Vegetable oil powered bus to start service from Kaslo to Vancouver - Valley Voice
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May 23, 2019 The Valley Voice 1
Volume 28, Number 10 May 23, 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.
Vegetable oil powered bus to start service from Kaslo to Vancouver
by Art Joyce and Jan McMurray Mountain Man Mike’s route will With Queen City Shuttle and more buses and hopes to provide charter driver. When he heard that Greyhound
A passenger bus that operates on start in Kaslo and end in Vancouver, Charters out of Nelson recently shutting service throughout the province, as well. was dropping services, he decided to take
used vegetable oil will be running from with stops in Ainsworth, Balfour, Nelson, down, Hathaway has been “inundated Hathaway used to offer ride share the opportunity to fill in the gap.
Kaslo to Vancouver, hopefully starting Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, with requests for charter service.” He services but was frustrated with the For more information and to book,
mid to late June. Kaslo resident Mike Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, says he is trying to bring on one or two experience as both a passenger and a check www.mountainmikes.ca.
Hathaway’s application to the Passenger Keremeos, Princeton, Hope, Chilliwack,
Transportation Board was approved and Abbotsford.
earlier this month. “Our rates will be cheaper than
Hathaway, a former Vancouver Greyhound, increasing the accessibility
school bus driver and mechanic, has held of the area to locals and visitors,” he said.
his bus licence for over 10 years. He’ll start as owner-operator with
“I have driven this run over 100 once-a-week service in his 22-passenger
times in all seasons, as I grew up in bus, which has a washroom. He purchased
Vancouver and have family along the the former Saskatchewan Transit bus at
route,” he says. “I typically do this trip auction – “a nice government-maintained
once a month, but have done it as often bus that got pushed out of service
as weekly in a vehicle powered by waste because of politics.” He says he will
fry oil.” bring on more buses and drivers if
Hathaway says he made the choice demand exceeds capacity.
to switch his personal fuel needs away “I hope to make Kaslo an easily
from fossil fuel some time ago, and is accessible destination, as well as all
excited to make a much larger impact towns and villages we will be connecting Kaslo resident Mike Hathaway will be running a Kaslo to Vancouver bus service with this 22-passenger bus that he has converted to operate on used vegetable oil.
with his bus. He did some research on the on this route. Although Kaslo has a great
PHOTO CREDIT: ART JOYCE
legality of waste fry oil in Canada, and tourism draw, the one thing I hear over
found surprisingly little information and and over again is it’s so hard to get to,”
no laws preventing its use. He stockpiled he says. “The trickle-down effect of easy
7,000 litres of used fry oil while waiting and affordable access to the Kootenays
for his application to clear. and all towns along the route will be felt
“The amount of fuel saved is by many small businesses.”
tremendous,” he said. “A big part He adds that the bus service will
of Greyhound’s failure was lack of allow access to medical services only
efficiency. You take a half-full bus that available in the larger towns, and will
gets 5-7 miles per gallon with a driver help bring families together.
change due to the Kelowna detour, and Hathaway says he’s also looking at a
your margin is just too thin. Freeing run through Nelson, Salmo, Creston and
ourselves from fuel costs, eliminating on to Alberta on Highway 3.
a driver change by not going through “With a small fleet of buses and
Kelowna, and running smaller buses at drivers, these two routes could reconnect
capacity that get better fuel economy is the severed services that affect small New Denver Royalty 2019 in their float at the May Days Parade: Princess Stephanie Smith and Miss New Denver Kira Popil Johnson, Page Boy
the key to this route working.” businesses and personal needs most.” Chase Hashimoto and Flower Girl Ahria Greenwood.
100% Locally Owned & Operated
2 NEWS The Valley Voice May 23, 2019
Climate change and forestry: some big surprises at Herb Hammond talk
by Julia Greenlaw approach puts the right people in into the atmosphere by the forces annual reports. No field-based forest When restoring forests to adapt
Is forestry contributing to the right place. People charged with of wind and sun, moved great inventory has been undertaken in for climate change, Hammond
climate change or is climate change protecting ecosystems and social distances, and falls again as rain BC for over 15 years; now foresters recommends that we largely
changing forests? Both are happening well-being control the forests. People or snow elsewhere. Water moves base their estimates of ‘sustainable’ remove the understorey and thin
according to forest ecologist and who are the efficiency experts, in intact, old forests drop by drop, cutting rates on computer-generated the overstorey to favour drought-
forester Herb Hammond, who industrial interests, take charge of through millions of leaves, twigs, models rather than on information resistant species such as Douglas
spoke at the Slocan Legion on May developing profitable wood products and branches that regulate water obtained in the forest. fir, ponderosa and western white
10. The event was hosted by the manufacturing within the rules that quality, quantity and timing of flow, He suggests that a cornerstone for pine, and larch. Fuels, such as small
Slocan Waterfront Restoration and protect the broader public interest.” slowly but steadily permeating the maintaining vital ecosystem services trees and branches that accumulate
Development Society. Hammond warns that unless ecosystem with life. Decayed fallen and surviving climate change is through this work can be burned,
Most people were surprised to the forest service takes back trees may hold twenty times as much through conserving and restoring chipped or preferably lopped and
hear that BC’s forests are no longer accountability of BC’s forests we water as most mineral soils, and the resiliency of forests. This shift scattered to provide forest floor
a carbon sink. Hammond said that have a scary road ahead. “From are habitat for hundreds of critical may be catalyzed by making more mulch. Large woody debris, or fallen
more carbon by far is released exacerbating climate change and organisms, most importantly fungi, jobs with the trees we do decide to trees need to be maintained across the
in BC from the timber industry foreclosing on water and biodiversity the keystone species that link the cut down. treated area to feed the new forest,
each year than any other source, to creating inadequate employment, forest underground. Hammond agrees with scientists and at least 25% of the large trees
including from all the vehicles on while providing much less public Hammond has watched the forest who argue we need to leave at must be retained as full cycle trees
our roads. Over 60% of carbon in revenue than readily possible, service disintegrate over the last 15 least 50% of the planet without never to be removed. Road footprints
trees harvested is released back into continued privatization of BC’s years, and industrial forest companies human disturbance. Where we log, need to be kept minimal and on stable
the atmosphere within five years, so public forests is a losing proposition manage a deregulated timber industry we need to permanently leave 25- terrain. He reminds forest owners
most wood products do not represent for all but a wealthy few,” he said. to the enormous detriment of forests 30% of the largest, best trees (full and recreationalists that tidy forests
long-term carbon storage. Currently, forestry constitutes and to the ecological, social, and cycle trees) well distributed across are not healthy forests, and that we
What’s more, forestry is the only about 2.5% of the provincial economic services they are capable the logged area, connect wetlands need to let go of our preference for
biggest source of greenhouse gas GDP. Moreover, BC lags behind of providing. Accountability of and biodiverse areas, and protect a park-like aesthetic when managing
emissions across Canada. every other province in jobs per timber companies to the public has ecologically sensitive areas such as for forest health and resiliency.
