Monthly Archives: October 2019

Hedley Times

Hedley Drive-By Shooting

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Targeted house on Daly Ave.

The illicit drug trade is well known for spawning turf wars. Brazen shootings are pretty common, sometimes in busy malls in daylight. But not in quiet Hedley, at least not until about 2 am last Friday.
The drive-by shooting targeting the drug house on Daly Avenue was likely not a case of competition for market share, but it was an indication that the drug trade invites volatility and danger.

Fortunately, in this case the four adults and one child in the house were not injured, but errant shots could have killed innocent individuals in neighbouring homes. Even for a professional sniper, shooting while driving is not an exact science.

Police have said the alleged shooter is a 35 year old male resident of Hedley. We’re a pretty close-knit community and some curious amateur sleuths in town have pieced together bits of information and scuttlebutt which they believe points to a well known individual. Apparently very early that morning a police cruiser was parked in front of a local home for some time. Also, the pickup truck owned by the alleged shooter was hauled away. Just about everyone in town would recognize the pickup. These two pieces of information point to the same individual. There may be more.

Some years ago, in our initial foray into the Similkameen Valley, we lived in the home where the cruiser was parked. It is troubling to me that the young man living here might be responsible for the shooting. I have always found him to be friendly, quite willing to chat, and certainly not someone I would have suspected. He’s a father and works in an industry that pays well.

What might motivate a seemingly rationale individual to engage in what could be construed as a vigilante action? News reports of such incidents almost invariably suggest gang involvement or a drug transaction gone wrong. But this is Hedley and the drug trade here is not all that sophisticated. Although we don’t know those who show up in cars from out of town, just about everyone recognizes the hapless addicted souls who routinely walk to the drug house. At this time we can only speculate as to motivation of the shooter.

One eye witness report after the shooting incident came from a woman walking her dog at about 6 am. “I saw the police lined up in front of the museum, about a block from the drug house,” she said. They were apparently confident our laws and court would back their actions. For Hedley citizens, it’s puzzling that an individual can be quickly dealt with by overwhelming force, but a “business” dealing in harmful illegal drugs cannot be easily touched.

The police are well aware of the concerns of residents regarding this life destroying malignancy festering in our midst. This causes me to wonder if as a society we are unwilling, or too apathetic, to provide them with the powers and means to take decisive action. Or do our elected representatives not deem our limited voting base worthy of their attention?

Police tape was in place for several hours.

Interestingly, immediately after the police tape was removed and the officers departed, it was noted that customers quickly appeared at the door of the drug house, cash in hand, ready to buy. It’s a galling situation and many Hedley citizens are frustrated, disgusted and angered by anemic laws and complacent politicians overly focused on retaining or attaining power.

Is there a solution for our community, or for any community, contending with a similarly troubling issue? I believe there could be, but it will require us to be more proactive than those who make our laws and govern us. The ideal answer might be to clone Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist. She would certainly have the courage and boldness to lead the charge on this issue. Failing that, we need a local individual to step forward and provide leadership. Currently, Hedley resident TJ Bratt has begun circulating a petition that will go to the provincial Solicitor General, Area G Director, and our MLA. I’ve been assured it will be in the Hedley Country Market this week. It’s a beginning. An opportunity to demonstrate our resolute opposition to this blight that is devastating lives in our
community.

Hedley

Excavators Entertain On Daly Avenue

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Excavators on Daly Avenue.

Working at opposite ends of a short trench on Daly Avenue in Hedley, two massive, muscular excavators have begun replacing a section of water line. Watching their long arms lower the enormous buckets to claw boulders out of the trench, I was reminded of a scene in George Lucas’ The Empire Strikes Back. At times the buckets worked in close quarters and I waited for them to slam into each other.

Drawing closer to the trench, I realized that two nimble, very alert men were down there, guiding the buckets. To me it seemed akin to entering a cage with a supposedly tame gorilla. A slight distraction on the part of an operator (such as the appearance of a pretty woman in a short skirt) could instantly end the working life of these men. I quickly concluded this is a job that requires steady nerves in the trench and on the machines. It certainly isn’t for the faint hearted.

