Week 14 – April 3
Prosperity project gets more IRs
The Federal Review Panel for the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project requested more information after receiving Taseko Mines Ltd.’s March 1 responses to 50 previous information requests (IRs).
The panel requested 11 supplementary IRs, noting it also considered comments and information received in a 15-day public input period.
Transfer station pilot
About 40 people turned out to a Cariboo Regional District (CRD) public meeting to discuss a pilot project at the Lac la Hache Transfer Station.
As part of the CRD's Solid Waste Management Plan, the transfer station was chosen for a pilot project that added recycling, gated and controlled access, wood waste collection and some other cost-saving changes.
Canlan plans more events
Canlan Ice Sports signed an agreement with the CRD to expand its management function at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre.
Canlan general manager Josh Dickerson said it would now be holding more events, as Canlan wanted to get into community programming more to "cover all the bases" and provide more than hockey and skating opportunities.
Week 15 – April 10
HST gone, PST restored
The elimination of British Columbia's controversial Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on April 1 seemed to have marginal to moderate impacts for some South Cariboo businesses.
Many local retailers and service companies had to register and revamp equipment and bookkeeping for the return to Provincial Sales Tax (PST), but most of those asked about it indicated they'd had a smooth transition.
Municipal spruce-up budgeted
District of 100 Mile House mayor and council invited municipal taxpayers to a public meeting about the district's 2013-2017 five-year financial plan.
Mayor Mitch Campsall said he was confident about getting a fair amount of work done in 2013, including sprucing up the downtown core and constructing a sidewalk from Save-On-Foods to Pioneer Haven.
Recreation service boundaries
A public meeting in Lone Butte discussed more about a proposal to expand recreation services and the taxation base.
Local statistics estimated about 85 per cent of soccer participants and 65 per cent of Martin Exeter Hall users lived outside of the CRD’s recreation taxation area that included the District of 100 Mile House and certain parts of Areas G, H and L.
Week 16 – April 17
Budget to boost education
B.C. Finance Minister Michael de Jong said the province's budget 2013 included education funding that would continue to rise over the three-year fiscal plan to nearly $5.4 billion.
The money for this and other budget items was to come from projected revenue increases, a one per cent corporate tax hike and surplus property and asset sales.
Dead birds lead to sick cats
A rash of dead Redpoll birds in the South Cariboo in the late 2012/13 winter led to some sick cats.
The cause was likely salmonella, which also poses a health risk for humans.
Trudy Chatwin, species-at-risk biologist with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, said there had been a “noticeable increase” in dead birds, and advised local residents to take hygiene precautions with feeders and dead birds.
Tax transition talk
The return to the PST and Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in B.C. on April 1, 2013 began to garner some local business attention.
South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce president Tom Bachynski said some businesses were reporting the transition back wasn't actually as smooth as they'd hoped.
However, most feedback indicated "what a shame" it was to have to go back to the two-tiered system, he noted.
Week 17 – April 24
District aims for debt-free status
District of 100 Mile House council released it 2013-2017 Financial Plan on April 16.
Mayor Mitch Campsall said he was "very excited" about council's goal for a debt-free District by 2019.
The District was to pay more than $140,000 in interest payments last year – a big chunk of change the mayor noted could be better spent on needed projects.
Candidates face off before election
Local politicians vying to be elected as the constituency’s MLA in the May 14 provincial election presented their platforms at an all-candidates forum in the Valley Room on April 18.
Cariboo-Chilcotin candidates Donna Barnett (B.C. Liberal), Charlie Wyse (NDP), Dustin Price (Green Party of B.C.) and Gary Young (Independent) spoke on the hot topics and answered questions.
Farmers' market moves
The South Cariboo Farmers' Market was approved to relocate to downtown Birch Avenue as a trial run for the 2013 season.
Its new home was located in front of the 100 Mile Community Hall, and on the west half of Third Street that would be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Friday from May 10 to Sept. 27.