NO CHARGES IN BUST
ON A ROLL
Plenty of arrests, but no charges laid in last October’s pot bust
Bowling fundraiser brings in over a grand for local Special Olympics programs / Page 10
/ Page 2
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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Managing its own airport is proving successful for the City of Merritt despite severing ties with the Merritt Flying Club, which historically managed the airport free of charge. Since taking over operations late last year, the city has started selling fuel, bringing in a source of revenue to the municipality from the airport for the first time. Last March, the city installed an automated point-of-sale (POS) fueling system at the airport, which cost approximately $110,000. A report on airport operations prepared by chief administrative officer Shawn Boven indicates that, after about a year of using this system, the city is making a profit from the fuel sales. To date, the city has sold 49,329 litres of fuel, worth about $70,000, for approximately $88,000.
Airport fuel a boon for city Merritt is turning a profit from fuel sales Michael Potestio/Herald
See ‘There’s good money’ Page 3
GRINCH PINCH
TOP PRIZE
Theft mars health care auxiliary jewelry sale
VSA wins contractor of the year
David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
A blow has been struck to the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary’s (NVHCA) annual Christmas jewelry sale, as they say $430 was stolen from the cash box. “One of our ladies was sitting beside the table with the cash box, and she got distracted with another customer who had two small children, and when she turned back she said the $430 was gone,” said Betty Doberstein, president of the NVHCA. The sale typically brings in $1,400 for the non-profit society and charitable
organization. That money would have gone to filling hospital needs such as beds, or x-ray, cardio and physiotherapy equipment. The theft was “extremely disheartening,” said Doberstein in a press release. “The organization works very hard to give back to the community and to maximize the amount that is raised in support of health care.” If anyone has any information regarding the theft, they’re encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477. Donations can be dropped off at the Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shop.
Merritt’s own VSA Highway Maintenance Ltd. has won the deputy minister’s Contractor of the Year Award for highway maintenance. The award was given to the local company for their focus on building relationships within the communities they serve, and for their work in communication with the public and stakeholders. “The award highlights the innovative, proactive, and service-oriented approach of VSA in the Nicola Service Area,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone in a news release.
VSA was praised by the government for their beet juice production plant and liquid application program. “VSA used these new blends, increased the quantities applied, and purchaseed additional new equipment in their proactive approach to anti-icing last winter to deal with the challenges of repeated freeze/thaw cycles, freezing rain and black ice issues,” said the province in
the release. Their communication and leadership skills were highlighted as a critical aspect of road care on the Snowshed Hill section of the Coquihalla, which the government credited for minimal highway closures, expedited highway openings and efficient queue management in comparison to previous years. “VSA Highway Maintenance crews work hard every day of the year to ensure our roads, highways and bridges are as safe as possible for all travellers,” said Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart in the release.
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