Prince George Citizen October 21, 2021

THURSDAY, October 21, 2021

Crown stays case against local RCMP officers

Two Prince George RCMP officers no longer stand accused of criminal charges from an arrest caught on a security camera from a nearby home that suggested excessive force was used.

Counts of assault causing bodily harm against each of Constables Wayne Connell and Kyle Sharpe were stayed Friday after Crown prosecutor Shannon Gerrie concluded the evidence against the two no longer met the standard for charge approval.

Crown continues to pursue a separate prosecution against Cst. Joshua Grafton who faces assault, assault with a weapon in relation to the arrest of Cuyler Richard Aubichon, as well as a count of obstruction of justice.

Gerrie directed the stays after the court heard testimony from Nathaniel Basil, one of the two men arrested during the takedown in an alleyway off the 2200 block of Oak Street in the early morning of Feb. 18, 2016.

Asked to provide an account of what happened on that day, nearly six years ago, Basil’s testimony was vague and jumbled. And when offered a chance to review a video of the statement he gave police following his arrest, Basil declined.

“These are serious charges before the court with a strong community interest in learning what happened,” Gerrie told provincial court judge Joseph Galati.

“However the Crown has one obligation which is to continuously (live up) to the charge standard, as set out in Crown policy and I having reviewed all of the evidence and the Crown policy and have concluded that the charge approval standard has (not been met) therefore I’m directing a stay of proceedings.”

Gerrie declined to elaborate afterwards but said the B.C. Prosecution Service will issue a clear statement.

Even as the trial started, it appeared the Crown’s case was tenuous.

Basilwasthepassengerinastolenpickup truck that was being driving by Aubichon when it was boxed in by police in an alleyway off the 2200 block of Oak Street. The video, which caused a stir after it was provided to Global News, shows clearly only the driver’s side while the passenger side, where police dealt with Basil, is obscured by the truck.

When Basil took the stand, Gerrie worked to tease details out of him but with little success.

Basil told the court he saw “bright lights from the front and the back,” then being “rushed and swarmed.”

Basil said he remembered police telling him to put his hands up and not move. He said police opened the truck’s door and “I kind of got halfway out and I got pulled out the rest of the way.”

He said he ended up on the ground and claimed he was “getting jumped on at the same time they were trying to handcuff

me.” Basil said he later found blood on his head and that his ribs were sore for a month from getting “kicked up.” The events were hard to remember because they happened so long ago, he added.

“I just want to get this over with and I just want to get on with my life,” he said.

In earlier testimony, the court heard that Alison Carstairs, who was called in to help investigate the case for B.C.’s civilian-based police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, had issued an opinion that the force police used in the incident was reasonable.

MARK NIELSEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

SECURITY CAMERA IMAGE VIA GLOBAL NEWS

An image from a security camera showing a February 2016 arrest that prompted charges against three Prince George RCMP members.

More COVID-19 restrictions launched in north

The province has announced new restrictions in the Northern Health Authority to reduce COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations in the north.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the measures in a press conference on Oct. 14 calling the situation in the north “an enormous challenge” for the entire province.

Dix explained that 58 critically ill patients have been transferred by plane out of overwhelmed hospitals in Northern Health. Of those patients, 45 are people with COVID-19 including 25 from the Peace River local health areas and only one of them was fully vaccinated.

Dix said having to move critically ill patients out of their home communities is a “powerful and profound thing you would not wish on anyone.”

There are 48 base critical beds in the entire north, not just for COVID-19 patients but for every critically ill situation, with only 23 surge beds to support “When you are talking about moving

58 people out of (health) authorities that only have 48 critical base beds, all of them critically ill, that is a significant situation,” said Dix. He said this demonstrates why we need a circuit breaker to support the steps they are taking in Northern Health.

“We are all in, we have thrown everything in but the kitchen sink and the kitchen sink went in a week ago. We are doing everything we can to support the north,” said Dix.

“But we need to ask people in the north to do more.”

Henry explained that immunization rates are not high enough in the north to slow the rate of transmission, especially because the Delta-variant is more transmissible and causes more severe illness in younger people.

stop this transmission. To stop this severe illness in young people, in middle-aged people and in people whose immune systems are not working as well across the north.”

The new measures build upon regional orders introduced in September that went into effect at midnight on Oct. 14 and will be in place until Nov. 19.

When you are talking about moving 58 people out of (health) authorities that only have 48 critical base beds... that is a significant situation.

“Todaytragicallywehadayoungperson in their 20s die from COVID in the north. We need to take additional measures to

Personal gatherings both indoor and outdoor are restricted to fully vaccinated people only.

Indoor gatherings remain restricted to five people, and outdoor gatherings restricted to 25 if they are all fully vaccinated.

All indoor/outdoor organized events (weddings, parties) require a COVIDsafety plan and require everyone to wear a mask and be fully vaccinated, utilizing the B.C. Vaccine Card.

Indoor events are limited to 50 people even fully vaccinated and out door events

will be limited to up to 100 people.

Worship services are limited to virtual services only (see page 3).

Restaurants can continue in-person dining with the use of the B.C. Vaccine Card but restaurants are required to stop serving alcohol at 10 p.m.

Fast-food restaurants and unlicensed cafés without table service can provide take-out only or require patrons to present the BC Vaccine card showing they are fully vaccinated.

Licensed establishments and those with table service must not serve alcohol between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. and must require patrons to present the BC Vaccine Card showing they are fully vaccinated.

Sports events with spectators are 50 per cent capacity and attendees must wear masks and use the B.C. Vaccine Card

People are strongly encouraged to remain within their communities and only travel for essential reasons like work or medical trips

The changes apply to the northern health region with the exception of the areas west of Kitwanga including Terrace, Kitamat, Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert, Stikine, Telegraph and the Nisga’a area.

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Churches forced to close doors to worshippers

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

New circuit-breaker measures put in place by the provincial health office last week (see page 2) to curb the spread of COVID-19 kept churches empty Sunday with live attendance at worship services now banned in northern B.C.

Rev. Bob Fillier, the pastor at Trinity United Church in Prince George, said while he sympathizes with parishioners who will have to turn to virtual church services at least until Nov. 19, with Northern Health medical facilities struggling under the crush of COVID cases since the fourth wave of the pandemic took hold in late August he says something had to be done.

“I think most folks who are paying attention to the change in numbers and what was happening, it’s hard to say you’re surprised when they came out with new restrictions,” said Fillier. “I’m a little surprised they said no on-site worship at all instead of just greatly reduced numbers or that we didn’t go back to a maximum of 50 people or something like that. We have a number of people in our congregation who work in health care or who have family in health care and they’re done. They’re burnt out trying to keep up, so something a little more drastic makes a lot of sense.”

Fillier is praying the infection rates will drop sufficiently enough to end the ban on live church services by Sunday, Nov. 22,

the start of the Christian church year.

“The hope is we will be back on-site again able to do stuff through the four Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas and then the two Sundays after Christmas,” he said.

Churches in B.C. reopened for full in-person services in late May, after 14 months of being closed entirely and later limited to congregations of no more than 50 people.

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The lifting of restrictions during the summer allowed funerals and other life events to proceed without restrictions on the number of attendees and that allowed faith leaders to perform services that were booked months in advance. Those funeral services are now on hold.

Before the first pandemic lockdown happened in March 2020, some churches, including Trinity United, were already

livestreaming worship services in combination with live sermons.

Even though the restrictions were lifted during the summer, as a majority of the population was immunized, Fillier said there were still many church-goers who did not feel comfortable about the idea of attending live services.

“It’s been a slow build,” Fillier said. “I think lots of folks were saying, ‘As soon as the doors open, I’m going to be back,’ and that hasn’t been our experience. It hasn’t been the experience of my of any colleagues across the country. What we’ve noticed when things relaxed is we were getting 20 to 30 per cent of our pre-COVID attendance, and that had slowly increased over the course of the fall and by the time we hit Thanksgiving we were closer to 50 per cent of our attendance.

“The neat part for us is our on-site attendance is a small fraction of our digital attendance. (The church’s online reach) is somewhere between 375 and 400 devices a week. We can’t tell how many people but we can count how many devices and in lots of cases that’s families.”

Trinity United’s digital sermons are archived and are available for download on YouTube, Facebook or other platforms. Fillier has regular viewers in Canada, the U.S., Central America, Europe and the Philippines. He provides regular workshops on Zoom to help other churches across the country do their own livestreaming.

