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Chetwynd Echo CELEBRATING 55 YEARS
2014
Chetwynd not a site for phase one of the NE BC Air Quality Monitoring Program
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND - Mayor Merlin Nichols and council members of the District of Chetwynd were not satisfied Monday night with a letter they received from Environment Minister Mary Pollack regarding a program to monitor air quality in
IN
northeast British Columbia. In it, Pollack acknowledged a letter sent by Chetwynd council to her office in March 2013 regarding the program. “The Ministry of the Environment is aware of and appreciates the District of Chetwynd’s
GST
INSIDE Property assessments up
Page 5
Please see "THREE," page 6
Investors grow weary of Walter Energy Could local mines face challenges in 2014?
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND - BC Mining remained strong in 2013, showing continued growth and expansion as new projects drove job creation and investment in the industry
$1.25 INCLUDES
throughout the year. Mining also continued as one of the safest heavy industries with a lower injury rate than most of the other resource and industrial sectors. “I look forward to the coming 2014,” Minister of Energy and
Mines Bill Bennett said. But, investors are predicting weak metallurgical (steel-making) coal prices and fears about an oversupplied metallurgical market will continue to be a concern in the Please see "INVESTORS," page 3
Site C Dam still great idea Page 4
Tansi receives $50,000 in grants
Look what’s in this weeks flyer at your local
Prices are in effect from Friday, January 10 to Thursday January 16, 2014
2
Fri day, January 3, 2014
C het w y nd Echo
LOCAL NEWS
20 13
Business Tansi Friendship Centre receives $50,000 from BC Gaming Grants Year of the
Nominee
Beginning Jan. 17, 2014 the Chetwynd Echo will be open on Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– CHETWYND – The Tansi Friendship Centre has received $50,000 from the BC Community Gaming Grant program. The money will help assist the centre in running its Community Values and Sport programming along with it’s general support services. For an organization whose community initiatives are funded entirely by grants, this is good news. “These gaming grants have really done a lot for us to be able to work in the community and bring workshops and different skills in, so it's good,� said Annette Carter, executive director at Tansi. Through its services, the non-profit group offers support to low income families and seniors in a variety of ways. This includes providing transportation to Dawson
WeĘźre trying to establish good cultural identify for our youth CARTER
Creek for low income families and seniors who don’t have access to a vehicle so they can do they’re shopping and purchase prescription drugs. A group of elders are also attending a leadership workshop in Fort St. John with assistance from Tansi that will teach them how to become community leaders. Initiatives with aboriginal youth have come to the forefront over the years and will be helped
Beelyne Executive Services Ltd.
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along with these grants, Carter says. “We're trying to establish a good cultural identity for our aboriginal youth so they have pride in who they are as aboriginal people, as opposed to being ashamed of themselves or trying to depict another character,� she said. “Our native kids used to all imitate black culture. Even in the way they were talking because they don’t have an identity of their own and it comes from not
knowing anything about their culture so, we really push that.� Tansi does not restrict their programming to peoples of aboriginal decent. Carter says there is about a 50/50 split of aboriginal and non-aboriginal participation in the services they offer. The non-profit group receives core funding from the government to support the executive director’s position, a janitor and a finance worker. They also receive additional funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development for wellness and high-risk youth support workers. But, all the programs and initiatives they put forth into the community are funded by grants. “We constantly look into getting applications for grants and its really difficult,� Carter remarked. Please see "MONEY," page 8
Johnson Rad & Muffler 4536-45th Ave Industrial Park
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C het w y nd Echo
Fri day, January 3, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Investors downgrade Walter to “junk” territory Continued from page 1
New Year for one company in particular operating in our region that relies almost entirely on this product. That company is Walter Energy, which owns three metallurgical coal mines nearby: the Brule Mine 45 kilometres south of Chetwynd, the Willow Creek Mine, 45 kilometres west of Chetwynd, and the Wolverine Mine 15 kilometres south of Tumbler Ridge. Signs of the met coal market’s decline have already been experienced close to home. A weak met coal market forced the Willow Creek mine to curtail its operations in March 2013. The cuts came because the cost of producing a tonne of coal at the mine had come too close to the selling price per tonne, meaning it was no longer profitable. Once employing up to 300 people, Willow Creek now gives work to about 80, with 40 in the pit and 40 in the wash plant, preparing coal produced at the nearby Brule mine. More bad news came this week on Mon. Jan. 6, when Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Walter Energy deeper into “junk” territory after already having moved it twice in this direction last
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After a slight increase at the end of last year, the selling price of metallurgical (steel making) coal has dipped back down to $143/tonne. According to investors, this is an indication that the met coal market is - and will remain- weak. July. Could this mean the Brule and Wolverine mines face similar fates as Willow Creek? It will be depend on whether or not the price of production at these mines can remain lower than the market-selling price, which would continue to make those mines profitable operations. It seems that the company is already admitting it knows there will be some hills to climb. “It’s kind of dependent on the mine where they fall on these different cost curves, but you can see there is a fair portion that is right at the bottom end of the pricing range,” said Lukas Klemke, manager of the Brule and Willow Creek mines at the 2013
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“There is more
supply out there in the market than the customers want...” Northeast BC Community Coal and Energy Forum held in Tumbler Ridge this past October. “Those are obviously operations that are more at risk now for production cuts or curtailments of operations.” Klemke was joined on stage by Shane Gant, acting mine manager for the Wolverine Mine who also hinted at the potential for
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prepared for driving winter driving conditions. BeBe prepared for seasonal conditions. Check www.drivebc.ca
Check www.drivebc.ca or phone 1-800-550-4997 phone 1-800-550-4997 for the latest conditions in BC foror the latest road conditions in road British Columbia.
