caledonia courier, september 16, 2015

12
WEDNESDAY,September 16, 2015 PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com VOL. 38 NO. 29 $1.30 inc. GST Seniors Helping Seniors - pg 2 Literacy Funding - pg 3 Inside Editorial - pg 4 Ladies Auxiliary - pg 5 Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759 Published by Black Press Ltd at 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0 BARBARA RODEN Caledonia Courier The first Business Walk program in Fort St. James took the pulse of 55 local businesses in July, with volunteers talking to owners and manag- ers about a variety of topics, including the overall health of their businesses, what concerns they have, and what can be done to help businesses in the Fort grow. Some 87% of the businesses surveyed said that business was either fair/steady or good/increasing when compared with last year. However, concerns such as the difficulty in finding and retaining staff, competition from larger centres and online shop- ping, and the higher cost of doing business in Fort St. James were common themes. Economic Development Officer Emily Colom- bo said that only two businesses declined to take part, and that those that did were very receptive to the program. “A team of fourteen volunteers went around town and conducted in-person surveys. The Business Walk program works best when done face-to-face, so that we let businesses know we’re interested. The best responses, conversations, and data come when we can have a conversation with business owners where they are.” Among the program’s findings were that 12 of the business owners surveyed intend to retire or sell their business within the next five years, but only five have a succession plan in place; that businesses not in the downtown core want to feel more in- cluded; that many businesses already in the down- town area have outgrown their current space; and that job training workshops would be appreciated in helping to remedy labour issues. The survey also revealed that the 55 businesses that took part em- ploy 588 people between them: 333 full-time, 143 part-time, and 112 seasonal. “We received feedback about current programs, and what business owners would like to see,” says Colombo. “It’s important to hear what we can im- prove on, as well as what we’re doing right.” She acknowledges that the follow-up to the survey will be very important. “People often feel that research happens, but the outcomes don’t go anywhere.” The follow-up has already started, with busi- nesses being encouraged to look into the Northern Development Initiative Trust Business Façade Im- provement program. NDIT allocates $20,000 to the community that can be accessed by business own- ers who want to improve the façade of their build- ing, and provides matching funds up to $5,000. Colombo says that the program was promoted to owners during the Business Walk, and there has been a huge take-up. “Last year only $500 was re- quested under the program; in 2015 we’ve had re- quests totalling $16,300.” Requests are assessed on a first come, first served basis, and the deadline has been extended until Sept. 16. This week will see copies of the final report of the Business Walk being taken door-to-door to local businesses, and beginning in October the District, in partnership with the Fort St. James Chamber of See “Business’ on p. 9 Taking the pulse of local businesses Fort St. James Snowmobile and ATV Club Vice-President Wayne Moll atop the groomer that was donated to the club by Fort Machine Works last winter. Winter is coming, and the snowmobile club is already hard at work on the trails. Photo by Bill Howell Snowmobile club gears up to get local trails ready for winter use BARBARA RODEN Caledonia Courier Snow might still be several weeks away, but members of the Fort St. James Snowmobile and ATV Club are already hard at work getting the trails ready for winter use. The club recently received funds to put up more signage on the 300km network of trails, and club Vice President Wayne Moll says that more than $50,000 of fund- ing has gone into the trail system over the past year. “Plus there are all the volunteers who groom the trails and put up the signs,” he says. Recently those volunteers have been out replacing three old bridges that needed upgrading, and over the last two years they’ve installed other new bridges, in order to help the environment and fish habitats by keeping snowmobiles and ATVs out of local streams. Grooming the trails has been made eas- ier since Fort Machine Works donated a groomer last winter. The club purchased a Polaris 800 Mini Ranger on tracks to pull it, and were able to use it during the 2014- 15 season. The Ranger was also used dur- ing the summer to carry material for the club’s projects, and both vehicles can be transported on a 24-foot low-deck trailer that was purchased in January, which will cut the travel time to get to places such as the Dog Creek Trail, at the far end of the trail system. The signage includes new trail maps at the entrances to the main trail systems, directional signs, and dis- tance signs every five kilometres in both directions on each trail. The club also had 3,000 brochures with information about the trail network printed up. In addition to grants, the club fundrais- es throughout the year. In 2015 they held three poker rides, and they also raise funds by renting out the land and buildings they own at the old fair ground. “Music on the Mountain was there, and for seven weeks this year we had 80 tree planters camped up there and using some of the buildings, which they gave us a donation for.” Moll acknowledges that the site doesn’t get used as much as the club would like. “We tried to get interest from other recreation groups in the community, but there wasn’t any.” The trail system consists of loops, some of which attach to each other, giving snowmobilers a variety of runs of different lengths. Moll adds that dog mushers also use the trails in winter, while in summer they’re popular with ATV users. Membership in the club is $25 per per- son or $50 for a family of four. Moll says that the club could always use more vol- unteers and people interested in being on the committee. “The average age of our committee members is 64,” he notes. Any- one interested in more information about the club can e-mail fsjamessnowmobile@ gmail.com, or check out the group’s Face- book page. New directional signs have been put in place on local trails. Photo is submitted

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September 16, 2015 edition of the Caledonia Courier

TRANSCRIPT

WEDNESDAY,September 16, 2015 PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com VOL. 38 NO. 29 $1.30 inc. GST

Seniors Helping Seniors - pg 2Literacy Funding - pg 3

◆Inside Editorial - pg 4Ladies Auxiliary - pg 5

Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759

Published by Black Press Ltd

at 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC

V0J 3A0

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The fi rst Business Walk program in Fort St. James took the pulse of 55 local businesses in July, with volunteers talking to owners and manag-ers about a variety of topics, including the overall health of their businesses, what concerns they have, and what can be done to help businesses in the Fort grow.

Some 87% of the businesses surveyed said that business was either fair/steady or good/increasing when compared with last year. However, concerns such as the diffi culty in fi nding and retaining staff, competition from larger centres and online shop-ping, and the higher cost of doing business in Fort St. James were common themes.

Economic Development Offi cer Emily Colom-bo said that only two businesses declined to take part, and that those that did were very receptive to the program. “A team of fourteen volunteers went around town and conducted in-person surveys. The Business Walk program works best when done face-to-face, so that we let businesses know we’re interested. The best responses, conversations, and data come when we can have a conversation with business owners where they are.”

Among the program’s fi ndings were that 12 of the business owners surveyed intend to retire or sell their business within the next fi ve years, but only fi ve have a succession plan in place; that businesses not in the downtown core want to feel more in-cluded; that many businesses already in the down-town area have outgrown their current space; and that job training workshops would be appreciated in helping to remedy labour issues. The survey also revealed that the 55 businesses that took part em-ploy 588 people between them: 333 full-time, 143 part-time, and 112 seasonal.

“We received feedback about current programs, and what business owners would like to see,” says Colombo. “It’s important to hear what we can im-prove on, as well as what we’re doing right.” She acknowledges that the follow-up to the survey will be very important. “People often feel that research happens, but the outcomes don’t go anywhere.”

The follow-up has already started, with busi-nesses being encouraged to look into the Northern Development Initiative Trust Business Façade Im-provement program. NDIT allocates $20,000 to the community that can be accessed by business own-ers who want to improve the façade of their build-ing, and provides matching funds up to $5,000. Colombo says that the program was promoted to owners during the Business Walk, and there has been a huge take-up. “Last year only $500 was re-quested under the program; in 2015 we’ve had re-quests totalling $16,300.” Requests are assessed on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis, and the deadline has been extended until Sept. 16.

