FIRE AT ANIMAL SHELTER PROPERTYCouple escape chimney � re at trailer on property shared with animal shelter.

NEWS/A3

GENEROUS SPIRIT LIVES ON Elizabeth Norton leaves a posthumous gift to the homeless community.

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Signs of spring led assistant superintendent Brian Hutchinson and superintendent Steve Kerbrat to prepare the golf course for a new season. They predict an April Signs of spring led assistant superintendent Brian Hutchinson and superintendent Steve Kerbrat to prepare the golf course for a new season. They predict an April 7 start to the season, possibly earlier.7 start to the season, possibly earlier.

Xuyun Zeng photo

Draft sign bylaw approvedBy Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

A draft of the new sign bylaw was approved and will be presented to the public at an open house on April 19 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

Written comments are also being received until noon that day, and a complete copy of the proposed rule changes can be found at interior-news.com.

Town planner Alison Watson presented the draft for approval at last Tuesday’s council meeting. She took into consideration surveys completed by 411 residents.

“So there were a couple overarching themes ... from the public input phase,” Watson told council.

“The first was a clear, continued support for an alpine theme that does regulate signs, but one that is evolved to provide

more room for a contemporary approach, or interpretation and creativity from the business community.

“So this is a move away from fonts that are a certain size, or serifed or not, moving away from those very fine details.”

Core elements were the focus, including sign material, lighting and size. But what most business owners and residents wanted to know, admitted council and staff, was what is permitted.

The new rules, scheduled to be adopted by June at the latest, are not set to be immediately applied to current signs.

“Your sign can stay, provided it does not cause unlawful obstruction or pose a hazard,” said Watson.

“So there are signs that don’t conform to the design guidelines in terms of number, lighting type; that’s to be expected when your bylaw’s fairly new.”

Smithers � nancial planBy Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

The Town of Smithers has released its $20-million budget and five-year financial plan ahead of its April 12 public presentation.

The public presentation will be followed by a question and answer period from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. before that night’s general meeting.

Municipal general property taxation is up $190,000 this year. Tax requisition is up 4.87 per cent, with 3.47 of that coming from new construction that mostly went up in 2014-15, and 1.4 points as new tax.

“We can have really low taxes, but we would have [fewer] municipal services,” said Mayor Taylor Bachrach.

Expenses are budgeted to drop $1.4

million from last year. Big ticket capital items have already been announced. They include the $6-million airport expansion and modernization, and the $450,000 fire department storage building to be built near the fire hall at Main Street and Highway 16. There is also $359,000 budgeted for Chandler Park field upgrades (see page A11).

Recreation and culture services have gone up over $65,000 from last year’s budget, and $273,000 more than 2014 after the construction of the new arena.

A $10-million arts and culture centre is slated for 2018. The $5 million for a 2017 library expansion in last year’s financial plan has been removed.

The Smithers Gallery Association got the $32,000 grant-in-aid board members said they needed to keep operations at their current level.

See EXEMPTION on A2See ENFORCEMENT on A2

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A2 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Exemption removed New sign bylaw enforcementEnforcement of the

new rules still relies a lot on business owners voluntarily complying.

“What’s happening is people are going to the sign makers, getting their signs made and then coming to the Town to get a permit ... so we’ve lost our ability to influence that process,” said Mayor Taylor Bachrach, who suggested getting ahead of the problem by giving the information to sign makers.

There will be a new tool in the bylaw officer’s toolkit: the ability to collect extra taxes owed for the cost of removing a non-complying sign.

There will be an appeal process.

“So if someone gets a letter from the bylaw enforcement officer saying [to] remove their sign, they have an option to go to council to have that decision appealed,” explained Watson.

Changes to sign rulesNumber of signs:

maximum of two per business plus one freestanding sign per Highway 16 property, sandwich board signs, temporary signs, and one sign per building face on a corner or back alley.

Hours and open signs: allowed on the inside of windows.

Permitted materials and lettering: The sign must be wood, metal, rock or glass material, or have lettering that is either raised or recessed.

From SIGN on Front

From PLAN on Front

The finance committee voted to remove the senior utility fee exemption program by 2018. The 50 per cent automatic exemption goes down to 30 per cent this year and 20 per cent in 2017 before being eliminated.

“The idea around council [was]that simply [because] you’re a senior doesn’t mean that you are without means. There’s a number of senoirs who have set themselves up and who are very well off, and they should pay

their share, but still acknowledge there are a number of seniors in financial difficulty,” said finance committee chair Coun. Phil Brienesse.

Seniors will still be able to apply for a 100 per cent exemption through a program for people in financial need.

Another $10,000 was budgeted in anticipation of a regional transit plan funded partly by the provincial government.

“Conversations with neighbouring communities are ongoing,” said Bachrach.

Financial plan highlights• Town general operating expenses after transfers to other

levels of government: $7.4 million (up $263,000).• Municipal RCMP operating expense: $1.81 million (up

$151,000).• Elimination of the automatic senior utility fee exemption

program by 2018.• Capital budget of $9.25 million, including the $6-million

airport expansion that needs to pass a referendum this year.• Wages and benefi ts make up 42.7 per cent of the operating

budget.

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NEWS

Federal budgetBy Tom Fletcher and Chris GareauBlack Press

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau has handed down his first budget with a deficit of $29.4 billion — nearly three times what had been promised during the election campaign.

The budget forecasts more than $100 billion in deficits for the next five years, contrary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s election promise to balance the budget in four years.

“The red ink is quite a bit and it goes for a while,” said Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen.

“[The Liberals] have given up the last of their three promises when talking about deficits: to keep them around $10 billion, to get out of deficit after four years and to even keep the amount of money we’re borrowing at a good ratio to how big our economy is. All of those are now gone.”

Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said the finance ministry reported on budget day Tuesday that the Liberals inherited a $4-billion surplus.

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 benefit.

“This is a plan to help more families since the introduction of universal health care,” Morneau told the House of Commons.

Cullen said the child benefit does not solve the problem of too few daycare spaces.. He criticized the decision not to cut the small business tax.

“That is just an outright lie that came through in the campaign,” said Cullen.

The budget also includes $8.4 billion for aboriginal communities to, among other things, end boil water advisories on reserves and close the gap on education funding.

“The government fell short of closing that gap by many 100s of millions of dollars,” said Cullen.

Couple escape � re near animal shelterBy Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News

A Telkwa area couple were lucky to escape a chimney fire in their trailer on the same property as the North West Animal Shelter on Monday.

The Telkwa Volunteer Fire Department were called to the blaze by one of the trailer’s two residents, who awoke to the sound of the fire at about 2:30 a.m.

Although they did not suffer any serious injuries, the occupants were transported to Bulkley Valley District Hospital to be checked over.

The husband and wife are tenants of the North West Animal Shelter, which is also located on the 3.5 acre property on Grieder Road.

The shelter does not own the trailer.

NWAS president Sara Tomlinson said the animals were not threatened by the fire because it was too far

away. “Their trailer is not

close to where the animals were,” she said.

“It’s on the same property but that’s like a 3.5 acre piece of property, so we’re at one end of the road and they’re kind of at the other end.”

Telkwa deputy fire chief Stuart McKinnon said the extent of the damage was still being assessed.

“I don’t know yet if [the trailer] could be salvaged but it is not inhabitable right now because of the smoke damage,” he said.

He said the trailer’s chimney was a “fire waiting to happen” and encouraged home-owners with chimneys aged 10 years or older to have them inspected thoroughly.

“You could not see it from the living space,” said McKinnon.

“It was in the ceiling and it was just so badly corroded and basically the chimney had disintegrated. They do have a lifespan and they need to be inspected.”

