the fitzhugh - 2012 08 09

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JASPER’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

www.fi tzhugh.ca | Thursday, August 9, 2012 | FREE

Or is it hitch-hooping? Either way this pair fi gured they would combine

the activities in a bid to boost their chances of catching a ride to Lake

Louise. Julie Jobin (with the hoop) and Connor Pilling (with the sign)

spent Friday night in Jasper and then set up at the corner of Highway 16

and Highway 93 on a sunny Saturday afternoon, looking to eventually

make their way to the Okanagan. ROBSON FLETCHER PHOTO

HULA-HIKING:

2 the fi tzhugh, JASPER, AB THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

By NICOLE VEERMANReporter/Photographer

Tammy Tervoort has three-year-old birthday presents sitting in her closet, waiting for the day her baby brother comes home. With them, are some of his belongings. Things she just can’t get rid of.

“It’s all stored here because I just didn’t want him to come home and think that we’d forgotten him, because we never have,” she said. “If you get rid of his stuff, it’s like you’re getting rid of him. We’re not ready for that.”

Devon Brock Moldowan, Tervoort’s youngest brother, disappeared from Jasper three years, one month and 26 days ago. He was last seen June 14, 2009 near the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre. But the person who saw him didn’t know that the day before Moldowan had gone missing, leaving his Jasper home without telling his

girlfriend where he was going.When Moldowan left, the then 25-year-

old had no car, bank cards or identification. He was wearing baggy black pants with yellow and orange stitching, a grey zip-up hoody and a pair of black skate shoes.

He was also clean-shaven, despite having proudly worn a beard since his teenage years.

The last tip Tervoort received about her brother came two years ago, but it was never verified. Since then, there has been no word of her brother’s whereabouts.

“I sometimes wonder if the longer it goes, the harder it is for him to come back home, if he is out there,” she said. “The fact that a body hasn’t been found, keeps giving us hope that he’s out there.”

With that hope in mind, Tervoort has revived the search for her brother.

Beginning Aug. 11, she and her two siblings are going on a poster campaign

from Vancouver back to Stonewall, Man. – the family’s hometown.

“My siblings and I decided we wanted to do this, just to get the picture out there, whether it’s for other people to see him or whether it’s for him to see that we’re still looking for him. Three years or not, we still want him to come back home,” she said. “We miss him.”

At the time of Moldowan’s disappearance, he had only been in Jasper a couple of months.

He and his girlfriend had moved to town from Winnipeg, Man. and planned to work in the park for the summer.

But things weren’t going as planned. Moldowan’s girlfriend found a job, but he didn’t.

“Devon had some temporary work for a few days and a job lined up to start some place in the second or third week of July,” Moldowan’s father, Larry Moldowan, told the Fitzhugh in 2009. “What went through his mind, I don’t know. (But) I know he was down because he hadn’t found a job yet and that gets you thinking in all kind of directions that you ordinarily wouldn’t think.”

About an hour after Moldowan went missing, he posted an ominous status update on his Facebook wall. He wrote, “Devon Brock Moldowan doesn’t get it, probably never will. Sorry, everyone, more than I can ever say. Onward to space adventures.”

For 47-year-old Tervoor t, who was pregnant with her own daughter when her mom was pregnant with Devon, it’s hard to say what those words mean.

“Devon was very much a free spirit. He was the kind of person that loved art and

music and things like that, so sometimes you had to wonder whether he was doing things just because he liked the words or if there was a deeper meaning behind it.”

Today, Moldowan would be 28 years old.When he went missing, he was described

as six feet tall, with an average build, blue eyes and long, wavy reddish/brown hair.

A nyone with in for mat ion on the whereabouts of Moldowan is asked to contact the Jasper RCMP at 780-852-4421 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or the local RCMP in your area.

[email protected]

FILE PHOTO

Devon Brock Moldowan went missing from Jasper in 2009. His family continues to search for him and has launched a renewed effort to find any information about his disappearance.

Three years later, family continues to search for missing brother

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 JASPER, AB, the fi tzhugh 3


The Bonhomme Street dog park will close its gates to the public Aug. 24 for construction of the new high school, leaving Jasper without an off-leash dog park for an unknown duration.

Although council approved a motion in April to develop a new park on a parcel of land on Sleepy Hollow Road, development on that site has not yet begun.

And it likely won’t begin for a couple more months, as the municipality waits on Parks Canada for development permits and Kinder Morgan for site approval. (The future dog park is situated on top of Kinder Morgan pipelines.)

“Realistically, (it will take) two months, give or take” to get through the approval process, Don Pickle, infrastructure manager for the municipality, told council on Tuesday.

“We’re literally pressing ahead with it as quickly as we can press ahead with it,” town manager Peter Waterworth told the Fitzhugh last week.

But that’s not good enough for dog owners, many of whom first approached council in February to discuss possible locations for a new off-leash area.

“Council assured us all along there wouldn’t be a lapse,” said Kerry Wing, chair of the Jasper Dog Owners Group. “It’s a big disappointment.”

The estimated cost of developing the new dog park has also tripled, and is now estimated at $60,000.

The original project estimate of $20,000 was provided by retired town manager George Krefting early on in the dog park discussion and was based on much smaller off-leash areas proposed within the town boundary. Although those areas were not selected, through it all, the $20,000 figure remained.

In April, the Sleepy Hollow site, a larger piece of land – nearly two acres – was chosen by council for the new off-leash site. To develop that land, Pickle said about $40,000 will be needed for materials and freight and $20,000 will be needed for labour.

“This is an early warning that the $20,000 that was estimated some considerable time ago is not even going to match the amount of money that’s required for fencing,” Waterworth told council, leaving them gob-smacked, struggling to understand both the new budget and the site plan.

After being questioned on the site layout, which has the dog park stretching more than 280 metres in length and 20 metres in width, Pickle assured council it’s the most cost effective configuration for that site.

“Solely based on keeping this as cheap as possible, that’s the layout that you get. Change the layout, you’re going to increase costs,” he said, noting that there will be costs associated with tree removal and different fencing if the perimeter were adjusted and ended up running beneath nearby power lines.

Administration will present council

with more information on the budget and the site at the Aug. 21 meeting, three days before the current dog park closes.

Wing said she hopes council will also consider a temporary off-leash area, because after the closure, dog owners will have nowhere to let their dogs run free.

“I’d certainly like to see no lapse because I think we’re going to get a lot of people taking their dogs to places where they shouldn’t be. All of a sudden there’s going to be dogs appearing in the school yard and Centennial Park. I can almost guarantee that,” she said.

Council has been discussing where to put a new dog park since January – seven months after Jasperites voted in favour of the municipality swapping the current dog park land with the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division for the site of the current high school.

The dog park will become the site of a new school, set to open in September 2014, serving both Jasper Junior/Senior High School and École Desrochers students.

[email protected]

ROBSON FLETCHER PHOTO

Bruny, an eight-month-old collie/husky/shepherd cross, runs in the dog park on Aug. 3. The park is set to close on Aug. 24 with no replacement yet available, leaving Jasper dog owners and visitors with no public place to legally take their pets off-leash.

Dog park to close Aug. 24 with no replacement ready

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INBRIEFFederal electoral boundaries set to changeTomorrow, Aug. 10, is the deadline to register for public hearings in September regarding the new federal electoral boundaries.

Alberta is set to gain six electoral districts under the proposed boundary changes, due to its increase in population. The province had roughly 3.6 million residents, according to the 2011 census, up from roughly 3 million in 2001.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Alberta is proposing to create one new electoral district in northern Alberta, two in and around Edmonton, two in Calgary and one in southern Alberta.

The commission will hold public hearings next month where Alberta residents can share their views on the proposed changes. To make a presentation at a public hearing, you must provide notice by Aug. 10.

