Some great letters from our very last issue.

What a journey

It is hard to stay dry-eyed this last week of work. I am so thankful for that day three and a half years ago that I bumped into Rashmi at the grocery store and she asked if I’d like to come and work at the Times. Wow, what a journey!

This has been the best job of my life. Andru and Rashmi took a chance on someone who had very little computer experience. Their patience and encouragement has helped me gain valuable skills and tons of self-confidence.

I’ll miss our great discussions, arguments and laughter. I feel honoured to have been included in the decision-making process and to have my opinions respected. They are wonderful employers and great friends. I love and admire them and am really going to miss working for them.

Although it’s sad that the paper is closing, I think all of us are excited about what’s ahead. As my daughter heads to kindergarten in September, I am looking forward to a much needed few hours to myself every week, and to continuing my education.

I know that Andru is going to make VCTV into something innovative and exciting. And, whatever Rashmi puts her mind to will be a success because of her integrity and drive.

Best of luck to all the contributors. Thank you Andru and Rashmi. It has been a privelege to be a part of this great community newspaper.

Jody Newham, Office staff

Goodbye

It is with sadness that I watch the Robson Valley Times newspaper publish its last issue and close the doors but I am able to take some great memories with me.

I have been involved with the newspaper for four amazing years. The opportunity that was afforded to me by Andru and Rashmi is one that I hold very dear to my heart and is something that will not be soon forgotten.

The best thing about my job as a reporter and photographer is the chance I get to meet and interact with people in the whole Robson Valley that I probably never would have. I am able to get the story from both sides, look outside the box, and in some cases step outside my comfort zone. I was able to form working relationships and friendships with community leaders, professionals, local and provincial politicians through my position with the Times.

It is through this work that I have been able to meet many of those provincial and federal cabinet Ministers while gaining a better understanding of how hard their job and local government leader’s positions really are. I have been able to talk with many MLAs mostly in part to great connections through our local MLA Shirley Bond, interview Premier Gordon Campbell, and Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo.

I have been able to witness many great local events like 50th wedding anniversaries, family reunions, and special community events.

I was able to learn in great depth about issues and concerns that make or break our area. I was able to see first hand how amazing events like Hockeyville truly brought out the community spirit of McBride.

Most recently I have been able to talk to people closely involved with the MFI closure and reach a better understanding of how that event has affected our community both in unfortunate ways with several great families forced to move and also in the resilience that people and community have shown in the face of great adversity.

I wish to personally thank all of the individuals, business owners, committee and community leaders, and politicians who have given me interviews over the years and allowed me to snap their photo. Thanks to all the kids who saw me walking across the school field with camera in hand and came running over to see if they could be in the picture as well as all the committees that phoned when they were hosting a special event. I thank all those people who stopped me on the street or called me up with the ‘big scoop’.

And finally I wish to thank Andru and Rashmi who were amazing bosses and gave someone with no journalism experience a chance! Through this job my life has truly been enriched and my horizons broadened. I wish you both luck in your new adventures and thank you for starting the Robson Valley Times. It was a benefit and great service to the entire Robson Valley in its five year run.

I look forward to the new chance provided to me through the Valley Sentinel and hope to share it with all of you and continue those professional relationships that were formed through my first newspaper job!

Jennifer Quam, McBride reporter

Thanks for the support

Dear Andru, Rashmi and staff,

Thank you so much for your past support of the library. We have really appreciated the opportunity to have our “new arrivals” listed each week in your paper.

Thank you for understanding the value of non-profit, community organizations and for helping promote their events. We’ll miss your community-minded paper greatly.

Best wishes for your new job at VCTV Andru!

Wendy Smith, Chief Librarian Valemount Public Library

Dear Andru and staff,

Thanks so much to all of you for running our columns and supporting us. All the best to everyone in your new directions.

Doreen Beck, McBride & District Library.

Best wishes

Dear Andru and Rashmi:

We would like to thank you for the wonderful job you did with the Robson Valley Times. It was a breath of fresh air to the valley, doing exactly what a newspaper is supposed to do: raising issues and challenging the status quo. We always looked forward to receiving the next issue, and we are sad to see the paper close. It is a huge loss to the community. Please thank Jennifer and Jody for us as well.

We wish you both well in your endeavours at the T.V. station and Infinity.

David & Michiko Young, Valemount

I’m truly sorry to hear that the Robson Valley Times is coming to an end. You’ve produced one of the finest, small town newspapers I’ve ever seen. Thank you for all your hard work that has been marked by honesty, integrity and generosity. It’s been much appreciated.

