Issuu

December 28, 2012 Vol. 9/Issue 52

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

The Columbia

Valley

The Columbia Valley Pioneer â€˘ 1 December 28, 2012

P ioneer

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Valley NEWS

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT 2012.

We’re glad to be here in Invermere!

Fierce flames in Fairmont

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Five buildings in an uninhabited condominium block in Fairmont were destroyed in a highly suspicious blaze on the morning of Saturday, December 22nd. “Most definitely we’re suspecting arson,” said Winderemere and Fairmont Hot Springs fire chief Jim Miller, who described the heat from the blaze as “absolutely unbelievable”. Firefighters received a report of a single building on fire at about 10:30 a.m., he said, and by the time firefighters arrived mere minutes later from the nearby Fairmont fire hall, three buildings were involved in the inferno. All five were quickly incinerated in the fire, but no one was injured. Photos by Kate Irwin

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

Valley NEWS

Youth centre planned for Windermere By Kate Irwin Pioneer Staff Windermere residents are set to gain a new youth centre and fully renovated community hall, thanks to $60,000 in government grants gained by the Windermere Community Association. The funding contribution, announced by Western Diversification Canada, will be combined with $30,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust, plus a further $30,000 fundraised by the community association, to fund renovation work needed since the hall flooded in spring 2011. Along with fixing up the basement, which was the area worst affected by flooding, the non-profit community group will also oversee work to refurbish the ground floor of the building, including new flooring, paint and insulation. “The main thing is to keep the building upgraded, safe and an appealing place for the community to use,” said Gracie Boake, of the Windermere Community Association. “We’ll also be trying to do something for the local youth.”

A Windermere youth centre is one of the association’s main plans for the hall basement once the work is complete, along with holding additional regular events for residents and local seniors.

da, with projects to be completed by March 2014. Karen Taylor-Browne, the community association’s treasurer and director of grants, heard about the grant program from Regional District of East Kootenay director Wendy Booth just two weeks before the application deadline. “This will be a big thing for the kids in the community,” After quickly creating a proposal, it wasn’t long before Ms. Taylor-Browne got a response in early December. Gracie Boake, “I was absolutely thrilled when David Wilks called Windermere Community Association to let me know that The Department of Western Economic Diversification had approved our … application,” she said. “Once the renovations are completed, we an“This will be a big thing for the kids in the commu- ticipate that the whole community will take great pride nity,” Ms. Boake added. “We don’t want to take anything in the hall and will want to use if for a more diverse range away from the Summit Youth Centre [in Invermere] … of activities.” The $120,000 project will include making the entire but kids in Windermere have no transport to get there building more energy efficient, from reducing heat loss and often nothing to do.” The volunteer group applied for the $60,300 grant to installing energy-saving lighting. For the first time, under Western Diversification Canada’s Community In- the hall basement will be made wheelchair accessible. frastructure Improvement Fund. The two-year program Continued on page 24 . . . will see over $46 million invested across Western Cana-

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

RCMP Report

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For this New Year’s edition of The Pioneer, we asked Staff. Sgt. Shehovac to submit some of his favourite columns from over the past years. Licensed & Insured Invermere & Surrounding Areas

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Submitted by Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac Columbia Valley RCMP Really, not me When I worked in the Lower Mainland I visited a fellow I trained with who worked in Coquitlam. I was on days off, unshaven, wearing shorts and running shoes. I also had a T-shirt on with the Serbian Flag — a gift from my father to ensure I remember my roots. This comes into play later. My friend had to escort a patient into Riverview Hospital, a secure psychiatric facility. The patient arrived, dressed in a suit and clean shaven. When we got to Riverview my friend went to the front counter to deal with administrative stuff while I sat in the waiting area with this fellow making small talk. Ten minutes later two huge male orderlies walked up and told me that it was time to go. “What?” I advised them it wasn’t me, but this fellow that they should take. I quickly realized what they were seeing, me dressed as I was and this fellow in a neat suit looking quite proper. “I’m a police officer, this is the person you want,” I turned to the patient, “right?” He said nothing, enjoying the predicament I’m sure. I decided I was not going down without a fight. I’ve seen movies where people are mistakenly placed in these hospitals and never seen again. My partner got back and confirmed who I was and we started heading out, fast. As we went down the stairs a fellow walking up looked at my T-shirt and asked what it said. “Serbia,” I told him. The response I got was: “Oh, I’m a communist too.” I started walking even faster. Sitting on a time bomb I remember, once upon a time, long ago, I was trim, slim and athletic. We can also include: pretty stupid. The old saying, “Ignorance is bliss,” suits this story. Long ago I got a call that a box of old dynamite had been found outdoors. It was a hot summer day. I arrived at the scene and, sure enough, found 15 sticks of old dynamite in a cardboard box that was sitting in liquid, a sweaty substance from the dynamite. I think some blasting caps were also in the box. So, I picked the box up, opened the trunk of the police vehicle and figured there was nothing I could really do with them now, so they could stay in the trunk until the end of my shift. Off I go for about six hours, radio on, and off about my business. When I got back to the office, my first call was to our specialized Explosive Disposal Unit – the bomb squad. I told them what I had, what I did and where I put the dynamite. All I got at the other end was, “You what?” “You did what?” “You put them where?” They then went on to explain that I was sitting on what can be described as nitroglycerine and any spark

