Prince George Citizen November 25, 2021

Page 1


CROSSTOWN RIVALS

Shas Ti Kelly Road Grizzlies player Kalena Samaai spikes the ball against D.P. Todd blockers Shadae Black (#8) and Chayse Sawara (#4) in the gold medal game of the Senior Girls AA North Central Zone Volleyball Championship on Saturday afternoon at Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School gymnasium. For more on the game (and which team won), turn to page 25.

RCMP wage hike, back pay alarms council

in 2022, the city will see a significant cost increase per member, Dalio added.

Prince George city council added its voice to ranks of B.C. municipalities concerned over the cost of a collective agreement negotiated by the National Police Federation and the federal government.

In August, RCMP members ratified the six-year deal, which includes a 23.78 per cent pay increase for RCMP members. The contract is retroactive to 2017, and municipalities are required to make a one-time payment to members to cover the cost of pay increases from 2017 to 2021.

On Monday, Prince George director of finance Kris Dalio told council the total cost of the retroactive payment is roughly $6.5 million.

The RCMP advised the city to set aside 2.5 per cent per year to cover the cost of the negotiated wage increase, leaving the city with $4 million in an account to use toward the retroactive payment, Dalio said. The $2.5 million remaining is equivalent to about a two per cent increase to the city’s property tax levy.

In addition, going forward

“We have no choice, we have to pay,” Coun. Brian Skakun said. “That is a cost we can’t absorb. That is huge, we need some help.”

In a letter dated Nov. 5, Mayor Lyn Hall and the mayors of Kelowna, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Penticton, Richmond, Surrey, Vernon and West Kelowna called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other senior federal ministers to meet with the B.C. municipalities to discuss the situation.

Municipalities with populations greater than 15,000, including Prince George, are required to pay 90 per cent of their contracted policing costs with the RCMP, while the federal government covers the other 10 per cent.

Coun. Terri McConnachie said being hit with a two per cent tax increase just to cover the retroactive payments during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is “just impossible.”

“It’s quite flabbergasting,” she said. “The most galling part is we were not part of the conversation in any way.”

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

WHAT:

CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS

City Council consideration of applications: •Temporary Use Permit Application No. TU000075

WHEN:

6:00 p.m., Monday,December 6, 2021

WHERE:

Council Chambers of City Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC

PROPOSALS:

1. Temporary Use Permit No. TU000075

Applicant: Rebev Renovation Centrefor National Ski Experts Ltd., Inc. No. 389389

Subject Property: 1191 1st Avenue

The purpose of this application is to allow the subject property located at 1191 1st Avenue to be used for Building &Garden Supply.The applicant has applied for aTemporary Use Permit to allow for “Building &Garden Supply” as apermitted use on the subject property in order to determine potential land use impacts prior to submitting arezoning application.

The subject property is currently zoned C1: Downtown, which does not permit “Building &Garden Supply” as aprincipal use. In accordance with the Local Government Act,temporary use permits can allow ause not permitted by azoning bylaw.These permits may only be issued for amaximum of three (3) years and may be renewed once for an additional three (3) years.

The proposed Temporary Use Permit applies to the property legally described as Lots 13-15, Block 22, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #1 below

HOW CAN IPROVIDE COMMENT?

Residents areinvited to provide comment in writing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council has authorized by resolution to discontinue informal hearings for Temporary Use Permits and all other applications wheresuch hearings arenot legally required to be held.

Residents areencouraged to provide written comments to Council to be included in the Council meeting agenda package and available for public viewing on the City’swebsite.

For submissions to be included on the agenda for Council’sreview in advance of the meeting date, they must be received by the Corporate Officer no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday,November 30, 2021. Submissions received after the noted deadline and before 3:00 p.m., Monday,December 6, 2021,will be provided to Council on the day of the meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.

Submissions may be sent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250)561-0183, mailed or delivered to the address below

Please note that written submissions for all applications will form part of the Council agenda, become public recordand areposted on the City’swebsite. By making awritten submission you areconsenting to the disclosureofany personal information that you provide.

Authority

Personal information 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 information or questions, contact the City’sFIPPACoordinator at (250)561-7600 or 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Acopy of the proposed permit and other related documents will be available for review by the public on the City’swebsite www.princegeorge.ca under ‘News and Notices’ beginning Wednesday,November 24, 2021

These documents may also be reviewed at the Development Services office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on November 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, December 1, 2, 3, and 6, 2021, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

WHO CAN ISPEAK TO?

For moreinformation, please contact Development Services in person, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to devserv@princegeorge.ca.

‘Tis the season for Christmas hampers at St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul Society is offering families with children under 19 years old residing at home the opportunity to get a Christmas hamper.

Because of the pandemic, applications are only accepted by phone. Call the number on the dates listed below:

Thursday Nov. 26 and Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. call 250-640-9189.

Friday, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 call 9:20 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. call 250-640-9183.

Care cards for all family members are required at the time of the phone application. All applications will be cross referenced with other agencies to ensure that as many families as possible will be assisted. All hampers will be delivered following COVID-19 protocols on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

The other part of the equation for Christmas hamper success is for community members to donate to this very worthy cause. Non-perishable food items and Christmas gifts,

When we give out a hamper, it’s about a week to 10 days worth of groceries. Monetary donations are also a great help and we appreciate the support.

along with monetary donations are most welcome.

“We are always looking for toys and that’s a big one for the children,” Bernie Goold of the St. Vincent De Paul Society said. “It doesn’t have to be something huge just something we can include that brightens a child’s Christmas.”

As for suggestions, just get something that you would buy your own children or grandchildren – nothing big, just a puzzle, toy or game to bring a smile. And that goes for the teens and parents in the family in need as well. Some nice soaps perhaps for the mom, Goold suggested.

And food is always a big need, too.

“Contrary to some people’s beliefs the donations that come in at Christmas don’t get all used up at Christmas but coasts us into the new year,” Goold said. “Right after Christmas in January and February we do a lot of hampers because like everyone else people have overspent or over indulged a little extra at Christmas and so January and February are big months for hampers and food and what we get at Christmas gets us through those lean times.”

St. Vincent de Paul Society is looking for non perishables that a person would put in their own cart at the grocery store. Goold said.

Don’t forget the pasta sauce to go with the dry pasta to make the dish complete. Canned fruits, vegetables, soups and canned fish, litre-size tetra packs of juice are all good examples of what goes over well, Goold said.

“When we give out a hamper it’s about a week to 10 days worth of groceries,” Goold explained. “Monetary donations are also a great help and we appreciate the community’s continued support.”

See related story on page 15.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAWNO. 8383, 2011, AMENDMENT BYLAWNO. 9214, 2021

Subject Property –1177 Foothills Blvd.

The City of Prince George is considering proposing an amendment to Schedule B-6: Future Land Use of City of Prince George Official Community Plan BylawNo. 8383, 2011, to facilitate development of asix-storeyapartment building comprised of 127 units on the subject property.This application to amend the Official Community Plan also includes arezoning application (Bylaw9215, 2021).

Formore detailed information, please visit the City of Prince George website at www. princegeorge.ca/landuse.

The City requests written comment from any person, organization, or agencies that maybe affected by this amendment. Please forward any written submissions by 9:00 am, December 20, 2021 to the Development Services Division at 1100 Patricia Boulevard, PG V2L 3V9, Fax: 561-7721, Email: devserv@princegeorge.ca.

ca

Please submit your proposal for development to Real

realestate@princegeorge.ca.

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

What: Public Hearing regarding Zoning Bylaw No. 2892, Amendment Bylaw No. 3195, 2020

The public hearing into Bylaw No. 3195 was originally opened on April 8, 2021 and adjourned (not closed) by the Chair.This notice is for the re-opening of that public hearing meeting.

When and Where:

6:30 pm, Wednesday,December 8, 2021

Viatelephone conference call and In person attendance

The public hearing will be chaired by adelegate of the Regional District Board.

Owner: 1216590 BC Ltd. Inc. No. BC1216590

Agent: Gordon Bliss, Bliss Consulting

Proposal: Bylaw No. 3195 is proposed to rezone the subject property from Rural 1(Ru1) to Rural Residential 2(RR2) to facilitate subdivision, or other permitted uses pursuant to the RR2 zone. The subject property is The North ½ofthe North East ¼ofDistrict Lot 2415 Cariboo District and located in the Pilot Mountain Road area.

Anyone who believes that their interest in land is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be afforded areasonable opportunity to be heard at the public hearing or to present written comments prior to or at the public hearing regarding matters contained in the bylaws.

Attendance at public hearings must follow provincial health orders. Telephone attendance is encouraged due to limited room capacity Masks arerequired.

Attend through telephone conference call:Contact the Regional District at 250-960-4400 or developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca for the telephone conference number and instructions.

Attend in person:Members of the public interested in participating in the public hearing in person may attend the public hearing at: Regional District BoardRoom 155 George Street, Prince George BC

Submit written comments: Written comments will be accepted in advance of the public hearing until 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday,December 8, 2021 by: Email: developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca

Hand/Mail: 155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8 Fax: 250-562-8676

Written comments received before9:00 am on December 8, 2021 (day of the public hearing) will be posted to the Regional District’swebsite.

Written comments will be accepted after 9:00 am on December 8, 2021 (day of the public hearing) and until the close of the public hearing by email only:developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca

Any material received beforeoratthe public hearing will become public information.

Need moreinfo? Acopy of the proposed Bylaw 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-use-planning/current-applications/ or at the Regional District office, by appointment only,Monday through Friday,8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., between November 19 and December 8, 2021. To make an appointment contact the Regional District at developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca or at 250-960-4400.

Who can Ispeak to?

Heather Meier RPP,MCIP,Planning Leader,250-960-4400

Merritt flooding forces P.G. resident to flee

Blake Astorino woke up early last Monday morning in his basement bedroom in Merritt not knowing one of the scariest days of his life was just beginning.

Rushing water from the flooding Coldwater River a short distance from the house had risen over the banks and was creeping towards the house in the south end of Merritt where he’s been billeted as a member of the Merritt Centennials hockey team.

His billet mom, Jenny Pierce, told Blake to start packing up his belongings and reminded him to gather up his suit and dress clothes because the Cents had a game scheduled for Wednesday in Penticton.

The 20-year-old forward phoned his parents, Patty and Ed, in Prince George to let them know what was happening and started loading what he could into his Honda Civic, while Jenny and her husband Jesse grabbed what they could to pack into their SUV and travel trailer.

It was just past 5 a.m. and the flood waters hadn’t reached the end of the driveway but within 15 minutes, nature’s fury was lapping at their feet and waves rippled as a torrent of rising water enveloped their yard. As a third-generation Merritt resident, Jenny knew the house her grandparents built was prone to flooding occasionally, because it was only a short walk from the river, and Jesse told Blake they would likely be back later that day when the water level dropped. But it didn’t.