dark times ahead in met coal, the product that each respective mine produces. “One of the things that’s interesting about the prices is you see them fluctuate, they are starting to work their way down,” Klemke said. “There is more supply out there in the market than the customers want at this point and until we reach that kind of critical balance where the customers need more coal than what we are producing, it kind of has a hindrance on the price.” Gant stated the company has had operations in Virginia and Alabama slow considerably, while a scheduled project in the United Kingdom has lost it’s funding completely. He adds that the Brule
Monday 13
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and Wolverine mines are both operating under their potential capacity, Brule specifically at 1.4 million tonnes instead of its potential of two million and, Wolverine at about the underperforming same rate. Some positive speculation came from Klemke when he said that prices per tonne could jump back up to $180 per tonne in 2014, but they have actually gone down to $143 per tonne early on in the year. That is the lowest price since 2009 when it was just $129/tonne. High demand could clear up the markets enough for the price of coal to rebound and Klemke had hoped for this during the Coal Forum when he noted that demand from China would increase. That hasn’t happened. Slowing growth in the Chinese economy has slackened that country’s demand and Japanese consumers have gone right along with the trend. “In order to address the concerns of oversupplied met coal markets, coal producers would need to cut supply, and delay completions of new coal mines,” says a recent article on Walter Energy posted on Seeking Alpha, an investment research platform founded by former
Tuesday 14
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Morgan Stanley financial research analyst David Jackson. Supply cuts remain the most important driver for a recovery in coal markets. Yet, no supply cuts appear to be forthcoming in the near term, which could mean that met coal prices will remain weak. This shows that one thing is for certain: Willow Creek will not be ramping back up any time soon. But on the other hand, both the Brule and Wolverine mines could escape the fate of their sister operation, unless the price per tonne of coal plummets to historic levels. Because Walter Energy has put significant efforts into reducing production costs at Brule and Wolverine, which have helped them weather the low-price storm, these mines should be safe from curtailments in 2014 and carry on with business as usual, at least for this year. But analysts still warn that if nothing is done about the oversupplied market causing the price per tonne to remain devilishly close to the cost of production, things could change quickly. “The only thing for certain is none of these projections will be right on,” Klemke joked.
Wednesday 15
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Thursday 9
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Use caution when passing Use caution when passing or encountering or e n cmaintenance o u n t e requipment. ing road road maintenance equipment.
Drive Safely! Drive Safely!
4
C het w y nd Echo
Fri day, January 3, 2014
OUR VIEWS
Property Assessments are out ... how did you fare? Did your assessment go up?
Email editor@chetwyndecho.net or log onto our Facebook page. Your response could be included on page 5 next week.
Building BC Hydro’s Site C dam still makes sense
Guest Editorial
T
The Province
he development of B.C. Hydro's Site C dam is at a critical stage. Later this month, a joint review panel will conclude public hearings on the project, capping what has been an exhaustive and thorough process to ensure that all the evidence and a significant cross-section of opinion is
gathered regarding Site C. To quote baseball great Yogi Berra, "It's like déjà vu all over again." In 1983, I attended a large public meeting in Fort St. John. More than 600 people almost unanimously endorsed the theme - "Stop the Hearings - Start the Dam." At the time, the local economy was in tatters due to high interest rates, the National Energy Program and collapsing commodity prices. Local contractors and workers were desperate to get back
C HETWYND E CHO
Published each Friday by Draper & Dobie Company Inc. P.O Box 750 • 5016 50th Ave. Chetwynd, BC • V0C 1J0
Telephone: 250-788-2246 Fax: 250-788-9988 Email: publisher@chetwyndecho.net Fan us on Facebook • Read us online at www.chetwyndecho.net • www.issuu.com
to work to have you save their believe. The businesses B.C. Utilities It would be and their Commission better to use homes. at the time H i s t o r y hydro than gas- said that Site records that an fired generation. aCc c ewas the decision ptable I believe Site C project in was made not to conterms of will help that. struct Site C impacts. because the I believed demonstrated then that the need for the power to the dam should be constructprovincial grid had not ed and viewed it much like been established. It was former premier W.A.C. not stopped for environ- Bennett's "Roads to mental reasons, as so Resources" policy that many revisionists might developed B.C. Rail,
“
”
An independent community newspaper established in 1959. Its main interests are those which best serve the Chetwynd area including Hudsonʼs Hope, Jackfish, Hasler and Groundbirch areas.
provincial highways and opened the vast resources of the Interior and the north of B.C. for development. While I was a member of Fort St. John council in the late 1980s, I prevailed on my council colleagues to endorse a resolution that the City of Fort St. John support the construction of Site C, subject to appropriate mitigation of socioeconomic and environmental impacts. My views have not changed in the intervening years.
Naomi Larsen, Publisher/ Editor/Sales/Production publisher@chetwyndecho.net editor@chetwyndecho.net sales@chetwyndecho.net production@chetwyndecho.net
Mike Carter, Reporter reporter@chetwyndecho.net
Tammy Cloarec, Office Manager accounts@chetwyndecho.net
The Peace River already has two dams for power generation and a third just makes sense, both to extract the additional clean energy, as well as to displace "dirtier" electricity, such as that generated by massive coal-fired plants that we see in Alberta. With large liquefied natural gas projects being proposed, it would be better to use hydro than gas-fired generation, and I believe Site C will help that. Please see "SHOULD," page 5
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The opinions expressed on the editorial page of the Chetwynd Echo are strictly those of the particular writers involved and are not necessarily shared or supported in any way by Draper & Dobie Company Inc, itʼs management or employees. The columns of the Chetwynd Echo editorial page are open to letters to the editor of reasonable length dealing with current events or other concerns. All correspondence must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The newspaper reserves the right to edit, condense or reject any submission or advertisements.
C het w y nd Echo
Fri day, January 3, 2014
5
LOCAL NEWS
Peace property values on the up
Should have been built in 80s Chetwynd to see 2.6 per cent increase, sitting at $234,000 Continued from page 4
The emotional argument about losing highclass farmland just doesn't hold up in the light of day when you look at the economics. Only small-scale market gardening will ever be likely, given the distance to markets and high cost of other inputs such as labour. The Peace River has been generating electricity for B.C. for many decades and it makes sense to build a third dam. It would be clean energy and large hydro is costeffective over time, given that the projects last more than a century. Frankly, this project should have been built in the 1980s. History has shown that we did in fact need the power. And if Site C had been built then, it would likely have been paid off by now. Instead, here we are again having public hearings about Site C. The Site C project should be built once and for all. This is a good project for B.C. and a good project for Fort St. John and the region.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS –––––––––––––– PEACE REGION – The numbers are in for the Peace Region's 2014 Assessment Roll and things are looking up. The average for a single-family residential property in the Peace River Assessment Area is $297,000 for 2014, up 6.8 per cent from last year. "There has been an increasing trend over the last few years," said Michael Spatharakis, deputy assessor for the Peace River Region. "That's primarily related to the resource and major industry sectors in the Peace River Assessment Area; that being oil and gas and mining in particular." He noted that the clean energy sector, with a number of wind farms in the region for example, was another industry that played a role in the increasing property value. "What happens is, with the increased activity in the area there is a lot of people moving into the area," said Spatharakis. "The value gets pushed up because there's more people vying for the properties." While the value increase for the region as a whole was similar to last year's 7.7 per cent increase, some districts saw great variance in between this year and last year's increases. Tumbler Ridge saw a modest