could cause a massive explosion. The next question they asked, I didn’t really want to answer: “Where is the police car now?” Of course, it was parked in the underground parking lot of the detachment. Where else? Duh. The loud thump I heard over the phone was no doubt the guy’s head hitting the desk. I think several times. Today, they would probably tell me to evacuate the building and they would be on their way. But since I was pretty much a rookie and there was not much invested in me at the time, I was told to get in the car, get it out of the underground lot, not to bump into anything, and park it in a safe, isolated area. I told my fellow brave officers of the predicament and asked if anyone wanted to go for a ride. All of a sudden they had places to be other than the office. They were probably all watching from a distance, taking odds. Shortly after this, they sent me on an explosives course. I passed. Simple arrest in the parking lot I was working alone doing some surveillance on a fellow selling drugs at a local mall parking lot. Once I had seen enough, I went in for the arrest and identified myself as a police officer, arresting him for trafficking. For some reason he did not believe I was a police officer, so the struggle was on and down to the ground we went. Meanwhile this guy was yelling, “You’re not a cop! Help me, somebody help me.” Probably my new perm was confusing him. While I was trying to control the guy and fish out my badge to shove in his face, I realized my badge was not on me. “Told you, you’re not a cop,” he continued. “Help me, somebody! Call the cops!” Now that I had gained a little more control of the fellow, I opened up my jacket and showed him my gun, explaining, “See here, I have a gun, I’m a police officer.” Of course now all I could hear from this guy was him yelling at the top of his lungs “AARGH, HE’S GOT A GUN, HE’S GOT A GUN! HELP, CALL THE COPS!” All I was thinking was, please, someone call the cops so the cavalry can come to the rescue.” I had a bad habit of not carrying a portable radio on me. People obviously witnessed this and the lights and siren show was on. Somebody probably reported that some guy looking like Charles Manson was beating up on someone and he had a gun. Anyways, the boys came to the rescue and they realized it was me. The guy was yelling to the officers, “HE’S GOT A GUN, HE’S GOT A GUN.” I looked over at my fellow officers and friends and asked them, “Will you tell this guy who I am?” Of course what I got back was, “And who might that be, sir?”

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

December 28, 2012

No second deer cull on the way for Invermere By Kate Irwin Pioneer Staff Invermere council will not seek a second deer cull until the results of the lawsuit against the municipality are known and the public have been further consulted, mayor Gerry Taft has stated. With a lawsuit looming in late January and no further solutions put forward by the province for management of Invermere’s urban deer population, the District of Invermere has no current plans for further action to control the number of deer in town, he added. “There is definitely no desire to apply for any cull permits or take any action pre-lawsuit,” Mayor Taft said. “The outcome of the lawsuit dictates how we will proceed with deer management afterwards.” Devin Kazakoff, president of the Invermere Deer Protection Society, which is suing the district, confirmed the group will be moving ahead with their trial against the District of Invermere. The court date is set for January 30th and the group is seeking public donations to help fund their legal action. “We’re setting out to dismiss the bylaw put in place in August 2011 to reduce deer numbers in town to 50,” Mr. Kazakoff said. “We challenge how [council] came to the conclusion that we need to reduce their population.” The group, established in January 2012 in reaction to the planned 100-animal deer cull, is also seeking to have recommendations adopted by council from Invermere’s Urban Deer Advisory Committee thrown out by a judge. These recommendations included a trap and cull program, relocation of deer during spring 2012, and an ultimate goal of reducing the urban deer population in Invermere to 50 deer by 2014. “A lot of residents love the deer and want to see them protected,” Mr. Kazakoff said. If animals must be removed from the community, his group proposes non-lethal solutions, including relocation and driving the animals out of town with trained dogs. Neither solution is currently permitted by the province of British Columbia. The news the lawsuit will continue comes shortly after a volunteer group concluded the third deer count of the year to establish population figures. The number of

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Introducing... INVERDEER — Invermere’s mule deer population numbers will stay steady until the results of the lawsuit against the municipality are known. Photo by Pioneer Staff animals recorded ranged from 185 the first weekend to 220 on the second count, with numbers dropping to 148 on the final weekend. The discrepancy in numbers from the final count was likely due to poor weather, said Stan Markham, a member of the Urban Deer Advisory Committee involved in the count. “We did three counts on consecutive Saturdays in November,” he added. “The figures were pretty much what we were expecting ... The method of counting we use fairly accurately ensures no animals are counted twice.” The numbers will be used to determine the biological and cultural carrying capacity of deer in Invermere, Mr. Markham explained. The biological carrying capacity is the maximum deer population that the environment within the District of Invermere can sustain indefinitely. The cultural carrying capacity is the maximum number of animals the human population will tolerate — a point of some debate between the municipality and the group bringing the lawsuit against them. Continued on page 19 . . .

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

perspective

Historical Lens

No end in sight

By Greg Amos Pioneer Staff

The proposed Mayan calendar-inspired apocalypse has landed with a thud, allowing you, dear reader, to look forward to another great year of Pioneer reads, leads and misdeeds. As an editorial team, we looked back on all that 2012 had to offer — the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious. (This being the upper Columbia Valley, “ugly” really doesn’t apply.) The year offered excitement, adventure, heartbreak and triumph, and big changes for the valley. Chief among the news developments was the approval of a mountain resort municipality for Jumbo Glacier, one of the last hurdles towards building the world-class ski resort — as long as funders come forward. Fairmont Hot Springs recovered within months from what initially looked to be a devastating mudslide, as heavy rains in June wreaked wet havoc on waterways around the valley. Radium Hot Springs is still riding high from the October re-start of the re-tooled Canfor sawmill and planer, as many signs point towards a healthy forestry industry in the East Kootenays. The year saw its share of unusual incidents, many involving the animal kingdom. Of course, there was the ever-present deer issue, and the attendant legal battles over whether or not to carry out a cull. A chihuahua was almost eaten by an owl, while an Invermere motorist was surprised to see a cougar and bighorn sheep locked in mid-air mortal combat before landing beside her on Highway 93. (The sheep was badly injured, while the cougar casually walked away.) A man intoxicated on drugs tried a long jump into the Radium Hot Springs pool (and missed), while an Invermere auto worker learned he made a great lightning rod when he was zapped by a bolt. This is but a small sampling of the year that was, covered in depth further in this newspaper. We hope you enjoy our look back on 2012, and we wish all residents, visitors and fans of the Columbia Valley nothing but the best in the coming Year of the Snake, otherwise known as 2013.

December 28, 2012

Pulp friction This chainsaw-wielding man was snapped by a photographer during the 1950s dispatching some unwanted foliage. The two men pictured are American Bev Harris, a Windermere potato farmer who later became a prominent painter, and his friend Roy Clement, a highways worker from Windermere. If you have any more information on this or any other Historical Lens photograph, email us at info@cv-pioneer.com .

