Special Features - Our Community. Making It Work.

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, August 24, 2016

www.theprogress.com

OurCommunity.

MakingItWork.

Progress The Chilliwack

Since 18 91

13

14

www.theprogress.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Chilliwack Progress

Making it work, in Our Community

Terminator KAT WHITTINGTON Pest Detective Eric Welsh - The Progress

S

omething was smelly at the construction site.

In this edition of Our Community, the

Chilliwack Progress rolls up its sleeves and gets down to work.

We take a special look at some of the people who help make this community tick – and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty doing it.

Their jobs might not be the most glamorous, but they’re ones that really matter.

They treat our sewage, trap our rodents, enforce our bylaws, even referee our games.

When Kat Whittington showed up, a half dozen burly men in big boots and hard-hats were gathered around the office trailer talking about the stench.

Something was rotten underneath that trailer, but none of them were going to check it out.

Kat didn’t hesitate.

“It paid better than any office job I’d ever had, and the idea of going back to high heels, makeup and office politics made me shudder.”

It’s a salute to the hard working people who helped build this community, and make it stronger every day.

Down she went, and within minutes she found the source.

Peeling back some piping insulation, she found a stinking, bloated and thoroughly deceased rat.

It’s a tough job, and fortunately we’ve got people who know how to make it work.

As she crawled back to daylight she saw that all those boots crowded around the opening and Kat grinned.

Then, she chucked that rat out of the opening and watched all those boots leap straight up in the air.

“I love my job!”

A Chilliwack resident and the senior technician with Pest Detective, Kat’s been in situations you wouldn’t care to imagine. In eight and a half years she’s fished more rats out of attics and crawl-spaces than she could ever begin to count.

She’s been nose to nose with wasp nests and eradicated bedbug infestations.

PHOTOS BY JENNA HAUCK

Flash back to early 2008 and Kat’s first husband had abruptly departed, leaving the stay-at-home mom with no money, no job and children to feed.

Desperately needing work, she answered the ad.

“I needed the job, it paid better than any office job I’d ever had, and the idea of going back to high heels, makeup and office politics made me shudder,” said Kat, who spent 15 years typing 70 words a minute as an office administrator. “If I had to pick up dead rats to make a decent living...”

Two weeks in, the rookie found herself belly-crawling underneath an extremely fancy home in North Vancouver, on what remains the most disgusting crawl-space cleanup she’s ever done. Kat and three others filled more than 40 garbage bags

All because of a Craigslist ad.

Continued page 15

s t a e M Fresh

DELI ~ CHEESE ~ Ready to

Eat & Homemade

• German Burger or Pork Schnitzel on Bun • Strudel for Dessert • Baked Daily Sausage Rolls & Cornish Pasties • Kassler & Sauerkraut

Rookw • Rookwurst & Kale • Bratwurst & Red Cabbage • Beef Jerky • Hot Jerky • Honey Garlic Jerky • Soups & Sandwichess

• Dinner Hams • Rosemary Hams • Capicolli (spicy) • Smoked Pork Bones for Dogs • Smoked Beef Dino Bones • Smoked Pigs Ears

y t i n u m m o C & y t i l a Qu

IIt’s t’s What Wha at Matter Matters s

9382 Nowell Street • 604-795-9544 4

(located downtown behind the Post Office) Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

PLUS SO MUCH MORE!

All Hams

Gluten Free & No MSG Added

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, August 24, 2016

www.theprogress.com

15

“I am still conscious of the fact there might be spiders in the crawl-spaces I go into.” with expired rodents, feces and... other things.

“Because it was my first time on a big cleanup they put me on corpse patrol, picking up all the dead stuff,” she recalled. “So I made sure that everything I found went under someone’s nose so they’d know I’d picked it up.”

“By the time I was done, they said, ‘Yeah, if you can do that you can do anything we throw at you.’”

The funniest thing about Kat is this.

When she started she was deathly scared of spiders.

“When I was a kid there were thousands of black widows in the basement of a house I lived in, and we had to have the house physically bagged and gassed,” she

said. “I’m thinking that probably had something to do with it.”

pull up, and happier still when she solves their problem.

If ever there was a reason to be arachnophobic, that’s it.

“One guy had a prairie dog that came back with him from a trip to Manning Park and was living in the wheel well of his vehicle, and it was my job to try and get the little guy out,” Kat said. “The more we messed around the deeper into the vehicle he went.”

She almost always does.