Hammond suggests we need trees harvested. One forestry job in disappeared along with public access steep slopes, very wet or very dry Forests need diverse structure and
a transformative shift in how we BC relies on over 30 logging truck to information, to meaningful plans, areas, and shallow soils from logging composition in order to function
value and manage the forests that loads per year. By comparison, and to informative forest service activities. well, and to survive climate change.
sustain our ecosystems services,
like water, biodiversity, and carbon
the Harrop Proctor community
forest creates five to seven times Suzy Hamilton Legacy Award nominees announced
sequestration and storage. as many jobs per volume of timber submitted work to protect Perry Ridge, and her and blockading logging at several
As a starting point, he says we harvested, and supplies a premium, The Suzy Hamilton Legacy Award pursuit of legal justice regarding the locations throughout the West
need to restore public forests to competitively-priced product, while is a cash award presented annually to Lemon Creek fuel spill. Kootenay, and organizing events
public control. We can do this by giving the protection of water the a female-identified environmental Avery DeBoer-Smith, for her to bring attention to unsustainable
converting timber tenures, like tree highest priority in their management. activist in the West Kootenay region. years of service as executive director logging practices.
farm licenses and forest licenses, Hammond explained that forests Hamilton was a writer and change- of the Friends of Kootenay Lake Laura Sacks, for her advocacy
to forests planned, managed and in the West Kootenay do not reach maker with an impressive record Stewardship Society. on climate change, including founding
allocated by a public agency, their full carbon storage potential of successful environmental and Kiala Lonytomaki, for her the Nelson/West Kootenay Chapter
like a revitalized forest service. until they are 200 years old or older. social activism in the Nelson area. support of Indigenous resistance, of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby,
This agency would be directed The current model of clearcut and A founding member of the West including Unist’ot’en Camp resistance mentoring youth including the current
by ecosystem-based values and grow trees on 80-year cycles has Kootenay EcoSociety and long-time to the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline in school strikers, and operating the
standards, and directly accountable destroyed most of the old forests host of the Ecocentric radio show, Wet’sewt’en Territory, and local Sinixt syndicated radio show Climate of
to the public. Where timber is and left us with no shortage of trees, she also founded Kootenay Barter, issues. Change.
considered to be an ecologically and but a huge shortage of intact forests led the revitalization of the Kokanee Nikita McDaniel, for her work Joan Snyder, for more than 40
socially responsible use, the forest that can moderate climate change Park Visitor Centre, started the Nelson on the West Kootenay EcoSociety’s years of defending mountain caribou,
service would specify what trees and provide “ecosystem services,” Garden Festival, and won legal fights 100% Renewable Energy campaign, as a lichenologist and biologist, and
could be cut and other measures like water and biological diversity, to protect local wildlife habitat. and with the Cottonwood Preservation local representative of BC Nature.
to protect ecosystem services. The for all the life that depends on them. The 2019 nominees are: Society. The winner will be announced
forest service would then auction the With intact forests, water Marilyn Burgoon, for decades of Jessica Ogden, for protesting later this month.
timber to the highest bidder.
“The result will be immeasurably
systems – “the veins and arteries
of the earth” – will also continue No charges laid against Water is Life collective members
better protection of ecosystems, to maintain all life, Hammond said. by Jan McMurray habitat and the Meadow Creek civil rights are protected.”
more jobs per tree cut, and a better In a healthy old forest, about The three Water is Life collective spawning channel will not be charged. “In Canada, we have the civil
financial return to the government – 30-40% of the precipitation that members who were arrested at No court appearance required, no right to peaceful assembly when we
the people,” Hammond said. “This falls as rain or snow is lifted back Greyhorse Ridge near Meadow legal fees incurred, no charges and feel the legal/ government systems are
Creek for blocking a logging road in no criminal record,” said Jessica not protecting our basic human rights
February will not face any charges. Ogden, one of the protesters and key to clean safe environment,” she adds.
“The three of us who got arrested collective member. “Crown counsel “Let’s continue to stand in solidarity
for defending watersheds, animal didn’t proceed with charging us. Our to protect for our children’s future.”
Jessica Ogden, Tom Prior and Mick Grabowsky have set up ‘Camp Caribou’ on West Side Road in Trout Lake to draw attention to proposed cutblocks
in caribou habitat in this area. “The caribou are on the brink of extinction and their vital habitat is also vital for our life supports,” Ogden said in a
press release. Craig Pettitt of the Valhalla Wilderness Society states in a press release that BC Timber Sales has 11 cutblocks planned or currently
being logged in the range of the local Central Selkirk herd, which is down to 25 animals. He says the herd is “teetering on the brink of extinction and it
appears the BC Government is trying to push it over the edge” while they continue talking about making mountain caribou recovery plans.
