agassiz observer, march 24, 2016

INSIDEPenner ICBC chair . . . . 3

Anniversary . . . . . . . . . 4

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Budget news . . . . . . . . 8

Classi eds . . . . . . . . .14

ENVIRONMENTTrapped sturgeons

gain a lucky release.

3

BIKE LANEBike lane link between

Harrison and Agassiz a

step closer.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

www.agassizharrisonobserver.com

Greg Laychak/ The ObserverBob Vernon holds the cheap and easy-to-use click beetle trap he designed using pheromones to attract males for research purposes..

Research builds a better bug trapBy Greg LaychakTHE OBSERVER

A recent trap design for click beetles in Atlantic Canada has local agricultural researchers excited about its possibilities for use in B.C. to understand more about the pest whose larvae have the potential to destroy potato crops among others.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) entomologist Christine Noronha unveiled her newly designed, simple and environmentally friendly trap last Monday at a wireworm information session hosted by the PEI Potato Board in Charlottetown.

“For us it's a very useful tool to be able to collect females and to study aspects of female click beetle behaviour and various control options,” said Agassiz research scientist Bob Vernon, who has been studying wireworms (which are not actual worms, but click beetle larvae) for 20 years with AAFC.

In fact, Vernon designed a trap of his own recently and is working with Noronha to combine the diff erences of their cheap and easily-built devices to enhance pest control for farmers across Canada.

“[Th ey’re] tools in the wireworm control toolbox that we're trying to

build,” he said. “None of the traps... are a silver bullet. Th ey are either useful tools for researchers or useful to growers or indicating that you've got certain species.”

Th e Noronha Elaterid Light Trap, or “NELT”, is made with three pieces—a small solar-powered spotlight, a plastic white cup and a piece of screening.

It uses light to attract female click beetles that emerge from the ground in May and June.

Each of these beetles can lay between 100 and 200 eggs that produce wireworms.

In a six-week test with 10

traps, more than 3,000 femaleswere captured in the plastic cups,preventing the birth of up to 600,000wireworms.

And screening on Noronha’s trapprevents benefi cial predator insectsfrom being caught in the trap.

Vernon’s trap on the other handcatches about 7,000 beetles over thecourse of four days and is 80 to 85per cent eff ective within a 10 metreradius.

But it’s not a numbers competition.“My traps have certain qualities

that the P.E.I. trap doesn't and viceversa,” Vernon said.

Lessons learned in the potato fields of PEI are being applied here

Continued on Page 2

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2 Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, March 24, 2016

News

“But together they fi ll in a lot of the gaps in our knowledge.”

Th e NELT collects all varieties of click beetles and both genders by using light as its attractant, a property that has many uses.

Vernon’s singles out species by using pheromones to lure male beetles only—making it very useful for surveys.

Because they only collect one sex and one species, users know exactly what they are catching in each trap.

Th ey’re so simple farmers can use them without scientifi c knowledge. And they only cost about a buck per trap, Vernon said.

Th is pair of tools recently added to the AAFC’s repertoire might eventually be used for mass trapping—though that can be costly even at their lower per unit prices.

In that case farmers will want to collect the majority of females in the fi eld before they can lay eggs.

Using traps in the grass surrounding the fi elds would make trapping less expensive as it takes place in reservoir areas where wireworms build up to the millions, then move into fi elds.

“Here in B.C., the two [European] wireworm species we have here, in the past have caused major problems to certain industries such as the potato industry,” Vernon said.

“Th at's where it caused the most problems, but the wireworm stage of either of these species will eat virtually anything planted.”

So once they're in an area, they can be a problem for a long time if there’s nothing—or no one—to control them.

In their mission to try to get ahead of the pest that’s making a comeback as persistent and heavy (now banned) pesticides leave Canada’s soils, Noronha and Vernon cross paths oft en.

Th e Agassiz scientist is expanding his tests in P.E.I. to about 20 fi elds to study movement aspects of the Agriotes sputator species that B.C. doesn’t have.

And Vernon will also calibrate his male-only traps with

Noronha’s catch-all devices sothey can get closer to estimatingthe number of females in a fi eld.

“My traps with the sputatorpheromone in three fi elds caughtjust under a million click beetles,”he said. “Th ey're extremelyeff ective. We've been toying withthe idea of mass trapping themwith my traps.”

Th at’s a notion that shouldclick with farmers in P.E.I. andeverywhere else in Canada.

• Th e exotic wireworms thatcame on boats from Europeabout 150 years ago live in the soiland drill their way through tuberand root crops like potatoes andcarrots. Th e PEI Potato Boardestimated wireworm damage tothe province’s potato crop aloneat $6 million in 2014.

Greg Laychak/ The ObserverHannibal is an unidentified species of wireworm sent to Vernon from an associ-ate in the U.S. He is much larger than the species present in B.C.

Greg Laychak/ The ObserverWireworms can devastate crops like potatoes, sometimes burrowing dozens of holes through the tubers.

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Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, March 24, 2016 3

News

By Tom FletcherBlack Press

Former B.C. environment minister and Chilliwack-Kent MLA Barry Penner takes over as chair of the Insurance Corporation of B.C. at the end of March.

Penner’s appointment comes as ICBC prepares its fi nal argument for a 5.5 per cent rate increase that it started charging in November. Th e increase raises the cost of basic insurance by about $3.70 per month for the average driver,

and still needs approval by the B.C. Utilities Commission.

Citing rising costs from personal injury claims and fraud, ICBC proposed a maximum 6.7 per cent increase. Th e province gave the Crown corporation permission for a one-time transfer of $450 million from its optional insurance business to subsidize the basic rate.

“Th e B.C. government will continue to work with ICBC to identify and implement measures that will mitigate

the causes of rate increases, to help ensure that ICBC insurance rates remain as low and aff ordable as possible,” said

Transportation Minister Todd Stone, announcing Penner’s appointment Tuesday.

Th e B.C. government continues to take a share of revenue from ICBC optional insurance sales, where it competes with private insurers for collision and other coverage beyond the mandatory basic insurance.

Th e current budget calls for ICBC to transfer $95 million this year, $148 million next year and $130 million in 2018-19.

Barry Penner

Penner named ICBC board chair

Jennifer FeinbergBlack Press

Fisheries offi cers on patrol near Chilliwack recently freed several live white sturgeon from poaching nets.

Th ey were in the boat on March 8 when they located and released six sturgeon from the set nets, said Doug Clift , DFO’s C&P fi eld supervisor.

“Two unmarked and unattended gillnets were found near the confl uence of the Sumas and the Fraser River,” Clift said.

Th e nets were both seized by offi cers, but it is not known who they belonged to, since there was not much evidence to go on, he said.

“As we pulled the fi rst net up, we released four live sturgeon. And then the other net, it was the same thing. Two more

were released.”An offi cial tweet

went out March 11 from DFO Pacifi c with photos showing one of the six “lucky” sturgeon that had been “freed alive from poaching nets” by fi shery offi cers patrolling near Chilliwack.

“I went to a sport fi shing meeting and people as far away as Kamloops were talking about that tweet,” Clift remembered.

Th e enforcement offi cers monitor waterways to ensure compliance with the Fisheries Act, and the various fi sheries, including First Nations, recreational and commercial.

Offi cers from C o n s e r v a t i o n and Protection, (C&P) which is the enforcement arm of

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, had been on a regular patrol of the Fraser at the time.

Th e released sturgeon, which were four to six feet long, just swam away once they were freed, and didn’t have any net lashing marks on them.

“Th ey didn’t look like they had been in the net that long,” he said.

Th e C&P offi cers usually seize a couple of nets every year, and sometimes there are fi sh trapped in them.

“But to get six sturgeon that way is not that common. Th ey might be on the move at this time of year, especially since this is the time when the ooligan and salmon start to appear.”

Th e concern is that illegally set nets can threaten the survival of

Fraser fi sh populations like white sturgeon, which are protected under the Species At Risk Act. Th e sturgeon fi shery is strictly catch and release, with no retention.

Any nets or sightings can be called in to the Observe Record Report (ORR) line at 1-800-465-4336.

Sturgeons freed from illegal nets

DFO/TwitterA department of fisheries officer releases one of six white sturgeon found trapped in illegally placed fishing nets on the Fraser River.

DFO officers find six at risk sturgeon in Fraser nets

One-day conference shines a light on dementia

A conference coming to the area next month will give Agassiz-Harrison residents the chance to learn about one of the province’s most pressing health issues.

Discover Dementia: Help and Hope for the Dementia Journey, a one-day conference off ered by the non-profi t Alzheimer Society of B.C., comes to the area on Th ursday, April 21.

It will cover topics such as

becoming a ‘Dementia Friend’, “Heads Up for Brain Health”, communication and behaviour along the dementia journey along with activities and social engagement with a person with dementia.

Dr. Liu-Ambrose will provide an update on dementia research.

Th e conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Coast Chilliwack Hotel’s Rosedale Room at 45920

First Avenue.Th e $20 registration fee, which

includes lunch, will help cover costs.

Pre-registration is required by April 12, by calling toll-free to 1-855-742-4803.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, which aff ect one in 11 Canadians over the age of 65, visit www.alzheimerbc.org.

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PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE2016 - 2020 FINANCIAL PLANPursuant to Section 166 of the Community Charter, a Public Open House will take place at the Council Chambers, Village Office, 495 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs, BC on Monday, April 4, 2016 between 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for presentation of the 2016-2020

Financial Plan.

We encourage the public to attend and welcome any comments.

Council will be considering the Financial Plan Bylaw for the first time at its Regular Council Meeting on

Monday, April 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

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News

By Greg LaychakThe Observer

At 45 years old, the local B.C. Old Age Pensioners’ O r g a n i z a t i o n (BCOAPO) branch itself isn’t quite old enough to qualify as a senior, but it was honoured for reaching another landmark age at the Friendship House last week.

Dick Hopkins, president of the BCOAPO Branch 113 Agassiz, accepted the award from regional director of BCOAPO’s North Fraser district

Bob Burrell at the local group’s board meeting on Th ursday.

“As an organization we're proud that we've been able to serve our community for this many years, providing socialization help to our seniors,” Hopkins, who has been involved with the BCOAPO for 21 years later said.

Over that time, he has seen membership to the 55-plus branch grow to the 225 members it has today.

“Most of our members are in their 70s and 80s, some in their 90s,” Hopkins said. “We've still got about four or fi ve members who are in their 90s and they're still active.”

As more people age or move into the community and membership grows, so has the branch’s activities in the Friendship House.

Th at building was planned and an OAPO committee formed in 1987 to raise the necessary funds ($237,000) for its erection.

Th e Friendship House was opened in 1990 to a branch 113 membership of 50.

And today the increased number of participants who visit the facility have a broad selection of programs they can join.

Hopkins lists many

of them: bingo, line dancing, sit and be fi t (aerobics), cribbage, bridge, fl oor curling and the Jammers musical entertainment.

“It's an opportunity to be involved with people in their own age group,” he said.

Th ere are 24 teams in the fl oor curling league, up to 30 people go to Monday’s sit and be fi t class, and line dancing sees over 20 people joining in the group activity.

Th e organization also has annual fundraising events throughout the year including casino bus trips, St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween teas, an April spaghetti dinner and a November fall dinner.

In addition to that, the group rents out the hall for anniversaries, memorial services and many other types of holiday parties to help cover their costs.

At 45 years old

BCOAPO Branch 113Agassiz is impressive,but not nearly asmuch as its elders,the members andorganizers that makethe Friendship Housebuzz.

Greg Laychak/ The ObserverBCOAPO branch 113 president Dick Hopkins (middle) presented lifetime membershipawards to his wife Shirley Hopkins (left) and Viola Hollingworth (right) for their hours ofvolunteer work with the organization.

Pensioner’s organization hits middle age

Greg Laychak/ The ObserverBob Burrell regional director of BCOAPO’s North Fraser dis-trict (left) gives branch 113 president Dick Hopkins (right)the 45th anniversary award.

Kilby's opens Easter weekendKilby Historic Site will

offi cially open for its 2016 season from March 26 to 28 for the Easter weekend.

Kilby kicks off its season with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Participating children can collect their eggs to claim a prize, decorate an egg to hang on an Easter tree and then continue the search for the elusive Golden and Silver eggs to win a special prize.

Th ere will also be a traditional turkey feast prepared for the holiday.

Full portion orders are $19.95 or a half portion is $15.95.

Drinks and dessert are included.Sittings are at 12 and 2 p.m.

and bookings are recommended.Our complete 2016 calendar

of events can be seen on the Kilby Historic Site website.

Some fan favourites include the Mother and Father’s day celebrations; Teddy Bear Picnic and the ‘Plein Air Painting Festival’ which is held from Aug. 26 to 28 this year.

And just before the painting festivities is a visitor appreciation summer carnival being held this year on Aug. 14.

Th is festive bash, thrown to celebrate all our partners and

supporters will be admission bydonation.

Th ere will be live music,carnival games, market stalls,face-painting, craft s, a barbequeand many prizes for the kids.

On Aug. 14, 1906 the Kilbyfamily offi cially opened thegeneral store and post offi ce.

And this year somethingspecial is planned as the sitecelebrates its 110th anniversary.

Kilby Historic Site will beopen weekends until May 15.

To receive updates, sign upfor the monthly e-newsletter atwww.kilby.ca.


News

By Greg LaychakTHE OBSERVER

A plan two decades old to join Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs via a bike lane is one step closer to being a reality aft er District of Kent (DOK) council unanimously approved funding for the detailed design last Monday.

Th e $230,000 plan would create a shelf-ready drawing for the DOK and Village of Harrison Hot Springs to pitch to the province and Ottawa for funding.

Th e project has been in the works since the mid-90s, when healthy communities forums at that time in both towns said that “this was their top priority as a recreation and commuting route between Agassiz and Harrison for school student and anyone else,” said Deputy Mayor Sylvia Pranger aft er a presentation by staff at Municipal Hall Monday.

And in certain sections it is probably the most unsafe cycling area in this area, Pranger added.

Th e province has covered the costs to date for the Agassiz to Harrison Bike Lane/Multi-Purpose Path Project’s conceptual design, but to be eligible for the grants that would be required to fund the building of such a project the municipalities need a design package that’s completely ready.

“I’m optimistic,” said Mick Th iessen, Director of Engineering Services, later in the week. “We’re trying our best to move it forward and having this funding for detailed design is one step closer.”

Th e amount approved will be allocated from the $1.1 million available in the District’s community works gas tax fund and has been included in this year’s fi nancial plan.

Further, the Offi cial Community Plan (OCP) contains language that supports the path, according to staff .

“I’d like to see this council actually complete [the path],” said Coun. Darcy Striker at last Monday’s meeting. “In most local surveys that we do it’s always one of the top priorities for the community.”

Th e only thing he doesn’t want to see is a $230,000 plan sitting on a shelf collecting dust, he added.

DOK Chief Administrative Offi cer Wallace Mah said it’s a great opportunity, especially with the support of the region’s MLA Laurie Th roness.

“My discussions with him look promising for future grants with the province and perhaps with the federal government,” Mah said. “We don’t know what the total cost of the project is going to be when it’s completed but it’s one of these things that if you don’t make a commitment we’ll never get the project off the ground.”

Th e work required to put a plan like this one together is very involved, according to Th iessen.

And though it won’t be fi nalized until aft er a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation, it’s likely that Ch2M Hill is the engineering consultant company that will do the job.

Detailed survey work,

confi rmation of legal right of way, geotechnical considerations, the design of the bike multi-purpose pathways on both sides of the highway, and infrastructure change plans with the proper design drawings are all components of the plan.

“And basically you have a drawing that you give to a contractor and they can build the project,” Th iessen said.

Along with the detailed design, detailed cost estimates would come, he added.

“When you consider the length of the infrastructure—I believe it’s approximately 5.5 kilometre length that we’re dealing with from Agassiz to Harrison on both sides—that would equate to almost 11 kilometres,” Th iessen said. “Th ere’s some challenges there with some cut and fi ll slopes and some rock faces, some sight line issues, some utility poles to work around and possibly there may be some drainage design works.”

He said that aft er staff meets with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure next steps will be clearer, but the detailed design work is budgeted to be completed this year.

“At this point we’ve got approval for the funding of the detailed design and we’re working on the next steps,” Th iessen said. “And of course council will be advised from staff as we move forward in the process at the appropriate times.”

A bike lane between Harrison Hot Springs and Agassiz has been in the works since the mid-90s.

Agassiz-Harrison bike lane plan finds a new gear

‘Shelf-ready plan’ will smooth federal, provincial funding appeals

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Alternatives to drug ghettos

Auxiliaries play critical roleTh e decision in January by the RCMP to limit the duties performed by

auxiliary constables will have a ripple eff ect, one likely to be felt on the West Shore and beyond.

Under the new guidelines, auxiliaries will no longer be able to accompany regular offi cers on ridealongs, or do traffi c duty or crowd control, among other restrictions.

Th e decision, spurred in part by tragic events in Ottawa and Alberta last year, reinforces the RCMP’s commitment to maintaining the safety of volunteers in community policing programs, which is admirable. Th e changes are undoubtedly the most signifi cant since the RCMP decided in 1998 that auxiliaries would no longer carry fi rearms.

While it may not reduce the RCMP’s visibility, especially with regard to traffi c and crowd control, it will defi nitely increase the cost of policing for public events.

Only about one in three applicants actually get appointed as auxiliary constables under the Provincial Police Act. Th e commitment is steep, involving about 180 hours of training, and successful candidates are responsible for a minimum of 160 hours of service a year.

Candidates are a blend of men and women who see the experience as an asset to pursuing a career in policing, and those who want to serve the communities they live in. Th e West Shore has about 20 auxiliaries volunteering at any given time, and roughly the same number undergoing training. Th ey are well versed in the risks the work entails, and volunteer mainly for the rewards involved in serving the community.

Th e fear is that the changes will discourage people from signing on, especially in B.C., which has the largest number of auxiliaries in the country. Th e changes, although arguably right-minded, may mark the beginning of the end of the program’s long-term future.

~ Black Press

OpinionDo you like the federal government’s budget?To answer, go to the Home Page of our website: www.agassizharrisonobserver.com

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Is B.C. doing enough to help the homeless?Here’s how you responded: Yes 100% No 0%

B.C. VIEWSTom Fletcher

Published at Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Harrison Mil ls, Seabird Island and surrounding areas by the Black Press Group Ltd.

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both the newspaper and the complaint holder. 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 documentation, should be sent within 45 days to :

B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

��A

EDITORIAL

GREG LAYCHAK

[email protected]

DEADLINESClassifieds: Tues. 3 p.m. Display ads: Fri. 2 p.m.

P.O. Box 129 7167 Pioneer Ave. Agassiz, B.C. V0M 1A0

Phone: 604-796-4300 | Fax: 604-796-2081 www.agassizharrisonobserver.com

PUBLISHER

CARLYFERGUSON

604-796-4300

The Agassiz Harrison OFFICE HOURSTues.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed Sat., Sun., & Mon.

ADVERTISING

SARAH VIRTEAU 604-796-4301

[email protected]

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR

TANYA JEYACHANDRAN 604-796-4300

[email protected]

My recent columns on B.C.’s struggle with the growing westward migration of transients have produced responses that fall mainly into two groups.

Th e largest is people relieved that somebody is questioning the urban media narrative. Th at’s the one where drift ers, drug addicts, welfare shoppers and thieves are the victims, and working people whose hard-earned communities are being degraded are the problem because of their selfi sh, uncaring attitudes.

Th en there are readers so marinated in our nanny-state education, media and political system they object to anything other than a big-government response. Th ey tend to ask, what’s your solution, Tom?

As someone who has lost one relative to heroin addiction and

almost lost another, I refl ect on the history of successful addiction treatment. Th at is one of detox and abstinence.

Th at’s why I oppose the failed model of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where resources are poured into concentrated housing and “harm reduction” that perpetuate addiction, handouts and helplessness. Housing Minister Rich Coleman is rolling this out in other communities, in what I fear is an eff ort to paper over the problem for an election year.

Th e Globe and Mail recently profi led a methamphetamine addict enrolled at Onsite, the belated treatment addition to Vancouver’s Insite supervised injection site. It was his fi ft h try, which may have something to do with the fact that when he walks outside he is in the middle of Canada’s biggest street drug bazaar.

Contrast that with a facility called Baldy Hughes, a therapeutic community 30 km outside Prince George. It’s a working farm, designed

to provide a year-long program of abstinence-based therapy and meaningful work.

It uses the traditional 12-step program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics

Anonymous, with peer support and group therapy.

Th ere’s a greenhouse for winter farming, livestock to tend and the residents have designed and built a new horse stable. Th ere’s also a

beekeeping project. Residents can complete their high school education, take fi rst aid training and learn basic computer skills.

What they can’t do is leave unescorted during their treatment program. Th ey can’t bring drugs, alcohol, weapons or phones with them.

It’s a costly program, with a small number of spaces available on referral from B.C.’s social development ministry. Others can fi nance it with the help of medical employment insurance.

I mention this not to suggest it is a solution for every community, but to compare it with what the B.C. government is spending millions on.

A news event was arranged to greet the fi rst resident moving from Victoria’s squalid downtown tent camp to a refurbished nursing home. And who was the poster child for this project, hand-picked by the agency that runs the growing network of shelters in the area?

He described himself as a former

Edmonton resident who was hitch-hiking around, going from shelter to shelter and ending up camped in the squat. He was impressed by the tidy room with three meals a day he was being given, in a “low barrier” facility where booze and drugs are brought in, no questions asked.

What he was really looking forward to, in addition to accommodations, was an opportunity to kick back and play his favourite video game. Th at would be Grand Th eft Auto, where your character runs around stealing cars, escaping police and meeting with criminal gangs. It’s popular with adolescents, which these days means anyone under 30.

Th is is where your tax dollars are going. Waves of people come in, with key trouble spots being communities on the major highways coming into the Lower Mainland.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Twitter: @tomfl etcherbc Email: tfl [email protected]

As someone who has lost one relative to heroin

addiction and almost lost another, I refl ect on the history of successful

addiction treatment. That is one of detox and

abstinence.

Published by Black Press Limited. 7167 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz BC V0M 1A0

The Observer, Pizza Plus, Agassiz Public Library and Agassiz A&W invite kids 12 & under to join Adventure Club. When your name appears in this section, visit the Observer of� ce within 2 weeks with this clipping & you will receive:• a FREE PIZZA from Pizza Plus• a FREE BOOK from the Agassiz Public Library• a FREE COUPON from Agassiz A&W

Upon presentation of your birthday letter.

"ANNA CARRIES WATER”BY OLIVE SENIOR

ANNA LIVES IN JAMAICA AND EVERYDAY WITH HER

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MUCH ABOUT, BUT THANKS TO SENIOR'S WONDERFUL

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SudokuMarch 24, 2016

Intermediate LevelSee answers in Classifieds.

7456272


Mailbag

The Observer welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit for brevity, clarity and legality.

All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number (for verification purposes only)

Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of The Observer or its staff.

Email: [email protected]

Th ese surgical wait times have been going on for years. Th e Federal Government’s target was, years ago, set out as six months surgical wait (info from government website). It is now almost by now triple that unless you are lucky enough to get accepted by a new surgeon in town or one who is not as busy. Th is surgical wait time (and I have to use myself as an example as I cannot speak for others because, although I know they are out there, I don’t know how much pain over how many years they’ve had to suff er) is almost triple that. I have been in pain for over 10 years and on narcotics for eight of those years and I am no wimp. I haven’t complained offi cially until now when my year’s “sentence” had four more months added onto it. I had my fi rst hip surgery last February. I only had to wait six months for that surgery and expected to have my second hip done in Nov. 2015 not Nov. 2016 and now March 2017. By the way the wait for surgery starts once you have been to the hip and knee clinic. Last hip it was three months to get into it but second hip was six months.

I’ve come to the end of my endurance and am “fi ghting” back. Th e thing is I can fi ght

for myself but some are just not capable or don’t know where to start.

I was so incensed I emailed my local MP and was emailed back that it provincial jurisdiction. I emailed Premier Christy Clarke who passed my email onto the Minister of Health. I don’t want to hear about budgets or what they have spent on medical. It’s obviously not enough or not going to the right place. I have also been to our local MLA’s offi ce (in parliament at present) and a very nice young man said he would pass what I have told him onto the MLA. He also cited budget spending on medical.

I have always promptly paid our medical premiums. As far as I’m concerned that is the same as insurance. We are not getting the prompt medical care we assume that we should be getting by paying these premiums.

I am not emailing this for myself as I am trying to resolve my situation myself. I have never expected someone else to fi ght my battles for me. Th e thing is I cannot help those others on all these diff erent wait lists. Sadly the MLA’s offi ce and Ministry of Health will only do it on a case by

case basis. In other words youhave to make a complaint. Th eOmbudsman won’t get involveduntil you have tried to remedythe situation yourself. Th ey willonly help on a case by case basisunless they hear from enoughpeople to investigate.

If you could please make thepublic aware of this in yournewspaper so that they knowthey have this option. Like theHST if enough people writeinto the Premier, the Ministryof Health, the local MLA andyour newspaper, etc. they will,hopefully, do something aboutthis situation.

Th e surgeons, doctors,nurses, hospital staff , offi cestaff and my two wonderfulacupuncturist (who have keptme on my feet) have, every lastone of them, been wonderful.Th ey’re stuck with this systemthat isn’t working too. It isn’tas though everyone, includingthe government, didn’t knowthat the population was agingand living longer whichmeans there would be moreorthopedic, heart, diabetes,etc. problems. Th ey’ve hadyears to get prepared. Th ereare no excuses. Th is is the 21stCentury. We live in Canada nota Th ird World Country.

Sharon Edwards

Surgery wait times intolerable

The Agassiz Harrison Lions donated a cheque to Friendship House for a dedicated laptop to allow them to update and consolidate their records. First users of the computer will be the Agassiz Floor Curlers. Accepting are Viola Hollingsworth of the floor curlers, and Dick Hopkins of Friendship House. Gerry Ruble handed over the cheque on behalf of the Lions.

Friendship House

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Jeff NagelBlack Press

Th e B.C. government is vowing to thwart predatory 'shadow fl ipping' where some realtors profi t tax-free

from rapidly rising real estate prices by inserting themselves or others as intermediaries between an initial seller and fi nal buyer.

Th e problem of contract assignment fl ipping surfaced earlier this year, fueling public outrage and prompting the province to order the Real Estate Council of B.C. to strike an advisory group to investigate licensee conduct and potential confl icts of interest.

Premier Christy Clark said new rules will prevent the abuse of assignment clauses

by returning any profi ts of middlemen to the original home seller, whose informed consent would be required for any use of contract assignments.

"Th e shady practice that we've seen around shadow fl ipping in Vancouver we all know has been driven by greed – pure, naked greed," Clark told reporters Friday.

"Th e way to end that shady practice for greedy people is take the profi t out of it."

In some cases, sellers have been unaware that their home had not

been sold to the initial buyer, but had instead been fl ipped a number of times before a fi nal off shore buyer paid a much higher price.

It's unclear how widespread shadow fl ipping has been.

But the province has also lost revenue from it because it only charges property transfer tax when title actually changes hands to the fi nal buyer, not on the profi ts extracted by intermediaries using assigned contracts.

Realtors also make extra commissions when a home is shadow fl ipped.

Th e resulting price infl ation has been blamed for further overheating the real estate market in Vancouver and some suburbs.

More recommend-ations are expected from the Real Estate Council group, which includes the province's Superintendent of Real Estate.

Clark noted there are legitimate reasons for assignments – such as transferring a condo pre-sale contract to a diff erent buyer when the original one can no longer close – but said they should happen only for the right reasons under the promised rules.

She also said not all anti-speculation and housing supply measures

coming will necessarilybe enforced B.C.-wide– some of them will letindividual municipalitiesopt in or out.

Clark said mostrealtors want reformbecause a few bad applescan otherwise sully theentire profession.

Clark's announcementcame a day aft er the NDPintroduced a bill in thelegislature to deter realestate speculation andaccused the governmentof failing to closeloopholes.

Th e Oppositionproposal, patternedaft er one from a groupof business professors,would create a new twoper cent speculation taxon the value of homeswhen the owners don'tpay income tax, withthe proceeds going toa housing aff ordabilityfund.

NDP leader JohnHorgan said that becauseinvestor owners whorent out their unitswould be exempt, thatwould encourage morerentals and increasethe aff ordable housingsupply.

Th e new provincialbudget created a thirdluxury tier of theproperty transfer taxthat charges more whenhomes worth more than$2 million change hands,while exempting morenew homes up to a valueof $750,000.


News

Tom FletcherBLACK PRESS

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau has handed down his fi rst budget with a massive defi cit of $29.4 billion – three times what had been promised during the election campaign – as the new Liberal government embarks on a stimulus program.

Th e budget forecasts more than $100 billion in defi cits for the next fi ve years, contrary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's election promise to balance the budget in four years. Morneau billed the budget as a plan to "revitalize the Canadian economy" and deliver a tax break to nine million taxpayers, and a more generous, tax-free child benefi t.

Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said the fi nance ministry reported on budget day that the Liberal inherited a $4 billion surplus.

"Th ere was still a surplus in January, and they've blown through that in the fi rst 100 days," Ambrose said. "What

we're seeing now is reckless spending without a job creation plan, and no actual plan in the budget to return to a balance."

NDP leader Th omas Mulcair took aim at Morneau's move to target additional Employment Insurance coverage to areas of the country hit hard by the slump in oil and commodity prices.

"Right now there are 850,000 people who have lost their jobs who are not even eligible for

EI," Mulcair said. "Th e budget only takes care of 50,000 of them."

Communities Minister Peter Fassbender said he is "delighted" at the infrastructure spending. With his own government touting its four straight balanced budgets, Fassbender declined to criticize the Trudeau government's borrow-and-spend strategy.

Metro Vancouver mayors hoping for big infrastructure

grants for rapid transitexpansion may be disappointedthat much of the futurestimulus money will be back-end loaded in a second phaseof grants aft er the next federalelection.

A $370-million initialinvestment for MetroVancouver transit is includedand will assist TransLink inimproving bus service andSkyTrain across the region.

Th e budget also indicatesOttawa can contribute up to50 per cent of future capitalfunding, instead of theone-third from each seniorgovernment that was thepractice in the past.

Big ticket items in the budgetinclude the reduction ofmiddle class tax rates – from 22to 20.5 per cent for the $45,000to $90,000 income bracket.Only part of that is off set byan increase in the tax rate forincome over $200,000 from 29to 33 per cent.

Th e budget also includes$8.4 billion for aboriginalcommunities.

– with fi les from Jeff Nagel

Opposition blasts Ottawa's borrowing, spending

Federal Finance MInister Bill Morneau presents his first budget speech Tuesday.

B.C. to take profit out of shadow flipping

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Uncorked by Night- Our restaurants pair up with local wineries, offering a dining experience thatincludes pairings with 4-course menus. Pre-registration with participating restaurants is required. Uncorked by Day- Wine festival with over 15 wineries providing tastings from their spring collections. With Farm to Table style, Muddy Waters Café will complement with canapés using ingredients sourced from local farmers. Onsite wine shop provided by Whatcom Wine & Spirits.

For more information on theevent, hotel packages or topurchase tickets visit:tourismharrison.com/harrison_uncorked

April 22 & 23

Bring the whole family for aTraditional Roast Turkey Luncheon

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Neighborhood Guide 2016March 24

How small business owners can market their businesses

According to Forbes magazine, more than 50 percent of the working popu-lation works for a small business. The Small Business Association reports there are almost 28 million small businesses in the United States. Many small businesses are home-based and hundreds get started each month. Despite their prevalence, only a hand-ful of small businesses survive more than 10 years. Small business owners must learn how to properly market their businesses and garner a larger audi-ence to stay afloat. While there’s no set amount a business should devote to advertising and marketing, such expenses should be included in an organization’s operational budget. Small business owners just getting start-ed may want to consider the following tips as they attempt to market their businesses and expand their customer base.• Create an online presence. A survey from online marketing firm Yodle found that only about half of small businesses have websites. Customers routinely go online to learn more about business-es and make purchases. Customers will visit websites to find directions to brick-and-mortar stores, find store hours

and/or learn about the products or services offered by a particular firm. Small business owners should establish an online presence and ensure the site is routinely updated and modernized.• Sponsor local events. For a relatively small investment, small businesses can get their names out to the public by sponsoring community events. When approached by schools and other organizations, lend your help. Donate a basket of goods or a certificate for services for gift auctions. Work with orga-nizations to donate a portion of sales to a charity or school through a specialized fundrais-er. Contact a sports league to see if your company name can be printed on uniforms or used on banners around the field. Not only will this get your name out, but it also will establish a positive image of your company.• Establish yourself as an ‘expert.’ Be accessible to journalists and media outlets who may need quotes or insight when writing articles. Local papers and circulars can get your name out to the community and bring in new customers. Being quoted in

print helps establish a reputation as being an authority in your field.• Don’t ignore social media. Accord-ing to Adroit Digital, 75 percent of Americans who use the Internet admit that product information found on social media influences their shopping behavior and enhances brand loyalty. Social media accounts are generally free to set up and require minimal ef-

fort to maintain. Social media can help establish and maintain a brand and help you share messages and other content.Small business owners can enhance their marketing efforts by taking some relatively easy steps to widen their reach and get their names out to the public.

Small business owners can explore the various marketing options they have to spread the word about their businesses.

Good Friday 10 am service

Easter Sunday 10 am service

Agassiz Christian Reformed Church7452 Morrow Rd., Agassiz


Community

Th e Veterans MC Canada motorcycle club and the Agassiz Harrison Rod and Gun Club co-hosted a veterans shoot on March 5.

Th e event raised $342 through

donations. Th ose fundswill be jointly donatedto Honour House, afacility that provideslodging for veteransand fi rst responderswhile staying in theLower Mainland formedical treatments.

Agassiz’s RIMEX has won another award for its manufacturing team’s work on an ergonomics/safety project to reduce manual lift ing and noise levels.

Th e company will be presented with the Topaz and Sapphire awards at the OSSE Awards Gala next month at the Aria Banquet and Convention Centre in Surrey.

Earlier in 2016, a year aft er its Agassiz manufacturing facility won the WorkSafeBC innovations contest, the wheel and rim assemblies maker was awarded the Occupational Safety Standard of Excellence (OSSE) certifi cation.

A clear, measurable indication of RIMEX’s safety successes is the fact that its Workers’

Compensation Board (WCB) insurance premiums have fallen almost 30 times over three to four years according to the manufacturing operations manager.

Th e fi rm has made strides towards changing the staff culture to make it one that is willing to work safely in an inherently dangerous workplace.

Groups partner to helpHonour House

Safety accolades for RIMEX

The District of Kent “Pioneer Park Twilight Concert Series” got a funding boost inthe form of a cheque from the Agassiz-Harrison Lions Club. Lion directors Albert andCherry Hooper, met with District of Kent recreation supervisor Kimberly Goulet in heroffice last Wednesday to present the cheque on the club’s behalf.

Twilight Support

RIMEX will be recognized for an ergonomics/safety project that reduced noise and manual lifting.

MARCH2016

www.central365.org

Meeting at theAg Hall

6800 Pioneer Ave.

Agassiz CampusSunday, 10:30 am

Kids’ Ministry

Best Rates☎ Sarah

604.796.4301 To advertise in this space

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Groups & Activities For EveryoneHooked on Books: Agassiz Library Book Club takes place on the last Tuesday of every month, starting at 6:30pm at the Agassiz Library. Love to read and want to talk about what you’re reading? You don’t have to be a member, just drop in when you can. Pick up the book at the library any time before the meeting and get ready to share your opinions!Stitch “n” Rip - Every Tuesday from 9 am - 1 pm. Come to the Harrison Mills Hall with any un� nished sewing, stitching, knitting projects, etc. FMI call Kim 604-796-2336.Olive Branch Dinners - Come join us for a free home cooked meal. Tuesdays 5 - 6 pm. 7571 Morrow Rd, ACS gym. No expectations, enjoy community companionship. Families & all ages welcome.T.O.P.S. - Meets Thursdays at 9:30 am, or 5:45 pm., at the Agassiz Christian Church. FMI call 604-796-0686.Agassiz-Harrison Community Services Thrift Store - We’re looking for volunteers! Open Monday - Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. Feel free to come by 6919 Cheam Avenue or call 604-796-9932 FMI.Royal Canadian Legion - Hosts drop-in “Fun Darts” every Mon. at 4 pm & Fri. at 8 pm, Players needed, arrive early to register. Cribbage daily. Non-members welcome. Call 604-796-2332The Wednesday Walkers - Easy hiking every Wednesday. FMI call Eleanor 604-795-0076Knitting/Crochet Sisters Group - Projects for worthy causes. Contact Alice 604-796-3060 or email [email protected] Al-Anon. - Is someone’s drinking a� ecting you? FMI call Shirley 604-796-9865 or Anne 604-796-3103Agassiz Elks Lounge - 1824 #9 Hwy, open daily 3pm till closing. Everyone welcomeDoris and the Sunshine Ladies - If you have a joy of singing, volunteer for sing-a-longs at Senior Homes and Stay-ins. FMI call Doris at (604) 796-0442Agassiz-Harrison Lions - Meet at 7 pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month at the Lion’s Den in the Ag-Rec Hall, 6800 Pioneer Ave. FMI call Joey at 604-796-9951Agassiz Harrison Community Drivers Program - A community based volunteer driver program providing rides to all local, Fraser Valley & Lower Mainland medical appointments & other personal services. Always looking for more drivers. Call 604-798-6228, email [email protected] or visit 7046 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz.Friendship House Nickel Bingo on Mon. at 1 pm, Line dancing Mon. at 4pm. Tues. Bridge and Cribbage at 1 pm, Sit and Be Fit 10:30 am Mon. & Fri., Drop-in Floor Curling 7 pm Thurs. Call Dick FMI (604) 796-9470

Hope Christian Women’s Club Brunch - Free nursery by reservation as well. For info & reservations call Raye 604-869-5420Kent-Harrison Arts Council - KHAC meets the third Sunday of each month. FMI call (604) 796-8604 or email us at [email protected] International All-weather Tennis Club - Drop-in tennis at 8 am daily at the Spring Park tennis complex. All are welcome. Good fun and exercise is guaranteed at no cost. FMI contact John Allen 796-9117Jam Session - Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month from 7pm - 10:30pm by donation. Everyone welcome, bring an instrument and a friend! OAP Hall, Friendship Hall. FMI call Derry at 604-796-1084Lions TV Bingo - Thursday nights at 6 pm on Shaw Cable. Pick up your bingo cards at The Source - Chehalis Store & Ledoux HardwareThe Chilliwack MS Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Group - Meets every third Wednesday of each month from noon to 2pm at the IHOP, 45466 Yale Rd., Chilliwack, New members welcome. FYI call Owen at 604-795-5216Harrison Community Social Club Drop-in - Every Thurs. at Harrison Hot Springs Memorial Hall, 9:30 am: cards, darts, games & co� ee. Contact Jacquie 604-796-3105 or Audrey 604-491-4944Agassiz Monday Painters est.1961 - Meets every Mon. from 11 am - 3 pm at Agassiz United Church. FMI call Linda 604-794-5554.Harrison Natural Health Club - Meets Fridays from 6:30pm. Open talk about prevention, lifestyle, chronic conditions, nutrition, addictions and more. Bring your questions, concerns & ideas. We take health seriously, let’s discuss real solutions. An “uncontrolled” ongoing event. FMI call/text (604) 316-4922FREE Fit Camp - Let’s shape up together Agassiz & Rosedale! All � tness levels welcome. Every Mon & Wed, 7:30pm-8:30pm in the Rosedale Traditional School gym. Classes start Jan 4. Contact Coach Paula for more info (604) 701-8999. Breath Yoga and meditation - Thursdays 10:30am at Harrison Mills Community Hall. Bring mat & blanket. Open to all ages. Free. FMI email Pauline: [email protected] – Take O� Pounds Sensibly – a non pro� t weight loss support group. FMI phone Linda at (604) 462-9326Agassiz Agricultural Association Weekly Paper Bingo - Tuesdays at the Pavilion, 6790 Pioneer Ave. Doors open at 5pm. Info- Annetta 604-796-2338

EUCHRE - If you are interested in playing EUCHRE, the card game, please call Nancy (604)219-7392. Potencial location: Agassiz Legion. Dates & time TBD

Groups & Activities F

Community Events

Community Corner

Agassiz Monday Painters 55th AnniversaryArt Show - Mon., Sat. April 16 from 10-4 at Agassiz United Church Hall, 6860 Lougheed Hwy. Enjoy the talents of 25+ artists who work in a variety of media. Free admission. Refresh-ments by donation. Door prizes.

Western Command Military Vehicle His-torical Society - Camp out and shooting

at the Agassiz-Harrison Rod & Gun Club on April 9 from 10-4. Open to the public.

Bike Safety Workshop - April 13 from 12:30-2pm at the Harrison Hot Springs Elementary School. Bring bikes and helmets for inspection. Bike decorating and parade. Rain or shine.

Except for brief periods it is still too cool to be outside for a long time, especially for Ruthy and I, considering our "biblical" age.

Instead, we decided the other day to sit down, review and reminisce the year that was, before letting it go.

To do this has become a habit. Last year at this time I remember us sitting here, too, anticipating summer and fun.

It did not turn out exactly like this, as we all know.

In June, when my daughter Julia came for a visit, it was already too warm for us to do anything more strenuous than sitting on the balcony, letting the world go by.

And so, for a few precious days we, Julia, Ruthy and I, went through our lives together via photo albums. It was great fun—the things we did!

Th en, unfortunately, temperatures went higher than it was to everybody's liking.

Scary wildfi res were reported from all over Canada and when we could smell smoke here in Harrison Hot Springs, we knew the situation had become quite dangerous, enough to remember the days when we volunteered for the Harrison Hot Springs

Emergency Commission.Smoke, as all know, does not

give us much time to fl ee to safer fi elds and so Ruthy and I decided to check-out our emergency bag, just in case.

We also expected visitors from France who wanted to hike in our area and wondered how this would work out.

But, by the time they arrived the worst was over and—at least in our area—no

great harm was done. Enough, however, to remind us not to take things for granted.

But then, other things developed and occupied our minds: the tragic exodus of millions of Syrians to Europe.

Th ey arrived by whatever means: on foot, via rickety rubber boats or whatever else they could obtain.

It was an uncomfortable feeling for us to live so far away, unable to be of help.

At the same time we lived

through perhaps the most exciting election in our Canadian history.

Who would ever forget the colour of red taking hold of Canada coast to coast on election day? And whoever said Canadian politics are boring?

Th e year ended, however, as it always does, with the many diff erent year end celebrations.

Not to forget Ruthy's and my own 90th birthdays—a true milestone in our lives.

And now, here we are again wondering what this new year will bring—the perpetual cycle of life.

A fi nal note: did you check your own emergency bag lately?

Besides the obvious, make sure to have the following items ready: identifi cation such as your passport or citizenship card, your medical insurance card, a list of medical prescriptions as well as your actual supply of medications, money and everything you would take along going on any overnight trip.

Hopefully, we will never have to leave for safer fi elds, but it is always good to be prepared.

Til next time!Ruth Altendorf and Ruthy


Community

Heather Vopni captured these cherry blossoms on a Saturday afternoon drive along McPherson Rd. near the entranceto Harrison Hot Springs Resort. Vopni writes: “Blossoming signs of winter’s end become evermore prevalent at everydelightful turn amid the month of March. The succulent sights of bright, bursting flower beds, the natural soothing soundsof cheerful bird songs and the alluring sweet smells of crisp spring air all overflow with the season’s promise of freshstarts and new beginnings. Yet, nothing marks the ringing in of springtime quite like the timely appearance of our worldrenowned and truly beloved cherry blossoms.” See more of Vopni’s work at Heather Vopni Photo & Design on Facebook.

Photographer’s Eye

HEATHER VOPNI PHOTO & DESIGN

RUTH ALTENDORF

This Side of 90

Preparing for anything


Community

Agassiz Elementary Secondary School‘A’ Honour RollTerm 1, Nov. 2015

Grade 7Domonick CarscaddenKatelyn Gafk aNicholas HarrisonErica LeonJordan LuckiOwen QuintanaCaitlin Vander WykAbby Wilson

Grade 8Kylee BahiaDaniel ChrenkoKierra ChettleboroughKian JohnsonAustyn Moore

Grade 9Clara BurtHailey DrurySimon Grieshaber-OttoZoel JacksonAnna JangHailey KeatingKatrina LawleyAshlyn LoweAnna MadsenMegan McCallumKatie SchramDezrae TimmersRionna Vander WykJoree Walde

Grade 10Seleen BanezKaliska BeauchampPaul DumasJaydin LeesJessica LuckiDakota PopeDrew RameyJustine StoecklyMegan Vander Wyk

Grade 11Jordan BakerHannah ExleyKirsten FlemingBen InkmanTrevan KozelAlyssa LawleyLauren LoweJacob MacPhersonSerena MadsenCoby SayoCody SayoGage SippelCamryn StrikerEmily White

Grade 12Ignacio AguirreTamara AndrewTaylor LeesJacob LuckiBraydon PetersEuan SayoSydney Vander WykIan Wilson

‘B’ HONOUR ROLL

Grade 7Matthew AllenCaitlyn AndrewsHailey AvisonElizabeth BakerHayden CarterTaylor CharlieHayley DownsSebastian FoerstnerAdam Graham

Tamara HarrisFlorin HolzapfelHailey JeronimusKaylo JulianShania KnoxEmily KutrowskiMackenzie LeverrierSamuel McCurdyShayleen PetersNicole PopeAvery RempelArianna SpurrellDana StoecklyMason StrikerLoralia Th ompsonKassandra Williamson

Grade 8Katrina BackmanJo BeauchampMarshall BowlesZachary CarscaddenKayla ElliottAshley FergusonJessica FlemingTerryn Gavin-HaganMax HolzapfelConnor JamesMonica James-LouieLucas LeinsPaige LeonEmma MartinRusty McInroyHallie Michell-WenmanSheradin NijkampKevin OrtizKaitlan PetersMeka QuintanaAmy ReyburnPhilip SchwichtenbergEva SolomonLogan SparkesAnton StoecklyWilliam Th orneTerra TooveyKaeden Van OortBlake Visser

Grade 9Miya AndrewMikayla BahiaTrevor CarscaddenIsaiah Clarke-WadeTori DownsDallas DyckCole FaesslerBrandon FinlayChloe HarrisCassandra HoweLucas IrwinCaleb Kafi Maggie McCurdyNadia McNeil-JosephBriann PetersMorgan RumpeltesSamantha SeymourTieran ShortJustin SmithKayla StanwaySierra Visser

Lucia WallAnnalise Wilkinson

Grade 10Chelsey BabothEmily BestwickKevin GrahamAmanda Heff ellJessica Heff ellAnna McNeil-BobbMarina Modeste-PointShanttal OrtizQuentin RobertsonLogan SarkaKlaudia TrajanovskiAidan Van ParidonSage Williamson

Grade 11Amber BartonNicole CallanderDaniel CharltonTanner DouglasSam DyckMindee Felix-LouieRiley FinlayWhitney HarrisAlex HoweMatt IrwinNoah KozierTyress LeonBen MacPhersonQuin McNeil-BobbHenrietta McInroyAlex SchwichtenbergJenna SmithAlex Stewart

Grade 12Cody BeauvaisDerek BobbMillar FredericksonRichard HarrisMakenzie PetersJoelle SicardEmily StewartKatelynn VanderEijkAutumn White

‘Eff ort’ ROLL

Grade 7Matthew AllenCaitlynn AndrewsHailey AvisonEliszabeth BakerDomonick CarscaddenKatelyn Gafk aTamarra HarrisShania KnoxEmily KutrowskiErica LeonJordan LuckiShayleen PetersNicole PopeOwen QuintanaArianna SpurrellDana StoecklyMason Striker

Caitlin Vander WykKassandra Williamson

Grade 8Kylee BahiaZachary CarscaddenKierra ChettlebroughDaniel ChrenkoAshley FergusonMaximillan HolzapfelKian JohnsonAustyn MooreKevin OrtizLogan SparkesTerra Toovey

Grade 9Mikayla BahiaClara BurtTori DownsHailey DruryCole FaesslerSimon Grieshaber-OttoCassandra HoweZoel JacksonAnna JangCaleb Kafi Hailey KeatingKatrina LawleyAshlyn LoweAnna MadsenMegan McCallumNadia McNeil-JosephHelaman OchoaTyra PetersKatie SchramJustin SmithDezrae TimmersRionna Vander WykSierra VisserJoree Walde

Grade 10Chelsey BabothSeleen BanezKaliska BeauchampEmily BestwickPaul DumasQuinten FastKevin GrahamJaydin LeesJessica LuckiShanttal OrtizDakota PopeDrew RameyQuentin RobertsonJustin StoecklyMegan Vander WykSage Williamson

Grade 11Jordan BakerAmber BartonTanner DouglasSam DyckHannah ExleyRiley FinlayKirsten FlemingWhitney HarrisMatthew IrwinTrevan KozelAlyssa LawleyLauren LoweBen MacPhersonJacob MacPhersonSerena MadsenHenrietta McInroyQuinton McNeil-BobbSebastian MolinaCoby SayoCody SayoAlex SchwichtenbergGage SippelCamryn StrikerEmily White

Grade 12Ignacio AguirreCody BeauvisLindsey deBruinTaylor LeesJacob LuckiKeith MachelleBraydon PetersEuan SayoJoelle SicardSarah SissonSydney Vander WykKaren WaltonAutumn WhiteIan Wilson

AESS celebrates achievement Best Buy– Correction NoticeIn the March 18 flyer, page 11, the Samsung 50”, and 55” 4K Tizen Smart LED TVs were advertised with incorrect prices. The 50” 4K Tizen Smart LED TV's (WebCode: 10363472) correct price is $1499.99, the 55” 4K Tizen Smart LED TV’s (WebCode: 10363473) correct price is $1599.99. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.

Discover DementiaHelp and Hope for the Dementia Journey

Please join us for a conference to learn about brain health, communication and behaviour along the dementia journey, and a research update with Dr. Liu-Ambrose.

WhenThursday, April 21, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WhereCoast Chilliwack Hotel - Rosedale Room45920 1st Ave., Chilliwack

Pre-registration required by Apr. 12, 2016.

Fee: $20 ($30 after Apr. 12) Lunch is included.

Call to register: 1-855-742-4803

For more information, pleasevisit www.alzheimerbc.org.

9181 MAIN STREETPharmacy 604-795-9488 • Home Health Care 604-795-9489

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ON NOW AT YOUR BC GMC DEALERS. BCGMCDEALERS.CA 1-800-GM-DRIVE. GMC is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the purchase of a 2016 Sierra 1500 Kodiak Edition, and lease of a 2016 Sierra 1500 Double Cab 4WD (1SA), Terrain SLE-1 AWD (3SA), Acadia SLE-1 AWD(3SA). License, insurance, registration, administration fees, dealer fees, PPSA and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in BC GMC Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer order or trade may be required. * Offer valid to eligible retail lessees in Canada who have entered into a lease agreement with GM Financial and accept delivery between March 1 and March 31, 2016 of a new or demonstrator 2016 model-year GMC model, excluding GMC Canyon 2SA, Sierra and Sierra HD. General Motors of Canada will pay one month’s lease payment or two bi-weekly lease payments as defined on the lease agreement (inclusive of taxes). After the first month, lessee will be required to make all remaining scheduled payments over the remaining term of the lease agreement. PPSA/RDPRM is not due. Consumer may be required to pay dealer fees. Insurance, licence and applicable taxes not included. Additional conditions and limitations apply. GM reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time without prior notice. See dealer for details. ** $10,000 is a combined total credit consisting of a $3,000 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive), $5,445 Cash Credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 Loyalty Cash (tax inclusive) and a $555 manufacturer-to-dealer Kodiak Package Discount Credit (tax exclusive) for 2016 Sierra SLE 1500 Kodiak Edition, which is available for cash purchases only and cannot be combined with special lease and finance rates. By selecting lease or finance offers, consumers are forgoing this $5,445 credit, which will result in higher effective interest rates. Discounts vary by model. ¥ Lease based on a purchase price of $34,344/$31,346/$40,578, including $893/$670/$670 Loyalty Cash (tax exclusive), $0/$500/$1,000 lease cash, $3,000/$0/$0 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit and a $1,000/$0/$0 bonus credit for a new eligible 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab 4WD (1SA)/Terrain SLE-1 AWD (3SA)/Acadia SLE-1 AWD (3SA). Bi-weekly payment is $159/$184/$209 for 24/48/48 months at 0%/0.9%/0.49% APR, on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. Annual kilometre limit of 20,000 km, $0.16 per excess kilometre. $1,050/$0/$0 down payment is required. Payment may vary depending on down payment or trade. Total obligation is $9,306/$19,104/$21,696, plus applicable taxes. Option to purchase at lease end is $25,039/$13,036/$19,467. Price and total obligation exclude license, insurance, registration, taxes and optional equipment. Other lease options are available. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited-time offer, which may not be combined with other offers. See your dealer for conditions and details. General Motors of Canada Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. †† Offer applies to eligible current owners or lessees of any model year 1999 or newer car that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2016 model year GMC SUV, crossover and pickups models delivered in Canada between March 1 and March 31, 2016. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $750 credit available on eligible GMC vehicles (except Canyon 2SA, Sierra 1500 and HD); $1,000 credit available on all 2016 GMC Sierra models. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. ‡ Vehicle user interfaces are products of Apple® and Google® and their terms and privacy statements apply. Requires compatible smartphone. Data plan rates apply. ̂ ^ The 2-Year Scheduled LOF Maintenance Program provides eligible customers in Canada who have purchased, leased or financed a new eligible 2016 GMC vehicle with an ACDelco oil and filter change, in accordance with the Oil Life Monitoring System and the Owner’s Manual, for 2 years or 48,000km, whichever occurs first, with a limit of four lube-oil-filter services in total, performed at participating GM dealers. Fluid top-offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc., are not covered. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details.

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Community

United Way announced last Friday that two Fraser Cascade-based projects addressing poverty, homelessness or helping children to be successful in school will be funded this year.

Both Agassiz and Hope will see the benefi ts of the cash for good cause coming from the organization to local projects.

Th e grant injection to Agassiz’s Family Parenting Place allows the program to off er services on the weekends, so that families who work have access to early childhood programs.

“It enables us to open on Saturday

morning,” said Agassiz Harrison Community Services executive director Bobbi Jacob of the $6,500 received. “Prior to this we were only open Monday to Th ursday. So now we’re open fi ve and a half days a week.”

New funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) funding helped them extend into Fridays recently.

Jacob said there were already 11 people using the drop-in service last Saturday, learning about diff erent ways to interact with their children, meeting other parents and giving their children a chance to socialize.

“It extends the opportunities to use Family Place,” she said. “Perhaps some people are only able to come on Saturday morning. During the week it might not be an option for them.”

Th e largest grant is for the Hope Project, operated by Hope and Area Transition Society (HATS), hosting a hub of services, which will support individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Th e aim of that project is to lead those in need to secure employment and housing.

And a third regional project is here in Agassiz, assisting with one-time loans and fi nancial counselling for individuals at risk of losing their

housing. Th is project partners Agassiz/

Harrison Community Services and HATS with Mennonite Central Committee.

“We are very pleased to be investing in skills based programs that will reduce community costs now and in the future,” said Wayne Green, executive director of United Way. “Th ese grants are only available because of the incredibly generous donors we have here in the Fraser Valley.”

Th e United Way invested more than $150,000 in 16 local projects in B.C.

For more information aboutUnited Way, go to www.uwfv.bc.ca.

Local groups benefit from United Way funding

Bobbi Jacobs of Agassiz HarrisonCommunity Services holds the fundingcheque from United Way.

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Gardening

We have started the growing season with frequent rains, but the temperatures have remained fairly mild.

No amount of rain will deter a determined gardener!

Pruning can be done, planting new trees and shrubs if the soil isn’t too saturated, splitting overgrown perennials and preparing pots for annuals.

Vegetables, perennials and annuals that need an early start should be started indoors in March.

Vegetables to plant in the garden in late March or early April are garlic, potatoes, broad beans, peas, onions, swiss chard, radishes, lettuce, cabbage family and spinach.

We usually wait until the night time temperatures are at least above 10 C when the soil is warmer.

We have started tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, brassica (red and green cabbage and kohlrabi) all under grow lights in the house.

When buying seeds or commercially grown starter veggies, especially tomatoes, be sure to look at the ‘date of maturity,’ which means the approximate date the fi rst fruit is ripe and ready to pick.

For example, we grow ‘celebrity’ tomatoes which mature in approximately 70 days, but longer season tomatoes can take up to 80-85 days.

If wondering when to plant all the garden seeds, ‘West Coast Seed Catalogue’ has a detailed guide for planting dates particular to our area of the Lower Mainland.

Th e catalogue is free and can be found at greenhouses or ordered by calling 1-888-804-8820.

Questions and Answers

We have downsized to a much smaller house and lot. How can we grow vegetables in pots on our patio?

Downsizing is becoming a popular occurrence due to many circumstances, therefore commercial seed growers are meeting that demand by developing plants for smaller spaces. Th ey will be compact, have less foliage, but still produce a generous amount of fl owers and/or vegetables. Most vegetables will grow in pots, but those that have been developed for small spaces, such as ‘bush’ or ‘patio-pick’ in the description are meant for space saving. Supplies that are required: a large clean three to four gallon plastic pot with drainage holes, a drainage dish, fabric such as dryer sheets, remay cloth or landscape fabric to line the bottom, a balanced potting soil, fertilizer and a staking device like a tomato cage. If using commercial potting soil it may need to be amended with compost to provide micro-nutrients and microorganisms which increases root absorption of available food. Th e

three numbers listed on commercial fertilizer (N-P-K) stand for the ratio of Nitrogen-Potassium-Potash in the container. All of these nutrients are needed for healthy plant growth, but for good fruit production, larger amounts of potassium and potash are required. Fertilizing every one to two weeks is a recommended schedule, especially for tomatoes which are heavy feeders. If watering is more frequent due to hot dry weather then fertilizing should be increased. We fi ll the drainage trays with water during the hot weather so extra water is available if we’re away for the day. Automatic watering can also be installed to save on time and keep plants from drying out.

Do I need to deep till the garden every year?

Th e annual rite of tilling has been done in the past to aerate, chop and kill weeds, mix in organic matter and fertilizers. Plus, there is that psychological feeling of preparing a clean slate for the start of another growing year. Tilling weeds under does destroy them, but at the same time buried weed seeds that have laid dormant for years are brought to the surface. Now they have light and more air to awaken them just as though they had been sown. Of course, early hoeing and pulling the weeds prevents any seeds from forming. Compost can be mixed in the top six inches of soil without deep tilling which is where most of the feeder roots will be. Fertilizer can be spread on the surface. If garden soil is high in clay content it will naturally compact. In that case, a deeper tilling in of amendments is necessary. Raised beds fi lled with a lighter soil could be another way to garden with no tilling. If a green ‘cover crop’ has been grown in the winter to add nutrients to the soil, it will also need to be tilled in. With any garden job, we have to ask ourselves, “Why are we doing it?” Is it because we always have?

Every spring I purchase primula at the grocery store and would like to know how to grow them on to another year.

Th ese harbingers of spring are hard to resist when the days are rainy and we thirst for colour. Th e colourful plastic sleeves used for display purposes should be removed so the roots aren’t sitting in water. Th ey have been grown in a cool greenhouse, so to prolong their life place them in a cool area of the home or even better in an outside display. Keep them evenly moist, remove spent fl owers, and feed with an ultra-bloom type fertilizer every two weeks. When they fi nish fl owering plant them in a garden bed that has good drainage and enjoy them again next spring. Slugs and snails seem to think they are a spring appetizer before the entrée of hostas, so I do throw slug bait, ferrous phosphate, around them early in the season.

• Gardening questions can be sent to “Green Th umb” at [email protected]

JANE KIVETT

GreenThumb

It’s time to get growing

14 Agassiz Harrison Observer, Thursday, March 24, 2016

It is two

years now

since you

left us.

Love you long

time Jake

~ Mom &

Brittany

Flex On!

Jake Johnson (JJLJ)Feb 27, 1982 - Mar 28, 2014

O for the the touch of a vanishing hand

And the sound of a voice that is still!

~Tennyson

STåLe(Stolie) Satre SylteOn the 27th of March, it’s 16 years since Lou Gehrig and the Lord took you away from us, your family and friends. We miss you every day you were a good son. God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be. So he wrapped his arms around you and whispered “come to me” you did not deserve what you went through. So her gave you rest. Gods garden must be beautiful. He only takes the best and when I saw you sleeping so peacefully and free from your pain I could not wish you back to suffer that again. Love til we meet again. Mom Anne, Step dad Henry, Dad Erling, Sister Annette Elanie, Brothers Stephen, Douglas Gustav (Lisa), Davis(Tracy) Nieces and Nephews.

The Family of Bunk Mackay invite you to celebrate his

80th birthday at an Open House

on Saturday, March 26th 2-5pmat

The Friendship House

7272 Morrow Road, Agassiz BC

*NO GIFTS PLEASE*

AdvertisingSales Consultant

The Now Newspaper has an opening for an advertising consultant.

This is a career opportunity for a results-driven individual looking to contribute to one of the fastest growing communities.

The ideal candidate should be a strong communicator, well organized, self motivated and enjoy working in a fast-pace environment. The ability to multi-task and meet deadlines is a must. Previous media sales experience is preferred. A car and a valid driver’s license are required.

The Now Newspaper offers a competitive salary plus commissions, car allowance and a

The Now Newspaper is part of Black Press, Canada’s largest private independent newspaper company with more than 170 community, daily and urban newspapers in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Washington, Ohio, California and Hawaii.

If you are up to the challenge, please email your resume with a brief note on why you are a great candidate to:Dal Hothi – Sales [email protected]

Deadline for Submissions:March 31, 5pm

7477406

.

CANCEL YOUR TIMESHARE. NO Risk Program STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee.FREE Consultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248

CANADA BENEFIT GROUP - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Govern-ment.Toll-free 1-888-511-2250 orwww.canadabenefi t.ca/free-assessment

HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

NEW EXCITING MINI VLT’S. Produce Buckets of Cash Monthly. Attracts Customers Like Money Magnets. Locations Provided. Ground Floor Opportunity. Full De-tails CALL NOW 1-866-668-6629. Website WWW.TCVEND.COM

START A NEW CAREER in Graph-ic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Edu-cation or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

HEALTHCARE DOCUMENTATION SPECIALISTS are in huge demand. Employers want CanScribe gradu-ates. A great work-from-home ca-reer! Train with Canada’s best-rated program. Enroll today.www.canscribe.com. 1.800.466.1535. [email protected].

Excavator & Backhoe Operator Training. Be employable in 4-6wks. Call 604-546-7600. www.rayway.ca

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT SCHOOL. Hands-On Tasks. Start Weekly. GPS Training!

Funding & Housing Avail! Job Aid! Already a HEO?

Get certifi cation proof.Call 1-866-399-3853 or go to:

iheschool.com

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

Atlas Power SweepingDRIVERS WANTED

Power Sweeping / PowerScrubbing / Water Truck Drivers.

Must be hard working with a good attitude. Burnaby based.Must be avail to work nights and weekends. Good driving record & abstract required.Experience & air ticket benefi cial.

Email: [email protected] Fax: 604-294-5988

LOCAL, Reputable, Craft Manufac-turing Company looking for Reliable Subcontractors. Work from home. Training provided at our Mission of-fi ce at no cost to you. Call 604-826-4651 or email [email protected] and leave your name and number ONLY. We re-turn all calls in the order they are received.

Wanted: ft/pt Wait Staff. No exp. needed, training is provide. Call Francis:(Cell)778-868-1163 or (Jack’s)604-796-1144

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB.

1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

NEED A LOAN? Own Property? Have Bad Credit? We can help! Call toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.fi rstandsecondmortgages.ca

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

5 IN MEMORIAM

002A CELEBRATIONS

5 IN MEMORIAM

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

33 INFORMATION

TRAVEL

74 TIMESHARE

EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATION

108 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

109 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

115 EDUCATION


115 EDUCATION

130 HELP WANTED


130 HELP WANTED

156 SALES


134 HOTEL, RESTAURANT,FOOD SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

182 FINANCIAL SERVICES

156 SALES

To advertise in print:Call: 604-796-4300 Email: [email protected]

Self-serve: blackpressused.ca Career ads: localworkbc.ca

Browse more at:

A division of

blackpressused.caL O C A Lprint online

used.ca cannot be respon-sible for errors after the fi rst day of publication of any advertise-ment. Notice of errors on the fi rst day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classifi ed Department to be cor-rected for the following edition.

used.ca reserved the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the used.ca Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

Copyright and/or properties sub-sist in all advertisement and in all other material appearing in this edition of used.ca. Permis-sion to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any adver-tisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, colour, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condi-tion is justifi ed by a bona fi de re-quirement for the work involved.

It is agreed by any Display or Classifi ed Advertiser request-ing space that the liability of the paper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographi-cal errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS ......... 1-8COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS .. 9-57TRAVEL .................................61-76CHILDREN ............................. 80-98EMPLOYMENT .................... 102-198BUSINESS SERVICES ............ 203-387PETS & LIVESTOCK ............... 453-483MERCHANDISE FOR SALE .... 503-587REAL ESTATE ..................... 603-696RENTALS .......................... 703-757AUTOMOTIVE .................... 804-862MARINE ........................... 903-920

ON THE WEB:

COPYRIGHT

DISCRIMINATORYLEGISLATION

AGREEMENT

INDEX IN BRIEF FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

002A CELEBRATIONS

To place an ad call Tanya @ 604-796-4300

Advertise your garagesale in the classifieds.We’ll give you all thetools you need to have a great sale andresults are guaranteed.

Find a new owner foryour old car. It’s easy.You’re in the driver’s

seat when you take outan ad in the classifieds.

Call us today!604-796-4300

Classifi edswork.

An economical solution to advertise your service!

Thursday, March 24, 2016, Agassiz Harrison Observer 15

Sudoku

MA

RCH

24,

201

6

AN

SWER

S

7462193

PERSONAL SERVICES

182 FINANCIAL SERVICES

. Need Cash? Own a vehicle? Borrow up to $25,000. SnapCarCash. 604-777-5046

TAX FREE MONEYis available, if you are a homeowner, today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mort-gage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime1-800-639-2274 or

604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

218 BUSINESS/OFFICE SERVICE

Have you been denied Canada Pension Plan disability benefi ts? The Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help you appeal. Call 1-877-793-3222 www.dcac.ca [email protected]

283 GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

GUTTER & ROOF Cleaning/Power Washing since 1982. WCB/Liability insurance. Simon, 604-230-0627

287 HOME IMPROVEMENTS

VECTOR RENO’S Interior & Exterior. Additions,

Repairs & Strata Improvements. Also fences, decks, sheds, garages

& wood planters. 604-690-3327


300 LANDSCAPING

329 PAINTING & DECORATING

POLARBEARPAINTING.COM Paint 3 rooms walls only for $299.

Cel: 604-866-6706

www.paintspecial.com 778-322-2378 Lower Mainland

604-996-8128 Fraser ValleyRunning this ad for over 12yrs

PAINT SPECIAL3 rooms for $299

2 coats any colour(Ceiling & Trim extra) Price inclsCloverdale High Performance paint.NO PAYMENT until Job is

completed. Ask us about ourLaminate Flooring.

338 PLUMBING

Full Service Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area.1-800-573-2928

356 RUBBISH REMOVAL

JUNK REMOVAL By RECYCLE-IT!604.587.5865www.recycleitcanada.ca


362 SECURITY/ALARM SYSTEMS

We Service all Makes!• ADT’s, Brinks Etc.

• Medical & Fall AlertUser friendly systemsFree* Alarm Systems

604-792-8055

378 VACUUMS

From $499 (Made in BC)Repairs & Service

ALL MAKES Vacuum’s need a service every 5 years just like an oil change!

Sales & Service 604-792-8055

PETS

477 PETS

CATS GALORE, TLC has for adoption spayed & neutered adult cats. 604-309-5388 / 604-856-4866

NEED A GOOD HOME for a good dog or a good dog for a good home? We adopt dogs! Call 604-856-3647 or www.856-dogs.com

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

509 AUCTIONS

BUD HAYNES & Ward’s Firearms Auction. Sat., April 2, 10 a.m. 11802 - 145 St. Edmonton, Alberta. Modern & collectible fi rearms and accessories. Over 400 lots - Online budding. To consign phone Linda 403-597-1095; Brad 780-940-8378; www.budhaynesauc t i ons . com; www.wardsauctions.com.

560 MISC. FOR SALE

POLE BARNS, Shops, steel build-ings metal clad or fabric clad. Com-plete supply and installation. Call John at 403-998-7907; [email protected]

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

560 MISC. FOR SALE

REFORESTATION NURSERY SEEDLINGS of hardy trees, shrubs, & berries for shelterbelts or land-scaping. Spruce & Pine from $0.99/tree. Free Shipping. Replacement guarantee. 1-866-873-3846 or www.treetime.ca

SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.

563 MISC. WANTED

Have Unwanted Firearms?Have unwanted or inherited fi rearms in your possession?Don’t know how to dispose of them safely and legally?Contact Wanstalls and we will come and pick them up and pay you fair value for them.Wanstalls has been proudly serving the Lower Mainland fi rearms community since 1973.We are a government licensed fi rearms business with fully certifi ed verifi ers, armorers and appraisers.

Call today to set up anappointment 604-467-9232 Wanstalls Tactical & Sporting Arms

REAL ESTATE

626 HOUSES FOR SALE

SAVE 30% on our Heart of the Arc-tic adventure. Visit Inuit commu-nities in Greenland and Nunavut aboard the comfortable 198-passenger Ocean Endeavour. CALL FOR DETAILS! 1-800-363-7566 or visit www.adventurecana-da.com (TICO#04001400)

TIRED OF CITY LIVING? Two choice homes on Texada Island, West Coast, BC- one ocean front; one on lake, private sale, for details 604.414.8109, 604.486.7838

627 HOMES WANTEDRETIRED couple from Sidney BC looking for home on waterside of Miami Drive or Naismithe Ave 1-250-655-4509 or lgill@pacifi c-coast.net Linda or Lyle

REAL ESTATE

633 MOBILE HOMES & PARKS

New SRI Manufactured homesSingles $74,900. Doubles $99,900.

PARK SPACES AVAILABLEREPOSSESSIONS 1974-2010

www.glenbrookhomes.netChuck 604-830-1960

Trades. Financing. Permits.

RENTALS

706 APARTMENT/CONDO

Harrison Hot SpringsBeach Front Condo - 660 sq. ft., cozy 1 bdrm in quiet area. Long term only, all appl. incl. N/P N/S Avail. 2nd wk of April, Ref. req’d $875/mo + util. & 1/2 mo DD.Ph. Kelly (604) 819-1936

736 HOMES FOR RENTWanted: Husband & wife, son and his daughter with sm. pet looking for 3 to 4 bdrm hse. In the Agassiz, Harrison & Rosedale area. Need May 1st. 604-796-9137

TRANSPORTATION

845 SCRAP CAR REMOVAL

pick a part

TRANSPORTATION

851 TRUCKS & VANS

KEY TRACK AUTO SALES

Abbotsford30255 Cedar Lane

DL# 31038 604-855-0666

1995 TOYOTA COROLLA 4dr auto sedan, a/c. Only this week. STK#772. $1,595.2002 TOYOTA COROLLA 4dr, auto, loaded, STK#749. $2,900.2004 FORD EXPLORER 4dr 4X4, auto, 7psg, full load. Only this week. STK#470. $4,900.2004 ACURA EL 1.7 4dr sedan leather, sunroof, loaded STK#724. $5,900.2007 TOYOTA YARIS, 4 dr, auto, sedan, STK#734 $5,900.2005 HONDA CIVIC, 4 dr, au-to, loaded. STK#672. $6,900.2009 FORD FOCUS 4dr,sedan loaded, auto STK#687 $6,900.2006 HONDA CRV AWD auto, leather seats, fully loaded. STK#757 $6,900.2004 HONDA CRV. 4dr, fully loaded auto. STK#747 $6,900.2008 DODGE Cavalier STX 4dr, loaded, auto, low ks. Only this week . STK#774. $7,500.2008 HONDA CIVIC 4 dr auto, loaded. STK#691. $7,900.2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 4 dr, sedan, auto, loaded, STK#696 $7,900.2009 FORD FOX. 4 dr, auto, full load, runs good, STK#687 $7,900.2010 FORD FUSION. Full load, auto, 4 dr, sedan. Only this week. STK#776. $9,900.2004 ACURA MDX 4dr auto, 7 psgr, loaded, DVD, Navigation STK#254 $10,900.2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT. 4dr auto loaded, STK#750. $11,900.2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA4 dr, auto, fully loaded. STK#721 $12,900.2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. 4dr, auto, fully loaded, low kms. STK#746. $13,900. 2012 HONDA CIVIC 4 dr, auto, loaded, STK#695. $14,900.

33166 South Fraser WayDL# 40083 778-908-5888

2003 FORD FOCUS 4 dr, au-to, Aircared, STK#545, $2,900.2004 DODGE CARAVAN 7psgr, loaded STK#525 $2,900. 2002 HONDA ACCORD 2dr, auto, loaded, STK#648 $3,900.2003 HONDA ODYSSEY 7psg full load, runs good, Aircared STK#530 $3,900.2007 CHEV UPLANDER 7 psg fully loaded. STK#473 $4,500. 2004 MAZDA 3 Auto, 4 dr, Only this wk! STK#673 $4,900.2005 FORD EXPLORER Full load, 7psg, 4X4, auto. Only this week. STK#773. $5,900.

Financing Availablewww.keytrackautosales.ca

551 GARAGE SALES

Agassiz

Moving Sale

1020 Hamilton RoadFriday, March 25,

Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27

9 am to 4pmNew items for sale from last week:04 Dodge Dakota, 79 Chevy motorhome, 100 & 300 gal water troughs, rubber stall mats, ma-sonry bricks, misc farm and household stuff, & antiques.

Harrison Hot Springs

Moving Sale(in house)

507 Driftwood AvenueSaturday, March 26, 2016

10 am to 4 pmHoover vacuum, bedroom, sitting room and kitchen furniture, total gym, artist equipment, etc.

604-796-4300


Box 70, 7170 Cheam Ave, Agassiz | Tel 604.796.2235 | www.district.kent.bc.ca

COMMUNITY NEWS MARCH 2016

General Store Museum Restaurant and Gift Shop

Open Weekends from

March 26 to May 15

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Luncheon March 26, 27 & 28

Join us every Sunday for our Traditional Roast Beef Dinner!For more info visit www.kilby.ca 215 Kilby Road, Harrison Mills, BC604-796-9576 [email protected]

PAVING AT MORROW ROAD

UPDATE

Morrow Road paving between Heath Road and Garden Place will be undertaken between March 28 – April 8, 2016. Works will be weather dependent. The road will be open to single lane alternating traffic, please expect delays. The District thanks residents for their patience during this time of reconstruction. Questions or concerns can be directed to the Engineering Services Department at604-796-2235, or Timbro Contracting at 604-796-3851.

RECREATION AT A GLANCE

EASTER HOURS OF OPERATION

Friday, March 25 Closed Saturday, March 26 7:00 am-5:00 pm Sunday, March 27 7:00 am-5:00 pm Monday, March 28 8:00 am-1:00 pm

Spring & Summer 2016 Leisure Guide is available in your mailbox April 14, including the Ferny Coombe Pool that opens May 2. Also available online at www.district.kent.bc.ca

Discount Days are April 18 – 20! Register for programs during this time and save 10% off the posted fees.

M.E.N.D.New Spring session starts April 25

For more information or to register, please call 604-796-8891

INVITATIONTO ATTEND

Mayor Van Laerhoven and Council invite you to attend the 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden Bloom Celebration in Pioneer Park

Wednesday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m.Refreshments to follow

The District of Kent would like to thank the following for making the program possible: The Canadian Garden Council, Vesey's Bulbs, Canada Post, Canadian Tulip Festival, National Capital Commission, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, Garden Making Magazine, Chimpanze Baxter Travel Media, Enterprise Canada, Gardenss BC Québec Gardens' Association and the Ontario Garden Tourism Coalition

For more information call the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre at 604-796-8891

PUBLIC INFORMATION NOTICEOverview The District of Kent has received a number of enquiries from the community regarding two separate Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) applications to exclude land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) for the following properties (see location map): • 6680 Fooks Road • 7076 McDonald Road (Teacup Property) Both of these applications are in Stage 1 of the ALC exclusion application process detailed below.

ALC Exclusion Application Process

Stage 1: ALC Application Review The proponents submitted their applications to the ALC. The ALC has notified the District to review the documents to ensure the particulars of the applications are correct.

Stage 2: Provision of a Neighbourhood PlanThe applicant prepares and submits a detailed neighbourhood plan.

Stage 3: ReferralsReferral requests are sent to internal/external agencies for comment.

Stage 4: Kent Agricultural Advisory Committee (Kent AAC) Review and Recommendation to Council The Kent AAC reviews the application and makes a recommendation to Council.

Stage 5: Public Information MeetingA public information meeting will be held for the community to review the development proposal details, ask questions, and provide input on the proposal.

Stage 6: Council Review and DecisionCouncil reviews the ALC application with the complete development proposal and decides whether or not to provide support to remove the land from the ALR

If Not Supported: ALC application proceeds no further.If Supported: ALC application is submitted to ALC for approval.

For More Information: Please visit the District of Kent website www.district.kent.bc.ca for status updates of the application and important meeting dates which will also be advertised in the local newspaper. Please feel free to contact Darcey Kohuch, Director of Development Services by phone (604) 796‐2235 or email [email protected]

Date of Notice: March 15, 2016

Common Questions

Q: What is the zoning of these properties?A: Both 6680 Fooks Road and 7076 McDonald Road are zoned Agricultural Zone (A) in the District’s Zoning Bylaw.

Q: What is the Official Community Plan (OCP) land use designation for these properties?A: The District’s OCP designates both of these properties as Residential – Reserve. The McDonald Road property was given this designation in 2001. The Fooks Road property was designated as Residential‐Reserve in 2014.

Q: Why is the District of Kent allowing these applications to proceed?A: Property owners in British Columbia have the legal right to submit land use applications including ALR exclusions. The District must accept and process all applications in accordance with provincial and municipal regulations and policies.

Q: Will I have a chance to voice my view on each application?A: During Stage 5 of the ALC exclusion application process, the community will have the opportunity to review all information related to the applications, ask questions, and provide input on the proposals. Prior to the public meetings, you are welcome to provide written comments to:Darcey Kohuch, Director of Development Services,District of Kent, PO Box 70, 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0.

Q: When will Council make its decision on these applications?A: Since the applications are only in Stage 1 of the process, no dates have been set for the public information meeting or Council’s final review and decision. As detailed in the ALC exclusion application process, Council will make a decision to support or not support the application in Stage 6 of the process. The ALR application will only be forwarded to the ALC for final approval if the application is supported by Council.

This means that prior to Council’s consideration the exclusion application and detailed neighbourhood plan will be referred to internal/external agencies, will then be reviewed by the Kent AAC and will then be presented at a public information meeting for comment.

YARD WASTE EVENTS

March 26 & April 23, 2016 9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM

Municipal Gravel Pit, Cemetery Road Hosted by the Agassiz Community Gardens Society

THE FOLLOWING YARD WASTE MATERIALS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT NO CHARGE

Tree branches or limbs up to 5” (125mm) diameter • prunings • leaves • soil • discarded shrubs • sand or fine gravel • grass sods & clippingsNOTE: Residents will be required to separate wood waste, branches and prunings from soil or similar materials to process through a chipper.

ALL OTHER MATERIALS ARE PROHIBITED

Including tree stumps and branches greater than 5” (125mm)diameter, domestic refuse, animal waste and household hazardous wastes.For further information contact the Municipal Hall at 604-796-2235www.district.kent.bc.ca

AGASSIZ HARRISONMUSEUM PUB NIGHT

FUNDRAISER

Date: Friday, April 1Location: Sasquatch Inn, Harrison Mills, BCTickets: $15For tickets phone the museum at 604-796-3545

agassiz observer, march 24, 2016

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