InteriorNEWS THE
108th Year - Week 50 •
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
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Katrina and Luke Hill and their children Amber, 1, and Jacob, 4, lost their rural home in Quick when fire engulfed the property on Nov. 27. Now the community is fundraising to help them rebuild. Story, A17. Alicia Bridges photo
Hwy 16 transport plan No more rec director By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News
Security webcams at bus stations and funding for communities to launch their own public transit systems were among the measures included in the B.C. government’s $3 million transportation plan for Highway 16, announced on Monday. At a press conference in Victoria, Transportation Minister Todd Stone revealed a five-point plan based in part on recommendations from a symposium held in Smithers in November. The biggest sum under the plan was a $1.6 million funding pool for communities to expand their own transit services and possibly launch new ones. The Minister proposed three possible routes connecting communities along Highway 16, including one from Burns Lake, Houston, Telkwa and Smithers. A second proposed route would connect Hazelton, Gitsegukla, Kitwanga and Terrace and a third route would travel
between Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof and Prince George. Another $750,000 in grants will be available over three years for communities to purchase and operate vehicles, as well as $150,000 for a First Nations driver education program. The government will also invest $500,000 over two years to install webcams and upgrade transit shelters for security reasons. The fifth part of the plan is a commitment to foster greater collaboration between organizations including B.C. Transit, Northern Health and not-for-profits. An advisory council whose members include the mayors of Burns Lake and Houston will meet early in 2016. Their job will be to develop a process through which communities can apply for the funding. “Partnering with local governments, First Nations communities and organizations, the Ministry is ensuring they are active participants with a vested interest in selecting the transportation services that best meet their needs,” said Minister Stone.
By Chris Gareau
Smithers/Interior News
The Town of Smithers no longer has a director for recreation, parks and culture. Andrew Hillaby is leaving after eight years after council decided to remove the position and replace it with a coordinator who will administer recreation programs and report to the director of works and operations. “Council has decided to move back to a model that was used previously,” explained Mayor Taylor Bachrach. “It’s more of a hands-on, boots on the ground type position really focused on delivering a few of the core services, and that includes managing the arena rentals and field rentals.” The mayor said council will review recreation offerings, speak to stakeholders, and focus on the core services. He said staff levels will
remain the same. Hillaby did not respond to a request for an interview, but did send a list of over 40 recreation stakeholders that have worked with him. Sign survey available All community members are invited to take part in a sign bylaw review survey, available on the Town’s website, that could reshape how Smithers looks. The deadline is Jan. 25. Sign tours will take place Jan. 19 at noon and Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. starting at Bovill Square. The bylaw review was initiated after a complaint on one Main Street business led to the revelation that a majority of businesses and offices were likely breaking the bylaw in some way. The rules were put in place to create a alpine village theme. Town staff is researching towns like Whistler and Banff to reshape the new rules to be presented in March. See COUNCIL on A7
CULLEN TALKS CLIMATE IN PARIS Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP reacts to international climate agreement talks.
EYES IN THE SKY OVER HWY 16 Satellite service and smartphone app could make Highway 16 safer.
GRAMMY HOPES FOR CUBA Smithers musician nominated for coveted music award.
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Enter into our 12 Days of Christmas Draw. You could win a GIANT pallet of groceries! No purchase necessary, limit one entry per visit. If you make a donation to the BC Children’s Hospital, we’ll give you an extra entry! Final Day to enter is Dec. 22 and the draw date is Dec. 23.