36 Years Ago (1982): Twelve hundred people were registered and looking for work in the 100 Mile House area, according to Canada Employment Centre Statistics. CEC manager, Dough Thomson, expected 600 unemployment insurance claims to run out over the then following two to three months. A good number of those people were not expected to qualify for further benefits and would have little choice other than to turn to human resources. Staff members of the provincial Ministry of Human Resources and the federal Canada Employment Centre met to discuss how the two systems could come together to facilitate people’s ease of movement from one agency to the other.
31 Years Ago (1987): About 25 downhill enthusiasts turned out to a meeting to discuss progress at the Mt. Timothy Ski Hill. The ski society executive showed skiers maps of the runs and gave a slide show of work being done at the hill. A day of skiing for an adult was set to cost $14; for a youth (13-17) $10; juniors (8-12) would be $7 and under eight and over 65 would be free. Work was being done on the lift tower bases and trailers were expected to be in place for the initial season. The initial work was covered by logging revenue and government grants were expected to see the first phase of development through.
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21 Years Ago (1997): Eligible Ainsworth workers had a month to make up their minds about an early retirement package. The plan was intended to minimize some of the job loss from the closure of the Exeter samill the following year. The package gave any Cariboo Woodworkers Association-represented employees at Ainsworth’s 100 Mile, Chasm and Abbotsford operations who are 60 years or older the option of early retirement without penalty. Depending on how many employees took the offer, the company was looking at the option of opening a second window for lower age employees.
17 Years Ago (2001): The District of 100 Mile House council turned down Overwaitea’s development permit application for a gas bar. Mayor Donna Barnett called a technical meeting the night before the decisive council meeting. Coun. Mitch Campsall said he left the technical meeting with the understanding that the council had decided to accept Overwaitea’s application but it was voted down at council by Barnett and Coun. Brenda Loyer. “I feel that I’ve been stabbed in the back and hung out to dry by the mayor,” said Campsall. “I did what she asked, and she cut my throat.”
9 Years Ago (2009): Scott Road area residents complained to the district council about an estimated 50 to 100 feral cats in their neighbourhood that were spraying, yelling, fighting and damaging property. People couldn’t enjoy their yards or even sleep at night for all the screeching, they complained. Council voted to capture the cats and euthanize them. It was a highly unpopular decision and animal rescuers stepped in. Council then reached an agreement with Katie’s Place Animal Shelter in Maple Ridge. It was agreed the cats would be captured and delivered to the shelter.
