April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice COUNTRY FURNITURE & HOME DECOR Looking for something out of the ordinary? Country Furniture & Home Decor, 115 Hall St. Nelson, Toll-Free 1-866-352-3665 Volume 15, Number 7 April 26, 2006 Delivered to every home between Edgewood, Kaslo & South Slocan. Published bi-weekly. “Your independently-owned regional community newspaper serving the Arrow Lakes, Slocan & North Kootenay Lake Valleys.” by Jan McMurray Nakusp’s Citizens of the Year celebration on April 15 was a great tribute to volunteerism in this active community, and a really fun evening. A delicious veal dinner was served by Nakusp Secondary School students, prepared by a kitchen crew which included Jolene Moroz, Agnes Parkes, John and Carole Moroz, Ron Nymeyer and others. In Mayor Hamling’s opening remarks, she said, “It’s the volunteers who make our communities successful and a great place to live.” She said she admired all four citizens of the year and talked about how each had touched her life. She also thanked the Rotary Club for giving the community a process to honour volunteers. Area K Director Paul Peterson said it was great to recognize people who were an exception to the ‘every man for himself’ rule in our world today. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients and to all the other volunteers who make this part of the world better,” he said. The Rotary Club has been sponsoring the Citizen of the Year for over 30 years. In the past, the recipient was always an outstanding senior. This year, the program was expanded to include three categories: youth, active and lifetime achievement. Laurie Page was the nominating speaker for Joe McDonald, youth award recipient. The young man’s nickname is ‘Joe Amazing’ and she explained why. Joe has been involved in Nakusp’s skatepark project, the Nakusp Energy Corporation wood waste project, and has sat on the Columbia Basin Trust youth committee. He has coached sports, acted in Rotary plays and built houses in Sri Lanka for Tsunami victims. He took on the planning and fundraising for literacy programs for youth, was the only youth to attend the Rural Summit in Clearwater and scrutineered in the 2005 election. She named some of Joe’s most significant mentors, saying, “If Joe is amazing, we are too, because we have nurtured him.” These folks include Wes Tolle, Nakusp’s bookstore owner, Corky Evans, Nelson-Creston MLA, and Heather Dennill, NSS teacher. To wrap up, Laurie described Joe as a ‘role model.’ He will be graduating this year and then will be off to get his teacher’s certificate. Doreen Yano spoke for ‘active’ winners, Doug and Brenda McQuair. She described them as “ordinary people who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their community.” Both have put a lot of work into Summit Lake Ski Hill, the Summit Lake Racers, and local Nancy Greene league skiers. “Their commitment has helped to create the ski hill family,” she said. Both have also been involved in the soccer program. Their Rotary exchange program daughters still call Brenda “Mom,” showing that the McQuair sense of family has grown from our community to an international one. Yano said the couple welcomed all into their home, even when the worst tragedy happened. In closing, she said, “It’s not what you have, it’s how you share it.” Rosemary Johnson was nominating speaker for ‘lifetime achievement’ Citizen of the Year Doreen Desrochers. “It’s amazing what you can do in a lifetime,” said Rosemary, a statement that rang true as she listed Doreen’s many achievements. She was an involved member of the Kinette Club until its demise. She helped establish the first Kindergarten in Nakusp. She raised money to install the first streetlights in the village. She raised funds to build the arena. She walked Honouring Joe McDonald, Doug and Brenda McQuair and Doreen Desrochers from New Denver to Nakusp in a Mother’s March to raise money. She collected antiques and other memorabilia that would otherwise have been lost to fire at the time of the flooding, and donated these to the Nakusp and District Museum. She helped to get the funding and organization in place to build Halcyon Home, and she is still involved today. Doreen and Rosemary helped to organize the celebration of the incorporation of Nakusp in 1965. Doreen has always been on the committee that looks after the CBT funding. She is a Red Hat lady, sings with the seniors’ group, volunteers at the Nakusp Music Fest. Perhaps her most memorable accomplishment, however, was the Short People’s Convention. The idea came to her while at a curling bonspiel, and although it promised to cause controversy and division within the community, she ran with it and hosted the convention two years in a row. Even with tall people picketing outside the first year, and trying to sneak in on their knees the second, she persevered in standing up for the rights of short people. Doreen accepted her awards, thanked Rosemary for remembering all the things the two had done together over the years, and commented that there are so many people in Nakusp deserving of this award. She told the story of how she had always been asked to be the secretary of every organization she ever joined. “Someone would always say, ‘Doreen, can you take the notes?’ So I just hope that St. Peter doesn’t need a note taker,” she said. The seniors’ singing group put an Easter bonnet on Doreen’s head, and sang Ain’t She Sweet. When they faltered, Doreen quickly moved into the conductor’s role and got them right back on track. Megan Leduc from New Denver participated in the annual Easter egg hunt with Birdo at the Silverton Gallery grounds. The four outstanding citizens honoured at the Nakusp Rotary Club’s annual Citizens of the Year event were Joe McDonald (back right), Doug McQuair (back left), Brenda McQuair (front left) and Doreen Desrochers (front right). by Jan McMurray The bids for the work required to re-open the Nakusp Hot Springs have come in — and they are all about $200,000 higher than the Village had expected. The Village had budgeted $375- $400,000 for the work and the consultant’s fees for the first phase of the project. That figure has now jumped to $610,000. At a special meeting on April 24, council passed a resolution authorizing Fairbank Architects, the consultant, to award the contract to the lowest bidder, West Kootenay Mechanical Ltd. out of Trail. A press release issued by the Village office explains that the $610,000 will be loaned by the Village itself, with money it has in reserves, to the hot springs reserve fund. The release says Village staff has confirmed with the Ministry of Community Services that this loan arrangement can be made as long as the funds are replaced with interest. Mayor Hamling confirmed in a telephone interview that no tax money is expected to be needed to service this debt. She commented on the importance of the facility to the business community and said, “It would be devastating for the community to shut the hot springs down.” The press release says that “council will make every effort to secure any available grants, will meet personally with several ministries in a bid for assistance, make representation to the Columbia Basin Trust, and will include discussions of developing and selling lots adjacent to the hot springs during the upcoming Official Community Plan review.” As far as timing goes, the release states that Fairbank will be negotiating with the winning contractor to ensure that the facility will re-open as close to July 1 as possible. “Finally,” concludes the news release, “Council wishes to advise its resident taxpayers that it has made this decision after substantial review and consultation with Fairbank Architects and Ministry staff and is confident that this decision is in the best interest of the health and sustainability of the community.” Nakusp Hot Springs contract awarded
Transcript
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice11
COUNTRY FURNITURE & HOME DECORLooking for something out of the ordinary? Country Furniture & Home Decor, 115 Hall St. Nelson, Toll-Free 1-866-352-3665
Volume 15, Number 7 April 26, 2006 Delivered to every home between Edgewood, Kaslo & South Slocan. Published bi-weekly.“Your independently-owned regional community newspaper serving the Arrow Lakes, Slocan & North Kootenay Lake Valleys.”
by Jan McMurrayNakusp’s Citizens of the Year
celebration on April 15 was a greattribute to volunteerism in this activecommunity, and a really fun evening.
A delicious veal dinner wasserved by Nakusp Secondary Schoolstudents, prepared by a kitchen crewwhich included Jolene Moroz, AgnesParkes, John and Carole Moroz, RonNymeyer and others.
In Mayor Hamling’s openingremarks, she said, “It’s the volunteerswho make our communitiessuccessful and a great place to live.”She said she admired all four citizensof the year and talked about how eachhad touched her life. She also thankedthe Rotary Club for giving thecommunity a process to honourvolunteers.
Area K Director Paul Petersonsaid it was great to recognize peoplewho were an exception to the ‘everyman for himself’ rule in our worldtoday. “Congratulations to this year’srecipients and to all the othervolunteers who make this part of theworld better,” he said.
The Rotary Club has beensponsoring the Citizen of the Year forover 30 years. In the past, therecipient was always an outstandingsenior. This year, the program wasexpanded to include three categories:youth, active and lifetimeachievement.
Laurie Page was the nominatingspeaker for Joe McDonald, youthaward recipient. The young man’snickname is ‘Joe Amazing’ and sheexplained why. Joe has been involvedin Nakusp’s skatepark project, theNakusp Energy Corporation woodwaste project, and has sat on theColumbia Basin Trust youthcommittee. He has coached sports,acted in Rotary plays and built housesin Sri Lanka for Tsunami victims. Hetook on the planning and fundraisingfor literacy programs for youth, was
the only youth to attend the RuralSummit in Clearwater andscrutineered in the 2005 election.
She named some of Joe’s mostsignificant mentors, saying, “If Joeis amazing, we are too, because wehave nurtured him.” These folksinclude Wes Tolle, Nakusp’sbookstore owner, Corky Evans,Nelson-Creston MLA, and HeatherDennill, NSS teacher. To wrap up,Laurie described Joe as a ‘rolemodel.’ He will be graduating thisyear and then will be off to get histeacher’s certificate.
Doreen Yano spoke for ‘active’winners, Doug and Brenda McQuair.She described them as “ordinarypeople who have demonstratedoutstanding commitment to theircommunity.” Both have put a lot ofwork into Summit Lake Ski Hill, theSummit Lake Racers, and localNancy Greene league skiers. “Theircommitment has helped to create theski hill family,” she said. Both havealso been involved in the soccerprogram.
Their Rotary exchange programdaughters still call Brenda “Mom,”showing that the McQuair sense offamily has grown from ourcommunity to an international one.Yano said the couple welcomed allinto their home, even when the worsttragedy happened. In closing, shesaid, “It’s not what you have, it’s howyou share it.”
Rosemary Johnson was nominatingspeaker for ‘lifetime achievement’Citizen of the Year Doreen Desrochers.“It’s amazing what you can do in alifetime,” said Rosemary, a statementthat rang true as she listed Doreen’smany achievements. She was aninvolved member of the Kinette Clubuntil its demise. She helped establishthe first Kindergarten in Nakusp. Sheraised money to install the firststreetlights in the village. She raisedfunds to build the arena. She walked
Honouring Joe McDonald, Doug and Brenda McQuair and Doreen Desrochersfrom New Denver to Nakusp in aMother’s March to raise money. Shecollected antiques and othermemorabilia that would otherwise havebeen lost to fire at the time of theflooding, and donated these to theNakusp and District Museum. Shehelped to get the funding andorganization in place to build HalcyonHome, and she is still involved today.Doreen and Rosemary helped toorganize the celebration of theincorporation of Nakusp in 1965.Doreen has always been on thecommittee that looks after the CBTfunding. She is a Red Hat lady, sings
with the seniors’ group, volunteers atthe Nakusp Music Fest.
Perhaps her most memorableaccomplishment, however, was theShort People’s Convention. The ideacame to her while at a curling bonspiel,and although it promised to causecontroversy and division within thecommunity, she ran with it and hostedthe convention two years in a row. Evenwith tall people picketing outside thefirst year, and trying to sneak in on theirknees the second, she persevered instanding up for the rights of short people.
Doreen accepted her awards,thanked Rosemary for remembering all
the things the two had done togetherover the years, and commented thatthere are so many people in Nakuspdeserving of this award. She told thestory of how she had always been askedto be the secretary of every organizationshe ever joined. “Someone wouldalways say, ‘Doreen, can you take thenotes?’ So I just hope that St. Peterdoesn’t need a note taker,” she said.
The seniors’ singing group put anEaster bonnet on Doreen’s head, andsang Ain’t She Sweet. When theyfaltered, Doreen quickly moved into theconductor’s role and got them right backon track.
Megan Leduc from New Denver participated in the annual Easter egg huntwith Birdo at the Silverton Gallery grounds.
The four outstanding citizens honoured at the Nakusp Rotary Club’s annual Citizens of the Year event were JoeMcDonald (back right), Doug McQuair (back left), Brenda McQuair (front left) and Doreen Desrochers (front right).
by Jan McMurrayThe bids for the work required
to re-open the Nakusp Hot Springshave come in — and they are allabout $200,000 higher than theVillage had expected.
The Village had budgeted $375-$400,000 for the work and theconsultant’s fees for the first phaseof the project. That figure has nowjumped to $610,000.
At a special meeting on April 24,council passed a resolutionauthorizing Fairbank Architects, theconsultant, to award the contract tothe lowest bidder, West KootenayMechanical Ltd. out of Trail.
A press release issued by theVillage office explains that the$610,000 will be loaned by theVillage itself, with money it has in
reserves, to the hot springs reservefund. The release says Village staffhas confirmed with the Ministry ofCommunity Services that this loanarrangement can be made as long asthe funds are replaced with interest.
Mayor Hamling confirmed in atelephone interview that no taxmoney is expected to be needed toservice this debt.
She commented on theimportance of the facility to thebusiness community and said, “Itwould be devastating for thecommunity to shut the hot springsdown.”
The press release says that“council will make every effort tosecure any available grants, will meetpersonally with several ministries ina bid for assistance, make
representation to the Columbia BasinTrust, and will include discussions ofdeveloping and selling lots adjacentto the hot springs during theupcoming Official Community Planreview.”
As far as timing goes, the releasestates that Fairbank will benegotiating with the winningcontractor to ensure that the facilitywill re-open as close to July 1 aspossible.
“Finally,” concludes the newsrelease, “Council wishes to advise itsresident taxpayers that it has madethis decision after substantial reviewand consultation with FairbankArchitects and Ministry staff and isconfident that this decision is in thebest interest of the health andsustainability of the community.”
Nakusp Hot Springs contract awarded
The Valley Voice April 26, 2006NEWS2
SPRING HOURS:FRI. SAT. SUN.
5 - 9 PM
RESERVATIONS 358-7744Rosebery Loop Road
The Child You Respect Today May BeThe Politician You Vote For Tomorrow
Are you currently caring for children in your home?Would you like to care for children in your home?
Child Care Resource and Referral Programs (CCRR)are looking for suitable, compassionate caregiversto provide quality home-based childcare.
By registering with a CCRR you will have access to• increased subsidy rates• toy and resource lending library• workshops and networking meetings• support• newsletters• a professional childcare community• start up funds• and so much more!
If you live in Nakusp, Kaslo, Salmo or Points in betweencall: Nelson CCRR 1-250-352-6678 Or 1-800-223-8966
www.childcarechoices.caThe CCRR recognizes and supports
the invaluable service thatcaregivers provide!
312 Silica St, Nelson, BC V1L 4M5
TIMBER SALE LICENCE A77733
Pursuant to section 20 of the Forest Act, a Timber Sale licence is being offeredfor sale.
Closing Date: May 19, 2006 @ 11:00 AM (LOCAL TIME),BC Timber Sales, Kootenay Business Area, Nelson, BC
Geographic Location: Bulldog Creek, located approximately 45 km West ofCastlegar, within the Arrow Boundary Forest District
Estimated Volume: 57,310 cubic metres, more or less
Upset Stumpage Rate: $27.07 / cubic metre
The upset stumpage rate was determined in accordance with the InteriorAppraisal Manual and is applicable to coniferous green sawlog grades.
Term: 2 (two) years
Estimated Species / Volume: Lodgepole pine 49,162 m3, Larch 2,767 m3,Balsam 2,621 m3, Douglas-fir 1,079 m3, Spruce 787 m3, Cedar 723 m3,Hemlock 132 m3, White pine 39 m3
Tenders will only be accepted from individuals or corporations registered as a BCTimber Sales Enterprise, Category 1, 2 or 3.
The successful applicant will be required to implement and conform to the KootenayBusiness Area Environmental Management System.
This licence is subject to, among other things, new ‘Take or Pay’ Procedures forWaste Billings, new maximum term limits and extension fee and surrenderprovisions. Applicants are advised to carefully consider the impact of thesechanges when formulating their bids. Further information on these changesmay be found in Advisory Bulletin 06/28/04.
Please ensure that you check the expiry date of your BCTS Enterprise registrationbefore submitting a tender. You may check the status of your registration at the BCTimber Sales Website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/bcts/
In respect to this proposed timber sale licence, there is additional material which theapplicant must consider in their application. This material and application formsmay be obtained from the above BC Timber Sales Office, telephone (250) 825-1100or the ministry web site at: http://www5.for.gov.bc.ca/notices/init.do Specify TimberSale Licence A77733.
All tender information provided for this timber sale is subject to change. Any changeswill be posted on the above “.../notices/init.do” site before the closing date of thetimber sale. It is the applicant’s responsibility to revisit this site to stay abreast of anychanges that may affect their bid. If you would like to automatically receive a copyof any changes, please send your completed “Notification of Package Receipt” formto [email protected]
Ministry of Forests & Range
Woodbury Resort’s Easter Dolly Derby was another great time. Here are this year’swinners. On the left is third place winner Frank Van Neer of Riondel, who was also a
winner last year. This year, his fish weighed in at 13.13 lbs. He caught the fish onFriday night, and held second place until 120 seconds before closing, when Don Curry
from Elkford (far right) caught a 14-pounder and took second. In the middle is JohnJohanson of Libby, Montana, who caught his 14.2-lb. winning fish on Friday night.