increase of 3.4 per cent for 2014, with the average singlefamily residential property valued at $246,000. This is a drastic change from last year's increase of 19.5 per cent in the district. "Tumbler Ridge is impacted more by mining," said Spatharakis. "Whereas Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Taylor are impacted more by oil and gas. So there is a bit of a difference that way." In Fort St. John a larger increase of 8.8 per cent was seen, with the property value increasing to $348,000 - the highest in the assessment area. "Any time your assessment increases it's certainly a good sign for showing what a strong market we have, what a strong growth region," said Trevor Bolin, Fort St. John city councillor and real estate agent. "In Fort St. John, the biggest factors are going to be some of the mega projects that are certainly in the media: LNG, pipelines, Site C, of course. Every time you see this happening there is growth in the market." He noted that an increase in residential property value is a great benefit to homeowners and a sign of positive interest in the community. "How do you argue with the fact that your home has gone
up?" said Bolin. "Most people, their home is the biggest investment they'll ever hold." In Dawson Creek, property value rose to $259,000, an increase of 6.6 per cent from 2013. "I think it's a positive indicator that our community is growing. It's a strength in our community that is showing a positive trend," said Dawson Creek Mayor Dale Bumstead. "It's all being driven by the oil and gas industry, the natural gas industry, the Montney Play that we sit on is causing huge opportunities for business in the area and Dawson Creek is feeling the effects." Looking around town, Bumstead pointed to the new residential developments and commercial developments, particularly west of town by the airport that are growing the community and the city's revenue stream. "That's showing a positive trend in our community that the investments that are going on in real estate with residential, commercial and industrial. All three of those components for our assessment in 2013 were up," said Bumstead. "That all means new assessment in our community which adds to new revenue from property taxation, which helps us deliver the services the
residents expect of the city. Hudson's Hope saw a fair increase of 9.2 per cent for 2014, although its property remains the lowest in the assessment area at $189,000. The district is steadily climbing with its cumulative property value increase over the past two years being just under 20 per cent. "Hudson's Hope, again that's related to oil and gas activity and it's possible there could be some speculation it is related to Site C," said Spatharakis. "I can't prove that, we're just reflecting what the market has shown." The District of Chetwynd saw a 2.6 per cent increase, with property value for 2014 sitting at $234,000. The District of Taylor saw a similar increase of 2.5 per cent, with property value assessed at $287,000. In Pouce Coupe, property value is up to $213,000, a 9.2 per cent increase from the 2013 assessment. Spatharakis pointed to the region's overall assessment roll that increased by $1.21 billion this year, up to $18.69 billion. "Half of that being just from growth which is not market related: subdivisions, rezoning and new construction," said Spatharakis. "My instinct as a real estate professional is, if activity continues as it does, we'll continue to see growth."
You can email us at editor@chetwyndecho.net; mail to Box 750 Chetwynd B.C. V0C 1J0 or drop of your letter at 5016 50 Avenue. All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so we can confirm that it came from you. The Echo reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, legality, length and to refuse publication of any submitted material. We may also choose to use a letter as the basis for a story. So, be sure to keep your letters brief and to the point. Letters originating from the Peace region get priority. We encourage new contributors as we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. - Naomi Larsen, Editor
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C het w y nd Echo
Fri day, January 3, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Three re-locatable monitoring units set for Farmington, Prince George and Doig River
Continued from page 1
continued interest in the northeast air quality monitoring initiative,” Pollack wrote. Three re-locatable monitoring units have been prepared in Prince George for deployment near Farmington, Toms Lake and Doig River, where they will remain for at most one year, Pollack says. After this time, if concentrations of pollutants in the air are found to be below detectable limits, the units may be moved to other locations where a more significant need for monitoring has been identified. When available, hourly data from these units will be posted to a provincial government website: www.bcairquality.ca. Delays in Land Use Agreement negotiations with owners in the region have led to the monitors staying put in Prince George, at least according to Peace River Regional District documents from Sept. 2013. Pollack’s letter would appear to indicate these issues are nearly solved. Yet, the District of Chetwynd is frustrated that after the many years they have spent on bringing the concern of a lack of monitoring within town limits before the Ministry of the Environment, Chetwynd was not considered as a
candidate for a mobile air quality monitoring unit. The province has instead opted to place the units closer to oil and gas activity locations. “We need to push for more,” councilor Rochelle Galbraith said. “This whole issue of air quality monitoring has been pretty discouraging for us over the years,” Mayor Nichols added in an interview conducted from his office Tuesday afternoon. “They’ll listen, they will write nice letters back saying thank you very much et cetera, but all any local government can do is keep putting on the pressure. It goes back as long as I have been associated with council,” he said. BACKGROUND ON THE PROGRAM
In 2012, the province and partners from the oil and gas industry embarked on a three-year air monitoring and community engagement program in the northeast. The program followed on the heels of phase one of the oil and gas health assessment. The air monitoring program was in direct response to growth in the oil and gas industry and concerns from residents over its potential impact on air quality. “We’ve been working with northern communities and industry to establish an air monitoring program,” said Rich
We need to push for more.
GALBRAITH
It goes back as long as Iʼve been associated with council.
Coleman, who in 2012 served as the minister of Energy and Mines. This past summer, a progress report on the program showed that the three monitoring units had remained in Prince George due to ongoing negotiations on Land Use Agreement with owners in Toms Lake, Farmington and Doig River. The mobile monitoring units will have a 10-metre mast with meteorological sensors for measuring wind speed and direction,
NICHOLS
air temperature and relative humidity and a data logging system linked to a cellular modem which communicates with a central PC for data downloading. The units will monitor for sulphur dioxides, and hydrogen sulphides in an attempt to estimate current ambient air quality concentrations, air quality trends and potential health risks. Their locations were determined by an analysis of population density,
E D IT O R@C H ET WY N D EC HO .NE T
security, power availability, property access, local topography, meterology, proximity to existing monitoring stations, and their location near emissions sources. In Toms Lake there are 150 well sites near the monitoring station, 98 test facilities, 93 waste disposal facilities and zero gas plants. Doig River has 36 well sites nearby, five test facilities, two compressor stations and zero gas plants. Lastly, Farmington has
two compressor stations, 23 test facilities, 42 waste disposal facilities, 41 well sites and zero gas plants. These three sites make up only the initial phase for the monitoring program and according to Eric Taylor, an air quality meteorologist with the Ministry of the Environment, are only part and parcel of the long-term goals of developing a more comprehensive monitoring program for our region.