“I am still conscious of the fact there might be spiders in the crawl-spaces I go into,” she said. “I feel way better if I have a hood over my head and have the back of my neck covered. If I have that I can pretty much go anywhere.”

“I kill spiders, any spiders I find, because I think they’re too far removed from humanity to exist, and I take their deaths as a personal victory.”

Kat’s clients are almost always overjoyed to see her truck

At Chilliwack Ford we have spent over 80 years as part of the Chilliwack community. Our dealership wouldn’t be where it is today without the ongoing support and commitment from the great people around us, and we like to thank them by giving back to a number or valuable organizations and events in the Chilliwack area.

Just a few of the many local events and causes we support include: Chilliwack Restorative Justice, Ruth & Naomi’s Mission, SPCA, Chilliwack Hospice Society, YMCA, Lions Club and more!

“So finally, I told him to drive back to Manning Park and the prairie dog will jump out on his own.”

“The guy called a week later and said, ‘It worked!’”

“That’s the most satisfying part of the job for me. Being the hero.”

Your On e S TRUCK & top ACCESSORY RV SHOP!

• BIKE RACKS AC • SSTORAGE AC AG BOXES O • VENTT VISORS • HO HOOD GUARDS • • STAINLESS STEEL ACCESSORIES • DRIVING LIGHTS • • GRILLE INSERTS • RUNNING BOARDS • LOCKS • MUD FLAPS • • TONNEAU COVERS • STORAGE BOXES •

AND SO MUCH MORE!

LOCALLY OWNED FOR 32 YEARS! Family owned and independently operated, Trademasters has been serving the Fraser Valley for 32 years. Our commitment to you is: • Knowledgeable, friendly staff.

• Professional installation by trained and licensed technicians.

• Written quote, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

• A follow-up call after the work is done, to make sure everything is to your satisfaction.

• Prompt service – your time is important.

• Honest advice.

TRUCK ACCESSORIES • TOWING PACKAGES • TRAILER SERVICE

44467 Yale Road West • 604-792-3132 www.vehiclesolutions.ca Open: 8am-5pm Monday-Friday - 9am-5pm Saturday

45681 Yale Rd. W Chilliwack 1-888-386-3366 • 604-792-1361

8-16W_C29

Financing Available O A C

We appreciate your business.

08/16W_OC24

• TRUCK & RV TOWING EXPERTS •

www.theprogress.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Chilliwack Progress

Law and Order

STEVE McCARTHY Bylaw Officer

Jennifer Feinberg - The Progress

B

ylaw enforcement officer Steve McCarthy said he always tries to get voluntary compliance before throwing the book at anyone.

Believe it or not, his job is not all about writing tickets.

He enforces Chilliwack rules about weed control, unsightly premises, smoking, parking — or more recently, getting the homeless to “move along” after sleeping in a city park.

Only when the more polite avenue is exhausted does he resort to fines and ticketing.

“I enforce the rules and regulations set out by the municipal government,” McCarthy says.

He’s has been working bylaw enforcement for City of Chilliwack since 2008.

Bylaw enforcement officer Steve McCarthy talk to a group that had set up camp in a vacant lot in Chilliwack. He says if you treat people with respect, they’ll usually treat you the same way. JENNIFER FEINBERG/ THE PROGRESS

The officer’s job just got a little more intense since Chilliwack amended its park bylaw to allow the homeless to camp in parks and public spaces.

he said. Then a crew from public works will come by if there is a lot of debris to remove.

Things have changed since the explosion of homeless people moving into the community.

“It does seem like it’s exploding,” although he couldn’t say how many street people are in Chilliwack.

Since the homeless get to sleep in certain public parks under strict conditions, it takes at least three hours every morning for bylaw officers to move them along, from the various downtown parks.

“You realize with this job that they didn’t wake up and decide they’re going to be homeless.”

“We make sure they get up and that everything is cleaned up in the area, and any structures come down,”

He hands out cards that list all the available resources when he can. But sometimes they won’t take the cards.

Approaching people with respect in these situations is the way McCarthy does it.

“You realize with this job that they didn’t wake up and decide they’re going to be homeless. Something was dealt to them and they ended up in a bad situation. So you treat them with respect and they seem to treat you the same way.”

But it’s challenging at times because some people are not at all interested in looking at ways to get off the street or off the drugs.

“They basically tell me to pound salt.”

“It can be frustrating. There is help available in the city for these people but sometimes they just don’t want any help.”

One of the guys he sees every day hangs out near the Yale Road overpass.

“He’s pretty good. He’s in the process of looking for housing and getting some help from the Salvation Army.”

