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Wednesday.February 22.2017

Vol.22 No.18

Canada Post Agreement 40069240

COURT NOT IN SESSION

Decrease in number of trial days has lasting impact on criminal and family proceedings CHRIS BOLSTER reporter@prpeak.com

LACK OF JUDGEMENT: The number of trial days with judges has decreased in areas such as Powell River, causing a backlog in criminal and family law cases. CHRIS BOLSTER PHOTO

the Peak toProvincial Go A cut to the number of days judges sit inGet Powell River Court iPhone app now has been made permanent; a move that isavailable raising questions about access in the to timely justice and overall fairness in the province. App Store or iTunes Until recent years, Powell River had sitting judges in session at the court house on Alberni Street for two days each week, but that changed after a stakeholders meeting in July 2015. Vancouver Island Regional Office Court Services Branch made a decision in 2016 to run a trial 40 per cent reduction for Powell River and have court sit every second week. Last month, the changes were made permanent, again without consultation. Powell River Bar Association chair Stacey McCausland said the 2016 Getlocal the Peak to Go change was made without any input from defence lawyers or the iPhone app now community, and the effects are being felt.available in the “It was a sore point for us that nobody anyorinput Apphad Store iTunesin to it,” said McCausland. “They just rammed it through, saying they would review it in a year. Then they never reviewed it.” The cuts have been particularly hard on arrested people waiting to stand before a judge for a bail hearing, and also for those who have had their children removed by BC Ministry of Children and Family Development social workers, said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons. “We’ve seen an erosion to access to justice for family, civil and criminal matters,” he said. McCausland explained the changes have led to some arrested people sitting in jail at the Powell River RCMP detachment for up to two weeks, resulting in costs that are incurred by City of Powell River taxpayers. She said she knows it may be hard for the general public to feel sympathy for someone who has been arrested, but it is important to remember the person’s civil rights. “There are a lot of times when people get arrested and held and it is not legitimate,” she said. “It’s an issue.” Powell River RCMP staff sergeant Rod Wiebe told City of Powell River council at its February 14 committee of the whole meeting the problem with reducing court time is police officers often spend hours of overtime waiting at court to be summoned to provide testimony. When a trial is adjourned, those hours are wasted, he said. »2

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2 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

City on hook for jailing costs 1« COURT BOTTLENECK City of Powell River councillor Maggie Hathaway said reducing the number of judges in Powell River is not an effective way to save money. “That might be a savings somewhere,” said Hathaway, “but not here.” She added that the city pays for all holding costs associated with jail. With some people staying in jail longer, that has also meant more city money going toward guarding and maintaining prisoners. One spinoff of the reduction has been an increase in the use of the Justice Centre, a telephone and video-conference service used by police at any time of the day to apply for search warrants. The service is also used for the accused during bail hearings if a local judge is unavailable. However, McCausland

said using the service is not the same as having a hearing before a sitting judge. “They don’t like to do hearings without lawyers,” said McCausland, “and it’s hard to get lawyers after hours, so what has happened quite a bit is people who might not have ever had to do jail time are spending two weeks in there. That’s a big problem.” It is not only those accused of a crime who suffer. Before the change, social workers could inform parents who have had their children removed of the date and time of their presentation hearings, which is supposed to happen no later than seven days after the removal. With court not sitting each week, some of those hearings have had to be conducted through a video conference with a judge. McCausland said the change has caused scheduling uncertainty, with most parents only finding out one

day before their hearing is scheduled. Many parents have not been able to attend, she said. “Nobody knows dates,” she said. “It’s ever yone

court is in session, but the frequency of it sitting every two weeks, especially for families who have had children put into government care and those being

They don’t like to do hearings without lawyers, and it’s hard to get lawyers after hours, so what has happened quite a bit is people who might not have ever had to do jail time are spending two weeks in there. That’s a big problem. STACEY MCCAUSLAND

POWELL RIVER BAR ASSOCIATION CHAIR

scrambling at the ninth hour to get a video judge and then trying to get everyone there.” The main issue is not with the number of days that

detained, said McCausland. She added that extra sittings can be scheduled when there is an extreme need. “I can’t say that the system is broken,” she said. “It

just really does not work for those two areas, and those are really important areas.” Simons said the change has further eroded basic fairness for anyone who has to use the justice system. “Parents don’t have the same access to justice as parents in other communities do,” he said. “That’s simply unfair.” Last month, Simons sent a letter to BC justice minister Suzanne Anton about the matter. According to the letter, court delays and adjournments have increased significantly, which has had real social and economic impacts for the community. Simons said he has an upcoming meeting to further discuss the matter with Anton. A spokesperson from BC Ministry of Justice said the provincial government has taken a number of steps to improve access, timeliness and efficiency in a justice

system that serves British Columbians, but the decision is up to the judiciary’s responsible for scheduling and assigning resources. Simons said it was the province that put on the pressure to reduce the costs of running the courts in BC. “It wasn’t the judiciary who cancelled two days of court in Powell River, it was the provincial government,” said Simons, “and the impact is not only being felt by those accused of criminal offences, but also families who are attempting to resolve conflicts that are emotionally complex and stressful.” Wiebe explained to council that the change is having a significant impact on his detachment’s fiscal budget. “I can tell you our court liaison officer has a board in her office that I’ve never seen so full in the five years I’ve been here,” said Wiebe. “There are a ton of trials scheduled.”

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NEWS »

QUICK PEAK

Demolition to proceed on derelict house

LafargeHolcim bargaining resumes

CHRIS BOLSTER reporter@prpeak.com

City of Powell River staff began looking for demolition quotes last week after a council-imposed deadline for tearing down a Joyce Avenue derelict property lapsed. City council declared the property at 4468 Joyce Avenue a public nuisance last December 15, due to the derelict state of the structure and garbage strewn around the yard. The property owner was given 60 days to tear the house down and clean up the lot or the city would step in to execute the demolition and send the bill to the owner. The property was being held by the province of BC because its previous owner, 544008 BC Ltd, had dissolved. Rajinder Mann, former principle of that company, applied to the BC Supreme Court and it was restored January 25. T h e 6 0 - d ay d e m o l i tion deadline expired on Wednesday, February 15, with the house and garage still standing. The issue came before council again at its meeting on Thursday, February 16, when it received a letter from Mann’s Powell River lawyer, Gregory Reif. According to Reif’s letter dated February 6, Mann is still looking for council to grant him an extension. “Mann is making his best efforts to overcome the various legal and administrative hurdles that exist,” stated Reif in the letter. “He sincerely wishes to deal with demolition and cleanup on

STILL STANDING: After the Wednesday, February 15, council-imposed deadline passed for the demolition of this Joyce Avenue house, City of Powell River will be intervening to take the unsafe structure down. CHRIS BOLSTER PHOTO

his own. The cost to him is much less if he is able to deal with the matter on his own.” According to the letter, the February 15 deadline was “unachievable” because Mann had to restore his company and he was not able to apply to the city for a demolition permit until it was restored.

mit at any time. “The only caveat is that we would need the consent of the province because it owns the property,” Jackson told councillors. “We couldn’t accept the application without the owner’s consent, but I have been in touch with the province and it is not an issue.”

The expense will be the same whether Mr. Mann does it the right way or we do it the right way. Mr. Mann will ultimately pay the bill. MAC FRASER

City of Powell River chief administrative officer

Reif stated that Mann understands his previous request to extend the deadline to the end of June is “unacceptably long,” but he is now prepared to have the work done by the end of April. City clerk Chris Jackson told council that Mann could have made an application to the city for a demolition per-

According to the letter, Mann has obtained several quotes from different contractors regarding the demolition, but they were not provided as part of the correspondence, though the court order to restore the company was. “If the city carries out the demolition and the cleanup

work and then takes steps to recover the expense from Mr. Mann, or sells the property and deducts the expense from the proceeds of the sale, Mr. Mann will hold the city liable to him for the difference between the amount recovered and his own costs of demolition,” stated Reif. Mayor Dave Formosa described the threat as “a little lame” at the meeting, and asked city staff if the city’s lawyers were looking at it. City chief administrative officer Mac Fraser said the city’s lawyers were examining the issue, but city staff would be going forward to have quotes prepared in the meantime. Formosa said, despite a fence around the property, local squatters have continued to use the house, which poses a risk to public safety. Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman told council that Mann would not be granted a demolition permit from city staff if he was planning to take the house down

without professional help. “He needs to follow the proper procedures of getting a permit and hiring a contractor,” said Leishman. “For him to ask for an extension of time so he can take it down himself is not safe.” Fraser told council he did not think there would be much difference between what the demolition would cost the city to hire a contractor versus what it would cost Mann to hire a contractor. “The expense will be the same whether Mr. Mann does it the right way or we do it the right way,” said Fraser. “Mr. Mann will ultimately pay the bill. We will not have the administrative cost of staff added on to the bill. We’re talking about that same bottom line; it’s just who is going to execute the demolition.” According to Reif’s letter, Mann paid more than $14,000 in back property taxes last September to avoid the city selling the property as part of its tax sale.