C het w y nd Echo
Fri day, January 3, 2014
7
Site C Dam a "make work project on the backs of BC taxpayers" - Director Hadland
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– FORT ST. JOHN –Arthur Hadland, Peace River Regional District area C Director, says there is no sense in building the Site C dam. He is concerned that BC Hydro faces a financial mess that amounts to as much as $70 billion in debt while it pursues the Site C dam project in northeastern BC. Citing the 2010 review of the proposed Site C announcement, Hadland also added that the project is neither clean nor green. “California rejected Site C power as not being green or clean,” he wrote in an email to several BC media outlets. “The province has provided five other uses for the proposed dam in the past five years. This confirms that there is no purpose for Site C other than as a make work project on the backs of British Columbia’s rate payers.” Last June, at a Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce luncheon where BC Hydro CEO Charles Reid was a guest speaker, Reid confirmed that in total, the utility owed almost $70 billion: $15 billion in long term debt, $4.5 billion in deferral accounts (an account where the asset or liability is not realized until a future date), and some $50 billion in future contractual obligations. “Another $8 billion and counting in debt commit-
LOCAL NEWS
put together a very good case form an environmental point of view. You’re going to have supporters and you’re going to have opponents. We face this with almost every single project we work on. What we try to do is look at a bal-
anced, fair way. You can’t totally mitigate everything. We do our best.” But, Hadland says more should be done to look at alternatives, as various presenters have made the case for during the joint federal-provincial environ-
mental review panel publics hearings that have been ongoing since early December, 2013. “Natural Gas is toted as an option which the Shephard Co-generation plant near Calgary has demonstrated can be built
for one-sixth of the cost of Site C,” Hadland said. “I believe that alternate uses for natural gas need to be brought to the fore and more facts need to be investigated before blindly endorsing the destruction of our valley.”
HADLAND
ment needs much more scrutiny by the people of this province,” Hadland said referring to the Site C dams’ estimated $7.9 billion price tag. At the luncheon, Reid defended the utility’s debt position saying deferral accounts represent borrowings to finance current projects that will be paid back in full from the projects resulting ratepayer revenue. As for the contractual obligations, Reid said they mainly refer to commitments to Independent Power Producers, which do not appear on the books of either BC Hydro or the provincial government. According to Gaven Crites of the Alaska Highway News, the corporation is working with the province on debt reduction, and has to pay a dividend to the province, which doesn’t help its situation Reid noted. “I believe in my heart we need [Site C],” Reid said. “I’m just optimistic generally. I’m hopeful. We’ve
Proper Property operty ty Owner’ Owner’ss Checklist Have yyou Have ou rreceived eceived your your 2014 property assessmentt notice? pr operty assessmen
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If not rreceived eceived in your your mail by Januaryy 17 17,, call toll-fr toll-free Januar ee (1-866-825-8322) 11-866-valueBC -866-valueBC (1 -866-825-8322) so,, review carefully If so review it car efully Visit V isit www.bcassessment. www.bcassessment.ca to compare compare property assessments other pr operty assessmen ts using the free e-valueBC fr ee e-v alueBC™ ser service vice Contact BC Assessment Assessment Questions? Contact 1-866-valueBC or online at at at 1-866-valueBC www.bcassessment.ca www.bcassessment.ca Don’t ffor orget ...if you you disagree disagree with yyour our Don’t forget...if assessment, you you must file a Notic eo assessment, Notice off Complaint ((appeal) appeal) b January 31, 2014 Complaint byy January
C het w y nd Echo
Fri day, January 3, 2014
8
LOCAL NEWS
T HE C HE T W Y ND EC H O IS C HA NG I NG . . . Grant money comes from
commercial game revenues
Make every day feel like your lucky day.
Don’t forget, the RSP contribution deadline is March 3.
“These grants will help those organizations continue their great work in our communities,” Bernier said. The money comes from the revenues of commercial gaming establishments in BC, which are regulated by the government. The province distributes roughly $135 million in community gaming grants to benefit over 5,000 local organizations representing virtually every community in the province. A full list of approved gaming grants is available online at: www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/revenue/index. htm.
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Continued from page 2 “We get a lot of rejections, we spend a lot of hours doing up grant applications and people have to be paid to do that so this is one of our bigger grants but nothing is a guarantee if you get it one year good, you may not get it the next year.” South Peace MLA Mike Bernier said the culturally enhanced services the Tansi Friendship Centre offer are as essential to the community of Chetwynd as the Kiwanis Arts Centre Society is in Dawson Creek. Kiwanis also received $35,000 from the BC community gaming grants program.
The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
For more information on lung cancer, keep smoking.
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C het w y nd Echo
Midget AAA Northern Female Cougars draw a blank in Calgary
Midget Tournament One of the Largest in Western Canada, Featured U17 Development Program Menʼs Teams from Switzerland and Finland
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Northern Cougars Female hockey team, featuring a trio of Chetwynd born players, finished the Mac’s AAA Midget World Invitational hockey tournament with a 0-3-1 record. The Mac’s tournament, which ran from Dec. 6 – Jan. 1, is one of the biggest midget hockey gatherings in Western Canada and was made up of 15 women’s and 25 men’s teams, including two international invitees representing the Under 17 national development men’s hockey programs from Switzerland and Finland. The tournament has been a tradition since 1978, and has been sponsored in recent years by Mac’s Convenience Stores. To be invited to the tournament is an accomplishment of it’s own, but the Cougars wanted to make the most of it. The team’s first game was against the Winnipeg Ice on Boxing Day. It was a hard fought battle that ended in a 1-1 draw. After a scoreless first period, the team from Winnipeg drew first blood on a goal from their leading scorer Kelli Rowswell. Rowswell has 27 points in the teams 22 games this
year. But the Cougars made it a game when, near the midway point of the third period, Megan Hickey scored with assists going to Victoria Byer and Grace Barlow. Starting goalie Kelsey Roberts turned away 21 of 22 shots, and Ava Keis was awarded player of the game honours. The second game versus the Calgary Flyers got off to a promising start for the Northern Cougars, who earned an early 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Chetwynd’s Hunter Mosher and Chantelle Beadman of Williams Lake. Mosher’s was unassisted while Ava Keis notched an assist on Beadman’s tally. Calgary replied with a late goal with 3:32 remaining in the first from Tess Adams, making the score 2-1 heading into the second period. With a scoreless second period out of the way, the third period was one the Northern Cougars would like to forget. Overcome by a ferocious Flyer attack, the team couldn’t answer two goals that came only three minutes apart from the Flyers. This game ended in a 3-2 loss. Mosher was named player of the game for the Cougars. In game number three of
QUIRING
the tournament, the Northern Cougars faced the Swift Current Wildcats. The Cougars started the game fast with two power play goals goals from Sage Desjardins and Madison Fjellstrom, but for the second straight game they let the lead slip away. Swift Current scored four unanswered goals in the second period taking a 4-2 lead into the final frame. In the third, perhaps attempting to take advantage of their early power play magic, the Cougars pulled goalie Kelsey Roberts with over two minutes left in an effort to kick start a comeback. But it was all for not as Swift Current’s Gabrielle Gray flipped the puck into the empty net. The fourth game saw the team face their toughest task yet in the #2 Alberta ranked Edmnton
Thunder. Edmonton came out as expected taking a 3-0 lead in the first period. The Cougars settled down in the second and got an early goal from Jayden Malgunas, assist going to Tessa Hare. Edmonton followed that up with a late goal in the second and one more in the third period to finish the game 5-1. The coaching staff said even though they lost 5-1, the final game against a tough opponent was probably their most complete effort. “The team gained much needed experience from this tournament and are looking forward to the Super weekend in Burnaby on Jan 10 weekend where they will have four games versus league opponents,” team Manager Scott Forrest said. “[Another] bright light of the tournament saw our only player eligible to graduate from our team this year - Tessa Hare being awarded a $1500 Scholarship from the Mac’s Committee.” Northern Female Major Midget Cougars goaltender Avery Quiring (Prince George) was named BC Hockey’s Female Midget AAA player of the month for November. BC Hockey made the announcement Jan. 6.