For more information about the process or to send notice of presentation, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca or email [email protected] or call 1-855-747-7232.

Glass particles lead to another beverage recall For the second time in nine months, the province has issued a recall on “Woody’s” brand alcoholic beverages due to glass particles discovered in some of the drinks.

The latest recall, issued Aug. 1, covers Woody’s Sasparilla beverages from lot number BB16/02/14.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission advises consumers not to drink the beverages and to return affected products to the original location of purchase for a refund.

The AGLC is also asking liquor licensees across the province – including liquor stores, bars, pubs, clubs, lounges and restaurants – to remove the products from their inventories and return them to a distributing warehouse.

Woody’s Sasparilla beverages are sold in packages of four 330-mL bottles. The lot number can be found below the neck of each individual bottle.

In November 2011, the AGLC issued a similar recall and warning for all types of Woody’s vodka drinks, also due to glass particles being discovered in some of the product.

For more information about the recall, visit aglc.ca.

NATIONAL PARK NEWS AUGUST 9AUGUST 9DISAPPEARING PLANT REDISCOVERED IN JASPER NATIONAL PARKIn the summer of 2012, park biologists working with an Alberta botanist near the Jasper airfield made an exciting discovery – the tall, beautiful, grey-green bunch grass known as plains rough fescue had made a comeback. This plant is not new to the park, but is infrequently sighted and this was a rare and pleasing find.

Rough fescue is not common these days. Across Western Canada, the fertile black soils of rough fescue grasslands were much sought after for farmland during the settlement of the west. Today, less than five per cent of the original rough fescue grasslands remain.

The plant also provides uniquely nutritious fall and winter forage for grazing animals. Although it emerges early in the spring, it doesn’t do well if grazed at this time of year. Unnaturally high elk populations in the mid-1900s, the era of horse grazing by outfitters, and fire suppression all took their toll on the park’s rough fescue.

Fortunately, these conditions have changed. A healthier predator-prey relationship between wolves and elk now keeps populations in check, and biologists have

confirmed that elk populations have steadily declined to levels more typical for mountain environments since the early 1970s. In addition, since 1985, fire specialists have worked to reintroduce fire to Jasper National Park

Prior to 1985, 70 years of fire suppression had changed Jasper’s landscape. Fires historically occurred as often as every five years. The elimination of this natural disturbance has meant a significant loss of grassland habitat – habitat that is vital for local wildlife. In 1999 and 2001, Parks Canada fire specialists burned over 200 hectares of land in and around the Jasper airfield as part of a prescribed fire program aimed to restore grasslands. With over half the trees successfully burned, sunlight soon reached the ground in new places, stimulating fresh growth in the nutrient rich ash. Fire opened up a forested area where small patches of rough fescue had survived under the tree canopy. The conditions were now right for resurgence.

Following the discovery, park biologists harvested seeds to be used for future grassland rehabilitation. When conditions are right, fire managers plan to re-burn the 1999-2001 area. This will help maintain the restored grassland and rough fescue plugs grown from the harvested seeds will be used to further re-colonize Alberta’s provincial grass.

~ Parks Canada

By ROBSON FLETCHEREditor

Persistently high waters have damaged the popular Fifth Bridge at Maligne Canyon, which remains closed while park officials wait for the water to recede before assessing just how bad the damage is.

A quarter-million visitors explore Maligne Canyon each year, according to Parks Canada, and the bridge forms an integral part of the trail system in the area.

“We need that bridge,” said Loni Klettl of the Jasper Trail Alliance (JTA), a local group of enthusiasts that works with Parks to maintain and improve area trails.

“It’s unbelievably important in the trail system, and it’s one of the busiest day-use areas we have. And of course, in the winter, it’s massive, because that’s where all the canyon tours go in from. That’s the busiest thing next to Marmot Basin.”

After exploring the area recently, Klettl found that the high water in the Maligne River had begun to seriously eat away at the bridge’s physical connection to the shoreline, threatening the structure’s integrity.

“The water is starting go in and behind the concrete footings,” she said.

A longtime Jasper resident who regularly explores the park, Klettl said high waters in the Maligne are not uncommon in the spring but usually by this late in the summer they will have receded.

“What’s different this year is that it’s been going on for so long,” she said. “It’s unbelievable. That’s the problem.

It’s too much water for too long.”Pam Clark, a visitor experience manager with Jasper

National Park, said the extent of the damage to the bridge is not even known as the persistently high water levels have made it too dangerous to do a proper assessment.

“At this stage, our primary concern is to ensure visitor safety, so our priority is to monitor areas and post warnings or closures if necessary,” Clark said. “Once the water recedes we will be able to begin assessing our infrastructure and planning next steps from there.”

While the bridge itself and the surrounding area remains closed, there are still options for accessing Maligne Canyon from either above or below.

“Visitors can still access the area by using the downstream Sixth Bridge or the main staging area from the Maligne Canyon teahouse,” Clark said.

Klettl said that might suffice for now, but she worries about what might happen come winter if the bridge is not useable, as it’s essential for the popular canyon walks.

“That’s where all the tourists go,” she said. “And they can’t start from the top and they can’t start from the Sixth Bridge because it’s too long.”

And while it’s still too early to assess the damage, let alone any repair plans, Clark said the Fifth Bridge is a priority for Jasper National Park.

“The Maligne Canyon experience is an important offer that we want to maintain,” she said.

“Plans for the Fifth Bridge will be communicated in a timely manner.”

[email protected]

Fifth Bridge damaged by high water, fate unknown

DEADLINESDEADLINESADVERTISING, ADVERTISING, CLASSIFIEDS & CLASSIFIEDS & COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMUNITY EVENTS FRIDAY AT 5 PMFRIDAY AT 5 PM

LETTERS TO THE EDITORLETTERS TO THE EDITOR MONDAY AT NOONMONDAY AT NOON


Council assured us all along there wouldnʼt be a lapse. Itʼs a big

disappointment.

Kerry Wing, chair of the Jasper Dog Owners Group, on the lack

of a replacement dog park

will be coming to Jasper onwill be coming to Jasper on

August 20th & 21stfrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

U EPISODE 39: CHARLES TAKES A STAND VTh e r e w i l l b e n o h a n g i n g

here today,” shouted Const. Bigumpound. He shook his finger

at the crowd. “What right have you people to sentence this man to death?”

There was a loud hum and mumbling from the railway and dock workers. The four policemen surrounded the accused as Bigumpound removed the noose from around the man’s neck.

Some of the gandy-dancers began pushing forward.

Bigumpound raised the barrel of his rifle. “Stand back!” he yelled. “This man will be judged, but not here on this wharf!”

To appease the crowd he turned to the fellow and said, “You’re under my arrest.” Then he ordered the other officers to lead the prisoner away.

The man’s hands were still bound in front of him as he stepped between two warehouses with his police escort. Bigumpound followed behind and was soon out of sight.

The gathering at Mile 53 started dispersing as soon as the police had galloped off in a freight wagon. Joe and Sam made their way back to the top end of the wharf to where the double canoe had been tied up.

“Where’s our boat?” inquired Sam to a dock worker. Joe and Sam looked up the Fraser River and caught the tail end of the canoe as it ducked in behind a large river scow.

“There they go,” said Joe.“I guess them guys got scared when

they heard about the hanging,” Joe added, as he continued to look around the waterfront. “Hey, Sam, the water sure seems deep here by the wharf. Does it always come up to this level?”

Joe pointed at the river bank. Sam had been in Tête Jaune Cache the

previous year, 1912.“I think the level depends on the

spring run-off. Last year the water was so low that the ‘Conveyor’ and ‘Operator’ had to be dragged over here from the ship building-yard at Mile 51.”

