Columbia Valley Pioneer, January 7, 2021

January 7, 2021 Vol. 18/Issue 1

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1

January 7, 2021

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January

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The possibility of a brew pub in Radium was raised early in the year. Local valley resident Steven Gale appeared before Radium council on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to pitch his idea to open a brew pub in the village, where he and his fellow co-owner would make around 600 litres of beer a week. Council members advised Gale to check with village staff before proceeding any further and outlined their concerns about the business’s potential to affect the village’s water system. Gale assured council the brew pub would remain a small scale operation.

Percy the peacock allowed to stay in Radium At the first Radium council meeting of 2020, Radium council outlined that the village would not make any official effort to remove a longtime resident feral peacock from the village. The peacock had thwarted efforts to remove him for months, and in so doing had become something of a lovable icon to at least some village residents, who had given the brilliantly coloured fugitive bird the name Percy. “He’s (Percy) staying in town,” mayor Clara Reinhardt said, adding that the decision to allow him to remain in the community comes after a group of locals lobbied on Percy’s behalf, offering to give the big blue bird their devotion.

“They called me and asked me why he had to move,” she said. “I said we just didn’t want somebody to find him dead. That’s why he had to move – in order to ensure that he was cared for. And they assured me that there was a group of people who are caring for him.”

Both Radium and Fairmont hot springs closed Valley hot spring dippers were left with nowhere to go, when both the Radium Hot Springs pools and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort pools were closed at the same time early in the year – each for different safety reasons.

Parks Canada closed the Radium pools after investigations by a structural engineer for an upcoming stage of renovations revealed degradation of a subfloor. Over at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, the pools were closed due to concerns that the then-flow rates of the pools could potentially pose a safety risk to guests.

Jumbo saga ended The three-decade battle over the future of the Upper Jumbo Valley finally came to an end in January 2020, when the Nature Conservancy of Canada, acting on behalf of the Ktunaxa First Nation, negotiated a buy-out of all leases and tenures held in the area by Glacier Resorts Ltd. Glacier Resorts Ltd. had sought to establish a year-round destination ski resort at Jumbo. The financial settlement, however, marked the end of the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort, and cleared the way for a Qat’muk Indigenous Protected and Conservation Area. Qat’muk is the Ktunaxa name for the Upper Jumbo Valley, which the First Nation holds as sacred ground.

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Land swap raised concern for residents Juniper Heights residents expressed concern about losing access to unofficial trails on Crown land abutting

January 7, 2021

the Juniper Heights area after the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced it was in negotiations with the Shuswap Indian Band about a potential land swap. The swap was meant to resolve a tenure/trespass issue for Athalmer Road and to obtain an additional right of way on Highway 93/95 for future intersection improvement that would involve the Shuswap Indian Band’s reserve. Juniper Heights resident Doug Charlton agreed that the Shuswap must be compensated, but suggested the province would be better off using other land or cash to negotiate the settlement.

Major stores got rid of plastic bags Three of the community’s biggest stores – Sobeys, Valley Foods and Home Hardware – banded together to get rid of single-use plastic bags at their checkout counters. The change came into effect at all three shops on Friday, Jan. 31. In December 2019 Invermere mayor Al Miller committed to consulting with local business owners about getting rid of checkout bags. He ditched plastic bags at his own store, Home Hardware, and partnered up with the Invermere grocery stores to do likewise. When Miller approached Valley Foods, he said, “surprise, surprise, they informed me that they had already made the decision to get rid of them.” Sobeys had already made that call too. Nationwide the chain was cutting back on plastic bags. Locally, Invermere Sobeys owner then Steve Ladas said the store would still provide plastic bags for meat and produce but that the single-use checkout bag was a relic of the past. The stores said they would continue selling reusable bags and start selling paper bags and heavier 25-use plastic bags.

Australian company acquired PodTech The co-founders of PodTech in Canal Flats vowed to stay heavily involved in their data centre company (with Brian Fry as a strategic partner and Brian Fehr as a strategic shareholder), after they sold it to Australia-based Iris Energy for an undisclosed sum, with hopes of taking the business global. PodTech, Iris Energy and the Columbia Lake Technology Centre (CLTC) – where PodTech is located – have another commonality besides technology; businessperson Brian Fehr is a driving force behind all three ventures. “We first came to PodTech as a customer, and were impressed by both the advanced data centre infrastructure and quality of the individuals,” Iris Energy’s executive director Will Roberts said. “PodTech had skills and capabilities which were exactly what we needed; our strengths in energy and finance balanced neatly with their strengths in construction, infrastructure and data centres.”

Canal Flats will remain the company’s home base in Canada, Roberts said, adding that PodTech will continue with research and development in partnership with CLTC. Why did the Australian company opt to keep PodTech going in Canal Flats with its population of 668 people? “There were several appealing factors,” Roberts wrote. “The local community has been nothing but fantastic in providing a welcoming space for an international company.” He noted the support of the local council, CLTC’s aspirations and the “availability of clean, sustainable power and high-speed fibre connectivity.”

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January 7, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS February

By Pioneer staff Tie vote denied Dragonfly daycare parking variance Invermere council received a development variance permit application from Dragonfly Discovery Children’s Centre owner Charlotte Streicek. Streicek previously ran the Dragonfly daycare centre in Radium, was seeking to open it in Invermere in the old Stand’s restaurant building, and wanted to decrease the number of required parking spots at the new location from five to zero, which would save Dragonfly $22,500.

District staff explained at the meeting that any time there is a “change of use” for a commercial operation with parking spots, the new business is required to pay any additional parking fees. The debate about the issue quickly became heated, and in the end two of the four council members present — Kayja Becker and Ute Juras — voted in support of the application and the two others — Miller and councillor Greg Anderson (who was patched in to the meeting by phone) — voted against the application. The vote ended in a two-two stalemate, meaning the variance permit application was denied.

Invermere pup passed on to the Great Library in the Sky Invermere’s tiniest, furriest librarian spent nearly 13 years on the job – welcoming patrons, donning dresses and snuggling up for story times – before passing away peacefully at home in early 2020. Kitty got the job after Duffy, the previous canine librarian, passed away. At story time, Walker said, “she (Kitty) would go out and have a cruise through and distract everybody for a few minutes and see what kind of love she could get.”

Invermere asked for James Chabot Provincial Park back Invermere council members sought to make James Chabot Provincial Park part of the district and voted unanimously at their Jan. 28 meeting to send a formal letter of interest to the Ministry of Environment asking that the district be gifted the lakeside provincial park, which – although it falls under provincial management – sits entirely within the district. The move was spurred by an ever-increasing number of complaints over the past two decades to the district over the declining quality of facilities and the low level of service at the park and its beach, leaving district of Invermere staff in the unenviable position of having to repeatedly explain that there’s little

the district can do since it does not own James Chabot.

Council members had already broached the topic with the Ministry of Environment at the 2019 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) meeting, and other meetings since. “I have to emphasize that this still just very preliminary. We are in early discussions (with the ministry), but it is our intent to take back this park,” Invermere mayor Al Miller told the Pioneer at the time.

A massive fire engulfed the old Canal Flats planer mill building, reducing the old wooden building, once a major part of the village’s economy, to ashes in roughly an hour.

Hammer-wielding blanket bandit robbed Dairy Queen In a bizarre yet serious incident, the local Dairy Queen was robbed in February by a middle aged woman brandishing a hammer and wrapped in a large yellow blanket. The lone female robber entered the Dairy Queen, which was empty except for the staff on duty, sometime not long before 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, waving a hammer and demanding cash. She made off with an undisclosed amount of money, leaving the restaurant, jumping into a nearby passenger car (believed

by RCMP to be a late model red Hyundai Accent) and fleeing the area. Multiple frontline Columbia Valley RCMP officers responded as soon as they were notified of the robbery with some attending the scene and others conducting patrols in the area in an attempt to locate the getaway vehicle. On Friday, Feb. 14, Columbia Valley RCMP officers tracked down and arrested a 58-year-old Kimberley woman in connection with the incident. “It’s

not quite clear why the suspect chose to arm herself with a hammer, or why exactly she was wrapped in a blanket.

Those are of course questions we are looking to answer as the investigation continues,” RCMP Southeast District Corporal Jesse O’Donaghey told the Pioneer.

Fire reduced Canal Flats mill to ashes, spares tech compound A huge fire tore through the old Canal Flats sawmill in February with roaring abandon, reducing pretty much the entire old mill fabrication building to ashes, but miraculously sparring almost every part of the compound that had been repurposed into a new technology industry complex. The Canal Flats fire department was dispatched to the sawmill at around 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, and immediately called for mutual aid from other local fire departments, who worked together to tame the blaze. “It (the fire) was about 50,000 square feet...That is right up there with the largest fires the villages has seen.” said Canal Flats fire chief Peter Fry. “It was just smoke and then all of a sudden: kaboom! Up she went,” said eyewitness Syd Danis. “It went very, very fast because it’s an old wooden building... It didn’t take very much time, about an hour or so, before everything was down on the ground. It was just crazy.”

Radium accommodators seek ban on STRs Radium council members met with local hotel and motel representatives in late February, following a similar meeting in January, to discuss issues with short-term rentals (STRs). Some of the accommodators’ concerns – including those of Michael Anderson, president of True Key Hotels and Resorts, raised in a report – were: that accommodators are having financial difficulties, that some are struggling to fill their rooms, and that hotel operators may leave the community if STRs are allowed to continue.