May 23, 2019 The Valley Voice NEWS 3
Shari Ulrich to perform at Slocan City Trading Company
by Art Joyce have been some career highlights you be recorded and Claire Lawrence knew the stage of life I’m in, as that’s what remunerate the creators, artists, and
Canadian musical icon Shari Ulrich recall that have made it all worthwhile those were the important songs to share. I’m experiencing. So that’s probably performers are very real. I’m still creating
will celebrate 45 years as a touring for you? So over time I wrote to get to the heart of why my audience has generally been the actual artistic ‘thing’ in the form of
recording artist with a concert at the Opening for Supertramp at Maple the matter and to be moved. Everything my age. They’re aging with me and my a CD – I love the object. I love to play
Slocan City Trading Company on May Leaf Gardens was pretty damn exciting. I’ve ever heard creeps in there. songs – what we’re experiencing and concerts and offer folks a way to take the
31. Ulrich is touring her 26th album Back The whole Valdy and the Hometown Writing lyrics can often be a thinking about. music home with them – to read the lyrics
to Shore, her third collaboration with Band era was so special. The whole Pied challenge for musicians, as it seems to What lyrical or musical changes and look at the artwork, etc. And from a
her daughter Julia Graff as engineer and Pumkin era was absolutely magical. But occupy a different part of the brain. Has are reflected in your new album? sociological point of view, there is such a
producer. The album will be released on the special moments are the small ones – lyric writing always come easily for you, It’s a pretty wide range of subjects: hunger and need for music. I think music
June 21 by Borealis Records. the one-on-one with people sharing their or has it been a challenge? a cautionary tale about infidelity; the is one of the best things we do as humans
Originally from northern California, stories triggered by one of my songs. It’s The first song I wrote was Feel Good power of love; creativity; dementia; lines and is our saving grace. So it’s not going
Shari found her way to Canada in the the relationships with other humans – at the end of the Pumkin era, which and aging; the absurdity of travelling anywhere. We need it. It’s a confusing
early ’70s and shortly after discovered especially people I play with and work became a single, so that’s how I knew to Mars; regret about wasted time; the time and music helps weather the chaos.
music as her calling, performing with with that have developed over time that I should keep writing. I love writing on inevitability of change; forgiveness; and The Slocan City Trading Company
the legendary folk trio Pied Pumkin. are the heart of it all. my own and seeing where things lead. an apologetic love song to the Earth. is a private house concert and potluck
The trio built a loyal following in the Would you say your sound and And lyrics are generally not that hard for Are you optimistic about the future with limited seating. Call 250-355-
Kootenays through their high-energy composition style has changed much me. Getting down to writing is, however. of music? If so, why? If not, why not? 2299 to check ticket availability. Visit
concerts during that decade. Her work since you started as a solo artist? How? But once I surrender to it and take lots of The challenges of music being borealisrecords.com to learn more about
has garnered two Juno awards, five What musical influences have crept in? walks, the lyrics tend to come. consumed in a fashion that doesn’t Shari Ulrich and her recent recordings.
Juno nominations, an induction into the I started out writing to have my How have your lyrics reflected the
BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, and a songs played on the radio. I was aiming changing concerns and priorities of
2014 Canadian Folk Music Award for for pop. And then other songs would getting older?
English Songwriter of the Year. Although spill out that I assumed would never Oh, I have always written about
Ulrich tours as a trio, quartet and full
band – usually with daughter Julia,
another multi-instrumentalist – for her
Slocan concert she will perform solo. The
Valley Voice interviewed Ulrich about
her long career.
What brings you back to the Slocan
Valley and what do you love about it?
It always starts with that one
invitation, which in the Slocan is
unfailingly a message from Lowell at
the Old Castle Theatre in Castlegar,
saying people are asking when I’m going
to return. I love returning to the Slocan
as it was such an important part of my
introduction to being a touring musician
when I was with the Pumkin. The spirit
of the area and the people has aways
resonated with me and always will.
It’s been a long road since you Canadian musical icon Shari Ulrich will celebrate 45 years as a touring recording artist with a concert
began your solo career in 1978. What at the Slocan City Trading Company on May 31.
Lucerne students to perform broadway musical, Once Upon a Mattress
submitted confidence and poise they demonstrate Gallery, Lucerne School and Lucerne
“This is the story of The Princess makes the show wonderful. PAC.
and the Pea. Or rather, the TRUE story Lynette Lightfoot, choreographer, Once Upon a Mattress is a show
of The Princess and the Pea.” Once recently moved to Silverton and has used to make you smile and feel good about
Upon a Mattress is a Broadway musical her dance expertise to create beautiful the possibilities of our young people.
that will be performed by Lucerne’s movements that support the music and This group of students and directors
Grade 5/6 class next weekend. For two staging. Together Katrina Sumrall and have worked hard to bring this musical
months, the class has worked tirelessly Hank Hastings, our local theatre expert, theatre experience to Silverton Gallery
to produce this show. have helped build characters, block on Friday May 24 at 7 pm, and Saturday
Kelly Coubrough is the music scenes and design the set. May 25 at 2 pm and again at 7 pm.
director. Through her magic as a voice This project is made possible Tickets are $15. They will be sold at the
teacher, she has been able to get this through an Artists in the Classroom Apple Tree and Lucerne School. Doors
group to sing with joy and enthusiasm. grant. It is also partially funded by Arrow open at 6:45. There are only 70 seats
Many of the group have solos, and the Lakes School District, the Silverton per show so get your ticket in advance.
Students from Lucerne School in New Denver rehearsing the broadway musical, Once Upon a Mattress, ahead of showtime this weekend.
4 OPINION The Valley Voice May 23, 2019
Jody Wilson- Attorney General. There are several
interviews with Terpel-LaFond
Raybould regarding the SNC-Lavalin case.
Richard Eichenauer
revisited Fauquier
Canadians should not concern
themselves with whether or not she Liberals
was right or wrong in recording
conversations but with the fact she
represent the
knew and worked with these people rich
for years, and deemed it necessary to Just heard on the CBC news
record conversations, and rightly so. that the Liberal Party’s new bill to
Ed Varney streamline the process to approve
Vallican new development of oil and gas
Nakusp projects has been held up in the
Senate. The bill was already designed
courthouse not to hasten the process and reduce
litigation, but I guess it didn’t suit
accessible the industry, so the Senate (House of
I am writing this letter to inform Lords) wants to change it to make it
people of the fact that there is no more industry friendly. I guess those
access for wheelchairs at the Nakusp Lords are sick and tired of having
courthouse. My husband and I went those pesky environmentalists and
to dispute a traffic ticket. Imagine native people interfering with their
our surprise when we went in the right to make money by developing
door and there was no way to get to everything to within an inch of its life.
the courtroom. The sheriff arranged If you don’t believe that the Liberals
for people to carry me up the stairs. – May Days Live Music all Weekend – 430 Front Street, Kaslo, BC
are only there to represent the rich,
No Cover, check out our Facebook Page for more details 250-353-7714
This is a public building in 2019. how do you explain their clandestine
Anyone else have issues with this? cancelling of Chrysler’s debt 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.