CorrectionIn the March 23 edition, a story titled Telkwa talks pressing topics said that Telkwa has $90,000 to spend on the Village office accessibility upgrades. It was written that $50,000 comes from a Wetzin’kwa grant and the rest is Village money.Mayor Darcy Repen clarified that $50,000 came from a provincial accessibility grant while $30,000 came from a Wetzin’kwa grant. The Village contributed the remaining $10,000.

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Hwy of Tears fundingBy Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

A Highway of Tears initiative that was winding down due to a lack of funding has received $45,000 from the provincial government, allowing it to keep operating into its tenth year.

Delivered by Carrier-Sekani Family Services (CSFS), the initiative raises awareness about safety and supports families of victims who went missing or were murdered along the notorious route.

CSFS child services director Mary Teegee told The Interior News in February the program would have to end before April if it could not secure more funding.

Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced it would provide $45,000 to CSFS for the Highway of Tears initiative.

Of the total amount, $20,000 will go towards continuing to employ the initiative’s full-time coordinator Brenda Wilson. The remaining $25,000 will fund the Highway of Tears Awareness Project.

Wilson said the new funding was not enough to continue her role in the long-term but she was hopeful CSFS would receive additional funding from other sources in the near future.

“It’s not a lot but we have applied for other funding and we are hoping that combined they will be able to carry through,” she said.

NEWSwww.interior-news.com A5 The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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The reality of the resurrection

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul the apostle outlined the impli-cations if Jesus’s resurrection had not taken place. All Christian preaching (which we ministers labor over week after week!) would be in vain. John Wesley much later rode over 250,000 miles on horseback, giv-ing 40,000 ser-mons. They would have accomplished nothing. Second, the apostles would have been misrep-resenting God. Someone wrote that for years, he felt that Lance Armstrong was a hero and believed his denials of wrongdoing. But after Armstrong’s confessions, the writer felt let down personally and his trust betrayed. If Jesus had not ris-en, it would be far far worse. Third, with no resurrec-tion, we would still be in our sins. Da-vid Prior said ‘If Jesus stayed dead, there were only two possible out-comes – either he was not the sinless person everyone thought him to be

or his attempts to atone for the sin of the world had not met with di-vine approval. Ei-ther way, humans would remain cut off from God’. Fourth, those who have died have perished for good. Every Christian funeral ever con-ducted would have been a lie. In sum-mary, said Paul, of all people, we Christians should be most pitied if Christ had not risen But there’s a huge ‘But’ in Paul’s next words ‘Christ has been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep’. If Christ is raised, those who belong to Christ will be raised with him. In Czechoslovakia, in the era before com-munism collapsed, a bishop asked to speak at a big communist meet-ing in a square. The communists said ‘5 minutes is all you’re getting’. And the bishop re-plied ‘I only need 20 seconds’. And he stood up and exclaimed ‘Jesus Christ is alive!’ And the whole square responded ‘Jesus Christ is alive!’

Baptist ChurchChris Kibble 250.847-3725

Faith Matters

Submitted by the Smithers Ministerial Association

Mayor Bachrach and Council would like to invite all interested members of the public to attend an information session about the Town’s 2016-2020 Five-Year Financial Plan. Come out and hear about Council’s strategic priorities, what’s new in the operating budgets, capital plans, property tax information and other aspects of the Town’s budget. This will be held in the Council Chambers of the Smithers Town Office from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday April 12th, 2016. There will be a presentation by Council followed by a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served. The draft 2016-2020 Financial Plan bylaw schedules and draft 2016-2020 Capital plan are located on the Town’s website at www.smithers.ca. Please contact the Town Office at 847-1600 if you would like more information.Leslie FordDirector of Finance

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Advertising space donated by The Interior NewsSmithers council briefBy Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

Items at last Tuesday’s council meeting, in addition to awarding contracts for Chandler Park field upgrades (A11), scheduling the public presentation of the five-year financial plan and the draft sign bylaw (A1):

Bovill food vendorA motion directing Town staff

to make a report for April 12 investigating how best to allow food trucks to park on the 25-foot wide lot beside Bovill Square was passed, with Mayor Taylor Bachrach and Coun. Greg Brown opposed. They did not believe the report was necessary.

Power usage, ground levelling and liability were issues brought up. All agreed it would be a good way to attract traffic to the end of Main Street.

The idea was proposed in a letter from Caravan, a business that started serving Smithers last year. It wants itself and other vendors to be able to set up from May to September. The

letter said the sushi restaurant Masa Yama across the street was “amiable to the idea of bringing more interest to the far end of Main Street.”

“We already have rules about how many consecutive days someone can park, and so once it’s recognized that a business is there, other businesses are going to know,” said Coun. Gladys Atrill at council.

Ranger Park decision postponedA staff report on the cost of running

Ranger Park Nature Preschool if it was at capacity was not completed in time for council to vote whether to keep it open. Council will revisit the question at the April 12 meeting.

Airport water planA $35,571 contract to create

a “Smithers Regional Airport Master Plan” was awarded to Opus DaytonKnight Consultants Ltd. of Smithers. It was not the cheapest bid, but was given the contract due to its prior work on Town water systems in 2008, and it was the only firm to propose looking at Lake Kathlyn as a fire storage source.

OPINIONSA6 www.interior-news.com The Interior News

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B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith,B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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NEWSInteriorTHE

2010C A N A D I A NCOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERAWARD 2013

C A N A D I A NCOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERAWARD 2014

The first Justin Trudeau budget continues the new Liberal government’s epic

string of broken promises.Expanding the Canada

Pension Plan went by the wayside to start the year, as jacking up payroll taxes wasn’t seen as a good way to respond to rising unemployment. Then there was the national carbon price, which dissolved into a vague commitment to keep working at it with the disagreeing provinces.

Now there is the torrent of red ink that washes away the solemn promise that deficits would be no

more than $10 billion a year, for no more than three years.According to rookie Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s

new guesses, deficits will be $29.4 billion this year, $29 billion next year, $22 billion in 2018 and a mere $17.7 billion in 2019 as the governing party campaigns for re-election. The budget even projects another deficit for the year after, apparently assuming that all this borrowing and spending will deliver another majority government.

The campaign promise was built around the claim that infrastructure spending was needed because the country had

slid into deficit and recession. Turns out there was no recession, except in oil-dependent Alberta and Newfoundland, and no deficit until the Liberals opened the spending taps.

And what about the promise to cut the federal small business tax from 11 to nine per cent? Priming the engine of job creation and all that? Gone.

Not even the infrastructure promise is kept. Most of the spending is for ongoing programs, including “equalization,” even though B.C. appears to be the only “have” province left at the moment.

On budget day, the B.C. government sent out Communities Minister Peter Fassbender with strict instructions to bite his tongue about this busted fire hydrant of borrowed money. Fassbender announced that he and Premier Christy Clark are “delighted” at the infrastructure spending, of which the only identifiable new project for B.C. is a sewer system in North Vancouver.

Massey Tunnel replacement? Nope. Transit lines in Vancouver and Surrey? We’re continuing preliminary engineering work. Widening the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 16 to Alberta? Maybe these will be promises for the next federal election.

Fassbender tap-danced when asked why the only province with a balanced budget should be pleased about a federal pledge to increase the national debt by about a quarter.

He kept circling back to his key talking point, that Ottawa didn’t sabotage B.C.’s liquefied natural gas plans by taking

away capital cost allowances for this industrial investment. Instead Ottawa is jeopardizing the biggest LNG project by dithering over environmental impacts that have already been studied for three years.

The biggest Trudeau promise of all is to rescue the middle class from the awful stagnation inflicted by the Harper years. The title of Morneau’s debut budget is “Growing the Middle Class.”

A quick fact check takes me to Statistics Canada’s most recent table of median family income by province. After the 2009 economic crisis (triggered by reckless debt among other things), B.C.’s median income for all family types was $66,970 in 2010, $69,150 in 2011, $71,660 in 2012 and $74,150 in 2013.

