InteriorNEWS THE
109th Year - Week 11 •
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
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www.interior-news.com
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40 Days To Go
Working hard to put together this week’s SportChek Ski Cross Canadian National Championships is course chief Jan Wenglin, Randy Fraser, Fred Oliemans, Gary Huxtable, Erin Holtzman, race chief Philippe Bernier, Cobey Oliemans and Carrie Collingwood (not pictured). Among the 50 athletes competing is Smithereen Jason Oliemans (inset), who just returned from the National Junior Championships in Quebec. Stories, A14-15. Xuyun Zeng photos
Mayors react to Smithers letter Town serves Sedaz By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News
The mayors of Hazelton, New Hazelton and Telkwa have explained why they have not taken an official position on LNG at Lelu Island, after Smithers town council voted to oppose the project location. The Town of Smithers last week agreed to write to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) opposing the location of the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG processing facility at Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert. Councillors voted 6-1, with Coun. Frank Wray opposed, in favour of sending a letter written by Phil Brienesse in response to the CEAA’s draft report. The letter raises concerns specifically about the location of the proposed facility and its potential impact on juvenile salmon habitat at Flora Bank. The CEAA’s draft report concluded the project would not have significant negative impacts on Flora Bank’s fish habitat, and fish habitats in general, as
long as the proponent completed mitigation works. The public comment period for the report ended on March 11. Some Smithers residents have used social media to express their belief that town council should not speak on behalf of the community when it comes to major development. Coun. Brienesse told The Interior News it was within council’s role to support or oppose projects that could impact the Smithers economy. “Sometimes when you do these more controversial ones people will say ‘Well I don’t think they have the unanimous support of the public, they shouldn’t be making this sort of a decision,’ ” he said. “We don’t have the unanimous support of the public on anything. “Really anything that we make a decision on, somebody is going to be happy with it and somebody is going to be unhappy with it so I’m sure there will be both opinions in the community.” See REPEN on A5
By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
The Town of Smithers has served Sedaz Lingerie with papers ordering it to remove its flag signs in the middle of a sign bylaw review. Owner Amy Brandstetter feels singled out and has vowed to fight the Town, even if it means being forced to go to court. The deadline to remove the signs has passed. The signs were put up in October after Sedaz reopened on Main Street, across from its former location that was destroyed by last July’s fire. Brandstetter said she asked about putting up the signs before they were installed and was told it would not be a problem, but that she may have to pay an encroachment fee.
See FLAP on A2
LAKE KATHLYN ELEMENTARY Future of school discussed at public meeting in Moricetown.
WRINCH HOSPITAL COMMITTEE Communities choose representatives for human rights case committee.
THE BEAR NECESSITIES Smithers filmmaker seeks overseas funding to make more nature films.
NEWS/A3
THREE RIVERS/A11
A&E/A22
Friday Only! see last page in A
The current bylaw states any sign that projects over the sidewalk must be at least 2.6 metres off the ground. But, as Brandstetter pointed out, the Town is holding off on enforcing the sign bylaw unless there is a safety or operational issue. The Town insists the signs are a hazard and are in the way of snow clearing equipment. Brandstetter disagrees. Things culminated on Thursday with Mayor Taylor Bachrach posting on Facebook that he is willing to buy a new sign that conforms with the bylaw out of his own pocket. Brandstetter had told him over the phone she did not accept that offer just before the post went up.
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