Photo (A963) courtesy of the Windermere

Concert and dinner provide pleasure Dear Editor: Cheers to Paul Carriere and the Valley Voices, Lisa O’Sullivan and her school choir, plus anyone who helped put on such a great evening of entertainment at the Sing For Joy Christmas Concert at Christ Church Trinity. We thank all of you for your hard work and dedication. We always look forward to Paul’s concerts. He is so talented and we are so grateful to have him here

at our school — as is Lisa. Thank you Barbara and boys for sharing him with us! We are also most grateful to partake of the beautiful Rotary Dinner hosted by the Best Western Hotel, with Milt Deck and Bill Cropper and his trio, Smarty Pants. What a wonderful weekend and thank you all so much! Dorothy Forster Invermere

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Misko Publishing Limited Partnership. Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 250-341-6229 Email: info@cv-pioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Rose-Marie Regitnig Publisher

Greg Amos Editor

Kate Irwin Reporter/ Special Publications Editor

Kristian Rasmussen Reporter

Dean Midyette Advertising Sales

Angela Krebs Advertising Sales

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design

Amanda Diakiw Office Administrator/ Classified Sales

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

December 28, 2012

LETTERS

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Legion needs support Dear Editor: With November 11th just past and a new year almost upon us, I would like to thank all the businesses and individuals for their attendance and support for both the Remembrance Day parade as well as contributions to our poppy campaign. This year we had a very successful poppy campaign and our afternoon cenotaph service was well attended. The people in this valley are what make these events such a success. Their generous donations and those who attended the ceremonies, showing their respect to our fallen comrades, our living veterans and those still serving today, are very important and greatly appreciated. The money raised through the poppy campaign does not stay within the Legion. All monies generated go directly back to the community by assisting veterans and their families, helping the needy, bursaries to children of veterans, assisting Fire

Departments and health organizations within our poppy district (Dry Gulch to Spillimacheen). Over the years, we have had assistance from other organizations for which we are very grateful. Now we need your help. We need men and women to join the Legion in order that the work carried on by the branches in the past can continue. Whether you become a Legion member, come to our fundraising events or assist us as a volunteer, you will always be welcome within our branch. Your support is so important and would be appreciated. We hope to see you all throughout the year at other activities and functions we are conducting, as well as during our 2013 Poppy Campaign and the 2013 Remembrance Day ceremonies. Vi Wittman, President Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 199, Edgewater

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Word from the Web I just finished searching for the Radium Hot Springs Lodge and am finding it now to be demolished. It is a sad day and I for one do not feel that this decision is the right one. When I wanted to see the Bighorn sheep, all I had to do was step out from the lodge when I stayed there a number of times in the past to see them. Parks Canada has found a scapegoat so to speak in tearing this majestic building down. I for one will miss it, as

I was looking forward to staying there this 2012 Christmas season as part of my getaway. It’s disappointing — it was a quiet, restful place for a peaceful break. If there are any ideas of someone rallying to keep it open, I would be interested in hearing about it. Gordon Earnshaw Innisfail, Alberta Editor’s note: the demolition is not set to take place until next fall.

We want to hear from you Email your letters to info@cv-pioneer. com or visit our website at www.columbiavalleypioneer.com. Mail your letters to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0, or drop them in at 1008-8th Avenue. We do not publish open letters or third-party letters. Letters for publication should be no

longer than 400 words, and must include the writer’s address and phone numbers. No attachments, please. Letters may be shortened for space requirements. We reserve the right to edit for space, clarity, civility and accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the writer, not The Pioneer.

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8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

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By Kate Irwin Pioneer Staff A new world of exploration and discovery will soon be open to valley toddlers. Radium’s Dragonfly Discovery Centre Montessori school is poised to take off on January 14th, with 10 spots opening up for children age three to six, who are eager to learn about the world around them. “Basically we are giving them the freedom to explore, to build their independence, and to discover their own interests,” said Dragonfly Discovery Centre founder Charlotte Streicek. “You are essentially holding yourself back if you are not given the freedom and opportunity to move, choose and be creative.” Ms. Streicek, who holds a bachelors degree from the University of British Columbia in human kinetics specializing in physical EARLY LEARNING — Charlotte Streicek displays Dragonia, one education and biology as well as a diploma example of the arts and crafts pieces soon to be made at the Dragonfly in Montessori teaching from birth to nine- Discovery Centre, a new early learning centre opening soon in Radium years-old, is a fully licensed early childhood Hot Springs. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen educator, who has worked in the field for the moves towards a focus skill development session, which past 24 years. The Dry Gulch woman has used her education ex- is designed to build creativity, motor skills and social deperience to formulate lesson plans that work to develop velopment through drama and creative dance as well as field trips and cooperative games. what she calls the “ecological child.” “We really work to develop a child’s interest,” Ms. “It gives you a bird’s eye view from the solar sysStreicek said. “ If we discover an interesting spider web tem down to all the parts of the biosphere: air water and land and how they all interrelate and how humans relate at the park and a question about what type of web it is to them and then we go into looking at the needs of comes up, we come back here and can look it up and get humans how they are all the same across the planet, but into projects. You provide a guideline, but then you allow the child’s interest to take us in different directions.” met in different ways.” The educator will be hosting three open house dates An average day at the school is scheduled to beat the Dragonfly Discovery Centre between 11 a.m. and gin at 10:30 a.m. with a two hour block of free choice 2 p.m. on January 2nd, 3rd and 4th. For more informaactivity stations that range from nature studies to yoga and dance. After lunch and a daily story time, the class tion, visit www.dragonflydiscoverycentre.com .

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

December 28, 2012

Five Course Table D’ Hote Menu with a Champagne Toast Seating starting at 5:30 p.m. ! Come celebrate New Year’s in style at Elements Grill at Copper Point Resort. Champagne Toasts on the hour to celebrate New Year’s around the world!

