Columbia Valley Pioneer, January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020 Vol. 17/Issue 1

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley

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2019 YEAR IN REVIEW January

March

April

February May

July

August

June September

November

October

December

2019 was a year of cute kids doing sweet things, of cultural festivities and community events, and of massive successes for local companies including Taynton Bay Spirits.

File photos from our 2019 archives

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

January in review

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What to do(e) with deer urbanites Urban deer. Whether you love them or hate them, they are a reality in the Columbia Valley and many other communities across B.C. Towns that consider deer a danger or a nuisance have sought numerous ways to remove the hoofed mammals, including culling and hazing. But researchers are looking at another possibility for municipalities to add to the toolbox: translocation. And so far, the results are showing potential.

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Snowflake Festival 2019.

Students lobby for a rainbow crosswalk After two months of research and preparation, a grade 6/7 class from J. Alfred Laird advocated so convincingly for a rainbow crosswalk next to the school that Invermere council unanimously agreed to grant their request.

“I feel everybody deserves to feel welcome and included at school and everywhere they go,” Hayley told council when it was her turn to step up to the podium at the council’s committee meeting on Tuesday, January 8th.

Cannabis shop proposed for Athalmer Road The Regional District of East Kootenay is holding a public hearing on a proposed retail cannabis store. This will be the valley’s second hearing on proposed retail cannabis stores since recreational use of the drug was legalized in October 2018.

The proposed shop would be located at 4884 Athalmer Road in the empty storefront where Bavin Glassworks used to be. Ryan Haynes, who is behind the application, said the proposed location is ideal since it’s away from homes, parks and schools and since it’s in close proximity to the Columbia Valley RCMP station.

Home values rise in Columbia Valley A home in Canal Flats now comes in at $2,525,000 and is the 34th most-valuable property in the Kootenay Columbia region according to BC Assessment’s 2019 valuations.

Property values for single-family homes sky rocketed by 30 percent in Canal Flats, jumped by 10 per cent in Invermere and inched up two percent in Radium Hot Springs.

Deputy assessor Ramaish Shah gave a presentation before Invermere council members where he said the increase Invermere is seeing is “fairly stable” and “isn’t that dramatic.”

It’s a different story in Canal Flats, where he said it’s a case of one business – the new Columbia Lake Technology Centre – starting up and “making the market.”

Fire burns Canal Flats shop to ground A fire broke out at the Canal Flats Technology Centre (CLTC) last week.

While an entire shop was lost, no one was hurt and the company promises it will rebuild. Lorri Fehr, CLTC chief executive officer, says the steel fabrication shop was on night-shift when the fire broke out, some time before 2 a.m. Thursday, January 24th.

“The night shift was on, and someone saw smoke coming out of one end of the shop,” Ms. Fehr reports.

The crew immediately called officials and cleared the building of people. They managed to move some major equipment out of the way as well.

“We’re thankful everyone is safe, and our team knew how to take care of themselves,”she says.

Blooming World set to blossom Invermere will almost certainly be home to the valley’s first retail cannabis shop after council unanimously voted in favour of letting Blooming World Cannabis light up their store. The Provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will have one last chance to review the file, which they previously approved, before the shop

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A week earlier Invermere’s council chambers bulged like the fattest of blunts as residents debated the pros and cons of allowing Blooming World Cannabis to set up shop in Parkside Place on 7th Avenue.

Twenty-nine people offered their thoughts, with the vast majority – including two health providers, a former councillor, a former council candidate and all three entrepreneurs whose own retail cannabis proposal was rejected – offering their support to Blooming World Cannabis.

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Bloom or bust Olivier Hogue and Shawn Wernig have been waiting since September to find out if they will get to open their proposed retail cannabis store, Blooming World Cannabis. With a series of governmental approvals in place, the Invermere-based entrepreneurs are now hoping to build support from residents as the public hearing that will largely determine the fate of their shop draws near.

The public hearing is an opportunity for residents to share their support or voice their opposition for the proposed business as council takes note.

“People supporting it will just support it in their heads,” Mr. Hogue said. “We encourage anyone for it to come out and support.”

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January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

February in review Council aims for smoke-less Canal Flats The Village of Canal Flats is the latest in a string of communities about to pass a Clean Air Bylaw in light of the legalization of cannabis this past fall.

The bylaw is designed to promote health and safety in Canal Flats’ public places, with the aim of controlling smoking or vaping of tobacco, cannabis, and other substances. It also prohibits smoking at recreation facilities and parks in the village, including playgrounds, playing fields, beaches and trails within the village. The bylaw prohibits smoking within seven metres of any recreation facility or transit shelter or inside village-owned or leased vehicles. For special events, organizers will need to apply for an exemption from Council to allow smoking at their event, if they so desire.

Council again seeks public permission to purchase waterfront property District of Invermere (DOI) residents may have already voted in favour of spending $5 million to purchase the waterfront Lake Windermere Resort Lands in Athalmer, but they will get to weigh in again at least one more time before council will be allowed to close the deal on its top-priority project.“It’s valuable property there. It’s the gateway to our community,” said mayor Al Miller, adding that he’s keen to see the community “bring it into our fold.”

A question posed in the October 2018 municipal election, which received 66 percent support, asked: “Would you support the District purchasing the ‘Lake Windermere Resort Lands’, located in Athalmer for an amount not to exceed $5,000,000?”

While residents voted in favour of the purchase, their ballots weren’t binding.

Chief administrative officer Chris Prosser said the DOI didn’t have time to prepare the paperwork required for a referendum so they went with a public-opinion poll instead to gauge community support.

MLA working on health care access Doug Clovechok, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, is committed to helping British Columbians have equal access to health care, no matter how complex the issue is.

Mr. Clovechok jokes with the Pioneer that he knows more about the health care system now than he ever has in his life after spending the last 18 months studying the issue, talking to people involved in the system, and hearing story after story from constituents facing a variety of health-related challenges in the Columbia Valley and across the riding.

He and fellow MLA Tom Shypitka, as well as some other border-region MLAs in B.C., have banded together in light of what appears to be a growing barrier between British Columbians and access to health care in Alberta.

“We’ve got great hospitals,” physicians, and specialists, across the riding, Mr. Clovechok says. But accessing the health care needed in a quick and timely fashion is certainly a problem, especially as Alberta rejects B.C. patient after B.C. patient into their system.

A proliferation of Columbia Valley pot shops The Regional District of East Kootenay voted in favour of allowing Ryan Haynes to open his proposed retail cannabis shop at 4884 Athalmer Road near the Invermere Liquor Store, which he also operates. “Because we’d had the public hearing and there were no letters objecting, there wasn’t a lot of discussion,” Area F Director Susan Clovechok said. “All feedback suggested that the community was in support.”

Before recreational cannabis was legalized in October, Ms. Clovechok predicted a noticeable increase in “that skunk smell” but has since been pleasantly surprised by humanity.

“I think people are being are being really respectful of kind of the where and when to consume,” she said.

Following the RDEK approval, Mr. Haynes’ shop needs to secure a final nod from the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch before he can get his proposed

February’s winter fun included the polar plunge, cross country skiing and winter sunshine.

joint rolling.

Less than three kilometres from Mr. Haynes’ intended location, Blooming World Cannabis is preparing to open its doors soon.

Health care crisis in the valley A letter in the Pioneer on February 14th from an Invermere doctor claiming Alberta has become harder and harder for patients to access has opened a flood of response.

Between letters to the editor, cheers, online comments, and personal stories, the anecdotes are pouring in on how the medical system is breaking down between B.C. and Alberta.

Dr. Gareth Mannheimer, Invermere District Hospital chief of staff, has been working in Invermere for the past 10 years. The Pioneer reached out to Dr. Mannheimer to focus in on this issue and find out what has been happening locally as it relates to Alberta health and the figurative wall rising between the borders.

Dr. Mannheimer says he has seen, without question, a “progression of attrition of access to the facilities in Alberta.”

He says what started out as a shutdown to services such as cancer imaging has expanded to include non-emergency surgeries, specialist appointments and more.

“Those walls have slowly gotten higher and higher and really just quite difficult to navigate,” Dr. Mannheimer reflects. “It affects absolutely every aspect of medical care that we have.”

It is not a total shut-down to services; it is more that it has become “unpredictable” whether a patient will be allowed to cross the border or not for care.

“Certainly we are seeing more and more referrals bounce back because they simply do not treat B.C. patients. This is true for spinal surgery, this is true for many eye surgeries, this is certainly true for cardiac surgery, and it’s become very unpredictable of who they will and won’t treat.”

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

March in review

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Rescued hiker advocates for Search And Rescue funding renewal In her first interview after spending three days lost on Jumbo Pass with her poodle Maverick, Louise Baxter praised the throngs of BC Search and Rescue volunteers who dropped everything in their personal and professional lives last August to find her and return her safely to her family.

“I was by myself not understanding all that was going on for me,” she said, adding that she remains awed by the scale of the search effort and the number of people who raced to help.

The mission involved more than 35 volunteers from eight search teams, three RCMP detachments, three helicopters, four search dogs and a drone.

The search to find Ms. Baxter occurred while BC’s Search and Rescue teams were funded through a three year arrangement with the provincial government that provided the Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) with $80,000 annually.

CVSAR search manager Steve Talsma said the provincial funding is running out, with the tap shutting off at the end of March.

He said the Valley’s Search and Rescue operation is “in an OK position to get through this year” but he is concerned about the future.

A typical call takes CVSAR a few hours and runs from $3,000 to $5,000, but longer and more complex missions can run up to $100,000, he said.

“We’ve had a good three-year run, and now we’re going to have some work ahead of us,” he said.

Both he and Ms. Baxter hope to see the provincial funding resuscitated.

“How do I feel about it?” Ms. Baxter asked. “At any moment it could be someone that you know that needs (to be rescued), especially in the kind of area that we live.”

New housing development proposed for Invermere’s 10th Ave. Christine Scott-Nyuli may not be able to solve every problem she sees, but she said she wants to address the ones she can.

“It’s all you hear in town that there is no affordable housing,” she said. “For the last nine years I’ve been sort of listening to the same message over and over and over again.”

As the managing partner with Generation Homes in Invermere, Ms. Scott-Nyuli is hoping to build “an adorable little community” of 30 units on the vacant property at 606 10th Avenue.

Invermere youth honoured for water rescue Hollis Babich of Invermere was among 23 recipients of Bravery Awards from the Lifesaving Society at the 107th Annual Honour & Rescue Award Ceremony on Saturday, March 9th at the Hotel Vancouver.

Skating the Whiteway is always the right way!

Over the Victoria Day long weekend last year, 12-year-old Hollis was swimming at Wasa Lake Provincial Park, when he rescued his friend Cassius Cowles, 8, who was in danger of drowning.

New on-reserve housing for Akisqnuk The sun shone bright overhead as Akisqnuk Chief Alfred Joseph and Donald Sam, chair of the housing committee, sang a song of thanks on the grounds of a new housing project last week.