Deb James, from Inn on Canyon, spoke at the Radium council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, to share her feedback. “The accommodators are at their wits’ end... It is killing our industry,” James said bluntly. “We have a wild west, a gold rush, happening right now.” While she asked for an outright ban on STRs, as it would be the easiest solution to enforce, she acknowledged that it would be “a real unpopular subject.” If council doesn’t want to move forward with a full ban, she said she would at least like to see STRs prohibited during the shoulder seasons in the spring and fall.

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March

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NOTICE Notice regarding an application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (‘LCRB’) for a Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Store Licence (‘Blooming World Cannabis Ltd.’) in the beautiful Village of Radium Hot Springs (the ‘Village’), Canada.

Please be advised that the Village has received notice from the LCRB that Blooming World Cannabis Ltd. has applied for a license to operate a non-medical cannabis retail store in Radium Hot Springs. The Village will undertake a process to obtain community opinions regarding this proposal.

Following their assessment of the opinions provided, and the ‘Community Impact Evaluation Criteria’ referenced in the ‘Non-medical Cannabis Retail Stores Recommendation Process’ , and any other matter Council deems appropriate, Council will provide their recommendation regarding the application. Opinions may be provided in writing and may also be provided verbally, at a virtual public hearing to be held on Wednesday January 13th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. This hearing will be held immediately prior to the regular Council meeting. Zoom meeting instructions will be provided on the Village website, closer to the date of the hearing. At their option, Council may recommend approval of the application, recommend approval of the application with proposed conditions, or reject the application.

The location for the proposed store is 7535 Main Street West. Details of the application may be reviewed at www.radiumhotsprings.ca (scroll down to ‘Village Announcements’).

Written submissions will be received by noon on the hearing date via mail or email.

For more information and to provide submissions, please contact Mark Read , Mark.Read@radiumhotsprings.ca

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Fed fails to consult Invermere, Shuswap on groyne Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) once again put forward a plan to mark the Lake Windermere rock groyne, but once again was slammed for inadequate consultation. The groyne, also sometimes called a weir, is the long structure made mostly of rocks sitting across the mouth of the Columbia River, just barely submerged, as it drains out of Lake Windermere. It was constructed more than a century ago in the era of steamboat travel along the Columbia, to help keep the river channel clear and to increase the velocity of the river. In the current era the groyne, having long since fallen into disuse and often lying just a foot or so below the surface, is known mostly for ripping the motors off the boats of unsuspecting owners who have launched their crafts at the nearby Athalmer public boat launch. The groyne is under the jurisdiction of PSPC and in 2019, after years of talk, the federal agency finally put forward a plan to mark the structure. A furor erupted since PSPC failed to consult any local stakeholders (including the district of Invermere, the Regional District of East Kootenay, the nonprofit Lake Windermere Ambassadors, and the nearby Shuswap Indian Band) before announcing the plan.

Wilting under a few weeks of heated criticism, PSPC backtracked, indicating it would consult with relevant stakeholder groups. The federal agency put forward another plan in late February and early March 2020, but dropped the consultation ball yet again, failing to consult the district of Invermere and the Shuswap Indian Band.

Fairmont Hot Springs airport stayed aloft The Fairmont Hot Springs Airport came closing at the end of March, but conditional funding from the RDEK kept the facility aloft. Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) directors voted during their March meeting to commit $60,000 in funding to the Columbia Valley Airport Society for the airport, subject to a number of conditions. The Fairmont Hot Springs airport had been operated by Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for decades, but in fall 2019 the resort released a press release indicating it would cease running the facility by the end of March 2020. The Columbia Valley Airport Society sprang into action with the intent of figuring out a way to keep the airport operating, but there were few public on-the-record indications of progress in the interim.

The issue heated up in late winter and early spring, with the Mar. 31 deadline looming, before the RDEK funding came through. “The important thing to consider is that this board recognizes the value of this airport from a public safety perspective,” RDEK Area F director Susan Clovechok told the Pioneer (Area F is the part of the RDEK in which the Fairmont airport lies), outlining that Check the BC this includes the airport’s useRECYCLEpEdia for medical evacuations — and its capability forwww.rcbc.ca this use under a variety of weather conditions — as well as its use by the B.C. Wildfire SerRecycling council of B.c. MeMBeR vices to fight fires each summer.

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Would-be detectives gathered in early March for a murder mystery evening, trying to figure out which of the costumed characters, played by local actors, was the murderer at the Horsethief Creek Pub and Eatery.

COVID-19 arrived in B.C. As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping arrived in Canada and B.C., prompting shutdowns, lockdowns and event cancellations of all kinds, Kootenay Columbia MP Rob Morrison’s office issued a statement on Mar. 13 saying no cases of the coronavirus had been yet found in the riding. “We need to be really careful,” said Morrison. “It’s a good practice to take all the precautions you can, right now, everything...If you think you have it, make sure you don’t go into a hospital or a walk-in clinic. Make sure you self quarantine and phone 811... The people at 811, they know exactly what they’re doing, and they’ll come out and they’ll test and they’ll make sure that you’re looked after...They don’t want you to go out and about and possibly infect other people.” The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) provided an update saying that it was finalizing a pandemic response plan “so that we are proactive and prepared should the spread of the virus escalate into sustained community transmission.”

First COVID-19 case in Invermere A person affiliated with the Columbia Valley Rockies tested positive for COVID-19 in Invermere in late March. Within an hour of getting the news, Rockies president Brett Holt said the organization reached out to local doctors for guidance. “We followed every piece of guidance from the health authorities and within the hour had a message out to our players because that was our number one concern: our player’s families, our billet families, because they obviously were open to it,” he said.

“We sent it to everybody that we could think of.” None of the people he reached out to reported any symptoms, he said, adding that “everybody’s thoughts are with the individual that’s affected.” The Rockies were in the playoffs and battling for the division final earlier in March, but the KIJHL board called off the remainder of the games. Invermere mayor Al Miller called for people to stay calm and to take all precautions including keeping their hands clean, staying home if they have the slightest hint of any kind of illness, staying in place, and keeping distance from others.

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January 7, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

April

By Pioneer staff Hospital chief of staff asked citizens to help contain pandemic amidst local COVID-19 cases Gareth Mannheimer, Chief of Staff Invermere and District Hospital and a local family physician gave an update on how community medical services were responding to the rapidly changing environment for COVID-19 and how the community could help. “There are active cases of COVID 19 in our community. Fortunately, to date, all patients are doing well. The only way we will be able to contain this infection locally is for everybody to be responsible and follow the guidelines. You all have the ability to determine what our community will be experiencing over the upcoming weeks,” said Dr. Mannheimer.

COVID-19 radically altered local government meetings The way governments function changed drastically and quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and local governments here in the Columbia Valley were no exception. Over the course of a few weeks in late March and early April, all three municipalities in the Columbia Valley opted to cancel their scheduled council meetings as COVID-19 cases erupted across the country, and indeed a few cropped up here in the valley. Several valley officials told the Pioneer, the pandemic was uncharted territory from a municipal perspective, and local governments were doing their best to adapt on the fly with the caveat that, naturally, this is no easy thing since the situation is rapidly evolving. “Everything is in a state of flux,” Canal Flats chief administrative officer Adrian Bergles told the Pioneer. “The world really is changing before our eyes. Things are changing literally up to the minute.” By mid-April, all three councils in the valley were conducting their meetings digitally.

Pandemic hammers valley businesses As the COVID-19 pandemic rolled on for weeks, with no end in sight, Columbia Valley businesses were hit hard. The streets of all municipalities in the valley, from district down to hamlet, were so empty you could bowl on main street. Business, you could say, was not exactly booming. Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Pete Bourke termed the economic effect of the virus “significant and unprecedented,” noting that virtually no business had escaped the impacts, even those that on the surface appear to be operating with some facsimile of normalcy. “All businesses are affected in some way, whether economically or operationally,” said Bourke. “In Radium every business has been affected. We are a resort community and no one is travelling,” said Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce president Erin Palashniuk. Bourke said in terms of a very rough, wholly unofficial estimate, perhaps as many as 50 per cent of businesses in Invermere had shut their doors. He qualified that by adding that he hasn’t heard of any businesses saying they are closed for good, although some may well be weighing that decision. “From a tourism perspective, the industry is melting down as we speak,” said Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok, referring to one of the valley’s biggest industries, later adding that “thousands and thousands of jobs are going to be lost, if not already gone, but we’ve just got to hunker down and do the best that we can.”

Debate erupts after government officials advise staying at home In early April, Emergency Management BC issued a press release saying that roads are open but should be used for essential reasons, which did not include heading out for fun. “This is not the time to travel to secondary homes or vacation properties in other communities. It’s not only important stay home and maintain physical distancing, but access to resources and health care may be more challenging in smaller communities if someone should become ill or if there’s a community outbreak. By staying home, British Columbians can take pressure off the already strained resources in these smaller areas,” the press release urged. The press release was greeted with displeasure by many Columbia Valley second homeowners from Alberta. Several second homeowners wrote to the Pioneer expressing their dismay. Some of them said they felt targeted by upset valley residents while in the valley.

Survey highlights economic impact of COVID-19 The B.C. Chamber of Commerce conducted several COVID-19 impact pulse check surveys on the state of business in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the results for the Columbia Valley showed, not surprisingly, that business was down throughout the valley across a range of sectors.

The second survey drew responses from 64 Columbia Valley businesses based in Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, and Fairmont Hot Springs in accommodation and food services, retail, real estate and property lease, construction, and other sectors. The survey found a reported 41 per cent overall reduction in sales volume. A total of 80 per cent of businesses reported a decrease in business, 67 per cent had closed temporarily, 41 per cent had laid off employees, 38 per cent had reduced staff hours, and 30 per cent had deferred or cancelled capital projects. Unfortunately, two per cent reported they had closed permanently.

