Smithers Interior News, January 20, 2016 by Black Press Media Group

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Calvin Johnson rushes for the puck in last weekend’s back-to-back games. The Smithers Steelheads earned first place in the Central Interior Hockey League after beating the Prince Rupert Rampage in both games, which also led to Steelheads forward Brendan DeVries becoming the top scorer of the league. Story, A8. Xuyun Zeng photo

“Hungry Hill summit” Bike path proposed for discusses transportation Smithers to Telkwa By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News

Smithers and Houston mayors and councillors met Thursday to discuss a range of issues for what may have been the first meeting of its kind. Top of mind was expanding public transportation to connect the two communities. This came the same week Smithers council passed a recommendation by the Smithers and District Transit Committee to send a letter to BC Transit and the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure asking to be included on the expansion list for an afternoon commuter service between Smithers and Telkwa. “We talked about how a number of people have moved from Terrace or Smithers to Houston because of the lower housing prices, and also that a lot of the services they require are in Smithers,”

said Mayor Taylor Bachrach of the meeting he said some suggested calling “the Hungry Hill summit.” “Particularly for seniors and people on low incomes, having some sort of transportation link is an important thing to think about.” Houston Mayor Shane Brienen agreed. He is a local government representative on the new ten-person Highway 16 Transportation Advisory Group created by the province on Dec. 14. “We talked a bit about the provincial government and the money that’s there and the opportunity there is to move forward and maybe get something happening on that transportation issue, and how that ties into the missing women and some low income people,” said Brienen. A key part of the province’s plan to make Highway 16 safer involves municipalities taking the lead on connecting communities from Prince George to Prince Rupert. See TELKWA on A5

By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News

A plan to connect Smithers and Telkwa with a bike path has been resurrected by a volunteer group who believe the revised route could become reality soon if supported. Jeremy Shriber was part of the delegation who presented the plan to Smithers council last Tuesday. “Last summer, we got together with the Ministry of Transportation, the mayor from Telkwa, representatives from the regional district, the Town of Smithers,” said Shriber.

MILL WORKERS SUE WORKSAFEBC Plaintiffs involved in 2012 Burns Lake mill explosion seek damages.

SYRIAN REFUGEES ARRIVING SOON The first family of refugees could arrive in Smithers this week.

WRINCH HOSPITAL HANDOVER Details of Northern Health takeover to be provided at public meeting.

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“We kind of had a discussion about how should we go about this, asking the government officials what’s the message to get this done.” The route proposed for a path in 2003 brought it through many private properties along the Bulkley River. Not all land owners liked the idea of using their land, and the idea was quashed. The new route would be closer to Highway 16 and use BC Hydro right-of-ways. Telkwa council was the first to unanimously pass a motion last Monday to write a letter of support in principle for the idea. See HAZELTON on A15

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The Interior News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

N EWS

Truck gets ditched on Hwy 16 By Alicia Bridges

Roi TheaTRe I Revenant

Fri. & Sat: 7:30 & 9:30 • Sun. - Tues.: 8 • 14A

Telkwa/Interior News

An attempt to pass a turning vehicle ended in the ditch when a truck driver lost control on Highway 16 near Telkwa last Tuesday. Police believe the driver had to brake and withdraw from an attempt to pass after they saw an oncoming vehicle. According to Smithers RCMP, a brake lock was activated causing the cab to run into the ditch, where it came to rest with its trailers blocking one lane near Neal Road south of Telkwa. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the crash but road conditions may have contributed because there were slippery sections on the highway at the time. Highway 16 was reduced to alternating single lane traffic for several hours after the incident took place about 8:30 a.m. The driver was not injured and no criminal charges will be laid. Freezing rain warnings between Smithers and Terrace were also in place last Tuesday but police said it did not cause any major incidents.

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A truck ends up in the ditch after its driver reportedly had to abort an attempt to pass along Highway 16.

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The Interior News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

N EWS Towns respond to Huckleberry layoffs By Alicia Bridges and Xuyun Zeng Smithers/Interior News

Smithers and Houston municipalities could partner on a joint strategy to support their communities if the Huckleberry Mine has to lay off more workers, according to Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach. The copper and molybdenum mine, located 130 kilometres south of Smithers, laid off 100 workers when it suspended its pit operations on Jan. 6. Those employees have been placed on a call-back list for rehiring if the pit reopens. The remaining workers are processing stockpiled ore. The Jan. 6 announcement followed another round of layoffs in December, when 20 workers lost their jobs. Imperial Metals, which owns a 50 per cent share in the business, has attributed its losses to the dismal global copper price, which has been at a steady decline since May 2015. Of the 100 workers who lost their jobs earlier this month, 21 were from Smithers and about

15 were from Houston. The impact the layoffs were having on both communities was among the topics discussed at a general meeting between the two municipalities last Thursday. Mayor Bachrach said he and Houston mayor Shane Brienen were working together to respond to the layoffs. “We’ll be comparing notes over the next couple months and if there is a need for a joint strategy we will certainly be taking that,” he said. “The difficult thing is that when it comes to economic development and the creation of jobs a lot of these are longer term strategies than what is needed in the very short-term. “One of the roles we can play is to make sure that everyone has accurate and upto-date information and to bring together and facilitate conversations among service providers.” He said the long-term goal was to avoid too much reliance on global commodity cycles. “They are always going to have an impact on us because natural resources are always going to be an important part of our economy, but to the

degree that we can diversify and create local economies that are less reliant on commodity prices, the better off we will be,” he said. Jobs Minister Shirley Bond said her Ministry had provided information to the Houston and Smithers municipalities about programs and services for workers who were laid off. “Our Community Transition Team provides support for resource-based communities experiencing significant job loss impacts,” she said. “Supports and services are quickly mobilized in worker transition, economic diversification planning and social services, and are coordinated with other

services provided by the local government and community agencies.” Houston mayor Shane Brienen said he hoped additional support services would not be needed. “We’re hoping they’re going back but getting ready — if the economy gets worse and we have some layoffs,” he said. The Interior News tried to contact representatives from Imperial Metals and Huckleberry Mines for an update on the mine situation, however they could not be reached before the time of print. Minister Bond urged workers who lost their jobs to contact the Houston office at 877-847-0182.

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The Interior News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

N EWS Babine workers file class-action lawsuit By Flavio Nienow Black Press

A group of workers and family members of victims involved in the 2012 explosions at Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills have launched a class-action lawsuit against WorkSafeBC and the province. The 10 plaintiffs named in the suit are seeking general, special and punitive damages, as well as declarations from WorkSafeBC admitting inspections and investigations into the explosions were negligent. On Jan. 20, 2012, Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake exploded, killing two workers and injuring 20. Approximately three months later, Lakeland Mills in Prince George also exploded, killing two workers and injuring 22. The notice of civil claim filed in Vancouver on Jan. 7 alleges that prior to the mill explosions, WorkSafeBC “knew or ought to have known that in sufficient concentrations wood dust is combustible and poses a serious risk of explosion,” citing multiple reports from American agencies and WorkSafeBC outlining the risks of combustible dust. The claim also alleges that, in the three years prior to the Babine explosion, it was inspected by WorkSafeBC on at least 16 occasions. The claim also alleges that in 2011, WorkSafeBC received reports from Babine workers noting concerns about the presence of combustible wood dust, and that on several occasions in 2011 and 2012,

small wood dust fires occurred at the Burns Lake mill. “Despite the above-noted reports and WorkSafeBC’s own inspections, at no time prior to the 2012 Babine explosion did WorkSafeBC take any action, or in the alternative any sufficient action, to minimize or eliminate the combustible wood dust hazard at the Babine Mill,” alleges the claim. The claim alleges that at no time prior to the Babine explosion did WorkSafeBC issue any orders or administrative penalties to Babine Forest Products in respect of combustible wood dust. “In inspecting the Babine mill and enforcing the legislation prior to the Babine explosion, WorkSafeBC conduct was reckless and departed to a very marked degree from the standard of conduct expected of a responsible and competent inspector,” alleges the claim. “These failures would and in fact did cause the class members to suffer physical harm and/or acute and prolonged psychiatric harm including mental distress, anger, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.” Steve Zika, CEO of Hampton Affiliates, the company that owns Babine Forest Products, said he would not make a comment as Babine Forest Products is not involved in this lawsuit. The notice of civil claim says that, under the Workers Compensation Act, workers cannot sue an employer directly and must rely on WorkSafeBC to protect their health and safety. Scott McCloy, a spokesperson with