“I didn’t really pack as much stuff as I probably should have, and when I looked outside the water was starting to get a little worse, but it wasn’t serious,” said Astorino. “So I went back to my room for a bit and I heard (Jenny) yelling, ‘OK, we’ve got to go, we’ve got to go,’ and it happened within five minutes. It was like nothing, to water almost in the house in 20 minutes. It was coming so fast and the water was strong.”

By the time Astorino got into his car, the rushing water was already lapping at the doors and as soon as he backed out of the driveway and started down the road his car was half-submerged.

“It was pretty scary for me because my car is so low to the ground and the water was coming up to my windshield and going over the roof,” Astorino said. “If I had left any later I would have been stuck. Luckily, it didn’t stall and I got out.”

The players have found new billet homes in Kamloops. Astorino is living with head coach and general manager Dave Chyzowski, his wife Cindy and Cents players Deegan Mofford, Ryan Mulrenin, Keegan Maddocks, Will Bowman and Connor Farren.

Merritt Centennials forward Blake

is in his second season being billeted in Merritt with the Pierce family. The 20-year-old forward from Prince George has become part of the family for his 10-year-old billet brother Covin, left, and eight-year-old billet sister Charlee.

“I feel bad terrible that Blake is in Kamloops, he’s a part of our family now and this is the second year we’ve billeted him and now he’s not with us at a traumatic time,” said Jenny. “I’m not sure he realizes the severity of our home. Where his bedroom and his space is, that doesn’t exist anymore.He’s so kind and such a likeable guy and we’d sure love to have him back, but without having all of our house intact I don’t think we’ll be able to. I don’t think my kids realize that and when we all wrap our heads around that it’s going to be heartbreaking. We really lucked out with Blake.”

Jesse Pierce is a helicopter pilot who has been working overtime dealing with emergencies brought on by the flood that has also swamped Princeton and Abbotsford. The rainstorm has destroyed part of the bridge in Merritt over Coldwater River and took out entire sections of Highway 8 west of the city. He flew over his neighbourhood on Monday and took photos which show his house and Merritt Secondary School across the street completely surrounded by water. According to Jenny, the high school will remain functional but nearby Merritt Central Elementary School has suffered significant damage.

“It’s unfathomable, and you start to think about what you left behind, stuff that may be irreplaceable,” said Jenny. “But as I sit around with my family and my pets, then you also realize that’s just stuff and I have what I need.”

JENNY PIERCE PHOTO
Astorino

Moccasin Flats residents moved into supportive housing

could be removed, but the Lower Patricia encampment had to remain until suitable housing is available.

BC Housing has confirmed it moved 14 people from the Lower Patricia encampment into supportive homes indoors last week, after the City of Prince George began clearing items from the encampment.

The organization said it has moved 24 people in total from the encampment into supportive housing at the Knights Inn, which was opened two weeks ago.

“Since then, outreach workers have been at the encampment daily to ensure people sheltering outside are aware that shelter beds are available. The majority of the remaining campers at the Lower Patricia encampment chose to move to the Knights Inn,” said B.C. Housing in a statement.

“Streethomelessnessandencampments in Prince George are an urgent issue that we are working with our non-profit partners to address, particularly as temperatures in the area continue to drop.”

B.C. Housing also states that it was not involved with any machinery or removal of items from the camp.

On Nov. 17, the City of Prince George brought in machinery and cleared out structures at the Lower Patricia encampment which is known as Moccasin Flats.

A B.C. Supreme Court ruling determined that an encampment on George Street

In statements provided to the court in October, the RCMP estimated the populations of both encampments to be around 80 with the majority living in the Lower Patricia encampment.

A lawyer with the B.C. First Nations Justice Council, Darlene Kavka, who represented the encampment residents in the recent court case and visited the encampment yesterday when the city began working to remove structures, has raised concerns.

Kavkasaidsomeofthepeopleshespoke to were not offered housing and were seen rummaging through the piles of debris.

“I don’t think that people gave any consent to have the balance of their belongings bulldozed and put in piles and that’s what they’ve done.”

The City of Prince George asserts it is fully adhering to the court ruling on the encampment and is “removing abandoned structures, refuse, and debris from civic property to reduce risks such as fire hazards.”

The city said each encampment occupant who was relocated, “confirmed with outreach staff their wish to no longer live in the structure and that they understood it and anything they left behind would be removed by the city following their departure.”

Correction Notice

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We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
Moccasin Flats on Nov. 17 when machinery began clearing items.

Lheidli T’enneh demand drinking water funds

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s southside and northside neighbourhoods have been without clean drinking water since the summer, and as a result, members are forced to use bottled water.

Chief Dolleen Logan has said Lheidli T’enneh’s patience has run out and she is calling on the federal government to provide the required funding needed to replace the water system.

The Lheidli T’enneh have had ongoing problems with its water system and the Nation has been under a “Do Not Use” advisory since July of 2021 in both the northside and southside portions of the subdivision.

This means the water is safe to wash and clean with but not to consume and Lheidli T’enneh has been providing bottled water for its members bi-weekly with unlimited refills.

“What we need is a new system altogether which brings in state-of-the-art technology because water is not something we can negotiate about,” said Zawad Abedin, Lheidli T’enneh’s manager of capital projects.

“We need to have water which is safe. There is no alternative.”

Abedin explained the issue is the groundwater has a high concentration of

manganese, over 1 mg/l, and the current system of water softener and absorption filters frequently fails to perform to remove the manganese.

“The system we are having right now is based on the filox and softener and that is not good enough when you have the manganese concentration above 1 mg/1 which is quite high compared to the B.C. average of 0.3,” said Abedin.

Even after the current system was serviced by professionals the system could barely reduce the manganese level below the maximum allowable concentration and did not meet levels acceptable by Health Canada.

“It’s a problem with the technology. We are using technology from 60 years back so we can’t rely on that. All we are doing is just band-aiding. “

“Another important point is that you can’t boil water with manganese in it. Boiling makes it worse so they literally don’t have any other option. “

Lheidli T’enneh’s reserve is divided by the Fraser River into two neighbourhoods, the southside and the northside, with no bridge connecting them, the nation would also require funding for two separate water systems.

He explained that Lheidli T’enneh has submitted a feasibility study funding request to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for a new water system.

“We have done whatever we could from our side so we are still struggling to get the funding from Indigenous Services Canada for this water issue,” said Abedin.

“The one person we can blame is Trudeau,” said Chief Logan. “In 2015 his campaign was to promise the number one priority of his is going to be First Nations drinking water. As of August, of this year there are still 93 Indigenous communities across Canada still under a boil water advisory.”

She said Indigenous leaders have had enough empty promises from the prime minister and is calling for the funding needed to build a new drinking water system.

“There’s only so much we can do until we get the funding that was promised in 2015, until then we can only basically tread in muddy water,” said Logan.

“It is simple drinking water. We are not asking for the world. All we want is clean safe drinking water for our communities.

We have waited long enough. Not only our members but the 93 other Indigenous communities deserve basic water.”

However, in September ISC did approve funding for the design stage of a new waste-water system, which Lheidli T’enneh hopes to have by the end of 2022, if the funding follows.

Another issue Lheidli T’enneh faces is the need for further support for retaining technically skilled human resources to better manage the ongoing maintenance of these projects.

“This administration has been struggling for years for having technical people on board just because it is expensive and difficult to retain people who are experts because we run out of our limited resources at times,” said Abedin.

“That is something we would like to get addressed through funding agencies. But with the limited capacity we have, we are going above and beyond so we can ensure that level of service and promise to community members.”

In terms of drinking water, Lheidli T’enneh has applications filed with ISC for funding for a new system but has no timeline as to when the federal department will address the issue.

“We are not the only ones who have the water issue,” added Logan. “The waiting game is going to be a long waiting game, unfortunately.”

BLACKFRIDAY

Regional district move frustrates chief

Lhedili T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan said she has lost sleep over the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) postponing its decision on the West Coast Olefins’ (WCOL) natural gas extraction project proposed for the Pineview area.

“We thought we were done with WCOL because we have kicked them out of our territory, and they keep coming back,” said Logan.

“I was extremely upset and obviously this is going to put a dent in building relationships with the city and the regional district. Obviously, they disregarded Lheidli T’enneh’s stance on WCOL.”

WCOL is seeking an application to construct, operate and reclaim a natural gas liquids extraction plant and associated access road as non-farm use in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

The subject property is 12.9 hectares located between McRinny Road and Lund Road in the Pineview/Buckhorn area.

During its Nov. 18 public meeting, the RDFFG directors were tasked with deciding whether or not to forward the West Coast Olefins project onto the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) but could not come to a decision.

The RDFFG directors participated in a back and forth discussion where some directors argued in favor of process and further public consultation and some arguing the project should be stopped immediately at the board table.

Ultimately, a motion to send the WCOL application onto the ALC without a recommendation from the regional district was defeated in a tie with seven directors in favour and seven against.

After the directors took a recess, Chair Art Kaehn announced a final decision on the matter would be postponed for a

future meeting.

“It should have been a hard no,” said Logan. “We have kicked them out and we don’t want anything to do with them.”

In December 2020, both Lheidli T’enneh and McLeod Lake Indian Band announced their opposition to WCOL plans to build a petrochemical plant project in Prince George.

Despite the original WCOL project being scrapped in favour of the NGL extraction plant in Pineview both nations remain opposed to the company.

“What more do they want to know? That Lheidli T’enneh doesn’t want it. That McLeod Lake doesn’t want it and Pineview doesn’t want it,” said Logan, adding that she is 110 per cent behind the Pineview residents who oppose the project.

“They build their lives in Pineview so they can have a country life. Who wants any kind of plant up there?”

An online petition against the plant has gained nearly 1,500 supporters and the agricultural land use standing committee received over 20 letters from residents opposing the project.

Logan added that she is not opposed to industrial development in the city but is in favour of green projects.

Once the project returns to the RDFFG board table, the directors will have the choice to either not forward the application onto the ALC, to forward it with a recommendation of support, or to forward it with no recommendation.

The project will then be in the hands of the ALC, who will either support or oppose it.

If the project gets approval from the ALC it would then return to the RDFFG board table for an Official Community Plan and rezoning amendment process, which would require a public hearing.

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Panic buying human nature

By last Wednesday afternoon, the shelves at grocery stores across Prince George were starting to look bare and the lineups at the till were long with customers waiting to pay for their loaded shopping carts.

Fuelled by the southern highway closures and social media posts, many residents grabbed as much meat, produce, toilet paper and other goods as they could, just in case the highways would stay closed indefinitely and stores would not be able to restock.

That didn’t happen, of course

Trucks took alternate routes or came from Alberta, loaded with groceries to stock up stores shelves by the weekend.

Naturally, people took to social media to criticize their local friends and neighbours for filling up their pantries.

Panic buying is another form of mob mentality, a well-known and studied social phenomenon seen not just in humans but in other mammals as well.

Basically, when people and other critters see everyone else urgently doing something, they start doing it too, without knowing why, rather than take the risk of being left behind.

“If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you jump, too?” our mothers used to scold us.

Well, mom, I probably would and so would you.