Just curious – what if they dropped Canadians of $2,910,000,000? one of us, travelled in a car, a bus, increased by 3.5 times in seven years plan’ to Interior Health and the Health
me or hurt themselves? Rod Retzlaff an airplane, benefited from long- and it’s going to increase further to Ministry. This plan is intended to resolve
Linny Lamarche Glade distance trucking, from snowplows. 6.5 times our original cost. the impasse that has existed these
Look around the house. Products
New Denver
Destruction of you use every day are products of
Someone really blew it when
they planned (or failed to plan) the
past two years regarding physician
recruitment and retention at the Slocan
Response to the planet fossil fuel: that bottle with the dish expensive state-of-the-art treatment Community Health Centre.
Camille Baker I love this little world of ours. detergent, your cell phone, that
acrylic sweater, your toothbrush, the
plant upgrade for South Slocan with
only 51 paying users and an aging
New Denver Village council recently
formed the Slocan Valley Health Select
Would you rather have a justice I love its intricate complexity, its
incredible beauty, its infinite variety. baby bundled safely in a plastic car distribution system. Now we 51 Committee. Members are Walter Popoff,
system build on deceit or one built
That’s why I get quite passionate seat. Our entire culture, our way of users are paying dearly for that lack RDCK Area H Director; Madeleine
on truth? Would you rather have
about its progressive destruction. life, our economy are built on fossil of planning, and it’s pricing us out of Perriere, Slocan councillor; Leah Main,
a prime minister implying a judge
The thought that children born today fuels. And it’s destroying the planet. living here and drastically affecting Silverton councillor; Mayor Leonard
is lying (who is really telling the
may never see a glacier, a mountain Elsje de Boer our property resale value! Casley, New Denver; Colin Moss, New
truth), or a judge who is trying
caribou, or a whale, never wake up to Fauquier Chris Campagnaro Denver councillor; and Janice Gustafson,
to spare a prime minister from
making a grave judicial error? Jody a chorus of song birds or drink from South Slocan South Slocan Slocan District Chamber of Commerce
Wilson-Raybould knew who she was
dealing with in Michael Wernick, a
a clean mountain creek, breaks my
heart. What a lousy heritage to leave water users Slocan Community Health Committee representative.
The Committee has recently been
Trudeau lackey. She risked her job our children.
facing hefty Health Centre update working with Kootenay Boundary
Family Practice representatives to
for revealing the truth in the tape – In my letters to the editor, I We are writing this letter in an
and lost it to another Trudeau lackey. have not pointed a finger at any one
person, group, or class of people.
water rates effort to bring Slocan Valley residents
up to date on the current situation at the
establish a strategic plan. We have also
been meeting with Katrine Conroy, our
As to the ethics of the phone I thought the surrounding
call taping, see interviews with We all, every single one of us, bear Slocan Community Health Centre in local MLA in efforts to support our
communities should be made aware physicians’ upcoming proposal to IHA
Judge Mary-Ellen Terpel-LaFond, the responsibility for the catastrophe of what South Slocan residents are New Denver and how it impacts Slocan
Law Professor at UBC and former that is facing us. We have all, every Valley residents. and the Health Ministry.
facing with regard to hefty water The Slocan Valley Select Health
bill increases. Dr. Candace Munro, who many of
EDITORIAL / LETTERS POLICY you have come to know, has recently Committee fully supports our physicians
The Valley Voice welcomes letters to the editor and community news We just got our 2019 water bill in their current efforts to secure suitable
and it’s gone up 28% again this announced her intention to practice in
articles from our readers. Hazelton. We would like to thank Dr. contracts that include maintaining our
Letters and articles should be no longer than 500 words and may be year to $1,642/year. The bad news current 24/7 model.
doesn’t stop there. A letter with Munro for her tireless service and interest
edited. We reserve the right to reject any submitted material. shown here. We are certainly going to In addition, we are in communication
Please mark your letter “LETTER TO THE EDITOR.” Include your the bill explains that the RDCK is with Nakusp physicians and have
going to raise our rate every year to miss you and your family but wish you
address and daytime phone number for verification purposes. recently been meeting with other West
a staggering $3,100/year to cover all the best in your new practice.
We will not knowingly publish any letter that is defamatory or libelous. Kootenay health committees and
We will not publish anonymous letters or letters signed with pseudonyms, aging infrastructure replacement. A recent locum has expressed
interest in a more regular presence here. municipalities – all in the effort to find
except in extraordinary circumstances. To put this into perspective, when common ground and support each other
Opinions expressed in published letters are those of the author and not we moved here in 2012 our water He and Dr. Burkholder are working
on submitting a ‘service development in our efforts to maintain and improve
necessarily those of the Valley Voice. bill was $471/year. So it’s already our health services.
The Valley Voice
We are also members of the BC
Box 70, New Denver, BC V0G 1S0 Rural Health Network. This network
is a BC-wide association of rural
Phone: 250-358-7218 Fax: 250-358-7793 E-Mail: valleyvoice@valleyvoice.ca Website: www.valleyvoice.ca health committees, organizations and
Publisher - Dan Nicholson • Editor - Jan McMurray • Food Editor Emeritus - Andrew Rhodes • Arts & Culture Editor - Art Joyce municipalities. We present a united front
to the provincial Health Ministry when
Reporters - Katrine Campbell, Claire Paradis, Barbara Curry Mulcahy, Moe Lyons it comes to fighting for rural BC’s right
Published and printed in British Columbia, Canada
to the level of healthcare we need and
The Valley Voice is distributed throughout the Slocan and Arrow Lake Valleys from South Slocan/Playmor Junction to Edgewood and Kaslo on Kootenay Lake. deserve.