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Ferry inspections BC Ferries issued a service notice for March 1 sailings between Powell River and Comox; the last round trip of the day is being cancelled, affecting the 6:50 pm departure from Comox (Little River) and 8:45 pm return sailing. Ferries spokesperson Darin Guenette said Queen of Burnaby is required to undergo a mandatory regulatory inspection in order to extend its use until the fleet’s newest ship, Salish Orca, is able to go into service in April. Guenette said BC Ferries will add an additional round-trip sailing between Saltery Bay and Earls Cove that afternoon to allow customers more options for travel.

848H15

Proponent threatens to hold city liable for property’s cleanup cost

An end may be in sight for Texada Island quarry workers who have been on a picket line since last fall. Texada Quarrying owner LafargeHolcim announced in a company email statement on Friday, February 17, that it presented a new contract offer to United Steelworkers Local 816. In the email, Lafarge spokesperson Jennifer Lewis stated that contentious language relating to job classifications has been removed in the new offer. Union representative Earl Graham confirmed that the union met with LafargeHolcim on Tuesday, February 15, to receive the offer and stated that it will maintain the status quo for worker seniority. Bargaining agents for the company and union are scheduled to meet on March 1 and 2 to work on other outstanding issues. The union has been locked out since October 2016.

4 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Police report jump in crime rate

Criminal impaired driving up 73 per cent, among others

“When I ran the stats I didn’t realize they were that high; it sounds quite alarming,” Wiebe told the committee. “The numbers sound bad, but they are still low. Powell River is still a safe town.” Break and enter, theft under $5,000 and shoplifting all increased between 25 to 36 per cent over 2015 stats. Violent crime also increased by eight per cent. Police continue to see alarming numbers of impaired drivers on Powell River streets. Wiebe said criminal-code impaired driving investigations were up

CHRIS BOLSTER reporter@prpeak.com

Despite a sharp increase in the crime rate, police say Powell River is still a safe place to live. Powell River RCMP staff sergeant Rod Wiebe presented his annual report to city council’s committee of the whole on Tuesday, February 14.

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73 per cent last year with 52 in 2016 and 30 in 2015. The high number of criminal impaired driving charges is related to the increasing number of residents who have already gone through the province’s one-time administrative process, said Wiebe. “People are starting to use those up, so now when we deal with them we go straight to criminal-code investigation,” Wiebe told the committee. Calls for incidents related to mental health were the only area that saw a slight decrease over the year previous, 203 in 2016 compared with 222 in 2015. RCMP officers responded to 5,625 calls for service

last year, about a two per cent decrease over 2015 and 2014 call numbers. Theft under $5,000 had 109 complaints in 2016, compared to 89 in 2015. “Every time we get a crime spree, it really does spike our numbers,” said Wiebe. In 2016, 64 calls were related to break and enters, while 68 calls were regarding shoplifting. Last year, Powell River had a number of what Wiebe referred to as “transient criminals” in town and their activities impacted the increases. “It takes us a while to catch up to them to get them on charges and get them out of town,” he said. Powell River’s “prolific offenders” also impacted

crime rates, he said. “You can see our crime spikes are exactly when they get out of jail,” said Wiebe. Drug investigations increased 30 per cent last year as part of Powell River RCMP’s general investigations focus on drug-related crime. “They’ve had great success,” said Wiebe. Since the beginning of the new year, officers have arrested four dealers of hard drugs. Police conducted 108 investigations in 2016, up from 84 the year before. Wiebe said the detachment has focused its resources to address reducing the amount of drugs on the street associated with the fentanyl crisis.

Rod Wiebe

COUNCIL BRIEFS » Adopts council pay increase bylaw

Find out how our self-employment program works, plan to attend our next introduction to business

This is a full-day session on Wednesday, March 1 • 9:30 am-4 pm For information, call 604.485.7901

The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia

8412w17

POWELL RIVER COMMUNITY FUTURES

Purchases garbage trucks

At its February 16 meeting council adopted the bylaw that will provide an increase to councillor and mayor pay. The bylaw sets the annual rate at 58 per cent of the average income of a city resident.

v

Amends grantsin-aid policy

T

Anyone with information about these or any other incidents is asked to contact the Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or go to bccrimestoppers.com.

Establishes review panel A review process has been created to ensure that sewer information in City of Powell River’s property tax roll is accurate. City council voted to establish a sewer parcel tax review panel at

P A M

Council approved changes to its grants-in-aid policy to reduce the number of application intakes to one per

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The purchase of the city’s two new split-bin garbage trucks with automated arms was confirmed at the February 16 meeting. The contract for $684,796 plus tax was awarded to Calgary’s Raymax Equipment Sales.

year, down from two last year. The change was made because all funds budgeted for cash grants were expended in the spring, with nothing left for the summer intake. The deadline for 2017 grants is March 31.

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These are cases reported to Powell River RCMP in the past two weeks. If you have information about the crimes listed here or any other crimes, call Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.

1. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Huntingdon Street, 7200 block At 7 pm, RCMP received a report of a break and enter to a residence. The homeowner reported that between 3-5 pm, an unknown suspect or suspects may have entered the residence through an insecure door. Change in a jar and prescription medications were reported stolen. Neighbours reported seeing a suspicious vehicle and person in the area, described as a slim female operating a light blue mid-1990s Chevrolet pickup truck.

its Thursday, February 16, meeting. City chief financial officer Kathleen Day told council the practice is standard in many communities throughout the province and gives homeowners the opportunity to request an amendment to their sewer parcel taxes if one is justified. Only properties that currently are, or could be serviced, by city sewer are charged the frontage fee, based on the length of the front of their lot. The city collected $1.85 million in sewer-related parcel taxes in 2016.

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2. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Joyce Avenue, 3800 block At 8 am, RCMP received a report of a break-in at an apartment building and attended to investigate. No evidence of forced entry or damage was discovered. The homeowner reported that all doors and windows had been locked. Items stolen, which the homeowner was able to provide serial numbers for, include a television, iPod, Motorola X Play and a brass pocket watch. 3. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Joyce Avenue, 4400 block At 8:10 am, RCMP responded to a report of a theft in progress at 7-Eleven. Witnesses and video surveillance observed a male entering the store, taking a cellphone charger out of a package and beginning to use it without paying. Police attended and located the 30-year-old male, who was well known to police due to an extensive history of property related crime. Upon investigation, police located more stolen items concealed in the suspect’s jacket. The man was arrested and charged with theft under $5,000. Following a bail hearing, he remained in custody and will appear in court at a later date. 4. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Powell Place RCMP received reports of theft of portable fuel tanks from boats docked at the Powell Lake marina.

FEBRUARY 13 TO 20, 2017 TOTAL SERVICE CALLS = 80 IMPAIRED DRIVING = 4

ASSAULTS = 3 BREAK AND ENTERS = 2

THEFTS = 1 MISCHIEF = 1

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5 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Library presents budget Operating expenses to grow by a quarter million CHRIS BOLSTER reporter@prpeak.com

As anticipation is growing for the opening of the new Powell River Public Library later this spring, so too is its operating budget. Chief librarian Terry Noreault and library board chair Rod Wiebe provided the library’s annual budget report to council on Thursday, February 16. The library’s operating budget for 2017 is $1.2 million, according to Noreault’s presentation, an increase of roughly a quarter of a million dollars over 2016. The new facility will bring Powell River up from having one of the smallest libraries in the province to somewhere in the middle of the pack, Noreault told council. The library’s new Alberni Street location is scheduled to open in May. “After looking at the designs for the last two years, it’s amazing to see the space,” Noreault told council. “It’s a lot bigger than it is on paper.” Councillor Jim Palm asked Noreault what the city should expect in terms of an increase in visits once the new facility opens. Noreault said that most new libraries see an immediate 40 per cent increase in visits, but over the long term it is lower. “If the facility is good and meets a community need, the jump should balance out at a 25 per cent increase in the long term,” said

Noreault. Grants are slated to increase from City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District by 29.5 per cent in 2017. The proposed city grant is $740,127, while the regional district will provide $313,985. Noreault said the rough 70-30 distribution for funding actually matched similar proportions of library card distribution between the city and electoral areas. Tla’amin Nation will increase its contribution toward operating the library by 24 per cent, from $3,713 to $4,604. The provincial government will provide $56,611 for operations, the same as in 2016. Noreault said he did not think that allocation was stable and told council he expects it to change in coming years. “I feel very tentative about the province’s allocation,” he said. With more shelf space to fill and an increase in electronic titles, what the library provides has continued to grow. In 2016, the library had 43,120 print titles and 68,961 electronic titles. The one service that has caught on dramatically is patrons’ abilities to put electronic books on their e-readers, said Noreault. The library received 113,964 visits in 2016 from its more than 8,000 active cardholders, Noreault told city council. The majority of titles borrowed last year were non-fiction. “If you want to predict if a title will do well in Powell River, just put ‘how-to’ in front of it,” he said. “We have a very how-to-oriented community.”

