.C. tour, it is the first time that the aquarium’s mobile program has come to Vanderhoof in the last few years, said AquaVan educator Drew MacDonald. “We’re very excited to be coming through there, being a landlocked city,â€? MacDonald said. “It’s hard for students in Vanderhoof to see what the ocean is like‌a long drive to Prince Rupert and Vancouver.â€?

Bringing along a variety of invertebrates including sea anemones, sea stars, and sea urchins, the program provides students with hands-on experience to learn about

ocean stewardship, he added. “The decisions you make in landlocked areas can affect the outcomes of the oceans, because all rivers and lakes do connect to the ocean eventually,� MacDonald said. “If students can feel like they have a direct connection to these places, they’ll be more inclined to make decisions that are more conservation-based, like stewards of the ocean.�

Mapes Elementary school’s students played host to visitors from W. L. McLeod Elementary as well, with kids-prepared activities before and after the aquatic programs, said Judith Friesen, principal of Mapes Elementary. “We don’t usually get to host,�

Friesen said. “It’s a privilege.�

At a cost of $1,800, the AquaVan was booked last year, she added. “A lot of kids don’t get to experience the Vancouver Aquarium,� she said.

For Xander Meszarusi, Gr. 1, who has visited the Vancouver Aquarium before, the best part of the event was seeing the animals. “My favourite animal is the hammerhead shark,� Xander said.

Committing to our planet’s future means properly recycling our electronics of the past. That’s why the EPRA works to keep over 15 million devices out of Canadian landfills every year through convenient and regulated e-recycling programs. Plus, recovered materials go back into the manufacturing supply chain so that fewer natural resources are required. Find out how to safely and securely recycle your electronics now.

Nature’s warranty is counting on it.

Learn more about the electronics recycling program at:

recycleMYelectronics.ca/bc

For collection site locations and acceptable products, visit:

return-it.ca/electronics/locations

This program is funded through Environmental Handling Fees that are applicable to new electronics sold in the province.

An industry-led not-for-profit organization

Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Turning the page and starting a new chapter

15 October 2015 marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for our aluminium smelter in Kitimat.

Ken Minifie was there in 1954 when the power to our original smelter was first turned on. We couldn’t have been prouder to bring him back 62 years later to turn off the power to the last potline of that same smelter, which has been a second home to as many as four generations of employees.

Our brand new state-of-the-art aluminium smelter will be here for decades to come, offering employment for future generations.

www.RioTintoBCOperations.com

www.ominecaexpress.com A11

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Express

Mayor Gerry Thiessen

Councillor Darren Carpenter

Councillor Brian Frenkel

NEWS Councillor John Murphy

Councillor Ken Young

Councillor Kevin Moutray

Councillor Steve Little

Council meeting notes Air quality With yard material burning as one of the known causes to Vanderhoof’s high level of fine particulates — as shown in the Ministry of Environment’s recent report, the district’s environment committee is discussing the possibility of banning all backyard burning, except for campfires, within the municipal boundaries, as well as participating in the Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program which provides incentives in replacing old wood stoves.

For yard waste, the district may offer curbside pickup twice a year.

Meetings with the Ministry will continue this week.

Sewage pump upgrade An additional $15,000 will be allocated to upgrade the Bute lift station, which receives

and pumps Vanderhoof’s sewage to treatment lagoons.

The project, totalling $100,000, will replace outdated electronics and telecommunication equipment that had led to regular after-hour alarm calls and obscure replacement parts.

The funds will come from the sewer surplus account of $158,175.

Zoning: industrial to rural The owner of 2010 Mill Road has applied to change the property’s designation from industrial to rural.

With concerns of decreasing land availability for future industries, the district has postponed the discussion until staff returns with an inventory of Vanderhoof’s industrial land.

VIVIAN CHUI photo

Renovation of Rich’s Saw Sales’ facade is well underway on Oct. 14. The business was the fifth applicant of the district council’s Business Facade Improvement Program on Highway 16 this year, supported by NDIT’s matching grant.

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Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Express

www.ominecaexpress.com A13

COMMUNITY

The re-use shed’s current location by the dump was convenient for some, and undesirable by others, according to residents at the public meeting.

Over 60 Vanderhoof residents at re-used shed meeting on Oct. 14.

VIVIAN CHUI photo

Discussion on re-use shed Vivian Chui Omineca Express Over 60 community members, some more vocal than others, attended a public meeting on Vanderhoof’s now-closed re-use shed at the Nechako Senior Citizens Friendship Centre on Oct. 14 evening.

One of the six meetings hosted by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) in communities including Fraser Lake and Fort St. James, the event was intended for attendees to gather in small groups and make written suggestions to address re-used shed concerns as outlined by the regional district — while a RDBN representative mingled among the residents for individual chats, said RDBN’s Director of Environmental Services Janine Dougall.

However, the meeting became a group discussion as some individuals moved tables into a circle, and others leaving midway as the exchange of comments became more heated.

Some attendees lauded the re-use shed’s function as a 24-hour centre facilitating an exchange of re-usable household items that would have otherwise added to the landfill, while others raised doubts against the RDBN’s public safety and liability concerns from the lack of re-use shed supervision.

At the meeting, the Nechako Waste Reduction Initiative (NWRI), a member group of the Nechako Healthy Community Alliance, proposed to have an larger re-use shed space authorized by the regional district, as well as possibly providing a part-time employee from the Initiative that would be compensated by nominal resales of the dropped off items, said NWRI’s Zoe Dhillon.

“Based on what Janine said, we’re not going forward with what we have,” said Dhillon. “So what is the best scenario to make that change.”

Before that, NWRI is suggesting a trial period of six weeks to survey the re-use shed’s activities and usage, said Karen Scheffers from the alliance.

“Just to see what we’re dealing with,” Schef-

fers said. “We’ve never monitored what we actually do up there.”