Most people comply. And if he doesn’t have to write a ticket, he’s fairly happy.

“For the most part they are pretty good. It’s just the odd one who just wants to go against the rules.”

We would like to recognize and thank our valuable employees, volunteers, and residents who work hard to ŵĂŬĞ ŽƵƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ Ă ďĞƩĞƌ ƉůĂĐĞ͘

Chilliwack’s ONLY locally-owned & family-operated funeral services

Mayor Sharon Gaetz

Councillor ^ƵĞ Ʃƌŝůů

Councillor Chris Kloot

Councillor Jason Lum

Councillor Ken Popove

Councillor Chuck Stam

Councillor Sam Waddington

8-16W CC24

The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven Society is dedicated to saving homeless cats. We depend on community support for the care of our animals. We have many cats/kittens available for adoption and we provide a low cost spay/ neuter program.

WE’VE MOVED! OUR NEW LOCATION IS #9 - 8465 HARVARD PLACE

We are looking for volunteers 7 days a week.

We are entirely funded by fundraising events and people’s kind donations.

MCLEAN’S FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORIUM LTD.

We’re located in Chilliwack on 49843 Chilliwack Central Rd.

#9 - 8465 Harvard Pl., Chilliwack B.C. V2R 1N5 Stewart McLean

mcleansfunerals@shaw.ca

8/16W_ASH24

604-847-3477 8/16W_M24

16

604-794-7233 • info@thesafehaven.ca Office hours: Weekdays & Sunday from 9 am to noon & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Call, email, or visit us in person!!

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, August 24, 2016

www.theprogress.com

17

Going Deep JAMES MURRAY Downrite Drilling Jessica Peters - The Progress

“W

hat are ya drillin’ for, oil?”

It’s probably the most common question passersbys shout out at drilling crews, over the rumble and whine of the drill’s motor.

And the answer is usually no, at least when drillers are working around town. More often, they’re pulling out samples of earth to study what’s underneath the surface.

“You have to be mentally and physically ready to work.”

They could be doing environmental work, including looking for contamination, or studying the ground structure. Downrite Drilling was doing just that on a recent weekday, on a potential building site in Sardis.

“We want to see what’s there,” said driller James Murray. “We’re looking for density, groundwater, and what sort of material is there.”

And when it comes to soil samples for development projects, they want to see a deep water table and lots of compact, sturdy materials. To get into the ground at their recent project, Downrite used a sonic drill that uses vibration, rotations and water to get down deep.

James Murray, centre, says to be a driller you need to show up ready for long shifts with a clear head, and be prepared for anything. Recently, he was on a Sardis work crew with Alex Robertson (left) and John Scott.

The team of three men meticulously drilled down in five foot sections, capturing a cross-section “recovery” in heavy metal rods. They collected each section in plastic bags and lay them down to be inspected.

Slicing the bags open reveals layers of brown, black and grey sludge.

Continued page 18

DLN 40126

.Cash Discounts are available on retail purchase of select new, in-stock2016and 2016.5 Mazda models between August3-31,2016 and cannot be combined with lease or finance offers. Cash Discounts not available on 2016 MX-5 and 2016 CX-9 models. Discount amounts vary by model. Maximum $4,000 on all2016 Mazda5 models. See dealer for complete details. TO% APR Purchase Financing is available on select new 2015 and 2016 Mazda models. Excluded on 2016 CX-3, MX-5 and CX-9 models. Terms vary by model. Based on a representative agreement using an offered pricing of $16,770 for the new 2016 Mazda3 G (D4GK66AAOO), the cost of borrowing for a 4B-month term is $0, monthly payment is $349, total finance obligation is $16.770. Offer includes freight and P.D.E. of $1,695 and $100 Air Conditioning charge (where applicable). Offer excludes taxes. tThe Mazda Summer Escape Event is subject to the full terms and conditions available at: www.mazdasummerescape.ca. Qualified purchasers/lessees who are residents of Canada and who purchase/lease a new (and previously unregistered) non-fleet Mazda vehicle from a participating Mazda dealer in Canada between Jul1/16 and Aug 31/16 will be eligible to receive a Voucher for a two- (2-) consecutive-night stay at a select Canadian hotel. Voucher must be accepted as awarded and does not have any cash surrendervalue. Redemption of Voucher must occur no later than Aug 31/17 (11:59 pm EDT)afterwhich time the Voucher will automatically expire and can no longer be used. All expenses and costs not covered by the Voucher are the eligible customer’s sole and absolute responsibility. Conditions and restrictions apply. tBased on a representative example using a finance price of $37,320/$22,715/$24,515/$16,770 for the 2016 CX-9 GS (QVSMB6AA00)/2016 ex-3 GX (HVXKB6AA00)/2016 CX-5 GX (NVXK86AA00)/2016 Mazda3 G (D4GK66AAOO) at a rate of 3.51%/1.99%/1.49%/1.99% APR, the cost of borrowing for an 84-month term is $4,827/$1,638/$1,316/$1.209 weekly payment is $116/$67/$71/$49, total finance obligation is $42,147/$24,353/$25,831/$17,979. Taxes are extra and required at the time of purchase. All prices include block heater, $20 new tire charge, $100 a/c charge where applicable, freight & PDI of $1,695/$1,895 for Mazda3/CX-3, CX-5, CX-9. As shown, price for 2016 Mazda3 Sport GT (D5Tl66AA00)/2016 CX-3 GT (HXTK86AA00)/2016 CX-5 GT (NXTL86AA00)/2016 CX-9 GT (QXTM86AAOO) is $28,680/$31,750/$37,542/$47,520. PPSA, licence, insurance, taxes, down payment (or equivalent trade-in) are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Lease and Finance on approved credit for qualified customers only. Offers valid August 3-31,2016, while supplies last. Prices and rates subject to change without notice. Visit mazda.ca or see your dealer for complete details. ‘To learn more about the Mazda Unlimited Warranty, go to mazdaunlimited.ca.

