BIKE LANE PROPOSALPAGE 2

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Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905

MERRITT HERALDmerrittherald.com bcclassified.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS FREE

Its

PRUNING Time WHY SHOULD YOU PRUNE?Serving Merritt with Excellence for over 22 years

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LEARNING THE ROPES Nicola Valley Search and Rescue volunteers Angelina Cavaliere and Curt MacMillan ascend an embankment by the airport with a stretcher during the local search and rescue group’s rope rescue practice on Sunday. Emily Wessel/Herald

Trailer coming down today

The mobile home on Telemon Place where Allan Schoenborn killed his three children in 2008 will be torn down today.

The trailer, which went unoccupied after the murders, fell into disrepair and was the subject of numerous orders to comply with unsightly property and nuisance abate-ment bylaws administered by

the City of Merritt over the years.

In January, Merritt’s city council gave the owner of the property, who lives in the Lower Mainland, a deadline of March 15 to have the dilapidated home removed and the property it sits on restored.

The structure is expected to be demolished by 9:30 a.m.

Hwy 8 wildfi re believed to be human-caused

The Wildfire Management Branch believes a short-lived wildfire 26 kilometres west of Merritt late last week was caused by humans.

Although no specific cause was identified by press time, it’s believed the fire was human-caused because there has been no lightning in the area recently.

Wildland firefighters responded to the seven-hect-are blaze near Highway 8 on Friday afternoon.

Initial attack crews sta-tioned at the Provincial Wildfire Training Centre in Merritt responded and had the blaze contained and extinguished by Saturday.

No structures or infra-structure were threatened by

the fire.Open burns are permitted

in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the Merritt Fire Zone, but the Wildfire Management Branch reminds people to be mindful of burn-ing conditions — including strong wind — which can increase the chances of a wildfire.

“Many areas throughout the Nicola Valley are quite dry, so people need to be in attendance of their fires at all times and burn appropriate to conditions,” fire informa-tion officer Kayla Pepper said.

Wildfires can be reported to the Wildfire Management Branch at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from cellphones.

www.merrittherald.com 2 • TUESDAY, March 31, 2015

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

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Merritt’s city council is taking the idea of cre-ating bike lanes in the downtown seriously.

At its regular meet-ing last Tuesday, council heard from the group Active Transportation Merritt, which asked council to mandate a city staff member to work with them on a plan for human-powered transportation initiatives such as bike lanes.

The group wants a multi-use path that circles Merritt’s down-town.

“We would really like to start giving kids an easy and clear path to

school. We would really like to have commut-ers with a direct route to downtown. It makes it very safe for them,” Lindsay Fehr of Active Transportation Merritt told council.

The bike lanes in the proposed route would link to established multi-use paths and be located along Coldwa-ter Avenue, Granite Avenue, Main Street, Blair Street, Voght Street, Orme Road and Cleasby Street.

“Coldwater [Avenue] is a nice, wide street. It would be easy to paint a bike lane on that road,” Fehr said.

The group doesn’t think the cost to estab-lish these lanes would

be high because it envi-sions the lanes being incorporated into future sewer and waterline replacement projects.

“Even if for the first few years we only have two blocks [of bike lane] here, five blocks there, four blocks down there, they will eventu-ally connect,” Fehr said.

The group would also like to see a bridge across the Nicola River connecting Rotary Park

to Chapman Street.Also on the group’s

wish list are lighted

crosswalks, lower speed limits in the downtown and coloured-in bike lanes around schools, playgrounds and busy roads.

Other long-term goals include a begin-ner level mountain bike path and a developed trail between Merritt and Spences Bridge.

Fehr said the num-

ber 1 reason she’s heard from people as to why they don’t ride their bikes is they don’t think it’s safe.

“And sometimes it isn’t, but if we have this infrastructure, bike ridership will increase,” she suggested.

She said getting started on some of this work could begin as

early as this summer with the development of a plan.

Mayor Neil Menard said council will take her proposal into con-sideration.

Coun. Mike Goetz said he would discuss this initiative with planning and develop-ment manager Sean O’Flaherty.

By Michael PotestioTHE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

Council to consider group’s bike lane proposal

‘‘‘We would really like to start giving kids and easy and clear path to school.’

— ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION MERRITT’S LINDSAY FEHR

Two more seats proposed for next provincial election

New MLAs for Sur-rey and Richmond and adjustments to other electoral boundaries have been proposed before the 2017 provin-cial election in B.C.

The B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commis-sion recommended the changes after studying population data and touring the province last year. If approved, they will bring the number of MLAs in the B.C. legis-lature from 85 to 87.

Boundary shifts in fast-growing Surrey would produce two new constituency names, with Surrey South inserted between the existing Surrey-Clover-dale and Surrey-White Rock seats. The other new seat is Richmond-Queensborough, tak-ing in an area of New Westminster to balance the population of the existing constituencies in the region.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Thomas Melnick said efforts were made to keep “communities of

interest” together, while equalizing the popula-tions of constituencies as much as possible. Even at that, the population of some urban constitu-encies is as much as 60 per cent higher than rural seats, where travel by the elected represen-tative is much more time consuming.

The commission, which is required to review boundaries after every election, is pre-vented from eliminating seats in the Cariboo-Thompson, Columbia-Kootenay and North regions, despite their lower populations.

Other major changes involve shifts in Lan-gley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack boundaries, and including Hope in the Fraser-Nicola con-stituency that extends up to Merritt.