This week will see copies of the fi nal report of the Business Walk being taken door-to-door to local businesses, and beginning in October the District, in partnership with the Fort St. James Chamber of

See “Business’ on p. 9

Taking the pulse of local businesses

Fort St. James Snowmobile and ATV Club Vice-President Wayne Moll atop the groomer that was donated to the club by Fort Machine Works last winter. Winter is coming, and the snowmobile club is already hard at work on the trails.

Photo by Bill Howell

Snowmobile club gears up to get local trails ready for winter useBARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

Snow might still be several weeks away, but members of the Fort St. James Snowmobile and ATV Club are already hard at work getting the trails ready for winter use.

The club recently received funds to put up more signage on the 300km network of trails, and club Vice President Wayne Moll says that more than $50,000 of fund-ing has gone into the trail system over the past year. “Plus there are all the volunteers who groom the trails and put up the signs,” he says. Recently those volunteers have been out replacing three old bridges that needed upgrading, and over the last two years they’ve installed other new bridges, in order to help the environment and fi sh habitats by keeping snowmobiles and ATVs out of local streams.

Grooming the trails has been made eas-ier since Fort Machine Works donated a groomer last winter. The club purchased a Polaris 800 Mini Ranger on tracks to pull it, and were able to use it during the 2014-15 season. The Ranger was also used dur-ing the summer to carry material for the club’s projects, and both vehicles can be transported on a 24-foot low-deck trailer that was purchased in January, which will

cut the travel time to get to places such as the Dog Creek Trail, at the far end of the trail system. The signage includes new trail maps at the entrances to the main trail systems, directional signs, and dis-tance signs every fi ve kilometres in both directions on each trail. The club also had 3,000 brochures with information about the trail network printed up.

In addition to grants, the club fundrais-es throughout the year. In 2015 they held three poker rides, and they also raise funds by renting out the land and buildings they own at the old fair ground. “Music on the Mountain was there, and for seven weeks this year we had 80 tree planters camped up there and using some of the buildings, which they gave us a donation for.” Moll acknowledges that the site doesn’t get used as much as the club would like. “We tried to get interest from other recreation groups in the community, but there wasn’t any.”

The trail system consists of loops, some of which attach to each other, giving snowmobilers a variety of runs of different lengths. Moll adds that dog mushers also use the trails in winter, while in summer they’re popular with ATV users.

Membership in the club is $25 per per-son or $50 for a family of four. Moll says that the club could always use more vol-

unteers and people interested in being on the committee. “The average age of our committee members is 64,” he notes. Any-one interested in more information about the club can e-mail [email protected], or check out the group’s Face-book page.

New directional signs have been put in place on local trails.

Photo is submitted

A2 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Caledonia Courier

NEWSCourier

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER, 2015, 2015

OCTOBEROCTOBER

District of Fort St. James CalendarDistrict of Fort St. James Calendar

Offi ce:

477 Stuart Drive West

Email:

offi [email protected]:

250-996-8233

Like us at Facebook:

District of Fort St. JamesFollow us on Twitter:

@DFSJames

Munic

ipal W

ebsit

e: ww

w.fo

rtstja

mes.c

aPlease submit all events by Wednesday for the next

Wednesday paper distribution.of [email protected]

FORT ST. JAMES COMMUNITY CENTRE GRAND OPENINGJoin the District of Fort St. James and the Fort St. James Community Founda on for the Grand Opening Celebra on of the Fort St. James Community Centre -

Saturday, October 3 -- Family Friendly Open House 1pm-3pm. Opening ceremonies: space limited must be 19+. Doors open at 6:30-10:00pm (cocktails & hors d’oevres)Pick up your Opening Ceremonies ckets at the District o ce.

11 12 13 1514 16 17

4 5 6 87 9 10

27 28 29 130 2 3

20 21 22 2423 25 26

13 14 15 1716 18 1911:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt

11:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt

11:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt

11:30-4pm Farmers’ Mrkt

36th Mount Pope Adventure Run

9amCommunity Relations with Mt. Milligan CNC

9:30-5:30

Metis Days, Historic Park

Cancer Support Group 1pm - Sue @ 996-8639

Tax Sale 10am District Offi ce

Regular Council Meeting7pm

CSTC Strength in Unity AGA 1PM-8PM

@Kwah Hall, Housing Committee Meeting 5pm

“Get Ready to Grow” Value Added Workshop

10am-12pm FSJ FIrehall - FREE

Women Connect NVCSS Boardroom

349 Stuart Drive6-8pm

9:30-11am Pre SchoolGym @ Nak’azdli

9:30-11am Pre SchoolGym @ Nak’azdli

9:30-11am Pre SchoolGym @ Nak’azdli

9:30-11am Pre SchoolGym @ Nak’azdli

9:30-11am Pre SchoolGym @ Nak’azdli

9:30-11am Pre SchoolGym @ Nak’azdli

All Candidates Forum7pm

Music Makers Hall

Food Bank Fundraiser High School @ 5:30pm

by Donation Auction to follow

Transportation Committe Meeting 5pm District Offi ce

Housing Committee Meeting 5pmDistrict Offi ce

Salmon Day Historic Park

From January - July, 2015 the“Seniors Helping Seniors”

transportation service:* Provided rides to 309 client appointments

* Drove 219 trips* Covered 25,406.4 km!

JOIN THE FORT ST. JAMES FIRE DEPARTMENT TODAY!JOIN THE FORT ST. JAMES FIRE DEPARTMENT TODAY!RECEIVE: TRAINING, EXPERIENCES AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN THE MOST UNIQUE CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT

WHILE PART OF AN AMAZING TEAM! For applications call 250-996-8670 or Email: [email protected]

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The Fort St. James “Seniors Helping Se-niors” program, which provides residents with transportation to Prince George, is ex-panding to include Vanderhoof. The District of Vanderhoof has agreed to partner with Fort St. James in providing the program to seniors, something that Fort St. James’s Economic De-velopment Offi cer Emily Colombo applauds.

“We [the District of Fort St. James] are happy to move forward on this,” says Co-lombo, who has been working on securing the agreement for several months. “We’re glad to have this partnership established, which will help people in Vanderhoof to age in place. It’s something we’ve wanted for a long time.”

Between January and July 2015, the Fort’s Seniors Helping Seniors program provided 309 clients with rides to appointments, made 219 trip in total, and covered a distance of some 25,406.4km. Colombo estimates that a third of the trips from the Fort have multiple users (up to six people can be accommodated per trip), which leaves room for others to use the service.

That the program is now accessible by people in Vander-hoof is seen as a huge success in helping to keep the service

sustainable. As in the Fort, Vanderhoof residents will be able to book the service to transport them to healthcare-related ap-pointments, and to and from the Prince George airport.

The current agreement with the District of Vanderhoof ex-

tends from Sept. 1 to the end of December 1915. “A new fi scal year starts in January, and we expect there would be discussion about renewing the contract with Vander-hoof at the end of this year or in January,” says Colombo.

Vanderhoof residents who want to regis-ter and book appointments can contact Vicki Larsen at the Nechako Valley Community Services Society (250-567-9205), who will pass the information on to transportation co-ordinator Yvonne Sam in the Fort. Yvonne will then get in touch directly with those who have booked, saving them the cost of a long distance phone call. “We want to make peo-ple in Vanderhoof feel it’s a local service,” says Larsen, who will track the number of people from that community who use the service. “There should be a lot of people in-terested in this, and we need to get the word out that the service is available.”

