A Halloween display lights up the front yard at 3651 Westwood Drive.
LOCAL MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULTING THREE GIRLS
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Prince George man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting three preteen girls by repeatedly putting his hand on their bottoms to push them out of the way as he swam around the lazy river at the Prince George Aquatic Centre. Judge Peter McDermick found that
James Allan Prince, 66, made contact with the girls, ages 11-12, four times combined - once below the buttocks and three times on them - over the course of 20-30 minutes during an evening in November 2017. It took more than 2 1/2 hours for McDermick to read out his verdict as he addressed concerns raised by defence counsel Tony Zipp about the girls pos-
sibly colluding on their stories, whether they accurately identified the culprit and the nature of Prince’s actions.
Had McDermick also found there was sexual intent, Prince would also have been found guilty of three counts of sexual interference of a person under 16.
Prince will be sentenced once a pre-sentence report has been completed.
Citizen staff
With COVID-19 still on the loose, Northern Health says it’s now important than ever to get a shot to protect against the spread of the common flu.
And the chance to get one will come as soon as the first week of November when they will be available at most Northern Health flu clinics, pharmacies and doctors offices throughout the region.
Not only will it keep you from contracting the bug but ease the load on the medical system.
“Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and death,” Northern Health said in a statement.
“If influenza spreads rapidly in communities at the same time as COVID-19 - it can overwhelm the healthcare system and put our loved ones at risk. The best protection is to get the flu shot this fall…and stay home if you are sick.”
To find a flu clinic or provider nearest you, visit ImmunizeBC’s website, or call 811.
You’re also urged to make an appointment to reduce line-ups and maintain safe physical distancing as the COVID-19 pandemic maintains its grip.
The shots are free for children, seniors, pregnant people, Indigenous people, those with underlying medical or chronic health conditions and those who work with or come in close contact with higher-risk groups.
For more information about the flu, visit northernhealth.ca.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
WHAT:
Public Hearings regarding:
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
•Proposed amendments to “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007”
City Council consideration of applications regarding:
•Proposed “City of Prince George 1912 20th Avenue Road Closure BylawNo. 9099, 2020”
•Proposed “City of Prince George 2217 Regents Crescent Road Closure Bylaw No. 9147, 2020”
•Proposed amendments to “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007”
•Temporar yUse Permit Application No. TU000065
•Cannabis Licensing Application No.’s CN000016, CN000015 and CN000014
•Liquor Licensing Application No. LL100171
WHEN:
Monday, November 9, 2020
WHERE:
Council Chamber sofCity Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC
PROPOSALS:
1. “City of Prince George 1912 20th Avenue Road Closure BylawNo. 9099, 2020”
Applicant: City of Prince George
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Pur suant to section 40 of the Community Charter,the City of Prince George intends to close an approximate 113.3 m² (square metres) por tion of road as shown on reference Plan EPP104768 dedicated on Plan 1268, adjacent to the proper ties legally described as Parcel 1, Plan BCP24383, Cariboo District and Lots 3, 4, 17, 18, all of Block 329, Plan 1268, Cariboo District and remove the road dedication, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #1 below
The pur pose of the road closure is to enable the sale of the closed road area to the adjacent proper ty owner Gustafson’sAutomobile Co. Ltd. The proposed closure and sale provides the proper ty owner the ability to consolidate the closed road area with their adjacent proper ty
Location Map #1 1912 20th Avenue Road Closure
2. “City of Prince George 2217 Regents Crescent Road Closure BylawNo. 9147, 2020”
Applicant: City of Prince George
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Pur suant to section 40 of the Community Charter, the City of Prince George intends to close an approximate 554.7 m² (square metres) por tion of lane dedicated on Plan 1409, as shown on Reference Plan EPP104229 adjacent to the proper ty
legally described as The Common Proper ty Strata Plan PGS345 and remove the lane dedication, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #2 below
The pur pose of the road closure is to enable the sale of the closed road area to the adjacent proper ty owner.The proposed closure and sale provides the proper ty owner the ability to consolidate the closed road area with their adjacent proper ty
Location Map #2 2217 Regents Crescent Road Closure
3. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9123, 2020”
Applicants: L&M Engineering Ltd. for Rock ‘N’ Roll Aggregates Ltd., Inc. No. 0406286 and T.R. Projects Ltd., Inc. No. BC0729296
Subject Proper ties: 5001 Nor th NechakoRoad, 2599 Nor th NechakoRoad and 4439 Craig Drive
Time: 6:00 p.m.
BylawNo. 9123, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject proper ties as follows:
a. that Lot 1, District Lot 4050, Cariboo District, Plan 25854, Except Plan EPP89775, be rezoned from AF: Agriculture and Forestr yand U1: Minor Utility to AG:Greenbelt, C3: Neighbourhood Commercial, RM3: Multiple Residential and RS2: Single Residential;
b. that District Lot 4051, Cariboo District, Except: Firstly; Plan B3724, Secondly; Plan 22731, Thirdly; Plan BCP4770, Four thly; Plan BCP4772, Fifthly; Plan BCP20972, be rezoned from AF: Agriculture and Forestr y, AG:Greenbelt, P1: Parksand Recreation and U1: Minor Utility to AG:Greenbelt, P1: Parksand Recreation, RM1: Multiple Residential, RS2: Single Residential and RT1: Two-Unit Residential; and
c. that Block A(Plan B3724), District Lot 4051, Cariboo District, Except Plan 22731 be rezoned from AF: Agriculture and Forestr yand AG:Greenbelt to AG:Greenbelt, RM1: Multiple Residential and RS2: Single Residential.
all as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #3 below
The pur pose of this application is to facilitate afuture subdivision consisting of a residential neighbourhood with amix of housing for ms, neighbourhood commercial areas and greenbelt areas on the subject proper ties, or other uses, pur suant to the AG:Greenbelt, C3: Neighbourhood Commercial, RM3: Multiple Residential, RS2: Single Residential, P1: Parksand Recreation, RM1: Multiple Residential and RT1: Two-Unit Residential zoning designation(s).
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Temporar yUse Permit No. TU000065
Applicant: Epik Products Inc. (Larissa Dawn Lebel) for Healx Medical Corporation Inc., Inc. No. BC1163648
Subject Proper ty: 356 George Street
Time: 6:00 p.m.
The pur pose of the proposed per mit is to allow Retail, Cannabis use on the subject proper ty.The proposed retail sale of cannabis will be located in an existing building on the subject proper ty.The applicant has successfully completed the required financial integrity checks and security screenings for anon-medical cannabis retail store by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. In accordance with the Local Government Act, temporar yuse per mits can allow ause not per mitted by azoning bylaw. These per mits mayonly be issued for amaximum of three (3) year sand mayberenewedonce for an additional three (3) year s.
The proposed Temporar yUse Permit applies to the proper ty legally described as Lot 5, Block 135, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location and Zoning Map #4 below
4.1. Cannabis License Application No. CN000016
The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for aCannabis License for anon-medical retail cannabis store on the subject proper ty.The applicant has successfully completed the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch financial integrity check and security screening for anon-medical cannabis retail store.
The proposed hour sofoperation are: MondaytoSunday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The proposed Cannabis License applies to the proper ty legally described as Lot 5, Block 135, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location and Zoning Map #4 below
Notice of City Council’sdecision with respect to the license application will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for their reviewand final deter mination.
Location and Zoning Map #4 356 George Street
5. Liquor License Application No. LL100171
Applicant: Nancy O’sRestaurant Group Inc., Inc. No. BC0973651
Subject Proper ties: 1261 -1267 3rd Avenue
Time: 6:00 p.m.
The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for an extension of the liquor primar yser vice area located in an existing building on the subject proper ties.
The pur pose of the application is to facilitate additional patron seating area, which will allow an increase in occupancy from 84 patrons to 141 patrons.
The existing Liquor Primar yLicense wasapproved for liquor ser vice from Mondayto Sunday, between the hour sof9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. No changes are proposed to the hour sofliquor ser vice.
The proposed Liquor License applies to the proper ties legally described as Lot 5, Block 133, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #5 below
Notice of City Council’sdecision will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for their reviewand final deter mination on this application.
Location Map #5 1261 –1267 3rd Avenue
6. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9139, 2020”
Applicant: Grasshopper Retail Inc. for Commonwealth Campus Corporation, Inc. No. BC0877533
Subject Proper ties: 409 –445 George Street
Time: 7:00 p.m.
BylawNo. 9139, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject proper ties from C1: Downtown to C1c: Downtown.
The pur pose of this application is to facilitate the continued operation of Retail, Cannabis as aprincipal use in the existing building on the subject proper ties, or other uses, pur suant to the proposed C1c: Downtown zoning designation(s).
The proposed Bylawapplies to the proper ties legally described as Lots 1, 2, 3and 4, Block 150, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #6 below
PRINCE
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
Location Map #6 409 –445 George Street
7. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9153, 2020”
Applicant: Access Engineering Consultants Ltd. for Tabor View Holdings Ltd., Inc. No. BC0624469
Subject Proper ty: 6055 MontereyRoad
Time: 7:00 p.m.
BylawNo. 9153, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject proper ty from C6l: Highway Commercial to C6lc: Highway Commercial.
The pur pose of this application is to facilitate the sale of retail cannabis in an existing building on the subject proper ty,orother uses, pur suant to the proposed C6lc: Highway Commercial zoning designation(s).
7.1 Cannabis License Application No. CN000015
The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for a Cannabis License for anon-medical retail cannabis store on the subject proper ty The proposed cannabis retail store will be located within apor tion of an existing building on the subject proper ty that is cur rently operating as aretail liquor store. The applicant has successfully completed the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch financial integrity check and security screening for anon-medical cannabis retail store.
The proposed hour sofser vice are:
MondaytoSunday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Notice of City Council’sdecision will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for their reviewand final deter mination on this application.
The proposed Bylawand Cannabis License apply to the proper ty legally described as Parcel B(S35060), District Lot 4039, Cariboo District, Plan 28088, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #7 below
Applicant: Access Engineering Consultants Ltd. for Brookwood Proper ties Inc., Inc. No. 762283
Subject Proper ty: 2626 Vance Road
Time: 7:00 p.m.
BylawNo. 9149, 2020 proposes to rezone the subject proper ty from C6l: Highway Commercial to C6lc: Highway Commercial.
The pur pose of this application is to facilitate the sale of retail cannabis in an existing building on the subject proper ty,orother uses, pur suant to the proposed C6lc: Highway Commercial zoning designation(s).
8.1 Cannabis License Application No. CN000014
The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for aCannabis License for anon-medical retail cannabis store on the subject proper ty.The proposed cannabis retail store will be located within an existing building on the subject proper ty The applicant has successfully completed the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch financial integrity check and security screening for anon-medical cannabis retail store. The proposed hour sofser vice are:
MondaytoSunday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Notice of City Council’sdecision will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for their reviewand final deter mination on this application.
The proposed Bylawand Cannabis Application apply to the proper ty legally described as Lot A, District Lot 1432, Cariboo District, Plan 26796, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #8 below
Location Map #8 2626 Vance Road
HOWCAN IPROVIDE COMMENT?
Residents are invited to provide comment in writing ,bytelephone or in per son.
Submissions in writing
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’swebsite.
Forsubmissions to be included on the agenda for Council’sreviewinadvance of the meeting date, theymust be received by the Cor porate Officer no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2020.Submissions received after the noted deadline and before 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2020, will be provided to Council on the dayofthe 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: Attention: Cor porate Officer,5th Floor City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9.
8. “City of Prince George Zoning BylawNo. 7850, 2007, Amendment BylawNo. 9149, 2020”
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council at their meeting held April 6, 2020 passed a resolution to discontinue Informal Hearings for cer tain Bylaws and applications where such hearings are not legally required to be held. Pur suant to Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act, City Council at their meeting held October 5, 2020, passed a resolution to waive the requirement for a Public Hearing in relation to proposed Bylaw No. 9123, 2020.
Residents wishing to provide comments to Council on the following Bylaws and applications, may do so, by submitting written cor respondence:
• “City of Prince George 1912 20th Avenue Road Closure Bylaw No. 9099, 2020”;
• “City of Prince George 2217 Regents Crescent Road Closure Bylaw No. 9147, 2020”;
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9139, 2020”;
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9123, 2020”;
• Temporar y Use Permit Application TU000065;
• Cannabis Licensing Application No. CN000016;
• Liquor License Application No. LL100171;
• Cannabis Licensing Application No. CN000015;
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9153, 2020”;
• Cannabis Licensing Application No. CN000014; and
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9149, 2020”.
Please note that written submissions for all applications will for m par t of the Council agenda, become public record and are posted on the City’s website. By making a written submission you are consenting to the disclosure of any per sonal infor mation that you provide.
Submissions by telephone
In an effor t to provide the public with options to speak to Council on a Public Hearing application(s) and in accordance with Ministerial Order No. M192, the City now offer s par ticipation remotely via telephone during Public Hearings.
Telephone submissions may only be received during Formal Public Hearings. Residents are invited to par ticipate by telephone for the following application(s):
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9139, 2020”
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9153, 2020”; and
• “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9149, 2020.
Residents can pre-register to speak to the proposed Bylaw(s) live via telephone. Preregistration will be open from 8:30 a.m., Thur sday, November 5, 2020 to Monday, November 9, 2020 at 12:00 p.m To pre-register to speak to Council via phone, visit our website www.princegeorge.ca/publichearings to complete an online registration for m or call 311. If you miss pre-registering , please watch the online live meeting broadcast as there will be an oppor tunity for you to call in for a limited period of time.
Submissions in person
Residents who wish to speak in per son can do so during the Public Hearing in Council Chamber s on the 2nd Floor of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2020
The City of Prince George follows the order s of the Provincial Health Officer and guidelines regarding the size of gatherings and physical distancing Where Public Hearings are required to be held, measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of member s of the public attending the Public Hearing to provide comments.
City of Prince George open Council meetings are public and may be televised, streamed live by webcast, recorded and archived on the City’s website for viewing by the public. By attending an open Council meeting or making a submission at a Public Hearing you are consenting to the disclosure of any per 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). For infor mation or questions, contact the City’s FIPPA Coordinator at (250)561-7600 or 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9.
For more detailed infor mation on providing submissions to Council, please visit www.princegeorge.ca/publichearings.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
A copy of the proposed Bylaws, applications and any related documents will be available for review by the public on the City’s website www.princegeorge.ca under ‘News and Notices’ beginning October 28, 2020 These documents may also be reviewed at the Development Ser vices office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on October 28, 29, 30, November 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9, 2020, between the hour s of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHO CAN I SPEAK TO?
For more infor mation, please contact Development Ser vices in per son, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to devser v@princegeorge.ca.
For more infor mation with regards to Road Closures, please contact Real Estate Ser vices, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to realestate@princegeorge.ca.
COVID-19 Resources
The City of Prince George has been in regular conver sation with Nor ther n Health about the most reliable sources of infor mation on novel coronavir us (COVID-19), and any assistance the City can provide residents and visitor s with reliable infor mation about measures that can be taken to prevent the spread and stay healthy.
People are advised to take all necessar y precautions to prevent exposure such as staying home when sick, disinfecting surfaces, washing their hands, and coughing and sneezing into the crook of their ar ms.
For more infor mation:
• Visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website
• Visit the BC Transit COVID-19 website
• Visit the BC Ministr y of Health webpage on Pandemic Preparedness
• Visit the Gover nment of Canada’s website on COVID-19
• Visit the HealthlinkBC website
• Visit the World Health Organization website
• Download the BC Ministr y of Health’s Advice on Recreational Facilities - March 13, 2020 [PDF]
Nor ther n Health COVID-19 Update
Nor ther n Health has launched a COVID-19 Online Clinic and Infor mation Line to help answer questions and concer ns from Nor ther n B.C. residents. The NH COVID-19 Online Clinic and Infor mation Line can be reached at 1-844-645-7811.
