ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 | VOL. 78 NO. 45
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The community of Fort Nelson has lost a long-time standing advocate, a voice – former mayor Bill Streeper died on Saturday, Nov. 5. A former councillor, he became the first mayor of the, then, newlyestablished Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in 2009, and held the position until 2018 when he was defeated by current outgoing mayor Gary Foster in 2018. “He will be missed by many,” said Foster upon hearing the news Sunday morning. “His dedication to our community, not only as mayor but as councillor. He had a long history in local government and the community, as a whole. Worked tirelessly. The local hospital foundation was just one of the groups near and dear to his heart.” Foster believes Streeper will be remembered for a number of things he did, most notably, the town’s recreation facility. “After the collapse of our rec centre, Bill Streeper made sure that we had a beautiful rec centre here, that was the envy of communities all across the north... He was a larger-thanlife character,” added Foster. “Well-known by the provincial government and a tireless worker for our region.” Peace River North MLA Dan Davies was saddened to hear the news, but chuckled loudly when asked if he has any memories of Streeper that stuck out. “You know, when Bill spoke, you listened,” he said. “He was very knowledgeable. He really cared a lot about his community. When you saw that he phoned, you made sure you picked up. He was a very strong individual.” Davies was able to forge a friendship with Streeper, particularly when he became the area’s MLA in 2017, describ-
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Former Northern Rockies mayor Bill Streeper is being remembered for the ‘tireless work” he did for his community and the region.
ing him as ‘’always being out there” and certainly not shy. “I always looked forward to going to lunch with him, go over sit in his office, catch up when I was in Fort Nelson. When he was in Fort St. John, he’d always give a quick dingle,” said Davies. “He will be missed.” “Bill was a fierce defender of his community,” added Fort St. John mayor Lori Ackerman, who admired Streeper’s ‘get ‘er done’ approach. “[He] fought for the services and programs that were needed to support his community, and by extension, the region. You certainly knew when he was in the room.” Incoming Northern Rockies mayor Rob Fraser knew Streeper both inside and outside of the political circle, having his own lengthy connection to the community. “It was a shock to hear of his passing,” said Fraser. “He was a true leader of the north. Not only did he look after that rec centre, the shining jewel in the community, his business contacts in the oil and gas industry were second-to-none and he was able to use those contacts as mayor to further the whole north, not just Fort Nelson, but the whole north.” Fraser pointed to another accomplishment Streeper had a hand in. “The bridge across
the Nelson River on Highway 77. He was instrumental in getting that replaced from a bailey bridge to the bridge that it is today. That was important to the entire infrastructure of the north.” Fraser also remembers his former colleague as having a great sense of humour and sharp wit, and a conversation the two had a couple of years ago at a grocery store while Fraser was in town for a visit. “It was the day that he was opening his cannabis business. I saw him at the IGA, picking up donuts or something. He said to me: ‘Oh, you’re here for the [grand] opening of my business.” Former Dawson Creek mayor Dale Bumstead remembers Streeper for his passion and tenacity. “For getting the best for Fort Nelson/Northern Rockies,” said Bumstead. “He was well known throughout the province and region as that direct, no nonsense leader. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.” While it may not have been widely-known, Streeper had suffered a stroke a few months ago according to a family member and had just celebrated his 70th birthday this past May. No details of his passing or plans for a service have yet been announced.
After Lana-Gay Elliott first started collecting the history of World War veterans some three decades ago, she put them in a book, Veterans Land Stories, published in 2015. Seven years later, new stories continue to fill her inbox, enough, perhaps one day, for a second book. “It’s certainly not finished,” Elliott said this week of her project, a continuing effort with, and help from, veteran families, obituaries, the Fort St. John North Peace Museum, and local pioneer history books. “I think it will continue on for a long time… as long as I live.” As we ready for Remembrance Day on Friday, Alaska Highway News is publishing another batch of stories from Elliott’s files on the hundreds of local men and women who served, and later came to pioneer the north. Most were ordinary people leading ordinary lives — farmers and businessmen, truckers and road builders, secretaries and teachers, whose lives were all upended by war and who answered the call of duty. Elliott thanks the families and friends of veterans, and others, who have helped her over the many years. She notes not all records are available, and some of the veteran information is more complete than others. “It’s an ongoing project and we’d very much appreciate anyone who is willing to give us information we need,” said Elliott. If you have a story about a local veteran past or present, or have an update and more details to share regarding the stories that follow, you can contact Lana-Gay at 250-785-3324. Continued on pages A2, A3, A6, A7, A13, and A14
I’d like to thank the residents for their vote of confidence by electing me mayor. I am truly committed to building a stronger community.
Lilia Hansen
Lilia