That’s about the same increase as the national rate — not spectacular, but pretty good considering low inflation. Better than most of the world, in fact.

Again, this government is borrowing gobs of money to throw at a problem that may not even exist.

At this point I’ve all but given up on the Trudeau government displaying actual competence, for anything other than going to parties and flinging rose petals at climate change.

I’d settle for hearing them tell the truth about something.

– Tom Fletcher is the B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Web pollDo you agree with the federal Liberal government’s decision to increase spending and go nearly $60 billion into deficit over the next two years?

No76%

Yes24%

Publisher Grant Harris, Editor Chris GareauPublished by Black Press Ltd. 3764 Broadway Avenue, Smithers BC V0J 2N0

The federal budget doesn’t balance itself

GUEST VIEWTom Fletcher

www.interior-news.com A7 The Interior News

THE INTERIOR NEWS, P.O. Box 2560, Smithers, B.C. 3764 Broadway Ave. • Phone 847-3266Fax 847-2995 NEWS: editor@interior-news.com • ADVERTISING: advertising@interior-news.comYour TEAM

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

THE EDITORTO:

Letters to the editor policyLetters are welcomed up to a maximum of 250 words. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, brevity and legality. All letters must include the writer’s name, daytime telephone number and hometown for verifi cation purposes. Anonymous, or pen names will not be permitted. Not all submissions will be published. Letters may be e-mailed to: editor@interior-news.com.

LETTERS

A lot of hard work for big events in small towns

Editor:

The Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club successfully hosted the 2016 NorAm Cups and Canadian Championships for Ski Cross at Hudson Bay Mountain, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to accomplish hosting a major competition in a small community like Smithers, and an amazing group effort is what made this event happen. Our sincere thank-you goes out to our organizing committee, our volunteers, the athletes and coaches, and of course our sponsors and partners.

Gold level sponsors: Pro-Tech Forest Resources, BV Electric, Hudson Bay Lodge Prestige, BV Credit Union, All West Glass, Royal Bank Smithers, Alpine Canada and SportChek, Sullivan Motor Products-RV, Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, Vihar Construction, BV Printers, Moose FM, and Matrix Communications.

Silver level sponsors: Hy-Tech Drilling, BV Wholesale, Seabridge Gold, Smithers Chamber of Commerce, Local Supply Co, Nature’s Pantry, Devries Construction, Highland Helicopters, Boston Pizza Smithers, MLA Doug Donaldson, and the Town of Smithers.

Funding Partners: The Bulkley Valley Community Foundation, ViaSport, Province of B.C., and Hosting BC.

Alongside the Bantam provincials for hockey, we have left a lasting impression on many people. We look forward to continuing to do so in cooperation with our community.

Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club

Shame with sign bylawEditor:

I choose to write this letter to express my feelings on the way Sedaz is being singled out and the shame I feel in the town’s bylaws.

For many years, my work involves a daily walk to the Royal Bank all the way down Main Street. The sidewalks are dangerous. They are missing bricks, and there are raised and sunken bricks. There is little to no maintenance done that I can see. Two areas have a big puddle to navigate around.

This past winter was like walking on a sandy beach (if you closed your eyes) because of so much snow. If you are extremely lucky, the sidewalk plow may make one pass, but I have never seen more than that. I’m glad I do not push a baby stroller or try to use a walker on the sidewalks. I have never seen the snow removed within at least two feet out from the buildings.

Another huge issue we face walking our sidewalks are the number of sandwich board signs. I once thought there was a bylaw for them. Apparently not, as you constantly dodge signs and people.

Sedaz is being unfairly attacked for having two signs that are in no way a danger. I feel she is an outstanding

citizen in our community. She has had various fundraising events and always gives back to our community. The two beams that run up the side of the old Valhalla building do not seem to be a problem, so why are the signs that have a bottom bracket removed so they can swing if hit? The beams sure cannot do that.

I feel the town bylaw officer is personally attacking Sedaz. They should be ashamed of themselves and take a look at the big picture.

Jody EndersSmithers

Insurance lessonEditor:

I see Ski Smithers is again offering early bird ski passes for sale. Last year my wife and I bought our passes early as we have for the past 30-plus years. Shortly after this, she hurt her knee and after about four months she had a scan done, and it was said she needed surgery to repair it.

In early November, I went to the ski corp., which was well before the start of the ski season, and asked if I could transfer her pass to another family member. We did not want a refund for the pass, just a transfer. They said they would not do it as we did not buy insurance.

I then asked why, as we were not asking for money back. At that point, they asked me to send an email, which I did in early December. In the New Year, they got back to me and said they would do something and someone would get in touch with me, which still has not happened.

So anyone who is thinking of buying an early season pass this year, it might be a good idea to buy insurance as you will be out of luck no matter how long you have been skiing, or else you may be donating to the Ski Smithers Corp.

Gerry VandergaagSmithers

Of boxers on a beautiful dayWhere to start? I say that

on a day when so many topics to discuss with

you came to mind. So, if you don’t mind, let me take you back and hour or so ago. I was sitting with my two old dogs and an equally old cat in the woodshed. Of course, you can throw me in with the old things. I brushed the dogs and thought about this day of mine.

This morning after doing some outside stuff, it was off for coffee at the café in Telkwa. Good friends gathered to discuss all manner of topics. I could choose one of those for you. Maybe not.

When I got home I turned on the TV where I could find myself listening to the terrible terrorist attack in Brussels.  What is wrong with the world? Later in the day I could, if I felt so inclined, listen to the Trudeau government budget. I went outside instead to do some work on my walking trails. So very peaceful.

As I walked about, a tame crow followed from branch to branch hoping for a snack. A pileated woodpecker drummed a welcome. By the way, I was told that a hummingbird had been spotted on March 19.

I came back inside to sit for a minute just in time to hear the words “for the love of bacon.” Later, I heard that everything is better with bacon. Is that true? Have we gone mad? I love bacon but I do know it can cause some health problems.

My tea nearly finished and Donald Trump can be heard from the other room. He was going on and on about something or other, then there was a piece where he said in his own words how some women like to show him their panties. Really? I’m not all keen on that fellow, but if he comes around I can show him a pair of beat up old boxers. That is probably not what he meant.

Watching the American political process does make me happy to be here, where for once our nation is well respected around the world. The parliamentary process, even with some disagreements, comes across with great civility. 

Our own member of Parliament, Nathan Cullen, will from time to time speak on a political show. How well spoken he is! Makes me puff up with pride. Puffed up as I am, maybe Donald Trump would still like to see my panties.

Next I hear that former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford had died at age 46.  A colourful, tainted life one could say, but he did make his mark. He beat his addictions only to die from cancer. A reminder to all of us to live each day peacefully and I hope without hatred and malice.

April is cancer month. I have my daffodils nearby. There are some like me who are cancer survivors. Others begin the difficult journey to recovery. I know I am one of many who is so grateful to everyone at our cancer clinic. During Al’s battle with cancer the process was made easier because of the kindness of others.

You now know from these ramblings that I really didn’t have a specific topic in mind. Just the ramblings of an old widow on a beautiful sunny day.

I have an idea some of you will want to call about one thing or another. Leave a message at 250-846-5095. I will probably still be sitting in the woodshed. An email might work when it comes to mallory@bulkley.net.

The Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club thanks everyone for helping host the 2016 NorAm Cups and Canadian Championships at Hudson Bay Mountain.

Contributed photo

SPICE OF LIFE

Brenda Mallory

By Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Of over 75 nominations, Travis Pete was chosen as one of the 12 young athletes to receive the Premier’s Award for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport from Premier Christy Clark.

The Wet’suwet’en cross-country skier and swimmer went to Victoria last Monday to receive the framed award that lauded his athletics achievements, involvement with his culture and his future aspirations.