She added,”It has been a valuable resource and I see more value in it for people who want to start building and creating things with those resources that are up there; they are free.”

For Trudy Northrup, who has moved from New Brunswick to Vanderhoof in 2013, the reuse shed had provided her family with a variety of household items including a wash machine, kitchen supplies, as well as lamps.

“When we came out, my husband and I just had our clothes,” Northrup said. “We didn’t have any personal belongings, furniture or anything.”

For Mayor Gerry Thiessen, the concern lies in the cost implication of hiring staff for the re-use shed.

“The biggest thing I’m afraid of, for my community, is that the only solution we have is raise more taxes, and hire someone there to police it,” Thiessen said. “If they’re not volunteers, by the time you pay all the wages and benefits, and to cover the hours that some of the people are asking…that could be a huge cost to the community of Vanderhoof.”

Jerry Petersen, RDBN’s director of rural Vanderhoof, said the public has to be aware that it’s going to cost, for the re-use sheds to resume running.

“We try to run a safe environment,” Petersen said. “Not long after the transfer station was open, it progressively got worse over the years, as more people use it and see what’s there.”

He added, “It becomes a fight between somebody that really wants to get something for themselves, or somebody to make a business of it.”

Results from the public meetings on re-use sheds will be compiled in a report to be released in the following weeks, said Dougall.

Re-use sheds in six communities of the regional district are closed “until or unless a safe solution is found…due to safety concerns and legal liability to the taxpayers of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako,” according to a motion passed by the RDBN’s board on Aug. 20.

HOLISTIC ALTERNATIVE THERAPY BY MAGDALENA SAITO

VIVIAN CHUI photo

Types of Eczema Eczema as we know is actually a broad title for a number of skin conditions.

Here are some more common & specific types: Atopic Eczema – most common form, linked with asthma and hay fever, usually runs in families. Itching can be unbearable, dry skin, redness & inflammation. Scratching can lead to skin breaking, leaving it open to infection which may then weep.

Allergic contact dermatitis – immune system reacts to contact over period of time (due to repeated contact with substance) [nickle, earrings, belt buckles , perfumes, rubber etc] Irritant Contact Dermatitis – frequent contact with everyday substances such as detergents, or skin irritants, typically in hands of adults who handle the substance.

Infantile Seborrheic Eczema (cradle cap) - affects babies under a year of age, with an unknown cause. May be on scalp or buttocks. It looks unpleasant but is not sore or itchy.

Adult Seborrheic Eczema – affects adults 20-40 yrs of age/ usually seen as mild dandruff but can spread to face, and neck. Skin is red and flakes. May be caused by a yeast growth.

Varicose Eczema – affects lower legs of people in their middle ages. Due to poor circulation the skin around the ankle is affected, is speckled, itchy and inflamed Discoid Eczema - Occurs in adults and appear as coin shaped areas of red skin on trunk or lower legs that are itchy and can weep fluid Next week- what to do for the various types we’ve discussed

Magdalena Saito Holistic Health Practitioner

250-524-0333 -- www.HalcyonHolistic.com

Young Living Essential Oils Distributor & ReÁexologist

Find local employees.

A14 www.ominecaexpress.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Express Regional district forest forum focuses on climate change

NEWS

BC Children’s Hospital annual dinner and auction

Flavio Nienow Lake District News The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) held its second forest forum on Oct. 13, 2015.

Participants included local politicians and representatives from forest industry, community forests, Council of Forest Industries, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, First Nations and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition.

Discussions focused on issues such as changing climate and the significant changes to wildfire management around fuel build up and intensity of fires.

Bill Miller, Director of Electoral Area B, explained that wildfires have had cumulative impacts to the region over the last few years. Miller said discussing sustainable forest practices is vital.

“Forest is our home, our sustenance, our workplace, and our recreation place,” said Miller. “It is a part of who we are.”

He added the forum was important to ensure the RDBN is working collaborative in their approach to getting the best use of the region’s resources and capacities.

Participants heard presentations from Brian Simpson, former Executive Director of the Wildfire Management Branch, Tim Ryan, Board Chair of the Forest Practices Board, and Bradley Martin, Senior Protection Officer with the Northwest Fire Centre.

The forum was a joint initiative by the RDBN and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition.

A report with all forum discussions will be released within the next couple of weeks.

VIVIAN CHUI photo

Close to 200 community members and residents attended the annual Dinner and Auction Evening for BC Children’s Hospital at Vanderhoof’s Nechako Senior Citizens Friendship Centre on Oct. 17.

With all proceeds to go to the children’s hospital in Vancouver that over 50 Vanderhoof kids had visited over the years, a broad range of items donated by local businesses, individuals, and community groups were auctioned off silently and lively, including photography sessions, sports equipment, handmade quilts, gift baskets, baked goods, as well as children’s toys such as science sets and sidewalk chalk packages.

The last BC Children’s Hospital event in Vanderhoof, the Miracle Weekend in May this year, had raised $64, 336.37, contributing to a total of $18.8 million raised in the province.

THE STUART NECHAKO ADVERTISER CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...

VANDERHOOF Omineca Express office Vanderhoof Co-op - Grocery Co-op Mall - Lobby Co-op Mall - Rear Entrance Vanderhoof Co-op - C-Store Extra Foods Vanderhoof Post Office Riverside Place Nechako View Senior’s Home Speedway Road Mapes CJ’s Trailer Court Loop Road Prairiedale Braeside Road Jones Road Sob Lake Road Redfern Drive Sinkut Frontage Road Kenny Dam & Lakes Road J&S Restaurant

ENDAKO Endako Bar & Grill CLUCULZ LAKE BROOKSIDE RESORT FRASER LAKE Par 3 Sports Fraser Lake Building Supplies ENGEN Engen Road Giesbrecht Frontage Road FORT FRASER Fort Fraser Petro Can FORT ST JAMES Lakeshore Realty Sana’aih Market Overwaitea Foods Fort Loonie Bin Fas Gas Plus Lakeside Pharmacy

Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

www.ominecaexpress.com A15

COMMUNITY

Upcoming events at the library Pro-D Day Movie Showing Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods 1:30 pm Friday, Oct. 23 Preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the show Wilderness Author Reading 7:00 pm, Friday October 23 Chris Czajkowski stops at Vanderhoof on her northern book tour Working single-handedly, Chris has built two cabins in the wilderness. She is now

building her final dream home on an abandoned homestead close to Nuk Tessli’s mountains.

