Two new physicians at Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver
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October 10, 2019 The Valley Voice 1
Volume 28, Number 20 October 10, 2019 Delivered to every home between Edgewood, Kaslo & South Slocan. Published bi-weekly.
Your independently owned regional community newspaper serving the Arrow Lakes, Slocan & North Kootenay Lake Valleys.
Two new physicians at Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver
by Jan McMurray 10 days per month, and will cover the we encourage patients who are feeling love the beauty and friendliness of BC before settling in Nelson.
The Slocan Community Health clinic and ER during those 10 days. acutely unwell or in a lot of pain to seek New Denver. He received his medical Dr. Burkholder has enjoyed 25 years
Centre in New Denver has two new Patients with booked appointments will emergency care, we caution that using it degree from his hometown of Plovdiv, of practice in Slocan Community Health
physicians as of October 1. Dr. Sean see the physician who is working at the instead of a routine clinic appointment Bulgaria. He immigrated to South Centre and welcomes this opportunity to
Wachtel and Dr. Svet Gueordjev join clinic at the time of their appointment. may be counterproductive.” Africa and worked in the hospitals continue on in this sustainable, shared
long-time New Denver physician Dr. “We’re inviting patients to see any Dr. Wachtel has been coming to of Pretoria University and the South arrangement. He graduated from the
Chuck Burkholder, stabilizing primary of us but at the same time we understand New Denver as a locum for nearly two African National Defence Force for 10 University of Western Ontario in 1988
care and 24/7 emergency services at patients may have a preference, and years now. “I really like the village and years where he developed his interest and completed a family medicine
the centre. we’re totally fine with that,” Dr. I find the patients really appreciative in family practice, emergency medicine residency at Dalhousie University. Soon
The search for doctors had been Wachtel said. “If someone wants to see and the staff is excellent, so I’m very and obstetrics and gynecology. In 2000, after that, he moved to BC with his wife
on since Dr. Mike Magier left the a particular physician, they can request happy to be coming on contract.” He he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he Miranda Hughes and has lived in the
community in summer 2017. that. We each will be in the community says he has a “strong attachment to the immigrated to Canada, working in West Kootenays while they raised their
“Our local communities stepped up for 10 days a month, so patients would Kootenays,” having worked in the ER several small communities in northern four children.
in a big way to help find new physicians have to wait at most a couple of weeks in Nelson for four years and as a locum
to support local health care services. for their preferred physician, but if it’s at various clinics in the area.
We look forward to building on this urgent, they can see whichever one of Dr. Wachtel will be splitting his time
recent success to make sure people in us is at the health centre.” between New Denver and Vancouver,
New Denver and surrounding areas Dr. Wachtel notes that the physician where he has a part-time job doing
have access to the care they need at our on duty will be covering both the clinic research and policy work for the First
health centre,” says New Denver Mayor and the emergency room, “so it’s good Nations Health Authority. He took his
Leonard Casley. that people in the New Denver area family medicine training in the UK,
IH says the three physicians have generally use the ER responsibly – for and a master’s degree in public health
signed an 18-month contract and true emergencies only.” at UBC.
will work under a “shared practice “One of the misconceptions about Dr. Gueordjev has lived in Nelson
model.” Dr. Wachtel explains that the the ER is ‘if you don’t use it, we’ll for almost 17 years and currently works
shared practice model means that each lose it.’ That’s not the case – in fact, it there 10 days per month in obstetrics
physician will be at the centre for about might be counterproductive – so while and gynecology. He and his wife Dr. Svet Gueordjev Dr. Sean Wachtel
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2 NEWS The Valley Voice October 10, 2019
Good turnout to Silverton All Candidates Meeting for South Okanagan-West Kootenay
by Jan McMurray the environment and climate change wealthy people and corporations, has the strongest economy in the G7 Howse said the Green Party
About 80 members of the public are “why I got into politics.” He and offshore tax havens,” he said. nations. would permanently double the
and five of six South Okanagan- said the NDP would set ambitious The NDP plan is to impose a 1% tax She says the Liberal Party has set amount municipalities receive
West Kootenay candidates attended science-based targets in line with on the “super wealthy.” legislated targets along the way to through the Gas Tax Fund, and
the All Candidates Meeting at stabilizing the global temperature Under an NDP government, the carbon neutrality by 2050. They also rename it the Municipal Fund.
the Silverton Memorial Hall on increase at 1.5°C, and achieve voting system would be changed have a plan to ban plastics by 2021. They’d also allocate 1% of GST
September 30. The sixth candidate, those targets through transportation to Mixed Member Proportional Denesiuk points out that personal revenues to housing and municipal
Carolina Hopkins (independent), (electric vehicles), building retrofits, Representation, and a referendum income taxes have decreased under infrastructure. Under the Greens,
registered with Elections Canada and ending all fossil fuel subsidies. would be held after two elections. the Liberals from 22% to 20.5%, the Canada Infrastructure Bank
after we had extended invitations Their clean energy plan would create Cannings said the NDP would and small business taxes have been would offer low-interest loans to
to the candidates. Her biography is 300,000 jobs within the next four increase funding to small rural reduced from 11% to 9%. Also, municipalities for infrastructure
on page 3. years. communities, and would increase the Child Tax Benefit has been projects.
Here’s a summary of how Another of Cannings’ top funding that municipalities can restructured “so that those who need On immigration Howse said,
each candidate answered questions priorities is universal health care. access for climate mitigation. it more get more and those who need “The bulk of humanity is good and
about climate change, taxes, the This means “covering the rest of In response to a question about it less get less,” she said. we need to remove fear mongering.”
price of gasoline, electoral reform, our bodies not currently covered,” removing Canada from the UN Denesiuk said consultation She said Canada needs to bring in 1%
immigration and support for local i.e. teeth, eyes, mental health and global migration pact, Cannings said meetings on electoral reform were of our population in order to simply
governments. pharmacare. “We can implement this is a very reasonable document held throughout Canada and people maintain our numbers. By 2030, 25%
Richard Cannings, NDP, said these programs by going after rich that “tries to regularize the movement could not agree. “So it’s less about of Canadians will be over 65, so we
of people in the world” and “speaks educating people and more about need people to come and take care of
about treating those people like listening to what they want.” our aging population, she said.
