JANUARY
150/50 celebrations begin in Clinton
In honour of the upcoming retirement of Secretary of State for the Colonies Henry Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, Queen Victoria renamed the community of 47 Mile House. On June 11, 1863 she declared “From this day forward, the community of 47 Mile House will be known as Clinton”.
In 1963, 100 years later, the community was incorporated as The Village of Clinton.
To celebrate these two anniversaries the Village of Clinton hosted numerous events and activities throughout the year of 2013, beginning with a Free Family Skate at the arena, with music spanning 150 years.
Repairs underway on “new” Cache Creek water upgrade
Almost a year to the day that Cache Creek’s new $2.5 million water treatment upgrade should have been fired up and operating, repairs were finally getting underway to fix two pipes that fractured as the plant was being commissioned a year ago.
No one would admit they made a mistake, said Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta.
“We don’t think it was our fault,” he said. “The construction company didn’t think it was their fault. The construction company (Wildstone Construction and Engineering Ltd.) didn’t think it was their fault.” And neither did the engineers, Stantech Inc.
Ashcroft receives $30,000 for Hall upgrade
Ashcroft’s Community Hall celebrated its 125th birthday this year with a nice little “make-over”, thanks in part to a $30,000 grant from the federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
Ashcroft Administrator Michelle Allen said they are hoping to raise $90,000 to finish all of the work they’re planning to do, including outdoor landscaping.
Lillooet driver dies after rescue
A 40 year old Lillooet woman succumbed to hypothermia after a harrowing single vehicle accident Jan. 17 on Hwy 40, a mountain road that connects Lillooet to Gold Bridge and Shalath.
The Lillooet RCMP and Central Interior Traffic Services responded to a vehicle down an embankment off of Hwy 40 near Lillooet last week. First responders were able to extract the lone female driver from the partially submerged vehicle, however the woman’s condition deteriorated at the scene and was pronounced deceased at Royal Inlands Hospital.
Clinton gets $5.2 M for water upgrade
The Village of Clinton got great news on Jan. 25 when Cathy McLeod, MP announced a $2.45 million grant under the Federal Gas Tax Fund to upgrade the municipal water system.
This two-year project will see a new reserve tank for treated water that will be added to the existing system, an additional UV treatment system, which will be added to the existing chlorination treatment system, and new mechanical/software equipment that will allow remote monitoring during emergencies. This will bring the Village water system in line with Interior Health standards, provide room for growth in the area, and provide water for fire emergencies.
Cache Creek won’t renew bus contract
Ashcroft Council received a letter at the Jan. 28 Council meeting from the Village of Cache Creek, confirming that it would not be renewing the BC Transit contract it has with Ashcroft and Clinton after the current contract expires on March 31.
Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta stated in the letter to Ashcroft Council, dated Jan. 15, “We sincerely appreciate and wish to recognize the tireless efforts of everyone involved in managing the system over the past many years, and, more recently, in negotiating the substantial adjustments to the system with a view to making it work for everyone.”
He said: “We share your disappointment that the scheduled service has not been embranced by more of our consituents, but, based on our perception of local ridership; the Cache Creek Council reaffirmed the decision to withdraw from the service.”
New Lt. Governor tours area
Newly appointed B.C. Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour The Honourable Judith Guichon, visited Cache Creek and Ashcroft on Jan. 29, spending much of her time chatting with the town Councils and students at the local schools.
Guichon addressed a student assembly at each school, explaining to them her role of representing Queen Elizabeth II in this province and answering their questions.
FEBRUARY
Williams inducted in Hall of Fame
It was announced that Bonaparte cowboy Archie Williams would be inducted into the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame in April for his Competitive Achievements.
Williams was born and raised on the Bonaparte Reserve in Cache Creek, where he spent a lot of time with his uncle, coach and teacher Dave Perry.
In 1974 he made history as the first pick-up man chosen for Canadian Nationals Finals Rodeo, chosen by the cowboys themselves. He is a five-time BC Team Ropers Assoc champion, and roped with numerous cowboys throughout the years, although for over 15 years with his friend Fred Stevenson.
At 68 years old he is one of the only cowboys of his age still competing in rodeo. Today he ropes with his sons and grandsons. Williams was presented with the BCRA “Sportsman of the year” award in 2010.
Ashcroft’s new doctors a welcome sight
Ashcroft welcomed it’s newest doctors, Dr. Sarina Govindasamy and Dr. Tarang Peedikayil. Dr. Antoinette Kitshoff helped recruit her fellow South Africans. She has been the sole doctor since Dr. Anwar Khan left last year. From warmer climates, they indicated that they can’t wait for the outside temperature to rise!
MARCH
A lasting legacy
Ashcroft pioneer William Brink was buried for the third, and what is hoped to be the final, time on March 8 in the Ashcroft cemetery, surrounded by some of his descendants and their family. Brink was buried on CN property next to an unidentified adult and child, who are now buried with him.
Their remains were exhumed to accommodate relocation of the tracks and moved to the cemetery where they join many other family members and friends. Brink was 50 years old when he died in 1879.
Legion considers seniors complex
The Ashcroft Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is looking into building a seniors complex on the property in Ashcroft.
A decision to go ahead with the study was approved unanimously on March 18 by 47 Legion members.
Paul Whitehead, chair of a committee looking into the project, said he envisions a four-storey building, which is the highest permitted in downtown Ashcroft - a building of 3,500 square feet with a new Legion in it. It would have about 40 units of one and two bedrooms, some assisted living, but mostly just 55 years and older, with maybe an underground parking garage.
The Legion owns the property it sits on as well as the parking lot next to it, the skateboard park and the parking lot behind the Coppervalley Cable building.
Bird carcasses building up inside Oasis Plaza storefronts
Piles of dead pigeons, trapped inside the Oasis Plaza, is disgusting and need to be cleaned up, residents Laurie and Sharon Rennie told Cache Creek Council at their March 25 meeting.
The Rennies were asking Council to enforce the town’s Unsightly Premises bylaw, having filed a complaint against the row of storefronts next to the Oasis Hotel in January.
“We feel a similar sense of frustration,” Mayor John Ranta told them, and he listed the number of agencies who had been contacted but said they couldn’t force the landlord to comply with any law or bylaw that would make him clean up the empty building.