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Arson trial goes ahead - the Quesnel & District Museum and Archives

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SUNDAY<br />

DECEMBER 20, 1998<br />

supports<br />

THE UNITED States<br />

<strong>and</strong> Great Britain are<br />

entirely acting within<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir rights as <strong>the</strong>y rain<br />

cruise missiles <strong>and</strong> bombs<br />

down OTi Iraq, says<br />

Cariboo-Chilcotin MP<br />

Philip Mayfield.<br />

In an interview from<br />

100 Mile House on<br />

Thursday, <strong>the</strong> Reform MP<br />

stressed that he was<br />

speaking only from a<br />

personal perspective when<br />

he gave <strong>the</strong> thumbs up to<br />

<strong>the</strong> bombing campaign.<br />

The United States <strong>and</strong><br />

Britain this week began<br />

rhe bombardment after<br />

SINCE 1908<br />

Awaiting Santa's orders<br />

CARIBOO<br />

charging that Iraq was<br />

once again denying UN<br />

weapons inspectors access<br />

to suspected chemical <strong>and</strong><br />

biological weapons sites.<br />

"My personal take on<br />

this is that <strong>the</strong> United<br />

Nations looked at this<br />

pretty carefully before,"<br />

Mayfield said. "Saddam<br />

Hussein agreed to <strong>the</strong><br />

inspectors having access<br />

to everything rhey wanted<br />

to see, <strong>and</strong> he was told<br />

<strong>the</strong>re would be no<br />

warnings next time, just<br />

planes being sent in. This<br />

is justified."<br />

While corporate bad guys planned to take over Santa's workshop, <strong>the</strong> elyes, (from left to right) Jordie Gruending, Cortney Needham, Shelby Ballendine<br />

<strong>and</strong> Nicole Tremblay, unaware of <strong>the</strong> nefarious plot, st<strong>and</strong> around waiting for <strong>the</strong> next order from <strong>the</strong>ir jolly boss. The Lakeview students put on a<br />

splendid performance last Tuesday night.<br />

Nor<strong>the</strong>rn B.C.'s future looks bright<br />

John Backhouse: Not all<br />

doom <strong>and</strong> gloom in B.C.<br />

By LEAH BLAIN<br />

Observer Reporter<br />

THE BLEAK<br />

economic forecasts in <strong>the</strong><br />

news <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> pessimistic<br />

"predictions by Reform<br />

<strong>and</strong> Liberals aren't having<br />

<strong>the</strong> slightest dampening<br />

effect on John Backhouse,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

D e V e 1 o p in e n t<br />

Commissioner.<br />

These sentiments were<br />

echoed in <strong>the</strong> first report<br />

sent out to all households<br />

in <strong>the</strong> north from Dan<br />

Miller, <strong>the</strong> Minister<br />

Responsible Nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

Development; it was just<br />

full of happy news.<br />

"We tend to get<br />

bogged down in things<br />

that are negative, <strong>and</strong><br />

forget <strong>the</strong> positive. This<br />

newsletter points out that<br />

<strong>the</strong>re is a lot (of positive<br />

things) going on," said<br />

Backhouse from his<br />

Prince George office.<br />

The newsletter indeed,<br />

after a brief mention on<br />

page one of <strong>the</strong> ailing<br />

forest economy, <strong>goes</strong> on<br />

to <strong>the</strong> good news of<br />

tourism, mining, oil <strong>and</strong><br />

gas booms <strong>and</strong><br />

infrastructure works. Yes,<br />

he realizes mills are laying<br />

off workers, but<br />

See page All<br />

QUICK<br />

LOOK<br />

INSIDE<br />

WORDS TO<br />

LIVE BY:<br />

I've learned that I<br />

like my teacher<br />

because she<br />

cries when we<br />

sing "Silent<br />

Night.".<br />

Age?<br />

HIGH PRAISE:<br />

93^+70 GST<br />

VOL.86/NO. 35<br />

Mayfield stressed that<br />

<strong>the</strong> Iraqi leader can't have<br />

his cake <strong>and</strong> eat it, too.<br />

"He says he wants to<br />

have <strong>the</strong> sanctions lifted,<br />

but he doesn't want to<br />

cooperate with <strong>the</strong><br />

inspectors, <strong>and</strong> that's just<br />

not possible," Mayfielu<br />

said.<br />

<strong>Arson</strong><br />

<strong>trial</strong><br />

<strong>goes</strong><br />

<strong>ahead</strong><br />

By NEIL HORNER<br />

Observer Reporter<br />

THE ARSON <strong>trial</strong> of<br />

two <strong>Quesnel</strong> men got<br />

back on track in B.C.<br />

Supreme Court this<br />

Wednesday, after<br />

experiencing a short hitch<br />

earlier in <strong>the</strong> week.<br />

In careful, methodical<br />

fashion, Crown<br />

prosecutor John Swanson<br />

built his case against<br />

Rocky Jed Nicholson <strong>and</strong><br />

Ian David W<strong>and</strong> for <strong>the</strong><br />

June 29th torching of foiur<br />

West <strong>Quesnel</strong> residences.<br />

Taking <strong>the</strong> st<strong>and</strong><br />

Wednesday, expert<br />

witness Ken Dahl, a fire<br />

investigator from <strong>the</strong><br />

Prince George Fire<br />

Department, gave his<br />

opinions about <strong>the</strong> causes<br />

of <strong>the</strong> fires, on English<br />

See page All<br />

Tolko gets full marks from <strong>the</strong><br />

Forest Practices Board.<br />

CHRISTMAS MAGIC:<br />

School concerts highlight<br />

See page AS<br />

young talents. See pages M8&A19<br />

HOT STREAK;<br />

The <strong>Quesnel</strong> Mills continue<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir winning ways by upset­<br />