HANDOUT PHOTO

Rev. Bob Fillier, pastor for Trinity United Church in Prince George, gave his sermon on Sunday to an empty church now that a ban on live attendance is in effect for northern B.C. churches

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Sobering centre coming to Prince George

CITIZEN STAFF

The province has announced a new investment in B.C.’s system of substance-use care which includes a sobering and assessment centre in Prince George.

On Oct. 12 the province announced a $132-million investment over the next three years for treatment and recovery to build a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care.

“When a person living with addiction is ready to take a step toward recovery, we must ensure services are available when and where they need them,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“We have been busy patching holes where urgently needed over the past four years. Now, through Budget 2021’s historic investment, we are beginning to make true systemic change. B.C.’s $132-million investment in treatment and recovery will result in significant improvements everywhere in the province, making substance-use care more seamless, better integrated and easier to access.”

Malcolmson said this funding will increase services across all regions of the province to strengthen the full continuum of substance-use treatment and recovery services.

It will create more than 65 new or enhanced services throughout B.C., add more than 130 full-time-equivalent staff and open approximately 195 new substance-use treatment beds. Precise numbers will be confirmed through request-for-proposals processes.

The funding includes services in

When a person living with addiction is ready to take a step toward recovery, we must ensure services are available when and where they need them.

withdrawal management, transition and assessment, treatment and aftercare.

The province says this includes a new sobering and assessment centre in Prince George, expanded adult addictions day treatment services in various communities in the Northern Health region, and new peer-support initiatives to support ongoing aftercare in locations throughout the Northern Health region.

“This funding will strengthen the continuity of care and reduce gaps for those in need,” said Cathy Ulrich, CEO of Northern Health.

“We appreciate the collaborative approach being taken to better respond to people experiencing mental-health or substance-use challenges, and look forward to working with all our partners to create timely connections to appropriate services.”

The province says improvements to the treatment and recovery system of care build on recent expansions, including more than 100 new treatment and recovery beds for adults, 123 new youth beds and 20 new youth beds at the Traverse treatment centre in Chilliwack.

Minister of Health and Addictions Sheila Malcomson at the Oct. 13 funding announcement in Vancouver.

In a report to city council on Monday, city staff said it is not feasible to relocate the Centennial Mosiac on display in Prince George Community Foundation Park –located outside the now-closed Four Seasons Leisure Pool.

Council approves $2.5M for pool demolition

Additional $1.5M for Fire Hall No. 1 demolition

Prince George city council has approved an additional $2.5 million for the demolition of the Four Seasons Leisure Pool (FSLP) and $1.5 million for the demolition of the old Fire Hall No. 1.

Council has also approved demolishing the Centennial Mosaic Mural in Community Foundation Park next to FSLP and the relocation of the Terry Fox statue.

“I just want to take a moment to address the elephant in the room,” said Coun. Cori Ramsay, regarding the additional costs noting the overages are because of past capital project management practices.

On Oct. 4 council received a report with 42 recommendations to improve the city’s capital management practices.

“These overages are hopefully some of the last of the old way of doing things and we are working so hard to get there,” addedRamsay,duringtheOct.18meeting.

Back in 2019, the Days-Inn was demolished to make way for the construction of the New Downtown Pool.

The demolition project totalled $1,924,943 including extra costs that came from finding unforeseen materials within the building and underground which required additional hazmat and concrete removal.

A $7 million budget funded by the endowment reserve was estimated for the Days Inn land acquisition and demolition when the Downtown Pool Project went to referendum in 2017.

However, this budget was supposed to include the demolition of the FSLP as well.

Now the city has $547,515 remaining of unspent funds which is insufficient to demo the FSLP so with a budget of $3,125,000, the required budget amendment to this project is $2,577,485.

Furthermore, a budget of $1,345,000 is required for the Fire Hall No.1 demolition

project that also needs to be approved as it wasn’t included in the original project budget for the construction of the new Fire Hall.

After some discussion, council voted to ratify the $7 million cost of the Days Inn Land Acquisition and demolition (a step which had been missed by previous council meetings) with the amended $2.58 million to be included in to the 20212025 Financial Plan and be funded by the endowment reserve fund.

Council also voted to approve the addition of the Fire Hall No. 1 Pool Demolition project to the 2021-2025 Financial Plan for a total budget of $1.35 million also to be funded by the Endowment Reserve Fund.

When it came to a vote Coun. Kyle Sampson, however, opposed.

“Going into the four seasons pool demolition I struggle with that,” said Sampson, stating he wants the pool demolished but can’t support the overages.

“I’m struggling with the regular re-occurrence of addressing decisions that have been made in the past and budgets that were made in the past and not planned for to the best of ability.”

Coun. Garth Frizzell noted that the longer council waits to approve demolition the higher the demolition costs will rise.

“I am going to support it,” said Mayor Lyn Hall. “What we are seeing is unforeseen costs in the demolition of the Days Inn which caused our shortfall. If it is not approved, where do we draw those dollars from?”

Another issue that came up was the public art in Community Foundation Park next to the Four Seasons Leisure Pool and the demolition site.

Staff said they are discussing options to relocate the bronze Terry Fox statue with the Terry Fox committee.

However, staff said a relocation of the Centennial Mosaic from its current location would not be feasible.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

New pool halfway done

Prince George’s new downtown pool is moving through the halfway point of construction.

The focus of the work, which is scheduled to be completed by fall 2022, is also shifting from the outside to the interior, the City said in a press release issued Friday.

This past week, crews were forming the concrete basins that will encompass the new pool tanks, finishing the change rooms, building additional walls and roofing, and installing insulation and electrical components.

Work scheduled for this fall includes pool water tank testing, window installation, and working on the exterior cladding.

course, dedicated male and female change rooms, as well as a large universal change room, sauna and steam room and rooms for lessons and training rooms for lessons and training

The pool tanks will feature shallow entries and “pool pods” to provide people with mobility devices to enter. The facility will also have improved lines of sight for lifeguards to increase safety for patrons and the change rooms will open onto the shallowest ends of the pools to decrease the likelihood of falls into deep water.

The project is budgeted to cost $35 million for the pool design and construction.

Features include a six-lane, 25-metre lap pool, a four-lane 25-metre teaching pool with warmer water and shallow depth,aleisurepoolwithalazyriver,beach entry, and play features, a large waterslide with a run-off lane, a“Ninja-Cross” obstacle

The project is roughly on budget at this time. The exception is the demolition costs of old sites including costs associated with the unpredicted removal of unstable soils in the area of the pool tanks and the remediation of a deficient primer on the structural steel components as has previously been reported. The city is pursuing reimbursement of the $1 million extra cost of the primer remediation.

Lest we forget

Citizen seeks letters from the front, war journals to publish

CITIZEN STAFF

With Remembrance Day approaching next month, the Prince George Citizen is planning a special section in our Nov. 11 edition to honour the men and women who have fought for our country. We hope to recognize those who have served – from the earliest days of this country’s existence, to those serving today.

Sadly, few if any local veterans of the First World War, Second World War and Korean War remain. But the Citizen is hoping to give those veterans a chance to tell their stories in their own words.

Any Prince George families who have letters, war journals or other first-hand accounts written by family members who served in those wars – and are willing to share them with the public – are asked to email acting editor Arthur Williams at awilliams@pgcitizen.ca before Nov. 5.

The Citizen hopes to transcribe some of those letters and run them in our Remembrance Day special section on Nov. 11. If the Citizen receives more submissions than we can run this year, we’ll look to save some for future years.

While the veterans of those conflicts are largely gone now, their sacrifice is not forgotten.

CITIZEN STAFF

CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE HANDOUT PHOTO

Construction of the new pool downtown has reached the halfway point, the city said Friday.

Calf moose hunt reduced

McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) is continuing its call for Premier John Horgan to halt the cow-calf moose hunt planned for the fall in its traditional territory.

MLIB is celebrating that after negotiations the number of cow and calf moose allowed to be hunted in their traditional territory has been reduced by 40 per cent, but is calling for a complete halt to the hunt. The provincial government originally wanted to allow hunting of up to 100 cow and calf moose this season, but MLIB says it was successful in getting that number reduced to 60.

MLIB traditional territory is approximately 108,000 sq. kilometers and includes the basins of the Parsnip, Finley and the southern bank of the Peace Rivers.

The government rationale for the cow and calf moose hunting to aid in caribou recovery – by reducing the number of moose in an area, it will also reduce the number of wolves who hunt moose but also go after caribou as secondary prey.

MLIB has been calling for an end to the hunt since 2017.