With social distancing measures in place, Easter celebrations in Invermere took the form of a conga line of cars, decorated in Easter fashion by local families, driving through the town’s streets. The Easter Bunny was on hand to wave to delighted kids.

Columbia Valley liquor and cannabis sales held steady or increase While most Columbia Valley businesses suffered massively during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, business was actually steady, if not outright good, for local liquor and cannabis establishments. All three Invermere liquor stores – the B.C. Liquor Store and Copper City Liquor Store downtown, and the Invermere Liquor Store at the crossroads – confirmed that they had seen increased sales since the pandemic and associated self-isolating began. “It is up and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. People seem to be afraid that we’ll get closed down soon or something, so they have been coming in and super-sizing, stocking up,” said Invermere Liquor Store supervisor Bruce Coates. The local cannabis stores reported a somewhat similar trend, although both said that in contrast to liquor stores, they hadn’t seen so much a bump in sales as a change in how much customers are buying at one time. “Overall Easter was busier for us this year than last... People are coming in less often, but they are buying more at one time,” said Blooming World co-owner Marjorie Fournier. “Sales are up a bit, even if customer count is down a lot,” said Invermere Cannabis Store manager Leslie Carlton.

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 7, 2021

May

By Pioneer staff Council keeps parks, beaches, tennis closed Invermere council decided to keep parks, beaches, tennis courts closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Council had fun getting used to convening virtually: councillor Gerry Taft had a tropical digital backdrop, while councillor Greg Anderson was in front of pink polka dots.

how they are doing. The B.C. government contributed $5 million to virtual mental health programs.

DOI started to open services Tennis courts and public washrooms were reopened later in May by the District of Invermere. Motions to reopen public spaces that promote outdoor distanced activity like tennis were seen as ways to cope with the drawbacks to social isolation.

Valley eateries adapted One of the hardest hit sectors from the onset of the global pandemic has been the food and beverage industry. But it’s also one of the most resourceful, entrepreneurial sectors. In less than two months, restaurants and eateries had already begun adjusting their operational plans. Some suspended services, others offered take out. Some eateries reported saying that they were doing almost as well as pre-pandemic. Others reduced staff and menu options and refocused on offering takehome boxes.

Singles in solitude Living in a small town has many benefits. In particular when the world is in the throes of a global pandemic. But if you are homebound and single ready to mingle, this makes life difficult. The theme for May was adjustment. How were single people adjusting to this new reality? The Pioneer explored how some go online, while some were just taking a break from dating altogether. It wasn’t an easy time, quarantine.

Anakin Remembered Doug Anakin passed away. The local legend was an Olympic gold medallist and lived life to the fullest. Very active, great personality. Loved by many.

Mental health First reports from local and provincial governments started to come through the wires about the trend all Canadians were dealing with: mental health. COVID-19 has changed almost every aspect of everyone’s lives. Simple things count like talking to strangers, asking them

life threatening virus. Shoppers felt fulfilled to help those in need and learn about how other people shop and what is on their weekly lists.

Summit Youth Centre launched Snack Box for kids The Summit Youth Centre worked hard to ensure food security and this was one more manifestation of that pledge to the community in which it serves. The program provided up to 200 kids with a weekly delivery of three to four days worth of healthy snacks.

Wings Over the Rockies was cancelled Although the iconic festival was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers till encouraged locals and visitors to the valley to get outside and appreciate the splendour of our natural environment. Nature watching, one of the best activities for overall wellbeing. On May 9, 145 bird species were documented.

Public health nurses Megan Grant (left) and Alisha Dowling were been the main screeners for COVID-19 at the Invermere and District Hospital for the better part of a month.

The Pioneer ran this photo of them on the cover in early May to honour national nursing week.

Schools reopened partially Late in the month of May, SD6 announced that attendance for the month of June would be optional for students in Columbia Valley schools after a full lockdown in April and most of May. Adjustments to the school operating plan included plenty of hand sanitizing and cleaning stations available and social distancing.

Volunteer shoppers helped out Volunteer Columbia Valley served as a matchmaker for people who were in need of shopping but were disinclined to venture out and risk contracting the potentially

Debate continued over backcountry use The Columbia Valley Greenways Trails Alliance wrote a rebuttal letter written to the Pioneer about mountain biking backcountry use. While some argued mountain bikers were abusing their privilege to enjoy areas like Dry Gulch, others said that it wasn’t the case.

The central point of the debate was about finding a balance between enjoying the outdoors and not interfering with it to the point of doing harm to wildlife. There are many sensitive ecological areas in this beautiful valley.

There are also many spectacular areas to go for a hike or a bike. Sometimes those places overlap. Tensions can flare from both sides of the argument.

Dramatic rope rescued at Johnson Trail An eight-year-old girl was rescued after falling down the steep hoodoo slope 150 toward Toby Creek. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue performed a master class in effectively removing the girl from her stuck position.

She came to rest on a band of rocks after she went off the trail. Those rocks may have prevented her from falling all the way down to the bottom of the canyon and into Toby Creek. The girl didn’t suffer any major injuries.

June

By Pioneer staff Furor over CastleRock mountain biking The transition from spring to summer exposed more “turf wars” over where it is most suitable to ride mountain bikes. Following on the heels of the Dry Gulch debate was the CastleRock trail tussle. And both of these debates echo the Barbour Lake proposal for trails that never came to be. A petition was started by Owen Peters in an attempt to try and legitimize off-the-map trails that have existed on crown land for the past 14 years. Passionate support and disagreement for the petition ensued.

Discussion over pedestrian only main street Invermere council was mixed when it came to a discussion of the merit of closing the main street off entirely to vehicles. While some councillors thought it would be a good idea to promote social distancing, and to give the downtown core a different kind of vibe for the first summer of COVID-19, others like councillor Taft

immediately expressed his opposition. The main point of contention was whether it would help or harm the businesses downtown. Already many of the businesses, even before COVID-19, struggled to make it work in the downtown. Would restricting traffic boost the appeal, or simply reduce traffic? Later in the month, it was decided to not proceed with the pedestrian only main street.

Radium’s Bighorn Sheep on decline Concern over the decline of Radium’s bighorn sheep is discussed by local and provincial government representatives. MLA Doug Clovechok facilitated a discussion about advocating for the overall health of the species whose numbers in the area are 130, down from 250. The area of most concern is the steep downhill portion of road heading into Radium. Ten sheep had already been recorded as dying from road collisions with five more known to have been injured. The formation of a working group to address the issue was brought to the table.

Continued on page 7…

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

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This publication has been made possible, in part, by the Government of Canada and the support of our advertisers and is 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 7, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

Continued ‘June’ from page 6

Apply now

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND AFFECTED AREAS PROGRAM

Wish to apply for project funding?

The Community Initiatives & Affected Areas Program is now accepting applications for: • • • • • • • ADMINISTERED & MANAGED BY

City of Cranbrook City of Kimberley District of Invermere Village of Canal Flats Electoral Area A Electoral Area C Electoral Area F

• • • • • • •

City of Fernie District of Elkford District of Sparwood Village of Radium Hot Springs Electoral Area B Electoral Area E Electoral Area G

Applications must be submitted using the Trust’s online application system.

Learn more: engage.rdek.bc.ca/cbt

1.250.489.2791 1.888.478.7335

or contact Nikki Bradshaw or Tina Hlushak at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335 or CIPApplications@rdek.bc.ca

Apply by 2:00pm, Monday, January 18, 2021 A PROGRAM OF

In June, 101 year old Invermere veteran Jim Ashworth walked 101 blocks, in a fundraiser that garnered more than $30,000 for the Columbia Valley Food Bank.

Clash between B.C. and Alberta exaggerated with no new COVID-19 cases MLA Doug Clovechok said the clash between residents and visitors from Alberta during the pandemic isn’t nearly as bad as it may seem on social media and that no police detachments in the area have any related files. “The whole concept of the ‘conflict’ has been completely blown out of proportion. I have seen no examples whatsoever of bad behaviour. The only time I see it is on social media.”

Trapped in Texas Columbia Valley locals are dealt a serious bout of misfortune being stuck in Texas as a result of the virus. No friends, family, anyone could visit them. Then one of the locals gets seriously ill and can’t receive any medical help. It appeared that, with no health precautions, COVID-19 didn’t exist to the border town the couple was vacationing at. Eventually, they made it home and had quite the story to tell.

Steamboat Mountain Music Festival The popular Edgewater music festival decided to broadcast performances online instead of live and in person.

Reeking lagoon Nearly three dozen Invermere residents, most living on the section of town overlooking the district’s sewage lagoon signed and sent a petition to have the DOI do something about her awful smell.

“The odoor is enough to keep doors and windows closed, and wake residents up in the night due to the smell.”

Valedictorian selected Out of 12 student nominations, John “Dylan” McIntosh was selected. “Dylan is a model student,” said principal Darren Danyluk. “He’s an athlete and a musician and he has the utmost respect for his peers. He’s just a great young man and I could see why his peers picked him.”

Kirks are Rotary’s citizens of the year Beva and Jordie Kirk are selected by

Invermere’s Rotary Club as citizens of the year. The couple has been together since grade nine. Jordie works for Canfor, they own and operate Crazy Soles, and they do lots of volunteer work and advocate community goodwill. Congratulations!

Safety concerns over Kinsmen beach With warm temperatures and out of towners flocking to the Columbia Valley and away from densely populated urban centres, public spaces like Kinsmen Beach became red flag zones for too much congregating.

Debate over mountain biking The debate continued on the Pioneer’s pages about how much degradation mountain biking causes to the surrounding environment. “Whether powered by an engine or a person, the impact of offroad mechanized vehicles is the same: destruction of wildlife habitat,” wrote Peter Christensen in response to Lyle Wilson, Chair of Greenways.