STAFFER FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST UNBC
MARK NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A former UNBC employee says she was wrongfully dismissed from her position because she blew the whistle on alleged improper conduct by the university’s upper management.
Specifically, in a notice of claim filed at the Prince George courthouse Oct. 14, Heather Sanford is accusing acting president Geoffrey Payne and board of governors chair Lee Ongman of undermining her efforts to ensure the board’s business was being conducted transparently.
For roughly four-and-a-half years ending in March, Sanford held down the job of university secretary.
Noting she is a non-practicing member of the Nova Scotia bar in good standing, Sanford says she was responsible for “en-
suring the effective and efficient operation of UNBC’s administrative and academic governing bodies” including the board of governors and senate. Those duties included coordinating meetings and maintaining records and providing advice on governance issues and best practices.
Sanford says the trouble began in mid-December 2019 when, at the request of human resources director Kerry Roberts, Ongman approved without the board’s endorsement a two-per-cent increase to the salary paid to UNBC’s then-president Daniel Weeks, retroactive to July 2019.
Further, Sanford says Ongman signed a performance review to support the increase without any actual review having been completed by Ongman or the board and issued the approval on the letterhead of Sanford’s office, both without her knowl-
edge and consent.
When she became aware of the action, Sanford says she immediately raised concerns with Ongman and Roberts and was told Ongman took the step when Roberts said it was the usual process. Ongman then indicated she felt she had been duped, according to Sanford.
Saying her work environment had become toxic, Sanford went on stress leave on March 1 and, while she was away, she says Payne and Ongman amended the agenda for that month’s board meeting, deleting an item regarding board rules and adding one about the external review.
When Sanford returned on March 10, she says she wrote to Ongman and Payne saying she felt she was being undermined and that her core work was being removed in retaliation over her effort to ensure trans-
parency surrounding the board’s business.
The next day, Sanford says she was directed to meet with Payne and Roberts on March 13. And on that day, Payne told Sanford her position was being eliminated for budgetary reasons and that “it was ‘in no way a termination.’”
But Sanford says otherwise, claiming she was “unduly and unfairly bullied and harassed” by Payne and Ongman because she had “blown the whistle on their conduct and that of Weeks, Daigle and Roberts, seeking to expose and remedy their breaches of Board Rules policy and practice.”
UNBC spokesman Matt Wood declined to comment because it is a legal and human resources issue. UNBC has not yet filed a response and none of the allegations have yet been tested in court.
Poverty committee report delayed
ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff
City council has given its committee looking at ways to reduce poverty another year to complete its work.
City council voted to extend the term of the Select Committee on Poverty Reduction to June 30, 2021. The committee was struck in October 2019 and was initially intended to provide its final report to city
council by June of this year.
Coun. Murry Krause, who chairs the committee, said the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the committee’s meetings in March, and they weren’t able to start meeting again until July.
“Every effort has been made to catch up that work. You’ll see draft recommendations coming back (to council) very soon,” Krause said. “This extension will allow us
to come back with better recommendations.”
Once city council has a chance to review the draft report, there will be a public consultation phase, Krause said. The input from the public will be incorporated into the committee’s final recommendations to council.
The committee includes Krause, Coun. Cori Ramsay and members from a number
of local service agencies and the provincial government. Krause said all of the committee members are passionate about the issue, and agreed to extend their terms to finish the report.
Ramsay said all the members are “very eager” to complete the work.
“I’m very excited for these recommendations to come forward to council,” she said.
Target of high-profile arrest sentenced
Citizen staff
One of two men arrested in a high-profile takedown has been sentenced lto a further 66 days in jail followed by three years probation.
John Robert Barton Craig, 34, was issued
the term in provincial court on Oct. 15 after pleading guilty to five counts from a July 17, 2019 arrest that forced the closure of Highway 97 at Noranda Road.
Craig had remained in custody since the arrest, for a total of 455 days.
Former teacher pleads guilty
More infrastructure spending needed: report
ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff
The City of Prince George is facing an annual infrastructure funding gap of $16.9 million per year, according to a report presented to city council.
The city owns roughly $3.7 billion in infrastructure in the form of roads, sewers, buildings and so on, city director of infrastructure services Adam Homes said. The average age of all those assets is 43 year old.
In some of the older neighbourhoods in the city, Homes said, the sewer system is still made of cast iron pipes and asbestos cement.
“They are coming to the end of their lifetime,” he said.
Homes said his department decided to do “a deep dive” into what the city is
spending on repairing and replacing its infrastructure and how much would be needed to ensure its ongoing operation.
Between 2011 and 2020, the city’s annual spending on infrastructure renewal increased from $4.5 million per year to $28.9 million per year. However, during the same period the amount of investment required grew from $16.9 million to $45.8 million per year.
Part of that increase is because the city has improved its assessments, now including things like the underground wiring for street lights, not just the poles themselves, Homes said. Condition assessments of every civic building have been integrated into the data.
Another contributor to the increase is that the city now is calculating the inflation rate for construction from two per cent
annually to five per cent.
“Previously we were using the (Consumer Price Index) for inflation, but it’s not a good reflection of construction inflation,” Homes said.
Coun. Garth Frizzell said the updated report gives council a better idea of the challenges it faces trying to maintain its infrastructure.
“Being able to measure what you manage is essential,” he said. “The average age of our assets is over 40 years old. We have to slowly fix the worst pieces each year, little by little. It’s not enough.”
The province and federal government do provide some funding for infrastructure projects –especially new construction, like the $10 million the city received towards the cost of the new pool under construction downtown, Frizzell said.
LIBRARY ADOPTS ANTI-RACISM EFFORT
The Prince George Public Library is taking action to combat racism. Some of the actions in the policy include:
- Ensuring that all events hosted on library property and all official library communications include an acknowledgment that the library conducts its work on the ancestral lands of the Lheidli T’enneh people.
- Reviewing and updating library spaces
and procedures to ensure that Black, Indigenous and people of colour are treated with dignity and respect and that they feel safe and welcome at the library.
- Developing a Diversity Policy that supports the recruitment and development of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour at all levels of the organization and board of trustees.
- Consulting with the public and organizations that advocate for and serve Black,
Indigenous, and people of colour.
- Creating programs and events that are specifically designed to reach Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.
Library director Paul Burry said society is diverse and pluralistic and for too long colonial institutions like libraries reinforced the marginalization of Black, Indigenous and people of colour. The library board has also begun work on a new diversity policy.
But filling out grant applications consumes a considerable amount of staff time, with no guarantee of any result, he said.
“This isn’t new, this has been coming up for years,” Coun. Kyle Sampson said.
While councils of the past may not have had the same information available today, he said, the need to spend more to maintain and replace aging infrastructure has been a challenge for the city for years.
It’s time to more forward and address the problem, he said.
Local governments only collect seven to eight per cent of the total taxes paid by Canadians, but are responsible for the bulk of the infrastructure critical to daily life, Coun. Brian Skakun said.
“There has to be some more ways for senior governments to support infrastructure,” he said. “We can’t do it on our own.”
Staff will begin consultation with the community to learn more about how the library can better serve Black, Indigenous, and people of colour. Antiracism will also feature prominently in the development of the library’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.
Community members are invited to provide feedback on the action items presented in the statement by submitting comments at www.pgpl.ca/comments or via email to Paul Burry at pburry@pgpl.ca.
Citizen staff
Morris cruises to win
Yo ur invi ta ti o n fo ra se co nd ch an ce to wi n.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Mike Morris sat down with some of his five grandchildren Saturday morning and told them there was a chance he might have a lot more time to spend with them if he didn’t get re-elected to his third term as Prince George-Mackenzie MLA .
Five-year-old Merrick Morris wasn’t worried grandpa would be losing his job and the early election results backed him up. With 82 of 82 polls reporting, the Liberal candidate Morris was comfortably ahead of Joan Atkinson of the NDP. Morris had 6,361 votes (52.33 per cent), while Atkinson, the Mackenzie mayor, was next in line with 3,874 (31.87 per cent).
“The polls are showing some fantastic numbers for NDP and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens 13 days down the road when they count the mail-in ballots,” he said. “I think what we’re finding tonight with all our poll captains is very low turnout of voters. A lot of seniors are very reticent to go out because of COVID. ”
The priorities of his second term in opposition remain the same, he said – to keep people working in the region. He said the key to making that happen will be continued diversification in the economy away from the forest sector.
“Forestry is going to change and I want to make sure we have input into how that is going to change,” Morris said. “I’d like to see our petrochemical industry rekindled with West Coast Olefins and the ethylene plant. More people are going to be out of work by next spring, so we need to do something now to mitigate that to the extent possible.”
“Build the mines and build that railway from Dease Lake to Alaska. Get that traffic flowing from the southern states up to Alaska and start looking for the vast amount of gold and copper and other minerals we have in that corridor between the Coast Range and the Rocky Mountains.”
First elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017, the 67-year-old Morris said the timing of the 2020 election, as the pandemic worsens, could not have been worse. His time to meet with constituents was extremely limited, usually in chance meetings in stores or parking lots or by phone.
Morris says he will do everything he can to represent the people of his riding, whether they voted for him or not. For this third term that will likely mean sitting in opposition as a government critic and he’s hoping that will bring positive results.
“You feel useless, government does not listen to us,” he said. “I know I listened to MLAs from across the province when I was a minister, but these folks here have turned the sound down and have entered into non-disclosure agreements with just about every group that’s out there so they can’t even talk to us.
“But you have to keep at it, that’s your job. I’ve got an opportunity to try to implement some of those changes I’ve been passionate about for years - biodiversity management, forestry, a diversified resource sector and public safety – I’ve done a lot of work on those to try and envision what a model looks like 30 or 40 years out and I’m dying for the opportunity to get into one of those roes to turn the dial and make a difference.”
Rustad takes Nechako Lakes
TED CLARKE
Citizen staff
John Rustad wasn’t wasting any time.
With a major winter storm predicted to sweep through his Nechako Lake riding Sunday afternoon and heavy snow expected, he was busy Saturday night taking down his own campaign signs along Highway 16 from Vanderhoof to his home at Cluculz Lake.
“I was over at some friends’ place in Vanderhoof for the first part of the results and I decided I didn’t want to watch anymore and jumped in the car and started cleaning up campaign signs,” said Rustad.
The 57-year-old Rustad locked up his fifth term at the Liberal MLA for Nechako Lakes. He had 4,120 votes (52.7 per cent) with 83 of 83 ballot boxes reporting, well ahead of the second-place Anne Marie Sam, the NDP candidate, who totaled 2,594 votes (33.2 per cent). Rustad may have won his riding but was powerless to turn back the NDP tide that gripped the province.
“I never count the chickens before they hatch and there’s still a lot of votes to come in in this riding, but if the numbers hold I’m quite humbled and honoured to continue to have the opportunity to represent the people of Nechako Lakes,” said Rustad. “It’s a big job in front of us though and I think about the priorities for Nechako Lakes and how we’ll have to figure out
how to work with the NDP to actually push some of these priorities and not get them lost in the NDP’s agenda.
“When you look at what the NDP stands for and what they’re working on, those aren’t priorities. So finding a way to make sure the things that help support the families and the communities in my riding become a priority or at least get some attention, that’s going to be the challenge for the next four years.”
Polls before the election predicted Horgan would get the majority he was seeking and Rustad said the early election results show that the NDP benefited from the provincial health office’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in keeping the death toll low in comparison to other provinces. Rustad made the decision early in his campaign not to knock on doors to respect people who have been in isolation since the pandemic broke out in March. He admitted as the incumbent MLA that name recognition helped him win favour with voters over the other four candidates at the ballot box.
“Democracy is often considered a blood sport and doesn’t work unless people are willing to stand for office and I want to thank the people that put their name forward in Nechako Lakes,” he said. “My hope is to actually work together on some issues even though I know there will be lots of partisan moments in the years ahead.”
stands between daughter-in-law Cristina Bond, left, and eight-year-old grandson Cooper Bond on Saturday evening at Prestige Treasure Cove Hotel shortly after polls closed in the provincial election.
BOND LOCKS UP SIXTH TERM
Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond will be heading back to Victoria for a sixth term.
Bond was leading as of Monday with 7.560 votes (56.4 per cent of the vote), ahead of NDP candidate Laura Parent (3,477 votes, 26 per cent), Green candidate Mackenzie Kerr (1,987, 14.8 per cent) and Libertarian Sean Robson (374 votes, 2.8 per cent).
With 88 of 88 ballot boxes reported, there is little chance of an upset when the mail-in ballots are counted. In Prince George-Valemount, 4,155 voters requested mail-in ballots.
The final count won’t be available until Nov. 6 at the very earliest, Elections BC officials said prior the election. An estimated 500,000 British Columbians voted by mail, according to Elections BC.
“First of all, I want to say thank you for the incredible hard work of all the volunteers,” Bond said after polls closed on Saturday. “It’s been a personally difficult campaign. I’ve never run for office without my husband Bill beside me. I couldn’t do this without a family that takes good care of me.”
Bond said she’s concerned that government will be
sitting idle during the middle of a pandemic, waiting on mail-in ballots to be counted.
“We should be in the legislature, not at a campaign event tonight,” she said.
Bond said she wanted thank her opponents, and that she was glad to see a diverse group of people for coming forward to take part in the political process.
“From my perspective, politics should reflect what B.C. looks like,” she said. “It’s often difficult to convince women to be involved in politics. It’s seen as quite adversarial.”
NDP candidate Laura Parent declined to comment, ahead of the NDP conceding the riding.
Green candidate Mackenzie Kerr said she was proud of the showing she and her party made in the election.
“I’m just so incredibly proud and honoured to have gotten so many votes already,” Kerr said. “Of course we’re hoping for more seats, always. (But) we have been second place in many ridings. We have surpassed the 10 per cent threshold in so many ridings.”
Kerr said she plans to keep in touch with Bond, and hopes to continue advocating for sustainable, green local initiatives.
Wilkinson resigns as leader
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson has resigned as leader of the party.
In a brief news conference on Monday afternoon, Wilkinson announced his resignation and said he would stay on as interim leader until a new party leader can be elected.
“Leading the B.C. Liberals has been a great honour,” Wilkinson said. “Today we begin the challenging work of rebuilding the Liberal party.”
Wilkinson said while roughly 500,000 mail-in ballots remain to be counted by Elections BC, it is clear the NDP will form a majority government.
“I want to again thank British Columbians for engaging in the democratic process,” he said.
Wilkinson didn’t take questions from the media.
Prince George MLA Shirley Bond said Wilkinson made a
tough choice for the good of the party.
“I respect him for making that very difficult decision,” Bond said.
The outcome of the election wasn’t what the party hoped for, she said, but it presents an opportunity for the party to re-engage with voters and rebuild the public trust.
“I think that work can be quite invigorating,” she said. Bond said she has no desire to take on the top job in the party.
“I am very honoured and content to be the MLA for Prince George-Valemount,” she said.
Bond said she hopes to take on a critic role relevant to the region, and plans to continue holding the NDP accountable and advocate for the region.
Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris wasn’t immediately available for comment.
What: Consultation regarding Temporary Use Permit No. 239
Owner: Darcy Mortimer and Debra Dagenais
Proposal: The purpose of Temporary Use Permit No. 239 is to permit Campground use limited to amaximum of 25 campsites and Tourist Accommodation use limited to a maximum of 10 cabins for a3year period. The subject property is Lot 1District Lots 3356, 3360, 3361 and 8199 Cariboo District Plan PGP40923. The property is located at 2015 Isle PierreRoad, Prince George.
How can Iparticipate and provide comment? Anyone who believes that their interest in land is affected by the proposed Permit shall be afforded areasonable opportunity to submit written comments prior to the Regional District Boardconsidering issuance of the Permit.