45018 Yale Rd. West, Chilliwack

604-795-3700

murraymazda.ca

SALES HOURS: MON - THURS 8:30AM - 7PM FRI & SAT 8:30 - 6 PM

8/16W_MM24

18

www.theprogress.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Chilliwack Progress

Rigging Up Continued From Page 17

There’s old building materials like concrete, along with various levels of sand, silt, water and rock.

They drill down 60 feet for these five foot recoveries, and then conduct more shallow tests in other areas of the land, before handing off the work to the geological engineers that can interpret all the samples.

Fall

It generally takes 10 feet of drilling to get down into native soil, says Bryan Chernoff, the geological engineer on site. As the drilling crew lays out the soil samples, he takes notes and photos to be analyzed back at the office.

Once the crew has finished drilling, the holes are sealed with bentonite clay, which helps protects the groundwater. Once they’ve filled the holes, it’s hard to notice anyone was even there.

Murray says.

The crew on hand at this recent Downrite project is familiar with the oil patch. They’ve all worked up north, and are happy to be doing what they love on this smaller scale. Murray says that almost every single person who has applied for a recent job posting at Downrite seems to be coming back from the struggling oil and gas sector.

While this job is a far cry from the oil rigs up north, drilling for development isn’t always a walk in the park, either.

It can be downright dirty, with long days in the rain and mud, on the road, and away from home. It’s a job that takes a clear mind, focus, brute strength, and teamwork.

“They see the word drilling and they inquire,” he says.

“You have to be mentally and physically ready to work,”

“You have to be prepared for anything,” he says.

MEN’S & WOMEN’S APPAREL, SHOES & HIKERS

2016 ARRIVING

It’s a good job for someone willing to work hard, long hours, to learn on the job, to think fast and precisely.

Murray learned on the job, and continues to learn.

Kid’s Carhartt Men’s Levis

DAILY!

8/16W_WP24

Women’s Scrubs

# #1-45802 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack | 604.846.0120

Under Armour

Mon-Wed: M W d 99am-6pm 6 • Th Thurs-Fri: F i 99am-6pm 6 •S Sat: 9am-5pm • Sun: Closed

& More!

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, August 24, 2016

www.theprogress.com

19

Water, Water BEN LOEWEN Operator/foreman at the City of Chilliwack’s waste water treatment plant residual chloramines.

Sure Canada has a lot of fresh water, some might say in B.C. “But if you think that way, then you will eventually run out of clean drinking water,” he said.

Loewen’s job involves lots of paperwork, but he’s also responsible for making sure the equipment is all operating properly.

At the site on Wolfe Road there are several buildings and outdoor tanks with large pipes running in different directions.

the treatment work, and plant operators consider themselves “environmental” officers, Loewen said.

Jennifer Feinberg - The Progress

W

hen people think ‘waste water treatment,’ some might picture chemicals being used.

Not so, says Ben Loewen, operator/foreman at the City of Chilliwack’s waste water treatment plant.

