Monthly Archives: November 2010

Future of Nelson Daily News building uncertain

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The owner of the Nelson Daily News building is in no rush to develop or sell the building on Baker Street. Photo by Colin Payne.

Glacier Media, former owner of the Nelson Daily News, is in no rush to make a decision about the future of the building that housed Nelson’s daily newspaper for 102 years.

Orest Smysnuik, chief financial officer for Glacier Media, told the Nelson Post the company is looking at many options for the historic nature of the building, built in 1899.

Glacier Media is considering selling the building or redeveloping the property at 266 Baker St. into something “that is commercially viable,” Smysnuik says. He says Glacier Media is sensitive to the historic nature of the building.

Smysnuik says Glacier Media hasn’t put a rush on the project but he expects a decision in the next six months.

Glacier Media sold the Nelson Daily News to Black Press in July 2010. The sale was part of a region-wide unloading of news outlets. The new owner promptly shut down the daily newspaper in favour of its existing paper, the Nelson Star. Smysnuik says Black Press had no interest in buying the building.

“They just wanted the newspaper, not the building. And we were happy to keep it, to be quite honest,” Smysnuik says. “I think there’s some decent value there.”

Building needs renovations

Smysnuik says the building needs work before new tenants go in, which is why Glacier Media has not made a decision.

The building would be a valuable addition to the downtown, says Lorne Westnedge, a Nelson-based Realtor.

“It would be good for the community as a whole to have something going on there,” Westnedge says.

Empty commercial spaces could suggest something is wrong with a community, he says, which couldn’t be farther from the truth when it comes to Nelson.

But the west end of Baker Street has several empty lots and buildings. The Esso gas station was closed in January 2008 and the old Savoy Hotel building has been empty since a fire burned through the building in November 2007. (Click here for a Google Map of the area.)

“The whole corner doesn’t give a sense of what downtown Nelson is like,” says Westnedge.

What do you think should go into the old Nelson Daily News building?

Dooley backs off from RDCK chair talk

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John Dooley talks with the public during last month's public meeting on the downtown and waterfront master plan. Photo by Chris Shepherd.

John Dooley says chairing the Regional District of Central Kootenay wasn’t what voters put him in office for and he’s decided not to run for the position.

Nelson’s mayor had mused about putting his name in the running for the job, which regional directors vote on in December. Gary Wright, mayor of New Denver and long-time chair of the board, decided he would not run for the position this winter. He also announced he was stepping out of politics and would not run for mayor in the municipal elections in November 2011.

“I gave it a lot of thought,” Dooley told the Nelson Post after the RDCK’s Thursday, Nov. 25 board meeting. “As much as I wouldn’t have minded taking it on – I think I probably do a decent job of it – but we just have a lot going in the municipality right now.”

Dooley said his first focus has to be on the City of Nelson and heading the RDCK board would have been an added burden that would have distracted him from his duties as Nelson’s mayor

John Kettle nominated for chair

Thursday’s meeting was the first opportunity for official nominations for chair and vice-chair of the regional board. Wright nominated John Kettle, director for Area B and vice chair of the board.

No other names were put forward but it is possible for another director to stand in the vote at next month’s meeting on Thursday, Dec. 9.

Much is made about the differences between Wright and Kettle: Kettle himself describes them as yin and yang.

The two have worked together for eight years on the RDCK board and Kettle says that while their politics differ (Perhaps confusingly: Kettle leans right, Wright leans left) the two were always able to work well together.

“People would not have put us in the same room,” says Kettle. “He’s a ‘group-hugger’ and I’m not.

“I let my name stand because I think I can do the job, that’s number one. Number two, I think it’s important that with all the new directors at the table that we have some continuity of leadership.

“We need to bring some of the new directors up. You can’t just walk into this business, sit at the table and all of a sudden know what you’re doing. There’s a huge learning curve.”

