Prince George Citizen June 18, 20200

Prince GeorGe

Thursday June 18, 2020

‘Badass nurse’ thriving after crash

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

It’s happily-ever-after for one local woman as the fifth anniversary of the car accident that forever changed her life approaches.

on July 4, 2015, Stacie reis, a University Hospital of northern Bc neo-natal intensive care unit nurse, was heading to Kitimat from Prince George to see her dying grandfather one last time.

She stopped at the Kitwanga store for an ice cream cone and that’s pretty much all she remembers until she woke up in her upside down crashed car where it had come to rest down a 40-foot embankment.

She believes she fell asleep at the wheel. When reis regained consciousness, her legs were at an unnatural angle from the knee down and her nursing experience told her she’d have to straighten them to prevent the circulation being cut off. So she did.

Later, a doctor told her taking that action probably saved her from amputation.

Her car was not visible from the road so reis lay in her car for 14 hours before friends who were searching found her. reis said she relied on her faith for strength as she lay trapped in the car waiting for rescue. During that same night, her grandfather passed away.

The accident left her with both legs and ankles broken, a broken pelvis, a broken sternum, multiple rib and spine fractures and feet so broken it took many years of surgeries to repair them as best they could be. Amputation continued to be a threat, especially after a bone infection took hold. When the citizen told her story in the summer of 2015, it quickly spread internationally. Buzzfeed called her a “badass nurse,” a nickname that stuck during her lengthy recovery. During the first year after her accident, she endured 12 operations to repair her broken body. it was two years before she returned to work. now, five years later, things have changed for reis.

“When you go through something like that, it changes you,” reis said. “it helps you realize what your priorities are - what the most important things are in your

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life. our family is closer than ever and of course i always get a little extra stressed when my people are on the highway now.”

Her faith continues to carry her through all challenges.

She has a little dog named Gus. He’s a Shih tzu Havanese, who is a registered therapy dog. Gus helped her during the times her post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms would arise, which was quite prominent when she moved back to Prince George after spending time living in Prince rupert with family as she healed.

“So i have had to work through that,” reis said.

She sought out a counselor and received support from family, friends and co-workers, she added.

Time has also been a healer.

“When it comes to lasting effects, i still have more anxiety than i did before the accident but for the most part i walked away from it with a lot less affects than some other people in similar situations,” reis said. “it’s pretty well managed.”

Since those issues have since been resolved, Gus is happily in retirement.

Physical issues, however, will always be present.

Both ankles are fused so her mobility is decreased, she.

“every once in a while i get a limpy day but otherwise i don’t think anyone would be able to tell,” reis said. “i just have to make sure i remember my limits and don’t push myself too hard.”

She found a bungalow with no stairs to live in and she had to change jobs to one that is kinder to her feet but she’s still at UHnBc, providing support to patients, nursing full time, which is something she loves to do.

The major change was not a professional one but a personal one.

Dating proved to be intimidating after the accident, reis said.

“After something like that you’re always self-conscious when you’re dating,” she added. “i’d always wonder when i was meeting someone new - what if he wants me to hike with him or do all these things i couldn’t do - so it was pretty scary when i have had such a major life change happen.”

But finding her husband-to-be was easy. They met online. They went on a date and they fell in love at first sight.

“it was a bit of a whirlwind romance,” reis laughed. “We’ve had a fairly short courtship and engagement.”

Mitch Kidd asked reis to marry him after dating for two months.

“once we got engaged we had planned a nice summer wedding but then coViD happened,” reis said. “in the end we realized it’s a crazy time and a crazy world and we just wanted to be together so we decided to do a cute little social distanced

above, Stacie reis married mitch Kidd on may 10 and that’s only one of the many life changes for her since a major car accident altered her life forever. below, it took two years and a dozen operations before she was able to return to her job as a university hospital of northern bc neo-natal intensive care unit nurse.

backyard wedding and on May 10 we got married.”

The traditional honeymoon wasn’t going to happen so they improvised by celebrating their union in a cabin tucked away in the woods near Kitimat, reis (now Kidd), said.

They are madly in love and couldn’t be

happier. They became an instant family as Mitch has a young son that Stacie said is already her sweet little buddy.

And, fortunately, there’s no hiking.

“And that’s oK because Mitch goes running by himself and then he comes home and snuggles me on the couch,” Stacie said. “And that works out really well.”

Submitted Photo/citizen file Photo

Virtual Relay for Life targets cancer

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Not 20 minutes into Todd Doherty’s Relay for Life 24-hour marathon, the skies over the CN Centre parking lot opened up on him.

The rain left him drenched from head to toe and it only got chillier in his wet clothes as the night went on. It was cold enough in some areas near the city that frost formed on windshields but Doherty continued walking laps of the parking lot where he had parked his travel trailer. With every lap he passed by a stand of paper bag luminaries that spelled out the word HOPE.

If this had been any other year, those paper bags would have held candle lights to shine along the path of the relay to remember fathers, mothers, grandparents, children and friends whose lives have been lost to cancer. Hundreds of people would have been there alongside Doherty, walking with him or waving from their tents set up along the route for the annual Canadian Cancer Society fundraising event. The pandemic and the crowd-size restrictions in place to fight the virus put a stop to that, but the relay spirit lived on Saturday. Instead of gathering in one spot, people got together virtually or in small groups to keep the drive alive in their own neighbourhoods.

For the 52-year-old Doherty, the Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, this was the sixth straight year he willed himself to walk the entire 24 hours, and he was part of the relay on teams ever since he moved to the city in 1999. His reasons for putting his body through a seemingly endless day of torture brought out the emotion in his voice.

“It pales in comparison to the fight of cancer – I lost my father two years ago to multiple myeloma, my brother’s fought

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty still looks fresh standing near his trailer in the CN Centre parking lot after 18 hours of walking in the 24-hour Relay for Life on Saturday.

cancer twice and beaten it, my father-inlaw is living with us right now in palliative care,” said Doherty. “My aunt died of it, my uncle died of it, and my wife had a massive (benign) tumour last January that was removed.

“When you walk with survivors or you walk with those who have been left behind, it’s in my fibre. I hate the disease and we have to do whatever we can to beat it. I relay because I believe that one day a cancer diagnosis won’t be a death sentence. That’s why we do this and we can’t let the (COVID-19) crisis stop the fight against cancer.”

By noon Saturday, with six hours left, Doherty was still putting two feet forward steadily, knowing not to sit down during his breaks because getting back up again was a major chore. He was supposed to be in Ottawa for a meeting on Thursday but postponed it so he could do the walk. He changed the start time from the usual 10 a.m. Saturday start to 6 p.m. Friday just so he would have a few hours to recover before leaving for the nation’s capital on

Sunday.

“This event means so much, I’m not going to miss it,” he said. “I always tell the flight attendants I’m going to be snoring and drooling , and maybe whimpering a little bit.”

This year’s virtual relay drew 370 registrants, and wherever they gathered they drew crowds. Team Dillers put together a team for the relay at Bear Lake , while Ashley’s Angels hung a banner on a boat they used to cruise Bednesti Lake on Saturday.

On McKinley Crescent, in the Highland neighbourhood, Mandy Marques had her relay tent set up in front of her house as the rallying point for Team Horseshoe. She started that 10 years ago, forming a relay team in memory of her aunt, Sharon Slater, who died of ovarian cancer in 2004. On the street, the start/finish line was marked out on chalk and signs were hung on streetlamp posts to outline the route. To

keep the team of 20 walkers fortified they had heaping plates of samosas on hand.

“This is our 10th year doing it and with the relay being cancelled this year we didn’t want to stop, so we decided to do it here,” said Marques, who teamed up with her friend and neighbor Janna Schmidt to organize the McKinley walk.

“We’re Team Horseshoes because (Sharon) loved to play horseshoes and that’s how we got together. Two laps of McKinley is one kilometre and we have a time sheet and we do half-an-hour intervals, which we’ve always done, and we’re going to walk the 24 hours. It just kind of snowballed, making it more and more like the relay.”

Nationally, the event had raised more than $1 million by last Tuesday and was on track to end up with $4 million. Prince George, the only Relay for Life that goes for 24 hours, contributed $410,000 to the cause last year.

“The other day we were at just over $100,000, so we will see a significant decline this year and that’s totally understandable,” said Canadian Cancer Society community manager Aimee Cassie. “People are out of work and are nervous for what’s coming in the fall. One thing we keep highlighting is cancer doesn’t stop in a pandemic. It’s tough (not having the usual crowds) because we’re used to cheering on our survivors and they need that and it’s bigger than money. They need to know that there’s a community behind them. One of the silver linings in this really devastating year for us is that relay spirit is here so strong in people wanting to relay in a different way. I have absolutely no doubt we’ll be back next year, louder and prouder.”

Citizen staff photo

New market offers indoor comforts

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Before Shawn Aloisio loaded up his strawberry plants and live herbs to sell at the All Vendors Market Place in downtown Prince George on Saturday, he first had to scrape the frost off the windshield of his car.

Fortunately, those tender plants and the leafy vegetables he harvested to sell at the market didn’t freeze in their long rows, planted at Little Leaf Farms in the Chief Lake area northwest of the city, and the unseasonable mid-June chill did not do any damage.

Aloisio was enjoying the comfort of having four walls and roof over him, protected from the elements of weather as he sat at his stall in the city’s newest marketplace - a 6,400-square-foot building big enough to host 108 vendors on one floor. He grows lettuce, arugula, Swiss chard and other microgreens year-round in the greenhouses of his farm and it will be a luxury for him to sell his produce all year in a heated building without having to duck for cover from the rain, wind or snow.

All Vendors Market Place opened a month ago and unlike farmers markets it does not restrict vendors from having to make, bake or grow what they sell. COVID-19 precautions means the market can operate only at half-capacity (56 vendors) and every weekend it’s been getting increasingly busy. Open Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m2:30 p.m., it started with nine vendors on opening weekend, doubled the following week, and they’ve had 27 vendors the past two weeks.

“Business has been consistent, it hasn’t

been swamped yet but as we get more vendors, more vendors bring more people and it will snowball,” said Aloisio.

“I think in the long run this will be the biggest winter market in town because they aren’t just a farmers’ market, it’s a vendors market which will allow anything in here. At the other (indoor market), there was always space constraints. There were limited vendors that were allowed to come in and obviously seniority has to be honoured in the system, so newer vendors in town were unable to get a really good foothold in it.”

Ginette Benoit made the trek from Mackenzie to sell four types of bread and cinnamon buns. She’s been selling her baked goods at farmers markets for decades and the money it brings is even more important to her now that her husband and 252 other workers are losing their jobs with the closure this summer of the Paper Excellence pulp mill in Mackenzie.

“It’s inside, which is awesome,” said Benoit. “I don’t have to pack a tent or buy extra things, as we do when we have a table outside. I don’t know if the market in Mackenzie will go (as a result of the pending layoffs). We were supposed to start next week but I don’t know how it will be received. My husband is 67 and he might be retiring. I’ve got tons of work for him at our house. He helps pack everything (she sells at the market) and puts my buns and bread in bags.”

The building, at 1533 Second Ave., is owned by Elaine Campbell and her business partner Peter Wise and is the former site of a gym. There’s also a 7,000 sq.foot second floor which they plan to open to crafters during the busy Christmas season and as banquet space for weddings. There’s plenty of free weekend parking available. An adjacent parking lot will be sectioned off to allow more Food Safe-certified vendors to set up barbecues and other

food services once the weather heats up. Campbell also owns the U Stor storage facility in the Hart Highway area and she and her husband Peter, who died of a stroke seven months ago, came up with the idea to open the market.

“We’re trying to fill a gap that was here for years,” said Campbell. “Everybody’s welcome. Our main thrust is to get everybody happy. We’ve talked to everybody here about being friends with each other, no backstabbing or gossip, and we’re trying to set that example for them. I don’t think it would hurt to have another market and I’m not afraid of competition because your service is what you’re selling and we want to give the best service in town.”

COVID-19 safety is a priority and vendor tables have to be covered with two layers of cloth or plastic. All vendors are briefed on the need for sanitizing and hand-washing.

The market is monitored constantly by security staff during the week and vendors can leave goods they plan to sell the following weekend at the site.

Andrea Sanzana came all the way from Vernon to sell her imported lamps, leather goods, shoes and jewelry boxes imported from Morocco and Turkey. She usually sells them at outdoor markets in the Okanagan but those are now limited to fresh food only due to limit crowding and the threat of spreading the virus.

“They don’t allow you into farmer markets and the big one I go to in Penticton, they shut down the community market for the whole summer,” said Sanzana. “Most of the markets are shut down in the Okanagan. We’ll go where we can to sell our stuff.”

Railway museum back on track

Citizen staff

The Central Interior Railway and Forestry Museum is reopening after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To prepare for the opening, staff worked on the grounds and completed renovations to the visitor centre.

The reopening of the museum will be done in phases.

Visitors are welcome to walk throughout the park but will not have access to buildings or equipment at this time.

Soon, rail cars and buildings that have clear entrances and exits will be open with appropriate signage.

The Cottonwood Minitrain will not be accessible until regulations for social distancing are lifted and there won’t be tours conducted inside the rail cars.

Visitors can enjoy the Beehive Burners Behind Us exhibit, which is a collection of oil paintings by Lou Englehart that features beehive burners of BC.

Guests will follow directional signs to guide movement through the gallery to ensure proper physical distancing.

The museum staff is taking all precautions to keep everyone safe by increasing cleaning, the addition of hand sanitation stations, safety shields at the reception area, additional signage, a revised disposable guide booklet and restrictions on how many people can be in the visitor centre at a time, the gift shop and industrial part of the museum site.

For more information visit their Facebook page which includes interactive events or visit www.pgrfm.bc.ca.

Citizen staff photo

All Vendors Market Place co-owner Elaine Campbell at her new business venture in downtown Prince George.

Loukes makes the grade with Griffins

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

Like most Grade 12 students expecting to graduate this spring, Hannah Loukes is disappointed she won’t get the chance to experience the normal traditions that come with celebrating the end of her grade school career.

B.C. still remains under a provincial health order that limits public gatherings to no more than 50 people and that means Hannah’s family – father Wade, mom Krista and sister Rachel – weren’t present at Vanier Hall to watch the grads walk across the stage to get their diplomas.

COVID-19 protocols won’t allow it and only groups of 35 students at a time were allowed to take that walk.