Anyone in Fort St. James who would like to register for the Seniors Helping Se-niors transportation service should contact Yvonne Sam at (250) 996-8233. There is also a grocery delivery service that residents

of the Fort can use; for information about that, contact Emily Colombo at (250) 996-8233. Anyone interested in volunteering as a driver should also contact Colombo at the above number.

Fort St. James program expands to Vanderhoof

Fort St. James’s Seniors Helping Seniors program currently has twelve volunteer driv-ers, who will now be transporting Vanderhoof seniors to Prince George for healthcare appointments.

Submitted photo

NEWSCourierCaledonia Courier Wednesday, September 16, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A3

ALL CANDIDATE FORUMALL CANDIDATE FORUMWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

7:00 PM      MUSIC MAKERS HALL

    HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS READY

PRESENTED BY THE FORT ST. JAMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

And theBC NORTHERN REAL ESTATE BOARD

Federal election day is Monday, October 19. Are you registered to vote?

Most voters are already registered. But if

you’ve moved recently or are planning a move

before election day, you may need to update

your address.

With an up-to-date registration, you’ll get:

• a personalized voter information card

that tells you when and where to vote

• faster service at the polls

Check and update your registration at

elections.ca today, or call 1-800-463-6868

( TTY 1-800-361-8935).

Elections Canada has all the information

you need to be ready to vote.

Moved recently? Make sure you’re

ready to vote.

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The $60,000 in funding recently received by groups in Fort St. James, to promote literacy, has Ann McCormick, Supervisor of the College of New Caledonia in Fort St. James, excited about the pos-sibilities. It’s also the result of a lot of hard work over several years.

The three programs which received funding—the FSJ Public Library family and adult programs, and the Nak’azdli Band social Development De-partment—have all been running for more than fi ve years, which enabled McCormick to apply for a newly announced three-year funding cycle. This ensures that funding for the programs will be in place through 2018.

“Having to re-apply each year is a bit stressful,” says McCormick. “When you know [in advance] you have the funding you can do strong, long-term things in the community. It enables you to do long-range planning and build on what we’ve done be-fore.” CNC partners with the program recipients, and McCormick says the new funding will help them reach out to other groups, such as First Na-tions communities in Yekooche and Takla.

“We’re very fortunate in our partnerships with the library and Nak’azdli,” says McCormick. “It makes a big difference in Fort St. James.” She notes that while literacy is the focus of the programs, it comes in a variety of forms. “Digital literacy is very important, and there is a real focus in B.C. on em-ployment literacy and literacy in the workshop.”

At its core, the focus is on lifelong learning: not just for those facing challenges, or who have gaps in their learning, but for everyone. “Family literacy helps parents engage with their children,” says Mc-Cormick. “And we have a package of learning ma-terials and supplies that we know will work.” The Learning Hub at the corner of the Goodwin Build-ing in Fort St. James is open from 10:00 to 3:00pm, and can be contacted at (250) 996-7078.

McCormick acknowledges the support from other organizations and community groups, such as the District of Fort St. James, the schools, busi-nesses, and First Nations. “The ‘Literacy Lives in Fort St. James’ banners in town are a great way to show we’re working together, and help to take the stigma away from learning.”

New funds to aid literacy

Government funding will help support adult literacy programs in Fort St. James, with the library and Nak’azdli Band partnering with the College of New Caledonia.

Editorial PageEditorial Page

Look for us online at : caledoniacourier.com

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Distributed every Wednesday in Fort St. James

We acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

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Reproduction of contents either in part or in whole are not permitted without prior consent of the publisher.Copyright Canada No. 22

Serial No. 132934

A4 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Caledonia Courier

• Guest Editorial

Published by Black Press Ltd at 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0

My year with a chauffeur: it was absolutely lovelyBARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The night before I drove up to Vanderhoof from Ash-croft last month, to work at the Express and the Courier, my son asked “Are you excited about your 550km drive tomorrow?” When I replied “No,” he looked at me as if I’d just said that I thought breathing, as an activity, was overrated. “Why not?” he asked.

I ticked the points off on my fi ngers. “There’s the whole 550km thing, to start: I’m not really big on ex-tended drives. I’ve only driven the road between Williams Lake and Quesnel once, 13 years ago, and once I get past Quesnel I won’t know the road at all. It’ll just be me in the car, so there’s no one to talk to, and if I get tired or want a break from driving I’m out of luck. It’s August, so I’m likely to encounter a lot of construction zones, and according to the Weather Network that area is due for a fair bit of rain tomorrow.”

He shook his head, still not quite getting it. I can’t say I blame him, really. He’s been driving for two years, as opposed to my 35, so he still gets excited about it. To him, the prospect of a 550km drive is heaven on earth, whereas to me it’s something to be got through, hopefully without having a large animal try to join me in the front seat via the windshield.

I know that a good many longtime drivers (hello, Dad!) like nothing so much as getting in the driver’s seat to face down several hundred kilometres of asphalt in a day. I like driving well enough, provided the distance isn’t exces-sive; but having had to learn to drive four times the activ-ity has, shall we say, lost some if its charm.

The first time I learned to drive was when I was 16,

back in those carefree says when you could take your written test and then go back a short time later, take your road test, and be done with the entire process. Or so I thought, until I moved to Britain in 1992 and set about getting my U.K. driver’s licence, or Y Deyrnas Gy-funol Trwydded Yrru, as it was called in Wales, where I lived. The Welsh take their language very seriously, even though it’s 70 years after WW II and they’re still having to ration some vowels. All official signs, includ-ing road signs, are in Welsh first, then English, so I had to contend with that while learning to drive a manual, seated on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, in a place with very different traffic rules and road layouts (one’s first experience of a roundabout is . . . interesting). To say the whole thing was quite the experience would be an understatement. But I passed the test, and thought I was at last finished with learning how to drive.

Then I moved back to Canada, to Ashcroft, where driv-ing is different yet again. How different? The nearest traf-fi c light is in Cache Creek, six miles up the road. As a result, motorists in Ashcroft tend to be rather laid back, which you have to be prepared for. People think nothing of slowing down and stopping in the middle of the street to talk to someone on the sidewalk, or in another car, which necessitates paying attention and being prepared to stop rather quickly.

That was the third time I learned how to drive, and the fourth came two years ago, when my son got his learn-er’s licence. This necessitated him having an adult driver with him, anytime he got behind the wheel. I’d already fi gured that I’d be re-learning a lot of rules of the road that are—at least by adult drivers—more honoured in the

breach than in the observance (as Shakespeare said, al-though I don’t think he was talking about motorists), and this proved to be the case. My son wasn’t the only one doing some learning.

What I had failed to anticipate was that someone who’s got his learner’s licence is (at least in my case) someone who’s more than happy to take any excuse to drive that comes his way, which meant that for a year I basically had a chauffeur. It was lovely. I could admire the scenery on the way to Kamloops without having to worry about go-ing off the road, and trips around Ashcroft became more enjoyable. In the past, I would have been able to convince my son to come with me down to Irly Bird to pick up cat litter (hey, those forty pound bags weigh—well, forty pounds, and I’m not getting any younger), but that was about it. During those heady 12 months the experience was more like:

Me: “I need to pick up cat litter at Irly Bird. Want to drive?”