When one of the excavators ceased working and the operator stepped down from the still idling machine, I approached him. In answer to my question, Jim said, “I’ve been operating for about 30 years. At the outset I had a choice of operating cranes or excavators. I didn’t want to spend my days alone high up in one of those tower cranes.” He said this project will take about 2 weeks to complete. In addition to digging the trench along Daly and laying the pipe, they will also cut trenches across the street and lay pipe to each residence.

When Jim got off his excavator, I asked him a few questions.

According to Lynn Wells, Chair of the Hedley Improvement District, the contractor will replace the line from Kingston Avenue to White Street, a distance of one block. “This kind of work is pretty expensive,” she said. “We’ve received $170,000 for this from the RDOS. The money originates from the provincial Gas Tax Fund. We applied for the funding when Elef Christensen was still an RDOS Director and he made the arrangements. The HID sets aside funds for emergencies, testing and maintenance. Saving up enough money for this type of project would take a decade. If there are leaks in the old, corroded steel line, this will eliminate them.”

It’s somewhat inconvenient for those living in the vicinity of the project. For anyone with too little to do though, watching the excavators can be an interesting diversion. It’s like having a two ring circus almost at our doorstep.

Inspiration, People

Kevin Demers Provides a Template for Success

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Kevin Demers in his office at Holiday Trails Resort

He was wearing shorts and a casual, loose hanging shirt, and I could easily have concluded Kevin Demers was just one more man enjoying a comfortable retirement. At age 74 he appears not to be even thinking of retiring though. When I asked if what he is doing is still fun, he replied, “I love it!”

While still serving as an RCMP officer, Kevin launched his business career, albeit in a small way. He now owns 7 highly successful recreation centres, including Manning Park Resort and Sunshine Valley (just east of the Hope slide). In a 2 hour conversation with him at his Holiday Trails company headquarters, he talked about some of the decisions he made over many years, the risks and challenges, the successes, and much more. What he told me could serve as a template for anyone in leadership, or anyone wanting a more fulfilling life.

“As an RCMP officer I wasn’t allowed to run a business on the side at that time,” he began. “But I was permitted to build a house. I built 3 houses.” There seemed a hint of humour in his eyes. “My uncle and aunt owned a 17 site campground in Langley,” he continued. “In 1978 they were ready to retire and wanted me to buy it. This was against Mountie rules but we did it anyway. Initially we charged $4.00 a night for a family of four. I said the first day we bring in one hundred dollars we’ll open a bottle of champagne.”

Then the owner of Bedrock City at Bridal Falls said, “Kevin we desperately need a campsite.” Kevin purchased 25 acres nearby and created 45 sites. “We moved into a 14×70 foot trailer,” he said. “Shortly after launching this venture I arrived home from my RCMP job in Surrey and I didn’t see a single camper.” It wasn’t an encouraging beginning, a test of his capacity to persevere.

Another test came when he bought The Cedars RV Resort in Washington. “The police were in there on a weekly basis. Lots of drugs. It took us a year to clean it up. People think it’s easy, but it never is. Sunshine Valley took 5 years to get its head above water.” He was learning about patience.

Looking at Sunshine Valley Resort from Hwy 3 on Thanksgiving Day (2019).

Kevin knows the value of sound advice, and he listens to it. When he first considered acquiring Manning Park Resort, his friend Peter Sherle advised against it. Peter knew the equipment had fallen into serious disrepair and the reputation was tarnished. A bank appointed receiver took over when Manning went into bankruptcy. It was hemorrhaging $200,000 a year. The price dropped and Peter suggested another look. Recognizing the potential, Kevin made the move.

As Kevin talked it became clear he places a huge emphasis on creating an aura of quality and success. He wants to positively impact the perceptions of staff and visitors. “The receiver had let a lot of good people go,” he said. “We rehired the best ones. We also replaced the snow cats and trucks. Manning now has 4 buses and we’ve installed a new quad chairlift.”

He paused, then said, “Good service and a positive culture are vital in tourism. I learn by reading biographies and stories of success in business. When we travel in our motor home, I watch for good ideas. At In and Out Burgers in the U.S. I observed that workers are treated very well. The result is they are happy and friendly to customers. Their service has a 10 out of 10 rating. We tell our servers in the Manning Pinewoods Dining Room to make eye contact and ensure people feel welcome.”