The proposals and maps can be found at the commission’s web-site, www.bc-edc.ca.

Public input on the proposed changes is being accepted until midnight, May 26. Comments can be made through the website, by email to info@bc-ebc.ca or by mail to PO Box 9275, Stn. Prov Govt, Victoria B.C. V8W 9J6.

By Tom FletcherBLACK PRESStfl etcher@blackpress.ca

The proposed new boundaries for the Fraser-Nicola riding include Hope.

www.merrittherald.com TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 • 3

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Follow us on Twitter:twitter.com/MerrittHerald

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Opinion --------------------- 6-7Sports ------------------------ 9Classifi ed ------------------- 10

GOOD MORNING!

From the Herald archives: March 1951

Improvement League makes loan to Tennis Club

At the last meet-ing of the Merritt Civic Improvement League, it decided to make the loan to the Tennis Club that had been proposed and discussed at the two previous meet-ings.

L. E. Morrissey reported that the tennis court had been examined and a list of repairs con-sidered necessary had been compiled. He asked J. McLaws of the Tennis Club to elaborate on these improve-ments. Mr. McLaws reported the neces-sary repairs and improvements would take around $360 as it was thought the courts would have to be gravelled before being surfaced. He also reported the club had purchased the third court.

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Longtime Merritt social worker Ava Dean was recognized for her contributions to the field and her community earlier this month by the Thompson Nicola branch of the BC Association of Social Workers.

The Heart of the Grasslands Award is an annual one based on merit, and nominees are judged on their service to the community.

When Dean’s colleague and Thompson Rivers University social work instructor Michael Crawford phoned her to tell her he’d like to nominate her for the award, she wasn’t convinced.

“I thought I was being punked,” Dean said.

Sure enough, come March 16, Dean was presented with the award at a luncheon to mark Social Work Week at Kamloops’ Alliance Church.

Dean’s 30-plus years in social work began with her decision to try some courses at the University of Victoria in the early 1980s.

At the time, she was a 33-year-old single parent who was looking for better opportunities.

“I was kind of in dead-end jobs, working below the poverty level,” Dean said. “I thought, ‘Gee, I don’t know if I can do it, but I want my kids to have something better.’”

She went to university with the attitude that if she only lasted one year, at least she’d know she tried. As it turned out, university was a good fit.

She settled on a social work major because it was also a good fit, given her values, beliefs and how she was raised, noting her parents were both involved in the communi-ties they lived in.

“They both always had the view that if you give people a helping hand, they can then take care of themselves and that everybody falls on hard times, and it isn’t their fault,” Dean said.

In 1985, Dean completed her bachelor of social work degree and, realizing counselling was her favou-rite aspect of her work in the field, decided to pursue a master’s degree

in social work from the University of British Columbia.

By 1987, Dean had completed her master’s degree coursework and had moved into counselling for peo-ple with mental health challenges, first working in Terrace and then transferring to Kamloops.

In 1989, she completed her the-sis.

All the while, Dean sat on boards and committees related to the social work field, and in 1989 was instrumental in helping establish the Thompson Nicola branch of the BCASW — the very branch which honoured her contributions earlier this month.

Dean said advocating for social work as a profession was an impor-tant part of her professional life.

She helped network and rally support for a social work program at TRU (which was University Col-lege of the Cariboo at the time). This year marks the 25th year for TRU’s social work program.

She worked with probation to get after-hours services for clients, recognizing that many of them deal with several agencies and co-ordi-nating services was a necessity.

In the early 1990s, Dean began a

private counselling practice with her partner Ben Myrick, whom she’d met in UVic’s social work program.

Myrick was also in the midst of a career change from electrical engineering.

Dean said Myrick should have received the award for his support of her pursuits.

“He’s the one that’s dealt with a tired, cranky, grumpy wife or a discouraged wife or a complaining wife,” she said with a laugh.

In the late 1990s, Dean taught courses in the social work program at NVIT and filled in as a depart-ment head while the program was without one.

Between her stints as department head and instructor, she worked full-time at NVIT from 1997 to 2008.

In the summers, she took on crit-ical incident debriefing for wildland firefighters.

Today, Dean is somewhat retired.“About 2013, I said to my hus-

band, ‘I think I’m growing moss on my north side here,’ and so I started looking for places to volunteer,” she said.

She is the board chair for the Merritt Youth and Family Resources

Society and has been volunteering with the Merritt and District Hos-pice Society since last year.

Dean said without plenty of help along the way, she wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all that and more over her career.

“It doesn’t strike me that any individual thing that I’ve done is extraordinary, it’s just that over that 35 years I’ve been involved in the community,” she said.

Dean said what keeps her going in her community work is a belief that everybody has an obligation to give back in whatever capacity they can.

“Even if it’s just once a year, that’s what makes the world go ’round,” she said.

In the tight-knit community of social work, it’s support and self-care that enable the people who do a tough job to keep going, Dean added.

“There is always going to be pov-erty, trouble and people in distress.

“Every social worker who gets up every morning and goes out and does their job and does that bit extra in the community needs to recognize how important that is,” she said.

Social worker honoured for service

Longtime Merritt social worker Ava Dean talks with Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux at the Alliance Church in Kamloops on March 16, when she received the Heart of the Grasslands Award from the BC Association of Social Workers. Photo submitted

By Emily WesselTHE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

4 • TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 www.merrittherald.com

Next council meeting: Tuesday, April 7, 2015Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca

City of Merritt ★ 2185 Voght Street, Box 189Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 ★ Phone: 250-378-4224

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Position:The City of Merritt is inviting applications for the position of a regular full time Engineering Technician.

