October 21, 2015 edition of the Invermere Valley Echo
16
ALLEY V CHO E The Invermere STEVE HUBRECHT [email protected]During the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention in late September, local elected officials met with their provincial counterparts on several items of local interest to the valley. Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F director Wendy Booth and Invermere mayor Gerry Taft met with the Environment Minister about the Multi-Material B.C. (MMBC) pro- gram and ensuring adequate recycling services in the East Kootenay. Prior to the meeting Booth had said the minister had previously acknowl- edge the gap in recycling services in rural areas, such as the East Kootenay, under MMBC and expressed hope there would be some indication from the min- istry on how those gaps would be filled. Taft had said a major sticking point for the Upper Columbia Valley is that MMBC is funding curbside pickup programs but not yellow-bin programs, and that the only recycling depot serving the en- tire East Kootenay is in Cranbrook. There was, however, little information from the ministry during the meeting, according to Taft. “There was a bit of finger-pointing and the excuse we were given (for the lack of service under MMBC in the East Kootenay and other rural areas of B.C.) is that the newspa- per industry is not contributing. However, it’s my under- standing that signing up for the pro- gram might not be financially feasible for many smaller newspapers, so it’s kind of standoff now. It seems that the province is being cautious for the time being on how hard to push the newspa- per industry.” Taft added he’s heard there are bigger implications as other provinces keen on potentially implementing similar programs (such as Ontario) are looking to see how the MMBC-newspaper issue plays out here in B.C. Jumbo: wait and see In a meeting with Minister of Commu- nity, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender about the status of Jumbo Glacier Moun- tain Resort Munici- pality, Taft also came away with little new information. “He (the minster) basically said his ministry is going to wait and see what happens with the revamped propos- al for a smaller (Jumbo) resort and with the legal cases involving Jumbo,” said Taft. Prior to the meeting, Taft had said that when he’s previously asked minis- try officials what the minimum number of year-round residents is needed for a viable municipality, the answer he’s received back is 400 — a number Taft said he feels is unlikely to be reached with a 2,000 bed-unit resort. Future of Canal Flats mill Canal Flats mayor Ute Juras met with Canfor chief executive offiver Don Kayne, as well as with Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Jobs, Trades and Skilled Training Shirley Bond to discuss the future of the Canal Flats mill (which Canfor is set to permanently shut down in November). “I think it was a somewhat promising trip for me,” said Juras, speaking just after the UBCM. “They all committed to a working group being established to look at alternative products or val- ue added products that could be pro- cessed at the Canal Flats mill.” See A3 Local issues addressed provincially at UBCM BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont Maxwell Realty Invermere There was a bit of finger pointing... GERRY TAFT MAYOR, DISTRICT OF INVERMERE $ 1 05 INCLUDES GST PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NO. 7856 Local Liberals celebrate national victory 2 8 Rockies pressure crumbles Grizzlies It took until the early morning hours of October 20th for Wayne Stetski of the NDP, pictured with a volunteer, to learn he beat Conservative incumbent David Wilks by a mere 285 votes in one of the closest races in the country. Turn to page 2 for the full story. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRANBROOK DAILY TOWNSMAN Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423. What does ART mean to you? HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PYNELOGS! 1914 - 2014 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS Cinefest @ Pynelogs: Two Days One Night Tuesday Oct. ober 27 th at 7 pm Tickets at the door
During the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention in late September, local elected offi cials met with their provincial counterparts on several items of local interest to the valley.
Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F director Wendy Booth and Invermere mayor Gerry Taft met with the Environment Minister about the Multi-Material B.C. (MMBC) pro-gram and ensuring adequate recycling services in the East Kootenay.
Prior to the meeting Booth had said the minister had previously acknowl-edge the gap in recycling services in rural areas, such as the East Kootenay, under MMBC and expressed hope there would be some indication from the min-istry on how those gaps would be fi lled.
Taft had said a major sticking point for the Upper Columbia Valley is that MMBC
is funding curbside pickup programs but not yellow-bin programs, and that the only recycling depot serving the en-tire East Kootenay is in Cranbrook.
There was, however, little information from the ministry during the meeting, according to Taft.
“There was a bit of fi nger-pointing and the excuse we were given (for the lack of service under MMBC in the East Kootenay and other rural areas of B.C.) is that the newspa-per industry is not contributing. However, it’s my under-standing that signing up for the pro-gram might not be fi nancially feasible for many smaller newspapers, so it’s kind of standoff now. It seems that the province is being cautious for the time being on how hard to push the newspa-per industry.”
Taft added he’s heard there are bigger
implications as other provinces keen on potentially implementing similar programs (such as Ontario) are looking to see how the MMBC-newspaper issue plays out here in B.C.
Jumbo: wait and seeIn a meeting with Minister of Commu-
nity, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender about the status of Jumbo Glacier Moun-tain Resort Munici-pality, Taft also came away with little new
information.“He (the minster) basically said his
ministry is going to wait and see what happens with the revamped propos-al for a smaller (Jumbo) resort and with the legal cases involving Jumbo,” said Taft.
Prior to the meeting, Taft had said that when he’s previously asked minis-
try offi cials what the minimum number of year-round residents is needed for a viable municipality, the answer he’s received back is 400 — a number Taft said he feels is unlikely to be reached with a 2,000 bed-unit resort.
Future of Canal Flats millCanal Flats mayor Ute Juras met with
Canfor chief executive offi ver Don Kayne, as well as with Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Jobs, Trades and Skilled Training Shirley Bond to discuss the future of the Canal Flats mill (which Canfor is set to permanently shut down in November).
“I think it was a somewhat promising trip for me,” said Juras, speaking just after the UBCM. “They all committed to a working group being established to look at alternative products or val-ue added products that could be pro-cessed at the Canal Flats mill.”
See A3
Local issues addressed provincially at UBCM
BERNIE RAVENCHRIS RAVEN1-866-598-7415TEAMRAVEN.CA
Offi ces in Panorama,Invermere & Fairmont
Maxwell Realty Invermere
There was a bit of fi nger pointing...
GERRY TAFTMAYOR, DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
ALLEYVVAVACHOEVEV CHOECHOVV CHOEVEV CHOECHO
$105INCLUDES GST
PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NO. 7856
Local Liberals celebrate national victory2
8Rockies pressure crumbles Grizzlies
Local Liberals celebrate It took until the early morning hours of October 20th for Wayne Stetski of the NDP, pictured with a volunteer, to learn he beat Conservative incumbent
David Wilks by a mere 285 votes in one of the closest races in the country. Turn to page 2 for the full story.
Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.
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Happy BirtHday to pynelogs!1914 - 2014
Celebrating 100 years
Cinefest @ Pynelogs: Two Days One NightTuesday Oct.ober 27th at 7 pmTickets at the door
A2 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
CANADA VOTES!
Kootenay-Columbia won by NDP in close raceBarry Coulter, arne Petryshen
and trevor CrawleyCranbrook Daily Townsman
In the end, vote-splitting on the left was a moot point.
High drama kept voters in Kootenay-Columbia awake into the small hours, as Conservative David Wilks and New Democrat Wayne Stetski traded the lead back and forth down to the last handful of votes in what was one of the tightest contests in the country.
On an historic election night — Mon-day, October 19th, 2015 — the riding saw massive voter turnout of more than 73 per cent.
With all polls reporting, according to Elections Canada online updates, Koo-tenay-Columbia has a new Member of Parliament. According to preliminary re-sults, Stetski finished on top by only 285 votes — 23,529 to Wilks’ 23,244.
Liberal candidate Don Johnston got 12,315 and Green Party candidate Bill Green got 4,115 with 63,232 out of 85,653 eligible voters casting ballots.
In David Wilks’ campaign office in Cran-brook the mood was sombre after a re-
markably tense evening.“I was cautiously optimistic going into
this and knew that it was probably going to come down to the last couple polls and it did,” Wilks said. “Congratulations to Mr. Stetski and I look forward to him working well with the constituency of the new riding of Kootenay-Columbia.
“It’s been an honour for me to be in Ot-tawa for the last four and a half years.”
Wilks said he thought that the NDP ran a good campaign and that was what made it such a close race. He noted that Leadnow — an independent advocacy organization — targeted this riding very heavily.
“That probably played a significant role,” he noted.
Wilks said he had no regrets through the campaign.
“I worked a very hard campaign, I think all four of us worked a really hard cam-paign,” he said. “It is what it is, and you move on.”
Wilks said some of the comments Stets-ki during the campaign were incorrect, but didn’t have an impact.
“I needed to make sure the people knew what the proper story was and I did that,
and I don’t think that that was something that hurt me at all,” he said.
Wilks added the voting turnout was pretty impressive.
