InteriorNEWS THE
108th Year - Week 46 •
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
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Wet’suwet’en elders Irene Brown (Dzeeh), Henry Alfred (Watahk’eght), Katherine Naziel (Ts’ilhnan), Frank Alec Jr. (Dunen) and Moricetown Health director Ron Mitchell (Hagwilneghl) cut the ribbon to the $2.7-million Moricetown Health Centre on Friday. Story, page A12. Alicia Bridges photo
Hudson Bay Mtn hosts ski cross Backyard hen bylaw
nationals in big event season coming home to roost
By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
Smithers will be welcoming some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world this season. The national ski cross championship was a surprise event for Smithers last winter, with Alpine Canada seeking snow for its skiers in a dry winter for Prince George. This year, Hudson Bay Mountain and the Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club (SSSC) have more time to prepare before its arrival, along with two NorAm events March 15-19. They are also getting set to host other big events in an exciting year for the Smithers landmark. The Canadian Snowboard Federation and the BC Snowboard Association are bringing the BC Snowboard Provincial Series boarder cross to the mountain Jan. 22-
24, a first for northern B.C., according to SSSC head coach and program director Jan Wengelin. “For them to actually come up here, for us its surprising,” said Wengelin. “It’s a big deal,” said SSSC snowboard chair Warren Pali. Smithers was even in the running for the Ski Cross World Junior Championships. “We missed it with one vote. It went to Val Thorens, France,” said Wengelin. “Even to be there in that arena is huge. That was a win right there,” said Pali. Before the snowboarding provincial series, the provincial snowboard cross team is arriving early for a training camp. “That is huge because not only do we get more athletes coming up here, but our athletes get to have a chance to watch these kids that are going to move on to compete all over North America,” said Wengelin. See BOON on A19
Smithers/Interior News
A proposal to allow Smithereens to have backyard hens is ready to hatch after council passed third readings last Tuesday and indicated that it will be adopted at its next meeting. “I think access to food and food security is something that municipalities all over North America are starting to focus on,” said Mayor Taylor Bachrach. “Agriculture is a big part of our history in the Bulkley Valley, and backyard chickens allow people to have some small scale food production, even if they live right in town. My family has a really
big garden and the ability to raise our own food is a really special experience.” Town planner Liliana Dragowska presented a slideshow to the packed gallery at last Tuesday’s council meeting to help explain just what was going into the Animal Control and Licensing bylaw and amendment to the town’s zoning bylaw. Up to six laying hens would be allowed on R1, R2 and R6 properties with lot sizes bigger than 550 metres squared. No ducks, roosters or other poultry would be allowed. Renters must get permission from the property owner. A fully enclosed coop is required to protect against predators. See CHICKEN on A8
CULLEN’S NEW CRITIC ROLES Local MP takes on environment and democratic reform portfolios.
ABORIGINAL GRAD RATES Smithers and Hazelton school district leaders share strategies, results.
HEALTH SERVICE LOSES FUNDING Gitanmaax Band withdraws its funding for Gitxsan Health Society.
NEWS/A2
NEWS/A4
THREE RIVERS/A28
Friday Only!
Western Family Toilet Paper see last page in A
By Chris Gareau
2 Varieties Double Roll 24 roll
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