Support for Albertans in letters The Pioneer got more than a few letters from locals and out of towner’s about the necessity and appreciation of having Albertans spend time in the Columbia Valley. “We welcome you, we love you, and we respect you as our friends, neighbours, and fellow Canadians. See you soon!” - Richard Unger, local.

High School Graduation!

A leader, long dead, is credited with saying: ‘There is no education like adversity.’ Class of 2020, I believe you are graduating into the world having been very well educated. I trust you will carry forward the lessons adversity has taught you.” - DTSS Principal Darren Danyluk to the graduating class of 2020.

KNP turns 100 Kootenay National Park still planned to celebrate through the summer the park’s centennial year with socially distanced celebrations.

As of January 1st, 2021 all new homes built

As of Januaryin1,the2021 all new inofthe rural rural areas of thehomes Regionalbuilt District the East Kootenay will be to meet areas of the Regional District ofrequired East Kootenay will be Step 1 of the BC Energy Step Code. required to meet Step 1 of the BC Energy Step Code.

The RDEK joins several East joinsCITY The RDEK several Kootenay communities that OFEast KIMBERLEY already require, or will require, the Energy Step Code by Kootenay communities January 1st, including: DISTRICT OF SPARWWOD that already require, or will • City of Kimberley DISTRICT OF ELKFORD require, the Energy Step Code • District of Sparwood CITY OF FERNIE

by January 1, 2021 including: • District of Elkford •

City of Fernie

DID YOU KNOW? The Performance Pathway of BC Energy Step Code changes the building process inThe 3 main ways. New builds will now have to: HOthe T TIP Performance Pathway of BC Energy Step Code changes An 1. Conduct energy modeling at the design phase Enerto:gy Advisor building process in 3 main ways. New builds will now have Conduct energy modeling at the design phase 2. Test air tightness at1)completion can do alHOT l thre TIP e.

2) Test air tightness at completion 3. Quantify mechanical3) efficiancy and heating needs An Energy Quantify mechanical efficiency and heating

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Incentives may be available, including rebates for the use of an Energy Advisor and conducting air tightness testing. Details are available from individual municipalities.

Incentives may be available, including rebates for the use of

For more information visit: www.communityenergy.ca/EKstepcode an Energy Advisor and conducting air tightness testing.

Details available from individual municipalities.

Changes in Glass Recycling.

For more information, go to: www.communityenergy.ca/EKstepcode

January 2021, East Kootenay residents will notice some changes in where container glass can be taken for recycling in the East Kootenay. The only viable option currently for glass recycling is the provincially-regulated Recycle BC program. As a result, the decision has been made by the Board to move all glass recycling to the Recycle BC depots. this applies to glass recycling only, not the entire yellow bin program.

Glass can be taken to the Recycle BC depot at the Invermere Transfer Station (Industrial 1 Rd in Athalmere). All glass collected through Recycle BC depots will be turned into new glass containers or crushed and used in sandblasting.

It is important to note that this is about glass recycling only.

Not the entire Yellow Bin program. learn more

engage.rdek.bc.ca/recycle

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

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

July myself in there for the next two-years redoing the same thing we did over the last two years.”

By Pioneer staff Deja View not closed to cyclists As the battle over mountain bike trails in the Columbia Valley continued, confusion over the state of the popular Deja View trail arose. Although the Power Wagon and Stinking Badger trails in Dry Gulch were totally shut to cyclists and were being reclaimed, and although signs posted at the trail-head of Deja View suggested that it was open to foot traffic only, Deja View was in fact opened to mountain bikers.

Fisher announced decision to run for MNBC regional director’s role Debra Fisher has recently announced a decision to run for the Region 4 director’s role in the upcoming provincial election for registered Métis citizens in the Kootenays. The Métis Nation of B.C. (MNBC) announced on Mar. 17 that the provincial election had been approved by the Métis Nation Governing Assembly (MNGA) for Sept. 10.

Ktunaxa language nears extinction With a handful of living Ktunaxa speakers in the Akisqnuk First Nation, Martina Escutin has been making an effort to learn the critically endangered language of her ancestors and share her knowledge with the community through a social media platform on Instagram. Escutin has been studying aspects of the Ktunaxa language with her family since childhood. Escutin balances were raising a three old daughter and working for a band in the Okanagan to teach and sustain the Ktunaxa language.

Outdoor art workshops helped valley cope with COVID-19 The Columbia Valley Arts Council and Black Star Studios collaborated to host a series of free outdoor art workshops through the summer as a sort of informal therapy to help the valley cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The series was called Community Healing Through Art and came about when Arts Council executive director Sami Wackerle, Black Star co-owner Natalie Ruby, and Columbia Valley Community Foundation director Barbara Kloos sat down to brainstorm a few weeks ago.

opted a zoning bylaw amendment that allows for a brew pub to be built in the village. The decision by council followed on the heels of a public hearing on the topic at which the potential brew pub’s co-owner Steven Gale answered questions about his operation. Questions mostly centred on noise and smell. The owners aren’t going to build an Arrowhead type facility. It’s going to fit Radium zoning bylaws and be more of a restaurant.

Book fairy flutterd back to Columbia Valley The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy decided to run the Book Bike to support and promote literacy in the Columbia Valley. The Book Bike aka “Book Fairy” had an array of free books for every age set up at select locations in Invermere, Edgewater and Canal Flats.

Books were for children, teenagers, and adults and all of the books vary in genre allowed everyone to find a book that suits them.

Video invited visitors back to valley The valley is open for visitors, according to a catchy song and dance posted online that says: “Hey, hey! Come back and play, play. Our valley’s just as magical as yesterday.” The video was a collaboration between the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, residents and politicians.

Hugo celebrated Canada in patriotic style, with as big a festive grin as a 10-month old can muster.

Akisqnuk First Nation chief resigned After two years of leading the Akisqnuk First Nation as chief, Alfred Jospeh announced the decision to resign from his post. His resignation took place roughly halfway through the four-year term that band members would have expected during the October 2017 election results.

“I left out of frustration after working in there for the two years I was in,” Joshep told the Pioneer. “I thought that we had made some progress and were doing really good, but all of this went to hell, and I’ll say that I couldn’t see

By Pioneer Staff

January 7, 2021

Panorama came to town Panorama Mountain Resort ventured down from the mountain and onto 7th Avenue in Invermere last month, where they opened the Panorama Mountain Centre for Adventure. The move into town wasn’t related to COVID-19. The resort had been looking to have a bit more of a town presence for a number of years.

Radium brew pub got bylaw amendment Radium council gave third reading to and then ad-

Min Ma and Martin Ebbers exhibited at Artym Paintings by Min Ma and jewelry by Martin Ebbers was showcased at the Artym Gallery in July. Both artists, traditionally trained and lifetime learners.

Beloved Radium woodcarver Rolf Heer left iconic property as memorial park Rolf Heer died from cancer at age 66. He lived in Radium for the past 40 years in an iconic house. “Our village is mourning,” said mayor Clara Reinhardt. He was born in Switzerland and moved to Canada in the 1970’s.

After a devastating house fire in 2018, Rolf committed to turning his property into a memorial area. Radium council agreed to continue the project and set up a GoFundMe campaign.

August

Boat party raised over $130,000 for COVID-19 fund Motorboats, sailboats, kayaks and paddle boards spaced out across Lake Windermere stretched to the glittering horizon as Brett Kissel performed a lively free concert from philanthropist W. Brett Wilson’s lawn. “We were especially proud of the fact that, partly because the RCMP were here, the boats keep their distance,” Wilson said.

The biggest boat party ever on Lake Windermere - and possibly the biggest boat party in the country - was more than an attempt to raise people’s spirits months into the ongoing pandemic. Invermere mayor Al Miller gave a big thumbs up on the dock and said he’s “putting out the welcome mat,” to invite visitors back to the valley.

Motorcyclist killed in collision north of Canal Flats Columbia Valley RCMP, East Kootenay Traffic Services and Emergency Services responded to a fatal collision on Highway 93/95 about eight km north of Canal Flats.

New Superintendent prepared for school Karen Shipka said that preparing for a new school year during the pandemic had been like “drinking from a fire hose.” Even so, she was grateful to the previous superintendent, the school board and the staff who had been thoughtful and welcoming.

Lots of confusion remained at this point of her job started over the next school year would look.

Invermere mayor Al Miller said visitors are up Al Miller welcomed shoppers to the Invermere Farmers’ and Artists’ Market with a smile that was hidden beneath his mask and with a dose of hand sanitizer to everyone. Based on the numbers of people downtown and at the beaches as well as the amount of vehicles packed into parking lots, he figured there were more people in town these days than in most years. “Knowing that we live in the beautiful place that we do, people are just naturally going to want to come.”

Canal Flats mayor Karl Sterzer stopped rumour Sterzer makes it clear that the rumours are false that the Village of Canal Flats is interested in un-incorporating. Sterzer wrote that there have been lots of people in Canal Flats not happy with the change that the town is facing in wake of the mill closure. Sterzer listed council accomplishments: completed new OCP, streamlined doing bylaws, rebranded “Mountain Rise”, master plans for in-dustrial land use, beautification plan, trails, hotel feasibility and much more.

Radium highway collision claimed local motorcyclist’s life Midway through Aug. 11, Columbia Valley RCMP and emergency medical crews rushed to the scene of a serious multiple vehicle collision on Highway 95 at Prospector Avenue in Radium Hot Springs. A green Jeep Wrangler collided with a blue Harley as the Wrangler attempted a left hand turn onto the highway. The motorcycle was travelling northbound on the highway at the time of the collision.