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10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

Business Beats New face at Copper Point Amanda Robinson is settling in as the new general manager of Copper Point Resort, after her appointment this fall. Ms. Robinson has come out of semi-retirement to take on the challenge of managing the Invermere resort. She brings almost 30 years’ management experience to the role. “I saw this place and I saw the potential,” she said. “I want to establish Copper Point Resort as sophisticated, yet casual ... I would like to see the resort as the hub of all activities in the Columbia Valley.” Ms. Robinson’s appointment comes as a new management team and new executive chef are starting to make their mark on the resort. To learn more about Copper Point, visit www.copperpointresort.com. Banyan Tree Solutions celebrates decade in business A local horticulturalist, life coach and author is celebrating her 10th year in business in the Columbia Valley. Elizabeth Shopland, a certified horticulturalist and owner of Banyan Tree Solutions, started the first branch of her business, Homefront Essentials Gardening in 2002. “After 10 years in management in the resort industry, I decided to go back to my roots and work outside,” Ms. Shopland said. “Over time new branches of the business evolved naturally.” After seven years running Homefront Essentials Gar-

dening, which offers garden and landscape design, garden planting, maintenance and landscaping, Ms. Shopland added a new facet to her business in 2009, when she became a certified leadership coach. Writing, public speaking and workshop facilitating round out the business. Quality customer service and being able to evolve and expand Banyan Tree Solutions naturally has been key to its success, Ms. Shopland said. Her first book The S.a.g.e. Garden is set to be released in June 2013. To learn more about Banyan Tree Solutions, visit www.btswellness.com . Changing of the guard at Mercer & Company Invermere’s Mercer & Co. is in new hands after owner Leanne Tegart sold the business to concentrate on her new venture, Arrowhead Brewing Company. Exactly five years to the day since Leanne began running the custom framing and lighting store, she is passing it over to Invermere’s Jennifer Swan. After a successful half-decade with just Mercer & Co., Leanne found herself stretched thin between running her store and the new brewery business, which she co-owns with partner Shawn Tegart. “I wouldn’t ever have sold without the brewery doing so well,” she said. “For the new year it’s all about the brewery. We’ve had a busy first two months and have been very happy with the local support.” Currently the new brewers have two of their creations, a light and dark beer, on sale locally. With Mercer & Co. switching over to Ms. Swan’s ownership, the Ar-

rowhead clothing line will be relocating to the brewery, which also offers glassware and growler jugs. “It’s surprising how fast the five years went,” Leanne added. “I’d like to thank everybody who stepped through the door.” To learn more, call Arrowhead Brewing at 778-526BREW (778-526-2739). New energy at Fairmont’s Hot Springs Studio As life continues to be anything but predictable, a Fairmont woman is teaching the ultimate lesson in flexibility. Pamela Verge is the new face behind yoga outlet, Hot Springs Studio, located in Fairmont Village Mall. The 13-year veteran of the wellness world is trained in a host of healing massage and yoga styles. “I am mostly excited about teaching, helping others, facilitating workshops and showing others how to create wellness in their lives,” Ms. Verge said. “I really feel that is my driven purpose here.” In addition to her own programs based in group yoga and healing massage, Hot Springs Studio will be a hub for holistic health practitioners to share their skills with the valley in the future. Ms. Verge has already booked workshops with experts in creative wellness, watercolour painting, aromatherapy, leadership, Zumba, life coaching and even hula hoop classes. The studio has a dedicated retail outlet with a range of local artwork, yoga supplies and jewelry open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit Hot Springs Studio’s Facebook page.

BOXING WEEK SALE December 27th–31st

All regular priced items 30% off

Already reduced items take an additional 20% off the lowest price. Sewing Machines and Sergers are excluded in the Boxing Week Sale. Please see in store flyer for great savings on Sewing Machines and Sergers.

516 13th Street, Invermere • Phone: 250-342-9313

The Columbia Valley Pioneer 11 Page• 11

December 28, 2012

What’s Happening in the Columbia Valley

Music • visual arts • dining • Bar Scene • entertainment • performance ARTS

United in Christmas

MOVIE REVIEW

PAGE 12

BRAVO FOR BANFF

PAGE 15

Students at Martin Morigeau Elementary in Canal Flats act out their Christmas Performance on the morning of Tuesday, December 18th. Pictured, left to right, Gabrielle Croteau (Grade 4), Dawson Muir, (Grade 7), Christopher Midyette (Grade 6), Davyn Stanbury, (Grade 6), Amber Williams (Grade 6).

Out & About Your weekly guide to what’s happening around the Columbia Valley Photo submitted by Lizzie Midyette

Best wishes for a ‘cultural’ new year…

What does ART mean to you? From the CV Arts Board of Directors

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.

Page 13

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

Music • visual arts • dining • Bar Scene • entertainment • performance ARTS

Movie Review: Resident Evil: Retribution Reviewed by Greg Amos In this, the sixth installment of the Resident Evil movie franchise, we see the return of Alice (played by Milla Jovovich) battling once again against the Umbrella Corporation, whose T-virus has transformed the world population into flesh-eating zombie armies (are there any other kind?). Alice is taken hostage by the corporation and awakens in their secret lair where she is interrogated by a former colleague subjugated through a red scarab device controlled by The Red Queen, an anti-humanity super computer. Based loosely on Capcom’s apocalyptic survival video game (and my first marriage), director Paul W. S. Anderson has created a style-over-substance extravaganza aimed more at highlighting his wife (Jovovich) in bodyhugging leather than developing the character interactions

that made the video game a huge commercial success. Some movies that rely on minimalist one-liners as character dialogue can engage the audience: in this movie the engagement will likely end in divorce. But if it’s action you want, Anderson has generously provided more than enough zombies, hybrids, inbreds, whole-wheat breds and gargantuan genetic mutations (eerily similar to the original DOOM video game) to annihilate the inner pacifist in all of us. Cue the chase scene! But wait! A rescue crew is infiltrating the ultra-secret corporation headquarters submerged off the coast of Kamchatka where Alice is being held (how did they know where to find it?). Fans of the franchise (if such people exist) will note the return of many favourite characters from the first five films as part of this crew. They need to fight their way through simulated in-

fected zombie-filled major cities (reminiscent of the holodecks in Star Trek) to finally reunite with our heroine, who holds the key to a powerful weapon. Cue the plot twist! While never a fan of the Resident Evil movie series, I was left wanting in terms of character development and the holes in the plot loom larger than those that Alice punched through zombie brains with a myriad of highpowered weapons endlessly at her disposal. But if you are going through zombie withdrawal until AMC’s zombie drama television series The Walking Dead returns in February, then this is the poison you should choose.

RATING: 6.5 OUT OF 10 HEADS

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503 - 7th Ave., Invermere • 250-342-0057

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

December 28, 2012

Music • visual arts • dining • Bar Scene • entertainment • performance ARTS

Out & About Please call 250-341-6299 or email us at info@cv-pioneer.com to enter your event in our FREE listings.