Apparently Stetski benefitted from the anti-Stephen Harper sentiment that led to a shocking Liberal majority government in Canada and a new Prime Minister.
Down at the Manual Training Centre in Cranbrook, where the NDP were hosting a party, the winning candidate was rela-tively subdued.
“What an interesting evening it’s been,” Stetski said. “I brought two speeches to-night, and I’m not going to give either one of them.
“It really is too close to call and neither Mr. Wilks or I should be giving a victory speech at this point.”
Stetski thanked all the volunteers around Kootenay-Columbia. “For Audrey and I to drive into a community and have people waiting for us, has just been such a wonderful experience.
“For me, I was the regional manager of the Ministry of Environment for the Koo-tenays, with offices in Cranbrook, Nelson, Revelstoke and Invermere, and so for me, running in this election has been like
going home. It’s been absolutely been a wonderful adventure.”
Stetski thanked the other candidates as well. “Mr. Johnston ran for the Liber-als, I think the figures were up to 19 or 20 per cent. He ran a very good campaign, a good candidate. Bill Green, excellent hu-man being, great candidate and Mr. Wilks actually did very well as well. We had 12 debates in 12 communities. He didn’t come to all of them, but he came to most of them. Collectively, after many debates, I had people come up to me and say what a great group of candidates we had run-ning in Kootenay-Columbia.”
Stetski said politics are gone as of Mon-day night.
“My job is to represent each constituent of Kootenay-Columbia equally and that is what I will do, I will be your strong voice in Ottawa, I will provide you with excel-lent public service and I will work really hard with both the NDP caucus and Jus-tin Trudeau and the Liberals to build a better Canada.
“If everything holds, then I am looking forward to seeing Justin in Ottawa after Oct. 19 and absolutely congratulate him on a great campaign.”
will JohnsonNelson Star
Kootenay-Columbia Liberal candidate Don John-ston spent Monday evening in the basement of the Hume Hotel in Nelson, surrounded by a smattering of supporters, watching television while results rolled in from across the country. The moment Jus-tin Trudeau was announced as the next prime min-ister of Canada, the Nelson native pumped his fists in the air and cheered: “Line up, pot’s legal!”
“I’m feeling absolutely blown away and happy,” a tearful Johnston told the Star. “I got my Canada back. When I did my nomination speech in this very hotel the title was ‘I want my Canada back’ and I’m so hap-py to have my Canada back. The possibilities are lim-itless and for the last nine years we’ve done nothing but limit them. It’s so nice to be free of that weight.”
He said he’s excited Prime Minister Stephen Harp-er has been defeated.
“Justin [Trudeau] ran an amazing campaign, he’s put together an amazing team, and he’s definitely ready. That question is dead and gone. To see this? This is so good for Canada and so exciting. We’ve all heard there’s no way a Liberal can win in this riding, but our first hope and goal tonight was to have a Liberal gov-ernment, and now we know we’re going to have that.”
Local support Cheryl Elliot was effusive as well.“We were all holding are breath, and as soon as
the results started coming in from the Maritimes we realized the best possible scenario was starting to happen,” she said. “I think Justin will be an amaz-ing prime minister. He has a lot to learn but he will surround himself with very smart people, and if he
doesn’t know something he’ll ask for advice. He’s got a coalition of really bright people guiding him.”
Johnston’s campaign manager, Brian May, was sur-prised by the results.
“I didn’t expect this. I don’t trust the polls, but people are obviously starting to hear our positive message. Justin stayed on message the whole way through the campaign, he never went negative, and we ran things the same way here.”
Addressing Johnston’s pot proclamation, May said: “Our policy is legalization, the NDP’s is de-criminalization. There’s a big difference. Legaliza-tion means putting controls on it, putting controls on the kids and controls on the gangs and taking control of the situation.”
He said NDP leader Thomas Mulcair’s dismissive comment about Trudeau’s marijuana-smoking past
during a debate was “immature” and showed how out of touch the NDP leader is with young voters. He also criticized the local NDP campaign, which he called “a campaign of fear.”
“They said ‘I’m the only one who can beat Harper,’ and that just wasn’t true.”
May said there were plenty of disenfranchised Conservative voters elsewhere in the riding who would never vote for Green or NDP — a fact he feels some overlooked.
Liberal riding association vice president Reggie Goldsbury told the Star transparency was the most important issue for him in this election, and said seeing Trudeau elected gives him hope.
“As a young person — I’m 25 — I want to know what my government is responsible for. There’s been this shroud of secrecy and we’ve had no say, the people of Canada, and that’s why I’m happy to be supporting the Liberal Party.”
Former Nelson Mayor Dave Elliot was also there to support Johnston, and said the Liberals are gathering political strength in the Kootenays. “I have a sense we’ve come a long way and Nelson will start to open their eyes to the Liberals. Most people are pretty un-happy with the Conservatives, and I think the main thrust of this election was ‘anyone but Harper’.”
May said he believes the election’s results show a “generational shift.”
“This means a lot of 24 year olds, 35 year olds, they got out and made a vote. They got committed, and if they got committed this time it means they’re go-ing to be committed next time. Trudeau shows that generational change. Here’s a 42 year old winning the election with a great team behind him.”
Local Liberals celebrate ‘generational shift’ in Canada
Liberal candidate Don Johnston watches the results roll in with supporters in Nelson on Ocotober 19th. Photo Will Johnson/Nelson Star
invermerevalleyecho.com A3Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
Public Hearing Notice - Bylaw AmendmentUpper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw - Edgewater
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an application by Michael Maione to amend the Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw. If approved, the bylaw will amend the zoning designation of the subject properties from R-1, Single Family Residential Zone to R-1(MH), Single Family Residential - Mobile Home Zone. The owner wishes to place a modular home on one of the subject properties located at 4809 Cordillera Avenue in Edgewater as shown on the attached map.
Bylaw No. 2644 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 306, 2015 (Edgewater / Maione)” will amend the designation of Lots 25 and 26, Block 10, District Lot 353, Kootenay District, Plan 1185 from R-1, Single Family Residential Zone to R-1(MH), Single Family Residential - Mobile Home Zone.
A public hearing will be held at: Edgewater Community Hall 4818 Selkirk Avenue
Edgewater, BC Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 7:00 pm
The Board has delegated the holding of this hearing to the Directors for Electoral Area F, Electoral Area G and the Village of Radium Hot Springs.
If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may prior to the hearing:
• inspect the Bylaw and supporting information at the RDEK office in Cranbrook from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays;
• mail, fax or email written submissions to the addresses/numbers shown below; or
• present written and/or verbal submissions at the hearing.
Submissions cannot be accepted after the public hearing.
All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Jean Terpsma, Planning Technician, at 250-489-2791, toll free at 1-888-478-7335, or email [email protected].
LOCAL from A1
The working group has already had its fi rst meeting last week in Canal Flats, and the group includes representatives from the Ministry of Jobs, Trades and Skills Training; the Ministry of For-ests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; the Village of Ca-nal Flats, Canfor and other stakeholders.
“We’ve been a mill town for the past 100 years and we want to stay a mill town, or some variation on it,” said Juras.
Although several ideas for potential value-added or alternative products were tossed around during the meeting, nothing defi ni-tive has been decided yet.
The mid-August deadline for a Remedial Action Requirement to either complete or demolish the Copper Horn Towne Homes devel-opment has been extended.
The Village of Radium Hot Springs sent a Remedial Action Require-ment on August 12th to 876334 BC Ltd — the group that took over the title on a large syndicated mortgage for the Copper Horn Towne Homes from a foreclosure action — requesting the six multi-dwell-ing buildings be either completed or demolished within 90 days from the Requirement (around November 13th).
At the October 14th regular council meeting, Village of Radium Hot Springs chief administrative offi cer Mark Read accepted a unani-mous council decision to amend the resolution to approve an ad-ditional 150 days to provide an updated engineering report, plus either an additional 90 days to secure the appropriate building per-mits or an additional 60 days to demolish.
The decision to postpone the Remedial Action Requirement stems from a desire to communicate with stakeholders and neighbours about the project during a public meeting over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
In addition, there were several submitted letters expressing a strong desire to see the development demolished from surround-ing neighbours who view the property as an eyesore that has been faced with little to no penalties from the municipality.
However, the owners of the property are working toward raising money to restructure and continue the project next summer.
“I talked to a few people and their biggest concern is resale,” said Radium mayor Clara Reinhardt. “The view is not that great and then there (are the questions): what’s going to happen? What’s the fu-ture? And, what is the value of the property?”