Rebecca provided friendly service in the Pinewoods Dining Room, Manning Park Resort

How is Kevin’s vision playing out in the real world? For starters, he hasn’t needed the RCMP job for many years. When he returns to Holiday Trails now, he sees plenty of campers. Driving past Sunshine Valley several times this summer, I saw that the camp ground appeared filled to capacity. At Manning Park, even cabins now under construction are already fully booked. More important for Linda and me, when we had breakfast in the spacious Pinewoods dining room this summer, the portions were ample and pleasing to our palettes. Also, Rebecca, the young Irish waitress who served us was willing to engage in friendly conversation. With such an enviable track record, I’m not surprised Kevin is having fun. We can learn from him.

Visiting Manning Park Resort, this grandmother & her grandchildren are from Nanjing, China.
Hedley, Indigenous People of Similkameen Valley

Elders Visit Hedley Museum

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Henry Dennis Shared Stories From His 85 Years.

When 4 Elders from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) visited the Hedley Museum last Friday, memories flowed like wine at a wedding. Eighty-five year old Henry Dennis, oldest man on the reserve, came with an especially large reservoir of recollections. He spoke with the knowledge and authority of a patriarch. The others, Mona Heinrich, Kathy Allison and Tony Qualtier respectfully allowed him to take the lead and also contributed from their own history vaults. For the 5 museum members present, it was an opportunity to gain an understanding of the Elders’ personal experiences and also band values and history. We began huddled around a table in the Tea Room, eating lemon pie, drinking coffee, and listening to the Elders reminiscing.

We were surprised by Henry’s response to the question, “What was the happiest time in your life?” Without hesitation he replied, “The happiest time in my life was when I attended school in Hedley until I was 15.” Interestingly, Mona said it was also the time that provided the happiest memories for her.

When I asked if any of them trace their lineage back to the original Nora Allison, they were eager to talk about this legendary ancestor. “Kathy and I are both great grand daughters of Nora,” Mona responded. Henry added, “Nora was John Faul Allison’s first wife. When he married Susan, a white woman, he wanted to give Nora to his foreman. She resisted initially but in the end agreed. She taught Susan how to live in the wilderness, including how to chop wood, build a fire and prepare meals.”

Nora Allison became famous for her pack train, bringing supplies from Hope to Princeton, Keremeos and beyond. According to Mona, she had 20 mules. The actual number may not really be known. Another great granddaughter told me several years ago she thought Nora’s team had consisted of approximately 40 horses. Whatever the number, she’s been a courageous and inspiring role model for her people.

Tony Qualtier still lives in the house he was born in.

Tony seemed content to let the others talk, but he was quite happy to answer questions. “I was born in a house in Chopaka,” he said. “I’ve lived in the same house my whole life. I became a rancher, but a stroke made it hard to carry on.” Although he walks with a cane, his enthusiasm for life seems not to have been dampened. Kathy also mostly listened. We did learn she was born in the old hospital in Tenasket, Washington and is the sister of Nancy (Nan) Allison, who is well known here.

Henry told us about a time in his early life when his mother instructed him to dig up roots. “It was hard work,” he recalled, “but I noticed the muskrats were digging them up too and leaving them out to dry. I decided it was a lot easier to steal some of theirs than to do the work myself.” As an adult he went on to become a rancher and could no longer depend on muskrats to do the work. He still owns a ranch.

Mona, who lives across the highway from the iconic “Standing Rock” between Hedley and Keremeos, offered a few insights into her life as a child. “When I started school I spoke only Okanagan, no English. My father said I had to attend school so I’d be able to manage my affairs when I grew up.”

Mona Heinrich & her cousin, Kathy Allison.

Mona, Kathy and Tony accepted an invitation to visit the media room. Here the photo albums evoked pleasant memories and some surprises. “We used to go to the dance at the Community Hall in Hedley on Boxing Day,” Mona recalled. “We had lots of fun.” Turning the page in an album she said excitedly, “Look, there is the present Nora Allison. I was born in her home!” Then, quite surprised, she exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, here I am!” On many pages she and Kathy recognized people from their long ago past.

After almost 3 hours it was time for them to leave, but Mona had one more story. “My great- grandmother was a tough lady,” she said. “When she heard about a man who physically abused his wife, she went after him with a stick and gave him a real beating. ‘Do you like it? Do you like it?’ she asked. He didn’t and she warned him to never beat his wife again.”

Then there was a flurry of handshakes and hugs and the Elders departed, promising to return.