Fri day, January 3, 2014
9
SPORTS
CHECK IT OUT!!!
The Chetwynd Echo Newspaper
now has it’s own Web Site, available so you can now download the latest issue of our newspaper.
WWW.Chetwyndecho.Net
THANK YOU
The 2013/14 Tim Hortonʼs Pre-Novice Giants would like to thank the following organizations for the generous contributions they made to make our home tournament such a success!! We are truly grateful!
Tim Hortons Canadian Forest Products Chetwynd Simply Perfect Catering Chetwynd Veterinary Clinic Western Health and Safety Calgary Chetwynd SuperValu C&T Logging Ltd.
Hi-Sky Enterprises Ltd. District of Chetwynd Rec Centre & Leisure Pool DWB Consulting Services Peoples Drug Mart Your Dollar Store with More Home Hardware Subway
Thank you to the Chetwynd & District Minor Hockey Association and all Corporate sponsors who make hockey possible in Chetwynd!
Name: Kain McMaster Position: Forward Number: 5 Height: 5”6.5 Weight: 130lbs Favourite Team: Colorado Avalanche Favourite Player: John Tavares Favourite food: Bread Favourite Movie: 8 Mile and Euro Trip PreGame Meal: spaghetti
Kain McMaster is this week’s Chetwynd Echo 3NV Midget Giants player of the week. McMaster had a goal and an assist in the lone game over the Christmas break. Overall on the season, Kain has six goals and eight assists in 23 games played.
C het w y nd Echo
10 Fri day, January 3, 2014
SPORTS
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To feature your property in our next Royal LePage edition contact us at 250-788-9225
Chetwynd Giants drop lone game over Christmas break Midget Tournament cancelled
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– DAWSON CREEK – The Chetwynd 3NV Midget Giants hockey club dropped their lone game over the Christmas Holiday in a close match against the Dawson Creek Midget Canucks on Saturday, Dec. 21. Three affiliate players were added to fill holes on a disfigured roster. Forwards Jose Jr LaPierre and Jeremy Franklin were given a chance to suit up for the Chetwynd Giants alongside Northern Female Cougars Midget AAA defenseman Alyssa Young of Chetwynd. Brothers Cameron and Zachary Aird were healthy scratches as they were away on vacation, injuries to Dayton Waldie and Cameron Roland kept them out of the line-up and Kase Gansevles continues to serve a suspension for checking from behind and a fighting major in a previous All Peace Hockey League game versus Fairview, Dec. 15. Brice Vossler played the entire game in nets for the Black and Red. The Giants grabbed a hold of a two-goal lead in the first period on tallies from Liam Beattie (his 26 goal of the year) and Kain McMaster. But it was all Canucks from that point on as they
evened the score with two in the second period and took the lead in the final frame with an unassisted goal from Dustin Bahm. The Dawson Creek Midget Canucks took the game 3-2. The previously scheduled midget tournament that was set to go this weekend has been cancelled. Team Manager Kimberley Beattie said the tournament director had invited some 40-50 teams to replace teams from Hazelton and Fort St. John that had pulled out of the tournament in mid December. “She has exhausted her resources therefore the tournament had to be cancelled,” Beattie said. “It’s such a disappointment for the players.” Instead, the Chetwynd 3NV Midget Giants will host an exhibition doubleheader this weekend versus the Sexsmith Midget Vipers at the Chetwynd and District Recreation Centre. Puck drops Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 11:15 a.m. Saturday’s game will feature a puck toss between the second and third period. Fans can purchase a puck and toss it onto the ice for a chance to win a prize. Closest to the centre ice dot wins. All funds raised will be used to fund the team’s trip to the provincial tournament, March 15-21 in Clearwater, B.C.
11
Further reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program announced C het w y nd Echo
BY MIKE CARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– OTTAWA – Last month the government of Canada announced further reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker program would be implemented in 2014 as part of it’s ongoing review of the program. The issue came to a head in 2013 as companies such as HD Mining, Tim Hortons, Denny’s and RBC made headlines for allegations of abuse of the foreign worker program. The changes will provide government with the authority to conduct inspections to make sure employers are meeting the conditions of the program, allowing them to ban non-compliant employers for two years while immediately adding the names of those companies to a public “black list”, strengthen criteria for assessing Labour Market Opinions (LMOs) which lead to foreign worker approvals, and give authority to revoke or suspend already approved LMOs and refuse LMO applications when necessary. “These changes are part of a larger reform of the program that demonstrates our government’s commitment to protect foreign workers from the risk of abuse and exploitation,” said Chris Alexander,
Fri day, January 3, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
ALEXANDER
Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister. Jason Kenny, Minister of Employment and Social Development also praised the changes saying, “Our government’s numberone priority is creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.” The changes, Kenny says, show that the government is “taking action to ensure that Canadians are always first in line for available jobs.” However, the United Steelworkers, one of the unions at the forefront of the Temporary Foreign Worker controversy involving HD Mining’s Murray River Coal project in Tumbler Ridge, is saying that the changes to the program do nothing to ensure that it is being sufficiently staffed with knowledgeable inspectors. No regulation is going to
prevent the abuses we have seen at HD Mining, Tim Hortons, Denny’s and RBC, they say. “Overall, the changes presented strike me as another political diversion that will do nothing to ensure Canadian workers get the first crack at jobs, and does very little to protect temporary foreign workers,” Alexandra Eshelman, spokesperson for the United Steelworkers said in an email to the Chetwynd Echo. “The main problems I see are that these changes are not accompanied by announcements of additional staffing to conduct better enforcement of the program and ensure employers’ respect the rights of workers.” Before these changes, the government already had the power to enforce and black list employers that violate the terms of the program, she added. “No employer ever appeared on that list, despite the government’s existing powers. If the government carries through the objectives of these regulations by ensuring proper staffing of the program, it will be a small step in the right direction.” In the case of HD Mining, the employer was able to hire a large amount of temporary foreign workers (201) without violating any provisions of the
A WHOLE NE W PRODUCT ...