Continued on page 15

January 7, 2021

September

By Pioneer Staff Doctor Creek Wildfire The fire began on Tuesday, Aug. 18, about 25 kilometres southwest of Canal Flats due to a lightning strike and quickly grew into one of the biggest fires in B.C. The fire length of 3,000 hectares held steady for the first week before it nearly doubled to 5,800 hectares due to high winds. At that moment, hundred firefighters, 15 pieces of heavy machinery and six helicopters were on site. A few days later, the fire grew in size and reached 7,900 hectares, again, due to strong winds. The B.C. Wildfire Service conduced planned ignitions along the southeast flank of the fire in an effort to contain it. A total of 185 firefighters were at that point in action on the Doctor Creek wildfire. After nearly a month of effort by firefighters, the wildfire burning southwest of Canal Flats was finally classified as ‘being held’. The smoke came as a bit of a downer for valley residents who, thanks to unbelievably fortunate wind directions for most of the past month, had been treated to remarkably clear skies given just how close by and how large the Doctor Creek fire was.

File photo

By Pioneer Staff The Whiteway will be ready earlier Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club, the non-profit group that creates and maintains the Whiteway, fundraised enough money to buy a new, lighter, grooming machine that would allow the society to get the Whiteway set up much sooner in the winter than it has in previous years.

Lake Windermere needed to be at least 12 inches thick before sending its grooming machine out. It generally happens to be ready in the first week of January. This lighter piece of equipment should help the club to get them out there prior to the holiday season. The society has teamed up with the Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance to get the funding from the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Windermere Oilmen’s Golf Tournament to buy the $21,000 machine.

Snap election After weeks of speculation, B.C. Premier John Horgan made the announcement from his home argued that it was time for voters to give his government a new mandate. The snap provincial election was the third in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the New Brunswick election and the Saskatchewan race. Here in the Valley, three candidates participated in the election to be the next MLA of Columbia River Revelstoke region: Doug Clovechok, candidate for the B.C. Liberal and incumbent MLA, Nicole Cherlet for the NDP and Revelstoke city councillor, and the B.C. Green Party candidate Samson Boyer. One month after the announcement of the election, incumbent Columbia River-Revelstoke Liberal MLA Doug Clovechock was elected for a second term with 59 per cent of ballots cast. Cherlet collected 38 per cent and Boyer 13 per cent.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

Newly licensed childcare facility in the valley The Village of Canal Flats hosted a ground-breaking ceremony at the community’s first licensed childcare facility. The facility is currently under construction and should be open no later than September 2021. This project of 40-child capacity was made possible by funding from the Union of B.C. Municipalities’, Community Child Care Space Creation Program and the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Childcare B.C. New Spaces Fund. The total project cost is projected to be $1.6 million and once completed, the facility will feature a fully functional kitchen, a sleek indoor/ outdoor transition zone, retractable doors, etc. It wouldn’t be possible without the land gifted from Brian and Lorri Fehr’s Columbia Lake Holdings Ltd. This project is part of the action taken to reach the goal of getting the Canal Flats’ population back to at least 1,000 people.

New CAO After eight months of research, the District of Invermere has found its new chief administrative officer (CAO). Andrew Young stepped into his role on Nov. 2. The flowering economic diversity made Invermere an interesting town for Young to move in and accept the job proposal. He didn’t need to apply for it, instead, a head hunter reached him and let him know the opportunity that the Disctrict of Invermere had to offer. Young objectives’ is to help Invermere develop a mature vision for its rapidly developing areas.

Markin-Macphail Westside Legacy Trail opened After six years of planning, fundraising, building, the Markin-Macphail Westside Legacy Trail has officially opened. To complete the project, in-kind support and cash donations totalled over $9.6 million from over 1,100 donators, 42 per cent of that support is from the private sector. The WLT is the biggest project of several initiatives from the Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance, a trails advocacy group made up of seven local trails and stewardship groups. The RDEK agreed to maintain the pathway after its completion and also adopted the path into its regional park system.

October

Local Métis woman reg director Columbia Valley Métis Association (CVMA) president Dera Fisher was elected as the Kootenay regional direction at the Métis Nation of B.C. (MNBC) over two opponents with a total of 142 votes. Nelson and Area Métis Society president Don Courson received a total of 62 votes and the Elk Valley Métis Association vice president Terrance Anonson had 69 votes.

The provincial election had initially been scheduled to take place earlier in September but many Métis citizens raised concerns to the provincial association about delays with Canada Post in rural B.C. for mail-in ballots during the COVID-19. Some of them also asked if an electronic polling station could be made available by MNBC, but this option didn’t come to fruition. Debra Fisher remained optimistic that a digital platform will be available on-time for the next provincial election.

Train derails: Lots of coal had spilled into the Columbia River when two train cars derailed and flipped over near the community of Edgewater. An unknown quantity of the spilled had entered into the river. Canadian Pacific Railways (CPR) claimed to have immediately dispatched crews and emergency response contractors to the site. Environmental contractors have been retained to undertake water sampling upstream and downstream of the impact site and to assist in mitigation measures of the incident site, including silt fencing and containment boom.

Friendship agreement finalized With the vision to build a better future for children, the Shuswap Indian Band (SIB) and the District of Invermere (DOI) had formalized a friendship agreement that celebrates the Columbia Valley environment and its ancestors. The SIB chief and councillors from the DOI met on the shore of the Columbia River for a ceremony to sign the friendship agreement built on trust, respect and recognition. This agreement should increase collab-

oration for joint-planning and community economic development. The SIB and DOI currently work on an active transportation route connecting communities.

After the friendship agreement was signed, the attendees paused along the shores of the Columbia River for a group photo to commemorate the event.

RDEK to examine short term rentals The Village of Radium Hot Springs already has a draft bylaw dealing with short term rentals (STRs) with almost two years in the works. The RDEK, at first, was content to sit back and see how other local municipal efforts to regulate the STRs. The week after this publication in the Pioneer, the RDEK changed its mind and announced that it will likely start taking steps on the matter sometime in 2021. Owner-operated STR with guests through Airbnb and Vrbo, have exploded in popularity in the Columbia Valley in the past decade. Public complaints refer to noise, parties and parking issues.

Although the RDEK has not done any formal measurer, a committee dealing with the issue was formed a year ago by RDEK Area F director Susan Clovechok.

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

By Pioneer staff

November

Wrap up Remembrance day Remembrance day was organized in a different manner due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As no crowds were allowed at the Cenotaph Park, the ceremony was held through Facebook live.

Invermere OAP tax revenue The District of Invermere will be giving its Online Accommodation Platform tax revenue funds, that the provincial government collects on sales of short term accommodation, to the local Mountain Valley Destination Marketing Organization.

Energy retrofits continued at Akisqnuk In an effort to make on reserve homes safer and more energy efficient, the Akisqnuk First Nation’s (AFN) housing department has been collaborating with ThinkBright Homes to provide inspections for 20 homes in the community. The implementation of a cost effective renovation plan is about improving the sound and temperature comfort.

Three homes were on the emergency side.

DTSS project gained $4,300 grant The heart of a commemorative initiative in the Columbia Valley has gained momentum at David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) with a successful grant of $4,300. The grant will help the realisation of a large piece of art, shaped as a sturgeon nose canoe unique to The First Nations of this region. Every student of Grade 9 this year and futur year, could participate in this work of art by adding tiles to it.

Planners presented a refined plan for Lake Windermere Resort lands The discussion and planification about the Lake Windermere Resort land in the future area was a hot topic for many months. The District of Invermere received many inquiries from the public consultation; a recurrent one was about the importance of

January 7, 2021

creating a cohesive plan with James Chabot Provincial Park in mind. The second consultation was described as “much more positive” than the feedback received in the spring and summer. That could be explained by the larger green space and the ecosystem restoration found in the last draft.

Mask mandatory, no social gatherings in Columbia Valley and right across B.C. A spike in COVID-19 cases in B.C. has led provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, on Nov. 19, to announce sweeping new measures and restrictions to contain what is looming as the second wave of the pandemic in the province. Among the most prominent of the measures are mandatory masks in all indoor public space and commercial spaces in B.C. and restrictions on all social gatherings with anybody beyond people’s households.

Summit Youth Hub won BCPVPA Partnership Awards The Summit Youth Hub received an award for their Food Insecurity project by The B.C. Principal’s & Vice-Principal’s Association (BCPVPA). The initiative has supported 163 youth. With the help of others, the Summit provided summer lunches and after school meal to children and youth across the Columbia Valley.

Bighorn sheep fatalities in Radium Drivers were asked to reduce Photo by Viktoriia Skitsko speed in Radium Hot Springs after two bighorn sheep were hit and killed. The two sheep fatalities came when Radium’s famous bighorn started into their annual rut, which lasts from November until some point in December. The rams are looking for ewes during that time of year and are less focused on vehicles.

December Second wave hit before tourism season COVID-19 cases raised around B.C., and the timing was anything but ideal, coinciding as it does with the start of the Columbia Valley’s winter season.

B.C. acknowledged racism B.C. health authorities acknowledged racism and discrimination toward Indigenous people have been flagged as an area of concern by provincial health authorities. On Dec. 1, a report entitled ‘In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimintation in B.C. Health Care’ was released in a joint statement by Interior Health, Fraser Health, Island Health, Northern Health, Providence Health Care and Provincial Health Services, and Vancouver Coastal Health to raise awareness about the issue in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

Local artist must be creative The annual Magic of Christmas Craft & Artisan Fair was cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions, which had led to a sharp increase in the use of social networks such as Marketplace on Facebook or public groups such as ‘Buy and Swap’ from local artists. Some of them saw the opportunity of pushing their entrepreneurship further by creating their own website and online store.