Previously, the applicant provided a structural report by Nelson Engineering Inc. dating back to February 26th which stated the ex-isting buildings are in reasonable condition for continuing the de-velopment, but there are areas that will require remedial work such as loft fl oor defl ection; water damaged fl oor sheathing; damaged fl oor joists for mechanical plumbing installation; exterior timber deck framing; and exterior concrete slab.
The Village of Radium Hot Springs has requested an envelope re-port (Business and Marketing Plan) to determine the cost informa-tion behind the project and an estimated time of completion.
Ultimately, the Village of Radium Hot Springs has postponed mak-ing a decision on realtor Jack Levy’s request to continue working on the project with investor shareholder David N. Murphy until the regular meeting scheduled for the spring of 2016.
“As long as I’m involved, you can expect regular updates,” con-cluded Levy.
Invermere council put its offi cial stamp of approval on the Invermere Public Library’s inclusion in the new multi-use centre at the earliest possible date, during most the re-cent council meeting.
Council members passed a resolution at the Tuesday, October 13th council meet-ing that the library be included in the fi rst phase of the centre; that the library be al-located 2,300 square feet (215 square me-tres) on the planned building’s plaza level; and that the library be responsible for all fi tting-out and leasehold improvements to the space, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical work.
“In a perfect world, hopefully all that fi n-ishing could be done while the centre is ac-tually built, but that depends on funding,” said Invermere mayor Gerry Taft, speaking after the meeting.
During the same meeting, council also for-mally passed a resolution that the current library building be allocated to the Summit
Youth Centre once the library has moved into the multi-use centre. The topic had been dis-cussed during the most recent Committee of the Whole meeting (reported on in The Pio-neer), and council was simply making offi cial the recommendation that had come out of that committee meeting.
“It’s good,” said Taft, speaking on having both the new location of library and the new location of the youth centre offi cially sorted out. “It provides some certainty for the user groups and it will also help with fundraising, since it makes it more clear what we’re raising money for.”
District of Invermere staff will continue to meet with youth centre representatives in the coming months to fi gure out what upgrades and improvements need to be made to the current library building for the youth centre.
Taft expressed cautious optimism that construction of the new multi-use centre could begin in 2016. If that happens, it’s possible the building could be fi nished as early as fall 2017.
The user groups would then be able to move location by spring 2018.
Library formally fi nds new homeOCALL EWSN
A4 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
SUBSCRIPTION RATESAnnual Subscription Rates (incl. tax)• Local (Canal Flats to Spillimacheen) $45.30• Offi ce Pick-Up $34.50• Canada $62.60 / International $182.00• Seniors (local) $34.50 / Seniors (Canada) $56.00
Six Month Subscription Rates (incl. tax)• Local (Canal Flats to Spillimacheen) $29.40• Seniors (local) $22.80 INVERMEREVALLEYECHO.com
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OUNCILC RIEFSBInvermere lowers grant request for multi-use centre
The District of Invermere will reduce a grant request for funding for the new multi-use centre in the hopes that asking for less money will make it more likely to get the grant.
Invermere council members resolved, at their Tuesday, October 13th meeting, to drop the district’s application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Strategic Priorities Fund from $6 million to $2 million.
The UBCM’s Strategic Priorities Fund is one of few that allows applicants to apply for 100 per cent funding, while most others require matching or leveraged funds from elsewhere, which is what prompted the district to request $6 million initially, said Invermere mayor Gerry Taft, speaking after the meeting.
After receiving and reviewing the request, the UBCM then asked the District of Invermere if it really needed the full $6 million.
“We (council) saw that as an indication that our chances of getting the grant would be more realistic if the amount was lowered, so that’s what we did,” said Taft. “It (the lower $2 million request) shows that we’ve got other sources of fund-ing lined up and that we’re pretty serious about the project.”
Taft added the $2 million could help with “soft costs” for the planned multi-use centre, covering furnishing and equipment such as retractable seating for perfor-mance arts events, a lighting and sound system, and kitchen equipment.
event fees waived Invermere council formally resolved to waive the fees from a surprise bill
charged to Heart of the Rockies organizers Bruce Stroud and Sandra Boot. The bill, for bylaw officer services, was received by the couple several weeks
after the event. The couple had met with the Invermere Committee of the Whole to discuss
what they saw as the unfairness of charging fees for unsolicited services after the fact, and the committee had then recommended council waive the fees (as reported in The Pioneer). Council gave its official approval of waiving the fees at the October 13th meeting.
thanks for students’ safetyAt the meeting, council also received several thank-you letters from the Eileen
Madson Primary School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for constructing the separate walkway for students along 13th Street.
GreG AmoSSpecial to The Valley Echo
With the Canfor mill closing date of November 9th looming, the Village of Canal Flats turned its attention towards rezoning efforts at its council meeting on Tuesday, October 13th.
With three large industrial parcels of land owned by Canfor on the southern side of the village, councillors passed a motion to ensure that rezoning recom-mendations be added to an economic planning report several months in the making (which predates the mill clo-sure announcement).
The upcoming first reading of a rezoning bylaw will now include a lengthy report that will help the village decide if and how to re-classify land that’s now zoned as heavy industrial, light industrial and commercial. Of particular interest is a now-empty log yard that is a frontage parcel near Highway 93/95.
Were that land to be sold, given or otherwise made available to the village in the future, council-lors believe a non-specific “com-prehensive development” zoning would best attract new develop-ment to the area.
“If we have it open like that, we’re inviting entrepreneurship to the village,” said Coun. Marie Delorme, who noted the impor-tance of weighing the pros and cons of going with a development zone, even if it means a longer wait time on the planning report.
Chief administrative officer Brian
Woodward noted the village’s municipal golf course already has the “comprehen-sive development” zoning, allowing it to be re-developed in multiple ways.
“It would probably be in our interest to zone all of the Canfor lands as something that says ‘for development’,” he said.
If, for example, someone bought part of the land near the highway and wished to build a hotel, that zoning would give them an idea what council’s wishes are, he explained.
Coun. Karl Sterzer noted it would be wise to consider an expedited process to help any potential buyers subdivide properties more easily. That could in-volve lessening the requirements for studies, such as an environmental im-pact assessment, that are normally re-quired when subdividing a property.
eagles Nest water set to flowClean, drinkable water should be
flowing to homes in the village’s Eagle’s Nest neighbourhood by November 28th, after a lengthy construction pe-riod punctuated by several delays.
Coun. Paul Marcil, who chairs the village’s Water System Upgrade Com-mittee, told council that a completion schedule for the project, including in-stallation of a generator, has been ob-tained and indicates all construction will be done before November 24th.
Work on a booster station and water lines will continue this month.
With one day left before late payment penalties would kick in, council ap-proved issuing payment 10 ($159,558 for work completed in August) to water system builder Dawson Construction.
The new water system will be shut down from October 19th through 21st in order to flow a high concentration of chlorine through the taps prior to offi-cial approval for the system. (The high-chlorine flow was initially scheduled for the August long weekend, but delayed in order to wait for a time when fewer part-time residents would be affected.)
Coun. Marcil stressed that people need to be made aware that the water will not be potable and will likely harm houseplants. About 30 people are likely to be affected.
Delays on the project were caused in part by low water flows this summer and by the discovery of a potentially significant archeological site, which was subject to further investigation be-fore work could continue.
The new water system involves a modern reservoir in the village’s down-town core (which replaces an older wooden reservoir at the higher eleva-tion Eagle’s Nest neighbourhood) and a 3.2-kilometre pipeline to transport the water to the new development.
Canal Flats rezoning efforts look at Canfor propertiesOUNCILC RIEFSB
invermerevalleyecho.com A5Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
Wave of support for vote-splitting partiesNICOLE TRIGG
It’s a bittersweet victory for NDP can-didate Wayne Stetski. Usurping the Koo-tenay-Columbia’s Conservative influence aided by the new boundaries that invited several NDP strongholds into the riding, Stetski is now heading off to Ottawa to be a member of a parliament that has seen a dramatic drop in his party’s seats.
But Stetski can still make good on one of his campaign promises as the Liberals also promised an end to the first-past-the-post system if elected. Now with an overwhelm-ing Liberal majority government, Canadi-ans can expect electoral reform that will preclude vote splitting and strategic vot-ing, the latter being a voting tactic Stetski himself endorsed as part of his “Heave
Steve” campaign that ultimately proved successful for himself and the NDP in the Kootenay-Columbia, if not elsewhere in Canada where NDP leaders lost their seats in the unexpected Liberal onslaught.
At 23,529 votes to Conservative incum-bent David Wilks’ 23,244, Stetski earned the same percentage of voter support for the NDP as what was earned by the Conservatives in the Kootenay-Columbia riding — 37 per cent. But a lead of just 285 votes gave him the edge after an un-predictable back-and-forth that even saw Wilks give a premature victory speech at one point in the evening.
