Echos of the past
Sherry Thereukauf has no photos of her grandmother Anna.
All she has are memories of time they spent together and an embroidered tablecloth Anna made herself after she arrived in Canada in 1945, having survived the horrors of three-and-a-half years imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp.
“She was Ukrainian and she died in 2006 and her whole
Family history inspires
Solidary Walk for Ukraine
life in Ukraine and then through the war years was harrowing, there was never peace for her, it was always a heavily-contested area and it created turmoil in her life that would continue into the years when she was treated very badly,” said Thereukauf, the organizer of Saturday’s P.G. Solidarity Walk for Ukraine.
Anna, whose family name remains a mystery to Thereukauf, met her Jewish husband, Ernest Klemm in Germany and they were married just before the Second World War began in 1939.
See ‘I JUST COULDN’T STAND BY,’ page 4
Missing man found safe
A trip into the remote backcountry southwest of the city turned into a nightmare for a 62-year-old Prince George man when his truck got stuck on a snowy logging road.
Stanley Delong, 62, left his family at 8 a.m. Tuesday and drove in his pickup truck along the Pelican Forest Service Road about 65 kilometres from Prince George for a day trip. When he did not return later in the day as planned, his wife called the RCMP, triggering a twoday search that had a happy ending when he was found safe after spending two frigid nights alone in the woods.
The weather Tuesday and Wednesday was clear but unseasonably cold, with temperatures dropping down as cold as -12 C at night, with high wind chills.
Dave Merritt of Prince George Search and Rescue said 25 members responded to the RCMP’s call to join the search and they were backed by six volunteers from the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association who did flyovers in privately-owned aircraft, aided by the RCMP helicopter. Merritt said one of the CASARA pilots on Tuesday spotted Delong’s Chevy pickup on a side road about 2 ½ km from the Pelican Forestry Service Road. An RCMP ground search team found Delong early Thursday morning, about 1 ½ km from his vehicle, near the Bobtail Recreation Site
“He got stuck in the snow,” said Merritt. “In the morning the snow is hard and you can drive on it but it gets soft in the afternoon and you just sink into it and once you’re stuck you can’t just drive out.”
See ‘BE PREPARED,’ page 5
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
P.G. Solidarity Walk For Ukraine organizer Sherry Thereukauf holds the embroidered tablecloth her grandmother made after she came to Canada after years of confinement in a Nazi concentration camp in Germany.
WHAT:
City Council consideration of thirdreading of:
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS
•Proposed “City of Prince George 214 Kelly Street Road ClosureBylaw No. 9272, 2021”
•Proposed “City of Prince George 1652 Boundary Road Road ClosureBylaw No. 9276, 2022”
City Council consideration of first and second reading of:
•Proposed “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9278, 2021”
•Proposed “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9236, 2021”
•Proposed “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9261, 2021”
WHEN:
Monday,April 25, 2022
WHERE:
Council Chambers of City Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC PROPOSALS:
1. “City of Prince George 214 Kelly Street Road ClosureBylaw No. 9272, 2021”
Applicant: City of Prince George
Subject Property: Road adjacent to 214 Kelly Street
Time: 6:00 p.m
Pursuant to section 40 of the Community Charter,the City of Prince George intends to close an approximate 178.1 m² (squaremetres) portion of road dedicated on Plan 752, Block 122, District Lot 938, Cariboo District, as shown on Reference Plan EPP118472, adjacent to the property legally described as Lot A, District Lot 939, Cariboo District, Plan 16313 and remove the road dedication, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #1 below
The purpose of the road closureistoenable the sale of the closed road area to the adjacent property owner.The proposed closureand sale provides the property owner the ability to consolidate the closed road area with their adjacent property and to rectify an existing encroachment.
On adoption of the Bylaw and pursuant to the provisions of Section 26 and 94 of the Community Charter, the City of Prince George intends to sell to Ferenc Nagy that portion of road adjacent to Lot A, District Lot 939, Cariboo District, Plan 16313 for asale price of $10,000.
Location Map #1 214 Kelly Street Road Closure
2. “City of Prince George 1652 Boundary Road Road ClosureBylaw No. 9276, 2022”
Applicant: City of Prince George
Subject Property: Road adjacent to 1652 Boundary Road
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Pursuant to section 40 of the Community Charter, the City of Prince George intends to close an approximate 398.4 m² (squaremetres) portion of road dedicated on Plan 902, District Lot 629, Cariboo District, as shown on Reference Plan EPP118799, adjacent to the properties legally described as Block 45 and Block 52, District Lot 629, Cariboo District and remove the road dedication, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #2 below
The purpose of the road closureistoenable the sale of the closed road area to the adjacent property owner.The proposed closureand sale provides the property owner the ability
to consolidate the closed road area with their adjacent property and to rectify an existing encroachment.
On adoption of the Bylaw and pursuant to the provisions of Section 26 and 94 of the Community Charter, the City of Prince George intends to sell to Pinedale Auto Wreckers (1989) Ltd. that portion of road adjacent to Block 45 and Block 52, District Lot 629, Cariboo District for asale price of $21,442.
Location Map #2
1652 Boundary Road Road Closure
3. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9278, 2021”
Applicant: Kidd Real Estate Holdings Ltd., Inc. No. BC821509
Subject Property: 7025 Kennedy Crescent
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bylaw No. 9278, 2021 proposes to rezone the subject property from RS1m: Suburban Residential to RS2: Single Residential, as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 9278, 2021.