She continues to write, draw, paint, take photographs, and generally be creative.

For news of her books, artwork, and adventures, visit her blog: www.wildernessdweller.ca

the book we just read.

Register now at the Library 567-4060 or jennifer@vanderhooflibrary.com

Boys Book Club Ages 9-11 3:30 to 4:30 pm Nov. 26, Jan 29, February 25 We will play some games and talk about

Lego Club A fun drop-in program for school aged children We have the Lego, you bring the ideas and build your own creations 3:00 to 4:00 pm Nov 3 and 17, Dec 1 and 15, Jan 5 and 19, Feb 2 and 16 Children must be accompanied by an adult at all Lego clubs

(From left to right) Ed Johansson, Lois Thomson, Jenny Hague of Service BC, Perry Slump, and Jean Vessey from the Kidney Foundation gathered for the presentation in Vanderhoof on Oct. 16.

VIVIAN CHUI photo

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Kidney donation recognized Vivian Chui Omineca Express Two years ago, Lois Thomson from Vanderhoof was on her fourth month of dialysis to replace the function of her failed kidneys, traveling to Prince George three times a week.

It would be three more months until Jan. 29, 2014, when her 70-year-old uncle donated his kidney and removed Thomson from the list of close to 400 British Columbians waiting for a kidney transplant.

On Oct.16 at the Vanderhoof’s Service BC centre, the Kidney Foundation of Canada presented the Community Leadership Award to Service BC staff in recognition of their role in facilitating organ donor registration. “Some people advertised that they need a kidney,� Thomson said. “For me, it’s a gift that you can’t ask for, freely, unconditionally.�

She added, “I’m just lucky that my uncle asked one day, ‘You still need a kidney?’�

Thomson was diagnosed with the polycystic kidney disease 18 years ago, with no past family history in the illness, she said. “You can have a kidney disease and not know until it’s almost too late,� Thomson said.

As of August this year, Vanderhoof has registered 54 decisions on organ donation, said Perry Slump from the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.

The Community Leadership Award have been presented to staff at Service BC’s 62 locations In

Submit to the

the past week to increase organ donor awareness.

As the third event attended by Service BC’s government agent Ed Johansson, it’s the community stories that gave the recognition a personal touch, he said.

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150 West Columbia, Vanderhoof

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Omineca Express Box 1007 150 W. Columbia Street Vanderhoof BC V0J 3A0 email: office@ ominecaexpress.com Fax: 250-567-2070

A16 www.ominecaexpress.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Express

NEWS Thanksgiving for Vanderhoof seniors Seniors Connected held a thanksgiving lunch on Oct 10 at the North Country Inn. There were 40 seniors came and celebrated with hot turkey sandwich and pumpkin pie. A mystery turkey brought all the seniors a scratch ticket.

Sarah Funk won the top prize of $20.00.

Seniors Connect provides transportation and friendly home visits to all seniors in the Vanderhoof area.

SUBMITTED photo

B.C. : changes to support tenants, landlords, strata corporations VICTORIA - The B.C. government has introduced legislative changes intended to support tenants fleeing family violence, reduce red tape for landlords and tenants and make it easier for members to terminate a strata corporation.

Proposed changes to the Residential Tenancy Act will allow for the early termination of a fixed-term tenancy, commonly known as a lease, by a tenant who is fleeing family violence or who has been accepted into a long-term care facility. This supports government’s commitment to a Violence-Free BC and supports vulnerable seniors.

A further change will allow landlords to repay security deposits by electronic transfer of funds, supporting the Province’s goal of reducing red tape and embracing changing technology.

B.C. is also proposing changes to the Strata Property Act to allow strata corporation members to terminate the corporation by an 80% vote. Currently, a unanimous vote is needed, making it extremely difficult to wind up a corporation in cases where a building is at the end of its life cycle or where strata members wish to sell their property for redevelopment.

The provincial government has consulted

extensively on the proposed changes, which are widely supported by landlord and tenant groups and condominium owners’ associations.

“We want to support the personal safety and health-care needs of people with fixed-term tenancy agreements, and also reduce redtape for landlords,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing. “For strata owners, there’s a need to give them flexibility when their property reaches the end of its life cycle or when the strata members want to re-develop.”

Residential Tenancy Act Currently, tenants can’t end a lease early without a financial penalty, unless the landlord agrees. Under the proposed changes, tenants with personal safety or health-care needs could end their lease by giving their landlord one month’s written notice, accompanied by written third-party verification (eligible third-party verifiers will be professionals who have expertise in assessing risk and safety related to family violence or the need for long-term care).

Another proposed change to the act would allow landlords to repay a tenant’s security deposit by electronic

transfer of funds. Currently, deposits must be returned by ordinary mail, by registered mail or in person.

Strata Property Act A proposed change to the Strata Property Act will make it easier for owners to terminate a strata corporation by lowering the voting threshold from unanimous to 80%.

Owners may wish to terminate their strata corporation for several reasons. As older strata

corporations reach the end of their life cycle, major building and common property components start to fail, resulting in expensive repair bills. In some cases, strata owners want to sell the property to a developer who can put it to better or more profitable uses. For example, strata members living in a low-rise building on a large property may see the opportunity to have the land redeveloped into a larger building with more units.

BC SPCA your first adoption option!

Meet Fisher!