human beings.” He said it doesn’t On immigration, Denesiuk said Helena Konanz, Conservative
dictate the number of refugees and people are having 1.3 children on Party, has affordability as her
immigrants Canada must take in. average, “so we don’t have the main campaign message. The
To make sure British Columbians people to do the job. We need health Conservatives would decrease taxes
are paying a fair price for gasoline, care workers. We need doctors here. to make life more affordable for
the NDP would form a commission We’re bringing people in to help us.” Canadians. They would remove
to monitor gas prices. She also said she was frustrated to GST from home heating bills,
Connie Denesiuk, Liberal see “the fear and division.” make parental benefits tax free,
Party, says a strong economy is Denesiuk said she would implement a children’s fitness tax,
needed for social and environmental advocate for the permanent doubling and implement a universal personal
programs and points out that Canada of the gas tax for municipalities, as income tax cut that would save $800-
she has heard from all the mayors $850 on average for everyone.
how important this is. She also said The Conservatives would scrap
the Liberals have spent four times the carbon tax, as it is “an attack on
more on infrastructure than the rural Canada because we all have to
Conservatives did. drive,” she said. The Conservative
Tara Howse, Green Party, solution to climate change is to
has ethics and accountability as make heavy emitters invest in green
her top priorities. The Green Party technology.
wants to reduce the powers of the Konanz said immigration is good
Prime Minister’s Office, strengthen for the country and the people who
the independence of the ethics want to come. “We’re committed to
commission, strengthen the Conflict setting immigration levels consistent
of Interest Act, and put public interest with what is in Canada’s best
over government secrecy. interest. We will safeguard economic
The Green Party’s climate immigration and improve language
mitigation plan would reduce training so they are able to succeed
greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by economically,” she said, adding that
2030 and achieve net zero emissions the Conservative plan prioritizes
by 2050 – and would meet the 1.5°C people facing persecution.
target set by the Intergovernmental Konanz has been a Penticton
Panel on Climate Change. “This City councillor and Regional
can only be done if we all come District director, and has advocated
together,” she said. for infrastructure funding for
On taxes, the Green Party would local governments. “Billions of
commission a review “to understand dollars have been earmarked for
who is paying what and how to infrastructure but very little is getting
mitigate it.” They would also like to municipalities.” As a former
to institute a Guaranteed Annual professional tennis player, she says
Income over time. Affordability she has the energy to fight for the
would also be achieved through projects we need in the riding.
universal pharmacare and daycare. On electoral reform, Konanz
Howse feels strongly about pointed out that Trudeau broke his
electoral reform and said she’d put promise on this, but didn’t say where
forward her own bill to make sure the Conservatives stand on the issue.
this is the last First Past the Post Sean Taylor, People’s Party of
election. The Green Party is behind Canada (PPC) said the PPC has four
her on this, and would educate the pillars: individual freedom, personal
public on electoral reform. continued on page 3
October 10, 2019 The Valley Voice NEWS 3
Good turnout to Silverton All Candidates Meeting for South Okanagan-West Kootenay
continued from page 2 “climate alarmism,” would pull out creating landfill problems and which $100,000, and 25% above $100,000. end official multiculturalism.
responsibility, respect and fairness. of the Paris Accord and cancel the are supported by oil companies. There would be no more corporate Taylor said he’d stand up for
Sovereignty is central to the PPC federal carbon tax. Taylor feels that The PPC would simplify subsidies, no capital gains tax, and no electoral reform “if that’s what you
platform. thermonuclear is the way forward personal taxes: there would be no “boutique tax credits,” Taylor said. want.” He didn’t offer anything on
The PPC doesn’t buy into – not solar and wind, which are tax on the first $15,000, 15% up to The PPC is promising to balance the support for municipal infrastructure.
budget within two years.
SHELLEY BORTNICK,
PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN SISK, ESQ.
Taylor feels the number of
immigrants coming to Canada is “out MSW, RSW
of control.” Statistics Canada reports Individual, couple and
532,000 (1.4% of our population) family therapist
last year. The Liberal proposal is to 25+ years experience
bring in 350,000 immigrants per year Offers counselling services involving
over the next three years. Taylor said, mental health (depression, anxiety,
“It’s a dangerous world. We don’t
etc.), addictions, grief and loss,
have the intelligence apparatus to
trauma and life transition issues.
do this safely,” he said. The PPC
For appointment, please call
is proposing to bring in 150,000
immigrants per year. The PPC would 250-265-3397
Siegfried Henke passed
away suddenly on Sept 19,
2019 at age 80. His colourful
non-conformist personality,
South Okanagan-West Kootenay candidates at the forum in Silverton on September 30: Richard Cannings, NDP; Connie Denesiuk, Liberal; Tara
eccentric yet spiritual na-
Howse, Green; Helena Konanz, Conservative; Sean Taylor, People’s Party of Canada.
ture, and unique sense of
have my basic Notary training, adequately addressed. humour will be missed. Sigi
legal training and experience in I want to see our healthcare was a creative genius and
real estate conveyancing. I opened system get the support it so possessed an artistic talent
my first business in Nelson 1998 desperately needs. I want to see our that was rare. He immigrated
offering research and investigative social programs get support to help to Canada from Germany in
services. I have a strong the vulnerable, the homeless, the 1967, an electronic techni-
environmental background with a addicted or just the single mother cian by trade. He lived his
solid understanding of land and water trying to get her education, find work life in unorthodox fashion and
resource management and related and support her family. I want to see was self taught in many of his skills. Sigi’s favourite pastimes
issues. how much funding is coming into
included painting, playing piano, listening to classical music,
Top priorities this area and I want to see where it
enjoying the outdoors, reading, tinkering/inventing, and
I believe in accountability and is going, and I want to see how it is
spending time with his pets. Left to mourn are daughters
Carolina Hopkins, transparency in government, and spent. I want citizens with concerns to
feel they have an ear and a voice, and Christine & Carol, three grandchildren, relatives in Germany,
independent candidate I believe we should receive good
value for our tax dollars. I believe to know that we as a community care and many friends including locals whose lives he became
for South Okanagan- the environment is important to about each other. I want our children a part of since moving to the Valley in 1998. Donations can
West Kootenay people and we all want our to learn by the positive examples of be made in honour of Sigi to Kootenay Animal Assistance
(Hopkins registered as a candidate waterways and environmentally good citizenship as these children are (KAAP) or BC SPCA in Nelson. “Thank you kindly,” he would
too late to be introduced with the rest sensitive lands protected for future our future leaders and we all need to say! A Celebration of Life is being planned for spring 2020.
of the candidates in our last issue.) generations. I believe that investing set a good example for their sake.