“I felt honoured,” he said. “At the stage, where I had an opportunity to talk, I thanked my friends and my family for their support and my coach for training me, putting all those hours on me.”

Coaches Alex Woods and Tom Best have both trained Pete, in cross-country skiing and swimming respectively.

“He started skiing with the group I coached five years ago,” said Woods.

“He was able to join the group because he loved hard work and was fully capable of keeping up.

“Travis has an amazing work ethic and is very appreciative of his coaches ... Travis is a pleasure to coach.”

Pete’s mother, Leslie-Jean MacMillan, first got to know about the award and immediately called Pete, who was away training.

“We’re very excited and very proud of the

hard work he’s put in,” said MacMillan.In applying for the award, Pete had to explain

how he is doing in his sports, his connection to his culture and get three letters from references.

He was given references by the two aforementioned coaches and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en.

Pete said he showed his participation in his community by serving at feasts and helping at a culture camp last year.

Sports Email: sports@interior-news.comSPORTSA8 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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B.V. Driving School Ltd. is offering an air brakes course in Houston on

Friday (evening) April 8th: 6-10pm, Saturday, April 9th: 9am-6pm &

Sunday, April 10th: 9am.

Spaces are limited so call ASAPEmail: bvdrivin@bvdrivingschool.ca • www.bvdrivingschool.ca

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Australian rugby team recruits SmithereenBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Smithereen rugby player Jason Gagnier is off to Australia to up his game.

The 23-year-old will play for New South Wales’ Tamworth Pirates for about seven months starting next month until Oct. 29.

This big break represents “the world” to him, he said.

“Rugby has finally got me a little bit of something, somewhere. I’ve worked so hard,” he said. “It’s almost like a stepping stone to the national team, hopefully.”

Gagnier’s big break came after he used an agent who marketed him to overseas teams.

“I first got a hit from an Italian club but they’re looking for an almost-professional-level player, which I’m

not quite there yet, so this is just kind of a stepping stone to hopefully a professional contract,” said Gagnier.

Gagnier had to pay hundreds for his agent’s fees, travel insurance and visas, but what he received in return outstripped his expenses. His new club will pay for his flight and living expenses, for example.

Gagnier has always participated in sports, but only got into rugby in Grade 9. In his career, he has played for the two-time Alberta provincial champions, the St. Albert Rugby Football Club, and currently plays for Victoria’s Westshore Velox RFC.

“That’s who I’ve been playing for the last five years. Since I graduated, I went down there — started playing,” he said. “I came out of high school, I probably wasn’t even the best player on the high school team, but I had the potential. I had the athletic ability.

“Went out there, put on 40 pounds,

by then I was probably 20 ... it was hard work since then upping every skill.”

Gagnier will fly out April 11. He knows rugby in Australia will challenge him more than anything in Canada would, comparing the passion for rugby there to Canadians’ love for hockey.

“I’ll do well there, but it will be a huge step up from any competition I’ve been in,” he said.

“The highest I have ever played in Canada, I’ve played for British Columbia.”

He hopes to get picked up for a professional contract while playing in Australia.

If not, he will re-employ his agent to market him to higher-level clubs with his Australian highlights.

“Thanks to my mom and stepdad for making it all possible,” adds Gagnier. “Without their support I never would have had the resources to chase this dream.”

Jason Gagnier, front, will play with the Tamworth Pirates starting April.

Facebook photo

Wet’suwet’en teen earns award

Premier Christy Clark presents the Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport award to Travis Pete.

Province of British Columbia photo

Chapman says byeBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Hudson Bay Mountain Resort manager Chrissy Chapman will bid farewell to the Hudson Bay Mountain May 13, but not completely.

Chapman gave her notice to HBMR owner Gary Mathiesen mid-March, when he flew in from Vancouver.

“I’m just looking to maybe venture out and try something new, spend a little more time with my kids and if I can challenge myself in a new way,” said Chapman.

She leaves, what she calls, “my mountain” after 20 years, but will continue on a consultative capacity as needed.

Chapman said she has a few prospects for a future job, but she has not committed to one yet.

Chapman will leave for a 16-day holiday to Mexico after her last day.

“I think I’ll just have a little time with my daughters and enjoy some family time and just see kind of what’s out there,” she said.

She wants to work within the

tourism field or “anything that involves people.”

“I do love that part of my job,” she added.

Chapman said she alone made the decision to leave, and added that her departure is not the result of layoffs, cutbacks or disagreements.

In trying to fill the void left by Chapman, Mathiesen said the resort will involve current staff and hire a new events and marketing employee.

“So, is Chrissy’s role going to be specifically taken on by one person? No,” said Mathiesen.

Chapman and her family will receive ski passes for life.

“Actually, I’ll probably get to ski more, now, than ever,” she said.

Chrissy Chapman will leave the Hudson Bay Mtn Resort May 13.

Contributed photo

SPORTSwww.interior-news.com A9 The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

As a cancer survivor I am looking forward to the upcoming Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) Daffodil Dash with its variety of events. It takes a positive approach in helping the community and individuals focus on cancer prevention, re-search work, treatment and services to help in-dividuals on their cancer journeys. It is an event I am pleased to support The passing of my maternal grandmother to leukemia was followed by my father’s passing from lung cancer and nine years later leukemia took my mother. Those events and other risk factors left me with the realization that cancer could very likely play a part in my future. It did in 2005 with a breast cancer diagnosis. Chemo-therapy and radiation followed surgery. A bet-ter than 50% chance of a recurrence in the fol-

lowing five to ten years left me knowing it was important to make the best use of every day. I was grateful to have chemotherapy available locally. During radiation treatment in Vancou-ver I was very comfortable in the Jean C. Barber Lodge. It is one of several lodges in the province under the administration of the CCS. The more recently built and lovely Kordyban Lodge in Prince George is even closer to home now and located very conveniently next to the BC Can-cer Agency. The lodges provide affordable ac-commodation. The staff and volunteers in these facilities are compassionate and helpful. They put a great deal of effort into making patients as welcome and comfortable as possible. The opportunity to talk with peers through CCS’s Cancer Connection has been helpful for many cancer patients. I have been on both sides of the situation; offering peer support and re-ceiving peer support. It feels good to be able to talk with someone who knows the challenges you face with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It is 2016. Each year since my diagnosis I am grateful to have survived another year and to have a close and caring family. I am also grate-ful for a community that cares in many ways. In the more than 60 years since my grandmother passed away the improvement in diagnosis, treatment and care of cancer patients is incredi-ble but there is so much more to be done in deal-ing with the more than 200 types of cancer. I look forward to the Daffodil Dash where I meet with my fellow survivors, honor those who are currently struggling with cancer related issues, remember friends and family who have passed on and applaud those who turn out to partici-pate and support the cause. Sharon Kerr  

Dash for, close to home support

Sharon Kerr Submitted photo

1214 Main St., Smithers • 250-847-2136

Jason Oliemans has been busy the whole of March, and for a good reason.

He has been stepping up his game by racing in many more competitions than ever before.

Earlier this year, he raced in the Nor-Am Cup races at the Sugarloaf Mountain Resort in Maine and Colorado’s Ski Cooper ski resort, and the National Juniors in Quebec.

Most recently, he also raced at the Hudson Bay Mountain’s back-to-back Nor-Am Cup races and the Canadian nationals.He also went to the World Juniors and French Nationals.

FeaturedAthlete

JASON OLIEMANS

Dan’s Source for Sportscongratulates Jason, please come and see us for

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At Pharmasave we now have a wide assortment of Dutch and

Italian foods coming from Falesca Import and Royal Import.

Steelheads denied Coy CupBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

March was the best of times and worst of times for the Steelheads.

