caledonia courier, april 29, 2015

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2015 PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com VOL. 38 NO. 09 $1.30 inc. GST

Project manager P. 3Editorial P. 4

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◆Inside Celebrating a clean life P. 6 Ladies Night P. 7

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MICHELE TAYLORCaledonia Courier

Former Fort St. James fi re chief Robert Bennett, 51, has been sentenced to nine months in jail and two years of probation on three counts of sexual assault.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Glen Parrett handed down the sentence on April 23, in Prince George after Bennett was found guilty on all three counts of sexual assault against three female volunteer fi re-fi ghters earlier this year.

Bennett was also assessed a victim surcharge of $200 and was given a mandatory 10-year prohibi-tion from possessing fi rearms. Bennett was also or-dered to provide a DNA sample.

Kirstin Rudolph, one of the fi rst members to come forward against Bennett, was in Prince George Supreme Court for the sentencing.

“We’re happy that he’s going to jail,” she said. “The judge did a good job in sending the mes-sage that this was a criminal action and pun-ishing him accordingly.”

The sexual assault case has been emotional for the community and put strains on relation-ships Rudolph said.

“It really has divided the town,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that it’s the way it’s been.”

Of the three volun-teers that came forward from the department only one remains active as a volunteer fi refi ghter.

“I retired in Novem-ber, and Lisa has just got her letter,” she said. “In the fi re department you need to trust people you work with and I just didn’t feel I could trust them.”

There is a civil law-suit that is being contin-ued by the three mem-

bers against the District of Fort St. James.“Right now it’s just a waiting game,” Rudolph

said of the pending civil case.Bennett’s family did not respond to requests for

comment on the sentencing prior to going to press.

Sentencing handed

down

Michele Taylor photo

Kirstin Rudolph, was one of three fire de-partment members that came forward against former fire chief Robert Bennett. Bennett was found guilty on all three ounts of sexual as-sault and sentenced, April 23.

Robert Bennett gets nine months in jail and two

years probation for sexual assaults


The site of the future com-munity centre has been busy with activity and this past week contractors were putting fi nishing touches on many ar-eas of the multi-function build-ing.

The district of Fort St. James has been without a com-munity centre and the 5,000 square-foot building will of-fer a space for events such as fi lm screenings, replacing the cinema that used to be housed in the building previously. The facility will also be used to host banquets, cultural events and conferences and will service the entire municipal-ity including the communi-ties of Nak’azdli, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.

Mike McMillan, foreman with IQ Builders, said there have been a few challenges during the construction phase, but the centre is coming along and work is being completed on the theatre, community hall and racquetball and squash

courts. “We’ve got the guys in do-

ing the courts, and electricians and plumbers in here right now,” McMillan said.

Kevin Cook, Chief Admin-istrative Offi cer for the district, said although the completion date of the close to $2-mil-lion project has been pushed forward a number of times the centre is close to being com-pleted.

“The initial date was sup-posed to be the end of Octo-ber,” he said. “They are getting closer, the real hold-up was the power connection. I anticipate it should be really soon.”

Cook said there are a num-ber of options in town for larg-er and smaller meeting places or conference facilities and the new centre will fi ll a void in the intermediary require-ments of the community. “The conference centre aspect is, I think, one of the big ones,” he said. “It’s an intermediate fa-cility … seats about 275, and will fi ll the gap in our services that are available locally.”

The community centre which received a $250,000

grant from the Northern De-velopment Initiative Trust also received funding from the Dis-trict of Fort St. James, a couple of provincial grant programs and a local family and will be a benefi t to a number of user groups Cook said. He says the facility will offer space for the

Seniors Centre and the Legion after its loss of their building this year.

“The Seniors Citizens As-sociation, they want to play carpet bowling in there,” Cook said. “They have been doing it in their little building, but it’s kind of tight.”

The Fort St. James community centre is mid-way through completion of the theatre area which will provide live and cinema entertainment to enthusiasts.

Community Centre grows closer to completion

Work continues on the district’s multi-function complex

Michele Taylor photos

Jaime Woods, left, and Greg Pigeon with Caliber Sport Systems, work on the multi-purpose racquetball and squash court. Woods said the court will have a moving wall that will transform the area to play either sport.

A2 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Caledonia Courier

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You’ll fi nd us at 169 STUART DRIVE, [email protected] 250-996-8618

Lakeshore Realty1050 WEST

7TH AVE Cozy 3 bed-room 2 bath home with lots of windows on the lakeside to allow for views of Stuart Lake. Home is currently rented to good long term tenants, Basement has potential for a bachelor or in law suite. Attached enclosed carport keeps your vehicle snow free in the winter. $163,000.

RHB SCHMITZ de GRACECHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

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Fort St. James, BCFort St. James, BCV0J 1P0V0J 1P0

To schedule an appointment, please call1-800-976-7780 (toll-free)

[email protected]

Gladys Hart, president of the Ladies Auxiliary (middle) and Jean Smith, vice president of the Ladies Auxiliary (right), pres-ent a cheque to Pioneer Place Tenants Group Representative Gene Slorsted.

Photo submitted

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

AprilApril, 2015, 2015

MayMay, 2015, 2015

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Help clean up our community’s streets and sidewalks. Help clean up our community’s streets and sidewalks.

FREE bags and gloves available at the District now!FREE bags and gloves available at the District now!

Pitch-In Weeks is April 20th to May 2nd!Pitch-In Weeks is April 20th to May 2nd!