It’s a drop in support of 13.09 per cent for the Conservatives compared to the 2011 election. Interestingly enough, sup-port for the NDP also dropped despite Stetski taking the seat, from 38.84 in 2011.
Meanwhile, with the higher voter turn-out, the Green party has seen an increase in support of 0.57 (from 6.43 in 2011 to seven per cent) while support for the Liberal party skyrocketed to 19 per cent from 3.49 per cent in 2011.
Conclusively, the Kootenay-Columbia voted for change, as did the rest of Canada, but locally the NDP were better poised to take advantage of that sentiment. Stetski was an already well-known name in regional politics and came out of the starting gates early with a strong team of campaigners re-lentlessly hitting the streets. Now that the campaigning is over, Stetski’s promise to listen and represent local interests in Ot-tawa is somewhat muted considering the NDP’s major loss, but significant changes for all Canadians are definitely on the ho-rizon no matter what party they belong to.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT: Reproduction of any or all editorial and advertising materials in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. It is agreed by the advertiser requesting space that the liability of The Valley Echo, owned by Black Press Ltd. in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event of an error appearing in the advertisement as published, shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for only the one incorrect insertion for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect or omitted items only and that there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for such advertising.
BC PRESS COUNCIL – The Valley Echo is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council con-siders complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint hold-er. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documenta-tion, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith,B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
Published by Black Press Ltd. at Cranbrook Daily Townsman
822 Cranbrook St. N.Cranbrook, BC
PINIONO
DITORIALE
UMOURHSomething on
your mind?The Valley Echo welcomes all letters to the editor and submissions from community and sports groups, as well as special community columns. Please keep your signed, legible submissions under 500 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity, taste, legal reasons and brevity. Each submission must contain a daytime phone number and place of residence. Send email submissions to [email protected].
As Monday’s election re-sults prove, in certain
ridings, including our riding of Kootenay-Columbia, ev-ery vote does count. It was excellent to see such a high voter turnout and it is a re-assuring statement on de-mocracy that people don’t just comment on or share political posts on Facebook- when election day FINALLY comes... they show up to vote!
Although it is possible for provincial and federal elections to be super close, it is a little less common than local gov-ernment elections. Especially in small communities, the chances that a candi-date only wins by a handful of votes in a local government election is actually
much higher and more likely then people realize.
In the case of Invermere, former mayor Mark Shmigel-sky was first elected to Inver-mere council in an extremely tight race which actually re-quired a judicial recount of votes and consideration of ballots which were first con-sidered spoiled.
A few of the other strange facts about B.C. local government elec-tions... Someone who lives out-of-town, say in Vancouver, can register as a non-resident property elector and vote in mu-nicipal elections in Invermere. However, someone from Calgary cannot, because the requirement is that a person must be a B.C. resident. Equally strange, techni-
cally any B.C. resident can run for office in any community even if they don’t live there, and there is no limit on how many different positions a person can run for at the same time.
There are examples right now in B.C. where one person is part of two munici-pal councils, or on a municipal council and also elected as the nearby electoral area director for the regional district.
Of course, if someone is going to run for election in a town they don’t live in, they will not have the benefit of casting a ballot for themselves — and that could just be the difference between winning or losing. Congrats to all who took the time to vote!
Gerry Taft is mayor of the District of Inver-mere and a Regional District of East Koote-nay director for the Columbia Valley. He can be reached at [email protected].
Reassured by high voter turnout in regionUNDOWNR
RegionalUNDOWNRURU
ERRYGTAFT
A6 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
TREETSTHES
What do you think about NDP winning locally and Liberals winning federally?
“I couldn’t even vote this week because I just changed my address.”
Jesse Kendall
“I’m all for change, especially for a young fella like Trudeau. Give him four years and see what happens.”
Wade Graumann
“They needed a fresh face and a new change.”
Cindy Gabitous
NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION:Are you pleased with a Liberal
QUESTION OF THE WEEKAre you having issues with your Elections Canada
voter verifi cation card?
INVERMEREVALLEYECHO.com� �� Are you having issues with your Elections Canada
INVERMEREVALLEYECHOINVERMEREVALLEYECHO � � � INVERMEREVALLEYECHO.com.com.com � � .com � .com � � � � � � � � � � � � Are you having issues with your Elections Canada
INVERMEREVALLEYECHO � � � Are you having issues with your Elections Canada Are you having issues with your Elections Canada Are you having issues with your Elections Canada � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � INVERMEREVALLEYECHO � � � � � � � � � � � � � Are you having issues with your Elections Canada Are you having issues with your Elections Canada Are you having issues with your Elections Canada � � � � � � � � � � � � � Yes50%
No50%
Editor’s note: This bi-weekly column was submitted prior to election day on October 19th.
It is time for us to choose democratic reform.
I believe that all citizens should have a share of politi-cal power, not just a highly privileged few.
The only way this will be our reality is to have a demo-cratic system that actually works. While Canadians are fortunate compared to most in the world, my 10 years as your elected representative con-vinces me that there needs to be mean-ingful improvements to our democratic system in B.C. and in Canada.
I strongly believe in Proportional Repre-sentation, and the system I believe best meets our needs here in B.C. is Mixed Member Proportional Representation. It works in other Parliaments similar to ours such as New Zealand and Scotland, and Proportional Representation is used across Europe.
This democratic reform is just the be-ginning of what we need to do. My col-leagues, led by MLA Gary Holman, have introduced a package of Private Mem-
ber’s Bills that are needed to make the B.C. Legislature work better.
The Bills have all been re-jected by the BC Liberals to date, but I am convinced they are the direction needed for people of all political views. These Bills would ban cor-porate and union donations, and would open up govern-ment by making freedom of
information and privacy legislation actu-ally work. There are Bills that would re-quire that the legislature sit with a fi xed schedule, that would make petitions work more effectively, and would make it easier for young voters to register.
For much of human history and in many parts of the world, ordinary people have lived their lives oppressed and lacking the power to participate in political deci-sion-making. We have the power to make our own decisions. Now is the time for us to choose democratic reform in Canada and in British Columbia.
Norm Macdonald is the NDP MLA for Columbia River Revelstoke. He can be reached by phone at 1-866-870-4188 and by email at [email protected].
Electoral reform is necessary to protect democracy
PINIONO
EPORTRMLA
EPORTRERE
ORMNMACDONALD
JEFF NAGELBlack Press
The Insurance Corp. of B.C. has decided to raise basic auto insur-ance premiums by 5.5 per cent, driving up the annual cost by more than $44 for the average driver.
And a further jump in optional premiums for coverage like third-party liability will add nearly $16, for an annual increase of about $60 on average.
The basic premium increase is less than the 6.7 per cent jump ICBC had warned in August might be required as a result of rapidly rising injury claims and the resulting payouts.
The hit is lower in part because the province has approved an unusual $450-million transfer of capital from ICBC’s optional insur-ance business to the basic insur-ance side.
There’s been growing fi nancial pressure on the basic side, while ICBC has had more wiggle room in recent years to actually decrease rates on its optional side, where it does not hold a monopoly and com-petes with private insurers.
But offi cials say optional costs are now also on the rise because optional third-party liability insur-
ance covers injury payouts over $200,000.
Adrian Dix, the NDP’s critic on ICBC, noted the average driver will be paying nearly 30 per cent more in basic premiums than they did when Christy Clark became pre-mier in 2011.
“Overall what we’re talking about is a major, major increase in rates for the average motorist,” said Dix, who lays part of the blame on management decisions at ICBC and trouble with the rollout of its new computer system.
He noted the provincial govern-ment has not opted to forgo the $160-million annual dividend it extracts each year from ICBC’s op-tional side.
“They’re not sacrifi cing,” Dix said. “They’re doing a double dip on the optional side.”
Canadian Taxpayers Federation spokesman Jordan Bateman said the continued fl ow of dividends to the government is particularly frustrating.
“Despite the fact we get gouged for more money each year, the gov-ernment continues to suck all the profi ts out and puts them into gen-eral revenue,” Bateman said.
See A16
ICBC hikes rates 5.5 per centBC EWSN
invermerevalleyecho.com A7Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
PEOPLE WHO READ
NEWSPAPERS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE
MONEY HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON.
Newspaper ads, both print and online, play a key role in helping people make their banking and investment decisions.
Newspapers and their sites outperform all other media in engaging Canadians, including high-income Canadians, boomers, moms and even young adults.
All of which makes advertising in newspapers a very smart move.
� e Columbia Valley Community Foundation is accepting 2015
fall grant applicationsCVCF granted funds are available for registered
charities which support projects that enhance the quality of life for Columbia Valley residents from
Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.