Rudolph One of Santa’s reindeer was with us for a few days in Invermere. An urban mule deer had its antlers tangled with a string of Christmas lights, which the buck carried with it around town. Fortunately local conservation officers were able to unwrap the lights from the deer before any harm occurred.

Lake Ice Mother Nature transformed Taynton Bay into a crystalline work of art. From the shores of Kinsmen Beach the icy canvas stretched out for 300 metres, leaving row upon heaving row of razor-sharp chunks of ice sticking straight up. It’s a magnificent result of the super high winds that hammered the valley. The lake was covered with one inch of ice, when the north winds had its effect repatriating this layer of ice all over the place on the beach leaving behind a rare, almost magical phenomenon.

Suicide prevention First Nations and Métis youth will have access to suicide prevention programs and mental health care in B.C. The province had invested $2.3 million to provide life-saving medical interventions and mental health care services for those atrisk of declining and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The First Nations Health Authority expected to receive $800,00 in funding to deliver treatment programs that raise awareness of suicide prevention and providing activities that promote health and wellness. $200,000 will support citizens from the Métis Nation of B.C. to promote youth wellness initiatives. The remaining $1.3 million will support the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division to expand and enhance suicide prevention programs.

Feed the town The fundraising campaigns, those that were able to take place, were very successful before the holidays this year. Feed the Town was one of them. Over $ 11,000 was raised and three food trucks were collected. Even the day after the event, food continued to arrive in abundance at the local Food Bank.

Have something to say? Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

January 7, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

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A licensed, registered and bonded company

We also offer roundthe-clock service calls.

Give us a call! James, 250-688-1267 or Jerry, 250-342-5299 Email: jeffersoncontractingltd@gmail.com

DESIGN BUILD UILD

New Builds, Renovations, Additions, & Kitchens

Cell: 250-342-1273 Fax: 250-342-9644

ptarmiganrugclean@gmail.com

CONTRACTING

Big Cat Painting For all your painting needs!

Dale Elliott Contracting

25 years experience installing cabinets Custom Woodwork and Finishing Serving the Columbia Valley for over 40 years.

dale@decontracting.ca • 250-341-7098

10% off painting service until the end of January

250-688-9418 • 778-526-5255 Serving the East Kootenay area!

N E W S PA P E R

• Authorized dealer • Designer • Installer

For all your advertising needs, call 250-341-6299

Paul Aubrecht, Dipl. Arch. SAIT

250-341-8646 paulaubrecht.houzz.com

Best of

2020

DESIGN

Best of

2020

SERVICE

Established since 1993

• Architectural Design • Interior Design • Building Permits • Construction Management

SHUTTER BUGS WELCOME We love a good photo submission. If you have a snapshot to share, email info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 7, 2021

HERE TO SERVE YOU INSURANCE

INSURANCE

PHARMACIES

LAMBERT-KIPP

P H A R M A C Y ( 2 0 1 9 ) LT D .

Come in and browse our giftware

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

BOX 2228 742 - 13th STREET INVERMERE, BC V0A 1K0 P: 250-342-3031 F: 250-342-6945 info@lambertinsurance.ca

BOX 459 7553 MAIN STREET RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1M0 P: 250-347-9350 F: 250-347-6350 TOLL FREE: 1-866-342-3031

SERVICES

(Servicing the Valley since 1999)

NEW SEWER CAMERA

• Septic Tank Pumping • Portable Toilet Rentals

• A well maintained septic system • Complete sewer/drain repairs should be pumped every 2-3 years • Reasonable rates – Seniors’ discount • Avoid costly repairs • Speedy service – 7 days a week

Bruce Dehart 250.347.9803 or 250.342.5357

P.O. Box 130 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Office: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669 Cindy.mackay@kootenayinsurance.ca

Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.)., Émilie Lamoureux, Pharm D., Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Your Compounding Pharmacy

Open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

www.kootenayinsurance.ca SERVICES

SERVICES

• Interior/Exterior Painting • Staining • Clear Coat • New Construction • Renovations

HOW WE ROLL Gerard Rehman 4950 Hot Springs Rd. Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. V0B 1L1

Scott Postlethwaite

Residential, Commercial Electric Furnace and Hot Water Tank Repair and Service For All Your Electrical Needs

Ph: 250-688-ROLL

Free Estimates

(7655) LetUsRoll4U@Gmail.com

20 years experience • Satisfaction guaranteed!

invermereelectric@gmail.com

1710 10th Avenue – Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

WINDOW COVERINGS SHOWROOM • • • •

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/Interior/ Exterior • Kitchen Renovations • Window Coverings

• Bathroom Renovations • Additions • Decks • Finish Carpentry • Basement Renovations

KITCHEN CABINETS & COUNTER TOPS

915 7th Avenue, Unit B, Invermere • EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net • 250-342-4663 Beat the fall rush ~ clean your Chimney this spring!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHIMNEY SWEEPS LTD. 804 Almberg Road, Golden, BC V0A 1H2 CELL: 250.272.5599 OFFICE: 250.344.7323 todd@rockymountainchimneysweeps.com rockymountainchimneysweeps.com

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE ON ALL WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES • WETT INSPECTIONS Your Weekly Source for News and Events

• Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps • Fireplaces • Full Heating and Ventilation Systems

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS

Call for your FREE consultation and estimate

Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca WETT Certified

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

SERVICE EXCELLENCE IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

SINCE 1991 N E W S PA P E R

Amanda Murray Office Administrator/ Sales

#8, 1008 - 8th Avenue PO Box 868, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Ph: 250-341-6299 ext: 101 www.columbiavalleypioneer.com amanda@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ICBC Glass Repair Out of Province Vehicle Inspections Auto Body Repairs • Painting • Quality Parts

We give all students 15% off with valid student ID

North American Warranty All Makes and Models Tire Sales and Installation

141 Industrial Rd. 2 • 250-342-9424 • Open Monday - Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com N E W S PA P E R

Phone: 250-341-6299 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

January 7, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

Larson, Carl Edward

May 13, 1931– December 29, 2020

L

Life is like a book that never ends.

Chapters close, but not the book itself.

The end of one physical incarnation is like the end of a chapter, on some level setting up the beginning of another.

On December 29, 2020, Carl Edward Larson, loving husband and father of seven children, passed away in Canal Flats at the age of 89. Carl was born on May 13,1931 in Cranbrook B.C. to Carl and Ida (Erikson) Larson.

As a young man Carl worked with his uncle saw milling and logging, then with Crestbrook, scaling in Canal Flats, before he starting his own logging company 1977. The Larson’s were one of the pioneer families in Canal Flats.

He is survived by his loving wife Muriel (Traverse) Larson and 4 of his 7 children, Carl Ivar (Donna) Larson, Neil (Penny) Larson, Iona Larson, Nathan Larson and daughter-in-law Anne (Lance) Larson. He was predeceased by his daughters Debra, Melanie, and son Lance. Carl also leaves 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

With a competitive spirit, Carl loved to play his sports. You could find him golfing in the summer and curling in the winter.

In his younger years, Carl had a great love for the outdoors where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time on his property. He was also known for his kind generous heart, and was always looking for a way to serve others.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a small family service in Cranbrook BC. With a family celebration at a later date when we are allowed to gather with all of our loved ones.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canal Flats Food Bank.

Sharpe, Audrey (nee Richmond)

August 10, 1928 – December 14, 2020 After living life well for 92 years, Audrey has passed away in the mountains of Invermere, BC with her family around her. Though her husband of 67 years, Don Sharpe, predeceased her in 2019, Audrey will be remembered and sorely missed by those she left behind: her sister Doreen King, her son and daughter-inlaw Peter and Lise, daughter Leslie, grandkids Thomas and Chelsea with her husband Tim, great grandson Kieren, and by all those who have enjoyed her company and benefited from her inspiration Having been born in Calgary to an army family and marrying into an air force one, Audrey has travelled the world extensively and lived in France, Germany, and many places all over Canada. In her youth, she enjoyed swimming and getting into mischief with her sister. She was also a Girl Guide and continued with this organization well into her adult years as a leader and commissioner, organizing and enjoying many guide camps. She earned a Bachelor of Home Economics degree at UBC, then taught in Langley, BC and North Bay Ontario, sharing her love of cooking and sewing.

Her retirement years were largely spent in Edmonton and Invermere enjoying family, friends, gardening, and reading.

It was not just her students and girl guides that she inspired.

As a mom, she taught her children well to handle the various tasks of life, easing us into adulthood, cutting the apron strings as she went. Her faith and patience will always be appreciated. Her respect for our personal space paved the way to our becoming friends. We will miss you always, Mom. An intimate family service was held on December 19 at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Calgary.

Audrey’s family would like to extend special thank-yous to the Invermere Hospital staff for their compassionate care and to all her friends and staff at Columbia Gardens Village where she happily spent her last years.

P ioneer C lassifieds

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • Web: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

THANK YOU

CHEERS & JEERS

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us on a “ZOOM” meeting every Monday at 7 p.m. For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-342-8255.

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m.

Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Please call 250342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.

I would like to thank Dr. Mannheimer, the nurses and staff at the hospital, and friends who have given kind assistance during the illness and passing of my husband, Hans Weinmann, and afterwards.

Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Beverley Sinclair

Cheers to Phillip and staff at the Farside Pub for a generous and delicious dinner delivery to IDH. Much appreciated!

Valley Fitness Society Annual General Meeting via ZOOM. Thursday, January 21st, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Board Meeting to follow. To attend, please email teresa@ valleyfitnesscentre.ca for the meeting ID.