Current resumes reflecting applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the position and detailing education, qualifications and proof of required licenses/certificates/degrees will be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 10th by:

Carole Fraser,Human Resources Manager

City of MerrittPO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street

Merritt, BC V1K 1B8Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca

For complete details, visit City of Merritt website atwww.merritt.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Position:The City of Merritt is inviting applications for the position of a full time seasonal Summer Student.

Current resumes reflecting applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the position and detailing education, qualifications and proof of required licenses/certificates/degrees will be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 10th by:

Carole Fraser,Human Resources Manager

City of MerrittPO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street

Merritt, BC V1K 1B8Or by email: cfraser@merritt.ca

For complete details, visit City of Merritt website atwww.merritt.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SUMMER STUDENT

INVITATION TO TENDER

MIDDAY VALLEY ROAD STORM WORKSTender Reference No. ENG 2015-02The City of Merritt invites tenders for the construction of approximately:664 metres of storm sewer19 metres of CSP Culvert550 metres of ditch reshaping100 metres of ditching3,540 square metres of pavingAssociated restoration

Tender Closing Time: 2:00 pm local time

Tender Closing Date: April 9, 2015

Tender Closing Location:CITY OF MERRITT2185 VOGHT STREETMERRITT, BC V1K 1B8

All technical inquiries should be directed to:Michael Owen P.EngAssociated Engineering (B.C.) Ltd.610 – 1632 Dickson AvenueKelowna, BC V1Y 7T2Phone : (250) 763-3638 Fax: (250) 763-8880

Contract Documents are available for download at www.BCBID.gov.bc.ca

INVITATION TO TENDER

WIDE AREA MOWERTender Reference No. ENG-2015-04The City of Merritt Public Works Department is accepting proposals for the supply of one Wide Area Mowing Machine.

Tender Closing Time: 2:00 pm local time

Tender Closing Date: Thursday April 9, 2015 at:

Tender Documents can also be found at www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca

Address:CITY OF MERRITT2185 VOGHT STREETMERRITT, BC V1K 1B8

CONTACT PERSON:Shawn Boven, AScTPublic Works ManagerEmail: sboven@merritt.caTel: (250) 378-8626Fax: (250) 378-2600

Please note that the City’s Website address is www.merritt.ca• Tender Document

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY DISPOSITION (LEASE)

Notice is hereby given that the City of Merritt intends to dispose of an interest in land, being the entering into of a lease for the Merritt Tennis Facility, known as a portion of (Lot 2, Plan 29664, District Lot 174, Kamloops Division, PID #006-201-728), with the Merritt Tennis Club for a term of (3) three years commencing on April 14, 2015. The consideration to be received by the City for the proposed Lease is the initial sum of $1.00 plus applicable taxes.

For more information, please contact Larry Plotnikoff, Leisure Services Manager at 250-378-8618 or via e-mail at lplotnikoff@merritt.ca

This notice was given on March 25, 2015 in accordance with Section 94 of the Community Charter.

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS

H&M EXCAVATING LTD. WILL BE DOING UNDERGROUND AND SURFACE ROAD WORKS ON

COLDWATER AVE. AND MAIN ST. STARTING ON

MONDAY MARCH 2NDFOR A DURATION OF 4 MONTHS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE IS TO INFORM YOU OF THE TYPICAL NUISANCES INVOLVED WITH A PROJECT OF THIS TYPE -- MAINLY ACCESS TO YOUR PROPERTY. THE CONSTRUCTION ENTAILS INSTALLATION OF SANITARY SEWER MAINS AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROADWAY ALONG COLDWATER AVE. THE STREET WILL BE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC SOME OF THE TIME, AND THERE WILL BE TIMES THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO YOUR PROPERTY. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO NOTIFY YOU IN ADVANCE AND TO KEEP THESE INTERRUPTIONS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE.

AS WITH ANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THIS SORT, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME DUST, NOISE AND VIBRATION. RESIDENTS WHO BORDER THE PROJECT SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY FRAGILE OR VALUABLE ITEMS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE DAMAGED DUE TO VIBRATION SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN OR SECURED FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND THAT THEY STAY CLEAR OF THE EQUIPMENT.

WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE. HOWEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU BE PATIENT THROUGH THE DURATION OF THIS UPGRADE PROJECT. IF YOU REQUIRE ANY ASSISTANCE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE PHONE OUR SITE SUPERINTENDANT, GEOFF PRESTON, AT 493-4677 (OFFICE) OR 250-809-2405 (CELL).

TUESDAYSAPRIL 7 - JUNE 35:30 - 6:30 PM

Meet @ Civic Centre, Room 2$80

Registration cost covers a 10 wk run program, country run

registraion & t-shirt.

This is an introductory running program for all levels of ability. The course will consist of walk/run intervals with the running times slowly

increasing. The ultimate goal is to run 5km.

10km option is also available, prerequisite must be able to run 5km.

Central Park project almost doneWork is approxi-

mately 95 per cent complete on Phase 1 of the Central Park Improvement Project. Utilities have been laid in place and final hook-ups will be completed

shortly. Once work has been

completed on the utility hookups, completion of deficiencies, landscaping and final concrete pour-ing will take place.

The public is

reminded that the multi-purpose sports box and concession and washroom building are still not available for use as the area is still a con-struction zone.