1 2

29 30FARMERS’ MARKETGrand Opening May 8th, 2015

11:30am - 4:00pm at Spirit Square ParkEVERY Friday thereafter!

PITCH-IN WEEKS

9:30-11am Preschool Gym @ Sowchea

PITCH-IN WEEKS

64 53 7 8 9

9:30-11am Preschool Gym @ Nak’azdli

Daycare

11-1 Lunch Prgrm @ Anglican Church


Positive Discipline Wrkshp

9-3:30pm @ Sowchea

1613121110

17 18

14 15MOTHER’S DAY

9:30-11am Preschool Gym @ Nak’azdli

Working with Photos @Learning HUB


11-4pm Career Fair @ FSJSS

212019 22 23

11-1pm Food Bank BBQ Fundraiser @

Overwaitea

11:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt @ Spirit Square

with Hospital Aux Day Celebration!

11:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

VICTORIA DAY

9:30-11am Pre School Gym @ Nak’azdli

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK PUBLIC WORKS WEEK


Food Bank

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

11:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt

9-1pm Commnuity Foundation Garage Sale

@ Arena

1-5pm Nak’azdli Baby Welcoming Ceremony @

Kwah Hall

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK


Dennis Saharchuk has quite a history with Public Works, he started with the depart-ment back in 1999 and has fi lled many roles over that time with only one small six-month break in those years. Currently he is the acting Superinten-dent and Project Man-ager with Public Works.

Saharchuk said he normally sits in an equipment operator role, but the department needed an experienced manager to help out in covering the position.

“I’m just fi lling in for now, because I’ve done it before,” he said.

As project manager Saharchuk said he man-ages the overall budget and oversees all proj-ects and contracts. He said the Superintendent duties are split between himself and Foreman, Rick Claughton.

Being local is a big motivating reason for working in Public

Works said Saharchuk. “I live here … (my

family) have been here a long time,” he said. “I want to see projects move forward and that

we’re pro-gressive as a town.”

There’s a lot of pride when Saharchuk talks about u p c o m -

ing projects for Pub-lic Works. He said the department has a large water main upgrade in the Connelly area com-ing up that Saharchuk says is going to be a benefi t for residents of one of the older sections of town.

“That (upgrade) will be a nice thing for resi-dents in the area,” he said.

There is also a proj-ect for the downtown Spirit Square that the department is set to get started on; he said the project will improve on work already done and get the square to a point where it can be main-tained.

“(Public Works) is going to get it to a top level and maintain it at

that level.”Having grown up in

Fort St. James creates a real and personal invest-ment in the work Saha-rchuk oversees for the district. That investment is a big part of the rea-son he is now employed with Public Works. Af-ter he returned to the Fort from playing junior hockey, Saharchuk said he already knew where he wanted to work.

“I left town at a young age to play junior hockey,” he said “Then when that was over I took a year at college and worked my way up with the District.”

He said as his hock-ey career started slow-ing down his thoughts turned to what he could do and Public Works was on his list by way

of working as an arena attendant as a possibil-ity. Everyone wants to get out on the ice resur-facer at some point, un-fortunately, he said that position wasn’t avail-able at the time he ap-plied to the department.

“I thought it would be neat to be an arena attendant, and that was part of Public Works” he said. “I didn’t end up starting in the arena though.”

Mentor benefi tsMentors in Public

Works had a big infl u-ence on Saharchuk as well, he said. “Two guys not only for my-self, but for other peo-ple, that were mentors were Lars Sabbe and Dwayne Daley.”

Saharchuk said their

knowledge, easy per-sonalities and ability to share their knowledge with their coworkers were a big part of what made them great men-tors in the department.

“You can’t just open a book and be able to solve a problem in Public Works,” he said. “Being able to listen to them and watch them do what they do, you pick up a lot.”

“To be on the ground with the guys that have been doing it for a while, really helps.”

Sahachuk said if he were to mentor some-one he would focus on teaching good listening skill and says being ea-ger is helpful.

“In Public Works we do a lot of different jobs every day,” he said.

“We’re not stationed to one job, so there’s always avenues that will help you along the way.” “You pick them up by watching or lis-tening to guys’ who have done it before.”

Saharchuk’s job has had its challenges too he says. One project he recalls as challenging was the upgrade to the arena dressing rooms.

“It worked out in the end,” he said. “It was a bit of a challenge, be-cause the (contractors) were from Vancouver, there were a lot of un-knowns things that are different here from Van-couver … we freeze in

the winter.”“That was a bit chal-

lenging, but today we have fi ve new dressing rooms out of it.”

Geothermal proj-ects pose an interest-ing challenge for the department too he said. The offi ce, library and arena run on the heat-ing source. “It’s not something we deal with on a day-to-day basis,” Sahachuk said. ”It’s kind of new to (Public Works) and the arena attendants.”

Of all the things Sa-hachuk has picked up through his years with Public Works, is the de-partment is teamwork driven.

Being around teams most of his life and said learning to deal with different personalities, working together and mutual respect are a big part of having a suc-cessful department.

“Our goal is to keep the town desirable,” he said. “Just, have that passion to care about your town.”

He wanted to en-courage students who are interested in getting into the civil side of Public Works to consid-er the Water and Sewer Technician program run through colleges such as BCIT and TRU in Kamloops.

“I never even knew until I started doing this, you can get as many tickets as you like,” he said. “It’s a good lifestyle and a great employer with lots of benefi ts.”