Submit written comments: Written comments will be accepted by the Regional District until 12:00 p.m. on Monday,November 16, 2020 by: Email: developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca
Hand/Mail: 155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8 Fax: 250-562-8676
Any material received will become public information.
Need moreinfo? Acopy of the proposed Permit and any relevant background materials areavailable for review by the public on the Regional District’swebsite at http://www.rdffg.bc.ca/services/development/land-useplanning/current-applications/ or at the Regional District office, by appointment only,Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, between October 22, 2020, and November 19, 2020. The Regional District Office will be closed on November 11, 2020. To make an appointment contact the Regional District at developmentservices@ rdffg.bc.ca or at 250-960-4400
Decision by the Regional District Board: Following the public consultation, the Regional District Boardwill consider issuance of Temporary Use Permit No. 239 on Thursday,November 19, 2020 during the Regional District Boardmeeting which starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Regional District BoardRoom located at 155 George Street, Prince George, BC.
Who can Ispeak to? Daniel Burke, Planner
Citizen staff
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE.
Incumbent Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond
CALENDAR SALES BENEFIT KIDS HOSPITAL
CHRISTINE HINZMANN
Citizen staff
Local artist Rick Mintz has got his latest fundraising calendar ready for sale with proceeds going to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation that helps more than 3,000 children from the north each year.
This year’s calendar theme is backyard birds. Mintz creates his art by referencing photographs he’s taken himself.
His favourites in the calendar are the northern flicker and the yellow warbler.
Mintz continues to be inspired to create the fundraising calendar because so
many children are helped at the hospital located in Vancouver each year and as the chairperson of the local Community For Kids committee, which fundraises for the hospital locally, he felt this was something he could do himself to help the effort.
Each calendar sells for $20.
Calendars are available for sale at Studio 2880, 2880 15th Ave. He will be at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St., on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sell the calendars.
Mintz would like to extend an invitation to those who might like to volunteer for the Community for Kids to contact him at 250-964-9182.
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This painting of a northern flicker can be found in a fundraising calendar created by Rick Mintz. All proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver that helps so many local children.
Powder King seeks access centre funds
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
Powder King Mountain Resort is applying for $1 million in provincial funding to build a community access centre at the base of the resort.
The ski resort, located 195 kilometres north of Prince George, applied to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program for funding to build the centre. Under the program requirements, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George had to officially file the application on the resort’s behalf, district administrator Jim
Martin said.
“It is a bit frustrating the province didn’t approach us in advance about what kind of concerns we might have about being the lead applicant,” Martin said. “(But) we certainly don’t want to block an opportunity for local mountain resorts in accessing the funds.”
A report presented to regional district board of directors said the community access centre would be a multi-function recreation centre located at the central base of the resort. The construction of the centre would enhance the resort’s ability
to offer year-round recreation on the site, the report added.
The district board voted in favour of acting as the lead applicant, with the caveats that the regional district wouldn’t be required to own the facility or assume any of the liability for operating it.
Martin said the district had a similar arrangement with the 2015 Canada Winter Games organizers to seek funding for sporting venue upgrades in the district.
“Powder King understands all of these pieces, and they’re willing to move forward,” Martin said.
driving
Citizen staff
A man has been issued a two-year driving prohibition for a wild and erratic drive along Highway 16 this past summer.
Taylor Fountain, 33, was also sentenced to a four-month conditional sentence order during a hearing at the courthouse last week for the June 4 incident that ended when RCMP deployed spike belts after closing off part of the highway east of the city.
Local Mounties were called out after RCMP in McBride gave them the heads up that an erratic driver was heading towards the city and swerving into the oncoming lane.
Police attempted to pull him over near Purden Lake but without success. Highway 16 was closed at Old Cariboo Highway and with the help of spike belts and other tactics, police stopped the suspect vehicle at Giscome Road. A female passenger was also arrested but later released. Charges of unlawful confinement and fleeing police were stayed.
Fountain spent 26 days in custody following his arrest.
Mental health help available
CHRISTINE HINZMANN Citizen staff
As COVID-19 numbers begin to increase again, people who’ve never experienced mental health issues might start feeling the effects.
The best advice? Reach out immediately.
“You’re not alone and there is help for you,” Maureen Davis, executive director of the Prince George branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, said. “For many people this might come as a shock to them as they’ve never had an experience with mental health issues before but Covid is the leveler.”
There are peer support services, there
are free education components and there are a number of apps that are available to help people manage a lot of their issues for living with anxiety or depression.
Davis said there hasn’t been a significant increase in demand for services at the Canadian Mental Health Association locally as people have gone into hibernation mode but she anticipates that will change soon.
For anyone struggling with mental health issues the forced isolation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus has added to the isolation already often felt.
For more information about the CMHA services visit https://princegeorge.cmha. bc.ca/.
PAIR OF POT SHOPS PROPOSED
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
A pair of proposed cannabis stores will be going to public hearings before city council.
Brookwood Properties has applied to rezone a storefront at 2626 Vance Rd., within part of the building housing Costless Liquor and Custom Car & Audio to allow cannabis sales.
Tabor View Holdings is seeking to rezone 6055 Monterey Rd. to allow retail cannabis sales. The storefront is currently vacant and shares a building with the Hart Wholesale Liquor Store. City council gave both rezoning
applications first and second reading, and the applications will go to public hearings to allow public input.
The proposed Vance Road store would be a 237 sq. metre (2,550 sq. foot) retail location, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
The proposed Monterey Road location would operate within the existing building and is also planning to be open seven day a week from 9 a.m to 11 p.m. daily.
Dates haven’t been set for the public hearings but the city will publish notifications seeking public input once the hearings have been scheduled.
HART SKI HILL EAGER TO START NEW SEASON
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Peter Hoffman, outdoor manager for the Hart Highlands Winter Club, is keeping his fingers crossed. The cold winter-like conditions last week allowed him to operate the snowmaking equipment that’s now into its fourth year at the hill and although warmer weather conditions are expected later this week, Hoffman says they are weeks ahead of last year’s pace.
So while motorists and snow shovelers cursed the 15 centimetres of white stuff that fell early Monday morning, Hoffman welcomed it.
“That was awesome for sure, “ Hoffman said. “We’ve been making snow for the last four days and this little dump today is a good step. It does look like it’s going to get warm for the next couple days but we’re hoping not to lose too much snow. We’re hoping for a mid-to-late-November start for us, it would definitely be the earliest in a couple of years. We started around mid-De-
Citizen staff
Fund helps cover minor hockey costs
cember last year. The snow gun makes a big difference. It gives us a base over the whole hill, it doesn’t melt as fast and we can definitely keep the season going way longer than we ever have been able to.”
Hoffman said the hill is following provincial guidelines and COVID-19 protocols on social distancing and mask wearing will be in place this fall, which should allow safe operation of the resort.
The club last year had close to 1,700 members and is on pace to sell even more season passes this year.
“We definitely have the potential for a long season this year,” Hoffman said. “We need five or six inches on the hill to be able to run the groomer without bringing up dirt. If the weather changes and it gets cold the next couple days and all that rain we’re supposed to get turns to snow we’ll be in really good shape.”
Hart Ski Hill is located 15 minutes from downtown Prince George at 3740 Winslow Dr.
The snowmaking machines and some early winter weather should help the Hart Ski Hill be able to open early this year.
The Hockey Canada Foundation and its $1 million Assist Fund will provide up to $500 to help cover the registration cost for a young player registered with a Hockey Canada-sanctioned association. The program will especially help families whose incomes have been reduced through job loses or reduced working hours due to the pandemic.
IS THE BOX EMPTY?
The program is open to players whose parents or guardians who have been receiving the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, now known as the Canadian Recovery Benefit, and/ or the Canadian Child Benefit.
Applicants can submit funding requests even if the player is already registered with Hockey Canada in their local hockey association program. If approved, the funds would be made available within four weeks.
More information is available at hockeycanadafoundation.ca.
Gauthier battling for national spot
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
A day after he learned the start of the Western Hockey League season has been pushed back another month and won’t begin until January, Taylor Gauthier put his game face on.
He answered the call to play for the Okotoks Oilers as an emergency injury replacement goalie for a pair of Alberta Junior Hockey League exhibition games against the Brooks Bandits.
Gauthier made 37 saves in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Bandits in Okotoks and in the rematch in Brooks, the Bandits took a 2-1 lead on a second-period power-play goal and added an empty-netter for a 3-1 victory. Gauthier blocked 22 shots.
Gauthier has been working construction job in Calgary and has added 10 pounds of muscle to his six-foot-two frame and now tips the scales at 200. Aside from a few scrimmages and goaltender practices over the summer, he hadn’t had any opportuni-
ties to play at a high level.
Having represented Canada several times in international tournaments, starting when he was 16, Gauthier is still on the radar to wear the maple leaf at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton Dec. 26-Jan. 5. He’s one of five goalies who will be invited to the Hockey Canada tryouts in late-November of early-December.. He was part of the team’s virtual camp in July , working with national team goalie coach and former Prince George resident Jason LaBarbera.
Dyland Garand (Kamloops Blazers), Sebastian Cossa (Edmonton Oil Kings), Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit, OHL) and Brett Brochu (London Knights, OHL) are the other invited Team Canada goalies.
Gauthier will work one more week at his construction job then plans to drive Sto Prince George, where a few of his Cougar teammates, past and present, will be renting some ice on their own to get ready for the season.
St. Clair talks his way into hall of fame
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Ron St. Clair’s childhood broadcasting ambitions revolved around the chill of arena ice and hockey pucks, not the smell of burning rubber or the sound of revving engines.
He wanted to be the next Foster Hewitt and would lay awake at night listening to the legendary Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play announcer turn words into mental images of hip checks and breakaway saves for the young St. Clair.
He was already on his way to a career in the arena broadcast booth track when he took an exit off-ramp that led directly to Delaware Speedway. Nearly four decades later, St. Clair has found his place in the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame as one of the 15 inductees into the 2020 class.
“It was something I never chased, I was pursuing a career in hockey and the motorsport thing fell into my lap, back in 1982, and I just took the bull by the horn and ran with it,” said St. Clair. “I had so much passion for motorsports, as much as I did for hockey, that one crossed over to the other and my work ethic was the same for both sports.
“I was in the right place at the right time and had some good people along with me and was on the ground floor of a national tour and parlayed into a successful career. In those days I did all that solo and there was no electronic scoring and you had to be focused like a laser beam.”
Born in St. Marys, Ont., St. Clair was
Broadcaster Ron St. Clair of Prince George, shown at right interviewing CASCAR president Tony Novotny in this undated photo, has been inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.
raised in nearby London, which had two stock car tracks – Nilestown and Delaware - where his love for speed took hold at age 12 when his dad first took him to the races. St. Clair first broke into the stock car world professionally in 1982 in Saskatoon and six years later he was back home as the announcer at Delaware Speedway, just as the Canadian Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (CASCAR) series was being formed by London-based businessman Tony Novotny. St. Clair’s flair for calling motorsport rac-
es took him to more than 50 stock car and drag racing tracks in Canada and the U.S. and he became an in-demand commodity. His play-by-play and colour commentary coverage of CASCAR and later, the NASCAR Canada series, on the Eastern Canadian and national tours was packaged for weekly broadcasts on TSN, Sportsnet and Speedvision in the mid-1990s.
“That was fun because it made me look like a genius,” he said. “I would announce a race, say in Calgary one weekend, fly back to Prince George, then fly back to Toronto
the following weekend and re-announce the edited version for TV. Of course by then I would already know what had happened and had a chance to talk to the drivers (to predict) ‘oh it looks like he’s going to blow a motor here.’”
The CASCAR Super Series became the support series of the high-profile Indy Series races in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto.
St. Clair, 62, a former junior hockey goaltender, provided play-by-play radio broadcasts for the London Knights (198994) and Kingston Frontenacs (1994-2001) and moved from Vernon to Prince George in 2003 to become the voice of the Prince George Cougars for seven seasons (200310).
He co-founded the CASCAR West series in 1994, which raced at PGARA Speedway in Prince George, and also participated in regional late-model stock car series in B.C. and Alberta, calling WESCAR and ARCA races.
St. Clair is now part of the hall’s builder/ contributor category, among 285 names who have been given their place of honour. This year’s list includes race car drivers Jim Bray, Danny Burritt, Kevin Dowler,. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Alex Nagy, Steve Robblee, Kenny Wilden and Nathalie Richard.
Sprint car racer Cliff Hucul of Prince George, a three-time Indianapolis 500 qualifier in the 1970s was nominated for inclusion in the hall this year but not make the list of inductees.
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Teen on the mend after colitis battle
CHRISTINE HINZMANN Citizen staff
After being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at seven years old, one local teenager is happily in remission after years of treatment.
The journey to get to that point wasn’t an easy one and required help from many sources. Kalena needed specialized treatment that included attending at BC Children’s Hospital several times a year.
Kathy Samaai, Kalena’s mom, said it was a scary time for the family when Kalena was first diagnosed on her seventh birthday. Ulcerative colitis is rarely diagnosed in someone her age.
The trouble started about six months before the diagnosis when Kalena started getting fevers for no apparent reason. She was in pain and began having bloody stool that prompted her family to take her to the local emergency room on a regular bases.
Kalena was only six years old and needed specialized tests like an endoscopy and
a colonoscopy. Those procedures are not done in Prince George in children and the she needed to go to Vancouver.
“It’s a 12-hour drive,” Samaai said. “Our car wasn’t new and I was working full time and worried about missing work.”
Once diagnosed the proposed treatment options were not ideal and while one involved an invasive surgery that involved installing a stoma bag that sits outside the body, the other was a biochemical infusion that comes with risk of side effects.
“Kalena always liked to swim, especially synchronized swimming and just loves the water so wearing a bag was not ideal,” Samaai said.
As a family it was decided that the biochemical infusions would be used for treatment, as long as Kalena’s system would accept it.
“But of course with the biochemical comes side effects like a sensitivity to sun, for example,” Samaai said. “So she had to stay out of the sun or cover up really well
to avoid burning because that could lead to cancer.”
The treatment was administered at BC Children’s Hospital and would continue every eight weeks for the foreseeable future.
The trips by car down south were all right until winter hit and that was when hospital staff told Samaai about Hope Air to help with flights to and from treatments.
“When I called Hope Air it was a good experience,” Samaai said, “The staff was easy to connect with and our flight was booked. That was in 2012 and we have been flying with Hope Air ever since. We just couldn’t have done it without Hope Air.”
Before that first trip. Kalena had never even been on a plane. She and her mother have made 75 trips with Hope Air to date.
Kalena is now 16, in remission and feeling good. She is a swimmer working on getting her lifeguard certification. She wants to go into medicine when she’s older and looks forward to life guarding to earn money for her tuition.
NIGERIAN GROUP RECOGNIZES HOSPITAL WORKERS
Citizen staff
To celebrate the Nigerian 60th anniversary of independence Day on Oct. 1, the Northern B.C. Nigerian Community Association decided to give back to the community.
On Oct. 6, 250 customized travel mugs and coffee mugs were gifted to the frontline workers at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.
Another 100 coffee mugs are being sent to facilities in Quesnel, Vanderhoof, Dawson Creek, Mackenzie, Forth St. James, Fort St. John and Smithers.
Usually celebrations for the Nigerian Independence Day would include parades, parties and cultural exhibitions featuring food and attire worn highlighting green and white, which are the colours of the Nigerian flag.
As the coronavirus pandemic has affected the whole world, the local association thought to honour the efforts of frontline workers as a way to celebrate this year.
Delivery of the mugs took planning to make sure precautionary protocols were in place to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus and saw a few members of the Nigerian Association meet up with Belinder Maidment, director of medicine, prenatal and children’s health; Lia Clemas, director
of perioperative and high intervention; Julie Dhaliwal, director of community services and urgent primary and community care centre and Debra Woods, implementation lead, Prince George.