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6 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

OPINION »

Published every Wednesday 4400 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2K1

GUEST EDITORIAL

Bully behaviour BY CAROL BATTAGLIO

Pink Shirt Day is a great strategy for highlighting the troubling issue of bullying, but, as Peak reporter David Brindle pointed out in last week’s Peak Weekender, pink shirts will not fix the problem. Bullying has been a problem for more than 100 years. Charles Dickens described the pain it caused little Oliver in Oliver Twist. School boards, schools, teachers and parents have been trying to stop it for just as long. More recently, “observers” have been solicited and instructed to “tell the teacher.” Still, the bullying persists. So, do we do more of the same? Find the bully and punish him or her, teach the victim to be assertive, give Sunday school-style lessons on empathy and moral behaviour? Do we continue to make war against the behaviour of bullying (the symptom), or are we going to search for the source of the problem with due diligence? A bully may actually be a In my workshops, I ask role, a behaviour, and not adults if they an individual at all. have ever been bullied. About 60 per cent say yes. I ask them if they have ever bullied someone, and about 50 per cent admit to having been the bully. Victims sometimes retaliate and become bullies themselves. A United States Secret Service study of major high school shootings revealed that perpetrators had been longtime victims of bullying before deciding to put an end to it with violence, including the Columbine High School case. These are not all bad people. Recent research contradicts our idea that the bully is an anti-social misfit, perhaps suffering from family problems. Rather, they have found that the bully is often a high-profile member of the cool in-group. A bully may actually be a role, a behaviour, and not an individual at all. We often imagine the victim as a powerless misfit who needs to be more assertive, but a closer examination of chronic bullying situations reveals victims to be no such losers. Inclusion Powell River probably has a better solution to the bullying problem than all of our efforts at identifying and punishing bullies: “Fostering a safe, inclusive community where everyone belongs.” I would like to add “where difference is respected.” If we truly want to stop bullying, we need to have a clearer idea of how and why it happens. I suspect that bullying is not a case of bad guys against good guys. Bullying is complex behaviour and teachers and parents need to find more effective ways of managing it. Carol Battaglio is a retired school counsellor and anti-bullying workshop presenter.

LAST WEEK’S ONLINE POLL QUESTION Should City of Powell River council be paid more? 19% YES 81% NO This poll was answered by 210 respondents. This week’s poll question: Is Powell River still a safe place to live? Go to prpeak.com to cast your vote. Follow us on Facebook (Powell River Peak), Twitter (peak_aboo), Instagram (prpeak) and Pinterest (Powell River Peak)

Published every Wednesday by Peak Publishing Ltd. REACH US Phone 604.485.5313 • Fax 604.485.5007 editor@prpeak.com • prpeak.com 4400 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2K1 Member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and the British Columbia Yukon Newspaper Association. CCNA Verified Circulation – paid.

VIEWPOINT

Reduced ambulance service unacceptable By Rob Stokes In regard to last issue’s article [“Fire chief defends 2017 budget,” February 15], I completely concur with City of Powell River councillor Rob Southcott. Firefighters are having to backfill the reduced level service being provided by BC Ambulance Service and it is costing local taxpayers money. This seems to be a growing and silent province-wide issue that has changed the way 911 medical calls are handled. It used to be that a 911 medical emergency call was handled by BC Ambulance only. Exceptions to this were motor vehicle accidents and other incidents that may require extraction of a patient. Now firefighters are taking it upon themselves to attend to

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PUBLICATIONS MAIL REG. 40069240

most (if not all) medical callouts. I’m sure their presence is nice to have, but it is doubtful that it is always needed. It would be good to know how many of the more than 1,000 calls were medical first-responder calls, and how many were actual fire calls.

Let’s let the provincial government know that downloading medical first-responder costs in this way is simply not acceptable. This change has progressed very slowly over time and has become the new norm. The result is the firefighters are once again busy. I say once again, as the number of structure fires is going down

steadily over time and firefighters have less to do. Their union, being diligent, then found work by inviting themselves to all BC Ambulance calls, regardless as to whether there was an actual request for their presence. This “make-work” project is now resulting in what we see here, a firefighting force so busy with medical responses that they can no longer fulfill their firefighter duties and, as a result, need to hire more staff. Might I suggest a return to normal, or at least a partial return. Let’s baseline “need” versus “because we can” on these callouts. Let’s let the provincial government know that downloading medical first-responder costs in this way is simply not acceptable. »7

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7 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

CROSSWORD

Proof of competency Powell River mayor and councillors are voting to give themselves a raise [“Council seeks pay parity,” February 15], but why the new formula for setting how much they get? What are their reasons for changing the traditional ways of setting public-servant wages? More importantly, are they worth what they’re earning now? It is not the hours, but their competency is what I suggest needs to be evaluated. Why shouldn’t the mayor and council be subjected to

individual job evaluations? Many employees have to live with that, especially if they want raises. Don’t we need to know if they’re earning what they make now? Never mind giving them a raise just because they’re nice people. They do talk a lot, we hear the words regularly. I suggest that they need to prove they have acted competently and in the best interest of the residents of Powell River. I’m sure an impartial committee with a mix of public service employment professionals and the public could do the job. We could start by comparing what they have accomplished with the goals

they set at the beginning of their terms, specifically and with impartial criteria and measurements. Joseph Ravick Glacier Street

Councillors deserve more I have a lot of sympathy for our city councillors in their effort to achieve fair remuneration for their hard work [“Council seeks pay parity,” February 15]. It is never easy for political representatives to raise their own pay. But the recommended increase is so modest I am almost inclined

to suggest they raise it higher. A raise from $16,000 to $19,000, given the work they do for all of us, is barely adequate. When you consider that our provincial MLA and federal MP receive more than $100,000, our councillors look like volunteers with honorariums. They do far more work now than they have in the past, ironically, because the provincial and federal governments have downloaded so much onto local government. We should all support the increase. Kay Bremner Wildwood

COMMENTS OF THE WEEK FACEBOOK USER MARIKA VARRO I really don’t understand! We are paying very high taxes already. Maybe it is time to really take a look at the city and where the money goes, and make some changes in spending instead of increasing taxes.

City of Powell River property taxes expected to increase in 2017

FACEBOOK USER DAVE GRIEVE Happy we moved.

PEAK WEBSITE USER STACEY MCCAUSLAND I think they work hard and from what I can see they are doing good things for the town. Why shouldn’t they be paid fairly? I’d say those who think they shouldn’t have a small increase should run for council themselves.

City of Powell River council seeks pay parity PEAK WEBSITE USER SHELLY FOSTER Councillor Maggie Hathaway said she supports the change because of the percentage approach. She said it “substantiates” the amount of remuneration she receives and she sees it acting as an incentive for council to ensure the average income of Powell River residents continues to increase by bringing “good industry with good-paying jobs” to town. Where are these good industries with good-paying jobs?

FACEBOOK USER WAYNE GERRARD I sit on seven different local boards, committees and advisory groups for which I receive nothing. I also attend a great many council meetings and I know how hard they work and how much time they devote compared to me. They deserve at least the $19,600 being proposed. Compare that to the $167,000 being requested to hire another fire-protection position. Interestingly, we can hire all six councillors and throw in a mayor for slightly less than one firefighter ($19,600 times six, plus $49,000, equals $166,600). FACEBOOK USER JOSEPH MCLEAN It’s a reasonable and equivalent amount for a hardworking group of people.

For more comments, go to prpeak.com or fb.com/powellriverpeak and check out our latest posts. 6« VIEWPOINT Rather than just going with the flow, we need to become realistic on how these services are provided locally. Powell River fire chief Terry Peters has a tough job and his efforts, and those of his crews, are much appreciated. But when it comes down to it, he is the guy that does fire inspections, he is the fire-prevention officer, and he is who figures out and implements the threshold for his crews’ response to various incidents. That is his job. It is this last set of decisions that needs to be revisited and revised. Do not accept what other departments elsewhere in the province are doing; their incentives are based internally. Do not accept automatically that it is your job to backfill the reduced staffing at BC Ambulance; it is not. Instead, push back on Southcott and the rest of council and give them the fortitude to go back to the province and say, “No, status quo for BC Ambulance staffing is not acceptable.” Collectively, you need to stop the scope creep that is going on within your duties. You must. Rob Stokes is a Powell River resident concerned about increasing costs and the growing civic trend of making work for the sake of staying busy.