Pastor Dan Carlaw, McBride Evangelical Free Church

Our online ones too

I’m not a resident of the Robson Valley area, but have nevertheless enjoyed reading the Times since it first went online. Best wishes for the future to everyone working there!

Ben Bradley, Kingston, Ontario

Dear Andru,

We spoke a couple of years ago when you took some photos of my Dad’s new house (Gordon Carson). I have been a loyal online reader ever since and just noticed that you are moving on. I am sad to hear it as I have quite enjoyed your paper and editorials! Best of luck with your new endeavours!!

Zena Caul, Vancouver BC

I support industry but have other concerns

So we are “ignorant, ill-informed cavemen, or as mayor Kinsley stated “Neanderthals.” I had a good chuckle over this name-calling. Thankfully we live in a free country and can stoop to this kind of behaviour without the fear of losing our head.

To the “for or against industry controversy”: I am not against this company building an explosives manufacturing plant.

My concern is that Crown land will be made available to the company. Lease for how many years? Is it transferable to another company? Will this be the wedge that will open the area to other uses for Crown land?

Government assurance of a “No” to these questions does not allay my concern. Governments change and have a track record of changing their minds.

Since McBride, Valemount and Prince George are so anxious to attract industry I suggest that they offer this company a tract of land.

Elisabeth Aubrey, Crescent Spur

Why the Market didn’t get my vote

To the Editor:

It has been brought to my attention that the reason for my vote against giving the Grant in Aid to the Community Market is not clear.

Prior to the Council meeting of July 10, 2007, this issue had been raised and discussed at the Council meeting of June 26, 2007, where I voted against the motion to give the grant to the Community Market. At the June 26, 2007 meeting I made it quite clear that I was against providing a Grant in Aid to the Community Market. My reasons were as follows:

1.We are being asked for Taxpayers money.

2.The Village of Valemount had already graciously given permission to the Community Market to use the Village’s property and power at no cost.

3.The Community Market is an entity formed to bring together Vendors to sell their products and produce. The Vendors retain money from their sales. The Community Market covers its expenses through the rental of tables to the Vendors. I support the concept of the Community Market and support its Vendors, however I feel that providing a Grant in Aid to the Community Market indirectly subsidizes the Vendors and I feel that this is not the right way to spend the Taxpayers dollars.

I expressed these views and opinions at the Council meeting of June 26, 2007, and my opinion had not changed at the July 10, 2007 Council meeting.

I hope I have clarified this issue satisfactorily.

Councillor Cynthia Piper, Valemount

Why point fingers?

Upon reading the letter to the editor written by Margaret McKirdy titled “The Brits”, I would just like to let the readers know the opinion of an actual British Citizen.

As a 14 year veteran of Her Majesty’s Forces, I would just like to point out that it is not Tony Blaire that deploys soldiers to war, but NATO and the United Nations that decide where to send British Forces. Upon signing the Queen’s Oath, every soldier knows they will eventually see a conflict.

I would also like to point out that there has not been a British Military presence in Ireland for years, and most British citizens think the Brits should not have been there in the first place. But, unfortunately, government does not always listen to the common citizen.

I also wonder, why worry about Britain’s illiteracy, unemployment, teen pregnancy, divorce, drug use, obesity, alcoholism, crime, and STD rates when Canada has its own issues with these problems. After all, no country is perfect.

Britain may have a monarchy, but in reality, the queen is just a figurehead, as parliament actually makes all of the decisions. I’m sure that if given the choice, she would choose to continue to live the life of comfort and luxury that she is accustomed to, rather than the life of a commoner.

Peter Addis, Valemount

Use the Health Bus

There has been so much “negativism” in the newspaper of late that I would like to tell you of something good and positive that is happening in our communities. Last week I had occasion to attend a medical appointment in Prince George so I checked into the Northern Interior Health bus that travels into Prince George every Tuesday and Kamloops every Thursday – returning home the same day.

It leaves the clinic at 7 am, arrives in Prince George about 10:45 am and leaves at 4:15 pm. The total cost is $20. The driver, Deb, is very considerate, kind and helpful to make certain all her passengers are comfortable. One is also able to bring a companion along if they find it difficult to manage on their own, also at the small cost of $20. This bus is a “super service” for our area and I hope everyone knows about it and uses it.

Please be aware of this excellent service. Tell your friends about it. Make use of it so it continues! The phone number to register your reservation is 1-888-647-4997. You must register if you plan to use it.

Aleda Bain, Valemount