During the gifting of the mugs outside of
the hospital, Kingsley Ilekendi, president of the local association, expressed his gratitude for the UHNBC staff as everyone navigates their way through the pandemic.
The Nigerian Association of Northern BC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization
committed to advancing the full social and economic integration and participation of newcomers, immigrants and people of Nigerian descent in Northern British Columbia. The association is a member-funded association.
City council clearing way for more patio service
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
Local pubs and bars will continue to be able to apply to expand their patio areas without any red tape from the City of Prince George.
City council extended the pre-approval for patio area expansions until Oct. 31, 2021. Under the extension, businesses applying to the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis
Regulation Brach to expand their outside serving area during the COVID-19 pandemic will not need to have their application approved by city council before being considered by the provincial regulator.
“I could see this be a benefit to areas outside northern B.C.,” Coun. Brian Skakun said. “Our businesses here will face an extra burden because of COVID. There are businesses that are closing their doors that
may never open again.”
The provincial government launched the initiative earlier this year, as way to help businesses struggling with the limited seating restrictions in place during the pandemic.
“I think it’s great we’re extending it,” Coun. Kyle Sampson said. “We’re just cutting red tape on our end.”
Coun. Susan Scott said it is good to see
the province and city helping businesses find creative solutions to stay open during the pandemic.
“I don’t necessarily want to be sitting on a patio in December, but I’d be up for it,” she said.
Mayor Lyn Hall said he hopes to see more local businesses take advantage of the initiative once the weather warms up in the spring.
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Kalena Samaai, 16, is in remission from ulcerative colitis. It was a long road to recovery and it took lots of help to get there.
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The local Nigerian Community Association celebrated Nigeria’s 60th anniversary of Independence Day on Oct. 1 by donating travel and coffee mugs to frontline workers at the hospital.
TWO RIVERS NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
CHRISTINE HINZMANN Citizen staff
Sara Knelman is the new executive director of the Two Rivers Gallery.
Knelman comes to Prince George from Toronto and will move here permanently in the middle of November.
Knelman started the job at Two Rivers Gallery on Oct. 5 and will be traveling back and forth for the next few weeks.
Knelman will bring husband Mark Weedon and her three-year-old son with her as she takes on this new position.
Fortunately, Weedon works remotely in the insurance industry and as an independent filmmaker so moving to Prince George will not disrupt his careers.
The first time Knelman was in Prince George was as part of the recruitment process for the gallery position but she has visited the west on more than one occasion, she said.
Knelman was a curator of contemporary art at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. She held that position for four years.
“Hamilton is a very different city, of course, from Prince George,” Knelman said. “It’s bigger and also and is in the
gravitational pull of Toronto but similarly Hamilton is a smaller community where the arts and cultural and education sectors were growing rapidly and finding their way. A community with a very industrial, working class history that really shaped its perspective.”
Knelman said that was a frame of reference for her coming to Prince George, she added.
“I was bowled over by the immediate beauty of the natural surroundings and I had some time to drive around the city and see some of the more accessible parks in the immediate area and see the ring of forest that surround the city and especially in the fall, it’s quite spectacular,” Knelman said. “I got to experience all of the facets of the downtown core where the art gallery exists. Where you can see burgeoning independent businesses and restaurants and shops that are being lovingly, beautifully run and of course you can also see many of the urban challenges that are facing many cities, not only in this country, where people are experiencing homelessness and people are experiencing difficulties in relation to mental health and addiction
challenges. I look forward at the gallery to finding ways to continue to be part of the conversation in the city about how to support, find resources and find ways of inclusion for everyone.”
Knelman spent about 12 years in London, England getting her masters degree and PhD in art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art.
Her three main career paths include curating modern art, writing for art maga-
zines, books catalogues and as an educator where she has taught at post-secondary institutions in Toronto and in England.
For the last two years, Knelman worked as the director of the Corkin Gallery in Toronto.
“At this juncture of my career, I was looking to bring all these threads together to really have a challenge and opportunity to be in a leadership position in a public art institution as I began thinking about this and looking around a little bit this opportunity at the Two Rivers Gallery caught my attention and I have to say when I started to explore the gallery’s history and programs I was so deeply moved by what this gallery has done and is doing and so that’s where it started.”
Knelman wants to remind Prince George residents the Two Rivers Gallery is open to the public with safety measures in place and everyone is welcome to attend.
The most recent exhibit is by Amanda Strong, a Michif interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker.
The exhibit is called iskocîsa (little fires) and is showcased in the Canfor galleries until Jan 3, 2021.
District tackling plastic agriculture waste
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
Citizen staff
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George will be taking part in a study aimed at getting a handle on plastic waste produced by farms in the region.
Agricultural plastic waste – including bale wrap, silage film and twine – is classed as industrial waste and is not included in provincial recycling regulations. The regional district board voted to partner with Cleanfarms to conduct a study on the amount of plastic farm waste being
produced in the region, with the potential to develop a three-year recycling pilot project.
“This is an issue, agricultural plastic waste has come up many times,” director Lara Beckett said. “We haven’t gotten very far, for the number of years we’ve been working on it.”
The study results could also be used to help advocate for an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program that would see the manufacturers made responsible for the costs of recycling the material, Beckett said.
The district contributed $5,000 to conduct the study, with Cleanfarms matching that through a federal grant.
The study will provide information used to create a budget for a three-year recycling pilot project, district waste diversion program leader Rachael Ryder wrote in a report to the district board. If the pilot project goes ahead, Cleanfarms would provide half of the funding through federal grants.
The Foothills Regional Landfill is the designated facility for handling industrial waste in the district, Ryder said.
Man arrested as police thwart gun theft
A man known to northern B.C. police and courts has been arrested and charged after Prince George RCMP thwarted an alleged attempt to steal firearms from a local retailer.
Skyler Joseph Jakesta, 26, is in custody on five counts including a charge of break and enter with intent to steal firearms. He was apprehended after Prince George RCMP were called to the Domano
Boulevard store shortly after midnight on Oct. 21.
Police said a handler and dog were first on the scene and spotted someone trying to break into an area designated for securely storing firearms. He was flushed out and arrested when he emerged out the front door and into the “awaiting handcuffs of other frontline officers.”
Jakesta was armed with a hunting knife and axe at the time of the arrest and was
wearing clothing from the store, RCMP said.
Police believe Jakesta was acting alone. Jakesta has a lengthy record of offences committed in Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Dease Lake and RCMP said he has been the subject of many police contacts in the five months since he moved to Prince George
He remained in custody following a bail hearing on Oct. 21.
“We’ve heard anecdotally how some people are handling this material,” Ryder said, including burning it or burying it on site. There are no options to recycle plastic farm waste in the Robson Valley, director Danielle Alan said.
“This is a huge issue in our area. The transfer stations are not large enough to take all this material. No construction waste company will take it,” Alan said. “There was a whole pile of it dumped in the Dore River this year.”
Cleanfarms is a not-for-profit environmental stewardship organization.
A Prince George man is facing multiple charges linked to a drug bust in August 2019, according to RCMP. Tyler Aaron Gelowitz, 39, is facing five counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, plus one count of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a loaded,
restricted firearm without authorization. The charges stem from an investigation by the Prince George RCMP’s street crew unit, which conducted search warrants on five homes on Aug. 1, 2019. The homes were located on the 2800-block of Parent Road, 4100-block of First Avenue, 4300-block of Eaglenest Crescent and two in the 100-block of McIntyre Crescent.
During the searches, police seized 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, 0.5 kg of methamphetamine, 200 grams of fentanyl and 28 grams of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
In addition, police seized a total of nine firearms, including two pistols, a silencer and $129,000 in cash.
Gelowitz is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 18.
Illicit drugs were seized and four people were arrested when the Prince George RCMP’s street crew unit executed a search warrant on a La Salle Avenue home on Fri., Oct. 16.
A “significant amount” of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, along with cash and two firearms, one of which was loaded, were uncovered, RCMP said, adding the action was taken as part of an ongoing investigation. Two men, ages 19 and 37, and two women, ages 36 and 30, were arrested and later released pending further investigation and charge approval from federal Crown counsel. Names of those arrested were not provided.
Citizen staff
Citizen staff
Citizen staff
EMMA MCINTYRE PHOTO
SARA KNELMAN
Nordic skiers welcome early snow
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Ski tracks are being made in the city in October for the first time in nearly a decade and not everybody is mad about Mother Nature about it.
Otway Nordic Centre is already open to members of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club and that dump of snow that fell late Sunday and in the wee hours of Monday morning left a thick white blanket. Coming off one of the latest ski seasons in recent memory,
which allowed skiers to do their thing into late April, Otway appears to be heading to one of its earliest openings since the club adopted the area as its home in 1984.
Caledonia club general manager Angela LeFebvre says there’s enough snow to ski but the trails still have a few rough patches that could damage the bases of their skis.
“Bring your rock skis,” said LeFebvre.
“We definitely have snowfall but it’s for people who want to come out but they have a set of (older) skis and they’re
definitely going to get exposed to rocks. They will need rock skis and a membership because we’re not selling (day) passes, just because we can’t send people out (to check for passes).”
The Caledonia club decided last year not to charge drop-in fees for day passes right after the pandemic broke out in March, realizing the lockdown left very few recreational opportunities for people. That resulted in hundreds of new users coming by to check out the trails and it appears
Back on stage
Woman pleads guilty to threats
Citizen staff
A woman has pleaded guilty to threatening a local elementary school.
Emily Marie Holland, 24, formerly of Prince George, entered the plea Oct. 14 during a hearing at the courthouse to one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm from a March 8, 2019 incident that forced an evacuation of the Polaris Montessori School.
It was the first of four incidents over the ensuing 11 days in which Polaris and nearby Kool Kats Kid Care were variously locked down and evacuated and for which Holland has also been charged. She will be sentenced once a pre-sentence report has been completed.
Crash witnesses sought
RCMP are seeking the drivers of two commercial vehicles they believe narrowly avoided a collision with a pickup truck before it went off the road near Cluculz Lake last month.
Mounties said a northern B.C. woman died at the scene while an Alberta woman, also in her 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries after their vehicle went off the road Sept. 26 on Highway 16 near Hillcrest Way, about 40 kilometres east of Vanderhoof.
Police believe at least two commercial truck drivers may have had a “near-miss” with the vehicle in question - a westbound black, 2018 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with an Alberta licence plate.
“The commercial trucks involved are believed to be a westbound bulk transport truck and an eastbound tanker truck,” RCMP said. “The drivers of those commercial trucks are asked to contact investigators with any information they may have regarding this vehicle or the collision.”
The drivers and anyone with information are asked to contact Cpl. Michael Collis or Cst. Leonor Blanche of Prince George Regional Traffic Services at 250-649-4004 and reference file 2020-577.
many of those newcomers are joining the club this season. Already the Caledonia club has 1,042 members, nearly double the 525 memberships it had sold by the same date last year. The club had 1,754 members in 2019-20, second only to Sovereign Lakes near Vernon as the largest In B.C.
This season’s memberships are available at early-bird rates until Nov. 9.
More information on Otway trail conditions and club activities is available at caledonianordic.com
PRISON TIME FOR WEAPONS OFFENCES
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A discovery of a handgun and ammunition during a traffic stop has led to time in a federal prison for a Prince George man.
Jason Dean Theroux, 51, was sentenced Oct. 26 to two years and seven months for knowingly possessing a restricted firearm along with a pair of brass knuckles.
Police found the items in August 2018 when the pickup truck Theroux was driving was pulled over because the rooftop light bar was exposed. Popular among off-road enthusiasts, they must be covered whenever a vehicle is being driven on a public road.
When RCMP noticed hardened gloves and a childsized ball bat in the console, Theroux was asked to step out of the vehicle. Brass knuckles were found in the driver’s side door compartment and that led to a further search. The .40-calibre handgun, unloaded but also unsecured, along with ammunition was subsequently uncovered in a satchel in the passenger-side compartment. The satchel also held a tablet determined to be Theroux’s.
Defence counsel Dave Jenkins Sr. had argued for a conditional sentence order - effectively house arrest - and emphasized both Theroux’s relatively-scant criminal record and the steps he has taken to turn his life around since the arrest.
After suffering an injury to his shoulder in 2008, Theroux developed an addiction to pain killers and then heroin. He has since successfully turned to methadone to ease the cravings and has moved away from Prince George to cut ties with the city’s criminal element.
But Malfair largely agreed with Crown prosecution’s position that as much as three years was appropriate.
The gun turned out to have been stolen and, in a statement to police, Theroux implied he was holding onto it for others. As such, Malfair found it was being held for a “true crime” purpose and so Theroux’s action warranted a sentence at the upper end of the spectrum.
“Criminals can thrive when they enlist others to assist them, such as by having individuals outside the attention of police hold onto weapons, drugs or contraband on their behalf to avoid seizure or protection,” Malfair commented.
That the gun was unloaded and not immediately accessible was taken into account in determining the sentence. In all, Theroux was sentenced to two-and-ahalf years for the hand gun and a further one month for the brass knuckles less nine days credit for time in custody following his arrest. He was also issued a 10-year firearms prohibition.
Sentences greater than two years less a day are served in federal prisons.
Citizen staff
MARK NIELSEN
Catherine Higgins as Sandy, left, and Laura Heagy as Darlene act out a scene on stage on Saturday evening at Theatre NorthWest during a stage reading of Bradley Charles’ presentation of Hurry Hard.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
BOND COMES THROUGH AGAIN
Aphrase often repeated these days is that political power doesn’t change the individuals elected to those roles. Rather, it reveals who they really are.
Over the past 20 years, area residents have learned who Shirley Bond is and they like what they see.
With Saturday night’s projected election win, Bond tied Ray Williston’s record of six straight election victories as a Prince George MLA. Williston served for 19 years, from 1953 to 1972, so Bond will pass Williston in years in office next year, her 20th anniversary as a local MLA.
Provincially, she joins a select group. The only woman who has served longer in the legislature than she has is Linda Reid, who just recently retired as a Liberal MLA after nearly 30 years in office.
Bond, however, served in more senior roles than Reid. During the 16 years the B.C. Liberals held power from 2001 to 2017, she was in cabinet the whole time as deputy premier, transportation minister, education minister, advanced education minister and health minister at various points. She was the first woman and the first non-lawyer to serve as attorney general solicitor general.
In other words, there’s no question the most powerful woman in B.C. politics during the past 20 years has been the MLA
Look! Squirrel!
My brain injury has significantly impacted my focus and concentration. An attempt at planning and organizing my day in a timely and orderly manner is like expecting to win the lottery.
My peers at the Brain Injured Group (BIG) and I share many common symptoms. Not having our previous level of focus and concentration can be extremely frustrating and deflating.
Here is a typical day for me. My dog wakes me up between 7 and 8 every morning. I get out of bed, have coffee and look at my to-do list, which looks quite daunting. I have a bite of my breakfast and get distracted with a word game on my phone.
Two hours later, I’m still in my pajamas. The dogs have eaten their breakfast and are cuddled up to me on the couch. I look at my to-do list again and feel overwhelmed. I’m having a hard time deciding
from Prince George-Valemount.
All of her experience couldn’t have prepared her for the double whammy of this election. Besides campaigning during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time the 63-year-old ran for office without Bill, her husband of 40 years at her side. He died of a stroke in June.
“I have never campaigned for anything without Bill by my side, so I’m under no illusions that for me personally this will be new, doing this without my best friend and life partner alongside me,” said Bond in September after the election was
what errand I should do first.
It’s noon, I’m still in my pajamas and I’m watching the news. I can’t make a decision about what to do with my day. I decide to take a shower and get dressed. It’s now 2. I look at my phone and I have new messages and texts on there. One text read “Diane where are you?” Why didn’t I hear the phone? Oh no, the ringer was turned off.