Even for those who stop to think about it for a moment, panic buying is easily justified. Emergency officials encourage everyone to stock up, just in case, so I should as well, right? That’s another proven human trait, where our conscious mind provides the rationale for what our subconscious has already decided we should do.

Once panic buying takes hold, it’s nearly impossible to stop, even when community leaders, supply chain experts, grocery store presidents and the person working the till say everything will be fine and deliveries will just be late a day or two. The herd is on the move and it won’t stop until enough people question their actions.

That doesn’t excuse the greed or the mindless panic buying we saw last week. It’s also human nature to follow the golden rule and consider the safety and welfare of others. In moments of crisis, real or imagined, we should all first ask ourselves what kind of human we want to be.

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appli financier du gouvernement du Canada.

Support We’suwet’en protest

There is a major issue which is getting surprisingly little coverage in the Canadian media

While we looked away to watch the impact of the climate crisis on farmland in southern British Columbia, 50 heavily armed RCMP constables raided a peaceful blockade in Wet’suwet’en territory in the north of the province. The police used helicopters, canine units and carried assault rifles as they arrested 14 unarmed individuals protesting the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

If we look more carefully at the courageous efforts of our Wet’suwet’en neighbours, we see that they are part of an enormous global movement to preserve our planet, as well as the desperate attempt of a dying petro-chemical industry to amass as much profit as possible

If we do not heed the warnings of environmentalists, 50 years from

LESSONS IN LEARNING

now our beautiful Canadian landscape will look like the rustbelt of the northeastern United States, with its closed factories and polluted land and waterways. In fact, 450 000 abandoned oil and gas wells already scar our countryside and will cost Canadian taxpayers billions of dollars to remove.

This concernisevidencedinPrince George, where the Lheidli T’enneh are joined by farmers and other residents in making it very clear to the government and investors that they do not want a petro-chemical plant polluting their agricultural land reserve, airshed and watershed They are very aware that this will

lead to a conglomerate of plastics plants spewing toxicity near the residential area of the city. People simply do not want an industry that will be obsolete in the not-so-distant future destroying their community for generations to come.

One can expect desperate acts from the oil and gas industry. These are typical of an empire that is coming to an end. They will manipulate individuals, governments, and the courts to enforce their wishes against the will of the people The truth is, they are breathing their last carcinogenic breath and will be replaced by mid-century.

Clean, green energy systems are available. A net carbon neutral environment that will halt the climate catastrophe is possible. We simply need the courage of our Indigenous neighbours as we make this happen.

Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George teacher

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The rain and the heat to come

Rational decisions are premised on knowing all the facts and using the facts to then make a choice between alternatives. Except we rarely have all the facts.

Or as then U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld put it in 2002: “There are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

Scientific reasoning and research is intent on both discovering the unknown unknowns and moving them to at least the first category of things we know that we do not know, if not into the category of things for which we have an answer.

But science takes a long time.

It depends on getting data from observations which, in the case of the environment, can span years or even decades. And as our understanding of electronics has grown,

AS I SEE IT

TODD WHITCOMBE

the sophistication of instrumentation has also changed so that we can now measure things with both greater precision and at lower levels than ever before.

All of this means we rarely have a complete picture and often don’t know what we don’t know until we actually make the measurements and analyze the results.

Even then, there are things we still won’t know.

With respect to climate change, scientists have resorted to building models with the best data we have available based on the latest observations. These data sets are widely distributed and freely available thanks to public funding.

PG ON THE RIGHT PATH TO HELPING HOMELESS

Everyone complains about the homeless problems like Tent City. Well, 98 cities in the United States and Canada are solving that problem and 15 have effectively cured it. In Canada, Medicine Hat, Alberta, is one that has eliminated their homeless problem.

Online, there is a list of cities that have either cured homelessness and those which are working towards that goal. You will note that all of these cities start off with data – a list and history of the individual homeless in their community. That should be started now, perhaps with volunteers.

InPrinceGeorge,partofasolutionisalreadyunderway.. All three levels of government are funding two towers on First Avenue, across from the rail yard. I have not seen much of this project recently but it is large and includes a health centre, social workers on site and dedicated to their clients, and probably some recreational spaces and a gym. When completed, this will help many. As but one example, how do you apply for a job without a telephone or address? This project will solve that for the residents. In my opinion, Prince George has many who complain about the homeless but words are cheap. As a volunteer city, give this project you support. If successful, the streets will be back to as they were and the downtown might revive.

Prince George is not the only city adding this type of facility. I understand that Kamloops is next and others will follow.

Arune Red Deer

CENTENNIAL PARK MURAL SHOULDN’T BE DEMOLISHED

I was born in Prince George. My grandchildren are the fifth generation to live here so I am very interested in preserving local history.

I would like to address the demolition of our mural from Centennial Park which was developed in 1967. It is the oldest piece of public art in Prince George. The mosaics were done by Naomi Patterson. Her

But the data will never be complete, and the scientists carrying out this work know this. As a consequence, they apply confidence levels to their results. They run their models over and over getting slightly different results. They use new data sets to test their analysis and ensure they provide good predictions.

When we have a rainstorm event in the southern part of the province or a heat dome over the west coast, these are weather events which the models predict will occur with increasing frequency because of the changes in the Earth’s atmosphere brought about by increasing levels of carbon dioxide.

But can we predict when these events will occur? Not yet. We don’t have enough data. We just know they will occur and have deadly consequences.

Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC.

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:

Did the City of Prince George do the right thing clearing Moccasin Flats?

(See story on page 5)

● Yes, there were more suitable housing options available 318 votes, 44 per cent

● Yes, it’s time to shut it down with winter here 254 votes, 34 per cent

● No, the B.C. Court of Appeal hasn’t heard the case yet 92 votes, 13 per cent

husband operated one of our early men’s wear storesPatterson’s Men’s Wear on Third Avenue and his father was one of our early mayors – A.M.Patterson.

The mosaics illustrate our local history - Simon Fraser arriving in the early 1800s, the gold miners of 1860, the BX sternwheeler in 1913, the Grand trunk railway in 1914 and the Catholic missions in 1840.

The Catholic mission mural has attracted much controversy. Some have wanted the mural destroyed because of this. Kudos to Lheidi T’enneh First Nations Chief Dolleen Logan for her wisdom in wanting the city to preserve it. She has stated that the mural depicts an accurate reflection of what the colonel attitude towards her people was and it should be preserved for its historic value and as a learning tool. History should not be taken away but we should learn from it.

I understand the mural is much too heavy to move but when the old pool is demolished why can’t the corner where the mural stands be left as a park? There is around 45 feet between the mural and the old swimming pool. What area is required for demolition?

The old Vienna Schnitzel building on Sixth Avenue will have to be demolished in a very tight space.

Would not our tax dollars be better spent in refurbishing the mural rather than using our taxes for demolition of our oldest piece of public art ?

Betty Belado Prince George

GETTING

VACCINATED ‘PLAIN COMMON SENSE’

Concerning that frightening mentality of “government take-over,” change of laws always result in panic concerning a certain segment of society. For those of us that agree with the COVID-19 vaccination, it is anything but government takeover. It is just plain common sense to willingly take the vaccination. When seat belts became mandatory, many people were complaining about government take-over, albeit those seat belts saved countless lives. I suggest it will be the same with the vaccinations, that will in turn also save countless lives.

June VanDerMark, McBride

● No, the occupants should have been given more notice 66 votes, 9 per cent

Are you worried about the availability of food and other goods due to the highway closures?

● No, there are plenty of alternative routes to Prince George 395 votes, 51 per cent

● No, manufacturers and distributors adapt, just like always 224 votes, 30 per cent

● Yes, there were supply chain issues even before this happened 74 votes, 10 per cent

● Yes, rural communities could be hit hard 66 votes, 9 per cent

LETTERS WELCOME: The Prince George Citizen welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Submission should be sent to: letters@pgcitizen.ca. No handwritten letters, please. Maximum length is 400 words and writers are limited to one submission every three weeks. We will edit letters only to ensure clarity, good taste, for legal reasons, and occasionally for length. Although we will not include your address and telephone number in the paper, we need both for verification purposes. Unsigned letters will not be published.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BE CHRIST-LIKE, CHRISTIANS

For the second year in a row, we’re unable to physically gather during Advent, a time of contemplation leading up to Christmas. While it’s tempting to blame Northern Health, we as Christians need to stop scapegoating everyone else and start looking at our part in this.

More often than not, I’m embarrassed to call myself a Christian, not because of its association with Jesus, the Christ, but because of its association with so many harmful and selfish practices. When did we lose the story of Jesus as the one who gave himself away for the world, the one who put himself last in service of others? How did we forget that it isn’t about me and mine?

Some churches have implemented vaccine passports, masks and social distancing for worship attendance in order to keep people safe. For those of us who have, it’s hard not to look at other churches and cringe. This is especially true when Christians start saying, “They’re persecuting us.” It isn’t persecution!

We aren’t getting the special treatment we had in the past because of our power. The Christian domination of culture is over and I for am grateful. We can finally get on with being the church, being Christians, Christ followers, people that put the welfare of others before ourselves.

Pastor Fleming Blishen, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Prince George

LOGGING ISN’T SUSTAINABLE

One might think the NDP’s logging deferrals were the death knell of the logging industry. The Council of Forest Industries,whowonthemedia’sattention,criedfoulchastizing the NDP decision saying it will “have a profound and devastating impact” on forest communities. They somehow fail to mention that decades of centralization, automation, and fancy machines are the real job killers.

Interestingly, licensees are expected to voluntarily defer cutting these areas; they aren’t definitive no-go zones. Despite the mass acreage, which should be celebrated as a huge green victory, for the most part B.C.’s deferral entirety consists of postage stamp plots of old forest. Isn’t that what us greenies wanted – pushing that they enact the Old Growth Panel’s plan? Yeah, but this isn’t really doing that. The fact is, what we really expect is a fair and just transition away from logging and destroying the greater ecosystems of their foundational element: big old trees. What we, and most British Columbians, wanted was a transition toward maintaining ecosystem health.

The B.C. government’s plan doesn’t make anybody happy. What it does do is give First Nations the veto power to rubber-stamp these deferral blocks. That should be celebrated, right? Unfortunately, for interior nations like the Simpcw and Lheidli T’enneh, these often cut into one of the only visible bottom lines that their communities have to recover from the economic impacts of colonialism: logging it themselves or making deals with industry. Despite the NDP’s lip service to UNDRIP, reconciliation, and meaningful consultation, the deferrals were sent to these understaffed village offices with struggling economies and given 30 days to choose.

Meanwhile, in the Robson Valley, P.G.’s Carrier Lumber continues to punch its way toward the Lower Raush Protected Area. Ending the more careful selective process as soon as they were out of highway sight, the blocks are getting larger. On November 10th the smoke was billowing into the greater Fraser Valley as if there was an out-ofcontrol wildfire there.