The city is excited

to be nearing the completion of Phase 1 of the Central Park Improvement Project and is looking for-ward to being able to announce a grand opening date for the

community’s newest sports facility within the next few weeks.

www.merrittherald.com TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 • 5

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Marcel Haller tries not to think about the cancer that he’s been battling for the past four years.

“I don’t want to think about it, just live day-to-day and enjoy family,” he said, wiping away tears from his eyes with the toque he wears as radiation treatment has caused his hair to fall out.

His wife Donelda whispers to him some words of reassurance, telling him it’s alright.

Marcel has stage four melanoma, an incurable form of cancer that can be suppressed and con-tained with treatment.

Over the last few years, Marcel’s had can-cer in his head, neck and lungs, and had to quit his job.

Sometimes his illness creeps into his mind, but Marcel says he tries to ignore those thoughts and just enjoy his life.

His family and friends give him the strength to keep going on, he said.

As he lives day-to-day, Marcel spends a lot of time with Donelda. They’ll visit with family, go for drives from time to time or watch funny movies.

The 64-year-old Merrittonian discovered he had cancer in 2011.

Donelda found a brown spot on the side of Marcel’s head while cutting his hair.

He went to a local doctor who took a sample that was sent away for testing. The test came back malignant.

Over the course of about two months, the cancerous spot grew from the size of a nickel to the size of a loonie by the time it was removed from his scalp by a plas-tic surgeon, Donelda said.

Marcel was given a CT scan and cleared of cancer, but about five months later, he found lumps on his neck.

He went to Van-couver for a PET scan — an imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to look for disease in the body.

After that, doctors in Kelowna called, confirming Marcel had cancer. He had his neck operated on to remove the lumps and received radiation treatment.

Yet another scan determined he was free of cancer again, but soon afterwards, Marcel found a lump in his throat. Numerous tumours would subse-quently be found in his lungs as well.

He was supposed to receive chemotherapy treatment, but started feeling dizzy and sick

before the treatment began.

Donelda feared he was going to die.

“I couldn’t figure out why he was so, so, so sick,” she said.

She brought him to their doctor and Marcel was sent to Kamloops for another scan that dis-covered a seven millime-tre tumour in his brain leading to another bout of radiation treatment.

Over the years, the Hallers have tried not to tell many people of Marcel’s situation in an effort to go about living

their lives as normally as possible.

“We don’t want it to engulf our lives,” Donelda said.

Dealing with the cancer, however, has also taken a toll on them financially.

The cost of travel-ling to other cities for appointments, treat-ments and medications has been withering away the couple’s savings.

“We were not pre-pared for such a heavy cost,” Donelda said.

Donelda still works, but is certain that at

some point she’ll have to take time off to care for Marcel.

Luckily, their friends and family members are always willing to lend a hand, and their support has allowed Donelda to continue working.

Facing high costs to continue treatments out of town, the Hallers took their first shot at hosting a fundraiser last Saturday.

The result was an overwhelming show of support as nearly 300 people came through the doors of the Lower Nicola Band School for a spaghetti dinner, games and prizes.

The family reached their goal of raising $5,000 to help with the financial burden of bat-tling cancer.

As much as the fund-raiser was meant to raise

money, it was also a fam-ily reunion of sorts.

Marcel and Donelda had about 75 family members from around B.C. and Alberta travel to Merritt that weekend.

The Hallers said they had about 15 people at their house at any given time that weekend.

Allan Grunsky had only met his first cousin Marcel a handful of times, but travelled from Edmonton to see him.

“Our family’s like that. We really like to keep in touch,” Grunsky said.

The Hallers have received a lot of support from the community.

“We just can’t believe the generosity and the support that we’ve received, and we even have people we don’t know — we have never met — that are wishing us well and praying for us,” Donelda said.

PREVENT THEFTS FROM YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE

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Advertising: sales@merrittherald.comPublisher: publisher@merrittherald.comEditorial: newsroom@merrittherald.comwww.merrittherald.com

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MERRITT HERALD

Donations desperately needed for spay and neuter services. Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, Account #1193739.

Adopt a Pet

Siam

“Breaking the Chain of Abuse”

Please make an appointment to visitPh: (250) 315-5276

E: gwc.9@hotmail.comView other future best friends @ www.angelsanimalrescue.ca

MERRITT HERALDMMMM

This feature brought to you by...

Ruby ChampRuby is a very friendly girl. She likes all people and other dogs. She is looking for a home to call her own.

Maltese, 5yrs. Siam loves to cuddle and go for car rides. He is a little shy wand would do best in a home with a stay at home family member.

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Community backs local man in cancer battleBy Michael Potestio

THE HERALDreporter@merrittherald.com

Marcel Haller hugs elder Bernice Ball, who was one of about 300 people who flooded into the Lower Nicola Band School on March 21 to show their support as he battles stage four melanoma. Michael Potestio/Herald

Marcel Haller, his wife Donelda and their daughter Angie dished out plenty of spaghetti with all the fixings at their March 21 fundraiser. Michael Potestio/Herald

www.merrittherald.com 6 • TUESDAY, March 31, 2015

The Ministry of Edu-cation in the Northwest Territories is piloting a child development pro-gram that will see 1,600 new parents supplied with iPad minis by the govern-ment.

These high-tech baby bags come loaded with apps and information on child nutrition, develop-mental milestones and safety recalls.

This brainchild is the result of feedback from the territory’s new par-ents, the education minis-ter says.