The grad ceremonies were recorded with still and video cameras and those permanent memories will be made available to the families. Prom activities have been curtailed and there won’t be the usual school-sanctioned dance and dry-grad parties that provide a formal send-off for seniors to say goodbye to their teachers and school staff.

Loukes is hopeful by the end of summer, before she makes the jump to university at Grant MacEwan in Edmonton to take a spot on the Griffins varsity basketball team, the restrictions will be lifted and some of the events she and her classmates at Duchess Park Secondary School won’t get to attend this spring will happen before she heads off the Alberta capital.

“It’s been weird going online for school, it feels like I have no school at all, to be honest,” Loukes said. “I think it would be different if I had more core classes right now but I wrapped that all up last semester. I’ve always been really excited for Grade 12 and my friends are really upset that their friends and families can’t be there to walk the stage and stuff. It still bothers me but I’m really forward to next year and that’s something that’s keeping me motivated.

“It’s hard for the teachers, lots of them

Hannah Loukes is saying goodbye after a stellar basketball career with the Duchess Park Condors. She stopped by the gym last week for a photo wearing her prom dress.

have been teaching us since Grade 8 and this is the last bit they get to see of us.”

Loukes has been a basketball player almost as long as she’s been a student. Her dad Wade, a former University of Victoria standout who went on to play professionally in Australia, got her playing at a young age and by the time she was eight she was heavily involved in the Prince George Minor Basketball Association. She shot up through the ranks of the junior squad at Duchess Park and played three years on the Condors senior team. At this year’s triple-A provincial tournament in Langley, her fourth high school provincials, Loukes led the Condors in scoring with 54 points in four games on the way to a seventh-place finish. She also made her mark as a provincial team player with the B.C. under-15 team and as a 15-year-old

Grads go straight to video

Citizen staff

If this was a typical school year, parents, family members and friends would be crowding into school gymnasiums to watch graduating Grade 12 students take that walk across the stage to receive their high school diplomas.

The pandemic and the restrictions on crowd sizes it has necessitated is keeping those rows of chairs empty but it won’t wipe out the memories being made this month for the class of 2020 in School District 57 schools.

The school district hired a local audiovisual production company to digitally record the graduation ceremonies and produce professional-quality videos as keepsakes. Seven of the nine district high

schools will see the results on the grad videos recorded at Vanier Hall by Russell Audio-Visual. The videos will be available online for initial releases between June 19 and 29.

Participating schools included the Centre for Learning Alternatives, Prince George Secondary, D.P. Todd Secondary, College Heights Secondary, Duchess Park Secondary, Kelly Road Secondary and Mackenzie Secondary.

Russell Audio-Visual will add to the final product valedictory speeches, announcement of student awards and bursaries, in some cases, student performances. School principal and graduation committees will have freedom to add their ideas to the videos.

when she was an alternate for the under-17 team.

“I got lucky because I still got to have provincials for basketball,” she said. “One of the other recruits for MacEwan from Sherwood Park in Alberta and she didn’t get to play provincials.”

Sprung from a five-foot-eight mother and a six-foot-six father, Hannah stands fivefoot-11. Her height, athleticism and solid grades attracted the interest of several university teams, including her hometown UNBC Timberwolves.

She was invited to the MacEwan campus for a tour in November and made her decision shortly after to join a young Griffins team. Loukes likes traveling and the lure of living in a different city drew her to MacEwan.

“I really liked the coach (Katherine

Adams) and I enjoyed the team and the campus and I kind of knew right away it was the place for me,” said Loukes. “Katherine made it the team like a family and really included everyone and that’s what I enjoyed. I wanted to go somewhere where I had a better opportunity to play.

“I’ve always loved playing high school basketball but I’ve noticed university basketball is that one step further. You’re really a family, you’re doing training for it, you’re lifting (weights), you have to watch your nutrition, it’s basically everything.”

Loukes will be in Edmonton for the start of training camp on Sept. 1. The Griffins will play a COVID-19 shortened 16-game schedule that will keep them in Alberta for the whole season, facing the perennially top-ranked Alberta Pandas and Calgary Dinos.

Hannah has had her dad at courtside as her coach for as long as she can remember and Wade served as an assistant to head coach Louise Holmes on the senior team while also helping coach Rachel’s junior Condors team.

“I love having my dad there, he’s one of my favourite coaches and I’m not just saying that because he’s my dad,” said Hannah. “I just think he’s a very good coach. It’s going to be a lot different not having him there.”

Loukes is entering a bachelor of arts program and is considering switching to communications after her first semester to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. She exercised her option to return to school last Friday after nearly three months away due to the pandemic shutdown and brought her prom dress with her for a photo in the gym with her holding a basketball. Loukes has been connecting with her teachers in virtual classrooms for most of the second semester since in-class schooling was suspended March 17 and that has been smooth sailing for her. All her university courses will be online until the pandemic is officially declared over.

Rebecca abRiel

Elite athlete urges child safety

Christine hinZmAnn Citizen staff

Adam Kingsmill lost his right leg below the knee after he ran into the path of a ride-on lawn mower in his Smithers backyard when he was two years old.

Now Canada’s national sledge hockey team goalie is asking urging parents to help their kids play safe this summer. Due to lawn mower accidents every summer, Canadian children access the War Amps Child Amputee Program (CHAMP).

Kingsmill, who is now 20 years old and a longtime Smithers resident, is a regional spokesperson for CHAMP and wants to get the message out that children should not ride, operate or play near lawn mowers. They are tools, not toys.

“I don’t remember much about the accident - just what I’ve been told,” Kingsmill said. “I accept who I am today, but I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did. Accidents happen in a split second.”

At the time of the accident, Kingsmill was taken by air ambulance to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver where the decision was made to amputate his leg.

“We met a CHAMP there and me and my parents were invited to a seminar,” Kingsmill said.

He attended every year until he aged out at 18.

“It was an unbelievable outlet,” Kingsmill said. “I was able to talk to children my own age and really connect with them after hearing their stories and sharing my own. I learned to accept myself for who I am and they helped make me who I am today.”

Kingsmill gives CHAMP credit for showing him there are no limits to what people can achieve.

“The program just helped me gain so much confidence in life and I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “Their financial support with legs and bursaries and scholarships has been absolutely incredible. I cannot speak any more highly about the War Amps organization for everything they’ve done for me.”

His sledge hockey career began when he tried out for the Cariboo Cougars hockey team when he was 14 and he was featured during a television interview in Prince George.

“Hockey Canada got a hold of me about a week later and asked me if I wanted to come try sledge hockey,” Kingsmill said. “I had heard very little about the sport, having grown up in a small town. I went and a lot of the people I ended up playing with were also War Amps members. So we automatically had that connection. They flew me out to Toronto and after I tried it I just kind of fell in love with the sport and now I am on my way to try to win a gold medal for Canada as we prepare for the world championship, which is a tournament one year ahead of the Para Olympics itself.”

There is no word yet what the schedule for the championship looks like but Kingsmill will be ready when plans are put in place.

He now works with young players at the PX3 AMP Hockey Academy in Calgary. He is studying athletic therapy at Mount Royal University and he’s entering his third year in September.

Adam Kingsmill, left in 2005, and today, is a national sledge hockey team goalie who lost his right leg below the knee when he was two years old after he ran into the path of a ride-on lawn mower.

Back home in Smithers for the summer, Kingsmill said he wants everyone to be careful.

“For the past four years I’ve been working at a golf course cutting the grass so I have gained a lot of respect for the machines,” he said.

“People need to remember they can really be dangerous and it doesn’t matter if you’re a child or an adult you need to have respect for those machines because they’ll bite if you don’t.”

For more information visit waramps.ca/ playsafe.

Mackenzie pulp Mill faces indefinite closure

Arthur

WilliAms Citizen staff

Paper Excellence Canada will be curtailing operations at its pulp mill in Mackenzie.

The curtailment is expected to start in the last week of June and will impact the mill’s 253 employees, a company statement said. A small team of employees will continue to work on site at the mill to provide security and monitoring.

“There is currently no restart plan for the site,” Paper Excellence Canada vice-president Graham Kissack said. “All employees will have work up to and including Aug. 9. That’s needed because we have to protect the asset, not only the environment but (the mill infrastructure).”

Following the shut-down work, the mill’s hourly employees will be laid off, Kissack said.

The closure of the mill has been driven by a combination of factors – lower global demand for pulp during the COVID-19 pandemic and shrinking supply of fibre.

“It’s not a surprise, a lot of operations in B.C. are challenged with fibre supply,” Kissack said. “There really is a bunch of factors. It’s just gotten to the point we can’t economically operate the mill.”

The pandemic has reduced demand for lumber, which means less wood chips available for pulp mills, he said. But in the longer-term, fires and the depletion of pine beetle-killed wood has reduced the supply of wood fibre in the region.

Two of the company’s paper operations

in the province are facing similar challenges, he said.

The Richmond-based company will continue to operate its pulp mills in Port Mellon and Skookumchuk, B.C., as well as facilities in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. Some employees from Mackenzie may be able to relocate to those operations, the company statement said.

Kissack said it’s too early to tell how many employees will be able and willing to relocate.

District of Mackenzie Mayor Joan Atkinson said the closure will mean all three major employers in the town of roughly 3,700 people are closed. Conifex Timber has curtailed its sawmill in Mackenzie since mid-April, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Canfor permanently closed its sawmill in the town in July 2019.

“The pulp mill has kind of been the community’s saving grace for the last few months, because our two sawmills have been down,” Atkinson said. “Already we have 400 mill workers out of work. It’s certainly very, very disappointing news.”

The news is especially hard to take when community members continue to see logging trucks full of logs driving out of town, she said.

“Our community fully recognizes that not every log that is harvested in our area will be used at our mills. (But) we want to make sure our mills are fibered-up before we’re shipping logs out of town to other mills” Atkinson said. “It’s not good news, but we are going to keep on fighting.”

Area’s old growth forests at risk, report finds

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Prince George-based conservation group is echoing a call by a trio of scientists in an independent report for a moratorium on any further logging of old-growth forests in the region as well as in the rest of the province.

That may be a tough sell in an area so heavily dependent on forestry, but Conservation North director Michelle Connolly says time is of the essence if we want to save the last of this region’s stands of old-growth spruce and cedar-hemlock rainforests.

“We’re arguing that even though we should’ve transitioned to second growth ages ago, we still have the opportunity to do it now,” Connolly said. “And we need to do it now because if we wait another five or 10 years, we just won’t have these forests left on the landscape.”

The report, released last month by Karen Price, Rachel Holt and Dave Daust, found that 85 per cent of productive forest sites - essentially ones that are attractive

to loggers - have less than 30 per cent of the amount of old-growth that would be expected naturally.

Of those, half have less than one per cent of expected old-growth.

“This current status puts biodiversity, ecological integrity and resilience at high risk today,” they said in their report, which is posted at veridianecological.ca.

Most of the Central Interior is marked as a “red zone” in the report, where the risk to biodiversity is considered high.

Connolly said the findings fall in line with what Conservation North members have seen in this region as loggers continue to go after so-called “high-productivity” old growth.

“Many of our valley bottoms in the Upper Fraser are completely cleaned out of old growth,” Connolly said. “It’s the easiest place to put in a road, you get the trees out the easiest and the fastest there and the higher you go, the more expensive it gets.”

Connolly said the group has also heard from guides, hunters, anglers, and foresters who are concerned about the rate and

scale of logging activity, particularly in the Anzac and Table river areas.

“They’ve told us about how their livelihoods are suffering because of the logging in some of these areas,” Connolly said.

The report was done to aide a two-person expert panel appointed in late 2019 to make suggestion on a new approach to oldgrowth management in British Columbia. The scientists volunteered their time to inform the panel and submitted their own findings over the past six months.

The trio recommend three key actions, starting with government immediately stopping the harvesting of the “rarest of the rare” trees.

This would mean retaining all old forest in any ecosystem that has less than 10 per cent of old trees remaining, focusing on retaining higher-productivity sites and the irreplaceable older and ancient forests, and retaining productive, mature stands - smaller management units of trees used for forestry - where there is little or no oldgrowth left.

They recommend government develop

and implement “ecologically defensible” targets for the protection of old forest, protecting at least 30 per cent of each naturally occurring ecosystem.

And they recommend government improves how it implements policy, such as closing loopholes used by the forest industry, to ensure old-forest retention protects the last remaining productive old forest, and provides functional forests for years to come.

“Without immediate action, we will lose these globally priceless values - and still have to deal with a volume-based industry that has not planned ahead for transition,” the scientists wrote.

“The provincial government must provide funding, commitment and management authority to ensure that staff can implement effective forest conservation. Little human effort is tasked with protecting old-forest values, while much is focused on harvesting.”

The provincially-appointed panel is expected to provide its own report soon. - with files from Vancouver Sun

‘There is still systemic racism here’

Longtime resident Chuck Nisbett looks back on his life since coming to Canada and looks ahead to

what he hopes will be real and lasting change

Ted clarke Citizen staff

Chuck Nisbett won’t ever forget the day he arrived in Canada as part of a black immigrant family from England. It was January 1975 and his father met him and his brothers and sisters at Calgary International Airport holding parkas for all the kids as they walked off the plane into open air that cold and snowy day. It was the first time he’d ever felt a bite of winter that hard.

The 11-year-old Nisbett had another icy welcome waiting for him on his first day of classes at Dr. J.K. Mulloy Elementary School. He and his sisters, dressed in their school uniforms, were the only black kids in the school. He had just come in from recess to hang his coat in the cloakroom when another boy came up from behind him and said: “That’s my hook, n*****.”

“So I turned around and raised a knee and he dropped to the floor, just as the teacher came around the corner and said, ‘Charles.’ I said, ‘He called me a n*****,’ and she said ‘OK, go to your class,’ while he was still rolling on the floor. It was French class and six guys came by on the way to their seats and they said, “you’re dead after school.’ So I waited by the door after school and waited a half an hour and nobody showed up.

“The next day I saw the kid at school and asked him what happened and goes,’ No big deal,’ and that was it. We’ve been best buddies ever since. I’ve been friends with that guy for 45 years now. We go fishing for a week every year out of his trailer in Caroline, Alberta.”

After that day, Nisbett never had a problem he could tie to his race. Calgary was, as Nisbett described, “very chill,” a far cry from what the prejudice he experienced in the late ‘60s growing up in the only black family in the small town of Droitwich, England near his birthplace of Birmingham.