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-off events, so weekly events may run rarely. Toby Theatre • December 29th, 7:30 p.m.: Wreck-It Ralph.

Friday, December 28th • 6 p.m.: The Summit Youth Centre is going to the climbing wall, leaving the Summit at 5:45 p.m. • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Rossignol Demo Day at Panorama Mountain Village.

Saturday, December 29th • 10 a.m.: Purcell Rock and Ice Show at Bavin Glassworks. Multimedia art show includes paintings, jewellery, glasswork, photos, and door prizes. Call Bavin Glassworks at 250-342-6816 for more information. • 1:30 p.m.: The Summit Youth Centre is going snowshoeing at Panorama. Snowshoes are provided. Meet at the Summit Youth Centre by 1 p.m., dressed warmly and ready to go. Please call the Summit at 250-3423033 to sign up in advance and for further information. • 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.: An end of 2012 walkabout between Bavin Glassworks and Arrowhead Brewery. Park at either establishment and wander through these two unique businesses which will offer live music, beverages and snacks. Call 778-526-BREW for more info.

Sunday, December 30th

Invermere Library hours

Year’s Party at the Copper Crown at Panorama.

• Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Monday, December 31st

Invermere Thrift Store hours

• 12 p.m.: New Year’s Eve party at the T-Bar in Panorama Mountain Village. The party starts when the doors open at noon and doesn’t stop until last call at 2 a.m. This year the theme for New Year’s is going to be a blue ice dress casual. • 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Village of Radium Hot Springs 22nd birthday celebration at Brent’s Shack. • 6:30 p.m.: Village of Radium Hot Springs annual fireworks celebration at the Springs Driving Range. • 9 p.m.: Pub Jesters featuring Johnny McCuaig at Station Pub’s New Years Eve party. Snacks at 11:15 p.m. Complimentary drink at midnight. Tickets $20. For more information, please call 250-342-5557. • 5:30 p.m.: New Year’s Eve at Elements Grill at Copper Point Resort. Five course table d’hôte menu with a champagne toast. Reservations required. For more information, please call 250-341-4000. • New Year’s Eve party at the Jackpine Pub in Panorama Mountain Village. • New Year’s Eve special at Old Salzburg Restaurant in Radium Hot Springs. For reservations, call 250347-6553.

• Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Fridays and Saturdays: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. The Invermere Thrift Shop will be closed from December 16th to January 10th.

Wednesday, January 2nd • 6 p.m.: Beginner yoga classes get underway at Hot Springs Studio, Fairmont Hot Springs. Classes will run each Wednesday at 6 p.m. Contact Pamela at 250409-4079 to find out more.

Friday, January 4th • 6 p.m.: The Summit Youth Centre is going to Radium Hot Springs, leaving the Summit at 6 p.m. All youth are welcome, call or email in advance if you are planning to attend. 250-342-3033 or summit.centre@ gmail.com .

Radium Library hours • Tuesday: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Wednesday and Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. • Saturday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. • Sunday: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Radium Thrift Store hours • Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Friday and Saturday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. For info call: 250-342-6633.

Canal Flats Community Library Hours • Tuesday: 7- 8:30 p.m. For info: 250-349-5360.

NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Please note that The Pioneer office will be closed until Sunday, December 30th. Opening 8:30 a.m., Monday, December 31st. We wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Friday, January 11th

Sunday, December 30th

• Painting From The Heart watercolour classes at • 1 p.m.: 50th anniversary celebration at Panorama Moun- Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Series of five classes on consecutive Fridays. tain Village. Join the CEO outside the Great Hall. • 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Complimentary kids’ New Year party at Panorama Mountain Village. Kids between the ages of six and 12 can have their own New

Invermere Library hours N E W S PA P E R

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

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(next door to Fairmont Goldsmiths) 250-341-6044 • Fax: (250) 341-6046 MaxWell Realty Invermere/Panorama/Fairmont www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca

DANIEL ZURGILGEN 250-342-1612

SCOTT WALLACE 250-342-5309

BERNIE RAVEN 250-342-7415

GLENN POMEROY 250-270-0666

GEOFF HILL 250-341-7600

CHRIS RAVEN 250-409-9323

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14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

Season’s Greetings From the Village of Radium Hot Springs Council and Staff Please join us on New Year’s Eve as the Village is celebrating 22 years as a municipality. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. at the skating rink on Stanley Street and will end with a fireworks display at the Springs Driving Range, 6:30 p.m. Free hot dogs, hot chocolate, chili and birthday cake provided. Donations to the fire department are gratefully accepted.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CANADIAN FUSION : LICENSED CASUAL DINING • Friday – All-you-can-eat •

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Curling club gets provincial funds By Kate Irwin Pioneer Staff Local curlers will be hurrying harder thanks to brand new brooms and equipment at the Invermere Curling Club, purchased with a $2,000 provincial grant. The new equipment includes shoe grippers, curling brooms and sticks to enable seniors and those with limited mobility to push rocks along the ice with ease. The funds to buy the new gear came from the provincial government’s Local Sport Program Development Fund. “The health benefits of participation in sport can’t be overstated,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “It’s our goal to encourage active lifestyles for all British Columbians. Through the Local Sport Program Development fund, thousands of athletes, young and old, have the opportunity to participate in sport programs of all sorts.” The curling club first heard about the money through Curl BC, explained Dave Gaspar, who coaches the club’s junior curlers. Mr. Gaspar was originally looking to raise around $4,000 in funding, which would have also allowed the club to purchase new curling shoes for members and visitors to use. Instead he applied for the maximum $2,000 available from the development fund, and is carrying out alternate fundraising and seeking sponsors to help raise the rest. “It felt very good to learn we got the funding,” he said. “Our other equipment was becoming out of date, so it’s good to have the new technology.” While Mr. Gaspar heard back more than a month and a half ago that the club had got the cash, he could not go public with the announcement until given the go ahead by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Although the money was earmarked to benefit the club’s 40 junior curlers, all members are enjoying the 32 news brooms, 40 grippers or anti-sliders and eight delivery sticks, he added. “The equipment, although purchased for our junior curlers, is quite frequently being used by beginners at our drop-in sessions, and the seniors are using the sticks, so everyone is benefiting from this.” The curling club has around 250 members, including

May the closeness of friends and the comfort of home, renew your spirits this Holiday Season!