Today’s new parents don’t want to sit down and read a boring old paper pamphlet on child development — they want an app for that, or so the theory goes.

The obvious benefit to this type of parenting resource is the informa-tion on a website or app can be kept up-to-date and relatively easily refreshed right at parents’ fingertips.

But the obvious criti-cism of the program is it involves $750,000 in public funds for the hard-ware, which will be given away over three years, starting with 100 this

May.The total cost of the

program comes in at over a million dollars, with Chevron Canada closing the gap with a $410,000 contribution.

Critics don’t think cor-porate sponsorship has a place in the basic respon-sibility of a government to help parents access responsible child-rearing information, but the ministry insists Chevron’s involvement in the pro-gram is strictly financial and they won’t influence what type of content the iPads come loaded with.

Oh, and they get a little logo on the back of the iPads, right next to the territorial govern-ment’s logo.

While the how for improving child develop-

ment is currently the sub-ject of much debate, the why is pretty clear.

A three-year study by the government found 38 per cent of N.W.T. five-year-olds are vulnerable in one area of develop-ment compared with a quarter of kids in the rest of Canada.

That number can climb as high as 53 per cent in smaller regions of the N.W.T.

Come kindergarten, more kids in the North-west Territories are developmentally behind than kids in the country’s provinces, the analysis concludes.

Risk factors for devel-opmental delays include lack of sleep and improp-er nutrition.

The iPad program is

aimed at boosting par-ents’ resources to ensure the well-being of their kids.

Any parents who’ve had a baby between April 1, 2014 and March 31 of this year — today — can apply for the program. Qualification for the program is not limited by income or area, either.

The more cynical of the program’s critics say it’s nothing more than an attempt to burn the gov-ernment’s leftover cash before the end of the fis-cal year.

Only time will tell whether this iPad pro-gram turns out to be a big waste of taxpayers’ money or mini instru-ment leading to big payoffs for child develop-ment.

HERALD OPINION

High-speed Internet for all

One of the highlights of the 2015 bud-get unveiled last month was our commitment to bring high-speed Internet con-nectivity to more people in rural and remote areas of B.C.

In fact, our goal is to see every British Columbian, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed Internet by 2021, and we will work with other levels of govern-ment and the private sector to make this happen.

Under our 10-year, $1-billion agreement with Telus, we have already seen bandwidth upgrades in the Fraser-Nicola communities of Clinton, Lytton and Gold Bridge.

We are also continuing to connect B.C.’s First Nations at a steady pace. To date, 184 of B.C.’s 203 First Nations communities now have access to broadband infrastruc-ture and we are working to see all 203 con-nected by the end of fiscal year 2016-17.

In the Merritt area to date, the Upper Nicola, Lower Nicola, Nooaitch and Shack-an First Nations have Internet connectivity.

This is made possible through Pathways to Technology, a $48.8-million federal-provincial project designed specifically to connect First Nations communities to the Internet.

Connecting people in rural and remote areas to high-speed Internet service helps level the playing field with people in urban areas.

What does high-speed Internet access mean to people in rural and remote areas? Not only does it connect families, but it also improves access to educational opportuni-ties and health-care services, creates jobs, and expands markets for businesses – con-necting local firms to domestic, national and global customers.

Our government believes all residents of Fraser-Nicola should be able to share the rich potential for economic, educational and social benefits high-speed Internet access can bring. And rest assured, we are going to make it happen.

New-parent woes? There’s an app for that

2090 GRANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241 FAX (250) 378-6818MERRITT HERALDCopyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. We acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

EditorEmily Wesselnewsroom@

merrittherald.com

PublisherTheresa Arnold

publisher@merrittherald.com

Sports writerIan Webster

sports@merrittherald.com

Office managerKen Coutureclassifieds@

merrittherald.com

ReporterMichael Potestio

reporter@merrittherald.com

Advertising Sales Terresa Rempel

sales2@merrittherald.com

ProductionDan Swedbergproduction2@

merrittherald.com

Emily WesselMerrittMUSINGS

JACKIE TEGARTView from the LEGISLATURE

www.merrittherald.com TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 • 7

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

Letters may be edited for length, taste and clar-ity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@merrittherald.com.

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?HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you support the blockade on

Highway 8?

To vote, go online to

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PREVIOUSQUESTION

Do you think variable speed zones on B.C. highways is a good idea?

YES:86%NO:14%

LETTERS POLICY

YOUR OPINION Speak up

You can comment on any story you read @

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NEW AT THE LIBRARYFiction

C.J. Box EndangeredJ. A. Jance Cold BetrayalDebbie Macomber Last One HomeJames Patterson NYPD Red 3

Junior Books

Joan Holub Grimmtastic GirlsChloe Ryder Princess PoniesCoco Simon Alexis’s Cupcake CupidBrandon Terrell Batman Summer Freeze

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Angelina’s Best Friend DanceNancy Spring Fashion FlingPete the Cat: Cavecat Pete

Dear Editor,

Why did the government allow shipments of biosolids to the Nicola Valley when there is an existing dump in Cache Creek where garbage from the Lower Mainland is shipped, dumped and covered?

Why were residents of the Nicola Valley not consulted before the biosolids deal was done, when people’s health and lives can be affected negatively, along with the environment?

Why are biosolids not shipped to the Cache Creek dump in existence?

Pat O’GradyMerritt

Why not landfi ll biosolids?