“Some people would just totally ignore us, some would not talk to us and some were outright nasty,” he said. “I started school when I was four and until I was 11-and-a-half and came to Canada, all I did was fight. I fought everybody and the

Chuck Nisbett came to Prince George in 1991 for a photography job at the Prince George Citizen and enjoys how much more diverse the city is now, compared to what it

only fights I lost were to my brothers. I got screamed at and called nasty names and I didn’t put up with it. I was the youngest boy and all my brothers taught me how to throw a punch and what to do.”

Nisbett stays well-tuned to news reporting and has given much thought to the circumstances that surrounded the death of George Floyd, the riots and protests that followed and the many other people of colour who have died as a result of police violence. He says it’s unfortunate police forces all over the world are bearing the brunt of people frustrated by what they see as lack of protection from law enforcement officers.

“That’s a shame. I was a photojournalist from 1987 when I went to work at the Medicine Hat News and I have worked with RCMP, city cops, you name it, across Alberta and B.C., and there’s no problem there,” he said. “You might find one or two guys who are uptight and a bit too aggressive but for the most part the cops are not a problem. It’s that one cent who gets all the news attention and it makes ever cop look bad.

“Our police forces have to a be a little more up front and think about how it looks and think there’s an eye on you all the time, because there probably is.”

Cell phones and dash cameras are prevalent now in society and the eight-minute 46-second recording of Floyd taking his last breaths as he suffocated with police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck galvanized the BLM movement.

“Cell phone cameras have opened up the shadows, showing more of what’s really happening,” said Nisbett. “I think it’s going

was 30 years ago.

to take a long time to settle down and I think it will percolate through into major politics and I can see it having an effect on the election in the States in November and on Canadian policy as well.

“It’s not going to just go up die down this time. We’re seeing more and more video and reports of other violence against blacks and other races coming forward and I think that’s going to happen more and more, kind of like the Me Too (Harvey Weinstein) thing happened.

“They’re talking about going to body cams for the RCMP and that’s great. But is that footage going to be used for the public? Probably not. It’ll disappear because nobody wants their organization to look bad.”

Nisbett acknowledges racism exists in Prince George, and he says Indigenous people are most often the targets, but he feels safe and welcomed wherever he goes in the city.

The discrimination he’s encountered in the heart of British Columbia is more hidden and subtle than the type that’s happening in the United States.

“There is still systemic racism here, people learn it directly from their parents and their peers all along,” he said. “I meet little kids two or three years old and they’ll come and play with you and be happy as hell and they couldn’t care who I am, just a tall guy to climb. Then by the time they’re six of seven they’re like, ‘Oooh, let’s not go near the black guy.’

“Usually by the time they’re in their late pre-teens or early teens, most of them have decided it’s not a big deal, but you still get some people you see here who

Huge jump seen in local drug deaths

mark nielsen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Aligning with a province-wide trend, Prince George saw a jump in the number of overdose deaths from illicit drugs in May, numbers from the B.C. Coroners Service show. In all, six people suffered drug-related deaths, two-thirds the total of nine recorded for the first five months of the year. Fentanyl was detected in one of last month’s deaths, bringing that year-to-date total up to 10.

Echoing other health officials, Northern Health medical health officer R. Rakel Kling said the novel coronavirus pandemic appeared to have created collateral damage.

She said there has been “conflicting messaging” about encouraging users to use in groups so quick action can be taken if there is an overdose while physical distancing is being urged to prevent spread of the virus.

“I think people who are using drugs are just, even more so, using at home and alone where an overdose can’t be reversed,” Kling said.

Moreover, with the Canada-U.S. border closed, Kling said it appears the drug supply has become even more toxic due to contaminants.

Other things that may or may not have to do with the pandemic, such as unemployment and declining mental

have got that attitude here. I think most of that is because we consume so much U.S. media and news and some of the ideas cross over, even to a small city like Prince George.”

Nisbett moved to Prince George in 1991 to take a job as a photographer for The Citizen. At the time there were just 10 black families who made their homes in the city and he says they all knew each other. Not so any more. UNBC and the College of New Caledonia have extended their reach and are attracting international students, professors and their families who have changed the face of the city.

“Now, I go down the street and there’s a lot more out and about now,” he said. “There’s a lot of blacks from Vancouver coming here to go to school. It’s totally different from when I first got here. Everybody knew the big black guy from the Citizen with the camera.”

Nisbett remembers showing up for an assignment with former Citizen reporter Charelle Evelyn, who is also black, and people greeting him to ask if Evelyn was his daughter or his wife, even through there’s no resemblance between the two. Nisbett and Evelyn both laughed to themselves about it, rather than take offence.

Nisbett and his wife Brenda were visiting Calgary a few years ago and went in to a supermarket close to where he grew up in the northwest quadrant of the city. After walking to the back of the store, Brenda pointed out that she was the only white person in the store.

“There was not another white face anywhere and I said, ‘Welcome to my world,’” he laughed.

health brought on by social isolation may also have played a role, according to Kling.

B.C.-wide, 170 people died of illicit drug overdoses in May, the highest number recorded in a single month. The previous monthly high was 161 deaths in December 2016. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said many of the deaths are related to COVID-19 measures that have had people staying away from supervised consumption sites and using toxic drugs alone. Fentanyl-related fatalities spiked after the province allowed a safer supply of drugs to be prescribed in April amid concerns about the sale of more toxic illegal substances during the pandemic.

citizen staff photo

officers charged from 2016 takedown

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges against three Prince George RCMP officers caught on video that suggested excessive force was used while arresting two men found in a stolen pickup truck.

Cst. Joshua Grafton has been charged with assault, assault with a weapon, and obstruction of justice and, in a separate information, Cst. Wayne Connell and Cst.

Kyle Sharpe has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, the BCPS said Monday. First appearance for all three is set for Aug. 12.

After a video from a security camera trained on an alley in the 2200-block Oak Street showing the arrest was provided to a Lower Mainland television station, B.C.’s civilian-based police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, looked into the matter and, in June 2018, submitted a report to the BCPS.

“The charge assessment process in this case was significantly delayed due to the complexity of the issues, the volume of initial disclosure, BCPS requests for further information, and subsequent receipt of additional disclosure,” the BCPS said in a statement announcing the charges.

Nathaniel Lazarus Basil and Cuyler Richard Aubichon were arrested during the early morning of Feb. 18, 2016.

A video from a camera installed on a nearby home showed an RCMP officer

using a service dog to pull Aubichon out of the truck and onto the ground before elbowing him in the head.

Three other officers were involved in the apprehension of Basil, who had got out on the other side. His arrest was largely out of the camera’s view but it appeared one of the officers had stomped on him.

“The charges were approved by an experienced Crown Counsel with no prior or current connection with the officers,” BCPS said.

Federation questions time taken to charge officers

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The National Police Federation is raising alarm bells about the nearly 4 1/2 years it took for the B.C. Prosecution Service to approve charges against three Prince George RCMP officers in relation to a February 2016 arrest caught on video that has raised concerns about excessive force.

It took more than two years for the province’s civilian-based police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, to carry out an investigation and refer its findings to the B.C. Prosecution Service and another two years for the BCPS to approve charges, which occurred on June 8.

Cst. Joshua Grafton has been charged with assault, assault with a weapon, and obstruction of justice and, in a separate information, Cst. Wayne Connell and Cst.

Kyle Sharpe has been charged with assault causing bodily harm.

“These RCMP members have continued to serve their communities diligently and professionally while this protracted investigation took place, and now face additional years of uncertainty awaiting trial and verdict,” the NFP said in a statement issued June 9.

“The brave men and women who stand up to protect Canadians from those that would do them harm deserve better than to be subjected to a prolonged 4 1/2-year investigation.

“Just as the RCMP need to consider all ways to continuously improve and enhance the delivery of services to those we serve, the IIO and Crown need to look at real ways to improve their process of investigations.”

In announcing the charges, the BCPS

acknowledged the time it took.

“The charge assessment process in this case was significantly delayed due to the complexity of the issues, the volume of initial disclosure, BCPS requests for further information, and subsequent receipt of additional disclosure,” it said in a statement.

The NFP also noted that the two men arrested have since pleaded guilty to charges from the incident and also asserted they suffered only minor injuries in the apprehension. Caught driving a stolen pickup truck, Nathaniel Lazarus Basil and Cuyler Richard Aubichon were arrested during the early morning of Feb. 18, 2016 in an alley off the 200 block of Oak Street.

A video from a camera installed on a nearby home showed an RCMP officer using a service dog to pull one of Aubi-

chon out of the truck and onto the ground before elbowing him in the head.

Three other officers were involved in the apprehension of Basil, who had got out on the other side.

His arrest was largely out of the camera’s view but it appeared one of the officers had stomped on him.

The NFP is the bargaining agent for the RCMP’s regular members and reservists below the rank of Inspector.

Both were later sentenced to one year probation for possessing stolen property over $5,000.

In a statement Monday, the B.C. RCMP said that upon learning of the video, a formal investigation under the Mounties’ code of conduct was immediately initiated. It said the outcome is shielded by privacy legislation but also noted all three officers are on active duty.

LocaL fiLmmaker up for award

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

With a talking dog and a hand puppet as two of the main characters, a local filmmaker’s short was recently nominated for a Leo award, which recognizes achievements in the BC film and television industry.

To say Isaiah Berra created a unique student film may be considered an understatement.

Berra, a longtime Prince George resident, created a short film called Harry, This is Nora during his studies at Capilano University in Vancouver. The title is a nod to the idealistically happily-ever-after films by Nora Ephron like Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail.

The nomination in the Best Student Production category is for the story about a man who speaks through his doppleganger hand puppet as he’s trying to figure out why his girlfriend is leaving him. But he’s got to get his answers quick because his spaceship leaves at midnight.

Thinking outside the formulaic process has always been encouraged by Berra’s mom, Monica, a School District 57 librarian. This film expands on that by portraying a juxtaposition between a classic romantic comedy and other people’s lessthan-that reality.

“My mom was my librarian at my elementary school and that opened up my world to books and stories and then when I went into high school at PGSS (Prince George secondary school) I discovered Tiger Thakker’s film appreciation course in Grade 11 and that opened up my world to movies and I merged the two because I love film and I love stories and screenwriting seemed to be the path that fate would

Jericho Reid plays the lead in a short film called Harry, This is Nora created by Isaiah Berra, a longtime Prince George resident.

put me on. So I went to Capilano University to focus on screenwriting but the passion totally came from my mom being my librarian all throughout elementary school.”

Berra said this is a heavily symbolic film that is his own very personal story.

It took a year and a half to make.

“Stories like these take longer to tell because as I was discovering what the actual film was about, I was also discovering things about myself - some good things, mostly bad things,” Berra laughed. “And that’s where the film came from - was wanting to make a personal piece that kind of just looked at my own problems and my own fears and tried to confront those and then being a film student it couldn’t just be that easy.”

He looked at the visual esthetic of the film, which is influenced by cinematic German Expressionism of the 1920s where there’s a monster of some kind and the films would be shot very clearly on a stage. German Expressionism exposes inner conflict.

“So in Harry, This Is Nora, Harry’s inner conflict is that he does not feel human and that is expressed through the puppet on his arm,” he said. “The story was really a personal exploration that I went on, which really exhausted me so I don’t think I can do one of these things until maybe like every quarter century - so I can maybe finish my life with three or four of these things.”

Berra said half the people in the film are

from Prince George including Madison Smith, an actor who was raised in Prince George and now resides in Vancouver. Smith is up for two Leo Awards, one for best supporting actor and one for screenwriting for other projects.

Smith makes a brief appearance as ‘handsome man’ that portrays the stereotype of the tall, dark and handsome leading male of any romantic comedy.

Berra is very grateful that when he reached out to his hometown of Prince George the crowd-funding was 96 per cent home grown with sponsors including local families and businesses.

“I was stunned when I saw it was one of only six student films in the province nominated for a Leo Award,” he added. “I think that recognition really mirrors the tremendous cast and crew that we had. The film was produced through Capilano University but it was actually made outside the regular curriculum as part of the Advanced Film Project and that program allowed access to alumni so I had a very talented crew, and as for the cast, we got some excellent professional actors from around Vancouver to be part of the film.”

Jericho Reid plays Harry, Erin Morgan is Blue and John Perrotta is Carl the dog. For the future, it’s still all about pursuing a career as a screenwriter.

“I’m not picky about what I write,” Berra said. “My philosophy is a day sitting in front of the computer writing any story is better than any other day doing anything else. So for me I’m really just looking forward to screenwriting and story telling in all different genres, stories, characters, conflicts. I will be pursuing the screenwriting path in Vancouver. That’s the game plan.”

Huble Homestead reopens

This is the perfect time to be a tourist in your own hometown and exploring wide open green spaces sounds like an idyllic past time to take a break from screen time and have a little outdoor fun.

Huble Homestead is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We’ve modified everything we do to make sure it’s safe for everyone,” Krystal Leason, executive director of the society, said.

On site there is increased access to hand washing stations and hand sanitizer while staff increases cleaning of high touch areas and public spaces.

There will be restrictions on the number of people in buildings at one time.

On special event days there will be selfled activities to enjoy. The schedule for that is online.

“We worked really hard to make sure that we could open up for people,” Leason said. “With so many other attractions facing more difficulties when it comes to

reopening we knew that Huble Homestead was one of the safest places that you probably could go this summer. We have wide open spaces and there’s hardly anything to touch!”

Food service will be modified offering their current menu of hot dogs and hamburgers and vegetarian options of the same along with pancakes. Desserts of sweet treats and pie are on the menu. There is also a variety of hot and cold drinks available.

Guests are also invited to play their own games in the open green spaces.

As always admission is by donation with a suggested donation of $10 per family, $5 for an adult and $3 for children and seniors.

Huble Homestead is located 40 km north of Prince George. Travel north on Highway 97, turn right on Mitchell Road to continue another six kilometres down a well-maintained gravel road. Dogs are allowed on site but remember to bring a leash and to pick up after the pet.

For more information about the site, visit hublehomestead.ca

Citizen staff

sumbitted photo

Rupert port still busy despite slowdown

Citizen staff

The COVID-19 has caused a slowdown of the global economy but, despite that, cargo volumes moving through the Port of Prince Rupert are on a record pace.