Indeed, the two directors up for vice chair, the position Kettle will leave behind, are two directors in their first term on the RDCK Board: Ramona Faust, director for Area E and Hillary Elliott, councillor from the Village of Slocan.

news@inthekoots.net

‘Mine tailings will be stored underground’

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A tungsten mine proposed for the Salmo area will use old mine shafts to store waste material and will have a minimal environmental impact, says a consultant for the mining company. Rural directors were glad to hear it, but asked for assurances ground water in the area won’t be contaminated.

Ed Lawrence, consultant for the mining company Sultan Minerals, says tailings from a proposed tungsten mine won't be a problem. Photo by Chris Shepherd.

Ed Lawrence is a consultant for Suntan Minerals, a Vancouver-based mining company that wants to start a below-ground mine called the Jersey Emerald Tungsten Project, south of Salmo (Click here to see a Google Map of the location). Lawrence appeared before the Regional District of Central Kootenay board on Thursday, Nov. 25 to explain the project and answer questions from the directors.

“This mine is unique in that the environmental aspect is going to be minimal,” Lawrence said.

That’s because Sultan will use old mine shafts right beside the proposed mine to store the tailings, he explained.

Tailings are the waste product left over after the raw ore has been processed. Tailings ponds in Alberta have made the news in recent months after hundreds of ducks died after landing in the toxic material. Even more devastating was the failure of a tailings pond in Hungary that sent a flood of toxic waste into the countryside. That couldn’t happen with this mine, Lawrence said.

“In this particular site we have a large, existing underground mine that has plenty of room for tailings, probably for the entire life of this project.”

Sultan Minerals will seal the bottom of the old mine with concrete to prevent the tailings from leaking out.

Additionally, the mine will reuse water from the tailings once the solid material has settled out, leaving the water to be reused.

“The water won’t go into the drainage systems,” Lawrence said. “So that eliminates a very large potential environmental problem.”

Janine Haughton, alternate director for Area G (where the mine will be), said she has concerns about the impacts on subterranean dirt, ecological insect system and where the tailings could leach.

“I would like much, much more information on that,” said Haughton.

Lawrence replied the mine they’ll use for storage is in bedrock.

“When it’s underground, it’s under about 300, 400 feet of limestone . . . so it’s not in the surface overburden where the insects and so on are involved, it’s actually underground in solid rock.”

Impact on water also a concern

Directors also asked Lawrence about how ground water in the area would be affected. Lawrence said a ridge separates the mine site from a nearby RDCK landfill so ground water should be unaffected.

Part of the permit process, which Lawrence expects will start next year, will include ground water studies.

The mine would be roughly four kilometres from nearby Sheep Creek and Lost Creek

While the operation would re-use water from the tailings, Lawrence said the project would supplement its water needs from Lost Creek, likely a hundred gallons a minute, from the creek.

Ninety jobs at the mine

Speaking with the Nelson Post after the meeting, alternate director Haughton said there are mixed opinions in Salmo about the proposed mine. Younger residents are concerned about the environmental impacts, she said, while the older residents who remember working at previous mines in the region look forward to the jobs.

Lawrence told the RDCK board the tungsten mine would bring 90 jobs to area and said partnerships with high schools and Selkirk College to train locals for the jobs would be idea.

Lawrence estimated the mine would pay $7 million in wages annually.

Lawrence says studies suggest the mine will be productive for 15 years and exploration in the area could turn up more tungsten deposits to extend that.

The consultant also said the mill at the site could be adapted to handle material from other mines in the region which would further extend the life of the project.

news@inthekoots.net

Do you live in the area? What are your thoughts on the proposed mine?

Selkirk renovates Studio 80

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PRESS RELEASE from Selkirk College

Selkirk College is counting on the support of the community, foundations and organizations as it launches its campaign to raise $150,000 for the upgrade of Studio 80 – the practice, recital and concert space for faculty, guest artists and students of the contemporary music and technology program.

Work underway on Studio 80. Photo courtesy of Selkirk College.

The college is in the midst of a total renovation of the Tenth Street student residence in Nelson, where Studio 80 is located. The funding provided by the federal and provincial governments, along with Columbia Basin Trust, includes mechanical and structural upgrades to the studio and replacement of interior finishes. But, it does not cover costs associated with equipment, lighting, recording technology or seating.