A 9 year old male Border Collie Husky cross, who came to us as a surrender from a local reserve with what we believe to be his brother King.

Fisher is a medium sized dog and is very calm and quiet. He can sit and takes treats extremely gently. He also loves to run in the yard and is overall very well behaved. When he first came to us he was extremely shy and did not walk well on a leash, now however he is warming up to people a little faster and will tolerate walking on leash. He also likes to get lots of attention and love once comfortable around someone. He would be okay with children 12years or older but is hesitant with other dogs therefore a proper, slow introduction when introducing him to a new doggie friends is required. He is overall an amazing dog who is looking for his furrever home and if you are looking for a well behaved, quiet and sweet dog, look no further-Fisher is the right one for you!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADOPT OR NEED MORE INFO PLEASE CALL

250-562-5511

Got an opinion? Drop by 150 West Columbia St. or email newsroom@ ominecaexpress.com.

Every Set of

Lost Keys Has a Story “I want to thank the person who found my keys and called the number on the back of my War Amps key tag. The War Amps returned them to me by courier, free of charge, and saved me hundreds of dollars in replacement costs!” – Alex

Order key tags online.

Every year, The War Amps Key Tag Service returns approximately 13,000 sets of lost keys.

More information on residential tenancies in B.C. can be found on http://www2.gov.bc.ca/ gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies.

The War Amps 1 800 250-3030 waramps.ca Charitable Registration No.: 13196 9628 RR0001

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Driver must be 21 years, present a valid license, major credit card and is subject to all standard conditions & requirements at time of rental. Cannot be combined with other offers. Winner travel dates, times and package components subject to change & availability. Restrictions apply. Contest ends at Midnight October 31, 2015. Visit Hawaii.Com for complete rules and regulations.

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2421 Burrard Ave, Vanderhoof

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Omineca Express Wednesday, October 21, 2015

All Candidates Forum in Vanderhoof

VIVIAN CHUI photo

Close to 70 residents and community members attended Vanderhoof’s All Candidates’ Forum on Oct. 9 at NVSS’s now-renamed Integris Community Theatre.

Five federation election candidates from the Cariboo-Prince George riding attended the forum— Liberal, Tracy Calogheros; Independent, Sheldon Clare; CHP, Adam De Kroon; Conservative, Todd Doherty; and Green, Richard Jaques — while NDP’s Trent Derrick was absent due to sickness.

Moderated by Joe von Doellen, president of the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce, audience questions included the candidates’ knowledge of Vanderhoof, how each party’s plans apply to the region specfically, as well as the implications of the recent Trans-Pacific free trade agreement.

VANDERHOOF’S FAITH

Church Directory For more information or to join Vanderhoof’s Faith Church Directory

Call Pam at 250-567-9258

The Gospel Chapel 448 Connaught Street 11:00 a.m. Worship Service (Affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada) For more information call

567-3107

www.thegospelchapel.ca

Our Mission Glorifying God by helping all people move closer to Jesus Christ one step at a time.

Nechako Christian Fellowship WELCOMES YOU! 11:00 am Worship Service 767 Loop Road Email: NechCS@live.com Christ - Centered Bible - Based Missions - Minded Non-Denominational

“...holding forth the Word of life...” Phil 2:16

Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship

The Church on the Corner “Giving you a Purpose to live for and People to live with” Worship Service: 11:00 am Sunday School: 9:45 am Small Groups meeting together regularly:

1393 Highway 16 East 250-567-4960

We have a place for you to belong!

For more information call

Join us Sundays @ 9:30 am Everyone Welcome!

For more information visit our website: www.vcfemc.com

Visit our website: nechakocommunitychurch.com

567-9198 263 Vanderview Drive

Nechako Notes COMING EVENTS....

Will appear, as space is available, free of charge in this section. Coming events are available to non-profit organizations only. This area is not intended for thank you submissions or selling products. It is simply a place for non-profit organizations a place to announce upcoming free activities. You can e-mail your item to advertising@ominecaexpress.com or by fax (567-2070). Your organizations’ announcement can also be dropped off at our office located at 155 W. Columbia. Decision of the publisher is final. *** ADULT BADMINTON...Thursdays at 8:15pm. Bring your own racket, and wear indoor runners. More info call 250-5679908. *** MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE... advocating for better services in our communities, such as: housing, counseling, education and job opportunities. Meetings held on the second Thursday of each month via – video conferencing from the communities of; Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Granisle, Ft. St. James, Southside and Vanderhoof.

1:30 – 3:00. In Vanderhoof meetings are held in the boardroom at the hospital.

Clients, family members and community partners are invited to attend. Your voice is IMPORTANT. For more info on the committee and it’s works contact: Heather @ 250-692-7500. Or your Mental Health Service Provider *** Dates for the 38TH ANNUAL NECHAKO VALLEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS will be March 9-20, 2016. Please keep these dates in mind to support our performers in speech, piano, strings and vocal disciplines. Please visit the website for more details. www.musicfestivalweb. com/nechako The committee is always looking for volunteers to help plan this event so if you are interested call Swan @ 250 567 9501. *** GIRL GUIDES...

Sparks meets 5-6pm Mondays @ United Church.

Brownies meets 6-7:30pmm Mondays @ United Church.

Girl Guides meets 6-7:30pm, Mondays at St. Josephs Gym. Pathfinders meets 6-7:30pm Mondays @ Lutheran Church.

For info on any of these please call Laura Freeman 250-567-6997. *** DO YOU HAVE PERSISTENT PAIN? Then this support group is for you.

This peer-led support group will help you to self-manage your pain, provide education, reduce the isolation that so many people with persistent pain find themselves facing. Help you find meaning and purpose in your life again.

For more details visit our website or call our toll free number 1-844-747-7246, email: vanderhoof@pipain.com, attn: Racquel. *** VANDERHOOF AIR CADETS... Meetings - Tues 6:30-9:30 at the Gospel Chapel For more information call: 250640-0218 or 250-570-7496 *** STUART NECHAKO MANOR...looking for volunteers.