The Akisqnuk First Nation celebrated a foundation for success with the grand opening of the first new housing project in approximately 25 years on Friday, March 15th. This is the first of several new housing units: two more six-plexes are in the planning stages as well as a communal home rental facility.

The two and three-bedroom units nearing completion, located on Kootenay Road #3, feature bright open rooms, communal outdoor spaces and a forested backdrop. Several are wheelchair-accessible units.

Invermere debates buying waterfront property Around 50 people gathered at the Columbia ValleyCentre on Wednesday, March 20th for a public hearing to talk about the District of Invermere’s (DOI) plan to spend up to $5 million to purchase the Lake Windermere Resort Lands in Athalmer and to share their support or voice their concerns.

“I personally am very, very excited about our future,”mayor Al Miller said in his opening remarks, adding that despite his enthusiasm for the potential purchase “it’s ultimately going to be up to you folks to make that decision.”

The DOI is seeking public feedback to determine if the plan can proceed. If fewer than 10 per cent of eligible voters send in a form to oppose the purchase, council can buy the land. But if 239 or more submit their forms, council will have to abandon the land deal or carry it forward for a referendum.

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January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

April in review Fire insurance can protect against “absolutely devastating” losses In the ashes of three recent fires where uninsured owners and renters lost their homes in the valley and nearly all of their earthly possessions, the Pioneer asked Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service Fire Chief Jim Miller for his recommendations on fire insurance.

“You better have it,” he said. “It’s well worth it . . . It can be a matter of losing everything or not.”

Over his career he has seen people lose their homes and born witness as their personal tragedies unfolded.

“They lose everything they worked their life for, and within seconds it’s in ashes with not a thing left except what they’re wearing. It’s pretty traumatic.”

Signs of spring abound in April, from kids playing to flowers blooming to skiers splashing.

Old Invermere community hall slated for demolition Tear-down of the old community hall in Invermere is expected to begin in the next couple weeks, with completion slated for June 20th. The community hall – the Lake Windermere Memorial Community Hall as it’s formally called – was built as a memorial to those who lost their lives fighting overseas for Canada. But major structural issues, including a failing roof and floor, as well as an old boiler, led to the decision by the District of Invermere in 2017 to tear down the decades-old structure.

Mural honours athletes from Ktunaxa community In the Columbia Valley Recreation Centre, the walls have come to life.

A kaleidoscope of painted faces and intricate designs create a flowing mural across all four walls of the main entrance foyer. The project, designed by a team of three, was created to recognize the athletic achievements of the Ktunaxa community.

Lillian Rose, project curator; Jason Botkin, muralist; and Dawn Saunders-Dahl, arts administrator, are the members of the three person design team behind the project.

“This wall is a tribute to the generations of Ktunaxa and Akisqnuk people who have been involved in athletic pursuits,” says Ms. Rose.

The mural honours athletic achievement in a unique way through visual storytelling. The faces of approximately 60 athletes spanning six generations from the Ktunaxa community are being painted on the wall.

Dramatic fire-training session New recruits with the Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service got more than they bargained for during their training session Saturday, April 6th as a fire broke out during their practice.

“We were in the middle of training when the call came in, so the new recruits were able to head out into the field and watch our crew go through an actual response. It gave them a really great example of the principles they’ve been learning about and see those principles in action,” says Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Chief Jim Miller.

Radium man considers assisted death When Rolf Heer’s doctor walked into the examination room and closed the door, Mr. Heer got right to the point.

“You know why I’m coming to see you? I want a medical-assistance death as soon as possible,” he said. “I’ve been in so much pain it’s unbelievable.”

While his doctor empathized with Mr. Heer’s pain and offered medication, he said: “My opinion is really to try and dissuade you from this line of thinking, the main reason being that you’ve responded to treatment . . . MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) is probably not in your best interest essentially.”

Mr. Heer disagreed. “I’m so sick I can’t even do anything,” he said. “Laying in bed is not the future for me.”

With Mr. Heer’s prostate cancer in remission, his doctor said he doesn’t have a medical explanation for Mr. Heer’s pain, why it comes and goes and why it’s so severe that he is requesting MAiD. Their conversation went back and forth with the doctor advocating for more testing and pain management and Mr. Heer wiping away tears while trying to get his doctor to reconsider.

After his appointment, Mr. Heer got a call from his doctor, who offered to meet with him again the following week.

“He said to me it’s actually your decision if you want to go for medical-assistance death,” Mr. Heer said.

Now that he might have his doctor’s support, Mr. Heer is having second thoughts.

“The people I’m living with here, they don’t quite agree with me either that I would go for the medical-assistance death. But I have lots of other friends that say: ‘well in the pain you’re in, go for it.’ So I got a little bit on both sides, you know, so at the moment I’m not sure,” he said.

Update: Mr. Heer is still considering his options and is now living in Columbia Garden Village, which is the nicest place he said he’s ever lived.

Columbia Lake Recreation Centre opens After decades of discussion by the Akiqnuk First Nation about the need for a centre, years of planning and months of building, the Columbia Lake Recreation Centre

opens today, Thursday, April 18th.

The Akisqnuk First Nation broke ground on the new facility in December 2017.

Councillor Jason Nicholas helped to spearhead the project and is excited to see it finally come together. “I was an athlete growing up without a rec centre. I definitely knew the need for one,” said Mr. Nicholas. “I wanted to give the youth the opportunity do something else other than make bad decisions.”

He said while the project grew beyond the initial vision, he is pleased with how everything came together.

“I hope that everybody can get a chance to come in and enjoy it,” Mr. Nicholas said.

THE RDEK IS ON THE HUNT FOR THE

2020 Electoral Area VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR Nomination Deadline is FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 If you know an outstanding volunteer in one of the rural areas in the region, the RDEK wants to hear from YOU! Nominees must be a resident of an Electoral Area and make voluntary contributions to the spirit, culture or people of the community. Nomination forms are now available at our Cranbrook & Columbia Valley RDEK offices and on: engage.rdek.bc.ca/volunteer

RDEK BOARD DATES 2020 The 2020 RDEK Board Meetings will be held as follows: JANUARY 10 APRIL 3 JULY 3 OCTOBER 2 FEBRUARY 14 MAY 1 AUGUST 7 NOVEMBER 6 MARCH 6 MAY 29 SEPTEMBER 4 DECEMBER 4 The meetings begin at 9:00am at the Cranbrook RDEK office. Committee Meetings are held the Thursday immediately before Board. Both the Committee Meetings and Board Meetings are open to the public. Agendas can be viewed a week prior to the Board Meeting on our website www.rdek.bc.ca

KERHD BOARD DATES 2020 The 2020 Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board Meetings will be held as follows: FEBRUARY 14 MAY 1 AUGUST 7 NOVEMBER 6 The meetings begin at 11:30am in the at the Cranbrook RDEK office. The Hospital District meetings are open to the public. Agendas can be viewed a week prior to the Board Meeting on our website www.kerhd.ca

1-888-478-7335 | www.rdek.bc.ca

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

PERSPECTIVE Saying goodbye

Historical Lens

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com This is my last newspaper as editor of the Columbia Valley Pioneer.

I have been here long enough to see the best, and the worst, of the Columbia Valley. Overall, this has been an incredible community in which to live and work. As editor of the Pioneer, I got front-row seats to the beautiful intricacies of life here in the valley.

I was editor for the last 12 editions of the Invermere Valley Echo, and worked on 141 editions of the Columbia Valley Pioneer (most of those as its editor).

I witnessed the opening of the Columbia Valley Centre, the Columbia Lake Recreation Centre, the Columbia Lake Technology Centre, and the Radium Hot Springs Centre. Three high school graduations, three Christmas seasons, three Canada days.

I interviewed people who have since passed away or moved away. I interviewed citizens going through terrible ordeals, and others celebrating major milestones or proud achievements in their personal journeys.

I have witnessed kindness, and cruelty; homes burnt down and lives rebuilt, the fallout from tragedy and the victory found in overcoming an obstacle. I have seen charitable hearts poured out to those in need, and seen friendships blossom through shared passions.

This is a beautiful place, and you are beautiful people.

I will dearly miss (most) of you. To those who have shared your less-than-kind thoughts with me, I still thank you, because you cared enough to make your voice heard. It means that you read the Pioneer and are willing to let me know when what you read differs from what you believe.

I have asked little of the Pioneer’s readers in the last two and a half years.

Now, I ask only one thing of you.

Be kind to the next editor. Consider the challenges facing her, and take time to understand why she needs to make the decisions she does. It is a hard job trying to navigate the needs and wishes of a community of people as diverse, interesting, and entertaining, as those found in the Columbia Valley. We often do not have the time or space to fit in everything that is happening, so calls need to be made on a weekly basis for how to fill the newspaper. That is no small task.

And, while I am asking favours, may I ask one more?

Be kind to each other. Life is so much richer when filled with love and laughter.

Thank you for letting me tell your stories. It has been an honour.

Editing herself out Editor Lorene Keitch, diligently at work, as ever. Ms. Keitch steered the Pioneer to lofty heights during her tenure at the helm, tenure that is now ‘history’ as she departs for new horizons. We will miss you.

Photo courtesey of her forlorn coworkers

“Just a farmer”, they said Dear Editor:

Correction

In the Pioneer article December 12 regarding the hoodoos slide, the hoodoos were identified as being owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and The Nature Trust of BC. In fact, not all the land on the hoodoos is for public access; 74 acres of that land is privately owned by Fairmont residents Sue Coy and Lloyd Wilder.

“Just a Farmer,” you said And I laughed ‘cause I knew All the things that farmers Must be able to do.

They must study the land, Then watch the sky And figure just when Is the right time and why.

To sow and to plant To buy and to sell To go to the market With cattle, milk and well You know the books That farmers must keep To pay all those taxes And to be able to sleep

Photo by Bec Ritchie on Unsplash And you know the fixin’ That farmers must do When machines like mad monsters Blow a gasket or two I guess when God needed

Folks to care for His earth He chose “just farmers” ‘Cause He knew their true worth.

Franz Feldmann cattle farmer / rancher Columbia Valley

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Robert W. Doull, President and Publisher, Misko Publishing Limited Partnership.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Amanda Nason Associate Publisher/ Sales Manager

Lorene Keitch Editor

Steve Hubrecht Magazine Editor/ Reporter

Dauna Ditson Reporter

Lerissa McLaughlin Sales Representative

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design

Amanda Murray Office Administrator/ Sales

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is available free of charge at more than 137 locations in the Upper Columbia Valley, limited to one copy per reader. We are funded solely through the support of our advertisers. We are published every Thursday. The Columbia Valley Pioneer may be distributed only by its authorized contractors and employees. No person may, without the prior written consent of The Pioneer or its Publisher, take more than one copy of each issue of The Pioneer. The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is prohibited except with the permission of the Publisher.