The Smithers team, crowned the Central Interior Hockey League playoffs champion earlier this month, suffered a triple loss at the Coy Cup provincials in Terrace last week, losing to the Whitehorse Huskies 6-5, Fort St. John Flyers 5-3 and finally to the Terrace River Kings 6-2.

But head coach Tom DeVries is hardly disappointed.

“We did really well, just some bad luck in opportune times to score goals,” he said. “Being the CIHL champions is great ... it takes skill but also takes a little luck.

“We probably did for that one and for the Coy Cup, we didn’t.”

Goaltenders David Little and Keano Wilson could not attend this tournament because of holiday plans and work respectively.

In their places, Kitimat Ice Demons goalie Brandon Highton stepped up to the first game, while Smithers Secondary School Grade 12 student Owen Sikkes, 17, played the following two.

Sikkes used to play for the Junior B division Golden Rockets. He is the youngest player the Steelheads have had.

“It was pretty quick out there, and I was playing with some pretty skilled, big guys,” said Sikkes. “I thought I did fairly well, considering all the nerves I had going in.”

Sikkes said after playing with the Steelheads, he is “definitely considering” joining their ranks in the future.

DeVries said missing these two veterans did not contribute

to the losses.“Don’t get me wrong,

[Wilson and Little] were very good goaltenders, but the goaltenders we had were as good,” said DeVries. “Goaltending was not an issue at all.”

DeVries rated the Whitehorse and Fort St. John teams highly.

“They’d be one of the top teams in our league,” said DeVries.

“The calibre of the players is very good.”

Regular season MVP Brendan DeVries tries to get a puck past Terrace River Kings’ top goalie Patrick Leal at last Thursday’s Coy Cup game.

Jackie Lieuwen photo

By Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

A popular women’s fitness group that ran for 12 years in Smithers has been relaunched after a five-year hiatus.

The new Women In Motion (WIM) kicked off on March 17 with a series of group fitness

classes at Fitness Northwest.

Organizers describe WIM as a place to connect with other like-minded women, while being supported and motivated in their fitness goals.  

The original group, which started in 2001, began with a focus on running and evolved

to include a variety of sports and fitness activities.

At one point the group had more than 85 members and 12 local sponsors to support their events and information nights.

A group of women who were involved with the original WIM

have now brought it back to life after taking a five-year break.

WIM co-organizer Rae-Lynn Varga said the group was open to women of all ages and fitness levels.

For more informa-tion join the Women In Motion Sport & Fitness group on Facebook.

A10 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

SPORTS

Community Calendar

To list your nonprofit coming events please drop off your listing at The Interior News, 3764 Broadway Ave., fax us at 250-847-2995, or email laura@interior-news.com. More information is available through our Online Community Calendar at www.interior-news.com. Deadline for submissions is Fridays at noon. Maximum 25 words. Limited space is available. We regret we cannot accept items over the phone.

For further information please check our Online Community Calendar at www.interior-news.comNorthern Saddle Club Bingo. Thu, Mar. 31, 7 pm, The Old Church. Fundraiser for repairs and maintenance of facilities.Affordable Art Workshops. March & April, registrations now open for Throwing & Hand-Building with Clay, Painting for Dummies 1 & 2, Watercolour Basics, Beginning Silversmithing. Check website for details. www.smithersart.org.Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop. Wed, Mar 2 to Apr 5, 1-3:30 pm, Healthy Living Centre. CPSMP is a six-session workshop that helps people living with chronic pain and their caregivers. jamurphy@uvic.ca, 1-866-902-3767, www.selfmanagementbc.ca.Round Lake Concert & Dinner. Sat, Apr 2, 6 pm. Baked Lasagna meal (6-7 pm). Music at 7:30 pm with a tribute to John Prine by various artists. End of the season.Smithers Film Society Spotlight. Sun, Apr 3, 6 pm, Roi Theatre. Story of the Boston Globe investigation that would cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. Regular admission.

Divorce Care. Wed, 7 pm, until Apr 6, Smithers CRC, 4035 Walnut Dr. Drop-ins welcome. A group for those who are separated or divorced that aims to provide practical info and support. divorcecare.org.Brown Bag Lunch. Thu, Apr 7, 12 pm, Healthy Living Centre. Dr. Darren Jakubec and Birgit Laskowski talking about Dreams. Info. 250-877-4424.Tween Writing Workshop. Fri, Apr 8, 6:30-8:30 pm, Smithers Public Library. Join local writer Emily Bulmer for a playful exploration of the written word. Ages 10-14. 250-847-3043.Leader Training: Chronic Pain Self-Management. Apr 5-8, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Healthy Living Centre. Co-lead the CPSMP, a volunteer-led patient education program for people living with chronic pain. John Murphy, jamurphy@uvic.ca, 1-866-902-3767, www.selfmanagementbc.ca.Perspectives. Mar 8-Apr 9, Smithers Art Gallery. Oil painting show by Pashan Bassett. Scenes of Northern Canada and India. Tue-Sat 12-4 pm. www.smithersart.org. info@smithersart.org. 250-847-3898.

Your

invites female graduates ofSSS, BVCS and Ebenezer

that are pursuing post-secondaryeducation in a business � eld

to apply for one of two$30000 Bursaries.

Ask your school counsellor forinformation and or drop by our

o� ces on Broadway for anapplication. Apply by June 10.

Wha

t is y

our d

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for y

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NEWSNNNEWSEWSNNEWSEWSNNEWSEWSInterior SMITHERS, B.C.

Evelyn Mountain Contracting and Mountain Man Wildfire will be holding Wildland Firefighting and Powersaw coursesin May 2016.

S100 Basic Fire Suppression includes: S130 Fundamentals of Firefighting S190 Fireline Safety S232 Portable Pumps & Water Delivery Systems WHMIS$200 (minimum 8 people required per course)

SA10 Refresher (evening session) $35

Powersaw Operator:Maintenance, Safety & Operation $300

Email emc@xplornet.com for information.

We’re accepting resumes for the 2016 Wildfire season. Please email to address aboveor fax to 250-846-5501.

Advertising space donated by The Interior News

You qualify for FREE gifts and coupons if you’ve moved

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Liza Ramos leads a Zumba class at the Women In Motion launch on March 17. Alicia Bridges photo

Women In Motion gets rolling

Jason Oliemans races in FranceBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Ski crosser Jason Oliemans finished 23rd out of 55 at the World Juniors and 28th at the French Nationals in Val Thorens, France.

Oliemans qualified 30th in the World Juniors and then placed third in the first heat, putting him at 23rd.

“This trip and the

competitions have been an amazing experience for me!” he said in a statement. “A well-built, exciting ski cross course, with lots of opportunities to pass. Every heat I felt like I could have done both better or worse.

“Racing in Europe also gave me an eye into a higher level of racing, and made me realize how and what I can train at home to be ready for when I go back.”

Jason Oliemans, in Val Thorens, France.Facebook photo

SPORTSwww.interior-news.com A11 The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

THANK YOU to our sponsors and guests for making our 39th Game Banquet a huge success! Thank you to the kitchen crew lead by Larry Hartwell for the amazing job! This event wouldn't be possible without your support and we are very grateful. Watch out for our 40th next year!!!!

