Prince George Citizen October 1, 2020

PRINCE GEORGE

No reasons given for city manager’s exit

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

The reasoning behind the mutual decision between city manager Kathleen Soltis and city council that led her stepping down from her position on Friday remains a mystery.

Mayor Lyn Hall said he’s not able to shed light on what went on in the meetings last week at city hall, which marked the end of Soltis’s 34-year career as a city employee. Council also remained quiet about what prompted her departure.

“It was a very short time frame and I can only say so much, labour relations are conducted in a closed session,” said Mayor Lyn Hall. “The mutual decision was made (Friday) and we got the news release out to everybody and out to our city employees.”

He said the move was not directly connected with the COVID crisis, which has plunged the city into a deficit situation, facing a $5-6 million gap in funding.

“The pandemic had caused a great deal of stress in the community, across the country, around the world, but no. We’ve had numerous meetings to discuss COVID and where we’re at and now staff will prepare for the second wave,” Hall said.

The Citizen reached out to all seven council members for comment but none of those who responded to calls offered details on what led to Soltis leaving her position.

“I just don’t think it’s appropriate that I respond,” said Coun. Frank Everitt.

“I can’t comment on it at all,” said Coun. Cori Ramsay. “I get that people are going to

Kathleen Soltis speaks at a public information session at the Civic Centre in September 2019 about the health and housing project that has been identified for First Avenue at the current location of NR Motors.

have questions but I just don’t want to get into any trouble and say the wrong thing.”

Coun. Susan Scott worked alongside Soltis in the 5 1/2 years she was city manager and while she did not always agree with her decisions she said Soltis fulfilled her duties well as a city employee.

“Kathleen’s contribution to the city will

be thought long and hard and well of for a very long time,” said Scott. “It was a mutual decision and we all wish her well.”

Knowing the deficit situation the city faces, Scott said council will have to be prepared to make some tough decisions in the coming months.

When Kathleen Soltis became city manager at the City of Prince George in March 2015, she was the right person at the right time.

A 29-year city employee, the past 17 years as the city’s financial director, from a pioneer family that had come to the area before Prince George was even incorporated, she was just what local government and a brand-new mayor – Lyn Hall - needed to calm the waters after the difficult tenure of Mayor Shari Green and city manager Beth James. Yet by February 2017, power was being consolidated in the bureaucracy, with mayor and council signing off on new policy that would allow city officials to make all purchases without political oversight, so long as those expenditures lined up with council’s overall financial plan.

The beginning of the end for Soltis as city manager should have been the revelation, which didn’t come out until the summer of 2018, that she had restructured the senior management team, expanding it and giving everyone new job titles for doing pretty much the same work as before but with handsome pay raises.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

WHAT:

COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF ZONING AMENDMENT APPLICATION

City Council consideration of application regarding:

•Proposed amendment to “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007”

WHEN:

6:00 p.m., Monday, October 5, 2020

WHERE:

Council Chamber sofCity Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC PROPOSAL:

1. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9145, 2020”

Applicant: Elisabeth Pope for A-Tech Performance Transmissions Ltd., Inc. No. BC0679104

Subject Proper ty: 473 3rd Avenue

BylawNo. 9145, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject proper ty from M1: Light Industrial to M4: Transition Industrial. The pur pose of this application is to facilitate a mix of light industrial and office uses on the subject proper ty,orother uses, pur suant to the proposed M4: Transition Industrial zoning designation(s).

The proposed Bylawapplies to the proper ty legally described as Parcel A(Plan 30868), Block 141, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #1 below

Location Map #1 473 3rd Avenue

HOWCAN IPROVIDE COMMENT?

Residents are invited to provide comment in writing

Pur suant to Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act,City Council has waived the requirements for Public Hearing to be held respecting the proposed Zoning Amendment BylawNo. 9145, 2020 during the regular Council meeting held on Monday, September 14, 2020.

Accordingly,noPublic Hearing will be held for : •City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9145, 2020”

Residents are encouraged to provide written comments to Council to be included in the Council meeting agenda package and available for public viewing on the City’s website. Forsubmissions to be included on the agenda for Council’sreviewinadvance of the meeting date, theymust be received by Cor porate Officer no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2020.Submissions received after the noted deadline and before 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2020,will be provided to Council on the dayof the meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.

Submissions maybesent by email to citycler k@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250) 561-0183, mailed or delivered to the address noted below

Please note that written submissions for all applications will for mpar tofthe Council agenda, become public record and are posted on the City’swebsite. By making a written submission you are consenting to the disclosure of anyper sonal infor mation that you provide.

Authority

Personal infor mation is collected under the authority of section 26(g) and disclosed under the authority of section 33.1(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Forinfor mation or questions, contact the City’sFIPPACoordinator at 250-561-7600 or 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Acopyofthe proposed Bylawand anyrelated documents will be available for reviewbythe public on the City’swebsite www.princegeorge.ca under ‘News and Notices’ beginning September 23, 2020. These documents mayalso be reviewedat Development Ser vices on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on September 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, October 1, 2and 5, 2020,between the hour sof 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHO CAN ISPEAK TO?

Formore infor mation, please contact Development Ser vices in per son, by telephone at (250) 561-7611 or by email to devser v@princegeorge.ca.

Makeadifference in your community!

The City is seeking the exper tise of residents interested in ser ving on the Prince George Public Librar yBoard.

The Board meets monthly and is responsible for providing librar yser vices and programs in Prince George. Their wor kincludes the creation of policies, establishing goals and objectives of the librar y, and advocating for the librar yinthe greater community

The City is accepting applications to fill the following positions:

•F ive (5) vacancies for atwo-year ter mending December 31, 2022.

Involvement with council committees, commissions, and boards provides residents the oppor tunity to contribute to the growth and development of our municipality and to provide input on impor tant civic issues.

All applicants to the Prince George Public Librar yBoard are required to undergo a Criminal Records Check. Infor mation on the Librar yBoard, application for ms and details on the application process and Criminal Record Checks are available on the City’swebsite or maybepicked up from the Legislative Ser vices Division, 5th Floor City Hall.

Deadline for Applications: 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2020

Applications maybecompleted and submitted online (https://www.princegeorge.ca/ committees), delivered to the Legislative Ser vices Division, 5th Floor City Hall, at the address below,emailed to citycler k@princegeorge.ca, or faxed to (250) 561-0183.

Forany questions or to have an application for mmailed to you, please contact the Legislative Ser vices Division at (250) 561-7655 or citycler k@princegeorge.ca.

COVID RULES HAMPER SMALL BUSINESS FAIR

TED CLARKE

Citizen staff

Danika Robson knew the rules for vendors and customers attending the Small Business Fair at the Roll-A-Dome would be different than they were in pre-pandemic times.

She just wishes the same COVID-19 rules that govern food stores in the province also applied to business and craft fairs to avoid the bottlenecks that kept long lines of potential customers for her whole food products shivering in the rain and cold outside the building on Sunday.

Provincial health limits on crowd sizes meant fair organizers had to restrict the number of people in the building at any one time to just 50. Once that limit was reached the entrance door was locked. Those who were not part of that 50-person group were forced to wait another two hours while vendors observed a mandatory one-hour cleaning time period that followed each one-hour slot when the building was open to customers.

“I kind of expected when they announced there would only be 50 people allowed it would be slow, but this is slower than I thought,” said Robson, who drove in from her home in Williams Lake to set up her vendor’s table.

For Robson, it was the first time she’s sold her goods at the fair, which she originally signed up for in January.

“If they change the policies I probably would come back,” she said. “I’m just glad it wasn’t a waste of money. I think (the vendor fee) was $60 or $70. I was supposed to go to one in Vancouver in March and that was $700 and they’re not giving any refunds, they’re just deferring.”

Jamie McDonald, a sales representative for C.T.S. Consultants, was there to try to interest people in registered education savings plans (RESP) to encourage families to save for their children’s education and take advantage of government grants to help pay the cost of post-secondary school.

McDonald said it’s been difficult during the pandemic to market RESPs and try to explain to people how they work. She thought the small business fair would

Andrea Wood, owner of Mama Crochet Co., has been busy preparing for the fall and Christmas craft season making baby clothes. Wood was one of the vendors in Sunday’s Small Business Fair at the Roll-A-Dome.

provide that exposure until she saw how restrictive the COVID rules are for vendors and people shopping for goods and services.

“We use these shows a lot to get in front of people and this is a disaster right now,” said McDonald. “No one’s touching anything anyway. It’s ridiculous. Look at Costco. It should be way busier.

“There are so many people who came and left (without getting in) and probably won’t be back and that’s a huge hit. For everybody here that has local businesses that are making things with their time and money, that’s really unfortunate.”

The fair has been attracting crowds to the Roll-A-Dome since 2015 and is usually held four times per year, in March, July, September and December. The COVID

crisis canceled the spring and summer fair and organizers learned about a month ago they had the OK from Northern Health Authority to put on the traditional fall fair. But with strict limits on physical distancing being enforced, just 49 of the 84 vendors the fair usually attracts were there on Sunday.

“Everyone’s concerned that we’re sending people away, but it’s the guidelines,” said Small Business Fair organizer Bonnie Kerr. “They are limiting you to 50 people per event so we had to break it into minievents. There’s an order in there that the events have to be separated by an hour for deep-cleaning without patrons in the building, so we had to do it.

“We’re appreciative that they worked with us and said we could have it but it’s

Final election results could take weeks

Glacier Media

It’s election night, October 24, and major news networks are announcing that John Horgan’s NDP appears to have won a plurality of seats, but not enough for a majority government.

Weeks later, after all mail-in ballots are all counted, Elections BC announces the NDP managed to secure a majority of seats. That is just one of the possible scenarios that could play out for the October 24 election, due to the pandemic.

It is expected that fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus, especially among older voters, will result in a record number of people staying home and voting by mail. In the past, only about one per cent of B.C. voters cast their vote by mail. But based on surveys, Elections BC says voting by mail could be as high as 35 to 40 per cent

-- about 800,000 voters.

Mail-in votes must be received by 8 p.m. on October 24, which means they need to be in the mail well before that date.

Elections BC doesn’t even start tallying mail-in ballots until after a 13-day wait period. A major increase in voting by mail could mean a longer delay in getting a final count. Elections BC has no idea how many weeks it could take before there is a final count. It typically takes a minimum of 17 days for a final count.

“The counting thing, I think, is something that we should be prepared for, as opposed to this urgent expectation that we be able to call it on election night,” said Gerald Baier, political science porofessor at the University of BC. “I think we need to be ready for the possibiluity that we need a couple of weeks to know for sure.”

Baier added that there is a concern

frustrating. Maybe the province will come out with more detailed guidelines that are a little better, especially when the big-box stores don’t have to follow those guidelines, they’re letting way more people in. We’ll see how Christmas unfolds for all the crafters.”

Nicole Mercier had a prime spot on the Roll-A-Dome floor facing the entranceway to sell her baked bread, cookies and churros for her home-based business, Rubi Sweets. She just started her business this year and thought the fair would provide a kickstart, an alternative to marketing her products on Facebook. Despite the customer limits, she was hopeful her tables would be empty by the end of the day.

Heather Girroir has had great success in the past at the fair selling her Epicure spices and takes time away from her full-time job at Delano’s restaurant to participate in the fair four times a year.

“I work on Sundays so it has to be worth it to take a day off,” Girroir said. “We had a lot of restrictions but we had our first 50 through and we’ve done OK. My product sells for cheap so it’s usually easy to get the sales. Some of the dips are still the best-sellers.”

Andrea Wood brought her crochet needles and yarn to pass the time productively during the fair’s designated cleaning hours. She works as a photographer of newborn babies and has a baby clothes business on the side, Mama Crochet Co., which sells crocheted baby booties, hats and sweaters. The mother of six expected business would pick up before the 5 p.m. closing time.

“People are sleeping in and going to church, but this day will be different because they’re only allowing so many people in,” said Wood. “At least people are able to get back out and do something.

“I’ve been crocheting since I was a kid but I started this 11 years ago making hats for my own kids and it just kind of evolved. I just decided, with COVID and everything, to pick it back up because I’m a photographer full-time and that kind of slowed down. This started as a side thing for my own children and I just started making props for my business.”

about restrictions on campaigning.

In small rural communities, especially those that may not have local newspapers, local all-candidates meetings are an important part of the election process. If those meetings can’t be held, due to physical distancing constraints, voters may find it harder to inform themselves on the positions and policies of the parties and candidates.

“One of the few opportunities in smaller communities are all-candidates meetings,” Baier said. “The opportunities to actually get out to see and compare the candidates in one of those packed town halls or arenas, if that’s missing from this election, it could be really weird to some of the dynamic at the local level.”

For those who decide to vote in person, enhanced cleaning and other special measures will be in place.

There may be fewer scrutineers allowed in voting halls. Voters will not sign voter registration books, but will affirm their identity verbally.

Voters are asked to wear masks, but they will not be required. They will be asked to sanitize their hands before and after voting, and are asked to bring their own pencils for marking ballots.

An additional day of advance voting is being added, providing seven days of advance voting, from October 15 to 21.

Voters who vote in person are asked to vote at their assigned voting hall, but it’s not required – they can vote at any voter hall. There will be capacity limits in voting halls, so there could be long lines outside of polling places.

To request a mail-in ballot, visit Elections BC online (elections.bc.ca) or call 1-800-6618683.

NELSON BENNETT

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTOS

Taxi ruling appealed

Citizen staff

Emerald Taxi is appealing a B.C. Employment Standards Branch decision awarding a former driver more than $19,000 in unpaid wages.