Please email classified ads to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Hindley, Thelma Mary (nee Carberry)

July 29th, 1928 – December 17th, 2020 Thelma Mary Hindley (nee Carberry), passed away on Thursday, December 17th 2020 at the age of 92, in Invermere, B.C, with her loving daughter Louise by her side.

Thelma was born on July 29,1928 to parents Harvey and Ann Carberry (nee Francis), on their farm near Landis, Saskatchewan. Thelma was the second eldest of six children, Floyd, Eileen, Lorne, Shirley and Dale. She loved her childhood and family and still reminisced about skating, baseball games and picnics on the farm. She was especially proud that she and her siblings remained so close all of her life.

At the young age of sixteen, Thelma left the farm and went to study in Regina, Saskatchewan and became a teacher, specializing in Math and English. She taught for two years in Ruthilda and two years in Sonningdale, Sask. She loved teaching and shared many fond memories of teaching all grades in one classroom. Thelma married James Cody Hindley on October 7, 1950. They raised four children together, Jerry, George, Bill and Louise on their farm near Biggar, Sask as well as Saskatoon, North Battleford, and Jackfish Lake. Thelma and her husband Jim were always involved in community and volunteered in many organizations, and felt it so important in their lives to help and give to those less fortunate. Upon retiring, Thelma and Jim lived in Victoria B.C, Whiterock B.C, Calgary Alberta, and eventually Invermere, B.C, where she was very active in the Columbia Garden Village bridge club, puzzle room, knitting club, and warmly welcoming and including every new resident.

Jim and Thelma’s love for travel and learning took them around the world, always planning their next trip.

Thelma was a teacher, farmer, wife, homemaker, volunteer, but most of all, a wonderful person and Mother.

Left to mourn, are her children George (Donna Jean), Bill (Corrinne), Louise (Jurgen Striegel); grandchildren Tara, James, Kai, Chase, Aiden; great grandchildren Aiden, Aeris, Janessa; her siblings, Eileen Archdekin, Shirley Forbes, Dale (Jean) Carberry, sister-inlaw Margaret (Lorne Carberry), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thelma was predeceased by her beloved husband Jim, after 62 years of marriage, son Jerry (Pat), her parents Ann and Harvey Carberry, brothers Floyd and Lorne, brothers-in-law Tom and Charles, sister-inlaw Marybeth and Joe. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Special thanks to Dr. Brown and the staff at the Invermere Hospital, and Lorraine at Mark’s Memorial.

CHEERS & JEERS A big Cheers to Andy Charette Rigid Plumbing from the Stablestone riders, boarders, horses and coaches. He came immediately and got us back up and running in a day on Christmas Eve! Much appreciated!

A great big Cheers to the community of Wilmer for their spectacular Christmas light displays they put up for everyone to enjoy. Beautiful light displays on the majority of the homes. Greatly appreciated and a wonderful drive on the holidays!

Cheers to Richard, showed up unannounced with his snowplow machine and clears all the heavy banks in our driveway... best part... he was grinning from ear to ear! Greatly appreciated!

Cheers to ‘Billy’ at Sobeys, you make my shopping experience at the check-out so happy and funny!!

A big Cheers to Mike Coy and his buddy Jesse for coming to my aid when two trees fell on my car and roof of my house a couple of weeks ago.

Cheers only to this wonderful Valley! To the folks on the lake starting New Year fireworks early so all ages could enjoy them! That was quite a show!

Cheers to whoever stopped and put salt all along the Radium bridge so people don’t fall on their butt and can exercise in winter! I was trying to walk off the Christmas Turkey....

Weekly Featured Listing

Completely renovated home on 0.34 acre lot! $419,000 ~ Reduced to

$414,000 Including GST

2144 13th Ave Invermere. MLS: 2455126 (Brokerage ~ Rockies West Realty)

BUYING OR SELLING CALL 250-341-1202

gerrytaft.ca Personal Real Estate Corporation

Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

Cheers to Greg and Caroline for the wonderful Christmas concert you provided on YouTube for all of us to enjoy. It was very touching that you made a tribute to Margaret, William and Christine Constable as well as Betty Schofield. First class entertainment via Christ Church Trinity. Sharing your personal “angel” experiences made it extra special.

Double Cheers to Windermere Valley Golf Course for allowing free access for use by the public, and to Gerry for setting and maintaining the XC ski track. It’s being well used.

STORAGE NEWHOUSE STORAGE Various sizes available.

Now with climatecontrolled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

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

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE

BUYING OR SELLING? I specialize in rural, recreational, farm and ranch properties.

BARRY BROWN-JOHN “Rocky Mountain Land Man”

Call or text

250-342-5245

b.brownjohn@gmail.com ELKHORN COUNTRY ESTATES *Only 1 lot left in phase three.

Special features, 2.5-acre parcel, stunning views, 17 gallon per minute well, open and treed areas bordering ALR land on two sides, no building time commitment, $239,000 + GST. Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268. www.elkhornranches.com

MISC. FOR SALE Top Quality Hay Round bales.

Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-3421268.

Heavy Duty Snowplow with controls for sale. 7 ft. wide, $900. Call Don at 250-347-9378.

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

January 7, 2021

SERVICES

SERVICES

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services Renovations, Handyman Repairs, Small moves, Dump runs, House Checks, House Cleaning, Yard Maintenance, Tree removal. Book now for snow removal. 250-688-2897.

LEE’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIR SHOP

Pike Contracting Excavating and Skid Steer services.

Call Jason 250-342-5277.

The Heartfelt Companion: SERVICE FOR SENIORS offers non-medical help to seniors in their home and respite for caregivers. Companionship, errands, transportation, personal care, meal prep and more. Excellent local references and credentials and a big, kind heart! Rest assured; COVID-19 precautions are in place to keep you safe. “The Heartfelt Companion team provide, in the truest sense, heartfelt companionship. They always have mom’s best interest in mind.

I find that my family can once again enjoy our time with mom, as we know she is being cared for, lifting this responsibility from our shoulders. We can once again simply enjoy each other’s company. We have tremendous gratitude for their service.” 250-341-5683 www. heartfeltcompanionservices. com Ice fishing shack rentals “A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work” Fun for the whole family!

Firepit, rods and bait provided, heated, all the fixings...

Call 250-688-3739.

Bobcat and Dump Trailer services, dump trailer for rent.

Call 250-688-3739.

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 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

250-341-2551

0911611 BC Ltd. O/A Tim Hortons 496 Highway 93/95, Invermere BC, V0A 1K2

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Tim Hortons Invermere is currently looking for

FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISORS Permanent, full-time, part-time, shift, weekend, day, night, evening. $15.60 per hour + benefits • Start Date: ASAP # of Vacancies: 6 • Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years Education: No degree, certificate or diploma required.

Please apply via email at timhortons.invermere@gmail.com or in person at 496 Highway 93/95 Invermere, BC

Attention

Inventors!

Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today!

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

Free inventor’s guide!

Offering Excellent Service & Fair Pricing!

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

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. com.

SERVICES

Support Worker

Casual On-Call Safe Home Program Hours: Scheduled on-call rotations – Weekday evenings, weekends and statutory holidays Start date: Immediately Application Deadline: Ongoing until filled.

Duties: The On-Call Support Workers are part of a team of casual staff, carrying a cellular phone and serving scheduled on-call duty for the Safe Homes Program.

When called-out, they provide a confidential emergency service for the provision of temporary, safe, and supportive accommodation for women and their children who have experienced or who are at risk of abuse, threats, or violence. Support workers will provide safe transportation, following COVID-19 protocols, give information, support and, when appropriate, follow-up support for women.

Qualifications: A Grade 12 diploma. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and some knowledge of women’s issues with a feminist perspective. A valid B.C. driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are essential. This position requires Union membership. The applicant must consent to a mandatory criminal records investigation.

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Don’t Miss an Issue!

Application process and deadline: Submit a resume and cover letter to Purnima Gosavi, Director of Program Management, Family Dynamix, Box 2289, Invermere, B.C., V0A 1K0, or email pgosavi@familydynamix.ca by 4 p.m., May 14, 2020.

We appreciate all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Thank you.

N E W S PA P E R

Read us online:

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Passion or interest for Beer, Wine and Spirits?

beside the Horsethief Pub

SERVICES

The Radium Liquor Store is now accepting applications for the position of

Radium Husky House

“Double Down” Winter Special

9

$ 99

2 Eggs (Cooked to your liking) 2 pieces of toast + Tax 2 pieces of meat (Bacon or Sausage) & Hashbrowns *Add 2 pieces of meat for $1.99 *Scan your myHusky App for Free rewards.

BCYCNA – CLASSIFIED ADS

Served daily until Feb. 28, 2021, 7 am - 3 pm 4918 HWY 93 Radium Hot Springs, BC

LIQUOR STORE MANAGER The Manager will be responsible for the daily operation of the store. Duties include but not limited to: • Maintaining and managing appropriate • Training and development of store staff inventory levels • Reviewing BC Liquor Laws and ensuring • Reviewing and entering all invoices all staff are adhering to and aware of any • Managing pricing accuracy on all store prodchanges uct to ensure profit margins are maintained • Daily cash reconciliation • Managing the ordering, selling and stocking of product Candidates must have their Serving It Right Certification, have excellent customer service skills, be able to work flexible shifts including nights and weekends, have a strong knowledge of computers and POS systems. This position can be physically demanding and requires the ability to receive large orders and stock products.

Please submit resume in person to Jennifer McLennan at the Radium Liquor Store (beside the Horsethief Pub) or by email: gmjenliquor@gmail.com

January 7, 2021 Continued ‘August’ from page 8 Calgary a COVID-19 hotspot A CTV News reported labelling Calgary a COVID-19 hotspot caused a stir in the Columbia Valley, inducing some locals to voice concern given the close ties the valley has with Calgary and Southern Alberta.