WorkSafeBC, said WorkSafeBC will also not make any comments at this point. Shirley Bond, B.C. Minister of Jobs, said she was not going to comment specifically on the class action filing as that “will be a matter dealt with by the civil courts.” The civil claim lists six classes of plaintiffs, including workers who were in the two mills during the explosions, workers who were off-shift, and family members of on and off-shift workers at both locations. The Babine Forest Products on-shift worker class includes Patrick Ken Michell from Lake Babine Nation, who was employed as a board edger operator at the mill. This class also includes Thomas Dirk Weissbach from Fraser Lake, who was employed as a trimmer saw operator. The Babine off-shift worker class includes Gerald Lester Whitford, a mill worker who resides in Burns Lake. He was employed as a swamper but was not physically present during the explosion. The Babine family class includes Theresa Mary Michell, a homemaker who resides in the Lake Babine Nation. At the time of the Babine explosion, her husband Patrick Ken Michell was employed at the mill. This class also includes Kathleen Ruby Weissbach, a health care assistant who resides in Fraser Lake. Her spouse Thomas Dirk Weissbach was employed at the mill. The other five plaintffs represent Lakeland Mills workers and family members of victims. The class action claim is yet to be certified and none of the allegations have been proven in court.

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The Interior News

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

N EWS

Managing Your Money When is the right time to invest? You’ve managed to put aside a little extra cash, or you’re expecting a nice tax refund and wondering what to do with the money. You’re thinking about investing it – maybe towards your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or by purchasing a few shares to add to your non-registered portfolio. But you’re hesitating – markets are volatile right now. Is it better to wait? When is the best time to invest? The answer is: Make your investment as soon as possible. Here’s why:

Smithers and Houston councils meet in Houston last Thursday. Mayor Taylor Bachrach hopes to hold more “Hungry Hill summits.” Facebook photo

Better timing to Telkwa From SUMMIT on Front Costs for any route expansion would be split 50-50 by the province and municipalities. The province put aside $1.6 million over two years to extend or enhance transportation services. Mayor Brienen said discussions have been going on for a while, and hopes to have news on the whole corridor shortly. The Smithers council motion last Tuesday to be put on a list for expansion of the Smithers-Telkwa route does not specify how it would be expanded. The goal according to Mayor Bachrach and Telkwa Mayor Darcy Repen is to increase ridership by having buses run when people could use them — namely getting to and from work. The last run to Telkwa leaves before 5 p.m. Bachrach said ideas include having split shifts for the drivers, and speaking to employers to survey staff who live in Telkwa to find out if they know about the bus and how to adapt

the service so they would use it. Mayor Repen is walking door-todoor in Telkwa to see how residents there would consider using the service more. According to a district transit committee report, an average of 61 passengers per day use the bus. He said after visiting only 20 homes, four people had already committed to buying a pass. If ridership increases after a work route was added, Repen sees an even later route from Smithers. “If people want to come in and meet friends for an hour or two, or if your kids are doing recreation things or if they’re working, a six o’clock bus may not cut it. I think it’s the priority — don’t get me wrong, we have to match ridership with costs to some extent here — but if we have a really successful route at six o’clock and if generally we’re able to drive up readership, that is encouraging for developing say an eight o’clock bus.” Bachrach said he planned on meeting the Hazeltons councils in February to discuss transportation.

Time in the market versus timing the market: Most seasoned investment professionals will tell you that it is almost impossible to time the market. They will also tell you that time in the market is much more valuable than attempting to time the market. Long-term growth: Markets move up and down but the historic trend is up – so staying true to a long-term investment strategy delivers far higher returns than jumping in and out of the market. When you invest regularly, you accomplish three important investment goals: Dollar cost averaging: Meaning you make your investment purchases whether the price is lower or higher and, over time, this results in a reduction in the average cost of your investments while improving the potential for longer-term returns. RRSP tax benefits: Your money grows tax-deferred inside your RRSP so regular contributions and the magic of compounding can add thousands to your retirement nest-egg. Ease of use: It’s much easier to come up with $100-200 each month (say through a Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) plan) than finding a lump sum to invest once a year. A regular and balanced investment strategy will ensure you achieve your financial goals. Your professional advisor can help you set up an investment plan that fits your budget and dreams.

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The Interior News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Published by Black Press Ltd. 3764 Broadway Avenue, Smithers BC V0J 2N0

2010

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Publisher Grant Harris, Editor Chris Gareau CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

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B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett has proposed deferring electrical bills for mines to keep them running during a slump in metal and coal prices. Do you think this will save jobs?

No 46%

Yes 54%

Vision for children in care needs a higher bar A

V IEW

FROM THE

LEGISLATURE MLA Doug Donaldson

significant news story broke last week related to the BC Liberals’ approach to a difficult issue associated with kids in government care in B.C. Although varying perspectives on the actual issue involved from a practice standpoint can be appreciated, the political response from the Minister was much less easy to fathom. A joint report released by the independent Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, and the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) on the use of hotels as placements for kids-in-care revealed the actual practice was about 60 times higher than the Minister knew. The practice happens to varying levels across the province, including here in the Northwest. The report was sparked by the death of Alex Gervais, an 18-year-old who

fell to his death from an Abbotsford hotel room last September. He was housed there for 49 days without adequate supervision, and contrary to Ministry policy, after his group home was shut down. At the time, Minister Cadieux said there were maybe one or two children or youth-in-care that had been placed in hotels. Turns out the number was 117 during a one-year period previous to Alex’s death. Hotels are recognized as not being the appropriate facilities for housing vulnerable youth. That is why there is an MCFD policy on their use. But besides the shocking fact that the Minister had no idea of the prevalence of their use by her own Ministry, is the fact that the vision of her government supports the status quo. Faced with the same issue, the government of Manitoba committed to no kids-in-care being housed in

InteriorNEWS THE

Serving Smithers, the Bulkley Valley, the Hazeltons and District, Houston and District, and published on Wednesday of each week at 3764 Broadway Avenue, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Copyright number 321634. Stories, photographs, illustrations, designs and type styles in The Interior News are the property of the copyright holders, its illustrations repo services and advertising agencies. Reproduction in whole or in part, without written permission, is specifically prohibited. Authorized as second-class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash. PM40007014

hotels and has increased the number of emergency foster beds available and other more appropriate residential options. Our government’s response to the same issue through the Minister last week was to say it was inevitable that some kids-in-care will end up with hotel stays. That may be the case, but how about starting with the vision that it is the view of the government that no child or youth in care should ever be housed in a hotel and provide policy and resources to back that up? You get what you manage for and in this case the bar is set way too low by Minister Cadieux and the Christy Clark government. Doug Donaldson is the British Columbia Opposition Critic for Children and Family Development, and MLA for Stikine.