Background in infrastructure is important, not only
I am currently self-employed, because many of our regions need
offering quality due diligence to address crumbling infrastructure,
research, investigations and but primarily because investment
executive and administrative in our communities’ infrastructure
support services. Previously, I creates jobs, which create economic
worked in Aboriginal Employment development, which create a better
& Trades Apprenticeship and at life for our citizens. I believe that
Columbia Power Corporation. I the needs of our seniors are not being
4 NEWS The Valley Voice October 10, 2019
Suspension of Rural Dividend Fund disappointing
by Jan McMurray The Villages of Kaslo and Nakusp important community projects.” industry within the Village,” Mayor government representatives present,
Local governments in BC each applied for $100,000 for signage In the 2018 round of Rural Zeleznik says in his report. including those from communities
reacted swiftly to the news that the projects to further develop tourism in Dividend applications, Nakusp’s The unanimously endorsed affected by mill closures and
Rural Dividend Fund is being re- their communities. application for the Investment Ready UBCM resolution calls on the curtailments, supported this
directed to a new program to support “This will be a blow for our Nakusp project was successful. “With government to “reconsider their resolution. “We all recognize that the
forest workers. At the annual Union community and others,” says Nakusp the financial assistance via a grant decision to reallocate funding from best way to insulate ourselves from
of BC Municipalities Convention Mayor Tom Zeleznik in his report to from the Province through the Rural the Rural Dividend program in order such boom-and-bust situations is to
September 23-27, a resolution was council for the October 15 Nakusp Dividend Fund, we have already to maintain continuous delivery develop diversified economies in all
passed unanimously asking the council meeting. “For a small assembled a Steering Committee of the Rural Dividend program our communities,” she said.
government to reconsider. community like ours, this takes up working to diversify the local while identifying alternative funds “We will, of course, hope that
All 338 Rural Dividend funding much time and effort to put these economy through the identification, to simultaneously deliver supports the Rural Dividend program is
applications submitted in this latest applications in… Rural Dividend planning, and positioning of land for communities impacted by mill reinstituted quickly, and meanwhile
round, including applications for funding is relied upon by many development opportunities to closures and curtailments.” will seek other funding to bridge the
community development projects local governments for many of our promote and deliver housing and Main points out that all local gap left by this current suspension.”
in Nakusp, Kaslo and the Slocan
Valley, are on hold until further Slocan Valley Wildfire Resiliency Program launched at community workshops
notice “in order to support workers by Moe Lyons Valley. When the Springer Creek fire released their Slocan Valley Strategic available for free to everyone at the
and communities in the interior as What can be done to prevent happened in 2007, the reality of a Landscape Level Wildfire Protection Village offices.
they face an unprecedented situation wildfires? Are they inevitable? If they landscape-scale fire right next door Plan. Mortimer also outlined things
in the forestry sector economy,” happen, how will we respond? How meant that fuel management became The plan identifies five types of emergency responders can do: have
says Minister Doug Donaldson can we prepare for fires approaching a Community Forest priority. treatments across 12 landscape-level small firefighting units (pickup trucks
in a September 19 letter to all our communities? On September In 2008 they began the process of fuel managed areas, including thinning with water tanks to put out spot
Rural Dividend Fund applicants. 28 and 29, the Slocan Integral identifying primary treatment areas. the forest from below to reduce fire fires), be prepared to run sprinklers
Donaldson says applications “will Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo) hosted They also rewrote their stocking hazard, mostly near communities. off hydrants, have evacuation plans,
be retained for vetting and funding information sessions on behalf of standards aiming to reduce target This thinning returns the forest to more and have neighbourhood-specific
consideration at a future date.” the Villages of Silverton, Slocan and stocking to 400 stems per hectare in natural conditions. “Due to the fact that plans. Mortimer would like to see one
The Village of Silverton applied New Denver to address these issues the wildland interface, with deciduous for 70 years we were really good at Wildland Urban Interface Fire Officer
to the fund on behalf of the Slocan and more. trees added as a preferred species. suppressing fires, 95% of what we see per fire department.
Valley Economic Development The sessions were part of the Between 2008 and 2013 they got in the forest is not natural. Historically Tom Bradley, SIFCo forestry
Partnership, which includes Slocan Valley Wildfire Resiliency to work. In 2011 a local project – the forest around here would have supervisor, spoke about the Community
Silverton, New Denver, Slocan Program. In the next step of the Kootenay Resilience – came up with looked very different,” Martineau said. Wildfire Protection Plans for the Slocan
and Area H, to support the Slocan program, starting in November, SIFCo climate change predictions for the They hope to treat 1,600 hectares in the Valley that were just released, and that
Valley Economic Development reps will be going door to door in region which informed SIFCo’s work. Slocan Valley by 2021. They also stress have determined that almost all the
Strategy. “This suspension of Slocan, Silverton and New Denver to Out of this, new questions came to the that private land is really important, areas surrounding the municipalities
Rural Dividend funding and re- talk with people about what they need, fore: Was there a way to predict where and citizen engagement is key. have a high to extreme threat rating.
directing it toward one sector of the and what they are willing to do to be fires were going to go? In other words, Don Mortimer, specialist in The plans also point out that limited
economy puts at risk not only our more resilient in case of an interface were there areas that burned more community wildfire protection, titled emergency escape route options in
application and program, but every wildfire. frequently? And, if yes, were there fire his talk ‘Interface wildfire in the Slocan the valley make preparedness very
single other current application At the info sessions, SIFCo main movement paths in the landscape – preparing for the new normal.’ He important.
representing projects designed to Manager Stephan Martineau explained that could be identified? In 2014-15, says the main cause of houses burning Mel Reasoner, noted climate
build diversified economies in small, how SIFCo got involved in wildfire they did a computer-generated fire up in interface fires is embers and scientist, draws this conclusion out of
rural communities throughout the mitigation work. The organization was behaviour modelling, and began to firebrands. As long as people have the massive amount of information he
province,” said Leah Main, chair formed in 2006 with a Community light thousands of virtual fires. From a clear space without combustible presented: “The climate of the last 100
of the Slocan Valley Economic Forest Agreement over a group of this exercise, main travel corridors materials for 10-30 metres from years has been rapidly changing and
Development Commission. domestic watersheds in the Slocan were identifed and in 2015-16 they their houses, they will not burn from there are significant seasonal changes
‘convective’ heat, i.e. flames from in precipitation. All indications are that
the fires. Most houses burn down in this will continue for the foreseeable
interface fires from embers, typically future. Warmer, wetter winters; hotter,
cones, landing in accumulations of dryer summers; longer, more intense
combustible materials, inside corners, wildfire seasons.” He expects that by
woodchips, mulch, nooks and crannies. 2069 the average year will be the same
“Wildfires when there is no fuel to burn as the hottest year in the 20th century.
will simply go out, often within one What can community members do?
minute.” In the Fort McMurray blaze, Bradley’s response: “Stay interested.
