Opinion

As the summer logging season has started, a month or more late for some, we see once again a lot of loads heading south of the Fort St. James Forest District. Well, at least this is providing jobs, but it is not doing any good for Fort St. James, so I would like to see this change. I believe, along with others that the B.C.T.S. as well as the licencees should be paying compensation to the municipality.

Where would a community be without volunteers? Every week I find myself constantly amazed at how many people donate their time to a selfless act or cause. Last week it was hearing from the folks who run the bike park in Vanderhoof. It’s a huge project and a great asset to our community.

The time for municipal elections is drawing near, and while no one has yet stepped forward to join the race for mayor or as a council member, it won’t likely be long. The elections will be held in November, and the sooner candidates get their packages from the district, the sooner they can kick off their campaigns.

The book is Wildberries of British Columbia, and it is a colourful guide to some of the native berries of the province, edible and inedible both.

This past week’s stock market fluctuation caused by the credit rating fiasco in the U.S. and their seemingly insurmountable debt load makes me wonder how much longer our system can function without some serious sober second thought.

Last Thursday, I attended the Nak’azdli all candidates forum at Kwah Hall to do just that. To hear what the candidates believed, what they stood for and what they planned to do if elected. Questions were raised on education, language and providing role models. I asked a question I thought was relevant to the entire community, and one I will ask of any official seeking election in the community, whether for Nak’azdli Band Council or for the Fort St. James District.

Recently I volunteered for the task of distributing petitions around Fort St. James to request more mental health services in the Omineca Lakes area. More volunteers will circulate in the four other districts of Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Southside and Burns Lake.

So the next time you’re jet boating, canoeing or fishing on the Stuart this summer remember the Kalamazoo River and the people that live along it’s shore. Tell John Rustad and Christy Clark that Northern Gateway is not worth the risk.

Many thanks to Beverley Playfair of the Window Box Flower Shop here in town who donated the two flats of petunias to beautify the Saint Patrick’s Anglican Church, in appreciation of the work done with the Soup Kitchen.

I am not yet sure how I feel about the school district operating a business, albeit at arms length.