Company president Balraj Bhangoo said that any wages owed to Lloyd Pedersen should be paid by Rajender Parmer who owns the car Pederson was driving, not Emerald which only provided dispatching service in that case. Whether Pedersen is actually owed any money is also in dispute, Bhangoo said.

He said Emerald has until Oct. 5 to complete its submission for an appeal.

In a decision issued in August, an ESB delegate found Pedersen had been working for less than minimum wage and was shortchanged on pay for vacations and statutory holidays. Drivers receive 45 per cent of the fares they take in but Pedersen maintained there were times he worked for as little as $8 an hour because he was not being assigned trips.

Bhangoo said the $3,070 in pay the ESB awarded to six other employees is not being disputed and attributed the misstep to clerical error related to the increase in minimum wage in June.

Emerald was also hit with $5,000 in fines.

CROSSWALK WHERE PEDESTRIAN WAS HIT GETTING UPGRADE

Citizen staff

Work has begun on upgrading a crosswalk in the Heritage neighbourhood that was the scene of a horrific accident this summer.

In June, a teenager was sent flying when he was hit by a car as he stepped onto Ospika Boulevard at First Avenue. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

On Sept. 24, city workers started the job of installing a set of flashing lights at the corner that pedestrians can activate to alert drivers before crossing the road. The project is scheduled to be completed by early next month and are part of

a larger campaign to upgrade crossings around the city.

Earlier this month, a similar system was installed at the crosswalk on Ospika Boulevard at Davis Road. As well, an all-new crosswalk across Massey Drive near Coyle Street and Foot Street by Ginter’s Meadow was installed earlier this year. The projects were among those recommended in the city’s pedestrian crossing strategy.

Out of the 202 crosswalks evaluated by the City, 43 local crossings were recommended for upgrade or installation - 26 upgrades to existing crosswalks and 17 new crosswalks.

Up to $150 in ?

Hop to it!

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sightings of a mother with four cubs roaming the Hart is a sign that bears are obtaining an “unnatural amount of calories” from sources like unsecured garbage containers, B.C. Conservation Officer Sgt. Steve Ackles says.

He said a sow living in the wilderness will typically give birth to two cubs but the number will rise as the amount of food they can easily obtain goes up.

“We have bears that are actually born in city limits and they have access to garbage where they don’t have to go out and graze and actually have to work for their food,” Ackles said, noting that several sows with three cubs in tow have been seen.

He said the black bear sow with four cubs has not posed any threat so far “but she will if people don’t do the right thing.”

As of Monday, 36 bears have been euthanized in Prince George, nearly double the 20 killed in 2019. The count has left Ackles frustrated and pointing his finger at the city’s human population for the jump.

“People in Prince George just don’t get it,” he said. “They don’t care that bears are being destroyed because people won’t clean up their garbage and secure it. It’s pathetic, it really is pathetic. My staff have been running at 120 per cent for the past month and half and we’ve been writing tickets, we’ve been doing the education. It’s so frustrating in this day and age.”

Ackles provided his comments the same morning he had to put down a bear in the Hart that had been tearing into a shed.

“I hate doing it and where I picked the bear up from, the people are going ‘well, you know, these bears don’t belong here.’ Well, they wouldn’t be here if you people managed your attractants,” he said.

Northern Bear Awareness president Dave Bakker said he’s noticed sharp comments on social media about scofflaws who have failed to take steps to keep bears at bay.

“A lot of people are frustrated and they’re frustrated with people in their neighbourhoods,” Bakker said.

On the sow with four cubs, Bakker, who lives in the Hart, said he has come across the brood a few times. “I actually haven’t seen any threatening postures out of her and most of the times I’ve met her, it’s been in the evening,” he said.

Citing a study carried out in Colorado a few years ago, he said bears living in urban areas have higher reproductive rates but are also subject to higher death rates.

“Bears getting hit by cars, being killed by conservation officers because of safety reasons and what not,” he said. “But we’re contributing to our own problem by allowing them to get into these unnatural food sources.”

According to numbers presented to city council in April 2019, 70 per cent of calls to the conservation officer service are due to bears getting into garbage and further nine to 12 per cent involves bears being drawn into yards by fruit trees.

Steps such as making sure garbage containers are stored in areas bears can’t reach should be followed from April to November, “and even sometimes November isn’t good enough,” Bakker said.

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Prince George RCMP members remain hopeful they will solve the mystery surrounding a man who went missing more than eight years ago.

Barry Blain Seymour, 32, was reported missing on May 26, 2012.

The resident of Fort Ware had traveled to Prince George with family members to attend his son’s wedding.

He opted to stay in the city for a few more days and was staying in a local motel.

GROUP SEEKS TRAIL PLAN APPROVAL Unsolved case still on police radar

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Doug Beckett is keeping his fingers crossed as a long-sought goal of establishing a trail system around Lost Lake on the western edge of Beaverly is coming down to the short strokes.

On behalf of the Beaverly Community Association, Beckett has been the lead on the proposal for 8-9 kilometres of paths for walking, horse riding, cross-country skiing and showshoeing as well as a portion suitable for wheelchairs.

The culmination of more than 10 years of discussions and planning, it was up for public comment on provincial government’s Crown Lands website. The deadline for comment was Thursday and from there, it is to be a further 120 days for government officials to decide whether it’s a go.

“I’m confident that we’ve had a lot of broad-based community input into the design and I’m confident that we are going to get a lot of favourable response but it’s also nerve wracking because you just don’t know whether everything you’ve done got input from all segments of society and if you’ve missed something,” Beckett said.

The system as proposed is spread over about 130 hectares (325 acres) of Crown

land around a “little lake that the community has called Lost Lake for eons,” and a series of three wetlands that feed into the lake.

Beckett said it’s home to a vast variety of trees, shrubs and plants as well as nesting sand hill cranes, bears, moose and, off and on, beaver, along with an “explosion of toads every summer.”

“And if you’re on the western edge of it, along the high ridge, you overlook the Chilako River valley and it’s just spectacular, especially when the fall colours come along which is going to be occurring very soon,” Beckett said.

“It is so pleasant and relaxing looking out at the gold of the leaves and seeing the little farms nestled in.”

As a matter of disclosure, he said his home sits immediately across from one of the three entry points proposed in the plan and his property will probably go up in value if the plan becomes reality.

“But that’s not what’s motivating me. It’s maintaining wildlife habitat,” he said. “We have bears wandering out from Lost Lake onto our property, moose and deer, fox and we have a ravine on the far corner of our property and so they go through our property to get to the ravine and we want to

continue that wildlife movement.”

The trail routes were designed with help from students in the University of Northern British Columbia outdoor recreation and tourism management program and Industrial Forest Service Ltd., which provided the software to map the system.

Challenges included figuring out how to lay a trail over an undulating landscape around the lake and beaver ponds while also staying away from nearby private property and keeping the slopes low enough for cross country skiing and use by wheelchair.

“That took an awful lot of designing with the engineering software to make access down to Lost Lake, which it runs along, workable and then to make the distances as long as possible so that it wasn’t just a short, stubby little trail,” Beckett said.

Approval pending, Beckett said the work will be carried out by volunteers while also going to different funding sources to pay for the materials.

“We’ll need to put substrate down on the trails,” he said. “We’ll do the low spots initially but over the years the whole trail surface will get substrate on it because it’s thin duft on clay and whenever it gets a little bit wet, you get significant damage. Even walking on trails causes damage.”

He was last seen on Wednesday, May 23, near the Sunrise Trailer Park on Lansdowne Road.

A search for Seymour was carried out by air and boat along the Fraser River between Prince George and Quesnel and by Prince George Search and Rescue volunteers and an RCMP dog and handler along the ground.

While the detachment’s serious crimes section has been handling the investigation, police said there is no evidence Seymour was a victim of foul play.

“Like all our missing person investigations, we would all like to locate Barry and determine what happened to him,” Cpl. Craig Douglass said last Wednesday.

“We continue to have hope that he will be found and that someone will come forward with information that will further the investigation,” he added.

Seymour is described as Indigenous, 170 cm (5’7) tall and weighing 79 kg (174 lbs) with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone that may have seen Seymour or knows where he might be located, is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only).

Citizen staff

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

SWEET, SOOTHING TONES Simon Cole playes clarinet, left, while Erica Skowron plays oboe during a performance of Franz Lachner’s Nonet in F Major on Sunday afternoon at the Prestige Treasure Cove Resort Ballroom during the Prince George Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Autumn Revival 1.

GUN SHOP OWNER CHALLENGES FIREARMS BAN

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Prince George gun shop owner is seeking a judicial review of the federal government’s most-recent round of firearm bans.

Cassandra Parker, who operates K.K.S. Tactical Supplies along with her husband, Dave, says an order in council federal cabinet issued May 1 left her stranded with about $75,000 worth of inventory that could not be sold.

About 1,500 models were reclassified as prohibited, in the process banning about 100,000 guns in Canada that were previously legal. The order in council allowed the Trudeau government to implement the ban immediately and without the need for legislation in Parliament.

With the help of the National Firearms Association, of which local firearms advocate Sheldon Clare is president, Parker obtained lawyer Solomon Friedman to argue her case. The Ottawa-based lawyer is a noted expert on firearms law. Three weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

announced the ban on “military-style” assault rifles, an application was filed in the Federal Court of Canada on Parker’s behalf. She became the first of six parties to file legal actions against the ban.

In the application, Friedman argues that while the government is permitted to ban firearms of certain classifications, an exception exists under the criminal code for guns deemed “reasonable for use in Canada for hunting or sporting purposes.” The order is “subject to review” by the court, Friedman argues in the application, and it “cannot stand” if the government’s decision is found to be “unreasonable, arbitrary or irrational.”

The process of advancing the application has been slow going. In an August 20 webcast on the NFA’s Facebook page, Friedman said he hoped to have received the “first wave” of disclosure from the federal government by mid-September. Critics say the order in council was arbitrary and based on models rather than specifications.

In an interview, Parker said that since the order in coun-

Drug deaths surpass last year’s total

Citizen staff

The BC Coroners Service recorded seven deaths in August related to illicit drugs in the city, pushing the year-todate total to 29 and past that seen for all of 2019, when 25 were counted.

Six of the deaths involved fentanyl. Year to date, that total now stands at

23 and just five fewer than that seen last year.

BCSC noted that at 40 deaths, the Northern Health region has has the highest rate per 100,000 people in the province. In August, there were 16 deaths across the region, up from 14 the month before.

cil was made, a further 10,000 firearms have been banned based on being variants of what was included in the order.

“A lot of firearms that were included in that list are traditional hunting rifles, not actually these military-style assault weapons,” Parker said. “They’ve coined this new phrase that doesn’t actually classify anything.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, meanwhile, is seeking intervener status. In a column, CTF director Kris Sims cast doubt on the federal government’s buyback program that was promised as part of the announcement.

“The Liberal Party earmarked $250 million to ‘tackle gun crime’ in its most recent election platform. If history is any guide, that is a low-ball guesstimate for a buyback. The 1993 Long Gun Registry cost Canadians taxpayers $2 billion. The feds first figured that program would cost taxpayers $2 million,” Sims said. “The government hasn’t presented evidence showing this policy will make Canadians safer. It certainly hasn’t showed it’ll work better than tackling gun smuggling and organized crime.”

Council names Babicz interim city manager

from page A1

“My position is nothing is off the table, it can’t be,” said Scott. “You have to consider everything. If I thought it would balance the budget, they could have my salary.”

Walter Babicz, the city’s general manager of administrative services, will assume the role as acting city manager, while Ian Wells, general manager of planning and development, will be the acting deputy city manager. Hall said there is no immediate plan to replace Soltis.

for development and implementation of policies and strategies.

“It was an honour and privilege to serve in the local government of my community and I’m particularly proud to have been part of a team with all of the city staff who go about their work each and every day,” said Soltis, in the city’s release. “Their work is often invisible but what they do contributes so much to making Prince George such a great place to live.”

Soltis was one of the highest-paid city employees with a base salary of $265,000. Hall said the city will not publicly release details on the severance package Soltis will receive. He acknowledged some taxpayers will want her position to remain unfilled permanently.

“Walter is acting city manager and Ian is acting deputy city manager and I would anticipate that this will continue through until early in the next year and council will make a decision on what direction we want to take when it comes to looking for somebody,” said Hall. “I think we want to let them get their feet under them and we’ll see what kind of plan we can out together for the new year.

“It’s a difficult job. You’re responsible for a huge budget, in excess of $140 million and we have a large staffing component, anywhere from 600 to 700 employees, depending on the season, and because of our geographics we’re a hub city and we provide a tremendous amount of services that have strain on our infrastructure. Anybody who takes it on comes with a great set of talent and skill to do the job.”

COVID closures have already prompted staff cuts and the elimination of two higher-profile management positions in July - Glen Mikkelsen’s job as CN Centre general manager and Myles Tycholis’s post as event services manager at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre.

“We’re going to hear a lot of personal opinions, and that’s the luxury of a democratic society.” Hall said. “When we go out looking for a new city manager, whatever that looks like, we’ll have to be competitive in the marketplace when it comes to salaries.”

Soltis began her career with the city in 1986 as a personnel officer. She continued to advance into more high-profile positions and took over from Beth James as city manager in March 2015, after three months as acting city manager. Soltis was the director of corporate services for 17 1/2 years prior to James’s departure and during that time stepped into the acting city manager role for seven months, from October 2012-April 2013.

She played a key role in overseeing the 2017 referendum, which led to city voters approving construction of a new downtown poll and fire hall.

The city manager oversees the overall management and operations of the city and its nearly 700 employees and acts as a key advisor for the mayor and council

The city is entering budget discussions with council members and will get full reports over the next few weeks to learn more details about the financial impact of the pandemic, which could ultimately result in further staff cuts or a reduction in services. Kris Dalio, the director of finance, will be soon be informing council about how much the reopening of the Aquatic Centre and the Kin Centre arenas is costing the city more to operate due to increased cleaning protocols and fewer users allowed in the building.