ting Vernon. See page A23


<strong>Quesnel</strong> Cariboo Observer<br />

ANY QUESNEL<br />

residents who want to<br />

give <strong>the</strong>ir input into<br />

proposed electoral<br />

boundary changes are<br />

going to have to travel to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Fraser Inn Hotel in<br />

Williams Lake to be<br />

heard.<br />

Interviewed<br />

Wednesday, Electoral<br />

Boundaries Commission<br />

media liaison Norman<br />

Stowe said <strong>the</strong><br />

Commission will travel to<br />

Williams Lake on March<br />

16th for a two-hour<br />

public hearing into its<br />

recommended changes to<br />

<strong>the</strong> ridings of Cariboo<br />

North <strong>and</strong> Cariboo<br />

South. The doors will<br />

open at 1 p.m. <strong>and</strong> close<br />

at 3 p.m.<br />

He said <strong>the</strong> three<br />

commissioners, Joe<br />

Wood, Bob Patterson,<br />

<strong>and</strong> Ka<strong>the</strong>rine Hough,<br />

have no plans to travel to<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong>.<br />

The Boundaries<br />

Commission made<br />

recommendations two<br />

weeks ago which would<br />

see <strong>the</strong> riding of Cariboo<br />

North exp<strong>and</strong>ed to<br />

!^:


A4 Quesnef Cariboo Observer<br />

Government ponders FAS proposal<br />

By LEAH BLAIN<br />

Observer Reporter<br />

A CONFERENCE<br />

call late Thursday<br />

afternoon has Gary<br />

Winchester optimistic for<br />

<strong>the</strong> future of <strong>Quesnel</strong>'s<br />

proposed FAS/FAE clinic.<br />

The Ministry of<br />

Children <strong>and</strong> Families<br />

(MCF), <strong>the</strong> Ministry of<br />

Aboriginal Affairs <strong>and</strong><br />

Ministry of Health all<br />

showed interest in <strong>the</strong><br />

proposal.<br />

"They are all saying<br />

<strong>the</strong>y want to look at it in<br />

more detail. Nobody is<br />

saying it's a bad proposal.<br />

They are saying we need<br />

to put more meat on <strong>the</strong><br />

bones - flesh it out a bit<br />

so we know <strong>the</strong><br />

outcomes," said<br />

Winchester, <strong>the</strong><br />

community manager for<br />

MCF in <strong>Quesnel</strong>.<br />

Like any investors,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y want to know what<br />

kind of savings <strong>the</strong>y can<br />

expect for this<br />

investment. A 'meatier'<br />

proposal will give <strong>the</strong>m a<br />

better idea of this long<br />

term invescment. They're<br />

even talking about<br />

helping ro fund a study.<br />

"They're going to<br />

send a letter to <strong>the</strong><br />

committee discussing<br />

limited .funds to look at<br />

<strong>the</strong> proposal -, adding<br />

more to <strong>the</strong> p'roposal,"<br />

said Winchester.<br />

There are 13 loca!<br />

Theatre I<br />

Fri. Dec. 18th to<br />

Wed. Dec. 23rd<br />

7:00 & 9:15 pm<br />

Nightly<br />

Thur. Dec. 24th<br />

One Show at<br />

7:00 pm<br />

MATINEES<br />

Sat & Sun<br />

Dec. 19th & 20th<br />

3:00 pm<br />

Dolby Stereo<br />

PG<br />

Gaiy Winchester says it's a<br />

step in <strong>the</strong> right direction.<br />

agencies involved in <strong>the</strong><br />

proposed clinic, which<br />

will help families deal<br />

with <strong>the</strong> far reaching<br />

effects of FAS/FAE <strong>and</strong><br />

all <strong>the</strong> secondary<br />

disabilities that go along<br />

with it. The clinic would<br />

streamline services for<br />

clients: giving <strong>the</strong>m easier<br />

access to diagnostic<br />

assessment, treatment,<br />

monitoring, prevention<br />

<strong>and</strong> educational services.<br />

The 'secondary<br />

disabilities' that come<br />

along with <strong>the</strong> disease<br />

affects <strong>the</strong> social<br />

A SEASON OF PEAC<br />

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AROMATHERAPY<br />

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HfilR PLUS<br />

-* j I , 1 'Your Complete Hair & Body Centre'<br />

' 371 Reid Street 992-8084<br />

JEWELLERS LTD.<br />

THEATRES 367 Reid Street<br />

www.carib<strong>the</strong>atres.com<br />

NOW PLAYING UNTILTHURSDAY<br />

You've Cot Mail. Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) runs a children's bookstore on New York's Upper West<br />

