Grasslands hotel site decision could be made next week

By some strange turn of events I ended up writing an article for the Merritt news when I was there for an interview last week. So I have copied it below... or click on the link. I have found myself in quite the predicament, I could almost certainly have a job with this newspaper if I was willing to move to Merritt... however that is just not a possibility for myself at the moment. The full time job consists of far too many days of commuting an hour each way, or forty five minutes each way if you speed a bit. However the wonderful people at the Merritt news are willing to work with me a bit and allow me to work part-time, they get a reporter for a couple days a week and I get some experience, it's a win/win situation. So tomorrow I am off to Merritt to work at 9 am... Wish me luck... O right the article.

"Merritt News Published June 10, 2010
LOCAL NEWS

Grasslands hotel site decision could be made next week
Kaleena Loehr
Reporter"

"Nicola tribes will look for a conclusion next week regarding the former location of the ABC restaurant.
The land at the 3300 block of Voght Street has sat empty since a fire took the ABC Restaurant, Days Inn and Grasslands Hotel on July 22, 2007.
On June 17 and 18, the annual general meeting of the five Nicola Tribes will be held at Merritt Civic Centre. On the agenda; the Spayum Development Corporation, the owner of the land the ABC restaurant was previously situated upon.
“A discussion will be held over the grasslands hotel, and the insurance settlement,” said Deloris Charters, public relations person for the Naik Development Corporation. “Whether they will rebuild or sell the land.”
The Naik Development Corporation is a corporation of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, which will be involved in the annual general meeting alongside the Upper Nicola, Coldwater, Shackan and Nooaitch bands.
The July 2007 fire marked the third in this location; it had previously been rebuilt after fires in 1972 and in 1990.
It has taken three years to come to a conclusion due to an insurance claim, said to be close to $8 million, which has not been settled.
George Saddleman, Chairperson for the Nicola Tribal association will chair the AGM. Saddleman, along with the Chiefs of the five Nicola bands, were not available for comment before this newspaper went to publication.
All members of the Nicola Tribes are welcome to attend the annual general meeting, which runs June 17 and June 18.xxxxDoors open at 8 a.m. for a continental breakfast."

© Copyright 2010, Merritt News
Story URL: http://www.merrittnews.net/article/20100610/MERRITT0101/100619997/-1/merritt/grasslands-hotel-site-decision-could-be-made-next-week