I bail on my commitment because I’m in a flap about not hearing the text ring and being late. I have no sense of time, I’m very forgetful and I am not reliable. Don’t count on me because I will disappoint you.
It’s now 5, I’m still in my pajamas and my dogs are barking up a storm. Right, I have
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
MLA Shirley Bond speaks with media on Saturday evening at Prestige Treasure Cove Hotel shortly after polls closed in the provincial election.
announced. “But I do know in my heart Bill also loved where we live and he would want strong and consistent leadership, someone who’s got a proven track record.”
In an increasingly bitter partisan landscape, Bond has remained true to her self, staying on the high road by criticizing but never attacking, never withholding support, keeping an open door and dialogue even with her political opponents. Some of that has been on full display over the past few months, particularly on Twitter between Bond and health minister Adrian Dix. Bond has been appreciative for
Dix’s work during the pandemic and has not shied away from saying so.
When the NDP government promised last month, days before the election call, to build a new surgical tower at University Hospital of Northern B.C., Dix made a point of singling out Bond.
“I’ve spoken to (Prince George-Valemount MLA) Shirley Bond many times about this because she and I have a good relationship and she’s an advocate for this project as am I,” he said.
Now that’s respect.
It’s so refreshing and positively old-fashioned to see politicians putting aside party differences to benefit the people they serve.
Devotion to the community where she was born in 1956 and to the surrounding region, her incredible work ethic and her ability to step up to meet the challenges of the day have all been hallmarks of Bond’s tenure.
It’s been said more than once that Bond can hold on to Prince George-Valemount for as long as she likes, even if she were to choose to run as an independent candidate.
That’s because her constituents know she’ll work just as hard to represent them as she always has.
That’s just who she is.
And what a special, enduring gift that is.
- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
to feed them their supper. There’s a knock on the door. I end up spending half an hour talking to a friend who dropped by. I go back in the house and my dogs are going crazy because they want their supper. I feed them. I notice a piece of toast on the counter with one bite out of it. My stomach starts growling. I ask myself what I had to eat today. I draw a complete blank.
It’s 7. My husband wants to know what we are having for supper. Whoops, I forgot to take something out for supper. I guess we’re having take- out and delivery again. For the third night in a row.
It’s 9. I’m still in my pajamas. I’m watching videos on my phone. Our food arrived an hour ago, my hubby Bob has already eaten and is watching T.V. I find a slice of pizza on the counter with one bite out of it. Bob says I should finish it and have a second slice. He has long given up trying to have sit-down meals with me because I get distracted and walk away.
At 10, I see the laundry hamper is overflowing so I attempt to do laundry. My dogs bark to be let outside. I stand outside with them and when I come back in I can’t remember what I’m supposed to be doing. I decide to check out Facebook. Twelve bells. Bob calls out “Diane, come to bed it’s midnight!” so I do.
The next morning, Bob is looking for a clean work shirt to wear. Nope, they’re all in the laundry hamper since God knows how long. I blame it on the darn squirrel. What, no coffee? I step in dog poop without realizing it and track it all over the house. I clean it up and I’m exhausted. Why do I have a pounding headache? I see the slice of uneaten pizza still on the counter. I’d better eat something soon.
All I ask is that I accomplish one thing today and this will make me very happy.
Look!
Squirrel!
Ugh.
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The freedom of secular life
It is quite disturbing to learn that someone in the same profession was murdered while walking home from work. Samuel Paty, a person who taught a curriculum similar to my own, was beheaded by an extremist outside of Paris on Oct. 16. He had presented material in previous weeks that some found objectionable as part of a study of freedom of speech.
Though the crime was committed by someone who claimed to be Muslim, it is important to note that this act of violence has been condemned by the vast majority of followers of Islam, including the Muslim World League. The murderer was an extremist, and extremists have more in common with other extremists than they do with any religion. Extremists believe in intolerance and Paty was seen as a threat because he tried to broaden the perspectives of his students.
It has been quite moving to see the sadness over the death of Paty, along with the strong reiteration of democratic values
LESSONS IN LEARNING
GERRY CHIDIAC
demonstrated in France and around the world.
French President Emmanuel Macron made the most beautiful speech about teachers I’ve ever heard given by a head of state, just hours after Paty’s death. He said that he and the people of France will defend and protect those who practice our profession, recognizing that we work with great devotion every day to develop free citizens, regardless of what they choose to believe or not believe.
In light of this attack, it has come clear that the French not only value liberty, equality and fraternity, they also cherish laïcité, loosely translated as secularization. At first this struck me as strange, until I reflected on the roots of the value. It is the response of liberated people to the religious oppression of a Catholic Church
that allied itself very strongly with unjust governments.
I then thought about the place of secularization in my own life. I spent most of my education and the early part of my teaching career in Catholic schools. I still embrace the ideals proclaimed in Vatican II and post-Vatican II documents, which promote a “preferential option for the poor” and proclaim that every person on earth is a sacred child of God, worthy of being treated with dignity, regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, religion or any other classification.
The problem is that the Catholic Church does not always live up to these ideals, and I found it difficult to challenge their hierarchy to be authentic.
To be honest, I felt very liberated when I began teaching in the secularized public education system.
The beauty of secularism is that it allows us to be honest in our quest for truth. No religion or philosophy of life holds a monopoly on the meaning of life. When we dig deep, we see the same vein of life-giving principles flowing through all of them.
Yet, none is perfect in the practice of these principles.
When studying the topic of human rights, for example, I have no problem pointing out that decades of lobbying efforts by American Catholics resulted in their government withdrawing military aid to Indonesia, finally ending the genocide in East Timor.
I also note the cowardice of the Catholic hierarchy, who said nothing in Rwanda when their influence could well have prevented genocide. I point out again how the Catholic Church in Quebec was deafeningly silent during the Oka Crisis in 1990, despite their strong presence and high ideals.
There is no perfect religion or philosophy of life, just as there is no perfect person or perfect government. It is in constant questioning and in the constant quest for truth that the way forward for the betterment of all humanity becomes clear.
Samuel Paty did not deserve his fate. May we always remember him as we strive to embrace the ideals he cherished: liberté, egalité, fraternité et laïcité.
Riding the flood of new technology
They say that time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed by will never pass again.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed our world and now countless people are hoping that we get back to a normal way of life and soon. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, that is not going to happen. Many of the changes that took place in this past year are not all that bad.
Let’s look back to 1998 when Kodak had close to 200,000 employees and sold 85 per cent of all the photo paper in the world. Who would have thought that they would go bankrupt practically overnight – no one saw it coming back then. What happened here will happen in a lot of industries as we move forward and most people don’t even see that it is coming.
Smartphones with cameras replaced this company. Digital cameras could not hold the market over the superior smartphones. People all over the world and even the children have a smartphone these days.
SENIORS’ SCENE
KATHY NADALIN
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here and it is here to stay. Welcome to the Fourth Industrial Revolution described by Wikipedia as the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology.
Modern smart technology has introduced the electric car and much more but for today I will talk about the introduction of the electric car. Auto repair shops are sure to disappear because the new electric motors will easily and quickly be removed and replaced by the dealers while you have a cup of coffee. If that electric motor needs further repairs, it will be repaired by a robot.
Auto manufacturers are already building new plants to build only electric cars and other companies are installing electrical
recharging stations.
Coal industries and oil companies will go through drastic changes and the Middle East will be in trouble as their fortunes in oil will be drastically reduced. I could go on and on but I need to stop here because the thought of an autonomous car scares me. When they are all over the roads, I won’t even want to own a car any more. I will get a smartphone and phone Uber to book a ride.
Welcome to tomorrow – some of it actually arrived a few years ago – and enjoy all the water in that river each and every day.
Stay well and be happy.
***
October birthdays that I know about: Kelly Flath, Emma Mauro, Barbara Chartrand, Joanne Kirby-Sales, Ken Sales, Ester Creuzot (turned 99), Lindy Barnes (turned 92), Dave Mazurak, Helen Green, May Hickson, Florent Foucher, Kathleen Haynes, Pam Boulding, Minnie Meier, Myrna Krekoski, Janice Taylor, John Broderick, Pietje Kragt, Joe Chartrand, Frank Sarrazin, Judy Shul, Cameron Sutherland, Robbyn
Unruh, Sally Rosevear, Yvonne Rowe, Don McLaughlin, Bobbi Pringle, Bertha Orydzuk, Otto Kedl, Pat Husberg, Shirley Smith, Ann Miller, Henry Engelsjord, Donna Roach, Larry Rowe, Ute Schuler, Margaret Smith, Don Wilson, Tony Carpino, Christa Hughes, Bill Jones, Hope Humm, Denice Gudlaugson, Irene Fortin, Mike Hein, Magdalene Pudlas, Barbara Phillips, Ann Fitzsimmons, Steve Marynovich, Ida Nikkel, Marie Prentice, Claudette Beauchamp, Ralph Fetterly, Irene Hnatyshen, Susan Lacasse, Gwen Pitts, Synove Dedreu, Gordon Sewell, Terri Phipps, Audrey Ebert, Margaret Schroeder, Shirley Drolet, Patricia Harbak, Jim Morgan, Heather Macintosh, Susan Wood-Levesque, Emily Norum, Gene Hamel and Gus Krauza is 90.
***
October Anniversaries that I know about: 67 years for John and Ethel Esler, 66 years for Allan and Gladys Thorp, 60 years for Hugo and Ursula Riske, 58 years for Bob and Ruth Reid, 58 years for John and Judy Elmquist and 56 years for Roy and Sandra Goodkey.
Citizen poll results on mental health
Citizen staff
During the last Citizen online poll we asked about “numerous reports coming out about significant mental health issues brought on by the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. How are you doing?”
“About the same as before,” took a small lead with 35 per cent and 240 votes, while “fantastic; living every day to the fullest took 25 per cent and 170 votes.
“A little worse than before with more
tough days, took 19 per cent and 131 votes, while “a little better than before; more good days than bad,” took 13 per cent with 87 votes while “not well; each day is a struggle” took eight per cent and 56 votes. There was a total of 684 votes. Remember this is not a scientific poll but it is roughly comparable with a current national online survey by Leger and the Association for Canadian Students which found Canadians continue to experience mental health difficulties due to the pandemic, with one in four saying their stress level is
higher than during the first COVID-19 wave.
The Canadian Press reported the national survey found only 19 per cent of Canadians say their mental health is better now than in March and April as infection rates tick up and autumn sets in and about 54 per cent said their mental state is about the same as when the coronavirus first struck the country.
Participants cited concerns about the length and severity of the pandemic as their biggest source of anxiety, followed closely by social isolation.
In the national survey participants who ranked their mental health at very good or excellent has remained fairly consistent since March, ranging between 35 and 46 per cent. Last week saw the percentage at 36, according to the survey. The national survey was conducted from Oct. 16 to 18, and got results from 1,512 adult Canadians. For the Citizen’s next online poll question we asked “what are you doing for Halloween?”
To make your vote count visit www. princegeorgecitizen.com.
Plenty of science in football
We are living in the age of COVID-19 and its impacts on what we consider normal.
This is true of so many aspects of our lives, from work to family to play.
It is readily apparent for large commercial sports.
We have hockey in July; baseball shortened to a 62 game season; and basketball finishing their season in August with a win by the Lakers.
The CFL canceled its season on Aug. 17, but the NFL, of all the major sports leagues, is attempting to play a normal season – albeit with way fewer fans in attendance.
And while the world has changed, the science underlying sports hasn’t.
The physics of football is not anywhere near as well developed as it is for other sports, such as baseball or hockey.
In part, this is because football is a bit more like organized mayhem than an orderly progression of plays.
Yes, each play is drawn up beforehand and yes, each player knows his part.
But as soon as the ball is snapped, everything is left to chance and random variables. It is hard to analyze such a situation.
But some aspects of the game do lend themselves to simple analysis.
RELATIVITY
TODD
WHITCOMBE
In particular, the passing and kicking game can be examined from the point of view of aerodynamics.
After all, for the brief seconds when the ball is in the air, no one is touching it and the laws of physics are followed without interference.
These simpler aspects of the game have to do with the equations of motion. Knowing, for example, the hang time of a punt instantly tells you the height the ball reached.
The equations of physics relate the height of a punt to the acceleration due to gravity and the square of half of the hang time.
It is the square of only half the hang time because the ball spends an equal amount of time going up as coming down.
Consider, however, the simple act of throwing a forward pass.
Not the easiest thing to do.
Catching one isn’t that easy either. This is why good quarterbacks and receivers are admired for their skill.
Among other things, both quarterback and receiver can be moving relative to one
another when the pass is thrown and when it is caught.
This makes the whole process an exercise in vector analysis. How the mind does this is an active area of neuroscience research and of interest to scientists exploring robotics.
The ideal pass is something called a perfect spiral.
This is when the ball rotates around its long axis in a tight, rapid spin with the point of the ball following the arc of the throw exactly.
Simple, really, except not from the point of view of the laws of physics.
The football acts as a spinning top or a gyroscope which, among other things, means it wants to keep the same plane of rotation the entire time.
If you have ever held the axle of a spinning bicycle tire, you know the forces involved in trying to maintain the plane of rotation can be quite pronounced.
And yet, the football turns over in flight and the major axis follows a curve.
The analysis of what is going on involves examining the torque induced by the displaced forces due to air resistance as the ball moves through the air.
In essence, nose on, a football has symmetrical air resistance.
But as it follows its arc, its nose moves to one side - it wobbles - thereby increasing the air resistance on the opposite side
What are you avoiding today?
Icaught myself in the very act of avoiding work.
Last week, part of my job in our firm was to make some phone calls to prospective clients.
As it came closer to the time I had blocked out to make the calls, I found myself getting distracted.
I went through my emails, I clicked on links, I looked at social media, and I even started cleaning my office.
It took a few minutes but I suddenly became acutely aware that I was doing exactly what I talk to some of my clients about.
I was avoiding something that I thought might be painful.
Recently, I was working with the owner of a company who was driving his management team crazy because he was micromanaging them.
Not only that, he would boast that he was the first one to arrive at work and the last one to leave.
One day he complained to me that he was burned out,and we had the opportunity to talk about his work–life balance.
As we got deeper into the conversation it became apparent to both of us that he was working long hours to avoid a difficult situation at home.
In his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey talks about the fact that many people don’t use their time wisely because they are caught up in doing tasks that are not important
BUSINESS COACH
DAVE FULLER
and not urgent. The compounding result is that we become ineffective and unreliable.
We feel stressed, disappointed with ourselves and ashamed because we have succumbed to the temptations we know we need to avoid if we are going to be the best people we can be.
So what is it that we are avoiding?
Each of us is different, living in diverse situations, surrounded by unique individuals in our families, social situations and work life. As such what we are avoiding might be deeply personal.
In some situations, we might even feel lonely thinking that we are the only one facing such challenges.
Chances are, however, that there have been countless others before us who have faced similar issues.
Take phone calls, for example. Each and every day sales professionals are tasked with picking up the phone and reaching out to their clients or prospective customers.
For many sales people, this is a daunting task and one that they tend to avoid.
When I ask them what they are avoiding, they tell me that they are worried that
leading to drag. which torques the ball back into a proper flight path.
Throwing a perfect spiral is much more complicated than someone like Russell Wilson makes it seem!
Indeed, this is why perfect spirals usually only occur when the quarterback has time to set his feet before the throw.
Interestingly enough, since almost every ball is thrown with spin, this can actually work against making a ball catchable.
Unlike in baseball where the absence of spin generates a knuckle ball, a football without spin wobbles less than a badly thrown spinning ball.
The reason is due to the precession of the spinning ball about the axis of flight, which can make the ball wobble quite rapidly, significantly decreasing the chances of a receiver being able to catch it.
Of course, the science of football involves more than just physics.
New chemical compounds, for example, have made for lighter stronger pads and helmets.