•John Poznikoff, 87-year-oldresident at the Slocan CommunityHealth Centre Pavilion, wandered offfrom the facility late Saturday night.His body was found floating in thelake behind the Pavilion at about 7:15Sunday morning. His death has beendeemed accidental and no autopsy isexpected.
Slocan Lake RCMP were calledat 1:10 am Sunday morning, andconducted searches overnight withthe help of Nelson RCMP’s K-9section. New Denver Search andRescue and New Denver Fire Rescuejoined the search in the daylighthours. Police wish to thank all thevolunteers that helped for a job welldone.
• On April 16, Nakusp RCMP andthe fire department were called toMortens Beach about 7:30 pm. The firedepartment located and extinguished aburning truck that appeared to have beendeliberately set on fire. Police spoke toseveral witnesses in the area. As a result,two adult females were arrested forarson and released later that night toappear in court in June. Charges arepending. The investigation continuesand it should be noted that theinvestigation suggests this is an isolatedincident.
• If you bought any household itemsfrom Nelson Edwin Law betweenNovember 24 and March 26, pleasecontact the Kaslo RCMP. Policecharged Law with theft over $5,000,
CORRECTIONIn our last issue, we reported on a
grow op bust in the 6400 block of Hwy.6. We assumed incorrectly that the bustoccurred in the 6400 block of Hwy. 6which is north of New Denver. In fact,it happened in the 6400 block of Hwy.6 which is north of Winlaw. Hwy 6 hastwo 6400 blocks — and two of manyother numbered blocks as well.Numbers start at 1000 at the junction,rise to about 9000 at Slocan, and thenstart falling again as the highway windsits way north. Why? Attempts to findout have been fruitless to date. Perhapsone of our readers can tell us.
REPORTS FROM THE RCMPThese reports are based on press releases and may have been edited
uttering forged documents and mischiefafter a Kaslo family returned home fromholidays March 26 to find householditems had been stolen.
• Slocan Lake detachment’s Cpl.Kerry Heidema says motorists shouldbe aware of their responsibilitiesregarding parking in the villages. Thepolice have received calls fromconcerned residents and businessowners complaining about vehiclesparking on the wrong side of the road,too close to stop or yield signs andmarked sidewalks (six metres), and firehydrants (five metres). Drivers parkingthis way can be ticketed, with finesranging from $40 to $109.
“With the better weather on its way,and the influx of tourists to the areas,pedestrians—children and adultsalike—are not always vigilant inrelation to traffic on the roadways, andmotorists need to be extra cautious inorder to avoid accidents,” Heidemasays.
submittedLibraries have a reputation for
being quiet, serene places, but theNakusp Public Library will not fill thatbill for the next four months.Renovation and expansion at theNakusp Public Library began onMonday, April 24 after 13 years ofplanning, saving and fundraising.
At the end of the project, the librarywill occupy the entire top floor of theCentennial Building.
This is an historic time for thelibrary, which was first formed in 1921and has been in its present room in theCentennial Building for 48 years.During this time the collection hasgrown from 2,000 books to over 16,000books, magazines, videos, DVDs, andaudio books. The ‘new’ library will bemore than twice as big as the ‘old’ andwill provide comfortable seating, placesfor study, more computer accessibility,
space for artists to show their work, andmore.
Guy Duchaine, local buildingcontractor, is supervising the workers.A Job Creation Partnership (JCP)program pays the workers salaries andcontributes funds towards materials.The Village of Nakusp and Area K ofthe Regional District of CentralKootenay are the library’s JCP partners,
Hammers pound at Nakusp Public Libraryand the library very much appreciatesthis support. JCP is a federal programadministered by Human Resources andSkills Development..
There is yet another reason forcelebration at the library. Trustee BethMcLeod has received a Super TrusteeAward from the British Columbia
Library Trustees Association. Onlythree trustees in British Columbiareceive this annual award, whichrecognizes trustees who have made amajor contribution to their libraries.Beth plays a very important role at thelibrary; she has been a trustee for eightyears, is the treasurer, organizes the
Spring Auction, and is always a joy towork with. Cindy Lidstone, chair of thelibrary board, had the pleasure ofsurprising Beth with this award atSaturday’s Spring Auction.
Come and check out your library!Find out how you can play a part in thisimportant community event.
Full review of area healthservices hoped forby Rachael Kimola
A special five-person committeehas been formed to come up with theterms of reference for an independentinquiry into health services in theKootenay Boundary Health ServiceArea. The committee was formed outof the West Kootenay-BoundaryRegional Hospital District board. KateO’Keefe, who represents Area D on theboard, has been appointed to thecommittee. She says their hope is tohave an agency outside of the systemdo a full review of area services.
“There’s been a lot of concern thatthis region isn’t getting the services wedeserve,” says O’Keefe.” The commit-tee will ask the Ministry of Health toconduct this review through anindependent agency, with an eye to-wards how to improve the system, whatchanges would need to be made and areasonable timeline for those changes.
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice 3NEWS
Among the issues discussedat the first MP’s communityforum, held in Kaslo on April 18,were health care, politicalreform, development, the newmeat regulation, climate changeand the community forest.
Alex Atamanenko, BCSouthern Interior MP, will hostthese forums in communitiesaround the riding. The differencebetween these and our formerMP Jim Gouk’s town hallmeetings is that representativesfrom all levels of government areinvited. Atamanenko thankedArea D Director Andy Shadrackfor coming up with that idea.
Available to answerquestions were the MP, Nelson-Creston MLA Corky Evans,Kaslo Mayor Jim Holland,Shadrack, and his alternate, KateO’Keefe, who sits on the boardof the West Kootenay BoundaryRegional Hospital District(WKBRHD).
On health care, peoplewanted to know how to havetheir voices heard by InteriorHealth Authority officials, andhow to decentralize the systemso that more services wereavailable locally.
O’Keefe said the IHA andMinistry of Health was nowtalking about “communityengagement,” so “we have tohold their feet to the fire.” Shesaid she was happy to be in thepolitical arena now, feeling shecould communicate with theIHA more easily now that shewas on the WKBRHD board.
Evans agreed thatWKBRHD board directors hadsome capacity to deal with IHA,explaining that IHA neededWKBRHD to contribute 40% ofthe budget for equipment andother capital costs at IHAfacilities. “So this allows theregional districts to have a debatewith IHA on the only groundsthey care about — money. Youcan’t talk about beds or care,because they hide behindprofessionalism,” he said.
He maintained that therewere good people who workedfor IHA, but said there was aculture that made their job “as
difficult as our citizenship.” Apolling of IHA staff showed theworst morale of any health careagency in Canada, he said.
Evans went on to explainthat the IHA has capitulated tothe BC Medical Association,which is the doctors’ profes-sional association. “Specialistsand surgeons have wrested theorganization,” he said, pointingout that centralization results inmore business and more wagesfor them. “Your doctors couldtake back control of BCMA andcontrol the IHA,” he said.
One resident shared hisexperience with the systemwhen he got double pneumoniaand had to go all the way to Trailto get treatment. By the time hearrived, the doctor said if he hadbeen another 15 minutes, he mayhave been too late.
O’Keefe said there was a lotof frustration around thecentralization of services, andindicated that IHA was draggingits feet in its commitment to finda more central location for ourregional hospital.
Shadrack spoke of hisefforts to bring in FirstResponders for the north end ofthe lake. “Trying to get moneyout of the provincial or federalgovernment for decentralizedhealth care is virtuallyimpossible,” he said.
When someone raised theidea of political reform, Evansdeclared that change wouldnever come from Victoria orOttawa, but could only comefrom communities. Atamanenkosaid reforming the electoralsystem would be a step in theright direction. Shadrack agreed,saying that the new rule cappingcorporate donations to politicalparties during elections at $1000was a good thing, and set us apartfrom the USA. He alsomentioned that Kootenay Lakedirectors of the Regional Districtwere organizing a resolutionauthorizing RDCK staff to set upthree groups to work together toprotect fisheries and land usealong the foreshore of KootenayLake. The groups are theRDCK, the Ministry of the
Environment and the Depart-ment of Fisheries and Oceans.
The politicians were askedto comment on the urban-ruraldichotomy, and the trend ofpeople from cities clamouringfor property in Kaslo and AreaD.
Atamanenko commentedthat people in cities forget theyexist because of rural Canada,which provides resources andfood. He said we need to protectand develop our localeconomies, suggesting agreenhouse industry for the area.
Evans said that traditionalthinking does not fit with landbased economies or small townsand re-iterated that changecomes from communities. Hegave two examples of positiveoutcomes for rural people — theAgricultural Land Reserve,which all political parties had intheir platforms because thepeople wanted it, and theColumbia Basin Trust, whereresource-based wealth is shared50-50 with the people whoprovide the wealth.
Shadrack agreed that theonly way to effect change wasfor rural areas to band togetheron rural issues. To facilitate thatin Area D, he has created anAdvisory Planning Committeeto deal with land issues.
Holland said he thoughtthere must be creative waysthrough tax initiatives to havepeople from away paypremiums to own property thatwas used only seasonally. Amember of the public said hedisagreed with this, pointing outthat we should be trying to attracttourists rather than chase themaway. He said that DevelopmentCost Charges (DCCs) were theway to go. A DCC is money themunicipality collects fromdevelopers to offset costs ofinfrastructure such as water,sewer and roads needed for newdevelopments.
Holland acknowledged thatthe municipality was notprepared for development, andsaid it had “gotten under the wirebefore we’ve gotten our ducksin a row.” He said he was
embarassed to say how muchthe DCC was in Kaslo, and thatcouncil is in the process ofdetermining what it should be.
Holland also spoke aboutthe change in development plansfor the Kaslo airport. He said thatcouncil now realized that theairport would not be able to beupgraded to the nextclassification. The Village hadstarted airport development witha federal SICEAI grant. Hollandexplained that the Village hadhad such little notification of thefunding opportunity that “wehad to jump on the SICEAI grantwithout doing the planning.”
Someone asked if the roadto the airport could be paved andused to access the transfer stationif the airport was not going to beupgraded. Holland answeredthat the Regional District islooking at relocating the transferstation, and this will save peopletax money. He said the RDCKhad an issue with the locationbecause of the very steep, icy hilland assured that there would belots of public dialogue on thisissue. Shadrack agreed thatrelocating the transfer stationwas the best approach,indicating that he wanted to seerecycling facilities in the samelocation as the transfer station.
Someone else brought upthe new meat inspectionregulation, which requires thatanimals be slaughtered inlicenced facilities. He claimedthis would have a serious impacton “rural homespuneconomics,” and said that 200pigs will not be bought in theSlocan Valley this year becauseof this new regulation.
Corky said that the samething that happened with milk40 years ago. “It’s happeningbecause we have decided togovern for the corporateclasses,” he said. “It’s justanother step in making usoutlaws in our own home.”
Urged to try to make climatechange an issue that would bepaid attention to, Evansinformed that the province isnow being operated by casinosand gambling, and the sale of
hydrocarbons (coal and gas).Erika Bird of the Kaslo and
District Community ForestSociety encouraged the localpoliticians to get informed aboutthe opportunity for area basedtenure and to talk it up. “TheCommunity Forest Agreement isthe best possible type of tenure— where we would have thatmuch input and control of ourresources,” she said.
Evans said that politiciansneed to take a stand becauseKaslo’s Community Forest iscontroversial. “It’s a good thing,even when people argue.Argument is healthy discourse.You are lucky to argue. I am infavour because this communityasked for it. I agree that it is thehealthiest tenure, with thepossible exception of thewoodlot licence,” he said.
by Jan McMurrayHigh speed internet for
the Slocan Valley is gettingcloser, with the imminentsigning of a contract betweenthe Regional District ofCentral Kootenay (RDCK)on behalf of the Slocan ValleyEconomic DevelopmentCommission (SVEDC) andthe Columbia Mountain OpenNetwork (CMON).
SVEDC has put togethera working plan for a wirelessnetwork covering the areafrom Crescent Valley to thesouthern half of Slocan Lake,with the ability to link to thenorth.
The next step is forCMON to take that draft planand to do a detailedengineering study andbusiness plan.
Derek Murphy, SVEDCchair, says that they wouldlike to be able to serve 80-90% of the Slocan Valleypopulation. It will beCMON’s job to determinehow many towers will haveto go up, and where, in orderto achieve that.
He says the goal is toprovide at least ADSLequivalent service, at a feeclose to the market rate peoplepay for ADSL. They wouldalso like to offer more servicesthan high speed internet, like
Voice Over Internet Protocol,which is a telephone option.
SVEDC would build andown the network, and CMONwould manage it. Part of theCMON study is to identifywho will be the serviceproviders on the system.
The study is scheduled tobe completed by the end ofJune. Public meetings willfollow.
The draft plan assumesthat tax money will pay for theconstruction of the network.Once up and running, it willbe a user pay system.
The issue is hoped to goto referendum in the fall, tofind out if people are willingto be taxed over the amount oftime it takes to pay off the loanrequired to build the network.
The money to pay CMONto do the plan will come outof the SVEDC budget, whichhas built up a surplus over thelast three years. Murphy didnot have the exact cost of thecontract readily available, butsaid it was $23-$24,000.
CMON was successful inits application for a Point ofPresence (POP) or broadbandaccess point in Winlaw underthe recent “connectingcommunities” initiativethrough a partnership betweenthe provincial government andTelus.
Business plan underwayfor Slocan Valley high speed
MP’s forum in Kaslo discusses health care, political reform, development...
Publisher - DAN NICHOLSON • Editor - JAN MCMURRAY • Food Editor - ANDREW RHODES • Ad Rep - RON BURNS
Published and printed in British Columbia, Canada
The Valley Voice is distributed throughout the Slocan and Arrow Lake Valleys from South Slocan/Playmor Junction to Edgewood and Kaslo on Kootenay Lake.Circulation is 7,200 papers, providing the most complete news and advertising coverage of any single newspaper serving this area.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: CANADA $55.64, USA $85.60, OVERSEAS $128.40. (Prices include GST)Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement #40021191
continued on page 5
Disappointingturnout to“Naomi’s Road”
The other Friday the VancouverOpera Touring Company portrayed astory of Japanese internment in Kaslo’sLangham theatre, the very buildingwhere part of the history took place. Itwas disappointing to see that we are notinterested enough in our past to have afull house at this very accessibleproduction. More troubling is the factthat no school in Nelson, Kaslo, Nakuspor New Denver saw fit to have theirstudents exposed to great music,entertaining story and significant localhistory.
The troupe felt it was veryimportant to perform at the Langhamand many BC schools have hosted theproduction. Naomi’s Road is based onJoy Kogawa’s novel of the same name.It is a children’s version of her awardwinning Obasan.
Let’s hope that local schools canfind the funds to remind us of our historyso we indeed “do not repeat it.”
J. MacdonaldNelson
Don’t cut cornersI find it hardly surprising that the
Fraser Institute has recently“discovered” that the ten best secondaryschools in BC are all private institutions.Here is proof positive that you reallycan solve some problems by throwingmoney at them.
The people who administer privateschools can concentrate on what theyare supposed to concentrate on —providing the best possible educationfor their students. This is in markedcontast to the trustees in the publicsystem, who spend most of their timetrying to find (largely non-existent)corners to cut in order to stay withinwoefully inadequate budgets.
There’s an old saying that when youbuy something cheap, that’s usuallywhat you get — something cheap. It’sa principle that seems to be completelylost on the people who run our Ministryof Education. It’s not lost, however, onthe people who run private schools.They know that if you want the best,you can’t go to the bargain basementlooking for it.
John BantaFauquier
New Denverresident apologizesfor dog’s behaviour
I would like to apologize to the manwho had an unpleasant encounter withmy dog on Easter Sunday evening. Iwas walking her in the leash-free zoneon the south dyke of Carpenter Creekwhen she went bounding towards acouple walking towards the lake.
Unfortunately, the man was terrifiedof dogs and reacted to her friendlyovertures in exactly the wrong way. I
was calling her back, but his actionssignalled to her that he wanted to rompand play, and she ignored me. I pleadedwith him to stop so I could catch her,but he was too upset to listen. Finally, Igot the leash on her, but I’m sure it tooka while for him to calm down.
To anyone who either doesn’t likeor is afraid of dogs, please read andremember this advice: yelling, wavingyour arms, and stamping your foottowards a dog tells the dog you want toplay, and it will dart at you and runaround you in joy. Try to kick it, and itwill grab at your foot.
If you ignore it, and keep walkingcalmly, it will lose interest and return toits owner.
Yes, dogs off-leash are supposed tobe under control, and usually she is. ButSmudge is still a puppy, andoccasionally has a lapse.
