Columbia Valley Pioneer, October 18, 2018

Photo by Dauna Ditson

Bighorn sheep stars of weekend festival in Radium

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Bighorn sheep are the stars of the show for the annual Headbanger Festival in Radium.

e weekend-long event is based on Radium’s most famous residents and happens during one of the most dramatic times of the year for the herd as rams battle for dominance during the annual rut.

For locals like Kara Cassidy, marketing administrator for Tourism Radium Hot Springs, there really is something remarkable about these ungulates.

“It’s pretty cool to see them when they are in their rut, absolutely at their most muscular, banging heads,” she says. “ ey’re certainly something that makes Radium unique . . . ey are part of the character and charm of the community.”

It is that character and charm of the species this event happening November 2nd-4th celebrates. e Headbanger Festival includes talks, walks, and other activities for the wildlife fan in everyone.

Ms. Cassidy says one of the most popular events last year was the photography workshop with Dax Justin. He is a Canadian explorer, adventure photographer and destination storyteller. Organizers have brought him back again for this year’s festival as he brings a passion and enthusiasm for photography and makes it fun and accessible for everyone.

Not only should this workshop appeal to the amateur photographer looking to snap some bighorn shots, it would also be good for businesspeople wanting to learn more about taking pictures and editing them on their phones for social media, or even parents wanting good photos of their kids.

Workshops are centered on education of Radium’s iconic sheep as well as other wildlife. Catch the Urban Wildlife talks with ea Rodgers, the local coordinator for WildSafe BC. She will share insights about urban wildlife biology and address issues associated with living in a major wildlife corridor.

Parks Canada o ers a talk on re and the ecosystem, looking at the importance of prescribed burns and the science behind re ecology.

Do not miss the bighorn experience session with Kent Kebe, who brings a passion and wealth of knowledge about the local bighorn sheep as well as other area ungulates. Learn about Ram 528, Broomer, and Ralph the one-horn Bighorn.

“I really look forward to those that are really keen and ask the really interesting questions,” Mr. Kebe shares, noting he loves to share as much information as he can with locals and visitors to gain a better understanding of the bighorn sheep population in the Valley.

Radium’s resident herd saunters through the village. File photo

Saturday evening features the keynote speech and dinner. is year’s speaker is Dave Butler, presenting ‘From e Lorax to e Monkey Wrench Gang to Full Curl: the role of ‘eco- ction’ in conservation’. Mr. Butler is a forester, biologist, novelist and photographer from Cranbrook. He’s the author of the Jenny Willson mystery series. e rst novel in the series, Full Curl, won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel in Canada in 2018, and was short-listed for the 2018 RakutenKobo Emerging Writer Award in the mystery category. Mr. Butler is also Director of Sustainability at Canadian Mountain Holidays, a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.

Saturday’s dinner, prepared by Edibles Café, will also include a photo presentation with Dax Justin and an ‘ask the experts’ panel session. Many of the events, including Saturday’s dinner, will be in the newly opened Radium Hot Springs Centre.

Be sure to come back Sunday for hikes, Legends of the Forest presentation, another bighorn experience session, and Paint it Wild with Black Star. Ms. Cassidy promises it will be an extra special activity this year you will not want to miss.

Know before you go:

Sheep are wild. Mr. Kebe reminds visitors to give the bighorns their space. Respect private property and, if you’re driving while searching for the photogenic creatures, respect the laws in the community. Absolutely no feeding of wildlife either. Make sure to bring a good pair of binoculars, your camera; dress warm and wear your com est hiking shoes. Buy your tickets early as there are limited spaces for most activities and the dinner.

Register for the Headbanger Festival by visiting www.radiumhotsprings.com/headbanger. Or call 250347-9331.

VALLEY

Invermere candidates speak up

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

An all-candidates forum last week turned the tables, allowing voters the chance to listen as council hopefuls asked each other questions following the main public question period.

The goal of Imagine Invermere’s event was to provide voters with an al ternative forum format to the traditional Chamber-led event. The forum, held at the Columbia Valley Centre Thursday, October 11th, saw about 50 people turn out for the two and a half hour event. To start the evening, attendees had an opportunity to visit with candidates oneon-one before council hopefuls moved to a head table for questions from the audi ence. Two mayoral candidates, Al Mill er and Mark Topliff, and five of the six council candidates were in attendance. Incumbent Greg Anderson was unable to attend; those in attendance includ ed Gerry Taft, Ute Juras, Kayja Becker, Richard Unger and Shawn Ridsdale.

After public questions, candidates were given the opportunity to ask anoth er candidate a question. Leading off, Mr. Miller asked Mr. Topliff what is one of

the biggest things he has done to improve the environment here. Mr. Topliff re sponded that he has been involved heav ily with the Jr. B. Hockey team, worked with the sheriff’s department on paper work, and liked to “volunteer anywhere I can. I’m a hands-on type of guy.”

Mr. Topliff asked Mr. Unger if he would support another boardwalk by the beach, to which Mr. Unger replied that it would be great.

Mr. Taft asked Mr. Unger if he be lieves taxpayers of Invermere should spend their tax dollars to build water lines and sewer pipes for developers who are “claiming to build attainable hous ing.”

Mr. Unger said he believes it should be a partnership; the town should have responsibility on the main trunklines, with infrastructure of services on the property the responsibility of the devel oper. Earlier in the evening, Mr. Unger had taken umbrage to the current coun cil’s tentative talks about buying land in Athalmer valued at $5 million (one of the two questions on the ballot for Inver mere residents is in regards to this poten tial purchase).

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Mayor Gerry Taft used his final op portunity to advocate for votes at the last Invermere all-candidates forum to en courage residents to vote for more diver sity on council.

“I think it’s great that you have all this selection before you,” he said about the panel of eight council candidates and two school-board candidates gathered in the theatre of the David Thomspon Sec ondary School on Monday, October 15th.

He said he would “like to encourage those who are voting to also consider in cluding a female or two on council and helping get some young people on council as well. I think it is important.”

While he was effectively advocat ing against himself as he competes for one of four councillor slots, Mr. Taft was first elected at 20, bringing his youth to a council that had been predominately comprised of middle-aged white men.

The current council is made up solely of white men with Mr. Taft, now aged 36, as the youngest member.

Historically there have been a series of other all-male councils as well as periods

where one woman was on council.

In the District office’s corporate mem ory, there has only been a councillor with a visible physical disability in office once.

Kayja Becker, one of the younger can didates in the upcoming election, said she would like to see a “more balanced gov ernment” in terms of age, gender and cul ture.

Ute Juras joked about still being a young woman but added that she certain ly supports diversity on council.

Greg Anderson said that as the only retiree, he would also offer a unique per spective on council and represent an im portant demographic.

Shawn Ridsdale, 39, spoke before Mr. Taft, so he didn’t have the opportunity to respond to the other candidates’ com ments about diversity during the forum.

In an interview afterwards, Mr. Rids dale said that “town council should be a diverse group of people” even if that means he receives fewer votes.

Each of the candidates either support ed voting for a diverse council that would be a more accurate reflection of the com munity it represents or opted to address other topics in their closing remarks.

(From left) School trustee candidates Denny Neider and Ryan Stimming; Council candi dates Gerry Taft, Shawn Ridsdale, Mark Topliff, Kayja Becker, Al Miller, Richard Unger, Greg Anderson, and Ute Juras.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

Mayoral candidates Al Miller and Mark Topliff speak at Imagine Invermere’s event.

Photos by Lorene Keitch

RCMP Report

Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno Detachment Commander Columbia Valley RCMP

is past week, October 8th through October 14th, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 54 calls for service. e following are some of the more notable les our o cers responded to.

• On Friday, October 12th at 12:20 p.m., East Kootenay Tra c Section and Columbia Valley RCMP members attended the scene of a tractor/trailer rollover on Highway 93 near the Radium Hot Springs pools. A westbound commercial vehicle towing a 40’ canister had driven o the right side of the road before veering back across the highway and rolling onto its right side. e driver and lone occupant of the tractor was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. No other vehicles were involved. e cause of the incident is still under investigation.

• On the afternoon of Friday, October 12th police received a report of a break and enter to a residence in the 1400 block of 10th Avenue in Invermere. Witnesses reported seeing two young girls breaking the back window of the residence then running away. Items were seized for

forensic examination and police continue to investigate this incident.

• On Saturday, October 13th at 1:40 a.m., police received a report of an impaired driver on Highway 93/95 near Radium Hot Springs. An o cer located and stopped the suspect vehicle. e driver admitted to consuming alcohol and submitted to a roadside breath test which he failed. e driver was served a 90-day driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for thirty days.

• On Saturday, October 13th at about 2:30 p.m., a brown Nissan Altima was stopped on Highway 93/95 north of Canal Flats. e same vehicle had been the subject of an impaired driving complaint earlier in the afternoon. Upon speaking to the driver, the o cer could smell an odour of liquor.

e driver failed a roadside breath test and was issued a 90-day driving prohibition as well as a violation ticket for driving without a valid driver’s license.

• Also on Saturday, October 13th, police were called to a report of a disturbance at the BC Liquor Store in Invermere. O cers located and arrested an intoxicated male for mischief as well as breach of his conditions. e male was released on a Promise to Appear in court at a later date.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

e community’s older residents checked out the Seniors Fair at the Columbia Valley Centre on Saturday, October 13th and learned about the many services and supports available for them right here in the Valley.

Seniors fair

“If we’re going to borrow that money to buy addi tional land in Invermere, why wouldn’t we then borrow money to improve the lives of the people that already live in Invermere,” Mr. Unger questioned.

But Mr. Taft defended Invermere’s infrastructure.

“We squeeze the life out of the infrastructure, we get every last penny out of it, and we’re actually very efficient at making things last,” Mr. Taft said. “There will always be roads that need to be paved, there will always be pipes that need to be fixed. But if we don’t protect foreshore, we don’t protect public spaces, we don’t take an opportu nity, then that would be lost.”

Ms. Juras asked the mayoral candidates where they place the water system on the priority list for asset man agement. Mr. Miller said Council has been putting mon ey into it, which shows water is a priority, while Mr. Topliff remarked that Invermere’s water quality is “sec ond to none” already.

Ms. Becker asked incumbents Mr. Taft and Mr. Mill er if there were issues from the past term on Council that need further attention. Mr. Taft said he would like to see the acoustics in the Columbia Valley Centre brought up to a better standard. He also said he would like to see one or two females on Council this time around, and pointed out that after so long on Council, he can no longer claim to be a voice for the youth. Moving forward, he would like to see a stronger voice from the community’s youth on municipal matters.

Mr. Miller agreed with Mr. Taft on the hall’s acous tics, which were proving problematic for some during the forum. His other priority is getting the old community hall torn down, as well as finding a larger space for the growing fitness centre and other athletics groups.

Mr. Unger was up next, asking a follow-up to Mr.

Miller’s previous answer if he was alluding to the old community hall space being a good location for a new fitness centre. Mr. Miller said he feels there are several areas the District could look at, perhaps in consultation with private property owners, where a facility like that could be built.

Mr. Ridsdale, a first-time council candidate, used his opportunity to comment on the race itself, wishing all the candidates best of luck.

Public Questions:

Attendees could ask a question for up to two can didates. It led to an interesting smattering of subjects: sustainable projects, infrastructure, and the purchase of land by the District in Athalmer were some of the more prominent query themes. Housing cropped up often: af fordable housing, rental shortages, infrastructure deficits that contribute to a lack of housing, zoning for small er footprint houses, and AirBnBs. Other queries ranged from the role of solar energy to a hospice centre, encour aging literacy, how to address the growing senior popu lation, and if council members feel current consultation with First Nations is adequate.