Help needed with outings, Serving meals, entertainment and visits for the residents. Please contact Marnie at 250 567 6290 for more information. *** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED....Would you like to become part of a team working together to improve the quality of life for stroke survivors? The Vanderhoof Stroke Recovery Group is looking for volunteers to join their team. Vanderhoof Stroke Recovery’s goal is to encourage stroke survivors to improve their lives through education, exercise, work groups, crafts, outings, etc. No special skills required; training and orientation are provided. Patience and caring understanding a necessity. Volunteers share responsibilities: assisting with activities, exercises, education, crafts, outings, fund raising. Time commitment: 3 hour meeting each Monday morning (excluding stat holidays), from September through mid-June.

Please contact Penny (250) 567-3966 vanderhoofstrokerecovery@ gmail.com *** SENIORS CONNECTED... is looking for Seniors in need of Outreach & Transportation. We are also taking applications for Volunteers wanting

www.ominecaexpress.com A17

PICTURE THIS....Your activity could be featured in “Picture This.” Snap a photo at your groups’ fundraiser. It could be anything from a car wash to cleaning up our streets. It could even include school activities. Basically people making a difference in our community. Send us your photo by e-mail (advertising@ominecaexpress.com) or drop it off at the Omineca Express (150 W. Columbia Street). Please provide a brief description accompanied with the photo.

This week’s submission....

On September 30th, students at NVSS and other participating schools, wore orange shirts to acknowledge and honour First Nations people affected by residential schools.

to take part in the VSC Program.

Vanderhoof Seniors Connected is a program dedicated to improving the quality of life for Seniors/Elders in our community through Companionship and Transportation Assistance. Phone 250-567-8587.

For more information contact email at vanderhoofseniors@hotmail.com *** CALLING ALL SENIORS... come and join us for carpet bowling, pool or snooker - Monday and Thursday afternoons at the Friendship Centre. We also have cards or bingo on Wednesday evenings. Music nights are also popular and these are the last Friday night of the month. Come and have some fun!

Everybody welcome young or golden agers. Call Erling Clemmensen for more info: 250-567-9927. *** AL-ANON...Has your life been affected by someone elses drinking? The AlAnon is for you! Meetings held on Mondays at 7pm in Community Room at Omineca Safe Home Society. For more information contact Gail at 567-4318. *** THE NORTHSIDE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE...meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Newcomers always welcome. For more information call Brenda, 250 567-9705. *** V’HOOF HOSPICE SOCIETY... Do you have a few hours a month to give? Are you sensitive to the special needs of those persons at the end stages of life?

Want to be part of a great organization that makes a difference in our community, then we are looking for you.

The V’hoof Hospice Society is a not-for profit charity looking for new volunteer members. Our Society has a desire to help others. We are sensitive to the special needs of the dying patient and their families. We do not have personal agendas or “missions” to our Hospice work. Our main fundraising come in the form of donations to our Tree of Life. We are looking for new members to continue this great service. For more info call Valerie Pagdin at 250-567-6218 (weekdays), 250-567-3889 (evenings/ weekends) or vanderhoofhospice@ gmail.com *** THE FOOD BANK... is in serious need of food donations. Specifically the following is needed: “Chunky” soups and stews and canned milk. *** BADMINTON AT FLESS GYM... Every Thursday at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. come out and have some fun! *** ENDAKO HALL SOCIETY... meets every THIRD Wednesday of the month in the hall at 7:30pm. *** THE YELLOWHEAD DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION...is an organization for those interested in light and heavy horse driving. Monthly meetings every second Tuesday of the month. For more info contact: Jon 250-567-8484. ***

NECHAKO QUILTERS GUILD... meets the third Tuesday of the month 9:30 am (Sept. - May) at Nechako View Seniors Common Room. Fran Sheeley 5675254. *** THE FRASER QUILTERS GUILD... meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am at the Fort Fraser Community Hall. Newcomers welcome. *** HOSPICE TREE OF LIFE... is to honour the living as well as to remember and honour those who have passed on.

For more info call Valerie Pagdin at 250-567-6218 (weekdays), 250567-3889 (evenings/weekends) or vanderhoofhospice@gmail.com *** THE FRASER LAKE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP... meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 12 noon in Autumn Services. For further information call Judy at 250-699-7763. *** VANDERHOOF 899 AIR CADET SQUADRON...Cadets will meet every TUESDAY night – 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the 480 Connaught St. at the Gospel Chapel. Anyone age 12 to 18 interested in the Cadet Program is welcome to attend. Any adult interested in assisting in anyway, please contact the officers at the 480 Connaught St. at the Gospel Chapel Tuesday night. For more information call: Capt. John Callaghan 250-640-0218, Yvonne Melo - 250-6907496 Evenings. *** AA MEETING... Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.

United Church Hall. 567-8087 or 5674588 *** FRASER LAKE AA MEETINGS...

Tues & Thurs 8:00 p.m. at St. Wilfred’s Church just across from the Village Hall. *** ST. JOHN HOSPITAL AUXILIARY SOCIETY... meets second Tuesday of the month (with the exception of July & August) at 7:00 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. For further info contact Edna 567-9759 - New members welcome. *** VANDERHOOF LIBRARY HOURS Tuesday 10:00am to 5:00pm Wednesday 10:00am to 5:00pm & 6:30pm to 8:30pm Thursday 10:00am to 5:00pm Friday 10:00 am to 6:00pm Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm *** FRASER LAKE LIBRARY HOURS Sunday & Monday Closed Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday & Thursday 12pm - 8pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 2pm *** NVSS BOTTLE DEPOT HOURS Open Mon, Tues, Friday 11am-5pm Saturday 10am-5 p.m.

A18 www.ominecaexpress.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Your community. Your classiďŹ eds.

