Jazz McPherson BUYING OR SELLING?
250-443-9088 WWW.PROPERTIESGF.COM
HAPPY NEW YEAR
GREAT DEALS this January
50% OFF
Gazette Grand Forks
Like us on
Your community voice since 1897
Follow us on
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016
$1.10 (includes tax)
VOL 119 NO. 1
Demenoff plans to return to practice Page 10
Kettle River claims life CRAIG LINDSAY
Christmas & Home Decor
Selected
Grand Forks Gazette
75% OFF
Onesole Shoes Plus take one shoe top for FREE Additional tops 75% off While supplies last.
THISTLE POT GIFTS TPG
337 Market Ave. Downtown Grand Forks 250.442.1214
HAPPY NEW YEAR
wishing everyone a prosperous
A local man has died after falling through the ice on the Kettle River just east of Grand Forks on Wednesday (Dec. 30). The BC Coroner’s Service has confirmed the deceased as Thomas Charles Grubisic, aged 54, of Grand Forks. Grubisic fell through the ice at approximately 2:45 p.m. An RCMP press release stated that a witness saw Grubisic and called police. “RCMP officers arrived on the scene and spotted Grubisic through binoculars and observed him in the water hanging on to the ice edge,” said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, district advisory NCO, Southeast Division, in the release. “RCMP officers were a distance away when they spotted him and were unable to reach him prior to Grubisic losing his grip and going under.” On Thursday, RCMP dive teams and search and rescue personnel were able to locate and recover Grubisic, deceased, from the river. The crews, which included personnel from the RCMP, fire/rescue, ambulance, search
and rescue units from Nelson, Penticton and Grand Forks, and cold water trained firefighters, found the body at around 11:10 a.m. on Thursday after searching for a couple of hours.
The coroner’s report stated that tracks in the snow indicated that Grubisic was trying to walk across the ice covered river in an area just south of Highway 3 near the Riviera RV Park.
Regional district makes plans for 2016
Gayle Holmes
250.442.7516 gayleholmes1@gmail.com
Sheri Regnier Trail Times
AN AVI LEWIS FILM
Narrated and inspired by the book by Naomi Klein
JAN. 7, 2016 7:00 PM GEM THEATRE
Includes Discussion Admission: Adults $8 • Youth $6 Proceeds will be given to climate action in the Boundary for more info: thischangeseverything.org
RCMP dive teams and search and rescue personnel worked together on Dec. 31 to recover the body of a man who fell into the Kettle River the day before. Craig Lindsay photo
Nothing is rubber stamped and all 13 directors are tuned into regional district business, says Grace McGregor. “We’ve been working hard on becoming a unified board and I believe we have that,” said McGregor, director for Area C/Christina Lake. “People are reading their agendas, paying attention and asking questions,” she added. “I think those conversations are what make the board even better.” Now entering her third year as chair of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) board, McGregor is eager to start things up in the new year, beginning with a streamlined timetable. “What we’ve been working on is stacking meetings, piggy-backing if you will, and simplifying it a bit,”
Gary Smith 250
443.1256 250.442.2711 www.grandforksrealestate.ca
she explained. “So people aren’t on the road all the time.” There are currently 19 committees, not including select committees, and winter travel can be especially cumbersome between Grand Forks and Trail. Beginning January, Committee of the Whole days are planned, meaning two or three committee meetings scheduled over the course of one day instead of three separate days. “We are giving that a try and hoping it will work,” said McGregor. “Because it will free up time for elected officials to spend more time in their respective communities, and take on other portfolios they’ve wanted to do, but haven’t had the time to do.” Another trial starting in the new year could keep agenda matters moving along during the winter months despite the weather.
Do you know someone who wants to sell on the Lower Mainland? In the Okanagan? Friends from Alberta and points east looking to move to Boundary Country? I specialize in working with people looking to settle in the Boundary. Full service, full time. Million dollar seller! Call me today or email: grandforksgary@gmail.com. All referrals rewarded! Let’s “Gitterdun!”
Broadband Internet service was upgraded in the Grand Forks location this month, allowing for telecommunication in future situations when driving conditions are poor. “I would like to make this clear that we are not looking at video conferencing to take over board meetings or face-to-face meetings,” McGregor clarified. “We are looking at video conferencing for committees when weather is bad or things prevent us from getting together,” she said. “Or, if someone wants to do a board presentation, it’s not always convenient for people to come to our little world…we can still do the work without putting it on the back burner, and sometimes that information is what provides good understanding and good decision making.” Another undertaking launching in the new year is an overall review of the organization that is meant to
BO B BU G EAU D
HOUSES FOR SALE
PRIVATE YARD; 4 bdrm home many updates on large fenced lot in Greenwood. $219,000. MLS® 2407327
250-449-1982
help improve both governance and administration. “I think, quite frankly, our people at the regional district are very, very busy,” she said. “We may find out, they are too busy.” The goal is to identify which operations are working efficiently as well as areas that require improvement. “I think people get lost in the ideas of cutbacks and they forget communication and good service is also the primary goal,” McGregor continued. “If you can cutback and not lose service then fine—if you can’t, then you need to find a different way,” she added. “If you really care about people getting the right information, sometimes it just costs more, period. “So this is something I am going to find very interesting and I think, people are going to be a little surprised.”
GREAT BUY; 2 bdrm home garage and shop on corner lot in Greenwood. $129,000. MLS® 2407847
www.bordercountrybob.ca
Second Class Registration # PM0034