“We are going to go through a public consultation in October and we want to hear from residents about some of the services we provide and I know we’re going to get feedback on everything from potholes to road rehabilitation, infrastructure upgrades and snow removal,” said Hall.

Kings look back on busy life together

LSENIORS’ SCENE

KATHY

ongtime Prince George residents

Neil and Darlene King were both born, raised and educated in southern Alberta.

Neil was born in Crossfield. He worked on the family farm and in construction until he found work with the Alberta Pacific Grain company in Viking.

Neil loved sports and if he wasn’t playing baseball or hockey, he was at the curling rink throwing rocks and sweeping the ice every chance he got. In fact, he was at the curling rink the day he met Darlene Fadden-Bogi.

Darlene – the eldest of five children - was born in Banff and grew up on a ranch near Brooks. For some reason she always said that she wanted to marry a cowboy.

After high school, she worked at the Banff School of Fine Arts until she got married. She remembers the day well when she met Neil at the curling rink. He wasn’t the cowboy she always dreamed about but that dream no longer mattered because they had so many other things in common.

When Neil learned that he was being transferred to Dawson Creek, he asked Darlene for her hand in marriage. The young couple got married and they moved to Dawson Creek where they started what would be an ongoing 60-years of a good marriage.

They bought a house and started their family of three children. For 10 years, they boarded out of town high school students who became lifelong friends.

When the children started to arrive, Darlene became a stay-at-home mom. Their two sons, Blake and Todd, were born in Dawson Creek and their daughter Niki was born later in Prince George. They now

have five granddaughters, a grandson, two great granddaughters and two great grandsons that continually bring them much happiness. Like most grandparents and great grandparents, they are confident when they say that these children are all perfect in every way.

In 1965, Neil left the grain company and went to work for BC Tel. He took a transfer to Prince George in 1969. Later, they bought property at Norman Lake and in their spare time they built the family cabin which they enjoyed for many years.

Darlene was a stay-at-home mom until the children were in high school. At first, she worked at an electronics firm, but said that working for Barry Yip in his video

HUBLE HOMESTEAD SET TO CLOSE OCT. 11

Citizen staff

Huble Homestead historic site will close for the season on Oct. 11.

store was the best job ever and that he was the best boss in the world.

Over the years she volunteered for everything to do with their children. She volunteered with the public libraries shutin program for 30 years delivering books and spending time with the clients. Her main passion other than family has always been her love of golf and curling.

Neil had an extensive and fulfilling career at B.C. Tel and retired as the Area Customer Service manager in 1996.

His retirement was short lived as he took over as the General Manager of the Prince George Golf and Curling Club and later the office manager at the Wilson King Law Office.

If he wasn’t at their cabin at Norman Lake or at the golf and curling club enjoying curling and some serious golfing with Darlene, he was at home honing his woodworking skills in his shop.

Neil served as the executive director for the BC Interior Curling Association and the chair of the 2000 Scott Tournament of Hearts. Over the years, he was a member of curling teams that won two Kelly Cup Bonspiels, a member of various teams that competed in two telephone company national curling championships and a team that placed second in a Senior Men’s National Curling Championship.

With his involvement in curling, Neil and Darlene attended many Brier’s and Scott Tournament of Hearts all over Canada.

With the support of Darlene and his family, he has always been willing to give back to his community.

He proudly held the position as the first president of the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame and served as a director for the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, the Prince George Savings/Integris Credit Union and the Prince George Airport Authority.

As a member of the Nechako Rotary Club he served as the club president. He was selected as the Rotarian of the year by his club and received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 1994. Neil was the Governors Representative for area 3, for three years prior to being nominated by his club and then selected for District Governor by the district nominating committee in 1998. He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for nearly 50 years.

Neil and Darlene have spent the last 12 winters in Arizona and made many long-lasting friendships with people from all over Canada and the United States. They are not sure what their traveling future will look like until COVID-19 comes to an end. In the meantime, they are content to stay here and enjoy a good life with their great family and friends.

Work begins on Lheidli health centre

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Sept. 22 to mark the start of construction of a new $4-million Lheidli T’enneh health centre.

Bring a picnic to make a day of it or come out for the pancake breakfast or barbecue lunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests can explore the park with self-led activities like scavenger and treasure hunts, play a lawn game, shop for sweet treats and locally created goods in the General Store and take in the beautiful fall colours showcased on the site.

Admission is by donation and dogs are always welcome.

The building on the reserve will contain medical exam and treatment spaces, a dental treatment room, community health and wellness lounge, offices and a lobby and gallery area. It will replace the existing facility, housed in construction type trailers.

A small group of Lheidli T’enneh council

members and staff participated in the ceremony. LTN Dayi Clay Pountney said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prevented the nation from hosting a bigger event.

“Our members will receive the best of medical, dental, health and wellness care in the new centre which will have state-ofthe-art equipment and facilities.”

He said members have asked for a new centre for many years and past councils and staff have worked hard to find the funding for the project.

Citizen staff

CITIZEN PHOTO

Neil and Darlene King in their Prince George home.

NADALIN

BYLAW CHANGE PROMPTS GRAFFITI DEBATE

ARTHUR

WILLIAMS Citizen staff

An update to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s unsightly premises bylaw prompted a debate about graffiti and freedom of expression.

On Sept. 17, the district board of directors approved updates to the district’s bylaw enforcement policy and unsightly premises bylaw. However, Electoral Area H director Dannielle Alan said she was concerned about the inclusion of graffiti in the unsightly premises bylaw.

“I cannot support this bylaw with the definition of graffiti as it stands,” Alan said. “I’m talking about graffiti that owners put on their own property. There is a critical role that graffiti plays in political discussion.”

The district’s previous unsightly premises bylaw, which was passed in 1991, only

specifically mentioned “the storage or accumulation of motor vehicles that are unroadworthy or parts thereof” and “the collection or accumulation of rubbish” as possible triggers for enforcement. Otherwise bylaw officers were left to use their discretion as to whether a property was unsightly, based on the common dictionary definition.

The bylaw passed this month added, “the presence of graffiti,” “buildings or structures that are collapsed or in a state of significant disrepair,” and “any other similar conditions of disrepair, dilapidation or deterioration” as conditions warranting enforcement. In addition, it updated the derelict vehicle clause to specify three or more vehicles, unless the property is a vehicle-related business or the vehicles are enclosed in a compound.

Alan said she is concerned that what

one person considers considers art or a political statement could be seen as graffiti by others. In addition, graffiti has a long history and has often proven useful to historians, she said.

“I don’t find graffiti a nuisance,” Alan said. “We prefer freedom of expression in the Robson Valley.”

District manager of development services Kenna Jonkman said she couldn’t recall any incident where the district received a complaint about graffiti on a property.

When the bylaw was drafted, no specific definition of graffiti was included to allow bylaw officers to use common sense when enforcing it, Jonkman said.

The goal of the bylaw is to target graffiti including foul language or racial slurs, not murals painted on buildings with the owners’ permission, she said.

Downtown vacancy rates level, despite pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t prompted a spike in commercial vacancies downtown, according to data released by the city.

The City of Prince George’s 2020 Downtown Occupancy Study showed an overall commercial vacancy rate downtown of 12.67 per cent – down 0.03 per cent from 2019. The report was based on survey data gathered in July.

“After reaching an eight-year low at the

end of 2018, Prince George’s downtown vacancy rate increased only slightly in 2019 and remained at about the same level in 2020 – even during the months following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” a statement issued by the city said. “Also, commercial high-rise buildings (four or more floors) reported a 5.1 per cent vacancy rate in 2020, which is roughly a 50 per cent decrease in vacancy from 2019.”

An additional 987 square metres (10,624 sq. feet) of commercial floorspace was add-

ed downtown since the city’s last report in August 2019.

Between August 2019 and July 2020 there were 28 new business license applications and 16 development permit applications downtown, the report said.

The vacancy rate for street-level commercial properties downtown was at 13.41 per cent, while upper-level properties had a 11.22 vacancy rate.

Retail and service locations had more than double the vacancy rate of office

One of the provisions of the new bylaw enforcement policy is it gives bylaw officers leeway to ignore complaints which they believe are vexatious, frivolous or involve repeated complaints over the same issue, Jonkman said.

Sometimes disputes between neighbours can result in complaints being filed to the district’s bylaw officers, she said. The new bylaw enforcement policy would reduce the chances of the district’s bylaw process being used by residents to harass each other.

“Everything is done on a case-by-case basis,” Jonkman said. “If we were to receive a compliant about a mural... it is very unlikely we would move on that complaint.”

Prince George Coun. Terri McConnachie, who also serves as a regional district director, said there is clear difference between vandalism and graffiti as street art.

spaces downtown – 18.96 per cent for retail/service, compared to 8.63 per cent of offices.

The city has conducted the surveys annually since 1983.

“The information gained provides a valuable snapshot into the occupancy of Central Business District buildings for that calendar year,’ the city statement said. “The findings assist in redevelopment and revitalization efforts to maintain a healthy downtown core.”

Citizen staff

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

October 4to10, 2020 is Fire Prevention Week.Wecan all take some simple steps to ensure that our families and homes stay safe from fire and carbon monoxide.

Make sure that there are smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home and outside all sleeping areas, and that they are regularly maintained. When afire does occur,getting an early warning from an alarm can maximize the amount of time ever yone has to escape your home. Smoke alarms save lives and are required by law.

Create and practice your own home fire escape plan.Ifanalarm sounds in an emergency,ever yone will know exactly what to do.

Have acertified professional ser vice fuel-burning appliances ever yyear, and consider installing sprinklers if you are building anew home or undertaking any extensive renovations.

Volunteers Needed!

Our volunteer fire departments are always looking for more volunteers. Different roles on their teams can include ever ything from frontline firefighters to emergency medical aid, equipment maintenance, filing and documentation.

Interested? Contact the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George at 250.960.4400 for more details.

Keep apot’slid at the stove to cover it if afirestarts -NEVER throw water on aburning pot or remove it from the stove

Turn pot handles away from the edge and keep young kids at least ametre from the stove

Keep any flammable materials away from the stove, including your sleeves

Run cool water over cooking burns for 3-5 minutes and seek medical attention for severe burns

Be alert to cook responsibly

Stay in the kitchen when cooking, and turn off the stove if you have to leave

Hinzmann shatters B.C. records

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

From wedded bliss to tossing a piece of iron for a provincial record, all within the space of a week, Christine Hinzmann made a few honeymoon memories in Vernon.

The 57-year-old from Prince George got married to her longtime beau, Bob Dalgleish on Sept. 12 but the newlyweds went their separate ways less than a week later. He has asthma and is not keen on traveling during the pandemic.

So while her hubby was off fishing with his son, trying to reel in some whoppers, Hinzmann was in Vernon making waves with a show of upper-body strength at the Cory Holly Throws Challenge.

Hinzmann entered the throws pentathlon - an event that combines shotput, discus, javelin, hammer throw and weight throw - and broke the B.C. record for the 55-59-year-old age class. She posted a 2,632 total point score score, snapping the old record of 2,583.

Hinzmann also set a new record in the weight throw, an event similar to the hammer toss, with a throw of 9.95 metres, breaking the old mark of 8.83 m. The event was sanctioned by BC Athletics.

“For me, competition has always been about me beating my own distances because as we all know there is always someone better who comes along to beat you,” said Hinzmann.

“When I realized I could probably never be a record breaker at all the things, I thought I might be strong enough in all five throwing events combined to put forth a big enough score to squeak by the throws pentathlon BC record held by Rose Hare, who set the record back in 2007.

“I was fortunate enough to compete right alongside Rose during the Cory Holly Throws Challenge. Rose is a multi record holding throws champion and throws pentathlete. She has every Canadian throws pentathlon record currently from 60-64, 65-69 and now for the 70-74 age category in which she currently competes. She is an amazing role model for us aspiring masters athletes.”

Hinzmann, a Citizen reporter, grew up in Ontario and competed as a high school athlete in track and field.

After national and international success as an arm wrestler in the 1990s, she made her return to competition a few years ago at the BC Seniors Games after months of practicing with the longtime Prince George

Track and Field Club coach Tom Masich.

In August, after a COVID pause, she resumed training with the club twice a week.

“It took me three years of practicing a hammer throw/weight throw turn in my kitchen because I am that uncoordinated,” she said. “But somehow I managed to learn one turn where many athletes do as many as five. Learning one turn did the trick and with it I managed to gain on my distance enough to make a huge difference to me.

Cassaundra O’Brien and Elena Thomas of the PGTF club offered so much guidance to help me learn the throws and I am forever grateful to them for all their expertise.”

As much as she likes throwing events and winning medals, it’s the fun she has while competing and practicing that keeps Hinzmann involved.

“The camaraderie us women throwers experience is unlike anything else,” Hinzmann said. “We cheer for each other, we tease, laugh and scream encourage-

ment. It’s a wonderful unique place we find ourselves in because as you can imagine - it’s rare to find like-minded people. We are a bit of a rare breed, us women who throw many things.”

Spruce Kings add pair of veterans

The Prince George Spruce Kings have added size and experience with their latest 20-year-old acquisitions.

Last week the Kings announced they’ve picked up six-foot-two, 201-pound forward Hunor Torzsok in a future considerations deal with the Merritt Centennials and defenceman Tanner Main in a futures deal with the Wenatchee Wild. Torzsok played 38 games last season for

the Cents and scored 16 goals and three assists. He brings 74 games of BCHL experience, having also skated for the Nanaimo Clippers.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Torzsok was raised in Cloverdale and is a product of the Delta Hockey Academy, where he played two seasons before joining the WHL Vancouver Giants. He played 37 games over three seasons with the Giants (2017-19). He also played two games last year for the Everett Silvertips (WHL) and had a six-game

stint in the SJHL with the Estevan Bruins.

