Driver security

The province daily paper had a picture of a bandaged lower mainland bus driver on its front page this morning. The caption said that the person that sucker punched him will not get jail time. The calls for this are regular and persistent and are mostly on a tone for vengeance.

A talk with a driver named Doug with Merritt BC Canada’s service gave the impression that he was not concerned . When asked if he lets drunks on he said yes if they seem alright. The bus service here does not run late at night and is small town

Editors note: emotional intelligence by people dealing with the public is a premium thing to have.To rely on deterrents such as jail seems to escalate things when people are challenged. However one should not underestimate the life changing effects of physical assault.

Today in history, April 4 1984

The United States president calls for a world wide ban on chemical weapons.

Airstrip

There is a small airstrip here in Merritt, Saunders Field. It is on a nice little bench just north-west of town. The local city council was inviting people who would be interested to be on the airport committee to contact the city. The strip is 634 meters at 500722 North,1204450 west. It is a public airfield and yes operated by the city.

About two decades ago a premier visited it in a whirlwind working tour and a 600 thousand dollar grant was given to put night landing lights on it. The money was never used and was returned to the Cabinet. However in the last year there has been a new hanger building built and there is a going concern helicopter company at the field.

The Merritt Flying Club operates a website that updates weather every 5 minutes as well as almanac and moon phase.However the last reading shows 29/1/12 and there is a registration offer from ambient weather.

The airstrip has had scheduled  passenger service in its history never lasting long as small planes are not comfortable to use as passengers and there is commercial jet service in both Kamloops and Kelowna, about an hour and a quarter away.

A city committee is usually chaired by a councillor and is a good precursor to running for elected office.

Every now and then the Federal government lands one of its four engine search and rescue aircraft and gets fuel adding to the legitimacy of the strip.

Today in History: February 13,2008

 The Australian Prime Minister makes a historic apology to the aboriginal people ; the indigenous Australians and the stolen generations

Editors note: tomorrow  February 14, 2012, afternoon 12-1, Dr.Cora Voyageur at the local college will be giving a presention open to the public on trends in aboriginal communities: there is also and evening session.

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Falling rocks

Image by freefotouk via Flickr

 A truck was parked at the Desert inn  in Merritt this AM and its side window was smashed out. The hotel owner reported that there had been a rock come down from off the bank  and go through the passengers widow. The truck minus its side widow is there as a testimony to its story. and we can confirm that in the past when freezing a thawing occurs on roads with high mountain or hilly dispositions rocks do fall ,and they have caused at least one fatality as a decapitation. Our advice is to be defensive especially when both lanes are full and there is little wiggle room. In some instances ducking beneath the dash ( passenger especially) may be the thing that will help. To do this effectively you need to can the sidehill for tracks and moving stones.

Today in History, December 22,1965

A 70 Kilometer speed limit is applied to all rural roads in the UK ,before there was none.

Liquor licence suspended

Liquor Licence:

The Coldwater hotel pub had its licence suspended for four days because of a minor being found in the premises back in September. A source says that the hotel took the sanction and not fight. The hotel will be reopening in four days from the Saturday night closing.

A source says that server’s in the hotels use take an online serving certificate course to serve alcohol to the public.

Today in History, December 19,1843

Charles Dickens Story: A Christmas Carol goes on sale.

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What do you want. Fall humorous speech contest, merritt toastmasters, Kevin D Griffiths ACG, ALB, TGIF

• The Japanese needed security and provoked the second world war for fill. Yes fill, the crafty fellows thought that the world would respond by firing artillery shells into the island nation, plugging holes and filling cracks so that they had land to live and grow on. That has to be true as when the game went atomic the war was over because no more fill.
  England, Japan and New Zealand are about the same size with the latter being slightly larger than the Japanese 4 islands that house their 100 million people.
  Points
• Snakes, there are no snakes in New Zealand as In Ireland they didn’t make it out of the ice age.
• Did I mention that the Mauri go down to spirit bay to start their long, long journey to Paradise?
•  A least one 1200 year old tree centers the splendid sand and greenery for the fauna in New Zealand
• A small lizard survives the from the Dinosaur age we think he must have liked to eat frozen snakes.
• • Did I mention that the Mauri go down to spirit bay to start their long, long journey to Paradise?
• product placement
• 1/4 acre syndrome; the  inhabitants of New Zealand have lawns and single family dwellings and their favorite pastime is self home renos.
• • Did I mention that the Mauri go down to spirit bay to start their long, long  journey to Paradise?

• 20 to 1 sheep, there is peace and contentment as the 3 million odd people in New Zealand can all count sheep to go to sleep at night.
• *
• • Did I mention that the Mauri go down to spirit bay to start their long, long journey to Paradise?

It’s a long, long way to paradise from spirit bay….

If the Japanese can make it to Vancouver they can fly for about a thousand dollars to New Zealand  via commercial air carrier .