The purpose of this application is to facilitate atwo-lot subdivision on the subject property,or other uses, pursuant to the RS2: Single Residential zoning designation with each lot measuring approximately 510 m2 (squaremetres) in size. The applicant intends to demolish the existing residence on the subject property and construct two (2) single family residences.
In accordance with Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act, aPublic Hearing regarding this application will not be held as the proposed Bylaw is consistent with the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011” that is in effect for the subject area.
The proposed Bylaw applies to the property legally described as described as Lot 1, District Lot 4047, Cariboo District, Plan 18570, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #3 below
Location Map #3 7025 Kennedy Crescent
4. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9236, 2021”
Applicant: Jacqueline Smith for Tyler Borrowman
Subject Properties: 1914 and 1920 Juniper Street
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bylaw No. 9236, 2021 proposes to rezone the subject properties from RS4: Urban Residential to RT2: Two-Unit Residential, as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 9236, 2021.
The purpose of this application is to facilitate the development of atwo-unit house (duplex) on the existing vacant subject properties, or other uses, pursuant to the RT2: Two-Unit Residential zoning designation.
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS
In accordance with Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act,apublic hearing regarding this application will not be held as the proposed Bylaw is consistent with the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011” that is in effect for the subject area.
The proposed Bylaw applies to the properties legally described as Lot 17 and Lot 18, Block 343, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on the Location Map #4 below
Location Map #4 1914 and 1920 Juniper Street
5. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9261, 2021”
Applicant: L&M Engineering Ltd. for North Realty Group Ltd., Inc. No. BC0875402
Subject Property: 3961 Austin Road West
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bylaw No. 9261, 2021 proposes to rezone the subject property from C7: Transitional Commercial and RS2m: Single Residential to RM5: Multiple Residential, as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 9261, 2021.
The purpose of this application is to facilitate the development of amixed-use apartment on the subject property,orother uses, pursuant to the RM5: Multiple Residential zoning designation. The existing single detached house on the subject property will be demolished to facilitate the proposed mixed-use development.
In accordance with Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act,apublic hearing regarding this application will not be held as the proposed Bylaw is consistent with the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011” that is in effect for the subject area.
The proposed Bylaw applies to the property legally described as Parcel F(Being aConsolidation of Lots 9and 10, see CA9647815), District Lot 4047, Cariboo District, Plan 9543, as shown on the Location Map #5 below
Location Map #5
3961 Austin Road West
HOW CAN IPARTICIPATEAND PROVIDE COMMENT?
Members of the public may provide written comments to Council.
Written comments received by the Corporate Officer before 5:00 p.m., Tuesday,April 19, 2022 will be available on the published meeting agenda for Council’sreview in advance of the meeting date. Written comments received after the noted deadline and before 12:00 p.m., Monday, April 25, 2022 will be provided to Council on the day of the meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.
Written comments may be sent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250)561-0183, or mailed or delivered to the address noted below
Written comments will form part of the Council agenda, become public record, and areposted on the City’swebsite. By submitting awritten comment 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 Bylaws 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,April 13, 2022. These documents may also be reviewed at the Development Services office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on April 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 25, 2022 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.
For moreinformation regarding Road Closures, please contact Real Estate Services in person, by telephone at (250)561-7611, or by email to realestate@princegeorge.ca.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
What: PublicHearingregardingZoningBylawNo.2892, AmendmentBylawNo.3146,2019
When and Where:
7:00pm,Tuesday,April26,2022
Viatelephoneconferencecallandinpersonattendance
Thepublichearingwillbechairedbyadelegateofthe RegionalDistrictBoard.
Agent: DavidDennison
Owner: DeannaandDerekDevlin
Proposal: ZoningBylawNo.2892,AmendmentBylawNo. 3146,2019isproposedtorezoneaportionofLot12District Lot2173CaribooDistrictPlan22319fromRuralResidential 1(RR1)toSmallHolding(SH)topermitalotlineadjustment withtheneighbouringpropertyBlockBDistrictLot2173 CaribooDistrict,orotherusespursuanttotheSHzone.The propertiesarelocatedat11415and11425AlexandraDrive.
How can Iparticipate and provide comment? Anyonewhobelievesthattheirinterestinlandisaffected bytheproposedbylawshallbeaffordedareasonable opportunitytobeheardatthepublichearingortopresent writtencommentspriortooratthepublichearingregarding matterscontainedinthebylaws.
Attend through telephone conference call: Contactthe RegionalDistrictat250-960-4400ordevelopmentservices@ rdffg.bc.caforthetelephoneconferencenumberand instructions
Attend in person: Attendanceatpublichearingsmustfollow provincialhealthorders.Membersofthepublicinterestedin participatinginthepublichearinginpersonmayattendat: Regional District BoardRoom 155 George Street, Prince George BC
Submit written comments:Writtencommentswillbe acceptedbytheRegionalDistrictinadvanceofthepublic hearinguntil9:00amonApril26,2022by: Email:developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca Hand/Mail: 155GeorgeStreet,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L1P8 Fax: 250-562-8676
Writtencommentsreceivedbefore9:00amonApril26,2022 (dayofthepublichearing)willbepostedtotheRegional District’swebsite.
Writtencommentswillbeacceptedafter9:00amonApril26, 2022(dayofthepublichearing)anduntilthecloseofthepublic hearingby email only: developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca
Anymaterialreceivedbeforeoratthepublichearingwill becomepublicinformation.