“Hunor is a veteran player that will be a good addition to our lineup,” said Kings general manager Mike Hawes. “He provides some size up front and is a good person that will add some more leadership to our group.”

Main finished the 2019-20 campaign with two goals and 17 assists in 54 games.

The five-foot-10, 160 pound native of WSelland, Ont., is also committed to playing NCAA Division 1 Hockey at Bentley

University in 2021-22.

“Tanner is a veteran defenceman who is very skilled, moves the puck well and will be able to run our power-play,” said Hawes. “He is a great addition to our team, and we are excited that we were able to complete a deal to acquire him.”

Before joining the Wild, Main spent two years with the St. Catherines Falcons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League where he collected eight goals and 32 assists in 76 games in those two seasons.

Elena Thomas and Joan Harris from Prince George also attended the Cory Holly Throws Challenge in Vernon and each achieved personal bests in several throwing events.

Citizen staff

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE Christine Hinzmann throws a discus, above, and a hammer during a training session last week at Masich Place Stadium.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environnement et Changement climatique Canada

Avis public Public Notice

Canadian We ather Radar Network Modernization; We ather Radar Construction in Prince George, British Columbia

Description of the project:

The Government of Canada is modernizing its weather-forecasting infrastructure and will proceed with the replacement of its aging weather radars with new, modern radar systems, by March 2023. This initiative will ensure that Canadians are better informed on changing weather, water, and climate conditions and that they have more lead time to take appropriate actions to protect themselves, their family, and their property from the effects of severe weather

The new Prince George radar will continue to provide coverage for central British Columbia and will consist of a 25-metre open-lattice steel tower with an 11.8-metre diameter radome at the top (sphere covering the antenna), for a total height of approximately 39 metres including lightning protection rods.

Radar location:

The new radar will be located at 33155 Blackwater Road, Baldy Hughes, British Columbia, V2N 6H1, a property leased to NAV CANADA. The geographic coordinates of the proposed radar site are 53°36’55.4” N, 122°57’16.9” W

Public consultation:

The public has 30 days from the date of this notice to provide written comments. The proponent must acknowledge receipt in writing within 14 days and must respond to all questions, comments, or concerns received within 60 days.

Modernisation

du réseau canadien de radars

météorologiques ;

Construction d’un radar météorologique

à Prince George en Colombie-Britannique

Description du projet :

Le gouvernement du Canada modernise son infrastructure de prévisions météorologiques et procédera au remplacement des radars météorologiques vieillissants par de nouveaux systèmes modernes d’ici mars 2023. Cette initiative permettra de mieux informer les Canadiens au sujet des conditions changeantes du temps, des eaux et du climat et de leur donner plus de temps pour prendre les mesures appropriées afin de se mettre à l’abri et de protéger leur famille et leurs biens des effets du temps violent.

Le nouveau radar de Prince George continuera de fournir la couverture radar pour la région du centre de la Colombie-Britannique et comprendra les installations suivantes : un pylône en acier à treillis ouvert de 25 mètres surmonté d’un radôme (sphère contenant l’antenne) de 11,8 mètres de diamètre, pour une hauteur totale d’environ 39 mètres incluant le paratonnerre.

Emplacement du radar :

Le nouveau radar sera situé au 33155, Blackwater Road, Baldy Hughes, (Colombie-Britannique) V2N 6H1, une propriété louée à NAV CANADA. Les coordonnées géographiques du site du projet de radar sont les suivantes 53° 36’ 55,4” N, 122° 57’ 16,9” O

Consultation publique :

À compter de la date du présent avis, le public dispose d’une période de 30 jours pour présenter ses commentaires par écrit. Le promoteur doit accuser réception par écrit dans un délai de 14 jours et répondre dans un délai de 60 jours aux questions, obser vations ou préoccupations communiquées.

For more information:

https://www.canada.ca/en/environmentclimate-change/ser vices/weather-generaltools-resources/radar-over view/modernizingnetwork.html

Proponent’s contact information:

Sylvain Laramée, Director, Canadian Weather Radar Replacement Program Environment and Climate Change Canada

800 De la Gauchetière Street West, Office 7810 Montreal, Quebec H5A 1L9 ec.prrmc-cwrrp.ec@canada.ca

This notice is published in accordance with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Radiocommunica tion and Broadcasting Antenna Systems process (CPC-2-0-03).

Pour de plus amples renseignements : https://www.canada.ca/fr/environnementchangement-climatique/ser vices/conditionsmeteorologiques-ressources-outils-generaux/ apercu-radars/modernisation-reseau.html.

Coordonnées du promoteur :

Sylvain Laramée, Directeur, Programme de remplacement des radars météorologiques canadiens Environnement et Changement climatique Canada

800 rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, bureau 7810, Montréal (Québec) H5A 1L9 ec.prrmc-cwrrp.ec@canada.ca

Cet avis est publié en conformité avec le processus d’Innova tion, Sciences et Déve loppement économique Canada sur les Systèmes d’antennes de radiocommunications et de radiodiffusion (CPC-2-0-03)

COUGARS CAMP GETS KIDS BACK ON ICE

TED CLARKE

Citizen staff

Eleven-year-old Austin Mereski waited five months to lace up his skates again and, after all that time away from the game, he loves he finally got to wear his hockey gear last Friday at the Prince George Cougars’ Pro-D Day Camp.

Like the other 89 kids under the age of 13 who showed up at Kin 2 arena already dressed in their equipment, he was there to learn what he could from the Cougars’ coaching staff in what was the WHL team’s first official on-ice function of the season in these strange pandemic times.

“That was fun, I hadn’t gotten to play since last March - I was playing for Pomeroy, a house team in Fort St. John,” said Mereski, who just moved with his family to the city from Fort St. John.

Mereski, a centre, was living in a hotel for about a month until his parents took possession of their house and he was glad the move happened in time for the Cougars’ camp, one of several the team is planning this fall on days when public schools are closed and teachers are out of the classroom for professional development sessions.

“It’s fun just getting back on the ice, they’re really nice coaches and they teach really well,” Mereski said. “I’m happy to be coached by some former NHL players. They taught me that when you’re skating you don’t want to pump your arms, you want to take long strides because your feet replicate what you’re hands are doing when you skate.”

Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb shared Mereski’s excitement about getting back on blades. Lamb hadn’t done that since the Cougars practiced at Kin 2 while they awaited the decision that finally led to the rest of the WHL season and playoffs being canceled. He was joined on the ice Friday by his Cougar coaching assistants - Jason Smith, Taylor Dakers and Steve O’Rourke - and some of the Cougar players.

Prince George Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb offers instructions to 12-year-old Carter Hauk before he goes through the stickhandling drill Friday at the Cougars Pro-D Day Camp at Kin 2.

“Hockey is starting all over the place and people need ice time, so when the ice was starting to open up we put some thought into it and we wanted to give back,” said Lamb.

“We aren’t really doing anything hockey-wise right now so we wanted to come out and do some coaching. We get out there and just have some fun with them. There’s a lot of people who want to do it and we’ll be available and maybe we’ll expand it a little bit.”

The camp replaces the annual week-long summer hockey school the club usually puts on just before training camp begins in August. The biggest difference was instead of 30 kids at a time in the hockey school, the under-13 camp session had just 16 players, so each kid was able to repeat the drills twice as often.

Aaliyah Thomas has already been skating for about a month while she gets ready to play rep hockey for the Northern Capitals peewee team.

Otway snowmaking expanded

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

Winter is coming, but not soon enough for some skiers.

For the nordic crowd at Otway Nordic Centre, November usually brings cold weather but often there’s not enough snow for skiing. This year, thanks to expanded snowmaking capabilities at the home of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, as long as the mercury dips well below freezing, early-season snow is a virtual guarantee.

Over the summer, a $275,000 project was completed to install 13 new hydrants to the existing five-hydrant snowmaking system built last year. The expansion will result in the coverage of about four kilometres of trails with artificially-produced snow. If Mother Nature doesn’t do the job, Caledonia trails manager Mike Palangio and the rest of the crew at Otway will be ready to fire up the snow guns.

The project was paid for by a $150,000 legacy fund left in the wake of the 2019

World Para Nordic Championships the Caledonia club hosted, as well as a $125,000 grant from Northern Development Initiative Trust. Brandt Tractors and PRD Construction also donated time, labour and equipment to dig the trenches and install the water pipes and hydrants.

“It’s kind of an ongoing legacy from the world championships and it results in leveraging more funds for the infrastructure in our community that will help members and the public for using the facility and it will also help us attract bigger events,” said Kevin Pettersen, the club’s chief of competition.

Last year’s initial phase of snowmaking created the well for the water supply and was limited to five hydrants the stadium area and biathlon range, two of the most troublesome spots in the past due to their exposure to sun, which caused spring flooding and melted the access points to most of the trails.

While skiers waited for the trails to be

The 12-year-old forward figures her time with the Cougars was an hour well spent.

“It’s pretty cool and pretty exciting to get on the ice with them,” she said. “They taught me how to bend my knees better, how to hold my stick and how to be stronger on my stick.”

Carter Hauk, 12, certainly wasn’t the biggest kid on the ice but he showed why he’s a good bet to make the Tier 1 peewee rep team when he used his quick skating stride and puck control abilities to ace the stickhandling drill.

“That was pretty fun because they know a lot about hockey,” said Hauk, a right winger. “Steve O’Rourke taught me how to get longer strides and Mark (Lamb) taught me how to be aggressive in the face-offs and try to get back to the D, and he helped us on the wall too.”

While they put their skates on and off, the kids sat on chairs set up two metres apart in a spacious area at the end of the rink.

Parents were not allowed to watch the one-hour sessions and were asked to leave the rink to try to mitigate the COVID-19 threat.

Seven-year-old Mayson Patenaude has already been doing power skating lessons for two weeks but Friday’s camp session was his first time working with the pros on the Cougars’ staff. The timing was perfect, the day before he had his novice team tryouts.

“He didn’t get to do the Cougars’ (hockey school) last year with his brothers because he was too young, so he’s very excited about this,” said Mayson’s mom Crystal. “It’s sad we’re not allowed to watch. Usually with the little guy I have him ready (already dressed in his gear before he gets to the rink) anyway but when I have all three of my kids in the car getting them down here in their gear it’s smelly and really tight.

“This is awesome, especially because the kids watch them and they look up to be them and want to be them, so skating with them is huge for them.”

covered in late fall, the snow machines were working overtime to create a metre-thick layer of snow in the stadium/ biathlon range and some of the adjacent sprint trails, which allowed early use for skiers and extended the spring season. There was a surge of users in March when the pandemic hit and while other nordic facilities were closed, Otway continued to operate until late April.

“Snowmaking made a big difference in that prolonged season because the stadium was always our weak point were the snow melt first and the benefit was even more than I expected,” said Pettersen.

The 13 new hydrants and additional 1.4 kilometres of water pipe installed this summer now connect to part of the race maze trails cleared six years ago.

The expanded snowmaking capabilities also reach to the gravel pit west of the Rotary Lodge.

“That includes about a three-kilometre loop we can make on the race trails and

another kilometre out to the terrain park where the gravel pit area is,” said Pettersen. “Now, if we have no other snow available we can actually run competitions based on this system.”

From each hydrant the snow guns can cover a 300-metre section of trail. The pipe, hydrants and electrical cables have all been installed and the ditches have been filled back in, all that’s left is to do is to connect the electrical lines to the pedestals.

It’s possible to make snow when the temperature falls into the 0 C - 5 C range but Pettersen says snow made at those temperatures is wet and difficult for heavy equipment operators to move around the trails. Snowmaking is much more productive and produces lighter, more crystalized snow when the air temperature drops to at least -10 C.

The Caledonia club has been selected to host the Canadian world youth/junior biathlon trials at Otway, Dec. 29-Jan. 3.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

With mild temperatures andthe soft golden rays of afternoonsun,falloffersplenty of oppor tunity to explore.Fromcoastal escapes to mountain adventures, there’sno shor tageofincredible BC getawaysfitfor this time of year.Hereare fivetripideas to getyou on theroad.

Remembertoplanaheadandtravelresponsibly.

Discoverthe Unexpected in TheFraserValley

ThescenicFraser Valley featuresits ownset of charms.Hopedeliversonhundredsof kilometresofdesignatedtrails,including thehiketoHopeLookout forvalley views, anda self-guided RamboWalkingTourofthe oldblockbuster’sfilm setting. Nature photography enthusiasts appreciate theFraser Canyon forits labyrinth of historic bridges,narrowrock gorges,and dazzlinglakes.The Mighty Fraser CircleRoute provides unique highlights too, includingManning Park Resort’s darksky astronomy, andthe fabled golden larch of fall.