One question asked the mayoral candidates their views on urban deer. Mr. Topliff responded that it is a touchy subject, and acknowledged it is an “impossible task” to deal with them effectively. He suggested jokingly that they are almost as bad as the wild turkeys and per haps they should be dealt with by having one big barbe cue.

Mr. Miller said urban deer are certainly something the District has to manage, “there’s no getting around it,” stating the District has had to cull the deer at times. He pointed out that education is vital to help with the situa tion, such as ensuring people are not feeding urban deer, and gardens are properly enclosed.

Put some pork on your fork

Industry professionals deliver one-day pork production workshop

Submitted by Kootenay & Bound ary Farm Advisors (KBFA)

To support new and existing pork producers respond to the growing market demand for locally produced meat, a pork production workshop will be held on November 13th at the Lions’ Hall in Invermere. The event will bring together industry profes sionals to inspire new producers to ‘get in the game’ and new informa tion for existing producers to increase production and efficiencies.

Swine Veterinarian, Dr. Kelsey Gray with Prairie Swine Health Ser vices in Calgary, will provide her expertise on how to grow a pig effi ciently and effectively including ani mal health, nutrition, husbandry, and housing. Kevin Murphy, Regional Agrologist with the Ministry of Ag riculture, will speak to regulatory sys tems such as the traceability system administered by the Canadian Pork Council as well as how to register a livestock premises in the BC Premises ID program, and why.

“There exists tremendous oppor

tunity in the Columbia Valley for local meat production,” says Hedi Trescher of the Windermere and District Farmers’ Institute. “Locally produced bacon, pork chops and ham are in creasingly being sought after by con sumer conscious citizens who want to know where their food comes. Our provincially licenced state of the art abattoir in Invermere gives producers a facility to slaughter their meat that can be sold to the public, restaurants and grocery stores.”

The event is free and will be held on Tuesday, November 13th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Lion’s Hall in Invermere. Registration is online at www.kbfa.ca/events or call 778771-5851.

The event is being coordinated by the Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisors (KBFA) and the Winder mere and District Farmers Institute. KBFA is a new agricultural program that provides producers with free oneon-one technical production support and education. For more information visit: www.kbfa.ca.

an

granted funds are available for registered charities which support projects that

Columbia

Deadline for applications:

31st,

guidelines and application forms available at www.valleyfoundation.ca

information on the granting process, contact Laurie Klassen, 250-342-2845 or email laurie@valleyfoundation.ca

For Good. For Community. For Ever.

PERSPECTIVE

Freedom through sacri ce

By Dean Midyette dean@columbiavalleypioneer.com

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that marked the end of the War To End All Wars. In Invermere, District crews have been busy replacing the regular light post banners with those that honour soldiers who called the Columbia Valley home.

Every year over the last century people have gathered on November 11th to bow their heads in silence and to re ect on the sacri ce made by those who chose to ght against tyranny and oppression. ey fought to preserve the freedoms that many of us today take for granted: the freedom to express opinions and ideas without fear of retribution, the freedom to worship as we choose, the freedom to travel, the freedom to assemble and associate with whomever we wish.

Also entrenched in our Constitution are the right to equality and the right to vote. Yet, when members of our local First Nations returned from the First World War and the Second World War, their right to vote was withheld unless they surrendered their treaty rights and Indian status. It wasn’t until July 1st, 1960 that First Nations people were given the right to vote without condition. It must be noted that when the government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker passed this voting rights legislation through parliament, no consultation with First Nations was undertaken.

Prior to confederation in 1867, voting was restricted to men with property assets of a speci ed value. Catholics were prevented from voting. Voters were required to take an oath of loyalty renouncing Catholic authority and afrming “Christian faith”, and in most jurisdictions Jews were also excluded from voting.

After confederation, voting was restricted to male British subjects who were at least 21 years old and who owned property. During WWI the Wartime Elections Act was passed, allowing female relatives of men serving in the military to vote but those who were conscientious objectors and those born in enemy countries after 1902 or who habitually spoke an enemy language had their voting rights rescinded.

Women were nally given the right to vote in 1918 in most of Canada. Quebec enfranchised the woman’s vote in 1940 with the Northwest Territories being the last to recognize the voting rights of women in 1951.

Chinese Canadians were not given the right to vote until 1898, but it was taken away in British Columbia in 1920, then reinstated in 1948. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese Canadians were stripped of their homes and businesses and sent to internment camps. eir freedom was taken not because of criminality, but only because of heritage.

e freedoms that we enjoy today have come through sacri ce, by soldiers, First Nations, women, churches and the immigrants that have helped to build Canada.

Imagine for a moment that the laws of today mirrored those that existed 150 years ago and how a privileged few in our community could vote while the majority could not.

By casting a vote on October 20th, and in future elections, we can honour all who have sacri ced in the name

Historical Lens

Famous dwelling

Provincial ministry fails wildlife

Dear Editor:

Communities with urban wildlife problems didn’t much go to the locals before running to BC’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources to ask them what to do. After all what do the locals know about wildlife? is is a job for city slickers in suits. Wrong move. Under this ministry wildlife management is in shambles. In just 10 years B.C. lost half its elk population. A mountain caribou herd teeters on extinction down to 3 animals. Most are attributed to habitat loss, they starved to death. As for urban wildlife, after a decade of communities taking bad advice from this ministry wasting time and money on failed schemes, we’re no further ahead—and learned nothing. It’s obvious this ministry isn’t even trying to solve our problem. ey just want an excuse to amend the Wildlife Act—before they get arrested

for animal cruelty. ey want the act to read like the Fisheries Act that Harper previously gutted. It now says, “Got no commercial value, you got no rights, buddy. Starve if we care.” International trade deals don’t allow for pesky ora, fauna, sh or fowl—or citizens—to impede the pro ts of international investors as they gut Canada’s resources.

Municipal elections are coming up. e bottom rung of the political ladder and the concept democracy already begins to vanish. Concerning urban wildlife, a “resounding majority” of the mayors and directors of the UBCM groupthink puppet society have already pledged to do whatever the ministry tells them. To heck with the locals. But go vote anyway. So we can all pretend this is democracy.

Bryan Stawychny Edgewater

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e home of David ompson, famed early explorer and mapmaker, in Williamstown, Ontario, taken in 1938.

Photo (A2002) courtesy Windermere District Historical Society

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LETTERS

Electoral reform debate

Dear Editor:

Let’s Talk Proportional Representation: A presentation at College of the Rockies, Invermere, October 22nd, 7-9 p.m.

Do you know that we will soon have the opportunity to state our opinions in a referendum that presents options for electoral reform in British Columbia? Do you have questions about proportional representation or what form it should take? Glen Ewan Q.C. will be giving a free presentation at College of the Rockies Invermere campus Monday, October 22, 7-9 p.m. He will present on the referendum, proportional representation and why it matters. He will explain the three di erent types of proportional representation that will be on the referendum ballot. ere will be a short presentation followed by lots of time for questions. Everyone is welcome.

Proportional representation provides a vehicle for every person’s vote to be equal and e ective, regardless of where you live or for whom you vote. is means that we would no longer have to accept false majorities where Parties that acquire less than 50% of the vote can obtain 100% of

Dear Editor:

Most of us have heard the 1 % vs. 99% story about wealth distribution in the USA. Although perhaps not as bad in Canada, the increase in wealth for the wealthiest in Canada has grown exponentially. From what I’ve read, since 1982; “the top 0.01 per cent of earners saw incomes grow more than 160 per cent, adjusted for in ation”. However; “income growth was negligible for the bottom 90 per cent.”

It seems to me that it is this same wealthy sector that is trying to lobby against a YES vote for Proportional Representation in the upcoming referendum. From my perspective, “it looks like a small group of very rich people are telling a very large group of average people how to vote” with the use of

the power. In that way, it also reduces the need for strategic voting. Instead, you vote for those you truly believe will do the best job in government.

Because the election results with proportional representation require Parties to co-operate once elected, this system of voting could help us get past partisan politics and our present system of deeply polarized and combative government. It also holds the possibility for more stability. Who isn’t tired of the bickering and adversarial environment that exists in Canadian politics today?

In response to priorities previously stated by BC residents, all three options for Pro Rep on the ballot still have local MLAs and no region would lose MLAs.

e most important question, however, is the rst one – “yes” or “no” to proportional representation.

is referendum is an important time to cast your vote. We have the opportunity to con gure our elections to truly reect the majority of voters.

Luana Gillies Windermere

double-speak such as; “a proportional system will result in less representation”. is is totally misleading. In fact, the actual representation will be virtually equivalent. It is logical if the resultant number of representatives is the same, the quantity of representation remains the same but the quality goes up. rough “ProRep”, and a YES vote, the accuracy increases because it is more re ective of how we voted and, depending how ProRep is implemented, one may have a choice of which political party’s representative that they submit their concerns to. How great is that? I just hope that people won’t get fooled and will indeed vote YES for a proportional voting system.

Eric Peter Invermere

NOTICE OF WATER TARIFF AUTHORITY

Editor’s note: is was addressed to the e Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor, and reprinted here with permission by the author.

Your Honour:

I am writing to you today to ask that you please intervene in the upcoming Electoral Reform Referendum, based on the government’s failure to provide the citizens of BC with adequate information upon which to make an informed decision.

is afternoon my wife and I attended a community meeting to discuss the situation and the overwhelming opinion was that we have been inadequately informed with respect to the options being presented and their implications for the future of the democratic process in the Province of British Columbia. For example, we have not been provided with electoral maps to demonstrate what the impact of these options will have on our ridings.  is is the most basic of information required and has not been provided.

A mail in ballot is not a rigorous voting mechanism and is amenable to fraud and manipulation. Furthermore, it depends upon the integrity of Canada Post. e subject of this referendum is not a frivolous matter and deserves all of the security of a general provincial election.  is is not being provided.

We were also informed that there is a legal challenge to this referendum that will not be heard in the courts until 2019 (AFTER the referendum). Apparently an injunction was sought but turned down by

the courts.  is is also unfair as it is the only mechanism by which adequate time for full disclosure can be provided.

Furthermore, Elections BC has also been made aware of the situation and has failed to provide a remedy to the lack of information being provided to the electorate.  e Mission of Elections BC is “to serve democracy in British Columbia through fair and impartial administration of electoral processes”.  e current process is neither fair nor impartial.

is situation is akin to a patient being rushed to the operating table for an elective procedure without being given full disclosure prior to being asked to provide consent. We do not allow such behaviour by physicians in our society, nor should we allow analogous behaviour from our government.

To illustrate my point, please ask any ten members of the public to explain to you the di erent referendum options and their implications.

In the interests of preserving our democracy in BC, please take the appropriate action to ensure that all of us are adequately informed prior to being asked to vote in this referendum. To date this has not happened. e referendum needs to be delayed and the citizens of BC properly and fully informed.

Please let me know, at your earliest convenience, what de nitive action is being taken.

Murray Trusler Fairmont Hot Springs

Trustee hopefuls take to the mike

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Denny Neider and Ryan Stimming attended an all-candidates forum last Thursday, October 11th to share their

questions in the competition for school trustee.

School trustee elections take place at the same time as municipal elections. Rocky Mountain School Dis trict 6 is divided into three zones: Kimberley, Golden, and Windermere, with three trustees elected to each zone. Within the Windermere zone, the trustees are divid ed into three areas: Area 4 (Windermere / Canal Flats) is represented by incumbent Amber Byklum, while Area 5 (Radium / Edgewater) will be represented by newcom er Jane Thurgood Sagal. Mr. Neider and Mr. Stimming are seeking election for Area 3 (Invermere).

cluding agendas, decisions, policies, even trustee contact information.