Deadline for applications: October 31st, 2015
Granting guidelines and application forms available atwww.valleyfoundation.ca
For information on the granting process, contact Laurie Klassen, 250-342-2845 or email
A request to beautify the Crystal Springs Motel with landscaping became slightly controversial when it be-came known that the property line encroached on Village of Radium Hot Springs land.
At the October 14th regular meeting, Radium council unanimously agreed to allow Crystal Springs Motel own-er Deb James to move forward with the project. However, James was cautioned that if the Village of Radium Hot Springs needed to access the affected area of the prop-erty line in the future, she would be responsible for re-moving the temporarily installed project.
“We’re eager to clean it up,” said James about the area that surrounds the Crystal Springs Motel. “I just want the place to look amazing and this is the next step.”
She added the structures that are tentatively planned to beautify the Crystal Springs Motel area are slated to be built as temporary so they would be easy to move if need be.
“We would like to finish off the project,” said James.
Director of Planning and Development Services Arne Dohlen initially expressed concerns about the encroach-ment and how it could impact snow removal during the winters, but was pleased to learn that the project satis-fied the village’s requirements for a project of this scope.
“The encroachment along Radium Boulevard would not be more than three feet outside of the property line and it would be maintained behind the power line along the property,” Dohlen explained to council. “This encroach-ment will still permit on-street parking along Radium Boulevard. Along Canyon Avenue, the encroachment would be approximately five feet and in line with the ex-isting landscaping.”
He concluded that putting a fence adjacent to the lane will allow village staff access to the property.
“The great thing is that it’s temporary,” concluded James. “Nothing is concrete in the ground. It just means (we) have to take it out of the ground and undo the plank-ing between them — that kind of thing. We have no illu-sions that this is going to be a permanent structure that can’t be taken apart with minimal effort.”
It’s that time of the year when nature begins to
slow her systems down and she begins to prepare for the winter months in our valley. Personally, I love autumn with its change of tempera-ture and the variety of co-lours from the trees, shrubs and flowers. The mountains start to change their appear-ance as they receive their first dustings of snow and the bears are busy eating all the fruit they can find before they retire for the winter nap.
I pulled out my vegetable garden this week, harvest-ing the last of the tomatoes, beans, potatoes and car-rots. The little chickadees had fun dive bombing me to get the last of the seeds still stuck in the sunflower heads. Autumn can be a busy time yet there seems to always be a sense of calmness in the air.
Yesterday, I sat with a cup of tea beside the garden, basking in the late afternoon sunshine. I recalled a mentor, from years ago, who said, “You must calm down in order to speed up!”
At that time, this statement made little if no sense to me. How does this resonate for you? All too often we get onto the treadmill that has us believing that to play a bigger game, to get more done, to accomplish all the tasks at hand, we have to work harder, faster and longer. This might sound familiar to you as well?
It works. However, sustainability can be problem-atic. Don’t get me wrong; I am all for hard work, con-tribution and making a difference in the world. The question is: what price are we willing to pay by choos-ing this? How can we be more and do more personally and professionally without having to jeopardize our physical/mental/emotional health, relationships and finances?
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. — Lao TzuContinue to grow your greatness and embrace more
calmness today and every day. You’ll be amazed at how much more you actually get done and how great you will feel. And now, I will calmly go and pick up what the bears “left” after ravaging the apple tree last night.
Elizabeth Shopland is a personal growth and develop-ment coach, a certified horticulturist, and the co-owner of Shopland Grow & Bloom. She can be reached at [email protected] and 250-342-1124.
‘You must calm down in order to speed up!’REATNESSG
Grow Your
G
LIZABETHESHOPLAND
OLUMNISTC
A8 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
The Columbia Valley Rockies won 3-2 against the Revelstoke Grizzlies at the Revelstoke Forum on Saturday, October 17th.
The Grizzlies started off strong with 1-0 lead in the first period until Rockies players Damon Ra-ven and Davin Burton tied up the game with 2:26 seconds left in the first.
The Rockies made another gain when Donoven Quintin brought his team into the lead by scoring during the second with assists from Jordan Rob-ertson and Ryan St. Jean.
Two minutes after that victory, the Grizzlies scored and tied up the game at 2-2.
But Rockies player Kellen Marchand — who was named the Away Star of the Game — scored the final and winning goal in the third period with an assist from Nolan Menard.
The Rockies will play against the Creston Val-ley Thunder Cats on Tuesday, October 20th at
the Johnny Bucyk Arena before repeating the challenge against the Thunder Cats at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23rd.
IJHLK
Kellen Marchand (far left) takes the winning shot on goal that nabbed Columbia Valley a 3-2 victory over the Revelstoke Grizzlies on October 17th at the Revelstoke Forum. Below: Despite the Grizzlies’ pressure on their net, the Rockies didn’t crack. Photos by Alex Cooper/Revelstoke Times Revie
Grizzlies crumble to Rockies
invermerevalleyecho.com A9Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
Get Ahead!The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy presents
Essential Skills to Get AheadThis free programme will cover job search skills, computer and document use, and identifying transferable skills and credentials to help you enter the workforce, transition or
advance your employment.Six sessions taking place in Canal FlatsOctober – November 2015.For more info contact Katie Andruschuk,CBAL Community Literacy Coordinator:[email protected]; 250-409-4251www.cbal.org/windermere-valley
Visit the NEW Hawaii.comEnter To Win a Luxurious Hawaiian Holiday for Two*
First Class Roundtrip Airfare aboard Hawaiian AirlinesFive Nights at the world-famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Luxury Rental courtesy of Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Experience Hawaii like you live here…on-line. Choose an Island that’s right for you, fi nd the resort of your dreams
then explore all the activities, shopping and dining that await you in paradise!
For more information and to register, visit hawaii.com/luxurycontest
Your complete source for island travel.
*Must be 18 years of age to enter. No purchase necessary. Winner chosen by random draw. Odds determined by number of entries. Up to one entry per person per day. Travel valid from any Hawaiian Airlines gateway in North America. Driver must be 21 years, present a valid license, major credit card and is subject to all standard conditions & requirements at time of rental. Cannot be combined with other offers. Winner travel dates, times and package components subject to change & availability. Restrictions apply. Contest ends at Midnight October 31, 2015. Visit Hawaii.Com for complete rules and regulations.
Important DeadlinesIn lieu of the statutory holiday on November
11th, deadlines for CLASSIFIED advertising in our November 11th issue has been
changed toThursday, November 5th at 12:00 p.m.
Also our o� ce will be closed on Friday November 13th and the o� ce will remain open
on November 11.November 13th and the o� ce will remain open
HeatHer JacksonCollege of the Rockies
College of the Rockies (COTR) has begun work on a new solar project at the Cran-brook main campus’ Kootenay Centre building. Kootenay Centre is the main campus’ biggest consumer of electric-ity and has the best physical space for the solar panels with less shadowing than other campus buildings.
The solar photovoltaic pan-els installed on the building’s roof will allow the College to produce electricity year-round, which they will then sell back to BC Hydro.
“As a facility, we want to be leaders in al-ternative energies and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and hydroelectricity,” says COTR facilities manager, Allan Knibbs. “There are a few other installs in the province but our area has the biggest potential for solar due to the number of sunny days we experience.”
The solar technology, which is expected to be complete by mid-November, will produce 109,000 kilowatt-hours per year of electricity — enough electricity to operate 14 houses for a year — while reducing the College’s green-house gas emissions by 12,000 kilograms of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
It also provides a teaching tool for COTR students both during construction and once the system is up and running.
The latest solar project comes on the heels of the installation of two types of solar technology at the College’s residence build-ing, providing a renewable energy source for heating the building. A solar wall was also mounted at the Cranbrook campus’ Pinnacle Hall building which helps to draw heat into the building, improving air quality and reduc-ing heating and operating costs.
“The Ministry of Advanced Education has been supportive of our solar initiatives through funding programs and I hope we are able to continue to expand our use of solar technologies throughout our regional cam-puses as well as here in Cranbrook,” Knibbs concludes.
Learn more about College of the Rockies at www.cotr.ca
College of the Rockies’ new solar project underway
Solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the Kootenay Centre building at COTR’s main campus in Cranbrook will al-low the College to produce electricity year-round. Photo submitted
Friendliness, dedication and a strong desire to read are the characteristics in demand at the Radium Hot Springs Public Library, ac-cording to library director Jane Jones.
“We have a group of very dedicated vol-unteers, but from time to time, they do go away on holidays or have other commit-ments,” she explained, noting the spots are typically filled in times of need.
There are a total of seven regular volun-teers at the library. However, Jones is al-ways eager to accept newcomers.