The carbon loss of the clearcut process is massive, but the mainstream news doesn’t bother to report those numbers. As the forest soil systems die off, wasted slash is blazed to choke the air, and the trees get hauled to mills

with decades to centuries to go before the carbon stores begin recovering – clearcuts more than double B.C.’s claimed emissions annually. This also doesn’t take into account the ripple effects hitting endangered chinook or the ecosystem as a whole.

But locals are working in the Raush so we shouldn’t cry too much foul, right? Maybe a couple, but the prime contractor, Freya Logging and its employees, are P.G. based. The once-thriving industry town, Mcbride, struggles economically and Carrier laughs its way to the bank. The sad truth is that unless the First Nations and the public take the reins on this process and force the government to provide serious compensation towards protecting ecosystems the entire deal is FUBAR and generations down the road people will ask WTF? We should all cry foul.

Rob Mercereau, Dunster

TURNOFF LETTER A TURN OFF

I have just read the response to the article regarding the turn off to Lloyd Road by Mr. Dietrich.

Hehasavalidpointinwatchingthetrafficflowforsafety but other than that he has lost the point of the article.

When approaching the turn from the P.G. side it is open and pretty flat but it’s also an indicated broken line for passing. What he’s missing here is that if I was waiting to turn left onto Lloyd from the highway there is a 50/50 chance someone two , or more vehicles back has not realized, because they can’t see through the vehicles ahead, that I am turning, therefore decide to pass the slowing traffic. There’s your side impact collision or rear end as they try to regain control. This is the position I have been in a few times, or they just don’t see the indication and have to go by on the shoulder side to avoid a collision. You can’t simply open your eyes to others blindness. John Morrison, Prince George

CraftFairDirectory

Turkey andthreecheeselasagna

Wondering what to do with your leftover turkey?

This lasagnaisanicedeparturefromendless turkey sandwiches.

INGREDIENTS

•2 tablespoons oliveoil

•2 onions, diced

•2 celerystalks, diced

•2 carrots, diced

Startto finish:

2.5hours(35 minutesactive) Servings: 10 to 12

•2 (156 millilitres)canstomato paste

•450 gramsleftoverturkey, finelychopped (you canuse ground turkey too)

•2 (796 millilitres)cansdiced tomatoes

•1 cupbeef broth

•1/2 cupsugar

•2 bayleaves

•2 teaspoons driedoregano

•2 teaspoons driedbasil

•16lasagnanoodles,cookedaccordingtopackageinstructions

•1 (475 grams) container ricotta

•1/2 cupparmesan, grated

•1 egg

•4 cups mozzarella,gratedand divided

•Saltand pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In alarge pot,heatthe oliveoil and sautéthe onions,celery and carrots until soft. Salt and pepper to taste. Addone can of tomato pasteand stir.Add the turkey and cook forabout

5minutes,making surethe meatand vegetables are combined.Add the other canoftomato paste, diced tomatoes,beef broth, sugar,bay leaves, oregano and basil. Bring to aboil

2. Lowerthe heatand simmer forabout an hour or until the saucehas thickened.Remove the bayleaves.

3. In abowl, combine the ricotta, egg and parmesan. Salt and pepper to taste.

4. Preheatthe oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Coverthe bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking sheet with aquarterofthe prepared sauceand topwith 4lasagna noodles.Sprinkle one cupof mozzarella over the lasagna noodles.Layer the following ingredients in this order: sauce, 4lasagna noodles,ricotta mixture, 4lasagna noodles,sauce, 4lasagna noodles.Cover with the rest of the sauceand sprinkleonthe remaining 3 cups of mozzarella.

5. Coverwith aluminum foil and bakefor about30minutes Remove the aluminumfoil and bakefor another 15 minutes or until the cheese on topisgolden brown. Letcool for10minutes beforeserving

BLACK FRIDAY

Starts Thursday,Nov.25toSunday,Nov.28, 2021

†Based on thepromotionalpricesasadvertisedfromNovember 25-28,2021. Our Lowest Prices of theYear is definedasthe period betweenJanuary 1– December 31,2021.

North still waiting for transportation plan, provincial report finds

Despite it being three years since bringing interim bus service to B.C.’s northern communities, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is still working on a long-term transportation plan, a new report by the Office of the Auditor General concludes.

Auditor General Michael Pickup said his biggest concern is that the province is working on a province-wide intercity ground transportation plan that does not make clear how it will address the needs of northern residents.

For decades, Greyhound Canada was the main option for northern residents without a personal vehicle who needed to travel between communities.

Greyhound Canada withdrew bus service between northern B.C. communities in 2018 and no other private company came forward to replace it.

InJuneofthatyear,theministrydirected BC Transit to provide a 12-month bus service - BC Bus North - while the ministry said it would work with communities to find a long-term solution.

Interim funding for the service has been extended three times

While the ministry started planning with a focus on the north in 2019, the scope shifted in 2020 from intercity transportation in the north to the entire province and the ministry is now working to address gaps in ground transportation throughout B.C.

“The ministry has made progress in its planning but needs to make clear how its province-wide plan will support northern B.C.specifically,”AuditorGeneral,Michael Pickup said.

“Northern regions have particular transportation needs - the distances are vast, roads can be treacherous and alternatives are few. People’s livelihoods are on the line. I hope the ministry will consult with northern residents to ensure that the plan meets the unique needs of the region,” he added

The auditor general recommends the ministry ensures the provincewide plan includes sustainable options for northern B.C. and ensures broad engagement with

northern communities as part of the planning process.

“For many northern B.C. residents, the bus is a lifeline that connects them to job opportunities, essential services like healthcare, education, and family and friends,” said Pickup

“Buses also provide a relatively safe mode of transportation which is an important consideration along Highway 16 also known as the Highway of Tears. The ministry has made progress in this planning, but it needs to be clear how its province-wide work will support northern B.C. I hope the ministry will consult with northern residents to ensure the plan meets the unique needs of those who live in the region.”

In its report, Ensuring Long-distance Ground Transportation in Northern B.C., the Office of the Auditor General also found that the ministry ensured BC Transit delivered interim services to only half of the former Greyhound stops near communities as stops were not replaced because they were either on routes into other regions, were unsafe, or alternate services were available.

The report noted that although fares are lower than Greyhound’s were, BC Bus North routes reach 35 of the 62 stops near communities that Greyhound served.

Trips are also less frequent, reduced to once or twice a week, compared to the daily trips on most Greyhound routes.

The report also found that the ministry has done some community engagement on the bus service and community needs, with broader consultation limited by pandemic restriction and the ministry did monitor financial data, but not all of the passenger and service data that it was supposed to.

The auditor said this could have helped the ministry understand whether the interim service was working as intended and make adjustments if needed.

The auditor general’s report concludes with three broad recommendations: better monitoring of the delivery of interim bus services, engaging with northern communities, and presenting options for sustainable solutions in northern B.C.

The ministry has accepted all of the recommendations.

UNBC adds engineering degree

Students in northern B.C. will now be able to earn a master of applied science in engineering degree, which is the first of its kind to be offered in the north.

UNBC is offering the program as a research-based degree and focuses on managing engineering challenges and needs specific to cold environments.

This degree program expands UNBC’s total engineering student spaces by 30,

with an additional 15 graduates per year. The 30-credit degree program builds on UNBC’s existing engineering degrees: Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design, and two bachelor of applied science (BASc) degrees - one in Civil Engineering and the other in Environmental Engineering. UNBC also offers a joint BASc degree in Environmental Engineering with the University of British Columbia.

Trees Festival Tof

2021 F

NOVEMBER

Through this yearsFestival of Trees, we are helping to fund: RegionalCardiac Centre with Cath Lab bringing interventionalcardiac services currentlyonlyavailableinKelowna, Victoria and the LowerMainland closertohome forthe Region. We areinviting youtobeapartofit through this year’scampaign.

26TH

- DECEMBER5TH HELD AT THE PRINCE GEORGE CIVIC CENTRE

Public Opening Hours

Saturday, Nov. 27th 10 am –7 pm

Sunday, Nov. 28th Noon -8 pm

Monday, Nov. 29th 9am–8pm

Tuesday, Nov. 30th 9am– 8pm

Wednesday, Dec. 1st 9am– 8pm

Thursday,Dec. 2nd 9am– 8pm

Friday,Dec. 3rd 9am–4 pm

Saturday, Dec. 4th 10 am –5 pm Sunday, Dec. 5th 11 am –4pm

**Times may vary please referto festivaloftreespg.ca foruptodate information**

DIAMOND DRAWTICKETS

CANBEPURCHASED AT festivaloftreesdiamonddraw.rafflenexus.com festivalof S exus com

“Weare striving to bring to youthe Festival of the Trees 2021 in amanner thatyou have grown to love and enjoy.

Thingsbeyondour control have limited the attendees forin-person events, but the overall viewing of trees and walk through event willbe hosted to the best of our ability.

Our goal through this event and donations will supportCardiac Carefor the North, we hope you seeavalue in this too.

Thank youfor your patienceand understanding. Staysafeand well.”

Patients inthe North have long suffered with unequaland poor local access to dedicated specialized cardiaccare. Sadly, this unmet need is having anegativeimpact on cardiacmorbidityand mortality. Many of our patients do not have resourcesand time to be managed in acenter hundreds of miles from home wheretheyare away from family. Having worked in largecardiac centersinthe UK,I am reminded of the enormous benefit of specialized local and timelycardiac care to patient treatment and recovery.ACardiac CareUnit in PrinceGeorge which is part of wider plans to deliver acutecardiac services in the North is acrucial first step in delivering changethatissodesperately required. Through the supportofthe Spirit of the North we aim to provide the very best cardiaccaretoour Northern patients.”

•Chronic

•Maintain

Time for seniors to get flu shot, COVID booster

As the pandemic continues and flu season is here, it’s even more important for people, especially those most vulnerable, to get their shots and boosters as soon as possible.

It’s been more than six months since most people have gotten their double vaccination against the coronavirus and it’s time for those most vulnerable, including seniors, to get the booster.

“This year it’s important that everyone get the shots that are available to them and that includes the covid booster shot,” Dr. Rakel Kling, Northern Interior Medical Health Officer, said.

“I know for seniors it’s been quite a while since they got their first and second doses of vaccine – I think everyone’s coming up at around the six-month mark and with the current cases of COVID in the north right now it’s just really important to get that booster dose. Every dose of vaccine helps to reduce the burden of covid in our region and making sure that every individual gets their dose makes them stay healthier, helps their family stay healthier and it helps their community over all so it’s very important to get the booster shot at about the six-month mark.”

During flu season it’s still very important to get that shot as well, Kling advised.

This year getting the flu shot is offered at no cost for everyone who wishes to receive it.

“This is a big change from previous years and this change was made to really

promote the importance of the influenza vaccine,” Kling said. “We know that covid is circulating in the north and it’s really stressing our healthcare system, so getting your influenza shot is just another step that you can take to make sure that you stay healthy, your family stays healthy and your community stays well, keeping everyone safe and disease free this holiday season.”

It’s perfectly safe to get the flu shot and covid vaccine or booster together.