One of the more common-ly used terms in Canadian federal politi-cal discussions is the “Ottawa bubble,” which can have a variety of dif-ferent meanings, but typically is used to describe the culture on Parliament Hill that is often very different from what exists in many Canadian com-munities.

From my own perspective, there are two aspects of the Ottawa bub-ble that I find most discomforting. One is the frequent trend to suggest that the views of everyday Canadi-ans are irrelevant and only the views from interest groups and other highly partisan organizations are deserving of consideration in debate.

As an example, frequently I find issues that are reported as being widely opposed in Ottawa are in fact strongly supported by citizens in Okanagan-Coquihalla.

The other ongoing concern I have relative to discussion on Parlia-ment Hill pertains to how your tax dollars are viewed in Ottawa, com-pared to in Okanagan-Coquihalla.

To be clear, as taxpayers, it is your money, taken or otherwise paid to Ottawa from your wages, combined

with various taxes and other user fees you pay, that keep Ottawa running.

The same applies to Victoria at the provincial level and also with your local municipality or regional district with property taxes.

One thing all taxes have in com-mon is that you pay them and the higher the tax, the more you pay, and the less money you will have remaining to provide for your own household expenses, savings or enjoyment.

Conversely, when taxes are cut, you will pay less and some of the money saved from taxes can be spent or saved in whatever manner best meets your personal needs.

I raise this point because in Ottawa, whenever our government announces tax cuts, you will seldom see the paying of less tax reported as a savings for taxpayers. It is frequent-ly, as was the case recently, reported as being a cost.

From the perspective of many in Ottawa who depend upon your tax dollars for operating revenues, less taxes (that create savings to taxpay-ers) is a cost to them.

It could mean fewer staff, less increases in wages or benefits, even the elimination of a program or pos-sibly not the expansion or creation of another.

For this reason, the idea of citi-zens paying less in taxes tends to be

looked down upon in Ottawa by those who earn a living from the payment of your taxes.

Last year the parliamentary bud-get officer released a report on fed-eral tax changes that received little attention. However, the report con-tained some interesting information.

Federal income tax cuts announced by our government have resulted in accumulated savings to Canadians of $17 billion over the past decade.

Likewise, the cut to the GST rate has resulted in accumulated savings of $13 billion over a similar time frame. The same report also found that these tax cuts most benefitted “low-middle income earners (house-holds earning between $12,200 and $23,300), effectively resulting in a four per cent increase in after-tax income.”

Even the lowest income earners in Canada who do not pay some taxes were found to have realized an after-tax gain of 2.2 per cent. Surprisingly, the top 10 per cent of income earn-ers realized a net after-tax gain of just 1.4 per cent.

These findings are in stark con-trast to the narrative that tax cuts only help the wealthy and penalize the poor.

In reality, this report concludes that tax cuts over the past decade have resulted in higher after-tax net

income for all Canadians. This is also consistently why the

overwhelming majority of citizens I hear from in Okanagan-Coquihalla support tax cuts and do not favour higher taxes.

I mention these things because last week, another report from the parliamentary budget officer con-cluded that the recently announced family tax cut by our government will, and I quote directly, “have a net fiscal impact of $2.2 billion in 2015.”

The Ottawa bubble was quick to report this as a $2.2 billion cost to Ottawa. However, for Canadian families, that is $2.2 billion in tax savings that stays in your household budget and will not be spent in the Ottawa bureaucracy.

While some oppose tax cuts and believe citizens should pay more in taxes — whether through pen-sion income-splitting for seniors or income-splitting for families — it is my view that all governments must continue to strive for efficiencies and keep taxation levels affordable for all citizens.

If you would like to share your thoughts with me on this or any other issue, I can be reached at dan.albas@parl.gc.ca or toll-free at 1-800-665-8711.

Dan Albas is the member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla.

Bursting the Ottawa bubble on taxation

DAN ALBASView from the HILL

SETTING IT STRAIGHTIn the March 26 edition of the Merritt Herald in the story Water,

garbage collection rates increasing, the average increase was incorrectly stated.

The actual increase is expected to be $100 per year on average.

www.merrittherald.com 8 • TUESDAY, March 31, 2015

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*No limit on amount of entries. Contest excludes employees and their family members of The Merritt Herald and the City of Merritt. Additional entry ballots are available at participating merchants. Contest runs from March 12-April 23, 2015. Draw Date: April 27, 2015. Prize is as awarded No cash value.

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HERALD SPORTSmerrittherald.com bcclassified.com

Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing sports@merrittherald.com

XploreSportZ camps: helping youngsters fi nd their gameBy Ian WebsterTHE HERALD

sports@merrittherald.com

Now into their fifth year of offering opportu-nities for Merritt young-sters ages five to 16 to try their hand at new and different athletic activities, PacificSport Interior’s XploreSportz camps don’t look to be going away anytime soon.

If anything, their pop-ularity is only growing. This past spring break saw the two most recent XploreSportz offerings ‘sell out’ so to speak, with a full complement of 20 boys and girls taking the week-long camp from March 16 to 20, and another 18 signing up for a special Learn to Dive course at the Nicola Val-ley Aquatic Centre on March 26 and 27.

“The purpose is to allow kids to try as many different sports and recre-ational activities as possi-ble in hopes that they will find something they enjoy and pursue further,” PacificSport Interior co-ordinator Josee Warren said. “We have many kids who think they won’t like a sport, but once they’ve tried it, they do enjoy it and want to do it again.”