In 2019 the port had its best year to date, moving 29.9 million tonnes of cargo. During the first four months of 2020, 12.6 million tonnes of goods shipped through Prince Rupert – up nine per cent compared to last year, a statement issued by the port on Tuesday said.

“As the Port of Prince Rupert continues to grow and expand the cargo moving through the gateway, we have witnessed firsthand how vital a diverse port complex is,” port authority president Shaun Stevenson said in a press release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created global economic uncertainty, and through this challenging situation, the Prince Rupert gateway has not only remained fluid, but year-to-date volumes are above last year’s. This reinforces why the Prince Rupert Port Authority and our partners are working to diversify the Port of Prince Rupert and further increase our resiliency as a gateway.”

The biggest increase has been at Ridley Terminals, a bulk cargo terminal handling exports of metallurgical and thermal coal, petroleum coke and liquefied petroleum gas. Cargo volumes at Ridley have increased 39 per cent compared to 2019.

The new propane export terminal at Ridley Island has contributed to the growth of port operations, the port authority reported.

The strong global demand for wood pellets has prompted 24 per cent growth in volume at Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s pellet loading facility at Westview Terminal.

Container traffic at the port has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the port seeing a 12 per cent decrease in the first four months of 2020 compared to the same period last year. May saw the biggest hit, with container volumes down 37 per cent from May 2019.

Projects to expand the capability and capacity of the port are underway, including projects to expand transloading capacity for both exported and imported goods.

“There is nearly $1 billion in capital expansion either underway or planned to advance over the upcoming year in the growth and expansion of the Port of Prince

Rupert,” Stevenson said. “This not only a represents a significant economic impact and stimulus through the construction phase, but expands and diversifies Canada’s capacity to support export industries and grow international trade.”

According to statistics released by the port, $50 billion in goods moved through the port last year. That activity generated $1.5 billion in economic activity in the north and supported 3,600 direct jobs in the supply chain, paying $481 million in annual wages.

“The efforts of the Port of Prince Rupert’s workforce and their employers to make this happen deserve a salute,” Stevenson said. “Because of them, the gateway has been able to maintain volumes, activities and employment at close to normal levels.”

UNBC valedictorians dedicated to community

Nursing student Danika Serafin and biochemistry, molecular biology and biology student Katie Timms have been named UNBC’s 2020 valedictorians.

Serafin will address graduates of the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences during a virtual ceremony on June 26 at 9:30 a.m.

Timms will give short speech during the virtual graduation ceremony for the College of Science and Management class at 2:30 p.m. on the same day.

Serafin grew up in Fort St. John and Vernon, but plans to make Prince George her permanent home. She applied to the UNBC nursing program after working four years as a metal fabricator in Salmon Arm.

“UNBC may have been the initial reason I moved to Prince George but the community has easily convinced me

to stay,” Serafin said in a press release. “Prince George is inspiring… it is the definition of people helping people.”

Serafin plans to join the staff at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. working in the internal medicine unit, and wants to continue her training to advance to working in the intensive are unit.

Her passion for community service prompted her to create the Spare a Pair Community Society in 2017, which co-ordinates monthly walks downtown to distribute basic essentials to marginalized individuals.

Timms grew up in Prince George and attended UNBC to stay close to her family and community.

While working on her dual-major bachelor of science degree, she conducted research on breast cancer and herbicides with UNBC professors Sean Maurice and Lisa Wood.

“They have taught me so much about what it means to

Carburetor iCe blamed for fatal plane Crash

The plane at the centre of a fatal crash north of Smithers last year lacked a gauge that would have warned the pilot of ice building up in the carburetor, the Transporation Safety Board said Monday.

One crew member survived while the pilot and two other crew members were killed when their plane, owned by Lakes District Air Service Ltd., went down on May 4, 2019 near the Babine River about 93 kilometres north of the community.

The crash occurred about three hours into a fire surveillance flight and, at the time, the plane was flying in a low-engine power setting and in atmospheric conditions conducive to carburetor icing,” the TSB said in a statement summarizing an investigator’s findings.

However, the plane lacked a carburetor air temperature indication system. While they are not required under safety regulations, having one could have bought the pilot enough time to make a safe landing, the TSB said.

The investigator also pointed to two more areas of trouble.

When the engine stalled, the pilot sent out a Mayday and indicated a plan to land at the Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge airstrip. But it was not on the plane’s global positioning system database.

The Babine River was nearby but in freshet and no gravel bars or open shorelines visible.

“In such circumstances, pilot training at Lakes District Air Service Ltd. suggested forced landings should be made into trees, not water,” the TSB said.

Not appropriate to hold rallies against doctor’s orders, readers say

Citizen staff

In the last Citizen online poll we asked “do you think it’s appropriate to hold anti-racism rallies against Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendations?”

With 35 per cent and 442 votes readers said “no, too many people will not wear face masks and social distance,” and another 33 per cent and 406 votes answered “no, doctor’s orders should take precedence.”

On the yes side with 26 per cent and

325 votes was the answer “yes, people can attend wearing face masks and social distancing,” and yes again with six per cent and 73 votes was the least popular answer “yes, there is only one active case left in the Northern Health region.”

There was a total of 1,246 votes. Remember this is not a scientific poll.

The next online reader poll question is “do you think police reform is needed?”

To make your vote count visit www. princegeorgecitizen.com.

be a researcher and scientist, and I’m so grateful for it,” Timms said. “My mentors, particularly Dr. Maurice, helped me grow so much and gave me invaluable skills and confidence.”

Timms has published a review paper on her breast cancer research with Maurice, and is in the process of publishing some of her work on the herbicide glyphosate’s impacts on berry-producing plants. she formed with staff, faculty and her peers the most about her time at UNBC.

Timms was one of the first UNBC research ambassadors in 2018-19 and served as a board member of the Prince George Public Interest Research Group (PGPIRG). She will be continuing her education at UNBC this fall, as she works on obtaining her masters degree.

“My degree has allowed me to move on to graduate school, and has given me the confidence and skills I need to hopefully be successful.”

Citizen staff

Citizen staff

Racket playeRs shaking off doldRums

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

After being cooped up inside waiting for COVID-19 veil to lift off the courts at the Prince George Tennis and Pickleball Club, Larry Furmanczyk is back playing doubles on weekends with his buddies.

It was a long wait for the 67-year-old tennis buff while the club was forced to delay opening its hard-court facility adjacent to the Prince George Golf and Curling Club. Social distancing measures have put the kibosh on most organized team sports but there’s plenty of room to maintain that space on the court and Furmanczyk is relieved he’s able to unleash his slicing kill-shots on the court again.

“(Not being able to play) was quite stressful because the weather was here, the courts were ready, but we couldn’t jump on,” said Furmanczyk. “The times are kind of really stressful themselves and we need this for our own mental health so we can get back out into the world.”

Furmanczyk, a group facilitator and clinical therapist at Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community and Farm, says the pandemic has brought a societal spike in addictions of all kinds and has also given rise to domestic violence and suicides. The mental stresses that lead to such extremes can be lessened if people make the effort to leave their homes to get outside and socialize while taking advantage of the nicer summer weather.

One of his playing partners, Dave Conway, community relations manager for BC Hydro, has been working from home and has been thinking about tennis ever since

Tassi Halka hits a two-handed backhander while his wife Anna receives tips from PGTPC teaching pro Cory Fleck during their lesson.

the snow melted from the courts.

“I’m active and I get out and walk but during the COVID, once things cleared up, I’ve been itching to get back out here,” said Conway, 62. “It’s the social aspect of it, the camaraderie and the comedy, you really miss that socialization.”

Wayne Yuel, a high school teacher, plays table tennis and pickleball during the winter to keep his court skills tuned, but all those activities were shut down for two months when the pandemic was declared. He finally got back on to the tennis court in late May when Conway asked him to meet at the courts at Duchess Park.

“When Dave phoned me, once my wife Cindy knew it was Dave she started cheering,” said Yuel. “I won’t say we don’t get along really well, which we do, but she was

cheering. ‘Finally, he’s getting out.’ Sometimes, with pickleball and table tennis, I’m playing six times a week, and she’s used to that.”

Yuel, 63, is also an avid cross-country skier and he got his money’s worth as a Caledonia Nordic Ski Club member at Otway Nordic Centre. The trails opened in December and from mid-March to lateApril that was his sole physical activity after all other recreational facilities in the city were closed by COVID.

“That’s one of the best things about living in Prince George, it was fantastic skiing and I got out 84 times,” he said. “All that sunshine and the new snow that lasted, it was a great season.”

While local tournaments are cancelled for the summer the club continues to proceed with its construction project to convert two of its tennis courts into permanent pickleball courts.

Local teaching pro Cory Fleck is back in the swing of conducting tennis lessons and

on Saturday he was focusing on sharing his knowledge of the two-handed backhander with Anna and Tassi Halka. The husbandand-wife team, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, moved to Prince George four years ago and have decided this year to take up tennis.

“We played a bit when we were younger and we thought, especially with the whole COVID thing, it’s a social distancing game we’re able to do together and we’ve heard from other people how much fun they have,” said Anna, a 46-year-old mother of three.

“We play at the local school occasionally at Foothills but we wanted to get some professional lessons. Cory is so patient and he’s a really good coach, he explains it so well and he’s a lot of fun. We’ve been wanting to play for a while but we have a four-year-old daughter and now our teenaged boys are looking after her and we are getting to play a bit.”

The pandemic broke out in mid-March, when Prince George was still covered in snow and with people put out of work, encouraged to stay home and limit their interactions, it was hard to avoid becoming house-hatchers.

“It affects your well-being, it affects your psyche in every way and it’s nice to come out into the sun, even if it’s just for one hour,” said Tassi, a 46-year-old surgeon at UHNBC. “The courts are beautiful here. Lots of people have been telling me about the club, we just never have come around before this.”

Their boys have shown an interest in tennis and have also taken up golf.

“It’s been tough for the teenagers, they’ve been indoors for three months, doing school work, without their friends, it’s been very difficult,” said Anna. “But we all know this is what we have to do to get through it.”

Brennan gets nod from Hockey Canada

Citizen staff

Cougars goalie Tyler Brennan was one of 46 players honoured by Hockey Canada last week.

Brennan, 17, was one of six goalies who would have been invited to the national summer Under-18 team selection camp. The camp would have selected the team to represent Canada at the 2020 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August in Edmonton and Red Deer.

However, Hockey Canada cancelled the tournament on April 28, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re thrilled to see Tyler get this type of recognition. It’s unfortunate the tournament is cancelled but for him to be consid-

ered one of the top players in the country for his age group is a well-deserved honour,” Cougars’ GM and head coach Mark Lamb said in a press release.

Brennan, who hails from Winnipeg, played 15 games with the Cougars during the shortened 2019-20 season. As a 16-yearold rookie goalie, he posted four wins and maintained a 3.34 goals-against average and a .887 save percentage.

The six-foot-three, 187-pound netminder played for Team Canada White at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last November.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia will host the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup before it returns to Edmonton and Red Deer in 2022.

Cats trade Cooley to Seattle for future draft picks

Citizen staff

The Prince George Cougars picked up a pair of 2021 draft picks in a trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds on Wednesday.

The Cats took an eighth-round bantam draft selection and a conditional fourthround selection in exchange for the WHL playing rights for unsigned forward prospect Stanley Cooley.

The Cougars drafted Cooley, 18, in the third round of the 2017 draft. The fivefoot-11, 190-pound centre played 62 games for the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2019-20, notching a total of 16 goals and 31 assists through the regular season and six playoff games. He’s currently slated to play for the Northeastern University Huskies during their 2020-21 NCAA season.

Citizen staff photo

We need the right kind of police

In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and the Black Lives Matters protests across the world, including Prince George, many people have called for defunding and/or dismantling police forces.

oUr VIEW

The better verb would be reforming and refocusing police forces and that process is long overdue.

The irony is that there are likely a significant number of police officers, particularly those currently handling first response duties, that would welcome such reforms.

Surprise - cop TV shows and movies aren’t real life (including the “real” ones like Cops and Live PD). Those fictional depictions ignore the vast majority of daily police work – general surveillance, paperwork, court summons and responding to minor, non-violent emergencies.

Somehow, somewhere along the line, somebody decided that using a paramilitary organization made up of armed men and women to handle such mundane (but still important) tasks as resolving domestic disputes, pulling over speeders and dealing with disorderly individuals who are drunk, on drugs and/or have mental health issues made sense.

That’s the equivalent of sending in three people with baseball bats to deal with a spider in the bathtub. Put another way, police officers have become emergency wards on wheels.

Even before the pandemic, the Ministry of Health and Northern Health were spending money to divert mildly and moderately ill people from hospital emergency wards. The primary care clinic at Parkwood Mall in Prince George was set up to take on what are emergencies for the individuals involved but are minor issues to health care practitioners.

Doing so leaves emergency doctors and nurses more ready to deal with actual life-and-death cases.

A similar approach to police reform would have similar results.

Unarmed officers should handle traffic enforcement, neighbourhood surveillance and non-violent calls, such as property crime.

Social workers, street nurses and doctors, mental health clinicians and conflict resolution negotiators should handle minor non-violent disturbances. Armed RCMP officers should serve as backup in all of these circumstances, focusing primarily on rapid response to violent situations.

This is not some pie-in-the-sky dream that wouldn’t work in real life. Similar police reforms have been done in cities around the world. Camden, New Jersey, went through such a process

LETTERS to the editor

OVErdOsEs tragIc

I’m alarmed at recent reports that overdose death rates in the Northern Health area are up to 29 per 100,000 people and the lack of urgency demonstrated both by Dr. Kling, our medical health officer, and the community in general.

If the north has the highest rate in the province and B.C. has the highest rates in the country, can we conclude that we are living in the region with the highest drug death rates in Canada? Is this the legacy we want, to be number one in a particular type of very preventable death?

Dr. Kling talks about overdose death prevention services. Sorry, what are they exactly - one supervised consumption site in one city open from 1 to 6 p.m.? Is that all we’re doing when nationally we have the most deaths per capita from drugs?

I’m thoroughly confused by the statement that the coroner’s reports are indicating that fentanyl presence in fatalities is down to 70 per cent from 86 per cent looks “good on paper.” How exactly does that look good to anyone?