Live the Country Life

Arusticretreat offersachance to getbacktothe basics.Toexperienceanoriginal pioneer homestead,headtoone of BC’s many guestranches likeGrahamDundenGuestRanch, locatedeastof70MileHouse,whereyou cansaddleuptoexplorethe Cariboo’ssecluded pasturesand thegem-colouredwatersofGreen Lake.For amoremodern take,familyrunranch Myra Canyon Ranchfeaturescontemporary furnishings,mountain-and e-bike rentals,and picturesquehorse ridesoverlooking Okanagan Lake RetreattoMountainHot Springs

BC’s hotsprings resorts make foraparticularlystunningstayinfall. Bask in mineral-rich thermalpools as snow starts blanketingthe mountains at FairmontHot SpringsResort, andbighorn sheepcome outtograze at Radium HotSprings.OnArrow Lake,atHalcyon HotSprings,guestscan enjoyexclusive access to threeoutdoor wellnesspools before turninginfor theeveningata luxury chalet

Explorefall likenever before, from modern cities to cozy retreats:

FindSerenityonthe Sea-to-Sky

Relaxand renewinVancouver,Squamish or Whistler. AstayatdowntownVancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rimstartsslowlywith breakfastinbed andpersonalizedcareatWillow Stream Spa. Go underground at theBritannia Mine Museum,south of Squamish(advance booking recommended).Or, head to Whistlertotakeinthe region’s celebrated worksof artatthe AudainArt Museum,followedbya visittothe Scandinave SpaWhistler’s quiet sanctuar yofhydrotherapy baths.

Seek Seaside Tranquility

Time spentnearthe oceancan be rejuvenating,beitacitystayexploring Victoria, or a visittoone of themanycoastal townsalong BC’s rugged shoreline. Parksvilleoffersnearly 20 kilometresofsoft, sandy beaches. Saltyocean air andgoats grazing therooftop of the OldCountry Market in nearby Coombs aresome of this town’s perks. Order ahead, then driveahalf-hournor th forthe famedoysters from FannyBay OystersSeafood Shop.For atranquilretreat,winddownatthe Tigh-Na-Mara SeasideSpa Resor t.

Va ncouv er &Sea-to-Sk y: Di scover vibran tc ities fr om sea to sky,a nd be inspir ed by local arts, cultur e, and flavour. Vi neyar ds, valleys &l akes: Discover culinar yadventures and golden vineyards—from Fraser Valley to the Okanagan and beyond.

Mo un tain peaks &t owns: Glimpse golden larches as you explorethe colourful mountain towns of southeast BC.

Ra nches, riv ers &r anges: Experience wide-open spaces beyond the beaten path, from Kamloops to the Cariboo and Chilcotin.

No rthern wild: From hiking and biking to fall fishing,explorepicturesque northern towns and discover anew side of BC. We st coast cultur e: Follow the Pacific coastline to charming communities and coastal adventures.

Make the most of fall with aBCgetaway.Start

Vancouver |Grant Harder

Whistler|BCA le Trail

Thompson Okanagan |KariMedig

TOUGH LESSONS FOR CITY COUNCIL

If that wasn’t bad enough, the 2017 Statements of Financial Information were hiding an even bigger political embarrassment: that Soltis and her senior staff had collected overtime at twice their hourly rates (as opposed to time-and-a-half paid to the city’s unionized employees) during the 2017 Cariboo wildfires evacuation crisis.  Soltis herself billed 70 hours of overtime at $235.72 an hour for a total of $16,500.40, over and above her regular pay.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, a 2017 consultant’s report reviewing the wages of senior city staff in comparison with similar-sized municipalities around B.C. had the gall to suggest Soltis deserved a raise. Instead of asking the city manager some tough questions, one city councillor lashed out at The Citizen, accusing the newspaper of being “at war with city staff.” Jillian Merrick offered no logical basis for her charge and ignored the pay raises and the overtime issues brought to light. Meanwhile, Soltis was playing games, offering by email to answer questions and then withdrawing her offer when she didn’t like the line of questioning, even though

Coun. Brian Skakun had taken to Facebook to defend The Citizen’s reporting and express his unhappiness at the city’s unwillingness to respond to the issues raised.

When mayor and council took The Citizen up on an invitation to submit a guest editorial in August, their submission was simply a rehash of previous email responses from the city’s communications staff to The Citizen’s questions, confirming The Citizen’s reporting but brushing off both the pay hikes and the overtime payouts as simply following existing policy.

Meanwhile, mayor and council awarded Soltis with a new contract and another big pay raise in 2018.

The 2019 Statements of Financial Information, released a month ago, revealed the latest pay hike for Soltis.

During all this time, Soltis and other senior city staff seemed unable to budget their six weeks of annual holidays and their additional two weeks of overtime holiday in lieu of having to pay them to attend evening meetings. As a result, she took home, on top of her annual wage, vacation payouts.

And then the project cost overruns started piling up, from the Haggith Creek

bridge fiasco to the new fire hall to the new parkade.

The end came quickly for Soltis. The frustration of several city councillors with the city manager was on full display at a public meeting early this month.

So finally, at long last, city council parted ways with Soltis by “mutual agreement.”

That, of course, is political speak for she, on the advice of her lawyer, signed off on her severance package. The details of that package can’t be revealed for privacy and confidentiality reasons but, based on her 34 years at the city and her 2019 wage of $265,000, the final tab will likely be at the very least $250,000. On the top end, she could be entitled to as much as $500,000.

That’s a lot of money to say goodbye but it might be money well spent if the multi-million dollar cost overruns come to an abrupt halt. It could also pay off if the departure of Soltis also leads to a housecleaning and streamlining of senior management as the first step to address the serious budget shortfalls the city is facing due to COVID-19.

Some hard lessons – besides the expense - have hopefully been learned by mayor and council from five-and-a-half years with

No real choice in this election

Is it election season in The Most Beautiful Place on Earth already?

I could have sworn there was at least another six months left in the mandate for the BC NDP-Green “coalition that is not a coalition” government. Oh well. I’m sure it’s not an opportunistic powergrab, what with poll numbers looking well for Horgan and mediocre for the BC Liberal’s Wilkinson.

British Columbia appeared to function in a minority situation rather well, even if most of the policy changes were either banal, politically-correct humbug - read the endorsement of that pathetic UNDRIP document - or something any neoliberal governing party could have achieved - read everything from pipelines to Site C. Indeed, much of the governing over the last mandate appeared to be the tail wagging the dog, as if Christy Clark had never left. Just ask the teachers.

The current strategy by our strangely orange coloured brethren masquerading as real socialists appears to be using Dr. Bonnie-Fluevog-Henry’s popularity in

Soltis. City council must be constantly vigilant of its single employee (all other city employees report, ultimately, to the city manager), no matter how much the mayor and council may personally like and professionally appreciate the city manager. Mayor and council must also hold that city manager accountable for mistakes and oversights.

Finally, city council must retain significant authority to oversee and challenge operations and spending decisions. And if some of that authority is delegated to the city manager, it shouldn’t be a permanent blank cheque but a privilege that can be taken back at any time and for any reason. What happens next is perhaps the most important decision this – and all city councils – ever have to make. Who will be chosen to replace Soltis and lead the city’s bureaucracy? What will be the marching orders given to that city manager, particularly as the City of Prince George heads into bargaining new contracts with its unionized employees?

Nothing is certain except for plenty of interesting days ahead at Prince George city hall.

- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

RIGHT OF CENTRE NATHAN GIEDE

handling the pandemic as a path to victory. Meanwhile, Wilkinson, the man with two professional degrees and zero people skills, seems to be set on phoning in the election: rumour has it that voter ID and door knocking will be nonexistent, a rather odd tactic for such a proud, vocal federal Liberal.

Greens will be out in full force, trying to spread their gospel. But if any group challenges them to the left, how shall they answer? As noted above, the last three years could have just as easily been a BC Liberal government, perhaps even an Ontarian PC government before what is now the years of Our Ford.

I’m pretty sure a party just launched in Prince George that is to the left of the BC Greens, long accused of being Tories that

like trees - more on that quandary later.

But at least a strong, truly conservative party will be outflanking the BC Libs to the right for once, won’t it? Unfortunately, my former tribe, the BC Tories, appear to still be stuck in the slack tide of the high watermark from former years. The war chest appears rather empty, party organization seems nonexistent, and I had to look up our new fearless leader’s name - Trevor Brolin. There’s a lot of opportunity in this unmerited election, but I doubt the Tories will seize it.

The penultimate point is what is this election about? If it’s a referendum on the BC NDP’s ability to imitate their sworn enemy, then let the vote be held next week so we can move on. But if, perchance, this, like all other elections, is supposed to be about issues, are any of those being addressed?

We’re still in the midst of a “pandemic,” Covid numbers growing - do we have an exit strategy to resume normal life, or are we simply going to keep remortgaging our future?

What about the mill closures and curtailments? As far as I know, these issues have not been answered in the last 18 months - is that a failure of government, the opposition, or both?

What about the future of British Columbia’s socialized institutions? Has public education grown more supportive and post-secondary more affordable? Are there not cost-saving measures to introduce into our medical system that might help eliminate MSP premiums from payroll taxes?

Socialists should be unabashedly socialist, giving people a stark choice in political options. Progressives have been betrayed by every supposedly “progressive” party in the province and around the world. Perhaps this is the knife to the neck your old party needs.

For the right, there is a serious need to get organized and offer a counter to our brethren who think other people’s money is for sharing. Hiding in the centre with neoliberal parties is an unforgivable act of cowardice. The political wind is shifting, and we must trim our sails - or else.

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Too many tragedies from brain injury

September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Why mention this in a column addressing brain injury?

Although there aren’t current stats available, there is a definite correlation between brain injury and suicide. There are tragic examples of this, one being that of Ryan Waldner, who four years ago committed suicide at the age of 20. Ryan resided in Prince George.

Ryan was a vibrant, smart, healthy BMX enthusiast. His mother Liz Ferris recalls her son was focused on mastering BMX bike tricks he viewed on You Tube. He always wore a helmet, however the last two spills he took was too much, according to his mother. In addition to dislocating his shoulder twice, Liz believes her son had a concussion, possibly several that went undiagnosed.

Liz said her son didn’t complain about how serious his injuries were, but his attitude changed. He developed anxiety, stopped biking and isolated himself from his friends. Ryan was prescribed medica-

BOGGLED DIANE NAKAMURA

tion for his anxiety, which only made his life worse. After his last biking accident, Ryan took his life within nine months. So what is wrong with this picture?

Instead of querying a concussion, Ryan was treated by the medical system as a patient with mental health issues. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of a concussion. After four months, if there are no improvements or if the person’s symptoms become worse it is considered a brain injury. Brain injured folks including myself struggle with depression and anxiety. The two conditions come with the territory.

There is the heartwrenching tale of Taylor Pryor. In 2018, during a women’s soccer game at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, she and another

player collided in mid air. She sustained a concussion. Soon after she began exhibiting a severe change in personality, had sensitivity to light, lack of concentration, difficulties with vision and hearing and struggled with constant headaches, fatigue and problems sleeping.

Taylor saw at least 13 psychiatrists and five specialists. She attempted suicide over 22 times, was hospitalized on numerous occasions and prescribed many different medications. On October 17, 2019, she was discharged from hospital against her wishes and two days later was found in a wooded area close to the hospital. She was 21 years old.

This once bright, outgoing athletic and compassionate young woman had her heart set on international development, helping poor and outcast people in third world countries.

Through BIG (Brain Injured Group) I have met many people who were regarded as psychiatry patients instead of brain injury survivors. Why is head trauma not included during assessment and why are

pills so freely prescribed to people? I am grateful every day that I was one of the lucky ones. I was referred to a psychiatrist and after assessment, he told me he couldn’t help me because I had symptoms of brain injury not a mental health disorder. Unlike many people, I had coordinated service delivery. Apparently this is a rare occurrence.

Last winter, I received a call from a friend whose elderly sister slipped on the ice and smashed the back of her head. I was told her sister started acting “weird.” I asked what was being done to help her and the answer was there was a referral to psychiatric services. I nearly lost my mind. I told my friend “Your sister has a concussion! She doesn’t need pills!” Sadly, brain injured survivors are forced to travel on this route. There is clearly a huge need to educate medical professionals on concussions and brain injuries. Having proper assessment questions and referrals to appropriate treatments.

Had I not had coordinated care and BIG to support and guide me, I could have easily ended up as another statistic.

Assange case critical to democracy

It is very rare to hear Fox news commentator Tucker Carlson and scholar Noam Chomsky agree on anything, but a currently largely underreported topic brings both ends of the political spectrum togetherthe Julian Assange affair.

In a recent interview, Carlson’s guest Glenn Greenwald pointed out that efforts to silence Assange go back to the Obama administration when Wikileaks published information about the actions of the U.S. government and U.S. military. In essence, Assange is facing changes for revealing evidence which is very embarrassing to very powerful people working for the U.S. government.

Investigative journalism has always pushed the envelope in an effort to reveal information which people are trying to hide. Freedom of the press is vital to any true democracy. This is why we have laws to protect journalists.

At the same time, people have the right to privacy. It then becomes the role of the courts, another vital piece in the balance

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

of power in a democracy, to interpret in an unbiased manner where the line between privacy and freedom of information is drawn. For anyone to use their power and influence to interfere with this process puts democracy at risk.

While Wikileaks continues to operate, Assange has been avoiding arrest since 2010. This began with dubious charges of inappropriate sexual conduct in Sweden, which have since been dropped. Assange went to the United Kingdom to avoid arrest in Sweden. British authorities tried to extradite him, but he was granted asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012. Assange remained there for seven years, often under surveillance. In May of 2019, he was turned over to British authorities. He was

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Fiasco in schools

Mr. Godbout, it has been suggested for an email to be sent to you regarding the bombshell that School District 57 threw at parents, children, teachers and school staff last week. All people involved were shocked at the announcement of reshuffling classes to such a degree with the loss of so many classes and the danger it now means we all face.

Not only does this put families’ safety in danger, how can professionals who say that they have children’s interests at heart think that more change and lack of stability at this already unsure time in history is mentally healthy? Those that made these

decisions may want to consider further education themselves as these actions speak loudly that they are unaware or deeply out of touch with the reality of child mental health.