81% of the houses that survived were Stay connected. Take part.” For more
FireSmart. Mortimer advised everyone information and to contact SIFCo, go
to pick up the Homeowners’ Manual, to www.sifco.ca.
Message from New Denver
Mayor Leonard Casley
It is with great pride that we Division of Family Practice has
welcome Dr. Sean Wachtel and also been paramount in supporting,
Dr. Svet Gueordjev to practice deliberating and assisting with all
medicine in our community and efforts in recruitment and signing of
continue to offer 24/7 emergency the physicians and for that we thank
department coverage at the Slocan your team!
Community Health Centre. On We w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o
behalf of the Village of New Denver, acknowledge and thank the multiple
and the Slocan Valley, I would like communities of the Slocan Valley
to extend our sincerest gratitude (including unincorporated Area H
to Dr. Charles Burkholder for his as well as Villages of New Denver,
continued efforts, commitment, Silverton and Slocan) for their
perseverance and excellence in ongoing support of health and
serving our community. emergency services in our greater
We would also like to express our community.
appreciation to the Interior Health The true work begins now,
Authority, the Health Minister working at building and growing
Adrian Dix, Kootenay West MLA the New Denver area in various
Katrine Conroy, and their staff in capacities. Stay tuned for new
their collaborative efforts in offering initiatives to support the Slocan
a viable contract for our physicians Community Health Centre
to sign. The Kootenay Boundary throughout the Slocan Valley.
October 10, 2019 The Valley Voice NEWS 5
Creating a better future in Slocan
by Barbara Curry Mulcahy its mining industry and now is a haven preservation of indigenous heritage and to share a bus petition and to promote and to start using solar for Village assets
“What do we need to make us more for artists and a huge tourist attraction. knowledge, an improved transit schedule, the new bus service to Kelowna on its and streetlights. The third called for an
resilient?” asked Lily Yumagulova at a Gudvangan, Norway, a remote village solar energy, community vision, building Facebook page and in its newsletter. information session to be held on creating
workshop on September 29 at the Slocan with a dwindling population now is trails using a local workforce, improving The petition will request an electric jobs in alternative energy. Other steps
Legion Hall. ‘Making Connections: the site of an economic powerhouse, accommodation and trails for tourists, bus, Sunday and evening bus service, included involvement in 100% Renewable
Renewable & Resilient Slocan’ was Viking Valley, one of the “most-visited alternative energy for greenhouses, connections to Nelson and Castlegar, a Kootenays, creating and improving
an “envisioning” process focused on cultural attractions in Norway.” Tofino, branding the town as a renewable ‘green’ washroom at the Junction bus stop, and local trails, seeking funding support for
how the Slocan community could work BC capitalized on its “miserable, community, producing green value-added return connections to New Denver. The trail improvements through the Village
together to create a better future. About cold, wet” winters so that now storm- products. second will ask the Village to study the Recreation Commission, and calling for
30 Slocan and area residents attended. watching provides a flourishing economy. The workshop ended with a call for feasibility of solar cells, bulk solar cell more and diverse accommodations (to be
The workshop was organized by Denise Leavenworth, Washington, once a first steps. The first asked the Village purchases, and subsidies for infrastructure built using local wood) for tourists.
Dufault and Sandra Linstead on behalf “seriously economically depressed”
of the Slocan Waterfront Restoration & mill-town, reinvented itself as a “little
Development Society (SWRDS). Bavarian town” and attracts many
Jessica Lunn, mayor of Slocan, tourists. Lac Megantic, Quebec, half
described Slocan as being “at the destroyed and greatly traumatized by a
forefront” of the rural sustainability train derailment in the centre of town,
movement. She spoke briefly about is now rebuilding as a green, connected,
Slocan’s commitment to transition to and compassionate community. Zermatt,
100% renewable energy by 2050 and Switzerland built the world’s first electric
said that demonstrations in Vancouver cog-railway to its isolated location
protesting the closure of sawmills had and allows only electric vehicles in
emphasized that it takes “courage to have the village. It has become a booming
the difficult conversation” about change. mountaineering and ski resort.
“Solutions to the future are going to come Yumagulova said every story of a
from us,” she said. community re-creating itself involved
Yumagulova was introduced by one person “determined to move
Denise Dufault, chair of SWRDS, as forward.” She said, nature, assets and
“a bit of gold here in our community.” people could fuel the change. “Rock
Yumagulova, a resident of Slocan for what you’ve got! But be bold to imagine
three years and chair of Slocan’s Climate alternatives.” A simple, clear vision is
Action Commission, has degrees in essential, she said, and environmental,
engineering and risk analysis and a social and economic objectives need to
PhD in planning for resilience. She has be connected. Yumagulova suggested
worked in Canada and internationally
for governments and communities as an
that ecotourism, arts, education were all
possible paths Slocan could take.
Profound thanks from the
advisor and consultant.
Yumagulova rallied the audience
In the interactive portion of the
workshop, Yumagulova asked community of New Denver to
to believe in the possibility of a vibrant participants to imagine what a renewable
and meaningful future. She said,
“We’ve had challenges before and
and resilient Slocan could look like.
The many ideas were narrowed
Mayor Leonard Casley and
found ways to rebuild.” She listed
several communities that had found
down to those the group thought could
be followed up through various existing Councillor Colin Moss for their
new identities and successful economies and new initiatives: food production
in the face of adversity. Greensburg,
Kansas, almost completely destroyed
and storage, individual and community
firesmarting, local energy production
dedicated work on the Community
by a tornado, rebuilt itself as a green
community. Jerome, Arizona lost 97%
and conservation, a healing arts centre,
intergenerational skill building and Health Care Committee!
of its population after the collapse of sharing, building the connection to and
6 OPINION The Valley Voice October 10, 2019
Voting NDP At least upgrade to ensure promised
actions reduce emissions enough to
Dick Cannings has been our MP be consistent with the 1.5°C goal
And I know that so many agree and help ensure a livable world for
He’s worked all he’s worth our youth.