That means that now 30 per cent of drugrelated deaths involve toxic substances that cannot be identified through the only

drug checking service offered in the Northern Health Region: fentanyl strip testing. All other health regions in the province offer a drug checking service that provides a thorough profile of all substances in a drug sample by using the FTIR spectrometer. It’s a portable machine and can be set up at various public health offices, community centres and overdose prevention sites. Furthermore, if we are seeing that 30 per cent of drug deaths are not from fentanyl, are they from opioids at all? If not, that means the widespread expansion of naloxone, which only reverses opioid-cased overdoses, is not an effective intervention for these deaths.

I am not criticizing overdose prevention services offered by Northern Health but arguing they are not enough considering the crisis. We need drug checking, we need access to safe supply and we need supervised consumption to be integrated into housing and shelter programs. We need rapid access to funded treatment. When faced with the coronavirus pandemic, we all worked together to fundamentally change how our communities functioned for the sake of saving lives. So why are we so complacent about these ones?

Juls Budau, Prince George

seven years ago and has seen dramatic improvements across the board, particularly in the number of violent incidents. Policing also needs to focus more on the far more numerous serious crimes that don’t involve car chases and guns drawn.

The RCMP needs more accountants and business and financial analysts to target white collar crimes like fraud and embezzlement. Too much work goes into prosecuting theft under $5,000 and nowhere near enough goes into nabbing the snakes in suits who steal millions from individuals, often wiping out their life savings in the process. Naturally, these officers would also target the money laundering used to fund organized crime.

The RCMP also needs more white hats - computer experts who use their skills in hacking and infiltrating secure networks for good - to target the incredible amount of crime that has moved online, from extortion and cyberbullying to child pornography and human trafficking.

In other words, we need more police officers, not less, but the right kind of officers using more varied skills to keep the peace and catch criminals, with the power of state-sponsored violence as the least desired option when all else fails.

The RCMP and other police forces also need to make one more essential internal change.

NO mOrE plastIc

I wish to take issue with Mr. Godbout’s editorial in the May 21 paper, not because of the opinion expressed but because of the way he dismissed people opposed to the West Coast Olefins scheme.

He describes them as “a noisy minority kicking up a fuss” and “hounding someone out of town.” Apart from the undesirable tone used, the very word “minority” might not apply.

I want to briefly give my argument as to why the scheme should not go forward in Prince George, Bear Lake or anywhere else on the planet.

The final product was to be plastic. Surely the world does not need more plastic.

It is choking the waterways in the Third World and suffocating many aquatic organisms that try to coexist with us.

Too many commercial enterprises have been started with goals that are much too localized.

Entrepreneurs plan schemes that will enrich them and communities go along because there may be something in it for them.

The result has been mayhem.

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The “band of brothers” culture needs to be dismantled in favour of transparency, accountability and whistle blowing. Officers who step forward to speak out against disgraceful conduct by a fellow member should receive commendations from senior staff and heartfelt thanks from their colleagues.

Simply put, nobody should be more adamant about weeding out the men and women who don’t deserve to wear the uniform than the other men and women who share that uniform. That means racism, harassment, excessive violence, obstruction (covering up for the wrongdoing of other officers) and other behaviours unbecoming of a member of the force should be met with the disdain and discipline they deserve, regardless of rank.

Reimagining police services would not only benefit police forces and the officers within them, it would lead to better community service, particularly for the vulnerable and minority populations that have too often – and for too long - been victims of abuse.

Furthermore, having individuals from those populations serving in uniform, both on the front line and in leadership roles, would also dramatically improve policing.

The problems with policing are systemic so the reforms need to be systemic, as well, both within police forces and within the communities they serve.

— Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

We have filled the globe with rubbish and are driving its climate to a state that perhaps nothing can survive. We have to extend our vision beyond where we live and begin acting like residents of the planet.

Ross Pearce, Prince George

JaIl faIl

Please let’s not go back to locking people in “Correctional Centres” before spending sufficient time, money and effort in the attempt to fit offenders for productive places in society. Jails should be a last resort for society, not the first. Scandinavian countries do this. Why cannot we?

James Loughery, Prince George

thaNks, rcmp

This is a letter of gratitude to our RCMP and all police who lay their lives on the line for us everyday and to all the doctors and nurses who put themselves in danger’s way to look after us and all the other essential workers. Thank you. All lives matter.

We have to keep social distancing and wearing masks. This virus is not over yet. Helen Robertson, Prince George

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PRINCE GEORGE

The tragedy of dying alone

Most of us have a parent that we have not been able to hug in the last few months. Most of us know someone who had tests, procedures, or surgeries delayed.

We bore it in good humour for the most part.

The announced dangers of opening too early, the daily reminders to follow the many, often confusing and contradictory guidelines or rules, were heard and followed by a good majority of people. Enough so that we did flatten the curve.

The heaviest sacrifices, however, have been made by those who have died alone or watched their loved one die alone, or just got a call that their loved one died without any family present because of the restrictions on “non-essential” visitors.

We know that most hospital and long-term care staff did their best to comfort the

THINKING ALOUD

TRUDY KLASSEN

dying, but a stranger is no substitute for a family member.

Those left behind will always carry the trauma of not being able to be with their dying parent, spouse, or worse yet, their child, in their dying hours.

People die alone all the time, but not on purpose. Being forced to do so, even if to save others, adds a layer of trauma to the grief. Here are some stories revealed by a quick internet search of those who obeyed the public health directives. You will likely have your own stories:

-CTV News March 27th, 81-year-old Bernice Fiala could only have one family

member with her.

-A CBC article dated April 30 begins “Jennifer Patrick was terrified of dying alone.” But she did. The article goes on: “Mubarak Popat, despite both daughter and son-inlaw working in the hospital where he died, had to die alone.”

-Guelph Today, May 24th: Twenty-twoyear-old Adam Aelick’s “…family was beyond heartbroken that they couldn’t be at Aelick’s bedside as he died, but instead were forced to stand outside and watch him (die) through glass.”

-Ottawa Citizen, June 9 “Louise Savoie was required to look at her (83-year-old) mother through a window and see her take her last breath rather than sitting by her bed holding her hand.”

These families will bear not only the grief but also the guilt of not being there. They will question their compliance, for not insisting to be present.

Has the Eureka moment arrived?

One of the most important qualities of a good leader is the ability to listen. It is very easy to jump on a bandwagon and it is easy to jump to conclusions. It takes true courage to hear another person’s point of view, admit we were wrong, shift our beliefs and move forward.

To be honest, my first reaction to National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell issuing a statement regarding his changed sentiments toward the Black Lives Matter movement was quite cynical.

Only four years ago, Colin Kaepernick chose to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem to draw attention to the issue police brutality toward African Americans. This resulted Kaepernick essentially being blackballed by Goodell’s league. Now you say that you support his cause, Mr. Goodell? And you expect us to take you seriously?

The same can be said for Drew Brees, the star quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Brees had always objected to

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

peaceful protest by other players, saying that it disrespected the American flag. He even made comments opposing their actions after the death of George Floyd. Brees then listened to his African American teammates and has since apologized for his statements. After receiving strong criticism for this in Tweets from Donald Trump, Brees replied, “I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It never has been.”

Perhaps prominent people like Goodell and Brees are not just trying to look good for the media. Maybe we are finally able to cut through the noise and rhetoric. This is a moment like none other I have ever experienced. It appears that the truth is finally coming clear.

As a teacher, I relate this to seeing a con-

cept become understandable to a student. I can vary the way I teach trigonometry to meet the learning needs of my students. I can draw diagrams, make models or sing loud obnoxious songs. When a student says, “I got it! SOH, CAH, TOA!” It is a moment of enlightenment, and suddenly one can begin moving forward. Up until now, we’ve been using the wrong formula to solve our problems. We’ve been trying to do trigonometry without understanding the characteristics of a triangle. We’ve been trying to solve social problems by chasing a racist narrative. When certain groups have higher levels of incarceration, unemployment and poverty along with lower levels of education and life expectancy, you don’t improve the situation by cutting educational and social programs, putting more people into jail and painting a racist narrative in the media. But that is what we have done for decades, even centuries.

The great American scholar Cornel West points out that we always have a choice between chaos and community. Until now,

Steps backward all too common

Brain injured survivors struggle with many symptoms. Some symptoms go away, others are permanent. Often, symptoms that go away come back with a vengeance. And even years after postinjury new symptoms can show up. The classes I took at the Brain Injured Group (BIG) taught me the path survivors walk is never linear. I’m so glad I learned this early on in my recovery because I would have been constantly frustrated. For the first four months after injury, my vision was significantly damaged. The floor and the ground were constantly moving. I couldn’t accurately assess distance and my depth perception was totally off. I often tripped and fell.

By the one-year mark, these symptoms were almost gone. A month ago, they came back. I’ve fallen down the stairs a couple of times and fell on the driveway and shredded my legs. My nickname is now “Tumble Weed.” Humour has become my sanity saver.

Prior to injury, I was a quick thinker and words rolled out of my mouth. As the

BOGGLED

DIANE NAKAMURA

months went on in my recovery, I was able to think more clearly and able to speak without long pauses. Recently, I’ve deteriorated in these areas. I’ve gone back to having difficulties getting words out, frequently confused about what to say and sometimes drawing a complete blank. This reminds me of the struggles I had when I was learning English.

Like I mentioned earlier, healing from a brain injury is far from linear. Us survivors can be all over the map.

Not only is this frustrating for us but also for the people in our circles. When symptoms clear up, survivors are happy and so are their family and friends. When symptoms come back or new ones show up, this is disappointing for everyone.

For me, because I’m currently challenged with stringing words together, answering

They will feel guilt for not risking arrest to be there for their loved one’s last hours.

This guilt will be increased due to the choice of our prime minister to flagrantly disobey the rules. Despite stating a few days prior that the danger was not past, that it was still very serious, and very important to follow all the public health guidelines.

Instead of finding an appropriate physically-distant way to support and acknowledge the anti-racist protests, our prime minister has heaped guilt on those who have suffered and will suffer, the most.

People have died alone to obey the government directive he endorsed and proclaimed daily.

Justin Trudeau ignored the rules that were obeyed at great cost by those he swore to serve.

Shame on him.

we have chosen chaos.

The solution is community. We are all in this together, we are not our nationalities, ethnicities or genders, we are a global community.

It has been so encouraging to hear people finally say, “Black lives matter.” We don’t only look at our American neighbours when we say this, we recognize that all over the world, people of colour have been unjustly treated for far too long. It has been so refreshing to see symbols of oppression, like statues of men who were responsible for some of the most horrendous crimes against humanity in history, like King Leopold II of Belgium, finally removed from places of honour.

I’d like to believe that the world has really listened and has come to a moment of enlightenment. The proof will be shown as we move forward.

Will we learn to listen to one another and walk together in community, or will we continue our blind pursuit of chaos?

This is the choice that each of us has to make.

people’s questions can be overwhelming. “Diane, are you feeling better?”

“I thought you were over that.”

“Why aren’t you back to work yet?”

Lately it’s just better for me not to talk to people. I find trying to explain myself utterly exhausting.

Stress can bring back symptoms or invite new ones. Depending on the severity of the injury, some symptoms may never go away.

Survivors of brain injury can tolerate only a fraction of the stress we were able to manage pre-injury.This wreaks havoc in family and friend circles. Survivors who were always available to help their family and friends are no longer able to function on standby.

I have talked with brain-injured friends who, like me, are constantly having to advocate for ourselves, dealing with requests for babysitting, hosting holiday dinners, assistance with problem solving are unrealistic expectations.

Comments like “you’re being selfish” and “you’re using your brain injury as an excuse” are common responses to survi-

vors who attempt to establish boundaries with the people in our lives.

Another misunderstood aspect about brain injury is the fluctuating energy levels. Sometimes survivors have good days or good periods during the day that we function quite well.

And other days we can’t manage anything because of fatigue, migraine headaches and depression which render us useless to be of any help to others.

It is a common assumption that survivors pick and choose when we feel like helping out and when we can’t. The truth is we never know when we are able to do things and when we can’t. When requests are made of me, I’ve learned to say “I can’t promise you anything. I will have to see how I feel.”

I can’t say enough about how vital it is for brain injured survivors to have support. There are days we are drowning in despair. We get it that our loved ones are suffering too.

I pray every day that survivors and the people in our lives can build a bridge of mutual understanding.

Let us into the new Canada

As racial tensions in the United States spontaneously combust, and with Aboriginal Day just a few minutes away, it seemed right and just to meditate on Indian and Non-Indian relations. All that’s left to resolve is the peculiar tendency within our own leadership to obstruct any and all paths towards a lasting reconciliation.

Ironically, the white man has aided and abetted the most malicious members of the Indian leadership class by being too deferential. We needed that accountability act - indeed, with force if necessary, our political caste should have been put into glass wigwams, lodges, igloos, etc. so we might finally get meaningful results from our oligarchs. Instead, they talk about “racism” and make empty gestures, from protests to school renamings, to distract from their incompetence.

No one holds back we, the First Peoples of Canada, more than the sad sacks we call by old titles. And where other, more enterprising bands have succeeded - those who

The West Coast Olefins proposed ethylene plant in our region continues to be plagued with controversy. For me, the most recent was Ken James’ June 2 letter to the editor regarding the project. The letter contained 10 rhetorical questions to Dr. Marie Hay. The readers received no facts. Instead they were presented one insinuation after another.

Since I am the chair of PACHA – the People’s Action Committee for Healthy Air, which met with James and his executives on two occasions - I know the facts that he decided to exclude. On Aug. 7 and 22, 2019, West Coast Olefins Ltd. representatives met with three PACHA executives, Hay and me as well as a PhD chemist who is a specialist in chemical manufacturing plant operations and research as well as researching and applying air pollution measurement and control methodology. We asked whether James knew of the 2001/02 ‘Prince George Area Industrial Land Study’ (reconfirmed by the ‘Prince George Area Industrial Land Profile’ report of 2008) and the specifically selected loca-

RIGHT OF CENTRE

NATHAN GIEDE

have not forgotten that our relationship with the white man is “trading partner”they’re often called compromisers, “red apples,” or worse. The only place to beat the war drum and block traffic is in front of the hollow redmen’s shiny, new offices, whose kin wallow in abject poverty.

The potential for us Indians is infinite. After all, our traditional lands, ceded or not, are full of resources which modern civilization requires. Ever since Dief the Chief was waylaid by the fifth column of Pearson’s Liberals, in league with the Kennedys, the “roads to resources” agenda has ground to a halt. I have no time for Theresa Spence and her co-agitators, but the problems of Attawapiskat and countless other reserves could be solved by access to the rest of Canada.