To reduce the amount of classes by reducing the amount of teachers in this district is in complete contradiction of what the health ministry has been spouting for over 6 months. Now is not the time for bigger class size and saving money on teacher salaries is not a reason to put our children and families at risk, so why did many teacher in District 57 just lose their classroom jobs? There was funding announced by federal and provincial governments to make sure the extra support

to be held for 50 weeks for his breach of bail conditions but remains in custody. Assange’s greatest fear is extradition to the United States, where he could potentially face 175 years in prison. Current Wikileaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson has referred to the American charges as “the evil of lawlessness in its purest form.”

At the moment, Assange’s fate rests in the hands of the British judicial system. There is also great concern with regard to both his physical and mental health.

We all need to be very concerned about Assange’s fate. The flow of information is much different in the age of the internet. When Assange gained access to video demonstrating clear violations of international humanitarian law by American troops in Iraq, for example, was it not in the public interest he share this information? Does it matter how he gained access? This is a moral dilemma which needs to be assessed in a fair and judicious manner. What message are we giving to people who seek to hold our governments and our

government officials accountable by seeking truth and revealing it to the public if we allow Assange’s rights to be violated? Are we telling them that they too could face lives in exile or in prison for their efforts?

The democracies of the world, especially the United States and their Western allies, hold a special place on the global stage. Many people do not live with the freedoms we have. What message are we sending to dictators and to the people who live under their tyranny if we do not have the courage to live up to our own ideals?

There is a lot more at stake than the fate of Julian Assange and Wikileaks. Our entire democratic process is on trial. Assange may or may not be guilty of going too far as an investigative journalist, but his human rights must be respected as we allow our legal system to fulfill its function.

As for those whose crimes were revealed by Assange, they have the same rights as all of us under the law. And we the people have every right to hold them accountable as well.

was there to ensure our children’s health and safety. What have they done with the funding if not putting towards what it was announced to be for?

Along with the impact emotionally, many teachers were also forced into an impossible task of preparing to teach a whole different grade over a weekend. They original grades they were assigned, they had a whole summer to prepare and now a teacher who was for a grade 4/5 class has the weekend to prepare for a 6/7 class. How is that fair to the teachers who already work tirelessly to ensure our children are secure in learning? These are the tasks that this school district forces on their staff without a second thought.

Anita Richardson and School District 57 must do the right thing for the children they state they care for so much. If this situation is not resolved, it means the current district management is incapable and must therefore resign to allow those who are aware on how health and safety works to step up. There is hope that you could do some more investigating, similar to what you accomplished with the city, and help the parents, children, teachers and school staff of District 57. Help our voice be louder as this School District, through their actions, seem to think we don’t deserve to have one.

Tamara Johnston, Prince George

Stephanie Horovitz changed chemistry

Chemistry is one of the oldest all of the sciences. Our ancestors explored the chemistry of pigments in order to draw cave paintings 35,000 years ago, the modification of clay pots making them more waterproof and methods for tanning animal hides. Chemistry has been integral to the development of civilization. At the same time, it is a young and evolving science. There is much we don’t know and new discoveries are made on a daily basis.

The birth of modern chemistry can be attributed to the John Dalton and the concept of the atom but perhaps a better starting point would be the work in the early 20th century, which really saw the discovery of the atom.

Ernst Rutherford was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the sub-atomic structure of the atom (although he thought of himself as a physicist). His post-doctoral fellow Niels Bohr won his Nobel Prize for the development of a theoretical explanation of the atom leading to quantum mechanics. Henry Moseley used X-ray emissions to determine the underlying basis of the periodic table was the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus – its atomic number. And Frederick Soddy introduced the term isotopes as a possible explanation for why some elements could

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exist with different masses.

But in 1914, there was little evidence to back up a theory of isotopes. Soddy had been working on the radioactive decay of elements – for which he would win a Nobel Prize – and had suggested the lead formed from the radioactive decay of uranium would have a different atomic mass to lead that wasn’t formed in this fashion. This was something that caught the interest of other scientists.

In particular, Otto Honigschmid, working at the Radium Institute in Vienna, gave Stephanie Horovitz the arduous task of testing whether Soddy’s suggestion was indeed correct. Horovitz was blessed by having a huge quantity of pitchblende (a uranium ore which also contains radium and lead) readily available as it was mined locally for its radium content. After the radium was removed, Horovitz was provided with what remained.

Her work was two-fold. It first involved bulk separation of the lead from the ore and then very precise measurements to work out its atomic weight. It was tedious work. A synopsis of the experimental pro-

cedure from Honigschmid and Horovitz’s 1914 paper describes the process as: grinding and dissolving the ore in acid to extract lead chloride which was then washed, filtered, dissolved as sulfate, precipitated, re-dissolved, filtered, precipitated, and washed some more, then dissolved into nitric acid forming the nitrate which was recrystallized five times, converted back to a chloride, then recrystallized a further five times, and then dissolved and recrystallized a further nine times to get a lead chloride worthy of analysis.

Horovitz then performed precise gravimetric analysis and titration experiments that allowed her to finally calculate the atom weight of the pure lead chloride. And what she found was a crucial result – the lead from uranium had an atomic weight of 206.736 compared to 207.190 for lead from other sources. This was the first direct evidence to support the existence of isotopes.

In 1916, Horovitz published results on another element which had been postulated – ionium. She was able to show the spectroscopic and chemical properties of ionium were actually those of thorium but with a different atomic weight. She both disproved the existence of ionium and demonstrated thorium occurred in multiple isotopes.

Unfortunately, Horovitz’s contributions to chemistry have faded with time. Indeed, according to Geoffrey and Marelene

Rayner-Canham of Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, she was one of the many women whose scientific work has been overlooked in modern accounts. According to Geoffrey, “Women could not get academic position in those days. It was unthinkable that a woman could be a professor.” Typically, women would work as unpaid research assistants and the resulting praise for discoveries would accrue to their male counterparts. This is an unfortunate reality across pretty much every scientific discipline.

According to the Rayner-Canhams, it appears Honigschmid tried to maintain her status within the scientific community. He always quoted Horovitz and their two influential papers were co-authored. But after his death, researchers simply dropped Horovitz’s name. She was just another woman scientist written out of history.

As to Horovitz’s fate, this is revealed in a letter from Kasimir Fajans to Elizabeth Rona: “You probably have not received any information from Vienna about the fate of Dr. Stephanie Horovitz. I learned about it from a mutual relative in Warsaw. Stephanie moved there after World War I and after her parents had died in Vienna to join her married sister. She was not active in chemistry and both were liquidated by the Nazis in 1940.”

A tragic end to one of the most important chemists of the 20th century.

Why businesses and leaders fail

Ihad a Zoom meeting last week with Sally (not her real name) to talk about her business, which she had started a couple of years ago. At one point of the conversation, Sally said that she was making $2,000 a month but needed to be making $5,000 from the business. Luckily for Sally her husband was supporting her in her venture from other family income and so she wasn’t in dire straits. The more we talked, the clearer it became that Sally was suffering from one of the five reasons that many organizations fail. These five reasons are:

1. Lack of planning: It is amazing to me after working with hundreds of businesses and their leaders, how many fail to plan. Some businesses are conceived on the back of a napkin over a coffee and that seems to be the extent of planning. However, successful businesses that outperform their competitors, plan on a regular basis. When contractors build a house, they are continuously looking at the detailed plans

BUSINESS COACH

DAVE FULLER

to ensure they get it right. Most entrepreneurs build a business without a clear concept of what they are building and their employees flounder because they too, are unsure of the purpose of the business. is. Annual planning supplemented with quarterly planning can work wonders for floundering businesses.

2. Leaders are caught up in busy work: Many leaders are overwhelmed with a flood of interruptions because they don’t schedule their week. As a result, they get caught up in the weeds of the business and are constantly doing work that doesn’t have a high value for the organization. When we can block time each and every week for doing highly important work that moves our company forward, we have a much higher chance of being successful.

3. Lack of profitability and understanding

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Take COVID-19 seriously

After 20 plus years as a paramedic and playing high impact sports, I spend a third of my time in P.G. for medical treatment and am very concerned our citizens aren’t taking COVID-19 seriously.

No distancing, few masks, and I have been to many

of where the money is coming from: Sally’s business is marginally profitable. In other words, she could make more money doing something else. Luckily for Sally, it isn’t just about the money. Sally loves what she is doing and is passionate that her income will eventually rise to the necessary level. However, most businesses don’t have the luxury of not having to be profitable. Having lost $272,000 in 1999 in the start up of a business, I understand clearly the need for making a profit to ensure the longevity of a business. Without profits, businesses can not pay their employees, serve their customers or give back to the community. Without profits, business owners have nothing to show for their efforts when they want to retire. There are seven areas in any business that contribute to profits and profitability and without a clear understanding of these areas, and knowing which part of your business is bringing in the money, business leaders are bound to fail.

4. Lack of value to customers: When businesses fail to deliver value to their customers, they are on a slippery slope heading for disaster. We need to constantly

stores with signs saying masks are required, yet maybe 20 per cent of customers had masks. Staff appeared oblivious.

I constantly have to ask if the person behind me would kindly back up. I predict within 14 days a surge that will be dark and last until May 2021. You have the right to get

ask ourselves and our customers if what we are doing is important enough to justify our stakeholders support. Unfortunately, we are so focused on worrying about ourselves that we forget our customers, the most important part of our business, . 5. Too few systems: When everything in the business revolves around a single person or just a few people, that organization has a shaky future. When we build systems into the business that ensure that things always get done exactly as expected by the leader, the business doesn’t need leadership to approve every decision. Systems ensure accountability to meet objectives allowing leaders to focus on the big picture and the future success.

In my discussion with Sally, we were able to get some clarity about her challenges and while it may take her some time to adjust her business so that she can get a decent income, she understands what she needs to do to achieve her desired outcome.

- Dave Fuller, MBA, is an Award Winning Business Coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Struggling to succeed? Email dave@profityourselfhealthy.com

sick, but not to make me or my family sick. I hope the safety apparatus in town is paying attention. Testing, tracing and isolation is a issue I believe must be done fastidiously. Stay safe and be well.

D. Lasalle Chetwynd

Healthy Living

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CL ASSIF IEDS

1924 - 2020

VERA BESSO, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 years. Vera was predeceased by her husband George Besso and is survived by her nephew Rob Ralston and niece Barbara Murdoch as well numerous close and dear friends in Prince George. Assman’s Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

Borge Nielsen

November 12, 1930September 20, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of Borge announce his passing. Borge was predeceased by his wife, Else. He is survived by his son, Bjarne; daughter, Britta (Philip); grandson, Sean (Cassandra) and numerous relatives in Denmark. No service by request.

WHEELER,

Theodore (Ted) Otto

Suddenly, in Prince George, BC, Ted Wheeler, 58, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Predeceased by his father, Hartland Wheeler. Survived by his mother, Irma Karras. Fondly missed by brothers, Hartland and Stacey (Cathy) and as uncle to Elizabeth, Eric, Ehren (Robyn), Daniel, Jane and Owen. Missed by friends in the GTA and Prince George, BC, where he was a valued employee with Celtic Reforestation for 31 years. No memorial service is scheduled at this time. Memories can be shared online at Forever Missed.

REMEMBRANCES

1961 - 2020

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart the family of Brent Griffith announces his sudden passing on September 23, 2020 at the age of 58. He was deeply loved and will be truly missed by his wife Andra and step children. He is survived by 2 sisters Debbie (Murray), Leanne (Dave), and their extended families. Remembering Brent’s quirky sense of humour and stylish painting attire will always bring a smile to everyone who knew him. A small celebration of life was held graveside. Memorial donations may be made to The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

January 21, 1945September 18, 2020

With great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bonnie Lambkin. She was a Registered Nurse and an instructor for many years in Prince George. She loved life, her family and friends. Bonnie is survived by her mother, Phyllis Harker, her children Lorrie, Kelly and Michael, 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, four siblings, and many nieces and nephews. She is much loved and will be greatly missed. Due to COVID the family will be having a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the PG Hospice House.

VERA BESSO

Brent Griffith

Bonnetta Ann Lambkin

Giulia Di Leta

1926 - 2020

GIULIA Di LETA, passed away on September 19th 2020 at the age of 94 years. She is survived by her loving family; her daughter Maria (Alan) Frick, son Aldo (Giovanna) Di Leta, grandchildren Daniel, Diana, Michael, Christina, Christopher and Tonia; great grandchildren; Gianna, Julius, Ethan and Carter . Giulia will be remembered by her brothers Angelo (Rosa) Miele and Claudio (Giuseppina) Miele. She was predeceased by her husband Antonio and daughter Anna Relkov as well her parents, brother Antonio and sister Carmela. Funeral Service for Giulia will be held on Friday September 25, 2020 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Cathedral with Fr. Rectorino officiating. Interment will follow in Prince George Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Agency would be appreciated. Assman’s Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

Kyle Jared JOHNSON

Jul 25, 1987Sep 7, 2020

The family of Kyle Jared JOHNSON are saddened to announce his sudden passing in Vancouver, BC. He is survived by his dad Ken Johnson (Denise), mum Ashley Saunders (Todd), daughter Jaidyn, brothers Darryl, Aaron (Nicole), Liam, sister Ayla, grandparents Ruth Johson, Clint & Barb Saunders and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Predeceased by his papa Les Johnson, grandma Patricia Saunders, uncle Mark Saunders, cousins Blaine Tucker, Alicia Saunders and her son Preston and his sister Arwen Windley. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either www.wigsforkidsbc.com or Canadian Cancer Society, two causes Kyle felt strongly about.

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

William David Cassie

Dec 30, 1932Sep 23, 2020

William was born December 30, 1932 in Melville, Saskatchewan and passed away on September 23, 2020 in Prince George, BC. Bill was predeceased by his parents – mother, Marion; father, William; stepmother, Shirley; siblings – Wanda, Doug and Kenny; brother in law Bob Dawson, daughter in law Toresa and son, Brant.