“We always try to be as transparent as possible,” said Mr. Neider.

Mr. Stimming felt that while the information is avail able on the website, he hears from parents that it is not something they will actively look for and that the school board needs to find new, more proactive ways to reach out to families.

“The School Board needs to do more to communi cate and find ways to reach out,” he said.

Following written ques tions, each candidate had the opportunity to ask an other a direct question.

Denny Neider Ryan Stimming

In his introduction, Mr. Stimming listed the connec tions he has to the area’s schools: his wife is a teacher, his children, nephew and nieces attend school here, and his sister-in-law works in administration at a local school.

“I’d like to continue the success of Rocky Mountain School District 6 by representing Invermere on the Board of Education,” he said.

Mr. Neider said as the current trustee from Inver mere, he has been involved in many committees and worked with other trustees to establish direction for the school board.

“I understand the work of the board, I believe I un derstand some of the issues we’re dealing with here in this particular school district,” said Mr. Neider. “I fully recog nize that the public, parents in particular, put their trust in us to do what’s best for their kids. I want to assure you that you can trust me again.”

Both candidates were asked what is the most import ant issue schools are facing now. Mr. Neider answered first, saying health is the biggest issue. Not just physical, but “mental, emotional, social psychological health.”

Mr. Stimming said the biggest issue he sees facing schools is the role of the new curriculum. It has been an “overwhelming change” for the teachers, he describes. New curriculum was introduced in 2014, with schools still in the process of change, Mr. Stimming said. He feels more resources are needed for teachers to adopt the change, such as textbooks and classroom aids.

A second question asked candidates how they feel the school district could improve transparency and commu nication.

Mr. Neider said the school board is not a “secret agency,” that they post all their information online in

Mr. Neider chose to use his question time to respond to Mr. Stimming’s earlier com ments about the curriculum. He suggested that curric ulum be viewed like the pathway that leads you into life past high school. With rapid change in society, and rapid change in the class room, the curriculum needed to be changed to keep up. “It now is very focused on the individual student,” said Mr. Neider, adding it provides flexibility for teachers in each classroom.

Mr. Stimming chose to use his time to ask one more question of his opponent, saying the general opinion of parents he has spoken to is that the District gives too much to administrative labour.

Trustees are responsible for setting the superinten dent’s salary, Mr. Neider confirmed. He said the trustees have opted to keep the superintendent’s salary on the 65th percentile of superintendent salaries across the province.

“We don’t feel we’re heavy,” Mr. Neider commented of the trustee’s decision for superintendent salary.

According to a letter sent to the Public Sector Em ployers’ Council Secretariat October 10, 2017, signed by board chairperson Amber Byklum, the superintendent’s salary went from $137,267 in 2014, to $160,190 effec tive September 1, 2016. The superintendent also receives other benefits, leading to his total compensation package of $193,757.

In the evening’s wrap up, Mr. Neider emphasized the importance he places on education, and pointed out he is not in conflict of interest in terms of decisions and discussions, as he has no family members in the school system here.

Mr. Stimming went over his platform, which is com munication, curriculum compliance, and access to re sources.

Voting for trustees takes place on general election day this Saturday, October 20th.

Our

Fresh old ideas

By Arnold Malone Pioneer Columnist

We are being called upon to choose a process for electing our BC government. Some favour Proportional Representation (PR).

e concept has the appearance of merit by involving a wider range of views.

PR has the optics of inclusion, yet I assert that it delivers many unexpected dangers.

ose damaging results are longer than this column can include. Some are as follows:

Most persons wishing for greater inclusion have never sat in a political caucus. Political parties are not a monolith. A caucus already is a forum for diverse debate.

Proportional Representation encourages single-interest groups to become a political party. Such groups know that they could never get elected in a constituency. However, they bet that across a large jurisdiction such as a province or nation they might get enough votes to obtain one or more seats.

Most European countries have PR usually with more than fteen political parties. Many countries have more, such as the extreme example, Italy 163.

European governments have a lot of single-issue parties. Any single-issue could be worthy, but governing is about a society whole. Canada has thousands of single-issue organizations.

e purpose of government is to provide thoughtful management. Management is weakened when a government has to bargain their legislation with splinter groups.

Sir John A. MacDonald could never have built the controversial trans-continental railway that kept British Columbia in Canada if he had to gather the support of many other groups. Lester Pearson could not have passed the, then, unpopular Canada Health Act if his government contained numerous parties.

Leaders are elected to lead and that means taking a society to a new place that otherwise they would not choose, yet in hindsight, take contented ownership. at

is what leadership is supposed to look like. Free trade is another example.

Australia was once a country that re ected Canada’s election pattern. en they switched to Proportional Representation. ey now have had ve Prime Ministers in six years. With 14 parties it was hard to get a majority. PR disrupts the agenda of all governments; left, middle and right.

Proportional Representation removes power from the voters and transfers it to party organizations. Rather than a Norm MacDonald or a Doug Clovechok as the chosen representative, a party – not you - selects the representatives. With smaller parties that representative wouldn’t advocate for any single constituency.

Decisions are not well structured through unending negotiations with splinter groups. If multiple-party decisions re ected leadership, then the Israeli and the Palestinians would have had a working peace agreement decades ago. A number of peace agreements have been brokered only to have minority parties reject them. Israel is a country with 34 political parties and 17 elected in to the Knesset.

A concerning aspect of Proportional Representation – as with the Australia example – is that once established it requires the support of those minor parties to change the voting system. So, while the citizens and the elected politicians in Australia dislike their current voting system, the smaller parties hold an exaggerated power. Splinter groups would commit political suicide if they voted to revert to their former system.

erein lies the great fault with Proportional Representation. A few parties have wide support but other groups achieve representation only because of a scattering of votes over a wide territory. Henceforth, governments rarely have a majority and some smaller parties prop up a government. e small parties – the parties representing the fewest citizens – enjoy magni ed power while the majority opinion is diminished. When a traditional party requires a splinter group to govern, it is the minority opinion that helps shape policy. If the majority party resists, then, in all probability, another election is held. PR delivers less e cient decision-making and more frequent elections.

Arnold Malone served as MP for Alberta’s Battle River and Crowfoot ridings from 1974 through 1993. He retired to Invermere in 2007.

Bruno’s Plumbing Service

The Columbia Valley

Q&A with candidates at Canal Flats forum

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Close to 100 people turned out for the Canal Flats all-candidates debate Wednes day, October 10th to listen to candidates share why they should be elected.

The almost two-hour forum included a brief introduction by each candidate, sev eral set questions they had seen beforehand, as well as one surprise question and a few from the audience. In Canal Flats, there are two mayoral candidates: Karl Sterzer and Brian Woodward. There are eight people running for one of the four council positions: incumbents Paul Marcil and Marie Delorme, Benoit Charbonneau, Bill Lake, Douglas McCutcheon, Todd Rotvold, Kimberly Swerdferger and Roy Webb. Mr. Lake was un able to attend the forum due to work commitments, but sent written responses to the two questions given to candidates beforehand.

Following introductions, where candidates promised to work for their constituents and listed their varied credentials for the job, the questions began, asked by moderator Lorri Fehr.

A question from the audience netted an interesting discussion amongst Council hopefuls: ‘how are you going to deal with the ATVs and golf carts using town roads’? Almost all candidates would be interested in pursuing some form of legalization for ATVs or golf carts on village roads, so long as insurance and liability concerns can be addressed. Mr. Charbonneau pointed out that ATVs are used as tools to hunt in the backcountry and, so long as they are not used for “loser laps” around town, he sees no reason they should not be allowed. Mr. Sterzer said Chase, B.C., has actually gone through the process to regulate these types of vehicles and has offered to help the village to achieve something similar.

A question given to candidates beforehand was in enforcing bylaws, specifically as it relates to cleaning up nuisance properties. Mr. Webb asserted that owners should be re sponsible for their own property, as did Mr. Charbonneau. Mr. McCutcheon said there needs to be a standard for village properties to keep up, while Mr. Rotvold suggested

Canal Flats council hopefuls include (top left) Roy Webb, Marie Delorme, Doug McCutch eon, Benoit Charbonneau, (front) Brian Woodward, Paul Marcil, Kimberly Swerdferger, Todd Rotvold, and Karl Sterzer. (Absent: Bill Lake).

Photo by Lorene Keitch

building relationships with violators, making visual inspections, and congratulating positive progress by homeowners. Ms. Delorme said while people at a recent OCP open house suggested property cleanup should be a top priority, they also heard from resi dents that they do not want to put village money into dealing with the situation. Ms. Swerdferger said people should be empowered to make the community beautiful. Mr. Sterzer had a five-point answer including awareness, enforcement, and finding creative ways to help people. Mr. Woodward suggested the village could create a good neigh bour committee to help those in need of assistance. Mr. Lake’s written response stated bylaws need to be enforced, and residents need to be advised of all bylaws and rules.

A question about water quality garnered no surprise answers, with candidates tout ing the high quality water out of the taps in Canal Flats, ensuring Columbia Lake is kept pristine, looking into Kootenay River monitoring, and updating the sewer treat ment plan to ensure, as Mr. McCutcheon put it, nothing “unsavoury” happens to the water table.

In a question about what Canal Flats could look like in 10 years, Ms. Delorme raised the need for senior housing in the village, and said she would also like to see a museum that shows the history of Canal Flats. Other candidates spoke to more oppor tunities for youth, providing choices for residents with amenities, building on existing events like the annual Flats Fest, and attracting more residents to keep the community sustainable.

Art Day

The family of Sue Wells, a charter member and artist for the Columbia Val ley Arts Council, created the Sue Well’s Art Foundation 4-years ago to provide fi nancial support to create an Art Program for all children. The Sue Wells FREE Art Day was created. We are coming up to the fourth annual event, scheduled for Sunday, October 28th. Thanks to our lo cal sponsors, Black Star Studio, and a do nation from W. Brett Wilson and family, the tradition will continue. Sue always

thought art should be part of a child’s life and her wishes were for all kids to have an opportunity to express themselves through art. She would be thrilled to see the over 100 kids at Pynelogs Cultural Centre, creating art pieces that they have made themselves. And we are thrilled to keep Sue’s dream alive.

To register, call 250-342-6663 before October 28th.

Photo by Katie Watt

Sue Wells

Photo by Dauna Ditson

Casting your ballot

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

To vote in the District of Invermere election on Saturday, October 20th you need to bring two pieces of identification, including one that shows your address.

e District does registration on voting day, so you just need to show up with your identification.

Kindry Luyendyk, the District’s chief election officer, said voter turnout for municipal elections is normally 40 to 50 per cent. She expects to see many voters turning in their ballots this year since there was a “really good” turnout at the advanced poll.

Residents can vote at the Columbia Valley Centre between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Non-residents are also eligible to vote if they live in British Columbia and own property in the District. Secondary home owners from Alberta are not eligible.

Voters will have five separate ballots to complete, with one each for: mayor and council candidates, Area 3 school trustees, a question about whether to ban plastic bags and a question about whether to purchase land by James Chabot beach.

To see the election results once they’ve been tallied, visit www.civicinfo.bc.ca/election. e Pioneer will also be updating our Facebook page as we collect results.

Canal Flats: Voting will take place at the Columbia Discovery Centre (the Canal Flats village office at 8866 Grainger Road) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 20th.

Radium: All of the Radium candidates have already been elected as they ran unopposed.

Area F: Area F elections will take place on Saturday, October 20th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Fairmont Lions Den and the Windermere Community Hall.