It is the college’s intention to cover these associated costs with funds raised through its “Count Me In” revitalization campaign.

“The aim of the ‘Count Me In’ campaign is to replace the existing 80 well-worn seats with 104 new seats and to buy and install new lighting and sound equipment for the studio,” says donor development coordinator Pat Henman. “This will enable us to stay on the cutting edge of recording, composition, vocal and instrument training and truly enhance the student experience.”

There are many ways to pitch in and support the studio upgrade. “Individuals have the option of donating a monetary gift, purchasing a seat or naming a room,” says Henman. “All donors’ names will be engraved on a Studio 80 donor wall and on their actual seat if they decide to go that route. It’s a great way to be a part of local history.”

The seats are $500 each and there are four rooms to name. In addition, donors will be invited to attend the grand re-opening that will host a concert produced by faculty and students of the Contemporary Music and Technology program.

For more information on the “Count Me In” revitalization campaign for Studio 80, visit the college’s website or contact Selkirk College’s Development Department at campaigns@selkirk.ca or (250) 505-1324.

Auxiliaries Light Up Nelson’s hospital

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PRESS RELEASE from the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation

Leona Longden, left, Ruth Hufty, and Dorothy Wayling, members of the Kootenay Lake Hospital Auxiliary's Nelson chapter, pose in front of their gift shop. The Nelson and Salmo chapters have purchased two of the six items on this year's Light Up The Hospital fundraiser. Photo submitted.

As construction on the Kootenay Lake Hospital’s new emergency ward nears completion, there will soon be a need to fill the new space with equipment and two hospital auxiliaries have laid down a combined $37,200 for two pieces of equipment setting an impressive tone for this year’s Light Up The Hospital campaign.

This year’s Light Up The Hospital campaign’s theme is Emergency Essentials, appropriate given the six pieces of equipment on this winter’s list are all destined for the hospital’s new emergency ward.

The Salmo chapter of the Kootenay Lake Hospital Auxiliary purchased their piece of equipment in the name of Betty Tennant, a long-time volunteer who passed away this summer.

The cardiac probe ($6,200 ) is an attachment for the portable ultrasound, a piece of equipment used everyday to diagnose medical conditions. The cardiac probe will let hospital staff get unprecedented images of the area around the heart.
Betty Tennant was a member of the Salmo chapter for the last 30 years at least, says chapter president Arlie Bengert. Even in her later years, Tennant was eager to help.

“She baked, sewed, she did anything she could,” says Bengert. “We miss her very much.”

Tennant was known for making memorable comments at auxiliary meetings that were never stern but always worth listening to.
“Words of wisdom we could all live by,” says Bengert, describing Tennant’s contribution.

The Salmo chapter has now donated $178,088 to the hospital foundation. They’ve raised money through their thrift shop, Christmas tea, bazaar, and raffle and their Spring plant and bake sale.

The Nelson chapter of the Kootenay Lake Hospital Auxiliary has committed $31,000 to buy a transport ventilator. This is a machine that helps a patient breath and will serve people being transported by ambulance to another care facility.

Dorothy Wayling, president of the Nelson chapter, says her members wanted to encourage the community to support the campaign by purchasing the most expensive item on the list.

“We though, ‘Let’s kick off the campaign with this and hopefully it will encourage people,’” Wayling says.
The Nelson chapter has now donated $376,273 to the hospital foundation.

Wayling notes her chapter raises all their money through TV rentals at the hospital, the hospital gift shop, bake sales and raffle ticket sales.

In fact, the Nelson chapter is currently raffling a wooden logging truck toy, afghan comforter, baby quilt, rocking horse and scratch lottery tickets. The draw is Thursday, Dec. 2 and tickets are available at the gift shop and at Wal-Mart on Saturday, Nov. 27.

The total goal for the Light Up The Hospital is $89,200. The other pieces of equipment include a pediatric monitor, glidescope video laryngoscope, trauma stretchers and an OB/GYN stretcher.