Him: “Sure! Do you need to go anywhere else?”Me: “Well, we could do with popping in to Safety Mart

for some milk.”Him: “Great! And after that?”Me: (hesitantly) “I was thinking of going down to Des-

ert Hills, maybe pick up some produce. . . .”Him: “Okay! I’ll go start the car!”I could have done with a chauffeur on the drive to and

from Vanderhoof; but it was not to be. Still, I managed to survive the experience. And while I was rather sorry not to see any of the wildlife so abundantly promised by signs along the road, I’m glad I didn’t get up close and personal with any of them. There are some things about driving I don’t want to have to learn.

NEWSCourierCaledonia Courier Wednesday, September 16, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A5

We will be making electrical system improvements in your area. To ensure the safety of our work crews, it will be necessary to interrupt electrical service for approximately six hours.

Where: Fort St. James, Tl’azt’en, Nak’azdli, Yekooche When: Sunday, September 20, 2015Time: Midnight to 6:00 a.m.

To prepare for this interruption and protect your equipment from damage, please turn off all lights, electrical heaters and major appliances and unplug all electronics.

We are sorry for the inconvenience. We will restore power as soon as we can.

Visit bchydro.com/outages or call 1 888 POWERON (1 888 769 3766) for more information.

4718

MAINTENANCE POWER OUTAGE FORT ST. JAMES AREA

NOTICE OF A

NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Regular Board Meetings of the Board of Education of School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) for the months of September and October 2015 will be held as follows:

September 21, 2015School Board O ce, Vanderhoof, BC

October 19, 2015School Board O ce, Vanderhoof, BC

These meetings will commence at 6:00 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Darlene TurnerSecretary-Treasurer

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The District of Fort St. James is looking into the possibility of be-stowing the “Key to the City” on at least one person who has gone above and beyond in their services to the community.

At the Council meeting on Sept. 9, a “Key to the City” policy was looked at. “We have no existing policy or bylaw that covers it,” says Chief Ad-ministrative Offi cer Kevin Crook, noting that if the District ever had such a thing, it was a long time ago. “Council wants to be able to honour certain people in a special

way, so it’s been brought forward for discussion.”

The term “Key to the City” dates back to medieval times, when prominent dignitaries and mer-chants were given the key to a city’s gates so they could enter and leave when they wanted. Municipalities in B.C. can bestow the “Freedom of the Municipality” (more popu-larly known as the Key to the City) on a distinguished person under the Community Charter, with that per-son having the right to be an elector of the municipality, and the right to run for elected offi ce, even if he or

she lives elsewhere, unless these rights are revoked. The mu-

District looks to bestow “Key to the City”

The District of Fort St. James is developing a “Key to the City” policy, in order to recognize individuals Council would like to honour in a special way.

nicipality can also attach other benefi ts to the re-cipient.

“If we had pay parking in Fort St. James, we could say that the recipient would have free park-ing for life,” says Crook, “or any other service of-fered by the municipality.”

At the meeting on the 9th, Council directed Ad-ministration to draft policy for a “Key to the City” that would not bestow any legislative responsibil-ity or other benefi ts on the recipient; it would be a purely ceremonial award. An engraved key would, however, be presented to anyone so honoured.

“We’re looking at the criteria for eligibility,” says Crook, adding that the District hopes to make the fi rst “Key of the City” presentation in the not-too-distant future.

Almost 50 years later, and still going strong

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The Stuart Lake Hospital Auxiliary is gearing up for its annual Dart Turkey Shoot on Sunday, Oct. 4; but in case anyone thinks they need special skills or talents to win a prize, convener Sher-ry Nielsen is quick to reassure them.

“It’s a game of chance; there’s no skill involved!” she says. Participants pay a $10 entrance fee and then get three shots at a dartboard covered with numbers. Your numbers are added up, and then various draws are made of numbered slips of paper tak-en from a bucket. The person whose total comes closest to the drawn num-ber, without going over, wins one of 15 turkeys on offer.

“But everyone gets some sort of prize,” says Nielsen. “Everyone who comes goes home with something.”

This year’s event takes place at a new venue: the North Arm Pub on Stones Bay Road. The shoot used to take place at the Legion, but with its closure a different location had to be found, and the pub stepped up. “They’re donating the use of the building,” says Nielsen, who adds that the lunch concession will be run by the pub, which takes the profi t from the food and alcohol sales. “The Aux-iliary gets the profi t from the event.”

That profi t is a hefty one: last year’s Dart Turkey Shoot raised $5,404 for the Auxiliary. Now approaching its 50th year, the group has raised more than $320,000 that has been spent on hospital equipment, garden mainte-nance, and purchases that assist with patient comfort and make it easier for hospital staff to serve the needs of pa-

tients. In the last year the Auxiliary has purchased several pieces of hospi-tal equipment—with a value of more than $6,500—that Northern Health would not have purchased, including two TVs (one for the Extended Care lounge), lamps, a commode ocean shower chair, and six chairs for the Public Health Unit. Recognizing that many Fort St. James residents need to make use of hospital facilities in other nearby communities, the group also donated $5,000 for the new stress test equipment in St. John’s Hospital in Vanderhoof.

Each year the Auxiliary provides the Dr. Brian Bowers Bursary (worth a total of $1,500) to a graduate of Fort St. James Secondary School who is going into a medical related fi eld. The group also works with junior volun-teers from the high school, who come and play cards, read to, and sit with those occupying the six long-term care beds at the hospital.

The juniors also assist Auxiliary volunteers with taking the gift cart—which dispenses chocolate, chips, pop, and other items—around the hospital and the long-term care. The cart, always a popular item, has had a hiatus of more than ten years due to a lack of volunteers, but it started back in operation this summer.

Nielsen notes that the Auxiliary, which currently has close to 30 mem-bers, is always looking for new faces,

The Fort St. James Hospital Auxiliary has raised more than $300,000 for healthcare needs in this region.

and that the obligations are light. “We meet once a month, with July and August off, and only have three annual events: one in the spring, the Dart Tur-key Shoot in October, and a Christmas Raffl e in November. The only commitment from volunteers is what they want to put into it.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Hospital Auxiliary—which meets at 7:00pm on the second Wednesday of the month in the hospital caf-eteria—should contact President JulieAnn Morten-son at (250) 996-7485, or Sherry Nielsen at (250) 996-1550.

A6 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Caledonia Courier

NEWSCourier

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 Pat-rick’s Anglican Church will now take place only on the fi rst Sunday

of the month except for special oc-casions.

***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 An-glican Church, Stuart Drive. Volun-teers 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 committeemeetings 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... Monthlymeeting 2nd Wednesday eachmonth. Hospital Cafeteria 7:00 p.m.

***NECHAKO VALLEYCOMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY...Child and YouthMental Health and CounselingServices available at no cost.Monday to Friday 8:30 am to4:30 pm. Call 996-7645 for appointment.

***FORT TRAP AND HANDGUNCLUB... meets last Sunday of every month. Contact (Sue)at 250-996-7728 (h) for moreinformation.

***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.

***

NOTICEof

ANNUAL GENERA L MEETING

September 29, 20157:00 pm

Held at Riverside Place, 242 Louvain St. Vanderhoof

Board VacanciesTh e Board of Directors of Nechako Valley Community Services Society is seeking dynamic individuals interested in community-based social and health services to join them, with the goal of maintaining and increasing the level of services off ered in the communities of Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake and Fort St. James. Please att end the AGM, or contact the Society offi ce for more information (250) 567-9205.