“You could get them on the same day just to get it over with,” Kling said. “It won’t change the effectiveness of either vaccine and it won’t change the side effects you get from them either.”

Kling advises taking precautions during every respiratory virus season.

“Stay at home if you’re feeling unwell, if you’re having really severe symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain or other significant symptoms call 9-1-1 or Northern Health Virtual Clinic,” Kling said. “Get those severe symptoms assessed right away. As we know this year all the covid precautions that we take can help with decreasing the transmission of influenza so stay home when you’re sick, wash your hands often, cough and sneeze into your elbow - all of those things really help decrease transmission not just of covid but also of influenza.

To reach the Northern Health Virtual Clinic call 1-844-645-7811.

At this time all seniors 70+ are eligible for the covid booster and can call 1-833838-2323 to book an appointment seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It’s time for seniors 70+ to get COVID boosters if it’s been six months since the second shot.

Council of Seniors seeks hamper donations

The Prince George Council of Seniors is hosting its annual Christmas Hamper Project.

Application deadline is Friday, Dec. 3. New applicants much go to the Seniors Resource Centre in person to apply, bring photo ID, proof of residence such as a utility bill or bank statement and documentation proving income.

Applicants must be 65 years or older and in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Donations for hampers will be accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 15. Because of the pandemic donations look a little different this year as cash or grocery store gift cards (preferably

Save-On-Foods) will be accepted and no groceries or gifts will be accepted.

Donations may be mailed to the Seniors Resource Centre, 721 Victoria Street, V2L 2K5 or dropped off Monday to Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Charitable tax receipts will be available for cash donations as well as gift card donations with receipts.

Last year more than 230 hampers were provide to seniors in need and the same is expected this year.

This annual project is 100 per cent dependent on community donations. The PGCOS thanks every volunteer and donor in advance.

Bra donations sought for women in need

A local lingerie brand is asking women to donate their gently used and clean bras to women in need.

The company, Modern Match Lingerie, started the initiative last year when women’s shelters saw an uptick in women seeking refuge and domestic abuse hotlines saw an increase in calls.

Company founder Shauna Allen wanted to jump into action and support women who need it most. She said her team visited the Phoenix Transition House last June to better understand their needs and find out how they could help local women.

“An expense that we often don’t think of when donating to at-risk people is their underthings. It’s more of a priority to donatenon-perishablesorwinterclothing. But for a lot of women bras are a necessity and, if they can’t afford them, they will just suffer without them,” said Allen.

For a lot of women, bras are a necessity and, if they can’t financially afford them, they will just suffer without them.

The company is calling the donation initiative Worthy Warriors and bras will be donated to the United Way of Northern BC who will then distribute them to benefit Prince George agencies that need them the most.

“Every woman deserves to feel empowered and we believe your innerwear repertoire plays a big role in that. Not only are we helping women step into their confidence, we’re doing it by supporting ‘the girls’ along the way too,” added Allen.

Women are encouraged to drop off their lightly used and washed bras at the Modern Match office building which is shared with Rivers Edge at 3981 18th Ave.

Modern Match will accept donations Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays.

Are youafamily member or friend living with andcaring for aperson living with dementia?

If youlivewith and care for aperson living with dementia,weinvite youand the person youcare for to participate in this nursing study.

If youchoosetoparticipate,we will interview youonce every three monthsovera three-year period and ask youtokeepa diaryofyour experiences.

Youcan stop participating at anytime. We willcompensate youfor your time. Your participationwillhelpusunderstand your experiencesofproviding and receiving care and navigating the healthcare system over time.

Formoreinformation about thestudy, pleasecontact: JenniferBaumbusch at 604-822-7496 gero@nursing.ubc.ca

CURLING’S BACK

Festival of Trees starts Friday at Civic Centre

The 28th annual Festival of Trees is back at the Prince George Civic Centre from Friday to Dec. 5 after being a virtual event in 2020 because of the pandemic restrictions.

This year’s theme is A Homegrown Christmas and as always there are a host of special events along with public viewing of the trees. People can visit the Gift Shoppe while children enjoy Story Time With Santa and the children’s activities area.

Proceeds of the event go to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation that says ‘help us make a difference for patients right here at home in the North...

where we live, work and play.”

Be sure to check out the schedule for all public opening times, the Fashion Show, Yoga - Namaste to Start Your Day, the Small Business Christmas Party, the Santa Breakfast, the Seniors’ Luncheon, the Business Lunch, the Senior’s Tea, the Gala Fundraising Auction and the ever-popular Teddy Bear Breakfast.

General admission during the times the public can attend is $5 for 16+, youth 3 to 15 and seniors are $3 and for a family it’s $15. Visit www.festivaloftreespg.ca for the full schedule.

Tickets are available at the Spirit of the North office in the UHNBC Atrium.

Grinch returns Saturday

The Grinch is back and Nove Voce will be presenting the show Saturday.

Things will look a little different this year in an effort to keep all audience members safe, as well as the choral society members, while following pandemic protocols.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be presented at Trinity United Church, at Fifth and Union, 3555 Fifth Avenue, at 10

and 11 a.m. and 1 and 2 p.m.

The show is only 30 minutes long so it’s perfect for any age including all of the little ones, said choral director Robin Norman.

All tickets are $10 per person or $40 per family at the door and cash only.

Seating is limited to 50 patrons per show so book early to avoid disappointment.

Downtown hosting

Plaid Friday event

Downtown Prince George is hosting Plaid Friday Nov. 26 encouraging residents to shop locally for their unique items at businesses in the core of the city.

Ever wonder why plaid for such an occasion?

The plaid pattern represents the weaving of individual threads of small businesses together to create a strong fabric that celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses, said a recent Downtown P.G. press release.

There are more than 90 shops and special services, 35 cafes and restaurants to explore in the heart of the city.

Plaid Friday is the Prince George version

of Black Friday and will go all day. The plaid patrol will be on duty from 4 to 6 p.m. and if shoppers are wearing plaid or using a special Downtown P.G .shopping bag there may be a reward of some cool plaid swag or some LOVEBUCKS to be spent at a favourite downtown business.

There will be some festive music playing and patrons can enter to win a gift basket. Make it a social media event and take photos with friends and family to share on the Plaid Friday Facebook page to win lunch for six at a downtown restaurant. Sign up for a sneak peek at Plaid Friday specials at www.downtownpg.com.

Reid, Smith to play P.G.

Johnny Reid is back in Prince George at the Playhouse on April 22, 23 and 24.

The multi-platinum, Juno award winning singer-songwriter has announced his national tour, Love Some-one: An Intimate Evening with Johnny Reid with ticket sales starting on Friday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at ticketsnorth.ca

Multi-platinum award winning artist Dallas Smith announced his Some Things Never Change tour kicking off in May with

a stop in Prince George May 31.

The current CCMA awards Entertainer of the Year will release his latest single Hide From A Broken Heart during the 2021 CCMA awards show on Nov. 29.

The Canadian tour includes the James Barker Band and special guests Meghan Patrick, Shawn Austin, JoJo Mason, Kelly Prescott and Manny Blu.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com.

Condors claim senior boys championship

The Duchess Park Condors punched their ticket to the Senior Boys volleyball provincials with a straight-set win over the College Heights Cougars on Saturday afternoon at College Heights Secondary School gymnasium.

The Condors started out strong and didn’t let off the gas defeating the Cougars on their home court winning the bestof-five gold medal game in three sets by scores of 25-17, 25-15, and 25-20 to earn their spot at provincials.

Earlier in the tournament, the D.P. Todd Trojans defeated the Nechako Valley Vikings in the bronze medal game to earn third place.

Allstars for the weekend tournament were Jeremy Pegdin, Brandon Steel, Jordan Fulljames, Eli Woldringh, Esme Long, and Isaac Lank.

The award for Outstanding Libero/ Defensive Player went to D.P. Todd’s Josiah Lawrence and the award for Most Outstanding Player went to Duchess Park’s Chris Zimmerman.

Nechako Valley was awarded the Most Sportsmanlike Team.

The Senior Boys AA Provincials are scheduled to be held December 1st to 4th at Pacific Christian School in Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Trojans down Grizzlies to capture zone title

Playing in their new gym for the North Central zone double-A girls championship and a shot at provincials, the Shas Ti Kelly Road Grizzlies got the quick start they were looking for Saturday against the top-ranked D.P. Todd Trojans.

Corina McClure touched off an eightpoint run with a serving ace and by the time their opponents got a side-out the Grizzlies were halfway to winning the first set in the best-of-five match, which they did decisively.

The Trojans had their own ace in the hole in the second set. Right-side hitter

Londyn Shawara had her serving arm dialed in, working in perfect sync with the Trojans’ front line of defence led by power hitter Shadae Black, whose killer instinct was merciless. She landed four consecutive spikes and made a block that spun off the net onto the Grizzlies side of the court. One more ace from Shawara completed a nine-point run for a 23-15 lead and an eventual set win for the Trojans.

The Trojans and Grizzlies have gone back and forth all season trading match victories and the next two sets reflected it. D.P. Todd won the third set 25-23, and the Grizzlies hung with them for much of the fourth game but they couldn’t keep pace with smackdown antics of Black and

Reanna Marshall, who pounded down point after point. Marshall’s jump serve put the Grizzlies’ defence off balance and her seven-point run gave the Trojans a 13-8 lead. The Griz made a late push but eventually fell 25-21.

It all added up to 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21) victory for D.P. Todd – the first-ever zone championship for Black, a six-foot Simon Fraser University recruit, selected as the tournament MVP.

“It feels amazing, our team has worked so hard for this all season and I can’t believe we puled it off, I’m so excited to go down there,” said Black. “I think it was our energy in this one, we really played for each other and we knew that this was out last time and it was in Kelly Road’s home gym so we had to give it our all. Our (fan) support really helped us, the cheering was great.”

Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford has been picked to host the 16-team double-A girls provincial championship, Dec. 3-4, but that tournament might not go ahead as planned to due to the highway closures in the wake of last week’s disastrous rainstorm that hit southwestern B.C. Marshall and Trojans setter Jasmine Dhillon were selected tournament allstars, as were Grizzlies Carly Gurney and Breanne Day and Charlee McIntyre of the Nechako Valley Vikings.

JUNIOR B GIRLS CHAMPS

The Duchess Park Condors defeated the Cedars Eagles in the gold medal game of the Junior B Girls District Volleyball Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Duchess Park Condors take on the College Heights Cougars in the gold medal game of the Senior Boys AA North Central Zone Volleyball Championship on Saturday afternoon at College Heights Secondary School gymnasium.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

Vernon dumps Duchess in football clash

To the relief of everybody involved, the big storm predicted to dump up to 10 centimetres of snow on Prince George Saturday morning failed to materialize, but the Vernon Panthers still found a way to bury the Duchess Park Condors.

They took advantage of ideal November weather conditions and dug their cleats into the lush green fieldturf carpet at MasichPlaceStadiumtolayathumpingon the hometown Condors, a convincing 31-7 win that paved the way for the Panthers to advance to the B.C. Secondary Schools Football Association double-A varsity North/Interior championship game.