I ought to be able to drive from Prince George to Hall Beach, Nunavut, or from Windsor to the top of Quebec. As it is, propelling oneself from Thompson to Churchill, Man., is impossible save for a winter road - and we must recall a full military installation was stationed on the shores of the mislabelled Hudson “Bay” for decades - even though I can drive to Tuktoyaktuk from Halifax if I so desire. That’s Canada as a roadmap - a dominion stuck in underdeveloped limbo.

That’s the next chapter for aboriginals in Canada, if our leaders stop using victimhood as their primary lexicon. And it would be wise to get moving on questions of development sooner rather than later, as it is only the white man upon whom the guilt tactic works. One of my reasons for avoiding the Orwellian term “Indigenous” at all costs is that I am well aware our fellow people of colour or former colonials do not owe us anything.

Analysis of those words by my more hardened critics might lead them to construe these as incendiary, racist comment.

James letter excluded facts

ECO JO GRABER

tions for new heavy industry developments in the region. These were in the regional district so that Prince George’s sensitive Nechako and Fraser River Valley air shed would not be further compromised. Those sites are identified on the city website as heavy industrial location opportunities. It was the first they heard of them.

We gave them a copy. The city had not informed them of the “policy,” nor the reference in the 2012 (current) Official Community Plan. Policy 6.1.2 states: “The City shall continue to work with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George to identify new heavy industrial lands outside of the Bowl area.” The intentions of the city are clear to both the current administration as well as heavy industry developers.

Best available urban planning practices dictate that new heavy industry with

polluting air emissions be located remote from dense urban populations, including urban subdivisions planned within the plant’s expected lifetime. That allows pollution to dilute sufficiently as predicted by dispersion models, before reaching human receptors. Our city and regional district knew that principle at one time.

One question posed by James was: “How many people die from ‘toxic’ emissions from the plants?” The answer to that question is contained in many peer-reviewed studies in locations such as the famous “chemical alley” in Sarnia, southern Texas, Louisiana, and the petrochemical hub in Sicily, as well as numerous others throughout the world. As well, there are meta-analyses that combine the results of multiple scientific studies to answer that question. The local environmental assessment, to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, will hopefully include such information. Typically, they only consider the projected emissions, determine whether they meet their standards and do a dispersion model to see which residential and workplace locations will be affected during

Stock crash clouds on horizon

Recent weeks have seen an incredible rebound in the North American stock markets after the COVID-19 crisis. In fact, few could have predicted such a quick recovery. The length of time it took for markets to recover after the eight other bear markets (where the stock market drops more than 20 per cent) between 1926 -2017 has between 6 months to 2.8 years. Yet this recent stock market recovery has only taken 10 weeks. Many people have dived back into the markets with two feet and made significant returns on their investments.

The stock markets have noticed significant rebounds on the belief that the economy is re-opening across North America and that everything is going to be back to normal. In fact, stock prices have rallied in recent weeks to regain most of their losses and their pre-crash values. Yet it is questionable what is sustaining those stock price values. Some are speculating that the period of quarantine has reinvigorated interest in day trading and stock market

BUSINESS COACH

DAVE FULLER

speculation. Others look to the unprecedented cash infusions to the marketplace by governments. This has driven share prices and enabled companies to return to pre-crash inflated share values while many commercial investors and fund managers have taken cash out of the market until the volatility subsides. So where is the risk?

The current risk in the stock market comes from several areas. Firstly, the recent gains have been ventured on the reopening of the economy. The truth of the matter is that for the better part of three months, many companies had their businesses operating with a percentage of their normal sales. When the second quarter reporting comes out, many companies are going to show significant losses and this

To put it bluntly, Canada’s elite chose to make us a multicultural country; new immigrants do not have two row wampum belts or a 1763 Royal Proclamation in their historical gestalt, regardless of their own colonial legacy; once a critical mass of nonwhite leaders take control, we Indians will be left holding a useless weapon. So the time to deal is now. Indeed, right this instant, as the prime minister is handing out cash faster than budget officers can count it.

But we must not make the mistake of letting our chiefs and councils hoard it all for their families - they’ve bought new trucks and nice vacations at our expense for long enough.

No, if proper capital can be found, it must be put towards lasting change for our people in the form of development and jobs that will give us dignity and pride.

Our relationship with the white man has always been one of trade. For decades, that has been ruined by weakness and malfeasance. We must put it right before the opportunity passes.

will drive share prices down.

Even if a company isn’t reporting on the stock market, there is a significant chance that they are buying from companies listed on the stock market. Many businesses I work with have curtailed their spending and purchases, and are demanding better pricing from suppliers. When this works its way through the market, whether it is this quarter or next quarter, investors are going to be disappointed with listed companies sales reporting and profitability. Secondly, while there is good news that unemployment rates are dropping from the 20 per cent range a couple months ago to 10-15 per cent, many consumers are realizing that their spending habits were unsustainable and as a result, are changing their extravagant mindset. Consumer debt levels in many countries are at an all-time high. When threatened with long term unemployment, wage curtailments, and cuts to working hours, payment default is going to hurt financial institutions and all businesses that are extending credit to

unfavourable weather conditions.

Finally, we suggested that a local citizen committee be established, possibly like the Joffre Nova plant has. Such a committee would provide input into the plant’s operation, especially those procedures that impact the effects of the plant emissions on the surrounding areas; improvement in efforts to promote and fund effective recycling; implementing a chain-of-custody protocol to monitor amounts of feedstock shipped to manufacturers who produce non-single use plastics compared to those who produce single use plastics. That suggestion was met with little enthusiasm from James.

It is obvious that the communities impacted, the governing bodies having jurisdiction and the proponents have not been working together openly. Information has not flowed among interested parties while the proponents promote their project politically rather than environmentally.

The earlier we agree to do so, the better for all concerned and the smoother the environmental assessment process will be.

their customers. On top of this, over the next year, the public is going to comprehend that many businesses are not reopening or are not going to be able to pay their bills in an economically changed reality.

Thirdly, government stimulus cannot and should not be sustained. While the cash that was doled out by federal governments to all sectors of the economy was well needed and much appreciated, that cash has been spent. Businesses have taken on more debt and while some of this is forgivable, much of it isn’t. Investors looking at financial statements are going to need to adjust their valuations.

Yes, there are opportunities in the stock market, however my belief is that there is considerable risk. If you are thinking of protecting your retirement funds, you may wish to have a conversation with your financial advisor. Just like death some things are inevitable. I might not have been able to predict the short life of my puppy, but I will go on record predicting a shortlived recovery of the stock market.

A better ApproAch to gun control

Any firearms regulation based on specific, named models of firearm is bound to create loopholes and exceptions.

One of those loopholes was displayed prominently on the Citizen’s website on Wednesday.

Members of the RCMP Uniform Gang Enforcement Team seized an illegally-modified SKS rifle along with other weapons, drugs and ammo during a four-day campaign in the city. The rifle, with its illegal high-capacity magazine, was loaded when it was seized from a suspect’s vehicle. A quick search of the Citizen’s news archives shows we’ve mentioned SKS rifles by name 30 times in the last 10 years.

On May 1, the federal government reclassified more than 1,500 models of firearm as prohibited weapons. The SKS wasn’t one of them.

For drug dealers, gangs and assorted nut-jobs, the SKS has lots going for it: it’s dirt cheap, easy to get, can be modified to use high-capacity magazines, and comes with a scary-looking folding bayonet.

The number of rifles modified to use high-capacity magazines seized by Prince George RCMP in the last 10 years illustrates the limits of restricting magazine capacities to five rounds. While those limits are worthwhile, some criminals will find ways to circumvent them.

Simply adding the SKS to the prohibited list wouldn’t solve the problem in the long term, and would mean all the legitimate, law-abiding owners of SKS rifles would be forced to surrender their rifles. For those legal, law-abiding gun owners, the SKS is just an inexpensive, fun rifle to shoot or a neat piece of Cold War militaria for the collection.

The 1,500-plus firearms the federal government prohibited last month was rife with inconsistencies. Some were previously classed as non-restricted, while others – sometimes two different brands of essentially the same rifle – were classified

Guest column

ARTHUR WILLIAMS

as restricted firearms.

As soon as a new brand or model of semi-automatic rifle is produced, they’ll be back on the Canadian market – likely as non-restricted firearms.

Either the government is going to have to continuously play wack-a-mole, prohibiting new models – and seizing guns from legal owners – as they are introduced, or it’s time for a change in approach.

Instead of prohibiting a list full of firearms that will inevitably become outdated, the government should reclassify all semi-automatic, centerfire rifles and pistolcalibre carbines as restricted firearms and require they be registered – in short, regulate semi-automatic rifles the same way handguns have been regulated for decades.

While some readers will understand exactly what that means, for those who don’t speak gun-ese I will explain.

A semi-automatic weapon is one where the action of the weapon automatically reloads another bullet into the chamber without the need to manually work a bolt, lever, slide-action or some other loading mechanism.

The difference between centrefire and rimfire ammunition is how the propellant charge is ignited, but the important practical difference is pretty much all modern large-game hunting and combat ammunition is centrefire. Modern rimfire ammunition is generally small calibre, lower-power ammunition (.22 long rifle is by far the most common).

Non-restricted firearms include the majority of rifles and shotguns, and don’t have to be registered. These firearms can be used for purposes like hunting, bear

protection, farm uses, target shooting and other shooting sports.

To own non-restricted firearms legally, you have to have a basic Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), which requires taking a test to show you understand firearms safety and the laws governing firearms use and storage. Getting a basic PAL is not particularly difficult for anyone without a record of convictions for violent or gang-related crimes.

With this proposal, the vast majority of firearms normally used for hunting and sporting purposes – bolt-action centrefire rifles for large game, shotguns and rimfire rifles for small game – would continue to be non-restricted firearms.

Restricted firearms include all handguns that aren’t prohibited, and some rifles, pistol-calibre carbines and shotguns that fit certain criteria like barrel length. The only legal uses for restricted firearms are target practice or target shooting competitions, firearms collections and, in very limited circumstances, use in connection with a lawful profession – that includes people like armoured car security guards and police officers.

To purchase and own restricted firearms, you need to have a Restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence (R-PAL). To obtain an R-PAL, you need to take a course and pass a test, just like the regular PAL, but you have have to prove you have a legal reason to own and use a restricted firearm – providing proof you are a member of an approved shooting club, for example – and are subject to greater background screening.

Each restricted firearm an R-PAL holder buys has to be registered with the federal government, so that if a weapon registered to you ends up being seized by police, they know whose door to come knocking on.

While semi-automatic rifles are used by criminal gangs, and are sadly the weapon of choice for mass-murderers, it is handguns that are used most often to kill.

The indispensable role of fathers

The parent that does best with children becomes the parent that is loved and adored. Though infants cling on to mothers, later in life when on their own, children generally do not have unqualified leanings towards a parent based on gender. This means that fathers have just as good a chance as mothers have of receiving the admiration and support of their grown up, strong, young kids in their advanced years if they have done well as doting fathers in their younger days. Fathers are primarily life initiators. But beyond that momentary stamp of a contribution, fathers could play a lifelong role of leadership in nearly all things relating to the family: of providing for the family, of guidance, protection, decision-making, and value setting in the home. None of this, however, can be done well for long without love and attachment to one’s wife/partner and children. And none of this can be done successfully if the father does not have the freedom and encouragement to be who he should be within his home environment. It is easy to think that a father can be dispensed with especially if mom is financially self-sufficient. But a father’s role in the family goes beyond being merely the bread winner and the source of the family’s finances. Money matters, but it does not explain a successful family fully. Both male and female children tend to fall in line and develop well when there’s a

Guest column

ReUben LoUIS gAbRIeL

father figure at home. While mothers have been observed to fill in the lacuna well for absentee fathers and rear children well, struggling alone with nurturing kids and maintaining the home does take its toll on the mother. In homes where the father dies early in unfortunate circumstances, his brothers usually step in to provide the fatherly oversight. In other homes where the father has left following an estrangement, maternal uncles fill the void.

A good father is always there for his children. And in homes where a good father has been there to guide and care for his children, the children take comfort from fatherly presence, guidance, and emotional support long after they themselves have turned fathers. A father being there for his children is often, though not always, linked to two important things – the father’s connection to the children’s mother and the father’s character – especially his not being given to vice of any sort.

Many conjugal relationships become mundane after a while and there are biological, psychological, economic, and socio-cultural reasons for this. The cravings of men within a conjugal relationship

According to Statistics Canada data from 2014 to 2018, of the 1,073 firearm homicides in Canada over that five-year period, 623 (58 per cent) were committed with handguns. That’s despite the fact that only 12 per cent of legal gun owners in Canada own handguns, according to the federal Department of Justice.

However, the handguns used to commit those murders are largely not coming from, or being used by, legal gun owners. Statistics Canada looked at police reports from 2015 and 2016, and found that only 25 per cent of handguns used to commit homicide (where police were able to locate the gun) were legally registered at one point. The other 75 per cent likely entered the country illegally, most likely from the United States. Increasing checks and screenings at the border to prevent the flow of illegal guns into Canada from the U.S. is also clearly another important measure to reducing gun crime.

While firearms are only used in three per cent of violent crime in Canada, they are used in 38 per cent of homicides – making them roughly tied with stabbing as the most popular, or at least most successful, way to murder people (beatings are third). If we, as a society, accept that people who have passed through the R-PAL process can be entrusted with handguns, and that the current system governing handgun ownership is mostly successful at keeping those guns out of the hands of criminals, then it stands to reason that those people can be entrusted with the ownership of semi-automatic rifles as well. Regulating centrefire semi-automatic rifles the same way we regulate handguns recognizes that these weapons do pose a higher risk to the public than other non-restricted firearms, and should be subject to greater controls on their use and ownership. However, it would still leave an avenue open for legal ownership by legitimate shooting sports participants and collectors.

tend at times to be different from those of women. While a man’s cravings relate to egotistic satisfaction often translated into physical submission of the woman, the woman’s cravings hinge around emotional satisfaction. Rigidity on the part of either or both relating to personal cravings and a refusal to understand the other often threaten to break the relationship.