January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

LETTERS To be or not to be the I am that I am or not To find out what this really means is something everyone should have taken time to sought The thing that will come to mind is staring you in the mirror As time unfurls what is revealed as it becomes more clear What is my use? What is my purpose?

Am I for the better of man?

Can we all take the time in our lives to help the Fallen Ones stand?

I am told that one candle can light many, and not one second of its life is lost To be too busy or in denial of this, do you know what really is the cost?

You can lead a horse to water but that doesn’t mean it will drink The writing on the wall says we’ve been weighed and found wanting And now it fills this world with destruction by our moral sink The things that keep us too busy also

Michael Flemming Edgewater

Christmas memories Curator’s Corner

By J.D. Jeffery Museum Curator Season’s greetings! I was reading a Christmas article in the museum’s newsletter from November 2003 and decided to share it with you. As we say goodbye to 2019, I hope your seasonal holidays were as festive for you as the ones from Ron Ede Sr.’s past.

“1930’s – Christmas at home started with the plucking of the turkeys outside, coincided with the feverish round of baking indoors. The tree was tinseled and the house decorated. Verbal invitations for a party Christmas night had been extended to everyone in Windermere. The benches and tables from the community hall had been transported via horse to our living room.

Christmas Day – Sampling the content of stockings in the middle of the night, the opening of presents first thing, doing the round of farm chores and getting the wood and water in, then off to church at 9 a.m. After church Dad made his rounds of nearly everyone in Windermere to wish them a Merry Christmas and to make sure they would be at the party Christmas night.

The party – What a meal and what a crowd! A double table the full 20 foot length of the living room. Turkey with all the vegetables, jellies, Christmas cake, plum pudding covered with farm fresh whipped cream and loaded

with lucky coins. After the supper cleanup, everyone did his or her bit. Always an orchestra of local musicians and wandering minstrels. George Okell and his guitar, Walter Fredericks on the violin, Abe, a professional drummer from Vancouver. There was always an assortment of accordions and mouth organs and everyone danced.

One of the men decided it was time I learned the “two-step”. We got started but somehow he had forgotten how to stop – until we came into violent contact with the Quebec heater. Heater, stovepipes and dancers all ended up in a sooty heap. This didn’t slow the party up long. After a few laugher-filled minutes, all were back at it.

Then at another Christmas party, one gentleman danced so hard that he broke his leg and barely got it out of the cast for the next year’s party.

At another Christmas party, a blizzard was blowing and it was many degrees below zero. The door banged open and two snow-covered apparitions appeared. When the outer clothes were removed, the apparitions turned out to be Windermere residents, Rose Trachsel (Olson) and her Dad Fritz. Their truck had got stuck near the Hammond Ranch land. Rose and her Dad got thawed out and stayed to enjoy the party.”

We will be closed for the holidays and reopen January 7th with regular hours every Tuesday 10 to 4 p.m..

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keep us from our light This confusion brought on is really an internal fight That which you dislike in another be sure to correct in yourself Be careful with your words and not speak of hate, if you can’t, It’s better to be quiet and stealth I am going to now finish these words I this morning was inspired to rhyme To wake up and realize the importance of this, where we are in our time To get out from behind our crystal squares, to go outside to see To be a help and to know your neighbours as your friends Is a locked doorway that you’ve been given a Key If you open the door and go outside you will find the “I Am That I Am or To Be Or Not To Be” Is the question of conscience, is this really Me!

PA

Dear Editor:

PRE

Poem with purpose

D N ESS DA

Get Your Applications Ready, Canada!

Apply for a $500 award to help your community work towards becoming FireSmart.

- Organize a Clean-up Day - Host a Workshop - Raise Awareness

Applications accepted Nov. 1, 2019 - Jan. 17, 2020

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day events can take place between

Saturday, May 2 - Thursday, October 31, 2020

TOGETHER WE ARE PREPARED www.firesmartcanada.ca/wildfire-community-preparedness-day-2020

Watch your mailbox for the newest

Continuing Education Guide CONTINUING ED U C ATI O N INVERMERE CAMPUS | WINTER ISSUE | JANUARY - APRIL 2020

Outdoor Adventure Photography page 22

Contact the Invermere campus today 250-342-3210 | cotr.bc.ca/Invermere | invermere@cotr.bc.ca

facbook.com/COTRInvermere

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

May in review Radium sees input on dealing with short-term rentals, turkey, deer The Village of Radium Hot Springs council wants to know what residents think about the prevalence of turkeys, deer and short-term rentals.

Do you like them? Hate them? Want to see fewer of them in the village? Why or why not?

Surveys on wildlife and short-term rentals are going out in May to give the Village a broader understanding of the issues, the impact they are having on the community and what residents would like the community to do in response.

Valley Fitness Centre to address accessibility The Valley Fitness Centre (VFC) is hoping to move to a new location, but the Valley Fitness Society board that runs the centre has realized they can’t put off their accessibility upgrades any longer.

A new facility could be three to five years away, said Teresa Rogal, president of the board, adding that the centre is seeking $32,500 to support its patrons until VFC has a long-term home.

While VFC is scouting out new locations, she said

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KOOTENAY BATON KONNECTION Eileen Madson Recreational Baton Primary School Twirling Program New Students: 4:30 – 5:30 pm Offering a 15-week introduction to this safe, affordable and FUN activity Returning students from fall program: 5:30 – 6:30 & 6:30 – 7:30 pm for children ages 6 and older!

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TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Karen Gratton at 250-270-0142 or email karenjgratton@gmail.com Students may also register on January 9th at 4 pm.

Happy th

80

Birthday Grandpa George!

en, a, Gary, Jacqle Love, Pat, Lind , Ryker, a, Bill, Tannia Brooke, Brend grand kids illie and great W r le Ty , ny an D and Blake Kendall, Jayce,

the improvements are needed: “to help our current accessibility in the meantime... (The upgrades are) becoming more and more important. It’s important today for the people who use it today.”

Myles and mom: the miracle baby Kayla Chinchar felt alright, just pregnant, when she went for her regular checkup at 28 weeks. But she and the baby she was carrying were anything but fine.

At her appointment, she learned that her blood pressure was alarmingly high and that she had developed pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-related condition that can harm both mother and baby.

Ms. Chinchar was rushed to Cranbrook where she had a C-section. A mere twenty-five hours after her routine checkup, Myles was born at 2.4 pounds.

The tiny baby, who didn’t utter even the faintest cry, was whisked away from her.

“They had to immediately stick tubes down his throat to get him breathing,” she said. “He was covered in wire and tubes. . . It was very scary. I was terrified.”

By six weeks, when Ms. Chinchar spoke with the Pioneer, Myles was up to 4.1 pounds and making the cutest expressions from grins to glares.

“He’s got quite the personality,” she said. “It’s a complete miracle that my baby is alive.”

Passing motorists stop grass fire A small grass fire flared up between Fairmont Hot Springs and Canal Flats last week, but was quickly put out.

The fire, which firefighters suspect was human caused, sprang up sometime shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2nd at the Columbia Lake viewpoint along Highway 93/95.

Motorists passing by noticed the flames spreading in the grass, quickly called the Fairmont Fire Department, and then pulled over to do their best to contain the fire using a few hand tools and brooms they happened to have on hand in their vehicle.

“They did a good job of containing the fire,” Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service deputy chief Drew Sinclair told the Pioneer. “It was pretty much out by the time we got there. We spent an hour guarding and monitoring the fire, and wetting the edge.”

summer we crave.

There are blind turns around every corner when it comes to wildfire predictions. Available forest fuel, alpine snowpack, weather forecasts, and – most unpredictable of all: the human variable – all create a road map with lots of potential hazards. Added together, Mr. Levitt gently suggests that indications point to a potential for greater chance of wildfires in 2019.

Missing Valley girl still sought What happened to Brenda Byman? The mystery surrounding the shy 12-year-old girl who disappeared without a trace from the Lake Enid area on May 7th, 1961 has outlived her parents, the officer who handled the initial investigation and several witnesses.

“If there’s any new information out there, we’ll still look at it,” said Cpl. Brent Ayers. “It would be nice in a perfect world to have some closure.”

Anyone with historic aerial maps or connections to a university research program that might be interested in joining the investigation can reach out to the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250-342-9292.

A new recipe for Food Bank future The circle of food bank executive members, volunteers, cheque writers and well-wishers gathered to officially celebrate the start of construction on a new facility for the Columbia Valley Food Bank (CVFB) last week.

The small but enthusiastic crowd was brimming with excitement as they clustered around the soon-to-be broken ground behind the Summit Youth Hub. The new L-shaped building, with 1,550 square feet on both floors, will include wheelchair access. One side of the building will include a garage door to make large shipments easy to unload.

B.C government sinks Pedley marina proposal The B.C. government has sunk a proposal for a private marina on Lake Windermere.

In 2018, the Pedley Heights Community Association proposed a 90-berth moorage facility on Lake Windermere at Baltac Bay. Later the proposal was downsized to 60 boat slips.

The association approached the Province for a crown-land application to address the changes needed in the crown-owned water, but the application was denied.

Water work winds its way through Windermere Water system construction in Windermere is moving forward on budget and remains on schedule for a fall connection to the water treatment plant. The work includes connecting the Windermere townsite water system to the Parr water system as well as upgrading fire hydrants and water mains in town.

Navigating the ‘wildfire season’ As May long weekend fades into the rearview mirror, Valley residents race towards summer, straining to see if we can spot wildfires ahead.

Watching conditions from high in the sky is Steve Levitt, B.C. wildfire officer for the Invermere fire zone.

He surveys the available data to see if we will face yet another summer of wildfires, or if we will have the all-clear

Dancers leap at their United Dance showcase.

from the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce!

Sign up for a 2020 membership and reap the rewards – contact us and find out how.

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File photo

January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

June in review Rescuer died after saving girl Jon Palmiere – “a terrific, terrific guy”– gave his life to save a young girl at Windermere beach on Friday, May 31st.

Eyewitnesses said Jon had gone after a floaty, but Kiel Jordan reached out to the Pioneer to clarify what happened.

“He wasn’t going after the floaty. He was saving my little 10-year-old daughter (Peyton),” he said.

According to a news release from the RCMP, Jon helped two young children, pushing them both back to shore.

Jon and his girlfriend – Mr. Jordan’s older step-daughter – were visiting from Calgary for the weekend and enjoying a beach day with Mr. Jordan’s younger girls and another family when Peyton and the other unidentified girl ran into trouble.

“My daughter got a little too far out on the water on her floaty and was trying to make it back and she started calling for help, needing some help, and then her head started bobbing underneath the water. And so Jon, without hesitation, ran into the lake and tried to help her get back,” Mr. Jordan said.

“His head started going under trying to keep her up and then he slipped under the water and his last go was to grab her feet, somehow threw her up out of the water towards the beach, which got her within arm’s reach of other people that helped bring my daughter back onto the beach, and then he went under the water.”

Jon was taken to the hospital where he passed Jon Palmiere.

Submitted photo away.