Circulation is 7,600 papers, providing the most complete news and advertising coverage of any single newspaper serving this area. Mayor Leonard Casley and
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May 23, 2019 The Valley Voice LETTERS 5
More on of peer-reviewed studies have found
biological health effects from chronic
was standing on top of me. If you are
fearful that you are going to be attacked
cheetahs, Annie and Robin, to schools
so that some local children might at
director of our Nelson-Creston Green
Party Riding Association and as a
electromagnetic exposure to non-thermal levels of
microwave radiation and low frequency
by a cougar here in Crawford Bay, get
in line. One person in all of Canada is
least have a chance to see one before
they go extinct in 2024, yet apparently
representative of the large number of
Nelson Creston residents who wish
radiation fields.” Most 5G studies are misleading killed every 10 years by a cougar so if they can’t afford to relocate one bear to see our province moving towards
No surprise in this Trump era that because they do not pulse the waves. you believe you could be that person, in Peachland – so they are going to a sustainable future. We feel this is
Mr. Lindsay believes a five-minute Research on microwaves already tells us you should be buying lottery tickets kill it when they catch it. If you have an excellent opportunity to showcase
Google search trumps decades of science that pulsed waves have more profound because you are going to win. children, please pause for a second forward-thinking 21st Century
and experts who have devoted entire biological effects on our body compared All animals speak; it is just that and think about what you want to technology by NOT reinvesting
careers to studying electromagnetic to non-pulsed waves, leading – as Dr. we don’t listen to what they say. If leave them. in diesel power at all but moving
radiation. Meanwhile the technique Pall states – to gene toxicity and DNA you live in Crawford Bay, you have Earl Pfeifer toward 100% electrical power.
of ‘astro-turfing’ has long been used strand breaks. chosen to live where there are animals. Crawford Bay The Norwegian MF Ampere
by industry to discredit critics of their Dr. Devra Davis, an adviser to the It wouldn’t hurt to learn a few words Ferry is an example of the world’s
products. What they do is set up bogus California Department of Health who in the local dialect. Animals do not Open letter first all-electric car ferry. View it at:
‘study’ groups paid for with industry
money to challenge the scientific status
lectures at universities around the world,
notes: “In 2015 a study replicated a
kill or attack indiscriminately. Only
humans do that. to Minister of https://corvusenergy.com/marine-
project/mf-ampere-ferry/. This
quo. It’s therefore no surprise that Big
Telecom uses the same tactic to discredit
2010 experiment that found that weak
cellphone signals significantly promote
Every scientist, biologist,
conservationist and animal lover in
Transportation and vessel alone saves one million litres
of diesel per year, and 2680 metric
scientists such as Magda Havas through the growth of tumors in mice and that the world (except those that work Infrastructure tons of CO2 and 37 metric tons of
suspect sites like Rational Wiki or
‘quack’ watch websites. It’s a technique
toxic chemical exposures combine with
RF to more than double tumor response.”
for the government) are telling us the
same thing: the animals on earth are re: all-electric NOx are mitigated, as an illustration
of the environmental benefits.
known as an ad hominem attack: when
you can’t make your argument based
This was replicated in the 2017 US
National Toxicology Program study.
going extinct. An 1100-page report
given to the United Nations this week
ferry proposal for In light of our urgent climate
crisis, it is imperative that we vastly
on the facts, attack the messenger. It’s I urge Mr. Lindsay to spend some suggested this extinction is becoming Kootenay Lake, BC reduce fossil fuel use. The new
an admission of the failure of your time watching presentations by these exponential. I am writing to request that the Kootenay Lake ferry could be a
argument. scientists, available on YouTube. But The number of people who believe proposed new ferry for Kootenay prototype of BC’s first all-electric
It staggers me that Lindsay can then, perhaps he would prefer to listen animals have rights are growing. Lake, which we are to be receiving ferry, by using this Corvus Energy
cherry-pick his facts based on a cursory to industry propaganda and ignore the Several countries have already passed in 2022, is 100% electric powered. Storage System. And we have the
web search to actually state that cancer evidence. laws making animals sentient beings Corvus Energy manufactures technology available to us right
rates are going down. But then, he Art Joyce and giving them rights of their own. modular lithium ion batteries in here, with this multi-award-winning
probably doesn’t know that both the New Denver BC, as always is a day late and a Richmond, BC. As they already energy company in Richmond. We
Canadian and American Cancer Society have 100% electric ferries in use
are compromised by funding from What do you dollar short, but the upward trend will
continue and BC will continue to be at in Norway using these BC-made
feel the time is now for this innovative
action, and that perpetuating any
industry. Health Canada and the FCC
are routinely compromised by industry
want to leave the back of the bus. My wish is that it
would just move a little faster.
batteries, it makes very good sense
to proceed with this technology for
diesel use is a backward step for the
environment and society.
executives sitting on their review panels. your children? The BC Government spent over $1 our new ferry boat. Mary Donald
It’s in their interests to downplay the I would like to make a comment million to stop me from taking my two I am writing this letter as a Riondel
cancer risks, obviously. Cancer is big based on a news story reported on May
business. 10 about a bear in Peachland and locals
Since 2011, when the WHO declared attempting to save the animal. Local
radiofrequency radiation a “possible Conservation Officers have already
human carcinogen,” nine new studies publicly stated that they will kill the
have reported increased risk of brain animal if it is found and locals have
cancer from mobile phone use, four been urging others not to call the CO
case-control studies show increased if the bear is around.
risk of vestibular nerve tumours, and Conservation Officers in BC kill
other studies point to elevated risk for over 500 black bears each year. That’s
breast and testes cancer, leukemia and more black bears than the entire
thyroid cancer. US Fish and Wildlife Service kills
But since Lindsay takes exception in the United States, where they
to Havas, here are some other experts average around 450 bears a year. BC
he can cheerfully ignore: Dr. Martin Conservation Officers will kill over
Pall, Washington State University: “The 100 cougars this year. They do this
current US and international safety by chasing them with dogs until the
guidelines for exposure to EMR are terrified animal climbs a tree to escape
based only on thermal effects, but many and then CO simply blasts him out of
non-thermal effects occur at levels orders the tree. Conservation Officers in BC
of magnitude lower than those allowed will kill over 100 brown bears this
by these guidelines. There is cellular year. They do not relocate animals very
DNA damage of at least three different often. Stats on how many they kill and
types. We’re already seeing huge effects how many they relocate are on the CO
in human populations.” He calls the website.
