Council proclaims March 26 Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness
More than 50,000 people in British Columbia are living with epilepsy, and for over 60 years the BC Epilepsy Society has worked to support clients and raise awareness about the condition.
Local inclusion resource teacher, on behalf of the BC Epilepsy Society, Alanna Duffy, spoke to Fort St. John City Council on Monday about epilepsy in the community. She first became involved with the Society when she reached out for Seizure First Aid training for Alwin Holland Elementary School in 2023.
“During our presentation from the BC Epilepsy Society we learned that one in ten people will have a seizure in their lifetime, even if they’re not diagnosed with epilepsy,” Duffy said.
“This is why I was happy to learn that they provide free seizure first aid training in schools across BC, as well as to any workplace or organization,” she said. “It is important for people to know seizure first aid, in order to help in the event of a seizure.”
Since 2008, International Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness has been the culmination of BC Epilepsy Awareness Month, also known as Purple Month, and takes place on March 26.
In recognition of International Purple Day, the stage in Centennial Park will be lit up in purple on March 26th.
Councillor Zabinsky nominated for NCLGA position
Councillor Gordon Klassen nominated fellow councillor Tony Zabinsky for the position of 1st Vice President of the North Central Local Government Association, in response to its call for nominations in a recent letter.
Zabinsky is currently serving as the 2nd Vice President and before that he was one of three Directors at Large on the NCLGA board.
Council unanimously endorsed Zabinsky’s nomination.
Rotary RibFest organizers seek Special Event permit
Since covid restrictions were lifted in time for the 2022 RibFest, Fort St. John’s annual Rotary RibFest Event has grown into a well-attended community weekend, providing food along with free music and fun family-friendly activities. Event co-chairs Carina Wallis and Nelson Stowe spoke to council on March 24 about the event and their Special Event application.
Fort St. John’s Rotary Clubs have brought together business partners, vendors, local music and entertainment in Centennial Park each July for the past three years, and with the Centennial Park stage already fully booked, this year’s event looks to be another fantastic weekend of family fun.
Rotary RibFest not only raises funds which stay in the community, but organizers pay local volunteer groups to help out, with things like garbage clean-up. That is over and above the volunteer hours that various groups put into helping to make RibFest a success.
The organizers’ mission is to continue to improve the event, so for this year, they have applied for a Special Event Permit which will allow Ribfest to be facilitated in a single fenced area open to the public for free.
The reason for the permit, is to enable adults who attend the event with their families to enjoy alcoholic beverages, instead of being relegated to the beer gardens, where no minors are allowed.
“The restricted beer gardens have encountered zero incidents over the past three years,” said Stowe.
“The attendees are responsible adults that would prefer to gather with family to enjoy food and entertainment while still enjoying an alcoholic beverage. We feel that this change would not impact the safety or family atmosphere of the event.”
The application requires support of municipal government, which is what brought Stowe and Wallis to council chambers this week.
They propose that the area used by RibFest in Centennial Park be completely fenced off, with two entrances where ID’s and bags will be checked, for outside alcohol, and anyone of legal age will be given a wrist if they wish to purchase alcohol on site. Families will then be able to enjoy the event together.
Stowe added that they have received positive feedback from the Liquor Board and just need the city’s blessing.
City staff noted that the Special Event application has been received, and council will receive a report in April.
April is Sikh Heritage Month
April marks the birth of Khalsa, and its teachings of equality, community service and social justice. Vaisakhi is celebrated every April and marks the Sikh New Year, Shubhdeep Goraya said when she and priest Gurprem Singh Ji spoke to council to raise awareness about Sikh Heritage Month.
By designating April as Sikh Heritage Month, Goraya said they hope to raise awareness of the Sikh culture, history and traditions, provide an opportunity for cultural exchange and foster a deeper appreciation for the diversity that enriches the community.
The Sikh community in Fort St. John has been growing since 1987, when the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple and Cultural Society was founded.
The Temple serves as beacon of support for people transitioning to life in Fort St. John. It’s a welcoming centre for Sikhs and people from diverse backgrounds, where they can find assistance when they come into the community.
“Our values extend beyond religious boundaries, embracing all individuals in need of support and nourishment,” she said.
One of the things all Sikh places of worship have is a langar or community kitchen, said Kaur. Every Saturday and Sunday, the langar provides free food in Fort St. John, where anyone can come in and enjoy a meal, regardless of their faith.
“Anyone can come at any time,” Kaur said.
The doors of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple are open until 10 p.m. every day and Priest Gurprem Singh Ji is always on site.
Throughout April, the Sikh flag will be flown at City Hall to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month.
Council approves Fee for Service grant applications
The North Peace Historical Society ($30,000) and the Fort St. John Public Library ($450,000) have each applied for Fee-for-Service Grants from the city.
Recognizing that these two entities provide important services in the community and rely on these fee-for-service arrangements to create continuity and sustainability for their organizations, council voted unanimously to approve the amounts requested annually for the next three years.
Mayor Lilia Hansen noted that guaranteeing this funding for a three-year term would help both organizations with planning their budgets.
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