Bill & Andrea Rainbow

CURLING CASH — Five senior members of the Invermere Curling Club enjoy the new equipment purchased through funding from the Local Sport Program Development Fund. Left to right: Gerry Power, Hans Stettler, Jim Ashworth, Barb Fossnidge and Orest Kotyk. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen 40 junior curlers under the age of 16. As the club is entirely funded by its membership, money from sponsors and grants is essential to pay for equipment and facility upgrades. “It’s vital to get this grant support and I want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors who help keep the club running,” Mr. Gaspar added. “The club is funded entirely from the membership and sponsors and is run by volunteers, so we rely on community support.” Those looking to try out the sport or brush up their skills with some shiny new equipment can come to the daily drop-in sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. “We welcome anyone who wants to learn to curl; it’s a fun way to spend an evening,” Mr. Gaspar added. To contact the club, call 250-342-3315.

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

December 28, 2012

• Full and partial dentures • Repairs • Relines • Rebases

Invermere B.C. • 1-250-999-9191 Donald MacDonald – D enturi st

EXPLORER — Crossing the Ice, a documentary about two Australians who made a never previously attempted unsupported trek to the South Pole, is just one of the films being considered for showing at the Invermere stop on the Banff Film Festival World Tour on January 6th. Photo submitted.

NEW~NEW~NEW ART

Banff Film Fest stopping by town By Kate Irwin Pioneer Staff The Banff Film Festival tour is heading for Invermere at the start of January, offering an evening of short films ranging from environmental pieces to adventure treks. The two-hour cinematic event will be hosted on Sunday, January 6th by Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club and is the organization’s main fundraiser for the year. The cinematic evening, at Invermere Community Hall, will feature two hours of film pieces, from four-minute shorts to longer features, selected for the local audience. “We always have a hard time choosing because we want to please everyone,” said Heather Lang, one of the event coordinators. “There’s always one feature film ... we will try to choose something that has received some recognition, such as a best of festival award.” The triple-award winning documentary Crossing the Ice is a hot contender to be included in the Invermere lineup of films, she divulged. The documentary follows a pair of Australians who make an unsupported trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. Selecting a great two hours of film depends on blending action, adventure, thought-provoking pieces, humour and culture, Ms. Lang explained. Typically the night features 10 to 15 films, so there is usually something for all ages and interests, she added. “We try to look at what people like to do in our area:

people love to mountain bike, ski, climb and kayak, so we try to cover each type of activity. We always try to put some human interest pieces in there, not just adrenaline.” Having a piece of such a big international film festival coming to the Columbia Valley is of real benefit to local people, Ms. Lang said. “Some of the best filmmakers, photographers, climbers and paragliders in the world are involved in making these documentaries and films,” she explained. “We have the opportunity to screen the best of the Banff Film Festival right here in our own community. Why wouldn’t you say yes?” This will be the 18th year that the film fest has been hosted in the Columbia Valley. The event started out up at Panorama Mountain Village and has grown in size since Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club took over the organization and relocated the screening to the community hall. The money the evening raises helps to fund the snow clearing and track setting for the Lake Windermere Whiteway, as well as being used for the purchase of new ski equipment for the nordic ski club’s youth programs. For 2012, the number of tickets on sale will be reduced to 220, to accommodate new safety regulations at the Invermere Community Hall. The ticket price will also rise slightly this year, to $25 per person. Attendees can buy pizza and alcoholic and soft drinks or popcorn by donation. Tickets can be bought from Crazy Soles, Inside Edge, Kicking Horse Cafe and Lusti’s Mountain Outfitters at Panorama. Doors open at 5 p.m. Films start at 6 p.m.

New Angela Morgan Paintings

New Artist ~ Josée Forest

New Paquin Paintings

New Years Eve Special

10 oz. Black Angus Steak with Scampi Tail Charbroiled to your liking and topped with citrus peppercorn butter. Served with your choice of potato and fresh vegetables

$29

Make it a three course menu with soup or salad and any dessert add

$13

Please call 250-347-6553 for reservations.

New Artist ~ Michael Rozenvain View paintings online at artymgallery.com downtown Invermere 250-342-7566 info@artymgallery.com

Just a reminder… The classified deadline is 12 noon Tuesday.

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

Grand piano homeless in the valley signed over to the society. As the piano is too large to be kept in his home, and is currently housed on an interim An Edgewater musician is on a quest basis at Invermere’s Christ Church Trinity, to keep a high-end grand piano within the where it shares the room with a Steinway Columbia Valley, after its exile from the grand piano already in place there. storied Edgewater Hall. “It is a better piano than the Steinway,” “I’d like support for the piano so it could said Moore, noting the Steinway at the be purchased and belong to the community,” church does not have the same volume or said Barry Moore of his Seiler 208 professiontone, and compared to the Seiler, has a playal grand piano. “It’s a concert instrument, and ing action that he describes as “balky.” it should belong to the community.” But the two pianos coexisting allows for “After 10 years, I can no long support orchestral productions at the church, such as this instrument on my own,” he added. the performance of Handel’s Messiah during “If the public could subscribe to purchase the Sing for Joy concert on December 7th. this instrument from me, it would be a GRANDSTAND - Barry Moore discusses his Seiler grand piano with Canadian Using software, Barry is able to convert orchespermanent asset to music in the valley. Mountain Holidays co-founder Leo Grillmair prior to the Sing for Joy concert at tral arrangements into music for two pianos. Barry bought the $39,000 piano in Christ Church Trinity on Friday, December 7th. Moore is seeking a permanent home “I really enjoyed playing it; it had a nice 2003, just three months after the Bavarian- within the community for the high-end instrument. Photo by Greg Amos touch and a beautiful sound to it; it’s very made piano was debuted as a touring piarich,” said pianist Jana VanUrk, who perno by Abbottsford’s historic Toews Music formed at the concert. The piano’s hammers had to be re-shaped so it and Sewing store. After residences in the “I found that it has good stable sound, wouldn’t overpower vocalists in the 200-seat venue, Empress Hotel in Victoria and UBC’s Frederick Wood evenly expressive through the whole range of keyboard Theatre as a Seiler demonstration piano, Barry jumped explained Barry, who noted the piano produces a bright and pleasing to touch,” said Inga Lipkov, a former conat the chance to purchase it, although he had to sell high-end sound and a clear bass tone for the choir to rely cert pianist for the Calgary Philharmonic and resident a real estate parcel through his company, Edgewater on, without being too strenuous to play. of Dutch Creek. “Overall, I ranked it higher than the “It had the power and the high-end sparkle you need,” Steinway.” Developments, to afford it. He received permission from Edgewater Recreation said Barry, a member of Edgewater’s violin, flute and Barry said his challenge is now to get the word out to piano Lockwood Trio. Shortly after gospel singer Society to place the piano in the historic hall, originally the community, which he’s doing through a website he’s built by a Danish shipbuilder in the 1930s. The building Louise Rose played the Edgewater Hall on May 20 this launched, www.grandpiano4sale.ca . was renovated into an outstanding performance venue in year, the piano was removed from the venue, after the “I would like co-investors to help keep this piano in 1996, though the piano initially proved too powerful for Edgewater Recreation Society board decided personal the public realm,” Barry wrote on the site. “Otherwise, it possessions either had to be removed from the hall or is for sale, plain and simple.” its wooden confines. By Greg Amos Pioneer Staff