It’s all biological treatment in Chilliwack.

“It’s all natural. We avoid the use of any added chemicals,” he said. “Because it’s ultimately a bad thing to add to the environmental load.”

Waste is treated through a biological process and purified before the treated effluent gets discharged to the Fraser River.

Going green is part of the training and the basic aim of

“

The plant can process up to 45,000 m3 per day. Solids are removed and trucked away.

Some of the mechanical equipment diverts the material in its raw format as it comes into the plant. Another introduces air, which causes materials to precip“There’s only so much water on this itate out. A grinder makes sure planet we call earth, and the vast everything is of uniform size.

“Yes, we have a job to do to treat waste. But to do it in a wise manner with always the awareness that we discharge back into the river. You majority of don’t want to pollute the river. There’s only so much water on this planet we call earth, and the vast majority of it is polluted, on a world scale.”

it is polluted.”

“You would be surprised to see that the discharge water is clear and free from particulate matter,” according to the “sewer” information on Chilliwack.com

They don’t use chlorine to treat the effluent for example, they treat the liquid waste with UV light. That means no

Community the spirit of giving back

at Murray Honda Chilliwack we’re not just about selling cars and providing auto services. As a successful Honda Dealer serving the Fraser Valley for the past 4 years, we believe it is our duty to show gratitude by giving back to our community.

“

ve Boot Dri

The wastewater effluent leaving the plant is monitored carefully.

We Got Your Ba ck

es Toy Driv

Community BBQ s

Darren Bosch

Dealer Principal

r Kids Coats Fo

Coat Drive

44954 Yale Road West, Chilliwack 604-792-2724 SALES HOURS: MON & THURS: 8:30AM - 8PM TUES, WEDS: 8:30AM - 7PM

FRI, SAT: 8:30AM - 6PM

murrayhonda.ca

8/16W_MH24

DL# 31210

Toll Free: 1-866-HONDA-88

www.theprogress.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Chilliwack Progress

Nice Catch CHRIS VANRIETSCHOTEN Elite Farm Services Jessica Peters - The Progress

T

here are a few things to know if you plan on catching chickens for a living.

First, it’s one of the dirtiest jobs out there. Catchers go into poultry barns late at night, pick the birds up from the legs, and move them along to where they’re needed to be.

It could be from one barn to the next. It could be a move that involves vaccinations. It could even be the birds’ “last move,” before heading for processing.

And you can be sure that all the moving means working amongst barn dust, feathers, and, finally, chicken poop. A lot of it.

“My mom has seen her fair share of dirty laundry,” laughs Chris Vanrietschoten of Elite Farm Services. “You definitely need a second laundry hamper for the chicken-catching clothes.”

Chris Vanrietschoten has worked his way from chicken catching to human resources at Elite Services.

JENNA HAUCK/ THE PROGRESS

He admits it’s not a job for the fainthearted.

As one of 13 children, most of who spent plenty of time “It’s a crappy, dirty job, but a lot of kids like it,” he says. catching chickens part time, Chris has definitely contribut- The shifts are easily worked around school, and are short. ed to the pile. He started catching when And that brings us to the second thing he was only 12 years old, when Elite was to know. Chicken catching is fast, hard just in its infancy. Back then, the com“They learn how to work. Crews have to work quickly and pany was purely a fundraising endeavor, to get in and out of the barns through a church. But the business grew, work hard and it gives efficiently in three to four hours overnight. and now they both catch in a fundraising them a good work ethic capacity, and as a business.

It’s a job that teaches work ethic, as well as the realities of farm life, Chris going forward.”

Chris is catching chickens less often says. Each new employee goes through these, as his day job is now as a human orientation at Elite’s head office, and resources manager for the company. He told both what to expect, and what is is responsible for the student crews that expected of them. go out, making sure they’re well-trained and prepped for the job at hand. He’s grown up alongside the company, and is eyeing up a future with them as well.

“They have to be self-motivated, but work well in a team as well,” he says. Ideally, the worker will have already had

a labour-intensive outdoor job, even if it was just yard work. Chris says the job can open a teen’s eyes to agricultural jobs they hadn’t entertained before.

“That’s one thing we’re really proud of here,” he says.

“They learn how to work hard and it gives them a good work ethic going forward.”

And while he doesn’t expect anyone to catch chickens as a long term goal, every now and then there is a chance for someone to advance. They have install crews that go around the valley finishing chicken barns, and then there is the occasional office opportunity.

Chris has had time away from Elite before, first working somewhere else and again for some travel time. And soon, he’ll be leaving Elite again. But only for a while.