Residents will soon receive a mail-out from the hospital foundation making it easy for them to donate to the campaign. Donations can also be made online at the foundation’s website.

Pot possession and trafficking charges for Slocan mayor’s husband

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Georges Perriere, husband of the mayor of the Village of Slocan, has been charged with drug production and drug trafficking in B.C. Provincial Court.

Photo source: van_mij, Flickr, Creative Commons.

Georges Perriere and his two sons were arrested at a marijuana grow operation in September. The arrests made national headlines because of Perriere’s marriage to Slocan’s mayor, Madeleine Perriere, and the fact the village’s council and community rallied behind her.

Georges Perriere was the only one of the three men charged with production of a substance (namely marijuana) and possession for the purpose of trafficking. If found guilty of production of marijuana, Georges Perriere would face a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.

If found guilty of possession for the purpose of trafficking, Georges Perriere could face a maximum 18 months in prison.

Georges Perriere and his sons, who have not been named, were arrested on Monday, Aug. 23 at a grow op near Winlaw, B.C. The RCMP found 657 pot plants and $15,000 cash. The three men were released later that day on signing documents promising to appear at Nelson’s courthouse on Monday, Nov. 22.

Staff Sgt. Dan Seibel of the RCMP’s Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment says the federal Crown counsel only approved charges against Georges Perriere.

“I can only speculate the evidence that was presented leaned more towards one suspect than the other two suspects,” says Staff Sgt. Seibel.

The men appeared in court and Georges Perriere was the only one charged. His lawyer asked the trial be held over until Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011.

Community supports their mayor

After the arrests in August, Madeleine Perriere called an emergency council meeting to see whether council wanted her to remain mayor. In a written statement, Madeleine Perriere said she had no knowledge about her husband and sons activities.

Council supported Madeleine Perriere and in an interview with the Nelson Post, Hillary Elliot, a Slocan councillor, said she personally felt confident in her mayor’s abilities to run the village.

news@inthekoots.net

Customer appreciation day downtown

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PRESS RELEASE from Chris Dawson

  • What: Customer Appreciation Party
  • Where: Baker Street, Nelson
  • When: Saturday, Nov. 27, all day

Photo source: waferboard, Flickr, Creative Commons.

Forty-seven businesses in the 300 through 700 blocks of Baker Street are throwing a party to show their customers and their community how much they appreciate doing business in Nelson.

This is the fourth annual Customer Appreciation Party and this year, in addition to the various sales, demos, specials and giveaways for their customers a number of the businesses are also donating a percentage of their sales back to various community charities and causes.  Making a purchase at any of the participating businesses will give you an entry in a $1,000 shopping spree courtesy of The Bridge.  The shopping spree will be redeemable in any of the participating businesses.

“As small business owners, we all live, work, raise our families and play in this region and this is one way that we can say ‘Thank You’ to our community for their support”, says Chris Dawson, owner of Culinary Conspiracy.

Big help for sick Procter baby

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Anaya. Photo from the Healing Anaya blog.

Camara Cassin, the Procter mother with the sick baby, has had a tremendous response from Calgarians after the Calgary Herald ran a story on the mother’s search for breast milk.

Cassin’s baby, Anaya, has Krabbe leukodystrophy, a degenerative disorder that destroys brain cells. The disorder has stunted Anaya’s growth, a problem made worse by the baby’s intolerance of baby formula. The mother cannot produce enough breast milk for Anaya and there has been an ongoing struggle to find enough donated breast milk for Anaya.

In a blog Cassin maintains, she reports there was a tremendous response to a news story in the Herald.

“We have had an incredible response,” Cassin writes. “I’ve had more offers for milk then I know what to do with! Unfortunately I cannot accept any more milk donations at this time. Once we come home from Calgary with all this milk our deepfreeze will be full and we should be able to feed Anaya very well for the next few months.”

For the latest on Anaya, visit Cassin’s blog, Healing Anaya.

Only a game

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Image by Paul Rebar.

Video game addiction is an obscure and recently recognized disorder with no official diagnosis or spot in medical books. Video games are often dismissed by parents as another passing interest, something kids will do until they get bored and just move on. The reality, however, is far more complex and dangerous to deal with.