“We’re always open for volunteers,” said Jones. “It’s good if they (applicants) enjoy working with people and enjoy books.”
She is also aware of the strong concern from the community about the dwindling book sales.
“The reason the book sales are down is because we didn’t have the summer book sale at the Market on Main this year,” Jones explained, adding it takes about six volunteers to man the summer book sale. “It’s too much of a heavy duty to ask peo-ple to commit themselves to that type of thing. That’s definitely one of the reasons why we didn’t have the book sale.”
Another issue is lack of space, added Jones. Previously, books were kept in a vacant office building nearby. However, the space has been rented and now the Radium Hot Springs Public Library is chal-lenged to find room for book donations.
“So we haven’t got the storage space to keep donated books, but we do have a donated (pocket) book section in the library,” she said. “We keep as many do-nated books as possible on the shelves because they’re great for travellers.”
Radium Hot Springs library seeks volunteers, space
OCALL EWSN
A10 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
CLUES ACROSS 1. LA team member 6. Young Fr. woman (abbr.) 10. Per __, each 11. Foots 13. Veggie toy 17. Overdose 18. US, Latin America, Canada
belong to 19. So. Am. plain (Span.) 20. Point midway between N
and NE 21. Single 22. Inactive 23. Mother of Hermes 24. Gives a new meaning 28. Silent players 29. One who adds Cluny trim 30. Men or boys 31. God of War 32. Self-immolation by fire
ritual 33. Inevitable events 35. Add piquancy
36. Skin lesions 37. Cannabis 41. River of NE Turkey 42. 2 family struggle 43. A young swine 44. __ student, learns healing 45. 55300 MN 46. Opie actor Howard 47. World’s oldest news
gathering organization (abbr.)
48. Luke’s Jedi mentor 52. Japan’s knife & scissor city 54. Medical antiseptic & dye 55. Early female flyers 56. Loses heat CLUES DOWN 1. No longer practicing 2. Military mailbox 3. Cowboy Carson 4. 7th Greek letter 5. Nautical ladder rungs 6. Hmong
7. Fellow 8. Maltese pound 9. Coal blacks 10. Japan Airlines bird 12. Different concepts 13. Secure a ship with ropes 14. Elder 15. Belongs to famous computer 16. Point midway between NE
and E 20. Moniker 23. Environment 25. Fills with joy 26. Transportation charges 27. Frosts 28. Counterpart 30. 2nd largest Hawaiian island 32. Grimly humorous 33. A dog’s front foot 34. Mures River city 35. Steam bath 36. South African Music Awards 37. Sound made by a cat 38. Clothing protectors
39. Wife of Amphion 40. God of fire (Hindu) 42. Favorite weekday (abbr.) 45. Japanese sashes 48. Klutz 49. “__ Koo,” Debbie Harry
debut album 50. Tokyo 51. Hardly any 53. Cathode
Answers to last week
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fi ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. Figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers named, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
UDOKUS
ROSSWORDC
RAINB AINGAMES
Friday October 23
A mix of sun and clouds 11oC
Saturday October 24
A mix of sun and clouds 11oC
Sunday October 25
A mix of sun and clouds 10oC
EATHERWWeekend
A look back through � e Valley Echo's archives over the last 50 years
REMEMBER WHEN?
55 years ago (1965): In a Shuswap Indian
Band election, Lois Capilo replaced Xavier Eugene as chief. Raymond Teneese and Moses Teneese replaced Charlie Eugene and Edward Paul as councillors.
45 years ago (1970): The then-mayor of In-
vermere used the front page of the Echo to ask teenagers to re-frain from their traditional Hal-loween pranks that year. The pranks usually included dump-ing garbage all over Invermere’s
main street (7th Avenue), light-ing � res and throwing eggs.
40 years ago (1970): The provincial Min-
istry of Housing announced it would construct low cost housing in Invermere. The housing was part of the Assist-ed Home Ownership Program.
30 years ago (1985): At a town meeting,
Invermere residents heard about plans to connect main street (7th Avenue) and 13th Avenue. The proposed con-necting road used parts of 6th Street and 7th Street.
20 years ago (1995): A trio of grizzlies
killed two hunters, one from the Lower Mainland (who had previously lived in the valley) and one from Kelowna. The men were found northeast of Radium Hot Springs near the carcass of an elk they had shot. The bears were later killed.
10 years ago (2005): Invermere was gear-
ing up for a hotly contested municipal election, with in-cumbent mayor Mark Shmi-gelsky running for re-election aginst incumbent councillor Brian McLaughlin. The may-or race was a re-match of the 1999 mayor race, in which Shmigelsky beat McLaughlin by 11 votes.
2007 — Windermere Valley Ski Club member Courtney Hoffos collects garbage on Panorama Road as part of
the club’s annual cleanup day.
ECHO FILE PHOTO
invermerevalleyecho.com A11Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
• 10 - 11 a.m.: Groundswells Preschoolers and Parents, Plant and Play drop in program every Wednesday from September 30 - October 28th, with different themes over fi ve weeks. Pre-registration is appreciated. Cost is by donation. Visit groundswellnetwork.ca/event/preschoolers-and-parents-plant-and-play-2/2015-09-30/ for more information.
• 11:45 p.m.: Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday. Presentation this week is Councillor Justin Attererbury speaking of Invermere’s Multi Use Facility.
• 2 p.m.: Genealogy Group at Columbia Gardens Coffee Room. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
• 4 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre (SYC) Games night. Join us for games.
• 9 p.m.: The Steadies playing at Hoodoo Grill in Fairmont.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22ND
• 1 p.m.: Conrad Kain Centennial Society AGM at the Windermere Valley Museum. New members welcome.
• 4 - 6 p.m.: SYC Graphics Course (pre-sign up).
• 4 - 8 p.m.: SYC open gym.
• 5 - 7 p.m.: SYC Cooking night.
• 5:30 p.m.: 17th Annual Business Excellence Awards at Copper Point Resort. Contact Susan Clovechok at 250-342-2844 or email [email protected].
• 7 p.m.: Crib and Texas Hold Em tournaments. every Thursday at the Invermere Legion. $35 poker buy in.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD
• October 23rd - 25th Scrapper’s Cove Annual Retreat. Call 1-250-342-7238 for more information.
• 2 - 4 p.m.: Beaver Scouts will be selling popcorn in front of Valley Foods. Please check out their Facebook page or contact Lainey at 250-688-8046 to order up to Oct 23.
• 5 p.m.: SYC pool tournament.
• 6:30 p.m.: Roast Chicken at the Invermere Legion. $15/person. Reservations recommended. Call
250.342.9517 Meat Draw and 50/50.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH
• 10 a.m.: Monster Mash Dash, a fun 5/10k run in support of the Valley Fitness Centre. Visit monstermashdash.ca for more details.
• 10 a.m.: Radium Public Library will be presenting Halloween story time for children, ages 5 +.
• 11 a.m.: Monster Mash Dash makeup tutorials and costumes.
• 12 - 4 p.m.: Canal Flats Fall Fair & Artist Market. $2 entrance fee, games, crafts, fall painting, etc. Lunch available.
• 6 p.m.: 44th Annual Fireman’s Ball at the Invermere Community Hall. $35. Come out and enjoy a dinner and dance with a chance to win some prizes.
• 7:30 p.m.: SYC movie and popcorn night.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
• Radium Fall Harvest Festival, part of Columbia Valley Oktoberfest celebrations.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH
• Radium Aquafi t classes start Oct. 26-Dec. 18th. $13 drop-in, $11 per class advance sign up. Mon, Wed, Fri, mornings at 10 - 11 a.m. Mon and Wed evenings 7:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Sonia at 250-341-8571 or Shawna at 250-270-0456 for more information.
• 4 p.m.: SYC Homework Help, Employment readiness (pre-sign up) and Skills for Life (pre-sign up).
TUESDAY, OCTOBER. 27TH
• 5 p.m.: SYC Rockband competition.
• 6 - 8 p.m.: Lego Club every Tuesday at Radium Public Library.
• 7 p.m.: Cinefest fi lm series featuring the fi lm Two Days, One Night by master fi lmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Tickets $12 at the door or at Tiffany’s Thredz or Pynelogs.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
• 10 - 11 a.m.: Groundswells Preschoolers and Parents, Plant and Play drop in program every Wednesday from September 30 - October 28th. Pre-registration is appreciated. Cost is by donation. Visit groundswellnetwork.ca/event/preschoolers-and-parents-plant-and-play-2/2015-09-30/ for more information.
• 5 p.m.: SYC Trivia night. Prizes for fi rst and second place.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH
• 4 - 6 p.m.: SYC Graphics Course (pre-sign up).
• 4 - 8 p.m.: SYC open gym.