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Glacier View Satellite Hills Foods Home Hardware Hooper Family Hungry Hill Adventures Huxtable, Kristine Hy-Tech Drilling Ltd Integrity LocksmithingJames J Fitzmaurice LB Paving Lobley, Gary MacKay, Terry McBike Shop and Sport McDonalds NAPA Smithers North Central Heating North Country Rentals Outdoor Essentials Oscar’s Source for Adventure

Ouellette, Jim & Kathy Panago Remillard, Julian Rugged Edge Holdings Sausage Factory Smith, Donna Smithers Feed StoreSmithers Gunworks Smithers Parts Spee Dee Steakhouse on Main Subway Smithers Telkwa Backeri Tim Hortons Time Square Suites Vancouver Total Tire Trails North VanHorn, Fay

Meg Hobson, owner of Rustica Wood Fired Bakery, love’s the heat but more than that she loves baking. Trained by renowned Australian Sourdough Baker Allan Scott, Meg hand crafts buns, breads, baguettes, cookies, cakes, piz-zas and more for the local market, pulling them hot and fresh from her wood fired

oven. The oven, hand built from concrete and brick is designed to retain lots of heat. Fired with local wood to over 650 degrees, as it cools over days she bakes those products most suited to the re-sulting temperatures; going from breads to cookies and cakes. She also has wheat-free products for the glu-ten intolerant.

Committed to our area’s overall well-being by offer-ing Rustica Bakery goods, local produce, meats, baked goods, seafood & more.

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TAEKWONDO REGIONALSHarmony Taekwon-Do students competed in the Terrace Northwest Taekwon-Do Championships on March 12. From left to right: Layla Mulvey, 10, silver in patterns. Alys Bjorgen, 12, silver in sparring, gold in patterns. Racquelle Mulvey, 12, gold in sparring, silver in patterns. Riley Bergen, 12, bronze in sparring and patterns. Miya Mulvey, 8, silver in patterns.

Contributed photo

Chandler � eld upgrade contract awarded

By Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

It is not all the work that the Town of Smithers and soccer groups had aimed for, but contracts awarded at last Tuesday’s council meeting will get most of the work on upgrading Chandler Park fields done this spring.

The project was divided into several sections after tenders for the full scope came in way over budget.

Council unanimously approved that general site works and irrigation go to Sierra Landscaping Ltd. out of Winfield, B.C. for its bid of $248,000. Western Turf Farms Ltd. out of

Abbotsford got the sod supply and installation contract for its bid of just under $100,000.

Six companies bid for the irrigation work, and five bid for the sod work. The lowest bids got the contracts.

The total cost of the work is about $11,000 lower than the project’s budget. It will be put in a project contingency fund. The Town is still waiting to hear if it gets a $21,000 CN EcoConnexions grant to cover 50 per cent of the cost of removing and replacing the lombardy poplars along Frontage Road.

The running track will not yet be taken out, leaving Chandler Park with two-and-a-half fields instead of three.

A12 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Serving the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District

Brenda Shaffer, whose artist name is Rea le Fare, with her winning design for the High Road Services Society Paint A Mural For Equality competition.

Alicia Bridges photo

By Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

As a homeless woman who knows first-hand the divide between the haves and the have-nots, Smithers artist Brenda Shaffer was inspired to put pen to paper when she heard about a mural competition with the theme of equality.

Last month, High Road Services Society asked local artists to submit designs in the Paint A Mural For Equality competition.

The winner would receive $500 and the chance to bring their artistic vision to life on the wall of iKitchen, a commercial kitchen which provides work and training opportunities for people with disabilities.

Shaffer, whose artist name is Rea le Fare, had an idea for a mural that would both brighten the wall and reflect the theme.

“Seeing as it was a kitchen, I drew this representation of one world with food distribution, different cultures, different methods of our daily catch, with some animals that were associated,” she said.

The resulting design is a vivid world map with symbols of geography, wildlife and culture.

Although one of the conditions of the mural competition was that it was not political, Shaffer said she did identify with the theme of equality.

“I’ve been homeless for about a year and a half now,” she said.

“Equality means all rights for all people everywhere.

“A child’s right to education, an elder’s right to be heard, the right for all of us to have a place where we feel safe and have purpose.”

The mural project was created by iKitchen operations manager Hayley Wilson, who said the idea was to find a “beautiful, colourful, fun mural to beautify this workspace.”

Shaffer said she was impressed with Wilson’s approach.

“When I met Hayley, she said ‘The one thing we really love is to say ‘we can,’ ” she said.

“So I can paint this huge ugly wall into a beautiful mural and people are going to look at it for a long time.”

Mural for Equality comp winner has unique perspective

Mark Perry releasing new album, funds diabetes cureBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Mark Perry will release his new CD entitled Northern Waters, tour the Northwest and raise money for diabetes research starting April 15.

Still a top-secret project, Perry teased that listeners can expect roots, percussion and drum-based music inspired by his experiences in the Northwest when he performs at the Della Herman Theatre on April 15.

“I started out with this song, it’s called Gramophone Creek,” said Perry, referring to a Moricetown stream. “This friend of mine said to me, I should write a song about it.”

Perry used his imagination to craft a story about the creek.

“He believed it was the truth,” said Perry, referring to his friend whom he played the song to. “Could have been, it’s hard to say.”

His new album has many songs inspired by water in the North, hence the title.

“I didn’t mean to, a lot of bodies of water appeared in these songs, it ran along without a plan, sometimes you just see where you went and that’s the title that made sense for that group of songs,” said Perry. “To be somewhat real, being connected to an area is actually, for me, is a bit of a bonus. I like it.”

Perry’s Smithers concert will exclusively feature three guests including Valentin Puentes, Alex Cuba’s dad, who will start off the night playing Cuban music. Mark Thibeault will also join

him on stage.“He’s actually a really artistic

player, he plays electric guitar, steel guitar and he’s also an incredible [instrument] builder,” said Perry.

Perry’s daughter, known by her band name MIP, will accompany Perry on the bass.

“They can expect [to] hear some new songs and some ones that they know, I think it will be a really fun musical event,” said Perry.

Tickets can be bought at Mountain Eagle Books for

$20, and Perry will give a quarter of the proceeds to the JDRF (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), specializing in Type 1 diabetes research.

“I don’t have it myself, but I have brothers who have it,” he said, adding that he has two younger brothers who suffered from diabetes since their teens and an older brother who was just diagnosed with it.

“It’s lifelong, life-threatening,” said Perry. “Believe me it’s a social and physical battle.”

www.interior-news.com A13The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

A & E

Bulkley Valley Hospice Society is offering Group Support for Grieving Parents Thursdays 7-9pm April 7- May 26/16. For further inquiries and enrollment

please contact Cornelia at 250 847 3449 or BV Hospice 250 877 7451 (messages checked daily).

NOTICE OF CONSULTATION MEETINGTHE MINE PLAN AND RECLAMATION PROGRAM

FOR THE TATLOW S&G PITNotice is hereby given that a public consultation meeting

regarding the above noted will be at:7:00 pm

Wednesday, April 20, 20164245 Tatlow Road

Smithers, BC

The proposed sand and gravel operation is located at 4245 Tatlow Road, on that part of fractional SE 114, Section 7, Township 4, Range 5, Coast District which lies west of the Bulkley River, ex-cept the Grand Truck Pacific Railway R/W as shown on Plan 1232, and Plan EPP132The purpose of this Public Meeting is to ensure that information is made available to update the public on the results of the noise and dust baseline report and the mitigative measures proposed to reduce the operations impacts on surrounding residents. Any person may attend the public meeting and/or make written or oral representation. If you are unable to attend the meeting, written representations may be submitted.

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BOUNDLESS SPIRIT Even the Bulkley Valley’s four-legged residents know winter is a great time to play, according to Lorna W., who snapped this im-age entitled “Taryn”.

The Interior News will pub-lish one of the entries to our My Valley Winter photo contest every week until the competition ends on April 6. For information about how to enter visit interior-news.com/contests.

Lorna W. photo

A14 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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A Smithers woman whose generosity and humour were well-known in the Bulkley Valley has posthumously inspired an art project for the homeless.

Downtown business owners and community organizations knew Elizabeth Norton for her love of conversation, songs and jokes.

Although Norton lived at The Meadows, an assisted living facility, she went downtown every day to visit staff and volunteers at Main Street shops and services, including the The Salvation Army, Dze L Kant Friendship Centre and Two Sisters Cafe.