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The Interior News

L ETTERS Health service to the population is not a concern Editor: “Why no CT scanner?” (Dec. 13, The Interior News letters) a writer asks the “Bulkley Valley people.” The fact is we are bloody lucky to even have a hospital at all, and not just a “nice little clinic” as in Houston. Just a few years back, the Smithers hospital was scheduled to close by our provincial (Liberal) government. It took several well-attended meetings in our area showing “public outrage” to persuade (more like prod) our reluctant Liberal MLA into action to have this stupid, impractical idea “postponed.” The plan of closing Smithers hospital has not gone away. Since the first attempt at closing our hospital, the following has transpired: The lab at the Smithers hospital was closed and moved to Terrace for a short time. This was suspended, and the lab moved back to Smithers due to the fact that serious emergency blood work would take a week to get results from Terrace. There was also an attempt made to have all maternity care (births) moved to Terrace, especially those that would possibly require a caesarean procedure. This idea has been suspended ... for the time being. Why no CT scanner? Because adding very expensive equipment and personnel to a hospital that will eventually be closed by the provincial government is not a good “business action.” (Service to the population is not a concern.) This is an honest answer. Ms. Lauderdale. So you are now aware of what the situation really is. Glad you are with us! Harry Carnie Telkwa

Reasons you should not feed deer Editor: Erratic

behavior

in rut: May want to mate with people or livestock; Attracts large predators that may want to prey on pets, livestock or people; Aggressive if people get between the doe and fawns; Bucks are also very protective of the herd; Increase in dog problems; Eating peoples’ garden, flowers, trees; Carry ticks which spread to people, pets, livestock, wildlife; Forcing moose out of the area; Hazard on roads; Does not help the deer. They become accustomed to handouts and lose their fear of people. The handouts are not normally what deer eat; Annoys the neighbours; Deer feeding stations attract scavenger birds which carry pests and chase away song birds; Deer feeding stations attract rodents that could bite small children and pets. Rodents carry diseases (Hantavirus, salmonella) and parasites (intestinal worms) which can be passed to humans and animals; rodents invade barns, hen houses and homes. People should contact their Regional District representative or municipal representative to request a bylaw making feeding deer subject to a fine. Please share this information. Mary Hiemstra Smithers

There is a need for urgent action to save our forests Editor: According to Tom Fletcher, “an employee of the B.C. branch plant of Sierra Club lurks, apparently coordinating media

TO:

and protesters” regarding logging in the Walbran Valley (Avatar Sequel Bombs in Walbran, Jan. 12). He’s referring to me. Far from lurking, I’m proud to be campaigning with Sierra Club BC to save some of the last significant stands of unprotected old-growth on Vancouver Island. (And, to correct but one of the many misleading or false claims in Fletcher’s piece, Sierra Club BC is entirely independent.) Fletcher’s diatribe reveals him as Teal Jones’ willing stenographer, uncritically regurgitating the logging company’s talking points. Fletcher and Teal Jones may believe it is morally and ecologically acceptable to cut down these magnificent trees and destroy complex, delicate ecosystems. Sierra Club BC doesn’t, and nor do the majority of British Columbians, who support concerted action to defend endangered old-growth trees, wildlife, a stable climate, clean water and clean air. British Columbians know that these things form the lifesupport system of our planet and support long-term prosperity and a diverse economy, including sustainable second-growth forestry for current and future generations. A growing list of independent reports from B.C.’s Auditor General, the Forest Practices Board and even a Liberal MLA highlight the need for urgent action to save our forests. It’s long past time for the provincial government to reverse the damage done when it gutted the rules governing logging. Fourteen years of trusting corporate interests to manage our forests with little or no oversight has got to stop. Mark Worthing Sierra Club BC

T HE E DITOR

Letters to the editor policy

Letters are welcomed up to a maximum of 250 words. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, brevity and legality. All letters must include the writer’s name, daytime telephone number and hometown for verification purposes. Anonymous, or pen names will not be permitted. Not all submissions will be published. Letters may be e-mailed to: editor@ interior-news.com.

while

Your

Grant Harris Publisher

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

TEAM

Chris Gareau Editor

Laura Botten Front Office

The price of food shocks shock-averse I ask you what can we do to? I have found that buying frozen vegetables helps a bit. Those prices stay much the same. Similar with frozen fruit. Lettuce doesn’t freeze well but most other stuff does. Honestly? I am not keen on salads anyway. Much ado about nothing. So what do I eat? I like sweet potatoes, squash, red peppers SPICE and other vegetables I OF LIFE can use to make a stir fry. Of course I have Brenda Mallory to find some kind of protein to eat. Meat have to say there has become a luxury is very little that item. I do buy frozen shocks me. I do chicken pieces. I also get a little surprised use a bit of tofu. from time to time. I am told I should But shocked — not so eat beans. All well much. and good as long as I It happened on a don’t go out in public. regular shopping day I can disgrace myself for me. There, right with too much excess in the middle of the wind. At home I just produce aisle was a scare the dogs. Makes cauliflower! Not so my little guy bark like shocking for some I am crazy. That is probably sure, but when I saw the more than you needed price hovering around to know. $9, I was shocked. What else can you I know the dollar is do? If you are over a tad low and a barrel 55 years old, consider of crude oil is taking deferring your property a dive but come on — taxes. Shut lights off cauliflower for $9! I in the home when not shouldn’t really make needed. You will figure cauliflower the culprit out little ways you in price hikes in the make the paycheck go grocery store. Lettuce a bit further. is too expensive. It Do the best you can. is right next to celery I have an idea there that calls out for me will be more economic to pay nearly $3 for events that will shock that. I did buy a few me again. tomatoes, mainly Call with your ideas. because I was told it The number here is was a blow-out price! 250-846-5095 or just Far better a blow-out email your frustration on tomatoes that, for or solutions to me to feel inclined. mallory@bulkley.net.

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The Interior News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Big wins for cross-country skiers, biathletes By Xuyun Zeng Smithers/Interior News

Twelve biathletes and 13 cross-country skiers travelled to Vanderhoof and Vernon respectively to compete in the first BC Cup Jan. 9-10. Local biathletes Faith Fehr, James Baxter, Claire Lesawich, Haley Hanchard, Angus Tweedie, Callie Lancaster, Seton Kriese, Tana Hanchard, and Casey Lesawich placed within the top three in their category.

“It’s fantastic,” said biathlon coach Peter Tweedie. “Everybody left there feeling good about what they had achieved, and we had a great time socially.” Tweedie felt their training paid off. “We didn’t have any glitches,” he said. “All the athletes were confident about what they were doing.” Cross-country skier Kate Woods placed second in Junior Women, Hamish Woods placed third in Junior Boys category, and

Mia Recknell placed fifth in the Midget Girls at Jan. 9’s classic sprint race. The next day, Hamish Woods placed second in the Junior Boys interval start skate race. “All the athletes did extremely well with many finishing in the top five or top half of their year of birth,” said coach Lisa Perry in a statement. “It was a great learning experience to compete at this level of event. “The coaches and parents

also did extremely well in finding the fastest wax and ensuring that our athletes were well taken care of.” Perry added that Zone 7 has selected Aidan Murphy, Jacob de Groot, Jesse Smids, Zoe Hallman, Mia Recknell and Rachel Cuell to compete in the BC Winter Games in Penticton Feb. 25-28. Vanderhoof’s Linnea Moutray will also join Zone 7’s biathlon team in the BC Winter Games. An extra spot came up and Moutray was selected.

Hamish Woods competing at the first crosscountry skiing BC Cup in Vernon.

Contributed photo

Steelheads beat Rampage; earn CIHL first place

By Xuyun Zeng Smithers/Interior News

The Steelheads have made it to the top of the Central Interior Hockey League. In the back-to-back matches between the Steelheads and the Prince Rupert Rampage, the Steelheads won 8-6 Saturday, then went on to win again Sunday 9-4. Saturday’s match started in the Rampage’s favour but ended with the Steelheads

winning. The Steelheads’ head coach Tom DeVries loved it, calling it “probably one of the best games all year.” “This is an exciting game,” said DeVries. “When we went to Rupert, it was like this too and we knew when they’d come here it would be an exciting game too.” Centreman Brendan DeVries also won the scoring title with 39 points, leading by 14 points compared to second place. The first period ended with

w! o N on 47 . c a n tio 7.35a l t o s a r ist .84h e r s s g Re 250s m i t . ww

the Steelheads down 4-2, but by the second it was close at 6-5. The Steelheads’ fortunes reversed in the third, when Jeff Groenheyde broke a 6-6 tie. “That was exciting, you know. When you go ahead with about six minutes left in the game, that’s an exciting thing to do,” he said. “Then you got to [hunker] down and try to win.” With this win, the Steelheads beat out the Terrace River Kings to clinch first in the CIHL. See PLAYOFFS on A9

Jan. 16 results

Smithers

Prince Rupert

1st

2nd 3rd

Tot.