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]

September 17, 2015 ....RDBN Board Meeting/ SNRHD Meeting

October 8, 2015 ...........RDBN Committee MeetingsOctober 22, 2015 .........RDBN Board Meeting/

SNRHD MeetingNovember 5, 2015 .......RDBN Committee Meetings

THE CHURCHESOF

FORT ST. JAMES

OUR LADY OF THE SNOWSROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

SUNDAY LITURGY: Saturday 7:30 pm & Sunday 10:30 amDAILY MASS: Monday - Friday 9:00 am

PASTORAL TEAM: FATHER FRANK SALMON 250-996-8343SR. MAURINE BARZANTNI, SR.RENEE RICHIE,

SR. DIVINA PEDRO 250-996-2275

(Across from the Petrocan Station)

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The National Historic Site at Fort St. James goes out with a bang this Saturday, as the annual Salmon Cook-off coincides with Métis Day, making for one spectacular event.

It begins at 8:30am when the salmon cook-off starts. Participating teams need to light their fi res and whip up their special sauces and coatings, so that those attending can judge the result and name a winner. But Lana Olson, President of the Métis Nation Society of New Caledonia (MNSNC), says there’ll be a packed program to keep everyone en-tertained.

“There’ll be horse-drawn carriage drives—by donation—around the site starting at 11:00, and fi ddlers, square dancers, and jiggers from Quesnel starting at noon. There’ll also be tomahawk throw-ing, which is open to everyone; chicken and duck races, along with chicken bingo, and we hope to have face-painting and a craft table for kids.”

There will also be a tow-rope competition—a tug-of-war—between competing teams, and Olson is looking for four to fi ve teams of fi ve people each to take part. “Groups from the business community, the RCMP, individual teams—all can take part.” Proceeds from the competition will go to benefi t the Cops for Cancer charity.

There will also be plenty to eat, with a barbecue, bannock, and a bake sale, proceeds from which go to the MNSNC. Admission to the National Historic Site for the day is free, and the event is a partner-ship between the NHS, Métis Nation BC, and the

Métis Day ends season with grand celebration

The Fort St. James National Historic Site ends its season with a bang on Sept. 19, when it plays host to Métis Day.

Photo by Barbara Roden

MNSNC.“It’s meant as a cultural event,” says Olson, not-

ing that the MNSNC is always looking for mem-bers. The society encompasses the area from west of Prince George to Burns Lake, and North to Fort St. James, and is open to those with Métis heritage and to non-Métis. For more information, contact Lana Olson at (250) 570-9979, or check out their Facebook page.

Although the National Historic Site closes for the season on Sept. 20, people can still visit the site between then and when it reopens on June 1, 2016. The buildings will be closed and winterized, but the paths are kept clear, and visitors can take a self-guided tour around the property. Parks Canada staff will be available to answer enquiries at (250) 996-7191.

Letters 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 verification purposes. Anonymous, or pen names will not be permitted.

Not all submissions will be published. Letters may be e-mailed to:

[email protected]

NEWSCourierCaledonia Courier Wednesday, September 16, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A7

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TOM FLETCHERBlack Press

B.C. cabinet ministers and 500 aboriginal leaders emerged from two days of meetings in Vancouver last week with a pledge to work on divi-sive resource development issues and hold a province-wide forum on ab-original children in government care.

Premier Christy Clark also an-nounced the establishment of a $2 million fund for scholarships for ab-original students pursuing post-grad-uate degrees, and a new set of awards for aboriginal youth athletic achieve-ment.

Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg was appointed parliamentary secretary in charge of developing the sports awards.

A framework document agreed to at the meeting commits the province and First Nations Leadership Coun-cil members to keep working on a reconciliation agreement that would settle historic land claims across the province. Clark said the agreement would have to include provisions for the unique aspects of more than 200 First Nations.

Grand Chief Ed John of the First

Nations Summit said the fi rst two years of these province-wide meet-ings have gotten off to a rocky start, but expressed the hope that “by year 10 we’ll have paved the road.”

In his closing speech, John refl ect-ed on his own time at a residential school, and described a new genera-tion of young people that is emerg-ing from the social upheaval of that policy.

“I couldn’t even see my sister on the other side of the building, even though she was in the same residen-tial school as I was,” John said. “That disconnect became the norm for us.”

Chief Shane Gottfriedson, region-al representative of the Assembly of First Nations, echoed John’s call for a resolution to land issues that started in 1859 when colonial Governor James Douglas proclaimed that all lands and resources in B.C. belong to Crown.

Chief Robert Chamberlin, vice president of the Union of B.C. In-dian Chiefs, said last year’s landmark land title decision in favour of the Tsilhqot’in Nation means action is required to address territorial claims.

It is the Canadian law that First Nations want to see implemented,” he said.

B.C., chiefs to work on reconciliation

Premier Christy Clark listens to Grand Chief Ed John speak at meeting with aboriginal leaders in Vancouver last week.

Photo: Black Press

VANCOUVER - In the interest of cus-tomer safety, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch is recalling three types of Smirnoff Ice coolers due to concerns over possible glass contamination.

The move comes after the product’s supplier, Diageo Canada, voluntarily re-called several Smirnoff Ice products be-cause of the possibility they may contain small pieces of glass. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also issued a public

food recall warning, advising consumers to avoid drinking the products.

The Smirnoff products which were sold in British Columbia and are now be-ing recalled are:

* Smirnoff Ice 12-pack, 330ml bottle, lot number L5210;

* Smirnoff Ice Cranberry and Lime, 4-pack, 330ml bottle, lot number L5206;

* Smirnoff Ice Peach Bellini, 4-pack, 330ml bottle, lot number L5231.

Customers should return recalled prod-ucts to the store where they were pur-chased to receive a full refund.

Outside of B.C., several other Smirnoff Ice products are being recalled inparts of Canada where they were sold. A full list is available at:

www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-c f i a /newsroom/food- reca l l -warn-ings/complete-l is t ing/2015-09-04/eng/1441412987890/1441412997815

BC Liquor Distribution Branch recalls Smirnoff Ice products

Fraser Lake Sawmill celebrates 60 yearsVIVIAN CHUIOmineca Express

Steam, instead of smoke, now escapes from the sawmill’s chimney in Fraser Lake.

Celebrating the Fraser Lake Sawmill’s 60th anniversary, lumber company West Fraser opened the doors of its new neigh-bouring biomass plant for tours last Friday.

Beehive burners that were used to burn away lumber production’s by-product waste are now replaced by the new plant, which is

99.7 per cent effi cient in fi ltering waste and turning fuel to heat, said Michael Heavenor, the biomass plant’s shift engineer.

“We’re making power without fossil fu-els,” Heavenor said. “Before, we burn [the waste] and it’s just gone.”

He added, “Now we can put it to good use.”

The heat is transferred through thermal oil to a hydrocarbon called cyclopentane, which turns to vapour gas at a lower boil-ing point than water — thus turning power

turbines at a lower temperature, Heavenor said.

The heat transfer loop, called the Organic Rankine cycle, continues as the turbines drive generators to produce electricity and water tanks cool the vapour gas to a liquid form again, to be ready for reheating by thermal oil.

Though not the fi rst of its kind in the area, the new energy plant’s processes will improve air quality, said John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes.

A8 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Caledonia Courier

NEWSCourier

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BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

Getting stopped by a train is a frustrating experience, as anyone who’s had to wait for a train to clear the crossing on Burrard Avenue in Vanderhoof can attest. However, there’s a direct connection between that train line, the sinking of the Titanic, and the hit TV show Downton Abbey. If you don’t believe me, then read on. . . .