Since Norton passed away on March 11, her sister Aileen Norton Swift has been inundated with questions and comments from the public.

“She connected with so many people and I’ve had countless people approach me on the street asking ... when is the memorial going to be,” said Norton Swift.

“They’re so sorry to hear and some were shocked to hear, and some were crying.”

Norton Swift said her sister loved giving gifts so much she gave away her own things, and that she sometimes collected food to give to members of the town’s homeless community.

She also described Norton as “a stand up comedian at heart,” who would frequently break into song to lighten the mood.

According to Norton Swift, Elizabeth helped bridge the divide between different groups in the community by treating everyone equally.

“She has touched so many people’s lives,” she said.

“The connection with

the homeless; she treated everybody equally ... she just treated everybody on the same level.”

Norton Swift said her sister was also a gifted painter who impressed local artists with her natural ability.

She plans to set up a non-profit in Norton’s name to support art workshops for the homeless community.

Friends and family who attended a memorial service last week were asked to bring art supplies instead of flowers.

The supplies will made available for people who use the Salvation Army’s Smithers drop-in centre.

Norton Swift said she knew Elizabeth would have loved the idea.

“I know she would be so excited and happy about that,” she said.

“This is such a beautiful thing that they are doing because [the Salvation Army] was her touchstone.”

Norton’s friends at the memorial recalled her love of thrift shopping, her faith in Christianity, and her unfailing smile.

They recounted her generosity and love of gift-giving.

Members of the Salvation Army also sang some of her favourite songs, including This Little Light of Mine and What A Friend We Have In Jesus.

Owners of the Two Sisters cafe posted a tribute to Norton on their website.

“She would visit us often three and four times a day in the summer, always with a smile, and always so grateful for whatever we had to give her,” they wrote on the website.

“We’ll all miss hearing her voice at the back door asking, ‘Hello? Hello? Is anybody there?’, in the middle of a rockin’ summer day, no less!”

Friends wrote tributes to Elizabeth Norton (top left) and responded to the question “What would Elizabeth say, do, sing?” at last Thursday’s memorial service.

Alicia Bridges photos

Generous Elizabeth leaves a � nal gift

www.interior-news.com A15The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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COMMUNITYBooties send pro-life messageBy Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

A group of Bulkley Valley residents have knitted and crocheted more than 600 pairs of baby booties to display at Parliament Hill as part of a pro-life campaign calling for stricter regulation of abortion.

Smithers pro-life campaigner Karen Bandstra has been leading a local effort to make and donate to the Booties for Babies Challenge.

The challenge is being run by the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA), a Christian group whose goal is to bring “a biblical perspective” to government authorities.

ARPA is trying to collect 1,000 booties to display on the lawn of

Parliament Hill to coincide with the March for Life in Ottawa on May 12.

Four Bulkley Valley residents will be attending the march in Ottawa.

Bandstra, who works for ARPA but said she coordinated the bootie challenge locally as a volunteer, mailed 648 pairs of booties from the Bulkley Valley to ARPA’s office in Ottawa last week.

She said a group of local people had been meeting weekly to work on the booties together.

“I had one lady from Houston that came every week ... and did a workshop and taught many people how to crochet so that other people that wanted to make booties could learn how to make booties,” she said.

“I’ve had several ladies come to me with over 30 or

40 pairs.” Smithers resident

Maggie McEwan, 88, knitted 60 pairs to send to donate to the challenge.

Bandstra said the booties would be sent with a note to members of parliament and senators, then laid out on the lawn at Parliament Hill to highlight the campaign’s pro-life cause.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 81,897 abortions were reported in Canada in 2014.

Bandstra’s organization believes Canada needs new legislation to regulate abortion.

“We are trying to impress upon our MPs that our country needs to have laws to save some of these children because it’s atrocious this is allowed

to happen in our country,” she said.

In contrast, pro-choice advocates at the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) believe abortion is a constitutional right and women must be guaranteed safe and timely access in hospitals and clinics.

“ARCC’s position is that all abortions are ‘medically necessary,’ ”reads a statement on ARCC’s website.

“The Canada Health Act identifies ‘medically necessary as that which is ‘physician performed.’

“It should not be left to politicians or religious leaders to determine what is and what is not medically necessary.”

The ARPA booties will be donated to pregnancy crisis centres after the march in Ottawa.

Maggie McEwan with some of the 60 pairs of booties she knitted for ARPA’s Booties for Babies Challenge.

Contributed photo

FOUNDATION FOR THE COMMUNITYBulkley Valley Community Foundation chair Sean Mitchell (centre) presents a cheque to Smithers council for affordable recreation. Mitchell and executive director Geri Britton presented some of the work the foundation does in the valley, including giving 495 grants worth $590,000 since 1991, and 57 scholarships and bursaries totalling $33,000 since 2008. Celebrations are in the works for the group’s 25th anniversary.

Chris Gareau photo

Deborah Cichowski (left), winner of the 2016 Irving Fox Award, with Rosemary Fox, wife of the late Irving Fox.

Bulkley Valley Research Centre photo

BV Research Centre awardsThe Bulkley Valley Research Centre

(BVRC) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its two major research awards at its annual general meeting on March 14: the Irving Fox Award and the Jim Pojar Award.

The BVRC welcomed 30 people to it AGM at the Aspen Riverhouse, where three awards were announced:

Deborah Cichowski, a caribou biologist from Smithers, received the 2016 Irving Fox Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding 25-year contribution to the scientific knowledge and conservation of the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou herd, and more broadly for her dedication to conservation of endangered woodland caribou in Canada. Dr. Leslie Main Johnson was awarded the 2016 Jim Pojar Publication of the Year Award for her publication Trail of Story, Traveller’s Path: Reflections on Ethnoecology and Landscape. Robert Westcott was awarded the BVRC’s Volunteer Distinction Award for generously sharing his knowledge and experience with the BVRC on a wide range of operations and projects throughout 2015.

The awards recognize contributions towards the understanding and practice of sustainable management of natural resources

in northwest B.C. They honour two of the BVRC’s founders, natural resources planner Professor Irving Fox, instigator and founding board member, and botanist Dr. Jim Pojar, the first BVRC President.

- Submitted by the BVRC

A16 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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www.interior-news.com A17The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20A positive attitude may help you over-come any challenges that come your way this week, Aries. Maintain this pos-itivity and things will ultimately work out for the best.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21Taurus, offer others positive feedback when they deserve it. Your willingness to give credit where it’s due is why oth-ers find you so easy to work with.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21Gemini, others will be very receptive to your fresh ideas this week. Be pre-pared to explain these ideas in as much detail as possible and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22Cancer, some good news is just over the horizon. Resist the temptation to celebrate prematurely, but don’t be surprised when Lady Luck breaks your way.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23A number of opportunities are com-ing your way in the near future, Leo. Just get ready to take advantage of these chances when opportunity knocks. It rarely knocks twice.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22Relationships are on your mind, Virgo. You are anxious to show loved ones how much you care for them, and they will respond in kind.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23Libra, you have plenty on your plate lately, but you also have to find a way to fit in some time for rest. Running at a frantic pace is a recipe for burn-out.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22Scorpio, let go of some of the respon-sibilities you have recently taken on. Trust that others around you can han-dle these tasks just as capably. Enjoy the extra free time. You earned it.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21Sagittarius, even though the world has lately presented plenty of twists and turns, you can still enjoy the ride. Keep an open mind to all new oppor-tunities.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20Capricorn, a big project is yours to make work. This is a big responsibility, but you are up to the task. Keep forg-ing ahead and you will be pleased with the results.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18Focusing on one thing is a tricky prop-osition this week, Aquarius. You have a lot of things on your mind, but do your best to maintain focus. Take breaks, if necessary.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20Someone’s criticism may shock you, Pisces, but that could be for the best. It may just ground you and bring you back to reality.

brings you your Horoscope for the 4th week of March

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CLUES ACROSS 1. Exclamation that denotes disgust 4. Climbed over 10. Has 50 states 11. Able to move 12. Prime Minister (abbr.) 14. Cotangent (abbr.) 15. Particle 16. Fastened 18. Wonders 22. Surpassing all others 23. Provides basement access 24. Daily 26. North Dakota 27. Related to gulls 28. Provoke 30. Lake __, one of the Great 31. Police department 33. Throat illness

35. South Dakota 36. Contains iron (Brit.) 38. Sees what the future holds 39. The extended location of something 40. Cobalt 41. Dwells 47. Reprimand 49. Agree to a demand 50. Talented in or devoted to music 51. Gospels 52. European defense organization (abbr.) 53. Edge of a cloth 54. Equally 55. Experience again 57. Female sheep 58. Made vanish 59. Unit of force (abbr.)