Funding announced for First Nations housing Akisq’nuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band will be getting over a million dollars in new and improved housing following a funding announcement from the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) on Thursday, May 30th.

Akisq’nuk First Nation is receiving $889,000 to build 29 new units and improve four existing ones, while Shuswap Indian Band is getting $200,000 in funding for four new units and to restore five additional homes.

From transplant to triathlon “Exercise and doing sport is just a celebration of being able to move,” said Mark Rievaj, who received a new liver in December 2017 and a new life along with it.

After his transplant, he said his “main job of the day” was to work out in the hospital physio room that was solely for transplant patients.

“Every one of those people should have been dead,” he said.

But, like him, they’d been given a second chance to stay in their bodies and start a new life. As Mark built his strength back up and became fitter than he had been in years, he was amazed by his rejuvenated body that kept doing everything he asked of it, despite a hernia and a pacemaker that he said are souvenirs from his hospital stay.

“I said yes to a lot of things this past year because for years I couldn’t... Just being healthy again unlocked all the things I wanted to do and could do,” he said, adding that he enjoys challenging himself and reflecting on how far he’s come since his hospital days.

That contrast might have been at its peak last weekend, when he and his daughter Anika competed in a triathlon at Wasa Lake, running, biking and swimming their fastest.

Mountain-high honour It was a quiet Friday night at J.A. Laird’s climbing wall, and Herb Weller was, as usual, manning the gym. A handful of climbers clustered by the wall; Mr. Weller looked on, ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

But the evening’s usual itinerary was waylaid by a flash mob of friends, family, and Rotary club members who surprised Mr. Weller en-masse to present the Rotary Citizen of the Year award.

Rotary member Yvonne Redeker presented the award, noting that the committee very conclusively decided he ought to be honoured as a community citizen as he exemplifies the Rotary motto, which is service beyond self.

Metis student with two learning disorders “really proud” to be graduating Kahleah Bodry, a Metis student who has two learning disabilities and who “didn’t even think that Grade 12 would even come,” is on the cusp of graduating from high school and heading to university.

Kahleah said she found the Aboriginal Education Support services at David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) incredibly helpful.

Principal Darren Danyluk said the school has an overall graduation rate of around 90 per cent but that across the district there is about a 10 per cent difference in graduation rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

“Over the longer span of time I’ve seen a consistent parallel with the gap closing,” he said about his 21-year tenure at DTSS. “We still fare well, but we’ve got lots of work to do.”

Sexual assault sentencing Melanie Ykema, her parter and their RCMP Victim Services support worker sat in the back of the Invermere Law Courts courtroom on Tuesday, June 18th as Zachary Welch, a former friend of hers, was sentenced for sexually assaulting her when she and a group of friends were visiting from Calgary.

Following Mr. Welch’s guilty plea, Judge Lynal Doerksen sentenced him to one year of probation, 50 hours of community service and any counselling as directed by his probation officer.

Hilla Kerner, a frontline worker with Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter which belongs to the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, said “any unwanted touch of women’s bodies that has sexual intention” is a crime.

Not sure what your date is okay with? She recommends asking directly.

“Better ask than do something that the other person did not want,” she said.

Fatal car crash near Radium A Columbia Valley man died after his car crashed Wednesday, June 19th.

Phil Auger, 65, of Brisco, was behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion headed southbound at about 7:30 a.m. when he crossed the centre line and hit an embankment about three kilometres north of Radium Hot Springs.

He was transported to hospital in critical condition but died of his injuries.

Kennedi – 5 – helped pick flowers at Winderberry Nursery.

Submitted photo

Live Music at Pynelogs @ Kinsmen Beach The Parsons & Wild Honey Thurs Jan 23 at 6 pm PYNELOGS CULTURAL CENTRE, ART GALLERY & CAFE ALLIUM HOURS: CALL FOR MORE INFO AT 250.342.4423

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

July in review

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE 914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

NOTICE OF INTENT – PUBLIC HEARING Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendment No. 1574, 2019 and, Zoning Bylaw Amendment No.1575, 2019 Parcel A (See XC11663), Block 7, District Lot 267, Kootenay District Plan 740, Address: 240-Third Avenue, Invermere.

PID: 013-945-963 NOTICE is given of a Public Hearing to be held at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in the Council Chambers at the District of Invermere Office, 914 - 8th Ave., in the District of Invermere addressing the application to amend Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1495, 2015 and Zoning Bylaw No.1145, 2002.

The District of Invermere is considering the amendment applications made by the owners of the property legally described above and identified in the map below. The applicants desire is to amend the current Official Community Plan Land Use Designation from GATEWAY COMMERCIAL to DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL and the Zoning Designation from C-2 GATEWAY COMMERCIAL to C-1 DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL for future commercial development opportunities.

You may fax written comments to (250) 342-2934, email to planning@invermere.net or drop them off at the District of Invermere Office, by Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 4:30 pm MST. You may inspect the proposed Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendment No. 1574, 2019 and, Zoning Bylaw Amendment No.1575, 2019 proposal between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from December 30, 2019 to Tuesday January 7th, 2020, excluding statutory holidays, at the Municipal Office, District of Invermere, 914 - 8th Ave., Invermere.

To obtain more information, please contact Rory Hromadnik, Director of Development Services at 250-342 9281, extension. 1235 or planning@invermere.net.

DATED this 26th day of December, 2019.

Recycling grows up A lot of things change in the span of 20 years, said Loree Duczek, the communications manager for the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), adding that it’s time to let the RDEK’s recycling options grow up, take on some new responsibilities and start earning some money of their own.

The RDEK’s recycling offerings have gone 20 years with very few changes, but after two decades costing taxpayers a regular allowance, recycling is ready for an overhaul.

While the yellow bins will remain unchanged, Ms. Duczek encourages everyone to switch to the new Recycle BC Depot at the Columbia Valley Landfill on Windermere Loop Road, where many additional materials will be accepted and where RDEK will earn cash when residents recycle.

“There are over 76 new things that can be recycled,” Ms. Duczek said. “The more we put into those Recycle BC depots, the more we will get compensated and the less we will have to pay through the yellow bins through the tax base. So do your best to save your stuff and get it to our Recycle BC depots.”

Functioning and malfunctioning junctions

Rory Hromadnik, Development Services

Under New Ownership

Tanelle Bolt becomes Canada’s first female wheelchair bodybuilder Tanelle Bolt gives the fiercest of hugs.

As Canada’s first female wheelchair bodybuilder, Ms. Bolt is a lean and sinewed force to be reckoned with – even when she likes you.

At the 2019 TNT Muscle Showdown in Edmonton on Saturday, June 22nd, Ms. Bolt flexed and posed in a category all her own, earning a first-place medal and a tiara.

Ms. Bolt, who started the Recreation Adapted Society (RAD), said yes because she was looking for “a Hail Mary initiative” to promote the society and fill its emptied-out coffers.

She also said she did the fitness show: “so that there’s never a person than can look at me and tell me that they can’t . . . Till the end of time I can always tell somebody: ‘Get up. Get your *** off the couch. What’s your excuse?’”

If a District of Invermere grant request is approved, two new roundabouts could

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Victim Services sees a simultaneous spike in clients and a reduction in funding Amy Lange’s role to support victims of crime is so vital that Sergeant Darren Kakuno, commander of the Columbia Valley RCMP, implored Invermere and Radium council members to consider how to restore her hours.

“It’s a service that we desperately need here so I’ve come to our elected officials,” he said. “Her case load is going way up and her hours are going way down.”

Ms. Lange’s contract is through Family Dynamix but she works so closely with the police that she’s based out of the detachment’s office. With a one-time provincial grant not being renewed, she is down from 33.5 hours a week last year to 25 hours a week now. Without new funding, her hours will drop even further next year.

“She’s dealing with the worst files that we come across. When we have to break the news to somebody that their child has passed away or somebody that’s been victim to a sexual assault or a domestic assault, the police come in and we manage that.

We conduct the investigation, but then we have to walk away and carry on to the next call and to the next one. And I couldn’t imagine if she was only available half the time for us to bring her along and stay with the victims,” Sgt. Kakuno said.

Already this year and despite her reduced hours Ms. Lange has seen more clients than she did in all of 2017.

Besides helping victims move forward, Sgt. Kakuno said roles like Ms. Lange’s can also protect those who might otherwise be re-victimized.

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be coming as early as next summer. These roundabouts would be added at 7th Avenue and 4th Street and at 10th Avenue and 4th Street.

Chris Prosser, chief administrative officer, said these two intersections are among the top four highest-collision spots in town, along with 3rd Avenue and Laurier Street and 10th Avenue and 13th Street (near the Wilder subdivision).

Even with impatient drivers and an apparent “lack of respect for pedestrians” in the downtown area, Mr. Prosser said reported accidents are few. In 2017, for instance, he said there were nine reported accidents.

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January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Buying or selling?

in the Columbia Valley Submissions must be received by Monday. Priority is given to one-off events. Email info@columbiavalleypioneer.com to enter your event in our FREE listings.

Thursday, January 2

Sunday, January 5 • 10:30-1 p.m.: Pickleball at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors carpet bowling at the Radium Hot Springs Centre.

Monday, January 6 • 10-12 p.m.: Pickleball at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre. (Beginner classes at 9:30 a.m.)

• 10 a.m.: Senior Singalong Group meets every Monday at Garden Village.

•10-noon: Baby Goose at the Invermere Library. Learn new songs and rhymes with your baby, and meet other caregivers in the valley. Brought to you by CBAL. • 10-1 p.m.: Indoor Walking at the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere. Every Monday and Wednesday. All ages. Indoor shoes required.

• 10:30 a.m.: Seniors Fitness at Invermere Seniors Hall. Cost $2.

• 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Invermere Seniors Hall.

• 7 p.m.: Lake Windermere Lions Club meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at the Lions Hall.

• 7-9 p.m.: Live music every Monday at the Horsethief Creek Pub and Eatery in Radium Hot Springs.

10:30 a.m.: Seniors Fitness at Invermere Seniors Hall. Cost $2.

Tuesday, January 7

• 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Momfit and Totfit at Columbia Valley Centre, on now until Dec. 10th. Bring water and indoor shoes for your littles. Running shoes, yoga mat and water required for Mom. • 10-4 p.m.: Windermere museum winter hours.

Wednesday, January 8 • 10-12 p.m.: Pickleball at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre. (Beginner classes at 9:30 a.m.)

• 10-1 p.m.: Indoor walking at the Columbia Valley Centre.

• 10:30 a.m.: Chair Yoga at Invermere Seniors Hall, $ 2.

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Rocky River Grill/Kanata Inn. • 12:30-1 p.m.: Understanding Your Dreams Intro Sessions and also 6:30-7 p.m. at the Invermere Library hosted by Crisanna MacLeod. Full workshop on January 18 at 1 o,n,. Ages 15 + all welcome.

• 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Happy Hands Knitting and Crocheting group meeting every Wednesday at Columbia Garden Village.