“This practice of hunting cow (and) calf moose to aid in caribou recovery does not align with our traditional knowledge, cultural practices or traditional laws,” said MLIB Deputy Chief Jayde Chingee.

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SD57 begins byelection process to replace trustees

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

School District No. 57 (SD57) held a special public meeting to appoint Chief Election Officers for the upcoming by-election following the resignation of two trustees, but the issue of vaccine mandates for school staff remains on the table.

The board instead appointed secretary-treasurer Darlene Patterson as chief election officer and Sharon Cairns as deputy chief election officer.

Former board chair Trent Derrick and vice-chair Shuirose Valimohamed announced their resignations on Sept. 13 after reflecting on a ministerial special advisor’s report which found systemic anti-Indigenous racism within the district.

SD57 is now working with the ministry to implement the 45 recommendations outlined within the report.

Trustee Tim Bennett questioned whether the secretary-treasurer would be able to take on yet another role out of necessity.

“We are working with a number of people to get this done,” said Patterson during the Oct. 12 meeting. “As a district we have an advisor who is helping us with local government rules and he is

going to be advising us moving forward.”

The district was required to appoint election officers within 30 days of the trustees’ resignations.

“The fact that we are having to do this currently is not ideal for anyone at least of all the employees and students of this district,” said Prince George District Teacher’s Association president Joanne Hapke at the beginning of the meeting.

She said Derrick and Valimohamed’s voices will be difficult to replace.

“These voices were important to this district. One is a First Nations leader and the other is a person of colour. These trustees brought a lens to this board that will be hard to duplicate,” Hapke said.

“In fact, their reasons for resigning should give anyone from their respective communities pause to consider joining this district at this time, yet we need people from BIPOC communities to be at the table as we do the necessary work to move this district forward and address the systemic racism that is prevalent.”

School District 57 board chairperson Sharel Warrington, who took over the position after Derrick’s resignation, said previously that no decision will be made about mandating vaccines for school employees until the board has had time to discuss the guidelines and recommendations from a new advisory committee.

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

HANDOUT PHOTO

The McLeod Lake Indian Band is calling for a complete halt to a proposed cow-calf moose hunt in their territory.

Take a breath

The allegations brought to light this month by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen have raised serious concerns about social media’s ability to spread misinformation and polarize communities.

As a responsible news media outlet, the Prince George Citizen wants to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

So just like public health officials have announced a “circuit breaker” to reduce the transmission of COVID19 in the Northern Health region, the Citizen is launching its own circuit-breaker to reduce the transmission of misinformation and hostility on our social media posts. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, the Citizen is temporarily suspending public comments on our Facebook posts.

It is important to note that this is not, in any way, an indictment of Prince George or our readers. This issue is a global one, and media outlets throughout Canada and around the world are grappling with similar challenges.

The Citizen has been serving this city for as long as there has been a Prince George, and allowing our social media page to be used to harass, bully or misinform our readers is not a service to this community, it is a disservice.

Comments will still be welcome on the Citizen website. If you haven’t done so already, sign up at www. princegeorgecitizen.com/account/register to register so you can comment on our stories.

Unlike on Facebook, comments on the Citizen website are moderated and must meet our community standards. You can read about our community standards online here: www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ other/community-guidelines#account.

During this two-month circuit breaker we will be stepping up the moderation of comments on our website and looking to ban any frequent offenders.

Ourreadersarestillencouragedtosharelinkstoour stories and our social media posts to their own social media accounts and start the conversation there with their own friends and followers.

Our weekly online polls will also provide readers with a way to easily share their views on important issues of the day. And, of course, we always welcome letters to the editor, which can be submitted by emailing letters@pgcitizen.ca or by using our handy online form available at www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ other/letter-to-the-editor.

Let’s all pause to take a deep breath – be grateful we still can during this pandemic – and enjoy this little break. Hopefully, come Jan. 1, the situation will look a lot brighter.

Acting editor Arthur Williams

Vaccines save lives

In 1798, Edward Jenner published his work on smallpox. He had noted milkmaids who had cowpox were afforded some measure of immunity against the disease. By inoculating James Phipps with the liquid from cowpox pustules, he was able induce a similar immunity. This was the first deliberate vaccination in recorded history and opened up a field of scientific inquiry.

Since then, many diseases have been eradicated or controlled using vaccines – 1885 rabies, 1888 diptheria, 1896 cholera, 1897 plague, 1914 tetanus, 1915 pertussis, 1927 tuberculosis, 1935 yellow fever, 1942 – the first influenza vaccine, 1955 polio, 1963 measles, 1966 rubella, 1967 mumps, 1977 pneumococcal, 1981 hepatitis B, 1995 hepatitis A and 2021 malaria.

For 200 years, scientists have been studyingvariousdiseasesandslowly, steadily, eradicating them.

AS I SEE IT TODD WHITCOMBE

When was the last time you heard of someone getting smallpox? The last case of naturally acquired smallpox occurred in Somolia in 1977. Indeed, many of the diseases which used to kill thousands or millions of people worldwide every year are now under control and can be dealt with via the simple expediency of getting immunized.

We take these advances in medicine for granted. Step on a rusty nail? You get a tetanus shot. Worried about polio? No need, as we have a vaccine for that.

But we also forget. For the past 50 years, vaccines have eliminated many of the major killers of children

and the elderly. We don’t see the death and destruction the diseases once caused. In effect, the impact of these diseases on society has drifted into “legend.”

Not surprisingly, then, I overheard a conversation recently about vaccines. One of the individuals said “Well, I don’t understand why they make children get vaccinated. I mean, have you ever heard of a kid with polio? It’s ridiculous.”

Vaccines are the reason you don’t hear of children with polio.

The natural transmission of the disease has effectively been wiped out with the exception of a few small regions in Africa. And within a few years, it will be eradicated completely.

But stop with the vaccinations and polio will rear its ugly head once again. Say what you want about modern medicine, but vaccines save lives.

About that there is no question.

cls@pgcitizen.ca

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ppelletier@pgcitizen.ca

READER

Acknowledging wrongs done in the past is normal, healthy

It is a normal human reaction to not only acknowledge when we have done something wrong, but to seek to make reparations and heal the relationship with the person we’ve harmed. This is also true on a societal level.

As I complete my unit on the residential school system in Canada, I ask students to reflect on what they have learned.

The overwhelming response is to express a desire for reparation.

These young people were not even alive when the last of these schools closed, yet they understand the damage racist policies have wrought on their country and sincerely want to make things right.

As a person of German descent, I understand their sentiment. There we see thousands of descendants of thoseinvolvedintheHolocaustsponsor the placement of Stolpersteine,

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

small plaques in the sidewalk to mark where their Jewish neighbours once lived. They know that they cannot do anything to change the actions of their grandparents, but they can build a better and more just society. And they have.

There always seem to be individualswhogoagainsttheirinnatehuman nature and choose not to make reparations, as well as those who tell lies to try to hide their crimes against humanity. Though that is not normal, we see people who practice these behaviours marching in the public forum with great regularity.

Former British Prime Minister

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

GET VACCINATED FOR THE CHILDREN’S SAKE

This is an open letter to all the misinformed people who refuse to get vaccinated for some perverse reason or other.

Friends, foes, tough guys and girls alike.

To this day, I still haven’t figured out why I am so passionate about everyone getting vaccinated. Maybe it’s because millions of people have already died of COVID-19 and probably not even one has died directly as a result of the vaccination.

Unfortunately, due to the laws of the land, it is an individual’s right to refuse to get the vaccination.

So why, pray tell, should I care if they get sick and die? Perhaps I would be well advised to mind my own business and let the almighty karma take its course, as it inevitably always does.

Heaven forbid that they should meet their ultimate demise prematurely due to be being so gullible as to believe the hateful journalism in some of those coffee shop rags, the rantings of conspiracy theorists and the myriad of unchecked internet websites.

But rest assured that I will not be at your funeral. The devil willing, the proverbial naysayers (if and when they meet their maker) will most likely burn in hell and suffer eternal damnation for being so selfish to their families, especially their children.

In closing, get real, get smart and get vaccinated for the sake of the little ones, because the delta variant doesn’t care how big and tough you may think you are.

Eugene Fetterly, Prince George

OPPOSITION TO GAS PLANT

West Coast Olefins Ltd. has submitted a request to convert Pineview agricultural land (ALR) to non-agricultural use/industrial use land to build a natural gas extraction plant on Lund Road in Pineview (within a four-kilometre radius to Horseshoe Drive, Buckhorn and Pineview Elementary Schools, and Pineview Recreation Centres).

