THURSDAY
S I N C E
APRIL 18, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 61
105
$
Local minor hockey player gets to skate with Canucks Page 11
INCLUDING G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Schools, groups pitching in for Earth Day
ARTWALK AT WEBSTER SCHOOL
Trash to Treasure Day on Saturday BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
“The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship.” Regardless of faith, these words of Pope John Paul II, are especially poignant as Earth Day approaches. For 43 years, April 22 has been observed as an international day to celebrate the Earth, with events held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental causes. Around the Greater Trail area, schools and numerous community groups are supporting the day with activities which will span the course of the week. On Saturday, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is sponsoring its 10th annual Trash to Treasure Day, which has grown into a Kootenay-wide tradition. “About 10 years ago, the Village of Fruitvale approached us with the concept of cleaning out stuff you no longer need, that still has a life to it, and place it curbside with a “free” sign on it,” said Tim Dueck, RDKB’s solid waste program coordinator. “It’s not a free-trash day, rather, it is a fantastic day to clean out the garage and de-clutter.” Dueck said the reusable items the landfill attendants see thrown away on a daily basis are mind-boggling. “There is a tremendous amount of things that people just have no use for anymore,” he explained. “And this is a perfect way to pass the stuff along and keep it out of the landfill.” During the week, district schools have a range of activities planned to engage students in making positive changes to the environment. At MacLean Elementary in Rossland, children’s author Yolanda Ridge spoke to Grade 3 students on Wednesday in conjunction with “Authors for Earth Day.” As part of the visit, students researched four not-for-profit conservation organizations, and voted for their favourite. Ridge donated her speaking fee by writing a cheque to the cause chosen by the students. Students at James L. Webster Elementary will be participating in “Lights out Canada,” an initiative that teaches students to make small changes and reduce ecological footprints. See VARIETY, Page 3
ART HARRISON PHOTO
Webster Elementary students admire their artwork during this week's Artwalk. From the left; Kindergarten students Gia Zanussi, Ellery Shields, Ava Jansen, Nathan Hakkola and Grade 2 student Noah Hakkola.
B.C. ELECTION
Three candidates vying for Kootenay West BY ART HARRISON Times Staff
What looked like a possible quiet win by acclamation for the incumbent NDP MLA Katrine Conroy has turned into a three-way contest for the opportunity to represent the Kootenay West riding. Independent candidate Joseph Hughes from Nakusp confirmed his nomination and Castlegar's Jim Postnikoff was nominated for the BC Liberals on Sunday. There is still time for any undeclared candidates to enter the race as the nomination period for the 40th provincial general election remains open until April 26. The 29-year-old Hughes is a small business owner, a carpenter by trade, and holds a diploma in marketing management. He says he has been involved with local government issues in the valley from a young age and has sat on the Nakusp village council since 2009. “I've got a strong team and we're
eager for the gates to open,” said Hughes in a recent interview with the Times. “We don't have the same budget as the parties but we've already got a lot of momentum. I think people in my area are excited about supporting me because they see how I've handled things on the local council.” Hughes believes that the voters in the Kootenay West riding will support an independent, without ties to a large political party. “I think we have very important issues in our area and we need a strong advocate in Victoria,” said Hughes. “The best way is with an independent without any political agenda.” Although unavailable for comment at press time, Postnikoff's biography describes him as having worked in the mining/smelting and forestry industries before buying a hobby farm in Shoreacres where he grew up, near Castlegar. He is currently self-employed, run-
Celebrate
earth Day
at our a.G.M.
r (the 'G' StaN DS Fo GreeN thIS year!)
better. together.
ning a variety of small businesses. At Conroy's official opening of her campaign office in Castlegar last Saturday, she expressed her excitement at finally having opponents in the election. "We are excited,” she told the Castlegar News. “We have a great team and I'm looking forward to getting on with the campaign.” The provincial ridings on either side of Kootenay West are both fielding a similar number of candidates, if not necessarily representing the same parties. To the east, in Nelson-Creston, incumbent, NDP MLA, Michelle Mungal will be facing Greg Garbula of the BC Liberal Party and Sjeng Derkx from the Green Party. In the Boundary-Similkameen, to the west, Mischa Popoff is representing the BC Conservatives, Linda Larson is running for the Liberals, and Sam Hancheroff the NDP candidate.
44th Annual General Meeting Monday, April 22, 2013 7:30 pm Cominco Gym Trail, BC
kscu.com
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012