Nutritional science has made for stronger and fitter athletes. And sports psychology manages to get everyone through the game.
With at least the NFL season in full swing, have some fun and watch a little science in action this weekend.
Or tune in to New Zealand rugby where they have fans in the stands!
someone will hang up on them, yell or possibly even swear at them.
As they go to pick up the phone to make calls, I can almost watch their blood pressure rise.
They are avoiding what they have created in their mind to be a stressful, perhaps painful experience.
The truth is we all tend to want to avoid pain.
Whether it’s the pain of rejection, the feeling of being uncomfortable or a conversation that is going to be charged with emotion, most of us would rather avoid that confrontation.
Like going to the dentist, we automatically fear drilling down into situations that might be distressing.
Yet we all know instinctively that avoidance is not going to make things better or change our situation.
Looking for a job can shake us from our comfort zone but if we don’t have an income, we might not be so comfortable.
Dealing with a relationship issue, confronting an employee on accountability, or making phone calls can all seem difficult when we are continuously contemplating those false expectations of the outcome, which appear very real in our mind.
If I think back to many situations, big and small, that I have avoided in my life, I realize that when I have had the courage to stand up and face them head on and deal with the consequences, the actuality has often been so much different than I fearful-
We automatically fear drilling down into situations that might be distressing. Yet we all know instinctively that avoidance is not going to make things better or change our situation.
ly anticipated.
The worst outcome in many cases is much better than not dealing with what we are avoiding.
Employee conversations that I thought would end in dramatic confrontations have usually ended in a deeper understanding and commitment to working together to find a better solution.
Relationship issues that my mind told me would end in tears have often resulted in laughter and more profound and meaningful relationships.
And my dreaded phone calls? They turned out to be the best part of my week. Now I need to go clean my office, or perhaps I can find some phone calls to make to avoid that nightmare.
- Dave Fuller, MBA, is an award-winning business coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Avoiding phone calls? Why not email dave@pivotleader.com
Trump’s imminent victory
On Tuesday, Donald J. Trump will be elected for a second term as president of the United States. In preparation for his destiny to become manifest, let us cleanse ourselves of Trump Derangement Syndrome and turn to the ancient rules of rhetoric - logos, ethos, pathos - to properly comprehend why the Orange Man will certainly remain inside the White House four more glorious years, keeping America, her allies, and, therefore, the entire Free World, great.
In 45 months, Trump’s administration facilitated record low unemployment for Black, Latino, Hispanic, Asian, and non-high school graduate Americans; tax cuts and a refocus on vocational training encouraged industry to relocate to the US; America became independent of oil from the Middle East, while natural gas flattened energy costs; medical bills as well as drug costs fell; and landmark prison reform was achieved in cooperation with community leaders.
When the B.C. Liberals lost power in the aftermath of the 2017 election, too many MLAs and party faithful believed the only thing that needed to change was the leader. Getting rid of Christy Clark was a shallow response to a much deeper problem.
If anything, hindsight shows Clark should probably have remained as leader for several reasons.
First, no one could get under the skin of the B.C. NDP and John Horgan in particular like Clark and she took that unique skill with her when her party turned on her.
Second, no one in her party could connect with residents, particularly independent and occasional voters, the way she could with her authenticity, charisma, upbeat attitude and passion. She took that with her, too.
Most importantly, Clark’s politics, like Gordon Campbell’s before her, was a smarter, broader version of small-c conservatism. Times have changed, the electorate has changed and new ways of thinking and acting about the environment, taxes, health care, education, resource development and First Nations are required within the centre-right political framework.
Campbell, for example, made it a priority to double the amount of B.C. protected in provincial parks at the same time he encouraged more resource development.
Clark continued in that vein, touting LNG while setting environmental and financial conditions on proposed pipelines from Alberta running through B.C. to Pacific ports.
Unfortunately for the B.C. Liberals, Andrew Wilkinson is nowhere near the politician Campbell and Clark were. He channels the stern conservatism of Stephen Harper
RIGHT OF CENTRE NATHAN GIEDE
In foreign policy, the Donald can brag he’s been nominated for three Nobel peace prizes; America has not started any new wars under his watch; peace treaties have been signed both in the Middle East and the Balkans; China’s domination has been checked; illegal immigration to the US has declined as their Byzantine system is reformed; and allies are finally paying their share for NATO. The case for Trump’s second term is stronger than it was for both Obama or Bush Jr.
The Orange Man’s enemies unwittingly laid the perfect groundwork to demonstrate his ethos. Trump would have been evicted from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue if a single damning fact was found during impeachment; before and after surviving the virus, he’s seized the bully pulpit, calling for a return of civil liberties; questions
around race and policing notwithstanding, as protests erupted into violence, the president was able to become the “law and order” candidate.
Part of ethics is approach. Most of the time, Trump is not the instigator of the skirmish he finds himself in, but once roused he fully intends to end the fight as the victor. Every prediction made about ushering in a theocracy, appointing his own family to SCOTUS, or the world ending on his watch has been proven absurd. And yet the office has not changed him - his vocabulary, gestures and costume remain the same, which sends a definitive signal to fans and foes alike.
That brings us to pathos. In the last election, it was Randle McMurphy versus Nurse Ratched, class clown versus school marm, crazy uncle Don versus officious Aunt Hil. This won Trump a lot of votes: for all his bluster and vitriol towards his opponents, he did not speak down to his voters. While Hillary told miners in Virginia to learn how to code, Donald walked into a rally and spoke those immortal words no speech writer could ever think of: “I love big, beautiful coal.”
Which candidate elicits more sympathy today? “Everybody hates Trump” is supposedly the show we’ve all been watching these last four years. But does anyone love Vice President Joe Biden? Where are his crowds and spontaneous rallies? Why are his policy positions so ambiguous from Supreme Court packing to banning (or not) all fracking?
The strategy of dumping on Trump has backfired, giving him all the advantages of the underdog for the second time. The “racist” is pivoting to Black America; the “lazy man” is in five states a day holding rallies; the “fat boomer” beat coronavirus; the “crook” takes no salary and puts America first; the “criminal enterprise” that is his family works tirelessly on peace treaties and social justice; and the “not a real Republican” got it right on guns, judges, and the unborn.
In short, Trump is due for a second term. There is no doubt that his rewinning election will send Democrats into apoplectic fits, but why try to comfort them? They had four years to prepare and still lost bigly to an Orange Man from Queens with no previous political experience.
Liberals need more than a new leader
NIGHT SHIFT
NEIL GODBOUT
(which is better than the cranky yelly “you kids get off my lawn” conservatism of Andrew Scheer and now Erin O’Toole) but heartless competence isn’t a long-term winning strategy.
So just replacing Wilkinson as leader won’t be enough. Neither will changing the name.
A fresh coat of paint won’t fix the significant problems in the B.C. Liberal Party.
But don’t take my word for it.
Jas Johal, a rising star in the party who lost his seat Saturday in Richmond-Queensborough, says the Liberals have to diversify, both ideologically but also in terms of their party makeup.
While many conservatives get all worked up about social issues like abortion, LGBTQ rights, reconciliation with First Nations and so on, those dogs don’t hunt among a growing number of voters.
“When you think you can convert somebody who is gay to a heterosexual life, I think that’s absurd,” Johal told the Canadian Press, referring to former Liberal Laurie Throness who placed advertisements in a magazine supporting conversion therapy.
And how’s that working out for Throness? The NDP candidate is about 200 votes ahead - with mail-in ballots to be counted - in Chilliwack Kent, a constituency the Liberals and the previous centre-right parties could once bank on like the sun coming up in the morning.
The B.C. Liberals need to recognize that
prairie conservatism won’t work in this province.
Jason Kenney and Scott Moe, the popular premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, couldn’t get elected dogcatcher anywhere in the Lower Mainland, where the majority of the votes and seats are.
What’s needed is a made-in-B.C. liberal conservatism that is liberal on social issues and offers pragmatic, conservative and - most importantly - modern ideas to help business and working people thrive.
The B.C. Liberals need to do a final and harsh weeding out of the last of the Social Credit and B.C. Reform idealists.
All those folks want to do is turn the clock back and offer stale, old ideas, often dripping with bigotry and intolerance. They need to be told in no uncertain terms that they can either buy into the new program or leave.
Fresh, forward-looking ideas, presented by warm, engaging leaders, have always been the path to victory.
The two longest-serving B.C. Liberals in caucus are now Mike De Jong and Shirley Bond.
Both are universally respected, not just in their constituencies and in the party but even in the B.C. NDP and among journalists (isn’t that the same thing, you say? Harharhar).
Their decency, hard work, intelligence and willingness to put aside partisan politics and ideology to get things done make them the kind of warm, engaging political leaders we all deserve.
As for fresh ideas, how about some things that delivers the same or better value as trimming the PST and privatizing ICBC (yawn - old ideas) but are far more meaningful?
Why not offer free prescriptions to all
What’s needed is a madein-B.C. liberal conservatism that is liberal on social issues and offers pragmatic, conservative and - most importantly - modern ideas to help business and working people thrive.
households bringing in less than $100,000 per year? How about tying health premiums to personal income, instead of to businesses?
There’s a powerful business case to be made for free post-secondary education for everyone under 25 and over 50 and for two years for everyone who has lost a job due to modernization.
Similarly, doctors and nurses should receive free education, in exchange for a three-year commitment to serve in rural, isolated communities.
How to pay for all that?
Easy.
Start by taking away the corporate handouts (those should go to small, start-up businesses) and have individuals making more than $75,000 a year and households earning more than $150,000 pay more tax on a sliding scale.
In other words, the B.C. Liberals need to offer more – in both their leader and their platform – than just an alternative for people who don’t like Horgan and/or the NDP. Four more years in opposition should be more than enough time for them to make the necessary changes.
Thursday,November
&P
Klutz
Transportation term
Ostrichlike animal
Master
Pirates’ affirmatives
Biggest
“How do I love ____?”
Party food
Christmas
33. Comic Sparks
Harmonize 37. Become ready to pick 38. Singer Baker 39. Saratoga Springs, e.g. 40. Kong 42. Religious ceremony 43. Nature’s building block 45. Female relative 46. Franklin, to friends 47. Soap ingredient 48. Evergreen plant
ACROSS
1. Hooting bird
Forest-floor plant 8. Plays arole
Named before marriage
Scheme
Oxford or pump, e.g.
Timeless state 17. Covert suggestion 18. Aware of 19. Pounds
Brick house
Flawed
Blush
In the lead
“____ Got to Be Me”
Most unusual
Went in haste
Door hardware
Capture
Author Read
Aptly
Butterfly catchers
“____ the Night”
Potato bud
Small fly
Microwave, e.g. 23. South American animals 25. Purpose
Appear to be
Modern DOWN
of a kind (unique)
Not dry
Mr. Marvin
“Huckleberry 5. Amend copy
Related again
No 8. Chagrined
Beijing’s site
Pincers
Establishes
Ely or Howard
PUZZLE NO. 790
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined withadarker line. You already have afew numberstoget you started Remember: you must not repeatthe numbers 1through 9inthe same line, columnor3x3 box.
PUZZLE NO. 57
This year,it’smoreimportant than ever to get aflushot to protect against the spread of influenza (the flu), especially for those who have ahigher risk of getting sick There’s no COVID -19 vaccine yet, but we do have influenza vaccines.
Influenza is acontagiousrespiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and death. If influenza spreads rapidly in communities at the same time as COVID -19, it can overwhelm our healthcare system and put our loved ones at risk .The best protection is to get the flu shot this fall and stay home if you’re sick
Northern Health flu clinics start the first week of November
Most Northern Health flu clinics will start the first week of November,and flu shots will also be available from pharmacies and doctor ’s offices throughout the region. To find afluclinic or provider nearest you, visit ImmunizeB C’swebsite (immunizebc. ca/clinics/flu),orcall 8-1-1 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Things
to keep in mind when getting your flu shot this year
Flu shots are on the way
Provincial Health Officer Dr.Bonnie Henry recently reassured that there will be enough flu vaccine for British Columbians this year.Vaccine is currently being shipped and distributed to vaccine providers in the North. Here are some things to keep in mind when getting your flu shot this year
Things to keep in mind when getting your flu shot this year:
·Making an appointment is strongly encouraged to help reduce line -ups and maintain safe physical distancing,due to COVID -19.
·Plan ahead. Northerners are asked to plan ahead and schedule atimetoget their flu shot.
·It’sokifittakes acouple weeks to get a flu shot. If it takes aweekortwo for you to get an appointment with pharmacist, physician, or public health clinic, that’s okay -the best time to do it is end of October and into November.That’s the
optimal time to be immunized because then we know that the immunity that you get from the vaccine will carry you through the influenza season.
·NHpublic health clinics will be encouraging mask use (for those aged two and up), and implementing physical distancing measures.
·Please follow the instructions of clinic staff,and respect COVID -19 safety protocols put in place by other flu shot providers.
·Insome communities, the NH Check In app is available to makephysical distancing easier while waiting for your flu shot appointment (to download the app, visit: northernhealth.ca). Please note, the NH Check In app is optional to use, and is not for the purpose of making flu shot appointments.
Who should get aflushot
Flu shots are recommended for everybody older than six months of age. Flu shots are
safe, effective, and free for many people in BC including: children, seniors, pregnant people, Indigenous people, those with underlying medical or chronic health conditions, those who work with or come in close contact with higher-risk groups.
Where to get aflushot
To find afluclinicorprovider nearest you, visit ImmunizeB C’swebsite (immunizebc. ca/clinics/flu),orcall 8-1-1 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Remember: Stay safe, stay calm, and be kind
We’re only now just approaching the optimal time to get flu shots. It’s okay if your appointment isn’t right away.It’salso never too late to get your flu shot –there will be opportunities to get immunized whether by public health or other providers, well into the season. As Dr Henry has said throughout this pandemic, “Be kind, be calm, and be safe” –we’ll all get through flu season together!
Flu shots are safe, effective, and free for many people in BC
CL ASSIF IEDS
Ellen Allen
May 15, 1932 - October 19, 2020
Ellen is survived by: sons Craig (Maureen), Kim (Linda), Colin (Cindy) and Randy; grandchildren Trina, Sherri (Sandor), Jane (Matt). Leah (Ryan), Lauren (Yuki). Brett (Becky), Jaimie (Kevin); great grandchildren Tristin, Darian, Desmond, Conrad. Oakley, Brannen; best friend Merle (Lorne); several cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by husband Joe.
Due to current restrictions there will be a private family gathering and graveside service. The family would like to thank all the staff at Jubilee Lodge who were so kind and caring. Ellen always told us how well she was taken care of during her stay at Jubilee and she enjoyed all the entertainment, music and participating in the variety of activities.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Auxiliary to University Hospital of Northern BC. Box 2346 Prince George, BC V2N 2J8 or a charity of your choice.
Rest in Peace. You are forever in our hearts.
Boschman, Herb
September 12, 1933October 11, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herb on October 11, 2020.
He leaves behind his loving wife Ida, daughters Alice (Kurt), Lenore (Tom), grandchildren Athena, Johnathan, Michelle, Kyle (Jean), Holly (Mike), Tiffiany (Brian), great-grandchildren Jade, Greyson, Lauchlan, and Serena, 2 sisters Gladys and Darleen (Bob), 2 brothers Will (Joy), Bob (Joyce) and many, many friends.
Herb was born on the farm near Carrot River, Sask. He moved to Prince George, B.C. in 1955 where he met the love of his life. They were married in Prince George in 1959. Herb owned his own company which provided a wonderful life and the opportunity to travel in the winter months. Herb touched the lives of many people in his travels, with his outgoing personality and his willingness to help anyone in need. He has left a big hole in many lives and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 26, 1981- October 14, 2020
Born April 26, 1981, Leila was considered a “miracle baby” who fought for life through many health crises and outlived all expectations. Leila was a beautiful person, with a big heart and magnetic personality, and impacted many people during her short life.