Letters to the Editor/ Viewpoint The Peak publishes all letters it receives regarding the stories on its pages, as long as letters are signed, dated, and include the writer’s address and a daytime telephone number for verification. We do not publish anonymous letters. The exceptions are those letters which may be libellous, in bad taste, or describe an incident involving other people which, to be fair, should allow both sides to be aired in a news story. Letters should not exceed 350 words and Viewpoints must be approximately 500 words. The Peak reserves the right to edit based on taste, legality, clarity, and length. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor and Viewpoints are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Peak or its employees.

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3. Baker’s dozen 4. Cut wood 5. Eye part 6. Fish limb 7. Follower 8. Dash 9. Frog’s warty kin 10. Advise 11. Honey producers 19. Certain evergreen 21. Baseball necessity 22. Title of respect 23. Poker term 24. Flat surface 26. Publishing 27. Shoe for Witt: 2 wds. 28. Sparrow’s shelter 29. Attains 34. Among 35. Is able to 36. Transit coach 38. Greased 39. Hangs low 40. Kind of school, for short 41. Luxury auto 42. Dummy 45. Pair 47. Gear 48. Beer container

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8 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

COMMUNITY »

Volunteer

Driving program cautions students

Powell River 4750 Joyce Avenue – above RONA Building Centre beside Camber College

HOURS OPEN:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 am-1 pm

Tel: 604.485.2132 Fax: 604.485.4418 vprdesk@gmail.com unitedwayofpowellriver.ca/volunteer-postings.html

DAVID BRINDLE community@prpeak.com

Literacy Outreach Powell River is looking for Community Adult Literacy tutors who are patient and community oriented volunteers. Free training sessions available on March 4, 11 and 18, with refresher courses throughout the year.

always get, ‘useful.’” According to Peters, students are shown the reality of making wrong decisions, which can result in tragic life and death consequences. Students are taken through every step of a realistic accident scene, including extraction, transport to hospital, the emergency room and even the morgue. Drinking and driving is no longer the singular focus of the PARTY program. Accidents caused by distracted driving are increasing among youth. “Before, kids who were aged 18 to 25, it was drinking and driving that was killing them and having the biggest impact on their lives and their parents,” said Peters. “Now it’s texting and driving. Distracted driving is becoming a greater cause.” Firefighter Rocky Swanson likens today’s awareness campaigns, efforts and penalties to discourage drinking and driving, and now texting and driving, to years ago when wearing a seatbelt became a law in Canada. “35 years ago, I was a kid out at Kelly Creek School and they had a program called Buckle Up,” said Swanson. “I remember telling my parents to buckle up, but they were totally opposed to seat belts. Now everybody wears one.”

Speaking at an assembly of grade 11 students on Monday, February 27, Brooks will attempt to drive the smart choices home. When in front of a young audience, he said he can almost spot the kids who are the risk-takers. “It could be just a swagger, or just the way they present themselves,” he said. “They’re in the back with five guys sitting together.” It takes one to know one, he said. “I was the risk-taker, the hardest partier, the rowdiest and the guy who got in the most trouble,” said Brooks. “I was a little terror and I thought I was invisible.” Brooks said he cannot get through to some students, including one that he remembers in particular. “My phone rang and it was a student who had seen me speak that had crashed and his friend died,” said Brooks. “I don’t think the student was paralyzed, but emotionally he was absolutely devastated. It broke my heart. I remember that kid being so distraught and saying, ‘I should have listened, I should have listened.’ I really don’t want to have that call again from someone who could have learned from me, and then decided not to and put themselves or others through something like this.”

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SMART CHOICES: Kevin Brooks will be the guest speaker as part of an annual event at Brooks Secondary School that shows students the consequences of drinking and distracted driving. A car accident, with Brooks at the wheel, caused his paralysis and the death of his best friend. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Volunteer Powell River is an initiative of Powell River and District United Way Contact vprdesk@gmail.com if you would like more information

POWELL RIVER MINOR BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

2017 SEASON REGISTRATION

Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26 10 am-2 pm Powell River Recreation Complex or register at Lockeroom Sporting Goods until Saturday, April 1

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Receiving a phone call and finding out their son or daughter has been in an accident is the worst nightmare for any parent. In 2000, the phone rang for Kevin Brooks’ and his best friend’s parents. The two had left a party with Brooks driving drunk and distracted. It proved to be a destructive decision that led to an accident. Brooks survived, but was paralyzed from the chest down, and his friend was killed. His life, and those of his parents and best friend’s family, would be forever damaged. Now Brooks tells his story as a motivational speaker throughout North America, particularly to high-school students. “It’s intense,” said Brooks. “I don’t hold back. It’s real.” The reality close to home, according to Powell River Fire Rescue chief Terry Peters, is “we’ve had some unfortunate incidents with youth in town.” The fire department is one of approximately 20 emergency and firstresponder detachments, public health services, social agencies, individuals and businesses that will participate in Prevention of Alcohol and Risk Behaviours Trauma in Youth Program (PARTY) on February 20, 21 and 22 at Brooks Secondary School. Powell River Mental Health and Addiction Services was a driving force behind bringing PARTY, now in its sixth year, to Powell River. “It was the same year we were seeing youth who were out causing havoc in the community,” said Vancouver Coastal Health addiction prevention clinician Rachel Hyrniuk. Although she has no statistics from Powell River General Hospital’s emergency room, comments from physicians indicate the program works, said Hyrniuk. Six years of data has been accumulated through surveys of students. “Across the board,” said Hyrniuk, “we

9 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Graduates vote to dismiss caps and gowns Traditional grand march remains centrepiece of graduation ceremony DAVID BRINDLE community@prpeak.com

After eight years, a cap and gown graduation tradition at Brooks Secondary School is changing, and the grade 12 students’ decision has been met with mixed reaction. A student vote determined that this year’s ceremony will be smaller, caps and gowns will not be worn and students will no longer be presented with a diploma on stage. Some parents and students said they will miss the former traditions of the event, according to Brooks vice-principal Jennifer Kennedy. “The cap and gown came

in because we wanted to formalize the achievements of grads and to say, ‘You actually made it,’” said Kennedy. “We’re still having an evening where we’ll be recognizing the achievements of our students. They just won’t be in cap and gown. The whole community is not going to be there and it will be in a small venue.” Max Cameron Theatre will be the likely choice, with its 400-seat capacity compared to hundreds more in Hap Parker Arena. The separate grand ceremony, more commonly known as the grand march, will still take place at the arena. For the class of 2017, Kennedy said something had to give with the cap and gown ceremony. After presenting options, students “put their heads down and their hands up,” said Kennedy, and the traditional grand march spectacle won out.

One problem with the previous cap and gown was scheduling. When it started, the event ran in conjunction with the grad ceremony, with cap and gown held Friday night and the grand march on Saturday. The dates came before the end of the school year and report cards. This year the ceremony will be on June 28. Students will not receive the facsimile of the official BC Ministry of Education Dogwood Diploma, which certifies completion of grade 12, as they have in the past. Under the new format, graduates will receive their official diploma in the summer. The awards, scholarships and bursaries event will still recognize academic, athletic and community service achievements, but recipients will not parade across the stage in the scholastic dress of a graduate, according to Kennedy. Cap and gown is not being cancelled,

just dressed down. Another reason the event has been scaled back is the graduating class is too small. “This year it’s the smallest grad class we’ve seen,” said Kennedy. “We’ve gone from over 200 kids down to just over a hundred.” There has been some backlash to the ceremony change, said Dry Grad cochair Loretta Jamieson. “Some of the parents with more academic kids were seriously upset that they were not going to get the cap and gown,” said Jamieson. Dry Grad co-chair Melody Irwin, a cap and gown proponent, said she was fine with the decision. “Any time there’s change, it creates turmoil,” said Irwin, “even a piece of clothing.” While the awards ceremony will have some nips and tucks, the grand march will remain untouched and the centrepiece of grad celebrations.