The Condors looked great to start, gaining major momentum from the powerful legs of tailback Noah Lank, whose determination led to the opening touchdown of the game on the Condors’ second drive. Playing in what would be his final high school game, Lank found the holes to make some major gains and got the Condors down to the Panthers 34-yard line. On third down, Aiden Lewis hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Neukomm on the last play of the first quarter. Euan Murray made good on the convert for a 7-0 lead.

Duchess Park Condors player Noah Lank runs the ball against the Vernon Secondary School Panthers on Saturday morning at Masich Place Stadium in a B.C. Secondary Schools Football Association AA Varsity playoff game.

A fumble recovery set up the first Vernon touchdown. Braden Khankhun tackled Murray on a punt return and the ball popped out of Murray’s hands and

Panthers took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.

Farrell and Murphy became the Condors’ worst enemies in the second half, leaving Duchess Park tacklers grappling at air as they ran roughshod over them. Farrell converted a third-and-15 situation with a pass play to Reid that covered 18 yards into the end zone and Mitchell Bond booted the convert to increase the lead to 21-7.

The Condors’ fate was sealed with about three minutes left in the third quarter when Lank was denied a touchdown from seven yards out. Lank dove and appeared to break the plane of the goal line as he stretchedoutwiththeball,buttheofficials ruled he was down at the one-yard line. On third down, Neukomm’s pitch to Lank hit the turf and he had to cover the ball for a three-yard loss and that led to sideline pass to Lank that was swallowed up by Panther tacklers with no Condor blockers in close vicinity. It was a gut-wrencher for Duchess Park and they never recovered the gusto they displayed through much of the first half.

Khankhun fell on it, giving the visitors the ball on the Duchess 33-yard line. On the first play of the series, quarterback Jake Farrell found Landon Janke for a 12-yard pass and Farrell went right back to the air again to hit Kolbe Thorpe for a 15-yard gain to the six. The Panthers worked the ball to the two and on a bit of a trick play, receiver Khankhun took the snap and pushed the pile in front of him over the goal line. The convert failed and Duchess Park clung to a 7-6 lead.

Near the end of the opening half, Murray was forced to punt from his own five-yardline and managed to get the kick away but was roughed up by an oncoming Panther, which gave the Condors the ball with a first down on the Duchess Park 33. A couple plays later, Neukomm handed off to Lank, who was hit by Roan Reid and fumbled. Reid recovered and that led to an 18-yard touchdown run for Joe Murphy. Reid added the two-point convert and the

A holding penalty negated another Vernon touchdown five minutes into the fourth quarter and they had to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Bond, who took the place of starting placekicker Janke, who was injured in the first half.The Panthers had great success moving the ball in the fourthquarterandtheirdefencealsocame up big when Reid picked off a Neukomm pass with 7:45 left on the clock. That set up the final scoring play, a 25-yard quarterback sneak from Farrell into paydirt.

The Panthers will now await the winner of next weekend’s Kelowna-South Kamloops playoff to determine who will advance to the North/Interior final, to be played Dec. 3rd or 4th at an unspecified site.

The highway closures as a result of the major rainstorm that swamped southwestern B.C. earlier this week forced the B.C. Secondary School Football Association to scrap its annual Subway Bowl provincial championship games.

Instead, there will be two regional championships in the double-A division – North/Interior and Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island.

This week in sports

Friday

GEORGE

Basketball

U SPORTS Canada West Conference

At Northern Sport Centre

Women – UBC Thunderbirds at UNBC Timberwolves, 6 p.m.

OUT OF TOWN

Friday

B.C. Hockey League – Prince George Spruce Kings at Vernon Vipers, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Western Hockey League - Prince George Cougars at Kelowna Rockets, 7:05 p.m.

Men – UBC Thunderbirds vs. UNBC Timberwolves, 8 p.m.

Saturday

Women – UBC Thunderbirds at UNBC Timberwolves, 5 p.m.

Men – UBC Thunderbirds vs. UNBC Timberwolves, 7 p.m.

Tuesday

Western Hockey League - Prince George Cougars at Seattle Thunderbirds, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday

Western Hockey League - Prince George Cougars at Portland Winterhawks, 7 p.m.

SUBMITTED PHOTO
PRINCE

Healthy North

NorthernHealth Virtual Primaryand Community Care Clinic turns one!

Booster shot update

Booster shots will soon be available for everyone 12 yearsand older in BC, starting with those most at risk. To get abooster shot, you need to be registered with the Get Vaccinated System. Boostersare offered to priority populations first; people will be invited to book their appointment based on age and risk level, between 6and 8months after their second dose.

Youcan’treceive your booster shot until you have received your invitation. Don’tgotoaCOVID-19 vaccine clinic until you have received your invitation. The majority of people in BC will get their invitation in the NewYear.It’simportant to remember that booster doses are not urgent and it’sokaytoifyou don’tget an appointment for aweek or two or more after you receive your invitation to book.

Forinformation about booster shots, visit: gov.bc.ca/booster

The NorthernHealth Virtual Primaryand Community Care Clinic has been providing care to patients in the North for one year! Staff at the NorthernHealth Virtual Clinic celebrated their one year milestone on November 16, 2021. In the past year,the Virtual Clinic has had 57,470 nursing appointments and 9,129 family doctor or nurse practitioner appointments. The Virtual Clinic is for people who are physically located in the NorthernHealth region when theycall, who:

•Don’thaveafamily doctor or nurse practitioner

•Need care on weekends, after their health centre is closed (You’re encouraged to call your family doctor or nurse practitioner first, or the urgent and primarycare centre in your community).

Thank you to all the staff, family doctors, and nurse practitionerswho have been providing care to Northernersatthe Virtual Clinic over this past year.More information: northernhealth.ca/locations/medical-clinics/virtual-clinic

HORO SC OPES &P UZ ZLES

ACROSS Barnyard male

On’s opposite Single printing

12. Smallest bill

13. Major-league athlete

14. Showery

15. Pigment

16. Roof goo

17. Miss (“Dallas” role)

18. Sample

20. Youngsters

21. Mr. Redding

23. Elephant hue

26. Uncle’s wife

27. Night light

28. Mister

31. Government

33. Regard highly

35. Viper’s sound

36. Surrounded by 38. Pens’ contents

39. Blemish

40. Shopper’s aid

41. At the summit

44. Bumpkins

47. Flutters

49. Chick’s mother

50. Oolong, e.g.

53. Identical

54. Long fish

55. Go wrong 56. Smooth

57. Withered

58. Traitor

DOWN 1. Reel’s partner 2. Whatever 3. Office gatherings 4. Chooses

5. Campus group, shortly

6. Precede

7. Fierce anger

8. Like some pretzels

9. Farm building

10. Individual 11. Watches closely

PUZZLE NO. 846

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every columnand every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9onlyonce.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with adarkerline

You alreadyhave afew numbers to get you started. Remember:you must not repeat thenumbers 1through 9inthe same line, column or 3x3 box.

19. Wine region

21. Skiff movers

22. Monday’s follower: abbr.

24. Path

25. Also

27. Business note

28. Menacing

29. Annoys

30. Remains

32. Travel guide

34. Soothing

37. Yearned

39. Very little bit

41. Fills with wonder

42. Cab

43. Almost round

45. Sidelong glance

46. Solely

48. Hog’s haven

51. Important time

52. Painting, e.g.

SVATOS,RANDY AUGUST16,1961NOVEMBER19,2011

Tenyearshavepassed Sinceyouwentaway Andwestillmissyou Eachandeveryday. Griefneverreallyends... Itisthepricewepayfor love.

ForeverInOurHearts. -Mom,Sharon,&Harry

CL ASSIF IEDS

Karen passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on November 10, 2021 at the age of 59. She laid down for a nap and awoke in the arms of Jesus. Predeceased by her husband Roy. Survived by her son Jerrette and MANY friends and relatives. A Celebration of Life will be announced next summer.

“If I die, get over it, I know I will.” K.H.

Larry Lansall

On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 58 years old, Larry Lansall lost his short battle with cancer. He fought hard but eventually passed surrounded by loved ones. He was a loving husband and father, as well as a great brother, son, and uncle. Working for NAPP Enterprise for 30 years, Larry found himself out of town often, but phoned home to his family every night he could. He loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his pets and family. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Sandy, and his two daughters, Katie and Hanna. No service will be held per Larry’s request.

Because I Love You So

REMEMBRANCES

2x56.8

LEECH,DonaldJames

March26,1950-July20,2021

SuchsadnewstosharethatDonpassedawayonJuly20, 2021,inQueenCharlotte,BC.

Donlovedart.Hewasalifelonggiftedartistandanart teacherextraordinaireatDuchessParkSecondaryschool inPrinceGeorgeuntilhisretirement.Don’sother passionsweregardening&travelling,notingthatParis& PuertoVallartawerebyfar,thefavouritedestinationsfor Don&partnerFrankMossop.

DonwasbornMarch26,1950,toNony&JimLeech.He wasabrothertoJohnLeech(Jennifer)&DinahLainey (Gil),anuncletoNikkiGlahn(Taus),JodiLeech(Max), BenLainey(Holly),JasonLainey(Kendall)&ErinLainey (Rion),brother-in-lawtoSue(McQuistin)Leech,cousin tomany&afriendtomanymore.

InthewordsofFrankSinatra,oneofDon’sfavourites, "IdiditMYWAY"!

Lynne McIntyre

June 5, 1968 - November 11, 2021

With great sadness our family announces the sudden passing of our beautiful Tammy Lynne McIntyre on November 11, 2021. Born June 5, 1968 in Prince George to Wayne & Darlene McIntyre. Sadly missed by her twin brother Tim McIntyre & sister Tracey Lamothe, partner Chad Caplette, daughters; Angela Hawn & grandson Khoen, Crystal Wilson (James), Jessie Rae (Josh Murray) & granddaughter Emersyn Rae as well as many nieces and her nephew.

“Mom....I’m an Angel in disguise!”

DonwaslaidtorestinthelovelyQueenCharlotte cemetery,overlookingtheocean.

ROBERTSON 2x63.8 PGC002363

Bradshaw,MarionAlice"Penny" 1938-2021

Itiswithgreatsadnessweannouncethepassingof PennyBradshawatRotaryHospiceHousewithfamilyat hersideonMonday,November8,2021.

PredeceasedbyhusbandsArtMackusandStan Bradshaw,PennyisthedearlylovedmotherofBrenda Robertson(Frank)andRandyMackus(Amber). Cherishedgrandmother(andgreat-grandmother)ofthe Robertsongirls,Mackusboys,andBradshawbunch. DearsisterofEdDickinson(Diane).Rememberedbyher manycousins,niecesandnephews.

ThefamilyisgratefulforthelovingcarePennyreceived fromthemedicalprofessionalsatHomeandCommunity Care,RotaryHospiceHouse,UHNBCandherphysicians.