“Yes,” he said. “That was quite the spring last year.”

Sam and Joe were looking around for their boss.

“Now where’s Bates?” said Sam. “I suppose he’s still wondering about the Ruth-Ann.”

The next episode is Sam Looks Back. Both Sam and Joe know they have to let Mr. Bates in on the rest of the story about the loss of the pointer boat. The two men head back to the shipping office.

[email protected]

6 the fi tzhugh, JASPER, AB THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 20096 the fi tzhugh, JASPER, AB THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

Dog park delaysThere’s no pretty way to say this, so we’ll just come out and say it.

Council has really screwed the pooch on the dog park issue.Pardon the vulgar vernacular, but the expression is

just too apt in this case. This file has been mishandled from the start – and it’s far from being finished – and it’s dogs and their owners who will suffer as a result.

It became clear this week that a new off-leash area will not be available once the current – and only – dog park in Jasper closes on Aug. 24 so that construction can begin on the town’s new high school. While the exact date of closure is relatively new information (we just learned about it on Friday from the architect in charge of the school design) it has been well known for a long time that the dog park would shut down sometime this summer.

The precise closure date is actually at the tail end of initial estimates. Earlier this year it was suggested the school construction might have been set to begin as early as May.

But it was known for a fact as early as June 2011, after a majority of Jasper voters cast ballots in support of the land-swap deal between the municipality and the school division, that the current dog park would need to be replaced.

It wasn’t until January 2012, however, that council began to even consider where to put a new off-leash area, initially looking at three possible locations, each coming with its own set of challenges.

By April, council had settled on one site in particular on Sleepy Hollow Road, in spite of objections from many local dog owners who would have preferred a more centrally located dog park. But that was the prerogative of councillors, who voted unanimously to allocate $20,000 to fence and upgrade the site and turn it into Jasper’s new off-leash area, with a “desired completion date” of June 1.

Fast forward to August, and not only is the work incomplete, it hasn’t even begun. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 7, councillors were still debating the precise boundaries of the dog park and where, exactly, the fencing ought to go.

Oh, and did we mention that the price tag has tripled?Yes, town manager Peter Waterworth reported to council

that the $20,000 budget “isn’t even close” to what will actually be needed, as the total cost for fencing materials and labour would actually be more like $60,000. And that, according to infrastructure manager Don Pickle, is if “everything goes right.”

To be fair to these municipal employees, it’s not their fault. They were just the bearers of bad news at the last council meeting. Waterworth is also still relatively new to the position and wasn’t even around when this whole mess started.

It’s council, rather, that bears the responsibility for leaving hundreds of local dog owners and countless visitors who come to town with their dogs without a place to legally take their pets off-leash. The timing is particularly bad given all the recent wolf warnings around town. You can bet there will be more off-leash dogs on Jasper’s trails after Aug. 24, increasing the likelihood of another wolf encounter.

Admittedly, there are a number of complicating factors in finding a replacement dog park in Jasper. With land at such a premium and the involvement of multiple levels of government bureaucracy in any development decision, the process will inevitably be a slow one. But that’s all the more reason for council to have taken quicker, more decisive action in the first place, instead of leaving things until the eleventh hour and then acting surprised when complications crop up.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Waterworth noted he was just bringing these latest dog park issues to councillors’ attention so that they would be aware of them. Council plans to actually make a further decision about how to proceed at its next meeting, Aug. 21. In the meantime, Waterworth said: “I think there has to be a realistic discussion with council” about this issue.

He’s right. But that should have happened a year [email protected]

FITZHUGH.CA question of the week... When do you think a new off-leash park will open in Jasper?

September? / October? / November? / December? / 2013 or later?Go to www.fi tzhugh.ca to cast your vote. Results will be published in next weekʼs Fitzhugh.

E

PUBLISHER: Karen Youngpublisher@fi tzhugh.ca

EDITOR: Robson Fletchereditor@fi tzhugh.ca

REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicole Veermanreporter@fi tzhugh.ca

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Melissa Morrisproduction@fi tzhugh.ca

ADVERTISING: Jan Schneideradvertising@fi tzhugh.ca

CORRECTIONS:CORRECTIONS: All stories are checked for accuracy, but a newspaper All stories are checked for accuracy, but a newspaper is a human endeavour and although we strive for perfection, we make no is a human endeavour and although we strive for perfection, we make no

claim to it. Any error will be corrected in the next edition of the paper.claim to it. Any error will be corrected in the next edition of the paper.

CONTACT US:CONTACT US: PO Box 428, 626 Connaught Drive, Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0 PO Box 428, 626 Connaught Drive, Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0

PHONE:PHONE: 1.780.852.4888; 1.780.852.4888; FAX:FAX: 1.780.852.4858 1.780.852.4858VOLUME 7, ISSUE 41

2961

Dear Editor,

As we are heading fast towards the cold seasons, I would like to bring forward something that has been trotting in my mind for some time now. As new Jasperites, we have had the great fortune of using the trails for many diverse reasons. The trails are not only amazing here but surreal because we have a lot of well maintained trails that we can use as dog walkers, bikers, hikers and horse riders.

So, as for my trotting thoughts, these trails are used by the horses by individual users and for hire, which you will not see in many towns across Canada (amazing!). With the trails being a bit muddy in these last few weeks, the horses have left their fair bit of dents in the soil, which makes it a bit harder on our derrière when riding, which might be considered a

whole new work out regime! Amen, for nice derrières!The other thing they leave is some smelly brown

items, that we all love to hate, because who doesn’t like to visit farms, but who likes to step or bike in it? As a previous dog owner and current dog walker for friends, I am one of those who knows that walking a dog has its misfortunes of having to pick up what they leave behind.

This being said, I strongly believe that the riders and owners of these lovely horses need to do their duty of – what all us dog lovers know is part of our responsibility when owning a dog – picking it up! Or, as my Google search discovered, using a “bun-bag” (horses diapers!) could prevent our trails from becoming a public horse washroom.

Julie Des BecquetsJasper, Alta.

Horse owners should pick up after their animals, too

JASPER’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

Jasperʼs independent newspaper is published every Thursday by the Aberdeen Publishing Limited Partnership.

The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is prohibited except with the permission of the publisher.

Last weekʼs results: Do you think it is reasonable for the suspect in the Jasperʼs fi rst murder case in decades to remain free on $5,000 bail until his preliminary hearing next spring? No 78.1% (25) Yes 21.9% (7)

OUR LETTERS POLICY: The Fitzhugh welcomes complaints, praise, damnation and any other form of response to what you read in our newspaper. Diverse and varied opinions are welcome. Letters can be submitted by email, fax, snail mail or in person to our offi ces at 626 Connaught Drive. The Fitzhugh reserves the right to accept or refuse any or all material submitted for publication and maintains the right to exercise discretion in these matters. The Fitzhugh reserves the right to edit all submissions for libel, length, content and style. Please limit letters to 400 words. Letters must include your name and phone number or email, for verifi cation purposes. WE DO NOT PUBLISH ANONYMOUS LETTERS NOR DO WE PUBLISH LETTERS OF THANKS, GRATITUDE OR CONGRATULATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS AS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Lewis Swift was born in 1854 in Ohio and made his way to the Athabasca Valley region in the 1890s settling at the old Jasper House fur trade post. Swift married Suzette Chalifoux in Edmonton and applied to the Dominion government for a homestead patent in the shadow of the Palisades. There they raised a family and kept cows, chickens and grew a variety of crops. When Jasper became a forest park in 1907 the government wanted to buy Swiftʼs homestead but Swift refused. He maintained ownership of his property until 1935 when he sold the ranch to Mr. A.C. Wilby for $8,000. The Swifts then moved into town and bought a house in the 200-block of Patricia Street. Lewis Swift died in 1940 and Suzette six years later.