For this place and this Earth Mike Geisler
I will vote for him! Definitely! Bonnington
Donna Jean Wright
Open letter
New Denver
How likely will to BC MLAs:
platforms achieve Respect Treaty 8
1.5°C limit? – halt Site C
The Fridays for the Future youth It continues to be deeply
strike on Friday, September 20 disturbing that the BC government
was inspiring. Around the world, is refusing to respect Treaty 8 rights
millions of youth and their supporters of First Nations in the Peace. It
marched and demanded real climate is alarming that they must pursue
action from the adults. By ‘real litigation in order to receive rights
action,’ I assume the youth mean to their land and to self-governance.
action that avoids the forecasted I ask: What kind of people do we
global catastrophe and delivers the want to be? What kind of province
Paris Accord goal of limiting global do we want to live in? Do we want
warming to 1.5°C. to perpetuate colonial behaviour and
All the major federal political attitudes? Do we want to continue to
parties have recognized this climate discriminate, disrespect and oppress
First Nations?
crisis is largely human caused and
have made commitments to address We, the colonizers, have Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 days a Week 430 Front Street, Kaslo, BC
250-353-7714
this climate crisis. However, mostly benefited from, yet continue to The Ingrid Rice cartoon is a satirical look at current events in politics and is sponsored by the Kaslo Hotel. The Hotel does not necessarily share the political views of the artist.
absent from the election conversation
so far has been how likely the
damage and destroy vast ecosystems
in the Peace that the First Nations Let’s not get What is the intention? To make fun of
a group of people, or to be someone
stand up for what we believe in and
now that it will impact your lives,
platforms are to deliver Canada’s
commitments/ targets in the Paris
lived on and stewarded.
“Site C Dam would destroy
distracted from you are not.
For this coming election, I want
you tell us to shut up, sit down, you
can’t change the world. This is an
Accord. First Nations burial grounds and the real issues to know how the parties are dealing open letter to all the people saying
In my google search, I found culturally significant areas, some In the ’70s, my younger sister with climate change, when will the that we are children, that we are
two independent analyses: one by of Canada’s best farmland, habitat decided to wear an Indian saree for taxes be raised to get the healthcare political puppets, to all the people
Clean Prosperity Canada and one for more that 100 species at risk Halloween. A saree is a six-yard-long that we deserve, how will young saying that one ‘whiney’ Swedish
from Simon Fraser University. of extinction and the last intact beautiful coloured cloth that my people be able to afford tuition girl will not bring the revolution.
Implementing the Liberal platform section of the Peace River Valley mother and aunts wrapped around and housing, are we fully funding We are surrounded by the inspiring
would reduce greenhouse gas still available for Treaty 8 members their bodies and wore for work and scientific research, are these plans leaders of the new generations and
emissions dramatically but still fall to engage in traditional practices.” home as clothing, all through the ’60s realistic, etc. all you can do is bemoan the loss
short of reaching Canada’s current (Sarah Cox, The Narwhal, Aug 27, and ’70s. My mom and aunts were Halloween costumes and election of our compliant ways, the fact that
greenhouse gas emission target, 2019) scientists, doctors and office workers platforms are one day ‘parties.’ I you challenged us to change and
and implementing the Conservative I continue to challenge the BC and it was accepted at the time want to know what the long-term we answered your call. This is our
platform would not reduce emissions government to HALT SITE C. that they could wear their cultural plan is. Let’s not get distracted from home and this is a protest for our
at all and may even increase I challenge you to implement clothing to work. They stopped the real issues. rights to a future where the air is still
emissions. I have not found credible the United Nations Declaration on wearing them in the ’80s for work. Nina George breathable. But you are right, we are
greenhouse gas emission analyses the Rights of Indigenous Peoples They were not outraged when Crescent Valley just children. You do not let us talk
by restoring the First Nations of
that address the NDP’s or Green’s
platform. Treaty 8 to their lands and to self-
my sister wore her saree Halloween
costume; instead, they were quite Kaslo student’s to your government and you won’t
let us influence your laws and so, if
To deserve our vote and given the
urgency of the climate crisis, each
governance in the Peace.
Lorna Louise
baffled that she thought of the saree
as a costume. Costumes are worn by
perspective on the only way to make real change
is to stand in the streets and hold a
party must upgrade their platform. Kaslo people to try and be someone else. climate strikes sign surrounded by your peers who
She wasn’t born in India, but didn’t This is an open letter to the people just want the chance of a future, then
EDITORIAL / LETTERS POLICY she still consider herself as Indian? who are telling us that protesting the so be it. We will keep making noise
The Valley Voice welcomes letters to the editor and community news Most people don’t intentionally climate crisis is pointless, that we and will keep waving our “biased
articles from our readers. try to be discriminatory or mean. do not know what we are doing and views” in your face until we are
Letters and articles should be no longer than 500 words and may be However, the original blackface/ that we need to calm down. No. I heard everywhere. So stop shutting
edited. We reserve the right to reject any submitted material. brownface costumes in theatrical will not calm down, I will not sit us down and calling us puppets. We
Please mark your letter “LETTER TO THE EDITOR.” Include your settings were designed to be derisive here and listen to a group of grown are the future generations and we
address and daytime phone number for verification purposes. and abusive to the people they were adults bash a 16-year-old girl’s name want change now, and it will happen
We will not knowingly publish any letter that is defamatory or libelous. mimicking. behind the safety of your screens. We with or without you.
We will not publish anonymous letters or letters signed with pseudonyms, Men wear dresses at costume are at the rallies to make a difference Maddox Hahne
except in extraordinary circumstances. parties, not women. Is skin colour, and to fix the mistakes you left for us Kaslo
Opinions expressed in published letters are those of the author and not
necessarily those of the Valley Voice.
gender, or culture an appropriate
costume at Halloween? Maybe.
to deal with. You were the ones who
told us as children to stop hiding and
Vote Green
to send clear
The Valley Voice Box 70, New Denver, BC V0G 1S0 message
Phone: 250-358-7218 Fax: 250-358-7793 E-Mail: valleyvoice@valleyvoice.ca Website: www.valleyvoice.ca A long time ago, I made the
conscious decision not to bring any
Publisher - Dan Nicholson • Editor - Jan McMurray • Food Editor Emeritus - Andrew Rhodes • Arts & Culture Editor - Art Joyce children into this world. I saw the
Reporters - Katrine Campbell, Claire Paradis, Barbara Curry Mulcahy, Moe Lyons writing on the wall over 50 years
Published and printed in British Columbia, Canada ago. There is no good end to a
The Valley Voice is distributed throughout the Slocan and Arrow Lake Valleys from South Slocan/Playmor Junction to Edgewood and Kaslo on Kootenay Lake. capitalist system based on constant
Circulation is 7,600 papers, providing the most complete news and advertising coverage of any single newspaper serving this area. growth. It hasn’t ended our human
problems, only made them worse.