Need moreinfo? AcopyoftheproposedBylawandany relevantbackgroundmaterialsareavailableforreviewby thepublicontheRegionalDistrict’swebsiteat http://www rdffg.bc.ca/services/development/land-use-planning/ current-applications/ orbyappointmentattheRegional Districtoffice,MondaythroughFriday,8:30a.m.to4:30p.m., betweenApril1andApril26,2022.Theofficewillbe closedonApril15and18,2022.Tomakeanappointment contacttheRegionalDistrictat250-960-4400orat developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca.
Who can Ispeak to? DanielBurke,PlannerII,250-960-4400
UNBC student’s hometown pounded by Russian attacks
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
With the not-too-distant sound of bombs exploding in the city of Kharkiv, where Russian military forces are massing in preparation for what is believed to be a major ground offensive in Eastern Ukraine, Vova Pluzhnikov’s father and 84-year-old grandfather plant a vegetable garden to grow food for them and their neighbours on land that surrounds their rural cabin.
In western Ukraine, Pluzhnikov’s mother and sister-inlaw grow increasingly worried with news that four cruise missiles have been shot down over the city of Lviv, an area that has so far been spared the ravages of the sevenweek-old war.
While in another part of the besieged country, Anton Pluzhnikov, Vova’s 33-year-old brother, conscripted into the Ukraine army, awaits his next assignment, hoping he won’t become another victim of a conflict that has so far killed 3,000 Ukrainian troops.
Half a world away in Prince George, 26-year-old Vova Pluzhnikov, a UNBC commerce student who came to Canada six years ago to play university basketball for the Timberwolves, prays for an end to the senseless annihilation of his people and the crushing of their culture in the Russian invasion.
He holds faith for the restoration of peace in his homelandandalong-termsolutionthatwillguaranteeUkraine’s future as a sovereign nation.
Pluzhnikov was among about 100 walkers who gathered Saturday afternoon at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park’s new pavilion near Exploration Place to join the Prince George Solidarity Walk For Ukraine. The two-anda-half-hour event gave an audience to people who wanted to express their thoughts about the war in Ukraine, its effect on their families and friends and how it threatens world peace. The walkers followed a route along the Fraser River pathway to Yalenka Ukrainian Hall and then returned to the park.
“The atrocities and images we’ve been seeing from there have gotten out of line, no one expected Russia to be that cruel towards the civilians,” Pluzhnikov said. “It’s important to be brave and be willing to see the truth right
UNBC Timberwolves guard Vova Pluzhnikov participates in Saturday’s P.G. Solidarity Walk for Ukraine.
now and not turn away from those brutal images.” Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, is a city caught in the crosshairs of relentless air attacks that have since the start of the war Feb. 24, hit nearly 1,700 residential buildings, including 75 schools, 56 kindergartens and 19 hospitals, resulting in more than 400 deaths and thousands more injuries in the city of 1.4 million. Pluzhnikov has seen images of the city’s central square after it was blown up and the university basketball gym where he used to play reduced to ruins after it was shelled.
‘I just couldn’t stand by and watch’
Continued from page 1
The young couple, barely out of their teens, heard whispers the Nazi regime was rounding up Jews, Ukrainians and Polish people and they were disappearing from German society. They took refuge hiding in the Black Forest region of Germany in a makeshift camp during the first winter of the war, where they helped a starving man from Poland shivering from the cold, weakened almost to the point of no return, giving him food and the warmth of their campfire until he recovered his health. That Polish man managed to escape the war and came to Canada,
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where he took a job at a mine near Sudbury, Ont.
“My grandparents were caught and taken to a concentration camp, where they were forced labour workers for remaining years of the war,” said Thereukauf.
Anna was raped, became pregnant and conducted her own abortion, knowing if she did not show up for work she would be killed.
“My grandmother sustained damages which many women in war, and this war in Ukraine, are sustaining to this day,” said Thereukauf. “The conditions in which she had to live and work just to survive for three-and-ahalf years, there’s no wonder in my mind why she never thought she would ever make it out and how she would never talk about it.”
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When the Allied liberated the camp in 1945, Anna and Ernest were brought to a Red Cross camp in Hungary and two months later they received a letter informing them that arrangements had been made to provide them safe passage to Canada. The Polish man they had helped paid for their fares and lined up a job in the mine for Ernest.
“That’s what’s happening again (in Ukraine) and I just couldn’t stand by and watch it happen without saying this is a dangerous situation we’re all seeing. It may be far away from some people’s eyes, but I remember my grandma’s words and I can’t ignore this, and it’s for her we’re doing this walk.”
Photo: Philomena Hughes
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
‘Be prepared for the unexpected’
Continued from page 1
“Where it’s shaded, there’s still a couple feet of snow, but where it’s not shaded, it’s bare and mud,” Merritt added.
Delong is familiar with the area and he told his wife he planned to cross the Chilako River at the 42-kilometre mark, which gave searchers some idea of where he was.
Because there is no cell service away from most northern B.C. highway corridors, Merritt says backcountry users should consider investing in a global positioning satellite-enabled two-communications device, which allows users to send distress signals or check-in update messages. They allow searchers to accurately pinpoint the caller’s location and communicate with the lost party.
Delong slept in his truck the first night and found a shelter to wait out his second night. Merritt said the purpose of his trip was just to explore the territory and not to go fishing, as was reported in RCMP press releases.
“He was cold and tired but he did find some shelter and he spent the night to warm himself up,” said Merritt. “Other than being a little cold and hungry he was pretty good overall. I don’t know if he found a cabin or a lean-to but he got out of the elements to some degree.
“We always tell people when you do get stuck, stay with your vehicle. That’s always a better idea. The only tweak I would have done would be to stay with the vehicle, build a big fire and stay warm there. When we found the vehicle we would have found him and he wouldn’t have had a second night out.”