“I’m going to school,” he says, to study business administration. It’s a course that will lead him right back to Elite.

Voted Chilliwack’s “2013 & 2014” Best Auto Repair Shop!

TUNE-UPS, BRAKES, FUEL INJECTION, FLEET REPAIRS, FUEL CONVERSIONS,

Waterstone Law Group is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work. As part of that commitment, we sponsor and participate in various community teams and events, both as a firm and as individuals. All of our lawyers are involved in local civic, charitable and recreational groups, and enjoy the reward that comes in being able to serve our communities.

O IL CHANGES *S TA R T IN G * AT $ 2 9 .9 5

604-793-9310

We would like to serve you too. Please contact us so we may assist you with your legal needs.

• ICBC & Motor Vehicle Injury Claims • Personal Injury Claims • Corporate/Commercial Law • Family Law • Civil Litigation

44344 YALE RD. WEST, CHILLIWACK

Our Community...

MAKING IT WORK!

• Wills & Estate Planning • Estate Administration • Real Estate Development • Farm Transactions

201-45793 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, BC • T 604.824.7777 • F 604.824.7770 304-20338 65th Avenue, Langley, BC • T 604.533.2300 • F 604.533.2387 #202 – 32625 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford BC • T 604.744.4600 • F 604.744.4609

8/16W_WYA24

Dirty Jobs

Commercial or

• Estate Litigation

8\16W_WL24

20

ORLTD. L-M KE ES IS R TERP EN

on to ry Rd .

• 45 89 5 Pr om 60 4- 79 5- 33 30te rp ris es .c om ww w. ke lm or en

Residential

• Top Soil • Rip Rap • Lava Rock • Bark Mulch • Drain Rock ocks • Landscape R Chips • Playground • Fill Dirt • Sand • Bark Nuggets l • Pit Run Grave

8-16W K24

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, August 24, 2016

www.theprogress.com

Right Call CRAIG BURT Minor Hockey Referee Eric Welsh - The Progress

W

hen Craig Burt referees a hockey game, he knows two things for sure.

Even if he gets every call spot on, he will be booed because he so clearly hates your favourite team and/or player.

“It’s a hard job that not everyone wants to do, but it’s also not a job that everyone can do.”

And the only time he’ll get cheered is if he stumbles and falls.

Such is the lot in life for the ‘stripes,’ enforcers of law and order, and the most loathed figures, in the great Canadian game.

“You’re getting screamed and yelled at,” Burt concedes.

“You’re constantly under scrutiny from parents, coaches.”

“It’s a hard job that not everyone wants to do, but it’s also not a job that everyone can do.

He’s right. Zebras get plenty of hate. They don’t get nearly enough credit for the work they put into it.

They’re required to have encyclopedic knowledge of Hockey Canada’s rule book — 148 pages covering every conceivable scenario.

They’re required to be in better shape than the players they govern.

“You’re not skating for 45 seconds and taking maybe a minute break,” Burt says. “You’re skating for an hour and Continued Page 24

BIG WHEELS

KEEP ON TURNING

43990 Progress Way (OFF LICKMAN RD, NORTH OF HWY #1)

604-795-3388

VISIT US AT ONE OF OUR THREE LOCATIONS: WE’LL BEAT COMPETITORS TIRE PRICES BY 5%

8249 Eagle Landing Parkway 604-793-7500

Kal Tire Offer True Service on:

08/16W_KT24

• 24 hr. Emergency Service • Batteries • Brakes - Front End - Shocks & Struts • Car & Light Truck Alloys • Chains • Tires & Tracks

• Farm Service • Farm Tires • FWD Solids & Pheumatics • Light Duty Trucks • Mechanical Service • OTR Road Service • Passenger & Light Trucks

• Retreading • Studding • In-Shop & Mobile Truck Tire Service • Used Tires • Wheels & Tires • Tire Storage

45585 Luckakuck Way (COTTONWOOD MALL - SEARS)

kaltire.com

604-824-2859

21

www.theprogress.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Chilliwack Progress

Poop Patrol ANGELA BARTNIK GEOFF WICKINS Turd Wranglers Eric Welsh - The Progress

A

ngela Bartnik and Geoff Wickins are two people with a great sense of humor.

“You have to have that when you do what we do,” Geoff says with a grin.

The husband and wife team from Rosedale are the smiling folksy folks behind Turd Wranglers, your poop disposal specialists.

Yes you read that right.

They get rid of feces.