NEWSCourierCaledonia Courier Wednesday, April 29, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A3


Dennis Saharchuk, is the acting Supervisor and Project Manager with the Municipal District of Fort St. James Public Works Department. Saharchuk, who grew up in Fort St. James, started with the department in 1999 and has worked with the district for most of these last 16 years.

Dennis Saharchuk: Acting Supervisor Project ManagerWorking on the civil side

– Public Works

WORKSIn the

SStudenttudent of the WWeekeek

Although Katelyn is a new student to our school, she hasn’t let that get in the way of her meeting new people and volunteering for new experiences. She is very outgoing and willing to try out new things. Katelyn always has a smile and talks to everyone. She recently volunteered to make the sandwiches for the student body and was happy and friendly to those who came to get one. She also volunteered to help out in the concession.

Katelyn John

Fort St. James SecondaryGrade 10

Nominated by Ms. Dyer

Parents who want to make sure their students are registered for a spot in our Kindergarten class MUST come in and fill out a formal registration. Nursery (K4) students are NOT automatically registered at the school for next September. Our spaces are rapidly filling up and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed.

All students who are already registered at the school are automatically registered for the next school year. If you want to make a NEW registration for your child, you should come in as soon as possible to get your paperwork entered and dated.

Policy rules at Nak’al Bun state that registration will go to students who are already attending the school and their families coming into Kindergarten FIRST. This is followed by Nak’azdli Band members until June 15th. After that registration is open to all. If you are registering for a class that is full or almost filled up, you may be put on a waiting list. Anyone on a waiting list will be entered on a first come, first served basis. Early registration is imperative if you want to be ensured a spot at our school.

If you have any questions, please feel free to come in or call us and we will be able to help.

250-996-8441“The Mission of Nak’al Bun Elementary School is to form a partnership with parents, students, and educational staff in order to provide quality education for our children. We aim to assist all students to achieve their maximum academic,

personal, social, and cultural development.”

Kindergarten and all other class

registration at Nak’al Bun Elementary

School for the 2015 - 2016 School Year:

MEETING SCHEDULE 2015

Meetings tentatively commence at 10:30 a.m. Please call (250) 692-3195/1-800-320-3339 for further information

PUBLIC IS WELCOME

“A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIESWITHIN OUR REGION”37, 3RD Avenue,

PO Box 820, Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0

www.rdbn.bc.ca

PH: 250-692-3195 TF: 800-320-3339 FX: 250-692-3305

E-MAIL:[email protected]

April 30, 2015 ...........RDBN Board Meeting/ SNRHD Meeting

May 14, 2015 ............RDBN Committee MeetingsMay 28, 2015 ............RDBN Board Meeting/

SNRHD MeetingJune 11, 2015...........RDBN Committee Meetings

The Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 will be presented for Board review and approval at the April 30, 2015 Board meeting. The Audited

Financial Statements are available for inspection at the Regional District office at 37 3rd Avenue, Burns Lake, B.C. during regular business hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Monday to Friday.

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Serial No. 132934

• Letter


• Editorial

Dear Editor, and to the residents of Fort St James and surrounding communities,

Unless you are new to town or have been living under a rock for the past two years, it is likely you have heard or read about the saga involving myself, two other female fi re fi ghters and former fi re chief Rob Bennett.

The trial is over. Mr. Bennett was found guilty on all three counts of sexual assault, and has been sentenced to time in jail and probation.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa Button and Joy Reierson for standing up and telling their stories in court - a diffi cult and emo-tional process, but a necessary one in order for the truth to be heard.

I would like to thank Justice Parrett for his dili-gence in drilling through the testimony and evi-dence and ultimately arriving at the truth. Most of all, I would like to thank all of our supporters in the community and abroad.

Your kind words and encouragement were very much appreciated.

It is heartening to know there are still good peo-ple in the world.

Sincerely,Kirstin Rudolph

Fort St. James

Thanks for all your support MICHELE TAYLOR

Caledonia Courier

It’s been fi ve years since the BC Government banned the use of handheld (personal electronic) devices in the prov-ince. Distracted driving claims more lives annually in British Columbia than impaired driv-ing according to ICBC statis-tics from 2009-2013, that adds up to about one quarter of all car crash fatalities.

Society has become inun-dated with information, tech-nology and ‘connectivity’ – we are so plugged in to everyone else – but people have lost the connection with the real outside world. You can’t go anywhere without seeing the rampant eyes-down-screen-stare, I’m guilty of the same, at the doctor, in line at the store, waiting in the parking lot. There is no time however, that I think it’s OK to pick up that phone in my car. And to-day, I’m thankful for my safe choice.

While heading home after a

long day I turned the corner to head up the street and here is a young boy, maybe 10-years-old, on his bike stopped in the middle of the street. He’s tex-ting on his phone, maybe he is texting a parent that he would be home soon. Or texting to meet up with his friend. The point is he was stopped, in the middle of the road without even thinking, to answer this device for whatever reason.

We are losing key safety when we become so immersed in our connectivity that we no longer connect with the world we are actually in.

If it (read: I) had been an equally distracted driver turn-ing that corner the young boy on the bike could have been seriously injured or even dead. I’ve witnessed a few cases of distracted driving recently; from the woman in the sports car talking on her phone as she pulled out of the gas station onto the busy street to the el-derly gentleman in the pickup truck looking for his destina-tion while perhaps being given

directions through the phone held to his ear.