A pipeline from this plant will be built to supply two

David Cameron, for example, who comes from a lineage of slave owners, said to the descendants of his ancestors’ cruelty in Jamaica, “I do hope that, as friends who have gone through so much together since those darkest of times, we can move on from this painful legacy and continue to build for the future.”

What can be said of those who not only knowingly deny the past, but even today ignore the well-being of their neighbours in a quest for obscene profit?

They are leaving a painful legacy that their descendants will have to reconcile.

Striving to build a global community where every person has infinite value is not special or exceptional, it is what humans were designed to do.

Those who do not do so are displaying dysfunctional behaviour, and we need to be mindful of this truth.

E-mail: letters@pgcitizen.ca

processing plants (plastics) in the BCR site.

This is the start of what this company wants to build in our community.

The vapours, emissions, odours and flaring events from this extraction plant will contaminate our local farms by water and land pollution, interupt our wildlife and bird migrations. Local physician, Dr. Marie Hay, reports the following evidence-based impacts:

• Air & light pollution

• Ground and surface water pollution

• Fish impacts including nearby Tabor Creek and its tributaries

• Wildlife Impacts to nearby wetlands and important migratory bird habitat

• Negative property value impacts

• Traffic noise and electrical generation noise

• Negative visual quality impacts from property owners within line of sight

• Range of cancers and possible liver and kidney damage

• Possible reproductive disorders and infertility

• Mental health and stress

The proposed location for this plant is not acceptable for the safety and wellbeing of our community and simply not an appropriate location for an industrial project of its kind. Pineview residents desperately need P.G.’s support to keep our community green and immediate action is needed.

Supporters opposed to the location of the extraction plant in Pineview can do the following to help:

1. Write a letter to the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and consent to your letter being included at the next meeting. Email all directors: www.rdffg.bc.ca/ government/board-of-directors/directors

2. Sign the petitions. Paper petition at the Pineview store and online petition found on Facebook: Too Close 2 Home.

It is our understanding the board will be voting in November as to whether to approve WCO’s plan to have ALR land in Pineview rezoned to no farm use.

Please help!

COMMUNITY POLL

Participate in this week’s poll. Go to princegeorgecitizen.com, scroll down to the Community Poll, and vote.

RESULTS from last week’s polls:

How long do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will continue?

(See story on page A2)

● We’re never going to be rid of it, we’ll eventually just have to live with COVID-19. 349 votes 50.43%

● It will keep going until everyone is either vaccinated, or has gotten sick. 223 votes 32.23%

● Maybe it will be over by next spring. 21 votes 3.03%

● This has got to be the last wave, I can’t take anymore. 23 votes 3.32%

● I don’t believe there really is a pandemic, or it is overstated. 76 votes 10.98%

What should be done about the proliferation of fake news on social media?

(See editorial on page A8)

● Social media companies should be forced to monitor and remove fake news content. 73 votes 13.80%

● Social media companies should use their influence to promote legitimate news sources (like the Citizen). 10 votes 1.89%

● Mainstream media should allocate more resources to fact-checking fake news stories online and on social media. 24 votes 4.54%

● All of the above. 296 votes 55.95%

● Nothing. It’s up to individuals to do their own due diligence and double-check their sources of information. 126 votes 23.82%

Jerry Daoust

Prince George

‘Vaccinations will be the way out of this pandemic’

Northern Health’s chief medical officer Dr. Jong Kim says he had no choice but to ask for additional public health restrictions

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

Immunization is the way out of this pandemic, says Northern Health’s chief medical officer.

Dr. Jong Kim, chief medical officer for Northern Health, says he had no choice but to ask the province to order the drastic health restrictions now affecting the lives of northern B.C. residents.

It was the only way to fight back against a fourth wave of the pandemic that first took hold in late-August and he says it’s a direct result of the failure of people to get their COVID-19 vaccines.

“Northern Heath is going through a very significant pandemic with this fourth wave,” said Kim. “We are seeing with case numbers as well as hospitalization numbers that we have not seen in the second and third wave and we are seeing significant capacity challenges in our hospitals.

“We are having a lot of patients hospitalized and in critical care in the north an almost all of them, especially in critical care, are unimmunized. This pandemic we are having in the fourth wave is really a pandemic of the unimmunized. That’s why the new Northern Health measures really are focusing on reducing the transmission risk among the unimmunized.”

The latest numbers released Monday by the province show Northern Health is still experiencing alarming transmission rates, with 406 new cases confirmed over the three-day period from Friday-Monday and five new deaths in the Northern Health region attributed to the virus – among 26 deaths across the province. The delta variant of the virus led to the death Thursday of a Northern Health patient in their 20s and earlier in the week COVID also

Action,

claimed the life of a northern B.C. patient in their 30s.

In all of B.C. there were 1,846 new cases over three days for a total of 4,917 active cases in the province. There are currently 360 COVID patients hospitalized, including 151 in intensive care.

As of Monday, there were 21 COVID patients in ICU in Northern Health hospitals, most of them inPrinceGeorge.Seventy-four confirmed COVID patients are in northern B.C. hospitals and there are 880 active cases in the region, 96 more than Friday’s total.

Kim says staff are working diligently within the health region and with provincial health partners to fill in staffing gaps and find solutions to capacity shortages.

100,000), Case counts are especially high in Prince George, Peace River North and Peace River South, Nechako, Smithers and Quesnel, where immunization rates are lower than the provincial average.

“The additional measures are needed in those communities that have the highest rate of COVID-19 and also, compared to the average, a lower rate of immunizations, which will sustain the pandemic in our communities,” said Kim.

“The level of pandemic activity and COVID-19 cases and hospitalized cases from those infections is to the level that it is really impacting our regional health care system and it’s starting to impact the provincial health care system.

restrictions which took effect Friday.

“Prince Rupert is, in a way, a success story because it’s one of the communities during the second wave very impacted by COVID-19,” said Kim.

He said 88 per cent of the residents of Prince Rupert city centre have received their first COVID-19 vaccine doses and 79 per cent have had second doses. In Prince George, depending on what part of the city you live in, the first-dose immunizations range from 74-89 per cent, while fully vaccinated areas of the city range from 56-82 per cent. Kim said rates are lowest in rural parts of Prince George, particularly north and northwest of the city.

“In northern B.C., overall, we generally see lower rates in the rural areas,” said Kim. “One of the factors contributing to that is the convenience and it’s more difficult to access vaccination. We are continuing to use mobile clinics to try to provide low-barrier, easy access to immunization.”

From Oct. 8-14, people not fully vaccinatedaccountedfor68.3percentofCOVID cases, and from Oct. 1-14 they accounted for 74.6 per cent of hospitalizations.

Last week, Northern Health medivacced 58 critically-ill patients from medical centres to hospitals in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Northern Health has just 48 intensive care beds in its facilities and staff have been struggling to treat an overload of patients. Of the 45 COVID patients transferred, all but one had not been fully vaccinated.

All but four of the 15 local health areas in the Northern Health region have for the past month been reporting a high number of COVID cases (more than 20 cases per day averaged over a population of

“The size of the unimmunized population is the major driver of the size of the burden of COVID-19 in the community. Immunization will be the way out of this pandemic.”

Northern Health accelerated its immunization program in Prince Rupert when case rates and positivity of testing spiked late last winter. From mid-March to early-April vaccines were made available to all adults, while the rest of the province rolled out a gradual age-based system that started vaccinating the oldest people first. Case counts this month have been in the moderate range in Prince Rupert and the city was excluded from the new health

Third doses of vaccine have been given to staff and residents of longterm care homes where recent outbreaks have occurred and Jong says Northern Health will continue to be proactive to provide those third doses to high-priority populations while the national and provincial health authorities decide if and when those booster shots will be needed for the general population.

With the risk of respiratory illnesses just starting to ramp up with people staying more indoors with the colder weather and shorter days, Jong is hopeful COVID-19 case counts will flatten before the peak of the cold and flu season.

not ‘useless gestures,’ needed, Teegee says

Indian Residential School.

BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) RegionalChiefTerryTeegeehasreleased a statement following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to Tk’emlups te Secwepemc in Kamloops on Monday saying “expectations are finally being upheld.”

Trudeau’s visit comes two weeks after Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which took place on Sept. 30.