Most of what Angela and Geoff do is dog poop removal.

“So while some people would say, ‘I’d never do what he’s doing now,’ I say, ‘Why not?.’”

“People say, ‘Ewww! Really?

Why would you want to do that?” says Angela, the CEO (Chief Excrement Officer) of Turd Wranglers.

Geoff does most of the work while Angela runs the office.

Geoff Wickins and Angela Bartnik are the husband and wife team behind Turd Wranglers. JENNA HAUCK/ THE PROGRESS “Or poop soup, when it gets a little mushy from the rain.”

“Or, when we step in it and it gets all over our boots, a land-mine.”

In rain, sleet, sun or snow he rolls up in a black truck emblazoned with the Turd Wrangler logo (the most Facebook photo shared truck in the world, he laughs).

Geoff hops out with his rake, shovel and bucket and goes in search of doggie bombs.

There is little that fazes Angela and Geoff, who approach the job with a sunny disposition on the rainiest of days.

“Or snow bunnies,” Angela laughs. “Those are the ones that pop out when the snow starts melting.”

“People have these monster-sized dogs and they might be breeding them and have litters of puppies all at the same time,” Angela says, half grinning and half grimacing. “And they de-worm them and it’s just everywhere.”

“Or frozen logs, the ones that stick to the ground and need to be chipped off when it gets really cold.”

But occasionally, even these animal lovers are challenged by what they see.

“It’s pretty gross, especially when you see the parasites as well.”

Geoff never leaves his house without a full change of clothes, ‘gloves out the ying-yang’ and his boots.

“You’re going to step in it,” he laughs. “And we carry a lot of wet-wipes.”

“Sometimes someone gives us a bucket that they’ve been saving for a year, and it’s poop soup because they left the lid off,” Angela adds with a chuckle. “We try to load it carefully but it spills all over us.”

Continued Page 23

604-858-0468 • 1-888-558-0468 • xolhemetsociety.org

Media Sponsors:

Wilma's Transition House offers emergency housing and support for women and their children who have experienced violence.

Partnered with:

Our Second Stage Program is designed for women and their children who have made the decision to break away from family violence.

604-824-0939

Here’s how you can help...

Join us at our upcoming event!

August 27th • Coast Hotel Chilliwack BBQ co-hosted by Chilliwack Fire Department at 11:30am - 2:30pm

Donate now, all proceeds directly benefit the women, men and children who use our services 8/16W_XS24

• Location: Coast Hotel Chilliwack parking lot • All funds raised going to backpack program

8/16W_MH24

22

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, August 24, 2016

www.theprogress.com

The big round up

CARRIERS OF THE WEEK

JACOB, JESSICA, LOGAN, AND BRAIDEN

Continued From Page 22

“It’s disgusting.”

Yet not for a moment do Angela and Geoff question what they do.

Angela’s known since she was nine years old she was going to work with animals and nothing about this bothers her.

You’d think turd wrangling might have been a tougher sell for Geoff, but he says no.

“At one point I was driving from Rosedale to Surrey, working 12 hours a day at a company and thinking, ‘This is nuts,’” he says. “So while some people would say, ‘I’d never do what he’s doing now,’ I say, ‘Why not?’”

“Being outside in the fresh air and being my own boss beats sitting behind a desk for 12 hours.”

Fraser Valley into Langley, leaving Geoff with plenty of drive time.

Even that doesn’t bother him.

“I’ve always loved driving and loved animals, and to be your own boss is the best of everything to me,” he says. “It’s not the surroundings that make it fun, it’s how you make the surroundings fun.”

“Whenever I go into a yard I spend as much time as possible playing with the dog and talking to the dog.”

“It’s so the next time I’m there, he remembers, ‘Oh yeah. Good guy!’”

For more information and a very entertaining website, visit turdwranglers.ca/index.html (and keep your volume up).

Turd Wranglers operates all the way up the

VEDDER MOUNTAIN VETERINARY CLINIC We care beyond a cure!

Jacob, Jessica, Logan, and Braiden enjoy doing papers.

They love rollerblading on their routes and meeting the people who they deliver to. They are looking forward to summer and having more time to read, play, and swim!!

CONGRATULATIONS...

AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

24 Hr: 604-858-8198

Progress The Chilliwack

✓ Surgical, Dental and Diagnostic Services ✓ Class 1V Laser Therapy ✓ Preventive Care and Advice ✓ House calls by appointment 5434 Vedder Rd., Chilliwack • www.veddermountainvetclinic.com

8/16W_VMV24

Dr. Leslie Ross B. Sc., D.V.M.