• 6-8 p.m.: Glow in the Dark Ultimate frisbee at Mount Nelson field. $5 drop-in fee.

• 7 p.m.: Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall. $2.

• 7 p.m.: Cribbage at Edgewater Legion. $2.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Main workshop: Saturday , January 18th at 1 p.m.

invermere.bc.libraries.coop COLUMBIA VALLE Y PIONEER SUBSCRIPTIONS

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• 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Story Time at the Invermere Library with stories, songs and a craft!

• 1-3 p.m.: Crafternoon at the Invermere Library. Drop-in for a fun, free craft!

• 2 p.m.: Senior’s Tea at the Invermere Library. All welcome!

• 5:15 - 7 p.m.: Drop-in Indoor Soccer for ages 10 to 18 at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre. $3 drop-in fee.

• 7:30 p.m.: Columbia Valley Rockies VS Kimberley Dynamiters Eddie Mountain Arena.

Saturday, January 11 • 10:30- 11:30am Christmas Craft, Story Time and Santa Visit at the Radium Hot Springs Public Library. 4863 Stanley St, Radium BC. • 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Family Free Play at the Invermere Library with Lego, Duplo + Magnatiles!

• 1-3 p.m.: Crafternoon at the Invermere Library. Drop-in for a fun, free craft!

• 7 p.m.: Columbia Valley Rockies VS Spokane Braves Eddie Mountain Arena.

• 8 p.m.: Farside Inn, Red Canoe playing live. No cover charge.

Have an opinion? Email your letter to the editor to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

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Thursday, January 9

Friday, January 10

Understanding Your Dreams with Crisanna MacLeod Intro sessions Wednesday, Jan 8 12:30-1 p.m. and 6:30-7 p.m.

Ages 15+, all welcome

y

• 9 a.m..: Kinsmen Club Christmas tree pick up • 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Family Free Play at the Invermere Library with Lego, Duplo & more!

• 1-3 p.m.: Pickleball at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre.

• 1-3:30 p.m.: Stitch & Chat Knitting Club at the Radium Hot Springs Public Library.

• DJ at Copper City Saloon.

• 10-12 p.m.: Fairmont and Community Seniors Club meet at The Lions Den in Fairmont for exercise and monthly speakers.

• 1-2:30 p.m.: Free iPad, iPhone and Mac support at Radium Library by appointment. To book appts, call 250-347-2434 • 1:30 p.m.: Games Afternoon at Invermere Seniors Hall.

• 1:30 p.m.: Cards games for seniors at Radium Hot Springs Centre.

• 3-4:30 p.m.: Free iPad, iphone and Mac support at Invermere Library by appointment. To book appt., call 250-342-6416.

• 6:30 p.m.: Second Winds Community band rehearsal. Open for all wind instrument musicians. Canadian Martyrs Church, Invermere.

• 6:30 p.m.: Seniors card games at the Radium Hot Springs Centre.

• 7 p.m.: Trivia night at the Farside Inn every Tuesday • 9 p.m.: Karaoke at the Farside Pub in Fairmont.

e Vall

Saturday, January 4

Don’t miss the Christmas Eve fireworks in Wilmer. File photo

o l u m bia

• 10-12 p.m.: Pickleball at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre. (Beginner classes at 9:30 a.m.)

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2.

• 5-8 p.m.: Climbing Wall at JA Laird open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Drop in, $5.

• 6 p.m.: Meat Draw and 50/50 at Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. Every Friday and Saturday.

• DJ at Copper City Saloon.

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911

vin g th eC

Friday, January 3

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Ser

• 9-10 a.m.: Totfit at Columbia Valley Centre, on now until Dec. 17th.

Bring water and indoor shoes for your littles.

• 10-4 p.m.: Valley Piecemakers Quilt Guild at the Legion. $8 for lunch.

New members welcome. $20 / year membership. Email Valleypiecemakers@gmail.com for info.

• 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Story Time at the Invermere Library with stories, songs and a craft!

• 10:30 a.m.: Stretch and Move Classes for Seniors at Invermere Seniors Hall. Cost $2.

• 10:30 a.m.: Family storytime at the Invermere Library. Stories, songs and craft, geared to kids 5 and under • 12:30-4 p.m.: Radium Art Guild every Thursday at the Radium centre.

New members welcome.

• 1:30 p.m.: Floor curling at Invermere Seniors Hall. $2.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors carpet bowling at the Radium Hot Springs Centre.

• 6-8 p.m.: Columbia Valley Youth Network at the Canal Flats Civic Centre. See Facebook page for details.

• 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday. $35 buy in.

• 9 p.m.: Karaoke at Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery every Thursday.

6-month subscriptions also available.

N E W S PA P E R

Contact Amanda at 250-341-6299 ext: 101 for more information.

Don’t miss: Banff Mountain Film Festival The Banff Mountain Film Festival is an international film competition about mountain culture, adventure and environment.

Tickets are on sale at Crazy Soles. Tickets are $25 to $30. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. at the Columbia Valley Centre on Sunday, January 5th. The films will start at 6pm. Proceeds will go to the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club and the Lake Windermere Whiteway Project.

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

August in review New cops on the streets Two new police officers have joined the Columbia Valley RCMP with two more on the way following a series of transfers that have resulted in three officers moving on.

Constable Margaret Tracz had been in service for 12 years before lobbying to move to the valley, while constable Brennan Kish came to Invermere after completing his police training in 2018.

Feds caught with consultative pants down as groyne issue flares up: MP Stetski advised ministers to ask locals for a second opinion Two weeks after a local who wishes to remain anonymous reached out to MP Wayne Stetski with concerns about a secretive federal construction project about to take place in Lake Windermere, the work was placed on hold.

In conversations MP Stetski had with the District of Invermere (DOI), the Lake Windermere Ambassadors (LWA), and the Shuswap and Ktunaxa First Nations, he found that “nobody was aware of the project,” which would have placed 13 wooden beams in the rocky Lake Windermere groyne in the shallow area south of the Athalmer bridge.

“Once this project was being suggested, the first thing that should have happened after that was consultation with the local First Nations, with the District of Invermere and with locals. That is how you get at the right answer to any problem, in my view, is to make sure that you have local input before you start the project,” he said.

MP Stetski contacted three of his colleagues in the House of Commons representing the department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and recommended that they put the project on pause until they consulted with locals.

After two weeks “phoning all the various players,” MP Stetski received an email from Minister Carla Qualtrough on behalf of PSPC on Wednesday, August 7th.

“Work has now stopped on this project, and we will undertake appropriate consultations,” she wrote. “I will advise when I have more specifics. Thank you for sharing your concerns. I appreciate and share your recognition of the cultural sensitivity of this area.”

MP Stetski was pleased with her response.

“I like stories with a happy ending, and I think this story is well on its way to having a happier ending,” he said. “Locals often have the best solutions to these problems. They live there, they see it year round so they’re not just coming in to try and fix something from afar.”

Bank robber strikes in Radium In a startling incident that seemed more big city than Columbia Valley and which shattered the summer tranquility hanging over Radium Hot Springs, a bank robbery occurred on Thursday, August 1st at Kootenay Saving Credit Union in the village.

Local Columbia Valley RCMP Sergeant Darren Kakuno confirmed, saying the police received a “hold up alarm” from the credit union and attended immediately but that the bank robber was already gone.

The lone suspect entered the financial institution, approached a wicket and demanded cash from the teller, according to police, with Sgt. Kakuno saying (in a press release) that the “suspect, who did not mention or produce any weapons, fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of currency.”

No bank employees or members of the public were harmed during the robbery.

Jumbo opponents celebrate court decision Jumbo Glacier Resort opponents celebrated last week’s court ruling as another nail in the coffin for the long proposed resort, gathering for a festive party on Monday, even as project developers vow not to throw in the towel yet.

The proposed resort has been at the centre of a protracted battle for nearly 30 years, and the latest chapter came on Tuesday, August 6th when a panel of three B.C. Court of Appeals judges ruled two-to-one to uphold former Environment Minister Mary Polak’s 2015 decision that the resort was not “substantially started” in time, and consequently cancelling its environmental assessment certificate.

That decision prompted Jumbo Wild supporters to rejoice Monday, August 12th during a night of music at the Akisqnuk Arbour in Windermere, where those gathered predicted a bleak future for resort.

“Now we’re more optimistic than we’ve ever been,” Jumbo Creek Conservation Society Jim Galloway told the Pioneer. “When it was announced that we had won, I was just jubilant. We all were.”

But according to Jumbo Glacier Resort architect Oberto Oberti, a 6,000-bed resort could still be in the cards. He pointed out that one of the three judges in the B.C. Court of Appeal panel believed the project had been substantially started, adding that “the opinion of dissenting judge” will likely be used by Glacier Resort Ltd’s lawyers to appeal the decision, taking it to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Whether Glacier Resorts Ltd. takes the route of the Supreme Court or opts for a scaled-down version of Jumbo Glacier Resort “depends on which one is more complicated,” Mr. Oberti told the Pioneer.

August is always fun in the valley. Check out whitewater racing, music fests, or art installations, such as an art project done with rocks in Canal Flats last summer.

File photos

Radium divided over short-term rentals Radium Hot Springs is divided on the issue of short-term room rentals, with 60 per cent of 301 survey respondents saying they’re fine having temporary guests in their neighbourhoods or their buildings, while 40 per cent are uncomfortable with that prospect.

With 46 per cent of respondents having advertised their properties for short-term rentals or considering doing so, emotions are running high on both sides.

“There’s definitely two sides, two camps,” said councillor Todd Logan.

Councillor Mike Gray agreed, and said: “The people that are really unhappy with it are because they’re sharing a wall with the neighbour.”

Some of the respondents said short-term rentals decrease property values; others said they increase them. Some said brief renters have no buy-in to be good neighbours; others said at least the renters leave, while an unpleasant neighbour is there to stay. Some said they feel unsafe with short-term renters on the loose; others said a drained-out community is less safe that one that’s packed full.

So what is a council to do?

“I feel that the electorate is asking us to make a stand,” mayor Clara Reinhardt told her council colleagues.

Council directed staff to create draft guidelines – such as requiring that owners have insurance to cover short-term rentals – that the village could discuss with stratas before moving ahead.

Water bottle plant proposed A proposed new water bottling plant in Canal Flats will have a capacity of 6,000 water bottles per hour. Proponent Richard Belanger hopes to have the plant operational

by January 2020.

The proponents, The Source of the Columbia Beverages, hosted an open house and presented their business plan to Council in August.

When asked why he wanted to put a water bottling plant in Canal Flats, Mr. Belanger said the water quality in the area is amazing.

“You can drink from the tap the most crystal-clear water . . . If you look anywhere else – Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Cranbrook, you can never find that quality of water,” Mr. Belanger told the Pioneer.

He said they would like everybody’s support and feedback on the business, and are looking at how they can be “great corporate citizens in the Columbia Valley.”

Drug dealings After witnessing what she believed to be two drug deals near the Crossroads earlier this month, a woman wrote a jeers about the situation online.