Merritt said PGSAR sometimes uses drones to aid in searches but usually relies on the RCMP’s supply of drones because they have them in abundance and have more people well-trained to fly them, but they were not used in this case.
“Once you put a drone in the air we can’t put CASARA or the RCMP helicopter in the air,” Merritt said. “They’re also limited in their range and the temperatures so we don’t use them often, but they’re becoming more popular in B.C. If you know roughly how far away he is, they’re perfect, but we had an area off the Pelican road that was huge and the planes and helicopter can cover more area so much faster.”
Quesnel Search and Rescue was also engaged because the Pelican road leads to Blackwater Road, which is an alternate route to Quesnel.
Merritt advises anyone heading into rural areas for a day trip carry the 10 essentials of backcountry travel –extra food and water, additional clothing, thermal blanket/sleeping bag and plastic bag, first-aid kit, headlamp with spare batteries, whistle, waterproof matches or lighter, map and compass, knife/multi tool, communications device (cell phone, satellite phone or SPOT/inReach/Zoleo two-way GPS).
“At this time of year we always tell people to leave a trip plan, tell somebody where you’re going and carry the 10 essentials,” said Merritt. “This gentleman did; he left good directions with where he was going what he was doing. It just took us awhile to find his vehicle. A two-way satellite communication device is the way to go.”
Merritt has some advice for anybody thinking about venturing into the woods.
“Be prepared for the unexpected,” he said. “This time of year logging roads are snowy, they’re dry, they’re wet, they’re muddy. If you have a come-a-long (hand winch) or winch on your vehicle make sure it’s in good working order.”
PGSAR gained 14 new members last year and has a pool of 65 volunteers trained to join searches. CASARA’s Prince George branch has about 30 volunteers.
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STANLEY DELONG
Bond, committee tackling overdose crisis
health to specifically examine the overdose crisis.
As B.C. marks the sixth anniversary of the overdose crisis being declared a provincial health emergency, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond says she is relieved the all-party Select Standing Committee on Health is ready to get to work.
Bond was appointed to the provincial committee which is tasked with reviewing the overdose crisis, including mental health and addiction supports and examining the ongoing illicit drug toxicity crisis. Bond said for more than a year, she and Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau had been asking Premier John Horgan to call the select standing committee on
“It’s taken a while to have the committee activated, but it is important that the government finally responded, and the work now begins,” said Bond. “I think our primary goal is to make sure that we are responding in every way possible to work across party lines, to try to figure out what we are going to do to deal with what is a crisis in our province.”
The committee has been tasked to review patterns of use, the drug market, the role of organized crime, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think we need to treat it with a significant sense of urgency. It’s a crisis... we continue to see record numbers of deaths,” said Bond.
Families mourn loved ones killed by toxic drugs
HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
Families who’ve lost loved ones gathered in front of Member of Parliament Todd Doherty’s office in downtown Prince George to mark the sixth anniversary of the B.C. government declaring toxic drug deaths a public health emergency.
“We are still seeing thousands of deaths of our sons and daughters – 6.7 per day – and we need to see the deaths stop, at least be looked after, or slowed down,” said Corinne Woods, who lost her son Tony to opioid poisoning.
“We want to bring awareness that it has been six years and that it has been escalating and not slowing down.”
The families placed empty chairs on the sidewalk with photos and candles in remembrance of their loved ones.
“The empty chairs represent our children who were lost to fentanyl poisoning. They are what we have to deal with every day emotionally - the empty chair in our homes, our kids the ones we love, the ones we lost,” said Michelle Miller, who lost her 25-year-old son Tanner.
“To the families that have lost their children to the illicit fentanyl poisoning crisis. We know what you are going through. We care. There are supports out there and my heart goes out to you all,” added Miller.
Staff from Positive Living North also attended the event to provide free naloxone training, which is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids by countering decreased breathing in opioid
overdose. The most recent B.C. Coroner’s report found that fentanyl continues to be the predominant substance found in post-mortem testing of overdose deaths.
Alarmingly, the toxicity of fentanyl is growing with February being the third consecutive month in which more than 20 per cent of fentanyl-positive test results had concentrations greater than 50 micrograms per litre.
“Part of why we need to be here today is that we need to break the stigma that surrounds substance use. We need to treat this fentanyl death poisoning crisis as a health emergency. This is not a criminal issue or a moral issue. We are losing our sons and daughters by the thousands per year,” added Woods.
“These are our loved ones. These are our children and they deserved a healthy chance at a long life. They should be here. Using substances for the first time, recreationally, or if you are a long-time substance user, should not be a death sentence.”
The toxic drug supply has claimed the lives of 9,410 British Columbians since January 2016.
B.C.’s chief coroner Lisa Lapointe also released a statement recognizing the sixth anniversary of public health emergency into substance-related harms.
“Since 2016, the rate of death caused by the toxic drug supply has more than doubled, and in the northern part of our province, the rate has more than tripled. All of those lost were people... who were loved by family and friends,” said Lapointe.
Family members gathered in front of MP Todd Doherty’s office to mark the sixth anniversary of the B.C. government declaring toxic drug deaths a public health crisis.
HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
Sinclar Group reducing production at area mills
CITIZEN STAFF
Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. announced it will be temporarily reducing production at its mills in Prince George, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James starting on April 25.