Penny’sgenerousspiritandgivingnaturewerefeltby many.Shewillbedearlymissedandforeverinourhearts. IfyouknewPenny,youknowjusthowlovelyandhumble shewasandforthatreasonshehasrequestedthatno servicebeheld.Ifyouwouldliketohonourherwitha donation,pleasegivetothecauseofyourchoice.

In Memoriam
Karen Hauck (nee Dyck)
DINAH LAINEY
Tammy
BRENDA

2x69.0

PGC002359

RenateMargareteKaczmarek

May3,1939-November9,2021

Itiswithgreatsorrowthatweannouncethesudden passingofourwonderfulbelovedwife,mother,sister, aunt,grandmotherandgreatgrand mother,afteralifethreatningsurgery.Nowordscan explainwhatabeautifulwomanRenatewastoeveryone aroundherwithaninfectuoussmileandlaugh. SheleavesbehindawonderfulandlovinghusbandGunter of63years,whotookcareofallofherneeds,eachand everyday,andloveshertodayasthedayhemether in1958and twinDaughters,PetraandJutta,wholovedheremensly. Hersurvivinglovingeldestbrother,HerbertBadeyfrom Courtney,willmisshislittlesisterdearly,aniecein Germany,GabyStrumpell,awonderfulgrandaughter Samantha,andher2sons,DamianandMason,whichshe lovedsodearly.Renateispre-deseasedby herbrothersHelmutandSegfried,andoldersisterGisela. OurfamilywouldliketothanktheICUstaffatUniversity HospitalofNorthernBC,whogavesuchwonderfulcare andcompassiontoRenate,fortheshorttimeshewas admittedthere.Theymadehercomfortableuntilherlast finalpeacefulbreath.InLeuofflowers,Renateandfamily wouldappreciateanydonationsinhernameandhonorto theBCSPCA,asshewasanaviddogloverallherlife, especiallyherdognow,Lucy.

Edward Andrew Matthies

December 11, 1956November 11, 2021

Eddy was released from the struggles he faced in this world. He leaves to mourn his son Michael; daughter Sarah; wife Terri; siblings Hans, Annie, Marianne, Marlene and Ronnie as well as all his nieces and nephews.

Rest in Peace, Eddy.

Thank you to all the nurses and Dr. Hughes in ICU for their kindness. Special thanks to Dr. Hampole who gave Eddy the only chance he had.

Eddy’s Celebration of Life will be determined at a later date.

Condolences may be offered at www.FraserviewCrematorium.com

2x81.3

PGC002358

RICE,Jennifer October30,1947-November6,2021

ItiswithgreatsadnessthatthefamilyofDr.JenniferRice announceherpassingonNovember6,2021,attheageof 74inPenticton,BritishColumbia.

JenniferemigratedtoCanadafromEnglandin1975. Alwaysaleaderinherfield,shepracticedforensic pathologyinOntarioandCaliforniabeforemovingto EdmontontobecometheDeputyChiefMedicalExaminer ofAlberta.Shortlythereafter,anopportunitypresented itselftojoinagroupofpathologistsinPrinceGeorge, BritishColumbiawhereshespentmostofhercareer.

Alife-longlearner,Jennifer,nowaMedicalDirectorfor theNorthernHealthAuthority,completedaMasterofArts inLeadershipandTraining.Intheearly2000s,shemoved toSummerland,BritishColumbiatoworkastheSouth OkanaganHealthServicesAreaMedicalDirector.She finishedheradministrativecareerworkingforaprivate labinAlbertaandthenAlbertaHealth.

Jenniferissurvivedbyherlovinghusbandof42years, Ernest;sibling,Sally(Tony);children,Philip(Kathryn), Taver(Camillia)andMichael;andgrandchildren, Matthew,Zachary,EmmittandElliott.

Sheispredeceasedbyherson,Richard.

AtJennifer’srequest,therewillbenoservice.Thefamily wouldliketothankallthestaffatPentictonRegional Hospitalfortheirkindandcompassionatecare.Inlieuof flowers,pleaseconsideradonationtotheSouth OkanaganSimilkameenMedicalFoundation.

Sylvia Ellen Majetich (nee Richmond)

March 20, 1948November 4, 2021

Sylvia Ellen Majetich - it’s with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin to many, on November 4, 2021.

Sylvia was born March 20, 1948, in Prince George, to Charles and Louise Richmond (nee Saunderson). Gone, but not forgotten, Sylvia was preceded in death by her first born son. Roy Charles (Chuckie ) Kelln, mother Louise, father Charles, sisters Louanna, Faye and Sheila, also nephew Wayne.

Sylvia is survived by brother Charles (Bud) (Faye), children; Teresa Joy (Brant) Lorelei (Daniel) and Daniel James, grandchildren; Tana (Shane) Thomas (Grace), Michaela (David) Scott (Mazie) and great grandchildren Shayla (Mitchell) Carson and Raelyne.

Sylvia was born in Prince George and liked to boast, that she was a part of South Fort George’s “Brat pack” of kids in the neighborhood.

She also spent some of her growing up years in the Okanagan. Sylvia was a hard worker.

Always ready to help out in her parents businesses. It was there that she met and married her first husband Roy Kelln. They started their own family in Vancouver. She then moved back to Prince George, where she made a home. But a traveler at heart, she moved to Ontario and was a realtor. Later she would try her hand at farming in northern Saskatchewan. Sylvia was a woman who embraced challenges and growth. She finally settled in and stayed in Prince George. where she became an accomplished locksmith. She helped out lots of P.G.’s citizens, as well as locked out family members.....many times. (You know who you are.)

She would also become a cook at an extended care home and at the Activator’s Society. This career lead to camp cooking and eventually, catering. During these years Sylvia became a part of a church family and formed some special relationships. She will be missed and remembered.

In her retirement, her loved ones will remember her as multi-faceted and multi-talented. Sylvia could play guitar and keyboard. She wrote music, poetry and sang. MOM loved her pets and spent her free time gardening, acing timed crossword puzzles, praising our Lord and loving her family.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life has been postponed until 2022. An announcement will be made at a later date.

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

loved one’s memory.

telling their story.

PHILIP RICE

June 03, 1941~October 30, 2021

Keith passed away in Powell River, BC, surrounded by much love and family on Saturday, October 30th.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glennis (Carty), daughters Dawn Stevens (Ian Simpson), Kim Stevens, and Shannon Russell (Bruce). Seven grandchildren Ryley Simpson; the Warners (Kim’s family), Mitchell (Dana Storfield), Brittany (Dave Bunn), Julianne (Shae Young), and Nicholas (Abby Dunlop); the Russells, Tyson (Lauren Sheedy) and Kortney (Brandon Tran). Three great-grandchildren Alden Bunn, Maxwell Bunn, and Henry Young. Brothers Tom (Valerie), Garry (Regina), and sister Donna Stevens. Glennis’ family: sisters Muriel Carty and Janet Dozois (Lou), and brother Lyle.

Predeceased by his parents Audrey and Albert, and sister Paula Day. Also, Glennis’ sister Kenda Noble and her husband Dick, and Glennis’ brother Richard.

Born in Enfield, Nova Scotia, Keith left in 1960 at the age of 19, going to live at Uncle Elroy’s in Prince George.

He met Glennis in the spring of ‘61. They married in ‘63 and by ‘66 had welcomed their third daughter to the family.

Uncle Gerry introduced Keith to log hauling in ‘62, and Keith was a natural. Trucking was the biggest part of his working life, including 21 years hauling wood chips for Edworthy Enterprises (Excel Transportation). Keith was chosen to demonstrate for foreign dignitaries the backing up of a “B train” in the long, narrow chute to the pulp mill’s chip dump.

Powell River became the Stevens’ new home in 2003, where they enjoyed an amazing ocean view from their Joyce Ave condo. Keith spent many hours watching the dolphins, orcas, and humpbacks, even tracking them with his spotting scope.

Keith endured many illnesses over his adult years, and in 2013 spent most of the year in Kamloops, where Kim was helping to care for him. A fortunate referral to a Kamloops specialist uncovered a drug interaction in his meds that, once corrected, gave him a miraculous improvement in quality of life, lasting several years.

Keith was a proud Maritimer, and returned “back home” as often as he could. He loved to sing, and at get-togethers could always be counted on to regale the family with his beautiful voice. “I just open my mouth and it comes out.”

In keeping with Keith’s life spanning the east to the west, his ashes will be spread on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

A celebration of life was held for Keith at the Carlson Community Club.

1932-2021

Nancy Susette Richardson was born March 8, 1932 in Matsqui, B.C to Muriel and George Richardson. She grew up in Penticton B.C. and was the middle sister to Pamela and Sybil. Later she called Prince George, B.C. her home and resided there for more than 60 years until her death November 13, 2021. Nancy did life on her terms and challenged what was expected of her. Nancy had a strong work ethic, a curious intelligence and maintained an open mind and considered a difference of opinion refreshing and at the same time thought-provoking. She choose her words carefully and synthesized her thoughts to draw her own conclusions. Nancy embraced each day with a sense of scepticism and ambition. She was a prolific reader of biographies and mysteries, an avid sports fan of baseball, Canadian football and hockey, a consumer of all things political and was a royalist. Nancy knew a lot about a lot of things, from the appropriate hymns in a high Anglican service to Wayne Gretzky’s career stats. Although she was diagnosed with dementia later in life, she continued to complete the New York Sunday Times crossword puzzle each week until her eye sight failed her. She loved the colour yellow and always remembered your birthday and sent a card at Christmas and Easter. Nancy was kind and generous, enterprising and creative but more to the point, she was determined. You see, Nancy, from a young age was diagnosed with epilepsy and was protected from fully participating in a child’s life. However, this did not contain her curiosity and her pursuit of a university education that resulted in an independent career. Nancy graduated high school with grade 13, senior matriculation as it was then known, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957 and teaching diploma in 1961 from the University of British Columbia. She was employed by School District 57 (Prince George) as an intermediate and elementary school teacher from September 1959 to September 1987, when she took early retirement. One of the highlights of her teaching career was her involvement in the annual Science Fair, which was acknowledged in 1990, by the Central Interior Science Exhibition. Nancy also had an adventurous spirit. She took a cruise ship through the Panama Canal and to Alaska and travelled by train across Canada from Vancouver to Halifax, stopping in Montreal, P.Q. Nancy was a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women’s Club (Prince George) and participated on the Professional Development Committee of the Prince George District Teachers Association. Nancy was a life-long learner. She is predeceased by her parents and eldest sister Pamela and survived by her sister Sybil, nieces, Glenda and Jennifer, nephews, Brian and John as well as god-daughters Barbara and Joanne, and god-son Stephen. The family sincerely thank the professional health care workers at Simon Fraser Lodge for their care of Nancy these many years. According to her wishes there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

May the Sunshine of Comfort

Dispel the Clouds of despair

Sept. 14th, 1959Oct. 23rd, 2021

Suddenly at his home in Prince George British Columbia our sweet music man passed away. Beloved brother to Brian Barstead (Sharon, Emily and Sarah) and Cheryl Ricard (Tom, Josh, Rhianna, Ben, as well as Great Uncle to Zane, Zianne, Valkyrie, Bailey, Cash and Dawson. Carl was predeceased by our loving parents Elsie Eilleen Barstead and Kenneth Carl Barstead as well as his dear son Aaron Olaf Barstead. Carl was also loved and will be missed by our dear cousins The Barstad Family, The Regners, Arneson Family, The Morton Family, Sewell Family, VanDeVoorde Family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all his friends and music families in the Prince George area . Our brother loved you all so much that we couldn’t convince him to move closer to us. I know the music there was his first love, and to all of you we are indebted.