There’s an urgency we feel when that device is ringing, dinging or vibrating; a need to be instantly available to what-ever is happening on the other end of the device. That urgen-cy often causes safety and pre-caution to be ignored.

Take the challenge and put the phone away while you are out in your vehicle, on your bike or even walking around

and be a (safe) part of your community. Remind young drivers and cyclists that their devices are a distraction and graduated drivers should be reminded that the use of any hands-free device is prohibited by law. Use safety fi rst before using devices, pull over to an-swer a call or text if you are expecting an important call or message.

No text or phone call is worth a life.

Hands on the wheel - eyes on the road

Source: http:/ /www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/Statistics.aspx


I can imagine. Traveling to new places and seeing this great country of mine has been my dream since I struck out on my own at 17. I’ve travelled by bus, foot and by car across three provinces, one territory and eight U.S. States during my lifetime.

A good portion of that travel has been with a traveling buddy. Often though, I’ve struck out on my own to explore. From fos-sil hunting to hunting for aban-doned RCMP forts, and visiting National Parks; it’s in my nature to fi nd and experience the history and natural beauty that is a big part of Canada and our southerly neighbour.

I’ve been traveling solo for the past two years. I’ve logged more than 45,000 kilometres and I’ve done my fair share of stops in new cities or towns with either motel stays or stopping road-side and camping in my vehicle. I have a fair advantage nowa-days by way of a vehicle to get me places, but I think about my personal safety all the time even though I’m in my metal box.

Follow me as I give fi ve of my top tips for traveling solo:

Make a travel plan, share a travel plan

Being an organizer, I like pulling out the maps (yes, the pa-per kind), and setting up on the

Google for a good planning ses-sion. An honest to god roadmap is something I always have in my vehicle; you just never know when that handy-dandy cell phone is going to crap out.

Once I’m com-fortable and have my virtual and physical maps ready I calculate the hours, the ki-lometres and how many dollar bills I’ll need for gas to travel that dis-tance with a little buffer for those “just in case” mo-ments.

I like the fea-ture in my truck that tells me how many kilometres I get to a tank of gas, it is a great co-pilot to my excessive need to being prepared. Don’t get me wrong though, pre-pared does not equal boring. Ev-ery trip has its own special brand of adventurous fun.

If you don’t have this feature in your vehicle then use your trip-metre that comes standard with every vehicle to easily cal-culate your vehicles capacity.

Simply zero the trip-metre out at your next fi ll and you can do

the approximate math at any of the fuel gauge marks or go until she’s empty and take the fi nal reading before you fi ll it up next.

Once all those details are ironed out I check out the interesting stops that are along the way. I’ll pick from be-tween two to fi ve stops depending on the travel dis-tance and read up on the sites I plan on stopping at.

I usually gauge for a half-hour to an hour for each stop de-pending on its interest value or photographic po-tential and add

that to my travel plan.Once I’ve fi nalized my travel

plan I will share it with some of my favourite, most impor-tant people like my children, my mother and one other close con-tact.

Then, I stick to that plan.

Next week’s topic: Be well known, not a stranger passing through.

[email protected]


The road to Gold Bridge hosts some long and winding dirt roads and beautiful scenery. My number one tip for traveling solo is to have a plan that you share with at least two reliable contacts.

Traveling soloTips for the open road this summer - make a plan


Community EventsCommunity EventsCommunity Events are free of charge as they are

sponsored by the Caledonia CourierCOMING EVENTS... Will appear as space is available, free of charge in this section. Coming events are available to non-profi t organizations only. This area is not intended for thank you submissions or selling products. It is simply a place for nonprofi t organizations a place to announce upcoming free activities. You can e-mail your item to [email protected] or by fax: 567-2070. Your organizations’ announcement can also be dropped off at our offi ce located at #111-250 Stuart Drive, Fort St. James. Decision of the publisher is fi nal.

***VOLUNTEER WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY!...Are you or anyone you know interested in becoming a volunteer? No matter your age or your interests, there are plenty of opportunities for you or your family members to volunteer within our community. At Volunteer Fort St. James we assist local non-profi t organizations in recruiting volunteers and assist volunteers to fi nd an organization(s) they want to work with. If you chose to become a volunteer you are in control. You get to choose the event(s) you volunteer for, how often you volunteer and how much time you’d like to volunteer. Volunteers are not obligated to volunteer for any opportunities, no questions asked. It is as simple as that! If you’d like to become a volunteer, when opportunities become available you have the option to be notifi ed by email, or you can check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/volunteerfsj or stop by the Volunteer Fort St. James Offi ce Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 – 12:30 pm. You can sign up today to become a volunteer at www.volunteerfsj.ca. For more information you can e-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 250-996-8284 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 11:30 – 12:30 pm).

***ST PATRICK’S ANGLICAN CHURCH...Services at St Patrick’s Anglican Church will now take place only on the fi rst Sunday of the month except for special occasions.

***STUART LAKE OUTREACH GROUP FOOD BANK SCHED-ULE... is the third Wed of each month: 10:00 am to noon at the Food Bank behind St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, Stuart Drive. Vol-unteers needed. Call 250-567-6744. Food Bank needs canned meals, beans, stews, soups, tuna, salmon, sandwich meats, pasta and sauce, tea, coffee, toilet paper, canned milk, cereals, etc. At this time we have lots of sugar! Thank you for your generosity.