DRESSING DOWN: Caps and gowns will not be worn at the awards ceremony for Brooks Secondary School graduates in 2017. A majority of students voted overwhelming to scale back the event. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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10 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

SPORTS »

Kings coach irate over dirty play Kent Lewis criticizes league for not protecting its players

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Going into a two-game homestand after a 10-day break, Powell River Kings were a little rusty, but it wasn’t just the lacklustre play that stuck in the craw of head coach Kent Lewis. Kings won both games against possible first-round BC Hockey League playoff opponent Nanaimo Clippers, 5-1 on Friday, February 17, and 4-1 the following night, but not without some dirty play in Saturday night’s game. Kings had to play tough, said Lewis, with 58 minutes in penalties called by a young officiating crew; 30 minutes against Nanaimo and 28 against Powell River. Lewis said his definition of tough is different than some of the teams the Kings may face in the playoffs. “If you want to play tough hockey, we played it,” said Lewis. “You defend teammates. You don’t play dirty. You play the game properly.” The coach’s anger stemmed from an incident in the first period of Saturday’s game

when Kings forward Kyle Betts took a high cross-check after a whistle stopped play. “Tough is not cross-checking a guy with deliberate attempt toward the head or the neck area, and breaking a stick over a neck,” he said. “That’s not tough. That’s juvenile, delinquent and criminal.” Lewis said it was a shame and an absolute failure on the league not to protect the safety of its players. “I’m ashamed, embarrassed and disgusted,” said Lewis. He added that the dangerous and dirty play should be addressed at the highest level of the league. Dirty play has happened too often this season, according to Lewis, with teams targeting good players. “If I’m a good player in this league, I’ll take getting hit hard,” said Lewis. “But when we see what we saw on Saturday night result in a two-minute minor, that should cause shockwaves. That stuff can’t happen.” Kings final two regular-season games take place on the road. The team will not know its first-round playoff opponent, Nanaimo or Cowichan, until the final weekend of league play is over. Both teams are known for high penalty minutes. “The first round is very difficult,” said Lewis. “We’ll be prepared for it.”

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12 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

February 16-26 Tempt your tastebuds with these feature menus

Some restaurants have more Dine options than shown here and regular menus are still available *taxes not included

ENTER TO WIN DINNER FOR TWO $15 MENU/PER PERSON Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad Spinach, Chickpea and Yam Curry on Cauliflower Rice Just Soul Food Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

$15 MENU/PER PERSON Soup (two choices) Grilled Empanada (choice of three fillings) Cinnamon Bun

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Salmon Poke Salad Quarter Chicken and Slow-Roasted Half-Rack of Pork Ribs with Signature Apricot BBQ Sauce New York Cheesecake

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Spicy Potatoes or Yams

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Butternut Coconut Cashew Soup

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13 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

CULTURE »

Lukah Bouchard unveils debut album

Musician releases first batch of songs with help from his bandmates DAVID BRINDLE community@prpeak.com

After several delays, Powell River singer/songwriter Lukah Bouchard has released his debut album. While working on it last summer with bandmate Ben Wayne Kyle, Bouchard said he hoped to have the album ready as early as Diversity Festival in August. Over a year in the making, the album entitled 5 Days a Week is finally complete. The first gig featuring its seven tracks took place Friday, February 17, at the White Whale in Courtenay. Bouchard said two challenges needed to be overcome in order to finish the album. The first resulted from his first crack at producing; when it came to technical processes and mixing, Bouchard said he did not really know what he was doing. The second challenge, despite the outpouring of local support

he has received, involved some insecurities. “It was crippling self-doubt, again and again,” said Bouchard. “You become so familiar with the songs, then step away and think they’re good, then you come back and have another listen and there are all these glaring things maybe you didn’t pick up before, or maybe just annoy you at the moment.” As far as the recording process and mixing is concerned, Bouchard credited Kyle with most of the work. “It was an amazing learning experience,” said Kyle. “All of the songs evolved since a year ago.” Bouchard said when he started to record the songs they were a good mix, but that changed over the course of the year. “You write a lot more songs, perform a lot and you’re kind of close to other songs,” he said. “So you feel like you’ve grown and written better songs and you kind of feel that since it’s taken so long, it’s a little outdated. After all, we’re just happy to get it out there.” Bouchard, who said he is very happy with the finished product, is performing three live shows on

Vancouver Island: the Courtenay g ig , Nanaimo on T hursd ay, February 23, and at Logan’s Pub in Victoria on Friday, February 24. Bouchard’s band is comprised of local musicians Kyle (vocals/guitar), Adam Robertson (drums) and Matt Emig (violin). The foursome has yet to secure a venue or date for a Powell River album-release performance. Emig joined the project near its completion; his violin added a definite and welcome distinction to its indie sound, said Bouchard. “It was a privilege to be invited in at the last minute, three-quarters into the project,” said Emig. “These guys have a strong music game going on and I was happy to add a little bit of strength to whatever they were doing.” Emig also brings some road experience, having toured extensively for Celtic music, but he said there is a freshness when he’s with Bouchard and the band’s other members. “I don’t know if I’m a calming influence, but I feel good,” he said. “I’m excited.” For the Vancouver Island performances, Bouchard is venturing out

MINIVAN TOUR: [From left] Matt Emig, Lukah Bouchard and Ben Wayne Kyle wait to board the ferry to Vancouver Island at Westview Terminal. The Lukah Bouchard Band members are on a mini-tour to debut Bouchard’s first record. DAVID BRINDLE PHOTO

of his Powell River comfort zone and, before leaving for Courtenay, he said he was very nervous, but happy to finally get the record out there. Kyle, who has played with Bouchard from the beginning of

Photographer works in shadows DAVID BRINDLE community@prpeak.com

Born in New York City, Powell River photographer Robert Colasanto and his wife, Jessica, decided on their honeymoon that they wanted to move to the Sunshine Coast. The couple arrived in 1999, first in Sechelt and then Powell River. Colasanto has photographed performing arts and nature, including wildlife conservation organizations, and worked with local artists on prints for their works. How do you work? I don’t stage anything. I don’t talk to people. I don’t set things up. I just kind of lurk in the shadows and do my thing. My thing is really low light in the moment, whether it be nature or people, and I’ve had a lot of exposure to music. I have the camera in my hand almost daily, sometimes for hours at a time. I’m out in the woods and just all over the place. I work every day.

I’m really in tune with my camera. What influences your work? I look at things so they will enhance a story or help tell a story. I don’t know specifically what’s influenced me the most, but people have told me my images are different. I capture things differently and whether it’s through a series or one image, they seem to help tell a story, evoke an emotion or take people someplace. What is it that makes your images different? What really helped me, and this may sound a little bit odd, but in my late 20s I had some depression that came and went over a twoyear period. Somehow, I don’t know why, it made me see things slightly different. If anything, that has helped me. When I was healthy again I’d go out and take pictures of ordinary things and turn them into something interesting to look at.

As a photographer, do you have favourite subjects? I would still say I’m a finearts photographer. I do the performing arts. I do a lot of nature work. For the last 10 years, I’ve been doing art reproduction and that’s really

my mainstay for income: photographing paintings, setting them up for colour balancing and then making prints for local artists. For more information, go to robertcolasanto.com

the project, said he was feeling fine about the shows. “It’ll be good. It’s always a good time playing with these guys,” said Kyle. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a bad show. It always seems to work.”

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Friday, February 24, to Tuesday, February 28 Nightly 7 pm 3

D

1:30 pm weekend matinees in 2D Rated G • 105 mins

Box office opens 30 minutes prior to showtime The Patricia Theatre, Suncoast Cinémathèque and Friends of the Patricia present

LION Wednesday, March 1, at 7 pm Thursday, March 2, at 1:30 and 7 pm All tickets $8.75 at the door Rated G 119 mins

FOR MORE INFO CALL 604.483.9345 OR VISIT PATRICIATHEATRE.COM

Find us on Facebook

TAKE A PEAK: Robert Colasanto

Powell River Peak

14 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

t e p r u o y e v o L A tired dog is a happy dog

Is your pet growing older? Consider geriatric care Are you concerned about your pet’s health? If your longtime companion starts to experience appetite loss, incontinence, poor balance or issues with hearing or sight, old age is likely to blame. Ask your veterinarian to conduct a full geriatric assessment to identify any potential and current health problems.

What to look out for

Walking your dogs with love and care while you work or play

Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles and Shih Tzus, the first senior exam should be scheduled around the time they turn nine. And what about cats? Our feline friends generally hit their senior years by age 11. Of course, these numbers vary from breed to breed. To make sure your furry friend stays in fine health, ask your veterinarian about senior pet care and when it should be considered.

Animals in their senior years are much more vulnerable to illness than their younger counterparts. Here are just a few health issues that commonly affect our older canine and feline friends:

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Reduced mobility (arthritis) Deafness Poor eyesight (cataracts, glaucoma) Chronic fatigue or sluggishness Kidney failure Diabetes Tumours Irritability, anxiety or aggressive behaviour Cognitive difficulties (disorientation, impaired leaning)

Your veterinarian will begin the assessment by asking a series of questions pertaining to your pet’s behaviour. He or she will then collect blood, urine and stool samples for analysis, and in certain cases, may recommend an X-ray or ultrasound. The vet will also examine your pet’s eyes, ears, fur, mouth and teeth to detect any abnormalities that require immediate intervention, either by means of surgery, medication or a change in diet. The goal is to ensure your pet’s senior years will be as healthy and happy as they can be.