Side. Joe Fox (Hanks) is an executive for Foxbooks, a mega


Congratulations<br />

from <strong>the</strong> staff<br />

at<br />

Correlieu<br />

Secondary<br />

•GRADE 8<br />

PRINCIPALS<br />

ROLL<br />

j<br />

Erin Prdsk<br />

Jon Keith<br />

Daniei Riciiard<br />

Ryan LeBlanc<br />

Vicky Bains<br />

Jennifer Herricl<<br />

Blair Kopelsl


A8 <strong>Quesnel</strong> Cariboo Observer<br />

THE VOICE OF<br />

GOU) COUNTRY<br />

SINCE 1908<br />

OBSERVER<br />

PUBUSHER/<br />

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION<br />

AOVERTIStNG MANAGER CONSULTANTS MANAGER<br />

Pattie Paull<br />

Marilyn Allin, Pat Brown, Bev Weightman<br />

EOrrORIAU STAFF<br />

Nancy Chocol. Denise lybecU<br />

fteii Homer-Editor<br />

Trina BarrenVTelemarketer Prodgction Assistant<br />

Aoss Mitchell. Doyle Potenteau. AD DESIGNERS<br />

FRONT OFFICE<br />

Annie Gallant, Leah Blain, Tanya Matula<br />

Br<strong>and</strong>i !ertey, LaRee<br />

Debbie Marchewka Mariash, Karen Powell<br />

PUBLISHED AT 188 Carson Ave. <strong>Quesnel</strong>, B.C. V2J 2A8 992-2121<br />

ESTABLISHED AUGUST 1908. Reproduction ofeontents, ei<strong>the</strong>r tn whole or part are not<br />

pemutted without prior consent. Publications Mail Registration No. 0752. Member of<br />

BCVCNA • CCNA of Circulation British Columbia <strong>and</strong> Yulion Community Newspaper<br />

Association, Canadian Community Newspaper Assodation.<br />

Helen of Troy<br />

all over again?<br />

ONCE AGAIN, bombs are raining down<br />

on Iraq, <strong>and</strong> once again questions are being<br />

raised about <strong>the</strong> real motivation behind <strong>the</strong><br />

attack.<br />

The last time <strong>the</strong> worid found itself in this<br />

situation, whispers arose worldwide about<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r or not <strong>the</strong> U.S. aggression had more<br />

to do with Clinton's sex problems than with<br />

fighting state-sponsored terrorism. This time,<br />

<strong>the</strong> questions are no longer merely whispered.<br />

The timing of <strong>the</strong> attack, for some, seems<br />

just a little bit too obvious, with <strong>the</strong><br />

impeachment hearings set to begin mere days<br />

after <strong>the</strong> bombs began to fly. After all, <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S. has traditionally closed ranks around a<br />

comm<strong>and</strong>er in chief when <strong>the</strong> troops are in<br />

<strong>the</strong> field, regardless of <strong>the</strong> merits of <strong>the</strong> war.<br />

If Helen of Troy had a face that could<br />

launch a thous<strong>and</strong>s ships, is it too much of a<br />

stretch that Monica Lewinsky could be <strong>the</strong><br />

real reason behind <strong>the</strong> launch of a few dozen<br />

cruise missiles?<br />

One phone call<br />

is all it takes<br />

So far, people in <strong>Quesnel</strong> want Cariboo<br />

North MLA John Wilson to vote 'no' to <strong>the</strong><br />

Nisga'a Agreement.<br />

In our informal unscientific poll, <strong>the</strong> nays<br />

are outnumbering <strong>the</strong> yeas. By 11:30 a.m. on<br />

Friday, 61 people called in to say <strong>the</strong>y wanted<br />

our local MLA to vote no <strong>and</strong> 13 want him<br />

to vote in favour of <strong>the</strong> treaty.<br />

If you would like to voice heard, call our<br />

office at 992-2121 before noon on Tuesday.<br />

Please remember our front office staff are as<br />

busy as Santa's elves this time of year so just<br />

give <strong>the</strong>m a quick "yes" or "no."<br />

Although we're making no claims on this<br />

being at all scientific, we would like it to<br />

reflect <strong>the</strong> views of <strong>the</strong> Cariboo. So please<br />