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It continues to concentrate material
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement #40021191 continued on page 7
October 10, 2019 The Valley Voice LETTERS 7
continued from page 6
wealth into the hands of a few people Time for NDP or Vote for the May wonders
at the expense of the great mass of
human population – 7.7 billion of us
progressive Conservative? change you never cease
and increasing at approximately 90 parties to The latest poll says the
Conservatives are pulling ahead of the know has to Re: ‘Jumbo Valley to stay wild:
Court of Appeals agrees resort not
million a year.
Whether you wish to believe it contemplate a Liberals in the federal election race.
Without proportional representation,
happen substantially started,’ VV August 15
- Thomas Lovejoy coined biodiversity
or not, the biosphere of planet Earth
has been slowly poisoned for the past
merger the Green Party, for all its excellent
In the words of Greta Thunberg:
“How dare you pretend you are in 1980. He now advocates that we
The political choice – at least in ideas, doesn’t have a hope of taking fit to govern!” For most of the not only keep all our current, whole
two centuries and is now beginning to this part of Canada – is not between more than a handful of seats. Hate ecosystems, but we also restore
fail. The biosphere is the life support last 32 years we have lived in this
the Liberals and Conservatives. politics is spilling over into Canada community, one or sometimes two of degraded ones. He says that will
system for all life. It is all life. All It is between the two business-as- and so the right wing has picked up be a big help to correcting Earth’s
life makes life possible. Life supports you political parties have held office
usual parties that take turns running speed. Just imagine what it would at a provincial and federal level. Yet warming problem. He says wild
life. If you think that the dieback of the country as if they own it, and be like to have the Conservatives places are in decline everywhere.
birds and bees, of coral reefs, of the the best you can do in this election is
progressives who want Canada back in power in Ottawa. Never point fingers at each other and make Habitat destruction is the leading
oceans’ fish, the burning of forests, to treat its citizens fairly and deal mind Kafkaesque, we’d have son- cause. Corporations and governments
are no big deal, that we humans don’t empty promises that you won’t keep.
seriously with the climate crisis. of-Harperesque – the rich 1% lining Now in our 60s (almost 70 for continue to harvest the public’s wild
really need any other species of life Nowadays the progressive portion of their own pockets at the expense of ecosystems. He emphasizes the need
on planet Earth, well, then you can’t Andy), we want to leave behind
the electorate has grown to be about the planet and the other 99% of us. a world that is safe and fit for our to restore all ecosystems immediately
understand why the children took to as large as either of the traditional The CBC reported: “With the around the world to correct centuries
the streets instead of going to school children and grandchildren to live
ruling parties, yet it seldom elects most electoral districts west of in – not one that is diminished in of destructive degradation.
on September 20 and 27. Why go to enough MPs to seriously influence Ontario (42), and provincial polls And the still-wild Jumbo area
school to learn how to survive in a hope and opportunity because of
the direction of the country. showing no one party dominating, the an overpowering greed for money, continues functioning as part of the
world that will simply not exist in the We a l l k n o w w h y. T h e potential exists for an election night well-established ecosystem vitally
not-too-distant future? which is also causing the rapid loss
progressives continually compete where the five million people west of of other life forms and even putting necessary as part of a much larger
If you want the status quo, against each other, instead of the Rockies determine which party ecosystem which helps to keep the
business as usual, the rich get richer our own human species at risk.
following their own core philosophy ends up forming government.” We Like Greta we are angry, but we lay-of-the-land healthy and perfectly
and the poor get poorer while the – which is to cooperate for the may think of this riding as securely balanced.
Earth continues to heat up, then vote are also sad and ashamed at the fact
common good. The progressive NDP but the model of electoral that a 16-year-old girl and millions The May 2019 United Nations
for the Liberals or Conservatives or Greens and New Democrats have projections based on opinion polls, Biodiversity Report says human
NDP or even the PPC. If you want to of children and youth have to take
more in common with each other electoral history and demographic to the streets to demand that they activity has “severely altered 75
be able to look your children in the than either has with the ruling parties data at http://338canada.com/ shows percent of the land environments.
face and tell them you do understand have a future.
that cater to big business to the that it could well go Conservative. So We adults are supposed to protect The loss of species is now happening
why they have taken to the streets and detriment of the environment and every vote counts. at tens of hundreds times as fast as
why they will continue to take to the and nurture our children and youth,
social welfare. Yet by refusing to We must try to get as many and help them build a future life – not the average rate over the past million
streets until the grown-ups get serious cooperate, they repeatedly hand progressive voices back in Ottawa years and poses a dire threat to
about what is actually happening on destroy it before their very eyes. At
over leadership of the nation to those as possible, especially given that the an event on climate change where we ecosystems all over the world.”
planet Earth, you will vote Green. whose idea of the public interest is United Nations has given us little Scientists say that there will need
The Green vote is the only vote that live, one youth said: “You know the
growth without restraint or regard for more than a decade to turn climate science, so stop electing politicians to be massive investments in forests.
sends the clear message that the the environment that we all depend change around. After that, a climate A while ago at a David Suzuki
‘same old same old’ just doesn’t cut who won’t do anything about climate
on for survival. change study shows that the Slocan change. Please follow the young lecture, David said there should
it anymore. The one thing all the progressives Valley will have so many more forest be no more harvesting wild forests
Michael Brown peoples’ lead and think carefully
agree on is the need for electoral fires that we could eventually be before you vote in this Canadian (basically no more harvesting of
New Denver reform. Proportional representation burned out at valley bottom and look pristine ecosystems). Tree farms are
federal election. We ask you to put
Police state? would allow the progressive parties
to begin to realize their actual
like the parched Okanagan. More
intense floods, freak storms, killing
aside your own immediate needs for harvesting, or, second or third
growth planted forests. I was in step
Recently our British Columbia and think about the immediate need
government passed the Cannabis political strength. But the established heat and other devastation will run of the coming generations to have a with that idea at the time and still am.