The train line that runs through Vanderhoof is now part of the Canadian National Railway, but it began life as the Grand Trunk Pacifi c Railway. The fi rst trans-Canadian railway had been the Canadian Pacifi c, which was completed in 1885, and for the next twenty years that company enjoyed a lucra-tive monopoly on rail transport west of Winnipeg. By the early years of the twentieth century the federal government was keen to have another rail line heading west, but taking a more northerly route than the CPR, to provide access for farmers who were expanding northward in the prairies, and encourage new settlers to move to the area.

The Grand Trunk Railway seemed to be the logical company to fi ll this perceived gap. Indeed, Ottawa had ap-proached the GTR to provide the fi rst trans-Canadian rail link shortly after Confederation in 1867, but the company had declined, preferring to push east and south from Ontario rather than tackle the west. By 1903, however, things had changed, and the GTR was more than receptive to a new request to head to the Pacifi c.

The company was by then led by a dynamic and vision-ary General Manager named Charles Melville Hays. He had risen through the ranks of various railways since starting work as a clerk in 1873, and by the time he was appointed GM of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1896 it was approaching insolvency. Hays was appointed to the General Manager’s position by the board in the hopes that he would bring more “American” business practices to the company and turn it around. The strategy worked, with Hays promptly restruc-turing the company, building new tracks, and purchasing more powerful locomotives.

By 1900 he was already looking west, with grand plans to extend the GTR line to Winnipeg and thence north across the Prairies and B.C. to Prince Rupert, which he saw as a deep water port that was closer to Asia than was the port at Van-couver. He ran into opposition initially, but by 1902 the GTR board, as well as the Canadian government, was prepared to back the ambitious plan.

Hays planned to buy out an Eastern rival, the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR), but that company refused; and then, in what must have been an annoying move for Hays, announced its own plans to build a trans-Canadian rail line, the Canadian Northern Pacifi c, that would parallel the south-ern CP line through much of its passage through British Co-lumbia. It was a decision that would prove challenging for the company, since the CP, as the fi rst railway through such diffi cult terrain as the Fraser Canyon, had naturally chosen the easiest and most convenient places to build, leaving the CNoR to take whatever land was left.

Construction of the Grand Trunk Pacifi c Railway began in 1905, with Hays envisioning a chain of resort hotels—to match what CP had built along its line—stretching all the way to the coast, and culminating in the proposed Château Prince Rupert. As a result of these grand plans, the popula-tion of Prince Rupert—some 3,000 people in 1909—swelled in anticipation of the boom the town would soon undergo.

In 1908 construction of the B.C. portion of the track com-menced, and it was soon clear that this would cost far more than anyone had anticipated; the eventual price tag was more than $112,000 (in then-current dollars) per mile. The com-pany was also dealing with diffi cult terrain (the 186-mile section from Prince Rupert to Hazelton took four years to complete), extreme weather conditions, and a shortage of workers. By 1912 the company’s position was dire, and the line was still two years away from being completed and starting to carry freight and passengers.

In the spring of 1912 Hays was in England, trying to drum up fi nancial support for the Grand Trunk Pacifi c, but was anxious to be back in Canada, as his daughter Marga-ret was having a diffi cult pregnancy and he wanted to be with her. Hays was invited by J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star line, to join him on the maiden voyage of the White Star’s newest ship, the RMS Titanic. On April 10, 1912 Hays, along with his wife Clara, his daughter Orian, his son-in-law Thornton Davidson, his secretary Mr. Vivian Payne, and a maid, Miss Mary Anne Perreault, set sail from Southampton, England in cabin B69, a deluxe suite on the Promenade Deck.

At some time during the evening of April 14, Hays is said to have remarked to a fellow passenger that “The time will come soon when this trend [of passenger ships trying to set new speed records for crossing the Atlantic] will be checked by some appalling tragedy.” If he did say this, then he was remarkably prescient, for Hays could not have known that the Titanic, despite having received several warnings from other ships of icebergs in the way, was ploughing ahead at high speed, intent on setting a new record for the Atlantic cross-ing. At 11:40 that night the ship struck an iceberg, and less than three hours later was on her way to the bottom of the ocean, tak-ing Hays, Davidson, and Payne with it (the three women in the party were helped into a lifeboat by Hays, and survived).

Hays’s body was recovered, and he was buried in Montreal’s Mount Royal cemetery. Work on the railway continued, and on April 7, 1914 the Last Spike on the Grand Trunk Pacifi c Railway was driven home just east of what is now Fort Fraser. The Last Spike of the CNoR Railway was pounded near Ashcroft on Jan. 23, 1915, giving B.C. the distinction of containing all three of the trans-continental railway last spikes.

However, the completion of the Grand

Trunk Pacifi c Railway did not guarantee a happy ending for the ambitious—and costly—venture. The start of World War One in August 1914 severely impacted rail travel and settle-ment in the country—particularly in the area through which the GTPR ran—and the loss of Hays proved a lasting blow, as the company’s fi nances deteriorated into a complicated mess. By early 1919 the company was in serious diffi culties, and in March of that year it defaulted on loans to the fed-eral government, leading to the railway being nationalized. In July 1920 the Grand Trunk Pacifi c Railway was placed in the management of a Crown corporation, the Canadian National Railway, where it joined the Canadian National Pa-cifi c, which had run into even more severe fi nancial diffi cul-ties two years earlier.

And how does all this tie in with a wildly popular British television show? Viewers of Downton Abbey may recall that early in the third series (set in 1920) Lord Grantham, owner of the eponymous house, was forced to confess to his wife that the family fortunes had recently taken a severe blow. His Lordship had been advised to invest in shares of the Grand Trunk Pacifi c Railway, on the basis that the proposition could not fail. Fail it did, in rather spectacular fashion, tak-ing with it a number of real-life fortunes in addition to Lord Grantham’s fi ctitious one.

And there is one last thing which ties fact with fi ction, and links a train line in northern B.C. with a hit TV show. One could argue that the death of Charles Hays on board the Titanic in 1912 signalled the beginning of the end for the Grand Trunk Pacifi c Railway, as without Hays at its head the company plunged into a turmoil from which it never recov-ered. It was the death of the heir of Downton Abbey, in the same sinking, that triggered the events depicted in the series. So the next time you’re stopped by a train in Vanderhoof, you can spend the time refl ecting that fact and fi ction often meet in unexpected ways. It might make your wait pass just a little bit faster.

From the history fi le: The Grand Trunk Pacifi c

The Last Spike of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was pounded near Fort Fraser on April 7, 1914. The railway caused financial hardship for many real people (and at least one fictitious one).

NEWSCourierCaledonia Courier Wednesday, September 16, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A9

THE STUART NECHAKO ADVERTISER CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...