History at a Glance is brought to you by the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives.Online: www.jaspermuseum.org / Twitter: @jaspermuseum


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In the wake of the recent drowning at Pyramid Lake and several cliff-jumping injuries at Horseshoe Lake, Parks Canada is taking a new approach in reminding the public to carefully assess the risks associated with outdoor recreational activities.

“When I think back to the rescues I’ve been involved with, the ones that stick out in my mind are when people were unaware of the risk they were engaging,” said Max Darrah, a visitor safety specialist with Jasper National Park.

That message isn’t a new one, but to help get it across, Parks has released a new video aimed specifically at would-be cliff jumpers enticed by amateur videos of the popular activity posted online.

“A lot of people are hearing about Horseshoe Lake and becoming interested or inspired to jump off the cliffs through things like YouTube or social media,” said Darrah, who helped produce the video.

Designed to look – initially, at least – like the many amateur videos of cliff jumping that can be found online, the Parks video features a group of people encouraging a reluctant friend to leap off a cliff that he is clearly uncomfortable with.

“It’s so high,” says the man, played by Jasper resident Sam Heine. “I don’t know, guys. I really don’t know.”

“Have a beer first, then do it,” one of his friends suggests.Shortly after, the man jumps, and hurts himself on

impact. The video then features something that you don’t typically see in amateur footage online – the rescue effort following a serious injury.

“We just wanted to try and illustrate the consequences after the decision,” Darrah said.

In this case, a training exercise was filmed, but the effort closely mirrored two recent rescues undertaken for real at Horseshoe Lake. Two women suffered injuries – one to the head, the other to the spine – while cliff-jumping on July 6 and needed to be rescued by Parks staff.

A third man also suffered serious injuries while cliff-jumping in July, Darrah said, but his group of friends executed a self-rescue. The man ended up in hospital in Edmonton.

The incidents prompted some calls in Edmonton news media to ban cliff jumping at Horseshoe Lake, but Darrah said that is neither Parks’ goal nor something that is even feasible.

He said Parks wants to encourage people to enjoy the “fun activities” available throughout Jasper, all of which come with some degree of risk. The key, he said, is recognizing and managing those risks, and realizing that particular activities take certain skill sets that come with practice.

“I really think that engaging appropriate risk – or ‘surfing’ that risk – is one of the great things to do in the mountains,” he said. “I think what sometimes people fail to appreciate is the hundreds or sometimes thousands of hours that people put in to make some of these high-risk activities seem simple.”

That’s a key message in the video, which reminds novice cliff jumpers to start with the smaller drops at Horseshoe Lake before working their way up to the larger jumps.

“All outdoor activities take practice,” the video states. “The higher the cliff, the higher the risk.”

Even less “extreme” activities come with risk, Darrah noted.For example, a 50-year-old man drowned on July 29 at

Pyramid Lake after taking off his lifejacket and jumping from a paddleboat to go for a swim. That incident is still under investigation.

In many cases, Darrah said visitors aren’t familiar with just how cold the water in Jasper’s lakes and rivers can be. The low temperatures can catch people by surprise and quickly affect a swimmer’s breathing and motor control.

Darrah noted there are Parks professionals available to answer questions about various outdoor activities. All you need to do is call any Parks number or drop by the Visitor Information Centre and ask to speak to a visitor safety specialist.

And if you ever run into trouble, Darrah said “don’t be afraid to call 911” and ask for help.

“We maintain a professional rescue service here and we’re

more than happy to come out and assist visitors and locals alike.”You will not be charged a fee to be rescued within the

national park, Darrah noted.The cliff-jumping video can be found by searching

YouTube for “Cliff Jumping Safety” or by visiting youtube.com/user/ParksCanadaAgency.

[email protected]

NEW CLIFF-JUMPING VIDEO A REMINDER TO ASSESS AND MANAGE RISK

Still image from the cliff-jumping safety video recently released by Parks Canada.


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Motorists travelling on Highway 93 can expect some traffic delays, as construction of the Glacier Discovery Walk has begun at Tangle Ridge.

Intermittent travel delays will take place between Tuesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to a Brewster Travel Canada project update. The delays, which the company says will be kept to a minimum during peak travel times, should last 20 minutes or less.

Travellers hoping to stop at the existing parking area to take in the sights are out of luck, as the overlooks at Tangle Ridge have been fenced off for use by designated machinery and equipment.

The fenced-off area spans 500 metres along Highway 93.Construction of the controversial, 400-metre interpretive

boardwalk is expected to take two years.Once it is completed, the parking lot at the Tangle Ridge

viewpoint will remain closed to vehicles, who will instead have to take a free bus ride to the site from the Icefield Centre, located about six kilometres to the south.

If visitors choose, they can then pay an admission fee of between $15 an $29 to take an interpretive tour on the

Discovery Walk. If not, they can stand at a public viewpoint at no charge.

Since the suspended glass walkway was first proposed by Brewster Travel Canada last year, there has been push back from environmentalists who see the project as privatizing a piece of Jasper National Park, while also jeopardizing the park’s ecological integrity.

Despite those concerns and thousands of names on an online petition opposing the project, the federal government approved the glass-floored observation deck in February.

For weekly project updates, including scheduled travel delays, visit www.glacierdiscoverywalk.ca.

~ Fitzhugh staff

Discovery Walk construction begins at Tangle Ridge

Above: The south end of the construction zone, as seen on Aug. 4 (Robson Fletcher photo). Right: The fenced-off area for construction of the Glacier Discovery Walk spans 500 metres along Highway 93 (submitted photo).



A group of young paddlers from Jasper returned last week from the Alberta Summer Games in Lethbridge with new friends and some additional experience in unfamiliar disciplines.

While experienced riding the alpine rivers close to home, the members of Jasper’s canoe/kayak contingent have had less opportunity to practise the types of events held at the Summer Games, namely slalom, kayak polo, and wildwater racing.

“It’s not wild at all,” 11-year-old Hope Deagle said of the latter event, at least when it came to the course they rode in the host city on the Prairies.

“It goes down like this all the way,” added fellow kayaker Thea Catto, also 11, as she demonstrated the river’s pitch with her hand, moving it in a slightly descending, almost horizontal motion.

Tyler Lausen, 14, turned in his best performance in the slalom event, which he said is “kind of like” riding the fast-moving waters of the mountain rivers he’s used to.

With more practice on a slalom course, he figured he could excel in the event but he said it’s difficult without a nearby facility dedicated to it.

Slalom kayaking and canoeing are events featured in the Olympics, where paddlers have to navigate a whitewater course – usually an artificial, man-made waterway – and make their way through a series of gates – some upstream, some downstream – as quickly as possible.

“It’s very exciting because the Olympics are on right now so Thea is very keen and she’s been watching,” said Sue Catto, who chaperoned the Jasper kids at the Alberta Summer Games.

The Jasper team did manage to win two of their games in the polo event while competing in Lethbridge, Sue noted.

Despite not medalling in any of the events, Lausen said the Summer Games were a great learning experience and also an opportunity to meet and make friends with other paddlers from around the province.

In addition to Deagle, Catto and Lausen, four other Jasper paddlers competed in Lethbridge July 26-29: Bentley Fawcett, David Broemeling, Liam Fengler-Wood and Reed Eady.

The local paddlers said they are now looking forward to provincials in early September, where events will take place on a more familiar waterway: the Kananaskis River.

“I went there earlier this year. It’s really fun,” said Lausen. “I checked out the course. It’s a good river – actual whitewater.”

[email protected]

Jasper paddlers return from Summer Games in Lethbridge



The Jasper H-Core Rockhoppers are looking for bikers to join their team for the MS Bike Tour in Hinton next month, and their eyes are locked on you.