rollout of 5G based on what we already BC Conservation Officers have a
know “absolutely insane.” secret word that gives them unlimited
Paul Heroux, professor of toxicology power. That word is “policy.” That
and health effects of electromagnetism means they can do anything they want
at Department of Surgery, McGill and the citizens of BC have no power
University Health Centre, says: “The and no input. In one case a few years
health evidence has been there, but ago, the CO killed a cub right in front
ignored for decades. Industry has of the family who had found it and had
performed no health studies on 5G. already called and found a bear rehab
There would be impacts on cancer rates, facility willing to take it.
on neurological diseases, including No one who uses a gun in their job
electrical hypersensitivity (EHS), fertility is doing anything good. Conservation
and diabetes. Children are particularly Officers constantly say they don’t like
vulnerable.” killing animals but they know what
As Dr. Joel Moskowitz, University they are signing up for when they take
of California, Berkeley, explains: “Since the job. I personally would not call a
1999 the preponderance of thousands Conservation Officer if a grizzly bear
6 SLOCAN VALLEY The Valley Voice May 23, 2019
Silverton council, May 14: Electronic recycling depot needs more discussion
by Jan McMurray depot, which will be staffed, but this happy to add the books, artifacts and climate crisis. The RDCK passed • Councillors Leah Main and
• Before council decides whether may require finding a secure place to photos that are in the museum space a resolution like this at its April Tanya Gordon volunteered to be
or not they want an electronic store the container when the depot in the Silverton Gallery building to its meeting, and Councillor Main would members of a Climate Adaptation
recycling depot in Silverton, they is not staffed. Council felt these collection, or to maintain an exhibit like to see Silverton follow suit. team for the RDI Climate Adaptation
will have a discussion about it issues warranted more discussion in in the gallery space if the space Main, Silverton’s RDCK director Project. Councillor K. Gordon also
at the May 22 Committee of the Committee of the Whole. were secure. Council referred this and chair of the RDCK Sustainable expressed an interest to be involved.
Whole meeting. CAO Hillary Elliott • A letter from Henning von to a future Committee of the Whole Living Advisory Committee, put • Councillor Arlene Yofonoff
reported on what she’d learned from Krogh of the Silvery Slocan Historical meeting. the resolution forward at the RDCK (alternate K. Gordon) volunteered
a phone conversation with Craig Society (SSHS) thanks council for • An invitation to an event about board table. CAO Elliott will draft the to help champion the North Slocan
Wisehart from the Electronic Products donating Silverton’s archives to the Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary on May resolution for council’s consideration Organic Waste Diversion Pilot Project,
Recycling Association. Monitoring of SSHS. He reports that they worked 27 was accepted. Councillor Leah within three months. otherwise known as the community
the bin would be important because with archivist Linda Wills of Vernon to Main will attend. • Mayor Clarke reported on the composting project, initiated by the
only acceptable electronic items are sort, file and record the items and store • Council received a letter from AKBLG (Association of Kootenay Healthy Community Society.
allowed. There is a possibility of them in archivally safe storage boxes. BC Hydro regarding the ongoing Boundary Local Governments) AGM. • CAO Elliott reported that the
coordinating with the new recycling Von Krogh also says SSHS would be transmission line work they are doing Clarke served on the executive for funding proposal for FireSmart
in the area. The work is expected to four years, but did not seek re-election initiatives in Silverton, New Denver
be completed this summer and will this year. The new executive includes and Slocan in partnership with SIFCo
not require any more planned power Rob Lang from Kaslo and Gary has been approved. A grant application
outages. Jackman, RDCK Area A (East Shore for community education on FireSmart
• A composting update was Kootenay Lake) Director. will be submitted soon to CBT.
provided by Julia Greenlaw of the • Councillor Tanya Gordon • Public Works has completed the
Healthy Community Society. Mayor reported on the Recreation museum area in the Silverton Gallery
Clarke noted that working harder to Commission #6 meeting. The fitness building. All artifacts are secure and
Annual General Meeting engage communities was mentioned in
the update, and Councillor Main noted
centre floor needs to be sanded and
refinished; work will be done in
there is a meeting space for up to 11
people with kitchenette.
Friday, May 31 at the Vallican Whole Community Centre
Doors open at 6:30, meeting starts at 7:00. that the ready compost will eventually coordination with Lucerne School, • The budget and tax rate bylaws
Join us for an entertaining and informative evening as we update members be available to the community. The where the gym floor also needs were adopted.
on the Council’s recent activities. Meeting to be followed by wine and placement of the compost bins in attention. She also reported that • During public time, Vern
cheese and socializing. Door prizes, too! www.slocanvalleyarts.ca Silverton will be discussed at the May community baseball practices will Hartman and Gary Willman of the
22 Committee of the Whole meeting. be held at Centennial Park in New Silverton Community Club asked
• The RDCK will be applying Denver. The Silverton ball diamond for some help from Public Works
VILLAGE OF for funding to do a regional housing
needs assessment; local governments
was considered, but not chosen
because parents can’t see the children
to prepare for July 1st celebrations.
Mayor Clarke suggested they have a
NEW DENVER are now required to do a housing
needs report every five years. The
well from the backstop.
• CAO Hillary Elliott reported
discussion with Public Works.