program. with provincial labour reg- ments regarding training “It appears that the new ulators and more require- and apprenticeships. powers to enforce the program would have done nothing to change that situation,” Eshelman said, “nor would they have given Canadians first crack at these mining jobs.” Going forward, the United Steelworkers hope the government will enhance whistle-blower type protections for temporary foreign workers who come forward to report abusive workplace situations, better information sharing about the workers
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12
CSS Alumni: Rachel Toppin
Fri day, January 3, 2014
EDUCATION SUBMITTED –––––––––––––– Rachel Toppin, a 2007 graduate of Chetwynd Secondary School, has just graduated with a Masters Degree in Therapy Occupational from the University of Alberta. Rachel was born and raised in Chetwynd, completing all of her schooling in Chetwynd. After high school Rachel did her first two years of her under grad degree in Prince George, starting at UNBC for her first year, then transferring to College of New Caledonia into kinesiology. She then transferred to U of A Augustana campus in Camrose where
she graduated with a Bachelor Degree with a major in kinesiology. She then attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, obtaining her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. Rachel was an active athlete at Chetwynd Secondary School playing on the Senior Girls Volleyball team as the setter. Rachel continued to play volleyball after high school, in Prince George playing recreational volleyball and refereeing. During her first year at Augustana she was the head setter for the TOPPIN Vikings setting them to a Provincial win. Activity Rachel also coached She enjoys snowboarding is and always will be swimming for the Electric and was thankful to live important in Rachel’s life. Eels in grade 11 and 12. close to Powder King
R E A D A LL A B OU T I T E V E RY W E E K ! PICK UP YOUR COPY AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: IGA Super Valu 7-Eleven Peoples Fas Gas Pomeroy Hotel Crowfeathers Store Chetwynd Home Hardware A&W
Days Inn Stagecoach Inn Tim Hortons Chamber of Commerce Red Lion Recreation Centre District of Chetwynd Margʼs Mini Mart Groundbirch Store
growing up. Rachel says, “Chetwynd Secondary School helped give me confidence, instilled a love for sport, and helped identify myself as a stuShe feels she dent.” received a quality and personal education at Chetwynd Secondary School. The small classes and personal attention prepared her for university life. The staff instilled a yearning for knowledge and further education in her life, always encouraging her to pursue her goals. One thing that Rachel would encourage all students to do is to enjoy high school, meet new people, and study hard.
C het w y nd Echo
Participate in activities that you enjoy, and know that the friends you make will be friends forever. Through out Rachel’s young life she has travelled, doing one semester of her undergraduate degree in Cuba, and one of her practicums for her Masters degree in Scotland. All of these experiences have added to her life, helping her to appreciate life in Canada. Rachel is working as an Occupational Therapist in Lethbridge, in the area of community pediatrics, living in a small farming community of Rolling Hills, Alberta. Congratulations Rachel and good luck in the future.
C het w y nd Echo
REGIONAL NEWS
Missing Tumbler Ridge snowmobilers rescued over weekend
BY M IKE C ARTER Chetwynd Echo Reporter –––––––––––––– TUMBLER RIDGE The Canadian Press reports two snowmobilers who left the Tumbler Ridge area Friday morning, January 3, have been brought to safety by search and rescue crews following a chilling night outdoors after getting stuck in deep powder. RCMP North District media relations officer Cst. Lesley Smith says the two men left the community early Friday morning, heading for the Core Lodge area, a popular destination for snowmobile enthusiasts in the region. Police were notified when the men did not return home by 9 P.M. that evening. Smith says search and rescue crews from Tumbler Ridge, Fort St. John and Prince George began operations shortly
A WHOLE BRAND...
after the police became aware of the situation. With the help of a helicopter, the men were located Saturday afternoon with the snowmobiles buried in deep powder. Smith says the snowmobilers had gone over a ridge, became stuck in deep powder and couldn't leave the area, even on foot, so they built a fire and kept warm until help arrived. She added that the
men were in good health and not injured. A popular area for the region’s snowmobilers, the Core Lodge area is a mix of groomed trails and high-difficulty hill climbs. The Super Bowl, Toboggan Hill and Terminator Park provide expert riders a good test for their high-powered machines. It is known to draw adrenaline junkies to the fresh powder.
Fri day, January 3, 2014
13
DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN PMP file reference # 121-134-14/19
Applicant: Husky Oil Operations Ltd. is developing an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under British Columbiaʼs Integrated Pest Management Act and associated regulation.
Contact: Torey McLeish, Husky Oil Operations Ltd. 707-8th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G7 phone 403-750-1308 Notice is given that a draft Integrated Pest Management Plan has been prepared by the applicant to manage vegetation on Crown and private land using the principles of integrated pest management. The purpose of the IPMP is to ensure safe and effective vegetation and noxious weed control by utilizing integrated pest management techniques on facilities, production and well sites, right-of-way and other managed lands. The use of herbicides is intended within the area to which the pest management plan applies. Other non-herbicide methods may include mowing, mechanical cutting or hand pulling. The herbicides and application methods proposed for use under this plan include:
This plan covers activities within the following Regional Districts: Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Peace River. Some facilities may be located in proximity to communities such as Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Taylor and Chetwynd, as well as other local small communities in this region. The proposed duration of this IPMP is from March 30th, 2014 to March 29th, 2019. . A draft IPMP, diagrams or map(s) are available and may be reviewed by contacting the person listed above.
A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of this PMP may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice.
14
BUSINESS PROFILE
Fri day, January 3, 2014
C het w y nd Echo
Founded in 2003, Aleet Signs & Graffix is Chetwynd's largest sign company covering a wide range of options from building signage and vehicle decals to large scale full colour digital printing. Owned and operated by Sandi Shook, Aleet Signs specializes in graphic design, installation and service on all types of promotional signs. They also provide vinyl lettering, decals, logo design, truck and fleet graphics, banners, plywood signs, billboards, display signs and building signs. They presently service many of the local oilfield, pipeline, coal mine, logging and construction industries. Aleet Signs is made up of a dynamic team – Shook and her colleague Delena Nelson – with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in signage production and digital print management. Wherever possible they have proactively sought new technologies and opportunities, and by adopting these into their South Access Road workshop they have stayed at the forefront of their industry. Most recently they introduced the SummaDC4 printer to their inventory. Aleet Signs prides themselves on challenges, innovation and their creative atmosphere. With a purpose-built workshop located above Shookʼs Xtreme Performance it gives them the ability to handle any job no matter the size. And because they are 100 per cent locally owned and operated, customers donʼt have to worry about ordering and shipping costs. Aleet Signs & Graffix is located at 4805 South Access Road in Chetwynd BC. They are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm 250-788-3974.