Area G: Area G elections will be held on Saturday, October 20th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Prestige Inn in Radium Hot Springs and at the community halls in Brisco, Edgewater and Wilmer.

School district trustees: School district trustees have been acclaimed in Area 4 and Area 5. Invermere residents can vote for their Area 3 trustee in the District of Inver-

Out & About

Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words. Priority is given to one-o events, so weekly events may only run occasionally.

• 12 p.m.: Cribbage at the Edgewater Legion every Sunday. Doors open 12 p.m., games start at 1 p.m.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Centre every Sunday.

Monday, October 22nd

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

• 6:30 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2, every Monday.

• 7 p.m.: CV Arts announces e Monday Night Drum Circle at Pynelogs, led by Patrick Carrick. $10 if you bring your own drum, $15 if you don’t. Call Patrick for more info 250-409-4110.

• 7 p.m.: Fairmont and District Lions Club meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the

Buying or selling?

ursday, October 18th

• 10 a.m.: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts, every ursday, Saturday and Tuesday.

• 10:30 a.m.: Stretch and Move Classes for Seniors at the Invermere Seniors Hall every ursday and Monday.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Centre every ursday.

• 6 p.m.: Invermere Public Library presents Food Preservation 101, Learn How to Preserve. Basic techniques for canning and drying food with erese Pal. Phone to register 250-342-6416.

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

• 7 p.m.: Horseback Archery Club at Luxor Corrals in Spur Valley every ursday. 250-347-9048 for details.

• 7 p.m.: Columbia Valley Narcotics Anonymous meet at 4878 Athalmer Road every ursday.

• 8 p.m.: New AA meeting at the Firehall Building, 8853 Grainger Road in Canal Flats every ursday.

Friday, October 19th

• Invermere Caregiver’s Support Group monthly meeting on the 3rd Friday of each month. Contact facilitator Leanne Brooks at 250-341-5683 for more information.

• 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Intergenerational Program between Seniors & Kindergarten children, every Friday at Invermere Seniors Hall. Seniors interested in assisting please call Madelene at 604-798-3061.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2. Every Friday and Wednesday.

• 2 p.m.: Invermere Library Book Club’s discussion on e Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese.

• 7:30 p.m.: Newfoundland Kitchen Party featuring Heather Walter, Eric West and Gayle Tapper at the Wilmer Community Hall. Nibblies, tea and co ee served. Bring your own mug. Suggested donation $20. For more info contact: baiba@patmorrow.com.

Saturday, October 20th

• 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Maker Space is holding a Discovery Day at the Invermere Legion so you can learn about the Columbia Valley Maker Space Society and how to build with electronics, make wearable technology, repair home items, metal construction and more.

• 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.: STEAM children’s program at the Radium Public Library. Ages 3-9 years old. e third Saturday of the month.

• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Family LEGO Club at the Invermere Library, every Saturday morning. DUPLO free play will also be out for the younger builders.

Sunday, October 21st

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Sunday Toast and Jam, an all-ages music jam at e Base Camp in Canal Flats every Sunday.

Tuesday, October 23rd

• 1:30 p.m.: Needles and Hooks Club at the Invermere Library every Tuesday. Bring current projects or start a new one. Refreshments will be supplied.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors card games at Radium Hot Springs Centre every Tuesday.

• 6:30 p.m.: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Family Dynamix is presenting the movie, e Tale, at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., movie starts at 7 p.m. and has a Mature rating.

• 6:30 p.m.: e Panorama Foundation is holding its AGM in the Conrad Kain boardroom at Panorama Mountain Resort. Everyone welcome.

• 7 p.m.: Trivia Night at Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort every Tuesday. $2 entry, teams up to 6 people, winners take all.

• 10 p.m.: Karaoke at the Farside Pub in Fairmont every Tuesday night.

Wednesday, October 24th

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

• 11:45 a.m.: e Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday at the Rocky River Grill/Kanata Inn.

• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Radium Art Guild meets every Wednesday at the Radium Library to create and share.

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

• 6:30 p.m.: Author Reading with Kootenay Author Vanessa Farnsworth at the Invermere Public Library.

• 7 p.m.: Play Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall, every Wednesday.

ursday, October 25th

• 7 - 10:30 p.m.: Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Radium Hot Springs Chamber present the annual Business Excellence Awards, Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere, tickets $50.

Friday, October 26th

• 5:45 p.m.: e Art of Stepping Back public lecture by Gurdev Hamsah Nandatha at the ashram, 7060 Columbia River Rd, in Wasa.

Saturday, October 27th

• 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Fairmont Lions Garage Sale at the Lions Community Den, 5003 Hot Springs Rd., Fairmont Hot Springs. Donations gratefully accepted at the Den.

• 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Maker Space is holding a Discovery Day at the Radium Community Centre so you can learn about the Columbia Valley Maker Space Society and how to build with electronics, make wearable technology, repair home items, metal construction and more.

• 11 a.m.: Halloween Craft at e Radium Hot Springs Public Library. 4863 Stanley St, Radium BC

• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Downtown Invermere Trick or Treat. New this year, children in costume, accompanied by an adult, will receive a treat from participating businesses. Check out the list of businesses on the Invermere BC Facebook page or look for the poster in participating store windows.

• 2 p.m.: e Edgewater/Radium Hospital Auxiliary is having a Halloween Tea at the Edgewater Legion. Tea, nger foods, live entertainment, door prizes, bake and book sale. Admission is $6 at the door.

• 6 p.m.: 47th Annual Fireman’s Ball at the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere. Door prizes, silent auction, and the famous balloon prizes! Dinner 7 p.m., dance at 9 p.m. Tickets $40 available at Konig Meat & Sausage Co. or from any IFR member.

Sunday, October 28th

• Sue Wells Art Day, a free Art Workshop for kids ages 5+ at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Choose from two Workshop times: 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged (limited space), call 250-342-6663.

Columbia Valley Food Bank Hours

• Tuesday and ursday: 1 - 2 p.m.

• 3rd Wednesday of the month: 5:30 - 7 p.m. by appointment only, 250-342-0850.

Invermere Library Hours

• Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Wednesday and ursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Story Time: ursday 10:30 a.m.

• Baby Goose: Monday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Radium Hot Springs Library Hours

• Tuesday: 1 - 8 p.m.

• Wednesday and ursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Friday: 1 - 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Story Time: Wednesday 10 a.m.

Windermere Valley Museum Hours

• Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Summit Youth Centre Hub Hours

• Wednesday and ursday: 4 - 8 p.m.

• Friday: 2 - 10 p.m.

• Saturday: 6 - 11 p.m.

Invermere rift Store Hours

• ursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Please

Under

The

For

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE

AND LESSEES OF PROPERTY

books

around the corner!

in

the month of October, we will be raising

during our 8th annual Reach a Reader - Books for Kids campaign. e Columbia Valley Pioneer, Kootenay Savings Credit Union and Blue Sky Clothing Company are lending their support to the campaign and we hope you will, too.

ere are many ways you can participate. You can give any time online at cbal.org, or make a donation at participating businesses when you see our white piggy banks. You can donate in person or purchase a pair of Blue Sky socks for literacy at our “on the street” event on October 25th at Kootenay Savings, Invermere and Radium branches, AG Valley Foods, Invermere Legion, Sobeys, and Mountainside Market in Fairmont Hot Springs.

e funds raised in the valley will stay here! ey will be used to support our free family literacy programs and to purchase books that we will give to families in our programs and at events throughout our community.

Reading with your baby from birth is a great shared activity that fosters connection and helps to create a love of books and reading right from that early age. Children who grow up being read to by their parents, enter school with a larger vocabulary, general literacy skills and are more prepared for learning to read. Access to books is an important part of developing literacy skills in children.

For more information about literacy programs in Windermere Valley, contact Sandy Kalesniko , Community Literacy Coordinator, at skalesniko @cbal.org or 250409-4251.

About the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy:

Properties

at actual value as of July 1 of the year during which the assessment roll is completed. The value is determined, considering the physical condition and permitted use of the property, on October 31 (December 31 for manufactured homes).

If you are considering purchasing or leasing property on the Reserve, please contact the Shuswap Indian Band Property Taxation Department to discuss these matters, and other matters related to the taxation of property interests on the Reserve. The Taxation Department can be reached at (250) 341-3678 (Ext. 1003), or by email at: dof@shuswapband.net between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

e Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is a not-for-pro t organization that develops and delivers literacy programs and services for people of all ages in the Columbia Basin and Boundary regions.

CBAL’s 16 Community Literacy Coordinators provide services in 77 communities, working with local literacy advisory committees to develop e ective literacy programs and resources in the communities they serve.

New

departments

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Chief of the

“We may not be able

the next (house)

Mr. Miller is currently recruiting and training paid on-call

for the fire departments in Edgewater, Fairmont, Windermere and Panorama.

Edgewater’s fire department dropped to half its size in June after two volunteers were fired and several of their peers walked out with them.

Before the kerfuffle, the fire department had 15 active members, but Mr. Miller said recruitment has been going strong and that the number of volunteers is now higher than before the crisis.

“ ey’re moving along and we’re in the midst of recruiting some people and in the midst of a lot of training right now,” he said. “We’re just going in the right direction for sure.”

Mr. Miller said Edgewater isn’t the only department with new volunteers.

“We’re recruiting. We’re in training in all the departments. It’s exactly the same thing as we’re doing in Edgewater,” he said. “We’re always needing more people all the time.”

At a recent all-candidates forum in Edgewater, Area G director Gerry Wilkie said: “Personally I’m going to try to do all I can to make the community understand what an important role the volunteer fire department plays in protecting our community... It’s a real sacrifice for people to put all that time and effort into protecting the community, and there should be much much more recognition of that.”

Fire prevention tips

With Fire Prevention Week running from October 7th to 13th, Mr. Miller took the opportunity to share fire safety tips with residents.

He implores parents to make sure their children know to get out and stay out when they hear a smoke alarm.

“It’s really important... that they understand this at a young age because they could be stuck by themselves,” he said.

Children need to know at least two escape routes out of the home and to have an agreed-upon meeting place where they will gather with the rest of the family.

“It’s kind of a norm for children to go hide if they’re a little scared, to go under the bed or into the closet... or to run back into the house for their cat or their dog or their little teddy bear if Mom and Dad are not there to stop them.”

Mr. Miller also advises residents to take care of their clothes dryers and chimneys.

“Lint in dryers and lint in your dryer hose builds up such a lot of heat if it’s never cleaned out that it will cause a fire,” he said.

Renters and homeowners should clean their lint traps regularly and remove their dryer’s hose periodically to vacuum lint out of it.

“A good majority of house fires will be started by a dryer,” he said. “We’ve had a few of them ourselves in the Windermere area over the years... at heat just builds and builds and builds until it hits the combustion point.”

He also encourages those with chimneys to keep them clean and to have them inspected.

The

SHUSWAP INDIAN BAND

Under the Land Code,

grant

disposition of a lease,

or permit on Reserve to a non-Shuswap member requires the written consent of Shuswap Chief and Council (s. 30.5). Additionally, no interest in the Reserve can be transferred or assigned (by way of leasehold or otherwise) without the written consent of Council (s. 35.3). Moreover, any document which purports to grant or dispose of such interests without Council consent will be deemed void (s. 30.3).

Furthermore, the Land Code requires that all interests in the Reserve be registered in the First Nation Lands Register, absent which they will not be enforceable (s. 28). As a result, “buckshee leases” (leases which have not followed the appropriate procedures set out in the Land Code and which have not been registered accordingly) are not enforceable and are strongly discouraged by the Shuswap Indian Band.