Control and Licensing Act (CCLA). rulers of the country will always amok the world over, as scientists world that will support them.” No doubt the planet would be in better
This Act, more than ironically, strips resist any reform that threatens their have been saying for years. The Just like our parents’ generation shape than it is now should that have
away civil rights which were afforded stranglehold on power. International Union for Conservation fought a war so that we could be happened.
to British Columbians prior to the However, there is no need to wait of Nature tells us that one in four safe, we need to honestly assess So, here are some of us in
‘legalization’ of cannabis use. for others to do what progressives species is at risk of extinction. which individuals and platforms in industrial nations having raced to the
A special police force named can do for themselves: cooperate to So who will help represent not this election will work to give our top rung of the materialism ladder
the Community Safety Unit (CSU) exert the influence that democracy just ordinary people but other critters children a safe tomorrow that is only to acknowledge we’ve nearly
has been formed under the Act. How owes them. The leadership of the that keep the whole web of life worth living. Our parents’ generation killed our home planet Earth - Mother
safe should we feel? The Act grants New Democrats and Greens needs to working? I think Richard Cannings did not relish making the sacrifices Nature - GAIA.
to the CSU the authority to enter any take stock of the common goals of the has proven he’s an honest, hard- they did during the war, but they did At this point being involved with
premises without a warrant. While two parties instead of emphasizing working, deeply caring man who’s it because in their hearts they knew helping keep the Jumbo ecosystem
ostensibly aimed at illegal cannabis, the relatively minor differences in politics for the right reasons. He’s it had to be done. So too must we wild for 32 plus years, we can only
it does not require imagination to between them. They need to worry an internationally respected biologist make changes to our lifestyles and shrug and laugh together and be
understand how this precedent can less about preserving their individual and author of many books about economic organization. grateful for the bigger, pristine,
lead to any number of serious abuses. power structures than preserving the nature. He truly gets that climate We have already voted, and Andy biodiverse, wild ecosystem called
The CSU also has the power to issue planet and enabling all citizens to be change will kill ever more of us and is now working day and night, in Qat’muk in the Ktunaxa language.
administrative penalties (fines to treated fairly. The partial cooperation our companions on this planet and so Fredericton, to elect another woman And it’s the Ktunaxa Nation who
those of us who do not understand of the progressive parties in Victoria we must act immediately, knowing from the Green Party to sit in the will pull it all together and hold it in
politician speak) which can be very, was a positive step, but it’s time to that doing so is a chance to create House of Commons. perpetuity. With this unexpected turn
very large. This is prior to any recourse contemplate a merger. good green jobs. Over the past few How many of you will join us of events, I, and many others I’m sure,
to the courts. Can we remember when It’s unfortunate that in this years as I’ve got to know Richard, in electing an MP who will roll up feel a huge relief for the long distant
some people thought that mandatory election good-hearted progressive I’ve come to have great respect for their sleeves to help address climate future of the huge and very healthy
minimum sentencing by the courts was people in the Kootenays continue him. He takes time to meet people change, and no longer pretend that Jumbo ecosystem. Ahhhh ….
poor legislation? Does reduction of to compete with one another and all over the South Okanagan-West business-as-usual politics or lip These are the last words you’ll
your civil rights warrant an expression in doing so allow political parties Kootenay riding to hear what their service to the issue without actually hear from me in reference to the West
of concern from you to your MLA? that are the very last they want concerns are and take them to Ottawa. doing anything will save the day? As Kootenay Coalition for Jumbo Wild.
(Michelle.Mungall.MLA@leg.bc.ca; to see running the country get an Please consider supporting him and, always the choice is yours, but do And my Jumbo thanks to my Jumbo
Katrine.Conroy.MLA@leg.bc.ca) easy ride to Ottawa. Maybe by the if you can help, please contact his you have the courage and conviction partner, Zan Mautner, Argenta, whose
Did we, after all, vote for a police next election the common sense of office at https://richardcannings2019. to vote for the change you know has willing fingers typed and sent out all
state? grassroots progressives will prevail. ndp.ca/, 250 365-2792 (Castlegar). to happen? the Jumbo news all these years.
Allyn Steward Don Scarlett Anne Champagne Andy Shadrack and Gail Bauman Rowena Eloise
Kaslo Kaslo New Denver Kaslo Nelson
8 COMMUNITY The Valley Voice October 10, 2019
School District 10 Superintendent’s Report: Lots of new staff, despite recruitment challenges
by Jan McMurray been told that because we are small and Jackson (grade 3-4 teacher), Biz Tupper 18 vs 14 in June); Edgewood Elementary • The engineer has submitted
• SD10 successfully filled 16 teacher isolated, teaching in our district is less (K-1 teacher), Andrea Volansky (grade has the same number of students as last drawings for the climbing wall at
positions for the 2019-20 school year, attractive than in a larger centre, resulting 5-6 teacher), Brent Cook (vice-principal year (15); and Lucerne has 86 students NSS, but not the bouldering wall. The
but is still looking for bus drivers and in teachers turning down job offers.” and classroom support teacher), Michele – down from 90 in June. The Arrow climbing wall plans involve more
qualified people to do casual work Taylor says she has spoken to Hildebrand (education assistant), Lakes Distributed Learning School has extensive structural alterations to the
as custodians, education assistants, the Deputy Minister and Assistant Faye Fox (custodian); at Lucerne: 42 students, compared to 45 in June. school building than anticipated, and
school secretaries and bus drivers. “This Deputy Minister about these recruitment Margot Baker (secondary English, • A child care centre been proposed additional labour costs. An updated
past spring and summer have been challenges. electives teacher), Kyoko Conne (K-1 for two unused classrooms at Lucerne timeline and budget has been provided
very difficult in our efforts to recruit The school district had many teacher), Donna Hicks (intermediate and School. Two grant applications have to Columbia Basin Trust, the funder, for
employees to the school district – a now positions to fill this year, not just to secondary teacher), Debbie Dubinsky been submitted for the Goat Mountain their consideration.
common rural dilemma,” Superintendent replace staff who are on leave, have (grade 2-3 teacher), Mark Lada (school Kids Child Care Centre, which would • The school district has received
Terry Taylor says in her September report retired or have moved on, but also to counsellor, secondary teacher), Justin create 16 new spaces for 0-5 year-olds grants from several organizations:
to the board of education. “We posted 16 fill new positions that have opened up. Bisson (vice-principal, intermediate/ and 24 after school spaces for 5-11 year- $15,200 from the Columbia Basin Trust
teacher jobs and in a number of cases, Increased funding from the ministry for secondary teacher), Suzanne King olds. The school district, in collaboration Basin Plays program for physical literacy
had to repost five or six times in order to rural and remote districts and increased (education assistant), Bob Gould with the Goat Mountain School Society activities, $1,500 from the Nakusp
hire teachers; the same was true for the enrolment in SD10 have allowed for (Eastern zone bus driver); at BES: Kristi and a local child care committee, and Area Community Foundation for
teaching Vice Principal role at Lucerne these new positions in the budget. Mortell-Leblanc (K-4 literacy support submitted the grant applications to after school late bus transportation so
which we posted five times.” The district welcomes new teacher), Ken Rogers (custodian and CBT and the Ministry of Children more students can attend after school
Taylor says the market has shifted, employees and employees new to their BES bus driver). and Family Development. “Many programs at NSS and NES, $3,500
and teachers now have their pick of jobs. positions: Peter Dubinsky as the new • The school year began with 460 thanks to Goat Mountain Society and from the Nakusp and Area Community
“The competition to attract teachers to Director of Learning; at NSS: Karlee students enrolled, up from 451 in June especially to Sara Wearmouth and Julia Foundation to support after school
BC school districts is intense and we Cook (electives teacher), Dominic and down from the projected 469. Greenlaw of the Child Care Committee activities with a fine arts focus at NES,
are finding this year in particular that Raso (math teacher), Jared Strand Nakusp Secondary, Nakusp Elementary for their assistance gathering some of the $3,500 from the ArtStarts program for
teachers are ‘shopping around,’ having (humanities, outdoor education teacher); and Burton Elementary have more extensive documentation required for dance programs at NES and NSS, and
interviews and then once offered a at NES: Hannah Boomer (PE, outdoor students than last year (NSS 124 vs 118 these grant submissions,” Superintendent $5,000 from RDCK Area K for the
position, choosing other jobs. We have ed, Indigenous ed teacher), Michelle in June, NES 175 vs 169 in June and BES Terry Taylor says in her report. Summit Lake Ski Program.