THIS
LIONS RECYCLING DEPOT HOURS OF OPERATION
SPOT COULD BE
Please be advised that the hours of operation for the Recycling Depot are as follows:
YOURS !!! INCLUDES HALF
Sunday Mo nday Tues day Wednes day Thurs day Fri day Saturday
PAGE ADVERTORIAL TO RUN IN ROTATION ...
CALL
ECHO DETAILS ! THE
FOR
Pay Les Welding & Safety Supply Store
• Authorized Linde Bottle Depot • C02 refills for paint guns • Much more!
Open Mon. to Frii. 8 am to 6 pm 3794 Old Hart Wabi Road Across from Tumbler Ridge Turnoff
Phone: 250-788-3376
Cl o s ed 10 am - 4 pm 9 am - 5 pm 9 am - 5 pm 9 am - 5 pm 9 am - 5 pm 9 am - 4 pm
788-1111
NORTH COUNTRY AUTOMOTIVE
• Preventative Maintenance • Winterization • Licence B.C. Inspection • Full vehicle servicing P: 788-9599 F: 788-7930
NOBODY DOES IT BETTER!
Fri day, January 3, 2014
C het w y nd Echo
Free English Practice Mondays 9:30 am at Northern Lights College and Wednesdays at 5:30 pm at the Chetwynd Public Library Call 250-788-2559 Chetwynd Breastfeeding Support Network meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m at the Chetwynd Public Library. Fun Darts at the Royal Canadian Legion Saturday’s 7 pm
Little Giant Air Cadets . Mondays at 6:30pm at the Royal Canadian Legion. Ages 12-18. Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Pine Valley Seniors Centre Call 250-788-3306
Pine Valley Seniors Hall weekly activities including Cribbage, Whist, Bingo and Carpet Bowling. Call Anita at 788-2307 for info. Pine Valley Seniors Hall Carpet Bowling Tuesdays @ 1:30 pm.
FREE Cree Lessons Wednesdays 5-6 pm at Tansi Friendship Centre
The Dawson Creek Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society will be hosting their annual Survivor Luncheon on Saturday, January 25,
This page sponsored by:
2014 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Senior Citizen Hall located at 1101 McKellar Avenue. To reserve your seat for an enjoyable lunch please call 250-782-5598 or 250782-3557. ALL survivors and their caregivers are most welcome. Quinessential Quilt Guild meets every 3rd Monday at 7 pm at the Shared Ministry Church. Contact 250-788-2714
Baby’s Best Chance Pregnancy Outreach Program Drop in : Mondays 10am to Noon. Weekly Group Sessions Tuesdays 11 am1pm. Located at Kici.
L OC A L S P O T L I G H T
HOMESCHOOLING NETWORK THURSDAYS 1 - 2 PM AT THE CHETWYND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Alanon meetings 6:30 pm Tuesdays Mickey’s Place (behind A&W) Chetwynd Society for Community Living Board Meeting. First Monday of each month. 4699 Airport Road Ph: 250-788-4889. Homeschooling Network Thursdays 1 pm - 2 pm at the Chetwynd Public Library Muskoti Learning Centre Homework Club Mon-Thursday 3 - 4:30 pm
15
Ca tod ll Th e eve ay w Ech i o pu nt an th yo bli sh d we ur f or it ’l FR here l EE !
KFC OH SOEcho GOOD Chetwynd
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16
Fri day, January 3, 2014
Keep the numbers of these locally owned businesses on hand for all of your service and shopping needs. Naomi Larsen
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M &JJ M& Computers COMPUTERS 44 7 157- 5 511St Srtere 74 ete t 250 -7 81 8 78 80-01 90 0 9
Computers, peripherals, software, and accessories
“Putting computers and customers together and servicing the products as well”
Hours: 4745 51 51 St Street 4745 Box 1529 P.O. Box 1529 Chetwynd, BC Chetwynd, B.C. V0C 1J0 V0C 1J0 250-788-9225
We accept Taxi Saver Coupons Call us for: •Hotshots •Crew Transport •Pilot car
Sun: 9:00 am – 1:00 am Mon: 7:00 am – 1:00 am Tue: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Wed: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Thu: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Fri: 7:00 am – 3:00 am Sat: 9:00 am – 3:00 am
Basic oil change/gas Includes oil & filter $60 BRIAN GALLANT, Manager
Bus: (250) 788-2067 Fax: (250) 788-2524 Email: brian_gallant@kaltire.com
Basic oil change/diesel Includes oil & filter $100 Box 267 4809 S. Access Road Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0
These spots could be yours for only $10/week. Call Naomi today! 250-788-2246 • sales@chetwyndecho.net
Fri day, January 3, 2014
17
With shorter, darker days Vitamin D needed
HEALTH
Chiro Health
W
with Dr. Gary Squires
inter is well under way here in the Peace and daily sun exposure is at it’s lowest. As the days become shorter the lack of natural sunlight in the north adds a couple of unwanted obstacles in our daily lives. One of note is vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is naturally produced in the body by direct exposure of sunlight to the skin. More specifically, it is the exposure of a certain type of ultraviolet light, UV-B that reacts with a chemical in our bodies to produce vitamin D. What some people may not realize is that exposure to light through a window is often
insufficient because glass actually blocks the UV-B light. In addition, those who rely on tanning salons in the winter for their artificial sunlight may not know that most tanning beds use a different type of ultraviolet, UV-A, which is ineffective at producing vitamin D. Tanning beds that do emit UV-B light often emit very low levels. Hence, outdoor exposure to sunlight (yes, even in our extreme cold temperatures) is very important, especially in winter months. Vitamin D can be found in some foods such as fish (best source), eggs, mushrooms and certain fortified products (orange juice, milk, etc), however, the primary source of vitamin D for most people is from direct sunlight. As mentioned earlier, those of us living in the north are more susceptible
Chetwynd Echo Newspaper
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“If Vitamin D is lacking in
the body it will not be able to absorb Calcium, which is essential for skeletal health.”
to vitamin D deficiency and the subsequent diseases that may result from such a deficiency. The major role of vitamin D is to allow absorption of Calcium (for example, from our diet) into our bodies. Therefore, if vitamin D is lacking in the body it will not be able to absorb Calcium, which is essential for skeletal health. This can result in low bone mineral density putting people (especially
the elderly) at a higher risk for bone fracture. Along with slippery, icy conditions this can be a big concern for hip fractures. A severe deficiency may lead to “soft bone” disorders such as Osteomalacia and Rickets. It doesn’t stop there though; vitamin D can have far-reaching effects as it influences almost 3000 genes in human DNA. It has been shown in several studies that lower vitamin
D levels in the body were correlated with higher cancer rates. One study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that improving your calcium & vitamin D nutritional status reduced risk of all cancers in postmenopausal women by as much as 60%. It has also been suggested that a deficiency in vitamin D is correlated with higher rates of type II Diabetes and infectious disease (especially Influenza). Noteworthy to new mothers is that breast milk usually has very low vitamin D concentrations. It is recommended that infants who are breastfed should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D whereas those who are receiving formula may be receiving enough depending on the brand of formula. If you think you are not getting enough sun expo-
sure during these dark winter months it may be advisable to start supplementing with a vitamin D tablet or with a fish oil tablet (cod liver, salmon, etc). Most research will state, however, that sun exposure is much more effective than supplementation. The health benefits of being outdoors in the sun and fresh air are countless. This holiday season make sure you leave some time to take your family outdoors – if you are lucky enough to get holidays, take advantage of your time off and provide your loved ones with another gift, that of the wonderful benefits of nature. Dr. Gary Squires is a Chiropractor with South Peace Chiropractic. Squires will be submitted a regular monthly column to be shared on our health pages.