Fairmont Hot Springs’ very own!

Holiday Hours:

New Year’s Eve Kitchen Party

Mon, Dec 24, 10am – 3pm

Monday, December 31, 7pm

Tue, Dec 25 & 26, CLOSED

Fresh Oysters

Thu, Dec 27-30, 9am – 8pm Mon, Dec 31, 9am – 4pm 7pm Kitchen Party Tue, Jan 1, 10am – 3pm Wed, Jan 2-5, 9am – 8pm

WE arE CLOSED:

Jan 6 - Feb 13 for a much needed holiday. re-opening on February 14 with a Valentine’s Day Kitchen Party. Watch our website for details

Boxing Day Sale

pick up those foodie gifts Santa forgot to bring!

With a cabernet shallot sauce (Don’t like oysters? We can change it up.)

Celeriac Soup

Finished with hazelnut cream

Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon

On potato pancake with chive créme fraiche

arctic Char

Pan-fried with Yukon gold potato puree and sauce vierge (it’s an herb sauce)

Wood Oven rack of Venison

Served with roast potatoes, wild mushroom pudding and a sour cherry red wine sauce

Baked alaska

A flambé vanilla sponge topped with honeycomb vanilla ice cream and meringue

Petit Fours

Served with your choice of tea or coffee Wine, beer, bubbly and other drinks can be purchased on the night

per person + tax and grat (includes bubbly for toasting)

Unit 8, 5019 Fairmont Resort Road | 250.345.0008 | www.fromscratchfood.com

Join us on DECEMBER 31 as we lau Community Hall - Stanley Street • Displays / Council Interaction 3:00 - 6:00 pm • Presentation 5:00 pm • Birthday Cake 5:15 pm • Fireworks (Springs Golf Course) 6:30 pm Questions? Call the Village office at 250.347.6455

r New u o h c n

Brand

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

December 28, 2012

OPEN HOUSES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29th

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WINTER WARRIOR — Crazy Soles’ co-owner, Beva Kirk, will be participating in the Joguary event pushing athletes to run at least one mile during the month of January. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen

Store running from winter blues

By Kristian Rasmussen Pioneer Staff

Aspiring athletes looking to avoid the couch will have a support group in their struggle against the winter woes this January. Invermere’s Crazy Soles running and yoga store is preparing to debut Joguary, a month-long event challenging joggers, walkers or nordic skiers to travel at least one mile (1.6 kilometres) per day. “A mile is easy, and it has been very entertaining hearing what people are doing to get their mile in,” said Beva Kirk, co-owner of Crazy Soles. “Some people get trapped in an airport and are tracking a mile through the terminal.” Inspired by a similar challenge offered by Calgary’s Strides Running Store, which through the month of December, puts on a Strides December Run Streak, the ultimate goal for Joguary is to add up enough miles to stretch across Canada by the end of January. If the store wants to reach their goal, motivation will be key throughout

the month, Mrs. Kirk added. “It is usually that time of year where you are not so motivated because it is cold,” she said. “A lot of people here downhill ski, but that doesn’t keep you that physically fit. It takes 21 days to make a habit. There are 30 to 31 days in a month, so it could become a habit.” Like any habit-forming activity, Joguary does come with some risks. The cold climate and icy conditions can wreak havoc on even the most experienced runner, but there are solutions, Beva added. “Traction is always essential and so is lighting, especially if you are going to be running outside of daylight. If it is -10 C and below, you want to heat the air before it goes in, so it’s better to wear a face mask.” The group already has 44 runners signed up for the event and will need 161 to run across Canada, Beva added. To participate in the Crazy Soles Joguary event, athletes are asked to log their times via the store’s Facebook page, which can be found by searching for a group called “Crazy Soles” on the website.

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18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 28, 2012

YOUR MONEY

Financial mistakes young people make Transitioning from adolescence into adulthood is a major step in one’s life. Since there is no manual for successfully becoming a responsible adult, many young people can feel under-prepared for the challenge. Here are a few common financial mistakes young people tend to make, and ideas to help remedy them. Failing to budget The most important financial habit a young person can develop is creating and following a realistic budget. Understanding how much life costs and how money is being spent is the backbone of leading a fiscally responsible life. For help with building a budget, resources can be found online or from a financial advisor. Taking on too large of a mortgage A person’s home is their castle. However, the home doesn’t have to be a castle to feel like one. When selecting a home to purchase and the size of mortgage, consider what payment amount you can reasonably afford rather than the amount that you qualify for. Ultimately, just because you feel you should be able to pay an amount, doesn’t mean you can realistically afford it. Another factor to consider is the effect of interest rates on mortgage payments. Since interest rates in Canada are at historical lows, it’s important to understand that if a mortgage seems expensive now, it will likely seem really expensive when interest rates inevitably move upwards.