Since 18 91

TO BE A PART OF OUR DELIVERY TEAM, PLEASE CALL 604-702-5558.

8/16W_CW24

Our People, Our Community, Our Opportunity You can help your

y t i n u m m o C Feeding 250+ people everyday • Offers clothes hampers, laundry, showers 30 day shelters programs & residential recovery centre

www.ranmission.ca

23

46130 Margaret Ave., Chilliwack | 604.795.2322 | info@ruthandnaomis.ca

DONATE TODAY!

24

www.theprogress.com

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Chilliwack Progress

Jacqueline Tait NOTARY PUBLIC

Providing Affordable & Reliable Notary Services to Chilliwack & Surrounding Communities > > > > > >

The right call quiet, I don’t hear them.”

Continued From Page 21

your only breaks are 30 seconds between stoppages.”

So why do they do it? Why do officials work their butts off when no one outside the profession appreciates them?

“I can’t speak to why other guys do it,” says Burt, who started officiating at 12 years old.

“For me, it’s love of the game.”

Love of the game keeps him calm as the red-faced coach blows a gasket.

PROPERTY PURCHASES/SALES MORTGAGES WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY STATUTORY DECLARATIONS AFFIDAVITS

“I can’t speak to why other guys do it. For me, it’s love of the game.”

Love of the game helps him tune out the loud-mouth in row 10 who’s sure Burt missed an obvious trip.

For the record, he doesn’t hear you.

“I umpire baseball too, and those parents are right behind you and the coaches are maybe 50 feet away,” Burt laughs.

“Umpires hear everything.”

“In hockey, the fans are up there behind the glass, so unless the arena is dead-

jackie@taitnotary.com

Burt has fun. When he’s a linesman, he’s known for chirping with the players.

“Some people might say I do that a bit too much,” he chuckles.

Love of the game steels his nerves as he wades in to break up a scrum.

604-792-2848 102 - 8645 YOUNG RD CHILLIWACK

“All I hear is the players or coaches saying, ‘You missed that one’ or ‘You’re terrible’ as I skate past the bench.”

When he’s the head official, he dials up the serious.

He’s calm. He’s in control.

He’s still enjoying every second while he does his very best to keep the game fair and safe.

“Whether we’re getting paid $35 a game or hundreds a game, we’re going to make some mistakes,” Burt says. “We’re human.

We’re not robots out there, but because we’re there the game is more fair and more safe.”

“We award skill and punish laziness and we limit dangerous plays like slashes and hits from behind.”

“That’s what our purpose is and the game is better because we’re there.”

Stay Informed.

8-16W_JT24

Mon - Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: By appointment

HEADLINES ON THE GO

w w w. t h e p r o g r e s s . c o m

POWERED BY...

The e Chilliwack k

Progress

Elite Farm Services is a Chilliwack based company providing poultry catching services and equipment installations in the Fraser Valley. We are a service orientated business committed to providing professional services to our customers.

COMPANY FACTS • Established in 2005 • Current business activities: • Broiler catching contract for Lilydale Foods • Removal of Spent hens (light fowl) - contracted through Superior poultry • Vaccinations for the commercial layer producers • Pullet moving and housing for the commercial layer producers • Equipment installations for all poultry sectors

OUR CREW Elite Farm Services currently employs over 100 people. Positions vary from catchers, vaccinators to equipment operators. In 2008 we developed a student work program. This program is available to local students from middle school age up to High School. This has proven to be a big success in many ways.

1. It gives students a chance to get work experience and learn a good work ethic 2. It allows the students a flexible work schedule, they choose their shifts 3. They are picked up and dropped off at their homes 4. There are strict guidelines for conduct which provide the farmers with the assurance that their farms and birds will be handled with care and respect

SCHEDULING & COMMUNICATION Elite Farm Services is committed to make every effort to have the best customer service in the industry. Our dedicated scheduling phone line and email address make it very easy to book your required service. We guarantee you will receive a response from your request for any of our services within 24 hours.

BIOSECURITY Biosecurity is a major issue in the poultry industry at ths time; Elite Farm Services is very interested in maintaining industry standards regarding biosecurity.

Key Points: 1. Each crew is specific to one breed, they are clean when they arrive at the farm and only go to one job per day. This is largely due to the size of our labour force.

2. Our equipment is washed and disinfected before each job.

Call or e-mail today for more information 604.793.7000 / schedule@eliteservices.ca

8/16W_ES24