When to seek geriatric care The larger the dog breed, the earlier owners should seek senior care. For example, St. Bernards, Mastiffs and Great Danes should all undergo their first geriatric appointments by the age of six. As for medium-sized and smaller breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds,

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15 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Wedding fair highlights area Home-based business owners team up to bring bridal event back after prolonged absence JASON SCHREURS publisher@prpeak.com

WEDDINGS 2017

Two friends have seen an idea they came up with during a casual chat balloon into a community event they said fills a much-needed gap in Powell River. Powell River Wedding Expo organizers Kelly Lefler and Modena Warman began what turned out to be a very pivotal conversation last fall while Lefler, who runs a home-based hair salon, was giving Warman

a makeover. “I was sitting in her salon one day and she was doing my hair and I said, ‘Is there a wedding fair here?’ because we were going to get tables for our own businesses, and she said, ‘I don’t think so,’” said Warman. “So we talked about it and we said, ‘Why don’t we just do one ourselves?’ It just snowballed from there.” Both women do sales work from their homes, Warman in health and wellness and Lefler in skin care, and their work planning the wedding fair, scheduled for Sunday, March 5, at Town Centre Hotel, began soon after that initial conversation. What the pair did not anticipate was the huge amount of support the idea would receive from local businesses. Soon, a large number of those who provide wedding-related services signed up to showcase services and products at the expo.

“We ended up with more support than we expected,” said Lefler. “We weren’t sure; we wanted to keep it small, because we didn’t know how many businesses would be interested, but as we started talking to other businesses, they showed so much interest that we had to make it bigger than we were first planning.” Warman said she and Lefler have been overwhelmed by the response, something they believe is due to a gap in events for would-be brides and grooms. “There hasn’t been a wedding fair in over a decade; no one can really remember the last wedding fair, so everyone’s been really excited,” said Warman. Warman and Lefler said they believe the Town Centre Hotel ballroom is an ideal venue for the fair. Meanwhile, the hotel’s general manager Shelley Halliday said her staff is very excited to host the event. “We’ve long hoped there »16

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16 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Your special dress...

wedding, grad or just because Kara needed a dress for her beach wedding; Brandy wanted a knock-out formal dress – they called Guadalupe. “We sketched out their ideas and I created a custom pattern to fit each of them. We chose fabrics, notions, and voila!

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WEDDING/RECEPTION VENUES Beach Gardens Resort and Marina Savoury Bight Restaurant • 7074 Westminster Street 604.485.6267 beachgardens.com 604.485.0996 savourybight.com Deluxe waterfront rooms • Seaside restaurant and pub Full catering • Capacity: 180

Carlson Community Club 4463 Joyce Avenue • Capacity: 160 Kitchen facilities, full catering, renovated Wheelchair accessible Brenda Knox 604.485.4571

Dwight Hall Powell River’s beloved ballroom set within historic Townsite 350-person capacity • Vintage mirror ball New 5,000 sq ft wood floor – coming this spring 604.485.2891 or visit powellriver.ca

Italian Community Club 5866 Lund Street • Capacity: 80 to 250 Weddings and special events • Kitchen facilities For more information or hall bookings, Vince 604.485.2504

The Patricia Theatre 5848 Ash Avenue • Capacity: 260 Historic theatre in Townsite Superb sightlines/acoustics Ann Nelson 604.483.9345 thepatricia@shaw.ca

Royal Canadian Legion 6811 Alexander Street • Capacity: 108 Kitchen facilities, wheelchair accessible Catering available • Membership discount Heather 604.485.4870 Legion office: Monday to Saturday, 10 am-2 pm

would be a wedding fair in Powell River, because there are a lot of people who automatically go out of town, but we think Powell River has a lot more to offer than is often recognized,” said Halliday. “This is a perfect example of how we can feature it.” Lefler said she can still remember planning her own wedding and wanting to check out bridal fairs for ideas. After moving to the area with her husband and two young children two years ago, Lefler said she began to hear feedback that some Powell River residents had struggled planning their weddings because they did not know where to start. “I was younger when I got married, so I didn’t actually have many friends who had gotten married before me,” she said. “Even though most of my planning had already been done, I was still looking for things like a photographer and I wasn’t sure where to start. Sometimes you go from word of mouth, but sometimes you don’t even know who to ask.” Modena said planning the wedding fair with Lefler has become a huge part of her daily routine the past couple of months, including taking models over to a Nanaimo bridal shop for gown fittings for a fashion show during the event. “To be honest, it’s been rather hectic. I didn’t ex-

Complete your bridal beauty routine just in time to say “I do” • Hair • Lashes • Make up • Nails

pect it to be almost a fulltime job on some days,” says Warman. “It’s taken up a lot of time and we still have lots to do, but we’re feeling really good about it.” Halliday says she and Town Centre Hotel staff have been very impressed so far with Lefler and Warman’s hard work and organization involved with planning the event. “Sometimes it just takes the right people to come in and organize something like this. There is a lot of work involved and it’s just wonder-

ful that a couple of people have taken the initiative to do it this year,” said Halliday. “They seem very professional and enthusiastic and I’m really looking forward to working with them.” Warman, who was born and raised in Powell River and returned to the area in 2012 to be closer to her family, said she and Lefler had to take a leap of faith with the wedding expo and they hope this first event will be something to build on for future years. “We crossed our fingers,

basically,” said Warman with a laugh. “We just said, ‘Let’s do this and see what happens,’ and honestly we weren’t expecting a lot. We just thought we’d keep it small and go from there, and now we’re already thinking of what we will do next year. We didn’t expect to make it an annual thing, but it’s looking like there is a definite need.” 2017 Powell R iver Wedding Expo takes place Sunday, March 5, from 11 am-4 pm in Town Centre Hotel’s banquet room.

Begin your new journey with Mother Nature Let us surround you with special things on your special day • Decorating • Landscaping • Entertaining Call Heather Claxton at 604.485.9878 Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 am-5:30 pm to schedule a time to begin your wedding registry

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WEDDING PLANNERS: Kelly Lefler [left] and Modena Warman began planning Powell River Wedding Expo when they realized no one in town was doing a wedding fair. The pair say they have been overwhelmed by community support for the idea. JASON SCHREURS PHOTO

17 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Wedding tips You’re getting married! Congratulations! Now it’s time to plan. Here is a quick list of tasks leading up to the big day: • Before you start planning, set your bud get and try to stick to it. • Decide on your theme. • Draw up your guest list and send invitations. • Plan the wedding procession and decide who will be in your wedding party. • Select the type of ceremony and secure a wedding officiant. • Find your venues and arrange for addi-

tional rentals. • Dream up décor and floral arrangements. • Secure an entertainment team and master of ceremonies. • Hire a photographer and videographer, if necessary. • Find a caterer and bakery for the cake. • Plan your grand entrance for the ceremony. • Purchase your rings. • Shop for your gown and outfits. • Book your beauty and spa appointments. • Write up your vows.

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18 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

TO BOOK YOUR AD » 604.485.5313 | classifieds@prpeak.com | 4400 Marine Avenue | Book your ad online at prpeak.com REACH 2.3 MILLION READERS WITH A COMMUNITY CLASSIFIED $395 is all it costs to place a 25-word BCYCNA Community Classified ad, reaching 2.3 million readers. For more information, call Classifieds at the Peak.

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1105 Obituaries

Freda passed away peacefully on February 15 with family at her side. She was predeceased by her husband Ed in 2010. Freda is survived by her daughters Susan (Chris) Gaudet, Della Cecconi and Kerry (Doug) Fraser, grandchildren Melissa Fraser, Bryce (Nicole) Fraser, Meryl Fraser and Dean Thorsell, as well as great-grandchildren Xzavier, Jennings, Vada and Griffin. She is also survived by her sister Audrey Heavenor, sister-in-law Vilma Baker and many nieces and nephews. Mom was born in Noel, Nova Scotia, and moved at a young age with her family to Powell River, where they settled in the Edgehill area. She completed her schooling and went to hairdressing school in Vancouver, returned to Powell River and opened up her own beauty salon in Westview called “Freda’s.” A romance between Freda and Ed commenced while they both rode the bus to their respective jobs. They were soon married, built two homes in their life together and raised three daughters. Mom was a loving wife and mother, kept a beautiful home and a large yard was meticulously looked after by her. She was a fabulous cook and passed on her love of cooking to her girls. She also had a great love for her dogs. Prayers will be held at 7 pm on Friday, February 24, and a funeral will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, February 25, at Church of the Assumption. A gathering of friends and family will follow at St. Joseph’s Hall. Thank you to all who cared for Mom during the past few years, including caregivers at Evergreen Care Unit, Dr. Addison, and special thanks to Cathy and Cheryl-Lynn while Mom lived at home. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer Society of Canada. Mom, you are so missed. We love you, but happy that you are with Dad again. Bye mom, be good, and we’ll see you later.

