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25 YEARS AGO: RCMP issue paintball challenge to students

Back in time: A snapshot of history
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40 YEARS AGO:

The meeting called to consider incorporation for Clearwater drew an audience of 75 persons including delegations from Barriere and Blackpool.

Two representatives from the ministry of municipal affairs, Wally Urchuck and John Callum, travelled together with Ron Grant of the department of highways, from Victoria to answer questions on incorporation. Also present was TNRD accountant Barry Hardy, secretary Doreen Radmacher with laywer Doug Smith as moderator for the evening.

Mr. Callum explained the municipal affairs department’s position was purely advisory, providing expertise. He said they were not pushing incorporation.

35 YEARS AGO:

Several girls from the Raft Mountain Skating Club attended the Autumn Leaves meet in Kamloops. Their results were gratifying.

Donna Cooper was seventh in preliminary C and sixth in junior interpretation C.

Sheana Watt received seventh place in junior bronze D and first place in intermediate interpretation C.

Karen Johnson, sixth in preliminary C and second in junior interpretation C.

Barbara Wadlegger was fourth in junior bronze B and won first in intermediate interpretation A.

30 YEARS AGO:

Jean Nelson, “high energy community-minded person” and resident of the North Thompson valley for 34 years, was named Citizen of the Year for 1990 by Clearwater Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet.

The nominee of Trophy Mountain Toastmasters, Jean has been a dedicated leader with Girl Guides of Canada for 20 years, taught Red Cross swimming, canoeing and life-saving, instructed cross-country skiing, served on the board of School District 26 from 1979 to 1987, and, with her late husband Don, was instrumental in starting the logging program at Clearwater Secondary.

Mrs. Nelson was chosen Woman of the Year by Chatelaine Magazine in 1970 for her energy, individuality and high standards.

25 YEARS AGO:

There’s gonna be a shoot-out down at the old CSA corral — RCMP have issued a paintball challenge to local students.

“Those students had better prepare, we’re going to be good,” bragged Sgt. Rex Henry.

And word has it the RCMP team just might be good. A serious security leak has revealed the defenders of the public good have put some serious preparations into protecting themselves, strongarming a team made up of ringers.

According to a reliable source, shooters on the RCMP team will include Conservation Officer Kevin Van Damme, who is actually issued a gun in his line of duty and therefore probably knows how to use it; Fisheries Officer Nicole Gallant, reputed to be a deadly shooter; BC Ambulance Unit Chief Robin “shots are my business” Mann; Times co-Publisher Bruce Chappell, a CORE instructor who teaches other people about guns; and CSS principal Wayne Leckie, an obvious decoy.

20 YEARS AGO:

The annual allowable cut for Tree Farm License 18 has been reduced by five per cent, British Columbia’s chief forester Larry Pedersen announced.

The reduction is not being seen as a major problem by Slocan staff, as less than about one-third of the wood sawn at the company’s Vavenby sawmill comes from the TFL.

It is, however, being seen as an inconvenience at a time when the forest industry is at a low phase.

The annual allowable cut for TFL 18 was reduced from about 190,000 cubic metres per year to 180,000. The previous level had been set in 1995.

15 YEARS AGO:

Wells Gray Country emergency support group is starting to look at preparations for an influenza pandemic, group member Grant Gale told a meeting of the Wells Gray Country services committee.

“If it hits the central Interior, resources will be spread based on population. Clearwater may not be able to rely on the larger centres,” he said.

The support group met with Berni Easson, health services manager for Clearwater and Barriere.

One thing that was made very clear, said Gale, was that during previous emergencies, such as forest fires and floods, the support group has been able to rely on help from able-bodied people.

10 YEARS AGO:

Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. signed an exploration agreement for the Commerce’s tantalum/niobium project, which is located approximately 10 km north of Blue River.

“It is extremely important for members of the Simpcw First Nation that our land and our rights are respected,” said Chief Keith Matthew. “We appreciate that Commerce has made the effort to meet with us early in their exploration program, have listened to us, and recognize and respect our concerns.”

The agreement formalizes a process for ongoing dialogue regarding all exploration activities planned for the Blue River property — recognizing the cultural, traditional heritage and environmental interests of the band, while ensuring that benefits from the project are realized by band members.

5 YEARS AGO:

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is making plans to upgrade Highway 5 intersection at Wells Gray Inn, according to District of Clearwater councillor Merlin Blackwell.

Before that happens, the District would like to move ahead with its own plans to extend the town’s sewer system across the highway at that point, plus upsize the existing water main there.

Speaking as chair of town council’s infrastructure committee, Blackwell recommended during a council meeting held Oct. 20 that the town move ahead with developing feasibility and design drawings for a sewer expansion project to extend from Murtle Crescent to Roy Road.