It starts young; kids get easily hooked to video games due to the quick and easy interaction they provide. The days when kids came home from school and played street hockey are fading fast. Most contact younger children have with their friends now comes through play dates arranged by their parents. Isolation eventually sets in.

In the early 2000s, Microsoft introduced Xbox Live, an online service that made it more accessible for friends to play together online from their own TVs, rather than on computers designed for older users. A few online games of Halo 2 became a sort of after school ritual that their lives soon centred around. By the time these kids were heading into high school a lot of them were seeing games as the only reliable way to have fun.

My relationship with video games began back in 1999 when Pokemon obsession was in full effect. I can recall too many first-grade recesses where my friends and I mobbed around a single tiny Gameboy screen while other kids ran around us playing light sabres. Like millions of other kids this later built into hours of Halo and Resident Evil in the basement. We all still had other activities but games still became one of the only things we talked about (ski all day, game all night became our winter motto). Eventually a lot of us outgrew the appeal and started playing only when there was nothing else we felt like doing. An addict can be defined by those one or two kids from recess who didn’t outgrow Pokemon Crystal’s flashy hooks and continued playing religiously into their adult lives.

If video game addiction is allowed to root itself, gamers can fail high school, not get into college, or just drop out of either. Relationships can end, jobs can get harder to hold down, and social skills can disintegrate. Lifelong gamers in now their thirties are also unconsciously influencing their own children into the habit.

This is still uncommon, but video game addiction has occasionally turned fatal. One tragic example is the Brandon Crisp incident, an Ontario teen whose Call of Duty 4 obsession led to his running away and accidental death after his parents confiscated his Xbox 360. American Gregg Klienmark, 24, made headline news in 2005 for letting his twin sons drown in a bathtub as he played his Gameboy Advance in another room. Seungseob Lee died from cardiac arrest the same year after playing StarCraft for almost fifty hours straight at a South Korean internet cafe. Though remember, these are extreme examples.

Parents know that TV and computer screens can keep young children quiet, so against their better judgement often turn to video games to literally buy some peace. So would an obvious prevention just be to not buy super impressionable children games in the first place? This is easier said than done, as kids will have seen what their friends are playing and will want the same thing more than anything else offered for their birthday. Just remember that staying firm pays off in the end. As they get older, making them buy their own hardware is a doubly effective tactic to think about. They get a job, interact with others, and learn how to make and budget money. It also cuts back their exposure to play dates and birthdays until they’ve made it past the initial charm video games have at first.

If parents are concerned with their child’s playing habits, or if gamers are worried by the number of hours they are putting in, specialized counselling is also becoming available.

I won’t lie and say my experience was a massive eye-opener towards this problem; it wasn’t. Looking back at it now just shows how close I skirted the edge of a potentially life-wasting habit that millions of other youths my age and younger are also skirting. To any gamer who’s unsure if they might actually be addicted, be reasonable, occasionally check to see how much fun you’re having. Don’t do it just to do it.

Do you have a bad experience with video games? Maybe a friend stopped coming to school after Neverwinter Nights was released? Do you think this is even a problem worth addressing? The comments section is right here for anything you want to share.

Paul Rebar (self portrait).

Paul Rebar is a Grade 12 student at L.V. Rogers Secondary School.

Next waterfront planning workshop

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  • What: Public Workshop for the Sustainable Waterfront and Downtown Master Plan
  • When: Thursday, Nov. 25, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Where: Hume Room, Hume Hotel, 422 Vernon St.

The area in red shows Nelson's waterfront under consideration for the master plan. Image source: City of Nelson documents.

This is the second public workshop where Nelsonites can see what city staff and consultants have done with ideas and feedback offered at the first workshop.

According to a public notice sent out by the city, this workshop will focus on preliminary development concepts. People are invited to comment on those concepts and add their own ideas to the drawings.

The Sustainable Waterfront and Downtown Master Plan sets out goals for how Nelson’s downtown and waterfront will grow in the future.