“You can always be a Rockhopper,” said team captain Greg Van Tighem. “You don’t have to be intimidated by the fact that maybe you don’t mountain bike every week.

“There’s people that have been on our team that don’t even mountain bike. They just rent a bike the day before and away they go, and there’s also people that have been competitive bike racers and they go out there and they’re challenged.”

The only requirement of all team members is a “minimal amount of fundraising,” said Van Tighem.

There is nothing minimal about the dollars raised by the Rockhoppers each year, however. In the last eight tours, the Rockhoppers have been the top fundraising team seven times and Van Tighem has been the second top individual fundraiser nearly every year.

“There’s always one guy that beats me,” said Van Tighem with a smirk. “He’s a heart surgeon. I think I’ve been second behind

him for five years, and I don’t think I’ll ever beat him because he’s way more connected than me. But that’s OK, it’s good, fun competition for a good cause.”

In 2011, Van Tighem raised $34,000 and the Rockhoppers raised about $50,000 in total.

Darrel Gregory of the MS Society said those are funds that greatly help both MS research in the country and services to people living in the West Yellowhead region.

“The bike tour is extremely important. If the bike tour wasn’t in Hinton, we wouldn’t even be able to offer services there,” he said, noting that funds raised by the bike tour have allowed the MS Society to hire

a co-ordinator to service the entire West Yellowhead region.

“We’re quite proud of the fact that two or three years ago we actually hired somebody in Hinton. We have a client co-ordinator there who offers support programs and provides other services for people in the area with MS.”

MS, or multiple sclerosis, is a disease of the central nervous system with unpredictable symptoms that vary from person to person. Some of the symptoms include dizziness, depression, dry mouth, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, numbness, tingling, spasms and tremors.

Fifteen years ago there were no treatments for MS, but today there are seven – five of which are covered under Alberta Healthcare.

“We are making progress,” said Gregory, noting that half of the funds from the bike tour go toward MS research.

The society’s goal for this year’s Hinton

MS Bike Tour is to raise $400,000.To help the society and the Jasper H-Core

Rockhoppers reach that goal, visit www.mssociety.ca/msbiketours and sponsor a member of the Jasper team. Or, visit one of three barbecues organized by the Rockhoppers during the Jasper Heritage Rodeo this week; order a Teen Burger from A&W on Aug. 23 ($1 from each sold will be donated to the MS Society), or attend the Carol Hill Pub Night and auction at the Jasper Brewing Company on Aug. 24 beginning at 8 p.m.

Currently, the Rockhoppers team are second overall in fundraising, with $12,585 raised so far. Ahead of them, with $13,042 raised, is a team called A Few Spokes Short.

The Hinton MS Bike Tour takes place Sept. 8 and 9. If you want to help out, but you don’t want to ride, contact Van Tighem at [email protected] to volunteer.

[email protected]

Rockhoppers doing some ‘H-Core’ fundraising for MS research

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Twenty-five Jasperites gathered last week to discuss the future of social services in the province.

The exercise, funded by the provincial government, was part of an Alberta-wide campaign to gather community input for a framework that will provide direction for the province’s future social policies and programs that deal with things like childcare, employment, housing, and poverty.

Leading the discussion was Kath leen Waxer, d i rec tor of community and family services for the municipality. She told the group that choosing to provide input isn’t a choice to be taken lightly.

“(The social policy framework) will influence the work that we do and the programs and policies that affect our families and our communities.

“It’s like choosing to vote or not to vote. If you don’t provide input, you have no right to complain,” she said.

The group’s first task was to list off the words they would include in a social policy vision statement. Some of the words mentioned were accessible, equitable, respectful, collaborative, transparent, inclusive and sustainable.

Following the exercise, Waxer read the draft vision written by the provincial government: “Alberta is one of the finest places in the world to live, work and raise a family because all Albertans have the opportunity to engage in our economic, social and cultural life.”

Waxer then asked the group what they thought.“That’s not my vision,” said outreach worker Lynda Shore. “I would certainly take out that whole first sentence. Oh!

I guess that’s the whole thing, right?” she said, arousing laughter from the group. “I’d start again.”

Many agreed that it wasn’t quite perfect and that the

words weren’t as aggressive as they had hoped.One suggestion was rather than saying “Albertans have

the opportunity to”, it should say, “Albertans are encouraged and supported to engage in our economic, social and cultural life.”

Cathy Jenkins, manager of municipal and realty services for Parks Canada, also noted that by adding the words, “raise a family” the vision excludes a large number of Albertans.

“What about people who aren’t raising families? What about seniors?” she asked. “I find it not to be inclusive.”

It was also noted that Alberta doesn’t need to be the finest or the best. It just needs to be good at providing equal opportunities for all of its citizens.

“Perhaps instead of the finest, it should be the fairest place to live and the most just place to live,” suggested community outreach worker Patrick Mooney. “Maybe the province that’s starting to close the great divide where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.”

Along with the vision, the group also discussed what the government is doing well and what needs to be improved.

Waxer started the group off with what she sees as a success.“Over the last few years we’ve seen significantly

improved access and more supported childcare services in the province,” she said.

Cristin Murphy, childcare services manager for the municipality, agreed, and noted that the province-wide accreditation program for early learning and care services has also been a great success.

Angie Thom, children and teen programmer at the

Jasper Municipal Library, also pointed out that Alberta is “the only province that’s put money into libraries.”

The group was able to list off half a dozen or so positives and then turned to what could be improved, creating a list that could fill a loose-leaf piece of paper.

One strategy, that was received with head nods and audible agreement, was to increase funding cycles to three to five years, so that organizations aren’t approaching the

government for funding every year.“It’s a set up for failure,” said

one person, of evaluating a program after a year. “It’s a misuse of time and energy.”

Also a waste of time, the group agreed, is writing funding requests

and reports for numerous government departments, rather than writing one thorough report that covers all the bases.

“One global report that talks about the work that’s been achieved would free up time to do more good work, instead of chopping your work into tiny pieces just for the reporting process,” said Waxer, who said she’s been writing about 20 reports a year for the past 20 years.

Another suggestion was that there needs to be a greater value put on “the work of caring.”

“How can we say we value children or seniors or whatever when the people who care for them are being paid so low?” asked Shore.

To join the social policy discussion, visit www.socialpolicy.alberta.ca. The provincial government will be collecting public feedback for the draft framework until Aug. 30.

According to the website, the draft will then be available online between September and November, giving people a second chance to provide input.

The final framework will be complete by the end of the year.

[email protected]

Jasper residents offer perspectives on social policy

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Canon GL2 MiniDV Camera with 2 batteries, charger, AC adapter, Cables (Firewire, USB, s-Video) Linc Remote, Wireless Remote, P Filter with Hood, ND Filter, Polorizer, Haze. Plus lots of new Sony tapes, head cleaner and mini DV Rewind Deck. $1,400. Call 780-852-8515.

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Looking for room mate, fully furnished room $600/month. Call 780-883-0480.

JASPER CLASSIFIEDSANNOUNCEMENT FOR RENT FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE SHARED ACCOMMODATION


Jasper Reuse-it Centre 29 Stan Wright Drive, 780-852-3334. NEW Hours of OperationTues. 2 - 7pm; Wed. 2 - 7pm; Thurs. 2 - 7pm. Closed Fri.- Mon.

Jasper Local Food For information on the Community Garden, Garden Share and Farmerʼs Market programs, please contact: [email protected] or Box 1598.

Toastmasters Wednesdays at 7pm - CN Station, Parks Canada Lower Boardroom. For more info email: [email protected]

Jasper Food BankHelp is available from the Jasper Food Bank Thurs nights. Drop in at St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church at the corner of Miette and Geikie St. Families 6pm and individuals 7pm. Call 780-852-8800 for more info.

