FRIDAY
S I N C E
APRIL 19, 2013
1 8 9 5 Bull-a-Rama ready to ride
Vol. 118, Issue 62
105
$
Page 3
INCLUDING G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Changes modernize inheritance laws BY ART HARRISON Times Staff
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
On Tuesday, the city crew hauled away a concrete barrier at Miral Heights Park. Now the area is secured with an extension to the existing fence, in hopes to curb illegal dumping of refuse and garden waste at that site.
All taxpayers pay the price of illegal dumping BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Trail's public works manager has a message for those who dump illegally in the Silver City. "You think you got away with it, but you have just shared the cost with your neighbours and everybody else.” Larry Abenante said that illegal dumping is all over the place because people don't want to pay to get rid of waste at the landfill. “So, the city gets the complaint calls, and we have to send two people and a loader,” he explained. “Who pays, well it is all of us, the taxpayers.” On Tuesday, the city pulled its concrete barrier at Miral Heights Park, after sending crews out yet again, to deal with a large mass of illegal dumping in the ravine. Now, taxpayers will foot the bill to add a 60-foot chain link extension to the already existing fence, in hopes to curb the stealthy discarding of waste,
“You think you got away with it but you have just shared the cost with you neighbours and everybody else.” LARRY ABENANTE
that ranges from plastic bags filled with garbage, vegetable scraps, and other yard waste. “It's not that expensive to take your refuse to the landfill yourself,” said Abenante. “So now, the city is picking up your garbage and paying for it by the ton. But really, in the end, you are paying for it anyway.” In efforts to support clean up in Greater Trail, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) offers an incentive to community groups who do care about sanitation and the appearance of river banks, parks and high-
ways. “We waive the tipping fees at the landfill for community groups participating in community clean up,” said Tim Dueck, RDKB's solid waste coordinator. “We have been doing this for years and it is supported by the board with a standing policy.” Dueck said that the only requirement, other than being a community group, is that the materials have to be sorted according to the RDKB's landfill requirements. “We think it's a great opportunity for citizens to get out there and raise awareness in the greater community about where refuse should go, and how it should be treated,” explained Dueck. “We believe that raising awareness and getting kids involved, is what it is going to take in the long run for people to understand the system and their responsibilities within the community.”
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A recent change to the provincial Wills, Estates, and Succession Act (WESA) attempts to modernize B.C. laws surrounding inheritance, some of which have stood since the 1800s. In a press release, the Ministry of Justice said the new act, “provides the courts with more latitude to ensure a deceased person's last wishes will be respected.” It's important to note that the new laws don't change or invalidate existing wills. It does mean, however, that they could be interpreted differently by the courts than in the past. It may be advisable for individuals with particularly complicated wills to take the time to review them with a lawyer or notary public. “This shouldn't be a cause for worry for someone who has their estate planning documents all finished and tucked away,” said Susan Bell, of the local Notary Public firm, Plaa and Bell. “The changes implemented in this new legislation are created to clarify and simplify succession.” Some of the changes that may be of interest include changes to the definition of “spouse” in B.C. as it applies to wills. Now, under B.C. law, you will be considered a spouse if you live together in a marriage-like relationship for two years, regardless of gender. However, you will stop being considered a spouse if the couple lives apart for two years with the intention of living separate. See BLENDED, Page 2
Toxco handed fine for permit violation ART HARRISON Times Staff
Toxco Waste Management, which operates a hazardous materials recycling plant in the Waneta industrial park south of Trail, has been fined for exceeding its import permit in 2011. A $17,500 fine was issued on Thursday after the company plead guilty in provincial court to importing 16,804 kilograms of waste lithium batteries, exceeding its permit of 10,000 kg by 68 per cent. The fine will go to the Environmental Damages Fund, a fund administered by Environment Canada which directs money from fines, court orders and voluntary payments to projects that benefit Canada's natural environment. Toxco was fined for a similar infraction See SECOND, Page 2
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