Two hundred and thirty-five responses followed, with one person posting a name and Facebook link for a woman who had been jailed for previous drug-related convictions.

Sergeant Darren Kakuno, the local detachment commander, said: “If anyone in our community has any information related to drug trafficking I would ask they provide the information to the RCMP.”

January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

September in review What if salmon were to swim again?

“Salmon are to Secwepemc almost like Jesus Christ is to the Christians,” said Mark Thomas, a Shuswap Band councillor and salmon advocate who has spent his career in aquatics and environmental science.

It’s nearly impossible to express how much his people lost when the Columbia River salmon swam their last, he said, asking how a culture can continue without the central unifying force around which to arrange its worldviews, beliefs and actions.

“You were raised in a certain way with certain values, and those values are what causes you to have an identity, what causes you to know what’s right and wrong, what causes you to make decisions on a day-to-day basis whether they be big ones or small ones. And so that’s what we don’t have. We don’t have those oral teachings anymore. We’ve lost all of that,” he said.

While he devoted himself to being “the guy that speaks for the salmon,” he wasn’t convinced that he would live to see salmon swimming in the Columbia River. He even told his children that they might have to be the ones to “carry the torch” forward on behalf of the next generation.

But on July 29th, he represented the Secwepemc Nation as the Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa and Secwepemc Indigenous Nations signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the federal and provincial governments to collaborate on bringing salmon back to the Columbia River Basin.

Pleading ignorance no excuse for breaking the law Pleading ignorance is no excuse when it comes to illegal activity in protected areas, said Greg Kruger with the Conservation Officer Service in the Columbia Valley.

Even though the resort funds the airport annually, and all the directors on the airport society come from the resort, he explained it is not a resort-owned facility but is an independent, non-profit association.

The resort has spent approximately $2 million to keep the airport operational since 2006, Mr. Bessey said, adding they spend anywhere from $150,000 to $170,000 each year. FHSR is getting tired of footing the bill.

“We need to find funding or the airport is at risk of closing,” said Mr. Bessey. “The resort cannot shoulder the load any longer.”

Kids show their best bear scare faces in Radium.

One particular area with rising concerns is west of Radium Hot Springs off the Red Rock Forest Road called the Radium lookouts. It’s a popular camping area but receives “continual abuse on this sensitive ecosystem,” he explains.

Over the Labour Day weekend, COS conducted a patrol in the Red Rock area and fined four motor vehicles.

Mayday call at the Fairmont airport The Fairmont Hot Springs Airport is sending out a mayday call.

The society that runs the rural airport is looking for additional financial support to run the facility and says if they do not find it, they may shut it down.

There are three directors on the Fairmont Hot Springs airport society: one is Vivek Sharma, CEO of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (FHSR), the other two are shareholders at FHSR: Doug Fowler and Dave Bessey.

Invermere climate strikers raise a ruckus Invermere residents gathered last week in the district’s cenotaph park, carrying signs, delivering speeches and marching to the municipal office with a signature-laden petition, demanding local action on climate change.

The event, on Friday, September 20th, was part of the Global Climate Strike, an event inspired in part by teenage climate activist Greta Thurnberg, which saw rallies and protests of tens of thousands of people in cities spanning the globe. Here in Invermere more than 250 people, including several dozen high school students, went on temporary ‘strike’ from school or their jobs to promote taking immediate step to address climate change.

The crowd filled the cenotaph plaza for almost two hours, with placard carrying students encouraging passing motorists to honk in support, while local singers played music and then a series of local residents and politicians gave speeches on topics ranging from electric cars to getting leaders to pay attention. Once the rally wrapped up, the crowd walked en-massed to the District of Invermere office, where a large petition decorated with an image of planet Earth, was delivered.

MOUNTAIN VIEW VILLAS Fairmont Hot Springs

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE 914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

NOTICE OF INTENT – PUBLIC HEARING Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendment No. 1577, 2019, and Zoning Bylaw Amendment No.1578, 2019 The lands affected include: That part of District Lot 216, Kootenay District included in Sketch Plan 3252I, and Civic Addresses: 1201, 1329, 1302, 1402, 1413 – 4th Avenue, and Civic Address 395 – 14th Street.

NOTICE is given of a Public Hearing to be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in the Council Chambers at the District of Invermere Office, 914 - 8th Ave., in the District of Invermere addressing the application to amend Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1495, 2015 and Zoning Bylaw No.1145, 2002 The District of Invermere is considering the amendment applications made by the owners of the properties addressed as above and legally described in the amending Bylaws. The applicants desire is to amend the current Official Community Plan Bylaw 1495, 2015 Land Use Designation Section 3.1 Commercial and Industrial, Section 3.2 Residential and Section 3.3 Parks Pathways and Institutional and to amend Zoning Bylaw 1145, 2002 - CDZ-1, Waterside (Comprehensive Development Zone -1, Waterside) to the zones indicated below.

January 2, 2020

October in review Proposed Qat’muk IPCA to involve buy out of Glacier Resorts Ltd.’s Jumbo tenure A month ago the federal government sent a letter to the Ktunaxa First Nation Council advising it will give the First Nation millions in funding to help create an Indigenous protected and conservation area in Qat’muk, which includes the Upper Jumbo Valley.

The total amount is to be $16.1 million, spread over four years.

In recent weeks the Pioneer has contacted multiple people close to the issue to try to divine the announcement’s impact on the resort (which has been planned for almost three decades).

Few were willing to speculate directly on Jumbo Glacier Resort, but several more details have emerged, including that existing land tenure holders in the area (Glacier Resorts Ltd. is one) would need to be “retired” and bought out; the legal battle over the 2015 cancellation of Glacier Resorts Ltd.’s environmental certificate for the resort is not over; and that the Ktunaxa hope to designate the Indigenous protected and conservation area (IPCA) boundaries, which would extend beyond just the core Qat’muk (Upper Jumbo Valley) area, within 15 months.

Outdated culvert thwarts spawning fish Last April, Ben Mitchell-Banks wrote a letter on behalf of the Rod & Gun Club to the District of Invermere (DOI) outlining his concerns that a culvert along Abel Creek was stopping salmon from moving up to better spawning grounds.

Mr. Mitchell-Banks says the DOI needs to take action for two reasons: “One is a legal responsibility. The other’s moral and ethical. These fish are important to everybody.”

Mayor Al Miller says the culvert is a concern for District Council and staff, but the problem is it is an expensive fix.

“It’s probably going to be . . . upwards of $175,000 to $200,000,” says mayor Miller. “We are going to work very hard at trying to get it into our (next) budget and some money flowing in that direction so that we can fix it.”

Invermere spends $5 million and hopes to get some back The District of Invermere (DOI) is now the proud owner of the Lake Windermere Resort Lands down by James Chabot beach.

In an opinion poll in last year’s municipal election, 66 per cent of voters supported spending up to $5 million to buy the property, and that’s exactly what the final bill came to when the DOI purchased the land in September.

Mayor Al Miller said, “I’ve got certainly a good feeling that we’re going to be able to source different granting opportunities or funding sources that’s going to help us pay down this $5 million debt.”

Volunteers wanted for housing task force The District of Invermere (DOI) is looking for volunteers to join the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing to brainstorm how to make sure residents can afford the roofs over their heads.

While the task force looks for ideas and solutions, the DOI will also be conducting a Housing Needs Assessment.

The rezoning application is principally an application to rezone the lands back to the zoning that was in place prior to the establishment of the CDZ-1 Waterside Zone in 2005. The rezoning requested re-establishes the opportunity to develop the parcels individually within the parameters of the current Bylaw 1145, 2002 zones being applied for versus the large scale, sequential development requirements within the CDZ-1 Waterside zone.

You may fax written comments to (250) 342-2934, email to planning@invermere.net or drop them off at the District of Invermere Office, by Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 4:30 pm MST. You may inspect the proposed Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendment No. 1577, 2019 and, Zoning Bylaw Amendment No.1578, 2019 proposal between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from December 13th, 2019 to December 20th, 2019 and from December 30th, 2019 to January 7th, 2020, excluding statutory holidays, at the Municipal Office, District of Invermere, 914 - 8th Ave., Invermere.

To obtain more information, please contact Rory Hromadnik, Director of Development Services at 250-342-9281, extension. 1235 or planning@invermere.net DATED this 26h day of December 2019.

Rory Hromadnik, Development Services

THE PIONEER Get your FREE copy every Thursday on newsstands near you!

Charges laid following knife assault Two suspects were arrested following a knife assault in Radium Hot Springs.

On Wednesday, October 9th, RCMP responded to a report of a knife assault that took place in a building along Forsters Landing Road in Radium at approximately 12:10 p.m.

A bystander transported a 24-year-old assault victim to the hospital for medical treatment. According to RCMP, his injuries were not life-threatening in nature.

Within half an hour, RCMP were able to track the two male suspects down inside a black BMW sedan, stopping them around Athalmer Bridge in Invermere.

“Due to the involvement of a weapon, both suspects were taken into police custody as part of a high risk take down,” stated Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the BC RCMP Southeast District, in a press release.

Cpl. O’Donaghey said the incident is believed to be isolated and targeted in nature.

Conservatives collect Kootenay-Columbia On Monday night the NDP candidate Wayne Stetski kept it close with his Conservative counterpart in Kootenay-Columbia. But unlike 2015, it was the Conservative who pulled ahead.

Rob Morrison of Creston is the new Member of Parliament for the vast southeast riding of Kootenay-Columbia, defeating the NDP incumbent and taking the Monday, October 21st election by more than 7,000 votes.

Mr. Morrison said there are national and international items to deal with in Ottawa. But he will be bringing the Kootenay-Columbia issues to the forefront too. He cited the fluctuation in prices of coal in the Elk Valley as an example, and the concerns in the logging industry.

“That’s my takeaway, is to try and look after all the jobs that we have throughout our Kootenay Columbia (riding).”

January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

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Our weekly What’s Happening page features all the local events around the Valley.

Email your event listing to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

November in review Columbia River Treaty negotiators invite First Nations observers to speak In the spring, the Ktunaxa, Syilx/ Okanagan and Secwepemc Nations received official observer status in the Columbia River Treaty negotiations.

Bill Green, the appointed observer for Ktunaxa Nation, said his role since he was welcomed to the negotiating table in June has been much more active than the ‘observer’ title implies.

“It was really exciting to have that change, but more exciting since then,” he said. “At first it was ‘oh, you can just be observers and sit in the background’ and then it got to be ‘oh, you guys are presenting.’”

First Nations have now presented on salmon and ecosystem restoration, and he said he is absolutely feeling heard as Ktunaxa’s official observer.

Missing couple found in backcountry The word “HELP” etched in large letters in the snow was what led rescuers to finding a man and woman safe and sound after being stranded for several days in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains last week.

The search for Catherine Gibbons, 22, and Damon Brodeur, 24, began Wednesday, October 30th when Ms. Gibbons’ family reported her missing after not hearing from her for five days.