Town Council Meetings Meetings on the fi rst and third Tuesday of each month at 1:30pm in the meeting room on the second fl oor of the EMS building.

Royal Canadian Legion401 Geikie St. Open Tues. to Sat. at 4pm. Children welcome until 8pm. Cash, meat draws, pull tickets and chasing the queen at 5:30pm Wednesdays. Free shuffl e board available. 780-852-3740.

Parent Link CentreNow open at 627 Patricia Street.

Habitat for the Arts 631 Patricia St., Open Tues. - Sat. 12 to 5pm. 780-852-4747.

Jasper Municipal LibraryToddler & Preschool Story Time Mondays 10:30am. Summer Reading Programs start Tuesday, July 3rd. For more info 780-852-3652 or [email protected]

Thrift Shop HoursThe Jasper Thrift Shop is open on Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 9pm and Thursdays from 1 to 3pm. Located in the 700 Block on Geikie Street in the United Church basement

HIV West Yellowhead For confi dential HIV/AIDS/HEP C/STI Information, referral and free condoms, drop by our offi ce at 612 Connaught Dr., (upstairs) Mon. to Fri. 10am - 4pm. Info at: www.hivwestyellowhead.com. For 24 hour assistance call 1-800-772-AIDS. For local assistant, call 780-852-5274. Volunteers welcome.

Al-AnonAl-Anon Family Group help friends and families of alcoholics - meetings Friday at 7pm at the hospital in the Cavell room. For more info please call 780-852-4518 or 780-852-4578.

ASK (Advocates for Special Kids) Meetings Tues. 9am at the Community Outreach offi ce.

12 Step Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous - meetings Monday and Saturday at 8pm. Narcotics Anonymous meetings Thursdays at 8pm. All meetings are held at the hospital in the Cavell room. For more information or to talk to someone regarding alcohol, drugs or gambling problems please call 780-852-2909.

L’ACFA régionale de JasperACFA (Association canadienne-française de lʼAlberta) Centre de ressources en français / French Resources Centre. Heures dʼouverture / Business Hours. Ouvert les lundis / Open Monday De 12 h à 18 h / 12 noon to 6pm. Ouvert les mar., merc. et jeu. / Open Tues., Wed., & Thurs De 12 h à 18 h / 12 noon to 6pm. Veuillez noter que nous sommes ferme les jours fériés/ Closed on stat Holiday. Gare de Jasper entrée de Greyhound Jasper Train Station Greyhound entrance. Tel : 780-852-7476 / Phone : 780-852-7476

To List your event it must be

ABSOLUTELY FREE (Fundraisers for Organizations will not be

listed) Submissions are only listed as space

allows and at the Publisher’s Discretion.

COMMUNITY SERVICESCOMMUNITY LISTINGS

Pap Tests: Book your pap test with a female registered nurse. Dates are August 13, & September 10. Call Jasper Community Health Services at 780-852-4759 for an appointment.

Mindfulness Sessions: Mindfulness is a wisdom-based meditation practice that centers around self observation and focuses on the present moment. At these sessions, you will learn about the practice of mindfulness and develop skills to reduce the stress in your life. FREE. Contact Patrick Mooney for more information or to register. 780-852-2100.

Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives•August 21 Ann & John Ogilvy Home - 700 Miette Avenue. All mini outings are free and start at 10:30. We will share information about Jasperʼs historic buildings. Bring a mug and weʼll provide the coffee & goodies!•The perfect rainy day activity: All Aboard! Jasperʼs Railway Centennial at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives. June 9 to Sept. 23, 2012.• Pitch Your Pennies for the Past. The last penny has been produced. Pennies will soon be history-gone the way of the one & two dollar bills. Consider donating the pennies in your penny jar to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum. Bring them down to the Museum or call Sheila Couture at 780-852-4949 and she will come and pick them up.

FOOD COUNTER ATTENDANT FT shiftwork. No exp. req. Duties: serve customers, portion & prepare & wrap; vegetables, meats, sandwiches. Bake bread. Stock refrigerators & supplies. Record food used. Cleaning: stations,

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FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISORFT shiftwork. 2 to 3 years exp. or related College Diploma. Duties: Review & adjust daily sales projections. Prescreen applications. Open & close the restaurant. Supervise, train, delegate shift tasks. Ensure quality standards. Assist in ordering. Record stock used. Responsible for shift cash, till & order accuracy. Serve customers, handle concerns, prepare food, cleaning. $10.00/hour to $13.00/hour, 38+ hrs/wk. 4 positions.

Apply at: Jasper Subway (Kvill Enterprises Ltd.), #626 Connaught Drive, Box 1437,

Jasper, Alberta, T0E1E0 or [email protected]

is now hiring

CIRCULATION DESK CLERK/CLERICALPart time continuous - 20 hrs per week

Starting September 4th, 2012, $15.48-$20.12

Experience working in a library setting is an asset. The successful candidate must possess excellent interpersonal

skills, ability to use Microsoft applications, Internet, Social Media and the skills to assist patrons with these

applications and their mobile devices. Must have excellent

organizational skills as well as the ability to work alone.

Please submit resume and cover letter in person or by email to:Judy Krefting 780-852-3652 or [email protected]

Please submit resume and cover letter in person or by email to:Judy Krefting 780-852-3652 or [email protected]

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Red Fins fi nd success in St. AlbertJasper’s Red Fins Swim Club had another successful meet on July 20 in St. Albert. Here are some of the team members’ results:

Hope Deagle: second in the 100-metre individual medley, third in the 25-metre butterfly, fourth in the 50-metre backstroke and 50-metre freestyle

Keely Ralf: fourth in the 25-metre backstroke, seventh in the 25-metre freestyle, eighth in the 25-metre breaststroke and 50-metre freestyle

Michael Ralf: first in the 25-metre breaststroke, 50-metre breaststroke

and 50-metre freestyle, second in the 50-metre backstroke

Cailyn Sherlow: first in the 25-metre breaststroke and 50-metre backstroke, fourth in the 50-metre freestyle, fifth in the 50-metre breaststroke

Jenna Sillence: second in the 100-metre breaststroke, seventh in the 100-metre freestyle, ninth in the 50-metre freestyle

Jenna Jackson (coach): first in the 50-metre freestyle and 50-metre breaststroke, second in the 100-metre freestyle

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I have never been interested in writing sun sign paragraphs when there is little to say. I really can’t bring myself to insult my readers by presenting faked lines as “your horoscope” just because it is expected. I choose instead to write an essay on the big topic of the year.

DEC. 21, 2012

This is the date that has been discussed for four decades as the end of the Mayan calendar. Many have concluded it heralds Armageddon. Indeed, some who are short a few cylinders, may attempt to insure that Armageddon-like episodes occur at that time. I hope not.

I have studied everything I can find about this subject. It goes from the extreme of glorious spirituality somehow raining down upon us to threatening images of water rising, buildings crumbling, and general good versus evil frightening scenarios. For myself, I have arrived at a modified version. Circumstances are likely to be really challenging, especially over the next 3 to 4 years. Those of us who can choose to grow beyond our Egos and accept responsibility for owning and managing our emotions will likely attain a renewed sense of spirituality. I think humanity is being asked to mature, to accept the next stage in human development.

I also studied material that is considered “academically sound” and would like to share some of it with you.

The Mayans were a warring people and the winners were fond of building monuments to their leaders. They were also deeply involved with prophecy and had a complicated system akin to astrology. They were brilliant mathematicians for their era. There is one monument, identified as Number 6, that actually refers to Dec. 21, 2012. Although the monument is in poor condition and broken into three pieces, archaeologists who specialize in the history of the Mayan culture, have translated the message of that monument. It portends the return of a Mayan god of creation and destruction (war), B’olon-Yokte, and recommends that we prepare for this god’s return. Exactly what that preparation should be is not clarified.