• 5 -7 p.m.: SYC Cooking night.
• 7:30 pm.: David Thompson Threatre class presents Dracula (adapted by John Mattera) Oct 29 and Oct 30. Tickets available at the Blue Dog Café and DTSS: $10 for adults, $5 for students.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH
• Purple Cow Gift Shop 10th Anniversary in Fairmont Hot Springs.
• 12 p.m.: Edgewater Seniors soup day at the Edgewater Legion, $6 includes soup, bun and dessert.
• 4 - 10 p.m.: SYC Halloween Extravaganza dance and costume party. Family dance at 4 - 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome. SYC Halloween dance 7 - 10 p.m.. Please bring donation for the Food Bank for admission in support of the “Trick or Eat” campaign.
• 6 p.m.: 15th annual FunnyFest, Halloween Howler at Copper Point Resort. Dinner and show Package $40, just the show $10 per person. For more information call 250-341-4004 or email [email protected]
• 6:30 p.m: Halloween Dinner at the Invermere Legion. Menu TBA. Live Music by Ted Alexander. $15/person. Reservations recommended. Call 250-342-9517 Meat Draw and 50/50.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST
• Halloween Food Fest food drive.This fundraiser is both to engage community involvement featured on the youth and supporting our locals in a time of need. Instead of trick or treating for candy we will be asking our beloved valley members from areas of Invermere and Windermere to have non-perishable food items on hand as we knock on your door on October 31st. Hopefully all dressed as a food theme).
• 12:30 p.m.: Party in Pink Zumba fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness at the Invermere Community Hall. Dress in pink. $10 drop-in with all the process going to Canadian Cancer Society.
• 3 - 5 p.m.: Dragonfl y Discovery Centre is hosting a children’s Halloween Party. Music, dancing, games, crafts, and feely stations. By donation. Next to Radium Public Library on Main St. West.
• 6 - 11 p.m.: SYC Scary movie marathon.
• 7 - 8:42 a.m.: Rocky Mountain Rally. Visit www.rockymountainrally.com for more details.
• Halloween Spiel and party: For more information visit www.curlinginvermere.ca, or email [email protected] or call 250-342-3315.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND
• 7 p.m.: Lake Windermere District Lions Club meetings every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at CVCC/Lions Hall Highway 93/95, Invermere. Contact 250-345-0171.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
• 6 - 8 p.m.: Lego Club every Tuesday at Radium Public Library.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
• 2 - 4 p.m.: Shuswap Band Open House at the New Shuswap Band Offi ce beside Kootenay Flooring.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH
• East Kootenay Wine Festival November 6th - 8th.
• Ladies Spiel: November 6-8, for more information visit www.curlinginvermere.ca, or email [email protected] or call 250-342-3315.
• 6:30 p.m: Salmon Dinner at the Invermere Legion. $15/person. Reservations recommended. Call 250-342-9517 Meat Draw and 50/50.
• 7 p.m.: The Chuck Bisset Singers perform with special guest appearance by Savannah Bisset at Alliance Church. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for students.
• 7 - 10 p.m.: Fresh Fridays Open Mic at Pynelogs. Showcasing young talent from the valley. All ages, licensed bar. First Friday of every month.
A12 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
KIDS Church, for children age 3 - Grade 1; and Grade 2-7, during
the morning service.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
Hwy. 93/95, 1 km northof Windermere250-342-9511
Pastor: Murray Wittkevalleychristianonline.com
Sunday Service10 a.m. Worship & Word
Kid’s Church Provided
Sharing TruthShowing Love
Following the Spirit
ST. PETER’SLUTHERAN MISSION
OF INVERMERE100 - 7th Ave., Invermere
250-426-7564Pastor: Rev. Fraser ColtmanPastor Rev. David Morton
Worship ServicesSundays1:30 p.m.
Christ Church Trinity,Invermere
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER
DAY SAINTS5014 Fairway,
Fairmont Hot Springs250-341-5792
President: Adam PasowistyColumbia Valley Branch
Worship ServicesSundays
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Nuesslein, HildeIt is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of our Hilde Nuesslein on Sunday, October 11,
2015. Hilde was predeceased by her parents and siblings and in 2013, by Herbert, her husband of 60 years. She is survived by her two children, David (Deanna), Eunice (Gorm) and her only grandchild, Elise.
Hilde was born in the picturesque town of Passau, Ger-many on July 16, 1928. She and Herbert married in 1952 and they soon immigrated to Canada in 1954. They started out in Lethbridge where their first child, Eunice, was born. After a short time in Alberta, the young family moved to Vancouver where their son, Da-vid, was born. Although they built up a successful sign business in Vancouver, they wanted to do more with their lives. In 1970 they sold everything and moved to Invermere to help with the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses there. And that is what Hilde loved best: sharing the good news of God’s Kingdom, and show-ing generosity, hospitality and kindness to all she met. Although she struggled with serious health problems in her later years, she was always gracious and no one left her room at Columbia House without feeling upbuilt and encouraged.
Many thanks to Drs. Ross and Page for Hilde’s excellent care over the years. A special thanks to Vivian Bond and the wonderful team at Columbia House (south wing) who treated her as if she was family. Your exemplary care of our mom allayed so many of our fears.
Hilde is now peacefully asleep in Jehovah’s memory, awaiting the promised resurrection (John 5:28, 29). There will be a memorial service for Hilde Nuesslein on Sunday, October 18 at 7 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1070 Hwy 93/95, Invermere, BC.
Announcements Announcements Announcements
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TravelFOUNTAIN OF Youth Spa RV Resort is your winter destina-tion for healing mineral waters, fi ve-star facilities, activities, entertainment, fi tness, friends, and youthful fun! $9.95/day for new customers. Reservations: 1-888-800-0772, foyspa.com.
Information Obituaries Obituaries
Place of WorshipPlace of Worship Place of Worship Place of Worship Place of Worship Place of Worship
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INDEX IN BRIEFFAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTSTRAVEL
CHILDRENEMPLOYMENT
BUSINESS SERVICESPETS & LIVESTOCK
MERCHANDISE FOR SALEREAL ESTATE
RENTALSAUTOMOTIVE
MARINE
Place a classifi ed word ad and...
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A14 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley EchoA14 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
0911611 BC LTD o/a Tim Hortons496 Highway 93/95 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K2
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Career opportunities
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cbt.org/careers1.800.505.8998
The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
Call 1-855-651-3027
Find Us in Cranbrook, Fern ie, Golden and Invermere
Local Centre in Invermere Open Mon to Fr i a t 2 -1313 7th Ave. Cal l 341 -6889
Need a Resume?
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Employment
GET FREE vending machines can earn $100,000 + per year. All cash-locations provided. Protected Territories. Interest free fi nancing. Full details call now 1-866-668-6629 Website www.tcvend.com.
HIP OR knee replacement? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dress-ing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For As-sistance: 1-844-453-5372.
WANT A recession proof ca-reer? Power Engineering 4th Class. Work practicum place-ments, along with an on-cam-pus boiler lab. Residences available. Starting January 4, 2016. GPRC Fairview Cam-pus. 1-888-539-4772 or online at; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.
Career Opportunities
CIVIL ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGIST IIDistrict of KitimatFull Time Permanent - Wage $38.89-$47.05
Over 2 yearsCivil Technologist diploma required. Duties include surveying, design, contract preparation, and inspection on principal projects. Must be profi cient with electronicsurvey equipment, and Auto-Cad 3D.
Please Apply By November 3, 2015 4:30 pm, By : Fax 1-(250) 632-4995, or e-mail: [email protected]
Visit: www.kitimat.ca
MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit: Care-erStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!
Education/Trade Schools
START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Infor-mation Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765
Employment
Interior Heavy EquipmentOperator School. Real World
Tasks. Weekly start dates. GPS Training! Funding Options. Already have
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TRAIN TO be an apart-ment/condo manager. Many jobs registered with us. Good wages and benefi ts. Govern-ment certifi ed online course. 35 years of success! www.RMTI.ca/enq
Help WantedMIDTOWN RV Ltd has a posi-tion for licensed Heavy Duty RV Mechanic. Full-time, no layoffs. Benefi t pkg and profi t sharing. Email resume to [email protected]
Medical/DentalHUGE DEMAND for Medical Transcriptionists! CanScribe is Canada’s top Medical Tran-scription training school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today! 1-800-466-1535. www.canscribe.com or [email protected].
Services
Financial ServicesAUTO FINANCING-Same Day Approval. Dream Catcher Auto Financing 1-800-910-6402 or www.PreApproval.cc
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Services
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Merchandise for Sale
Fruit & VegetablesFaraman Farm
3111 Hwy 3 Erickson, BC250-402-3056
Visit us for apples From Ambrosia to Zestar,
we have more than 20 varieties available in season.