250.567.9258 fax 250.567-2070 email advertising@ominecaexpress.com

150 W Columbia Street, PO Box 1007 Vanderhoof, BC, V0J3A0

Announcements

Travel

Employment

Services

Merchandise for Sale

Real Estate

Information

Travel

Help Wanted

Financial Services

Misc. for Sale

Real Estate

NEED A loan? Own property?

Have bad credit? We can help!

Call toll free 1-866-405-1228 ďŹ rstandsecondmortgages.ca

SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSaw mills.com/400OT 1-800-5666899 Ext:400OT. STEEL BUILDINGS. “Madness sale!� All buildings, all models. You’ll think we’ve gone mad deals. Call now and get your deal. Pioneer Steel 1800-668-5422 or visit online: www.pioneersteel.ca

FOUNTAIN OF Youth Spa RV Resort is your winter destination for healing mineral waters, ďŹ ve-star facilities, activities, entertainment, ďŹ tness, friends, and youthful fun! $9.95/day for new customers. Reservations: 1-888-800-0772, foyspa.com.

Employment

Phone:

250-567-9258 Fax:

250-567-2070 E-Mail: advertising@ ominecaexpress. com OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Friday 8:30am - 5:00 pm Omineca Express published every Wednesday Stuart/Nechako Advertiser published every Friday ADVERTISING DEADLINES Express -- Friday, 12-noon Advertiser -- Tuesday, 12-noon

TERMS & CONDITIONS Advertisements should be read on the ďŹ rst publication day. We are not responsible for errors appearing beyond the ďŹ rst insertion. NO CASH REFUNDS AGREEMENT: It is agreed by any display or classiďŹ ed advertiser requesting space that the liability of the paper in the event that errors occur in the publishing of any advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and there will be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION: Advertisers are reminded that provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminated against any person because of race, religion, sex, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin, or age unless the condition is justiďŹ ed by a bona ďŹ de requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHT: Copyright and/or property rights subsist in all advertisements and in all other advertising material appearing in this edition of the Omineca Express. Permission to reproduce wholly or in any part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canadabeneďŹ t.ca/free-assessment

Denied Long-Term Disability BeneďŹ ts or other insurance?

If YES, call or email for FREE initial legal consultation and protect your right to compensation.

778-588-7049 Julie@LawyersWest.ca www.LawyersWest.ca

Business Opportunities GET FREE vending machines can earn $100,000 + per year.

All cash-locations provided.

Protected Territories. Interest free ďŹ nancing. Full details call now 1-866-668-6629 Website www.tcvend.com.

HIP OR knee replacement?

Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

NECHAKO RESERVOIR UPDATE

HUGE DEMAND for Medical Transcriptionists! CanScribe is Canada’s top Medical Transcription training school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today! 1-800-4661535. www.canscribe.com or info@canscribe.com.

Reservoir Elevation: 852.83m (2798.02 ft.)

SLS Discharge: 31.8 m3/s Cheslatta Falls: 32.4 m3/s Vanderhoof: 46 m3/s

Contact Rio Tinto Alcan at 250-5675105 for more information. A recording of this notice is available 24-hours in Vanderhoof at 250567-5812

www.ronsmachinetools.ca We Offer Computer software, Over 5 million automotive parts.

Tools for aircraft, automotive etc. Custom made boats.

Firearm/camping/ďŹ shing supplies. Amish furniture etc.

Philippine wedding clothes.

Badminton, tennis, golf & other sports supplies. Dating sites. World class medical info on heart disease, diabetes, MS, arthritis osteoporosis & more.

Travel

Timeshare CANCEL YOUR Timeshare.

No risk program stop mortgage & maintenance payments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consultation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.

Eagle Automotive in Burns Lake requires an energetic individual to join our Service Department.

Job Responsibilities: • Greet customers and assist them with any inquiries • Document services • Keep customer informed on completion times, service expenses, and possible changes • Remain involved with delivery of vehicle to customer upon completion to assure all customer concerns are addressed • Build strong relationships with the customers A competitive compensation package is available.

Applicants should direct their resumes to the attention of David in person or via e-mail to eagleauto@telus.net

Medical/Dental

14 October 2015

Spillway discharge will be maintained at approximately 32 m3/s until April 2016, unless inow to the reservoir requires additional releases to manage reservoir elevation.

On 15 October the last remaining aluminum smelting line of the old Rio Tinto smelter in Kitimat will be shut down. The new smelter is being brought into production over a period of several months.

The new smelter produced its ďŹ rst hot metal at the end of June 2015. As of 14 October 2015 there are 141 pots started out of 384. The new smelter is expected to be fully energized by midDecember with full production reached in early 2016. When in full production the new smelter will produce approximately 420,000 tonnes of aluminum per year. This will require nearly all the ďŹ rm electricity produced at Kemano. the month of September.

Visit website www.waterofďŹ ce.ec.gc.ca for up to date real-time ow information for the Nechako River.

SERVICE WRITER

Services

Financial Services

WANT A recession proof career? Power Engineering 4th Class. Work practicum placements, along with an on-campus boiler lab. Residences available. Starting January 4, 2016. GPRC Fairview Campus. 1-888-539-4772 or online at; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

TAX FREE MONEY is available, if you are a homeowner, today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime 1-800-639-2274 or 604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

Home Improvements FULL SERVICE plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1800-573-2928.

Full Time Permanent Wage $38.89-$47.05 Over 2 years Civil Technologist diploma required.

Duties include surveying, design, contract preparation, and inspection on principal projects. Must be proďŹ cient with electronic survey equipment, and AutoCad 3D. Please Apply By November 3, 2015 4:30 pm, By : Fax 1-(250) 632-4995, or e-mail: dok@kitimat.ca Visit: www.kitimat.ca MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-7683362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

Education/Trade Schools

TRY A CLASSIFIED AD

Real Estate Acreage for Sale

Heavy Duty Machinery Lakefront Acreages

640 Clark line skidder, doesn’t run, needs a new starter, must be moved

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

(250) 698-7533

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

$500 Obo.