A man must show maturity and foresight when his marriage or conjugal relationship is under threat for such reasons. It is always best for him to take a distant approach and ask the question where will my rigidity lead to and how will it affect me? A distancing from his wife/partner or even an outright rejection could make his relationship with his own children frigid and that is never good. It is never good for his own future, for every man is deeply invested in his children physically, psychologically, emotionally, and in terms of the time and money spent on them. In severing ties with his own children, the man destroys part of his good future and that is a very important consideration for him before a breakdown actually happens. Children are also very important to the identity and sense of fulfilment of a man, and a severance from his own can be emotionally and psychologically challenging. Both sons and daughters are known to develop deep bitterness against that parent, father or mother, who has abandoned them midway on the journey of life.

To keep his children close, the father must be focused on them and not on himself or on anything else. Even his relationship with his children’s mother should to a great extent be inspired by his love for his children. Possessiveness, insecurity, jealousy, suspicion, frustration, and anger though arguably negative energies are incentives that enable a father to stay connected to his home.

Fathers must be cool-headed, learned, knowledgeable, wise, loving, responsible, financially well-sustained, exemplary, and involved with their families. If in any of these areas a father is lacking, it will surely affect children adversely. Life succeeds for fathers when they are willing to be tolerant, patient, positively inclined, and willing to make adjustments with what they have.

The lifespan of men tends to be shorter than that of women. With stress levels rising especially in cities, and with men more given to addictions than women, fathers are more likely to succumb to cardiac arrests, strokes, high blood pressure, renal failures, cancer, and other fatal ailments. Fathers must take care of their physical health if they wish to live longer for and with their children. A good father is a priceless gift to his family. His wife/partner will cling to him against all odds and his children will take pride in telling others that he is their father.

- Reuben Louis Gabriel, Ph.D., teaches philosophy and history at CNC.

Meet the platinum Pighins

FSENIORS’ SCENE

KATHY NADALIN

rank and Aline Pighin have just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary – also known as a platinum anniversary. Platinum, as a precious metal, is more expensive than gold and its chemical and physical properties make it 10 times rarer than gold. The same can be said about Frank and Aline Pighin. Here is their story as related to me by their granddaughter Shay Jones.

Frank (Ennio Enore Lanfranco) Pighin, one of six children, was born in Udine, Italy in 1928. He completed Grade 3 in Italy when his parents decided to immigrate to Canada. They arrived in Rossland and because Frank did not speak English, he started school in Grade 1.

In 1945, Frank moved to Vancouver Island to work at the Great Central Lake Mill driving a lumber carrier. He said, “I lived in camp and worked night shift. Jobs back then were the way things are supposed to be. Older people taught younger people. You learned on the job.”

Frank didn’t have many hobbies other than taking pictures of everything from boats in the harbour to pretty girls. In 1947, he went for an ice cream at the Island Farms ice cream shop and took two photos of the beautiful waitress.

Two years later, he met her again at a Catholic youth organization event. In June of 1950, Frank married Aline Cecile Marie Theresa Houle.

One of eight children, Aline was born in 1930 in Prud’homme, Sask. shortly after her arrival the family moved to Crystal Springs, Sask.

Her father Joe Houle was the town electrician and ran a small power plant that supplied electricity for the town. He also repaired cars and when he closed the shop for the day, he gave haircuts. He traded four haircuts for a chicken for those that could not afford to pay.

In 1941, when he lost his shop due to a fire, the Houle family moved to Port Alberni.

Aline attended St. Anne Convent in Nanaimo for Grade 9, then went back to Port Alberni to finish high school. She was the first to graduate in her family. She worked at the Island Farms ice cream

Frank and Aline Pighin in their Prince George home.

shop and then part time at Woodward’s. When she got married, she worked full time at Woodward’s in the fabric and patterns department until the children started to arrive and then became a stayat-home mom.

Shortly after they got married, Frank went to work as an electrician like his father-in-law and his four brothers-in-law at the family business of Houle Electric. He worked for two years in Inuvik with a crew wiring 95 per cent of the electrical needs for the new small town. It was tough being away from the family but they managed with the help of Aline’s family. They wrote letters every week to one another; letters that they still have to this day.

In 1965, Frank, Aline and the first seven of their eight children moved to Prince George to work for a branch of Houle Elec-

Citizen staff

tric. In 1967, Frank became the manager and in 1984 became a shareholder of the company until he retired at the age of 66.

They are both long time and involved members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church under the direction of Father Gilbert.

They have coffee every Monday with their long-time friends and travel mates Gerry and Jewell Bates.

They love their neighbors and the neighbors love them. They hold annual block parties and BBQs where Frank does the cooking.

Frank said, “I want to take this opportunity to say I owe my life to our neighbor, Judy, who called 911 and the firemen and paramedics who arrived in time to save my life three years ago. If not for all of them, I would not be here today.”

Frank reflected back and said, “I worked many long hours but I think Aline prob-

The Elder Citizens Recreation Centre in Prince George is opening its doors Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 1 p.m. to offer takeout meals.

Members will be allowed in one at a time at the east entrance.

ably worked the hardest of anyone. She raised our eight children and worked as my secretary for the company until she retired at the age of 60. We went through good times and hard times but we did it.

“We have eight children; Garry (Terrie), Darlene, Bernie (Linda), Bert (Shaan), Wayne (Marilyn), Dean (Lauren), Marty and Janet (Keven) who in turn gave us 39 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. When you sit down and count them all, we have 92 people in our immediate family. When we have a family gathering, they all try to be there and that means the world to both of us.

Aline and Frank concluded by saying, “Love God, your family and your neighbor. Do things to make other people happy and to help them when they need help. The road to a fulfilled life is through cooperation and compromise.”

A menu for the month will be available at the centre. All meals will be $6 and correct change would be appreciated. Some frozen meals will be available, as well as fresh soup and a bun and pie.

SeniorS reSource centre reopenS

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

Don’t come by if you don’t have an appointment.

Knock on the door to get in because it’s locked.

Use the hand sanitizer once you’re in the door and don’t go past the red crowd control barrier because gone are the days of wandering around the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre.

The re-opening protocols are precautionary to protect the most vulnerable population - seniors - from the threat of coronavirus.

The Seniors Resource Centre, 721 Victoria St., is open by appointment only Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Call 250-564-5888 or 250-552-2820 to arrange an appointment.

“We’re seeing each extreme here and this doesn’t just apply to seniors,” LolaDawn Fennell, general manager of the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre, said.

“One is fear and anxiety and people aren’t wanting to go anywhere or see anybody and they’re really seriously anxious. But I’m also seeing the other extreme. Some people are saying ‘well, it’s over now, everything is reopening and it’s back to normal’ and that really frightens me.”

The Seniors Resource Centre staff will err on the side of caution and take their time with the reopening process, Fennell added.

“We know that’s hard because we know that seniors have been isolated and lonely over the last couple of months and some are really excited about us reopening and

having somebody to talk to,” Fennell said.

To keep everyone safe, access won’t be permitted on a drop-in basis for the time being as they abide by WorkSafe BC regulations and the guidelines set out by the provincial health officer.

“This pandemic is still with us and we’ve

continued as did the Friendly Phone Calls program where volunteers at home would call seniors who wanted to chat with a phone friend.

“So we’re here to provide information and resources for those who need them because that’s our biggest role in the community,” Fennell said. “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience. I know it’s been challenging for people to get hold of us but we haven’t had anybody in the office full time.”

Going forward there will be somebody answering phones from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday. There’s no word on when those days and times will be expanded.

“This is a learning process for us, too,” Fennell said.

Currently, each staff member occupies their own office and the front desk volunteer is protected by a clear plastic shield. Everything is washed down on a regular basis and everyone adheres to the COVID19 handwashing protocol.

The new normal means other things may have to be done differently as well so Fennell is asking those interested in being part of a Zoom book club to let her know because that would be something she’s interested in starting.

Email info.pgcos@gmail.com or call to leave a message 250-564-5888.

been lucky in numbers in Prince George but it’s still around and it’s never very far away from us,” Fennell said.

During the closures seen through the first hit of the coronavirus, the Meals on Wheels program of home delivery of healthy meals to vulnerable seniors

More volunteers will be needed to cover the front desk when the Seniors Resource Centre opens full time in the future and anyone interested in volunteering can call and leave a message.

“I don’t know how long we’re going to keep these limited hours,” Fennell said. “We’re just asking everyone to be patient.”

Citizen staff photo

Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager for the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre, demonstrates the new normal when entering the resource centre for an appointment.

Let’s go salmon fishing!

Steve MacNaull Special to The Citizen

The big salmon are biting like crazy off the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

COVID-19 hasn’t changed that.

But what the pandemic did change is how the West Coast sport fishing tourism sector is rebounding after two months of lockdown.

“We’re following all WorkSafeBC and B.C. Ministry of Health guidelines,” says Wade Dayley of Wicked Salmon in Port Hardy a division of Bear Cove Cottages & Sport Fishing.

“We’re using common sense and social distancing on the boats and masks and gloves.”

In the past, the B.C. salmon sport fishing industry attracted a lot of big-spending Americans, who booked into specialized fishing lodges and hired guides up and down the coast.

With coronavirus travel bans lingering, high rollers from the U.S. and elsewhere in the world are out of the equation.

“We’re now promoting salmon fishing as a staycation, a keep-it-local, drivable activity for tourists from B.C. and Alberta,” says Dayley.

“You can also fly into Comox Valley Airport from Calgary and rent a car to drive the three hours and fifteen minutes to Port Hardy.”

All this talk about the sport fishing industry reopening reminds me of when me, my dad and my son went out with Wicked Salmon for an epic three-generation experience.

The bravado hits fever-pitch when my son and I score the fishing double-header.

For the uninitiated, the double-header is the much-hyped, but seldom-seen, phenomena of two fishermen in the boat

having giant Chinook salmon on the line at the same time.

It’s a reel-screaming, arm-numbing good time that elicits laughter, good-natured ribbing, trash talk and old-fashioned competition.

My 28-year-old son, Alex, is the first to

have his rod shudder violently with the hit of a 17-pound Chinook.

The fish takes off, squealing out 30-pound carbon test line.

My encouragement for Alex abruptly ends when a Chinook smashes my line and I have a classic man versus fish battle of my own to take care of.

As we fight the fish in back-and-forth spurts, we berate each other for poor technique and postulate about whose Chinook is bigger.

I claim victory when I get the salmon to the surface first and fishing guide Dayley scoops it up in the net.

Soon after, Alex’s fish is beside the boat and Dayley is ready with the net.

We high-five and Dayley takes a picture of us with our trophy Chinooks.

Uh-oh.

All of a sudden, I feel sorry for my dad, Alex’s grandfather, who’s also in the boat and ended up being a double-header third wheel. After all, this is supposed to be an epic three-generation boys fishing trip out

on the Pacific Ocean.

But the pity doesn’t last long.

My dad already had bragging rights with the biggest fish of the trip, a glistening 21-pounder caught earlier that morning. We all grin and call it a day because we’ve caught our daily limit of two Chinook each.

Our feeling of accomplishment is immense.

But the reality is Dayley did all the work and we claimed all the glory.

But that’s fine with Dayley.

“I never get tired of helping my clients catch fish,” says the tall and bearded man.

“I’m excited everyday for this job.”

Wicked Salmon’s most popular package is a four night stay in one of Bear Cove Cottage’s eight rustic-luxe cabins and three days of fishing.

Price is about $2,500 per person based on all-inclusive, double occupancy and also includes fish frozen and vacuumpacked for you to take home.

Check out WickedSalmon.com.

submitted photo

A three-generation haul - Alex MacNaull, left, his dad, Steve, and his grandpa, Bob, show off their catch of Chinook salmon.

submitted photo

Fishing guide extraordinaire Wade Dayley of Wicked Salmon in Port Hardy.

submitted photo

Wicked Salmon’s Bear Cove Cottages division has eight rustic-luxe ocean-view cabins.

HOURS: Monday-Friday8:30am

In memory of Alexandria Bourke Gladwin

June 19th, 1975December 24th, 2001

Alexa I need you, always I need your help with the boys, always. Guide me please. I need your warmth, always. Your sweet and all consuming, beautiful smile. The laugh that changes days. I love every moment I think of you and despair in every moment you are not here.

God is good and will bring us in eachother’s presence once again. For eternity. You and me Lex, always.

Ava

Gairett MacIver

January 27, 1988June 16, 2007

GAIRETTWE MISS YOU!

Thirteen years have passed since you had to leave us.

We think of you and miss you every day.

Gairett, we will love you forever.

Love Mom, Dad, Joshua, Nana Gair, Don, Uncle Michael and Kelly

CL ASSIF IEDS

Alexandria Bourke Gladwin

June 19, 1974December 24, 2001

Forever in our Hearts Always with us too. We Love You Dad and Mom Mommy, You’re so missed. Love you each and everyday. Ben and Brett

NORBECK, JOAN

2x42.0

R0011820549

In Loving Memory of Leslie Dawn Norbeck Jan. 17, 1969 - June 22, 1986

Reaching out, Leslie –reaching out to you...

To forever and for forever –

In Loving Memory of Paul Eric Buehler

Your memories are my keepsake, From which I will never part, God has you in his keeping, But I have you in my heart.

Encircling you with love and holding you – holding you Forever and ever –

Ever so close – oh so close

To what’s left of my aching heart...

Missing you, dear precious daughter beautiful sister, more than words can ever say, Love always and forever, Mom and Dana

R0011820549

Bernice Umpherville

Bernice Umpherville born August 4th 1940 Green Lake SK, passed away June 8th, 2020 in Prince George, BC at the age of 79. Survived by daughter Jackie Umpherville and 2 sons, Marty Umpherville and Ron Umpherville, 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren predeceased by George Blain and Donald Umpherville. No service by request

Edgar Hinz

Edgar Hinz, born June 1935, passed away May 30, 2020. Predeceased by parents Albert & Mary Hinz, wife Toots, and brothers Robert & Freddy. Survived by daughter Susan (Tom) Burkitt, grandsons Robert & Michael, brothers Otto & Art, sisters Frieda, Hilda & Dorothy, as well as numerous other family. No services planned at this time. If desired, donations may be made in Ed’s name to St. Paul’s Heart Centre (Vancouver, BC) or Vernon Jubilee Hospital (Vernon BC).

