Cranbrook Daily Townsman, May 17, 2016

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Vol. 70, Issue 86

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MAY 17, 2006: THE SULLIVAN MINE TRAGEDY

Memories are crystal clear, 10 years later C A R O LYN G R A N T

Today, May 17, 2016, marks the ten-year anniversary of day four people lost their lives on the Sullivan Mine property in Kimberley. Ambulance paramedics Kim Weitzel and Shawn Currier, water sampling contractor Doug Erickson,

and Teck Cominco employee Bob Newcombe all died in an oxygen deprived atmosphere inside a water sampling shed near the top mine on May 17, 2006. It was a tragic day that impacted everyone in the area. As Mayor Jim Ogilvie said at the time, “It is one of

the worst things our fire department has ever had to deal with. I spoke to some of the fire fighters this morning and they were visibly shaken. “This incident is going to affect everyone in our community. Every individual in our community will know

one or the victims. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the families.” Even ten years on the impact on the families of Kim, Shawn, Bob and Doug has not lessened. George Weitzel, widower of Kim, spoke to the Bulletin

of his memories of that day and week, and the long fight for an inquest that followed. In the years since the accident, Weitzel has become an advocate for workplace safety, work he continues to this day. “It still goes on,” he said. “As memories fade, diligence about safety on the job fades. Every time I hear of a preventable accident, I find it difficult.” Weitzel’s memories of that day 10 years ago are crystal clear.

“I can remember every bit of it. This season of warm, sunny days triggers my memories of that week. It was way above seasonable in 2006, just like this year. In fact they attributed warm weather as a factor in the breathing of the waste dump, which led to the atmosphere in the sampling shed.” Weitzel says the days leading up to May 17 each year are always difficult.

See SULLIVAN, Page 5

Baker Prom reception shifts to Rotary Park T R E VO R C R AW L E Y

FOR THE TOWNSMAN

The Aspire Dance Academy competitive team — 50 dancers ranging from ages 6-16 — did exceptionally well at competition this season. At the Calgary “Dance for Dreams” Competition, an event for charity held April 15-17, Aspire danced for the Northern Lights Wildlife Society, receiving 24 Gold medals, nine Silver medals, and three Bronze medals, and 12 Overall High Score Awards. As well, out of 330 entries at the competition highest scoring dancers to performed in a dance-off, with Aspire dancers getting first place in the Intermediate division. One of the Aspire dancers received a scholarship and the team also raised over $1,000 for NLWS. And at Banff’s “Shy-Ann Dance Festival,” April 28-May 2, Aspire received 16 Gold medals, 17 Silver medals, 22 High Score Awards and 3 Choreography Awards.

Specializing in safe, environmentally-friendly and globally responsible children’s products. 117 Baker St, Cranbrook 250.489.4499

March 31, 2016 to Heidi and Shawn Fox of Cranbrook, a son April 6, 2016 to Naomi Karanja and Vincent Oravec of Cranbrook, a daughter April 10, 2016 to Natasha Gray and Ryan Plant of Cranbrook, a son April 10,2016 Pamela and Benjamin Hellewell of Cranbrook a son April 11, 2016 to Jessica Decker and Daniel Kibala of Cranbrook, a daughter April 15, 2016 to Kelly and Christopher Waller of Cranbrook, a son April 19, 2016 to Christine and Ken Wheeler of Cranbrook, a daughter April 22, 2016 to Caitlin and Brandon Pighin of Marysville, a son May 06, 2016 to Kayla Ferguson and Chris Kinsey of Invermere a son

The end of a school year marks a special time for the Mount Baker Secondary School graduating class as they end a chapter of their young lives while moving on to bigger and better things. First, it’s a graduation ceremony, a handshake and a slip of paper followed by an evening of finery as students don suits, tuxedos and dresses and head off to Prom at the College of the Rockies. Traditionally, a Pre-Prom reception has been held out at the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino. However, the MBSS Parent Volunteer Prom Committee 2016 has decided to shift that to Rotary Park in Cranbrook.

Anita Savage, with the committee, stresses that the only reason that the reception is moving to Rotary Park is because of it’s central location and easy access for students’ family members and relatives. “We thought it’d be fun to let the people know in Cranbrook because one of the reasons we’re doing that is to make it more of a community event because out at St. Eugene it’s a little bit inaccessible for some people,” Savage said. “This way it’s downtown and anybody who would like to see the Grade 12 grads can come and see them march with all their finery.”

See BAKER, Page 3

Jason

WHEELDON PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORP.

East Kootenay Realty

25 - 10th Avenue S l Cranbrook, BC l V1C 2M9 Office 250.420.2350 Mobile 250.426.9482 Email jkwheeldon@shaw.ca Web www.cranbrookrealty.com/cranbrookrealestate


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