Overusing credit Credit cards are not magic money. Every time a person spends money on credit and does not pay the bill in full before the interest-free grace period expires, they are effectively spending income they have not yet earned, and racking up interest charges often in the neighborhood of 20 per cent annually. If a person must use credit to get through a difficult time, they should avoid late payments, and always pay more than the minimum. It doesn’t take much to negatively influence one’s credit rating, which can affect a person’s future ability to buy a home, obtain additional credit or even be hired for certain jobs. Not saving While it’s important to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor, it’s important also to develop a habit of saving money. Retirement and emergency savings are two types of savings strategies everyone should have. To ensure saving does happen, take a cue from The Wealthy Barber and pay yourself first. This refers to setting aside a percentage of every dollar earned for longterm savings. Most experts recommend 10 per cent to start. For instance, if a person earns $1,000, they should transfer $100 to a savings account. Using a tax-free savings account for this purpose is a good idea. This gives a person the chance to get used to saving and provides flexibility if unexpected expenses

come up. Once about three to six months’ worth of income has been built up, they should consider transferring some of the funds to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan and keeping the rest as an emergency fund. Compulsive spending Many people spend small amounts of money all day long, and rarely account for it. Things like coffee, snacks and ATM fees may seem trivial on an individual basis, but can amount to a lot of money over time. Consider that if a person trimmed $5 of compulsive spending each day, they could save $1,825 over the course of a year. The old saying “watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves” is a valuable lesson for the compulsive spender. Good deals Becoming a savvy shopper is an important skill, and one that every young person should develop as early as possible. However, buying something on credit because it’s a “good deal” can be a slippery slope. Remember that when a person gets into debt, everything costs more because of interest charges. Suddenly the deal might not seem so great. Final thoughts Learning to be mindful of one’s finances is a process. It takes time, trial and error to learn to do so proficiently. Most important is a concerted effort to try and to ask for assistance from family or a financial professional if needed.

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

December 28, 2012

Projects loom for Canal Flats By Greg Amos Pioneer Staff Canal Flats’ operational budget is slated to be $1.57 million in 2013 — about half of Radium Hot Springs’ operational budget of $2.7 million, and a fraction of the $7.2 million being spent by Invermere next year. But it’s the capital spending of $5.3 million that will highlight the village’s 2013 spending. “It’s a huge undertaking for all the capital projects, which we completed all the legwork for last year,” said chief administrative officer Brian Woodward. The biggest component of that is $2.7 million slated to be spent on water infrastructure, including a tentative plan to spend $1.64 million on a new water reservoir for the Eagle’s Nest development. Depending on an upcoming council decision, the plan could change to building two separate reservoirs, made either of concrete or steel. Either way, the work is needed to ensure Canal Flats can meet fire flow standards, said Mr. Woodward. A sewer line upgrade for the village and sewage lagoon liner desludging will also consume $584,000, though a federal Gas Tax fund is expected to cover $540,000 of the total, with word back expected in January. New cement slab floors, new bleachers, insulation and rink upgrades at the Canal Flats Arena will cost $1.35 million, but $800,000 is being covered through the province’s Community Recreation Program, $100,000 in a regional district recreation reservoir fund, and $50,000 through a Columbia Basin Trust fund. The work will begin in spring 2013. That leaves $355,000 for taxpayers to cover, with the . . . ‘Deer’ continued from page 5 Members of the Invermere Deer Protection Society were invited along to observe the final count on November 24th. In the past, the group has publicly criticized the method of conducting the count and the necessity behind it. “We don’t agree that counting the deer is necessarily the way to go,” Mr. Kazakoff said. “They don’t have an objective as to why they are doing the count. “We also question the methods of counting: it’s not accurate at all.” The deer count was carried out by a total of 38 volunteers, who were paired up and each given one of seven areas of town to survey deer numbers in. The Wilder subdivision was found to have the largest numbers of mule deer, with the only whitetail deer spotted in CastleRock Estates and Athalmer. Volunteers drove every street and alley in Invermere over a two-hour period, counting by foot in areas inaccessible by vehicle, and noted down the species, gender and age of animals spotted. But the deer protection society president argues that counting by vehicle does not produce accurate results. Mr. Markham agrees that the counters will not see each and every animal, as participants do not en-

village still pursuing other grants, said Mr. Woodward. Fire Hall exterior upgrades and a new First Responder truck will cost the village $250,000, while $92,000 will be spent on road upgrades and paving. Among the large projects being completed are the Columbia Discovery Centre, which will house both the Canal Flats municipal office and a Ktunaxa Nation interpretive centre, and will cost $102,000 from the 2013 budget. It’s slated to be complete in the spring, after spending three years under construction. Tilly Memorial Park on Columbia Lake will benefit from $15,000 spent to upgrade picnic tables. A two-kilometre pathway from the village to the park will cost $160,000, all of which will be covered if a provincial grant comes through, said Mr. Woodward. Overall, the village’s budget contemplates a five per cent tax increase, though Mr. Woodward cautioned that as of December, the village’s budget is still at the preliminary stage, yet to be subject to cuts by council. Canal Flats taxpayers also pay regional district, school board and other taxes, and can expect to see a composite, across-the-board tax increase of 2.5 per cent based on the current budget. That translates into roughly $60 to $100 more for the average Canal Flats property owner, though home values in the village range greatly, from $200,000 to more than $1 million, said Mr. Woodward. The village is comprised almost entirely of residential properties, with a few commercial assessments along with some heavy and light industry assessments for the Canfor sawmill. In all, Canfor alone is set to pick up about $64,000 of the village’s tax tab. ter backyards or crawl down into gullies to check for animals there, but said that this only serves to slightly underestimate numbers of deer in town. “You can be relatively certain that we never overcount; there are always more deer than we see on the days of the count,” he said. “When counting the borders of each area, the groups walk the boundary together. It makes the possibility of counting animals twice very minimal.” The Invermere Deer Protection Society, which claims on its website to speak for “the people of Invermere” is vehemently opposed to the killing of any deer and has publicly criticized Invermere’s mayor and council for what they say was inadequate public consultation before the original deer cull took place. Mayor Taft counters that when the public were consulted via survey in January 2011, little negative feedback was received from the community, indicating that the protection group may not speak for the majority of residents. “Going forward, a public survey or referendum is key because this is such a heated topic,” he said. “I think the direction has to come from residents, then the responsibility for decisions is one shared by the whole community.”

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December 28, 2012

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