On Thursday, October 31st as police conducted an aerial search with local rescue crews, investigators spotted Ms. Gibbon’s car stuck in an ice-filled creek along Quin Creek Forest Service Road, east of Wasa.

Witnesses urged to turn in poachers After four undersized bull elk were shot and abandoned in the valley late in the hunting season, conservation officer Greg Kruger is asking the public for help tracking down the culprits. All four elk were left to decay,

and none of the meat could be donated to the Columbia Valley Food Bank or to disadvantaged families as is the standard practice when animals are killed illegally.

Mr. Kruger asks anyone with information to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877952-RAPP (7277).

Collisions with pedestrians Over the last 13 months, three pedestrian collisions in Invermere have resulted in injuries that have been reported to the Columbia Valley RCMP. All three incidents occurred when pedestrians were in the north-facing crosswalk at the intersection of Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue in Invermere.

Cpl. Louis-Philippe Gendron-Fafard said: “As users of the roads, we each have a responsibility to be aware of our environment and not be complacent on our daily travels. Every (kind of ) road user should commit to behaviour that provides safer roads.”

Bay Spirits was seeking.

“I’ll give you $185,000 for 10 per cent,” she said.

While their segment ended in hugs and laughter, their deal wasn’t finalized until last week after a forensic audit. And Ms. Dickinson tossed in an extra $40,000 for entrepreneurship training and a marketing campaign, bringing her contribution up to $225,000 for 10 per cent ownership.

“When we left the show, we were on cloud nine,” Mr. Atterbury said.

Anyone who missed the show can watch it online at www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/pitches/taynton-bay-spirits.

Relearning recycling and tossing in more Residents in the valley are recycling tonnes and doing an exceptional job putting their materials in the right bins since the new Recycle BC Depot opened at the Columbia Valley Landfill in June, said Kevin Paterson, environmental services manager for the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

As of November 1st, the valley had recycled over 47 tonnes at the Recycle BC Depot and earned over $5,000 for it.

Dragons’ Den victory for Taynton Bay Spirits Justin Atterbury was nervous as he and Steve Kuffler passed out samples of Taynton Bay Spirits’ ginger matcha vodka for a panel of six big-name and big-wallet investors on Dragons’ Den, a nationally-broadcast CBC show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas with hope of securing a deal.

“The fact that nobody spit it out, that was the biggest fear, right? You were worried someone would make a face, and I think that was a turning point for me when they were filming. It was super stressful up until the time they took their first drink,” he said.

In addition to seeking national exposure for Taynton Bay Spirits, the pair were asking the dragons for $125,000 in exchange for a seven per cent share of their company.

Arlene Dickinson made a higher offer than Taynton Performers dance at modern Indigenous powwow. File photo

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January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-1312 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • Web: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

CONDO FOR RENT

FIREWOOD

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

Cheers to all the volunteers who made the visit by the CP Holiday Train to Radium such a success, and especially the Cadets who volunteered to help with parking, but a big JEERS to the rude, arrogant and sometimes dangerous drivers who refused to comply with parking instructions. No-one wants to stand on a slippery road in the dark and nearly get run over by drivers who think they are more entitled than others.

Cheers to Little Eva who always puts others before herself and chooses integrity even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Great appreciation for all your contributions and help to me and so many people. The world could use a lot more Eva’s!

Invermere - Furnished Upper Level two-storey Condo, close to downtown. 2-bdrm, 2 bathrooms. N/S, N/P, No Partiers.

References please. Available until June 15th, 2020. $1,250/ mo. Utilities and internet included. 403-978-4559.

Support Rockies Hockey firewood. Contact email cvrockies.firewood@gmail.com or call 250-342-1624 for more info or to place an order.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m., at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital).

For information, please call 250342-8255.

Massive Cheers to friends and people in this community who so generously help support me unconditionally with every aspect of my unique home, so full of character. You make life so much easier in this paradise we’re so lucky to live in!

Narcotics Anonymous. If Drugs or Alcohol are causing problems or conflict in your life. N.A. can help. All meetings are at 7 p.m. every Thursday every at 4878 Athalmer Rd.

CHEERS & JEERS Cheers to a New Year with new beginnings.

Cheers to Dietrich V.P. for the gift of skiing. I remain grateful.

HUGE Cheers to the wonderful, Paramedics Breanne and Shantel, and the Medical Staff at Invermere Hospital, especially Dr. Schaffer and Nurse Jutas.

Great appreciation to you ALL for the wonderful care you gave me after a nasty fall.

Cheers to Amanda. Yay treats!

IT’S BACK!

Dairyland milk is once again available at…

Cheers to Amy, Jean, Kayla, Michele, Monika, Sarah Jean and Taylor at Elevation Massage & Spa for being the most wonderful group of people to work with! They provided spa services to guests at our Holiday Open House by donation to the CV Christmas Bureau and raised $500! Cheers to everyone who came to the Open house and donated, so much generosity!

Cheers to whoever picked up my black WindRiver glove at the post office and placed it strategically on the ledge for me to find it easily when I didn’t even know I had dropped it there.

Cheers to Sarah Bourke and Circle foods for being part of the solution! I love your zero waste grocery store. Feels like I’m saving the world!

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE

BUYING OR SELLING CALL 250-341-1202

gerrytaft.ca Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

STORAGE NEWHOUSE STORAGE Various sizes available.

Now with climatecontrolled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

COMMERCIAL SPACE Beautiful 800 - 3,200 sq. ft. second floor office space in Radium Hot Springs.

1-403-559-9625.

864 sq. ft. Shop space in the Industrial Park. Electrical included, $700/mo. 250-3423637, newmulti@telus.net.

Be Your Own Boss!

Start your own storage business.

4500 sq. ft. secure and heated office space attached 8’ x 8’ overhead door.

Boats? Cars? ATV’s? Skidoo’s?

Anything Else.

Long term lease available.

Contact Jim 250-341-5845 or Jamie 250-341-7277. jabrgillies@gmail.com.

BARRY BROWN-JOHN Managing Broker

BUSINESS FOR SALE Luminescence Salon located in downtown Invermere is for sale. This bright, cheerful and beautifully renovated salon is perfect for a stylist just starting out in the business or someone wishing to relocate their current salon or move to beautiful Invermere. For more information please contact 250341-5474.

SERVICES

“Rocky Mountain Land Man”

250-342-5245 b.brownjohn@gmail.com ACREAGE FOR SALE 4.7 acres. Has its own gravelled road access from Kootenay #3.

Road already constructed.

Drilled well, views, privacy. $219,000 + GST. Phone Elkhorn Ranch, 250-342-1268.

ELKHORN COUNTRY ESTATES Phases 1 and 2 sold out.

Selling Phase 3 now. 2.5 to 4.7 acre parcels. Starting at $159,000 + GST. No building time commitment.

Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268 www.elkhornranches.com

MISC. FOR SALE Top Quality Hay Round bales.

Stored in shed. Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268.

FIREWOOD Please recycle this newspaper

SERVICES

Split Pine and Fir. We deliver. Call 250-342-5481. 127 Westside Rd.

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour!

Call 250-688-0213 or visit www.heavensbest.ca.

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services: Handyman Services, Renovations, Moving, Dump runs. House Checks/Cleaning.

Book now for snow removal.

250-688-2897.

LEE’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIR SHOP Specializing in chainsaws, snow blowers, wood splitters and power augers for all your firewood and winter needs.

SAW CHAIN NOW AVAILABLE. Industrial #2 Road across from NAPA Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

250-341-2551 Offering Excellent Service & Fair Pricing!

Spic N Span Cleaning Services Office cleaning.

Now taking new clients.

Please contact Amanda at 250-688-1259 for more information.

Pike Contracting Excavating and Skid Steer services.

Call Jason 250-342-5277.

Qualified Electrical Service Licensed, Bonded, Insured Highly skilled electrician Call Dean 250-342-5516.

NOTICES

NOTICE Notice to remove private land from Woodlot License W1564.

Please be advised that William, Jaro and Rane Wardwell are proposing to remove 111.8 hectares of private land from Woodlot License W1564 located in the vicinity of Harrogate, B.C. Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to Will Wardwell, PO Box 22, Harrogate, BC, V0A 1J0

by January 20th, 2020. Only written inquiries received by the above date will be responded to.

Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting Will Wardwell (address above) or wwardwell7@gmail.com

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

HELP WANTED Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours. Minimum several years’ experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas. Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury by fax 250-342-8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail.

January 2, 2020

HELP WANTED co.

Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Wages starting at $15/hr. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

HELP WANTED

Biologist EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Part-time, permanent www.valleyfoundation.ca Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have managerial and operational responsibility for the Community Valley Community Foundation and the execution of its mission. The successful candidate will:

Kitchen Help Wanted. Wage depending on experience. Full or part time available. Apply in person to Fubuki Sushi.

•

Big Horn Cafe, Radium Hot Springs

• •

looking for F/T or P/T Barista/ Cashier, No evenings, flexible hours, potential for medical and dental benefits, we will train.

Competitive wages. Apply to bighorncafe1@outlook.com or phone 778-527-5005.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

• •

Ensure continued growth of CVCF’s donations and major gifts, and consistent quality of administration, finance, communications; Seek out and act on leadership opportunities that fit the Foundation’s goal of being a proactive community leader; Deepen and refine all aspects of communications, from web presence to external relations; Provide on-going support to the board and committees; and Maintain and honour established connections with donors, the charitable community and CVCF’s strategic partners.

The ideal ED candidate will have proven management, finance, administration and communications experience, including the following qualifications: • • • • • •

BCYCNA – CLASSIFIED ADS

Post-secondary education or equivalent professional courses or experience in the charitable, not-for-profit sector or business administration preferred; Experience managing and executing the day-to-day financial and administrative matters of an organization Strong marketing and public relations experience; Exceptional written and oral communications skills; Previous experience with fundraising, gift management, granting, financial reporting for the charitable sector preferred; and Proficiency with technology and related software, including accounting, database, website maintenance, social media and communications systems.

Technical skills: •

BUILDINGS FOR SALE INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008. Built with concrete posts. Barns, shops, riding arenas, machine sheds and more. Adam.s@ integritybuilt.com. 1-250-3515374.

LEGAL SERVICES CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer Employment/Licensing loss?

Travel/Business opportunities?

Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge. File Destruction. Free Consultation 1-800-347-2540. accesslegalmjf.com.

• • • • • •

Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills including MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint Website maintenance skills: basic graphics editing and WordPress Social media technology skills: Facebook, Instagram and/or other emerging and suitable applications Accounting/bookkeeping software skills: QuickBooks (intermediate or basic and willing to train) Adobe Acrobat Professional and Reader: basic skills Electronic images cataloguing and editing software: basic to intermediate File management and records software: DropBox

Interested in this opportunity? Please email a cover letter and resume to info@valleyfoundation.ca by 12 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2020.

Remuneration based on skills and experience.