133-264 acres, good ďŹ shing & hay producing, middle of the best farming & ranching area of BC.Visit our website for more properties starting from $27,000.

Contact: sales@niho.com or Call: 604.606.7900 Website: www.Niho.com

For Sale By Owner 2013 WinďŹ eld Mobile 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 924 sq.ft. All appliances, in a quiet park, open concept. $104,900.00 Phone 567-4950.

Career Opportunities

Logging Truck Owner Operators Required Full-Time for Selkin Logging Ltd. for the Vanderhoof/Fraser Lake Areas.

For more information call or leave a message 250-699-6554

Trades, Technical

)HWFK D 'RJ )URP WKH 6KHOWHU

Merchandise for Sale

Career Opportunities CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST II District of Kitimat

Misc. Wanted FIREARMS. ALL types wanted, estates, collections, single items, military. We handle all paperwork and transportation.

Licensed Dealer. 1-866-9600045. www.dollars4guns.com.

Trades, Technical

4HE "#30#! CARES FOR THOUSANDS OF ORPHANED ABAN DONED AND ABUSED DOGS EACH YEAR )F YOU CAN GIVE A HOMELESS DOG A SECOND CHANCE AT HAPPINESS PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER TODAY

"#30#!

WWW SPCA BC CA Career Opportunities

Processor Operator Required for Barlow Lake Logging in Vanderhoof, B.C. Must have a minimum of 2 years previous experience as a Processor Operator. All contracts are in the Vanderhoof area.

Competitive Wages Commensurate With Experience & Benefits after 3 months.

Please call Les at 250-567-0770.

Tahtsa Timber Ltd. is looking for

FIELD MECHANIC (Burns Lake Area)

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

Responsible for operating service truck and maintaining logging equipment. Experience with Waratah Processors, and Madill Equipment required. The successful candidate will work well with others and be a problem solver.

TRAIN TO be an apartment/condo manager. Many jobs registered with us. Good wages and beneďŹ ts. Government certiďŹ ed online course.

35 years of success! www.RMTI.ca/enq

Contact Tahtsa Timber Office email: reception@tahtsa.ca Phone: 250-692-7640 Fax: 250-692-7140

V’HOOF HOSPICE SOCIETY... Do you have a few hours a month to give? Are you sensitive to the special needs of those persons at the end stages of life? Want to be part of a great organization that makes a difference in our community, then we are looking for you. The V’hoof Hospice Society is a not-for-profit charity looking for new volunteer members. Our Society has a desire to help others. We are sensitive to the special needs of the dying patient and their families. We do not have personal agendas or “missions� to our Hospice work. Our main fundraising come in the form of donations to our Tree of Life. We are looking for new members to continue this great service. For more info call Valerie Pagdin at 250-567-6218 (weekdays), 250-567-3889 (evenings/weekends) or vanderhoofhospice@gmail.com

Omineca Express Wednesday, October 7, 2015

www.ominecaexpress.com A19

Rentals

Rentals

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Homes for Rent

Townhouses

ABOVE THE REST!

3bedroom, 1 bath mobile home in trailer park. Newer furnace and windows.

No dogs allowed. Must be quiet and willing to follow park rules.

Call Sam 250-570-2304.

3/bdrm townhouses: familyfriendly complex, near schools & park. No smoking, no pets. $760/mth. 250-567-4430

Victoria Manor

Large 2 Bdrm from

$742 - $772

Large 1 Bdrm from

$712 - $742

NO SMOKING - NO PETS

* Balconies * Landscaped View * Cablevision Available

Rentals

Silvermill Apartments Secure quiet apartments VACANCY 250-567-4208

Office/Retail

WHERE DO YOU TURN

TO LEARN WHAT’S ON SALE?

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR LEASE 1292 Main St., Smithers. 5920 sq. ft. Available Jan. 2016.

Please email svalu67@telus.net for more information.

The link to your community

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

BURRARD APARTMENTS. Two bdrm suites. No pets 250-567-9128

YOUR NEWSPAPER:

NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT LICENCE W1709

250-567-4048 or 250-567-9080

Please be advised that Melville Keith Gulbranson is proposing to remove the private land from Woodlot Licence W1709 (approximately 325 hectares), located in the vicinity of Sackner Pit and North Chilco.

TRY A CLASSIFIED AD

MAKE YOUR POINTOF-SALE

Rentals

Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to Van Dolah Enterprises Inc., 2417A Burrard Avenue, PO Box 1555, Vanderhoof, BC by November 16, 2015

Advertise your goods and services in the Classifieds and reach hundreds of potential buyers daily.

Call today to place your ad and make a sale quickly.

Only written inquiries received by the above date will be responded to.

Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting: John Prestmo Van Dolah Enterprises Inc. 250 567 2775 jprestmo@vandolah.com NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT LICENCE W0284 Please be advised that Hart Lake Holdings Ltd. is proposing to remove the private land from Woodlot Licence W0284 (approximately 500 hectares), located in the vicinity of Hart Lake.

Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to Van Dolah Enterprises Inc., 2417A Burrard Avenue, PO Box 1555, Vanderhoof, BC by November 16, 2015 Only written inquiries received by the above date will be responded to.

Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting: John Prestmo Van Dolah Enterprises Inc. 250 567 2775 jprestmo@vandolah.com

250-567-9258

Village of Fraser Lake PUBLIC NOTICE Please be advised the Council of the Village of Fraser Lake will be considering the final adoption of the Village of Fraser Lake Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 773, 2015 at the Regular Meeting of Council on Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30 PM in the Municipal Council Chambers at 210 Carrier Crescent. The property tax exemptions listed below are not new exemptions but under the Community Charter, Municipal Council must give notice of the proposed Permissive Tax Exemptions.