Predeceased by her Grandmother Bunnie Coventry, and Grandparents Hank and Luise Hedberg.
Leila is survived by her parents Brian and Tracee Hedberg, brothers Justin (Jenny), Sterling (Sharmila), Grampa Terry (Evelyn) Coventry and many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Leila was greatly loved by her family and many friends. Leila is now left in our memories and hearts, and in the memory of The One Who Created her.
“You will call and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.” Job 14:15
Jul 25, 1949Sep 30, 2020
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Joanne Kirkland age 71 who passed away peacefully on September 30, 2020. She was born July 25, 1949 in New Westminster, BC the youngest of seven.
She is predeceased by her parents Les and Phyllis Epton, sisters and brothers: Doreen Epton, Bob Epton, Leslie Epton, Barbara Gobbi, nieces and nephews. Gord Epton unkown.
She is survived by her loving common law husband Andy Hagberg, son Kevin (Jacquie), granddaughter Lindsay, step-grandson Jonathan Heath, sister Rosalie (Ron) Zirk, many nieces and nephews.
She will be lovingly remembered for her affection and kindhearted spirit and being there to help including your horse problems. She was always there to help the Hixon Community Association, whenever she could.
A special thank you to the Quesnel Hospital Nurses, for the special care that was given to mom, as she fought a very hard and long battle with cancer.
Barbara
LEILA RAYNE LUISE HEDBERG
Nora Joanne Kirkland (aka Richlack)
Darla Sandra Balogh
October 2, 1970September 14, 2020
Darla was born in St. Catherines, Ontario on October 2, 1970. When she was two years old her parents drove with her across Canada to settle in Prince George, BC. Growing up in Prince George, Darla fell in love with the country life and the outdoors and could often be found on horseback riding the neighbourhood trails and roads with her family, friends, or by herself. When she became a big sister, she took that role to heart, protecting and supporting her little brother as only a big sister could.
As an adult, Darla’s life had it all; both big city and country living, professional and entrepreneurial employment, travel, a love of photography, art, nature and the outdoors, and a rich social life with good friends wherever she found herself.
In the end, Darla passed away peacefully on the morning of September 14, 2020 of complications due to liver disease. She is survived by her parents Dorothy and Dennis Sr., her brother Dennis Jr. (Sharleen), and her niece Olivia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your local SPCA or humane society.
RUSSELL MAGEE
2x49.8 PGC002074
MAGEE,KennethW. February27,1932-October16,2020
Itiswithheavyheartsthatweannouncethepassingof KennethWilliamMagee(KenMagee).Kenpassedon October16,2020,withhiswifeJeanetteRodgerMagee (JanMagee)byhisside.TheMageefamilywouldliketo extendourthankstotheamazingstaffatLakeCountry LodgewhosupportedKenthroughhisstaythere.Ken wasakindandlovingsoulwhotouchedandbrightened thelivesofallhemet.Hiskindandgentlenaturewillbe rememberedandforevercarriedwiththoseheknew. Kenwillbelovinglyrememberedbyhiswife,Jan;his brothers,BobandGerry;hischildren,Irene,Colin,and Russell;andhisadoringgrandchildren,Darian,Brittany, Kaitlyn,Ian,Jessica,Janae,andTristan.Kenwas predeceasedbyhissister,Carla.
Richard Grant Mogensen
It is with great sadness the family of Richard Grant Mogensen announces his passing on Saturday October 17th, 2020 at the age of 65.
Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 38 years Elaine and his daughters Asha (Paul), Crystal (Jeremy), his grandchildren Abigail, Noah, Paige and his only brother Keith.
He will also be greatly missed by his numerous nieces, nephews, in laws, extended family and dear friends.
Richard was predeceased by his beloved parents Tage and Margaret.
He will be always be remembered for his huge heart and huge laugh. He was also a hard worker and dedicated employee of North Central Plywood from 1975 until the mill burned down in 2008.
A small private service will be held on Thursday October 22 at 2pm. His family will also be hosting a live event on that date, if you wish to view the service online you can send a request via email to parmar1@telus.net.
In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to the Prince George BIG (Brain Injured Group) in Richards name.
Helen Canning
Mar 6, 1929Oct 20, 2020
Helen Canning died after a short illness on Tuesday, October 20th, with her daughters at her side, Terri Wallace, Corinne Hewitt, Joanne Leverman and Jacii Maier.
The oldest Oliver family girl of 12 born on March 6, 1929, her siblings remain to honour her memory: John, Tom, Jim, Rosemarie, Grace, Jean, Jackie and Beth.
Her husband of 56 years, Bill Canning preceded her in 2005, also her grandson, Sam Leverman in 1999, her parents Avery and Sadie Oliver, her brothers Leo, Lorne and sister Anne.
Bill and Helen went on many adventures in their lives including being shipwrecked on a remote northern lake. Camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, music, dancing, living life with flair and style were many of the traits she shared with her loved ones. Always laughing and finding the joy in the simple things were qualities that live on in her family.
Also survived by her sons-in-law, Joe Wallace, Alger Hewitt, Paul Leverman and George Maier, grandchildren Steven (Ladonne) Davidson, Errin (Joe) Mocilac, Jay Campbell, Robyn Valiant, Kristoffer (Genny Michiel) Maier and Benjamin Maier, great grandchildren Matthew Davidson, Brianna (Connor) Shelton, Jude and Sadie Valiant and William Maier, great great grandchild, Beckett Shelton.
She continued to be active, engaged and looking for the next adventure well into her 80’s and 90’s. Teaching the exercise class at the senior’s centre, learning tai chi, lawn bowling or the newest card game kept her mind and body alert. She eagerly pursued her passions of art, painting, theatre and gardening. Volunteering was always a part of her life.
Maybe on a future sunny day, we can all raise a glass and tell some stories. Until then, go on an adventure and think of her.
MELLOWS, Arne
June 14, 1925October 21, 2020
We are sad to announce the peaceful passing of Arne at home. Born in Casper, Wyoming, he was 95 years old.
A pioneer of the area, Arne came to Penny, BC as a 10 year old boy with his father, Victor, and his brothers Ivar and Oscar. He went to school first in Penny, then in Prince George where he worked at a dairy farm delivering milk in exchange for room and board.
He enjoyed the camaraderie and adventure of the Air Force, and on returning home at the end of the war went to Carpentry School in Vancouver.
Arne and Carrie (Benson) married at Bend, BC in 1946. They returned to Penny and in 1948 bought Penny Mercantile. This is where they raised their family and forged lifelong friendships. Arne embraced his life in Penny. His store served communities along the rail line as well as being the post office, social hub and polling station! He was the postmaster in Penny from 1948 - 1964, and also acted as a school trustee. He pursued his interest in flying and bought a float plane.
Moving to Prince George in 1964 he worked for a time in construction and the logging industry.
He enjoyed their cabin and great neighbours at Bednesti Lake. Retirement brought happy times travelling to visit grandchildren, camping in their motorhome, helping with the fish hatchery at Dome Creek, and a memorable trip to Alaska with good friends in 1998.
Arne was a member of the Elks Lodge 122 since 1965. During this time he worked on community projects, most notably Elkness Camp at Ness Lake and Boy Scout Camp Echo at Summit Lake. Never idle and a skilled woodworker, his art graces our homes.
Arne remained interested and appreciative of the community and area and even in the later years could be seen regularly checking on local construction sites, the East Line Market, the river and friends. Always up for a game of crib.
Arne was predeceased by wife Carrie (2012) and is survived by his children, Lloyd (Karen), Karen (Clive), and Craig, grandchildren Linda (Mike), Darryl (Hako),vCheryl (Shawn), Kirsten, Kyla (Ryan), great-grandchildren Jessie (Richard), Brody, Keira, Maya, Kian, Cody, Liam and Sofia. Great great-grandchildren Eleanora and Lucius, brother Ivar and his family in Nevada.
A Life Well Lived
Due to COVID 19 health protocols there will not be a memorial service.
or
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Legal/Public Notices
TOM LESLIE or TOM LESLIE SARGEANT in any style variation thereof capable to confuse, suspend or clog said Title, right or interest in/to/for Title is HEREBY REQUESTED to present their claim to witness:
Les Sargeant, c/o 39650 Chief Lake Road, Prince George, British Columbia V2K 5L5 before expiration of thirty days of this publication.
(via ZOOM)
If you would like an official invitation contact us via email at info@intersect.bc.ca or call 250.562.6639
If you are interested in becoming a Board of Director or Society Member please contact us as we are always looking for new members.
For
Between COREY MAACK or anyone related, with the belief of abandonment of the storage unit A03 located at AAA Self Storage 6700 Pacific Street Prince George, BC V2N 6Y2. Belongings of Corey Maack 9818 102 Avenue, Claremont, AB T9H 5X4 (778 694 5015) will dispose the aforesaid property unless the person being notified takes possession and liability of the property within 14 days from the date of this publication, the Manager
BLACK PRESS - CLASSIFIEDS
R0011839765
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PG16 / 615595
Between:
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NO. 2057647
Prince George Registry
In The Supreme Court of British Columbia
ANNE GEORGE, a person under disability, by her Litigation Guardian, Janet Flanagan
PHILLIP PARISIEN, also known as PHILIPP PARISIEN and FRANK MERLIN BRISTOLE
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Plaintiff
Defendants
To: The Defendant, Phillip Parisien, also known as Philipp Parisien
TAKE NOTICE THAT on 13/Oct/2020 an order was made for substitutional service on you of a Notice of Civil Claim issued from the Prince George Registry of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in proceeding number M2057647 by way of this advertisement.
In the proceeding, the Plaintiff claims against you General Damages, Special Damages, Interest pursuant to the Court Order Interest Act, costs and such further and other relief as this Honourable Court may deem just.
You must file a Response to Civil Claim within the period required under the Supreme Court Civil Rules, failing which further proceedings, including judgment, may be taken against you without notice to you.
You may obtain from the Prince George Registry, at 250 George Street, Prince George, British Columbia a copy of the Notice of Civil Claim and the order providing for service by this advertisement.
NORTH CENTRAL BAILIFFS LT R0011839913 3.00x46.0-BW PG16 / 225363 BAILIFF
Court Bailiff offers for sale by tender bid, interest in the following goods of the Judgement Debtor(s):
Did Contracting Ltd, pursuant to an Order of Seizure and Sale, Registry No. PRG-P-C-2057545.
Item(s) can be viewed at our 2706 Jasper St. & Ottawa St and 3rd compound(s) in Prince George. Go to www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca to view photographs. Closing date November 18, 2020. Highest or any other bid not necessarily accepted. Bidders are solely responsible for determining the make, model, year of manufacture, condition, quantities, sets and or usefulness of all items for tender. All items are sold on an “as is, where is” basis with no warranty given or implied. As vehicles have not been inspected, we are declaring that they may not be suitable for transportation and may not be compliant with the motor vehicle act. Sale is subject to cancellation or adjournment without notice. Terms of sale: Immediate payment in full by
or cash only upon acceptance of successful bid. Call
564-4900 for
Build Results
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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
Renovations and Aluminum Wiring
Theelectrical system is one of the most important components in a house because of the potential hazardfaulty wiring creates. Aluminum wiring was used in much of the new home builds in Canada during the 60’suntilthe mid 70’s. Chosen for it’s cost effectiveness compared to copper,one can see houses entirely wired with aluminum and some with acombination aluminum and copper.A study conducted by the Consumer Protection Safety Commission concluded that1in5homes wired with aluminum had potentially dangerous connections.
How to recognize aluminum wiring
Aluminum wireisnot as good of an electrical conductor as copper,soalarger wire is used. Forexample, aluminum wireNo. 12 has about the same ampacity as copper wireNo. 14. Theampacity is the maximum current thatawirecan safely carry.The outer coveringof the cable will be marked about every 12 inches with the wordaluminum or an abbreviation such as “ALUM” or “AL. Wherealuminum wireispresent, special service connectors must be used. Wall switchesand receptaclesshould carry the marking “CU-AL”. This indicates that the equipment is suitable with aluminumwiring. This marking would also appear on circuit breakers. Electrical receptacles, wall switches and fuse boxesdesigned for use with copper wiring arenot satisfactory for use with aluminum wiring.
Hazards with aluminum wiring
Twochemical reactions thattakeplace on the surface of purealuminum.The result of both is exactlythe same —the wireheats up and can reach temperatures high enough to ignite nearby combustiblematerials. Thefirst chemical reaction causes corrosion when two dissimilar metals meet –inthis case, between the aluminum wireand the standardbrass outlet terminals. In the second chemical reaction, purealuminum wireoxidizes as soon as its insulation is removed, exposing the wiretoair.Eitherreaction coats the wiresurface with alayer thatincreases resistance to current and generates heat.Also,aluminum wireexpands and contracts at more than copper wire. It tends to “creep” out from under aterminal screw connection. This leads to apoor connection and overheating at the switch, receptacle or terminal.
Warning signs
Extremely warm cover plates, switches or receptacles. Mysteriouslyinoperative switches or receptacles, and smoke.
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.
Donna
Choosing the right dining room table
Buying a new dining table is not always as straightforward as it seems. Taste and style will be key deciding factors, but you’ll also have to consider what shape works best with your current space. Here are the three most popular shapes for tables and the advantages of each.
1. RECTANGULAR
Rectangular tables are without a doubt the most common choice when it comes to dining tables. They’re ideal for accommodating a large number of people and can be easily extended by inserting a leaf.
Their shape also leaves more room for traffic, thereby conferring a better flow to the room.
2. SQUARE
Square tables are usually smaller in size, which makes them ideal for more compact homes. Versatile and easy to move, they’re perfect for creating a cozier and more intimate atmosphere. You also have the luxury of either positioning the table in the middle of the room or against a wall.
3.
ROUND.
Although less conventional, round dining tables are gaining in popularity. Modern and welcoming, they’re perfect for smaller rooms since they take up less space than the more traditional rectangular tables. One of the biggest advantages of round tables is that everyone can see each other while seated. This makes conversation much easier and tends to create a more friendly setting. Certain round tables can also be extended using a leaf to accommodate more guests should the need arise.
Welcoming and contemporary, round dining tables are gaining in popularity.
How to prevent dryer fires
Dryer-related fires may be rare, but the danger they represent is very real. That’s why it’s important to take every necessary precaution to guard your home against dryer fires. Here are a few tips to ensure your dryer runs safely and soundly for a long time.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENT HOSE
Make sure to have a vent hose that’s straight, rigid and short. Vent hoses commonly used to connect dryers to the vent are long and flexible, which reduces the airflow. They’re also corrugated, which tends to trap lint in the hose.
THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
Installing a dryer in a room that is cold and humid is always risky. Hot air from the vent hose combined with the cooler ambient air creates condensation, which causes lint to clump. If moving your dryer isn’t an option, then make sure to properly insulate your heat vent.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Clean your dryer exhaust duct at least once every two years. Call a professional if you’re unable to do it yourself. Don’t
Avoid the danger of dryer fires.
forget to regularly check the vent hood to make sure it’s free from debris and that the flaps are opening properly.
WATCH OUT FOR ANY CHANGES
Be sure to address any change in your dryer’s performance as soon as possible. If your clothes are taking longer to dry or are hotter than usual at the end of the cycle, something’s not right. It’s always best to trust the services of a professional when it comes to replacing the parts on your dryer.
Cleaning your stainless steel surfaces
The sleek design of stainless steel can give any kitchen a stylish and contemporary look. The problem is, these surfaces are prone to showing fingerprints and water stains, which can sometimes be difficult to remove. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your stainless steel appliances, countertops and sinks shining like new.