Production at Lakeland Mills, Nechako Lumber and Apollo Forest Products will be reduced from a five-day week to a fourday week, a statement issued by the company on Thursday said. Lakeland Mills in Prince George employees roughly 100 people. The mill was rebuilt following an explosion and fire in 2012 which killed two people.
“We’ve held off making this decision as long as possible,” Sinclar president Greg Stewart said in a press release. “But like most companies in B.C., we’re facing increasing uncertainty of fibre supply, while at the same time experiencing
challenges moving lumber due to supply chain bottlenecks.”
The company’s Premium Pellet operation in Vanderhoof and Winton Homes operation in Prince George will continue to run as normal. The production curtailment at Lakeland Mills won’t impact the operation of the Prince George Downtown Renewable Energy System, the company added.
Sinclar’s management will monitor the market conditions and make adjustments as needed, the statement said
“As a third-generation, family-run company, operating in the Central Interior, the decision we’ve had to make today was incredibly hard,” Stewart said.
“Everyone who works for our company lives and works in these communities, and we are determined to get through this difficult period, and emerge stronger and more resilient.”
Youths arrested for vandalizing over 30 cars
CITIZEN STAFF
Prince George RCMP arrested two youth suspects who damaged more than 30 vehicles
On Sunday, April 10, Prince George RCMP responded to a report of multiple vehicles vandalized at the car dealership Witnesses reported seeing two people fleeing the area on foot. Frontline police then conducted patrols in the vicinity and located two youth suspects who matched the description provided Investigators arrested the youth and released them to their guardians with future court dates, pending the full investigation
“We have received reports from a housing complex on the 2100-block of Upland Street, as well as two car dealerships on
the 2000-block of Highway 16 West, of vehicles being damaged during the night on April 10,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper of the Prince George RCMP
Police are looking for anyone with video surveillance or dash cam footage between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. from the vicinity of the vandalized cars to call the non-emergency line at 250-561-3300 to speak with investigators and to quote file number 2022-12056.
Police identified 30 vehicles so far that received damage during the night in question. The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information about this or any other criminal offence, please contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERALMEETING
Notice is hereby given thatthe 2022 AGM of the Prince George Downtown BusinessImprovement Association will be held as follows:
Notice is hereby given thatthe 2021 AGMofthe Prince George Downtown Business Improvement Association will be held as follows:
Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 @5:30pm VIRTUALMEETING
Wednesday,June8th, 2022 @5:30pm IN PERSON: Trinity Church –1448 5th Avenue VIRTUAL: Zoom Meeting
ALL ATTENDEESMUSTPRE-REGISTER BY JUNE 8th,2021 @12:00noon.
ALL ATTENDEESMUSTPRE-REGISTER BY JUNE6th,2022@5:00pm.
REGISTER AT: www.downtownpg.com/2021-agm
REGISTER AT: www.downtownpg.com/2022-agm
Downtown Propertyand BusinessOwners areresponsible forensuring that membershipinformation is completed by May 10th,2021 in order to vote.
Downtown Propertyand Business Owners areresponsible for ensuring that membership information is completed by May 9th, 2022, in order to vote.
Nominations for the Board of Directors areencouragedbyMay 31st, 2021.
Nominations for the BoardofDirectorsare required by May 30th, 2022.
All forms areavailable at the DPGoffice or website 1406 2ndAvenue,Prince George,BCV2L 3B6 250-614-1330 •www.downtownpg.com
All formsare available at theDPG office or website. 1406 2nd Avenue, Prince George,BCV2L 3B6 250-614-1330 www.downtownpg.com
OPINION
Job numbers miss bigger story
Prince George’s unemployment rate in March rose to 3.8 per cent, up from 3.2 per cent in February, our story from last week reads. Prince George’s unemployment remained lower than the B.C. average of 5.1 per cent in March.
People are going back to work, in Prince George, and across B.C. and Canada, for two simple reasons: employers are desperate for staff as the economy fully opens after two years under the COVID-19 rules and mandates and people are eager to return to the workforce. But what kind of jobs are available? Retail and construction have been the two biggest sectors for new jobs over the past six months in Canada. Both pay minimum wage or slightly better for entry-level positions, which is most of what the new jobs are.
The low unemployment rate is driving wages up, which is good for workers in general, but much better for skilled workers. While wages were up 3.4 per cent in March compared to the previous March, pay was up 7.5 per cent for people working in professional, scientific and technical services jobs over the same time period.
Working-age adults flooding back into the job market proves a point that sociologists have known for many years and studied extensively. Most people would rather work for their pay than stay at home and wait for a government handout because a job provides far more than pay.
When unemployment is low, those priceless intangibles become much bigger. Workers will accept slightly less money from one employer in exchange for a boss that treats them well, a job that gives them satisfaction, a workplace that makes them feel valuable and a schedule that fits into their personal life.
Fortheseworkers,alow-stressandstableworkenvironment, where the boss, fellow workers and customers all treat them with decency, is vital for their overall health and well-being. Going home to cope with challenging family issues, health problems, money worries and so on – day-to-day life, in other words - becomes a little easier when the job is good for the soul, instead of sucking every last drop of life from it.
The Prince George job numbers are encouraging but greater job security, better wages and housing stability for working residents is even better.
Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A $28M WISHLIST
With a payout of $28 million from Fortris coming just over the horizon, one needs to start planning how to best spend this money.
With truth and reconciliation finally coming to fruition, we could honor Indigenous people by building a muchneeded expansion to Exploration Place. This way we would have the extra space to showcase their deep history here dating back thousands of years.