Finally, we note that pursuant to the Land Code, Shuswap Indian Band has the right to make laws on a variety of land related matters which may impact on the property to be purchased.

Given this, we ask that all potential buyers or sellers of property on Reserve be aware of the Land Code authority. We further ask that you direct all interested in purchasing property on the Reserve to make an appointment with the Shuswap Indian Band Lands Department to discuss these matters at (250) 341-3678 (Ext. #1014), or landclerk@shuswapband.net. Obtain a copy at the Administration Officer or download from: www. shuswapband.net/images/_pdfs/LandCode.pdf.

KINBASKET

Authorized by Dawn Chabot Attorp

YOUR MONEY

What’s Wrong With GICs?

Submitted by Sara Worley & Brendan Donahue Investment Advisors, Manulife Securities Incorporated

Many nancial advisors and banking representatives will steer their clients away from buying Guaranteed Investment Certi cates (GICs) and recommend other investments instead. Often, these investments include bonds, bond mutual funds, segregated funds or stocklinked GICs. While for some these investments may be suitable, there are many cases where GICs are more appropriate. Let’s take a look at the role of GICs and the reasons why some advisors avoid GICs.

GICs fund loans

Banks and other nancial institutions sell GICs to help nance their lending activities. Traditionally, a bank will borrow money in the form of GICs or other deposits and lend that money out at a higher rate in the form of mortgages or personal loans. e nancial institution earns the spread between what they collect on loans and what they pay out on deposits.

Clearly, nancial institutions need to borrow money to nance lending operations. So why do their agents sometimes steer investors away from GICs?

Low spreads

ough there have been several increases over the past couple of years, interest rates in Canada are still low by historical standards. During the preceding decade, as interest rates on both deposits and mortgages slipped lower, the spread between what a bank could pay on a deposit and earn on a loan was compressed. Increased competition in the marketplace further exacerbated this e ect.

Banks and other nancial institutions are great innovators and have developed many other nancial products that help them to better achieve their objectives. In other words, products that are more pro table. With a GIC, the institution gets to borrow money, lend money, and earn a pro t from the spread. With some other products, the institution gets to charge management fees in addition to pro ts earned on the spread.

e bottom line is, banks and other institutions need to o er GICs to help nance lending and to meet in-

vestor demand. However, if they really wanted to attract GIC deposits, they would o er higher rates. GICs are simply not as pro table as other products.

Advisor compensation

Many rate-savvy investors buy GICs from nancial advisors rather than banks. ese nancial advisors have the ability to act as brokers and sell GICs from many di erent institutions, often connecting their clients with some of the highest GIC rates in the country.

Despite this capability, many nancial advisors choose not to sell GICs. ese advisors give various reasons why they don’t but the main reason is, again, profitability.

In truth, GICs pay very little commission compared to other investments. Bonds and bond mutual funds pay more commission than GICs, and equity mutual funds and stocks pay more commission than bonds. e general rule is the lower the risk, the lower the compensation.

Rather than sell GICs, some advisors may push their clients towards other asset classes such as bonds or bond mutual funds. If this strategy works, the advisor will likely never sell GICs as they won’t want to cannibalize their bond fund holdings.

Final thoughts ere are a lot of reasons nancial advisors and banking representatives might give clients as to why they should use investments other than GICs but the truth is, very few things are appropriate substitutes and often yield less. From a risk perspective, the only comparable investments to GICs are Government of Canada bonds and high-interest savings accounts, both of which generally have lower returns. For example, as of ursday, October 11th 5-year Government of Canada bonds were yielding 2.38 per cent while 5-year GICs were yielding 3.24 per cent.

Bond mutual funds that primarily buy low-risk government bonds have historically outperformed GICs because as interest rates fell, bond prices rose, resulting in higher returns. In a higher interest rate environment, the opposite will be true.

If you have questions about your bond holdings, speak with your nancial advisor.

Donahue

Holly Jones

e

Councillor

I can contribute. I would be new to council and come with experience and fresh ideas. I have no con icts or personal agenda.

My Vision: I will work to maintain the values of our community as we enter a new period of growth. It is important to nurture our families, young and old, and provide a safe and friendly community we can all be proud to call home. We must respect and appreciate our combined history and culture and ensure that the future of Canal Flats is a collective vision.

What I See for the Future: A solid and vibrant growing community. Implementing the OCP and aligning it to a new Strategic Plan, balancing industry and the community. Opportunities for citizens and new families. e continuation of the “essence” of Canal Flats. More reasonable taxation. A strong focus on youth and our seniors. Maintaining an excellent school with a future to expand

Councillor

I am one who’s running for council that wants to

#1 Implement crime free community housing

#2 Web cast live streaming council meetings

#3 Help to implement critical insurance policies to stop the hemorrhaging of tax dollars due to faulty contract work. Example; faulty infrastructure.

Now is the time to put these safeguards in place as we will be growing at a rapid pace.

Canal Flats is something to believe in.

Village of Canal Flats candidates

Why should the electorate vote for you?

unless the

went over the

I want to be part of the exciting opportunity that our community is embark-

ing on; with all the potential ahead of us, and all the possibilities for us to move forward.

I have lived here for over 30 years, and wish to have a thriving community for my grandchildren to grow up in.

Canal Flats is my home. It’s a time of change and I want to be a positive part in all aspects of these changes. As a driven individual I will work hard and want to build relationships to make our village a place we can all be proud of.

No response was received from the candidate prior to deadline.

No response was received from the candidate prior to deadline.

Marie Delorme

It’s a new day in Canal Flats, with a new landowner for the industrial lands and new jobs. Presently we are rewriting our Ocial Community Plan and Zoning bylaw. ese are the processes to shape our future. I feel that I know my community well and have knowledge to contribute to these planning documents. I will advocate for attainable housing, seniors housing and look for innovative housing options. I believe we need some smaller light industrial lots available for contractors to use as a business base. We are already looking ahead to houses being built and will need these contractors. I support community input as we make decisions on responsible growth and development. My track record, of doing the homework and research, asking the questions that need to be asked, and making informed decisions, will continue to be how I would serve this community.

Experience - I feel, while appreciating that new Councillors may

bring new fresh ideas and that is a good thing, having experience and the background on how the Council operates and why prior decisions were made is essential. Our Council will have a minimum of 2 new members and bringing them up to speed on all the ongoing studies, and Village activities, especially with all the Economic activities happening around our former mill site will be essential.

I have the time to devote to Village business, enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute and the history of getting projects and plans through to completion.

Bill Lake Paul Marcil

Douglas McCutcheon

Todd Rotvold

Kimberly Swerdferger

Roy Webb Benoit Charbonneau

Valley otes

Village of Canal

and Area director candidates

Why should the electorate vote for you?

MayorBrian Woodward Karl Sterzer

Great communities require good jobs, attainable housing affordable living, and quality of life. Current Council and Administration have worked very hard to set the stage for an ambitious future in Canal Flats on all these fronts. We now need to execute as a Village – from smart management of our infrastructure, to working on new projects collaboratively with residents and the development community. I have the business, Council, Regional and Provincial experience to help fast track a better future for all of us. I believe in transparent leadership values, team, openness, and honesty. I believe we don’t need to over-complicate municipal government – we just need to embrace change, be friendly in attitude, business-like in operation, and openly problem solve along the way. My promise to you is to work hard, and create the best options for our community and its successes to come.

As Mayor I will have the time and forty years of experience necessary to ful ll all the duties designated in the Community Charter, working with sta in the preparation of agendas, nancial and administrative reports to Council and the Community, and working with the CAO and CFO to ensure that budget and management directions are followed.

I will attend monthly Board meetings at the East Kootenay Regional District (EKRD), advocate on behalf of Canal Flats, and report back to the community on decisions made. I have comprehensive knowledge of EKRD as I was CAO of the largest RD in BC. I have a very good relationship with the EKRD CAO, mayors and electoral area directors.

I also have a friendly and mutually respectful relationship with the Akisqnuk and Ktunaxa Nations from when I was CAO for the Akisqnuk, and I treasure the beautiful gift received from them when I retired.

In all honesty and with respect to the other candidates, I believe I’m the most qualied candidate to represent the people of Area F. I feel like my whole life has prepared me to do this job. And by the way, this is not just a job for me - it’s a passion. I’m at a time in my life where I want to give back to the people around me. I understand the issues we face here. I can draw on my decades experience in business and as the local Chamber manager to serve people. And I’m no push-over. If the people of Area F send me to the RDEK table, they’ll have a strong, independent person at that table sticking up for them and their families. On Saturday, October 20th, I am asking voters in Area F to hire me for the job of Area F Director.

As a politically independent candidate, my time, energy and decisions as Area F director will be focused on local issues concerning us all. I am principled, thoughtful, dedicated and responsible. I believe in consultation and consensus building.

My volunteer experience on the two valley library boards and my community association’s board of directors has provided many opportunities for advocacy and interaction with locally elected o cials (municipal and regional), and knowledge of pressing valley issues.

Sustainable development, a balance between development, respect for the environment and our quality of life as well as a ordable housing must be our priorities. Neighbourhoods need incentives and assistance in protecting themselves from re. Our highway – our main street – requires increased attention to its safety and appearance. Transparency and improved communication and consultation are my promises to you.

Please exercise your right to vote at advance polls today, October 18, or on election day October 20.

Dawn Chabot Attorp

I believe I am the best candidate for the job. I have a great depth of knowledge, education and experience with regard to local government processes, regional district services and the interrelationship between the various levels of government. As well, through my many years of service in government and as a business owner, I have established myself as a forward thinking, inclusive, collaborative leader.

I am hard working, dedicated, passionate about community and unimpeded by outside in uences. I will put all my energy and resourcefulness to work for the residents of Area F. Being a local, born and raised in the valley, in a family dedicated to community service, I have strong connections to the history of the valley and a clear idea of where we can go from here.

I will listen to public input and work hard on your behalf. I ask for your vote on October 20th.

Area G Director

I have many years of experience in the processes that come before it, and I am ready to step up and take on this responsibility.

What I do promise is to listen and work hard, on the big issues, as well as the smaller issues than can get lost in the fray.

Sorry I missed last week’s question!

While I have not yet sat in the director’s chair,

Where is my list of promises? I do not have one yet because I am still hearing from Area G residents and will continue to do so. is is your community. Any my role, as director, will be to listen and work with and for YOU.

I promise to be there for you, at the RDEK level, and at the individual community level. I will listen. I will hear. And I will act.

I am ready. Let’s work together for Area G.

Gerry Wilkie

Whether in Wilmer, Dry Gulch, Radium Resort,  the Benches, Edgewater , Brisco or  Spillimacheen  we all val-

ue the remarkable biodiversity  and stunning  landscape in the Columbia Valley  and    you can count on my experience , understanding and knowledge  of  land use in  the area  as a strong  advocate  for continued  protection  of   our  cherished environment. You can also  rely  on my experience in  continuing to work closely with the other local governments  within the region  toward social and economic planning and development. that  meets

the needs of   long term and future residents and families , diversifying housing opportunities,  , supporting constructive business ventures, cultural enterprises, local food production and   sustainable management of  our resource  and tourism industries.. Either  in  the  home place or  at the community level  I enjoy helping people through the provision of RDEK services and I have   the  time and energy it takes  to do the work.