1st

2nd 3rd

Tot.

1st Period PRR 16:50 - Cole Atchison SSH 12:01- Brendan DeVries PRR 11:14 - Cole Atchison

PRR 8:19 - Josh Cook SSH 6:21- Zach Davies PRR 1:30 - Mike Coolin 2nd Period SSH 19:29- Adam DeVries SSH 15:57- Zach Davies SSH 12:39- Zach Davies PRR 10:18- Jared Meers PRR 2:38- Greg Sheppard 3rd Period SSH 13:16- Brendan DeVries SSH 5:41- Jeff Groenheyde SSH 4:36- Mark Arnold

Registration for Spring Session of Gymnastics at the Smithers Saltos Club has started. New registration for the Spring session takes place at the gym club (1621 Main Street): 3:30 to 6:30 pm - Monday to Friday. Please come in and register your child for the new session. Remember to bring care cards! Check us out on Facebook Smithers Saltos Call 250-847-3547 for more information.

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S PORTS Steelheads face Kitimat in playoffs From RAMPAGE on A8 Sunday’s game, however, almost felt as if the Rampage had the wind knocked out of them, and DeVries attributes this to having little incentive to play hard. “We kind of knew we already won first place and they weren’t playing for anything so I think it was just a formality here,” said DeVries. “Now we’re ready for the playoffs.” The Steelheads will challenge the Kitimat Ice Demons Jan. 30 in Kitimat, and DeVries feels cautiously confident. “We’re on a bit of a winning streak here, but playoffs are different and everybody comes out with their full rosters and it’s a different worlds,” said DeVries. “The best team in the NHL might not pass the first round.”

www.interior-news.com

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Jan. 17 results 1st 2nd 3rd T 3

1 PRR 16:50 - C. Munro SSH 10:48- B. DeVries SSH 16:14 - A. DeVries SSH 9:09- M. Arnold PRR 14:32 - C. Atchison SSH 7:31- J. Janzen SSH 4:02- A. DeVries 3 SSH 6:53- B. DeVries SSH 2:58- Z. Davies PRR 5:05 - T. Robinson PRR 2:12 - B. Towner 2 SSH 17:22- Z. Davies SSH 13:12- R. Green

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DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN Pest Management Plan: BC Hydro Power Line Corridors 2016-2021

“A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR REGION” 37, 3RD Avenue, PH: 250-692-3195 PO Box 820, TF: 800-320-3339 Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0 FX: 250-692-3305 www.rdbn.bc.ca E-MAIL:inquiries@rdbn.bc.ca

MEETING SCHEDULE 2016 January 14, 2016.........RDBN Committee Meetings January 28, 2016.........RDBN Board Meeting/ SNRHD Meeting February 11, 2016 .......RDBN Committee Meetings February 25, 2016 .......RDBN Board Meeting/ SNRHD Meeting March 10, 2016............RDBN Committee Meetings March 24, 2016............RDBN Board Meeting/ SNRHD Meeting The Committee of the Whole will be discussing the draft 2016 to 2020 Financial Plan at its regular meeting on January 14, 2016 and at the Committee of the Whole Meetings on February 11 and March 10, 2016. The Financial Plan will be on the agenda for adoption at the March 24, 2016 Board Meeting. Meetings tentatively commence at 10:30 a.m. Please call (250) 692-3195/1-800-320-3339 for further information

PUBLIC IS WELCOME

TAM HOT SH BAN Smithers Bantam OTS Player of the Week

The use of pesticides is intended within the area to which the Pest Management Plan (PMP) applies. The purpose of the proposed PMP is to control vegetation under, above and near BC Hydro’s power lines in order to maintain the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our customers. This plan applies to all areas of British Columbia where BC Hydro manages its transmission and distribution system and associated power line corridors, access roads and helipads. The proposed duration of the PMP is from April 2016 to April 2021. Vegetation incompatible with the operation of the power system will be controlled using: physical (manual brushing, mowing, girdling, grooming, pruning, tree removal), cultural (compatible land use), biological (release of parasitic insects to control invasive plants), and chemical (herbicide application) techniques, or any combination of these methods. The active ingredients and trade names of the herbicides proposed for use under this plan include: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

aminocyclopyrachlor and metsulfuron-methyl – Navius or equivalent aminopyralid – Milestone or equivalent aminopyralid and metsulfuron-methyl – ClearView or equivalent aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl, and fluroxypyr – Sightline or equivalent aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl and triclopyr – Clearview Brush or equivalent Chondrostereum purpureum – Chontrol or equivalent clopyralid – Lontrel or equivalent diflufenzopyr and dicamba – Distinct, Overdrive, or equivalent glyphosate – Vantage, Vision or equivalent imazapyr – Arsenal Powerline or equivalent metsulfuron-methyl – Escort or equivalent picloram and 2,4-D – Aspect or equivalent triclopyr – Garlon products or equivalent 2,4-D – LV700 or equivalent

Adjuvant products may also be combined on occasion with an herbicide to improve its effectiveness, such as: nonylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol – Agral 90, paraffinic oils – Gateway, octadec-9-enoic acid as methyl and ethyl esters – Hasten NT, or siloxylated polyether – Xiameter or equivalents.

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The proposed methods for applying herbicides include: cut surface, basal bark, backpack foliar (low pressure spray), mechanical foliar (boom, nozzle, powerhose, or wick), or injection (hack and squirt, lance or syringe) techniques. A draft copy of the proposed PMP is available at bchydro.com/pestplanforcorridors. Alternatively, it’s available in person at 6911 Southpoint Drive, Burnaby; 1401 Kalamalka Lake Road, Vernon; 18475 128 Street, Surrey; 400 Madsen Road, Nanaimo; 3333 22 Avenue, Prince George. BC Hydro, the applicant for the proposed PMP, is located at 6911 Southpoint Drive, Burnaby, B.C., V3N 4X8. Please contact Tom Wells, Vegetation Program Manager, at 604 516 8943 or thomas.wells@bchydro.com for more information. A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the pest management plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the above address within 30 days of the publication notice.

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O UR T OWN Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Interior News

World Juniors hopeful looks to crowdfunding By Xuyun Zeng Smithers/Interior News

Local ski cross athlete Jason Oliemans hopes to raise $7,000 through crowdfunding and raffling off a season pass to cover a shortfall in funds. Oliemans said that he will attend many more races and camps this year and that will take a toll on his finances. He estimates that he will need $17,000 by the end of the season, and has only $10,000 saved up from working in the summer. “It’s the cost of going to the races. Almost every race that I end up going to is at least a 12-hour drive and a lot of them end up being flights,” said Oliemans. “Hotels, race fees and transportation getting back-andforth tends to be what the big costs are.” His biggest expense came from joining the Canadian National Development Team in Saas Fee, Switzerland last October. The GoFundMe campaign

SMITHERS UNITED CHURCH Sunday 10:00 AM Worship & Children’s Program

At the corner of Queen St. & 8th smithersunited@telus.net

250-847-3333

Bethel Reformed Church Welcomes you to worship with us 10 am & 2:30 pm every Sunday

Pastor Lou Slagter 3115 Gould Place Smithers

250-847-2080

CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Sunday Worship Services 10 a.m. 4035 Walnut Dr. Sunday School for ages 3-6 during the morning worship service. Pastor Ken Vander Horst

smitherscrc@telus.net Phone 250-847-2333 “Groundwork” on The Peak at 9:30 am Sundays

has raised $1,450 of $3,500 at the time of writing with the biggest contributions coming from BV Electric, at $500. Hudson Bay Mountain manager Chrissy Chapman and Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach also contributed $150 and $80 respectively. “If I can get the full amount of $3,500, then I should be able to make it to all the races, and at the end of the season, not be having me spending off my summer paying off the past races,” said Oliemans. Oliemans elaborates that if he fails to fundraise the balance, he will have to stop racing next season as he will use the money raised in the summer to pay off debt, rather than saving it for the next season. Oliemans said he is attending more races and camps this year because he has higher aims. “This is the year I’m going out and trying to get a certain good result to make it onto the National Development Team and get my name out there,” he said. “One of my other goals,

either this year or next year, is to make it to World Juniors.” “To make it to those kind of races and onto those kind of teams, you need to show certain results at, of course, the various higher-level races.” To sweeten the deal, Oliemans is offering to wax and tune your skis or give you a masterclass on ski cross — if you contribute enough. A bronze reward level, requiring a contribution of $40, will see Oliemans offering waxing and tuning services at Local Supply Co. A platinum level reward, requiring $400, will see you get a postcard from the Nor-Am event, the masterclass and a pair of tickets to the Canadian National Ski Cross Championships banquet. “I appreciate every donation that’s made, but for a certain amount, I’m giving back things that I can do,” said Oliemans. Oliemans is also raffling off a 2016/2017 Hudson Bay Mountain season pass. Each ticket costs $20 and he has 300 of

Jason Oliemans hopes to pay for his races and camps through crowdfunding. The ski cross athlete has a shortfall of $7,000.