call, but not more than once.<br />

Leah Blain<br />

m<br />

How should John Wilson vote<br />

mi<br />

on <strong>the</strong> Nisgti'a deal?<br />

nH^us at 992-2121<br />

ATAUEOF<br />

^ANK MEtT^ ^ANK<br />

PANK 6ET$ PANK<br />

^ANK iOV^<br />

BANK (iETS CU^TOKER<br />

IN THE ENl><br />

Sunday, December 26> "1998<br />

Sm StRMlCES:<br />

Yet ano<strong>the</strong>r Christmas Carol<br />

LJ<br />

JACK BLEILER<br />

I'VE GOT to admit I<br />

was feeling a little bit<br />

guilty after last week's<br />

column, in which I spelled<br />

out my reasons for<br />

dreading <strong>the</strong> Christmas<br />

season <strong>and</strong> yearned for<br />

more simple Yuletide<br />

celebrations of my<br />

childhood, back in<br />

Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia.<br />

I wrote many things<br />

of which I am deeply<br />

ashamed. I knew <strong>the</strong>re<br />

was more to <strong>the</strong> holiday<br />

than mindless, cynical<br />

consumerism, but I chose<br />

to present. a troubling<br />

picture of <strong>the</strong> Christmas<br />

season as nothing more<br />

than a convenient<br />

marketing opportunity for<br />

<strong>the</strong> bloodthirsty bastards<br />

who brought you Barbie's<br />

Colorado Ski Chalet with<br />

Actual working six-<br />

Person Hot Tub<br />

(everything sold<br />

separately)<br />

For my own sleazy,<br />

underh<strong>and</strong>ed purposes, I<br />

cheapened <strong>the</strong> holiday,<br />

<strong>and</strong> I trampled <strong>the</strong><br />

traditions that make<br />

Christmas such a joyous<br />

<strong>and</strong> hopeful time for so<br />

many.<br />

I would- pay dearly<br />

for my insolence, len<br />

times over! Nay, a<br />

hundred times over. Nay,<br />

a hundred hundred times<br />

over! Nay - well, you get<br />

<strong>the</strong> idea.<br />

Before <strong>the</strong> day was<br />

through, I would deeply<br />

regret my poor judgment,<br />

having brazenly soiled <strong>the</strong><br />

reputation of this fine<br />

holiday. Little did I know<br />

so many stood by to<br />

protect her virtue, to<br />

ensure that Christmas<br />

would suffer no such<br />

indignity at <strong>the</strong> h<strong>and</strong>s of a<br />

hack like me.<br />

After siibmitting my<br />

annual Bah, Humbug<br />

column to <strong>the</strong> newspaper,<br />

I returned to my residerice<br />

for a well-deserved rest. A<br />

job well done, I thought. I<br />

had filled my swollen<br />

coffers at <strong>the</strong> expense of a<br />

helpless holiday, <strong>and</strong> all<br />

those poor souls who still<br />

believed in its purity <strong>and</strong><br />

power. At this point, I<br />

allowed myself a short,<br />

mad-scientist-style, evil<br />

cackle.<br />

I had just settled back<br />

in my overstuffed Belugahide<br />

couch, with a<br />

generous snifter of<br />

Napoleon br<strong>and</strong>y I<br />

distinctly heard a low,<br />

painful moaning from <strong>the</strong><br />

library. L leapt up to<br />

investigate.<br />

Holding my br<strong>and</strong>y<br />

in front of me like a<br />

shield, I crept through <strong>the</strong><br />

study <strong>and</strong> advanced<br />

cautiously toward <strong>the</strong><br />

library door. The<br />

moaning stopped, as<br />

suddenly as it had begun.<br />

Quoth <strong>the</strong> Raven,<br />

"nevermore."<br />

Ga<strong>the</strong>ring all my<br />

courage, I launched my<br />

heavily-muscled six-foot<br />

frame through <strong>the</strong> door,<br />

crashing to <strong>the</strong> floor on<br />

<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side. I rolled<br />

quickly to my feet, <strong>and</strong><br />

adopted a martial arts<br />

'ready' stance, wielding<br />

my br<strong>and</strong>y menacingly.<br />

In front of me stood a<br />

wispy phantom, which<br />

appeared to be 70s super<br />

model Cheryl Tiegs.<br />

"I am <strong>the</strong> Ghost of<br />

Christmas past," said<br />

Cheryl, attired in a<br />

skimpy string bikini<br />

which struck me as nontraditional<br />

ghost-wear.<br />

"The wardrobe sucks.<br />

Everybody agreed I look<br />

better in this."<br />

Cheryl drank my<br />

br<strong>and</strong>y, took my h<strong>and</strong>,<br />

belched like a trucker,<br />

<strong>and</strong> led me on a<br />

traumatizing journey<br />

backward through time,<br />

to a college Christmas Eve<br />

party many years ago.<br />

, Cheryl explained that<br />

we were mere observers in<br />

this forgotten world. We<br />

would watch events<br />

unfold, but we were<br />

unable to participate.<br />

I was at that party.<br />

There was also,<br />

incidentally, a poster of<br />

Cheryl .on <strong>the</strong> wall,<br />

wearing <strong>the</strong> exact same<br />

bikini as her current<br />

e<strong>the</strong>real manifestation.<br />

"I thought that outfit<br />

looked familiar," I<br />

commented.<br />

"Quiet," comm<strong>and</strong>ed<br />

Cheryl. She pointed a<br />

bony finger at <strong>the</strong> party<br />

goers before us. "Watch."<br />

As I watched,<br />

College Jack reached into<br />

<strong>the</strong> fridge <strong>and</strong>, upon<br />

discovering that he had<br />

already consumed all his<br />

beers, took someone else's<br />

last beer.<br />

I grinned sheepishly<br />

at Cheryl <strong>and</strong> shrugged.<br />

Again she raised a finger,<br />

<strong>and</strong> I turned to watch.<br />

College Jack left <strong>the</strong><br />

room, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> owner of<br />

<strong>the</strong> beer came to <strong>the</strong><br />

fridge, only to find his last<br />

beer had been stolen. And<br />

on Christmas Eve, yet!<br />

He stamped around<br />

<strong>the</strong> kitchen a bit <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n<br />