The Mayans measured many types of calendar events. The one we reference now is called a b’ak’tun , which is equivalent to 5,125 Mayan years. The particular b’ak’tun we are closing now is the 13th, a number which was of special significance to the Mayans.

The noted end date of the current b’ak’tun is really an estimated calculation. It may have already occurred. The finale of this b’ak’tun has been defined as the point at which the sun crossed the galactic midpoint, as observed from Mesoamerica near the equator. The sun, because of its size, actually appears to cross the center of the Milky Way between 1980 and 2016.[1]. Therefore the specific date of Dec. 21, 2012 may be meaningless. We are, however, somewhere near the end of the 13th b’ak’tun. A decade or two on either side of the exact center doesn’t really matter, particularly when we are talking about a massive change of eras in human culture. The point is that we are, at present, currently in the ball park. And to my mind, this is clearly a significant turning point. The process cannot happen overnight.

There have been hundreds of speculations on this topic, dating from the 1970’s. I think it likely that we of the western world have missed the point altogether. Instead of worrying so over a particular date, maybe we need to become acutely aware of the fact that an entire, well developed civilization can be lost over a short period of 100-150 years. The Mayan demise is considered a mystery, much like the loss of the Anasazi Indians of the US Southwest.

Scholars suggest that the Mayan people exhausted their environment. They were overpopulated, with wars among the tribes and overuse of resources. A climactic change occurred and there was a (proven) 200 year drought, which added to the geopolitical problems.

Think about this. Almost an entire civilization, an amazingly accomplished one at that, fell apart in just 1.5 centuries! That opens the imagination to ponder the generally unthinkable. How long, under the conditions of our own political warring and misuse of resources, would it take for humankind to disappear?

SStargazertargazer

Are you interested in a personal horoscope? Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments.

Website: http//www.horoscopesbyvivian.com

For All Signs: This week is one of those rare occasions in which the immediate cosmic messages are

relatively quiet. I do want to point out that Mercury turns direct early morning on Aug. 8. It is similar

to waking up in the morning. At first it will be slow and dragging, but within a couple of weeks weʼll be perking along at the usual speed. This is especially

good for the signs of Gemini, Virgo, and Leo.

For week: August 8 to 15, 2012

BY VIVIAN CAROL

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Rezno Group Inc. O/A Tim Hortons,

requires (15) NOC: 6641

Food Counter Attendants$11.50/hr, permanent,

full time positions. No experience necessary.

We will provide proper training.

Please apply in person, by mail or fax.

611 Patricia Street, Jasper, AB,

Fax: 780-865-4447 or

email: [email protected]

Rezno Group Inc. O/A Tim Hortons,

requires (3) NOC: 6212

Food Service Supervisors. $13.00/hr, permanent,

full time positions. Experience an asset.

We will provide proper training.

Please apply in person, by mail or fax.

611 Patricia Street, Jasper, AB,

Fax: 780-865-4447 or

email: [email protected]

Now hiring

Sales Associatepart-time

Must be available evenings and weekends.Apply in person with resume.

612 Patricia Street 780-852-5304

is now hiringLINE COOKS LINE COOKS $12 to $14$12 to $14SERVERS SERVERS $9.10 to $10$9.10 to $10

KITCHEN HELPERS KITCHEN HELPERS $11$11All positions are full-time

Accommodation Available.

Apply in person to 109 Miette Avenue, Jasper, Alberta,

by phone 780-852-3111 or by fax 780-852-4880

or by email [email protected]

Jasper Inn& Suites

is currently hiring

• LINE COOK• BREAKFAST COOK

Apply in person or email: [email protected]

98 GEIKIE STREET • 780-852-4461Experience preferred, accommodations provided.

Jasper Inn& Suites

is currently hiring

98 GEIKIE STREET • 780-852-4461

HOUSEKEEPING ROOM ATTENDANTS$10.00 - $12.74/hr DOE. Accommodation Available.

Contact: Melanie Domes-Executive HousekeeperEmail: [email protected]

Seeking dynamic professionals interested in working in a non-profi t organization.

LITERACY & ESSENTIAL SKILLS COACHFull time position starting immediately.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR (TIOW)Full time position starting in September 2012.

Complete job descriptions are available in our offi ce. Please submit

cover letter and resume in person: 631 Patricia St. or by email:

[email protected] For more information, call 780.852.4418 Ext. 3

Funded by


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NOW HIRING: Retail Department Managers. Cabela’s Edmonton retail is seeking experienced Retail Department Managers for both Hardlines and Softlines. To apply, please visit www.cabelas.ca/careers.

EXPERIENCED WATER and Vacuum Haulers required. H2S, PST, First Aid. Above average day rate and cushy benefits plan. Fax 403-934-3487. Email: [email protected].

TJ LOGGING of Whitecourt, Alberta is now accepting resumes for the logging season: Heav y Dut y Hoe, Dozers, Bunchers, Skidders, & Process Operators. Fax resume 780-778-2428.

PORTERS/CLEANERS WANTED. Marquise has multiple cleaning positions in St. Albert! $13./hour. Full benefits! Must complete criminal record check. Send resume to: [email protected]. Fax 1-403-263-5773 or call Melesse 1-780-903-4069.

FIGURE SK ATING COACH needed in Brooks. Minimum Primary Starskate Certified. Coaching all levels f rom PreCanskate to Starskate Private. Valid membership with Skate Canada. Email: [email protected].

LOOKING TO HIRE one Heavy Duty Tech and one Journeyman Welder immediately for a busy truck shop in Sundre. Experience required. Contact Chris 403-638-2262.

SEEKING A CAREER in the C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r business? Post your resume for FREE right where the publishers are looking. Visit: www.awna.com/resumes_add.php.

CERTIFIED MILLWRIGHTS NEEDED for growing northern company. Competitive wages and benefits. Safety tickets necessary. Fax resume to 250-775-6227 or email: [email protected]. Online: www.torqueindustrial.com.

CERTIFIED ELECTRICIANS WANTED for growing northern company. Competitive wages and benefits. Safety tickets needed. Fax 250-775-6227 or email: [email protected]. Apply online: www.torqueindustrial.com.

PERSON REQUIRED for full-time cattle position on Westlock area mixed farm and feedlot. Must have animal health training or appropriate feedlot experience. Farm equipment and computer knowledge is an asset. Fax resume to 780-349-5414 or email to: [email protected].

F U L L-T I M E E Q U I P M E N T OPERATOR needed on mixed farm and feedlot near Westlock. Successful candidate will need to be able to operate most farm equipment and farm trucks. Must have a valid and clean Class 3 drivers licence. Cattle experience an asset. Fax resume and driver abstract to 780-349-5414 or email to: [email protected].

P A R T S & S E R V I C E S Representatives at Jacobson Ford Salmon Arm, BC. We are looking for exciting, customer friendly, dynamic individuals capable of working in a fast paced work environment. Parts and service experience an asset but not necessary. Email resume to: [email protected].

AN ALBERTA CONSTRUCTION Company is hiring dozer and excavator operators. Preference will be given to operators that are experienced in oilfield road and lease construction. Lodging and meals provided. The work is in the vicinity of Edson, Alberta. Alcohol & Drug testing required. Call Contour Construction at 780-723-5051.

BLUE GRASS SOD FARMS requires full-time heavy duty mechanic apprentice. Experience in farm equipment an asset Competitive wage with benefits Reply: [email protected] or fax 403-342-7488.

BLUERIDGE LUMBER INC. looking for a 3rd & 4th Class power engineer to operate thermal liquid heating system. Excellent compensation and benefits. Submit resume to: Box 87, Blue Ridge, AB, T0E 0B0. Email: [email protected].