Again, I apologize.Katrine Campbell
New Denver
Universal acceptancea great Canadian asset
It is interesting that a discussionwhich started with a protest againstdenying equal rights to gay andlesbian people evolved into athought-provoking discussion abouthow to interpret the Bible.
Ours is a democratic country. Wepride ourselves on our freedom ofreligion and freedom of speech. Weaccept, respect, and protect equallythose who take the Bible literally,those who find God elsewhere or notat all, and those who follow theteachings of Judaism, Buddha,Mohammed or Charles Darwin.
How curious it is that those whoprofess to be the most ardentfollowers of the message of theuniversal love and accceptance Jesuspreached should be the very ones todeny equal rights to the ten per centof the population whose love isexpressed in a different manner, andwould impose upon them their ownbeliefs and practices.
Each of us is free to believe andto act according to his or her ownconscience, so long as this does notinfringe upon the rights and freedomsof others. We cherish this freedomand we have entrenched it in theCanadian Charter of Rights andFreedoms.
None of us, however, has theright to impose his or her beliefs orpractices on others, be they gay,lesbian, First Nations, agnostic,Muslim, or fundamentalist Christian.Jesus embraced the leper, theadulterous woman and the taxcollector and said: Love thine enemy.To me, this universal acceptance isone of the fundamental tenets ofChristianity, and one of Canada’sgreatest assets.
Let’s keep it that way.E. de BoerFauquier
Independentinquiry intoIHA called for
Now that IHA CEO MurrayRamsden has declared the gag order a“myth” (in a recent letter to the TrailDaily Times), employees are free to helprestore public confidence in the healthcare system.
We would best start by having atruly independent inquiry into theconcerns of Trail staff and IHA staffregarding communication andmanagement in the system, as insistedupon by Marg Gauthier-Kempston, therecently retired community liason nurse.Front-line employees, managers and thepublic could then become a part of thesolution to this crisis of confidence andgetting healthcare on track.
Insisting that the IHA is an ethical,transparent organization, Mr Ramsdentakes pains to accuse “some who wouldlike to undermine our efforts to maintainpublic confidence” — it is not just thepublic who have lost confidence. Front-line and middle managementemployees, cut out of the decisionmaking loop, have lost confidence inthe system. Elected municipal andregional officials sitting on the regionalcapital planning board and physiciansat Kootenay Boundary RegionalHospital, also have lost confidence. Oneof the main reasons for this lack ofconfidence is the non-transparency andthe unethical decisions made with noaccountability. Dr. Ballems’ and MartinMcMahons’ investigations into the Albotragedy were not transparent, andincluded virtually no interviews ofinvolved front-line staff or front-linemanagers. The IHA ‘externaloperational review’ is mandated anddirected by the very organization that isbeing reviewed, plus it is not justoperations at KBRH that are suspect.Let’s get to the bottom of the Albo caseand other serious problems bysupporting Marg’s call for anindependent inquiry into the concernsof the staff in Trail and throughout IHA.
Making negative comments aboutthe place you’ve worked in for manyyears, doing what you believe in, is notwhat I and other estranged IHAemployees ‘like.’ Those of us withinwho expressed concern were ignored,treated as naive to the complexities ofhealthcare or received as ‘againstchange.’ Perhaps it is Ministry, IHAboard and senior management whohave undermined the public confidencein the health care system. Thismanagement culture was a major reasonbehind me, and several others I know,throwing in the towel and retiring early.
Scott Leyland, PhysiotherapistRossland
Do homework beforepublic criticism
In response to Rick Foster’s letterconcerning the Back to the Earth
Several weeks ago, I was approached to lead a workshop for the LucerneCommunity Writers’ Festival. Terry Taylor had this idea that I could teach sportswriting to a gaggle of teenagers.
In my entire newspaper career, I have written one sports story. I was editor ofmy university paper. It was the spring of 1984. We had run an advertisement forthe Native Students Association’s Volleyball tournament. The ad was all screwedup, and it fell to me to make amends.
Three large men told me that I was expected to show up and cover the games.I was also expected to take photos and write an opinion piece on the role of minoritiesin sports. I capitulated, not, I hasten to add, because these guys had threatened to tieme into a pretzel, but rather because they had a point. You see, the ad layout personhad used the word ‘infamous’ to describe the event.
I spent a few hours boning up on volleyball jargon, and I used the words set,spike, bump and dive at least three times each in my reportage. I threw in at leastthree dozen unnecessary adjectives. I took the pictures, wrote the copy, apologizedin print, and made a solemn vow that I would avoid sportswriting in the future.
What did I learn from this experience? Quite a bit, actually. It’s important to dothe right thing, even if you lose face. Never refer to members of a minority groupas ‘infamous.’ Drinking too much at the social afterwards doesn’t make one moreattractive to members of the opposite sex.
None of these valuable lessons have anything to do with sportswriting, however.I told Terry that maybe she should find someone else to lead the workshop, as Iwas an opinion writer, not a sportswriter. I might have mentioned that I could seemy way clear to doing an opinion writing workshop.
A week or so later, she called me again. Apparently she was getting desperate,since she asked me to do a workshop on opinion writing. I readily agreed.
I love opinion writing - it’s the best job on a newspaper. You don’t have toworry about doing research, interviewing people or checking your facts. All youneed is an opinion. If you can avoid libelling people or spreading hate literature,you’re in business.
Terry warned me that my group would not be the ‘keeners.’ She quickly addedthe fact that I would be paid for my work. I thought it over for a minute or two, andfigured that she was offering me a pretty good fee for baby-sitting a bunch of boredteenagers, so I said that I would do it anyway.
At one time in my life, I was of the opinion that schoolteachers wereunderworked and overpaid. I disabused myself of this notion years ago. Whilepublishing a community paper in Souris, Manitoba, I volunteered to teach a 1/2credit course in community journalism at one of the local high schools. The kidsand I produced four editions of a school newspaper called Small Talk. After thatexperience, I was impressed at how much work teachers were willing to do for solittle money. That three-hour commitment of volunteer time, once a week, balloonedinto 11 hours, once my preparation and driving were figured into the equation.
I learned quite a lot through teaching this course. Kids can shred your lessonplan and notes in 10 seconds flat. Teaching is a lot more fun if you can engage thekids. Lectures on principles of journalism are a waste of time. You catch more flieswith honey than with vinegar.
I may have said some boring stuff at the beginning about the importance ofopinions. How politicians spend thousands of dollars every year tracking publicopinion. On the necessity of articulating opinion clearly, concisely and directly.On how opinion creates social change.
As soon as I saw their eyes glazing over though, I had them start writing.I toldthem that the best opinion pieces would be published in the Valley Voice. Theyappear on page 16 of this edition. I love brevity, particularly in the writing ofothers, so I told them that they would be consigned to the darkest pits of the dungeonif they wrote over a page of text. Many eyes brightened at this. Some grimaced.
In the end, they all complied.What did I get? 20 marvellous letters to the editor. There was a wide diversity
of opinion. Most of it was on local issues. A lot of it had to do with running theschool - everything from extending the school lunch hour, to starting the day later,establishing dress codes, lowering graduation requirements, improving the studentlounge and even merging the school with Nakusp.
I also received opinions on capital punishment, ATVs on the Galena Trail,lowering the drinking age, changing regulations around getting a driver’s license,building a skatepark in New Denver (and in Silverton), language requirements foruniversity admission, building a bridge across Arrow Lakes at Needles, universitytuition fees, Jumbo Resort, legalizing marijuana, gay marriage, building a youthcentre, putting a proper basketball court in Silverton.
We read the opinions to each other, and talked about them.Then, sadist that I am, I told them to write the same thing in 25 words or less.
That was easier for some of them than others. One fellow managed to get it downto 14 words. I gave him a metaphorical gold star.
I have less fear about the future of our country, knowing that we have thebright, articulate, thoughtful and fearless kids of Lucerne living in it.
Dan Nicholson, publisher
The opinions of youth...
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice 5LETTERS
The Valley Voice welcomes letters to the editor on anytopic of interest to our readers. All letters must be signed andhave a daytime phone number.
We will not publish anonymous letters, nor may you usea pseudonym, except in extraordinary circumstances. We willnot knowingly publish any letter which is defamatory orlibellous.
Please type your letter, and e-mail it if possible. Manyhandwritten letters are impossible to read. Any letter may beedited for brevity.
Opinions expressed in published letters are those of theauthor and not necessarily those of The Valley Voice.
continued from page 4Community CompostingProject, I would like to suggestthat Mr. Foster do his homeworkbefore writing a public critcism.
If he had taken the time toinvestigate further, he wouldhave found some very hard-working young people trying toestablish a project which theybelieve will benefit ourcommunity. He would havefound out that they haveestablished many connectionsthroughout our community.They helped several seniors lastfall by raking and removing theirleaves. They organizedpresentations in the school inorder to share their enthusiasmand knowledge with studentsfrom Kindergarten to Grade 7.They presented a compostingworkshop for the communitythis winter which was attendedby several participants. And theyhave been picking up wastematerial from several businessesdowntown which wouldotherwise have ended up in alandfill site. These connectionsare not made without a lot ofwork and commitment.
Funding was grantedinitially from the ColumbiaBasin Trust to initiate theprogram and establish the site.Many volunteer hours have beenspent trying to keep the projectgoing while waiting on theresults of grant proposals andobtaining local support so thatthis project will continue andgrow. As of March, funding wasgranted by the EnvironmentCanada’s EcoAction Programwhich ensures that the projectwill continue. This grant wouldnot have been possible withoutthe promised support of manylocal businesses andorganizations.
The people involved intrying to make this project asuccess are part of a youngcommunity in Kaslo who wishto raise their families here. To doso they must create employmentfor themselves. Too many youngpeople leave this area becausethere are no jobs for them. It isall well and good to say that themoney for this project should goto a “deserving, volunteer-runorganization” but sometimespeople need to make a livinghere and get paid for the workthey do. If we are to be a vibrant,diverse community, we mustsupport such positive actions.
Finding fault is just too easy.My wish is that, before anyoneelse feels the need to write a letterwhich publicly criticizes well-meaning members of ourcommunity, he/she takes thetime to talk with them first tohear their story or, at least, doessome research to ensure theirattack is founded on facts andnot rumour.
Marlaina BlancheKaslo
Headlinechallenged
The March 29 headline,“Green power project proposedin the Lardeau Valley,” needs tobe challenged on two counts.
First, just how green is thisproject? Nothing in the article
indicates its environmentalsoundness. To the contrary, anyenergy project that needs totransport its electricity for over100 km across a mountain rangewhen that very energy could beused locally in the nearbyKootenay Lake valley is not sogreen. Going to the proponent’swebsite, everywhere is splashedthe words ‘Green, Green, Green,Sustainable!’
The water quantity in thethree creeks proposed fordevelopment is highlydependent on glacial melt. In afew decades, when the glaciersare entirely melted, there will notbe enough water to keep theturbines spinning. Yet theproponents claim that the projectis “sustainable.”
In the meantime, as theglaciers continue to melt, thecreeks will be diverted by this“small scale” project forkilometers through 2.2 and 2.4meter diameter penstocks at arate of 17.5 and 18 cu. meters/sec., respectively in Glacier andHowser Creeks. This largediversion of water would bedevastating to the aquatic andcanyon ecosystems.
No specs are listed on thewebsite for East Creek. Just aswell. Don’t bore me with thedetails. East Creek is the largestundeveloped, unprotected valleyin the region. In 2001, Iorganized exploratoryexpeditions in the BugabooRainforest area for WesternCanada Wilderness Committeeand this resulted in putting theupper Incomappleux River onthe environmental map for thefirst time. Since then, theIncomappleux has become wellknown as its ancient rainforestcontinues to be threatened byPope and Talbot’s logging plans.East Creek, on the other hand,also explored in 2001, has beenprotecting itself with itsheretofore impenetrable canyonmouth. If a road finally becomeseconomically feasible for thisvalley due to energyexploitation, the loggingcompanies will be hot on theirheels.
We started our seven-daytrek in East Creek in the spruce/balsam forest below thetowering Howser Spire, then forfive days we walked throughgrove after grove after grove ofancient cedar/hemlock forestwith many trees measuring overthree metres in diameter —some up to four metres. Filledwith wildlife, magnificentscenery and ancient rainforest,the pristine valley of East Creekneeds full park protection, notdevelopment.
Unlike the IncomappleuxRiver, East Creek has not neededthe headlines but now certainlydeserves a better headline thanit received. More appropriately,the headline should read, “Jewelof the Inland Rainforestthreatened by green hucksters.”
My second correction to theMarch 29 headline is that theproject is proposed for theDuncan Valley, not the Lardeau.
Gary DiersArgenta
War thriveson lies
In his letter, Mr. Bantaassumes that making Afghan-istan safe for its people is the waythat coalition forces intend toalso make it safe for Big Oil tobuild a pipe line. However, if thelatter is the only seriousobjective, the human rights ofAfghan peasants will not berespected and their lives will notbe improved above a few photo-op projects. The frequent, casualmurder of civilians by US forces,and the fact that very little of themoney promised by the US forrebuilding Afghanistan hasmaterialized, suggests oil isconsidered important and thepeople are not.
To justify the Canadianmilitary being used as part of BigOil’s army, the whole story hasto be repackaged as a simplegood-versus-evil saga thatCanadians can enjoy in theirdaily copy of the National Post.
Paraphrasing Mr. Banta, ourenemy should be regarded as“vermin infesting a cesspool.”Suitably dehumanized, suspectscan be shot, tortured or lockedaway forever without anyqualms because, like orcs in TheLord of the Rings, they have noreality for us except as deservingtargets for our self-righteousviolence.
We must forget that 20 yearsago the precursors of the Talibanwere our heroes, trained andfunded by the CIA to fight theinvading Russians. Forget toothat the US’s allies du jour, thewar lords, have as bad a recordon human rights as the Taliban.And please do not mention thatpart of the price of the war lords’allegiance is that they are left freeto grow the record amount ofopium coming out ofAfghanistan these days. TheTaliban greatly suppressedopium growing, but it’s notpolite to talk about that now.
I am certainly not batting forthe Taliban, just trying to showthat the gung-ho, bumper-stickerspin of Stephen Harper and ourtop military brass gives us adistorted and superficial picture.In reality, it gets hard to decidewho are the “vermin” in Mr.Banta’s “cesspool.” Is it the warlords, the Taliban, thehypocritical governments ofoccupying forces, the men insuits at Big Oil, or all of theabove. As I believe none care aflying duck for the people ofAfghanistan, I think I’d checkthe last option.
Whether or not Canadiansoldiers care about the opinionsof the folks back home, weshould certainly be interested intheirs. A percentage of ourreturning veterans will tell ustheir experiences, and we willhave a chance of actually hearingthe truth. Now that really willbe worth listening to.
Keith NewberrySlocan
Kaslo communitycomposter responds
I wish to bring someclarification to the concerns ofRick Foster’s “Politically
incorrect on composting” letterin the last issue of The ValleyVoice, referring to the KasloBack to the Earth CommunityComposting Project.
Mr. Foster comments on“how costly the inevitable eventof rotting leaves has become”and has “observed the littlechanges that have taken place.”I feel frustrated and discouragedto hear such opposition when somuch hard work and positiveintentions have been put into thisproject.
Last summer, ColumbiaBasin Trust providedEarthworkers CommunityOrganization (ECO) with adonation of $8,500 to initiate theKaslo “Back to the Earth”Community CompostingProject (KBECCP). Theintention was to encourage asense of community stewardshipthrough meaningful work toimprove the health of our localenvironment.
This pilot phase hasestablished partnerships;compiled compostingequipment and materials;identified the location andconstructed the centralizedcompost facility; collectedapproximately 3000 lbs. oforganic waste from localrestaurants and grocery stores;collected over 100 bags of leavesto assist seniors with yard wasteclean up, while reducing theneed to burn, thereby improvingair quality; developed acomposting program at JVHumphries School; conducted aResidential CompostingWorkshop at the Langham;designed an informativebrochure; secured futurefunding; and increasedawareness of composting in theVillage of Kaslo.
Mr. Foster also noted thatECO is “presently requesting$32,000 from the Kaslo &District Community ForestSociety in order to qualify for thesame amount that EnvironmentCanada EcoAction Programpromised them if they foundmatching funds.” Sorry for themisunderstanding. To correctthis statement — on March 23,ECO received confirmationfrom the Environment CanadaEcoAction Program tocontribute $32,840 for the next12 months of operation. This isa huge success! Before thisfunding is secure, ECO needs toshow matching support (in-kindor cash) for this amount. We arenot, by any means, insinuatingthat the Community ForestSociety match this amount.Other support has already beenconfirmed and we are currentlyseeking further assistance tomatch these funds.