REMEMBRANCES

SCHREINER, Ilse

September 17, 1941 –June 3, 2020

With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Ilse Schreiner on June 3, 2020 in Kelowna, BC. She is survived by her husband, Jim; their daughter Michelle (Guy) and son Stefan; her brother Hugo (Usula) and sister Clara; her nieces and nephews; and her many friends from around the world. Ilse lived in Prince George from 1960 to 1997 and was very fond of the area and of that time. For more about Ilse’s life or to send the family condolences please visit www.springfieldfuneralhome.com.

Celebration of Life for Bob Sigurdson (John Robert)

Bob passed away on Oct 26, 2019 and we want to invite you to Celebrate with us on Facebook. Here we are sharing memories with his family and friends near and far. Survived by wife Alice, children Brian (Cindy), Kim (Quinn) Todd (Diane) The Gran Clan Ryan (Tawnie), Jamie, Isabella, Norman, Great Gran Clan Brendon, Kaleb and Owen. Join Facebook Group Search Celebration of life Bob Sigurdson. Eulogy 11am June 20th

It is with great sadness that the family of Kuldip Singh Kingra announces his passing on Monday June 8, 2020 at the age of 60. Kuldip will lovingly be remembered by his children Christina (Colby) and Reena (Kyle), Shalini (Rajesh) and Nalini; his grandchildren Kaydence, Theo, Shyana and Reshon; and his sister Surendar. He is predeceased by his father Mewa Singh Kingra and mother Nasib Kaur Kingra. He will also be dearly missed by his extended family and friends.

Funeral services will held on Wednesday, June 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Prince George Funeral Service, 1014 Douglas Street, Prince George B.C.

Lorraine Joan Fraser (Lestage)

With heavy hearts we mourn the loss of Lorraine Joan Fraser (Lestage) March 12, 1943 - April 26, 2020. Lorraine passed away quietly at Rainbow Lodge on April 26. Lorraine was a gentle, loving daughter, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother; she will be missed. Lorraine will always be remembered for her big, beautiful smile, her love of family, reading and crossword puzzles. Lorraine lived most of her life in Prince George where she raised her two children, Renata and Stephen, and two of her grandchildren, Chantelle and Ryan. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim, and by 9 brothers and sisters. Special thanks to the staff at Rainbow Lodge for their attentiveness and loving care. What a coffee party the Lestage girls will be having in heaven!

Kuldip Singh Kingra

Training

Reg Hotvedt

March 26, 1928May 16, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Reg Hotvedt ( Reginald Erling) on May 16, 2020. He is predeceased by his wife Margaret (Peggy) Hotvedt. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Hotvedt (Zoltan Nagy) step children Laurie Larson, Peter Larson ( Gloria), Stacy Larson, Maureen Innes ( Barry), 9 grandchildren and 12 great grand children, sister Blanche, Tina, Helga and brother Ernest.

Reg and Peggy were long time and active members of the Pineview community, and will be missed by all that knew them. There will be a Celebration of Life May22nd, 2021 at Pineview Hall in Prince George, BC.

Gerald William Annis

January 6, 1931June 5, 2020

With heavy, heavy hearts we announce that Dad passed away suddenly in his sleep on June 5, 2020 at Riverbend Manor. His home for the last 7 Ω months. Dad was predeceased by his wife Rhoda, his parents Ethel & John, his sister Shirley & brother Bob. He leaves behind to grieve his passing, his sons Keith (Jaye) & Lyle, his daughter Lynell Dondale (Ron), his grandchildren Ashley (Jeff), Nick (Lindsey), Cameron (Chelsea), & Alex (Taylor), his great-grandchildren Ryder, Abby, Annika, & Ashley’s baby due in September 2020, his brothers Bruce (Vivian), Roger (Shari), & Lloyd & his sister Jean, several nieces, nephews, cousins & friends. A viewing will be held Thursday, June 11, 2020 at Assman’s Funeral Chapel from 6:30pm-8:30pm. There will be a graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery, Prince George, on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 10:00am. We will be gathering afterward at Keith’s house 621 Zelkwas Avenue for a tea.

TENNESSY, Anthony (Tony) Arthur

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Tony, as he will be dearly missed. Born June 3rd, 1947 in Nanaimo, BC and passed away June 11th, 2020 in Burnaby. Predeceased by his Father and Mother, Tony and Rena. Survived by sister Charleen (Jack) Wiley, brothers Timothy and Michael, nephews; Blair (Jeanette) Tennessy and their children Linden and Bryn, Trevor (Sarah) Tennessy and their children Mickey, Meadow and Daisy, niece Joanna (Dan) Stokes and their children Kali, Parker and Lila, former spouse Carol and his many friends. Tony was a long time member of the I.U.O.E. Local 115, starting as a Crane Operator and later working in various positions for many years, eventually being elected and serving on the Executive Board. After his distinguished career, he retired in 2002. Tony would go on to spend his time golfing and escaping the Canadian winters down in California.

We are heartbroken to have to share with you that Bill Bond passed away on June 6th, 2020 in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Bill was facing numerous health issues impacting his heart, kidneys and ultimately he experienced a massive left brain stroke that took his life. We couldn’t be more proud of the strength and courage that Billy demonstrated throughout his very painful journey. Bill is survived by his loving wife and life partner Shirley Bond, his son Chris Bond (Cristina), his two beloved grandsons Caleb and Cooper and his daughter Melissa Robertson (Trevor). Billy was blessed to be supported by his brother Pat Bond (Bernadette) and sisters Julia Roberge (Bert) and Cathy Bond Dofka as well as being Uncle Billy to many nieces and nephews. Bill loved his family and friends and was so proud to call Prince George home. He was a fan of hockey, all things coconut and spending as much time as possible with his family, especially his grandsons. Billy was laid to rest in the Prince George Memorial Park Cemetery and because of restrictions related to COVID-19 a Celebration of Life will be held when appropriate. Our family is grateful to the medical teams at UHNBC and St. Paul’s Hospital for their care. The Bill Bond Memorial Fund has been set up with the Prince George Community Foundation. The fund will generate revenue to purchase Automated External Defibrillators to place in public places in our community, something Bill was very passionate about. Donations can be made at the PGCF, 770 Brunswick Street, Prince George, BC, V2L 2C2, by phone at 778-281-1372 or by visiting www.pgcf.ca.

Bill will be deeply missed, but forever loved. Billy, we love you to the moon and back!

Bill Bond

Motorcycles

SUZUKI

CR450R

2006

Motorcycles

2005

RVs/Campers/Trailers

or 250-640-1858

21’ 2012 WILDWOOD Trlr, arctic pkg, elec. awning, $15,000. 250596-4590 / 250-612-9548

2017 WolfCreek 8’ camper, new never used. lots of extras (250)552-8657

2011 34’ Cougar 5th wheel. three slides. As new cond. $45,300. Call 250-964-9248

1988 Vanguard 5th Wheel - new battery & brakes. Ready to go $3000.00 (250)564-5290

Sports

&

Imports

2006 HONDA Civic. $8000. 178,000 kms, standard, silver. Great cond. 250-301-3881

Sports Utilities & 4X4s

2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. Fully loaded, mint cond, 85,000 kms. Must sell. Leaving the country. $28,500. 250-567-1118

2007

2012 RAM 1500 4X4 short box, loaded, maroon.

Sale

Apartments/Condos for Rent

1

160 Acres, 72 miles East Prince George, all weather road access year around, mixed timber, 250 feet from river frontage, creek flows through property. Electricity and phone. 250-564-4684

Compost

Furnished Apartments

How to grow fresh herbs indoors

Fresh herbs can make a mediocre meal mouth-watering. To ensure you have them on hand at all times, why not grow them right in your kitchen? Here’s what you should know about growing herbs indoors.

GETTING STARTED

Growing an indoor herb garden will require nutrient-rich soil, pots with good drainage and a sunny window. Generally, herbs need a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day to thrive. If you don’t have a space that can provide this amount of natural light every day, consider getting an LED grow light instead.

CHOOSING YOUR HERBS

You can grow your herbs from seed or purchase seedlings from a garden centre

or nursery. If you buy young plants, choose ones with shiny leaves and strong stems. Some herbs that do well on a windowsill include:

• Basil

• Rosemary

• Parsley

• Chives

• Oregano

• Thyme

• Mint

TAKING CARE OF YOUR HERBS

Herbs should be watered regularly but not overwatered. You’ll know it’s time to water them when the top layer of soil is just starting to dry out, but the deeper layers are still damp. Plants in smaller pots need to be watered more often.

Additionally, regularly feed your herbs nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage strong leaf growth. To remove salt residue caused by fertilizing, flush the plants once a month by holding their pots over the sink and running water over them until it flows from the bottom of the pot.

To keep your herbs in great shape, harvest the leaves regularly. To do this, simply pinch off the topmost ones as you need them. Just be sure not to pick the big lowermost leaves that provide plants with a sturdy base. Regular harvesting will ensure your plants thrive.

How to organize your bookshelves

If you’re an avid reader, you might have more books than you know what to do with. Here are a few ways you can organize your bookshelves.

• Alphabetically. In bookstores and libraries, books are organized alphabetically by author. You can use this system at home or instead alphabetize your volumes by title. Choose whichever method makes it easiest for you to find the book you’re looking for.

• By genre. Another common way to organize books is by category. Some genres you’re probably familiar with are fiction, biography, history, poetry and travel. But don’t be shy to use more atypical classifications such as urban fantasy, true crime or French cooking.

• By cover. If you want bookshelves that are visually striking, try grouping all your books by colour. Similarly, you can wrap all your books in one type of paper, or place the spines towards the back so that the pages are facing you.

STYLE YOUR SHELVES

In addition to classifying your books, use these ideas to make your bookshelves a key part of your decor.

• Place items like photographs, houseplants and knick-knacks around your books to show off your personal style.

• Paint the insides of your bookshelves an interesting colour or cover them with wallpaper. Combining this with books organized by their covers would really make a statement.

• Stack a few books on their side. This adds visual interest and the stacks can function as bookends for the other volumes.

There’s no one right way to organize your bookshelves, as long as you like the effect. Just don’t forget to leave some space for new volumes.

Green: the hottest design colour

Both classic and unexpected, green has quickly become the colour du jour. From jewel-bright emerald to calming sage, there’s a green for every room and style.

Forest green walls set a solemn tone in an office or reading nook. If a full coat of paint is too much of a commitment, you can integrate this dark colour in subtler ways. Opt for it on a lamp, area rug or curtains.

Emerald green will brighten up a small bathroom or add interest to a utilitarian space like a laundry room. In a kitchen, glossy green cabinets are a refreshing change from white. In a living room or den, a mid-century style sofa in this jewel-tone would be a great focal point.

Sage green is relaxing and calm, and would be ideal for a nursery or child’s bedroom.

Kelly green is vibrant and exciting. Consider painting your chairs and table this hue to add a touch of whimsy to your dining room.

Green is very versatile and can work in almost any room. To keep the look fresh and modern, pair it with cool neutrals, and avoid combining it with warm colours like yellow or burgundy.

Things to consider before building a firepit in your backyard

A firepit can make your backyard a welcoming place for people to gather and allows you to take advantage of your outdoor living space well into the evening. Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about installing one on your property.

WHERE YOU’LL PUT IT

Firepits should be kept at a minimum of ten feet away from anything flammable. Rethink your plans if your yard doesn’t allow you to provide this kind of clearance.

THE FUEL YOU’LL USE

Most people think of wood when it comes to firepits, but there are other options available. You can choose to have it run on propane, natural gas or ethanol fuel.

WHAT STYLE YOU WANT

Firepits come in many different styles. You can select a traditional ring of stones, a rustic brick fireplace or a modern piece that doubles as a coffee table.

BACKYARD FIRE-SAFETY TIPS

• Never build a fire outside of your firepit’s enclosure

• Clear the area of flammable materials before lighting a fire

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby

• Don’t put garbage or garden waste into the fire

• Never leave a fire unattended

• Make sure the fire is completely extin guished before going inside

• In the case of a wood-burning firepit, allow ashes to cool completely before safely discarding them

Before you purchase or build a firepit, be sure to check your municipal bylaws. Some cities have strict rules concerning backyard fires, and you don’t want to spend time and money building a firepit only to find out you’re not allowed to use it.

Scandicraft: the new Nordic design trend

Do you appreciate the clean lines of Scandinavian furniture but also love unique, handcrafted decor? Combine the two esthetics with scandicraft style. This new design trend has all the minimalism of typical Nordic design but leaves room for the unique pieces you’re drawn to.

A scandicraft home is welcoming and makes judicious use of artisanal pieces that are both beautiful and functional. Furniture frequently plays double duty by offering storage space. Accessories like throw pillows and throws are soft and comforting.

Less monochromatic than other Nordic styles, scandicraft welcomes the use of pastels and jewel tones to create a space that you’ll love to come home to. Scandicraft combines clean lines with eccentric, handmade pieces. Show off your personality with a mobile made from salvaged wood or go bohemian with a rattan headboard.

Natural light is very important in Scandinavian design, and this school of decorating is no different. Big windows with little covering are a priority.

Scandicraft also embraces nature, so choose pieces made from natural materials like wood, leather and wool. Hanging plants will complete the look.

What’s old is new again with scandicraft, so combine your flea market treasures with clean and functional Nordic furniture to create a home that’s truly unique.

7 tips for keeping your home cool without an air conditioner

During the hottest days of summer, it can be difficult to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Here are seven tips to stay cool without an air conditioner.

1. Keep sunlight out. Close your blinds and curtains during the day to prevent the sun’s rays from heating up your home.

2. Circulate the air. Set up a network of fans to keep the air in your home moving. You can also make a DIY air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice or an ice pack in front of your fans to create an icy breeze.

3. Open your windows at night. Open your windows when the sun goes down to let the cooler evening air in.

4. Use a dehumidifier. Humidity can make your house uncomfortably warm. Run a dehumidifier to evaporate the water in the air.

5. Cook outdoors. Using the stove or oven will make your home even hotter. Instead, cook your meals on the barbecue.

6. Use appliances wisely. Wait until the sun goes down to run your dishwasher, and hang dry your clothes in the sun. Being careful about how you use appliances will prevent you from adding more heat into your home.

7. Use your exhaust fans. Turn on your bathroom and kitchen fans to draw hot and steamy air out of the house.

In addition to keeping your home cool, you may also want to wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes, drink lots of cold beverages and avoid physical activity during the hottest parts of the day.