CLUES DOWN 1. ___ up 2. Rear of (nautical) 3. Purses 4. Samarium 5. A way to take forcibly 6. On or into 7. Metric capacity unit (Brit.) 8. Assign to a higher position 9. Delaware 12. Post-traumatic stress disorder 13. Island 17. Central processing unit 19. Pitchers 20. Long-winged member of the gull family 21. Auld lang __, good old days 25. Term of affection 29. They __ 31. Polynesian wrapped skirt 32. Far down areas in the sea 34. Delivered a sermon 36. Any physical damage 37. A Seattle ballplayer 40. Raccoonlike animals 42. Odd 43. Delivery boys 44. Billy __ Williams 45. Icelandic poems 46. A Scottish tax 48. Central Florida city 55. Rhenium 56. -__, denotes past

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A22 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Spring is Here!

Date: Saturday, April 9thTime: 9:00 AM startPlace: Smithers Fire Department 1445 Main Street

In accordance with Section 26 of the Community Charter, the Town of Smithers intends to dispose of the following lands to Skeena Rent-a-Car (DBA National Car Rental) by way of a 5 year lease agreement at an annual minimum guarantee for the amounts and periods listed below or 9% of the gross revenue, whichever is the greater amount:

June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017 = $20,400June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018 = $20,412June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019 = $20,424 June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 = $20,436June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 = $20,448

Commonly known as counter space in the Terminal Building and vehicle parking spaces (ready & remote) at the Smithers Regional Airport.This is not a tender nor a request for offers. Further information can be obtained by contacting Rob Blackburn, Airport Manager at (250) 847-3664, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BULKLEYVALLEY

FOUNDATIONYour charitable donation inmemory of a special person

or in honour of ourcommunity will enhance the

quality of life for friendsand family.

Donations are tax deductibleand tax receipts are issued.

For more information,please contact:

Executive DirectorBox 4584

Ad space donated by The Interior News

THREE RIVERSwww.interior-news.com A23The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016

My Valley Winter Photo ContestShare your pics & win great prizes!Share your pics & win great prizes!

We know that you have amazing photos of life in the beautiful North stored on your cameras and smartphones. Now is the time to share them!

Send us pictures of winter living in the Bulkley Valley, and we will print them in The Interior News every week until the contest ends on April 6. Local professionals will then choose the contest winners, which will beannounced on April 13. Great prizes are up for grabs!

Enter by emailing your images to contests@interior-news.com. Or, you can enter by clicking “Contests” at the top of the Smithers Interior News Facebook page, or by following the “Contests” link on our website at www.interior-news.com/contests.

All entries must include your full name, the title of the photograph, a short caption and a contact number. Pictures must be at least 1MB in size, be submitted by the owner, and be allowed to be printed and shared by The Interior News during and after the competition. Any image created principally on computer software or manipulated on com-puter software beyond generally acceptable adjustments for proper repro-duction (such as cropping, sharpening, adjusting brightness and colour) is not acceptable. Adding or subtracting elements to or from an image, or combining multiple images into a single image, are not permitted.

NEWSNNNEWSEWSNNEWSEWSEWSEWSTHEInterior

A family fun event supporting the Canadian Cancer Society

Register today at cancer.ca/daffodildash

#DaffodilDash

Challenge

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, are in treatment, in remission or have been

cured we would like to invite you to the survivors’ luncheon.

2nd Annual Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Dash Challenge

Survivors’ Luncheon 12:00 Noon

Sunday, April 24th

Smithers Curling Rink

If you wish to attend or have any questions please contact Jo at 250-847-4334or e.mail Trudy to tschatz106@gmail.com

CATCH UP!On Northwest News With The

Bulkley Valley Credit UnionThe Red Apple Store

District of New Hazelton of� ceNew Hazelton Laundry

Two Mile distribution boxMills Memorial Hospital

Gitxsan - Wet’suwet’en Education SocietyGitanmaax Food and Fuel

Near Glen Vowell Band Of� ce Across from the Kispiox gas barOmineca Street, South Hazelton

Park Ave., Gitsegukla

AVAILABLE AT

The Turtle Gardens Society and The Hazelton Animal Care & Control Committee needs dog food and some cat food on an ongoing basis to help with the feeding care of animals in foster care.Drop off location is at Smithers Feed Store and Feeds & Needs in Burns Lake.

Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

We need help!

Wrinch hospital changes hands Police

BeatNew Hazelton RCMP

responded to 78 calls during the week of March

17-23.

March 18 — At 3:25 p.m., police received a report that a suspended driver was operating a silver Honda Pilot in Gitanmaax. Police pulled the vehicle over along Highway 62 and confirmed the driver was prohibited and suspended. The Honda was impounded for seven days and charges are pending to appear in court.

March 18 — At 9:27 p.m., a Corvette collided with a moose on Highway 16 near the Suskwa Forest Service Road. Several drivers stopped to assist the two occupants,

including the driver, who was pinned in their seat by the crash. Both the driver and passenger were assessed in hospital and released with minor injuries. The moose did not survive.

March 19 — At 9 a.m., a grey 2015 Ram crew cab was allegedly stolen from a residence on Cordova Street in Two Mile. The vehicle was found nearby on Six Mile Road, having crashed when the driver failed to negotiate a turn. Police are still investigating.

March 19 — At 2:30 p.m., police responded to a complaint of a possible impaired driver in a red van on Highway 62. The driver was located and asked to provide a breath sample to a roadside screening device. The driver failed the test and was prohibited from driving for 90 days. Police also impounded their vehicle for 30 days.

As motorcycle season approaches, New Hazelton RCMP also urged motorists to share the road.

By Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

More than 115 years since it established the Wrinch Memorial Hospital in the Hazeltons, the United Church Health Services Society (UCHSS) will cut its ties with the hospital when Northern Health takes over on April 1.

UCHSS announced last September it could no longer afford to run the hospital, which was already being co-managed with Northern Health.

An event will be held on March 30 to recognize the contribution of the UCHSS. A barbecue lunch will also be held for staff on March 31 to mark the transition, before a more formal ceremony recognizing UCHSS is held

in June. Northern Health

thanked UCHSS in a statement.

“Northern Health and the UCHSS have been working closely to ensure a smooth transfer of services and we will continue to do so,” said a spokesperson for Northern Health.

“We recognize that this is an important transition for all members of the local communities and we’re looking forward to continuing the tradition of providing high quality health services.”

UCHSS is expected to sell the hospital pharmacy but Northern Health has agreed to take over the dental clinic.

The Wrinch Memorial Hospital advisory board will stay on to assist with the transition until at least this summer.

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Western Family Long Grain Rice8 kg

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Western Family Granola Bars Assorted Varieties, 510-630 g

599

Western FamilyCoffee Beans400 g

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Western FamilyLaundry Soap2 Varieties, 4.43 litre

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A24 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 30, 2016