In addition, the KBECCP isa non-profit project for thebenefit of the community. It isnot a business. Four part-timejob positions will be offered foryoung people in the communityto participate in positivecommunity work. The Kaslo“Back to the Earth” CommunityComposting Project is all aboutbuilding our community. We areworking together with theseniors and the youth to helpbring awareness of the
responsibility that we have toease the pressures on our landfilland reduce greenhouse gasemissions by composting.
However, this cannot beaccomplished without thecollective support of the Kaslocommunity. We need yoursupport if this project is tocontinue. Thank you, Mr. Foster,for expressing your concerns. Ihope this helps to clarify anymisunderstandings or questionsabout what we are doing withall of this money. In the future, Iwould appreciate you contactme directly. If there are othercomments or questions that needto be addressed or if you want toparticipate and support thisinitiative please [email protected].
Jamie WhitneyKaslo
A vision for theSlocan Valley
The people who live in theSlocan Valley have been askedto direct inevitable change bytelling local governments andpoliticians publicly and/orprivately of their desired visionof this area’s future. Nothingremains static, and this valleywill change. I, for one, want tolive in a healthy environment,which, to me, is an all-encompassing statement.Achieving that goal meanstaking at least an interest in thefuture.
Letting outside investorsknow what kind of services arewanted allows them to plansustainable ventures, knowingthat they will not have costly,unexpected opposition to theirplans. This goes a long waytowards sustaining a workforceand providing services.
I see a good future here forbusinesses that want to be partof a community that is naturallygreen, quiet, with clean air,excellent water and living withinthe sustainable capacity of itsecosystem. Most people want tolive and vacation here becauseof those qualities.
If we maintain (or improve)those primal qualities there is ahuge market niche available. Iforesee the necessity of advancebookings and limited entriessimply to control use. A heavyreliance on one industry (liketourism) would be unbalancedand therefore predictablyunsustainable for thecommunity. Putting yoursustainable ideas on the publictable could make good thingshappen, be they farming,information technology, lightindustry, special schools,services to special needs or otherendeavours.
We have the option tochoose now, but not for long!Option 1:Encourage acommunity that would competewith every other jurisdiction(like the Okanagan orRevelstoke and so ruin ourunique assets through overload),or Option 2: Value our uniqueassets and allow onlydevelopment that contributesover time to a healthy andsustainable community.
The options are notcompatible, but we do have achoice. Reasons to supportOption 2 follow.
Fossil fuelled machines areuseful, and now we know theyare our greatest enemy in globalwarming. Our heavyhandedness on the landscape, thestink and poisons in the air,damage to our watersheds, andmost noise can be attributed tofossil fuelled machines. I do notintend to be bullied bybusinesses for profit andindividuals that want to recreatewith fossil fuelled machines.Who can knowingly tolerate aninanimate object that wouldpoison the air, soil, and water thatwe as animals have to use, justfor the fun of it?
This narrow, rocky trench ofa valley is often a trap for air andnoise, and the animals herein areaffected by it. People who don’trecreate with fossil fuelledmachines value clean air, andvisual and aural quiet as a majorpart of their experience here.Machines must not be allowedto jeopardize or destroy this partof our economic sustainability.
The Slocan Valley is oflimited size, and the “carryingcapacity” of its ecosystems istoo. We can facilitate morepeople, but not more machines.Machines would be the majordemand in tax increases and landuse (of which we don’t havemuch). The other primalqualities would need protectionas follows: recreational use offossil fuelled power boats on thelake would not be encouragedby providing docking, etc.; fossilfuelled recreation vehicleswould be left behind at thetrailhead; machine users couldaccess higher ground outside theSlocan by obtaining permit, ascommercial ski areas do now.
I wrote before of studiesdemonstrating the wisdom of“going Green.” I can see nojustification for fossil fuelledrecreation in this valley. Short-term gain is not sustainableplanning — I find it archaicthinking! Machines are killingus! We need reason, creativethinking and awareness of ourcommon goals to plan the futurehealth of this valley.
Eric FaulksHills
The Valley Voice April 26, 20066 SLOCAN VALLEY
FortisBC Inc.Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
to Construct and Operate the Big White Supply Project
Notice of Oral Public Hearing Process The FortisBC Application
On March 9, 2006, FortisBC applied to the Commission for approval to construct and operate a 138 kV trans-mission line from the Joe Rich Substation in Kelowna to a new Substation at the Big White Village at an esti-mated cost of $20.3 million.
The Regulatory Process
The Commission has established that an Oral Public Hearing Process for the review of the Application isrequired.
Public Inspection of the Documents
The FortisBC CPCN Application and supporting material will be made available for inspection at the Utility’sHead Office in Kelowna at the Landmark IV, 5th Floor, 1628 Dickson Avenue, Kelowna, B.C., its Trail Officeat 1290 Esplanade, Trail, B.C., at the Public Library in Grand Forks, B.C., and the British Columbia UtilitiesCommission, Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6Z 2N3.
Registering to Participate
Unless they have already registered, persons who expect to actively participate in the FortisBC proceedingshould register as Intervenors with the Commission, in writing, by Friday, May 5, 2006. Requests forParticipant funding should also be submitted by May 5, 2006. Intervenors will receive copies of theApplication, all correspondence and filed documentation.
Persons not expecting to actively participate, but who have an interest in the FortisBC proceeding shouldregister as Interested Parties with the Commission, in writing, by the same date. Interested Parties willreceive a copy of the Application’s Executive Summary and all Orders issued.
Location and proceeding details of the Oral Public Hearing will be published by June 16, 2006.
REGULATORY TIMETABLEAction Date
Registration of Intervenors and submission of participant funding budgets May 5, 2006Commission Information Request No. 1 to FortisBC May 12, 2006FortisBC Responses to Commission Information Request No. 1 May 26, 2006Intervenor and Commission Information Request No. 2 to FortisBC June 9, 2006FortisBC Responses to Intervenor and Commission Information Request No. 2 June 23, 2006Oral Public Hearing (location to be determined) July 5, 2006FortisBC Final Arguments July 14, 2006Intervenor Arguments July 21, 2006FortisBC Rebuttal Argument July 28, 2006
Further InformationFor further information, please contact Mr. Robert J. Pellatt, Commission Secretary and Mr. Robert Rerie,Senior Electrical Engineer as follows:
We would like to thank our many volunteers for their support. Thereare so many volunteers and it means so much to our residents, staffand community. On behalf of the residents and staff I want to thankthe following volunteers:
Slocan Community Health Centre Auxiliary SocietyHospice Board and Hospice WorkersResidential Care volunteersGym Committee and the talented tradesmen who have donated their timeRecreation Commission #6Meals on WheelsFriendly Visitors who reach out to seniors in our communityThe gardeners who maintain the Bill Jones Memorial GardenThe Slocan Valley Women’s InstituteThe Lucerne School grade 5/6 visitor GroupWe would also like to thank the New Denver Quilters Guild for theirBarbara McCoy Memorial Quilt and the Slocan Legion Branch 276for a recent donation to our residents.
For information on services, please drop in to the Centre at 401Galena in New Denver weekdays 09:00 to 15:00, or call 358-7911.
by Don Currie•Resident John Sarjeant wrote to
council, calling for the adoption of anOfficial Community Plan (OCP) beforepursuing “a number of very costlyprojects,” referring to the proposedhydroelectric power plant on SpringerCreek and pellet plant investment.Sarjeant said that it would be “extremelyundemocratic” for council to committhe Village to costly “mega projects” of$1.5-$2 million without formalapproval of the electorate.
Councilor Madeleine Perriere saidthat Sarjeant had raised a legitimateconcern. She said the Village hadbudgeted for an OCP and it would bereasonable to put the proposed projectsin the plan. Her motion to proceed withthe OCP was not put to a vote on thegrounds that council was already onrecord to proceed with the OCP. Councilwill deal with the OCP as part of thebudget process.
•A letter to Springer Creek ForestProducts from the Slocan IntegralForestry Co-operative (SIFCo), whichhas been invited to apply for aCommunity Forest Agreement (CFA),was discussed. The SIFCo letter lists theVillage of Slocan as one of its memberorganizations.
The letter explains that SIFCo’sboard members were shocked whenforestry officials presented them withSpringer Creek’s plans for a 120-hectareclearcut in the headwaters of fourdomestic use watersheds of the Elliot-Anderson-Christian-Trozzo drainage ofthe Slocan Valley. This area is inSIFCo’s proposed land base, and thegroup had planned this area as the firstone to be managed under its CFA.
The letter outlines SIFCo’sconcerns about Springer Creek’s plansaround road construction and harvestingmethods in the cutblock, and lists eightrecommendations that the group feels
offers a “win-win solution for all partiesinvolved and in a way for this issue tobe resolved without conflict, therebysetting the stage for future collaborationbetween all parties and also creating atone of trust in the community.”
Commenting on the letter,Councillor Marc Septav said that whilethe content and eight proposals weregood, the tone was not helpful and won’tencourage partnerships with SpringerCreek. Council supported his motionthat a letter be sent to SIFCo expressingcouncil’s concerns.
•Works Foreman Jerry Simmonsreported that a wood chipper costing$15,390 has been purchased. Thechipper can handle wood waste up tosix inches in diameter. A trash to treasureday is planned for April 23 and Villageclean-up is slated for the week of April24.
•Councillor Gates, Villagerepresentative at RDCK, reported thathe voted against an RDCK motiondirecting its solicitor to collect $46,340from the Village of Slocan. RDCKclaims this payment was part of aFebruary 26, 2005 memorandum ofunderstanding with the Village.Councillor Gates asserted that RDCKowes the Village about $57,000 underthe agreement.
Village residents attending councilcomplained to Gates that RDCK feesat the Slocan Waste Managementfacility are not consistent. Complaintswere also voiced about a $3 tire fee.Mayor Van Bynen wanted to know whya recycling fee is charged when newtires are purchased and then anadditional $3 fee is charged by RDCK
for recycling. Councillor Gates said theRDCK levy was to encourage residentsto return used tires to the dealer, who isobliged to accept them. CouncillorPerriere said RDCK should announceany rate changes in advance of imposingthem on the public.
•Administrator Eunice Ludlowreported that Interior Health represen-tatives Dianne Gagnon and CarolMarkowski had toured the WellnessCentre and were very impressed.Ludlow said that doctors were willingto come to the facility on a pay-per-visitbasis and that other health practitionersoffering massage, acupuncture andchiropractic services would follow.Works Foreman Simmons said wash-room facilities were being completedand an open house for the WellnessCentre is planned for mid-May.
Slocan council, April 12: Council urged to take hydro and pellet plant projects to a vote•An application for a business
licence by Gina Pickard and KathyPryor to operate an espresso coffee barand small foods business in conjunctionwith Mountain Valley Service wasapproved.
•An application for a businesslicense from Michelle Gordon tooperate the Blue Moon Saloon wastentatively approved on the conditionthat a schedule of re-payment of$4,710.62 back taxes be adopted andpaid by September.
•Council agreed to considerrevising the bylaw that prohibitsraising chickens in the village, afterseveral requests to do so have comeinto the office. Mayor Van Bynen saidthe proposed amendment would onlyapply to chickens that were raised formeat.
by Jan McMurray•Armand Lange attended as a
delegation to present his idea for anannual Christmas by the Lake event inSilverton. He envisions a European-style Christmas market with food andcraft booths in the Silverton Galleryyard. The market would be a boost tothe economy and to winter tourism, hesaid. He asked for help with grant appli-cations to get the project off the ground.Although council has too much on itsplate to take this on, Councillor Bell andAdministrator Junko Ida volunteered tohelp Lange on their own time.
•Fran Wallis was awarded thecampground contract for the season.Council also increased campsite ratesto $15 for regular sites and $18 forlakeside sites. There was discussionaround putting five tenting only sites inthe day park this season on a trial basis.This will come back to the next meeting.Staff was directed to look into improveddirectional signage for the campgroundand day park.
•Councillor Laktin reported on theMemorial Hall project. The Facilitiesand Recreation Committee was able tocut $100,000 from the total cost aftergoing through the architecture’sdrawings and plans “with a fine-toothcomb.” The total cost of the renovationproject now stands at $175,000. Thecommittee plans to apply for a 2010grant, which would cover half the cost,and has until January 1, 2007 to comeup with the other half.
•There were two requests forgrants-in-aid — one from the ValhallaSummer School of Music (VSSM) andone from the Valhalla Summer TheatreWorkshop. Council had only budgeted$200 for grants-in-aid this year, with theannual VSSM request in mind. Aftermuch discussion, each organization wasgranted $200, which will go towardsbursaries for local students. Both willbe notified that this grant may not beavailable in the future, as Silverton’sbudget is very tight. VSSM was alsogranted $400 (50%) in rent relief forthe Memorial Hall during the week ofthe music school.
The Valhalla Summer TheatreWorkshop for youth will occur duringthe week of July 17-22 at the SilvertonGallery. The program is administeredby the Valhalla Summer School of FineArts Society, which also administersVSSM.
•Fire Battalion Chief Ron Provanreported that the amalgamation of theNew Denver and Silverton departmentsis progressing. A draft contract has beenwritten, and May 1 is the tentative datefor finalization.
•Councillor Griffiths reported thatshe attended a Provincial EmergencyPreparedness workshop in Castlegarand came away with a clear under-standing of the Village’s responsibilitiesand the resources available.
Administrator Ida will attend theEmergency Operations Centre Level 2training in Nakusp May 6-7.
Silverton council, April 11:Christmas market idea presented
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice 7SLOCAN VALLEY
Notice of Passing
It is with great sadness the family announce that Nancy Tedesco passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 6, 2006.
Nancy was born on October 11, 1931 in Black Diamond, Alberta. She was predeceased by her parents Ed and Pearl Varney, her sister, Edna, and her brothers, Charles, Roy and James. She will be sadly missed by Roy her beloved husband of 56 years, children: Ernie (Linda) of Greenwood, BC, Yvonne (Willard)Clark of Ladysmith, BC, Noni (Ric White) Tedesco of Glade, BC and Ryan (Cindy) of Coquitlam, BC, 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Nancy was devoted to her family and was a pillar of support to each one of her children and grandchildren. Her love and support also reached out to each of her nieces and nephews. Each member of her large extended family held a very special place in her heart.
Nancy loved to play games and do puzzles with family and friends and often represented the seniors in Cribbage Tournaments. Her hands were always busy with knitting needles or crochet hook and her family and friends cherish the gifts she created specifically for them.
Nancy first came to the Slocan Valley in 1933, and lived with her family on a homestead at the dead of the Little Slocan River. A graduate of Nelson Business College, Nancy began her career with the BC Government in Nelson. Following her marriage to Roy, on July 1, 1950, she lived for a brief period in Quesnel and Garibaldi. They returned to the Valley where she drove a school bus and later worked for Erickson Lumber and Pacific Logging. In 1966 they moved to Vancouver Island. Nancy worked as the Bookkeeper/Manager of Home Hardware in Duncan, where she was an active member of the Duncan Business Association and taught a cashier training program at Malaspina College. In 1983 they relocated to Surrey where she worked for J.R. Fab & H&R Block. Following retirement Nancy and Roy returned to the Valley and have lived in Winlaw for the past 16 years.
Nancy actively supported her children’s school and extracurricular activities and enjoyed participating in community organizations wherever she lived. In Duncan, she became President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In the valley, she was President of the South Slocan Chapter of the Kootenay Lake District Hospital Auxiliary, President of the Slocan Valley Seniors Association and Secretary Treasurer of the Seniors Passmore Lodge Committee. She participated in the “Circle Walk” fundraiser to build the Seniors Lodge as well as many other fund raising events. Nancy will be fondly remembered for the many Spaghetti Dinners she and her husband Roy have catered.
In a beautiful urn, her ashes will be interned under the lilac bushes of the Varney family homestead. As an expression of sympathy, friends or family may make donations to the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N5.
The family would like to thank all the relatives and friends who sent condolences, flowers and food and those who were able to attend the celebration of her life, April 8, 2006, in the Winlaw Hall.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
October 11, 1931 – April 6, 2006
CORRECTIONAn inaccurate figure was
reported in the article entitled“Slocan residents vote to supportwood pellet plant in publicmeeting” in our April 12 issue.The article says that SpringerCreek Forest Products wouldsave $500,000 annually by usingthe pellet plant. Ralph Tomlinfrom Springer Creek called usto let us know that this figure ismuch too high.
submittedWe’re so excited for
Mayday, we can’t wait forMay! Join us April 30 for thethird annual Mayday inWinlaw Celebration.
Once again, the ValleyLlama will grace the hamlet ofWinlaw with her divinepresence. This year she willunveil a crystal water photo ofWinlaw Creek water, freshfrom Dr. Emoto’s laboratory inTokyo, head up a paradethrough the streets of Winlaw,and offer water consecrationsto innocent bystanders.