Tk’emlups leaders invited Trudeau to take part in the band’s ceremonies on Sept. 30, but he opted to instead go on a family vacation on Vancouver Island – a decision for which he apologized again on Monday.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was made a holiday in June, days after the May 27 announcement from Tk’emlups Chief Rosanne Casimir that unmarked grave sites had been located on the grounds of the former Kamloops

“We were all deeply disappointed and hurt when the prime minister chose not to observe and attend ceremonies and events for the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30; instead travelling to Tofino, B.C. with his family for a vacation. Prime Minister Trudeau had been invited multiple times by Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir to visit the Kamloops Indian Residential School grave sites and was repeatedly ignored,” said Teegee.

effectiveness and influence in creating change.

“It is imperative that our leaders be strategic and future-focused and build on each opportunity presented to them to strengthen relationships and further develop trust.

We demand much more substantial actions and resources for the work that needs to be done...

It is my expectation that Prime Minister Trudeau and his government will double down on their work toward reconciliation with First Nations.”

they want their governments to confront the legacy of colonialism and transform systems of power that reinforce poverty, injustice and genocide,” added Teegee.

He then called for innovative strategies and policies to fully implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada with all Indigenous peoples playing prominent roles at all levels.

“We demand much more substantial actions and resources for the work that needs to be done to recover the truth and build a better future for all Canadians, and we expect no more theatrics, useless gestures and words meant to pacify growing anger and distrust.”

“This was not a decision focused on the ideals and aspirations built around reconciliation and instead create a political and social climate loaded with drama and strife.”

Teegee said the actions and attitudes of leaders in Canada are critical in their

During his visit Trudeau said once again he is committed to working with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and other Canadian First Nations on reconciliation, promising “concrete actions.”

“With the recent recoveries of many unmarked graves of children at former residentialschoolsites,andmoretocome, many Canadians have made it clear that

Trudeau spent the day meeting with Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir and leaders from Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and other First Nations dignitaries.

“As I said, I deeply regret not having been here to commemorate and move forward with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc,” said Trudeau.

– with files from Tim Petruk, Castanet

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

DR JONG KIM

P.G.’s Grace Barlow makes hockey history

Former Northern Capitals blueliner part of the first all-female officiating crew to work a junior A hockey game in Canada

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

The 23-year-old former Northern Capitals defenceman from Prince George accomplished two firsts on the B.C. Hockey League stage.

First, she had the honour of being part of the first all-female on-ice officiating crew to ever work a junior A hockey game in Canada. Barlow and Megan Howes of Burnaby were the referees, while Melissa Brunn of Kelowna and Colleen Geddes of Abbotsford suited up as the linesmen.

Then, after the Surrey Eagles put the finishing touches on a 5-4 shootout win over the Langley Rivermen, the four officials made a curtain call when they all were selected as first stars of the game.

“Being on an all-female crew is both exciting and comfortable,” Barlow told Jesse Adamson, the BCHL’s communications and events manager.

“These women beside me have been my friends, as well as my colleagues, for years. Getting the opportunity to make history with them is an honour. I hope other young women can watch this game and know that all aspects of hockey are for everyone.”

Barlow played three seasons as a defenceman in the B.C. Female Triple-A Midget Hockey League for the Prince George-based Northern Capitals. In 85 league games she collected four goals and 21 assists and led the Capitals to back-toback provincial championships in 2015 and 2016.

The daughter of Cheryl and Mark Barlow was an assistant coach two seasons ago for the Northern Capitals. She now

Grace Barlow of Prince George, second from right, was one of the referees in an all-female on-ice officiating crew that worked the BCHL game Sunday between the Surrey Eagles and Langley Rivermen. Flanking Barlow are Megan Howes, Melissa Brunn and Colleen Geddes.

lives in Vancouver, where she’s enrolled in second-year studies in the dentistry program at UBC.

Brunn and Geddes worked as linesmen in the BCHL exhibition season Oct. 5-6 when the Canada’s national woman’s team visited the Trail Smoke Eaters and Cranbrook Bucks.

Sunday’s game was the first BCHL experience for Barlow and Howes

“To share the ice with strong athletes is one thing, but to skate alongside strong female athletes at this level is another,” said Howes. “I am tremendously proud of our journey thus far.”

Said Brunn: “As much as we want to address this as ‘just another game on a Sunday’, I hope this shows that hard work and dedication pay off. This game is monumental for the game of hockey as four

females take the ice. However, it is also about recognizing that drive and determination are not marked by gender. I hope we are able to make the BCHL, our peers and young female athletes proud.”

All four women participated in the Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway program, having learned their craft starting with their local hockey associations and provincial high-performance programs.

Timberwolves clinging to faint playoff hopes

After a pair of weekend ties with the Fraser Valley Cascades in Abbotsford the UNBC Timberwolves still have a shot at making the U SPORTS Canada West men’s soccer playoffs.

The T-wolves are on the outside looking in, ranked seventh out of seven in the Pacific Division with a 1-4-5 record Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, UNBC is six points behind the fourth-place Thompson Rivers University WolfPack and only the top four advance to the playoffs.

The good news, from a T-wolves’ perspective, is they play TRU in a two-game set Saturday and Sunday at Masich Place Stadium UNBC will have to win both

games, which would give them the same 3-4-5 record as the WolfPack, but the T-wolves would have the edge based on winning the season series.

The other factor that’s out of the T-wolves’ hands is they’re going to need some help on the out-of-town scoreboard.

Fraser Valley (2-3-5, fifth place) is three points ahead of UNBC and UBC-Okanagan (2-4-4, sixth place) is two points up on the T-wolves. Fraser Valley and UNBC-O play each other Friday and Saturday in Kelowna, so much depends on the outcome of those two games.

Sunday in Abbotsford, the UNBC men fell behind 2-0 early in the game. Trevor Zanetta scored in the fifth and 14th minutes and it could have been worse for the T-wolves if not for the play of goalie Daniel Zadravec, who kept his team within

striking range despite being outshot 7-3 in the opening 45 minutes.

In the 64th minute, UNBC senior Stu Rowlands made it a one-goal game with his first goal of the season, after taking the feed from Kensho Ando. Prince George product Abou Cisse fired the equalizer in the 88th minute, a goal assisted by UNBC rookie Lois Benquet.

The teams began the weekend with a 2-2 on Friday

Both games this weekend start at 2:15 p.m. at Masich Place Stadium. Sunday’s match will be the last home game for T-wolves veterans Rowlands, Owen Stewart, Hussein Behery and Alex Nielson.

The UNBC women (1-8-1, sixth place) have been eliminated from playoff contention. They dropped a 1-0 decision Sunday to Fraser Valley on a rainy day in

Abbotsford and will finish off their season Saturday and Sunday against TRU.

The Cascades kept T-wolves goalie Brooke Molby busy in the first half while outshooting UNBC 7-0, but the third-year goalie stood her ground and kept the ball out of the net.

In the 75th minute, Harneet Dadrao’s corner kick landed in range for Alanna Sydenham and she booted it in for the only goal of the game.

The Cascades defeated the T-wolves 2-1 on Friday.

The weekend set at Masich against TRU will be the final games for T-wolves veterans Molby, Madison Doyle, Mikaela Cadorette, Hallie Nystedt, Sonja Neitsch, Sarah Zuccaro, Grace Gillman, and Kierstin Vohar.

Both games start at noon.

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

HORO SC OPES &P UZ ZLES

17. Tiny insects 22. Lubricated

Shower off

Also 26. Spelling 27. Bird of prey 28. Glazed 30. Toward the back, matey 31. Brewery beverage 32. Coffee container 35. Fastened 38. Fan blade

Burnt wood

Tree home

Finished first

Footballer Donovan

Do away with

Violinist Stern

Just released

Acquire knowledge

Common ailment

Investigate in depth

Radio spots

neckline

Nautical hello

PUZZLE NO. 841

Rotation center

HOW TO PLAY:

40. Look (for) 42. Blockade 44. Gooey substance 45. Folk knowledge 46. Fairly matched 48. Shout 50. Hound’s quarry

Atop

Some evergreens

CL ASSIF IEDS

Julia Serup, gone October 13 of 2018, along with her husband, Svend, (earlier in the year).

Our mother, motherin-law, grandmother, along with our father, father-in-law, grandfather. It was hard to have you go but God had need of you.

Proverbs 13:22:

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…

Your loving family.

5 years have passed and you are always dearly missed by your loving husband, sons, family and friends.

REMEMBRANCES

19 Jun 1949 - 25 Oct 2017

My thoughts are of you day and night. It’s so lonely without you. Time will never change the love I have for you. In my heart you will stay.