18
Fri day, January 3, 2014
C het w y nd Echo
COLUMN
Encourage smart kids to go into trades
the middle of the night after twenty-five years of uncomplaining service. Repair was not an option. Replacing was. Choosing the right model is a chalwith Merlin Nichols lenge and the advice of an expert is essential. But to bout three weeks find an expert with the ago our water sof- time to talk is the most tener cratered in challenging part of the
The Mayor’s Report
A
whole process. In the end we went with a Sears model (Sears does have an outlet in Chetwynd). But the problem does not end with hauling home the new piece of equipment. I’m not a plumber and installation of the new appliance required rerouting of one-inch copper
DAWSON CREEK/CHETWYND AREA TRANSMISSION PROJECT CONSTRUCTION Public Safety Notice—Foundation Anchors in Transmission Right-of-Way Construction of the Dawson Creek/Chetwynd Area Transmission (DCAT) Project is underway. Over the next few months, crews will be installing foundation anchors in the cleared transmission line right-of-way. The foundation anchors are clusters of large metal pipes sticking out of the ground between two feet and five feet from the ground. These anchors will be marked with flags and temporary fencing, but with snow and wind these markings may not always be visible. Please use extra care when traveling on snow machines around rightof-way areas as foundation anchors pose a public safety hazard and may not be visible when covered in snow.
“A strong and progressive
community requires locally sourced professional trade services...”
that keep the wheels of fortune turning for us. No, I don’t believe in fortune. Let’s call it life moving ahead. But we also need the building trades available to us ordinary folks within a reasonable waiting period when we need to install a water softener or a new bathroom or wire a shop. A strong and progressive community requires locally sourced professional trades services to maintain is muscle tone and the quality of life to which we aspire. We amateurs should not be permitted to risk house and property, maybe even life, with a poorly controlled soldering torch. The trades are an
essential part of the fabric of community that enhance our quality of life and encourage us to stay in town and put our roots deep. You parents who still have some influence over the lives of your offspring, get this: university is OK if you can’t do anything else but there are careers to be had in the trades that are satisfying, elevating, enriching, and welcoming to smart kids. In fact, the smarter the kid, the more successful she will be in a trade. The smarter the kid the higher she will rise in the trades. Let’s encourage those smart kids to get into building trades close to home.
CHOICES, CHOICES & MORE CHOICES
The DCAT project will help meet the rapidly increasing need for electricity in the South Peace region. The project includes a new 230 kilovolt, double circuit transmission line that will be installed between the new Sundance and Dawson Creek substations. For more information on the project please visit: bchydro.com/dcat.
Announcements. Business news. Classified ads. Comics. Entertainment news. Games and puzzles. Local events and news. Movie listings and reviews. Sale notices and coupons. Sports highlights. Get all of that and more in the newspaper.
4112
If you have any questions, please contact BC Hydro stakeholder engagement: 1 866 647 3334 or send an email to stakeholderengagement@bchydro.com.
pipes with its attendant cutting and soldering. Ever try to find a plumber who will answer the phone? One did but he was in Vancouver. Eventually, recognizing the effect of hard water on sinks and tubs, not to mention the gritty feel of the shower, I got out my tools and went to work. It turned into a full-Sunday exercise during which I controlled my temper as I pushed forward in the frustrating process. Result: a little blood on the tools but no leaks, serious burns, or broken parts and, in the end, soft water. But I’m not going to show my solder joints to any plumber worth his plumber’s wage – of that you can be sure! During the exercise I discovered that I am not the only kid on the block looking for a plumber – or an electrician, or a carpenter. These highly skilled trades are in short supply in our home town. Home towns need coal mines, pulp mills, saw mills, ranchers, bus drivers, school teachers, doctors, and all those other skills and enterprises
Subscribe today for choices galore!
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C het w y nd Echo
A N N OU N C EMEN T S C ancel your t i m es hare. no ri s k program S t op m ort gage and m ai nt enance paym ent s t oday. 1 0 0 p er cen t m o n ey b ack g u aran t ee. F ree cons ul t at i on. C al l us Now. We can hel p. 1888-356-5248
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Retirement apartments, al l i ncl usi ve. Meal s, t ransport at i on, act i vi ties dailiy. short leases. Monthly S pecials Call 877-210-4130 (11/ 129, 12/6-27)
Office S pace for rent. Across from P om eroy Hotel. 600 square feet. 604-859-4766 (11/8-29, 12/6, 13) WA N T E D Want ed. R ear bum per for 1963 olds car. Must be in good condition or rechrom eabl e. C al l 1780-385-1580 anyt i m e (11/8-29; 12/6)
For sale
By owner HOUSE FOR SALE
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Are you selling your home? Advertise it in the Chetwynd Echo! For more information and amazing prices email Naomi at sales@chetwyndecho.net or call 250-788-2246
4565 Veterans Way. Close to all the amenities, schools, library, recreational facilities, close to shopping areas; backing on to crown land, a creek and walking trails this home is a sun lovers haven and a nature enthusiasts ideal home. With 2 bedrooms + study upstairs and 2 bedrooms and a family room downstairs. Perfect for a family, retired persons, school teachers or even someone starting out and wanting to pay the mortgage by leasing rooms. Ideal situation for many lifestyles. Lot is zoned for both private and commercial use. A must see!
Asking $245,000 Please call 250-788-6694
We’ve Spotted...
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A Very Special Delivery
Our 2014 baby book is almost here!
Due Date Wed., February 12
A special section featuring babies born between January 2013 and January 2014. Bring us a picture of your bundle of joy by Feb. 7 and we’ll showcase them!
Look for it free, right here in this newspaper!
Chetwynd Echo www.chetwyndecho.net 250-788-2246
5016 50th Ave. sales@chetwyndecho.net
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