All in gratitude to water,that precious life-blood thatflows in pristine torrentsthrough these Kootenay hillsand valleys.
The silent auction,
featuring artistic creations,garden supplies, beddingplants, and gift certificates,opens at 1 pm at the CedarCreek Café, followed by theWater Crystal Unveiling at1:30. At 2, the parade willdepart from the Sleep is ForSissies coffee bar, weavingthrough its route in a water-like motion, carrying an urnfull of creek water to theSlocan River where it will beblessed and sent on its journeyto the ocean.
At 3:30, the openingceremony will set the stage foran evening of music anddance. The silent auctionculminates at 8:30 pm, so besure to stick around for theexcitement of the last minutebidding.
A pre-parade fun-shopwill be offered April 22–23 atthe ArtFarm in which localartists will guide and facilitatecostume development, banner,and float creation. Please call226-0065 or [email protected] formore info.
Mayday in Winlaw is sooner than you think
The boat ramp project is underway in Slocan, with the twin cement ramps in place. The project should becompleted in June. Still to be constructed are the breakwater and the dock that will run between the ramps.
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Suzuki string students fromthroughout the West Kootenayswill join together for acelebration concert at SilvertonMemorial Hall April 29 at 2 pm.The concert has been an Apriltradition for five years now, withperformances rotating throughthe communities of Kaslo,Nelson and Silverton. It is achance for students fromdifferent West Kootenay com-munities to come together andshare in making music not onlyfor each other but with eachother. Suzuki students share acommon body of repertoire,meaning that those from differ-ent places have their musical‘language’ in common and canplay together with ease andfluency.
The Suzuki approach hasgrown from its earliestbeginnings in the West Koote-nays over the past decade. TheWest Kootenay Suzuki Associ-ation, which sponsors this colla-
borative concert, is a non-profitsociety dedicated to supportingSuzuki music education in ourregion. The Suzuki approach isunique in its family-centred,holistic approach to instrumentalstudy, in the importance it placeson the child’s musical environ-ment, and in the way it modelsmusic learning on the processchildren naturally use to acquirelanguage skills. The approach isnon-competitive and is built ona belief in the ability of everychild to achieve excellence.
As the years pass, seniorstudents grow and mature asmusicians, while new youngbeginners join and swell theranks of the regional ‘Suzukifamily’. The concert will featurethe very youngest childrenperforming alongside the mostadvanced students. From folk
Suzuki students prepare for celebration concert in Silvertonsongs to boogie numbers to asultry Spanish tango to concertorepertoire by Vivaldi andTelemann, students at a variety
of levels and from variousregional groupings will performon guitar, viola, violin and cello.
Admission is by donation.
The concert’s youngest performer, Fiona Burkholder, age 3, isbusy practicing to get ready.
FLIKS brings What TheBleep?!- Down The RabbitHole to the Capitol Theatre inNelson, Wednesday April 26at 7:30 pm.
A deeper exploration thanthe original What The Bleep?!,the new (and longer) Down TheRabbit Hole explores the linksbetween quantum mechanics,neurobiology, human conscious-ness and day-to-day reality andmoves into concepts of psycho-kinesis and telepathy.
Opening with an imagina-tive animation scene outliningthe historical conflict betweenscience and religion, the film
suggests that quantum physicsis the bridge between the two.As in the first film, Amanda(Marlee Matlin) finds herselftransported from her mundanedaily existence into an Alice inWonderland-like quantum fieldhidden behind normal reality.
Fans and the uninitiated willappreciate the new material(95% of the interviews are new),new scientists, new animation,and new concepts presented inthe re-cut director’s version ofthe original.
For more information go towww.FLIKS.ca or call 1-866-FLIKSca.
FLIKS presents film in Nelson
New Denver & Area HomeHealth Care Society inviteseveryone to attend a ‘dinners athome’ sample tasting May 10 atnoon at Brouse Lodge.
There will be 16 differentmenu selections to choose from.Every frozen meal is an affor-dable, nutritious alternative tocooking at home.
Community mealprogram
A living will allows you tomake decisions now aboutyour personal or medical carein the future. On Saturday,April 29 from 10 am to 2 pmat the Silverton Gallery, MikeSweeny and Kay Costley-White will explain legal andmedical issues involved inliving wills.
If you become unconscious,
too ill to communicate orseverely injured, the living willprovides your family andcaregivers with guidelines sothat they may make appropriatedecisions on your behalf. Theburden of decision-making andplanning is done in advance aftercareful consideration of thespectrum of options, rather thanunder the stress of the
unexpected. Legalities, varietiesof circumstances, interventions,and alternatives will be explored.The workshop will allow forquestions and open discussion ofthe choices and processesinvolved in developing a livingwill.
Lawyer Mike Sweeny willexplain the legal side of decision-making, and physician Kay
Costley-White will discussmedical issues. Examples ofliving will formats will beprovided with time allocated forfilling out sample forms together.
The suggested donation is$5-10 and bring a bag lunch.This event is sponsored by TheCarpenter Creek Last WishesGroup. For information callCostley-White at 358-7991.
If you can’t communicate, who will make decisions for you?
by Leah Main•Council will make Knox
Hall available for a JusticeInstitute course, ‘Setting Up aReception Centre,’ aimed attraining potential EmergencySocial Services officers, duringEmergency Preparedness Week,May 7-13. The Village will alsoprepare an emergency supplieschecklist and distribute it toVillage residents as a mailout.
Councillor Bunka reportedon the April 4 ProvincialEmergency Program meetingshe and Councillor Greenswordattended. She will present areview of the Village’semergency plan at the nextmeeting.
•Councillor Bunka reportedon ongoing development of theCentennial Park plan, includingpotential installation by theCommunity Club of a bandstandto mark the May Dayscentennial next year. Atemporary bandstand may beerected this year, but permanentsiting, while supported bycouncil, will be subject to publicapproval. Formal permissionwas granted to allow the club to
use Village property for MayDays celebrations this year.
•Mayor Wright spoke aboutthe work being done by theHealth Matters Committee.Grand Opening of the gym willoccur during May Days.
He also reported that theRegional District of CentralKootenay (RDCK) now has afunctioning Waste ManagementChairs Committee, which helpsco-ordinate waste managementplans and practices throughoutthe district. RDCK is alsoinvolved in ongoing talksthrough the Union of BCMunicipalities regarding futureprovincial/municipal cost-sharing of policing costs.
•Council approvedexpanding the part-timeCemetery Maintenance positionto include Bigelow Baymaintenance. Billing to RDCKwill reflect this additional cost.
•Talks regarding theexpansion of fire service toinclude Red Mountain Road,and the contract with Silverton
are both proceeding withcontracts being set up throughthe Regional District.
•The request for a FacadeImprovement Grant from JohnPowers (113 6th Ave.) wasapproved in an amount up to$500, with the requirement thatthe work be undertaken byAugust 1.
•Permission was granted tothe Hills Garlic Festival to useCentennial Park for the festivalSunday, September 10.
•The annual report andfinancial statement werereceived from LACE (LucerneAssociation for CommunityEducation). Council will send aletter of thanks, and will query
the group regarding the apparentchange in its mandate.
•Councillor Bunka attendeda Healthy Housing Committeemeeting, and reported that thegroup is developing its missionstatement, as well as undertakingvarious field trips andeducational programs. She willattend another meeting May 3.
New Denver council April 11: Emergency preparedness activities planned
The Valley Voice April 26, 2006COMMUNITY8
Phone: 355-0088 Fax: 355-0089PO Box 120, Slocan, BC V0G 2C0
WantedVendors: Vendor applications are still being accepted on a firstcome, first serve basis. Get your application in soon before spaceruns out!Volunteers: Volunteers are needed in all areas. All volunteers needto fill out an application from Music Fest’s website in order to applyto volunteer. Even if you applied & volunteered last year, you needto submit your complete application again. Form is on the NakuspMusic Fest website, or stop at the Music Fest Office to pick one up@ 119 Broadway St.Camping: If you have space for visitors looking for a campingspot during Music Fest, please let the Office know what kind ofspace you can offer (field, yard, driveway, etc. for tents or RVs) aswell as your complete contact information. & rental cost.Billets: If you have room in your home to billet Music Fest attendees,please contact the Music Fest office at 265-2141 with your contactinformation, type of space available, the rental cost, and the numberof people you can accommodate.Fundraising Raffles: Contact the Music Fest Office at 265-2141if you would like to raffle tickets to fundraise during music fest.Local causes will be given priority. A limited number of raffles willbe accepted so please apply now.
Nakusp Music FestOffice: 265-2141
Toll-free: 1-877-265-5565
by Jan McMurrayLocal powerlifter Ebony Rutko is
going to the World Championships inBulgaria this September after a starperformance at the Nationals April 4-9
in Chilliwack. The 21-year-old fromBurton won a trophy for being bestoverall junior female power weightlifterin the country. She also received twogold medals for making national records
in the bench press and three-lift. Rutkoholds the Canadian national record inthe squat lift as well.
This summer, Rutko says she plansto stay in Kelowna, work full-time, take
summer classes and train for the bigevent.
Because it is not an Olympic sport,there is no government funding. Rutkorelies on private and corporatedonations, and scholarships andbursaries to pursue the sport. She isapplying for a bursary through UBC,where she studies Social Work at theKelowna campus.
Rutko’s coach, Greg St. George,will also go to Bulgaria at his ownexpense. “He has donated so much ofhis time and energy. I’m veryappreciative of what he’s done for me,”she said.
Rutko has given a talk and slideshow about the mental and emotionalchallenge of the sport at a Women’sStudies conference at UBC. Sheexplains that she has to weigh 132 lbs.at most, and maintains her trainingweight at 141-142 lbs. The best way tolose the weight is to do it over two days.In that time, she says she has to
completely deplete her body of water,by fasting, saunaing and spitting.
“It’s very painful and mentallychallenging. You have to focus yourmind to overcome it,” she said.
After weighing in, lifters can eat anddrink, but must be very careful. Rutkosays she eats carbohydrates and sugars,and drinks Gatorade. Her mother, LindaPeterson, makes her power bars.
“It’s a feeling that I can’t explain totrain for a few months and put all myenergy into my mind, body and soul andput my blood, sweat and tears into mytraining — then once I step up on thepodium and receive a medal, or get mypersonal best for a lift, it makes it allworth it. It’s a personal growthexperience more than just lifing,” shesays.
She describes the feeling she haswhen she lifts as “a moment of purefocus. Nothing that can distract me.Instinct takes over and my body knowswhat it needs to do.”
Powerlifting champ from Burton aims for World Championships
Burton’s Ebony Rutko won two gold medals and a trophy at the Canadianpowerlifting championships in Chilliwack earlier this month. This national
champion is currently raising funds to go to the Worlds in Bulgaria.
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice 9COMMUNITY
“When you need tobecome lost, findrunning water andfollow it uphill.”
from Advice to the Great-Grandchildren of Montana
Ken E. WrightApril, 1954 - April, 2006
SILVERTON BUILDING SUPPLIES216 Lake Avenue, Silverton
Mirror Theatre is currently workingon the production of Neil Simon’s TheGood Doctor, a comedy with musicbased on the short stories of AntonChekhov. The presentation contains aseries of vignettes directed by five actor/directors (three of whom are high schoolstudents) who all recently attended aTheatre BC sponsored directors’
workshop in Grand Forks.As a developmental theatre
production set in 1900 Russia, thisunique show is sparked with humourand compassion. Performances will bein Fauquier on May 5, in Edgewood onMay 6, and in Burton on May 7, with apossible later performance in Nakuspin June.
Mirror Theatre produces The Good Doctor
Join avid mushroom hunter TysonEhler for a voyage into the world ofspring mushrooms. Morels are the mainmushroom that are available this timeof year.
On Sunday, May 7, join Tyson for‘Mad About Morels - The SpringMushroom Foray.’ The event is beingoffered by Slocan Valley Recreation and
takes place between 10 am and 4 pm. Itbegins at the Threads Guild in PerrysSiding with a slide show and talk abouthow to identify and gather morels aswell as about other mushrooms that maybe in season. Then the group heads outinto the fields nearby to apply theknowledge they’ve learned andhopefully reap the rewards.
Learn to identify spring mushrooms
Adriana and Mason take a break from their Easter egg hunting in Slocan. Many thanks goout to the Slocan Legion Easter Bunnies for visiting town once again.
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The Valley Voice April 26, 2006NAKUSP & THE ARROW LAKES10
In memory of the KingStarringStuart
MacLeod as“ELVIS”
at the Legion in NakuspSaturday, April 29thShowtime 8:00 pm
Tickets $13 incl. GSTavailable at the Legion
Phone 265-3033
An entire evening of Classic ElvisPartially sponsored by
All window coverings suppliedand installed265-6809
VILLAGEOF NAKUSPNOTICE OF TOWN HALL MEETING
Council invites all interested residents to hear theNakusp Hot Springs Charette Report, and to offerguidance to your council as they prepare to reviewand amend the official community plan.
Come and share your concerns and visions forthe future of the Nakusp Hot Springs as well asthe development of our town.
Date: Thursday, May 4thPlace: Arena auditoriumTime: 7-9 PM
Call 265-3689 for further details
SUMMER STAFF:Full-time andweekends summerstaff wanted.Housekeeping staff.Student summeremployment.Outdoorresort.Fax resumes to:Halcyon Hot Springs265-3887.Attn: Ulf or Sabine.Phone: 265-3554.
by Jan McMurray•Gene Nagy from the
Arrowtarian Society attended toupdate council on Phase 4 of theRotary Villa project.
Last June, council granted thesociety $100,000 for the project and atthat time, ground-breaking wasexpected to start in the fall. Nagyexplained that construction has not yetbegun because a BC Gaming grant hadnot come through. He said the societywould need about another $200,000 toadd to the $400,000 it has raised to datebefore going ahead with theapproximately $1.4 million project.
He reported that the society hadhired Rosemary Hughes to apply forgrants, and she had submitted sevenapplications for $100,000 each, plus onefor $10,000. He also said that a lawyer
had been hired to re-finance themortgages.
Manufactured buildings werelooked into, he said, but delivery takes20 months. He also mentioned thatbuilding contractors are currentlyextremely busy, so the society wouldpossibly not be able to find anyone todo the work even if it had the money.
•Mayor Hamling reported that theHalcyon Assisted Living Society metwith IHA and BC Housingrepresentatives on April 13. IHA hasagreed that renovations can take placewhile there are still residents in thefacility, and has approved two morebeds for a total of ten subsidized assistedliving beds at Halcyon Home. Therenovation project should go out totender in three weeks.
Hamling also reported that the
Arrow Lakes Seniors Care Society iscompiling information on people whohave had to leave the area for care, andis looking into other health careconcerns of seniors.
•More problems were found at thehot springs. Two WCB inspectorstoured the facility on March 28 andlisted 14 issues that need to be addressedin order to comply with regulations. Areport from Jason Chernoff,Superintendent of Operations, estimatedthe cost of the work to be about $15-21,000. It includes a life line systemfrom the roof, costed at $10-16,000, andinsulation on water lines, relocated drainvalves, plumbing work. It is all to bedone by July 1, the target date for re-opening.
The Fairbank Architects plans forthe hot springs upgrade have beensubmitted to the Ministry of Health. Thecompany also sent the Village an emailclarifying some insurance details.
•The proposed fire departmentbudget for 2006 was reviewed. Theproposed 2006 budget is $92,781; the2005 actual budget was $88,934.Budget deliberations are ongoing.
An audit of the fire department wasto take place April 19-21. Councilapproved an expenditure of up to $2500for this. Mayor Hamling said this wouldbe a very positive exercise, as somecommunity members were worriedabout the cost of the department. “Thiswill be unbiased, and will let us knowif we need new equipment,” she said.
Later in the meeting, CouncillorRoberts reported that he attended theAGM of the fire department and wasasked about the audit. He said hethought members felt much better afterhe explained what it was all about.
Council also voted to provide a
letter of support to the Nakusp VolunteerFire Brigade. The Brigade is applyingfor grants from regional, provincial andfederal governments to purchase a roadrescue truck, equipped for autoextrication and other road rescue tools.
•Council approved a proposal fromthe Nakusp and Area Co-operativeMarketing Group to hire a CommunityCo-ordinator for nine months with the$15,000 Community Tourism fundingavailable to the Village. The co-ordinator will address many of the issuesraised by the ‘undercover tourist,’ RogerBrooks. After nine months, it will beup to the person hired to find funding tokeep the position going.
•The Nakusp Public Library wasscheduled to start its renovation projectApril 24. Council granted the library theuse of the vacant building inspectorsoffice. The Village will ask to beinformed of all inspections throughoutthe construction.