He is survived by his wife, Hilda and children –Blake, Debbie (Larry), Lynda, Bob (Joan) – 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, brothers – John, Bob and Victor.

Special thank you to the nurses at UHNBC and Drs. Closson, Joss and Grose.

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a private family service and gathering afterwards.

I am sure heaven has an ocean for you!

WOOD,

Kelly Gene

Dec 8, 1962 - Sep 22, 2020

Born December 8, 1962 passed away peacefully on September 22, 2020 with Michelle & Shelly by his side.

Kelly will be fondly remembered as the guy that was ALWAYS smiling! He was a hard worker who lived his life to the fullest, doing the things that made him happy: skiing (whether on snow or sand!), golfing, slow-pitch, fishing, hiking, river floating, hanging by a fire, listening to music, watching sports on tv, & of course enjoying some cold ones!

Predeceased by his Dad Willard, in 2005, & his Mom Leslie, in 2013.

Survived by his ‘Big Bro’ Lance, sister Shelly (Ryan), soulmate Michelle, daughters Rayelle, Sara (Derek), Claire, grandkids Heith, & Fallen, nieces Candace (Shane), Dana (Derek), Nadeen (Derrick), nephews Riley, & Grady, great nephews Jack, Oliver, Willee, & great niece Mabel.

No service by request.

In memory of Kelly, please consider donating to the Kamloops Cancer Clinic, or Prince George Rotary Hospice House.

“Ciao For Now!”

MARIAN ISABELLE GRIEVES

April 1, 1924September 22, 2020

MARIAN ISABELLE GRIEVES, went upstairs to join the card game on September 22, 2020 at the age of 96 1/2. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn (Robert) Gray of Abbotsford, Hilary (Barry) Sakamoto of Prince George, son Milton (Janice) Grieves of Prince George and daughter in law Dale Grieves of Prince George. Marian will be remembered by her seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one sister Dolly (Ilene) Wes Ward of Prince George. She was predeceased by her husband William (Bill), son Hillman, her parents Gilbert & Rose Reirsgard and sister Ritchie (Wilf) Pickering. Marian was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan on April 1, 1924. She met William (Bill) Grieves in 1939. They were married in December 1942 and were married for 53 years before Bill passed away in 1996. Marian and Bill with the family first came to B.C. in 1948 for the winters and eventually stayed in 1955. They were one of the first founding members of St. Andrews United Church located at 8th & Irwin Street which later moved to 5th & Union St. Marian loved to travel, was a great maker of soups & buns. She also loved to play all types of games as well as sewing, knitting and crocheting. She had great love for her familyespecially her grandchildren. When asked if she ever wished to be someone else her reply was “No, I’m happy as I am”. The family gives a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Joss and Dr. Grose, Palliative nurse Sara and Cindy from Home Support for their kindness and compassion in their care of Mom during her final days. No service by request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice. Assman’s Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

Business Opportunities

BCYCNA 1x31.0 R0011761908

ATTENTION INVENTORS! Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today! 1.800.218.2909 or visit us at inventing.davison.com/BC

Free inventor’s guide! R0011761908

Established Franchise Photography Business

Serving Northern B.C for over 35 years

Gross Revenues of $150.000 plus annually from seasonal work Lots of opportunity to expand the business. Transition support available to the right buyer Serious Enquiries Only Office 250-596-9199 Cell 250-981-1472

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Tax Preparation Business Mackenzieservicing and McLeod Lake area for over 30 years.

Gross Revenues of $85,000 to $90,000 Annually and Potential to expand revenues in a growing economy. Transition support available for the right buyer. Serious Inquires

Monday, October 19, 2020 Virtual (online) Meeting: 7:00pm Register by contacting our administration office by Monday, October 12, 2020 at: Tel: (250) 567-4414 or TF: (877) 567-4414 or email agm@vhfcoop.com

To Consider:

 Review 2019 Financial Statements

 Directors’ Reports

 Management Reports

 Election of Directors: Vanderhoof/Burns Lake/Prince George 2 three-year terms 1 two-year term Terrace 1 three-year term

 Special Resolutions regarding the following: Four Rivers Co-operative support of the Co-operative Retailing System

Registered head office of Four Rivers Co-operative

Interested in letting your name stand for the Board of Directors of Four Rivers Co-operative? Directors participate jointly, with a total of nine Directors in planning and controlling the affairs of the co -operative, guided by Co-operative Bylaws and Policies, so that it effectively moves toward achieving the objectives of the Co-operative. Nomination packages can be picked up at the Admin Office, Prince George, Quesnel Agro/C -Store, Houston or Terrace Branches. Nomination forms must be received by the administration office no later than 5:30pm on October 5, 2020 as per rule 79 (2) of the Four Rivers Co-operative rules.

Look Who’s Celebrating!

Doug and Betty met in high school in Vancouver. Over the years, they maintained a strong friendship, marrying on September 29, 1960. Their first homes were at Cultus Lake raising their children Vicki and Gordon at the lake and in Chilliwack. The family enjoyed an active lifestyle together, including water and alpine skiing, fishing, hiking, tennis, motorcycling, and travel by motorhome. They had many happy years at Cultus Lake enjoying the Hallman family cottage.

Doug’s career brought the family from Chilliwack to Prince George in 1981 where Betty pursued her career in nursing and Vicki and Gordon began their careers and made their homes in Prince George. Doug retired in 1996 from Prince George Secondary School as Principal Teacher. Betty continued her career as a Registered Nurse at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, retiring in 2003.

In retirement, Betty and Doug have maintained their active lifestyle. They have traveled by motorhome throughout North America and have traveled to countries including England, Germany, The Netherlands, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia. They continue to enjoy their 70-year strong friendship, their family, valued friendships as well as their home and garden in the Connaught Crescent area, where they have lived since arriving in Prince George in 1981.

FINANCE MANAGER

Reporting to the COO, the Finance Manager will organize day-today Accounting procedures, prepare monthly and quarterly reports, process Accounts Payables & manage Accounts Receivables. If you have a background in Accounting or Finance and are looking to be a part of a dynamic team, we would like to meet you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparing funding applications to both Provincial & Federal funding programs

• Tracking project expenses and prepare expense reports

• Managing accounts receivable and payable

• Budgeting & forecasting

• Maintain reports on Financial Metrics, including investments, return on assets, and growth rates

• Manage company liabilities

• Identify and address account discrepancies

• Prepare payroll and process EFT’s

• Report on financial projections

• Liaise with Canada Revenue Agency and work closely with Auditors

SKILLS & INTERESTS

• Proven experience as a Finance Manager or a similar role for at least 5-years

• Hands on experience with Sage 50 Accounting software

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel

• Good understanding of bookkeeping procedures

• Time management and organization skills

• Must have a minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics

HOW TO APPLY

Preference may be given to a Lax Kw’alaams Member or persons with an understanding of Coast Tsimshian culture and practices.

Deadline for applications: October 09, 2020

Apply to: HUMAN RESOURCES

Email resume and cover letters to: hr@laxbdl.com

Must be willing to submit a Criminal Record Check

MACLEAN ENGINEERING

R0011835142

3.00x96.0-BW

PG13 / 684367

HERE WE GROW AGAIN!

MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Limited is looking for the following positions for our Western Canada Locations:

Field Service Technicians British Columbia

The Field Service Technician is responsible for providing hands-on field service work including onsite re-assembly, commissioning and servicing of equipment. Ideally, candidates will possess a certificate of qualification as a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (HDM) and have a minimum of 3 years hands-on experience as a Journey Person within the mining industry, preferably on heavy mobile equipment. The candidate must possess strong customer service skills, be proficient at reading and interpreting mechanical blueprints, hydraulic assembly drawings and electrical wiring. You must be able to work independently or in a team with minimal supervision and be willing to travel for extended periods of time as required for business purposes.

Interested candidates, please submit resume and cover letter to: humanresources@macleanengineering.com

Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line.

We thank all applicants in advance however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls/agencies please.

For more information on this and other positions, please visit our website at: www.macleanengineering.com

or

ficulty

tions

Apartments / Condos-For Sale

Duplexes for

Property For Sale

“DUNSTER

Fraser River frontage. 10 acres Island. 15 acres cleared. Mixed forest. 100% reliable water source. Log cabin attached to mobile home. Water line and hydro. Easy access. Mountainscape views. Private. 250-479-5545

45.5 ACRES Corner of Upper Fraser Rd & Beaver Forest Rd. with good driveway & building pad. $155,000. 250-614-6667

Houses for Sale

Lots & Acreages

250 967 4427 INVESTMENT & OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT ORMOND CREEK (NORTHSHORE FRASER LAKE BC) ON 8.1 ACRES/HOME MACHINERY/SHOP/GREENHOUSES

PHONE 250-699-1072 ONLY

Property For Sale

Lot #11 near intersection of Catherine Drive and Harold Drive In Miworth

330’ wide and 550’ deep Existing shared water well on site. $85,000

In the Matter of the Repairer’s Lien Act, Premium Truck & Trailer Inc. 1015 Great Street, Prince George, BC V2N 2K8 claims a Repairer’s Lien Act against the following person for work done and materials supplied in the repair of a 2012 Freightliner Truck Tractor, VIN # 1FURGNDR0CDBN3124 registered to Blize & Son Trucking Ltd. of Quesnel, BC. If the repairs of $34847.19 are not paid in full on or before the date stated the vehicle will be sold by private sale at 1015 Great Street, Prince George, BC. Date of Sale 5:00 pm – October 12, 2020.

Teresa Saunders

Dr.Devan Reddy

Richardand WendyGirard

Douglas Walder

Brian Pearson

DorothyReimer

David Flegel

Ronand AnnetteParnell

Dave Read

Jan Rose

Dave King

DorothyFriesen

Gordon Bliss

BarbaraHampe

Chris H.

Linda Wijcik

SusanMcCook

Jackie Clements

Roland Green

Sharon &Wayne Armistead

Is your ROOF “top of mind”?

Themost overlooked yet one of the most important features of your home,your biggest investment, is theroof.This multi-partinstalment of ASK MJ offers you tips to consider as youmaintainyourroof.Even though your asphlat roof is gauranteedfor 15 years it is recommendedthathomeowners inspectthe roof twice a year.Whether by physically getting on theroof or by adrone, these inspectionscan spot something beforeitbecomesanordeal.

TopRoofingTips to Remember

Damaged shingles on residential roof

Check for signs of shingle damage. Being exposed to everyday wear and tear from various elements can cause shingles to become dilapidated and get torn off, making aroof structureand interior space vulnerable to water seepage and rot. Thus, it ’s highly advisable for homeowners to examine roof coverings each year to ensuretheir integrity DIY roof repairers.

Those bold enough to attempt roof repairs themselves need to bear in mind thatit’sdangerous up there. It ’s advisable to stay on afirmly braced ladder equipped with rubber safety feet when possible. If youdodecide to walk on the roof, it ’s best to wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping. Quality roofing quotes.

When repairs go beyond aDIY project, you should makesuretodosome homework beforecalling in the cavalry.It’sadvisable to get at least two quotes so you can determine the best combination of quality and price. Think long-term and not cheap when choosing aroofing company and it ’ll save you alot of repair costs down the road.

Bottom line.

It ’s important to remember the roofline. Taking atop-down approach with yearly inspections and utilizing these quick tips and trickswill help preserve and protect your interior living space for many years to come.

Pace Realty’sMaintenance Team can help you with your yardand other home maintenance &renovation jobs. Call 250-562-6671 or email us at maintenance@pacerealty.ca today for afree, no hassle quote.

Mary-Jean (MJ) Jacobson loves to talk real estate! She is passionate about helping clients increase the value of the assets. She is aProfessional Property Manager,StrataManager,RealEstate Sales Agent and Licensed Managing Broker.She writes aseries of articles blogs and whitepapers about the real estate and property management industry at ASK MJ.

Go green with recycled paint

Made from leftover paint that’s been filtered, purified and remixed, recycled paint is the perfect eco-friendly option for all of your home renovation projects.

In terms of quality and ease of use, recycled paint is similar to most other paint options on the market. The only slight drawback is that there’s a limited number of colours and finishes to choose from.

However, its affordable price tag more than makes up for the relative lack of variety.

Not only does recycled paint support efforts to reuse and recycle, it’s more energy-efficient to produce than conventional paint. So why not give it a go for your next remodelling project? Happy painting!

Three ways to renew your home’s facade without breaking the bank

Would you like to give your home’s exterior a makeover? If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a full renovation, there are several affordable solutions that will get you similar results.

Here are three smart ideas to help you spruce up the look of your home without going broke.

1. PAINT

To effectively refresh your home’s exterior, there’s nothing better than a few coats of paint in one or more strategic places. Why not dare to try a brighter colour on

your front door or window frames?

2. LIGHT

Adding chic lighting (wall-mounted lights, solar-powered lanterns, etc.) is a great way to brighten up your entryway. Just make sure the fixtures you choose complement the overall style of your home.

3. LANDSCAPING

Well-thought-out landscaping and a few choice accessories (a unique mailbox or address plaque, for instance) will significantly enhance your home’s curb appeal.

MarcotteLaw Corporation has been ensuring smooth real estate transac tions forovertwo decades.When youare buying or selling,we’re heretohelp save youtime, risk, and money.

Donna

Should I get a robot vacuum cleaner?

Do you need a new vacuum cleaner? Have you considered a robotic one? There are many perks to recommend them.