Arrow Lakes ferry workers invited back to negotiating table
submitted by BCGEU “I think this is a good sign that these employers rejected the union’s proposal a ruling to set essential service levels of Transportation. The inland ferry
On Tuesday, October 8, members employers have heard our members’ for industry standard compensation and for the Arrow Lakes, Francois Lake and services were initially contracted
of the BC Government and Service concerns,” says Stephanie Smith, investment in recruitment and succession Adams Lake ferries in the event of job out under the previous BC Liberal
Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working BCGEU president. “I’m hoping the planning. action. Essential service hearings began government. As operating costs have
on the Arrow Lakes, Francois Lake new proposal puts the sustainability “Our members’ objective hasn’t in September and ended late Wednesday, increased, the employers have failed to
and Adams Lake ferries will resume of the ferry service and the needs of changed throughout this process. They October 2. retain workers with industry standard
bargaining with the ferries’ operators – our members and ferry-dependent want a collective agreement that ensures The BCGEU has not received an compensation and adhere to guidelines
WaterBridge Ferries and WaterBridge communities ahead of profits. That the long-term sustainability of the ferry invitation to resume bargaining from around successorship and training that
Equipment. would set a new bar for other operators service through investments in the Western Pacific Marine (WPM), which would ensure safety requirements are
The entity that owns both of inland ferry routes.” workforce,” says Smith. “They have operates the ferries on Kootenay Lake. met and local knowledge of the lakes
WaterBridge Ferries and WaterBridge BCGEU inland ferry workers on never wavered from that, and their As with WaterBridge, the union seeks are passed down.
Equipment has invited the union back to routes operated by WaterBridge Ferries, solidarity is strong.” to establish a collective agreement The BCGEU is one of the largest
the bargaining table to present a proposal WaterBridge Equipment and Western The invitation to resume through bargaining and not arbitration and fastest growing unions in BC with
on behalf of both companies that it says Pacific Marine have been without a negotiations with WaterBridge Ferries or mediation. more than 79,000 members working in
will address the union’s concerns. The contract since March 2019. Negotiations and WaterBridge Equipment comes just All three employers maintain almost every community and economic
negotiations will take place in Kelowna. broke down on June 5 when all three as the labour board is expected to issue service contracts with the Ministry sector in the province.
Lucerne School gets new playground
by Art Joyce and Skills Technology curriculum We are very grateful to the Ministry province are in dire need of repair was chosen by the ministry as the
The grand opening for the new to consider the needs of the user and of Education who provided all the and replacement and the ministry has old playground equipment no longer
playground at New Denver’s Lucerne design with that in mind. It was so funding for this new playground. been assisting with these projects for met safety standards and desperately
School was held on October 7. We cool to have a real project and have Schools across the district and the the past year. Lucerne’s playground needed replacement.
caught up with School District #10 voice in designing structures that
Superintendent Terry Taylor to find will last for decades to come. The
out about the project. company who was successful in
Tell us about the new playground the RFP process builds playgrounds
– what are some of its key features across BC and Canada and are well
and what makes it unique? known for their ability to customize
Probably the most important designs for the physical space and
feature of the playground is that it the play needs of a particular school
allows lots more choice for students community.
in how they play and are active. The Where does the design come
structures are integrated and allow from and who built it?
for groups of kids to play together or At one point, our Manager of
individual students to engage in play. Operations had his entire office
In seeing students use the equipment, plastered with the children’s drawings
they love it and are finding creative and designs. It took some work
ways to have fun and be physically to distill their creative designs
active. into workable and within budget
Is this playground design unique structures, yet clearly the playground The grand opening for the new playground at New Denver’s Lucerne School was held on October 7.
to Lucerne or one that will be
adopted across the school district?
at Lucerne is a success as a result
of the kids’ imagination and design
Joe Foy to speak at Argenta Hall, October 23
The children in the elementary thinking and Art Olson’s patience submitted working to protect wilderness, old- Valley, Siska Valley, Pinecone Burke,
school and preschool and their parents and skills. Our SD10 maintenance The Friends of the Lardeau River growth forests and wildlife habitat Elaho Valley and Lost Creek Valley. He
were key designers of the playground. team of two carpenters – James and Mt Willet Wilderness Forever say areas in BC and has been one of will also talk about current initiatives
They thought about what they liked Peterson and Riley Gerber – and they are delighted to have Joe Foy as the Wilderness Committee’s leading to secure protection in the Manning
in the old playground, pored through our groundskeeper, Wes Coleman, guest speaker at the Argenta Hall, 7 pm spokespersons. Park Donut Hole and for spotted owl
lots of designs and brochures that the installed the equipment. They did Wednesday October 23. Foy will discuss and present habitat areas.
company who provided the equipment a tremendous job and the primary Foy is the Co-Executive Director images of some of the past and current The presentation will include a
provided and really considered their children at Lucerne have written thank of the Wilderness Committee, Wilderness Committee campaigns to vision of the future that includes a
own use and their younger peers you cards and acknowledgements in a Vancouver-based wilderness expand the protected area system on protected area system that covers at least
use of the play spaces. They used appreciation. preservation organization with more the BC coast. He will touch on former 50% of the land base and that respects
an empathic design process that is What funding sources were used than 60,000 supporters from across hard-fought wilderness preservation wildlife habitat including caribou, as
embedded in the Applied Design to build it? Canada. He has 30 years of experience campaigns in the region including Stein well as Indigenous rights and title.
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