•Councillor Dahlen reported on theRDCK’s West Waste ManagementCommittee, which toured all landfill andtransfer station sites in the area March21-22. On the tour, she saw a very largerecycling bin for plastics in Balfour andwas impressed by how much this cutdown on garbage going to the landfill.She said the bin cost $14,000. Councildecided to write to the Regional District,asking them to look into the costs ofputting in a plastics recycling bin atNakusp.
She also reported that theRecreation Commission had granted atotal of $4,164 to five different groups.
•The Village will assist Arrow andSlocan Lakes Community Services inaddressing the issue of homelessness byproviding council chambers as ameeting place, providing staff time and
expertise, and appointing CouncillorMueller as the liaison and committeerepresentative.
•In response to a letter from TammyO’Brien, urging the Village to make anappeal to Telus for wider ADSL service,council will write to Telus.
•Councillor Roberts reported thatthe Community Forest group had beenoffered an additional 10,000 cubicmetres of wood “out of the blue” fromBCTS. When the group was offered10,000 cubic metres last fall, thegovernment made it clear that was themost they could offer at that time.Roberts also announced that JesperNielsen, the group’s registeredprofessional forester, had returned fromSri Lanka, where he was buildinghomes for Tsunami victims.
•Councillor Heppner reported onthe Energy Committee. Ray Green hasfound a new boiler, which is energyefficient and will be eligible for funding.Also, the Green Door is looking atperhaps becoming a customer of thiswood waste energy project. NakuspSecondary School is also a potentialcustomer.
•The Village will write to the federalgovernment, urging that they maintaintheir commitment to the federal EarlyLearning and Childcare Agreement.The previous federal governmentcommitted $5 million over five yearsto establish a national child careprogram. The current federalgovernment is replacing this with apayment to families of $100 per monthper child under 6 years of age.Information from a meeting with KimAdamson, Success by Six and ChildrenFirst Co-ordinator, was that thispayment will do nothing to furtherdevelop a national childcare program.
Nakusp council, April 13: Seniors housing projects on the horizon
Global GiftGlobal GiftGlobal GiftGlobal GiftGlobal GiftDiscoveriesDiscoveriesDiscoveriesDiscoveriesDiscoveries
eight priorities it would like to addressbefore the end of its term in 2008.
A review of the OfficialCommunity Plan (OCP), an exercisethat has not been done for some 13years, is first on the list. Council aimsto have a publicly endorsed five-yearrevitalization plan after gathering inputfrom the public, government, stake-holders and business. The plan acts as aguide to assist in decisions required forfuture growth and development issues.
Hand in hand with the OCP is areview of Village bylaws, which mustbe in keeping with the plan.
Council will meet regularly withVillage employees and aims to comeup with a plan which ensures harmony,productivity and wellness within theteam.
Ensuring the hot springs is runningefficiently and profitably is council’sfourth goal. The fifth is to ensure that
the facility plays an integral role inmaking Nakusp a destination, and thatit develops into a profitable and popularresort.
Water and sewer infrastructure thatwill meet existing and future needs —a costly project — is a goal that councilwill work towards.
Grant applications are next on thelist. Because grant asistance is becomingscarce and specific expertise is requiredto be successful with grant applications,council may employ a professionalconsultant to handle this.
Finally, council has decided to holdregular meetings devoted to planning.
Nakusp council announces three-year plan
by Jan McMurrayThe Tuques, a six-piece original
Roots/Rock band from Rossland andNelson, will be appearing at Wylie’s Pubin Nakusp on May 13 for the first time.The band’s stage show is an explosivedisplay of talent, combining hot licksand foot-stomping rhythms.
A busy summer lies ahead for theband. They are booked for the Kaslo
The Tuques perform at Wylie’s May 13Jazz Fest, Creston Blossom Festival,Revelstoke Mountain Beats Festival,and the Grand Forks Freedom Festival.
Over the six years the band has beentogether, they have built up a repertoireof 50 original songs, produced twoalbums and one 45-minute video (airedon CBC national television), done twoCanadian tours and performed 300 liveshows.
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice 11COMMUNITY
Supporting the Early Years Research ProjectWe are looking for parents who would be interested in providing feed-back on our programs. In exchange for a spring interview we will providea monthly newsletter, free workshops, child and travel subsidies toprograms and workshops, and notification of current programming. Ifyou are interested in giving us your feedback, please call either Nancyor Julia at 265-3674. The following are programs that are offered:
www.bcartscouncil.ca/BC Arts and Culture Week is sponsoredby the Province of BC through the BCArts Council and the BC and Yukon
Comm. Newspapers Assn.
HUGEGARAGE
SALE[PALS]
May 13 - 9-4 pmMay 14 - 10-2 pmGlenbank School
Alexander Rd,Nakusp
Homemade LunchPlant Section
Bake Sale
THANKS, GALENA CONTRACTING!Recently the SLOCAN LAKE BOATING ASSOCIATION hired
GALENA CONTRACTING of Nakusp to work for 3 days at theNew Denver Marina. I was most pleased with all aspects of the jobwhich included peripheral dredging, road and parking lotdevelopment, pole relocation, shoreline fortification and much more.Ray Hascarl arranged the project delivery and Wayne Hascarlworked wonders with the mammoth CAT 330-C excavator - I’drecommend these guys for any larger earthmoving and landscapingwork you may need in the West Kootenay.
NAKUSP—The Heart & StrokeBig Bike is coming through Nakusp onApril 11, and co-ordinator Deb Guesthas issued a challenge.
“We want to be the first communityto have more than 30 people sign up toride the bike,” she says.
Last year, the community raised$1,199.50 and this year, Guest says thegoal is to double that amount.
Now in its 14th successful year, thisevent provides a unique opportunity forpeople to work together and have funwhile raising funds for a worthwhilecause. The Big Bike is a bicycle builtfor 30 travelling across Canada fromApril to September. The Bike will visitmore than 200 communities across nineprovinces and over 54,000 riders willshare in the experience.
It’s more than a bike and it’s morethan just a ride, because when the Heart& Stroke Big Bike rolls throughNakusp, it brings with it the support andhope of thousands across the country.When was the last time you gathered ateam together for a really good time anda really great cause?
To register a team to participate inthe Heart & Stroke Big Bike, contactDeb Guest at 265-3597 or at What’sBrewing on Broadway, or call your localArea Office at 250 359-8198. Visitwww.heartandstroke.bc.ca for details.
2ND ANNUAL NAKUSPVOLUNTEER FAIR
Saturday, April 29from 11 am. - 3 p.m.
at Nakusp AuditoriumHonouring Volunteer Week
and Local Volunteers!...Learn more about our community
and its many worthy causes ...Refreshments ...free admission.Hosts: Arrow Lakes Arts Council and Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services.
Reiki Level 1,Level 2
Learn to lay healinghands on self &
loved ones.
Reiki with Franin Nakusp.
Fri. Sat. Sun.May 5,6,7.
Call to register
250-265-4123
by Marlaina BlancheThe Langham is very excited about
having Michael Guthrie perform April29 at 7:30 pm. Many of you know himas the guy who, in 1974, had the crazyidea of turning a derelict building slatedfor demolition into a communitycultural centre. The fact that theLangham Cultural Centre remains as avery important and vibrant part ofKaslo’s arts community 32 years lateris testament to Michael’s foresight andmotivational skills.
Some of you will also rememberhim as the guy who, with his wife Dare,ran a funky little restaurant in the 70scalled the Village Green, where peoplegathered for great food, friends andmusic.
“We hosted a coffee house venuewith live music, poetry and bellydancing, which brought a lot of talentedsong writers to our door…the highlightbeing when Bruce Cockburn stoppedby one day and played for his lunch,then he and Dare played some tunes fora few lucky customers. The VillageGreen Café was a source of muchinspiration for me to begin writing myown songs,” says Guthrie.
Since leaving Kaslo in 1981 he hascontinued to play, record and performhis own music which might be
described as influenced by bluegrass,blues, folk and rock. You may haveenjoyed his music at the Jazz Etc.Festival, at the Langham’s 30thanniversary celebration in Vimy Park,or at the Langham Theatre a couple ofyears ago.
Now, he has very generouslyoffered to do a benefit concert for theLangham, the proceeds of which willgo toward the purchase of much needednew sound equipment for the theatre.
Tickets are $10 and are available atSunnyside Naturals and PortobellaInteriors, or call 353-2122 forreservations.
Michael Guthrie’s benefit concert for the Langham
Michael Guthrie plays the Langham, April 29.
submittedThe Arrow Lakes Fine Arts
(ALFA) Guild held its AGM March 12and chose to let stand the executive fromlast year. Sharon Maxfield is president;Susan Janzen, vice president; HollyWoods, treasurer; Denyse Jones,secretary; the directors for this year areBetty Fahlman, Rosemary Parent,Audrey Jansen and Debra Rushfelt.
• It looks like another excitingseason with five shows running for threeweeks duration. The gallery will behoused in the same location as last year,619 Broadway, with the same hours ofoperation, Wednesday through Sundayfrom noon until 4 pm.
The first two shows are alreadylined up, with Linda Dickson, aninnovative textile artist new to ourcommunity, as the first show. The
exhibit will start on June 7 and runthrough to June 25 with an openingreception being held the evening of June9.
Next up is the ever popular Local
Focus opening June 28 through to July16 with the opening reception theevening of June 30.
Please come out and support andenjoy our local artists.
Alpha Guild returns executive, plans season
by Karen HamlingThe April 18 deadline for funding
from Columbia Basin Trust saw onlyseven applications for a total of $67,500.This is the first time in the nine years ofthe Nakusp and Defined Area KCommunity Initiatives and AffectedArea Funding that the requests havebeen lower than the amount availableof $78,101.31. The remaining $12,601will be added to next year’s funding.
The project committee met toreview the applications and all but onewere accepted. The projects now needto go forward for approval at theregional district level.
The Nakusp Fire Brigade: $20,000towards the purchase of a road rescuevehicle to provide assistance for motorvehicle accidents and to provideemergency first responder service. TheNakusp Volunteer Fire Department hastrained members, but must borrow theArrow Lakes Search and Rescuevehicle.
The Nakusp Senior CitizensAssociation Branch 71: $5,000 towardsthe purchase and installation of acommercial dishwasher for the seniorcitizens’ clubhouse.
The Nakusp Ski Club: $5,500 toinstall permanent lighting along the T-bar lift line and to illuminate thebeginner ski area and handle tow.
The Nakusp Centennial GolfCourse: $20,000 for a John Deere Gator
utility vehicle to move personnel andequipment around the golf course($12,000), a booster pump withemergency shut-off ($2,750) andclubhouse renovations ($5,250).
The Nakusp and Area CommunityFoundations: $10,000—$7,200 to
complete the second phase of matchingfunds which will bring in $7,200 fromVancouver Foundation and $7,200 fromCBT. This will complete their goal ofraising $50,000 in the communitywhich brings in $100,000 in matchingfunds. With this, the foundation total will
All Nakusp Columbia Basin Trust funding requests approvednow stand at $160,000 in capital. Onlythe interest is distributed each year. Theother $2,800 will be used for educationof the directors and insurance. This is aone-time request.
The Arrow Lakes HistoricalSociety: $5,000 towards the publication
of their latest book, CaulkbootRiverdance.
The applicationfor $2,000 from theHeritage Federation of South-EasternBritish Columbia, from Rossland, wasrefused by the committee as it did nothave a letter of support from the localmuseum group. The money wasrequested to produce, in partnershipwith Kootenay Rockies Tourism, apublication to heighten publicawareness of heritage resources andattractions in south-eastern BC.
submittedBound Together, a project which
brought people at the north end ofKootenay Lake (and beyond) togetherthrough a common love for books andwriting is almost complete. One of theend products is an anthology aboutArgenta, which will be sold as a libraryfundraiser. At the same time as creatinga book, the project has increased the useof the library by more than double thenumber of people visiting and bookschecked out.
With funding assistance fromseveral sources (the ColumbiaKootenay Cultural Alliance, the RDCK,the Kaslo and District Forest Societyand the 2010 LegaciesNow Innovations
grant) the project has been a success. Ithosted some very popular writingworkshops with authors Vivien Bowers,Rita Moir and Eileen DelehantyPearkes, and also a workshop on bookbinding with PB&J Press, whereparticipants of all ages learned tricks ofthe trade.
Through these workshops, othercommunity events, media and word ofmouth, we encouraged contributions ofwritten work of all kinds, and we’vebeen delighted with the quality andvariety we’ve received. The book,appropriately titled Bound Together—A Miscellany Of Thoughts OnExperiencing Argenta, is hot off ArgentaFriends Press and almost ready for sale.
Argenta book project is almost completePlease join us for our book launch,
Saturday May 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. atthe Argenta Library (in the basement ofthe Argenta Hall.) Refreshments will beprovided as well as a selection ofreadings by contributors. The book willbe for sale for $20 at the launch; if youwould like a copy and are unable toattend, you can reserve one by callingLisa at 366-6808 or Susan at 366-0022.
Second annual Nakusp volunteer fairby Marilyn Boxwell
Drop in to the Nakusp Arena April29 to learn all about volunteers—whothey are, how much they do for the com-munity, and how you can get involved.
The event, sponsored by the ArrowLakes Arts Council, runs from 10–3p.m. The fair will provide an opportu-
nity for people to learn details of theindividual programs, groups and non-profit organizations which deliver a hostof services throughout the year.Prospective volunteers can match theirinterest with a group which welcomesvolunteer help. Admission is free, andlunch is available.
The Valley Voice April 26, 200612 KASLO & DISTRICT
Thank youValley VoiceThe only newspaper that
tells us what is going on inthe Kaslo area. The onlynewspaper that gives us a
chance to say what we thinkabout it, free of charge, inVoices from the Valleys.
Paid advertisement by Jane Lynchin support of the Valley Voice
Public Information Meeting May 3Find out where we’ve been.
Find out where we can go, and what a Community Forest Agreement can mean for our communities and our forestlands.
Find out how you can make a difference.
There will be opportunities for you to bring forth your ideas and comments. Help shape our long-term future in Kaslo and Area D.
Join us on May 3rd, 7 pm at JV Humphries School in Kaslo
Kaslo & District Community Forest Society www.kaslocommunityforest.org
CO
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UNITY FOREST SOC
IET
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KA
SLO AND DISTRIC
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KASLO MOHAWK
Open every day ofthe year!
• Fuel • Groceries •• Soft Ice Cream •
353-2205 405-4th St.
by Jill Braley•In future, all logging contracts to
do with Village-owned land will beauthorized by the Mayor and CAO, andall logging revenues generated fromVillage property will be deposited to amunicipal account. Springer CreekForest Products will be directed to remitall future payments for municipal timbermark wood to the municipality. Thesedecisions were made followingunauthorized logging on Village-ownedland during work to improve the golfcourse.
•The Village of Kaslo will confirmits support, in principle, of the KDCFSinitiative to secure a ProbationaryCommunity Forest Agreement and toincrease the Annual Allowable Cutunder the new licence.
•As recommended by RobertMitchell, KDCFS rep for the Village,council decided to send a letter to BCTSwhich reiterates the Village of Kaslo’sinterest in maintaining the followingvalues: viewscapes; tourism impacts;water quality; employment generation;local hiring practices; sustainability;long-term income stream; recreation;promotion of value-addedmanufacturing and fire interface.
•Council will inform UrsulaRingwald, who sent an email, thatMichael Jessen is welcome to contactthe Village office to arrange giving apresentation to council on the harmfuleffects of backyard burning. Councilwill also suggest that Ringwald mightwish to facilitate a public presentationon the topic of air quality. Spring gardenpick-up days are scheduled for April 26and 27. Councillor Jones suggested thatspring garden pick-up dates bescheduled earlier in 2007 in an effort toreduce the amount of backyard burning.
This was referred to the Public WorksCommittee.
•The Kaslo Senior Citizens’Association wrote to council withdetails and a quote for bathroomrenovations to the seniors’ hall, ownedby the Village. The estimated cost isabout $2,000. The letter was referred tothe Public Works Committee forrecommendation to council.
•A public information meetingregarding community bonds with JimCraven of the Municipal FinanceAuthority will be scheduled for TuesdayMay 2 at 7 pm at the Kaslo CommunityHall (Scout Hall). Community bondsare a possible way that the Village couldpurchase the provincial building
•The recent informal poll regardinga dogs off leash area showed 105 peoplein favour of Lighthouse Beach, 21 infavour of Kaslo Bay Park and 46opposed to the idea. The informationwas referred to the A&F Committee forrecommendation to council.
•Local Government ProgramServices has awarded North KootenayLake Community Services Society one-time project funding of $10,000 for acrystal methamphetamine program.
Council will sent a letter ofcongratulations and will ask the societyto keep council updated on theprogram’s progress.
•Jamie Whitney responded to CAOSawyer’s concerns about the messyappearance of the communitycomposting site and her request that thearea be cleaned up ASAP. Whitneyapologized and stated funding fromCBT was exhausted in February. Heconfirmed that funding fromEnvironment Canada EcoAction wouldbe available for 12 months starting May15.