Warren is certainly giving youngsters every opportunity to find something they like. The list of sports and leisure time activities that she has incorporated into her single and multi-day camps is impressive — everything from dance to wrestling, speed skating to diving, rugby to circus tricks and water polo to wilderness survival.

Since 2011, Merritt XploreSportz camps have introduced over 35 different sport or recre-ation-related activities to the youth of the area, including yoga, wheel-chair sports, boat safety and firefighter training.

“I believe the camps are having an impact,” Warren said. “I have parents and children continually asking when the next camp is, and what the activities will be. I now have clubs and

coaches coming and asking to be part of the camps, or to work on projects together. They are seeing the importance of XploreSportZ camps in introducing kids to their sport or recreational activity.”

Warren draws upon the surrounding commu-nity extensively in setting up different activities for her ‘campers’ — from employing skilled and qualified instructors to utilizing area facilities and equipment. When neces-sary, she’ll even bring in the expertise from out-of-town.

Sometimes circum-stances have forced War-ren to be quite creative in scheduling her camps. When an unusual short-age of snow at the Kane Valley prevented her youngsters from cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing on February 20, she quickly contacted the Ministry of Lands and Forests and Nicola Valley Search and Rescue and set up two alternative out-door activities that proved to be huge successes.

Forest technician and biologist Jordan Carbery took groups of youngsters on a nature walk through the Kane Valley, familiar-izing each one with vari-ous plant and tree species and discussing the wildlife that inhabited the region. He also introduced his young charges to some of the equipment that he uses in the outdoors as part of his work — from an increment borer for measuring the age of trees to a vertex for calcu-lating a tree’s height.

Carbery thrilled the participants with a won-derful, early-April Fool’s trick. After following some tracks to the site of an animal’s scats (excre-ment),

Carbery invited the children to guess what species of wildlife it might be. After getting responses that ranged from a deer to a cougar and even to a sasquatch (they’re only kids after all), Carbery picked up one of the droppings, ate

it and declared that it was a moose.

After delighting in the horrified look on the faces of his captivated audi-ence, Carbery promptly shared the remainder of the chocolate-covered almonds with his new-found forest friends who couldn’t stop talking about the fast-one that had been pulled on them.

That same day, Jack and Lynne Broekhuizen from NVSAR gave a talk to the youngsters about wilderness safety and survival. The children got to tour one of the rescue group’s mobile units, dis-cuss the do’s and don’ts of getting lost in the woods, and how to deal with an emergency situa-tion. They learned hands-on how to make a bed under the forest canopy, and the many practical uses of a simple plastic bag — as a poncho, a shelter and as a marker.

Warren has many more ideas for future XploreSportZ sessions. The skies are virtually the limit — or maybe not!

“My newest camps are called Learn to Play. These are being offered in partnership with local sports organizations, and provide a more detailed introduction to the sport over several sessions,” Warren said. “If the kids like the sport, then they’re encouraged to join the local organization.”

PacificSport Centres and programs like Xplo-reSportZ are partners in the promotion and edu-cation of the Canadian Sport For Life movement to improve the quality of sport and physical activity in Canada.

For more informa-tion on what the Merritt branch of PacificSport has to offer, and what XploreSportZ camps are in the works, contact Warren at 315-1075 or jwarren@pacificsport.com.

Promotional flyers are also on display at both the Merritt Leisure Department in the Civic Centre and at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre.

www.merrittherald.com 10 • TUESDAY, March 31, 2015

Ar

NOOAITCH INDIAN BAND

Maintenance Worker

A First Nation organization with great economic and administration potential, located in the beautiful Nicola Valley, west of Merritt, has an excellent opportunity for an experienced:

ON CALL MAINTENANCE WORKER Reporting to Manager of Asset Management, the successful candidate will have Provincial Grade 12 or equivalent, valid class 5 drivers’ license, provide a clean criminal record check, be willing to take professional development courses and have the training, skills and abilities to be responsible for: Performing all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the

Nooaitch Indian Band policies, standards and procedures as directed by the Manager of Asset Management.

maintaining confidentiality on all matters relating to the affairs of Nooaitch Indian Band

responsible for the maintenance and repair of Nooaitch Indian Band buildings, grounds, roads, equipment, machinery, vehicles, septic and water systems, emergency systems, and building services, to include light plumbing, electrical, carpentry and mechanical as well as janitorial duties.

This is an on call position, offering a good compensation package along with the opportunity to contribute to the success and growth of a great community. Please forward a current résumé with references to: Arlene Johnston, CAFM, CAPA Band Administrator 2954 Shackelly Road, Merritt, B.C. V1K 1N9 Arlene@nooaitch.com Fax: 250-378-3699

Résumés will be accepted until Friday April 10, 2015

NOOAITCH INDIAN BAND

The Upper Nicola Band is seeking applications to the position of Executive Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:(includes the following, but other duties may be assigned)

Provides general administrative and senior • clerical support to the Senior Executive, the Band Administrator, and Chief & Council.Prepares correspondence, reports and other • documents, maintains a variety of condential labour relations, nancial and other records. Develops and maintains a records management • system. Participates in the planning and implementation of • administrative systems in consultation with senior management. Develops and recommends new and revised ofce procedures and practices.Establish, co-ordinate, update and maintain • administrative policies, manuals and procedures for all departments.Arranges meetings and events with a variety of • participants and coordinates the logistics, including facilities, supplies and catering.Prepare agendas and make arrangements for • committee, board and other meetingsTakes minutes of Chief & Council meetings, • Community Meetings, Annual General Meetings and other meetings as required.Makes travel and accommodation arrangements • for Chief and Council and senior management as required.