Note there are poisonous sea snakes in the ocean off New Zealand     .

• Did I mention that the Mauri go down to spirit bay to start their long, long journey to Paradise?
• please note the one pointless note….*

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Construction

The streets in Merritt are full of activity today as at least two major projects for this small community are at work. Sanders and Company are busting up the pavement and concrete at the old Grasslands Hotel site as well.

A sewer and water upgrade and a beautification in the small downtown core are in progress.

The local legion is also readying its front for a country music  possibly Merle Haggard according to an unconfirmed source. The about 10 x 10 black white and gray-scale portraits are done by the muralist Michelle Loughery and the Walk of Stars.

Today in History, October 12 1999

Six billion people alive at one time.

Freeway closed

The Coquihalla is closed by a multiple vehicle accident at the moment. A source says they are rerouting traffic to highway 8 Spence’s bridge and the Fraser Canyon to Vancouver. Exit 286 at the  interchange is closed.

Today in history :August 11 1972

The last US ground forces leave Viet Nam

East coast bound

Off to Newfound land, west coast to east coast and an Island beyond. A pair of brothers Romanian expatriates are on their way to the other side of the country today and have accomplished the first 400 miles stopping in Merritt at a local sub shop to eat. It’s a long way from the cor debois or Alexander Mackenzie and they say its 8000 miles.  As the crow flys it is more like 5000,they may thinking about all the side roads and touring spots coming in to opportunity.  Their motor cycle and sidecar is decked out with equipment and clothing and they are exited about the trip. N and K  look about mid twentys and in  great shape.They will be following many others that come through Merritt with like  touring goals.

Today in history, August  3, 1958

The nuclear powered submarine USS Nautilus travels under the Arctic ice cap.

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

Country Music Hall of Fame was officially opened last night ;again , this time I talked to Jack Madrigas a former director for the Museum the city runs for years and he offered a tour. He is a new volunteer with the CMHF. 

 The hall of fame occupies the old Armstrong’s Department store that was nicely renovated for it. the store goes back to before World War One and The business person whose name it bears is a protagonist in a play being presented in late July for the City’s Centenary.

A number of displays of artifacts and plaques of inductees are displayed.

The hall of fame compliments the street mall downtown this week.

 A local paper is reporting that the group got about ten thousand dollars for a grand official opening in 2012, got love those openings.

Today in History July 7 1958

The US sign the Alaska State hood law

Bus tours

There are numbers of bus tours that come through here. With seven highways and we as a hub many destination tours use Merritt as a stop. A local Korean Sushi restaurant can get 4 a day of Asian nationals stopping for the cuisine. The divided highways and ascetics make for a pleasant and scenic route weather driving or riding.

Motorcycles like the less used and more challenging routes to communities such as Princeton and Spence’s bridge and the Fraser canyon route to Vancouver.

Any mode chosen this time of the year makes for glorious trips to and fro in the South Central Interior of British Columbia.

Today in History, July 6 1947

The AK -47 goes into production in the Soviet Union

Camping in the central interior of BC

This area in the south central part of British Columbia has a lot to offer campers one of the local chamber themes still regarded was a lake a day as long as you stay. There are two RV parks in town one accommodates 44 RVs and some tenting.Fully serviced with showers and services, including golf discounts.. The other is competitive.

The manager of the one on Voght street says that the May long-weekend they are not full usually as people go to local lakes and are free of traffic and enjoy space with fewer people. The forestry maintains campsites at some lakes and there are commercial parks at some as well. The province keeps one public access road into all lakes for public enjoyment. Fishing is regulated and licenses required however there is a holiday on Fathers day from licensing each year to this point.

Close all gates that you find closed and you should not come into trouble with the ranching community.Watch for infectious weed warnings and the price of your big mac is safe.Take all garbage out or use provided cans and you will be a class one responsible camper….

Camp fires have been regulated down to smaller sizes and some preparation required. Here is another source:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/06/24/bc-smaller-campfire-rules.html

The tourist information center at the highway connector exchange has a forestry maintained hiking trail directly behind the site , I tried it, it is enjoyable as well as a good photo-op for the Nicola Valley. Wood tick season is now over according to sources. There is also an info center downtown on Voght with as free picnic area.

Today in History, May 3 1921

West Virgina imposes first state sales tax.

Bus shelters

Transit shelters, the city is putting out tenders for installing bus shelters 4 of them in locations chosen by the Nicola Transportation Society are being planned .Tender date deadline early May. Locations according to a confirmed source are:

1. Intersection of Merritt Avenue and Garcia Street.
2. Menzies Street near Subway.
3. Voght Street Near Subway.
4. Coldwater avenue near Garcia Street.

 

Today in History, April 20th, 1303

The University of Rome,La Spanienza is begun  by the Pope.