Missing you, Helen

May 20, 1946 - October 20, 2018

Although He took you back three years ago today, I am so very grateful for the years He let you stay.

Many thoughts I give to you as the long hours go by.... Thinking of the things we used to say and do just you and I.

Sometimes they make me smile Sometimes they make me cry but all are precious to me alone memories of You and I.

Lovingly remembered and missed Joanie

Sep. 14, 1963 - Oct .5, 2021

It is with a grieving and heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved Margaret Rose Stroknes. She was the love of my life and fought a long brave battle against cancer, which unfortunately caused her untimely death.

Her beautiful smile and loving kind heart and soul will be forever missed. Her dog Maggy and her kitty are grieving as well. There are squirrels, whisky jacks and ravens out there that miss you too.

Your love forever Darren

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Pastor Peter Kamau Mburu. He died in Prince George, Canada on Sunday October 3rd, 2021. He was born in Kihara Location, Kenya to the late Moffat Mburu Kamau and Penina Wambui Mburu and moved to Canada in 1989.

He is survived by his daughters Wambui, Natasha, and Yvonne Kamau and their mother Jane Wairimu Kamau, as well as his siblings Anne Nyakio Mburu (Nakuru), John Njenga Mburu (Gachie), Jane Karungari Mwangi (Nakuru) Susan Kabura Mwangi (Ruiru), and his many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

He was well known for his preaching and passion for the word of God and loved by his community, he will be deeply missed.

Funeral will be held at the Prince George Memorial Park Cemetery. The funeral arrangements are ongoing with a funeral date to be announced later.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith - 2 Timothy 4:7

Obituaries In Memoriam In Memoriam

In loving memory of Larry M Wilkes

In loving memory

Michael Leonard Moore

Mike,

In loving memory

Pam Shelest

Pastor Peter Kamau Mburu

Margaret Rose Stroknes

Larson, Beverley Elva

January 29, 1946 to October 1, 2021

On October 1, 2021 Beverley “Bambi” Elva Larson, age 75, of Prince George, BC, passed away from complications of Lewy Body Dementia. Our hearts are breaking for losing her, and we are also thankful that she is no longer suffering.

Mom, Mommykins, Granny, Gran, Auntie Bam, Bambi was born in Prince George, BC on January 29, 1946. She lived her entire 75 years, 8 months and 2 days here, growing up in the army camps, until her family moved to Burden Street. She attended Central Fort George Elementary and Duchess Park Secondary. Mom left school early to help her family care for her grandmother, Mary Elizabeth McCabe, to whom she was very close. Later in life, she returned to school to complete her GED and take bookkeeping courses.

Mom married our father, Cecil Bruce Larson, on a slightly snowy May 23, 1964 and they were wedded for 47 years until his death on August 20, 2011 from lung cancer. They lived in various places in Prince George, eventually building their home on Gillett Street. During their years together, Mom loved buying trees, planting them in yard and watching them grow. She was part of a bowling league when younger and, despite poor eyesight, was a top-notch bowler. She was always up for a game of crib, Scrabble, hearts or Yahtzee, a cup of tea and a long visit with her family and friends. She enjoyed staying up late talking or reading, and considered herself a night owl. She loved game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Mom was an avid reader of all genres, loved to do the daily crossword and crypto-gram in the Citizen and stay up-to-date on everything happening in Prince George and the world.

Mom showed her love for us through her acts of service. She cared for all of us. She was up to drive us anywhere; she looked after Tracy’s beloved cats even though she was not fond of them; she cared for her grandchildren; and she baked delicious Christmas cake, cherry loaf, matrimonial squares and raisin cookies. One year, she took a Chinese food cooking class, and we were often treated to homemade Chinese food. Mom put together care packages for family members that she knew might be alone; she spent years providing companionship to her dear Aunt Dora.

Mom is predeceased by her husband Cecil Bruce Larson and her parents Florence Beatrice McCabe Clifford and Lloyd Henry Clifford. She is also predeceased by four of her siblings Peter Clifford, Margaret “Peggy” Hotvedt, Karen Kiss and Dennis “Jake” Clifford and sadly many of her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as Cecil was one of sixteen children--and she was one of eight herself.

Mom is survived by her loving children, Tracy Larson (Edward Greenop), Jody “Zack” Larson (Wanda), and Adam Larson (Cherilynn) and her seven grandchildren whom she adored: Matthew, Mykhala, Breanna, Bailey, Ava, Jacob, and Lucas. She is survived by her siblings Kent Clifford, Patricia Farmer, and Lorne Clifford.

We would like to thank the caring staff at Gateway Complex Care for looking after Mom these past five years. Due to COVID-19, the family has had a private funeral service on October 9, 2021 and Mom has been laid to rest beside her beloved husband. To honor Bambi’s memory, please plant a tree, have a cup of tea with a friend or family member, and play a game.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC or the Prince George Hospice House.

Condolences may be offered at www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com

Lulu Mae Eliason (Porter)

January 5, 1934October 13, 2021

Lulu Mae Eliason passed away peacefully after a brief illness and choosing to leave, she began her journey with her Lord.

Lulu Mae was born in Bearberry, Alberta and grew up in McDougall Flats along with her sister and brother and was raised by their grandmother, Mabel Crouch after their mother passed away when they were only toddlers. She attended school in Sundre and eventually moved to B.C. where she began her family. After spending many years in Prince George, B.C., Lulu Mae returned to Alberta and settled in Rocky with her sister, Helen. Lulu Mae was an avid reader and was able to answer many questions put forth to her. She kept up her daily Bible readings and continually worked on crossword puzzles. She found joy in her garden and worked very hard to keep it well tended and managed to grow a crop of grapes. Her love of nature was evident when she was taken out west on road trips and could be seen picking up a leaf and examining it. Many walks were made down to the river with Helen and many picnics out west were enjoyed with frequent stops along the highway to look at bluebells, her favorite flower. Lulu Mae had a passion for the Toronto Blue Jays and could rattle off statistics and names like a World Series announcer. Sports, old westerns, and black and white movies kept her entertained for many years and she enjoyed a road trip where she visited many historic sites along the way. Her sense of humour mixed in with downright sarcasm provided much laughter to all. Feisty comes to mind. She found employment working in the Saan store and was very proud of her position and enjoyed her fellow workers. Her standards were high and her work ethic higher. Shoe racks never looked so good in Rocky. Lulu Mae will be greatly missed by her sons Dana and Tracy and her beloved grandson, Ethan. She is survived by her sister, Helen Billetski and brother, Charlie Porter (Maureen), sister-in-law, Phyllis Tower, her other grandchildren: Kody, Kyle Shawna Lee, Dustin and Shanelle and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was predeceased by her son Wayne and her parents Lulu Hope Crouch and Joseph Porter.

“All my hurts, my garden spade can heal”. Emerson

A Celebration of Lulu’s life will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be forwarded to: www.rockyfuneralhome.ca

Cremation entrusted to the Rocky Mountain Crematorium, Rocky Mountain House, AB Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements, 403 845 2626

Albert was born and raised in Loon Lake Saskatchewan, as the eldest of 10 siblings. He moved to BC in where he worked for CanforUpper Fraser division for 25 years. He touched the hearts of many people during his time on earth. His memory will be cherished by many people, including his loving wife Sharon, 3 children, 3 stepchildren and grandchildren, as well as many friends and acquaintances.

Many thanks to the excellent care that Albert received at the Simon Fraser Lodge by the nursing staff and administration during his time there, as well as Dr I Reddy his family physician. He will be sadly missed by his loving family and all his close friends.

Chuck Robertson

At Hospice Wellington, Guelph, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Chuck Robertson age 80 years, was the beloved husband of Ann (Gray) Robertson. He was the dear brother of Bill Robertson (the late Sharon) and of the late Paul Robertson, the late Cathy Robertson and the late Peter Robertson. Survived by many nieces and nephews.

Private cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church 175 Emma St. Guelph on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Entombment of cremated remains in Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum, Marymount Cemetery, Guelph. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed and can be viewed by clicking on the Zoom link found on the funeral home website. Those wishing to attend the Mass are asked to RSVP on the funeral home website.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Donation cards are available at the funeral home 519-822-4731 or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com

AL ADAMSON

Of Adamson Enterprises Inc.

Passed away on October 7th 2021 at the age of 64 years. Al is survived by his wife Kathy, son Colin (Sarah), grandson Finn Adamson. He is also survived by his brother David. Al was predeceased by his parents Herman & Cecilia Adamson. No service by request. Cremation arrangements in care of Assman’s Funeral Chapel.