VANDERHOOFVANDERHOOFOmineca Express offi ce Omineca Express offi ce

Vanderhoof Co-op - GroceryVanderhoof Co-op - GroceryCo-op Mall - LobbyCo-op Mall - Lobby

Co-op Mall - Rear EntranceCo-op Mall - Rear EntranceVanderhoof Co-op - C-Store Vanderhoof Co-op - C-Store

Extra Foods Extra Foods Vanderhoof Post Offi ceVanderhoof Post Offi ce

Riverside PlaceRiverside PlaceNechako View Senior’s HomeNechako View Senior’s Home

Speedway RoadSpeedway RoadMapesMapes

CJ’s Trailer CourtCJ’s Trailer CourtLoop RoadLoop RoadPrairiedalePrairiedale

Braeside RoadBraeside RoadJones RoadJones Road

Sob Lake RoadSob Lake RoadRedfern DriveRedfern Drive

Sinkut Frontage RoadSinkut Frontage RoadKenny Dam & Lakes RoadKenny Dam & Lakes Road

J&S RestaurantJ&S Restaurant

ENDAKOEndako Bar & Grill

CLUCULZ LAKE

BROOKSIDE RESORT

FRASER LAKEPar 3 Sports

FraserFraser Lake Building Supplies

ENGENEngen Road

Giesbrecht Frontage Road

FORT FRASERFort Fraser Petro Can

FORT ST JAMESLakeshore Realty Sana’aih Market

Overwaitea Foods Fort Loonie Bin

Fas Gas Plus Lakeside Pharmacy

Commerce, will be holding a series of “lunch and learn” workshops. “They’re designed for business owners and managers,” says Colombo, and each will focus on a different topic, such as staff reten-tion, marketing, succession planning, procurement, and customer service. The workshops will be on the third Tuesday of each month, with the fi rst one tak-ing place on Oct. 20 from 1:00–4:00pm. Anyone wanting to take part should RSVP to the District Offi ce at (250) 996-8233.

Another initiative, from the District, is the Com-munity Revitalisation Tax Exemption program, which is available for any commercial or industrial property owner looking to invest $100,000 or more

in their property in 2016 and which will result in increased property tax value assessments. Success-ful applicants will see no increase in their property taxes for the fi rst year, with 20% of the full tax rate added each year for fi ve years.

This year’s Business Walk was a partnership be-tween the District of Fort St. James, the Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce, and the provincial Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training. The volunteers who conducted the survey came from the District (including the mayor and members of Council), the Chamber of Commerce, NDIT, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Community Futures Stuart Nechako, and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training, which helped plan, prepare, execute, and report on the program.

BARBARA RODENCaledonia Courier

The Fireweed Safe Haven in Fort St. James—part of the Fireweed Collective Society—has received $10,000 in provincial fi nding to assist Aboriginal women and children try-ing to escape domestic violence.

Executive Director Brandi Hanter-man is very excited about the fund-ing, which will enable the Society to provide transportation for women and children who come to the haven for assistance. “It means we can of-fer transportation to medical and le-gal appointments, or for women who need to replace or obtain identifi ca-tion documents,” she says. “We can also use it to help high risk women leave the communities if they need to get out fast or it’s too dangerous for them here.”

The haven also provides support in helping to get women back on their feet. “It’s a very personalized ser-vice,” says Hanterman. “There are very different needs from one woman to another.”

Although the funding is targeted specifi cally at First Nations women and children, Hanterman says that non-Aboriginal women and children

who face abuse are also welcome. “We can sit down with them and help them access the services they need.”

The $10,000 funding is being rolled out over two years, and Hanter-man says the society is interested to see what it looks like going forward. “The lack of buses in Fort St. James means that in the past any transpor-tation expenses have come from the society’s core costs. This funding makes it a lot easier for us to support women.” Staff provide the transporta-tion, but Hanterman is open to work-ing with other community groups, such as Northern Health, to see if some transport needs can be met that way.

“We’re very excited about this funding, which is great news,” says Hanterman. “There are so many women hitchhiking in this area, and this will help to stop that.”

Anyone wanting to contact the Fireweed Society and Safe Haven should call their crisis line at (250) 996-8000.

The Joy Aitkens Safe Home—a transition house for women and chil-dren leaving abuse in Vanderhoof—also received a $10,000 grant, as did the Eagle’s Nest Transition House in the Lakes District.

“Taking the pulse” from p. 1

Business workshops on wayVolunteers spoke with owners and managers of 55 local businesses in July, to find out what their concerns are and what can be done to increase the health of the Fort’s business community.

Funding will assist victims of violence

A10 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Caledonia Courier

COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIAFort St. James CampusPROJECT PLANNER REFERENCE NUMBER: 15-095SN

This position is responsible for developing, planning, implementing, administering andevaluating a variety of project offerings at CNC. Preferred applicants will have a degreein adult education, or degree or diploma in another field and additional education in adulteducation, or equivalent combination of training and experience. Three to five yearsexperience in adult education and training coordination.

To find out more information about this and other opportunities, and directions on how to apply,please check our website at: www.cnc.bc.ca/Human_Resources/employment.htm

Join us. We offer a supportive workplace, great benefits, and competitive salaries. And we have opportunities to grow, both within our college, and within our communities.

CNC - A COMMUNITY FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING THAT CARES, SERVES, AND LEADS

Housing ManagerTl’azt’en Nation has an opening for a full time Housing Manager to carry out and/or oversee a wide variety of housing related tasks. As Housing Manager you will report to the Executive Director.

Overall responsibilities include:3-4 years experience in Housing and Lands management.Degree or diploma would be an asset, minimum of Grade 12Managing issues and legislation affecting First Nations both locally and nationallyTo meet requirements of all government agencies and fundersLiaise with CMHC and AANDC for maintenance funding as requiredDevelop, update and adhere to Housing Policy and ProceduresAbility to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, computer skills, ability to write and submit proposals on behalf of Tl’azt’en NationCollections experience, maintain binders for each houseCo-ordinate all Repair and Maintenance and not exceed budgetAssist in preparing an annual budgetKnowledge of the Tl’azt’en community will be considered an assetMust be bondableValid class 5 driver’s licence and a reliable vehicle

Deadline for Applications: September 23, 2015

Apply to: Cecilia Harvey, Executive AssistantTl’azt’en Nation, PO Box 670, Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0

Fax: 250.648.3250 Email: [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

TL’AZT’EN NATION EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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

MAKE YOUR POINT-

OF-SALE

Advertise your goods and services in the Classifieds and reach hundreds of potential buyers daily. Call today to place your ad and make a sale quickly.

250-996-8482

Announcements

Information

Employment

Career Opportunities

HIRING Accommodation Man-ager managerial experience required $20.50-22.50/hr, send resume to [email protected], New Caledo-nia Motel

Caretakers/Residential Managers

MOTEL ASST Manager Team to run small Motel in Parksville BC. Non-Smoking, no Pets, good Health, fulltime live-in position. Fax 250-586-1634 or email resume to: [email protected]

Help WantedTrades people required at North Enderby Timber. We of-fer a competitive wage and a comprehensive benefi t pack-age. Please fax resume to 250-838-9637 or email to [email protected]

Services

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

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

Services

Financial ServicesLARGE FUND

Borrowers WantedStart saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime1-800-639-2274 or

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

AuctionsBIGGEST Restaurant Equip-ment Auction In Canadian His-tory! Kwik Auctions 2 Day Sale. Sept 14/15 - www.Kwi-kAuctions.com - Online Bid-ding Available Via Bidspotter!

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.

Your community. Your classifi eds.

250.567.9258

fax 250.567.2070 email [email protected]

The eyes have itFetch a Friend

from the SPCA today! spca.bc.ca

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Caledonia Courier Wednesday, September 16, 2015 www.caledoniacourier.com A11

INVITATION TO TENDERSNOW REMOVAL

Ydenberg Properties Ltd. invites tenders for snow clearing and removal services at the Fort St. James Shopping Centre (470 Stuart Drive West, Fort St. James, BC, V0J 1P0) during the months of October to April (2015 to April 2017 on an as-required basis.Interested bidders must complete a site inspection with manager before submitting a tender.