stormed out to find a pub<br />

that sold off-sales.<br />

"Gosh, it was rough<br />

before <strong>the</strong>y had cold beer<br />

<strong>and</strong> wine stores, wasn't<br />

it?" I said, by way of<br />

attempting to generate<br />

some small talk.<br />

This time, Cheryl<br />

whacked me in <strong>the</strong> back<br />

of <strong>the</strong> head before<br />

pointing again in her<br />

ominous fashion at <strong>the</strong><br />

drama unfolding in front<br />

pf us.<br />

TO BE CONTINUED<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong> Cariboo Observer<br />

The message is simple:<br />

seat belts do save lives<br />

Editor:<br />

On Tuesday,<br />

November 24th while<br />

driving to Vancouver<br />

from my home in<br />

Mackenzie, I hit some ice<br />

on <strong>the</strong> road about 30<br />

kilometres south of<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong>.<br />

The initial little slip<br />

on <strong>the</strong> ice was followed<br />

by a swerve into <strong>the</strong><br />

opposite lane.<br />

"Oh God, please<br />

don't hit <strong>the</strong> rock wall!"<br />

Then <strong>the</strong> swerve back into<br />

my own lane. "Oh god,<br />

please don't go over <strong>the</strong><br />

bank!"<br />

However, that was<br />

not <strong>the</strong> case. My threequarter-ton<br />

Ford truck<br />

left <strong>the</strong> road at an angle,<br />

causing it to roll onto <strong>the</strong><br />

roof.<br />

"Oh God! Oh God!"<br />

I could see <strong>and</strong> hear <strong>the</strong><br />

branches of shrubs<br />

breaking <strong>and</strong> brushing<br />

against <strong>the</strong> driver's<br />

window. The truck, rolled<br />

some 360 degrees <strong>and</strong><br />

finally made a front<br />

impact, which released<br />

<strong>the</strong> air bag.<br />

"Oh God, please, I<br />

don't want to die!"<br />

I could hear glass<br />

breaking, trees being<br />

knocked down <strong>and</strong> I was<br />

jostled around while held<br />

tightly in my seat by my<br />

belt.<br />

The truck rolled<br />

again <strong>and</strong> I could feel my<br />

right cheek sHding on <strong>the</strong><br />

snow out <strong>the</strong> driver's side<br />

window. When <strong>the</strong> truck<br />

finally came to rest<br />

against a rancher's fence,<br />

some 240 feet below <strong>the</strong><br />

road, my head was<br />

trapped between <strong>the</strong> cab<br />

of <strong>the</strong> truck <strong>and</strong> a log.<br />

My first thought was<br />

that I could move my legs,<br />

<strong>and</strong> although my right<br />

arm was pinned under my<br />

chest, I could move^my<br />

fingers. I thought my jaw<br />

was possibly broken, as it<br />

felt displaced.<br />

Suspended upsidedown<br />

by my seat belt, I<br />

was trapped.<br />

I began screaming for<br />

help, thinking that I had<br />

fallen so far that if<br />

nobody heard me I would<br />

never be found.<br />

Too many people<br />

feel that seat<br />

belts are<br />

inconvenient or<br />

think that <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

careful <strong>and</strong> will<br />

never get into<br />

an accident.<br />

Well, I was driving<br />

cautiously <strong>and</strong> in<br />

less than five<br />

seconds, my truck<br />

skidded <strong>and</strong> went<br />

off <strong>the</strong> road.<br />

A man driving up <strong>the</strong><br />

highway saw <strong>the</strong> skid<br />

marks <strong>and</strong> thought <strong>the</strong>y<br />

looked fresh, so he<br />

stopped. I remember him<br />

saying, "Where are you.'"<br />

My truck had travelled so<br />

far he couldn't see it from<br />

<strong>the</strong> road.<br />

"I'm down at <strong>the</strong><br />

bottom," I said.-<br />

With cell phone in<br />

h<strong>and</strong>, he came down. It<br />

was all but a miracle that<br />

we were in an area where<br />

<strong>the</strong> cell phone worked.<br />

<strong>and</strong> he called emergency<br />

vehicles.<br />

I could hear a woman<br />

asking if he needed<br />

blankets. I had l<strong>and</strong>ed<br />

about 200 yards away<br />

from a ranch <strong>and</strong> a<br />

•woman heard my<br />

screaming <strong>and</strong> came to<br />

help. Soon <strong>the</strong>re were<br />

more voices talking about<br />

how emergency vehicles<br />

wouldn't be able to get<br />

close to <strong>the</strong> scene <strong>and</strong>, as I<br />

learned afterwards, <strong>the</strong><br />