GoFundMe photo

them. He hopes to raise another $3,500 from it. You can buy these at Hudson Bay Mountain’s downtown office

Come worship with us at

Main St. Christian Fellowship

FAITH REFORMED CHURCH OF TELKWA Pastor James Folkerts (URC-NA) 1170 Hwy 16, Telkwa

Sunday mornings 10:30 a.m. Pastor Rick Apperson

Services at 10 am & 2:30 pm

1065 Main St., Smithers Phone: 250-847-1059

Faith Alive Christian Fellowship Upper floor Fitness Northwest Centre, Broadway Ave. 10-12 noon Sundays Youth meeting Fridays at 7 pm

or at Local Supply Co. Olieman’s GoFundMe page is located at gofundme.com/ myskijourney.

Listen to “Whitehorse Inn program” Sundays at 9 am on The MooseFM 870 am

Join us for Services. Renew your FAITH! We welcome visitors and new members.

ST. JAMES ANGLICAN CHURCH

FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Jacob Worley

Morning Worship 10:45 am with Junior Church and Nursery

1636 Princess Street

Sunday 10:00 am - Service and Sunday School

4th Sunday

2:00 pm service at St. John the Divine, Quick

Rev. Don Mott, Phone 250-847-3864

250-847-6155 • Quick 250-847-9881 • Smithers

on the corner of Queen St. and 7th Ave.

Pastor Chris Kibble www.smithersbaptist.ca

250-847-3725

This proof has been carefully prepared by THE INTERIOR NEWS

according to our understanding of your specifications. It may contain CANADIAN Mount Zion errors, please check for proper spelling of names, prices and phone numbers. Fax changes to us at 847-2995 REFORMED CHURCH Lutheran Church Sunday Worship Services

Meeting in the Historic St. Stephen’s Church

10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

1620 Highway 16 in Telkwa

Pastor James Slaa 2788 Upper Viewmount Rd. All welcome to attend! Contact number 250-847-5879 www.smitherscanrc.org

Sunday Morning Worship 10 am

For information PO Box 874, Smithers, B.C.

Saturday Service • Everyone Welcome •

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

Welcomes You! Sunday Shool – 9:45 a.m. Classes for all ages Sunday Morning Worship – 11:00 a.m. Corner of Viewmount Rd South & Hwy 16 250-847-2466

www.mvaonline.org Affiliated with the PAOC

Seventh Day Adventist Contact 250-847-5983 3696 4th Avenue

Rev. Dwayne Goertzen Pastor Trevor Brawdy 250-847-2929 Email: efree@uniserve.com Website: www.smithersefc.org Services at 9 & 11:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. 1838 Main St.

The Interior News

C OMMUNITY Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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Syrians to get warm welcome to cold Smithers By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News

Mona Awil is standing outside in the snow where it is at least as cold as zero degrees, but the Smithers woman says she feels “very warm.” Her sister Dalla and nephew Sami have just undergone medical exams in Beirut after they were approved to come to Canada as Syrian refugees. “They texted me saying ‘they are very kind, they are very nice’ and I’m like ‘yeah that’s Canadians, you are going to love them’,” said Awil. “My nephew, he’s writing me and sending me all these smily faces and stuff saying ‘we finally saw some Canadians, they are very, very nice’.” Awil, her husband Akram Khalil and their two daughters have been living in Canada for 12 years since they emigrated from Syria to pursue career opportunities. Dalla and Sami were privately sponsored by a church in Ontario, where Awil and Khalil lived when they first moved to Canada, but the local family has also been helping a campaign to bring more Syrian refugees to Smithers. The Bulkley Valley Refugee Sponsorship Group (BVRSG) originally set out to sponsor one family but the community response was so strong they raised $81,000 – enough to apply to bring two families to the valley. Awil’s cousin, his wife and three children make up one of the two families the group applied to sponsor. The second application was to bring a family of five, who would be nominated by Canada’s immigration services. Earlier this month, after months of fundraising and negotiating the application process, the group got the emails they had been waiting for. Both applications had been approved. BVRSG spokesperson Pauline Mahoney said she was both excited and overwhelmed

Smithers woman Mona Awil (left), whose Syrian relatives have been approved to come to Canada as refugees, with Bulkley Valley Refugee Sponsorship Group spokesperson Pauline Mahoney.

Alicia Bridges photo

by the good news. “Suddenly the emails were coming and even a phone call from the immigration centre, so it was kind of like ‘wow, they are really paying attention now’,” said Mahoney. The group’s priority now is to prepare for when the refugees arrive, which could be as early as this week, although immigration services had not provided a date at the time of print. A rental home has been offered free of charge by a local donor but the group needs to rent a second home for one of the families. Although they have enough

funds to sponsor the families for their first year in Canada, much of that money will go towards paying rent and covering settlement costs. To reduce the refugees’ overall expenses, the group is looking for donations of children’s clothing, furniture and household items. Mahoney said the group was also taking measures to address any community concerns by educating people about the Syrian refugee crisis. “The more people know about the Syrian situation and the refugees, we feel that they will understand more and be more open and welcoming when

the families arrive,” she said. Mahoney has been delivering presentations at local schools to give students more insight into the refugee situation. Awil also plans to run basic Arabic language lessons with local students. She said it was possible the refugees had no information about what Smithers was like, and it was likely that had never lived in a cold climate before. Although her cousin’s family has had a chance to speak to Mahoney, the BVRSG has not had any contact with the second family. Awil said it was possible some of the refugees coming to

Canada had experienced trauma and it was important they were well-received by the community. “To feel warm and safe, I think that’s the most important part for them, to feel like nobody will judge them or hurt them,” she said. Mahoney agreed the first priority when the families arrived would be to give them a warm welcome, both physically and emotionally. “[Moving to Canada] must come with excitement but anxiety and fear so it’s up to us to help make them feel really safe and welcome,” she said. “I think we can do that really well in our town.”

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

C OMMUNITY

The Interior News

Elk count for fence plan

By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News

A Bulkley Valley group is holding an elk count this month in an effort to prove funding is needed to stop the animals ruining farmers’ crops and eating stored feed. The Skeena Regional Elk Committee (SREC), which includes farmers, ranchers and environmental groups, is asking the public to report any elk sightings on Jan. 23 for a survey of the number of animals in the Skeena region. The results of the count, which covers the region between Burns Lake and the Hazeltons, will be used to seek funding from the B.C. government for fencing to stop the elk entering farms. Pleasant Valley Cattlemen’s Association president Linda Dykens, who is also a member of the SREC, said elk were a pest that damaged crops and ate feed that was being stored for their livestock. “They will paw the ground for feed so when you get a newly seeded field, the little seedlings, they’re not really rooted all that

good yet so it gets destroyed,” she said. Dykens said farms in the areas near Round Lake and Francoise Lake were among the worst affected by the animals. She hopes the B.C. government will contribute to building fences to keep the elk out. The SREC plans to use the survey results to help the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) establish an elk management plan. It also plans to apply for funding to fence the worst affected farms. “[We are] asking anybody and everybody to write down information because without information we are going to get nowhere,” she said. “We’re trying to get a count and we need that for the Ministry [FLNRO] to get a management plan in place for the elk, as to how many the valley can handle and whether they should have some tags issued for hunters.” According to FLNRO, elk were first recorded in the Bulkley Valley in the 1980s near Deep Creek.