Bidders must be able to: enter a contract for two years commencing October 1st, 2015 to April 30th, 2017 remove all ploughed snow off site provide their own equipment and supplies criminal record search required maintain Work Safe (WCB) coverage

Tender Application Forms are available at the Leasing Offi ce, #15 - 470 Stuart Drive West, Fort St. James, BC or by request to [email protected].

Tenders will be received at the above location, by email/letter mail until 12:00p.m. September 25th, 2015.

Ydenberg Properties Ltd. reserves the right to reject any or all of the tenders or to accept the tender deemed most favourable in the interest of the proper-ty. Preference will be based on price and demonstrat-ed ability.

LAND ACT: NOTICE OFINTENTION TO APPLY FOR A

DISPOSITION OF CROWN LANDTake notice that Ross and Sandra Davidson from Fort St. James, BC has applied to the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNR), Omineca Region, for a Crown grant for Agricultural-Extensive purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located near Pinchi Lake, and described as: Part of District Lot 3011, Range 5 Coast District.

The Lands File for this application is 7409701. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Ryan Hall, Senior Land Offi cer, Omineca Region, FLNR, at 1044 5th Avenue, Prince George, BC V2L 5G4 or [email protected]. Comments will be received by FLNR up to October 23, 2015. FLNR may not be able to consider comments received after this date.Please visit the website at: http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=45966 for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these re-cords requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofi nfor-mation to learn more about FOI submissions.

A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the land offi cer named above at 250 565-6430.

LAND ACT: NOTICE OFINTENTION TO APPLY FOR A

DISPOSITION OF CROWN LANDTake notice that John Hiebert and Melvin Henderson from Fort St. James, BC has applied to the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNR), Omineca Region, for a Crown grant for Agricultural-Extensive purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located near Pinchi Lake, and described as: Part of District Lot 3125, Range 5 Coast District.

The Lands File for this application is 7409737. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Ryan Hall, Senior Land Offi cer, Omineca Region, FLNR, at 1044 5th Avenue, Prince George, BC V2L 5G4 or [email protected]. Comments will be received by FLNR up to October 23, 2015. FLNR may not be able to consider comments received after this date.Please visit the website at: http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=47336 for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these re-cords requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofi nfor-mation to learn more about FOI submissions.

A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the land offi cer named above at 250 565-6430.

NOTICE TO REMOVE PRIVATE LAND FROM WOODLOT 259

Please be advised that Allan Henderson is proposing to remove 32h of private land from Woodlot License 259 located in the vicinity of Red Rock lake. Inquiries/comments to this proposal must be submitted to Allan Henderson, Box 1841, Ft St James, BC, V0J1P0 by October 9, 2015. Only written inquiries will be received by the above date will be responded to. Information about this proposal can be obtained by contacting the above.

Legal LegalReal Estate

Acreage for Sale

Lakefront Acreages 133-264 acres, good fi shing & hay producing, middle of the best farming & ranching area of BC.Visit our website for more properties starting from $27,000.

Contact: [email protected] or Call: 604.606.7900

Website: www.Niho.com

Rentals

Apt/Condo for RentHILLCREST Apartments - Fort

St. James - Lg. 1 & 2bdrm suites. Clean and quiet. Adult

oriented,Security system,Strict Management,No Pets

ph# 250-996-7998

Legal Notices Legal Notices

Legal Notices Legal Notices

4 OUT OF 5 PEOPLEWITHDIABETESDIE OFHEARTDISEASE.

Better your odds.Visit getserious.ca

If you see a wildfi re, report it to

1-800-663-5555 or *5555

on most cellular networks.

A12 www.caledoniacourier.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Caledonia Courier

The Fun Page

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20Aries, explore a new way of thinking and keep an open mind. Maintain energy and enthusiasm about a new project. Your energy will inspire others to get moving.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21You may need to get a little pushy to get what you need, Taurus. Don’t overdo it, but don’t hesitate to insert your-self into certain situations this week.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21This is a good week to share your positive thoughts and hopes with others. It’s advantageous to have as many people on your side as you can.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22Cancer, you have many things to do in the coming days, but you can still manage to have fun along the way. Schedule some rest and rejuvenation once the week has passed.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23If you learn something new this week, it very well may be something important, Leo. Stay attuned to the things going on around you, so you know when to act.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22Getting your point across will be dif cult this week, Virgo. Take a patient approach and give others the time to explain their points of view before sharing your own.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23You are still in love with that special someone after all of these years, Libra. Share your good fortune with others and you may inspire some new relationships in the process.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22Scorpio, it may be dif cult to avoid con ict this week, but do your best to smooth over the situation. Try not to escalate any encounters and add fuel to the re.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21Sagittarius, give something frivolous a try this week. You may nd it takes your mind off of other things and restores some of your natural joviality.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20Capricorn, someone is proud of all you have accom-plished. Don’t feel badly about bragging a little about the things you have done. It’s good to also be proud of yourself.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18Aquarius, your generosity knows no bounds this week. All that you do unsel shly will come back in spades. Keep up your charitable efforts.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20Pisces, if things seem a little bit confusing this week, take some time to sit and re ect. The answers will come to you eventually.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYSSEPTEMBER 13Niall Horan, Singer (22)

SEPTEMBER 14Andrew Lincoln, Actor (42)

SEPTEMBER 15Oliver Stone, Director (69)

SEPTEMBER 16Amy Poehler, Comic (44)

SEPTEMBER 17Alexander Ovechkin, Athlete (30)

SEPTEMBER 18Jada Pinkett Smith, Actress (44)

SEPTEMBER 19Jimmy Fallon, TV Host (41)

Horoscopes

Crosswords

Word

ScrambleGuess

Who?

CLUES ACROSS 1. W. Loman’s failed son 5. Largest English dictionary (abbr.) 8. Wanes 12. Lifeless geologic period 14. No (Scottish) 15. Filled chocolate cookie 16. Circular chordophones 18. Short-term memory 19. Any small compartment 20. Poisonous gas 21. Cologne 22. Scaleless shes 23. Ormolu 26. Well-known & respected 30. Man-made river embankment 31. Yearned after something 32. Before 33. Garlic mayonnaise 34. California white oak 39. CNN’s founder Turner 42. Removed contents 44. Frighten 46. Responded 47. “Extant” star 49. Aba ____ Honeymoon 50. Box (abbr.) 51. Reptile leather 56. Norse goddess of old age 57. Drive obliquely, as of a nail 58. Inspire with love 59. Af rm positively

60. European sea eagle 61. Congresswoman Giffords 62. Emit coherent radiation 63. Fall back time 64. Masses of sh eggs CLUES DOWN 1. Leavened rum cake 2. Moslem women’s garment 3. Quilting duo: ____ & Porter 4. S W Paci c state 5. The start of something 6. Edible 7. More coy 8. From 56 to 34 million years ago 9. Small wind 10. Disney heroine 11. Helios 13. Existing at birth but not hereditary 17. Paris river 24. Con ned condition (abbr.) 25. More than charged 26. A major division of geo-logical time 27. Japanese apricot 28. Initial public offering 29. A quantity of no impor-tance 35. Securities market 36. Sharp part of a tool

37. Downwind 38. Doctor of Education 40. Built up 41. Borrowers 42. Stray 43. Country singer Haggard 44. Eurasian marten pelts 45. Fashion magazine Marie ___ 47. Turkish candy 48. Regarding 49. Distribute game cards 52. Princess Anne’s daughter 53. Planned pipeline from Burgas to Vlore 54. An academic gown 55. Removes moisture

Sudoku