These exemptions are for the 2016 taxation year only and are authorized by the following sections of the Community Charter: Section 224(2)(f) permits Council, by bylaw, to grant further tax exemptions to the “area of land surrounding the exempt building” set aside for public worship under Section 220(1)(h). Section 224(2)(i) permits Council, by bylaw, to exempt from taxation land and improvements “owned or held by an athletic or service club or association and used as a public park or recreation ground for public athletic or recreational purposes”.

PROPERTIES AND DOLLAR VALUES EXEMPTED Estimated Estimated Estimated 2016 Tax 2017 Tax 2018 Tax Exemption Exemption Exemption a) Anglican Synod, Diocese of Caledonia Lot 148, Plan 5688, District Lot 2011 $314.22 $314.22 $314.22 Folio 669.00 b) Lakeview Bible Chapel Trustees Congregation, Lots 75-76, Plan 5688 District Lot 617, Folio 598.500

$303.83

$303.83

$303.83

$248.00

$248.00

$248.00

d) Roman Catholic Episcopal Prince Rupert, Lot 18, Plan 5688, District Lot 617, Folio 542.001

$244.10

$244.10

$244.10

e) West Fraser Mills Ltd, Lot 167 Plan 5688, District Lot 2011 Folio 681.100

$380.44

$380.44

$380.44

c) Trustees of the Congregation of the Fraser Lake’s Jehovah Witnesses, Lot 51, Plan 5688, District Lot 2011 Folio 575.001

Elizabeth Litke Director of Finance

VANDERHOOF AND AREA BUSINESS DIRECTORY

EXCAVATING PRAIRIEDALE EXCAVATING Tandem dump truck, 4x4 Backhoe, gravel sales, general hauling, foundations, water & sewer lines and snow removal.

PLUMBING

FRANK TEICHROEB 3393 Sinkutview Rd, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A2 567-2029

ADVERTISING

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Commercial and Industrial Plumbing and HVAC Heavy Water and Civil Construction Water Treatment and Filtration Systems

All jobs BIG or small, give us a call!

EXCAVATING

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For All of Your Excavating Needs Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Lot clearing, waterlines, foundations, driveway construction, planning and installation of Septic Systems

INSTALLATION & REPAIRS

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Telephone: 250-567-3855 Fax: 250-567-9695 Email: info@centralinteriorex.com Excavators, Backhoes, Crawler Tractors, End Dump

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING

ADvertiser STUART NECHAKO

Serving Fort St. James and area since 1972

Reaching Every Door

Pam Berger Publisher

Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake

Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake

Pam Berger Publisher

Pam Berger Publisher

250-996-8482 Advertising: advertising@ominecaexpress.com News: newsroom@caledoniacourier.com Website: www.caledoniacourier.com

150 W. Columbia St Box 1007, Vanderhoof BC V0J 3A0

Tel: 250-567-9258 Fax: 250-567-2070

ADVERTISING

Email: advertising@ominecaexpress.com

150 W. Columbia St Box 1007, Vanderhoof BC V0J 3A0

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE HERE GIVE US A CALL: 250-567-9258

Tel: 250-567-9258 Fax: 250-567-2070 Email: advertising@ominecaexpress.com

A20 www.ominecaexpress.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Omineca Express

Express

SPORTS Zone champion title defended Vivian Chui Omineca Express

VIVIAN CHUI photo

At their second season, the NVSS girls rugby team have qualified for the provincial tournament next spring.

For the second season in a row, Vanderhoof’s rugby girls reign supreme in the northwest zone.

Hosting the zone championships for the first time last weekend, the NVSS girls rugby team triumphed over Smithers at 22 to 10 in the finals match on Saturday morning.

“We really brought it together this time,” said Kia Bruvold, one of the team’s two coaches. “Really happy to bring it home at home.”

She added, “It proved that they were listening.”

Competition was tight among the five junior and senior teams across the region — including Smithers and Houston —as round robin matches on Friday afternoon came to a draw between Houston and Smithers, as well as Houston and Vanderhoof at 5 to 5.

Friday’s matches had ended with Vanderhoof defeating Smithers 37 to 5.

Bruvold said the amount of support at home helped the rugby team as well, as their work and training paid off.

“They did us proud,” she said. “Hope they’ll do us proud again in the spring.”

The NVSS girls rugby team will head south to compete in the provincial championship next April.

Boys soccer returns to Vanderhoof’s fields Vivian Chui Omineca Express After two years of hiatus, NVSS’s soccer boys have returned to shoot goals for Vanderhoof.

Hosting their first home game against Burns Lake on Oct.14, the team only had seven potential recruits last year — the minimum number is 14, said NVSS’s soccer coach Jeremy Hara.

“I was surprised there were so many players who signed up this year,” said Hara, who also coaches the school’s girls soccer team.

Although the team’s current roster of 15 to 16 players encompasses all grades from nine to 12, this year is the first soccer season for the majority of the players, as they participate in other sports such as football, hockey, and cross-country, Hara said.

“I try to keep them playing and developing off season,” he said, as he coordinates community drop-in soccer sessions throughout the summer.

Jonathan Read, a Gr. 9 member of the team, said he plans to play for NVSS every year — he

had hoped to sign up in Gr. 8 as well.

“I’ve played community soccer since I was 10,” Read said.

With zone championships taking place in 100 Mile House on Oct. 31, the high school boys soccer season will finish, if

qualified, at the provincial tournament during the second week of November.

So far, the team has one win against Northside Christian School, one loss against Smithers, and two losses against Burns Lake.

Obstacle footwork training for football

VIVIAN CHUI photo VIVIAN CHUI photo

The NVSS boys soccer team (yellow) hosted their first home game against Burns Lake on Oct. 14.

An NVSS athlete sidestepped around foam blocks, training agility with footwork exercises at a routine football practice on Oct. 14.