With the blessings from our local First Nations people on this expansion to Exploration Place, we then should earmark $15 million for this build. We should be asking our provincial NDP government and our federal Liberal government to match or better our contribution to our museum expansion. Let’s be the first in line to receive money that will showcase our Indigenous people’s rich history throughout the interior of B.C. I believe they will each contribute $7.5 million minimum to this project.
Exploration Place badly needs more controlled temperature storage space and even more display area is needed. Exploration Place had to refuse a huge collection recently of taxidermy animals due to no storage space. Just one of many examples.
This expansion will be all green having thermal ground heating & enough solar panels to substantially lower or eliminate their electricity consumption. Within this area a long house should be built that could house First Nations
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cultural events and social gatherings. Also our treasured “Little Prince” steam engine needs a proper shop built to service and be stored out of the elements.
My second most important build would see $3 million to construct a tenting campground at Moccasin Flats, enabling us to keep people from camping out in the many areas of our downtown. They will all gravitate to the flats instead of a night or two in police lock-up.
My third project would spend a million taking care of freshly paved roads with a procedure developed to accomplish this work. At present they come around only once in the following spring to squirt tar over the length of the cold cracks. Most of the tar does not penetrate down far enough to do any good as it mainly just spreads out over the cracked area forming bumps that we all have to drive over. The following spring most areas have opened up again but now without sealing the cracks they allow water to seep down under the asphalt and weaken the compaction of the ground that was only recently completed. I believe the tar being used needs to be more fluid with plastic added to the tar mixture to make it more elastic. Preheating the crack as well will be added to the procedure. Spend a nickel on maintenance and save a ton of money by not having to redo our roads many years prematurely.
Miles Thomas, Prince George Editor’s note: This letter has been edited for length.
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Take the log out of your own eye
In recent months, words like genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes have been used extensively in the media.
These are important legal terms, they should not be used loosely, and using them as political weapons risks making these words meaningless.
The word “genocide” was coined in 1944 by Polish-Jewish law professor Raphael Lemkin after he studied the Armenian Genocide and watched his family suffer under the Nazis.
Lemkin, who had fled to the United States, combined the Greek word “genos,” meaning people or tribe, with the Latin word “cide,” meaning to kill. After the Second World War ended, Lemkin lobbied the newly formed United Nations to pass the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide in 1948.
Crimes against humanity is a more broadly based term to refer to crimes committed by a state or actors of a
LESSONS
IN LEARNING
GERRY CHIDIAC
state against civilians in times of peace or in times of war.
International Humanitarian Law, which was also revised after the carnage of the Second World War, stipulates what is permitted and what is not permitted in warfare It involves the rules of engagement for those in the military
Unfortunately, once the Cold War began, promoting human rights took a back seat to one’s political agenda. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that it became safe to talk about genocide and crimes against humanity without being called a traitor to one’s nation.
As a result, we have been free to discuss the fact that neither the United States nor Russia has ratified
the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), the legal body which upholds the Genocide Convention.
It has also become clear that while citizens of powerful countries may be guilty of crimes against humanity, only Africans get tried and convicted in the ICC. In addition, citizens in the global south recognize the impunity that permeates among representatives of powerful nations. In many countries, it is common knowledge that no American has been held responsible for the 1991 bombing of an Iraqi bomb shelter resulting in the death of 1,500 innocent civilians.
When Joe Biden and other NATO leaders accuse Vladimir Putin of genocide, the words of Jesus of Nazareth come into clear focus: “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye.”
Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George writer.
Vulnerable seniors deserve dignity
Iremember it well.
I walked down the dingy hallway and knocked on the door. A feeble but cheerful “Come-in” was the reply, and I pushed the door open. What confronted me made my head spin. I was not in a developing nation. I was in Prince George, but what I saw, smelled and felt washing over me was a kind of poverty I had never seen.
The small apartment was crammed with boxes, piles of clothing and garbage. The stench was from the rotting food in the fridge and cupboards, as well as from the human feces which remained after the home owner’s efforts to clean. It was my job to clean it up. The first two days I went home and wretched. Thirteen filled garbage bags and a week later, the place was reasonably clean.
This, I was told, was society allowing a senior the dignity to make their own choices. Throughout that week, speaking with other visitors to the building, I discovered that there were
DON’T WASTE FUEL
THINKING ALOUD
TRUDY KLASSEN
worse stories. The common thread was that the family wasn’t in contact or wasn’t close by to take care of their vulnerable people. The health nurse that came with medication was required to do no more than check that the person was not in immediate danger. Personal choice is a freedom worth dying for, but this didn’t seem like a choice this person would have made had they not suffered from dementia. What about the family’s role? Did they know? They lived out of town and were only able to come once or twice a year to check. Who is responsible for allowing someone to live in these conditions?
The reason I was there is someone had cared and called the family, and I was hired to clean up the place. The directions were that we were to be
Re: “Gas prices don’t make sense,” April 14
Hopefully, a silver-lining will be extracted from the ‘high gas price problem’ in the form of less gratuitous fuel waste, including by individual consumers. For one thing, I’ve frequently walked past parked vehicles idling for many minutes, even in very warm weather.
Sometimes I’ll also see the exhaust spewed by a vanity vehicle, a metallic beast with the signature superfluously very large body and wheels that don’t at all appear used for work or family transport. They’re the same gratuitously huge monsters that when parked roadside hazardously block the view of short-car operators turning or crossing through stop-signed intersections; and they look
COMMUNITY POLL
Participate in this week’s poll Go to princegeorgecitizen.com, scroll down to the Community Poll, and vote!
Do you think the age for people to be tried for crimes as adults should be lowered to 16?