•RDCK Area D Director Shadrackwrote to council requesting to attend aPlanning & Development Committeemeeting with a rep from the Kaslo AreaSouth Water Users. The request wasreferred to this committee forrecommendation to council.
•The Kaslo & District ArenaAssociation has applied for a DVP toreduce the front line setback from 24.61feet to 7 feet to allow construction ofimproved access to arena lobby anddressing rooms. A letter will be sent toall affected property owners asking forinput. The $100 fee for the permit was
waived.•The Victorian Hospital will be
asked to send a staff representative toaddress the Planning & DevelopmentCommittee with more informationregarding parking on 7th Street. RalphSinclaire wrote to council previouslywith concerns about hospital staffparking in front of his home when staffhave a paved, lighted parking area.Jacqueline Zilkie also wrote to councilstating she wished to park closer to thehospital for safety reasons. Councilwrote to the hospital administrator sometime ago, but has received no response.
•The lease will be signed betweenthe Village and the Kootenay LakeHistorical Society for a five-year termfor an annual cost of $1 for the purposeof operating a visitors centre.
•Council approved several requestsfrom the Kaslo & District Chamber ofCommerce to facilitate the May Dayscelebration.
•The Kootenay Lake HistoricalSociety’s request for more sand for theupper portion of the beach, larger rocksto be pushed into the lake and opengarbage cans to be replaced with animalproof containers were referred to the
Kaslo council, April 11: Logging issues discussedPublic Works Committee for action.
•Jill Braley wrote to council aboutthe burnt out announcers booth at theKaslo Loggers’ Sports site. Braley alsoexpressed concern about the rottingtimber benches and requestedimprovements to the entire area. Asuggestion was made that some of thefunds realized from the golf courselogging could be allocated to this site.The request was referred to the CAOfor communication with logging sportvolunteers.
•The public wharf will bemaintained for transient boat traffic only,and all boats parking for a longer termwill be requested to make arrangementsfor parking elsewhere, or expect to beimpounded by the municipality within30 days.
•Terry Geche applied to council fora DVP to allow construction of a foodservice establishment. Council will sendletters to all affected property ownersfor comments.
•The Village of Kaslo will write aletter to the federal government urgingthat it maintain its commitment to thefederal Early Learning and ChildcareAgreement.
Kaslo Public Library hosted a celebration of its new automated system onApril 11, complete with ribbon cutting. Left to right: Debra Barett (librarian),
Ann McNab and Irene Parker (both former board chairs).
PH
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submittedThe Kaslo and Area D Residents
Association (KARA) held its foundingmeeting April 4. The hall was packedwith a cross section of the community,including councillor Richard Jones.
Randy Morse, one of the fivefounding directors of the association,and chair for the night, read theassociation’s mission statement: “Thepurpose of the association is to preserveand enhance the livability and qualityof life in Kaslo and Area D. This willbe done by liaising with the Village ofKaslo Council, representatives of AreaD, and any other government or non-governmental body or individuals in anon-partisan fashion on behalf of theresidents of Kaslo and Area D.”
The statement was approved bythose attending the meeting. Issuesdiscussed included the need to keepKARA impartial and to reach out to allpeople in Kaslo and Area D. Creating aweb portal, a regular printed information
and discussion newsletter and holdinginformation sessions were all high onpeople’s agendas.
One of the first roles KARA mayplay is host to a presentation of theOfficial Community Plan (OCP). Manylocal people said they knew nothingabout the OCP and would like moreinformation about it.
KARA will circulate informationabout its aims over the next few weeksand will carry out a membership drive.In early May the association will hold amembership evening and elections.Anyone who would like moreinformation or to get involved can callFrancesca at 353 2964 or [email protected].
Kaslo and Area Residents Association holds founding meeting
by Jill BraleyThe Kaslo Trailblazers Society’s
first annual general meeting was heldon March 27 and attended byapproximately 27 people.
Area D Director Andy Shadrackpresented the group with a $7,000cheque and also pledged volunteerhours. Shadrack encouraged thegroup to apply through the RDCK forCBT funding as well. Treasurer ValKoenig said an additional $25,000 isneeded to match a $55,000 grantapplication from the OlympicLegacy.
The current bank balance is$22,743 and grants have been appliedfor from the RDCK, Kaslo’s ColumbiaBasin Trust funding and MountainEquipment Co-op. The group willpartner with North Kootenay LakeCommunity Services for additionalfunding through some of the societiesthat are registered charities.
Work completed in 2005 included1,143 hours from 60 volunteers on a 1.5-km wheelchair accessible trail on thenorth side. The group has completed onekm on the south side withapproximately 300-500 metres left tofinish.
President Silvio Lettrari said a smallamount of work is still needed on thenorth side of the trail, but this year, mostwork will be concentrated on the south,which is a more natural trail throughthe forest that follows the river. This sidewill not be wheelchair accessible. Bothsides will be connected with a pedestriansteel bridge, in the late fall of 2006 orspring of 2007, once funding is received.The bridge will span 106 feet across theriver at its narrowest gorge. Pennco(Nelson) engineered it, Hamill CreekTimberwrights drafted the constructionplans, and expert volunteers are readyto build. Eventually, the trail will beexpanded to include up to the airport.
The public is asked to considerpurchasing a ‘bridge tread’ at $200 eachwhich will be engraved with thesponsor’s name. The group has sold 18bridge treads, out of an available 100,
as well as 10 benches and two picnictables. To assist with fundraising thepublic can purchase memberships at$10/year, $45/five years or $90/10years.
Trailblazers aim to bridge the gap
Kaslo Trailblazer Society board members accept a $7,000 cheque from Area D director Andy Shadrack (second fromleft). President Silvio Lettrari, Shadrack, treasurer Val Koenig, directors Kathy Sparkes and Gerald Garnett.
Kathy Sparkes will step down asdirector as she is moving in June andnominated Jill Braley to replace her; themembers voted in favour.
The Kaslo Trailblazer Society
motto for 2006 is ‘Help us Bridge theGap’— each donation brings them onestep closer to building the bridge. Formore information please call Val Koenig353-2168 or Silvio Lettrari 353-2968.
A crowd came out to walk the Kaslo River dike on Sunday, April 9 in a ‘Walk for Water.’ Participants also signedpostcards to the Prime Minister encouraging our governments to ensure access to clean, affordable water for the
world’s poor, and to strengthen the role of the public sector and individual communities in setting water policies anddelivering and regulating water services.. This is part of a campaign by KAIROS - Canadian Ecumenical Justice
Initiatives, and its local organizing group. For more information, phone Karen Pidcock, 353-7539.
April 26, 2006 The Valley Voice 13LIVING
Get Outta Town!
with Peter Roulston
GODDAMN GAS PRICES, EH?Boy are we mad! We’ve had enough and we’re not taking no more!
But unless this petroleum profanity somehow ends, then maybethe idea could be to drive less, at least for those local errands...
Come by my place to consider your needs in a new or used bike,or let me show how that good old bike of yours can be made to ridebetter and feel more comfortable.
Norco bikes, parts and accessories and repairs and tuneups tomost bicycles most of the time .
Hello all you food fans. Sorry Ididn’t get a column in last issue, but Iwas in Vancouver hanging around atGalleries and in Vietnamese restaurantstrying to pin down recipes forVietnamese soup. More about thatanother time, but speaking of soup, I’dlike to say without further delay that I’vefound the place which may well havethe thickest, richest and tastiest creamof mushroom soup in the Kootenays…maybe in the world! Simply head northfrom New Denver on highway 6 ‘tillyou’re approaching Nakusp. On the leftyou’ll see signs for the Nakusp GolfCourse. Go there. In the club houseyou’ll find The Fairway Café, and that’swhere you’ll find that fantastic home
made soup. The Fairway Café is run byMatt and Heidi McKee. Heidi makesall the food and Matt looks aftereverything else. They are friendly folks.Between the two of them they have overfifty years of experience in the restaurantbiz. You’ll like them. The place is roomyand casual. Inside there is seating forthirty or more. Outside are three doublesize picnic tables under canopies and acovered patio with room for 25.
The menu is, as Matt says,streamlined. I like that because it keeps‘menu stress’ to a minimum. There is,of course, the homemade soup. It variesfrom day to day, so you might have tocall ahead if you want to know whenthe cream of mushroom is being served,but I assure you, all the soups arehomemade and delicious. Saladsinclude a big Caesar (yum), Taco salad,and something called a Chicken BLTSalad. There are several appetizersincluding a Combo Platter boasting fivedifferent selections. Sandwiches includethe Monte Cristo and the ClassicRueben. Now lets talk about clubhousesandwiches. Alright then. Heidi offersTWO, count them, TWO kinds ofclubhouses. One with smoked turkeyand one with roast chicken. On top ofthat, if you check out the wraps, you’llfind a Turkey Club Wrap. So I guessthat there are actually THREE
clubhouses to choose from. That is justplain BEAUTIFUL. There are six kindsof burgers including a Cordon Bleuburger. There’s fish & chips, and halibutto be had, steak and steak sandwiches.You can get a hot dog or a super dogand top it all off with homemadedesserts. Breakfasts can be hadthroughout the day as long as there’sroom on the grill. What did I have???Well I started with the large Caesar, thenI had a bowl of the magnificentmushroom soup. Then I had the CordonBleu burger which was big, bold anddelicious. After that, Matt and Heidiforced me to have a big piece of cheesecake dotted with raspberry coulis. Ienjoyed every mouthful of this big mealand even had room for a beer.
The Fairway Café has lunchspecials each day. Tuesday is Ladies’Night, Thursday is Men’s Night. Thereare dinner specials on these nights andon the weekends. Drinks are servedfrom a roving golf cart…cool! Matt saysthat many folks who don’t play golfshow up just for Heidi’s cooking. Ibelieve it! Matt and Heidi keep the placeopen every day from 9 to 7, and thehours expand as the season goes along.I still can’t get over the fact that theyhave three types of clubhousesandwiches. Next time I’m there I’mgoing to try all three. Oh yes I can!
It’s trout timeagain at Gerrard
I’m always surprised at the numberof locals who know all the great placesto shop, stay or play in the Okanagan orat the coast, yet haven’t really got toknow the Lardeau Valley very much.Admittedly the shopping ain’t great and
there are not any big famous nameattractions, but it is nearby and makesan interesting day’s loop drive. I actuallydid the 295 km trip as an epic all-daybicycle ride eight years ago on June 21,but believe me, once was enough!
On April 20 I drove my little cararound this loop clockwise aftercompleting some minor jobs in Nakusp.Fine day, hazy sun and up to 16 degreeswith the roads in good shape. I made ashort stop at Halcyon for coffee and hada walk around to see the amazingamount of new cabin, cottage anddining room construction buzzing away.The road is paved highway nearly toTrout Lake and this part of the trip goesfast. Some snow remained at GalenaPass and some busted up timber androcks remain from earlier avalanchesto the roadside.
Trout Lake community itself still
had a ton of snow everywhere, withsome folks out puttering around in thebare spots, but it really is another climatezone there. After a sorta okay stop atthe Windsor Hotel, I went down to theboat launch end of town. Here is anexcellent and quite new concrete rampand dock shaped like a T to act as abreakwater and offer moorage forprobably 20 boats, operated andconceived by the Trout LakeCommunity Association, with Keith atthe hotel as the guy to call.
The route, Hwy 31, is gravel nowand goes along the east side of TroutLake for 29 km down to Gerrard, wherethe Lardeau River drains south to jointhe Duncan River into Kootenay Lake.This is a fine good gravel road andclimbs very high as you skirt the wildlakeshore. Truly breathtaking views tothe west show massive snowfields and
peaks of the Selkirks and north end ofGoat Range Park. I met absolutely notraffic along here and stopped lots togawk around and get oriented.
There’s a narrowish bit of road justnorth of Gerrard and then you pop outinto the small clearing at the long baileybridge where the Gerrard trout come tocourt and spark and spawn. There’s aviewing platform and info panel hereand Rhonda (hope that’s right) has beenthe fish biologist here for 26 years now,spending six weeks on site to monitorthe fish, flow, weather and people, andshe kindly spend some time explainingto me the patterns. The run occurs earliernowadays than in the 70s, and milderwinters with earlier runoff means thatMother’s Day is getting towards the lateend of the three to four week run. Therewere 130 trout hanging out there onApril 20, and up to 400 of these hornyhoneymooners will frolic and fight forfavours in the next two weeks.
From Gerrard southwards the roadis dead flat, following a former railwaybed. There are some long, very straightsections that beg you to speed, but keepin mind deer, bears, raven gangs andodd rocks. Around the 39 km sign is asouth-facing sign for the John FengerCedar Grove, certainly worth a stop fora look and a good stretch. Way furtheron I like to detour at the Howser Stationturnoff to go two km into HowserBeach, not far past the tiny settlementthere. Suddenly the forest parts at thelittle park and the huge Duncan Lakereservoir is everywhere, presently about30 metres down from full. There was a
truck way the hell down at the end ofthe boat ramp, and large sand dunes tothe water’s edge. Great rock anddriftwood collecting as well. Shouldabrought the van…
Shortly south of here the road againis paved and you may want to make astop at the large but low Duncan Dam,only a few minutes off route. FromMeadow Creek to Kaslo is a beautifulscenic tour, on the west side of the valleyand above the lake. There areworthwhile stops at Lardeau, LostLedge Park, Schroeder Creek Resortand just go slow and enjoy the cruisethrough Shutty Bench. This road alwaysdelights me and is a favourite day ridefor bike riding out from Kaslo.
I stopped at the IGA in Kaslo forsnack food and a copy of Pennywise toread and kicked back at the beach bythe Moyie for food and a beer. The sandfelt warm and the lake dead calm witha couple of boats heading out from thebay to go fishing. Over at Kaslo Marinathe huge new condo thing actually looksnot too bad, though new and out ofcontext with the quiet dignity andserenity of the village proper. Alreadythe jazz festival society is hard at workgetting the 06 fest all geared up andtuned in.
Plan to devote a day to driving thisloop and enjoy another of our roads lesstravelled.
Peter Roulston has operated theBicycle Hospital since 1992 and nowlives in New Denver. 358-2133.
Pass the Torchor Blow it Out!
It’s a chilling thought to mostowners of family businesses, but theoverwhelming odds are that not longafter the founder dies, the company willclose up shop or be sold. Unfortunately,the fate of the business is often decidedby the banker and lawyer on the wayback from the funeral—about four carsback from the flowers!
Tragically, 70% of familybusinesses do not make it through thesecond generation and only 10% makeit through the third.
Consider the following facts:-70% of jobs created in Canada are
from family businesses.-60% of the GDP comes from
family businesses.-More than 65% of tax revenues
come from family businesses.-More than 50% of all charitable
contributions come from familybusinesses.
Given these facts, who cares iffamily businesses succeed? Well, askany of the widowed, spouses, sons,daughters, employees, suppliers,customers, advisors, governments,
charitable recipients—and the list goeson.
If the continuation of the familybusiness is so important to a vital society,why is succession so difficult? Why arefamily businesses such an endangeredspecies?
The preservation of a family busi-ness is the greatest single challenge fac-ing middle-aged owners in this country.
The disappearance of theindependent business owner would bea social and economic disaster. Not onlyis it the embodiment of the NorthAmerican dream, but vital to oureconomy. Wealth is created byentrepreneurs.
For these reasons I feel that thesingle most important task of thepresident of a family-owned companyis to prepare for succession so that thecompany will survive.
The family business can representall the hopes and all the dreams, all ofthe challenges and all of the pain whichman is capable of imagining. In orderto fulfill the dream, one needs to knowthat what they created will live on afterthem.
Prior to beginning a plan forsuccession you should ask questionslike:
Does the founder want to continuefamily ownership in the business?
Do the spouse or children want tobecome owners?
Are the children prepared forownership/leadership?
Will the founder leave the business,or is he/she too attached to considerselling or liquidating?
Is the founder’s wealth trapped inthe business?
If you identify with these questions,you’re not alone. Many families havefaced these complex issues and havediscovered there is a process that canlead to a successful succession. In somecases succession is not an option withinthe family. There are other alternativesfor continuation of the business that areworth considering.
You had the dream, ability and theguts to build something from nothing.Do you have the courage to accept thefact that perpetuation is also yourresponsibility?
Don’t wait until a rewardingchallenge becomes an unnecessarycrisis. A successful succession can bethe founder’s final test of greatness.
It is vital to put some planning andstrategies in place. A team of advisorsis absolutely necessary. If possible, tryto harness the expertise of youraccountant, lawyer and financialplanner so they work collaborativelywith you. This team approach ensuresthat everyone is working from the samepage and that the advice given has beenthought through carefully. Bypreserving your family business, youwill create a future for your children,jobs for your community, wealth foryourself and you will leave a legacyinstead of a mess.