Carl was born in Winnipeg Manitoba Sept 14th 1959. An angelic looking boy with the whitest white blonde hair, Our dad used to play us songs on his guitar and it wasn’t long before that was what Carl was doing. I personally can’t remember a time when his guitar wasn’t with him. In 1967 Carl was invited to Ottawa to sing along with Bobby Gimby and a lot of other children for Canada a song for the centennial. This was a big deal at our house and he was a star for me after that forever. Also one special year in Prince George he was the opening act for John Denver! For Carl, music was a way to connect, love, entertain and he was so uniquely gifted, music was his life. While one life can change other’s lives, through music you can change the world. You certainly changed ours, until we meet again.

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.

Glenn Johnston - Director

Keith Francis Stevens
Nancy Susette Richardson

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Photography Business Serving Northern B.C for over 35 years

Gross Revenues of $150.000 plus annually from seasonal work Lots of opportunity to expand the business. Transition support available to the right buyer

Serious Enquiries Only

Office 250-596-9199 Cell 250-981-1472

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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

Gross Revenues of $85,000 to $90,000 Annually and Potential to expand revenues in a growing economy.

Transition support available for the right buyer.

Serious Inquires Only

Office (250)997-9003

Home (250)997-5538 Cell (250)990-0152

Excavating

Firewood

BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $900.

Mills/Equipment

Bedroom/Bedding

Meeting

lock outs (mattress not included) $2000 250 964-9417 pics at http://invacare.ca/doc_files/Etu de_Booklet.pdf

Cost tuition/fees!

Learn Set Construc tion, Grip or Lighting in the film industr y Dec. 13/21 - Feb. 24/22

SHORT LO G TR UCKS NEEDED!

No Cost for eligible applicants who are displaced from COVID, unemployed or under employed (P/T ). 90% Online and 10% in-person, Prince George

For information www.nic.bc.ca or contact Ashley Russo at Ashley.Russo@nic.bc.ca 250-923-9700 ext 7837

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.

Wilson Bros. Enterprises Ltd. and Edgewater Solutions Inc. are integrated logging, trucking, and road building companies based in central BC. We are looking for both on-highway and off-highway shor t log trucks to join our team and work for the winter in the Prince George and Houston areas Accommodations will be provided, along with meals or LOA. The rates are good and the loadermen are nice. Give us a call and join our team today. 250-845-4181

Careers@WBEnterprises.ca

Northern Savings Credit Union has an exciting career opportunity for you! Our current opening for a full-time Insurance Manager in Terrace may just be what you have been waiting for

Working with a team of dedicated professionals, this position offers comprehensive benefits, a competitive salary, work/ life balance, and the opportunity to travel.

For more information and to apply, visit www.northsave.com/AboutUs/Careers or email us at info@northsave.com

Dollar Saver Lumber has openings for the following positions:

• La bourers

• PL aNer FeeDer ( FT)

• Gr aDers ( FT or PT )

for 1x4, 1x3 in 8’, 7’ 6’ & 5’ lengths)

Will pay competitive wages steady Work

Please apply in person to: Dollar Saver Lumber Attn: Ken 9359 Nor thern Cres Prince George, BC or email keyles@lumber.ca or gobbi1@telus.net Fax: 250.561.2111

Experienced meatcutter required for family owned butcher shop located in Forest Grove, BC. Wages negotiable based on experience. For more detailed information please call (250) 397-2827 or email resume to butcherbobscustomcutting@gmail.com

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.

Trucking & Transport

CLARKFREIGHTWAYS

CLASS1DRIVERS-PRINCE GEORGE Class1Licensewithclean driver’sabstractwith6-12 mospreviousClass1 mountaindrivingexperience required.Previousreefer andwarehouseexperienceis anasset.$0.57permileplus $26.53/hr,plusbenefits. Fax604-472-2136oremail jobs@clarkfreightways.com

Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

• Use a keyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, ser vice offered or the job title.

Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Be descriptive. Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Limit abbreviations Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Limit abbreviations Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300 Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

Skilled Help

union

Hideout 7. Trent Reznor’s band

Old World tropics plants

Places to stay

Group of organisms from a common ancestor

TV character Goodman

Not around

Title of respect

Ceramic jars 19. British legal authority (abbr.)

20. A companion (archaic)

1. In tune

Ending

Ring-shaped objects

Equal to 10 liters (abbr.)

Removes from record

The

21. Where groups of people live

25. Indigenous person of NE Thailand

26. Red-brown sea bream

27. Ridge of jagged rock

29. Meat from a pig (French)

30. A way to save for the future

31. Opposite of bottom

32. A term of endearment

39. Weight used in China

41. You need it to hear

42. Frighten

43. Basics

44. Computer data collection (abbr.)

45. The best point of something

46. Jewelled headdress

48. Spoke

49. Mammary gland of female cattle

50. Midway between north and northeast

51. Defunct European economic group

52. Foul-mouthed Hollywood bear

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CollectorPurchasing Coins &Coin Collections! Buying Old Coins,Rolls Of Coins,BankBags Of Coins,Rare Coins,CollectorCoins,Olympic Coins,Old Paper Money, Pre1968 Coins,Royal Canadian Mint Coins, Us Mint,Collections +. Wanted Canada, Usa& WorldCollections! Todd’s Coins 1.250.864.3521

COLLECTOR PURCHASING COINS &COINCOLLECTIONS CASH CASH CASH Forall Gold,Estate Jewelr y Scrap or unwanted Coins &Currenc y, Antiques &Rolex. Unbeatable pricing, privac yassured. (250) 612-1808 24/7

FIREWOOD

BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load.$900. or bucked to length $1050 per load delivered 250-614-6667

BUYING COINS

WANTED COIN COLLECTIONS, old money,all gold &silvercoins,Royal Canadian Mint coins. Also BUYING 999 BULLION bars &coins ENGELHARD,JOHNSONMAT THEY, RCM, MAPLE LEAFS +ALL OTHER MINTS. +BUYING all things

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Foronly $50 +TAX, youget 4DisplayAds in Thursday’s Business Directory plus aClassified Ad for 4Issues Call 250.562.6666 to book your space now.

CASH FOR GOLD &SILVER WANTED 999 BULLION BARS &COINS! ENGELHARD,JOHNSON MATTHEY, RCM, MAPLE LEAFS +ALL OTHER MINTS. ALSO BUYING OLDMONEY, ALL GOLD &SILVERCOINS, COIN COLLECTIONS. +BUYING ALL THINGS MADE WITH GOLD OR SILVER. TODD’S COINS1-250-864-3521

Are you forgetting

HOMES

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

DESIGN TRENDS • HOME IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS • OUTDOOR LIVING

the costs that come with buying a home?

There’s a dizzying array of associated costs that come with buying a home, including taxes, legal fees, adjustments and others that depend on both your location and the terms of your lender. When you’re crunching the numbers, it’s easy to forget some of the more basic things you’ll need to shell out for. Here’s a reminder of expenses you should add to your tally.

MOVING COSTS

Amid all the excitement of purchasing a home, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that you’ll need to actually move your possessions into your new residence. The cost of hiring movers should be part of your budget.

UTILITIES

If you’re moving from a one-bedroom apartment into a three-bedroom bungalow, it can be quite shocking to realize how much more you’ll need to pay to heat, cool and power

Top staging tips increase selling price

Home staging is the art of styling a home to make it more saleable. While hiring a professional home stager is a great investment, there are a number of staging practices you can incorporate on your own.

DECLUTTER

Pristine surfaces, tidy areas and all-over airiness appeal to homebuyers. Achieve this effect by decluttering your home. Purge your entire abode of unnecessary items and put personal photos and memorabilia into storage. Tuck kitchen tools like toasters into cupboards and personal products on bathroom counters into drawers. Even closets and other storage spaces should be cleared out.

PAINT

tralized. Carpets, upholstery and drapery are at their best after being professionally cleaned.

LET THE LIGHT IN

Nothing revitalizes a home quite like a new coat of paint. Use warm neutrals for the walls and a crisp white for trims and ceilings.

CLEAN

Your home should be spotless from top to bottom. Walls, doors and surfaces need to be immaculate. Glass surfaces, light switches and hardware should be spotless and streak-free. All odours need to be neu-

your home. Do a bit of homework to determine these expenses and plan accordingly.

INSURANCE

Home insurance is a must, and depending on where you live you may also need to pay for supplemental insurance.

FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES

While appliances are often included with the purchase of a home, this isn’t always the case. Adjust your budget to purchase them and any furniture if needed.

REPAIRS AND TOUCH UPS

Minor repairs may be necessary during your first year as a homeowner and should be added to your tally of expenses. If you wish to repaint or make other cosmetic adjustments, these should also be included. Consider the exterior as well as the interior of your home.

The more natural light that comes into your home, the better. Make sure all of your windows are clean and remove any screens. Keep blinds and curtains open. Use strategically placed mirrors to further increase the amount of natural light in your home.

FINISHING TOUCHES

A bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter and settings on the dining room table are inviting touches. Make the beds, neatly fold towels in the bathrooms and make sure the temperature in your home is neither too warm nor too cold.

How to get pre-approved for a mortgage

If you yearn to be a homeowner then you need to start taking steps today to make that dream a reality. Here are the things to begin doing right now to eventually get pre-approved for a mortgage.

IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

The most important thing is to pay all bills in a timely manner. If you’re prone to forgetting, use a calendar digital or analog to help you stay on track. You also need to keep expenditures on your credit cards at or under 30 per cent of their full capacity. It’s important to have one or two credit cards to establish credit, but to optimize your score, keep expenditures to a minimum.

START SAVING

If you wish to be a homeowner you’ll need to be able to make a down payment. The

current minimum rate is 5% (for homes less than $500,000), but if you can afford 20% down you’ll not only lower your balance but also avoid having to get private mortgage insurance (PMI). In addition, you’ll need to be able to cover closing costs as well as a bevy of other expenses that come with buying a home.

PAY OFF YOUR DEBTS

While you don’t have to be at ground zero in terms of debt to get a mortgage, the less you owe, the better the rate you’ll be offered. It’s also important to avoid accruing new debt until you’ve closed the deal. A lender may alter their stance if your financial situation changes before you’ve signed on the dotted line.

The current minimum down payment in Canada is 5% for homes less than $500,000

Kaycie
Janine

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