We also have carrots &fresh-pressed cider.
Bulk orders welcome!Closed Sundays
Heavy Duty Machinery
A-CHEAP, LOWEST PRICES STEEL SHIPPING Dry Storage Containers Used 20’40’45’53’ and insulated con-tainers all sizes in stock. 40’ containers as low as $2,200DMG. Huge freezers. Experienced wood carvers needed, full time. Ph Toll free 24 hours 1-866-528-7108 or 1-778-298-3192 8am-5pm. De-livery BC and AB www.rtccon-tainer.com
Misc. for SaleSAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSaw mills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.
STEEL BUILDINGS. “Mad-ness sale!” All buildings, all models. You’ll think we’ve gone mad deals. Call now and get your deal. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422 or visit online: www.pioneersteel.ca
Help Wanted Help Wanted
Merchandise for Sale
FIREARMS. ALL types want-ed, estates, collections, single items, military. We handle all paperwork and transportation. Licensed Dealer. 1-866-960-0045. www.dollars4guns.com.
Real Estate
Real Estate
Rentals
AKISKINOOK RESORTGround level, larger end unit,1 bdrm fully furnished condo,
newly renovated, indoor pool, hot tub. $775/mth includes cable.
Call or text 403-850-5126.
Mobile Homes & Pads
Mobile home lot for rent. Phone 250-342-9390.
Offi ce/RetailCOMMERCIAL SPACE
FOR LEASE1292 Main St., Smithers. 5920 sq. ft. Available Jan. 2016. Please email [email protected] for more information.
To advertise, call: 250-341-6299Serving the valley
250-342-4433 • Open 7 days a weekNATIONWIDE GUARANTEE
• Tires• Suspension• Alignment
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Your Winter Tire Super Store
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Two scheduled council meetings at the Village of Radium Hot Springs have been altered for this upcoming winter.
Village of Radium Hot Springs chief administrative officer Mark Read presented informa-tion to council about the fact that the regularly scheduled November 11th council meet-ing fell on Remembrance Day, which would prompt staff to work on the holiday.
Mayor Clara Reinhardt and the councillors agreed it would not be fair to ask staff to work the holiday. As a result, they opted to push back the council meeting to make amends, and postponed the November 11th meeting until November 18th, which consequently pushed back the next meeting until December 9th.
Park layout plansAn inquiry was made regarding plans to construct a roof over Radium outdoor arena by
the Golden Triangle Cycling Tour group, which had made a $3,000 donation towards the project several years ago.
The village had developed preliminary designs during the process of evaluating the fea-sibility of the project, but ultimately determined it would not be viable.
“It’s outside of our scope,” said Reinhardt.However, according to Read, the village does plan to re-evaluate the existing arena loca-
tion and design at some time in the future, as part of a comprehensive park layout plan.
OUNCILC RIEFSBRadium council meetings changed
B.c. Bats need your helP... The Kootenay Community Bat Project (KCBP) is promoting bat conservation and asks residents in the region to help by building bat houses to help protect this spe-cies at risk and encourage healthy bat populations. To find out more about the Building Homes for Bats reimbursement program or to download plans for a bat house, visit www.kootenaybats.com. Photo courtesy of erica Konrad
A16 invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Valley Echo
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In partnership withSAVEANYWHERE.
Introducing the New Save.ca Mobile Cash-Back Feature. With exclusive offers for the brands you love & $5 cash-out minimums
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Foster Family Month: celebrating 25 years in B.C.SUBMITTED BY THE MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
First proclaimed in October 1990, October 2015 is the 25th year of Foster Family Month in B.C. Every day in communities throughout B.C., around 3,000 foster fami-lies open their hearts and their homes to about 5,300 vulnerable children and youth. Not everyone can be a foster parent — it takes someone special to do this work. The most important qualifi cations are a desire to provide a supportive and caring envi-ronment and make a positive difference in a child’s life. If you know a foster family in your community, remember to say thank you for their dedication and commitment to the children, youth and families in our communities.
Jodi recently heard these words from one of her teenaged foster children. The quiet sentiment offered positive validation of the love and care Jodi and her fam-ily have provided to vulnerable youth in the Trail area for the past decade.
Prior to becoming a foster parent, Jodi earned degrees in psychology and social work, and became a social worker specializing in child protection.
However, she never could have predicted the most rewarding role of her life would be as a mom.
“Fostering has allowed me to become a better and more present mom to every-one in our home — it’s amazing, rewarding work and I love it,” she said. “If you enter into this role with your eyes wide open and are willing to learn and adapt, it could be one of the best things you ever do. You really can make a difference in a kid’s life.”
Jodi says fostering has also made an incredible impact on her two biological children, particularly in the way they view others.
“As I became a stronger foster parent, my kids gained those skills, too,” she explained. “They learned how to communicate effectively and work with other personalities. They also realized that life doesn’t come to everyone on a silver platter and other people struggle. Fostering has taught them how to be more compassionate.”
As the Ministry of Children and Family Development Community Support Network (CSN) Lead for her region, Jodi regularly men-tors other local foster families within the CSN. While Jodi’s fam-ily chooses to foster teens, she marvels at fellow long-time foster parent and CSN member Bev Gil-bert, known in the Trail area as “the baby lady.” Over the years,
the former nurse has fostered countless substance-exposed infants, helping to transition the majority of them into adoptive homes.
“The second a baby is placed in my care, I want that baby to have parents. That’s how I can be okay with saying goodbye,” Bev said. “When I foster an infant, I allow it to bond to me fully. Then, when it’s time for the child to join their new family, they go happily because they trust me to make their best decisions.”
Bev said there are many misconceptions about infants born addicted to sub-stances. As a foster mom, she has received extensive training and developed a variety of processes and techniques aimed at successfully feeding, stimulating and soothing the babies.
“These children can be helped so much during the short period I have them, and by the time they are about 10 months old they tend to become typical tod-dlers,” she explained. “I truly admire them — they started out facing a great deal of adversity, but they are such resilient little people.”
Six years ago, Bev and her family adopted one of the babies they had originally fos-tered. Today, her daughter is a constant reminder of why Bev loves fostering infants.
“My reward is seeing a great little kid who is being welcomed by a loving new family and knowing I helped that great little kid get to that place in their life,” she says. “It’s wonderful when a child can become his or her very best.”
October is Foster Family Month in British Columbia - a time to honour and cel-ebrate special people like Jodi and Bev. If you are 19 years or older, can provide a safe, loving, stable and supportive environment, and have a desire to make a dif-ference in the life of a vulnerable child, call the Foster Line toll-free at 1-800-663-9999 or visit www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster or check out the B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations website at www.bcfosterparents.ca.
Quick facts• Foster family homes are the primary placement resource for children in care
in B.C.• These homes support children and teens who are unable to live with their
traditional family for reasons of abuse, neglect, emergency or tragedy.• Sixty per cent of children in care in B.C. are Aboriginal compared to only 12
per cent of B.C.’s foster parents. There is a need for more Aboriginal families willing to foster so that all children in care can maintain their cultural and com-munity connections.
• Foster parents must be in good physical and mental health. They receive train-ing and undergo background, criminal record and reference checks. On average, the approval process takes three months.
• Once the approval process is successfully completed, new foster parents sign an agreement outlining their responsibilities and complete the 53-hour B.C. Fos-ter Care Education Program within two years.
EATUREF
ICBC from A6
“We have a government that talks about affordability but erodes it when it comes to ICBC rates that continu-ally jump higher than the rate of infl ation.”
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said more than 80 per cent of motorists use ICBC for both basic and optional coverage and they are paying only 13 per cent more than in 2011 after recent optional rate cuts are taken into account. Forgoing the annual dividend to government would have only trimmed the basic rate hike to 5.2 per cent, Stone said.
That 0.3 per cent reduction would have been “negligi-ble” in terms of impact on customers, he said, but would “blow a pretty signifi cant hole” in the province’s budget.
He called the $450-million transfer a one-time shift that can’t be repeated next year because there won’t be enough excess capital on the optional side.
ICBC offi cials also said they’re stepping up efforts to combat exaggerated and fraudulent claims. A new fraud analytics tool is to be deployed early next year to use data, algorithms and statistical methods to quick-ly fl ag patterns and high predictors of fraud early in the claims process. ICBC projects bodily injury claims costs will hit $2.3 billion this year, up from $2.17 billion in 2014. Those costs are up 64 per cent since 2008. The number of injury claims are up about 11 per cent from the previous year. Another basic rate hike is guaran-teed next year. The hike, effective Nov. 1, must still be approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission.