EXPERIENCED CAT & Hoe O p erator s re quire d f o r oilfield construction with well maintained equipment. Competitive salary & safety tickets required. Fax resume 780-778-2444.

HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.

METAL ROOFING & SIDING. Best prices! 36” Hi-Tensile TUFF-Rib 29ga. Galvalume $.67 sq. ft. Colours $.82 sq. ft. 40 Year Warranty. ALTA-WIDE Builders Supplies 1-888-263-8254.

WWW.3TWENTY.CA. Durable - stackable - transportable. Modular offices and camps. Sales and rentals. Contact Bob 780-233-2719 or [email protected].

PATTEN-POLLITT Performance Horse & Production Sale. Sunday, August 19, 1 p.m. Preview 10 a.m. Sale held - Pollitt Ranch Eckville. More information call Rory 780-388-2139; Shane 403-746-5756. View catalogue online: wwww.northernhorse.com.

LAST CHANCE to save at Craig’s! 1520 SF Moduline homes starting at $99,900. Two great floorplans. Sale ends September 1, 2012! Call us 1-877-380-2266 or check us out at www.craigshomesales.com.

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COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING Certificate Program. GPRC Fairview Campus. Extensive study of beekeeping, queen rearing, and honey business. Pai d wo r k e x p er ience. A f f o r d a b l e o n - c a m p u s residences. Starts January 7, 2013. Call Lin. 1-780-835-6630; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

HAND CRAFTED log homes, log accents and milled log replacement components. M&H Wood Specialties Ltd. 780-459-5700; www.mhwood.com.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

AUCTIONS

AUTO PARTS

LANDSCAPING & GARDENING

MANUFACTURED HOMES

SERVICESCAREER TRAINING

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER TRAINING

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES



FEED & SEED

FOR SALE

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

SERVICES TRAVEL

MISCELLANEOUS

REGIONAL CLASSIFIEDS

LAST WORD - A FEW FINAL WORDSBy ROBSON FLETCHER

Editor

Before I spill the things I mean to hide away

or gouge my eyes with platitudes of sentiment,I’ll drown the urge for

permanence and certainty,crouch down and scrawl my

name with yours in wet cement.

– Sounds Familiar by the Weakerthans

When I arrived in Jasper nearly one year ago, I tried to delineate some clear lines between my public and private life. I tried to keep some things just for myself, but that proved impossible to do, ultimately.

It’s only recently, though, that I’ve realized how futile the effort was.

So I want to be open here, because I think it’s important. It’s probably also a bit easier since this is my last week at the Fitzhugh, and I will be leaving Jasper on Saturday, so in some sense I feel freer to speak candidly. But mostly I’ve realized that I don’t need to hide certain parts of my life any more.

My main goal here is to explain why I’m leaving in the most honest possible terms, and hopefully to convey that none of it has to do with this community or this place, which have been nothing but amazing to me. I know how it can come across in a small town when a newspaper continues to turn over staff, how it can make it seem that the community is somehow not good

enough to keep reporters and editors around, but that’s simply not the case here. If anything, Jasper has been more than I could have ever asked for, and I will explain why in a moment.

In my introductory Last Word last year, I made reference to “family issues” that led me to turn down the editor position with the Fitzhugh initially before a sudden change in circumstance which led me to sheepishly ask if the job was still available. That’s true, but it’s hardly the whole truth.

The more full story is that it was a time of crisis for me and for my young marriage. My father-in-law had been suddenly killed in a car crash, leaving behind a widow and two young sons in Manitoba. My wife, who was incredibly close with her father, was devastated and deeply struggling.

We had decided to leave our home in B.C. for numerous reasons at that time and, as much as I wanted to move to Jasper and work for the Fitzhugh, my wife didn’t want to be here. She wanted to return to Manitoba and help take care of her father’s children, our little brothers.

I agreed, even though I had no firm job prospects in Manitoba at the time. My marriage was my top priority and there was no question that family simply came first in this situation.

The big change came just days after we arrived in Winnipeg. My wife suddenly announced she didn’t want to be with me any more. I was taken by complete surprise, and what ensued was the darkest and most difficult period of my life.

See LAST WORD page 15


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Gorgeous 2200 sq. ft. 1 ½ storey located on ½ acre at Folding Mtn. with triple garage both with matching log facing and 2 X 6 exterior walls. Cathedral ceiling room w/hdwd fl oor. Stunning master bdrm w/ ensuite.

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NEW LISITING NEW LISTING

LAST WORD from page 14

The first 48 hours I spent stunned, barely able to function. Within a week, I had pulled myself together enough to ask for the Fitzhugh job back, pack up my things (again!) and drive back across the Prairies to move to Jasper.

The first six months here were incredibly difficult, personally. I couldn’t make sense of my wife’s behaviour. She wouldn’t quite pull the trigger and end our marriage, and I clung to whatever hope I could of salvaging it. This nearly consumed me and, if it weren’t for my job and this amazing environment, I think it probably would have.

Spending my days with my talented co-workers at the Fitzhugh, engaging with the community and putting together newspapers that we could be truly proud of, gave me a reason to get up each morning. Spending my evenings and weekends exploring what seemed like the never-ending natural wonders of this park gave me a sense of peace that I have always found in the mountains and that I desperately needed at this particular time.

At every other moment, I was locked in the struggle to save my marriage. As it turned out, that struggle had been lost even before it started. If I knew then what I know now, the process would have been much simpler and shorter.

The funny thing is that this all came to a head in March, and by April I had come to accept the situation as best I could. I then scheduled to spend a long weekend in Vancouver with a good friend of mine to get my head right and planned to return to Jasper with a new attitude and a fresh commitment to this place and this job.

It was that weekend I learned the Fitzhugh had been sold.

Since then, as you will have noticed, the newspaper has undergone many changes. These are by necessity. The previous way

of doing business just wasn’t sustainable. That’s a reality that newspapers across the world, regardless of size, regularly face these days.

And while I completely understand the change in direction at the Fitzhugh, it’s just not what I signed on for. I wish the new ownership and my remaining colleagues all the best but, for this complicated blend of personal and professional reasons, the time has come for me to move on.

I have moved to plenty of new places in my life but when I came to Jasper last year, it was the first time that I had arrived in a place where I knew no one. And while it was an unfamiliar place, I truly believe Jasper ended up saving me. This town, this community, and this environment will always hold a special place in my heart for

that reason.The above lyrics are from a Weakerthans

song (more of a poem set to music, really) that helped me through an earlier, difficult period of my life, one that now seems easy by comparison to the past year. Still, from time to time, I listen to that song and remember the strength it gave me then. I know I will look back at Jasper in a similar way.

So now I have spilled the things I meant

before to hide away, hopefully without too many platitudes or overwrought sentiment. Permanence and certainty remain fleeting, but I think those are just illusions anyway.

[email protected]

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writer’s own.

ROBSON FLETCHER PHOTO

My dog, Oota, and I took one last hike over the weekend to Wilcox Pass. We will miss Jasper immensely, but still plan to visit.

griffi [email protected] 16 HINTON

www.griffi thsford.com780-865-3354

Allan Griffi thsGeneral Manager

Sales

Jason Griffi thsPreowned Manager

Sales

Brent WoolseyFleet Manager

Ron MacPhersonSales

Marco PagnottaSales

Ralph UnderwoodSales

Jessi CampbellSales

Tami CoonFinancial Services

Manager

griffithsford@shaw ca www griffithsford com

CONTEST STARTED JULY 3RD. WATCH FOR UPDATES ON FACEBOOK AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GRIFFITHSFORD!

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the fitzhugh - 2012 08 09

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