rancher got into his<br />

tractor <strong>and</strong> plowed a road<br />

for help to reach me.<br />

Soon, ambulance <strong>and</strong><br />

rescue workers were on<br />

<strong>the</strong> scene <strong>and</strong>, after being<br />

trapped for an hour, I was<br />

freed from <strong>the</strong> truck <strong>and</strong><br />

taken to G.R. Baker<br />

Hospital in <strong>Quesnel</strong>.<br />

My jaw was broken<br />

in three places, but not<br />

displaced, so my mouth<br />

is wired shut for six<br />

weeks. My right cheek<br />

had a large hole in it,<br />

which was cleaned <strong>and</strong><br />

stitched, <strong>and</strong> I have lost<br />

considerable use of my<br />

left arm from <strong>the</strong> pressure<br />

of <strong>the</strong> seat belt. The<br />

doctors say that, in time, I<br />

should regain full use of<br />

<strong>the</strong> arm.<br />

I am alive <strong>and</strong> I am<br />

certain that my seat belt<br />

was <strong>the</strong> most important<br />

factor in that result.<br />

Too many people feel<br />

that seat belts are<br />

inconvenient or think that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are careful <strong>and</strong> will<br />

never get into an accident.<br />

Well, I was driving<br />

cautiously <strong>and</strong> in less than<br />

five seconds, my truck<br />

skidded <strong>and</strong> went off <strong>the</strong><br />

road.<br />

My message: Seat<br />

belts do save lives!<br />

Bette Bishop<br />

Mackenzie<br />

Thanks for buying poppies<br />

Editor:<br />

The Royal Canadian<br />

Cariboo Branch 94 would<br />

like to thank everyone for<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir kind contributions<br />

during our Poppy<br />

Campaign.<br />

Your donations have<br />

been used for:<br />

1) Assistance to needy<br />

veterans <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

dependents.<br />

2) Care facility<br />

donations for <strong>the</strong> elderly<br />

or disabled.<br />

3) Local; hospital<br />

donations for medical<br />

appliances.<br />

4) Schooi Poster<br />

contest related to<br />

Remembrance Day.<br />

5) Cost of poppies,<br />

wreaths, supplies <strong>and</strong><br />

advertising.<br />

We wish you all a<br />

Merry Christmas <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

very best in <strong>the</strong> New<br />

Year.<br />

Una Tracy,<br />

Legion manager ~<br />

& <strong>the</strong> L^on Execipdve<br />

\^k'is?dO o''/'"r;Fv'> i.;^vi,_j


A'lt),<strong>Quesnel</strong> Cariboo Observer<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong> Tllllcunn<br />

Society Friendship<br />

Centre.<br />

Make this hoHday<br />

season safe. Don't<br />

Drink & Drive.<br />

992-8347<br />

319 N. Fraser Dr.<br />

.WEST.CENTRAL<br />

135 Keis Ave. <strong>Quesnel</strong><br />

992-9205<br />

Fax 992-295.5<br />

Adjacent to Rempel<br />

Sales on Two Mile Flat<br />

SLOCAN<br />

GROUP<br />

Proud to be a part<br />

of our community<br />

P r o u d l y<br />

s i i p p o r t i n g<br />

p u r<br />

c o m i a u n i t y<br />

MERCURY<br />

CARIBOO FORD<br />

i Pine Tree<br />

a division of<br />

Anchor<br />

Proud to be a part of<br />

our community<br />

^ @Husqvarna^<br />

FORESTS. GARDEN<br />

3 mile flat, Hwy 97N<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong><br />

PAVING OUESNEL. B.C.<br />

HovQ a Safe &<br />

Happy Holiday<br />

Season.<br />

992-9033<br />

CP<br />

Cariboo<br />

PULP & PAPER<br />

North star Road<br />

992-0200<br />

Proud to be a<br />

community sponsor<br />

lass<br />

[.ocallv owned <strong>and</strong> operated<br />

Supporting Our<br />

Community<br />

253 Legion Drive<br />

(Across from Joe's Produce)<br />

992-3826<br />

C&C Wood<br />

Products Ltd.<br />

Proud to sponsor<br />

our community<br />

ARGO<br />

/ ROAD MAINTENANCE INC<br />

Conunitted to<br />

providing excellent<br />

Highway <strong>and</strong> Bridge<br />

Maintenance<br />

992-8809<br />

minute<br />

mffler<br />

437 Legion Dr.,<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong><br />

...whicli would you i e to ride liome in after tie party?<br />

T Approximately 30 per cent of B.C. road fatalities are alcohol related. In 1997,<br />

114 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on B.C. roads.<br />

• More than 65 per cent of alcohol-related fatal collisions occur on <strong>the</strong> weekend.<br />

T If you drink more than your limit, <strong>the</strong>re is no quick fix. Black coffee? Walks?<br />