• Don Broughton had some
PUBLIC NOTICES Village of Silverton was invited to that the campground opened May 14 questions about the hiring process
participate as a partner in the RDCK with Ron Greenwood as attendant, for the campground contract, but was
END OF OUTDOOR BURNING grant application, or alternatively, to and that the first community shut down by Mayor Clarke when he
Residents of New Denver are reminded that outdoor burning is regulated provide a letter of support. CAO Elliott engagement session for the OCP asked why staff lied to an applicant. “I
within the Village of New Denver. Outdoor fires contained within a barbecue said she hadn’t had time to look into (Official Community Plan) review can assure you that staff is running the
pit or fire pit having a surface area not greater than four (4) square feet; or this initiative, and suggested a letter of was scheduled for June 24 at 5 pm at Village as council wishes and is doing
within a manufactured gas, coal or electric barbecue are permitted unless a support rather than participation as a Silverton Memorial Hall. There will a fantastic job,” the mayor said. He
campfire ban is in effect. Other open burning is only permitted during des- partner. Council agreed. be a series of sessions, each with a also commented that the Village works
ignated periods and does require a free permit from the Village – the next • Council directed staff to theme such as health, transportation, hard for all residents, but especially
open burning period starts September 30th. Council thanks all residents for draft a resolution recognizing the etc. hard for Broughton.
New Denver council, May 14: Budget and tax rate bylaws adopted
their cooperation.
THANK YOU - BOCCE COURT & by Katrine Campbell reason was given. • Council approved an update
NIMC GARDEN VOLUNTEERS Mayor Leonard Casley was • Council adopted the five- from the Healthy Community
absent from this meeting. The other year financial plan and tax rates Society’s North Slocan Organic
The Village of New Denver wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation
councillors all wore suits and ties. No bylaws. The $2.5 million budget Waste Diversion Pilot Project,
for the recent donations of material, time and labour from local community
includes revenues of $280,000 in presented by Katrina Sumrall and
members. To prepare the Centennial Park Bocce Court in time for the annual Otterly amazing property taxes and almost $582,000 Helen Davis. The organizers are
May Days, Mel Swanson donated his machine and hours of his time to replace Otters love to play. River otters run, bound, slide in government grants and revenues. looking at putting two more Jora cans
the surface material on the court. Stuart Nelson, from Silverton Transport, down slopes, swim up to 11 kph, can dive 18 m and The Knox Hall renovation is the big (heavy-duty tumbling composters)
donated the transport of and the surface material to the Bocce Court project. hold their breath underwater for 8 minutes. Nostrils capital project in this year’s budget. in the village. There has been
The recent NIMC Spring Garden Clean Up was also a success due to the and ears close underwater and water-repellant fur
The residential municipal tax rate is little contamination in the existing
many hours of weeding, raking and hauling by nine local volunteers. Thank keeps them warm with 58,000 hairs/cm2. Otters
$3.27 per $1,000 of assessed value, a composters from people throwing
you to everyone involved! chat with chuckles, buzzes, chirps and twitters.
They are indicator species of water quality and drop of 6% from last year, but some in garbage.
aquatic ecosystem health. of the other agencies it collects for Councillor John Fyke, who hosts
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (hospital, school, police, RDCK) a Jora can on his property, says he has
may go up. “It flows through us tested it by throwing in fish guts. The
The Village of New Denver is now accepting applications for Summer
slocanlakess.com and we look like the bad guy,” one bears ignore it, while digging in to a
Groundskeepers to work in the Public Works department. These positions
councillor said. neighbour’s pile every night.
are for 35 hours per week at a pay rate of $14.00 per hour and are open to
• Vern Hartman, on behalf of the
individuals between 15-30 years of age.
Kootenay Silverton July 1st Committee, invited
Mayor Leonard Casley to attend the
Furnace, Ltd.
Applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to:
Village of New Denver, Attention: Catherine Allaway, Acting CAO festivities and carry a Canadian flag
Mail: P.O. Box 40, New Denver, B.C., V0G 1S0 in the parade.
Email: office@newdenver.ca Spring Showroom • Councillor Colin Moss reported
he attended the BC Rural Health
In person: 115 Slocan Avenue, New Denver Clearance Network AGM and was elected as
Position will remain posted until filled. All applicants are thanked for their 10% off MSRP on all a director. He recommended the
interest – only those selected for an interview will be contacted. in-stock Blaze King Village join the network as a full
Catalytic Wood Stoves member.
BEAR SIGHTINGS – All 2020 compliant –
• Council approved opening a
Bears have been sighted visiting our area for a few weeks now. Please ensure Business Account–Business Online
that attractants are managed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Residents With RDCK rebate, you Banking at the Kootenay Savings
are encouraged to report wildlife sightings to the Conservation Officer Service can save up to $650 on a Credit Union to allow the Village to
using the RRAP line at 1-877-952-7727. new Blaze King Stove!!! pay its employees with online direct
deposits. The one-time cost to the
115 Slocan Avenue · P.O. Box 40, New Denver, BC V0G 1S0 SLOCAN CITY • 250-355-0088
Village will be $750 for a software
(250) 358-2316 · office@newdenver.ca · www.newdenver.ca kfurnace@netidea.com upgrade.
May 23, 2019 The Valley Voice KASLO & DISTRICT 7
Kaslo council, May 7: Seniors want bus stop to remain at seniors hall
by Jan McMurray highway crossing is scheduled for • The CAO reported that he • Council approved the installation were given second and third reading,
• On behalf of the Kaslo Seniors May 21-24 – there will be one-lane contacted Telus to discuss the by FortisBC of one Level 3 Fast EV and the sewer rates and parcel taxes
Association, Andy Shadrack made a traffic May 21 and 24, and traffic will extremely annoying beacon that was charger, to be located on Third and water parcel tax bylaws were
presentation regarding transit issues be detoured to Third Street on May recently installed on the cell tower in Avenue near the Kemball building. given third reading. The 2019 budget
within the Village. The seniors would 22 and 23. Kaslo. Craig Sexton, Telus Operations FortisBC will apply for federal is $4 million. Only 17% ($678,555)
like the bus to continue to stop in • Dunlop also reported that Manager out of Vancouver, told funding for a second charger at the comes from taxation while 40%
front of the seniors’ hall, so would arrangements were being made for Dunlop that the light is a requirement same location. ($1.6 million) comes from grants.
like council to consider moving the gravel extraction at the airport gravel of Transport Canada when towers are • Council received from John Residential taxes make up 81.7%
handicap parking zone away from pit for the Hwy 31 repaving project. close to airports. He said Telus would Cathro a preliminary map of proposed ($514,432) of the municipal tax
the hall entrance and re-designating “The Village is hoping to get its own install a ‘blocking ring,’ which helps wildfire risk reduction treatments revenue and business taxes make up
the area as a loading and bus zone. paving projects done around the somewhat, but not at all for people south of Kaslo, and asked staff to 16.7% ($105,033). Businesses pay
They’d like the bus stop to remain at same time to save on mobilization living at a higher elevation than the invite Cathro to make a presentation 2.33 times the residential tax rate.