That population grew but remained in the same location until 2012, when wolves are believed to have moved into the Deep Creek area and forced the herd to disperse. Residents have since reported seeing elk in the Telkwa, Copper River, Babine Lake, Moricetown, Hazelton and Francois Lake areas. FLNRO regional wildlife biologist Bill Jex said favourable winter conditions could lead to growth in those herds as well. “It is likely that numbers have remained relatively stable with the inhabiting of new geography since 2013, but if conditions moving forward are favourable, it is reasonable to suspect that elk numbers will grow and increase across this broader area,” he said. Jex said the ministry was already working on a regional management plan, in partnership with local cattlemen’s associations and the Ministry of Agriculture. Measures could include changing the hunting policy, under which there is currently no open season for elk.

e Rick Schmi h t n i e dt To Jo rchlight Parad

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See HARVEST on A13

The Rick Schmidt Torchlight Parade Friday January 22nd - Lift your eyes to the Mountain. The Firework show that always wows, followed by a lit up ski/board down Chapman’s Challenge and Trail to Town all the way down to town. Entry by donation. Minimum $25 donation. All proceeds go to help a local citizen with cancer. Sign up at the downtown office. Intermediate to advanced skiiers only.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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A13

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BULKLEY VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elk have become a pest for some farmers since they were first recorded in the Bulkley Valley in the 1980s. Joyce Dieleman photo

“…a view of life and crea�on that is centred in God.”

Elk harvest to be considered From COUNT on A12 “If a harvest season is deemed an appropriate tool in future to help manage elk numbers and associated impacts, then the ministry will undertake and follow our established general harvest policies and procedures, but linked to the ongoing provincial plan and procedures process,” said Jex. He said FLNRO would also explore nonhunting related measures or linkages with existing programs. The Ministry of Agriculture runs the Agriculture Wildlife Program (AWP), which compensates farmers for damages caused by wildlife to unharvested forage crops, field corn grown for animal feed, and grains. Ministry staff will meet with Bulkley Valley producers on Jan. 30 to explain the program, offer enrolments and provide information on other risk management programs. But Dykens said some farmers considered existing government programs like the AWP to be cumbersome and untrustworthy.

“A lot of people don’t like government programs like that because they say ‘well they just come up with excuses that it’s not covered’ and a lot of people just hate the paperwork end of it,” she said. “You’ve got to keep track of everything, you’ve got to remember dates and somebody has to come and inspect your fields.” She said the programs did not provide for smaller producers who bought their hay instead of producing it. Although Dykens admitted that fencing would be costly for the B.C. government, she believed it was the most effective method of managing problems with elk. The Ministry of Agriculture told The Interior News it has a $1.5 million fund dedicated to reducing significant crop losses due to wildlife in situations where other measures are not practical. The funding is available for mitigation projects and activities, which could include fencing, covering crops or relay cropping. To participate in the Jan. 23 count contact Linda Dykens on 250-845-3013.

Open House Evening Meet our principals, teaching staﬀ and other parents and nd out about what makes Chris�an educa�on unique. We look forward to mee�ng you!

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25 cents photos!

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Every Thursdays for 4x6 prints Photo Lab is now open Sundays 1-5, starting Jan. 24th Meet Jenna Lizotte our new photo lab specialist. She is very friendly and helpful with your photo needs.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

C OMMUNITY Ptarmigan Meadows a community in a community By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News

Ray Collingwood was finally able to share his dream turned reality with the general public Saturday. He and his team held an open house for Ptarmigan Meadows, a 31-unit adult living complex aimed at providing more housing for seniors in Smithers. The response was surprising even for Collingwood, with an estimated 250 people walking through the doors over three hours at the corner of Princess Street and Princess Crescent by the Smithers Mall. “They’re here because they realize inevitably you need senior housing,” said Collingwood. The guide outfitter and owner of the now shuttered North Country Real Estate said he feels uncomfortable at the idea of being called a big developer, having

focused on lodge facilities since moving to property. Cats and small dogs are allowed. Saskatchewan to B.C. before taking on Smithers in 1965. But he said he was driven “More people have pets, and a lot the project that took 18 months for Harry to create a community in a community by of widows ... have a cat or small dogs, Leffers & Sons Construction to build. constructing the largest building aimed and that’s a big part of their life,” said His wife Beannie said he had been taking at seniors in town, which led to a few re- Collingwood, adding that his former office pictures of seniors housing for 30 years. drawings by the architect. assistant Jackie Hayes and her experience The strata will soon elect a board of “My thought behind this [was] more working with seniors in Calgary helped. residents to manage the facility. Future than just sitting there, they work together Collingwood said he had visited seniors plans include finishing an outdoor as a senior group and do activities,” said housing in over 60 communities from kitchen, greenhouse and gardens. Collingwood. “That’s why I have a reading room, exercise room, and a crafts room. And right here where they can go for a walk The Art of Dreaming – a creative workshop for non-artists Ground 2 Griddle Neighbourhood Kitchen Tue, on the town’s trail system.” & artists interested in dreams, facilitated by Darren & Beth 9:30 am - 1 pm, St. James Anglican Church Hall. Nine of the units were Jakubec. Jan 19 & 20, 6-8pm, Smithers Art Gallery. $25 SCSA 250.847.9515 to join this free life skills literacy already spoken for before (both evenings), materials incl. Proceeds support the program. Childcare provided. Register at the Gallery Mon-Thu, 12-3pm. www. BV Toastmasters Club meets every 2nd & 4th the open house. The building Gallery! smithersart.org. info@smithersart.org. 250.847.3898. Mon, 7-8:55 pm, Smithers NWCC campus, Room 109. houses 11 one-bedroom and TEENS & TWEENS @ Smithers Public Library. Fri, linden_buhr@hotmail.com. Sep - Jun. 20 two-bedroom units with Jan 22, 6-8:45 pm, Dungeons & Dragons. Fri, Jan 29, Smithers Tai Chi Players. Tue & Thu. Come learn Yangappliances included. 6:30-8:30 pm, Minecraft. style tie chi and qigong. smitherstaichi@gmail.com or Looking over the balconies, B.V. Naturalists Presentation by raptor expert Frank Doyle 250.847.5091. one can see the dog run on the about the precipitous decline of the Northern Goshawk. St. James Anglican Church Thrift Shop. Princess

Community Calendar

Thursday, Jan 28, 7.30 pm @ NWCC in Smithers. Winter Exhibits at the BV Museum. Check out our newest exhibits: Skating Though History, Pre-Emption 1915, and our featured Artifact of the Month. We also have a scavenger hunt for kids. Admission is always free! Hours available on Facebook. Divorce Care, Wed, 7 pm, Jan 13 - Apr 6, Smithers CRC (4035 Walnut Dr.). Drop-ins welcome. Weekly group for those who are separated or divorced that aims to provide practical info & support. divorcecare.org.

St. (behind Safeway). Tue-Sat, 1-3:30 pm. Grief Support Drop-In. Bulkley Valley Hospice Society, Tue 3-5 pm. For those who are missing a loved one & just need to talk. Come for tea & share with a compassionate support worker. 250.877.7451. 3862D Broadway Ave, Smithers. ElderCollege You & the Power of Community Radio Mondays, Feb 1-29, 11 am to 12:30 pm, NWCC. Learn basic radio programming with CICK 93.9 FM, Smithers Community Radio. 250.847.4461. tfisher@nwcc.bc.ca.