***UNTOLD TRAUMA...author seeks contributions from non-First Nations students and staff who experienced Catholic residential or day schools abuse in Northern BC. For more info email [email protected]

***FIREWEED STOPPING THEVIOLENCE & OUTREACHSERVICE For those who believe all is possible!...Provides free Confi dential, Safe, and Supportive counselling and outreach services for women. Hours of Service: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and every other Friday. Location: Room 203, 349 Stuart Drive, Fort St James, BC Phone: (250) 996-1214 Fax: (250) 996-7647 Email: fi [email protected]

***STUART LAKE OUTREACH GROUP... hosts a free hot lunch each Tuesday from 10.00am to 1.00pm in the space behind St. Patrick’s Anglican Church. Meals are served by members of area churches and other volunteers from the community. We wish to thank all those who assist by cooking, serving, and cleaning up. Your help is invaluable. We also host a free Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day to all who are lonely or in need. Volunteers for these programs are needed. Please call Gwen at 250-567-6744.

***ST. PATRICK’S ANGLICAN CHURCH SERVICES... will now take place only on the fi rst Sunday of the month except for special occasions.

***FORT ST. JAMES SEARCH &RESCUE... steering committee meetings fi rst Tuesday of everymonth. 7:00 p.m. above the Fort St. James Firehall. Training is thethird Tuesday of every month at theFirehall at 7 p.m. New members arewelcome and training is provided.For more information pleasecontact Paul at 250.996.7478 or Rod at 250.996.3231

***FORT ST. JAMES PUBLICLIBRARY HOURS...

Tuesday 11:30-8:00Wednesday 11:30-4:30Thursday 11:30-4:30

Friday 11:30-8:00Saturday 11:00-3:00

***AUXILIARY TO STUART LAKE HOSPITAL... Monthly meeting 2nd Wednesday each month. Hospital Cafeteria 7:00p.m.

***NECHAKO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICESSOCIETY...Child and YouthMental Health and CounselingServices available at no cost.Monday to Friday 8:30 am to4:30 pm. Call 996-7645 forappointment.

***FORT TRAP AND HANDGUN CLUB... meets last Sunday ofevery month. Contact (Sue) at 250-996-7728 (h) for more information.

***

MUSIC MAKERS...Newmembers always WELCOME. Not everyone has to be on stage, thereis lots of work behind the scenes.Call Heike Fonda at 250-996-7006 for more info.

***THE THRIFT STORE...has a new name! “The BargainBasement”. We are still at the samelocation, across from ShoppersFood Mart. Donations of clean clothing and small housewaresare greatly appreciated. Please, nobooks or magazines. Proceeds areused for community needs. OpenWed-Sat, 12 noon to 4pm.

***


NEWSCourierCelebrating a clean life


Addictions – alcohol, drug use, Addictions – alcohol, drug use, and gambling are some of the topics brought up at the opening of the feast and dance for the end of Nak’azdli Addiction Aware-ness Week, at Nak’albun Elementary School April 25. Addictions defi nitely aren’t the topic of choice for the night; healing, support networks and mak-ing changes are the high points of conversation.

Peter Bird, emcee for the event, and his brother Paul both got up in front of guests and told of their stories toward recovery. Peter has been alcohol free for more than a year now and Paul has been addic-tion free for more than three years. Both brothers bring laughter to the room.

“There are a lot of resources here, to deal with addictions,” Peter said of community support groups. “Another good way is to hold a drum. Me, I hum along … like a humming-bird.”

Paul talked about hitting his lowest moment, about being clean and training himself to do the things he had never done in his 50-year lifetime such as buy clothes and groceries.

“When I hit that rock-bottom I couldn’t go down so I went up,” he said. “You have to be willing to grab those resources and use them.”

Alexander Erickson had an emotional story to tell and thanked Maria Riske for being in his life. Erickson, addiction free for two years, described the spirit that he feels addiction is.

“This spirit of addiction, It has tentacles, and wraps around your life.”

Peter Bird, of the Beaver Clan, opens the eve-ning’s festivities for the final event for Nak’azdli Addiction Awareness Week.

Cadence Thomas, left, and Kate Prince sing and drum for the crowd at the opening of the feast during the last night of the community’s Addic-tion Awareness Week, April 25.

Alexander Erickson, left, and Winnie Sam sing together at the Nak’azdli Addiction Awareness Week feast and celebration.

Tripp Sagalon, 10-months-old, sits with his grandmother Anne Joseph and plays the tambourine along with the drummers at the Feast and Dance at Nak’albun Elementary School, April 25.

Maria Riske, left, is honoured with a gift from Alexander Erickson at the feast and dance which wraps up Nak’azdli Addiction Awareness Week.


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Night of fancy for womenMICHELE TAYLORCaledonia Courier

Heels were kicked up at the FSJSS Annual Ladies Night. This women-only event is held to raise funds for the school’s graduating class, and is its biggest annual fundraiser for the grads.

The evening of dining, auctions, live entertainment and socializing for women in the community supports the grads year end event which is sponsored by local businesses and volunteers from the community.

This year the event provided entertainment with a live burlesque show fea-turing entertainers with the Foxy Firecat Burlesque who have been performing together since January 2014. The entertainers formed the group after attending a class in Quesnel put on by Sarsaparilla Foxx (Jessie Herman), with Bottoms Up Baring Burlesque troupe.

