FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 , 2014 BRANDONSUN.COM 5 Year Term Deposit 2.75% Some conditions Call 204-729-4807 apply. A3 TRANSIT RIDERSHIP REPORT A10 AT THE MOVIES B1 WESMEN HOLD OFF BOBCATS FOR ALL YOUR ICE FISHING NEEDS See the experts at Home Hardware Building Centre BRANDON 1020 – 18th Street | 204-728-2230 Smoke shop battle finds new front Mounties confiscated cigarettes during raid, Blacksmith says BY CHARLES TWEED Four times the RCMP raided smoke shops selling what the province deemed to be illegal cigarettes and four times contraband was seized and arrests were made. However, each time, the man police believe to be the kingpin of the operation walked scot-free. That all changed recently LES MIZ when Craig Blacksmith was picked up by RCMP on the Dakota Plains First Nation, Craig Blacksmith AT WMCA which is located southwest of Portage la Prairie. investigated, but did say that no Actors perform during 7 Ages “(The RCMP) raided our charges have officially been Productions and Mecca Produc- store on the reserve,” sworn into provincial court. tions’ opening night presenta- Blacksmith said, referring to a Regardless, Blacksmith tion of “Les Misérables” at the smoke shop established on the doesn’t believe the long arm of Western Manitoba Centennial the law can reach into reserve Auditorium on Thursday. The First Nation. “They confiscated musical runs through Sunday. cigarettes and I spent a night in business. jail. I have been charged with “It’s going to come down to (Photos by Tim Smith/Brandon Sun) selling unmarked cigarettes.” jurisdiction,” Blacksmith said. RCMP didn’t confirm or deny that Blacksmith is being » See ‘Blacksmith’ — Page A6 United Way fundraising tally hits $714K BY LINDSEY ENNS “We never know what we’re going to end up with at the end of it.” Despite not reaching an ambitious Mychasiw said 2012 was an “exceptional” $777,777.77 goal, United Way of Brandon and year for the organization, but in 2013 it took a District’s 2013 campaign chair is “proud” of hit on corporate employee campaigns that make the community’s efforts. up about 75-80 per cent of overall donations. “I’m really proud with the amount that we In 2012, some 85 employee groups raised nearly raised,” Jaime Pugh-Clemmensen said. “The $600,000. community really did come together this year As campaign chair, Pugh-Clemmensen said and we’re so proud.” a main focus this past year was educating the United Way of Brandon’s 2013 campaign public about what the United Way does for the brought in a hefty $714,000, leaving the community. organization $63,777.77 shy of the goal Some of the agencies the organization announced in September. supports include the Canadian Red Cross, Child In 2012, the local United Way raised more and Family Services, Women’s Resource Centre, than $758,000. Youth for Christ, Westman Immigrant Services, CEO Cynamon Mychasiw said the lower tally YWCA Brandon Meredith Place, after-school could indicate a change in the local economy programs for kids as well as the Helping Hands in some areas or a change in job status/security soup kitchen, which serves more than 200 for donors. people every week. Funds are also distributed United Way campaign chair Jaime Pugh-Clemmensen smiles at the unveiling of the 2013 fundraising “We start every year from zero and we build to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon and the total during a luncheon in the Imperial Ballroom at the Victoria Inn on Thursday. The campaign raised the campaign from scratch,” Mychasiw said. Samaritan House. $714,000, which is $63,777.77 short of the target. (Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun) “Every campaign is an emotional roller coaster. » See ‘Groups grateful’ — Page A8 $1.00 tax included SAVE ON Soft Touch Stone Stunning Living Room RE! 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Locally Owned & Operated A2 • NEWS THE BRANDON SUN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2014 501 ROSSER AVENUE BRANDON, MANITOBA R7A 0K4 PROUDLY SERVING WESTMAN SINCE 1882 MAIN LINE: 204-727-2451 TOLL FREE: 1-866-438-8186 ERIC LAWSON GRANT HAMILTON Publisher Internet 204-571-7401 204-571-7384 [email protected] [email protected] GLEN PARKER TYLER STEPHENS Sales & Marketing Director Weekend Edition/Photo Reprints 204-571-7424 204-571-7451 [email protected] [email protected] JAMES O’CONNOR SPORTS DEPARTMENT Managing Editor Sports Scores 204-571-7431 204-571-7442 OR 1-877-786-5786 [email protected] [email protected] JIM LEWTHWAITE HOME DELIVERY City Editor/Community News 204-727-0527 204-571-7430 [email protected] [email protected] DISPLAY ADVERTISING New ski trails open in Wheat City JAMES SHEWAGA 204-571-7373 Sports Editor [email protected] A new cross-country ski trail Community Services Complex shelter from wind and drifting remove trees from the area. 204-571-7402 system in Brandon is ready and on McGregor Avenue. Access snow. Cross-country skiers also [email protected] CLASSIFIED ADS open, the city announced to the trail is located off Hilton Another cross-country ski have nearby trails at the 204-571-7400 yesterday. Avenue. trail in the city is also open, at Brandon Hills, Spruce Woods MATT GOERZEN [email protected] Editorial Page Editor The groomed trail is about This new trail system the upper portion of the Wheat and Riding Mountain National 204-571-7445 3.5 km long and nestled in replaces the previous groomed City golf course. However, the Park to choose from. [email protected] ACCOUNTING 204-571-7410 behind the Waterfall of Lights trail system the city offered at lower portion of the golf [email protected] display and the outdoor skating the Riverbank Discovery course trail remains closed as » Brandon Sun oval, just to the west of the Centre, and provides more city workers continue to Chrest set to make ‘important’ announcement Former Brandon city councillor Rick furniture advertising, Chrest served three running for mayor would be a “very big Chrest has invited news media to an terms on city council as the University and important commitment” that one has “important announcement regarding the ward councillor starting in the mid-1990s, to put a lot of thought into. future of our great city” this morning. including an acclamation in 2002. He was Chrest’s announcement is scheduled for Chrest is widely expected to announce deputy mayor for eight years through that 10 a.m. today. The Brandon Sun will cover his candidacy for mayor. time before stepping down in 2006. the announcement online. A public figure also through his quirky In September, Chrest told the Sun that » Brandon Sun ENVIRONMENT CANADA WEATHER FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY LUCKY NUMBERS Periods of snow. Wind northwest Cloudy with 60 per cent Sunny. Windy. 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. chance of flurries. High -19 C. Low -31 C. PICK 3: 8, 7, 3 High -2 C. Low -22 C. High -11 C. Low -22 C. 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Good to hear from Zack Gross this past Monday in his Small World column about all the fair trade SUBSCRIBING TO THE SUN IS EASY conferences and fair trade shops opening, I guess. However, what I would like to see is some real convincing CALL 204-727-0527 evidence that the stuff being grown in a poor country and subsequently “traded fairly” through fair trade networks results in Third World farmers becoming less poor. Home Delivered (in Brandon and where available): MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT FOR ANYTHING POSITIVE • Three months $ 45.33 + tax To Westman, I ask you to make a list of all the faults that you find with the Harper government — from losing • Six months $87.48 + tax the Wheat Board monopoly to losing the cattle operation at the Brandon Research Station to veterans not being • Twelve months $173.25 + tax treated properly. Make that list and then let me know why you vote for the Conservative party. Motor Route (in rural areas along major routes): WHY ARE WE PAYING TAXES FOR THIS — AND NOW PAYING AUTOPAC, TOO? • Three months $ 52.65 + tax Regarding the Sound Off, “We Are In For A Wild Ride,” I have to agree.