Quali cations:(Three) 3 years clerical, administrative support or • secretarial ofce experience or a combination of experience, education, and training.Experience/training in word processing, excel • spreadsheet, and other standard computer applications.Experience in developing and managing a records • management system.Preference may be given to applicants with • receptionist experience in an ofce environment.

Term: Full time, 32 hours a week (includes some evenings)Salary: $19.00-$24.91 an hour

The deadline to receive applications is April 7 at 12 noon.

Submit cover letter and resume to:Senior Executive - Upper Nicola BandBox 3700Merritt, BC V1K 1B8Or Fax: (250) 350-3311 or Email: reception@uppernicola.comInquiries: Tel: 250-350-3342

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Job Posting - EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

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Business ServicesPets & Livestock

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www.merrittherald.com TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 • 11

We are looking for a full time Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to join our team in our Dental office in Merritt (Dentistry@Merritt).

We are well organized, patient oriented, with dedicated staff.

Experience is an asset but willing to train the right candidate.Above average wage along with Medical/Dental benefits.

Please email your resume at dentistrymerritt@yahoo.ca

Dentistry @ Merritt POSITION: FULL TIME

CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT (CDA)

JOB POSTING

SALES CLERK Looking for an outgoing person with a ready smile to work at Quilchena General Store for spring, summer and fall. This is a busy dynamic store open 7 days a week and situated 22 km north of Merritt on Hwy 5A beside the beautiful Quilchena Hotel.

Please send your resume to rbrodie@douglaslake.com or drop it off in person and see where you can be working for the summer!

The Merritt Herald, an award winning twice-weekly newspaper, published in the Nicola Valley, is seeking a full time advertising consultant to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a rewarding career in advertising and marketing. If you are a highly creative individual, with an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced team environment and have good interpersonal and sales skills, a valid drivers licence and reliable vehicle - we would like to meet you. While experience is an asset, it is not a prerequisite.

To apply, please forward your resume with a cover letter to:Theresa Arnold, PublisherMerritt Herald2090 Granite Ave., P.O. Box 9Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8e-mail: publisher@merrittherald.com

Advertising Sales RepresentativeMerritt Herald

MERRITT HERALD

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

Rentals

Homes for Rent4 Bedroom House

W/D,F/S,N/S. $1,300/mth. (250) 378 - 9660

For Rent: 3bedrm, Newly Renovated house, large yard.

$1,000/mth 604-454-4731

Auto Financing

Transportation

Boats

4 OUT OF 5 PEOPLEWITHDIABETESDIE OFHEARTDISEASE.

Better your odds.Visit getserious.ca

WHERE DO YOU TURN

YOUR NEWSPAPER:The link to your community

TO LEARNWHAT’S

ON SALE?

Community Newspapers

We’re at the heart of

things™ 1•800•474•6886CALL AT LEAST TWO FULL WORKING

DAYS BEFORE YOU PLAN TO DIG.

Digging can be a

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if you don’t

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the wires are.

www.merrittherald.com 12 • TUESDAY, March 31, 2015

merrittprinting@telus.netHours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm,

Monday - Friday

Print it right, print it with Merritt Printing 250 378 6808 • 1951 Garcia St.

HAPPY EASTER from Tod, Bill & the Chicks at

250-378-92412676 Nicola Avenue www.marios-towing.com

TF: 1-888-292-1581

HAPPY

EASTERFROM

1301 Nicola Ave., Merritt, BC 250-378-5121

HAPPY EASTER

FROM ALL OF US AT

KENNEDY’S APPLIANCESIN HOME SERVICE

FULL LINE ON PARTSRECONDITIONED APPLIANCES

FULL LINE OF VACUUM BELTS & BAGS

1926 VOGHT ST. 250-378-9600

Wishing Merritt aHAPPY EASTER

from Ron at

Bring in Your Colouring Entry!

MERRITT LIBRARY

Hours: Thursday/Friday/Saturday:

10 am to 5 pmTuesday/Wednesday:

10 am to 8 pmCLOSED Sundays & Mondays 2760 Forksdale Ave. 250-378-1841

Extra Foods MerrittStore Hours

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM / 7 Days a week8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Easter Sunday

FFFrFrFrFrrommmomom

Youurr ooonnenee h hhhoooppp tt tttooo TRTRTRTRTREAEAEAE TSTSTSSTT &&&& & FFF EEAAAE SSTS S

WISHING A

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE

Black’s PharmacyFriendly, professional service, from people who care.

1999 Voght Street (next to the Credit Union)

PO Box 3090, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8250-378-5877

Call Today to Book Your Appointment.

Monday - Friday8 AM - 4:30 PM

STOYOMA DENTAL CLINIC

Vision Quest Optical & GiftsAuthentic Native Art Gallery

Phone: 250-378-2022 2001 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC

BARRETTE’SAVAILABLE

HERE!

BRING YOUR ENTRY TO ONE OF THESE PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS BY APRIL 7thfor your chance to win an easter basket from the MERRITT HERALD ($25 value)Entry Deadline: April 7 @ 4 pm • Open to children under 12

Contestant Name: ______________________________Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________

Contact# ____________________

Easter C0louring contest

Have a chance

to win an EASTER BASKET.

Railyard Mall (Garcia St.) 250-378-5564

HHHOOOUURRRRSS: 8 am - 9 pm

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DEESSERRRT ANNND FLLLORAAAL NEEEEDS!!