Albert Schwartz

CHATHA, KEWAL S.

August 20, 1940October 7, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Kewal Chatha, on October 7, 2021. He was a long time resident of Prince George (1969-2010) who then relocated to Airdrie, AB to be with his son and grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Jatinder (Suman) Chatha, daughters Rupinder Chatha and Kiran Khuber; his beloved grandchildren, Rajan and Neelam (Jatinder), Navraj and Amrit (Rupinder), Joban and Jaya (Kiran). He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gurmit Kaur. Kewal was the pillar and patriarch of his family and will be greatly missed by his extended family members and friends whom he cherished.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, October 16th at Country Hills Crematorium & Funeral Services. Condolences can be offered by www.countryhillscrematorium.ca

Personal Messages

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With the opportunity for great personalization, the funeral service can truly reflect the uniqueness of the life it honours.

Contact us to find out more.

ASSMAN’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

Glenn Johnston - Director

1908 Queensway St. 250-564-4431

www.dignitymemorial.ca

EMPLOYMENT

The Prince George Citizen is looking for a freelance photographer. Interested candidates please email lsmith@glaciermedia.ca along with some samples of your best photos.

Clerical Person needed from Monday-Friday, $600.00 weekly. Computer skills customer service skills, some cash & items handling skills, To apply Email: candice75312@gmail.com

Gr aDers ( FT or PT ) for 1x4, 1x3 in 8’, 7’ 6’ & 5’

BC or email keyles@lumber.ca or gobbi1@telus.net Fax: 250.561.2111

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

Management/Administration

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Dollar Saver lumber operates a lumber re-manufacturing operation in Prince George We currently have an opportunity in our management group for a Sales Production coordinator.

This position is responsible to perform the following functions:

• Co-ordinate purchase of raw material to meet mill requirements

• Co-ordinate Shipments of finished products to existing customers.

• Work with Mill Management to ensure optimal inventories are maintained.

• Communicate with customers to ensure their needs are being met

Preference will be given for persons

• Good computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities

• The ability to deal with customer needs in a calm constructive manner

• The ability to adjust to rapidly changing conditions and developments

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Good analytical skills

The position offers:

• A competitive salary and benefit package

• Opportunity to work in friendly non- bureaucratic environment

Please submit your resume to Frank Skerlak, General Sales Manager at fskerlak@lumber.ca or Bev at: gobbi1@telus.net

Only those persons chosen for an interview will be contacted.

A LOT Of 45 & LPs. All kinds $5$40 each, 778-675-4716

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Bedroom/Bedding

Adjustable Hospital bed : ETUDE-HC bed kit. Very lightly used. includes: Beech head and foot board, power operated head and foot deck sections, 4 function control pendant with function lock outs (mattress not included) $2000 250 964-9417 pics at http://invacare.ca/doc_files/Etu de_Booklet.pdf

Firewood

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$900. or bucked to length $1050 per load delivered 250614-6667

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Sheds/Outbuildings

SUDOKU

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE

Having several lobes

1. Wives of a polygamous man 2. Where hurt ballplayers land 3. Single-celled animal

Rhythmic pattern 5. One from Utah

A group of seven

Refrains from inflicting

Humanistic discipline

Emits coherent radiation 11. It says who you are

of

Makes

29. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 30. Where wrestlers work 31. Blood relation 33. A great deal 34. Round Dutch cheese 36. Move further away from 38. Type of wrap 40. Furies 41. Removes from the record 43. Young salmon 44. Feline 45. Skin decor 47. Disfigure 48. They __

18. Headgear

One who sets others free

Form of communication 26. A Brit’s mother 27. Title of respect 30. Famed modernist painter 32. One-time province of British India

Prosecutors

Motor vehicle 38. Non-religious

Native Americans of Colorado and Wyoming

Pouch

Touch gently

Chose

51. Formal term for “on”

53. Weight of precious stones

55. Traveled rapidly

56. Long-winged aquatic bird

58. Prickly husk

59. Expressed pleasure

60. Exclamation of surprise

61. Most irritable

64. Virginia

65. Optimistic

67. Humorous works

69. Arranged systematically 70. Emerges

47. Actress Tomei

49. Former Broncos coach Dan

50. Icelandic poems

52. More decent 54. Grillmasters use it

55. Self-immolation by fire rituals

57. Expression of annoyance 59. __ Spumante (Italian wine) 62. Consumed

Body part

Rupee

TELUS HOME SOLUTIONS

R0011884476

Development of a Pest Management Plan

3.00x42.0-BW

File # TMW-0003-22/27

GM12 / 290096

As per the Integrated Pest Management Act of British Columbia, Section 61(1) this is a public notification that: TELUS Communications Inc. is developing an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under the BC Integrated Pest Management Act and associated regulations. TELUS manages property in the Province of British Columbia, which includes communications towers, network buildings and right of ways for above and below-ground operations. The plan is described to ensure effective and safe control for invasive weeds and other undesirable vegetation, which will reduce fire hazards, ensure telecommunications equipment and communications are not jeopardized and provide safe working conditions.

Our approach is to promptly assess sites and use selective techniques to enhance our efforts toward reducing the number of instances that may require vegetation control. Methods may include mechanical, manual, cultural or herbicide ground applications.

These treatment applications may also be used in accordance with the Weed Control Act by orders from the B.C. Ministry or local jurisdictional authorities. Herbicides will be applied by backpack sprayers, trucks, or ATV. Herbicide active ingredient proposed under this program include: aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl, imazapyr, triclopyr, glyphosate, indaziflam, flumioxazin, pyroxasulfone, flazasulfuron, aminocyclopyrachlor, saflufenacil, acetic acid, methyl ethyl oleate, paraffinic oil, alkoxylate alcohol and surfactant blend.

• Trade names include Clearview, Arsenal Powerline, Garlon XRT, VP480, Esplanade, Navius VM, Torpedo, LongRun, Detail, Munger Vinegar Plus, Gateway, Hasten NT and LI700.

The proposed effective term of this IPMP is from Jan. 2, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2027. The IPMP or map(s) may be viewed by contacting the agent, E-Qwest Consulting at 250-212-5727, 2579 Sylvia Road, Lake Country, BC V4V 2R8. Or email, E-Qwest Consulting Ltd. e-qwest@shaw.ca. Alternatively, you can contact TELUS at environment@telus.com

A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the Pest Management Plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

Prince George Citizen 4.135”w x 3”h

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF WASCO IN THE UNITED STATES

In the Matter of: Kitty Neill, Trustee of the Frances A. Bardenhagen Revocable Living Trust and the Bardenhagen Family Trust , Plaintiff, vs. All Persons Unknown Claiming any Legal or Right, Title or Equitable Interest in the Real Property Described in the Complaint, Defendant.

Case No.: 21CV39220

SUMMONS FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

Kitty Neill has filed a civil case asking the court to order Quiet Title regarding property particularly described as follows: Northwesterly 20’ of Lot 3, Block A, Van Vactor Terrace Addition, in County of Wasco State of Oregon

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: READ CAREFULLY!

You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear,” you must file a legal response, Answer, or Motion Forms may be available through the court above or online at www.courts.oregon.gov/forms Talk to a lawyer for information about appearing by motion

Your response must be filed with the court named above within 45 days of the date of first publication (noted below), along with the required filing fee (go to www.courts. oregon.gov for fee information.) It must be in proper form You must show that the other party’s lawyer (or the party if they do not have a lawyer) was formerly served with a copy of your response according to the service rules. Service rules are in the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure (ORCP) Rule 9. If you have questions, see a lawyer immediately If you need help finding a lawyer, you can call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at 503-684-3763 or toll free in Oregon at 800-452-7636, or go to www.oregonstatebar.org.