Area

Director

Stephanie Stevens

Susan Clovechok

Tom Symington

District of Invermere candidates

Why should the electorate vote for you?

e

Al Miller

I am very proud to answer this question. I am a 30 year citizen of Inver-

Valley otes 2018 Mayor Councillor

mere who has tried to give back to the Valley most of my time here. I have worked with sports teams, CV Arts for concerts. I have sat on the Columbia Valley Rockies board for many years, ending o with the Presidents job for several years, and still enjoy doing there game announcing. I also sat on the board of the Invermere Business Association, as well as the Columbia Valley Chamber

of Commerce. I did three terms as president, and as a group we built the Chamber/Lion’s hall. I am a very proud Rotarian. I have spent two terms on council gaining experience. I have enjoyed working with Lake Windermere Ambassadors and the Library as part of my council appointments.

Bottom line, I love Invermere, and committed to working hard at being your Mayor.

Mark Topli

I have qualities that can serve my community.

A desire to contribute to improving my municipality.

Our District government should focus on four main priorities; Public Safety, Infrastructure, Delivery of necessary services and Promoting an environment that attracts and retains business.

Good Luck to all Candidates.

Over the last 16 years I have had the honour of serving on Invermere Council (the last ten years as Mayor and representing Invermere on the Regional District of East Kootenay). I have learned a lot, I have learned about process, I have learned about the community, and I have also learned from mistakes. If elected to council for another four years, I would like to share my knowledge, to help to mentor new council members, and to work on improving the usability of the new community centre.

Invermere is already an amazing place, I am proud of the direction the community is going, but there is always room for continued improvements. I look forward to the opportunity be part of a proactive and progressive council. In addition to asking for your support, I hope that you will also consider voting for candidates who are younger and/or female.

I am passionate about Invermere and it’s place in the Columbia Valley. I care about the future of our town, the people in it and those that will choose this lifestyle in the coming years. I want to share my experience, knowledge and skills to help shape our home for the present and our future so that it retains the great attributes we value now and evolves the way we want. In order to achieve these goals I will work hard with integrity and honesty for you.

I have now served two terms on Council and I am con dent I can continue to contribute in a meaningful way. In the upcoming term I o er voters:

- A long time resident with no business ties who brings a “balanced perspective” when making Council decisions.

- With over 35 years of natural resource management experience in government, I have a clear understanding about sustainability, policy making and strategic planning.

- As the only “retiree” running as a Councillor, I bring “life experience” and provide a perspective about the needs of our Seniors (who are a large segment of our electorate) that should be fairly represented on Council.

- Lastly, while I believe it’s always healthy to have an inux of new Councillors with fresh ideas, I think it’s equally important for our Town sta and Council to have continuity with some experienced Councillors returning, there should be a balance.

I love this town and plan to live the rest of my life here, so I will always ght for what is best for this community. With that, you should know that a vote for me is a vote for a balanced and equitable council. Invermere deserves a council that represents the broadest scope of its citizens as possible. By electing me, you will encourage healthy debate, which leads to better politicians as every council member will need to be highly prepared in meetings to discuss their viewpoints.

I am approachable, inquisitive, and eager to be successful in the role, and will continue to work hard to bring the concerns of our town to light. I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions you would like me to answer before the election! I look forward to serving this town if I am given the opportunity.

Being involved with local government gets us closer to the people we represent than any other order of government which is why local politics has been my passion for the past 14 years. I feel so blessed to be part of this community who has so warmly embraced me since moving here. I am asking for the opportunity to give back by working hard for you and doing this job to the best of my ability. It is always di cult to make promises during an election campaign since you are only 1 vote on a council of 5. So instead, my promise to you is to be approachable, to listen, bring your concerns forward and advocate for them. at is why I am asking for your support on October 20th to be on the team that will lead you through the next 4 years. LET MY EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

I plan on calling Invermere ‘home’ for the rest of my life. I see such potential in our future for healthy growth. But we have to stay rm on protecting what we already have. As a member of the Lake Ambassadors, I know there is far more that needs to be done to ensure the lake is clean and healthy. We are currently su ering a housing crisis. One where our year round tenants question being able to stay within in our community. We need to take steps towards ensuring our locals have jobs to put food on the table and roofs over their heads. e long term projection of town council should be to look at sustainable growth and to create opportunities for our community to grow with it. To not only protect the tourism dollars which sustain us, but also create new avenues for our community to ourish together.

Shawn Ridsdale Ute Juras

Kayja Becker

Gerry Taft Richard Unger

Greg Anderson

School Boards provide a managerial oversight to all District functions from facility operations to technology, from central administration to the classroom. e development and reference to Board Policies guides decisions which impact every aspect of the Education System, including: Governance, Use of Technology, Student and Worker Conduct, Transportation, Fiscal Obligations, Problem Solving, Code of Ethics, and many others. e Trustee facilitates best system practices through vigilant development and application of appropriate and current policies. We ‘manage’ best when we work in a collaborative and respectful manner with all our partners in our mutual quest for student success, be they school administrators, teachers, maintenance and support personnel, parents, and students themselves. Contracts will be negotiated, facilities maintained, curriculums modernized, and budgets balanced, but assuring a student-centered focus that comes from developing a safe, supportive and caring learning environment for both workers and learners will facilitate the best educational outcomes.

A Trustee guides the work of their school district, and sets plans, policies and the annual budget. Boards report back to their communities on how students are doing and they are directly accountable to the people they serve.

Each community has di erent educational needs, di erent strengths and di erent challenges. at is why School Board Trustees are elected locally. A Trustee should be knowledgeable about how their unique community values education.

Improving student achievement is the key goal of the Trustee, and de nitions of success are di erent from family to family and student to student. roughout my campaign, I have engaged with our townsfolk.

e conversations I have had with parents, parent advisory committees, teachers and other community groups have helped me gain an understanding of which issues are most important in this valley.

If elected, I will continue this dialogue and stay connected to the people I serve.

As laid out in the BC Scool Trustees Association handbook, the School Act outlines the primary functions of boards of education, including:

• Attending meetings,

• Setting local policy for the e ective and e cient operation  of schools,

• Employing the sta necessary for school district operations,

• Establishing conditions of employment for employees,

• Preparing and approving the school district’s operating budgets and capital plans,

• Hearing appeals from parents and students where a sta decision signi cantly a ects the education, healthy or safety of the student.

Trustees play a key role in ensuring that their local constituents, sta , students and parents are heard and kept at the forefront of any decision making at the district level.

We are very lucky as Trustees to be able to sit down with each school  and hear School Success Plans for the upcoming year. ese plans are student and sta oriented discussing what we are doing for students and what we are doing for sta around Professional Development in each school. (Attend one your PAC  meetings to check out your  SSP or visit with your school Principal.)

Trustees ensure that the schools are focusing on the bigger picture goals of the district while ensuring success for every student.

As a school district trustee, my role is to work with other trustees and school district personnel to develop the strategic plan, to advocate for resources, and to allocate them to support the best education for our students. Evaluating progress and making adjustments, as required, is part of the strategic planning process.

As a trustee, I have a responsibility to be informed. is includes acknowledging di ering perspectives, and assessing them in relation to my own experience and research. For example, as a prospective trustee, I received an email from a group that is concerned about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity inclusive education.

When I reviewed the core competencies, I could not nd the particular statement that was problematic for the group. In fact, what I found were competencies that support students in acting with a sense of ethics. Perhaps such competencies might guide my role as a school district trustee.

Ryan Stimming

Amber Byklum

Denny Neider

Jane urgood

Yoga practitioner opens up shop

By Breanne Massey Special to the Pioneer

“Some people only need a six week program… others may need up to a year in length (depending on their goals),” said Ms. Paull. “Usually people start feeling better quickly, then I’ve found that it takes some time to build on that (strength) to get to where they want to be.”

When new clients reach out to Ms. Paull, the intake process begins: a questionnaire regarding health background is distributed to new process participants, which is followed up by a 75-minute consultation that is done in-person. Afterwards, Ms. Paull will lead her clients through a session to gain more detail for an initial assessment and she will review the client’s health challenges with them.

From there, Ms. Paull creates a customized health plan for attendees and reviews it with them again. After it is discussed and amended, if required, then clients can begin to take steps into their new fitness program.

“I help people to move better, so it doesn’t always look like yoga,” she explained. “When people come to see me, I help create activities to help meet (my clients) goals. e piece of it that is yoga is that I’m concerned with mindfulness.”

While Ms. Paull is on-site at Mike Baker’s naturopathic clinic between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for private sessions, she will also be offering group classes.

“My group classes are intentionally small, maximum of 8, to ensure quality of instruction and the ability to customize as we go,” adds Ms. Paull. “ ey are also always registered so they can be progressive and so that we can build a community with the participants.”

Ms. Paull has completed 1,000 hours of yoga training and is Certified by the International Association of Yoga erapists (C-IAYT) and has completed an undergraduate degree in Latin American Studies.

Now, her focus is on helping others meet their fitness goals and designing customized programs to increase mobility. While the demographic of Ms. Paull’s clientele is currently women, who are above the age of 45, there is an opportunity for people of all ages and fitness levels to sign-up for a program with her.

To learn more about Ms. Paull’s practice, please visit www.instillyoga.ca.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or con ict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. New meeting Thursday at the Firehall Building, 8853 Grainger in Canal Flats. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or a ected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m., at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital). For information, please call 250342-8255.

Narcotics Anonymous. If Drugs or Alcohol are causing problems or con ict in your life, NA can help. All meetings are at 7 p.m. every Thursday at 4878 Athalmer Rd.

WVSC Ski and Gear Swap Saturday November 3rd, 2018. Columbia Valley Centre, Sale Noon until 2 p.m. Check in Sport Equipment 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Consignment fee $1.00 per item and 20% of sale price Pick up unsold gear 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For information wvskiclub@ gmail.com or visit www. windermerevalleyskiclub. com. Thank you for supporting Windermere Valley Ski Club.

LOST AND FOUND

LOST: A pair of men’s Oakley prescription reading glasses, black metal. Somewhere around the James Chabot Park and Athalmer Beach. If found, please call 250-427-7958.

LOST AND FOUND

FOUND: Clothing left at the Invermere Physio Clinic. Please call 250-342-0415 to identify and claim.

GARAGE SALES

Fairmont Lions Garage Sale

Saturday, October 27th

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

At the Lions Community Den 5003 Hot Springs Rd., Fairmont Donations gratefully accepted at the Den.

Garage Sale Oct. 20th, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Misc items, priced to sell. 1537 10th St. Invermere.

CHEERS & JEERS

Jeers to the people who let their dogs o leash at Mt. Nelson Park; a clearly marked leash-up area. Waiting until you’re shouted at, after one dog has already run away from you is like parking in a handicapped spot for just a minute. My dog and I deserve a peaceful walk. Is the Ray Brydon o leash park too far for you to drive? You know what to do!

Big Cheers to Chris at Colval paintball. You are a great host and made playing paintball awesome. The fall colors out there are nice too.

Jeers to the inconsiderate person who drove to the Windermere land ll on Thursday with a trailer full of old cedar shingles with nails still attached. Your pathetic attempt to secure your load failed miserably. You left a trail of shingles on the highway and on the road to the dump. I guess it made it much simpler to unload fewer shingles. All the shingles that I picked up, as I was following you, landed sharp side up! Also, the land ll attendants picked up the nails and boards that fell o while you were on your way to unload the few shingles that were left on the trailer. Next time please secure your load.

A huge Cheers to Al Miller for his kindness and compassion when a very unfortunate incident occurred in our yard. You so went the extra mile too, we are very lucky to have you in the Valley. Much appreciated!

Jeers to cannabis edibles that have caused children to be seriously ill in the hospital

CHEERS & JEERS

Cheers to Kootenay Behind the Seams, (Fabric Store) rst time in the store on Wednesday, unbelievable fabric choices, pricing. Customer service is fantastic. It is so awesome to have access to a fabric store again in Invermere.

Cheers to the sta at A&W for their continual friendly service!