RESULTS from last week’s polls:
Is low unemployment good for Prince George?
● Yes, employers will have to pay more to keep workers 92 votes, 18.15%
● Yes, it’s good for the local economy 203 votes, 40.04%
very sensitive and gentle and clean without judgment to preserve the senior’s dignity. Cleaning without judging the senior wasn’t hard. It was obvious that they were not capable of taking care of themselves or their home. But I did feel judgment toward a rich society lets something like that happen to someone who has raised a family and worked all their lives. It wasn’t a fair judgement, because more care was available but it hadn’t been applied for yet by the family.
I came away thinking how important family is even in a rich country like ours. That while we will die for freedom to make choices, there are times when someone must make those choices for us.
Government programs, no matter how well-intentioned and designed, have cracks, and so someone needs to make sure we don’t fall through them. That person needs to be someone who cares for us.
Trudy Klassen is a Prince George writer.
● No, it’s too hard for employers to find and keep staff. 88 votes, 17.36%
● No, the growth is in low-paying and part-time jobs. 124 votes, 24.46%
Do you think the voting age in Canada should be lowered to 16?
● Yes, if they're old enough to drive, they're old enough to vote. 95 votes, 10.94%
● Yes, increasing voter participation is a good thing. 65 votes, 7.49%
● No, voting should be left to adults. 364 votes 41.94%
and spew thick exhaust as though they might get about 25 gallons to the mile.
Inside each is the operator, typically staring down into their lap, probably their smartphones. I couldn’t help wondering whether they’re some of the people posting complaints onto various social media platforms about a possible gas tax/price increase, however comparatively small. Here in Canada, the carbon tax, though it’s more than recouped via government rebate (except for the high-incomed), induces much pastime complaining. Meanwhile, mass addiction to fossil fuel products undoubtedly helps keep the average consumer quiet about the planet’s greatest polluter, lest they feel and/or be publicly deemed hypocritical.
Frank Sterle Jr., White Rock
● No, the focus should be on increasing voter turnout. 344 votes, 39.63%
LETTERS WELCOME: The Prince George Citizen welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Submission should be sent by e-mail to: letters@pgcitizen.ca. No attachments, please. They can also be faxed to 250-562-7453, or mailed to Box 5700, 150 Brunswick St., Prince George V2L 5K9. 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.
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Mom’s
the Word brings tears, laughter
HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
Mom’s the Word is a relatable and hilarious look at motherhood that had the audience both laughing at its unexpected antics and tearing up at its more tender moments.
Expertly acted by a cast of five women (Keara Barnes as Deb, Yumi Ogawa as Linda, Tamara McCarthy as Robin, Anna Russell as Jill, and Sara Bynoe as Alison) the production is part comedy, part variety show, reminiscent of a one-womanshow divided into five perspectives.
Each of the characters has a different outlook on the struggles of the early years of motherhood and describe all of the hilarious situations they inadvertently find themselves in as they cope with raising tiny human in their own unique way.
Looking at parenting through these different perspectives ensures the humour and stories shared by the moms will be relatable to everyone. The parents in the audience will definitely be able to see themselves reflected in at least one of the character’s experiences.
All of the women do come together, however, sharing moments where they reflect on the universal aspects of motherhood like the pressures to be a perfect parent, their partners not quite understanding what they’re going through, and the overwhelming amount of love they have for their children.
Some of these moments are told through group musical numbers which include everything from surprising breast milk jokes to songs performed using tiny children’s musical instruments.
Almost like a fever dream at times, the five vivid vignettes come together using
everything from music, colour, anecdotes and sometimes dirty humour to create a truly inanimate look at motherhood.
Mom’s the Word’s more tender side also includes Alison’s experience of having a baby in the NICU which is included throughout the production’s two-hour run-time, helping to balance the humour and heartache.
Originally produced in 1994 for the Vancouver’s Women in View Festival, the Theatre Northwest production of Mom’s The Word has been ever-so-slightly updated to include contemporary references and small shout-outs to local parenting spots like Lil Hopper’s Cafe and the Duchess Park Playground.
The production was directed by Deborah Williams who is one of the original moms that wrote and created the show including Linda A. Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, and Barbara Pollard.
Since the 90s Mom’s the Word has spawned several sequels and productions have been performed to more than 200,000 people across Canada. The award-winning performance has also been a fan favourite at international comedy festivals and is performed globally in a variety of languages.
After seeing Theatre NorthWest’s production, it’s no surprise why Mom’s the Word has such staying power and international appeal.
It is simply an evening of hilarious stories about motherhood, bittersweet monologues, and poetic reflections that are entertaining for parents and non-parents alike.
Mom’s the Word is the final production in Theatre NorthWest’s current season and it runs until May 4.
Keara Barnes (Deb), Yumi Ogawa, (Linda), Tamara McCarthy (Robin), Anna Russell (Jill), and Sara Bynoe (Alison) star in Mom’s the Word at Theatre NorthWest.
Spring Clean Up Day coming
CITIZEN STAFF
The Prince George annual Spring Clean Up Day takes place Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to pick up litter on city streets, trails, parks and school yards during the annual event, which dates back to 1918.
The City of Prince George will have extra trash bins located throughout the city, and a map can be found online here.
Groups can register in advance and designate specific areas they are going to clean. Registered groups can request garbage bags from the city, which can be picked up at city hall after April 19.
If you are unable to transport full garbage bags to the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill on Spring Clean Up Day, contact the city by calling 311 or by email at parkbookings@princegeorge.ca and the city can arrange for pick up.