To list your nonprofit coming events please drop off your listing at The Interior News, 3764 Broadway Ave., fax us at 250.847.2995, or email laura@interior-news.com. More information is available through our Online Community Calendar at www.interior-news.com. Deadline for submissions is Fridays at noon. Maximum 25 words. Limited space is available. We regret we cannot accept items over the phone.

Bringing the NEWS home!

Ray Collingwood and his wife Beannie welcomed 250 visitors through the entrance of Ptarmigan Meadows on Saturday.

Chris Gareau photo

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From BIKE on Front

Telkwa Mayor Darcy Repen said he has seen bike trails like this be successful elsewhere, and thought it was a great idea. “They have a lot of ground work to do, they’re at the early stages in terms of planning and trying to price it out,” added Repen. Smithers council will bring up the request for a letter of support at its next meeting on Jan. 26. “One of the incredible things about this community is that there are always people coming forward with new ideas about how to make things better, and some of those ideas fly and some of them don’t. “I really think one of the biggest factors is whether the idea resonates with the community as a whole, and whether there’s a shared excitement about it,” said Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach. He said that a Facebook post he put up after the council meeting about the bike path idea garnered a huge reaction. “I’ve got almost a hundred comments, the vast majority of which are very positive,” said Bachrach. The current idea has the path crossing Highway 16 south of the bridge into Smithers. Bachrach sees a well-used path as another way to highlight the problem cyclists have crossing the bridge. “The bridge is already an issue that we’ve raised with the Minister of Transportation in terms of bicycle safety. If there were to be a bike

Smithers 2016 Spirit of the Mountains Winter Festival

January 23 to 31, 2016

If you would like to advertise your 2016 Winter Festival event on our website, please contact the Town of Smithers at 250-847-1600 for assistance.

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Ultimate goal is a bike path from Houston to Hazelton trail built between Smithers and Telkwa, and it was popular and well used, then the issues related to the bridge would become even more top of mind,” said Bachrach. Shriber wants to build a paved route, but is willing to work in chunks that may include gravel after a bike trail society is created. He also needs support from the Regional District of BulkleyNechako, which the Ministry told him should own and insure the path. But Shriber, who said he rides between the communities hundreds of time per year, has a vision wider than Smithers to Telkwa. “The ultimate dream would be bike paths all throughout the community in areas where the roads are not real safe for riding, all the way from Houston to Hazelton ideally,” said Shriber.

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Wise customers read the fine print: *, ★, †, ≥, ♦, §, ≈ The Cold Days Hot Deals Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after January 11, 2016. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,745) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees, other dealer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select new 2016 vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. ★The Make No Financing Payments for 90 Days offer is available from January 5 – February 1, 2016, and applies to retail customers who finance a new 2015/2016 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram or FIAT vehicle (excludes 2015/2016 Dodge Viper and Alfa Romeo) at a special fixed rate on approved credit up to 96 months through Royal Bank of Canada and TD Auto Finance or up to 90 months through Scotiabank. Monthly/bi-weekly payments will be deferred for 60 days and contracts will be extended accordingly. Interest charges will not accrue during the first 60 days of the contract. After 60 days, interest starts to accrue and the purchaser will repay principal and interest over the term of the contract but not until 90 days after the contract date. Customers will be responsible for any required down payment, license, registration and insurance costs at time of contract. Some conditions apply. See your dealer for complete details. †0% purchase financing available on select new 2016 models to qualified customers on approved credit through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Example: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with a Purchase Price of $27,790 with a $0 down payment, financed at 0% for 48 months equals 104 bi-weekly payments of $267 with a cost of borrowing of $0 and a total obligation of $27,790. ≥3.99% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2016 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package/2016 Chrysler 200 LX models through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Examples: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2016 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package/2016 Chrysler 200 LX with a Purchase Price of $21,998/$20,998/$22,998 (including applicable Consumer Cash Discounts) financed at 3.99% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 416 weekly payments of $62/$59/$65 with a cost of borrowing of $3,706/$3,537/$3,874 and a total obligation of $25,704/$24,535/$26,872. ♦3.49% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sport through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Example: 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sport with a Purchase Price of $26,498 financed at 3.49% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 416 weekly payments of $73 with a cost of borrowing of $3,880 and a total obligation of $30,378. §Starting from prices for vehicles shown include Consumer Cash Discounts and do not include upgrades (e.g. paint). Upgrades available for additional cost. ≈Sub-prime financing available on approved credit. Finance example: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with a purchase price of $27,595 financed at 4.99% over 60 months, equals 130 bi-weekly payments of $240 for a total obligation $31,207. Some conditions apply. Down payment is required. See your dealer for complete details. ^Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian Vehicles in Operation data as of July 1, 2015 for Crossover Segments as defined by FCA Canada Inc. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC used under licence by FCA Canada Inc.

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The Interior News Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Interior News

2016 Family Literacy Week Free Events Saturday January 23rd

Monday January 25th

Tuesday January 26th

Wednesday January 27th

Thursday January 28th

Friday January 29th

Saturday January 30th

1-3pm at the Smithers Public Library “Reading with Radar” Radar is a local guide dog who loves both stories and kids. Radar hopes that lots of kids come down to the library from 1 to 3 today to read to him. If you are just starting to read, you can show him the pictures. He likes that too! Story time Who’s Who Contest - Ask at the desk how to enter the contest where you guess who the stuffed characters are from your favourite stories. 2-4pm Extra Foods mall Free Books & Cupcake Stop by the Extrafoods mall for a Sawyers Cupcake and free books to celebrate Family Literacy Week. You can even join in the band with Jo Anne Nugent

12-1pm Northwest Community College, a Legendary Literacy Luncheon Free lunch! Learn some Wet’suwet’en language and hear legends written by learners in our community. 2-4pm Extrafoods mall Free Books & Cupcake. Stop by the Extrafoods mall for a Sawyers Cupcake and free books to celebrate Family Literacy Week. You can even join in the band with Jo Anne Nugent 8-8:45am Walnut Park Elementary Student & Parents Breakfast and Books Breakfast is provided for students and their family. Live music by Jo Anne Nugent . Praise a Reader Newspaper Sales. Look for local Highschool students out selling The Interior News in benefit to Literacy initiatives in Smithers.

8-8:45am Muhiem Elementary Student & Parents Breakfast and Books Breakfast is provided for students and their family. Live music by Jo Anne Nugent .

Friday, January 29th from 5:30-7:30pm. Skate for Books - Smithers Arena Spirit of the Mountain Free Skate and Skate for Books. Free books handed out during the skate.

Saturday January 30th 11-2pm Dze L’Kant Friendship Centre Family Play Day FREE fun and interactive events for the families with children 0 to 6 years old/

The Interior News

A&E

www.interior-news.com

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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Fearing a formidable force

By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News

Stephen Fearing performing at the Della Herman Theatre in Smithers Thursday night. Chris Gareau photo

It has been a while since Juno Awardwinning musician Stephen Fearing learned to drive a bulldozer on a Bulkley Valley ranch at the formative age of 17. He showed Thursday night he can still clear a connective path for valley residents, now steering melodies and lyrics with just a guitar and strong voice. In between performances of his renowned songs at the Della Herman Theatre, Fearing took moments to reflect on his time spent working and playing in Smithers. After learning to work with heavy machinery, stone masonry and building a barn, Fearing came back to play the Midsummer Music Festival and the Della

Herman with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. This time, Fearing was only accompanied by his guitar, playing hits by the Rodeo Kings and Fearing and White, as well as his solo repertoire. Anticipation was high, with a line of over 100 filing in before doors opened half an hour to show time. They were not disappointed as the audience was treated to not only the songs covering folk, rock and blues, but stories of how they came to be. To prove inspiration can come from anywhere, Fearing told of how These Golden Days was created after waking up at 4 a.m. for a flight. He explained inspiration came when he saw himself wearing a pair of reading glasses in the hotel bathroom mirror. Fearing also performed an intimate show at the Hazel Branch in Hazelton Friday.