SERVICES SERVICES

GET RESULTS! Reach almost 2 million people in 95 papers for only $395/week for a 25-word text ad, or $995/week for a formatted display ad

bccommunitynews.com/ advertise 1-866-669-9222 Book by province or whole country and save over 85%!

GET RESULTS! Post a classified in 95 newspapers in just a few clicks. Reach almost 2 million people for only $395 a week for 25-word text ad or $995 for small display ad. Choose your province or all across Canada. Best value.

Save over 85% compared to booking individually. www. bccommunitynews.com/ advertise or 1-866-669-9222.

Where to recycle?

Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia 604-RECYCLE (732-9253) 1-800-667-4321 RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER

Have an opinion?

Email your letter to the editor to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

SERVICES Attention

Inventors!

Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today!

1.800.218.2909 or visit us at inventing.davison.com/BC

Radium Husky

House Winter Special 3-piece fried chicken and side of wedges.

Free inventor’s guide!

Please email classified ads to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Additonal pieces Breast $3.09 • Thigh $2.99 • Wing $ 2.59 Dine in or take out.

$ 99

9

+ Tax

4918 Hwy 93, Radium Hot Springs, BC • Open 7 days a week, 7 am – 3 pm

Manager of Territorial Stewardship We’re looking for an experienced Professional Biologist to support our growing organization in the conservation and management of natural resources. The position will involve supporting the Shuswap Band and the Secwepemc Nation in Columbia River Treaty negotiations through study initiation, technical support and project management/guidance.

The Biologist will also be responsible for assisting the Director of Territorial Stewardship with the implementation of natural resource management projects and initiatives by providing biological support, project management, administration, training and education to community members.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and are committed to working with our employees to achieve their career goals within our organization. This position will provide exposure to large, multi-facet projects and initiatives which are generally long-term in nature and require both consistency and commitment. This is a unique opportunity for the ideal candidate with ability to steer career changing activities RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: • Participate in and prepare for relevant working groups and representative forums • Assist in the development of a 5yr Workplan for the re-introduction of anadromous stocks into the upper-Columbia River/Basin • Under the Salmon LoA; Initiate technical studies as defined by the Salmon LoA priorities • Assist in the development of the Knowledge Synthesis Report for the Columbia River Treaty.

• Responsible for implementing all phases of projects, from planning to completion; • Responsible for coordinating and managing project teams, resources and budgets; • Ensure high quality of project work and on-time and budget delivery of services; • Develop work plans, capacity funding proposals and conservation funding grants, • Conduct scientific research, assessments and studies, and report on findings, • Maintain good communication with clients, sub-consultants, contactors and stakeholders; • Assist in building a strong client network and organization reputation for quality services; • Organize and document critical information, developments and challenges for projects; • Provide timely reports to the Director on project budgets, milestones and deliverables; REQUIREMENTS • Knowledge of provincial and federal environmental processes, regulations and best management practices; • Knowledge of life history, biology and habitat requirements of anadromous and freshwater salmonids in BC; • Knowledge of fisheries stock assessment and population estimation methodology; • Knowledge of wildlife population assessment and estimation methodology; • Knowledge of life history, biology and habitat requirements of ungulate species in BC; • Knowledge of fish and wildlife habitat restoration approaches, requirements and methodology; • Knowledge of protected and endangered species populations, including conservation protection and rehabilitation; • Advanced understanding of scientific research approaches, resources and techniques; • Experience preparing B.C. regulatory permit applications (e.g. Section 11 Applications, Fish Collection Permits, Wildlife Permits…etc.)

• Experience preparing Environmental Management Plans for construction projects, • Experience as a QEP for environmental monitoring on construction projects; QUALIFICATIONS: • Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Communities required; • Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology or related discipline required; • Registered Professional Biologist designation or equivalent required; • Minimum 5 years professional experience in biological sciences or related discipline; • Minimum of 2 years’ experience with project management and coordination; • Experience supervising environmental technicians in both office and field settings; • Experience with project management, budgeting, and related administrative duties; • Advanced computer skills in MS Office, knowledge of statistical software an asset; • Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience delivering presentations, as well as writing scientific reports and funding proposals; • Excellent interpersonal, problem solving and conflict resolution skills; • Excellent attention to detail, organizational and time management skills; • Ability to work independently as well as within a team setting; • Ability to respond effectively to changing operational needs; • Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license and reliable transportation; • Training certificates in related areas are considered assets (e.g. First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, Marine Emergency Duties, Small Vessel Operator Proficiency, and Backpack Electro Fishing); • Full-time position, salary TBD • Must adhere to the Shuswap Indian Band Human Resources Policy and Procedure Manual (Approved April 4, 2018).

• Must work on-site at the Shuswap Indian Band Territorial Office.

To apply contact: Shuswap Indian Band, #3, 492 Arrow Road, Invermere BCV V0A 1K2 Fax: 250.341.3683 Email: ltegart@shuswapband.ca Deadline for applications: FRIDAY January 17, 2020 at 4 pm

January 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

Holiday stars twinkle on stage LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Worship Service & K.I.D.S. Church 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, 9 a.m. March - December All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m. July-Sept St. Peter’s, Windermere 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

EMP’s Christmas concert saw Invermere’s youngest students perform some Christmas classics for family and friends.

Photos by Steve Hubrecht

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services.

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats.

Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.: Canadian Martyrs’ – Invermere Sunday, 11 a.m.: St. Joseph’s – Radium.

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Lay Worship Services, Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere (Small Chapel) Pastor Doug Lutz, 250-464-0100 Email: mtzionlc@hotmail.com

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937

Windermere Elementary School’s amazing production of ‘Santa Goes Green’ , held at the Columbia Valley Centre on Wednesday, December 18th, saw Santa Claus learn valuable lessons about how to have a more enviornmentally-friendly Christmas.

Photos by Lorene Keitch

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m.

Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President Rick Daniels • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-421-3756

The Pioneer can

!

take you r do llar With 6,400 copies far in circulation each week, th er your message is resonating with residents and visitors alike.

Phone: (250) 341-6299 Fax: 1-855-377-0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com N E W S PA P E R

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2020

December in review

$1

BUILDING 2

99 FRO ,00 M 0+ GS

NOW AVAILABLE

$10,000

Pre-Construction Credit

Sports Loft and Bar Workshop Space Boat, RV & Toy Garage • Up to 1,680 Square Feet with Mezzanine/Loft • 100 Amp, 120/240V Panel • 12’&14’w x16’ h Rollup Doors • Heated and water serviced • Security Gate Access INVESTORS – LEASE HOLD OPPORTUNITIES!

OWN YOUR STORAGE BAYS OF

WINDERMERE

1496 Hwy 93/95 Windermere, BC Please call for holiday hours.

BaysofWindermere.com • 250-688-0512

T

Love, loss and lingering questions Ten months after his wife passed away from an aggressive form of cancer, Jim Gibb is left holding a handful of medical records and a headful of questions.

Fairmont Hot Springs residents Jim and Margie Gibb were in Tucson, Arizona when Ms. Gibb was overcome with stomach pain early in the evening of January 13th, 2019. She was taken by ambulance to a Tucson hospital, where tests showed the “suspected presence of cancer,” Mr. Gibb said.

The hospital in Tucson was prepared to start treatment right away, he explained.

But the couple’s travel insurance company (provided through BCAA by TuGo) informed the Gibbs they would need to be flown to Canada.

On the evening of January 14th, the Gibbs were in an air ambulance destined for Canada. Mr. Gibb is sure they were told they would be flown to Kelowna. But after they had been in the air almost an hour, they were told they were actually going to Invermere. Ms. Gibb was sent from Arizona to Calgary to Invermere to Calgary to Invermere to Cranbrook, all within a month, and passed away on February 25th.

Back home in Fairmont, Mr. Gibb has pored over the details of the file again and again. And still, he cannot figure out why events unfolded as they did. Why was the insurance company allowed to make the decision for where Margie would be sent? Mr. Gibb also wonders why his wife was not sent directly from the Invermere hospital to a cancer centre such as Kelowna. Mr. Gibb still has issues with the travel insurance company and their treatment of his wife, and has now taken up the case with the BC Patient Quality Care office.

Petition on plastic bags In last October’s municipal election, Steph Van de Kemp was glad to see that a majority of Invermere residents (69 per cent) were in favour of banning plastic bags in town. But a year later, she’s puzzled about why the ban hasn’t yet come into effect and is starting a petition to get a ban going.

“People want action. Stop talking about it, and let’s actually just do it,” she said.

While mayor Al Miller feels that “certainly plastic is top of mind and we need to deal with it, that’s for sure,” he said council isn’t taking an active role on banning bags but intends to support plastic initiatives that may come from the federal or provincial governments.

Ms. Van de Kemp isn’t prepared to wait on other levels of government.

Through her petition, which she intends to present to the District of Invermere at the December 10th council meeting, she hopes to convince the DOI and the Regional District of East Kootenay to ban single-use plastic bags and wishes that “the whole wide world” would follow suit.

Jam fam set to expand Saunders Family Farm is moving into a facility in Athalmer (109 Industrial Road #2) that is three times the size of their current operating space. When they move in March, they will add new equipment, upgrade their existing equipment and open a retail space.

Right now they’re churning out two batches a day from their 80-gallon kettle, but no matter how much jam and jelly they produce, their customers gobble it up.

“It’s not enough. We can’t keep up,” Tanner Saunders said. “We’re shipping pallet orders constantly.”

On January 1st, they’ll be starting up with a new distributor, Curve – a company that will take their products across the provinces and all the way into Ontario.

They aren’t going after the world at this point, although China keeps calling.

“We’re fully not ready for that yet,” he said.

Hoodoos fall down Canal Flats resident Wayne Walters was on the bus headed to work on Thursday, December 5th, when a rockslide all of a sudden crashed down the slopes of the hoodoos, stopping traffic and shutting down the highway.

“We came around the corner of the hoodoos and it was like a wall of fog,” he said. “It was still rolling down the mountain. It was like a whiteout condition, and kind of eerie.”

The slide on Hwy 93, between Dutch Creek Road and Westside Road in Fairmont Hot Springs, happened before 8 a.m. Thursday, December 5th.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said an “earth slope failure” brought approximately 200 cubic metres of rock, including two large earth boulders, down on the road along with some trees that came down the slope.

Windermere woman takes on the world Windermere’s Courtney Hoffos is raking in the medals in her first World Cup heats this year.

Last weekend in Montafon, Austria, the ski cross competitor raced to a bronze medal finish, a week after earning both a silver and a bronze over two days of races in Val Thorens, France.

“It was pretty amazing. I was definitely not expecting it,” Courtney told the Pioneer. “It was such a fun feeling, racing with some of the best that I always look up to.”

The 22-year-old chalks up the early season success to a lot of hard work. Last summer, she opted to stay at her training base and continue working on and off the slopes on her skills and strength.

For Courtney, the weekend wins do not change her perspective on how to face the 2019/2020 season.

Courtney said she is grateful for the support back home in the Columbia Valley.