Born July 3, 1952-Spiritual journey February 15, 2017 It saddens our family to announce the recent passing of our mother, chi-chia, sister, auntie and friend, Rita Anne Francis, aka “Bannock Lady” from the Farmers’ Market for many years. Rita is survived by her four sisters and brother, three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her dearly. A celebration of life wake will be held Wednesday, February 22, 4 pm at the Salish Centre. A funeral will be held Thursday, February 23, 10:30 am at Church of the Assumption. Emmaweega, Mom!

Marjorie “Evelyn” McCarter June 23, 1938 - February 11, 2017

It is with great sadness daughters Karen and Valerie mourn the sudden passing of their beautiful and beloved mom. Evelyn is survived by her eldest daughter Katherine (Blair) Thompson and grandchildren Jeniece, Christopher, Jeremy and Paul; daughter Deborah (Mark) Hill and granddaughter Alexandra; son Rick (Heidi) Klein and grandchildren Tamara and Christina; daughter Karen (Rocky) Gorham and grandson Taggart and Valerie (Vincent) McCarter. Also left to mourn Evelyn’s passing are her loving sister Sandra Jackson and many loved nieces, nephews and dear friends. Our mom was predeceased by her parents Ted and Dorothy Jackson and her oldest sister Elizabeth. To honour our mom’s wishes, no service will be held. Please make donations to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers, if so desired.

1100 In Memoriam

1010 Announcements

Dustin Clark

Alcoholics Anonymous

February 20, 2000

GURR, Clifford Lamont (Monty) April 20, 1942 - December 31, 2016

Forever remembered, forever missed

Monty was born and raised in Bella Coola, and passed away peacefully in Powell River General Hospital after 4 months of health issues.

Gram and Ole

He was predeceased by his parents Elijah and Isabell, brothers James Mack (Ruth) of Westbank, Doug (MaryAnn) of Bella Coola, and Bud (Alice) of Powell River. He is survived by brothers Dean (Audrey) and Melvin (Elaine) of Bella Coola, sister Betty (Robert) of Nanaimo, and many nephews, nieces, and other relatives.

Powell River Hospital Foundation is working to provide better health care for the citizens of Powell River

Monty never married. He attended school in Bella Coola, then studied to be a Heavy Duty Mechanic in Nanaimo. He lived in Prince George and Good Hope Lake, where he worked for the Dept of Highways. He then lived in Cassiar and Watson Lake, where he worked for Grant Stewart Construction. His final move was to Powell River in 1992, where he worked for Lund Marine.

prhospitalfoundation.com 604.485.3211 ext 4349

Please donate “In Memory”

• 604.483.9736 • 604.485.6994 • 604.483.8349 • 604.807.0232 (Texada) • 604.414.5232 (Texada)

Meetings FRIDAYS, 8 - 9 PM United Church Basement SATURDAYS, 8:30 - 9:30 PM Hospital Boardroom SUNDAYS, 8 - 9 PM Alano Club

1205 Career Opportunities

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(née Hennigar)

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Rita Anne Francis

community

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1010 Announcements

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1215 General Employment

Step into your future

Client Services Coordinator

Career Link is seeking a full-time Coordinator to lead its Client Services Team. This dynamic person with exceptional interpersonal skills and EPBC experience will provide leadership in employee support and program development in the delivery of innovative employment services. For a detailed job description, please visit http://prepsociety.org/work.html Email with Coordinator in the subject line or submit your application to: Lyn Adamson #103, 4511 Marine Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 2K5 lyn@prepsociety.org Application deadline: Wednesday, February 24, 2017, by 4 pm

Accounting Technician/Accountant Required Requirements · Ideally, qualifications include university or equivalent degree in accounting/ finance · CPA qualification in progress is a positive attribute · Previous experience in tax preparation and file completion is desired · The candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook · The successful candidate will be able to handle multiple tasks, establish priorities and meet deadlines · Attention to detail and ability to self-review are a must Duties and responsibilities

POWELL RIVER GENERAL HOSPITAL CASUAL REGISTRATION SWITCHBOARD HEALTH RECORDS NEEDED! We have an exciting casual opportunity available for an individual who is driven, a strong team player and is looking to make a difference!

· Tax preparation, including corporate and personal · File completion, including notice to readers, reviews and audits · Bookkeeping

Monty was a kind, gentle, and sociable person who got along well with everyone. He will be missed by all who knew him.

If you have completed your Medical Office Assistant, Hospital Support Specialist and/or Health Information Management certificate, please apply!

Thanks to Dr. DuToit and the medical staff who he praised for their loving care.

To apply, please visit www.providencehealthcare.org/careers srajabali@providencehealth.bc.ca

· If you are interested in a career in accounting, working for a progressive firm in a highly computerized environment, apply to the attention of David Southall, Suite 201-7385 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, V8A 1W6 or email david@delmistrodunn.ca

Monty was an avid reader. He was constantly learning. He did not like funerals, so no service was held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Contact dongurr@shaw.ca for details.

Additional details

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

19 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

1215 General Employment Powell River Regional District Notice of Employment Opportunity Permanent Part-Time Seasonal Labourer The Regional District requires a part-time Labourer who will work under the supervision of the Parks and Properties Supervisor. The Labourer will work at various properties, including cemeteries. Responsibilities will include grounds, building, equipment and irrigation system maintenance. Assistance with cemetery services will also be required. QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a minimum of Grade 12 education or equivalent, valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence, WHMIS training, a minimum of two years’ related experience, proven skills in operating the equipment and tools required to carry out the responsibilities of the position and a demonstrated commitment to high work standards. In addition, he/she must have good organizational and communications skills and be capable of working with limited supervision. The ideal candidate will have experience and/or training in horticulture/landscaping and/ or carpentry/building maintenance. Airside Vehicle Operators Permit and Small Water System Certification would be an asset. Further details on the position’s responsibilities, duties and qualifications are provided in the job description posted on the Regional District’s website, www.powellriverrd.bc.ca. The regular work schedule will be Monday to Friday, eight hours per day from April 1 to October 31. This is a CUPE position with an hourly rate of $24.54 plus a premium in lieu of benefits. A 10 per cent reduction in the hourly rate will apply during a 40-day probation period. Interested applicants should submit a letter of application, current resumé and three references in confidence to: Shawn Gullette, Assistant Manager of Community Services By email to: employment@powellriverrd.bc.ca By mail to: Powell River Regional District #202- 4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2L2 APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 4 PM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017. All applicants are thanked for their interest and advised that only those candidates selected to be interviewed will be contacted.

1215 General Employment

2060 For Sale Miscellaneous

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1.855.768.3362 to start training for your workat-home career today! RONA IS looking for a responsible part-time cashier. Experience is definitely an asset, but not a must. Please send resume to trishat@prrona.ca or drop off in person in-store.

2008 YAMAHA 700 Rhino, side-by-side, 4,200kms. $9,500 OBO. Call 604.483.1294. HARDY TREE, shrub, and berry seedlings delivered. Order online at www.treetime.ca or call 1.866.873.3846. New growth guaranteed.

1230 Work Wanted ANYTHING HAULED, rubbish, garbage, all odd jobs, spring clean up, small moves. 604.344.2171. CLAY GLOSLEE Construction. Concrete foundation, drainage, retaining walls, fences, kitchen and bathroom renovation specialist, tiles, drywall, foundation to rooftop, contracts and hourly. 604.483.6153. LOCAL HAULING, 1-ton steel dump truck dually, get into small places, topsoil, gravel, yard waste, hedge trimming and small renovations, reasonable rates. 604.414.9663. P.M.R FOR all your household painting, maintenance and repair needs, free estimates. 604.414.8269.

2060 For Sale Miscellaneous FIX/SELL BURL 604.487.9755.

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INVACARE HOSPITAL bed with rails, like new, $1,495; swivel and slide bath bench, $185. 604.485.4101. LONGBOARD LIKE new, striker (Cariboos) $130. 604.489.0078.

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604.485.5313 MARLIN 3030 hunting rifle $500, Hip waders, size 7-8 $50, Snap on tools, by appointment. 604.414.4747. MOTORIZED SCOOTER fully enclosed. $2,000. Call 604.414.4941 POLLEN SWEATER brand new midnight men’s large with small embroider excavating logo. $175.00 firm 604.485.4165 SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawm i l l s . c o m / 4 0 0 O T 1.800.566.6899 Ext:400OT

2060 For Sale Miscellaneous

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STEEL BUILDING SALE... “REALLY BIG SALE IS BACKEXTRA WINTER DISCOUNT ON NOW!!” 20X19 $5,145, 25X27 $5,997, 28X27 $6,773, 30X31 $8,110, 35X33 $11,376, 40X43 $13,978. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1.855.212.7036 www.pioneersteel.ca

ARMSTRONG HOTEL and SALOON - Armstrong, BC. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, April 26 in Edmonton. 16 guest rooms, saloon and restaurant. Jerr y Hodge: 780.706.6652; Realtor: Tom Moran (PREC) - Re/Max Dawson Creek Realty; rbauction.com/realestate.