Tim Affolter CFP CLU ChFC is aco-owner of The Affolter FinancialGroup Inc. who specializes in financialplanning and tax minimizationstrategies for individuals, professionalsand business owners.
Financial forum
withTim
Affolter
“Thethickest,richest andtastiestcream ofmushroomsoup in the
250-358-2111 • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] Josephine St. • Box 292 • New Denver, BC V0G 1S0612 Josephine St. • Box 292 • New Denver, BC V0G 1S0612 Josephine St. • Box 292 • New Denver, BC V0G 1S0612 Josephine St. • Box 292 • New Denver, BC V0G 1S0612 Josephine St. • Box 292 • New Denver, BC V0G 1S0
PassmoreLaboratory Ltd.
CAEAL ce rtifie d to test drinking waterWe’re in the Valley at: 1-250-226-7339
Are you looking to relocate in scenic Nakusp? We specialize infresh homemade theme menu and operate CMH heli-ski businessin the winter. We want an enthusiastic, motivated person with redseal and experience in line cooking. We offer competitive wage,benefits and an opportunity to advance. Fax resume to KuskanaxLodge 250-265-4447 or call 1-800-663-0100 for details.
AUTOMOTIVEFOR SALE: 1986 TOYOTATERCEL, 4 cylinder, 5-speedstandard, 4x4, new radiator,alternator, clutch and battery. Runswell. $2500 firm. 250-265-0168.1998 SUBARU LEGACYBRIGHTON SW, AWD, 5 speed,228,000km, well maintained, roofrack, trailer hitch, new windshield, 1owner, $7900, 265-4161.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESWANT TO START YOUR OWNBUSINESS? Community Futuresoffers business counselling and start-up information. Appointmentsavailable in Nakusp and New Denver.Contact Farhana at 265-3674 or [email protected]
COMING EVENTSMAY DAY MARKET, MondayMay 22. For info/space call Anita358-7731.COTTONWOOD FALLSCOMMUNITY MARKET burstsinto Spring April 29th, 9:30am-3pmin Nelson. Music by Heartfelt, Tonsof Vendors. Come Celebrate (tables354-1909) www.eco.kics.bc.ca.
WINLAW HALL, April 30/069:00am-3:00pm Outdoor FleaMarket (weather permitting,otherwise inside) Kitchen open. Forinfo please call Carolea 226-7230.TIME IS RUNNING OUT -Before the school year ends, comeout to a PAC meeting! Next one:April 27, Lucerne Library, 7:00 pm.All Lucerne parents are warmlyinvited. Parents have a voice intheir children’s education throughPAC.
Last chance to see UNDERMILKWOOD - A Play for Voices byDylan Thomas. Dynamic local castdirected by Judith Ceroli. Vallican WholeCommunity Centre, Saturday, May 6, 7:30p.m. Tix $10 at the door. Come early forthe best seats and kitchen treats! 226-0097.DRAWING & SCULPTURESHOW @ the Silverton Gallery.Opening April 28, 7PM. The show willrun from April 27 - 30, Noon-4PM.FLEA MARKET Saturday, April29, 9 am-1 pm, 210 8th Ave., NakuspSeniors Hall. Indoor and outdoorvendors wanted. Inside if raining.Call Faye 265-0096.
LIVING WILLS WORKSHOPwith Mike Sweeny & Kay Costley-White on April 29 from 10 am until2 pm at the Silverton Gallery.Sponsored by The Carpenter CreekLast Wishes Group.SLOCAN VALLEY GARDEN-ERS: Would you like to share yourgarden with interested visitors onSunday June 25th? Slocan ValleyArts Council is seeking participantsbetween Crescent Valley and SlocanCity for our Garden tour. Call Pam at359-7840 before May 20.CALL FOR VENDORS! TheVallican Whole’s Spring Market andBazaar! Indoor/outdoor venue. May20th. $10/table. more info - Jen 226-6791.BOOKS FOR KIDS Parents andkids, come on out to the Success By6 Book Giveaways and BBQ. FridayApril 28, 11:30 - 1:30 in New Denver,outside the Kootenay Savings CreditUnion and Saturday April 29, 11:30- 1:30 at the Crescent ValleyCommunity Centre.
People have donated hundreds ofgood quality, used children’s picturebooks at their local credit unions. Wehope families will drop by and pickup books for your kids, have a bite toeat and learn more about Success By6. Hope to see you there!
FREEBIESFREE: Working Microwave Sears226-7880.REGISTERMATE 1920 vacuumframe. Call 358-7218.
FOR RENT3-BEDROOM TRIPLEX UNITfor rent. One mile from Nakusp, onacreage, appliances, privacy. $600per month. Available August 1. 250-860-0736.MODERN 3-BEDROOM, 2 bathhouse in New Denver. No smoking.References required. $650/month.Available May 1. 250-348-2245.
HEALTHFULL SPECTRUM BODYWORK offers deep tissue and stressreduction treatments in the privacyof your own home. For additionalinfo and to book appointments pleasecall 358-6808.MEDICINE WATERS HEALINGCENTRE Better Grades,Kinesiology for Kids - any age, ADD,PTSD - easy and fun. Touch forHealth Level 1 - just another way oftaking care of yourself. Call forcourses in Kinesiology. Simplelodging and campsites available.Margaret Ann Simon, InternationallyCertified Instructor, Touch for Healthand Usui Reiki. SpecializedKinesiologist, OsteopathicBodyworker, Theophostic PrayerMinistry, Commissioner of Affidavit.265-2155•Coyote Springs.
HELP WANTEDSUMMER STAFF: Kitchen,servers. Picardo’s/Wylie’s in Nakusp.Must have some exp. Drop offresumes from 2 to 5 pm.SILVERTON COUNTRY INN isaccepting applications for part-timebartenders, waitress, kitchen help andhousekeeping. Please apply in personto Ken and Jean at the hotel.
THE SILVERY SLOCANHISTORICAL SOCIETY is nowaccepting applications for aCuratorial Assistant for summeremployment 2006. Eligibleapplicants must be a registered full-time student during the proceedingacademic year and intending to returnto full-time studies in the fall. Eligibleapplicants must be reliable, havegood communication, publicrelations and organizational skills,have computer experience, and workindependently with minimalsupervision. Position subject topending approval from HRDC.
Send resumes to Silvery SlocanHistorical Society, PO Box 301, NewDenver, BC V0G 1S0. Allapplications must be received byFriday, May 26, 2006.THE SANDON HISTORICALSOCIETY is looking for employeesfor the position of museum host forthe 2006 summer season. Candidatesare invited to send cover letter andresume to Box 52, New Denver, BCV0G 1S0. OR call Lorna for moreinformation at 358-7965.Transportation available.NOW HIRING part-time grill andprep cook. The 19th Hole Restaurant.Drop off resume or mail to Box 296,New Denver, BC V0G 1S0.
NOTICESFOR INFORMATION ON AAMEETINGS in New Denver andadjacent towns, call Dave at 358-7265.PET OWNERS: please be awarethat it’s the season for coyotes andother wild predators to come into ourtowns. If you have a cat or small dog,
CANCELLED
Business Classifiedsstart at $10
358-7769
AVA’SAVA’SAVA’SAVA’SAVA’SHair StudioHair StudioHair StudioHair StudioHair Studio
Far right entrance of the Wild Rose Restaurant in Rosebery
please make sure they’re kept in atnight, and pet doors locked. Messagefrom someone who learned the hardway.
PROPERTY FOR SALE2 x 5.4 ACRES, 200-year forest nearSilverton, good access, warm micro-climate, new gravity water/6-bedroomseptic systems, very private, viewValhallas, $155,000 (ph/elec). $165,000(driveway, cabin, two sides Crownland). (250) 358-2364, 493-8034.www.kootenayvirtualtours.com, #122.
REAL ESTATEFOR SALE BY OWNER listings canbe found at www.kootenayvirtualtours.com. Owners - list with us: basicadvertising or we also do stillphotography, virtual tours, floor plans,property sketches and professional yardsigns. 250-265-0090.
SERVICESCOMPUTER TUTORING ANDCONSULTING; graphic design;business services; writing & editing.Mainline Graphics andCommunications [email protected] & COMMER-CIAL SEPTIC TANK CLEAN-ING: “Serving the Valley” 7 days/wk, 24-hr. All-Around SepticServices, Don Brown (250) 354-3644, emergency 352-5676.
ROGAN ELECTRIC Residential,commercial, industrial wiring. Localreferences available. All work guaranteed.“We get the job done.” 353-9638.MAINTENANCE MYLES - offeringmaintenance services in the 358exchange area including renovations,yard and garden and interior/exteriorpainting. Call Myles at 358-2690.
SPRING REC’ GUIDE - Is now out. Available all over the valleyif you didn’t get one in the mail.
WINLAW PARK CLEAN-UP PARTY - Sunday April 30th 10:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
MAD ABOUT MORELS - Spring mushroom hike. Sunday, May7th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register today!
TENNIS LESSONS AT MT. SENTINEL - Begin May 16th withBruce Jackson. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fee: $40/6 weeks
VOLLEYBALL - The game continues at Mt. Sentinel School everyTuesday and Thursday.7:00 to 9:00 p.m. It moves to the outdoorcourts as the weather permits.
SPRING RAIL TRAIL BIKE RIDE - Saturday, May 13th. 9:30to 1:30 between Passmore and Perrys Siding
FROG PEAK PAINTING DAY - Paint the Peak for all around.Sat. May 27th. 10 a.m. to 4p.m.
GOING FOR A ROCK WALK - New instructor, new locations -Sat. May 27th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at Slocan Park Hall.
submittedSometimes running away seems
like an attractive solution. InKootenay author Holley Rubsinsky’snew book, Beyond this point, it isrunning away that, ultimately, bringsher characters together. Rubinskyread from her novel at the Langhamon April 12 as part of a Writers in
Kaslo’s Rubinsky reads at the LanghamLibraries tour sponsored by thePublic Library Services Branch, BCMinistry of Education and the KasloPublic Library.
Rubinsky’s dazzling debut novelexplores, with cleverness and wrywit, the hopes and despair that cansurface when we are faced withunavoidable change. Beyond This
Point (McClelland & Stewart, March2006) explores the impact thatrunning to the fictional town of Ruth,British Columbia has on the runnersand those they run into.
Holley Rubinsky lives in Kaslo.She is the author two publishedcollections of short stories. Hersecond book, At First I Hope forRescue, was chosen for the Barnesand Noble ‘Discover Great NewWriters’ program. The title story inher first book, Rapid Transits andOther Stories, won the inaugural$10,000 Journey Prize and theCanadian National Magazine AwardGold Medal for Fiction.
Kaslo author, Holley Rubinsky gavea reading at the Langham, April 12.
won the bid to host the InternationalBreathwork Foundation’s annualGlobal Inspiration Conference(GIC) to be held July 14 to 21 inNelson.
Local leaders in the field ofwellness bid for the conference underthe theme of the Hopi Prophecy thatsays “It is time to speak your truth.Create your community. Be good toeach other. And do not look outsideyourself for the leader. All that wedo now must be done in a sacredmanner and in celebration. We arethe ones we’ve been waiting for.”
This 13th annual conference willfeature inspired speakers, dynamicworkshops, spiritual teachers, danceleaders, entertainment, artists andhealers from over 25 countries alongwith time-honoured ceremonies led
by inspired Indigenous teachers.Confirmed presenters includeAndrew Harvey, Anodea Judith,Saniel Bonder, Dr. Duncan Grady, Dr.PMH Atwater, Karuna Erickson,Master Ou, Amit Goswami, Shayla
Wright, the Canadian film premiereof Sacred Activism and dozens more!
The organizing group hopes allpresenters are conference participantsand all participants are potentialpresenters.
International celebration of healing comes to the Kootenays
The Valley Voice April 26, 2006
BUYERS OF CEDAR& PINE POLES
Mike Casey cell 344-8477Offering planning, managementand sales for Woodlot Licences
and Private Land Owners.
P.O. Box 4,Brisco, B.C. V0A 1B0
Phone (250) 346-3315Fax (250) 346-3218
TOLL FREE 1-866-346-3315
WOOD PRESERVERS LTD.
16 COMMUNITY
SPRING HAS ARRIVED AT GEORAMA!Where gardening perfection has been a family tradition for 35 years
Our greenhouses and nursery are busting at theseams with the Kootenay’s best plants!
Wildlife aside, there isn’t enoughwater for 10,000 people. Hike or skito the glacier if you want to ski inAugust.
Ray Schuff
Lower thedrinking age
I believe the drinking age shouldbe lowered. I think most people aremature enough at 18. So therefore,please lower the age.
Daniel Delaney
Drinking ageI think that the legal drinking age
should be 14 because most people startdrinking at age 13 anyway.
Ryan Pownall
Tuition fees too highTo advance anywhere today, we
need to further our education. But withthe lack of government support, therising cost of tuition fees, and the risingcost of living, the cost of getting aneducation is getting to be too expensive.Going to university for one year costsat least $15,000. Even with a $10,000
University French?Although the use of both English
and French promotes tolerance andcultural understanding, the necessityto learn both for entrance intouniversity is absurd.
I understand that Canada willalways have both English andFrench. I respect that. In government,I realize it is necessary. But, needinga second language to even apply formost univer-sities is unnecessary.True, universities accept almost anysecond language: German, Italian,Spanish, Japanese, etc. Butoftentimes, in rural areas such as ourown, the only feasible option isFrench. However, the ability to speakand understand French in areas whereEnglish is very much the primarytongue has little purpose. It is unfairthat students are not able to attenduniversity just because they failed tocomplete French 11 — especially inthe English-dominated west.
Basically, the question boilsdown to: why? Why do I, or any otherstudent, really need to know French?Yes, I admit that learning thelanguage is both very practical andvaluable. It is certainly a good thingto know. But it should not be anecessary thing to know.
Kezia Deacur
ATVs should beallowed onGalena Trail
I don’t see a problem with ATVson the Galena Trail and I’mwondering why it isn’t allowed. Iknow ATVs can be dangerous, butthere are people who really knowhow to ride these machines, too.
Having the Galena Trail open toATVers can be helpful. It can helppeople save money on gas. It alsocould be easier on parents. Forexample, kids on the golf team couldget to the golf course by ATV andsave the parents the trip and the gas.Not only can it be helpful, but alsolots of fun. I’m sure plenty of peoplewould enjoy it.
As long as ATVers drive at areasonable speed and are cautious ofpeople walking the trail, I think ATVriding should be allowed on GalenaTrail.
Nick Reitmeier
government loan (if you qualify), atleast $5000 remains to be paid.
Parents have other bills and usuallyother children to look after. Studentshave to compete for already hard-to-getscholarships. If students go to schoolthe same year they graduate, they’re ata disadvantage. This leaves only thesummer to work, putting a great burdenon students. Even then, most are under-trained, getting paid low wages. Thegovernment should step in to reduce thecost of constantly rising tuition. Then,more students would be able to get aneducation and would graduate withouta heavy debt, currently averaging about$50,000 for four years of study.
As the saying goes: “Our childrenare our future.” Without a sufficientlyeducated work force, the country beginsto lose a grip in new areas of all sectors— technology, health, etc. — thusreducing the country as a whole.
Brian Magnuson
Extend lunchhour at Lucerne
Lucerne Secondary School’slunch break is far too short.
If you are unfamiliar with theschool’s timetable, you will besurprised to know that lunch is only45 minutes! This abbreviated lunchbreak is only long enough to go getlunch from downtown or at home, eatat a reasonable pace, and relax for tenminutes.
I would propose two options. Thefirst is that the school drop twominutes from each class. This wouldmake classes 60 minutes long insteadof the strange 62. Then they shouldtake that extra ten minutes and add itto lunch.
If my first proposal doesn’t flyfor whatever reason, then my secondis that the school drop our ten-minuterecess and add that to lunch.
Allan Shepherd-Maika
New Denverneeds a skatepark
Throughout the years, kids havebeen getting in trouble for biking orskateboarding on people’s property.A skatepark would take kids awayfrom the streets. Every now andagain, I see kids riding the barricadeat Mountainberry. This pullscustomers away from the localbusiness.
Teenagers in this littlecommunity are always complainingabout the lack of things for them todo. I’m sure that even people whodon’t ride a bike or skateboard wouldbe more than glad to hang out at askatepark and watch.
Across from the school would bea great location.
Darrin Hicks
Get rid of the NThe driving age in British Columbia
should be lowered. Get rid of the Nsystem because it makes no difference.Teens need freedom and responsibility.
Amy Schpakowski
Dress code?Lucerne School should have a
written dress code that everyoneabides by. Either this or students wearwhat they like, or we get uniforms.
Eva Shandro
Improve schoollounge
The school needs to improve itslounge. If they put effort into it, then theoverall look of the school would improve.
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