Dated and first Published October 21, 2021 /s/ Kristen A Campbell, OSB #135998, Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 2449, The Dalles, OR 97058; Phone: 541-371-5585; Email: kcampbell@campbellphillipslaw.com

BUYING COINS

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OLDMONEY, ALL GOLD &SILVERCOINS, COIN COLLECTIONS. +BUYING ALL THINGS MADE WITH GOLD OR SILVER. TODD’S COINS1-250-864-3521

EAST WAYSAND &GRAVEL Gravelisideal fordriveways and building sites.Also lowercost glacier till for sub bases and backfills, also sandy loam available. 250-562-5940 BUYING OLD JEWELRY

Gold,Silver &Costume Jewelr y!CharmBracelets,Rings, Chains,Necklaces,Pocket Watch Chains,Watches,Bracelets, Necklaces,Earrings,Brooches, Coins,All OldJewelr yWanted, Quality, Estate,EvenUgly &Broken Jewelr y, AllThe Bits AndPiecesYou No Longer Want!Call Or Text Todd’s Coins 1.250.864 3521

HOMES

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Brighten your home with indirect LED lighting

Hiddenlightsourcesaretheperfectideafor any lighting design project in your home. Whetherit’sunderbeds,alongbaseboards or above cabinets, flexible, indirect LED lighting strips can be installed virtually anywhere you want. These light emitting diodes are a great alternative to direct overhead lighting and they’ll provide any roomwithwarmthandcharacter

SHED SOME NEW LIGHT

The traditional use of direct overhead lighting can feel cold and sterile. What’s more, the glare from these lights is rarely forgiving when it comes to your home’s blemishes and imperfections. LED strips, on the other hand, are easily installed, use very little energy and have a very long lifespan. They’re also perfect when looking to add a calming atmosphere orcreativeflairtoagivenroom.

Hereareafewideastoinspireyouforyour nextlightingproject.PlaceLEDstrips:

•Underbeds,couches

•Underoraboveyourkitchencabinets

•Undertheshelvesinyouroffice

•Aroundyourdeckorpool

•InthecabinteriorofyourRV

A BEAUTIFUL GLOW

Unlike their compact fluorescent counterparts,LEDbulbsgiveoffawarmglowand virtuallynoglare.Tailoredtoindoorlighting, theyevenlydistributethelighttohelpbathe the room in soft and welcoming colours. This will help maketheroom feel bigger and will bring outanystylish architectural elements you mayhave.

The benefits of maintaining your heating system

With autumn fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your house. Your heating system is the lifeblood of your home during the cold season, so it’s important to keep it in perfect working condition. Thelastthingyouwantistobeleftoutinthe coldduringablizzard.

ANNUAL INSPECTIONS

Your furnace or boiler should be maintained at least once a year, regardless if it runs on electricity, gas or oil. By servicing your heating system annually, you’ll be able to keep energy losses to a minimum, prevent parts from breaking down and help ensure thesafetyofyouandyourfamily

SERVICES AND SUPPORT

Aqualifiedheatingtechnicianwill:

• Check the air supply of your of boiler or furnace

• Inspecttheflueorventpipes

• Checktheconditionoftheheatexchanger

• Ensurethatthevariouspartsoftheheating systemareingoodworkingcondition

• Perform additional checks if your heating systemusesnaturalgasoroil

WHAT’S

IN IT FOR YOU?

A furnace or boiler that isn’t running at peak performance will require more energy to maintain the same level of output. This can cause damage to your system, alter the temperatureofyourhomeandincreaseyour energybill.What’smore,byhavingatechnician installa carbonmonoxide alarm, you’ll have the added security of being alerted if there’severapotentiallythreateninggasleak inyourhome

FREE ESTIMATES

How to design multifunctional living spaces

Combining several rooms into one space can end up looking crowded and messy if not done right. Here are a few tips for designing a multifunctional livingspace.

PRIORITIZE STORAGE

Maximize your available storage to help eliminate clutter and make your space appearlarger.Addshelvinghighuponyourwallstosavefloorspaceanddraweyes upward.

Cocktails are back in a big way, leading many to outfit their homes with stylish yet functional bars. Regardless if it’s in a living room, basement or even a garage, your bar will be the focal point of any social gathering. Of course, there’s no need to go overboard; a home bar that fits your tastes andbudgetwillgetthejobdonewhenentertainingfriendsandfamily BAR BASICS

At the very least, your bar should have a countertoptoservedrinksonaswellasfew stools for seating. It’s also handy to have shelves to house your bottles of liquor and glassware,aswellasdrawersforyourtools. Next,you’llneedtochoosebetweenhaving a wet (sink) or dry bar (no sink). Having a sink is practical for washing your glasses, but it also means you’ll have to install you barnearawaterline.Asmallrefrigeratorisa definitemust-haveforanyproperbartender

Outfitting your bar with a mini-fridge will allow you to keep a variety of useful items onhand,suchasjuices,softdrinks,beerand otherbottledbeverages.

THE RIGHT SETTING

Figuring out where you want to spend most ofyourtimeentertainingisonesteptowards determining your bar’s location. Its size, shape and functionality will also play a role in deciding where it will go. Ideally, you’ll wanttoplaceitonanemptywallawayfrom foottrafficsoit’snotintheway Beingclose to the kitchen is practical if your bar lacks a fridge or a sink However, the basement or garage might be better options if you have a rather large and ornate bar. Of course, if space is an issue in your home, you could always go with a quaint bar cart instead. The perfect solution for small spaces, these versatile little carts create a dedicated area formixingdrinksinanyroomofyourhouse

USE VERSATILE FURNITURE

Furnituretakesupalotofspacesoit’simportanttolookforversatilepiecesthatcan servemorethanonepurpose.Adressercandoubleasasidetableandanottomancan alsobeusedasacoffeetableaswellasforextrastorageandseating.

CREATE ZONES

There are many creative ways to divide a space into distinct areas. Use rugs to create visual separation or hang a mirror from the ceiling. You can also place two bookshelves or other pieces of furniture back-to-back to physically divide the room Finally, use the corners of your room to create distinct spaces. For example, an L-shaped table can be positioned to create a corner office or diningnook.

Rememberthatmultifunctionalspacesshouldhavecohesivedesignelementsthattie theroomorareatogether

The revival of the home bar

Kaycie

Janine

Donna Badowski***

Jasmine

Bruce

beautiful house backsonto agreen space and has no neighbour on oneside giving it a private feel. Just a hop skip and a jump to allofthe important amenities, you could easily walkeverywhere.Finished to complimentit’sheritage origins this listing is not just a house it’s ahome

Only three left!Each 2400 sqft unit is uniquelyfinished with quartz countertops, climate control, electric car plugin and a400 sq ft deckwith everything you needfor ahot tub and bbq In all of the units both bedrooms have an ensuite and walk-in closet.It’sexecutiveliving close to everythingwith an amazing view of the heart of ourcity

Trending kitchen cabinet designs

The kitchen is the heart of every home. Not only does it need to be functional, but as the hub of your family life, it also has to be visually stunning. To this effect, kitchen cabinets have moved away from the rustic and classical designs of previous years. Inaneffort tobecome more modern and sleek, cabinetry has adopted a new seamless style combining appearance and functionality

A MINIMALISTIC APPROACH

Kitchenshavebecomeincreasinglystreamlined over the years. Gone are the days of raised panel doors, excess ornamentation and crown moldings. Instead, you’ll find a more European approach emphasizing horizontal lines and an obvious absence of patterns. Full-overlay cabinetry is brought to the ceiling and flat-panel doors are outfitted with basic chrome or stainless steel hardware anything and everything to

createthatsleekandunadornedlook. INSPIRED BY YOUR TASTES

You’ll encounter a varied selection of cabinets when attempting to tailor the design of your kitchen to your style and needs.Melaminecontinuestobeapopular choice for many kitchens. Installing solid wood cabinets will increase the value of any home, but they are more expensive than other materials such as veneer and thermoplastic. And color choices, while often influenced by natural light, will vary dependingonyourpersonaltasteandstyle. Consulting a renovation specialist is always a good idea when looking to make yourkitchenmoremodern.Theirexpertise and personalized assistance will help you selectandinstalltherightcabinetsforyour kitchen.

Kitchen cabinets make a move towards the modern!

GO FOR GOLD.

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 thesesurfaceswillgoalongwayinkeeping them looking great.

KEEP THAT SHINE

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. Anylon 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 scratches. Deeper scratches, on the other hand, can be repaired with a good professional polishing.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Simplyput,stainlesssteelandbleachdonot 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

Anartstudioinyourhomeistheperfect 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 somebasicsthatallfunandfunctionalart studiosrequire.

1. PROPER LIGHTING

The best light to work by is natural light.Ofcourse,whitefluorescentlighting 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 yourstudiodoesn’thaveany windows,makesuretohave afanortwoonhandtokeep theaircirculating.

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

Whenthetimecomestotakeastepback tomuseoveryourhandiwork,makesure 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

Yourstudiowilleventuallybecomeyour art gallery Hooks, shelves, tables and easels are useful for hanging or displaying your work as well as your reference photos.