Lars Sabbe donated his voice to the evening’s auctions at the Fort St. James Secondary School’s Ladies Night event.

Dicky D’Light, Kitty Bookish, Isabelle D’Amour, Marlena Macchiato, Ella Z Gut Heim, Cosmo Caliente, Mina Merveille, Sienna Silk, Suzi Pepper and Ginnie Hendricks pose with their photog-rapher Ruth Lloyd before heading out to entertain guest at Ladies Night, April 26.

(Bottom Left) Karen MacLean, right, and Barb Derksen celebrate their winning bid during the live auction portion of the women-only event in support of the 2015 graduating class.

(Above) Aimee Dunkley, left, and Lisa Sam have fun pushing the bids during the annual fundraiser for the FSJSS grads, April 26.

Michele Taylor photos


NEWSCourier

MICHELE TAYLOR Caledonia Courier

Devin Andrew Jacobs, 30, was arrested Tuesday, April 21 after a high-speed escape attempt through a residential area in Fort St. James.

RCMP said they observed Ja-cobs, who they say was a known prohibited driver, and attempted to pull over the vehicle at ap-proximately 1:30 p.m.

“The offi cer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fl ed at a high rate of speed. Due to a concern for public safety, a pursuit was not initiated and Jacobs fl ed,” Const. Derek Rondeau of the Fort St. James RCMP said in a prepared statement.

Rondeau said the vehicle was later located at a residence near Fort St. James.

“Once the vehicle was locat-ed, multiple members attended the residence, including a police service dog from Prince George. Jacobs deployed bear spray at

two members and the police ser-vice dog while attempting to ar-rest Jacobs, who then remained in his residence,” Rondeau said.

“After some negotiation, Ja-cobs was brought into custody.”

After Jacobs arrest, police executed a search warrant and allegedly discovered property linked to several break and enters in recent weeks.

“Jacobs was also a suspect in multiple break and enters and thefts in Fort St. James, Vander-hoof, Prince George and Fraser Lake,” Rondeau said.

RCMP have charged Jacobs with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fl ight from police, assault of a police offi cer with a weapon, possession of a prohib-ited weapon and driving while prohibited.

“The investigation is ongoing into the property thefts and police suspect that Jacobs will be facing more charges as the investigation moves forward,” Rondeau said.

Jacobs was remanded into po-

lice custody and made his fi rst court appearance on Friday.

[email protected]

Break and enter suspect arrested after high-speed escape attempt


Clean sweepA municipal worker gives the streets a once over now that spring has arrived and the snow has melted.

photo courtesy of Facebook

Devin Andrew Jacobs

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Farmers’ Market Grand Opening

The Farmers Market will have their Grand Opening on May 8th, 2015 at Spirit Square Park. The market will be held every Friday thereafter May through September.

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, April 29, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A9

Tel: Tel: 250-567-9258250-567-9258

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Special EventsWEDNESDAY, January 28, 2015PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com

VOL. 37 NO. 48 $1.30 inc. GST

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RCMP

intercept

robbery at

Overwaitea

REBECCA WATSON

Caledonia Courier

The co-accused are Deryl MOORE and Mat-

thew JONES, both from Prince George.

At 2 am on Jan. 15 a suspicious vehicle by

Overwaitea’s unloading dock caught the atten-

tion of Fort St. James RCMP. As the police ap-

proached the grocery store, the truck sped off

leaving an alleged partner-in-crime behind. The

man on-scene was immediately arrested as he

was blatantly caught with multiple items of food

in the middle of the evident robbery. Within sec-

onds of his arrest, dispatch notifi ed the offi cers

of a worker inside the store who had also been

robbed. The police went inside to fi nd a female

custodial worker who had been put inside a

walk-in freezer after the crooks stole her wallet.

There she waited, nearly an hour, until she no

longer herd the thieves. She was then able to get

out of the freezer and call police.

“When the guy in the truck sped off we had

one man in custody and had to investigate in

store. We had to take one issue at a time but we

had the vehicle plate. Sometimes good things

happen quickly,” Sgt. Nielsen said.

Shortly after assisting the custodian, police

received a report that a male suspect had ap-

proached two houses claiming ‘his truck was

stuck in the ditch and he was cold’, asking the

home owners to let him inside. RCMP went out

to investigate and recognized the truck from

Overwaitea. The male driver was arrested and

both perps were taken to the Fort St. James at-

tachment. Later, the suspects truck was indeed

found stuck in the ditch by the National Historic

Site. Evidence collected has shown the two crooks

got in Overwaitea through the front door which

Two men are in custody after

attempting to fi ll a truck with

stolen goods from Overwaitea

Foods in Fort St. James.

THIEVES: Overwaitea grocery store had an attempted robbery Thurs-

day, Jan. 15 at 2am by two males from Prince George.Rebecca Watson photo

SPEED SKATER: Alison Desmarais 17, of Vanderhoof will skate With Team BC for short track in the 2015 winter

games this February in Prince George. See story page 3.Rebecca Watson photo

had no apparent damage with no weapons found

on their person. A number of items were taken

from the store including meat and other types

of food with multiple items thrown around. The

custodial worker was not severely harmed in the

process but a freezer was damaged (separate

from the freezer she was put in).

The two males are currently in custody and

have since had their fi rst appearance on Jan. 19.

Their next court date is scheduled for Feb. 2 in

Fort St. James. Although the Crown has not for-

mally completed the charging process, the two

will likely face charges of robbery, unlawful

confi nement and break-and-entering.