A quick nap? They are all myths. Nothing will sober you up but time.<br />

• If you plan to drink during this holiday season, don't take any chances.<br />

Have a plan for a safe ride home. Call a taxi, arrange for a designated driver<br />

or call a friend or family member for a ride.<br />

T Impaired driving crashes account for more than $270 million in ICBC claims<br />

each year.<br />

Total Alcohol<br />

Collisions Related<br />

STATS FOR QUESNEL -1997<br />

Fatalities Injuries DUI 24 hr.<br />

Charges Prohibitions<br />

^sMz DRINKING DRIVING COUNTERATTACK<br />

BeA<br />

Designated<br />

Driver<br />

333 Reid Street<br />

Quesnei, 992-6611<br />

Hours<br />

Checked<br />

# of<br />

Vehicles<br />

8 16 99 2,350 30<br />

HEALTH<br />

PRODUC^<br />

9.<br />

# of<br />

ASD Tests<br />

BC. S - JASS. :i<br />

IIOAII CHECKSS<br />

Where your health is <strong>the</strong><br />

only wealth that matters.<br />

The finest in Vilamins.<br />

Supplements & Natural Foods.'<br />

378 Kinchant St.<br />

991-0298<br />

TAYLOR<br />

AUTOIVIOTIVE<br />

SUPPLIES<br />

44^ L^^idii 0r.<br />

Sunday, December 20, 1998<br />

PHARMASAVE<br />

community<br />

WES^ HfiLL<br />

PHARMASAVE<br />

R.R. #8 Box 3, Salton Rd.<br />

Ouesnel, B.C. V2J 5E6<br />

Ph: (250)992-6782<br />

Fax: (250)992-1067<br />

email: mills®goldcity/net<br />

Proud to be Involved In<br />

our community.<br />

Proud to<br />

sponsor<br />

<strong>the</strong> community<br />

450 Johnston Avenue<br />

992-2155<br />

I<br />

Overwaitea<br />

it.<br />

4><br />

•C.T.<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong> & <strong>District</strong><br />

Teachers Association<br />

Proud to support <strong>the</strong> children<br />

& families of our community<br />

Office phone 992-3737<br />

PETROCANADA®<br />

Lubricants<br />

BOB GRAHAM<br />

LIMITED<br />

Fuel <strong>and</strong> Lubricant Distributors<br />

1261 Smith Ave.<br />

Bob Gralnam Agent<br />

992-6600 Fax 992-3258<br />

WESTPmK<br />

M^LL<br />

Wishes you a safe<br />

& happy holiday<br />

season.<br />

IFYOU DRINK<br />

PLEASE DON'T<br />

DRIVE:<br />

DESIGNATEA<br />

DRIVER.<br />

Qijesnel Cariboo Observer Sunday, Decennber 20,1998'All<br />

as arson<br />

From front<br />

Avenue, Lewis Drive, <strong>and</strong><br />

Hartley Street. ^ ^<br />

All, he concluded,<br />

were deliberately set;<br />

On Thursday, former<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong> Volunteer Fire<br />

Department assistant<br />

chief Don Bardonnex<br />

testified that he was <strong>the</strong><br />

first fire fighter on <strong>the</strong><br />

scene at all four blazes.<br />

He described how he<br />

arrived at 251 English<br />

Avenue at 11:33 p.m. on<br />

June 29th to find cabin<br />

number five to have heavy<br />

smoke roiling out of it.<br />

He said it took about one<br />

minute to knock <strong>the</strong> fire<br />

down <strong>and</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r 25<br />

minutes to completely<br />

extinguish it.<br />

. He was called out<br />

again at 2:07 a.m., once<br />

again to 251 English<br />

Avenue, this time finding<br />

cabin 19 completely<br />

engulfed in flames.<br />

"Flames were coming<br />

out <strong>the</strong> front, <strong>the</strong> side<br />

windows, <strong>the</strong> kitchen <strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> porch," he said. "It<br />