Local government leaders wrote a joint letter emphasizing the need for a level headed and rational response to such news, and urging valley residents and visitors alike to be kind, patient, and understanding with one another.

New head coach for Rockies The Columbia Valley Rockies hired a new head coach in August for the first time in almost a decade. Longtime head coach Wade Dubielewicz is moving into the general manager’s role and assistant coach Briar McNaney will take over as head coach. McNaney once was a Rockies player himself.

Firefighters battled Doctor Creek wildfire The Columbia Valley nearly got away with a wildfire-smoke free summer. Nearly. A much wetter than usu-

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15 al spring and early summer left the valley looking greener than it had in years past. The Doctor Creek fire was discovered Aug. 18, 25 km SW of Canal Flats. Initially estimated to be 150 hectares, it grew rapidly, prompting the RDEK to issue an evacuation order on Aug. 19 for ten properties in the Findlay Creek area. By Aug. 20, thick smoke hung over Canal Flats and clouded skies up and down the Columbia Valley. “This is an aggressive fire,” said Kim Wright of the B.C. Southeast Fire Centre.

New principal at DTSS Glen Sage is replacing longtime principal Darren Danyluk after taking a new job in Vancouver as the president of the provincial administrators organization. Sage has been the vice principal at DTSS for the past 15 years.

James Rose joined Columbia Valley Pioneer staff James Rose, journalist and novelist joined the Pioneer for a two-month term at the end of August. James embarked on writing a series of articles about the local impact on the Columbia River Treaty.

Superstar country singer Brett Kissel performed a boat concert on Lake Windermere in early August, in a fundraiser hosted by former Dragon’s Den dragon and Columbia Valley homeowner.

Box 159, 8866 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0 Phone: 250-349-5462 • Fax: 250-349-5460 • village@canalflats.ca

Box 159, 8866 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0 Phone: 250-349-5462 • Fax: 250-349-5460 • village@canalflats.ca

Notice of Council Initiative

Notice of Council Initiative

Subject to Petition Against Canal Flats Sewer Service Area

Subject to Petition Against Canal Flats Sewer Service Area

Council for the Village of Canal Flats has endorsed a Council Initiative – subject to petition against to adopt “Village of Canal Flats Sewage Treatment Plan Upgrade Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 233, 2020” pursuant to Section 213 of the Community Charter for a Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade.

Council for the Village of Canal Flats has endorsed a Council Initiative – subject to petition against to adopt “Village of Canal Flats Lift Station Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 234, 2020” pursuant to Section 213 of the Community Charter for the construction of a sewer lift station.

Notice is hereby given to property owners within the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area that Council needs to borrow a maximum of $250,000 for the Village portion of an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant application for a total project cost of $913,000.

Notice is hereby given to property owners within the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area that Council needs to borrow an amount not to exceed $700,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority to finance the construction of a sewer lift station and is repayable not later than thirty (30) years from the date of issue of such debentures. Failure to replace this infrastructure is not optional and lack of action poses continued, significant, human health, environmental, and financial risk to the Village.

Like all municipalities, It is up to the Village to pay for its own key infrastructure to preserve quality of life in the community.

The Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 233, 2020 is a bylaw to allow the borrowing of an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority to finance the cost to complete a sewage treatment plant upgrade and is repayable not later than thirty (30) years from the date of issue of such debentures.

It is estimated that the cost would be $0.18 per frontage foot per year (to a maximum of 300 feet) for the stated 30 year term. Only those parcels of land within the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area that are deemed serviceable will be charged the frontage tax. Details of the proposed works may be viewed in the “Village News” section of our website at www.canalflats.ca or contact the Village office at 250349-5462 or by email at village@canalflats.ca.

It is estimated that the cost would be $0.54 per frontage foot per year (to a maximum of 300 feet) for the stated 30 year term. Only those parcels of land within the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area that are deemed serviceable will be charged the frontage tax. Details of the proposed works may be viewed in the “Village News” section of our website at www.canalflats.ca or contact the Village office at 250349-5462 or by email at village@canalflats.ca.

If the grant is unsuccessful, the money for the sewer treatment plant will not be spent.

Property response forms for this Council Initiative are available to the owners of properties of the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area and as per the attached map. Only qualified owners who are opposed to the loan need sign the petition response forms. If 2 or more persons are owners of land, they must be considered as one owner only and are only entitled to petition if a majority of them concur.

Property response forms for this Council Initiative are available to the owners of properties of the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area and as per the attached map. Only qualified owners who are opposed to the loan need sign the petition response forms. If 2 or more persons are owners of land, they must be considered as one owner only and are only entitled to petition if a majority of them concur.

Qualified owners who are in favour of this loan do not have to sign any documents.

Qualified owners who are in favour of this loan for renewal of this vital village infrastructure do not have to sign any documents.

Unless petitions are signed by at least fifty percent (50%) of the property owners representing at least fifty (50%) percent of the assessed value of land and improvements and submitted to the Village of Canal Flats at 8866 Grainger Road, Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0, petitioning the Village Council NOT to proceed, Village Council may adopt this loan authorization bylaw within 30 days after notice has been given. Assessed value of the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area is $102,280,700.00.

Unless petitions are signed by at least fifty percent (50%) of the property owners representing at least fifty (50%) percent of the assessed value of land and improvements and submitted to the Village of Canal Flats at 8866 Grainger Road, Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0, petitioning the Village Council NOT to proceed, Village Council may adopt this loan authorization bylaw within 30 days after notice has been given. Assessed value of the Canal Flats Sewer Service Area is $102,280,700.00.

The deadline for receipt of the signed owner’s opposition form to the Village of Canal Flats Municipal office is 4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

The deadline for receipt of the signed owner’s opposition form to the Village of Canal Flats Municipal office is 4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Sylvie Hoobanoff Corporate Officer

Sylvie Hoobanoff Corporate Officer

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

FAITH

Rest for weary souls

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

By Pastor Murray Wittke Valley Christian Assembly

Online Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Visit https://lwac.online.church 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Please email office@wvsm.ca to request a link to our online service which starts at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

Recorded services can be accessed by typing WVSM Invermere Anglican United Church.

250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats., Canadian Martyrs’ – Invermere, St. Joseph’s – Radium.

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday 1:30 p.m. Worship Service at Valley Christian Assembly 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere www.eklutheran.ca 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

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

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take you r do llar With 4,400 copies far th in circulation each week, er

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

January 7, 2021

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Each winter, as daylight fades and darkness deepens, I seek solace in Handel’s Messiah. Two and a half hours of Sacred Oratorio makes my darkest days a little brighter. The other evening, I placed a Bose speaker on either side of my Lazy Boy, turned up the volume, leaned back and hit play. I believe music at its best is a full body experience.

I closed my eyes and let the opening overture carry me away. Soaring voices told of ancient messianic prophecies and joyfully recounted the story of Christ’s birth and miraculous ministry. The music slowed and songs grew dark as Christ’s passion unfolded and then rose in joyful Hallelujahs with news of his resurrection and triumph over the powers of darkness. The final hymn of

RCMP Report

Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno Detachment Commander Columbia Valley RCMP This past week, Dec. 28 through Jan. 3, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 62 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

• On Tuesday, Dec. 29, a resident reported receiving video surveillance notifications after someone entered his storage locker in the industrial area of Invermere. When the resident went to investigate, he observed a suspicious Dodge Neon parked at the location. Officers attended and stopped the vehicle as it was leaving the area. While speaking to the driver, the officer observed several items, which matched the description of items taken from the storage locker. The three occupants of the vehicle were arrested for possession of stolen property and released on conditions to attend court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing.

• On Tuesday, Dec. 29, police received a report of individuals throwing rocks at windows on Copper Horn

heavenly praise left me in awe and wonder before God’s glorious throne.

Listening to Handel’s Messiah is an extended meditation upon God’s Word. I often sense God’s presence or hear His voice through one of the songs. The other evening halfway through the soprano solo “He Shall Feed His Flock” the words “Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him, ye that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest” lit up my heart. Those words are a variation of Christ’s invitation to weary and burdened souls. Somehow, through her song, I heard Christ reach out and speak to me. I choked up and tears began to flow.

There in the bleak wintery darkness, as the New Year approached, Christ’s peace enveloped me.

2020 affected everyone differently. Some weathered its storms well; others struggled to stay afloat. Most of us, weary with slogging through all the upheaval, loss and sadness of the past year simply long for peace and rest.

The other night, hope was ignited as I caught a glimpse of the light. Hang in there. It may be dark outside, but brighter days are coming. I pray that all those who are burdened, burned out or feel like giving up hear Christ’s voice and experience the peace he brings. There is rest for the weary soul.

Drive in Radium Hot Springs. Police attended and confirmed there was damage to a window of a building that was under construction. The suspects were believed to be in their teens. One was wearing a toque, grey jacket and black snow pants and the other was wearing all black. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crimestoppers.

• On Saturday, Jan. 2, at about 9 a.m., emergency services responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 93/95 near Canal Flats. The driver of a Honda CRV reported losing control of her vehicle on a slippery section of the road and sliding into the ditch. The driver was uninjured; however, the vehicle had to be towed from the ditch.

• On Saturday, Jan. 2 at about 10:00 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop with a Dodge pickup on Wolf Crescent in Invermere. While speaking to the driver, the officer noticed one of the occupants was on court ordered conditions not to be in contact with two of the other occupants. The adult male was arrested for breaching several of his conditions. The male was remanded in custody until he could appear before a judge.

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