“We’re just thankful no one was hurt. It’s

back to business as usual,” Ryan Witgez said,

store manager.

Speedy Speedy Desmarais Desmarais

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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTTl’azt’en Nation is seeking an Executive Assistant to work in our Administration Department. The successful candidate will be responsible for the secretarial needs of the Executive Director and the Chief and Council.

Main Duties:

Type all correspondence for the Executive Director and Chief and CouncilRecord, type, photocopy and get approval for distributing the Council MinutesPrepare Council binders with documentation for the next Council MeetingPrepare Agendas and make arrangements for Chief and Council MeetingsArrange for lunches for Chief and Council Meetings and any other meetings as requested by either the Executive Director or ChiefEnsure that Finance have Council Honorariums ready to be given out at each Council MeetingMake all travel arrangements for Chief and Council and the Executive Director and prepare their travel claims. When travel is reimbursable forward original receipts and copy of the travel claim for reimbursement to the appropriate companyPrepare various cheque requisitions and Purchase OrdersCode and file all correspondence received from the Executive Director and the Chief for filingEnsure that timesheets are filled out for those under Administration.Distribute daily mailLands and Trust – Binche Leaselands. Dealing with transfers of lease, preparing Band Council Resolutions for Property Taxation Rates and Taxation Expenditures which have to be approved by the Minister of Indian Affairs before the 45 property tax notices can be sent out to the tenantsOrder office supplies and/or office equipment. Occasionally meet with salespersonsOrder janitorial supplies as requested by the Head CustodianSupervise the Membership Clerk, Receptionist, and 4 CustodiansMust follow the direction of the Tl’azt’en Nation Policy and Procedures ManualCarry out any and all related duties

Employment Requirements:

Minimum Grade 12Confidentiality a mustGood computer skillsGood verbal and written communication skillsGood minute taking and accurate typing skills, organizational and filing skillsGood listening skills, honesty, fairness and consistencyContact with all Tl’azt’en employees and Tl’azt’en membersKnowledge of Tl’azt’en Nation cultureMinimum 5 years experience

Submit Resume to Ron Winser, Executive Director, e-mail [email protected] or mail to Tl’azt’en Nation, P.O. Box 670, Fort St. James, B.C. VOJ OPO before

May 6th. Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

TL’AZT’EN NATION

Employment

Business Opportunities

Of ce Support

Employment

Career Opportunities

AREA SUPERVISOR – LOUISIA-NA-PACIFIC CANADA LTD - MAL-AKWA WOODLANDS DIVISION LP is seeking a highly motivated indi-vidual to supervise harvesting, road construction, road maintenance and other forestry operations in the Mal-akwa BC area. KEY RESPON-SIBILITIES: - Supervision of Con-tract Harvesting, Road Construction & Maintenance Activities. - Inspec-tions for Compliance and quality control - Review fi eld layout working with Planning Forester. - This is a fi eld oriented position; 80%+ of time will be in the fi eld. QUALIFICA-TIONS: - Driver’s License required. - Strong communication, negotia-tion, interpersonal and computer skills. EDUCATION: - Forest Tech-nician diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Forestry is preferred; Or equiva-lent combination of education and experience. EXPERIENCE: 5 + years’ forestry and supervisory ex-perience. Apply with Resume & References to:[email protected] by May 23, 2015.

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Of ce Support

Your community. Your classifi eds.

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fax 250.567.2070 email [email protected]

P.O. Box 1298

Fort St. James, B.C. V0J 1P0

Phone: 250-996-8482

E-Mail: wendy@

ominecaexpress.com

Caledonia Courier

published every Wednesday

Stuart/Nechako Advertiser

published every Friday

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING DEADLINESDEADLINES

Courier -- Friday, Courier -- Friday, 11-noon11-noon

Advertiser -- Tues-Advertiser -- Tues-day, 12-noonday, 12-noon

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Advertisements should be read on the fi rst publication day. We are not responsible for errors appearing be-yond the fi rst insertion. NO CASH REFUNDSAGREEMENT: It is agreed by any display or classifi ed advertiser requesting space that the liability of the pa-per in the event that errors occur in the publishing of any advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the in-correct item only, and there will be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertise-ment.DISCRIMINATION LEG-ISLATION: Advertisers are reminded that provincial legislation forbids the pub-lication of any advertise-ment which discriminated against any person because of race, religion, sex, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin, or age unless the condition is justifi ed by a bona fi de requirement for the work involved.COPYRIGHT: Copyright and/or property rights subsist in all advertise-ments and in all other ad-vertising material appear-ing in this edition of the Omineca Express. Permis-sion to reproduce wholly or in any part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication, must be obtained in writ-ing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

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Caledonia Courier Wednesday, April 29, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A11

Mount Pope Provincial Park Fuel Management Project

The Mount Pope Provincial Park Fuel Management Project is a co-ordinated program of the Wildfi re Management Branch and BC Parks. The project will balance fuel management needs with the conservation of recreational values within the park. The area being treated is a strip of land about 200 metres wide along the southern boundary of the park and bordering on private property. The purpose of fuel management is to mitigate risks in the wildland-urban interface by reducing the amount of forest fuels that could burn in the event of a wildfi re. Activities will consist of pruning, brushing, and understory thinning, followed up with hand piling and burning. Mature trees and wildlife trees will be retained. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Shane Greenlees at 250-567-6503 by May 11th, 2015.