GIVE THEM A REGULAR CLEANING
Although resistant and durable, time and overuse can deteriorate the condition and appearance of stainless steel. However, this metal won’t wear as a result of too much cleaning, so remove spots and smudges as soon as they appear. Routinely cleaning these surfaces will go a long way in keeping them looking great.
KEEP THAT SHINE
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Water spots can be cleaned with some warm water and a clean cloth. Make sure to properly dry the surface to prevent additional water stains from forming. A nylon scouring pad will come in handy to remove any food residue in sinks or on countertops. Use a mild abrasive free of chlorine and iron to eliminate light surface scratch-
es. Deeper scratches, on the other hand, can be repaired with a good professional polishing.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Simply put, stainless steel and bleach do not mix. Using cleaning products that contain bleach can cause rust to form and the steel to corrode, so avoid them at all costs. This goes for all cleaning products that contain harsh and aggressive chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid. Salt and white vinegar can negatively affect the metal’s surface over time, so use them sparingly. Finally, avoid using metal sponges, brushes and scouring pads as they’ll leave unsightly scratches on your surfaces.
Creating your very own art studio
An art studio in your home is the perfect place to express your creativity without having to stow away your works in progress. Regardless if it’s for painting, sculpting or drawing, chances are your studio will be just as unique as you are. Personal preferences aside, there are some basics that all fun and functional art studios require.
1. PROPER LIGHTING
The best light to work by is natural light. Of course, white fluorescent lighting will get the job done if your studio doesn’t have any windows.
2. GOOD VENTILATION
Fresh air is always a good thing, regardless of your craft. However, certain artists tend to work with products that emit harmful fumes, such as oil paints. If your studio doesn’t have any windows, make sure to have a fan or two on hand to keep the air circulating.
3. EASILY ACCESSIBLE SUPPLIES
Your tools are the agents of your creations, so take good
care of them. Storage boxes, bins and cabinets are great for keeping your supplies organized and clean.
4. A COMFORTABLE SETTING
When the time comes to take a step back to muse over your handiwork, make sure you have somewhere relaxing to do it. Cozy chairs, a radio or even a coffee maker will provide you with the necessary comforts when you feel drained.
5. YOUR PRIVATE GALLERY
Your studio will eventually become your art gallery. Hooks, shelves, tables and easels are useful for hanging or displaying your work as well as your reference photos.
Game rooms: rest & recreation
A game room in your home is the perfect place to entertain young and old alike. Children will be able to use the space to play with their toys and create colourful crafts. Adults can make the most of the room by adding a big screen TV and gaming console, or even a pool table. Regardless of who will benefit from the space, certain criteria should be taken into consideration when designing your game room.
LOCATION AND LIGHTING
Your basement is the ideal location for a game room. For optimal lighting, it should have at least one window to let in some natural light. Of course, there are other options available if this isn’t
possible, such as installing pot lights and a dimmer switch. When it comes to paint, lighter colours will help accentuate the light and will make your room more feel more spacious. Massive and darkcoloured furniture tends to disrupt the flow of a room, so try to avoid these as much as possible.
FURNITURE AND FINISHING TOUCHES
Dividing the space into different activity stations is a great way to make the most of your game room. You can create a cozy nook for watching movies and playing video games, a kiddie corner with toys and costumes, and a craft station withw a table, chairs and art supplies. Of course, it’s important to outfit each area with the appropriate materials. This means washable surfaces for creative undertakings, soft furnishings to protect against injuries during more rambunctious games, and comfortable furniture for lazing about.
How
to choose the perfect mattress
The wrong mattress can leave you tossing and turning all night. To avoid the negative health effects that come with restless sleep, you need a bed that fits your specific needs and sleeping habits. Here are five criteria you should consider when shopping for a new mattress.
1. COMFORT
Trying your mattress before buying it is a must. Don’t be shy about stretching out on the different instore models. Make sure to lie in the position you usually sleep in and to take as much time as you need. Your goal here is to determine if the mattress is a good fit for your body.
2. SUPPORT
Your mattress should mould itself to your unique body shape while supporting your spine in a natural position. Proper alignment will save you from waking up with back and neck pain and will vary according to whether you sleep on your back, stomach or side.
3. BOX SPRING COMPATIBILITY
Newer mattresses might not be compat
ible with your current box spring. They tend to be heavier and thicker than previous models, and older bed frames aren’t always able to properly support them.
4. SPEND MORE TO GET MORE
Keep in mind that a new mattress is extremely important to your health and wellbeing. A good night’s sleep will improve things like your memory, immune system and mood, so it’s prudent to spend a little more on comfort and quality to get a better night’s rest.
5. BIGGER IS BETTER
Size matters when it comes to your mattress. A larger bed is preferable if you tend to toss and turn a lot at night. Having more space also allows couples to move around without disturbing each other.
Update your decor with elements of industrial interior design
Industrial style has taken home decor stores, showrooms and retailers by storm in recent years. Characterized by its exposed pipes and bricks, wood and metal surfaces, and vintage furniture, this trend has brought an undeniable touch of flair to our homes.
THE BASIC ELEMENTS
This style replicates the utilitarian look of abandoned factories that were eventually converted into unique and creative living spaces. Emphasizing the use of materials from yesteryear, this trend incorporates industrial furniture, old handpainted signs, worn couches, brick walls and ferrous metal to define its decor. In addition, building materials are exposed, windowpanes are huge, cement tiles cover both the floors and the walls, and electrical wires are visible — anything to reproduce that raw and unfinished look.
The clear advantage of glass and coloured Plexiglas
FAVOURITE AREAS IN YOUR HOUSE
Industrial interior design typically lends itself well to living rooms and kitchens. Relax comfortably in an area outfitted with worn leather couches, iron shelving and decorative elements worthy of any respectable secondhand shop. Or prepare your meals surrounded by high metal stools, lowhanging pendant lights and big bay windows. Chances are this style will make its way to the rest of your home. Who knows, maybe you’ll finish your bathroom with exposed brick, or bare the support beams in your bedroom.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF INDUSTRIAL STYLE
Be sure to use the right materials in your design, such as weathered wood, metals like iron, zinc and copper, as well as brick and cement in their most basic form. Lighting is another priority, so be sure to install big windows that let in a lot of natural light as well as glare-free light fixtures.
Translucency is the new trend when it comes to furniture and accessories adorning your home’s interior. Glass and Plexiglas furnishings and decorations help establish a unique look that increases the value of your home. The high durability of tempered glass and the malleability of Plexiglas have made them increasingly popular with designers when decorating modern spaces.
FOCUS ON LIGHT
We all want to increase our home’s natural lighting, but many of us tend to clutter our rooms with large furniture and coloured accessories. However, decorations and furnishings made from translucent materials will add elegance to your rooms — and make them feel bigger — while letting the
sunshine in. Transparent furniture goes well with any finish, from stone to wood or stainless steel, making it an ideal accent regardless of the style you’ve chosen for your home.
AFFORDABLE AND DURABLE
Despite their fragile appearance, glass and Plexiglas furniture and adornments are extremely resilient. Whether it’s for a modern table, classic chair or even a stylish door or partition, sturdiness is a must. And with so many transparent decor options available varying in shape, size and style, you’ll have all you need to brighten your home. And if you’re working with a limited budget, keep in mind that Plexiglas is less expensive than glass but yields very similar results.
12 ways to winterproof your property
Winter weather can take a toll on your home’s exterior. However, if you take precautions, you can protect it from getting damaged. Here are 12 essential tasks to complete before the season’s first snowfall.
1. Inspect the roof. Clear off leaves and other debris so you can examine the shingles. Replace any that are damaged or worn out.
2. Clean the window wells. Remove all leaves, sticks and other debris. Make sure the drains are clear to prevent water from pooling and possibly leaking into your basement.
3. Empty the gutters. Once the trees
on your property have shed their leaves, remove all debris from your gutters. Clogs can lead to ice damming and even water damage.
4. Check the foundation. Look for cracks and repair them before winter. Other wise, water can seep into the concrete and cause more extensive damage when it freezes.
5. Sweep the chimney. Hire a professional to remove soot and creosote from the flue to prevent a fire. Make sure the chimney cap is intact so critters can’t sneak in.
6. Install the vent covers. Keep out cold air and pests by installing
covers over the exterior vents for your dryer and range hood. Otherwise, check that the existing ones are in good condition.
7. Close the pool. Clean out the filter, drain the pool about halfway and disconnect the pump. Remember to remove the ladder before you install the winter cover.
8. Plant the bulbs. Get all your spring bulbs in the ground before it freezes. Remember to cut back perennials.
clean out the gardens, aerate your lawn and add mulch or compost as needed.
10 Protect the shrubs. Wrap bushes and saplings in burlap or tree wrap, and bring potted plants inside.
11 Prune the trees and hedges. Cut away branches that are close to your home to avoid winter storm damage. This will also help prevent animals from climbing onto your roof.
12 Put away summer items. Clean the grill and disconnect the propane tank before you cover up the barbecue. Drain the sprinkler system and shut off the water supply. Wipe down and store the patio furniture.
Since fall is a busy time for arborists, pool technicians and other professionals, be sure to schedule your service calls sooner rather than later.
9. Tidy up the yard. Rake the leaves,
How to winterize your home’s interior
To ensure your house is safe, warm and energy efficient all winter, there are several maintenance tasks you should complete in the fall. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
HEATING SYSTEM
Use a vacuum to clean the electric baseboards or wall vents, and make sure furniture and curtains are at least 10 centimetres away from these heat sources. Remember to test your system before the temperature drops. If necessary, get it inspected and cleaned by a professional.
DOORS AND WINDOWS
To protect your home from drafts, caulk and replace worn weather stripping around your doors and windows. Remove window screens to prevent condensation from building up. If you have an attached garage, check that the door closes completely.
DETECTORS
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
work. Hold down the test button until the alarm goes off. Change the batteries if necessary and make sure you have extras on hand.
SUMP PUMP
Confirm that your sump pump is working by slowly pouring water into the pit. The pump should immediately turn on and start draining the pit.
VENTILATION SYSTEM
Clean your air exchanger filters and make sure the system is working properly. Remove the grates and vacuum out the ducts.
AIR CONDITIONER
If you have a central air conditioning system, cover the outdoor unit with a weather-proof tarp. Alternatively, remove the window unit or put away your portable AC.
HUMIDIFIER
Clean your portable unit or the humidifier that’s integrated into your central heating system.
STOVE
Replace the filter in your range hood vent.
To ensure you don’t forget a step, create a checklist and post it on your fridge or bulletin board.
a look at your main options.
WOOD-BURNING STOVES AND FIREPLACES
While a wood-burning stove is a more effective heater than a fireplace, both these options create a cozy atmosphere with their crackling flames and smoky aroma. Keep in mind, however, that you need sufficient space to store the wood, and the fire must be periodically stoked.
NATURAL GAS OR PROPANE STOVES AND FIREPLACES
Since these options don’t require a chimney, they can be installed almost anywhere in your home. Plus, they’re easy to use and can heat a room much faster than their wood-burning counterparts. However, they require professional installation and, if you opt for propane, you’ll need to rent or purchase a tank.
ELECTRIC FIREPLACES
fuel-burning devices. Electric fireplaces are particularly useful for heating small rooms. Alternatively, they can operate without emitting heat so you can enjoy the ambiance of a fire year-round.
WOOD PELLET STOVES
This energy-efficient device can run for up to 20 hours before it needs to be restocked. Plus, the pellets are sold in bags and much easier to store than wood logs. Keep in mind, however, that all models require regular maintenance and some can be noisy.
OIL-FILLED SPACE HEATERS
Even after they stop drawing power, these heaters continue to radiate heat for quite some time, which helps make them energy efficient. However, they’re not recommended for families with small children because their exterior gets very hot.
PORTABLE ELECTRIC HEATERS
This is the safest type of backup heater and the easiest to
use as it only needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet. They can be easily moved around the house to supplement your central heating system. However, they’ll be useless in the event of a power outage.
These appliances are simple to install and safer to use than
Once you find a backup heater that meets your needs, make sure it’s installed correctly and used according to the manufacturer’s directions to prevent a fire.
JohN hart peace riVer
THE
best
OF PRINCE GEORGE
Bella the Greeter 1937 Ford Humpback
The best of...
Sorry, not sorry
As Canadians, we like to think of ourselves as humble, polite and hardworking people who, with no sense of irony, cheerfully declare to the world that we’re the best there is. We have plenty to brag about, of course, starting with the fact that so many people in so many other parts of the world, including those folks south of the 49th parallel, would love to live here. We’re awesome and everyone around the world knows how awesome we are. Now that’s awesome!
The Citizen’s 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards is all about awesomeness. The local businesses named in the following pages are also humble, polite and hardworking people who know they’re the best and now can brag about their
awesomeness. Those local businesses are also a reflection of the awesomeness of this city and its residents. In other words, we as Prince George residents can go to Kamloops, Kelowna, Vancouver or anywhere else in Canada and cheerfully proclaim “well, yes, this is all very nice but you should know there’s this place in Prince George that does it better than you guys. Sorry.”
But not sorry.
You know awesome when you see it which is why you voted for these businesses. Thanks for voting and helping us let everyone know how awesome they are.
ONCE AGAIN, OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE PUT US IN OUR PLACE.
At Schultz-Craftsman Collision, we’re proud and grateful to once again be voted the city’s best collision repair by Citizen readers. And even prouder of what it took for us to get there – great people you’ve come to know and trust, unswerving commitment to your satisfaction, and extras including AIR MILES® reward miles and available pickup truck and SUV replacement vehicles.
So a big shout out right back from us to the people of Prince George. You’re first in our book, too.
CHIROPRACTIC
DOG TRAINING
We are honoured to be selected as one of the top three hotels.
We’re honoured to be selected as the best hotel.
With more than 50 years of history in Prince George, we’re excited to be a part of the fabric of this great community. For meetings, special events, weddings or a staycation, we’d love to host you in our updated property featuring urbanstyle amenities and a friendly, down-to-earth welcome
With more than 50 years of history in Prince George, we’re excited to be a part of this great community. For meetings, special events, weddings or a staycation, we’d love to host you in our updated property featuring urbanstyle amenities and a friendly, down-to-earth welcome.
We’re honoured to be selected as the best hotel.
With more than 50 years of history in Prince George, we’re excited to be a part of the fabric of this great community. For meetings, special events, weddings or a staycation, we’d love to host you in our updated property featuring urbanstyle amenities and a friendly, down-to-earth welcome.
Tel: 250.563.0121 or coasthotels.com
Tel: 250.563.0121 or coasthotels.com
PHOTO ABOVE:
The Citizen management team (from left to right) Nancy Johnson, Director of Advertising, Neil Godbout, Editor. and Lisa Giesinger, Financial Controller (missing from photo Peter Kvarnstrom, Publisher) photo by James Doyle
“The
“The
Norm,
Norm, Sandy and the staff at
The
We
We
Thank You!
The Prince George Cougars’ owners, management, players, and volunteers want to sincerely thank our community for your ongoing support.
Over the past six years we have donated close to $1,000,000 to organizations throughout Prince George and Northern BC. We couldn’t do this without the support of our fans, and the incredible partnerships we have with our sponsors, including Northland Dodge, Northland Hyundai, local McDonalds owners, Tim Horton’s, Northern Matt & Bridge, and many more.
Our season has been delayed due to COviD. While we are incredibly excited to get back to normal, we want to remind everyone that the best way to get back to the rink is to first beat COviD and to listen to the experts. This includes wearing masks, keep socially distanced, washing your hands, and be considerate of others.
When we are able to have fans in the stands, we will proudly take a leadership position of helping our community come back together, and to act as a therapeutic factor to reconnect with everyone and join together in socializing, cheering and having fun!
Please visit www.pgcougars.com to check out our newly re-designed online retail store and keep up to date with the team
Favorite Local Sports Team
2020 Readers Choice
Most Community Minded
2020 Readers Choice