the hall for several reasons: so they costs and take advantage of royalties top of the tower. Sexton said he would at a future council meeting.
can wait for the bus in a warm space from the sale of materials to offset discuss the matter with Transport • Council agreed to provide a
with a washroom, because the hall is the cost of paving,” he says in his Canada to see if an exception can be $400 bursary for a Kaslo graduate
closer to the main street than the new written report. made or another solution found for the again this year.
bus shelter, and because the sidewalk Fourth Street at Birch Street will Kaslo tower, due to the surrounding • Council authorized the removal
at the hall is cleared of snow and ice definitely be paved, Dunlop says. topography. However, he warned that of trees, as recommended in the
in winter. Shadrack invited council to “Even if we have to look at a reduced it would take some time. Three letters Public Works Foreman’s report, at
discuss these issues with the seniors program for this year due to budget, from residents complaining about 413 3rd Street, 436 B Avenue (maple
at a later date. this street needs to get done.” the light were received by council at tree), and 746 Higashi Way (two trees
• CAO Ian Dunlop reported that Dunlop will contact YRB to ask this meeting – one of them says he’s to be removed by Village crew this
the sewer project remains one week if their drivers would slow down on writing on behalf of several residents year; eight in total were assessed for
behind the original timeline, but is Fourth and Birch to help keep dust – and one letter was received at the danger and would need to be referred
still within “schedule tolerance.” The and noise down. April 23 meeting. to budget 2020).
Kaslo SAR establishes awards program • Councillor Rob Lang was
elected to the executive of the
submitted establish an annual awards program. a big thank you to all local corporate Association of Kootenay Boundary
As Kaslo Search and Rescue “We have an annual Christmas supporters including Buddy’s Pizza, Local Governments (AKBLG) at the
continues to grow in both call volumes gathering and I was hoping that Kaslo Kayaking and Rally4Life AGM in Castlegar on April 28.
and volunteers, the organization is we could establish long standing Holdings. • The budget and tax rate bylaws
preparing for the challenge of retaining relationships with the business Anyone interested in volunteering
valuable experience after training community,” said Jennings-Bates. for Kaslo Search and Rescue can • Fresh Meat Cut Daily
volunteers. “They were quick to come to the table contact the organisation through its • Fresh & Frozen Seafood
“We are very fortunate in Kaslo to help create some value in the awards Facebook page, or show up on a • Freezer Packs
that people who join the organization for the volunteers.” Monday evening at 6 pm at the firehall/ • Deli Sandwiches to go
are driven by a passion to help others The first annual recipients were Emergency Services building in Kaslo. • Awesome Cheese Selection
in need,” said Stefan Lettrari, KSAR presented their awards at the end of Remember, as spring approaches
Since
Since1986
1986 • Fresh & Smoked Sausage
president. “Thankfully, Kaslo is also 2018 and include: Angry Hen Rookie storms on the lake and tributaries
Father’s Day and Graduation cards are • Smoked Salmon
one of those communities that has a Technician of the Year Award – can whip up quickly. Stay in touch
in, along with lots of new summer stock. • Awesome Beef Jerky
habit of keeping you in the region once Miriam Halliday; Stellar Heli Ski Most with the local weather and wind Great sale on Hatley children’s pajamas • Custom Cutting
you have arrived.” Improved Technician Award – Kristi forecast and consider downloading while stock lasts. Open every day. • Weekly Instore Specials
However, with the extensive Gizzard; Kaslo Building Supplies the latest backcountry weather app 250.353.2566
training that is offered to volunteers Most Volunteer Hours – Don Hunt; at adventuresmart.ca/tripplanning/ 408 Front Street, Kaslo, BC
www.figmentscanada.com
and the value of the training, it makes Kaslo Community Pharmacy Heaviest tripplan.htm.
sense to ensure people stay involved. Backpack Award – Orion Cooper;
For that reason, communications Rally4Life President’s Award – Henry
director Mark Jennings-Bates reached van Mills.
out to the local business community to Kaslo Search and Rescue extends
North Kootenay Lake Rural
Revitalization Project goes ahead
by Jan McMurray their growing season, diversify crops,
The Kaslo and Area D Economic and increase production.
Development Commission has The third agricultural program
received a $170,124 provincial is a feasibility study for a compost
Rural Dividend grant for the North program, to be led by Kaslo’s Food
Kootenay Lake Rural Revitalization Hub. The study will design a program
Project. The project includes three “that will divert organics from the
agricultural initiatives and two
business and community economic
development initiatives.
waste stream into a recycled product
that provides value added business
opportunities,” according to the grant
Selkirk Paving is working
in the area. Meadow Creek,
“We’ve applied three times for application.
Rural Dividend funding for the Rural The two business and community
Revitalization Project and it appears economic development initiatives are
the third time is the charm!” said Area to create a workplan for the Kaslo
Kaslo, Ainsworth, Balfour.
D Director Aimee Watson. and Area D Economic Development
Watson reports that Area D has Commission and to create a
been providing two of the farm Community Marketing Strategy.
innovation programs in partnership Watson said a partner hasn’t been
with Lardeau Valley LINKS for identified yet to lead these initiatives,
the past two years, “so these will
happen the quickest.” These are the
Farm Internship Program (formerly
and the RDCK will put out a Request
for Expressions of Interest in the
coming months.
For a free estimate
Call 1-800-668-2848
wage subsidy program) and the The workplan will be developed
Infrastructure Supports Program. by updating and implementing
The Farm Internship Program the 2014 Business Retention and
will provide a stipend and curriculum Expansion Study.
for four eligible farms to hire an The purpose of the marketing
intern.
The Infrastructure Supports
Program offers infrastructure supports
strategy will be to attract new
residents and young families, to retain
youth, and to build on sustainable
Driveways to Highways
for four eligible farmers to extend business opportunities.
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