STORAGE

NEWHOUSE

STORAGE

Various sizes available. Now with climate-controlled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Prime commercial space, complete with industrial bay and o street parking. 108 Industrial Road #2, 2000 sq. ft. unit. Available Oct. 1st. 403-899-9480 or carykienitz@rockypeakent. com.

HOUSE FOR RENT

Yearly House Rental in Fairmont, $1600/mo plus utilities. Available Nov. 1st. Newly renovated 3-bdrm, 2 bathroom single family home. Single under drive garage and new electric heat exchange system. Includes appliances F/S/D and W/D. Water softener and R/O unit. E-mail girldale@hotmail. com or text 403-863-5798. Sorry, no children or pets.

SUITE FOR RENT

Cheers to Trudi at MacDonald & Company for all of your help in dealing with our wills and POA. You have always treated us with kindness, patience, professionalism, and shown genuine care and concern. You truly are a gem!

Cheers to Jaye at Selkirk Cellular for helping me when I got my new phone. You have met and exceeded my expectations. If anyone is looking to purchase a new phone, I would highly recommend going to Selkirk Cellular. Customer service at its nest!

Cheers goes out to Chris at Colval Paintball. It was the most fun I have had in a while. Reminded me of the younger days with my friends. Tossing around dirt bombs while running and hiding. Paintball is an awesome reminder of those days. Great experience and great host.

Jeers to the ignorant people In Edgewater who let their dogs continuously bark non stop for an hour or more every single day!!!! Seriously, bring the dog inside and quit being ignorant to others who have to sit and listen to this all day every single day!!!

Cheers to Dorothy for melting the hearts of motorists travelling near 10th Ave as you hastily cross the road with your walker as quick as you are able, while motorists are quietly cheering for you as you cross the nish line and release a victory wave. Everyone continues on their drive with a smile. An inspiration to all on the bene ts of an active life.

Cheers to SLS for taking care of our gardens, very surreal.

Cheers to Al Miller, you have my vote as long as you make the popcorn bags bigger.

Cheers to John, our rewood provider. When I jokingly mentioned the debris from the load on our newly paved driveway, he took the time to help sweep up the mess and stayed until it was hosed o and clean. Great rewood and better service, John. Cheers.

STORAGE

STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250342-3166.

OFFICE SPACE

1313 - 7th Ave. Prime second oor o ce space, complete with o street parking. 1735 sq. ft. o ce, 1 - 1167 sq. ft. o ce. Can be divided into two o ces 1 - 710 sq. ft. + 1 - 457 sq. ft. Prime ground oor o ce/retail space, complete with o street parking. 2425 sq. ft. Call for availability 403-899-9480 or carykienitz@rockypeakent.com.

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

Looking for a rental property for August and September of 2019. 2-bdrm, small dog included, 2 to 4 people - all adults. We are golfers, responsible, no partying. Contact 1-403-678-1009.

HOUSE FOR RENT

House for rent in Windermere, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, $950/mo plus utilities. Available now until end of April. 250-342-5386.

Lake View Meadows modern 2-bdrm apartment, lower level, semi furnished/unfurnished, AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. Backs onto green space and Copper Point Golf Course. The apartment comes with 2 underground parking stalls and storage unit, and access to the Lakeview Meadows Recreation Centre: indoor pool, hut tub, outdoor pool, soccer eld, tennis court, beach volleyball court, private beach. Minimum 6 months contract, $1,200/mo + Hydro, no cable. Reference required. Email at camirusnac@yahoo. com or call 1-403-312-9137.

CONDO FOR RENT

Furnished 2-bdrm, 2 washroom, on second oor of the Peaks in Radium. Ensuite laundry, D/W and A/C. Rent includes all utilities. Long term or short term lease. $1,100/mo. Available immediately. 403-470-7758.

Lakefront, Resort lifestyle, Rec. centre Fully furnished 2-bdrm Condo for rent on Windermere Lake. $1200/mo. Damage deposit and references required. Utilities negotiable. 403-8181890.

RV LOTS FOR SALE

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE

ELKHORN

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268.

HOUSE FOR SALE

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services: Eavestroughs to fall yard clean-up, tree cutting, deck repairs, roofs, small moves. Blinds, drapery and installation. Handyman services 250-6882897 or 403-861-8782.

Handyman: Small projects around the house. Tune-up Golf Carts, Ride on Lawn Mowers etc. Call Jeff 250-341-8146 leave a message.

HELP WANTED

Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. requires a full-time Strata Management Assistant to start immediately. We are looking for a team player with excellent administration, management and communication skills, and proficiency in MS Outlook, Excel, and Word.

The successful candidate will have the capability and desire to become a licensed Strata Manager.

Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. requires an Accounting Assistant to start immediately.

The ideal candidate would possess the following qualifications:

* Accounting experience including accounts payable, accounts receivable & payroll

* Excellent computer skills; Excel, Word & Outlook

* Detail oriented & highly organized

* Energetic team player, familiar with working in an office environment.

The successful candidate should have a demonstrated passion working with youth in a variety of settings and experience in managing a not for profit organization. Reporting to the president and in coordination with the board, you will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of staffing, fundraising, programming, and ensuring youth continue to have a place to connect in a safe and engaging manner.

Deadline for applications: October 31st, 2018. Please forward resumes to Mandi Cox; Mandi.summitcentre@gmail.com. Only potential candidates will be contacted

MISC FOR SALE

Top

Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268.

Schutter Farms

Arctic Spas is looking for a P/T Retail/Sales Associate. Apply in person with resume to Valley Spas, 230 Laurier St. Invermere.

Please email resume, along with salary expectations, to LPeppard@mountaincreek.ca.

This position is full-time and includes a benefits package. Please email your resume to MUkass@mountaincreek.ca.

Horse

Contact Egbert 1-403-393-2418 or Ehren 1-403-360-5544. Small

inside

1 set of Michelin

P/T Book Keeper required with experience, working 5 to 10 hours per week. Knowledge of simply accounting a must. Contact Tony at tony@ strandsrestaurant.com, 250342-5745.

sheds.

one season, P255/60R19, excellent condition, $900 O.B.O. 250-341-8649.

Hide-a-bed couch

seat,

single

Fairmont, 403-650-7848.

FIREWOOD

Support Rockies Hockey firewood.

email cvrockies.firewood@gmail.com or call 250-342-1624

Seasoned

250-688-0373.

SERVICES

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www. heavensbest.ca.

Shannon’s Blinds & Designs

Thank you for your votes - Best of Business Awards! Blinds, Drapery, Phantom Screens & more 250-342-5749, shannonsblinds@yahoo.ca.

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.

Helna’s Stube is looking for an experienced evening server. Email resume to mail@helnas. com or call 250-347-0047.

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.

a couple of hours in the morning clearing sidewalks, a 12 hour shift in a skid steer, or some thing between.

Of course, snow work is a bit sporadic. You must be available and committed to work on an on call basis. To be a good fit for this position you must be reliable, punctual, and hard working. We expect the best from our crew, so we pay them $20/hr from day one!

If this is the kind of winter challenge you are look ing for, please email enquiries to: info@brigadeltd.com

HELP WANTED

The Village of Canal Flats is seeking a temporary part-time Administrative Assistant to cover for medical leave. Duties include o ce administration, accounts payable, cash receipting, answering phones, and greeting members of the public in a courteous and friendly manner. The quali ed individual should have o ce experience with extensive computer training including Microsoft O ce and accounting software. Municipal experience would be an asset.

The work schedule is three days per week (21 hours), Wednesday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, from October 31, 2018 to December 21, 2018.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and references, in con dence no later than 4:30 p.m., October 19, 2018. We thank all applicants, however only those being considered will be contacted.

Adrian Bergles, CAO Village of Canal Flats PO Box 159, Canal Flats, BC V0B 1B0 e-mail: village@canal ats.ca

Wilkie honoured with conservation leadership award

Submitted by Nicole Trigg Kootenay Conservation Program

e Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) announced the recipients of its annual Conservation Leadership Award on Friday, October 12 in Nelson as part of the annual KCP Fall Gathering.

For the East Kootenay, the 2018 honours went to Regional District of East Kootenay Area G director Gerry Wilkie. With over 50 years of conservation service, there are few people who match Gerry as a sustaining conservation force in the Rockies.

e Ban Centre Grounds Supervisor for 30 years, Gerry was deeply involved in conservation in Ban and the Bow Valley. He was one of the original members of the Bow Valley Naturalists, serving as president for several years and as an executive member from the organization’s inception in 1967 until he and his wife Carol relocated to Edgewater in 1997. Gerry was also a director of the Calgary chapter of the National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada, now known as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and a member of the Alberta Wilderness Association.

As a Columbia Valley retiree, Gerry swiftly joined the Jumbo Creek Conservation Society and became a member of the regional board for the East Kootenay En-

vironmental Society (now known as Wildsight), a position he held from 1998-2000. In 2006, he attended the rst founding meeting of the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP). Gerry later became CWSP president and is currently Past President and an executive member.

Politically, he has had great in uence as an elected o cial. e Area G director for the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) for the past two terms, Gerry was

a huge proponent of the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF), which was established by referendum in 2008 and is administered by KCP on behalf of the RDEK. In the last decade, the CVCLF has raised over $1.6 million for conservation projects that have helped protect, conserve and maintain the Columbia Valley’s world-renowned natural landscapes and environment.

Gerry’s ability to bring the community together through constructive dialogue makes him a well-respected communicator, a tireless defender of wild spaces and community and rural values, and the well-deserving recipient of the 2018 KCP Conservation Leadership Award for the East Kootenay.

Each year, the KCP recognizes one individual from the East Kootenay and one from the West who is a proven leader contributing to conservation in the Kootenays. Candidates must have a minimum of three nominators, be a liated with a KCP partner organization, and award recipients are selected by a committee. For the West Kootenay, the 2018 recipient was Rob Frew with the Trail Wildlife Association.

e Kootenay Conservation Program is a broad partnership of over 80 organizations from across the Kootenays that works to conserve landscapes in order to sustain naturally functioning ecosystems. Learn more at www. kootenayconservation.ca.

EKISC general meeting

Invasive Species Council

Panorama Adaptive Sports Society

Annual General Meeting

Invermere Health Unit

Wednesday, October 24th, 6-8 p.m. Everyone welcome!

For more information about PASS and volunteer opportunities email Nicole, nemorgan13@gmail.com

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) is hosting an October General Meeting to highlight the successes and challenges of invasive species management in the RDEK. ey will have a guest speaker to talk about what industry is doing to comply with best management practices and what EKISC is doing to get industry players involved. ey are extending a public invitation to anyone involved in invasive species management. ere will be opportunities to network, ask questions to EKISC sta , and sign up for upcoming EKISC courses.

“Public awareness of invasive species is crucial”

says Jessie Paloposki, Education and Communications Manager at the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC). “In general, people are starting to become more aware of what is happening in their community, but we want to shed some light on what people can, and are, doing to help. Invasive species management works better when everyone is onboard.”

e EKISC meeting takes place Wednesday, October 24th at 1 p.m., at the Manual Training Centre in Cranbrook. Door prizes and light refreshments will be on hand.

EKISC welcomes all questions, comments, enquiries or concerns. Please direct to: Todd Larsen at info@ekisc.com.

on Mountainside invites a select few new employees to share in over 30 year of successful vacation

management.

Six-plus weeks of work before Christmas and ski season - this intensive villa cleaning programme is team-oriented. Reliable and motivated individuals with an eye for detail are encouraged to apply for this temporary full-time position. Perfect for housewives

to earn extra Christmas funds or seasonal employees waiting for the snow to y!

depends on experience.