The main advantage of a robot vacuum is, of course, that it frees you from a chore and saves you time. It can even clean while you’re away or at night (some types are extremely quiet). Furthermore, since it’s a small device that’s suitable for carpet as well as hard flooring, it can easily clean under furniture and requires little storage space. It’s also easy to transport (to your cottage, for example).

BUYING CRITERIA

To make the right choice, consider suction power, bucket capacity, navigation type (smart or not), noise level, battery capacity, charging time and brush positions.

Depending on the model, a robot vacuum cleaner may have features that allow you to: restrict the cleaning area, determine the most efficient route to cover the whole room, be programmed at a distance or return to its charging dock by itself and continue where it left off once it’s charged. Not too shabby!

Electronic locks for a safer home

Increasingly popular among safety-conscious homeowners, electronic locks guarantee superior protection for your home. Because they’re unlocked with a key card or a secret code instead of a traditional key, they’re among the most effective methods to prevent burglaries.

Electronic locks are a great solution for tech fanatics and smarthome enthusiasts. In fact, certain models on the market can be controlled directly from a cellphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This means you can lock and unlock your doors no matter where you are. These remote management capabilities also mean you can provide temporary access to a family member, friend or cleaner, if need be.

To find the best electronic lock for your home, visit a hardware store near you today.

Five common wallpaper mistakes

Would you like to put up some wallpaper to complement a room’s decor? For the results to live up to your expectations, make sure you don’t make any of these five common mistakes.

1. Forgetting to prepare the surface: for the wallpaper to adhere properly, thoroughly wash and dry your walls beforehand. Sand uneven or rough parts and fill any holes. Finally, apply a primer that’s specially designed for wallpaper application.

2. Choosing the wrong paste: there are many types of wallpaper on the market, and each one requires a specific type of adhesive paste. Therefore, to prevent your wallpaper from becoming deformed or from detaching, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and get the right paste for the job.

3. Not measuring: if you want your wallpaper to be put up the right way, get a measuring tape and a level, and draw reference lines on the walls to make sure the strips are vertical. Don’t rely just on wall angles, since they aren’t always perfectly straight.

4. Leaving no wiggle room: never cut your wallpaper to the exact size of your walls. Plan for an extra 5 to 10 centimetres instead, since wallpaper can stiffen while drying. You’ll just have to cut off the surplus with a utility knife.

5. Not wiping off extra paste: since wallpaper paste isn’t transparent and can create unsightly shiny spots, don’t wait until it dries to wipe it off. Always keep a damp sponge handy and remove excess paste every time you place a strip of wallpaper.

How to prevent mould

Mould lurks in damp places such as window sills and basements and may smell of earth and decay. Not only can it damage your home’s structure, but it also affects air quality and may lead to health issues accompanied by various symptoms (nasal discharge, wheezing, eye irritation, headaches, etc.). So how can you prevent mould from taking hold? Here are a few tips.

HUMIDITY AND VENTILATION

To prevent mould, maintain an indoor humidity level between 30 and 50 per cent and ensure optimal ventilation. This means you should:

• Avoid long showers.

• Always turn on the exhaust fan when bathing or cooking, and let it run for a few more minutes after finishing.

• Regularly empty the dehumidifier and clean appliances that contain water (humidifier, dehumidifier, air conditioner, etc.).

• Quickly clean up any messes or water leaks and discard water-damaged materials (carpets, mattresses, gypsum boards, upholstered furniture, etc.) immediately.

• Avoid storing cardboard boxes or old clothes in damp places such as the basement.

• Open windows on a regular basis and make sure your air exchanger is in good working order.

How to keep your washing machine smelling fresh

Has your washing machine started to give off a foul odour? Here are four tips to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.

1. Clean your washer on a regular basis. When was the last time you cleaned your washing machine? Over time, residue from dirty clothes can build up and produce foul smells. A few times a year, run an empty cycle with a product that can dissolve grease and lime buildup. Consider performing a deep clean of your washing machine as well (including the soap compartment) every year.

2. Leave the door open between loads. Closing your washing machine’s door right after you empty your clean clothes

creates a moist environment that’s highly conducive to foul-smelling mould. Leave the door open until the inside of the machine is completely dry.

3. Get clean clothes out immediately. Are you the type who forgets clothes in the washing machine, or do you have the habit of starting a load before leaving the house? Leaving your wet clothes in the machine for hours on end also leads to foul odours.

4. Use the right amount of detergent. Do you use more than the recommended quantity of detergent? Or do you only put in a tiny bit per load? For efficient washing and to prevent odours, always follow the detergent manufacturer’s recommendations.

Three practical accessories for your laundry room

clothes a breeze.

1. A WALL-MOUNTED DRYING RACK

If your laundry room is small, install a wall-mounted drying rack that you can simply lower when needed. You could also get a bottomless drawer equipped with rods — just open it up and spread out your laundry. If you prefer standing models, pick one that folds to save room.

2. A COLLAPSIBLE ROD

Install a rod in your laundry room so that you can hang clothes that don’t go in the

dryer. If you don’t have enough room, use a collapsible rod or a retractable clothesline that you can pull out as needed.

3. A DEEP SINK

Get yourself a big sink or washing tub. You’ll be able to soak your clothes to remove stains or wash them by hand if they’re very delicate. A sink or tub can also be used to dye fabric in.

A wall-mounted or folding drying rack is ideal for a small laundry room.

Elaine Kienzle

250 96 0-8769

elaine@elainekienzle.com aine@elain

Arare find! An extremely well maintained, fully finished townhome that has the perfect end unit location where you can enjoy evening sunsets &views of trees in Westgate Park. An added bonus to the double garage is the RV parking spot (max 30’allowed). Features: spacious open floor plan; ahuge kitchen any cook will love; laundry on main; master bdrm suite with 3pce ens; fabulous great room over the gar plus afully finished daylight basement. This could be the lifestyle choice for you! See MLSR2466060 to view the video.

Have a healthier home with an air exchanger

With pet hair, glues, paints, varnishes, cleaning products and dust, the air we breathe indoors is often less pure than the air outside. So how can you improve the air quality in your home?

One ideal solution would be to install an air exchanger for optimal ventilation.

SEVERAL BENEFITS

With walls becoming better insulated, and doors and windows being increasingly airtight, rooms these days are practically hermetically sealed. Although this is perfect for reducing air infiltrations and leaks that lead to higher energy bills, it also means moisture, foul smells and all kinds of pollutants remain trapped indoors. That’s why having an air exchanger to periodically renew your indoor air is valuable, even essential, for modern homes.

By replacing the used air in your home with fresh, outdoor air, this compact and easy-to-maintain device can help make your living space healthier.

It’s especially useful if one of your household members has asthma or allergies. Furthermore, an air exchanger makes your home more comfortable and reduces the risk of mould and condensation in your windows.

Convinced? To find the air exchanger that’s right for you, ask a local specialist for advice.

Bright choices for bathroom lighting

For bathroom lighting that’s both functional and appealing, there are a few rules you’ll need to follow when it comes time to choose your fixtures.

The main light source, generally located in the middle of the room, should give off

diffuse, indirect light. Opt for a ceiling light or a chandelier, for example.

For additional lighting, choose wall-mounted fixtures or spotlights that you can install above or alongside the mirror behind the sink. Make sure that they shine light evenly over your face when you’re in front of the mirror to facilitate shaving and makeup application.

If you want to create a unique atmosphere, try placing light strips along the bottom of the walls or installing embedded lights in the shower. Make sure you choose fixtures that are moisture resistant. Finally, install a dimmer switch so that you can adjust the intensity of the light to your liking.

AVOID:

• Harsh lighting

• Spotlights directed towards the bathtub

• Fabric lampshades

Expand your living space into the garage

Transforming your garage into a workspace, a den or a recreation room will allow you to not only expand your living space, but also give you the opportunity to let your imagination run free. When it comes to converting your garage, creativity isn’t just allowed — it’s encouraged!

Do you live for playoff season? Install a home theatre system, plenty of sofas and a popcorn machine in your garage. If you have enough space, build a bar and buy mini appliances (fridge, blender, etc.). Your guests will love spending game night in the comfort of your unique space.

Are your children particularly active? Transform your garage into a playroom. A magnetic dart board, a ping-pong or foosball table, a sound system and a video game corner will keep your kids occupied for hours.

There are endless uses for your new room. What will you build: a dance studio, an artist’s workshop, a reading nook, a home gym? The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

John harT

This nicely updated3-suite multi-family home on alarge lot is stepsaway from the river and Paddlewheel Park. These units have been updatedin the past5years, with newer hot watertank. This large lot with 2sheds makes foragreat outside space.

This nicely updatedmain floor includes newflooring in the living room,bathroom, bedroom, hall, and kitchen and newpaint. Twobedrooms up and one down. Outside basement entry makes this basement easily suite-able

Install a ceramic tile backsplash in five easy steps

If you’re looking for a way to enhance the look of your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room, try putting in a ceramic tile back­splash. Here are five steps to follow.

1. PREPARE THE SURFACE

If you’re installing the tiles in your bathroom or laundry room, make sure the wall you use is covered in water-resistant gypsum. This will provide the best protection against moisture and mould. Furthermore, the surface must be smooth, clean and dry. If the wall is painted, sand it gently.

2. DRAW GUIDE LINES

Draw a vertical line across the middle of the surface you want to cover. Then, place a tile spacer at the edge of your backsplash

(at counter level, for example). This will indicate where you should place your first row of tiles. Using a level and a pencil, draw a horizontal line to mark the placement.

3. PLACE THE TILES

Starting at the middle of the bottom row, use a trowel to spread ceramic tile adhesive on a small part of the wall. Place the tiles by lightly pressing on each one, referring back to the horizontal line you drew to make sure they’re level. Place a tile spacer between each tile and repeat until the surface is entirely covered. Let dry for 24 hours.

4. APPLY GROUT

Remove the tile spacers and wipe your ceramic tiles with a damp sponge. Apply the grout so that it fills the grout lines bet­ween the tiles. Smooth it out, let it dry, and then clean the tiles. Don’t apply grout to the edges of your backsplash (bet­ween the first row of ti­les and your counter, for example). You’re better off using caulking for these spaces.

5. SEAL THE GROUT LINES

Seal your grout lines by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Several coats might be necessary. Finally, clean your backsplash with a damp cloth, and admire the results!

ensuitetomatch.The flex room in the basement could easily be made intoa4th bedroom and the bath has all of the hook up forashower.

How to make a windowless room seem brighter

Whether it’s a powder room, a basement or an office, a room with no windows can be dark and hard to decorate. Here are a few tips to help you brighten your windowless room.

• Play with lighting. Install overhead pot lights evenly across the whole ceiling. Set up a few table or standing lamps for times you don’t want all the lights on.

• Use the right colours. Opting for pastels or light neutrals will give the room an airy, open feel. Stick with a simple colour scheme and avoid contrasting shades.

• Hang a mirror or two. Mirrors reflect light, making the space seem brighter and bigger.

Metallic, glass and other reflective surfaces have the same effect.

• Keep it simple. To keep the space feeling open and light, choose streamlined furniture and avoid filling the room with too many decorations.

• Install interior windows. If possible, replace a door or wall between two rooms with a frosted glass window or door. This will allow light from the adjoining room into your windowless space.

Even a windowless room can be light and airy. Follow these tips to make it a space you’ll love to spend time in.

Velvet revival: bring fall’s trendiest textile home

Velvet enthusiasts rejoice: home design’s lushest material is en vogue and cropping up on upholstered furniture, accessories and decor pieces across the country.

Once considered difficult to care for and easy to stain, today’s velvets come with a number of low-maintenance characteristics, from machine-washable to fade-, stain- and abrasion-resistant options.

Surprisingly, velvet is versatile. Not only does this plush textile looks fabulous in a range of colours and styles, it also works well in both contemporary and traditional homes.

While velvet has a reputation for being dark and moody, you don’t need to stick to dark hues. Velvet’s lavish texture is well suited to

jewel tones like emerald, amethyst and sapphire. However, if these tones are too bold for you, neutrals like greys and creams are more refined but just as stylish.

While it’s easy to fall in love with a velvet sofa, headboard or armchair, not everyone is in the market for new furniture. For a touch of the trend, add cushions and throws made of the fabric to your existing living room furniture. To bring it into the bedroom, choose velvet curtains or a quilt.

Whether you pair this textile with brass and wood for a mid-century touch, or go ultra-modern with clean lines and complementary pieces made of chrome and glass, velvet can fit easily into any home’s decor.

Bedroom decorating tips to help you get more Z’s

Many people suffer from the occasional bout of insomnia. However, if this happens to you more often than you’d like, making a few tweaks to your bedroom may be the solution. Here’s what you should do.

Get the right bed

Resting on a comfortable mattress makes it easier to fall and stay asleep every night. Choosing the right one, however, can be tricky.

The best thing to do is find a store with a good return policy so you can sleep on the mattress for at least a month before you decide if it’s a good fit.

Your bedding can also make a difference. Choose soft linens made of natural materials and comfortable pillows.

Make it a relaxing space

Decorate your bedroom with soothing colours, round shapes, soft textures and cosy or airy fabrics.

Many sleep experts also recommend keeping your bedroom clutter-free and clean. A disorganized space can stress you out, while a dusty and dirty room can aggravate allergies and make it harder to sleep.

Also, it’s a good idea to install blackout curtains to make the room as dark as possible when it’s time to sleep.

Keep technology out

It may be tempting to keep a television in your bedroom, but the light from the screen can trick your body into thinking it’s not tired. The same goes for your smartphone and even digital clocks.

For a restful sleep, keep your room free of light-emitting technology. If you need to unwind before bed, read a book or write in a journal instead.

One last tip: consider lowering the thermostat. Cool rooms help you fall asleep quicker and encourage deeper slumber.