FORT ST. JAMESAND AREA

BUSINESSDIRECTORY

OIL & LUBE

Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake

Pam BergerPublisher

150 W. Columbia StBox 1007, VanderhoofBC V0J 3A0

Tel: 250-567-9258Fax: 250-567-2070

Email: [email protected]

vertiserReaching Every DoorADSTUART

NECHAKO

Serving Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake

Pam BergerPublisher

150 W. Columbia StBox 1007, VanderhoofBC V0J 3A0

Tel: 250-567-9258Fax: 250-567-2070

Email: [email protected]

NEWSPAPERS

Serving Fort St. James and area since 1972

Pam BergerPublisher

250-996-8482Advertising: [email protected]: [email protected]

Website: www.caledoniacourier.com

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO

ADVERTISE HERE GIVE US A

CALL: 250-567-9258

Legal LegalPets & Livestock

Feed & HayROUND HAY Bales, barn stored, for sale. 250-846-5855 or 250-882-3083.

Merchandise for Sale

Misc. WantedPrivate Collector Looking toBuy Coin Collections, Silver,Antique Native Art, Estates +Chad: 778-281-0030 in town.

Real Estate

Mobile Homes & Parks

RETIRE IN Beautiful Southern BC, Brand New Park. Af-fordable Housing. COPPER RIDGE. Manufactured Home Park, New Home Sales. Kere-meos, BC. Spec home on site to view. Please call 250-462-7055. www.copperridge.ca

Rentals

Apt/Condo for Rent

HILLCREST Apartments - Fort St. James - Lg. 1 & 2bdrm

suites. Clean and quiet. Adult oriented,Security system,Strict

Management,No Pets ph# 250-996-7998

Transportation

Boats

Legal

Legal Notices

Notice to Remove Private Land From Woodlot

License 1893

Please be advised that Terri-Lee and Rob MacDougall are proposing to remove 128.4 ha. of private land from Woodlot License #1893 located east of Blackburn Lake on the Tachie Highway and along Lind Lake Pit Road. Inquiries/comments regarding this proposal must be submitted to:

Rob MacDougall, Box 1832, Fort St James,

B.C. V0J 1P0 [email protected] by May 31, 2015

Legal Notices Legal Notices


Featuring the spirit of the local people

CourageousBattles

HumanInterest

AthletesPioneers

Achieving

Serving the

community of

Fort St.

James

Brought to you by your MLA John Rustad

John Rustad, MLANechako Lakes

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Local boy loves to helpREBECCA WATSONCaledonia Courier

Diego Johnson, 8, of Fort St. James is not your typical eight year old boy. He plays hockey, loves skidooing, rides his bike everywhere, but for whatever reason, he also likes to hangout at the seniors home with me, Anna Prestmo said, aka grandma Anna who works at Riverside Place in Vanderhoof.

“He straps on the apron and helps set the tables, serves food, and sits for lunch with the seniors. He also helps to get them from their rooms, especially the ones with wheelchairs, he likes to push them in their chairs,” Ms. Prestmo said.

Diego likes to have lunch with the seniors at Riverside Place and even picks a different table to sit at each time in order to chat up all the residents. He also makes home visits, something the seniors can’t get enough of.

One day Diego went to get Mary Brandes for lunch from her room when she used to live at Riverside Place. Ms. Prestmo went to check on him to make sure he went to the right room and overheard Mary ask Diego how her hair looked and if he wouldn’t mind combing it for her.

“And here he was combing her hair. It’s something so nice to see, a young kid do that for an older lady,” Ms. Prestmo said. “I thought hockey players had a rough-and-tough persona but he just has such a sweet side.”

Diego is seemingly just like every other eight-year-old boy except for his fondness of old folks. He remembers things about them and asks them if their feeling better when he knows the time before they were feeling ill. He doesn’t even mind when they reach out to hug him, Ms. Prestmo said.

“I enjoy going to visit the seniors because it’s fun playing with them. I like to talk with them, ask them questions, go to their rooms and just keep them company,” Diego said, who even has nick names for some of the residents. For example, Bob Ray is a.k.a Bob Jr, Bob Stapleton is a.k.a Bob S and Rose is a.k.a Rosy.

“When I was laid up in the wheelchair he wheeled me up and down the hallway. I gave

him a couple dollars but he didn’t want to take it,” Bob Ray said. “He’s come visit me at least two or three times since then.”

Diego knows most of the other seniors by name and for his birthday they all signed a card for him, which made him ecstatic, Luisa Johnson said, Diego’s mother.

“Diego really is your typi-cal boy, very happy and active. He loves sports and playing outside. But on the other hand he can be very caring and compassionate and affectionate. It’s sometimes hard to see that side of him because he’s such a go getter and wants to score, but he loves to go down to the seniors home and actually asks to go there. When he talks about it he doesn’t act like he’s going to help or volunteer, he thinks of it as he’s going to visit his friends,” Ms. Johnson said.

Diego’s great grandmother Paula Walsh lives at the home but now Diego’s visits aren’t just for her. His charismatic and caring personality is well-known at the home and has made a lasting impression on many of the seniors.

“It’s different having a young person come help out,” Gordon Barkema said, live-in resident. “He does a great job.”

The trophée is for the Sharper Edge Tourna-ment in Prince George last spring, Diego’s team won first place.

Submitted photos

caledonia courier, april 29, 2015

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