3560 Pets

5020 Business Services

“CONRAD,” handsome one year old Pit Bull Terrier, friendly white and brindle boy. SPCA 604.485.9252.

DENIED CANADA Pension Plan disability benefits? Under 65 and want to apply for CPP disability benefits? Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help. Call 1.877.793.3222 www.dcac.ca

“HARRY AND FRANKIE,” pair of baby, male black and orange guinea pigs. SPCA 604.485.9252. “JACKIE,” Pretty six year old female cat. Nice short-haired gray and white girl. SPCA 604.485.9252. “JACK,” super handsome senior, brindle and white pit bull terrier. SPCA 604.485.9252. LOST/FOUND a pet? Adopt-apet? Pet behaviour problems? Abuse or neglect concerns? w w w. s p c a . b c . c a / p o w e l l r i ve r

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“MAGEE,” sweet dwarf-eared rabbit, brown neutered male. SPCA 604.485.9252. “MR. TEX,” young, cute, coal black kitty. Nice, short-haired boy. SPCA 604.485.9252. “REECE,” two year old Havana rabbit. Nice, brown boy. SPCA 604.485.9252. “SPENCER,” Handsome gray tabby cat. Sweet young boy needs a cuddle! SPCA 604.485.9252.

4025 Health Services CANADA BENEFIT GROUP Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1.888.511.2250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/freeassessment. HIP OR KNEE R E P L AC E MENT? Arthritic Conditions/ COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1.844.453.5372.

6515 Commercial

5050 Legal Services CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer Employment/Licensing loss? Travel/Business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge. File Destruction. Free Consultation 1.800.347.2540.

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604.483.8200 6950 Shared Accommodation FREE RENT in 2-bdrm condo in Townsite in exchange for some light chores, no yard wor k. Share with retired woman and one cat. Phone 604.414.6614

9115 Auto Miscellaneous

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2010 YZ-250F, very low hours, near perfect condition, best offer takes. 604.485.2994.

9145 Cars 2005 FORD Crown Victoria, 194,000 kms, maintenance records, two winter tires on rims $5,000 OBO. 604.485.6454.

6505 Apartments/Condos for Rent RENOVATED, DOG-FRIENDLY apartments in Cranberry. See www.westcoastend.com or call 604.414.8595.

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*Some restrictions apply. Not all classifieds are applicable to this rate. Only private party word/line ads apply to this rate. **Maximum 52 issues in either the Peak or Peak Weekender

8325 Sand & Gravel Wide assortment of construction aggregates including our own quarry products. We have the equipment & services to complete any job, including our slinger truck! 4240 Padgett Road Monday to Friday 7 am – 5 pm

City of Powell River 2017 Sewer Frontage Parcel Tax Roll Pursuant to Section 208(3) of the Community Charter, the 2017 Sewer Frontage Parcel Tax Roll is available for inspection. A person who owns a parcel included on the parcel tax roll may request that the roll be amended on one or more of the following grounds:

604.485.2234

TandRContracting.ca

1. There is an error or omission respecting a name or address; 2. There is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel; 3. There is an error or omission respecting the taxable frontage of a parcel; 4. An exemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed. In order to be considered for the 2017 Parcel Tax Roll, complaints must be received in writing at the City of Powell River Municipal Hall (or email to Finance@cdpr.bc.ca) no later than March 13, 2017. A copy of the Parcel Tax Roll is available for inspection between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Kathleen Day, CPA, CGA Chief Financial Officer

TERMS

Stevenson Road, Powell River, BC

604.483.8007 SAND AND GRAVEL PRODUCTS TOPSOIL • QUARRY ROCK SLINGER TRUCK • GRAVEL TRUCK EXCAVATIONS • LAND CLEARING

Clas­si­fied ad­ver­tis­ing is ac­cept­ed on a pre­paid ba­sis only. VISA and Mas­ter­Card wel­come. Peak Pub­lish­ing Ltd. re­serves the right to clas­si­fy ads un­der ap­pro­priate head­ ings, set rates there­fore and de­ter­mine page lo­ca­tion. Full, com­plete and sole cop­y­right in any ad­ver­tis­ing pro­duced by Peak Pub­lish­ing Ltd. is vest­ed in and be­longs to Peak Pub­lish­ing Ltd. No cop­y­right ma­te­ri­al may be re­pro­duced in any form with­out the pri­or writ­ten cons­ent of Peak Pub­lish­ing Ltd. Any er­rors in ad­ver­tise­ments must be brought to the at­ten­tion of the pub­lish­er with­in 30 days of the first pub­li­ca­tion. It is agreed by any dis­play or clas­si­fied ad­ver­tis­er that the li­abil­i­ty of the news­pa­per in the ev­ent of fai­lure to pub­lish an ad­ver­tise­ment or in the ev­ent that er­rors oc­cur in the pub­lish­ing of any ad­ver­tise­ment shall be lim­it­ed to the amount paid by the ad­ver­tis­er for that por­tion of the ad­ver­tis­ing space oc­cu­pied by the in­cor­rect item only and that there shall be no li­abil­i­ty in any ev­ent beyond the amount paid for such ad­ver­tise­ment. Peak Pub­lish­ing Ltd. can­not be re­spon­si­ble for er­rors af­ter the first day of pub­li­ca­tion of any ad­ver­tise­ment. No­tice of er­rors in the first week should im­me­diate­ly be called to the at­ten­tion of the ad­ver­tis­ing de­part­ment to be cor­rect­ed for the fol­low­ing edi­tion. All ad­ver­tis­ing is sub­ject to the ap­pro­val of the pub­lish­er.

20 Wednesday.February 22.2017 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com

Your Hometown Grocery Store 5687 MANSON AVE • PH 604.483.4011 • OPEN DAILY 9 AM — 6 PM • FRIDAYS UNTIL 9 PM PRICES IN EFFECT FEBRUARY 22-28

A LWAY S F R E S H

FR SH CC OO UU NN TT RR Y YF R EE SH

each

2 Half & Half Cream $ 98 2 $ 98

IÖGO

Yogurt

Extra Fancy Grade

Assorted, 650 g

Braeburn Apples

98

ISLAND FARMS 10%

If it doesn’t say Island Farms . . . it isn’t.

1L

¢

WHOLESOME FOOD

Pineapples

Mushrooms

SEASONED

Red Peppers

LARGE

CERTIFIED ORGANIC N JUMBO WHITE OR BROW

2 3 1

1

Turkey Breast

/lb 6.57/kg

each

68

¢

D’Anjou Pears

1

$ 48

/lb 1.50/kg

Rutabagas

/lb 3.26/kg

PIZZA

$ 68

$ 98 $ 98 $ 98 Russet Potatoes

3

Boneless $ Pork Loin Roasts or Chops

¢

Large Kaiser Rolls

1

$ 98

White or 60% Whole Wheat, Pkg of 6

3

Tomato Soup Assorted, 350-400 g

7 28 3 48 /lb 16.49/kg

FRESH

$

/lb 7.23/kg

1

$ 98

Apple Fruit Crisp Or Strawberry Rhubarb 680 g

4

$ 98

8

PARKAY

Coffee

100 g

$ 98

Chicken Noodle, Vegetable or Cream of Mushroom Pkg of 12, 284 ml NABOB

/lb 8.77/kg

3

$ 48

Pkg of 6

CAMPBELL’S

Whole Frying Chicken

100 g

Iced Cinnamon Buns

GROCERY

/lb 8.77/kg

$ 98

2

100 g

$ 48

530 g

78

$

$ 28

Salami

Country Alpine Bread

/lb kg 7/ch 4.3ea

/lb 1.72/kg

Top Sirloin Grilling Steaks

1

CERVELAT

F R E S H D A I LY

98

Pork Dinner Sausage

Pepperoni

100 g

P E R S O N A L S E RV I C E

Made Fresh In Store

1

$ 48

Old Fashioned Ham

/lb $2.16/kg

Margarine .36 kg

Soft of 1/4’s, 1.28-1

TENDERFLAKE

Pure Lard 454 g

6 27 25

$ 98 ROGERS FINE GRANULATED WHITE

11

$

Sugar 10 kg

98

$

$

FOR

FOR

OLD EL PASO

Dinner Kits

Assorted, 250-510 g

We are offering

HUGE SAVINGS As we make room for 2017 models TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS TO PAY

3

$ 98

HEINZ FANCY

Tomato Juice

1 $ 45

$ 98

or Reduced Salt, 1.36 L

E L A S S S MATTRE

NO PAYMENTS • NO INTEREST • NO ADMIN FEE LOCATED DOWNSTAIRS AT MITCHELL BROTHERS 604.483.4949 • 5687 MANSON AVENUE