Please contact the Mountainside Villas in Fairmont Hot Springs for futher information.

Fairmont Creek Road Fairmont Hot Springs, BC V0B 1L1 Phone 250-345-6341 ext. 22 Fax: 250-345-6299

Email: HskpMgr@msvillas.com

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) Chair Derek Petersen (left) congratulates RDEK Area G Director Gerry Wilkie (right). KCP Photo

Submitted by East Kootenay

BEY ND THE BLUE LINE

Rockies tied for first place in division

Submitted by Columbia Valley Rockies

The Columbia Valley Rockies  win 2 - Take 4 points and are now tied for first place in their division after an other successful homestand weekend.

The Rockies welcomed the 100 Mile House Wran glers into their barn at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena to start the weekend of home games.

Scoring was opened very quickly by the visitors just 48 seconds into the first period. This seemed to motivate the home team even more as they immediately began to press and utilize their speed against the bigger visiting team. At 17:57 of the first period that effort was rewarded with a goal by Evan Woods assisted by Brennan Nelson which evened the tilt at 1 apiece.

The Wranglers tried to use their size to influence the outcome of the game but the Rockies were just as adept with their size and speed. Dylan Fontaine notched the next one for your Rockies with help from Logan Mac Donald and Mason Robinson. While the visitors were able to add another goal on a powerplay the Rockies closed out the period scoring by Gavin Fleck assisted by Dylan Fontaine and Dace Prymak. This gave the hometown Co lumbia Valley Rockies  a 3-2 lead at the end of one and they never looked back.

The second period had the home team starting to take the play quicker to the visitors. The Wranglers tried to stretch out the ice by having a forward deep on the Rock ies side of the ice they could not execute. The Rockies’ speed and physical presence started to take its toll on the visitors and frustration began to set in. With 4:56 left in the second Ryan Skytt used his speed to go wide and cut hard to the net going backhand with a goal that had the crowd erupt and a twitter feed quote, “Top shelf where your momma keeps the cookies.”

The third period again had most of the play in the visitor’s end. The Rockies’ Connor Davison was rewarded with his hard work by scoring with 8 minutes left after Fraser McMann found him open and skating hard. The Rockies take this game 5-2 with another “W” on the scoresheet. Coach Wade Dubielewicz offered, “Friday night we were challenged physically. 100 Mile played ex tremely hard and for the most part I think we passed the test. We didn’t shy away.”

Saturday had the Beaver Valley Nighthawks come to town to try and even the score after the Rockies defeated them earlier in the season on their ice. This was not going to be the night as they ran into a hot Gavin Fleck of the Rockies who scored a hat trick in front of the hometown crowd.

Rockies opened and did all the damage within 2 min utes of action in the first period. At the 10 minute mark Ryan Skytt from Fraser Mcmann and Connor Davison opened the floodgates. Less than a minute later Gavin Fleck would get his first of the night with help from Dylan Fontaine and Dace Prymak. Not to be outdone Chase

#19 Jesse Carr sticks close to opponent #9 Luke Recchi in Saturday’s home game. Photo by Amanda Nason

Hawkins from Eric Lloyd and Greg Parker got into the party and had the Rockies up 3-0 while the visitors were struggling to contain the damage and the Rockies chased the starting goaltender for the visitors. Unfortunately for the new goaltender and a mere 20 seconds after entering the net  Jessie Carr from Localyn Kabatoff and Eric Lloyd rocked the visiting team: 4 - 0 Rockies after 1.

The second period had both teams using speed and end-to-end rushes to put on a display of puck movement and plenty of shots but only 1 goal was registered and it was for the visitors.

In the third period the Rockies focused on puck con trol, speed and physical effort and it started to pay off. Gavin Fleck from Zachary Giacobbo registered another for the home team giving them a 5 to 1 lead 4 minutes in. The Nighthawks answered but it was quickly replied to by the home team as Dace Prymak from Gavin Fleck and Connor Davison played tic tac toe on the power play to the delight of the home crowd! The visitors would be able to net 2 more before Gavin Fleck on an empty net finished the scoring for The Rockies giving the home crowd a 7-4 win at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Coach Wade Dubielewicz commented, “I thought we were fortunate to get a few goals early. I felt we relaxed in the 3rd and let Beaver Valley back into the game.  However we managed to find a way to win the game and it was another 4 point weekend for us.”

The Rockies now go on the road  for a crossover weekend playing Princetown Posse, Osoyooos Coy otes, and North Okanagan Knights starting Friday night October 19th and ending with a Sunday af ternoon performance on October 21st.  The Rock ies’ next home game will be Saturday, November 3rd when the Grand Forks Border Bruins come to town.

Golfer with Valley ties wins World championship

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Kiefer Jones, a blind athlete who used to live in the Valley, won overall gross at the ISPS Handa World Blind Golf Championships in Rome at the start of October.

He shot 74 on the rst day and 77 on the second day, winning low gross in the B3 category (the most-sighted of the blind categories) and low gross overall. He also won both his category and overall gross at the ISPS Handa Italian Open, which took place a few days before the world championships.

Mr. Jones and his mother Deb Frey responded to the Pioneer’s questions by email before heading out to explore more of Italy.

Mr. Jones said some of the highlights of his foray on the world links were meeting people from all over the world, making friends and “playing against good skilled competitors.”

In terms of the competition itself, his said his best moments were “start(ing) out my round with three birdies in a row. And of course putting the ball in the hole on 18 knowing that I had won the world blind golf championship.”

He and Ms. Frey traveled to the competition together but arrived without the most-crucial piece of his luggage.

“We spent the rst two days nding my golf clubs which didn’t arrive when we did. at was a bit stressful. ey had made their way to Lisbon, Portugal,” Mr. Jones said.

Mr. Jones, who is legally blind, is sighted enough to see the ball on the green about 20 feet if the weather is clear. He said he loses sight of the ball as soon as he tees o and relies on Ms. Frey or another caddy or guide to watch the ball and tell him where it’s going.

“I only found out two years ago that blind golf existed and I am pleased to have accomplished what I set out to do,” Mr. Jones wrote. “(My strategy) was to play my game and not be concerned with my competitors... I wanted to have fun, reconnect with golfers from previous tournaments and, of course, win.”

Ms. Frey said she was nervous for her son as he prepared to hit the world links, but her anxiety soon gave way to pride.

“It was amazing to watch him play so well and how he controlled and managed when he had a tough shot or a bad hole,” she wrote.

When her son lost his sight at 16, she was afraid for him and the future that awaited him.

“However he accepted it and decided that nothing would stop him doing what he loves, so it’s inspirational to watch him golf and play blind ice hockey. He is not letting his disability get in his way,” she said.

“Kiefer has few boundaries. If he wants to do something he will nd a way.”

Mr. Jones encourages others with disabilities to also hold onto hope.

“ ere is always a way to continue to do the things you are passionate about. Don’t let someone tell you that you can’t do it,” he said.

Mr. Jones and Ms. Frey thanked Copper Point Golf Club, the Fairmont Lions Club, Nelda Harker, Bev Palfrey, Decoy Landscaping and their family and friends for their support.

“Without their assistance we would not have been able to (take on the world championships or travel to other tournaments to qualify for worlds),” they wrote.

Kiefer Jones at Worlds (above) and with his top place nish at the awards ceremony.

Submitted photos

Congratulations to Nathan and Rahel Vanderkruk on their recent marriage! Proud parents are Ed &Astrid Furger of Radium Hot Springs and Eric & Liz Vanderkruk of Invermere.

The wedding celebration took place in Invermere on September 8th and the newlyweds will reside in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Photo by Dean Midyette

Standing for RAD

Dom Shaw (right) tries out a stand-up wheelchair during the second annual Ugly Pant Classic golf tournament fundraising event for the Recreation Adapted Society (RAD).

“It’s awesome,” he said. “Literally this is my second time gol ng. If I didn’t come across (the stand-up chair), gol ng would be too much of a pain in the a##.”

Photo by Dauna Ditson

Library hosted a food drive from October 2nd-10th.

bring home

book

of

item to go to the Columbia Valley Food Bank.

proceeds from the fundraiser are Jacqueline Wagner (left), the library director, and Jane Jones. All told, approximately two large tupperware bins plus cash donations of just under $70 were headed o to the food bank. Ms. Wagner reports she hopes to make this an annual event for the Radium library.

Photo by Lorene Keitch

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Sunday, October 21, 10:30 am Worship And Life Instruction, REVELATION 101 … Pastor Matt Moore ministering. “K.I.D.S.” Church, for children Ages 3-4; KindergartenGrade 1; and Grades 2-7, during the Morning Service. Associate Pastor Matt Moore 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • o ce@lwac.ca • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED

Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, March - December 9 a.m.: All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m.: June - October at St. Peter’s Windermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY

Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services. Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats. Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.: Canadian Martyrs’ – Invermere Sunday, 11 a.m.: St. Joseph’s – Radium. Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE

at 1:30 p.m.

- 7th Ave., Invermere (Small

250-426-7564 Email: mtzionlc@hotmail.com

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater

250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium

250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Worship Service, Sunday,

Society, 11:15 a.m. President Rick

5014

a.m.

250-421-3756

Friends and family gathered at e Springs on ursday October 11th to honour Larry Ballard who passed away suddenly on October 6th. Larry was an avid golfer, a member with three of the local men’s clubs, and served as captain of e Radium Course men’s club for a dozen years. At the time of his passing Larry was 69 (3 under

Columbia Valley Food

Larry’s name.

ng for Larry

End of Life Training

Let’s celebrate Small Business Month

By Andrea Tubbs, Board Chair, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and Erin Palashniuk, President, Radium Chamber of Commerce

business is the cornerstone of Canada’s economy. All large businesses were once small businesses. Small businesses make up about 98% of all of BC’s businesses (wow!). Chambers provide a variety of support for small businesses including marketing, networking, and benet plans, connection to corporate discounts and much more. Possibly the most powerful support is the Chamber’s role in advocating for government policies that support this sector of employees and employers.

“Small businesses are the majority of our local businesses and the core of the economic engine in the Columbia Valley,” said Andrea Tubbs, Board Chair of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“As a small business owner myself, I feel it’s important to celebrate Small Business Month and all the amazing members of our communities who are small business owners. And it’s important to recognize the role that Chambers play in strengthening the success of small businesses.”

“Success for small businesses is not just about nancial gain”, said Erin Palashniuk, President of the Radium Chamber of Commerce. “Success could mean o ering a quality product, achieving a loyal customer base, brand awareness and providing a contribution back to the community that you live and work in. e Chambers in the

Columbia Valley see all of these factors as extremely important to our business community and work to ensure that our members are provided with the information and opportunities to reach their desired level of success”.

As members of the BC Chamber of Commerce both of your Chambers in the Columbia Valley take an active role in advocacy to support small business. rough the BC Mind Reader tool, which collects real time data from thousands of businesses across the province, we (and you can too!) provide data on how current a airs are or will a ect our businesses directly to the BC Chamber who can then take use this information to gain support and provide a voice to us all. Your Chambers also take part in writing, supporting, debating and approving policies for the BC Chamber to then take forward to government.

As initiatives develop across the Columbia Valley, whether they be economic or social based they have an impact on our small business community. It is important for us as Chambers to gain as much insight from you the business community as you are key stakeholders in our community. Look for surveys and events hosted by your Chambers of Commerce, as they may be opportunities to share your voice.

e Chambers of the Columbia Valley don’t wait for small business month to focus on small businesses, we do this every day, every week, every month all year long; we just celebrate it in October… so please join us for Business Excellence Awards on ursday, October 25th at the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere.