The news you need. The fun you want. September 2014www.flipsidenews.ca

Joei Warm photoYou’d never know it was Issac Moore’s first time at the North Peace Fall Fair in August. The 22-month-old already has the ‘cowboy thing’ down pat. He was content to just take everything in stride despite the crowds of people enjoying what the fair had to offer.

Northern Lights College (NLC) President and CEO Laurie Rancourt is leaving for a position in Ontario.

She announced her resignation Aug. 25. Her final day with NLC will be Oct. 31. Rancourt briefed faculty and staff during an all-staff address last week, having announced her intention to vacate the position to the Board of Governors earlier in the month.

Under Rancourt’s leadership since February 2011, NLC experi-enced much positive transitional change and growth as a community college in northeastern British Columbia.

During her tenure, Rancourt worked diligently to ensure NLC’s voice was at the forefront of discus-sions aligning education and training with the needs of the Canadian labour market. She was a strong pro-ponent of NLC’s position as a key player in the development of the North’s natural resource economy, having most recently been invited to speak at the Skills for the Future

Symposium in Charlottetown, PEI, to address skills and training needs of the 21st century.

Rancourt’s commitment to work-ing with all levels of government, industry partners, and the communi-ty ensured the College’s regional mandate was fulfilled. She was instrumental in the successful launch of three Centres of Excellence – Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Clean Energy – which allowed for the delivery of targeted and specialized workforce training.

In fiscally challenging times, Rancourt was responsive to both external and internal budget pres-sures, while balancing the educa-tional needs of students and commu-nities by passing a balanced budget in 2014-15. As well, Rancourt was very successful in receiving large endowments for NLC from corpo-rate partners.

Rancourt was instrumental in spearheading organizational change at NLC to accommodate both staff turnover and the attraction of new talent. Her accessibility and commit-

ment to promoting NLC’s work/life balance increased NLC’s visibility on a provincial and national level as an employer of choice.

Rancourt joined NLC after hold-ing several positions, including Vice-President Corporate Services, Vice-President Academic, and Registrar over a 15-year career at Collège Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Integrated Studies from Athabasca University, a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Science from Laurentian University, and a diploma in Medical Radiation Technology. She is cur-rently working on her Doctorate of Distance Education degree at Athabasca University and is also a member of the Board of Directors of Colleges and Institutes Canada.

Rancourt will move on to assume the position of Vice-President, Academic, at Humber College in Mississauga, Ontario, a move that will also allow her to be closer to her new grandson.

“The VP Academic position at Humber represents an incredible professional opportunity that will allow me to continue to follow my

passion for academics at the largest polytechnic institution in Canada, while at the same time bringing me closer to family,” Rancourt said.

The process for the selection of a new NLC President will begin immediately under the direction of the NLC Board of Governors.– Contributed

Contributed photoLaurie Rancourt

College president leaving for Ontario

Clinicdoingits bestBy Joei Warm

For better or worse, Fort St. John is now married to the Unattached Patient Clinic. After being open for more than a month, the staff is still learning how this will work, as are the patients who have no family doctor – a number estimated by some at 24,000 in the city’s catchment area.

While there are certainly bumps in the road, the community is coping, says Northern Health representative Sherry Sawka, Community Services Manager for the North Peace.

Currently, the multi-disciplinary approach of the clinic relies on one physician expected to be here for a year, one primary care assistant, two registered nurses (RNs), a mental health and addictions clinician and an office manager.

The long-term goal for the clinic is to have two physicians, two nurse practitioners, a registered nurse, at least two primary care assistants and an office coordinator, said Sawka.

Continued on Page 3

2 The Flipside September 2014

EDITORIALReality check sorely needed

MP’s REPORT

Health care a concern

Bob Zimmer

There’s a danger in looking at the world through rose-coloured glass-es. Eventually, you lose touch with reality.

That’s happening in the Northeast. Almost daily we hear our leaders touting how wonderful life is here and what a great economy we have. Obviously, they would have the world think that the Northeast is the place to be. That dovetails with decades-long efforts by our leaders to have workers move here with their families, and for seniors to retire here instead of heading for warmer climes. Much effort has gone into providing the educational and recreation facilities, shopping and social activities that turn a place from a camp into a community worth living in for the long haul.

Yes, the Northeast is prosperous. And there is work for those who want it. The people are friendly and welcoming, nature surrounds us and, though the area is growing, the ‘small town’ feeling remains. But there’s more to this reality. We have problems, such as the woeful lack of affordable housing, especially rent-al, the anemic workforce that can’t keep pace with the jobs that are available, and more.

None, however, is more crucial than the lack of medical profession-als. Our citizens have been con-cerned for months at the shortage of doctors and the closure of one walk-in clinic, albeit replaced with a clinic arranged by Northern Health. But many individuals and families are without a doctor ¬– some say as many as 24,000 people in Fort St. John and the surrounding area. Doctors are leaving and efforts to replace them have not been ade-quate.

If that was all, it would be bad enough. But the staffing shortage runs right across the medical spec-trum: We do not have enough nurses, lab techs, home care nurses . . . the list goes on. Wait times in emergen-

cy and the hospital lab are extreme, and so the staff are stressed. These stress levels may mean more doctors and other medical personnel to leave, yet there’s no plan to replace them and bring staffing up to acceptable levels. Doctors are paid better else-where, including Alberta, the doctor pipeline from South Africa has dried up in part because that nation has its own shortage and wants to keep physicians at home, and nurses and lab techs aren’t paid enough to enable them to cope with the extreme cost of living here.

This isn’t a ‘problem’. It’s a cri-sis.

A local group, Concerned Citizens for Health Care, recently mobilized and is attracting attention. Determined to outline the scope of the problem and get solutions, this group is demanding that the health ministry take action before. Some have tried to diminish the crisis by saying doctor shortages are a prob-lem elsewhere, but that only serves to indicate that this is a systemic problem – one that needs the health minister’s immediate attention.

So . . . is this the place to be, as our leaders suggest? We have issues with serious crime (and now reports the RCMP face cuts), a lack of affordable housing that makes it dif-ficult for anyone not working in the oilpatch to find housing, which in turn affects the ability of retail stores to find staff and threatens their very existence, an unforgiving climate, isolation issues and, on top of it all, a health care crisis. How inviting is that for the families we want to come here and the seniors we wish to retire here?

Perhaps our leaders need to accept reality and start addressing the real problems that keep this region from being all that it could be.

– Bruce Lantz

By Bob ZimmerEver since I was elected as the

Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, constituents have talked to me about the ever-worsening doctor shortage in north-eastern BC.

I share your concerns, and have been talking to doctors and nurses in the Peace Region about the situa-tion. I have had discussions with Northern Health about this issue, and agree more needs to be done to ensure health care services are avail-able to all residents in the North Peace.

My office has received petitions from more than 1,200 residents in the Peace Region calling for imme-diate action to address the acute shortage of doctors.

I have already written very strongly worded letters to the CEO and Board of Directors at Northern Health, and the BC Minister of Health demanding action on this issue. My office is working closely with the City of Fort St. John, Northern Health and the BC govern-ment to come up with targeted and effective solutions for our commu-nity.

This issue is not as simple as it seems. It is a long and expensive process to train doctors and to certi-fy credentials of foreign doctors. Attracting and retaining doctors to northeastern BC is also a challenge, as the issue goes well beyond money. In 2013, Rural Physicians for BC began offering $100 000 payments for doctors to relocate to remote and rural communities. By December, only nine doctors actually accepted the offer.

The other ongoing issue is the perception of northern BC by medi-cal associations who seem to operate with a lower-mainland mindset. Earlier this month on Twitter, the General Surgeons of BC dismissed suggestions that their members should apply to vacancies in Fort St. John. These are issues that will take a great deal of time and effort to address. Although I and my elected colleagues at all levels of govern-

ment are putting a great deal of effort, we have run out of time.

In rural British Columbia, we have relied on doctors from abroad. Currently, the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons recognizes the credentials of doctors trained in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The College no longer recognizes appli-cant credentials from South Africa, nor is it easy or cheap for a perfor-mance assessment for a newly arrived physician. The most obvious answers are for the BC College to recognize South African credentials once more, or to make a more con-certed effort to offer performance assessments for newly arrived physi-cians from abroad.

Our Conservative government has taken extensive measures to increase funding transfers to the provinces for health care. However, primary responsibility for matters related to the administration and delivery of health care services in Canada falls within provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Recruitment and retention of doctors and man-agement of health services for the Peace Region are the jurisdiction of Northern Health and the BC govern-ment, and it is ultimately up to implement the policies that will bring more doctors to the northeast.

I will continue to work with the province and local governments, health care authorities, and residents to come up with a solution to this critical shortage of physicians.

Bob Zimmer is the Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River.

Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, got more than his feet wet as he took on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Parliament Hill recent-ly. His children, David, Kristian, Tim, and Bobbie assisted with the ice water.

Zimmer was challenged by Fort

St. John City Councillor Dan Davies, Prince George resident Charles Scott, and long-time friend Justin Reid.

The video is available on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScHaiD0Xu1c

– Contributed

Contributed photoMP Bob Zimmer gets a dunking in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, cour-tesy of daughter Bobbie and wife, Val.

Zimmer takes challenge

3 The FlipSide September 2014

diverse. vast. abundant.

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT 2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS

NOTICE OF NOMINATION

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the electors of the Peace River Regional District that nominations for the offices of:

One (1) Director representing Electoral Area B One (1) Director representing Electoral Area C One (1) Director representing Electoral Area D One (1) Director representing Electoral Area E

for a four-year term, will be received by the Chief Election Officer or designated person from 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 30 to 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 10, 2014 (excluding Statutory holidays and weekends) at the following locations: Peace River Regional District office, 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC (telephone: 250-784-3200); Peace River Regional District office, 9505 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC (telephone: 250-785-8084); and District of Chetwynd municipal office, 5400 North Access Road, Chetwynd, BC (telephone: 250-401-4100). Nomination forms are available at any of the above noted offices Monday to Friday. Peace River Regional District office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. District of Chetwynd office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Candidates shall be nominated in writing by two qualified nominators in the electoral area for which the nomination is being made. At the time of filing the nomination documents, the candidate shall also file a written disclosure as required under the Financial Disclosure Act.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: Canadian citizen; 18 years of age or older; resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia

or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION please contact: Jo-Anne Frank, Chief Election Officer or Trish Morgan, Deputy Chief Election Officer at 250-784-3200 or (toll free) 1-800-670-7773.

By Joei WarmThe official opening of the

Salvation Army’s Northern Centre of Hope in Fort St. John took place on Aug. 11. The two-storey building, located at 9824 99 Avenue, has been in the process of a $6-million renovation.

“I was thinking as I looked around at the transformation that has taken place in this structure and I thought it was quite representative of the transformation we seek to enable in the lives of people that need to come here and spend some time,” said Salvation Army divisional commander Lt. Col. Larry Martin.

The centre, formerly the Cedar Lodge Motel, is able to provide residents access to on- and off-site support services, space for addictions programs, a drop-in meal centre six days a week, 64 shelter and transitional beds and, perhaps most importantly, the less tangible supports to the marginalized and homeless in Fort St. John.

“Whatever they need, let the Northern Centre of Hope stand ready to serve,” said Capt. Deb Vander Heyden.

“Here we are committed to care, development, comfort and well-being .. . we’re committed to offering

excellent programs . . . we are committed to caring for and treating every individual with respect regardless of colour, creed, sexual orientation or race . . . (and) our efforts are having a positive impact on those we serve.”

Among the opening ceremonies’ speakers was Chris (last name withheld), a one-time client of the Salvation Army who is now employed by them. His journey has not been easy, he said, but has resulted in him becoming a better, more contented person.

“Gradually God opened my eyes to see that I’m worth the time and effort it takes to better myself,” said Chris, only one example of how the investments the Salvation Army makes do pay off.

Funding for the centre was provided by the governments of Canada and BC, who jointly contributed $1.5 million through the Federal-Provincial Housing Initiative, the Government of Canada who contributed an additional $440,000 through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Government of BC who contributed another $3.2 million, and the Salvation Army who provided $880,000 through fundraising efforts.

Salvation Army opens Centre of Hope in FSJ

Joei Warm photosFrom left, Salvation Army divisional commander Lt. Colonel Larry Martin, Centre employee Chris (last name withheld), MP Bob Zimmer, Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman and North Peace MLA Pat Pimm were at the official opening of the Salvation Army’s Northern Centre of Hope to add congratulations and cut the ribbon at the new facility.

Joei Warm photosOne of the speakers on hand for the opening of the Salvation Army’s Northern Centre of Hope was Chris, a one-time shelter client and now an employee.

Joei Warm photosVisiting dignitary Lt. Col. Larry Martin, Salvation Army divisional commander, likened the transformation of the Northern Centre of Hope building to the transformation of the centre’s residents.

“The staff that we have are amazing at what they do and for them to take on something that is brand new – we’ve never done this before in this community – and to really build and grow and to learn and to improve is amazing,” said Sawka.

The staff already have their plates full after just a month, with 40-50 patients being seen by someone in the clinic each day, and with a total of 837 registered patients. It’s a lot of people, said Sawka, and that number is expected to increase.

Sawka said she is not aware of any plans to cap registrations. “We’re not going to turn away people . . . but it does mean that you may come in for an appointment but it will take a little longer. It will be three weeks down the road.”

With any new venture, there is a learning curve. In the case of the Unattached Patient Clinic, the staff are learning and adapting as they go along in order to provide the best possible service to patients. But, the community is learning as well.

Patients used to being attached to a specific doctor are now being attached to the clinic as a whole.

“There is somebody in that clinic that will be able to manage their needs,” said Sawka, and that may or may not be the physician. While a depressed person may not be able to see a doctor immediately, if they are willing they can see the mental health and addictions clinician, for example.

One of the early misconceptions was that the clinic would be providing traditional walk-in services. It does not, explained Sawka. Instead, patients can either book follow-up appointments with the clinic, or ask to have a same-day appointment booked. Unlike traditional walk-in services, same-day appointments are not booked on a first come, first served basis. The primary care assistant, with the aid of the clinic coordinator or nurse, if necessary, assesses each patient and appointments are booked based on urgency of need.

Northern Health is hoping the one-of-a-kind clinic will take some of the pressure off the local emergency department, as well as the other doctors in town and Sawka said she thinks they are already meeting that goal.

Continued from page 1

Clinic doing its best

A public meeting on the Fort St. John health care crisis will be held Sept. 17 at the Seniors’ Hall starting at 7 pm.

The event is being hosted by Concerned Citizens for Health Care, which organized recently over con-

cerns about the shortage of doctors and other health care professionals in the area. Some reports indicate that 24,000 people in the Fort St. John catchment area are without a family doctor, while wait times at the hospital emergency department

and laboratory are onerous. The city only has 14 doctors at present.

Organizer Brad Brain said the fo-rum is designed to provide the com-munity with a chance to voice their concerns and discuss possible solu-tions. Brain said the public is getting “political spin” from Northern Health and his group wants to iden-tify exactly what the problems are

and then attempt to arrive at some practical solutions.

Representatives from Northern Health will be invited to attend the meeting, along with representatives from the local, provincial and feder-al governments. Concerned Citizens for Health Care has more than 1,500 names on a petition on the issue.

Public meeting on health care planned

4 The FlipSide September 2014

Joei Warm photoThere was plenty to see and do at the North Peace Fall Fair, everything from entertainment, to food vendors, to homemade goodies and, of course, plenty of critters. Four-year-old Ewan Parsons was one of many who stood in the long line to get his face painted – one of the fair’s most popular spots.

Joei Warm photoNeighbourhood kids, from left, Linley Jarabek, 9, Luca D’Agostino, 11, and Nico D’Agostino, 10, of Fort St. John find selling lemonade a great – and profitable - way to fill their time.

Joei Warm photoAs usual, thousands of people attended the North Peace Fall Fair, with no shortage of things to do and see for everyone.

Joei Warm photoWhitney Drschiwiski took a pause with six-year-old Ivory, whose calves were among those winning awards at this year’s North Peace Fall Fair.

Joei Warm photoThe bandstand was full when stage events were going on at the North Peace Fall Fair. Each year the fair provides a variety of entertainment and awards for the fair-goers.

Bruce Lantz photoAt this time of year Peace Country farmers are selling bales of hay, but few have such a unique approach as this one, at the corner of Clark Ave. and 259 Rd. in Pineview north of Fort St. John. Based on the a charac-ter from the animated comedy ‘Despicable Me’, these ‘Despic-Hay Bales’ are sure to gather attention.

Contributed photoLaurey-Anne Roodenburg, North Central Local Government Association director, presents Northern Lights College registrar Dr. Loren Lovegreen with a cheque for $1,100 for up to two bursaries at the college. The money came from fees collected at the associa-tion’s annual meeting.

Joei Warm photoThree-year-old Saige Kish was out at Kin Park in Fort St. John tak-ing full advantage of the sunshine as she played as only a ‘free-year-old’ can. Explanation: Her mom kept saying she’s three and she kept saying, “I’m free!”. So cute.

5 The FlipSide September 2014

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Pay attention to the messages you hear

Kudos to all the volunteers from Spectra Energy who came out to help during the United Way of Northern BC Day of Caring/Spectra Energy Annual Helping Hands recently.

Karla Marsh from Community Bridge asked the United Way of Northern BC to help where the flow-er bed at the front of Community Bridge (previously called North Peace Community Resource Society) at 10142-101 Ave in Fort St John needed to be reduced in size by removing the low retaining wall and re-seeding the area to grass.

Special thanks to Shannon Marche from Spectra Energy for her continued work and drive to bring Spectra Energy volunteers out and to make a difference in the community. It is always a pleasure to work with Shannon and over the years she has

contributed to many Days of Caring like these helping to get hands on projects done for not for profit agen-cies.

To everyone at Spectra Energy, “Great job everyone and thank you so much for your time and enthusi-asm” said Niki Hedges from United Way of Northern BC.

“Everyone’s efforts and willing-ness to participate in projects like these contribute great value to the community. There is great benefit in the relationship between industry and employees to the agencies that provide crucial programs to citizens of all ages and needs, that provide services and programs to the com-munity in which we live and work. The importance of bringing people and community together benefits so many.”

– Contributed

Spectra, United Way lend helping hands

By Sue StarkYou “Gotta” see thisHas someone said that to

you? Sure they have. “You gotta see this movie, you gotta watch this video, you gotta see this picture . . .”

I am reminded about a dear friend of mine, who has moved away. We talked a lot about different books and shared ideas. Gosh she was so brilliant – I learned a lot from her. In fact, I credit the massive personal growth in my life to a nudge from her – or I think her exact words may have been, “Sue, you gotta see this.” She was right.

Gosh, there is a lot of stuff com-ing at us, isn’t there? But when someone says to me, “You gotta see this”, I have to say more times than not, “I do”. Now this very special friend of mine, though she may have said a lot of things casually, she has also given me a couple of things that haven’t been as non-committal as, “you should” or “you gotta”. I can

think of one occasion, when she really wanted me to pay attention, she put her hands on my shoulders and said “Sue, stop! You HAVE TO . . . you MUST read this – I will give the book right now. Go . . . start.” And I did.

There is so much information coming at us all the time, I think if we did and saw all the things “we just gotta”, we would be pretty busy. But my point is, are you listening at all for those “gottas” coming to you from those around you who you know, who you trust, who you really value? And when they say “you gotta” . . . do you?

I think we all have ‘those’ people in our life and you know we might not even hang around with them but you just know there is something wise about them. Whether they are young or old, you know there is something there you should be lis-tening to.

When I think of this dear friend

of mine, and that she is not in my life anymore, I am sad. But then I think, she was just like a guardian angel who came in gave me a couple of nudges, opened a door and went on her way, and because of that I peeked in that door and decided to kick it wide open. And I haven’t looked back.

I know I have spoken a lot about the messages coming from inside us but there are lots of valuable mes-sages coming from everywhere and you will KNOW which ones are right for you because your Intuition will agree. But sometimes there are just those gottas coming at you that make you think maybe, just maybe, it’s time.

You gotta give this some thought, for when you do you’ll know exactly why I am telling you this now.

Have a wonderful week. Love Sue xO. PS – Eesa, I miss you xO.

Sue Stark is the owner of Sue Stark Consulting.

By Joei WarmFort St. John’s healthcare crisis

has sparked lively debate in the community and on the Facebook page ‘Concerned Citizens for Health Care’.

The group defines itself as “a non-partisan group of people con-cerned about the state of healthcare in Fort St John” and states that “24,000 people do not have a family doctor”. That number is just an esti-mate posted by group leader Brad Brain, who also said Northern Health estimates about 14,000. On the site is a link to a petition demanding action to address the healthcare situ-ation here, a petition that has gained

about 1,500 signatures.And while the larger issues

around the lack of doctors and other medical staff causing problems, such as the recent possibility of an ICU closure due to a lack of nurses and the ridiculously long wait to get in to see a doctor are playing out, other less global issues are coming to the forefront as the new reality of the Unattached Patient Clinic settles in.

“I got a bill for $40 to transfer my file. My bitch is that I have to pay for a file transfer when I had no choice in the matter and it wasn’t a result of my actions. It was a result of not having enough doctors,” said one patient who didn’t want to be identified.

Local doctor Paul Mackey responded to similar concerns in a post to the Facebook group explain-ing that it isn’t fair for his clinic’s doctors to foot the bill for storing client files and incurring expenses related to what is “not a small amount of time and equipment”. He went on to say that “once the files are gener-ated the staff member then uploads the file to the web site, generates the email to notify the receiving party that the file is ready and also send the separate email with the pass-word. The fee offsets the costs of paying for the secure file transfer service and the time it takes our staff as well as the cost we incur fulfilling the legal requiring to store ‘the orig-

inals’ for 16 years.”Patients are also exploring

whether patients to seek alternate care by going to the Taylor Clinic, which offers telemedicine service; using Medeo, an online site provid-ing patient care; using the 811 phone service – whose nurses, said a local ambulance driver, must send patients to emergency to prevent issues of liability – or by to going to emer-gency for non-emergency care.

While these concerns may not be as critical as the larger issues, they affect families. One thing is clear. There are no easy answers to the healthcare crisis facing Fort St. John, but as the petition states, “action is urgently required”.

Patients seeking healthcare alternatives

6 The FlipSide September 2014

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor:The government is asking you to

co operate with them in a groundwa-ter study!

My first reaction to that is one of suspicion and skepticism. Several times in the past they have tried to get onto private property to get domain of your water wells. Is this the real reason for a groundwater study – an excuse to get onto your property and find out where your well is?

Do you not remember about 20 years ago when they wanted to put meters on your well so they could tax you on your own water?

This latest scene for a groundwa-ter study is simply a subtle, sneaky way of getting onto your private property to see where your well is

and how much capacity your well produces and tax you for your own water.

Don’t fall for this latest con job! Don’t let them on your property and don’t give them information about others or your neighbours.

The government has no legal authority on private property. Do not let them threaten or intimidate you. Their only authority is on Crown or public land.

I again quote Black’s law dic-tionary 9th ed. 2009 page 1315-1337, page 1315: “private - relating or belonging to an individual, as opposed to the public or the govern-ment”. Page 1337 “private property - protected from public appropria-tion – over which the owner has exclusive and absolute rights”.

Remember section 336-337 of the Criminal Code of Canada. This law states that any government offi-cial can go to prison for up to 14 years for trying to force you to do something they have no authority to enforce.

I recommend that you do not fall for this latest scam of the bureaucrat bandits masquerading under the pre-tense of a groundwater study.

The exclusive and absolute rights include your water well or ground-water source.

P.S. Any official who denies the above legal statements either does not know the law or consider them-selves above the law. They are not! Jim RossChetwynd

Groundwater study just a con job

SEND US YOUR

LETTERSThe FlipSide News wants your opinion, on any subject. We encourage you to send your Letters to the Editor to editor@flipsidenews.ca or Box 223, 9420-93 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC, V1J 6W7. Please provide a contact phone number for veri-fication. Letters may be edited for legality or to meet commu-nity standards.

It’s time tospeak out

Editor: Concerning our current fed-

eral and provincial governments and the foreign and multinational oil and gas corporations they support, in my opinion:

• You are burning up our crops and our ability to feed our-selves.

• You are burning up our for-ests and the many useful prod-ucts and jobs they have pro-duced.

• You are burning up our resources and our future resource jobs.

• You are burning up our planet and our atmosphere.

• You are burning up our future.

Surely this dire situation calls for immediate action. Are there any Canadians left who have enough guts and love for their children to speak out on this mat-ter? Just ten years ago I would never have believed that our country and our world could have been destroyed to this point in such a short time.

We desperately need signifi-cant, measurable, enforceable, sustainable global reductions in the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. We need these reduc-tions NOW.

Thank you.Ed PittDawson Creek

On Aug. 7, the Fort St John RCMP executed a search warrant, issued under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, on an 89 Avenue residence near Duncan Cran Elementary School.

Upon entrance into the home, RCMP members located a sophisti-cated marijuana grow operation as well as an electrical diversion. In total 175 marijuana plants were seized as well as a loaded rifle.

As a result, Wesley Thomas

Smith has been charged with Production of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for the Purpose of Trafficking, Theft of Electricity, Careless Use of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.

The investigation is still ongoing and additional charges may be for-warded to Crown Counsel at a later date.

Grow-op busted

The Fort St. John RCMP is requesting the public’s help in locat-ing three stolen skid steers and a gooseneck trailer, along with a sto-len quad.

Sometime during the night of Aug. 8 a skid steer and trailer were stolen from the Venturion field north of the Doig First Nations Reserve.

It is a 2007 yellow and black Caterpillar skid steer with grapple, bucket and a set of forks. The 2000 Precision 30-foot black gooseneck trailer has licence plate number S59842.

Sometime between the evening of Aug. 22 and the morning of Aug. 25 a skid steer was stolen from the Charlie Lake area. It is a 2013 yel-low and black John Deere skid steer. And at about 2:20 am Aug. 26 a yel-low and black John Deere skid steer model 333D was stolen from the 6700 block of 100th Ave. Video sur-veillance shows it being loaded onto a trailer pulled behind a white flat deck truck. The make of truck is unknown and no license plate was obtained.

RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie stated, “This is the third skid steer stolen in the Fort St. John area in just over three weeks. At this time police don’t have any indication that the thefts were by the same person(s) but obviously this type of equipment is being targeted. Hopefully some-one has witnessed the thefts or has since seen one of the skid steers and

knows their location.” Also, police are looking for a

stolen ATV. A 2013 red Canam Outlander XT ATV was stolen dur-ing the night of Aug. 21 in Taylor. The ATV has a cargo and trunk box and a gun case as accessories. If you see the skid steer or trailer, the other stolen skid steer, or the quad – or if you have knowledge of any of the thefts – please contact the RCMP at 250-787-8100. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or reach them via the web at www.crimestop-persfsj.ca. They are open 24/7. You do not have to give your name, address or your telephone number. You do not have to testify in court. A cash reward of up to $2000 will be paid for any information which leads to an arrest and charges.

– Contributed

POLICE BLOTTER

Rash of thefts plagues police

7 The FlipSide September 2014

Places to findThe FlipSide

In Fort St. JohnA & W , B&M Glass, Burgers & Brews, Bank of Montreal, Casey’s Pub, Coach House Restaurant, Conway Electric, Credit Union, Cultural Centre, Esquires Coffee House, Dairy Queen, Diamond Cherry Beauty Bar, Fort St. John Hospital, Fort St. John Medical Clinic, Fort City Chrysler, Generic Towing, Headspace, Humpty’s Family Restaurant, Jackfish Dundee’s, JD Fitzgeralds, Kelly’s Convenience Store, Kiwi Cafe, Lone Wolf (Taylor), Mama Panda Restaurant, Mile 54 Cafe, Masterpiece Framing, Mile 36 Cafe (Taylor), M & M Meats. Northern Grand, Northwoods Inn, On the Rocks Pub, On the Rocks Liquor, Price Mart, Pomeroy East/West, Razors Edge, Redwood Esso (Taylor), Rogers Trucking, Royal Bank, Rudy’s Car & Truck Wash, Safeway, Sobeys, Systems Secure, Stonebridge Hotel, Taylor District Office, Tags, TJ’s Coffee Shop, TD Bank, The Shed (Taylor), Tim Hortons (North & South), Quiznos, Triple X Convenience Store, Whole Wheat & Honey

In Dawson CreekAlaska Highway House, A & W, Aurora Inn, Bill’s News, Bank of Montreal, Brass Scissors, CIBC, Dawson Creek Visitor Center, Days Inn Lobby, Dr. Fletcher’s Office, Eljen Clinic, Farmington Store, Fast Gas, George Dawson Lobby & Café, Hospital Main, Husky, Lees Restaurant, Rockwells, Stuie’s Diner, Subway, The Lodge, Tim Hortons, TD Bank, White Spot

Lori Slater

By Joei WarmThe North Peace Regional

Airport has received an infusion of funds courtesy of the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT). The Aug. 15 announcement of the $250,000 grant brought the total contributed by NDIT to the air-port’s parking lot expansion projects to $0.5 million.

“This is just one step toward making this airport more accessible and a serviceable airport,” said Fred Jarvis, North Peace Airport Society chair and Mayor of the District of Taylor.

“We are the engine of the prov-ince here and we need the airport to be able to deliver to the people; the citizens of our community, but also to the people that need to travel here to do work,”

Increased economic activity, and the increase in airport traffic that goes with it, has bumped up demand both for short- and long-term park-ing.

The first stage of the parking lot expansions saw an additional park-ing lot built that included 100 stalls for general parking and 100 stalls for car rentals. This year’s expansion project includes an additional park-ing lot that consists of 175 stalls, a

renovation to the older parking lot and the creation of three bus lanes to accommodate crew buses.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said airport patron Todd Vader. “There’s never enough parking at any air-ports.”

NDIT estimates that the upgrades have the potential to generate $2.9 million in additional airport revenue in five years. The project will also create up to four direct full-time positions and 10 temporary con-struction jobs.

“We expect to be approached in

the future to help with terminal expenses as passenger numbers grow. The terminal can always use upgrades to work efficiently,” said NDIT CEO Janine North. “This is a fantastic airport.”

The 186,104 passengers in 2013 represent a 30 per cent increase in traffic compared with the year before and North said she expects passen-ger numbers to hit 200,000 in 2014.

The North Peace Airport Society will contribute the remaining fund-ing necessary to complete the $2,135 million project.

Joei Warm photoThe Northern Development Initiative Trust announced Aug. 15 that they would be contributing another $250,000 toward the North Peace Regional Airport parking lot expansion.

Airport receives parking lot funding

For the first time in its history, the NC Oil and Gas Conference has been cancelled.

It was to be held in Fort Nelson this year but at an Aug. 26 special meeting, the regional council for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) unanimously resolved to cancel the conference, scheduled to be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.

An NRRM press release said the conference had to be cancelled due to poorer than expected registration numbers, limited resources, and low participation from key industrial and government stakeholders. Also, the conference was in competition with other related events such as the Northeast BC Natural Gas Summit occurring in Vancouver from Sept.18-19.

While regrettable, regional coun-cil believes it is better to cancel the conference rather than host an event that does not meet the needs of the local community and those involved in the energy industry

For more information please con-tact Conference Coordinator Toni MacDonald at OilandGas@north-ernrockies.ca.– Contributed

BC Oil & Gas Conference cancelled

By Lori SlaterWow, where has the summer

gone! Here we are at the beginning of September and starting to think about getting back into some sort of routine. I don’t know about you but by the middle of June I start winding down and by the end of August I am so out of routine and relaxed that I don’t want to do anything! It’s been a great summer. Lots of time spent with the grandchildren doing one thing or another. Tubing on Charlie Lake, at the Rotary Skate Park watching them on their scooters and even a trip to Rotary Lake in Dawson Creek where I floated around in my tube. Wonderful! Only 10 months until I can do it all again!

But getting back to September and routine. As many of you know I have been the chair of the Mayor’s Disability Advisory Committee (MDAC) for a number of years. Well I want to tell you about our new name change: We are no longer MDAC we are now MAAC, the Mayor’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

The word ‘disability’ has always

sounded negative to me because in my experience there have been so many opportunities I have had that I am able to do. I may do it differently than before, or approach a new opportunity differently than I would able-bodied, but I still have the abil-ity to try. That has not been taken away from me just because I am a

person with a disability.Now getting back to MAAC, I

am looking forward to the upcoming year. We have a new name, the pro-cedure for doing things has changed but we are still there as your link to the mayor and city council when it comes to concerns around accessi-bility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

If you would like more informa-tion about what the Mayor’s Accessibility Advisory Committee’s role is or would consider joining the committee, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Mayor Lori Ackerman.

The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 3 pm at city hall. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month except December, July and August.

I am looking forward to getting back into routine and starting MAAC meeting is a great way to get started!

Lori Slater is an Accessibility and Inclusion Advocate in Fort St. John. If you have any comments, questions or concerns you can con-tact her through the ‘The FlipSide’ or slaterl@shaw.ca

Disability committee takes on new name

8 The Flipside September 2014

Local News Briefs Coming EventsRemains identified

Police have confirmed that Pamela Napolean’s remains were located inside a trapper’s cabin that had been burned to the ground in July.

On July 23 Napolean’s family reported her missing to the Fort St. John RCMP. She had last been seen on July 8 on the Blueberry Reserve. On Aug. 4 the police found human remains in a burnt cabin located approximately 30 kilometres north of Buick Creek on the Beatton Airport Road. Medical and dental records confirmed the remains as being Pamela Napolean, 42.

Police believe the cabin fire occurred between the evening of July 8 and the morning of July 9. Due to the heat of the fire, the cause of Napolean’s death has not been determined.

Resources from both Fort St. John RCMP and North District Major Crime Unit are investigating both Napolean’s death and the cabin fire and are treating both as suspicious.

Police are asking anyone who saw Napolean on or about July 8 or who has information regarding the cabin fire to contact them at 250-787-8100 or to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.Crime up in FSJ

Fort St. John has seen an 11 per cent increase in aggravated assaults,and a 15 per cent hike in vehicle thefts, according to the RCMP’s semi-annual report.

The report was presented to city council recently by Insp. Pat Egan, who has been transferred to Ottawa.

Overall, there has been a 4.1 per cent increase in calls for service – a 4.2 per cent jump in the municipal area and an increase of 3.7 per cent in the rural area. For the entire area, there has been a three per cent increase in persons crimes, two per cent in property crimes, and three per cent in other types of criminal code offences.

Common assaults are up 17 per cent, arsons are up 14 per cent and break and enters at businesses are up 12.5 per cent. Home burglaries are up 2.5 per cent.

Egan said citizens shouldn’t be alarmed, as these kinds of numbers should be expected in a growing area like Fort St. John.Speed skating funded

The upcoming Canada Cup #1 and 2015 Canada Winter Games Long Track Team Selection being held in Fort St. John is receiving $12,500 in funding from the provin-cial government’s Hosting BC pro-gram to help stage the competition.

“Amateur sport competitions and events have a positive impact on our local economy, especially in the hos-pitality sector,” said Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm. “From hotel room stays, dining out, purchases made at local stores, among many others, events like this one bring with it significant benefits to Fort St. John.”

The Fort St. John Recreational

and Speed Skating club will be host-ing the team selection event Nov. 28-30, 2014 at the Pomeroy Sports Centre speed skating oval.LNG plant for Dawson

Dawson Creek city council has approved a proposal to build a lique-fied natural gas (LNG) processing and storage facility in the city.

The facility is being built by AltaGas Ltd., with the product slated for local markets to the north. It will be built on a five-acre site on 27 Street, producing a maximum of 500,000 gallons of LNG per day. It will cost about $250 million.

Officials say the facility will use sweet natural gas with no odours and will not ‘flare’ to burn off excess product.Golf courses hit

Golf courses have become tar-gets for vandals in the Fort St. John area.

A dozen sets of clubs along with shoes, were stolen from cart sheds at Lakepoint Golf and Country the weekend of Aug. 9.

Another incident occurred at Lone Wolf Golf Club Aug. 11.

Vandals used the green at Hole #4 as a driving range, taking divots (clumps of grass and dirt) from the normally pristine surface of the green.

These incidents follow several golf-related thefts on the August long weekend at Peace Island Park, where Callaway, Cleveland and Ping brands of golf clubs in a black Nike bag were stolen, as well as camping gear and money left in unlocked vehicles.

Anyone with information can call the Fort St. John RCMP at 250-787-8100.Baytree Hall moving

The Baytree community hall is moving to Dawson Creek.

Built in 1932, the log structure in its day was the hub of the small farming community just across the Alberta border from Dawson Creek. The move is part of a project to save the hall by the Bay Tree Hall Association and the Mile 0 Park Society.

The hall will be located at the Walter Wright Pioneer Villagein Dawson Creek. The work will tenta-tively be completed this September. Health minister to be invited

Fort St. John city council wants Health Minister Terry Lake to visit the city for a public meeting about health issues.

The doctor shortage along with shortage in other health care provid-ers has created a crisis in the com-munity, with thousands unable to easily get the health care they need. A newly-formed group, Concerned Citizens for Health Care, is demand-ing action and is circulating a peti-tion on the subject.

Lake will be sent an invitation but no specific date for his visit and any public meetings has been men-tioned.

Sept. 2 – The Mile ‘0’ Quilters Guild meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the Calvin Kruk Arts Centre start-ing at 7 pm.Sept. 3 – Daddy & Me: Free Bowling is being held from 6-7:30 pm at Fort Bowling Lanes at 101 Ave. and 104 St. in Fort St. John. For more infor-mation contact The Family Place (Pam) at 785-6021, ext.232.Sept 6 – Evangel Chapel is hosting a giant OUTDOOR barn dance right in front of our new building at 10040 – 100 St. in Fort St. John from 7-11 pm. It should be the dance of the year and a first of its kind as we little dance the night away in the streets of the Energetic City! And live music will just take it right over the top with special guests: Montney Coolies. Going to be absolutely awe-some!Sept. 6 – Guided Drawing in Coloured Pencil, an instructional retreat for beginning and wanna-be artists, is being held by Penny Boden at Trembling Forest Art in Rose Prairie. $75 + supply fee (sketch-book $10, set of 24 coloured pencils $15). Improve your drawing skills in a relaxing, supportive environment. Advanced artists wishing to improve their skills also welcome. For info or to register contact Penny at 250-827-5805 or tremblingforest@explornet.comSept 6-7 – FSJ Drag Racing is from 10 am Saturday to Sunday at 5 pm at the Northern Lights Raceway off Airport Road. The Pits are open dur-ing the lunch break.Sept. 6 – Fall Community One-Stop Registration is being held at the Pomeroy Sport Centre in Fort St. John. Bell is once again sponsoring free Wi-Fi Power locations based on a first-come, first-serve basis so reg-ister as soon as possible! For more information email Sonya at Sonyawiebe@hotmail.com.Sept. 9 – The South Peace Community Arts Council will be holding their monthly meeting at noon at the Art Gallery.Sept. 11 – ‘God Save The Queen’, a tribute to the rock band Queen, is at the Encana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, gates opening at 6 pm. For more information phone 1-877-339-8499.Sept. 12 – The Lake View Learning Centre is holding an Open House from noon-4 pm at the Dawson Creek Literacy Society office at 929 - 102 Ave. Light refreshments will be served and information on class schedules and upcoming workshops will be available.Sept. 13 – The Second Bi-Annual Trunk Sale is being held from 9 am to 2 pm. Load your ‘garage’ sale items into your car trunk or truck box and come down to the Peace Community Church in Fort St. John. Rent a parking spot for the day for $20, open your trunk/tail gate, and sell sell sell! Tables for small busi-nesses are available within the church at a cost of $10 per table. Spaces are limited so pre-registra-tion is highly recommended! For more information, please contact the church at 250-789-3045.Sept. 14 – The annual Terry Fox Run will be held in Dawson Creek from 9 am-12 pm, starting at Pioneer Village/Sudeten Hall, 1901 Alaska

Highway. Working together to out-run cancer! Registration: 9 am Run: 10 am (3, 5 & 10 km options).Sept. 14 – Come and join us at Brown’s Social House for Family Day! This is a family-filled day from noon-8 pm. We will hosting a silent auction, giving away door prizes, and there will be entertainment for the kids. All the money raised will go to the Gizeh Shriners Child Care. This fundraiser is a partnership between Brown’s Social House and the Mile 0 Shrine Club.Sept. 14 – First Annual Cyclone Bike Jam is being held at the Chetwynd & District Recreation Centre - Skateboard Park from Noon - 5 pm . For more information, please call 250-788-9992.Sept. 19 – Home Routes Concert Series will be featuring Express & Company, an indie-rock duo from Peterborough Ontario comprised of Dylan Ireland & Mellissa Payne. Location: The Dawson Creek Art Gallery. Tickets available at the Art Gallery for $15 each or $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Concert starts at 7 pm. Brought to you by the South Peace Arts Council. For more info: www.southpeacearts.ca or phone 250-782-2601Sept. 20 – The 4th annual United Way Fire Truck Pull & Pancake Breakfast is being held at the Pomeroy Sports Centre in Fort St. John from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. This marks the kick-off to the 2014 United Way Campaign. It’s the ulti-mate tug of war and a great team-building event! To register contact: Niki Hedges, Community Development and Campaign Officer (NE), United Way of Northern British Columbia #200 10704-97 Ave, Fort St John, BC V1J 6L7, 250-263-9266 or nikih@unitedwaynbc.ca.Sept. 20 – ‘I Found It At The Movies’ Rolla launch starting at 7 pm at Albert’s Loft (site of Sweetwater 905 festival). Readings by contribu-tors Sharon McCartney, Mitch Parry, Ruth Roach Pierson and Donna Kane. Admission is free and refresh-ments will be served.Sept. 20 – The Gathering, featuring community artisans, will have only handmade and crafted items for sale at Rotary Lake/Park in Dawson Creek, from 8 am – 2 pm.Sept. 22 – Comedian Russell Peters and his ‘Almost Famous’ world tour is at the Encana Events centre in Dawson Creek. Gates open at 6 pm. For more information phone 1-877-339-8499.Sept. 22 – Friends of the Dawson Creek Library meet at 10 am at 1001-McKellar Ave.Sept. 25 – ‘An Evening With the Stars’, the Fort St. John Association for Community Living’s AGM & Awards Gala, is being held at the Lido Theatre in Fort St. John. Doors open at 5:30 pm.Sept. 27 – Group coffee house pre-sentation at Faking Sanity, 901B – 103 Ave., Dawson Creek. Doors open at 6:30 pm, starts at 7 pm. Refreshments provided.Sept. 28 – The Peace Country Roots Group hold their monthly meeting at 1:30 pm, located in the small build-ing at the NAR Park.