was completely involved."<br />

It took fire fighters<br />

about 20 minutes to<br />

extinguish this fire.<br />

At 2:53 a.m., he was<br />

called to a house on<br />

Hartley Street, where he<br />

found a fire on <strong>the</strong> right<br />

h<strong>and</strong> side of <strong>the</strong> exterior,<br />

around what was left of a<br />

gas meter. The siding was<br />

on fire <strong>and</strong> it took fire<br />

fighters about two<br />

minutes to extinguish it.<br />

At 3:59 that morning,<br />

he received a call of a fire<br />

at 451 Lewis Drive. He<br />

arrived mere minutes later<br />

^uBuinv?<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

QUESNEL - CARIOOO<br />

OBSERVER<br />

Congratulate<br />

Maple Drive student<br />

Eldon<br />

Wheeler<br />

Cst. Paul Collister testifies<br />

about hunt for <strong>the</strong> two<br />

suspected arsonists.<br />

to find <strong>the</strong> back door<br />

open <strong>and</strong> smoke coming<br />

out. Indoors, <strong>the</strong> kitchen<br />

counter area was ablaze,<br />

as was a car tire propped<br />

up against <strong>the</strong> counter.<br />

This fire, also was quickly<br />

extinguished.<br />

Finally, at 4:18 a.m.,<br />

Bardonnex received a call<br />

that someone was actually<br />

in <strong>the</strong> process of lighting a<br />

fire at 878 Abbott.<br />

"I ran around <strong>the</strong><br />

back of <strong>the</strong> building <strong>and</strong><br />

someone was <strong>the</strong>re with a<br />

garden hose <strong>and</strong> had it<br />

pretty much<br />

extinguished," he said.<br />

Swanson <strong>the</strong>n called<br />

RCMP Constable Paul<br />

Collister to <strong>the</strong> st<strong>and</strong>.<br />

Collister testified that<br />

he received a call at home<br />

at 3:30 a.m. on June 30th<br />

<strong>and</strong>, aftfer picking up his<br />

sidearrri at <strong>the</strong> police<br />

station, drove in an<br />

unmarked car to West<br />

<strong>Quesnel</strong>.<br />

He first drove to <strong>the</strong><br />

Abbott Drive <strong>and</strong> Beath<br />

area, he said, as he<br />

believed <strong>the</strong> two suspects<br />

may have been in <strong>the</strong><br />

area. He <strong>the</strong>n met up with<br />

Constable Blair Fuhrman<br />

<strong>and</strong> proceeded - to an<br />

apartment building on<br />

Lark Avenue, where he<br />

said he hoped Nicholson<br />

<strong>and</strong> W<strong>and</strong> might go to<br />

seek a ride. Similarly, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

went to a residence ar<br />

Abbott <strong>and</strong> Allard, where<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r known associate<br />

of Nicholson lived.<br />

Collister related how,<br />

as he waited across an<br />

open field from <strong>the</strong><br />

residence, he heard a<br />

shout <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n saw an<br />

orange flash behind <strong>the</strong><br />

building.<br />

"It looked like flames<br />

flaring up <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n back<br />

down again," he testified.<br />

"It looked to be about<br />

five or six feet high."<br />

He said <strong>the</strong> voice<br />

yelled again, <strong>and</strong> he <strong>the</strong>n<br />

heard something large<br />

crashing through <strong>the</strong><br />

wooded area near <strong>the</strong><br />

house.<br />

"It was breaking<br />

Scm.'t Get (2au^...<br />

(huMU- <strong>the</strong>. uwAdi,!)<br />

Ofie.1998 ehudmoA<br />

9" OA tjXMJiA e/xJtAa cjo^pJueA c x M<br />

992-2121.<br />

QUESNEL • CARIBOO<br />

two<br />

branches, pushing its way<br />

through <strong>the</strong> bush," he<br />

said. "It was quite<br />

obvious, quite loud."<br />

I„m m e d i a t e 1 y<br />

<strong>the</strong>reafter, he said he saw<br />

two men emerge from <strong>the</strong><br />

treed area, about 80<br />

metres from his position.<br />

They strode purposefully<br />

across <strong>the</strong> field, he said,<br />

towards a dirt track that<br />

leads to <strong>the</strong> top of Allison<br />

Avenue.<br />

Collister said he<br />

crouched, drew his<br />

sidearm <strong>and</strong>, followed<br />

closely by Cst. Fuhrman,<br />

jogged after <strong>the</strong> two men,<br />

whom, he recognized to be<br />

Rocky Nicholson <strong>and</strong> Ian<br />

W<strong>and</strong>.<br />

He said he yelled at<br />

<strong>the</strong> two suspects to stop,<br />

that he was a police<br />

officer, <strong>and</strong> he pointed his<br />

sidearm at Nicholson.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> two men<br />

failed to immediately<br />

stop, a warning shot was<br />

fired.<br />

With both men<br />

eventually face-down on<br />

<strong>the</strong> ground, Collister said<br />

Nicholson turned his head<br />

to look at him <strong>and</strong> said,<br />

"You've got everyone<br />

uttering death threats at<br />

us, what do you expect us<br />

to do?"<br />

ProceediiTgs were<br />

adjourned Friday until<br />

January 4th.<br />

-9<br />

1%<br />

ATTENTION<br />

All Shoppers Drug Mart<br />

customers;<br />

OUR FLYER SALE PRICES<br />

. START TUESDAY!!<br />

DRUG IVIART<br />

HOURS: Mon - Fri 8:30-9, Sat 9-6, Sun10-6<br />

225 St. Laurent Avenue, <strong>Quesnel</strong> 992-2214<br />

C h r i s t m a s<br />

Gift<br />

Ideas<br />

'®°L=^ Open Dpen Sunday<br />

11:00 to4:00t<br />

PHILIPS $<br />

12 Cup<br />

Coffeemaker<br />

*auto dhp stop<br />

'available in black or white<br />

^29''PHILIPS<br />

PHILIPS<br />

Food Processor<br />

•slices, grates, mixes, purees<br />

•chops <strong>and</strong> blends<br />

T^HILIPS<br />

H<strong>and</strong>mixer<br />

*5 speed<br />

•power boost<br />

22 99<br />

Wafflemaker<br />

"extra thick 1" waffles<br />

*non-stick coating<br />

» « 0 » « « 9 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ®<br />

: H A R K I N S I<br />

349 Reid Street Phone 992-2401 ,v fi.

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