Little free libraries open By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News

Book shelves may be popping up at a location near you thanks to an initiative by Smithers Public Library. Little free libraries were created in the southern United States to bring books to poorer urban centres and increase literacy, according to library board co-chair Wally Bergen. “It reaches people who may not be library users,” explained library director Wright. The first one in Smithers was put up by Mayor Taylor Bachrach and his daughters last summer. The library decided to follow suit and placed its first shelf at Safeway. The idea is people can come and swap a book they are done with for a new one. “It’s a great way to share a book they’re excited about for someone else to discover,”

said Wright. Safeway store manager Matt Hexter jumped at the idea when it was proposed to him. “It’s a great idea. It’s a life skill everybody needs,” said Hexter. Friends of the Library fundraised for this initiative, which the library hopes to spread to other areas in town. Friends’ Paul Parry sees the idea widening readership. “It’s great if their lifestyles are busy,” said Parry. Bergen built the little free library by the break area with tables and chairs in Safeway. He said placing more shelves around town could help the library identify what books it ordered by indicating the genres people preferred picking up the most. “It will become a snapshot of what that neighbourhood is reading,” said Bergen. Wright said efforts like this showed Friends of the Library’s Paul Parry, Safeway store manager Matt Hexter and libraries were more than buildings. Smithers Public Library board co-chair Wally Bergen show off a “little free library.” Chris Gareau photo “It’s a force for literacy,” said Wright.

St. Joseph's Catholic School Kindergarten Registration

We are a family-centered school which offers: • • • • • • • •

Complete BC Ministry of Education K – 7 Curriculum K – 7 religion program which focuses on Christian values K – 7 French Music instruction Extra-curricular sports and activities Weekly healthy choices hot lunch program An After School Program, open to everyone An emphasis on being S.H.A.R.P. – Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Respectful and Positive.

Registration is January 18th to the 22nd for school family siblings and Catholic parish families, January 25th to 29th for St. Joseph’s Pre-K families. Registration opens to the public on a first-come, first-served basis on February 10th, starting at 9 am. Children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 31, 2016. All registrations require an appointment. Please call the school at 250-847-9414 on the appropriate dates as outlined above.

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www.interior-news.com

The Interior News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Community We could all use some hygge

ature First is a nature-themed weekly art group led by international wildlife artist Julie Askew. It runs every Tuesday, 12–1 p.m. at the Smithers Art Gallery. It has already started and you do not need to have attended previous sessions or even come every week, just drop in to the ones you can make. This is for all ages and abilities, help will be at your own pace. $20 drop-in fee per session, no registration. More information: Julie at 250-981-9288, julieaskew.com. A Danish concept called “hygge” is the art of being cozy. Our winters can get cold and seem very long. This concept is a culture of coziness: candlelight, woollen socks, homemade pastries, mulled wine and meaningful conversations by roaring fires, a dog at your feet. The word was originally a Norwegian word for “well-being” and first appeared at the end of the 18th century. It is a feeling, big around Christmastime with the food and being with your family. It is more VIEW FROM to do with people’s behaviour toward each other, creating intimacy, a sense of THE PORCH comradeship, contentment. We could all use some of that. The Year of Living Lorraine Doiron Danishly is a book on this recently published by journalist Helen Russell. The BV Hospice Society offers a grief support group for those who have lost a loved one. Every Thursday, Jan. 14 to March 17, 7-9 p.m. at the Healthy Living Centre. Registration is necessary: BVHS 250-877-7451 or Cornelia 250-847-3449. Upcoming course hosted by the Elder College: Self-Hypnosis with Hypnotherapist Bari Blix, Feb. 24 – March 9, Wednesdays 9:30–11. Bari is a registered hypnotherapist with years of experience helping people improve their sleep, learn a new skill, reduce high blood pressure and exercise effectively. Cost $10. More information: 250-847-4461 tfisher@nwcc.bc.ca. Sometimes it feels like I am only one person, how much affect can I have on global warming, pollution? It feels overwhelming. If each one of us does something, it can add up to a lot; we have a responsibility. From a small paper, PG Express: you can dodge your responsibilities, but you cannot dodge the consequences of dodging them. Interested in fair healthcare: info@bchealthcoalition.ca is a place for Sponsored by: information on a petition on the cost of MSP premiums, among other concerns. Closing with: “Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” – Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Add your event to our Community Calendar at www.interior-news.com or by emailing laura@interior-news.com

Ten FREE Workshops!

Helping Canadians Live with Mental Illness Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia For anyone who has a caring relationship with anyone who has a mental illness. Learn the facts about mental Illness, new medications and treatments, and discover how others support their loved ones.

Wednesdays 7:00 – 9:00 pm Workshop Series starts Feb. 17- Apr. 20 For information or to Register: Clara Donnelly - Regional Coordinator Phone: 250-847-9779 Email: bulkleyvalley@bcss.org

1139 Main Street PO Box 2380, Smithers, Ph: 250-847-2405

brings you your Horoscope for the 3 week of January rd

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, do not allow distractions to keep you from completing tasks that need to get done. Use your ability to focus to plow through your to-do list and finish in record time.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, if you’re feeling on edge lately, it may be because you haven’t had a chance to relieve stress. Exercise can be a surefire fix to what ails you, so get up and go.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, this week you may be tempted to take risks you never would have considered before. Just don’t let excitement get in the way of common sense.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, an opportunity presents itself in the weeks ahead, and this will be too good to pass up. Embrace the changes that this opportunity offers.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Something totally unexpected will grab your attention in the next few days, Gemini. Trust your intuition to take things slowly and put out all feelers before you forge ahead. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, although you have a plan to reach all of your goals, do not put success ahead of others’ feelings. Be considerate of others even if their efforts are not up to par. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, proceed with caution in a new friendship or partnership. Test the waters before you devote yourself fully. This approach will ensure you made the right decision. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, if the potential to be criticized scares you, you may not be inclined to express yourself honestly. Worry less about what others think of you and be confident in yourself.

Driftwood Plaza Next to Louise’s Kitchen Main St. Smithers

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, your social life is bustling, but sometimes it can be difficult to keep up with all of the things filling your calendar. You may want to take a few days off. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Career obstacles may pop up from time to time, but you have the commitment to see things through for the long haul. Keep up that perseverance this week. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 You can’t always play the peacemaker, Aquarius. Sometimes you just have to let others fight their own battles and then offer support to those who need it. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, there is more going on than meets the eye. You have to pay attention to the subtle undercurrents to figure out fact from fiction.

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Name & Phone Number:

Anna Lise Espersen

August 18, 1933 – January 10, 2016 Our mother, who was also a mother-in-law, a grandmother and a great grandmother passed away peacefully on January 10, 2016 at the Bulkley Valley Hospital with her family by her side. Even though she passed away peacefully, our mom “did not go gentle into that good night”; she battled leukemia for many years and other illnesses especially of late, and she recovered from multiple setbacks along the way that most certainly even surprised her doctors and others involved in her care. True to our mom’s spirit her last words, which was more of a declaration really, were, “I’m still alive!” As anyone that knew our mother would attest, she had a zest for life like no other, not only because she was an intensely independent and proud woman but also because of the love and devotion she had for her family, and because of the time she enjoyed spending with her many friends. She was especially proud of all of her grandchildren, taking every opportunity to boast of their latest accomplishments with school, sports and work. Our mom was also particularly wise and insightful and she loved to talk; recounting stories of her life and discussing current world events, but most of all her favorite thing to do was to share her sage advice and thoughts with most everyone she knew, especially if she had a concern or knew something could be done better. Surprisingly, it was our mom’s directness that seems to have endeared her to most everyone, perhaps it was because of such a strong voice coming from the little lady with the Danish accent, or that people respected our mom and how she could shoot from the hip with such accuracy given her strong values and beliefs. Our mom “raged against the dying of the light” because of her family, but also because of the love and support that was shown by her community and friends. We are so thankful. We love you mom. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sat., January 23rd at 12:00 noon in the Smithers Christian Reformed Church, 4035 Walnut Drive, Smithers, BC. Condolences may be offered at www.raschraderfuneralhome.com.

R.A. SCHRADER FUNERAL SERVICES 250-847-2441

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