The City of Prince George encourages participants to stay safe: wear high-visibility clothing and suitable footwear, watch out for traffic, dress for the weather and stay alert to your surroundings.
Broadcaster’s book series aims at get kids moving
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Kids sometimes need encouragement and an age-appropriate role model to get them interested in playing sports.
LisaBoweshasfoundtheperfectambassador for the job.
Her name is Lucy and she is the central figure in a series of Lucy Tries Sports children’s books Bowes has written over the past five years to try to get kids more physically active.
Bowes is well known to Canadian television viewers as a sports journalist and former TSN/CBC/The Score/CTV sports desk anchor, reporter, play-by-play announcer and producer.
She was in Prince George earliler this month on stage at the Rogers Hometown Hockey festival at the CN Centre parking lot, where she kept with the hockey theme, reading a book she authored, Lucy Tries Hockey.
Hockey is just one of the sports Lucy has tried. Bowes has also gotten her involved in basketball, soccer, luge and short track speedskating, with baseball to be added to her list for 2023.
Appealingly illustrated by James Hearne of Calgary, the books are geared toward younger children and are available in several languages through Victoria-based Orca Book Publishers.
Before she got into broadcasting, Bowes graduated from the University of Western Ontario in London with a degree in
physical education. The Guelph, Ont. native was covering women’s hockey at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 when the inspiration for the book series came to her.
“My young daughter was two at the time and I was looking for books to read to her that were about different types of sport and I couldn’t find anything in the marketplace,” said Bowes.
“It took me seven years, 14 rejections on
my very first book, but I’m pleased to tell you we’ll come out with Book 6, Lucy Tries Baseball, next spring.
“She is the multi-sport champion and she is for all kids. Boys and girls love her, she’s for all kids. There are almost 200 sports in the world that we can try.”
Bowes has seen enough reports about the rise in childhood obesity and a growing number of kids who are physically inactive to know there’s work to be done
to change lifestyle trends.
Getting as many kids as possible involved in sports as lifetime activities is one way to combat what’s become an alarming worldwide problem.
“It breaks my heart that our little ones are just not moving like they should be,” Bowes said. “When I see a study out of the U.K. that sedentary behaviour is starting in children at age 7, and that was before COVID, I feel like we can do something. I see the series and the way kids and parents and educators have responded to the books and it’s wonderful because I really feel we’re making a difference in that regard.”
Bowes lives in Calgary and has used her television production skills to create a virtual speaking tour that allows her to visit schools all over the country without having to travel. Her TV show most recently came to a school in a remote village in Labrador.
“All Lucy books reinforce these accepted principles of healthy child development, what we know our kids need to stay in sport,” she said. “They are to play, participate, make a friend, master a skill and in an encouraging adult relationship, that being the coach.
“It’s inclusive and diverse. They are for all kids, but a lot people think it’s just for girls because it’s a female lead. But kids don’t see that, they just see a little kid.”
The Lucy Tries Sports series is available locally at Books & Company, 1685 Third Ave., or visit www.lucytriesports.com
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
TV sports journalist Lisa Bowes is working on her next book release, Lucy Tries Baseball, which is scheduled for release next spring.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
TIME TO DANCE Megan Rowe performs a routine titled 100 Tampons – after TikTok creator Marcia Belsky’s song by the same name – on Friday afternoon at Vanier Hall as part of the 2022 Prince George Dance Festival.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
100 DAYS AWAY Alyson Emberley and Cody Bailey bring in the torch during the Ignite the Spirit Torchlighting Ceremony last Thursday evening at Canada Games Plaza to mark 100 days until the start of the B.C. Summer Games in Prince George.
Former city employee running for council
ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff
Chris Stern spent 25 years working for the City of Prince George, now he hopes to work for the taxpayers instead of city hall.
Stern worked in a variety of roles at city hall including carpenter, building inspector, foreman and various roles in the streets and sanitation departments. He left the city roughly seven years ago, and started his own contracting company five years ago.
“I almost worked in every department (of the city,)” Stern said. “I see a lot of problems that aren’t getting addressed.”
inside knowledge of the city’s operations to expose the systemic problems at city hall.
However, the top issue facing the new city council elected on Oct. 15 should be “to get our downtown back,” he said.
For example, he said he discovered the problem that led to sewage backing up onto 15th Avenue in February, closing several lanes of the main road for weeks. Stern said he alerted his supervisor about the issue when he worked there, but nothing was done about it.
“The city councilors don’t know the questions to ask,” he said. “Making financial decisions without telling council? You wouldn’t believe how often that happens. It has to change.”
Sterns said, if elected, he would use his
B.C. rainforest logging linked to climate change
HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff
An international team of scientists, including researchers from University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), have published a new peer-reviewed study on the importance of protecting primary forests in BC’s Interior Wetbelt (IWB) bioregion for the climate.
Scientists from the UNBC, Griffith University in Australia, the Conservation BiologyInstituteinOregon,WildHeritage in Oregon and Conservation North were part of the study, which underscores the seriousness of B.C.’s emissions tied to the logging of old growth forests.
The study used data collected in the field, as well as government datasets to estimate how much carbon is contained within unlogged old growth spruce, red cedar and hemlock forests, how much has been emitted to the atmosphere by clearcut logging.
The IWB is a vast, largely forested area of 16.5 million hectares along the western flanks of the Canadian Rockies and northern Columbia Mountains.
hectares of old-growth forests at risk of permanent loss.
B.C. also announced last fall that an expert panel had mapped 2.6 million hectares of unprotected old-growth forests at risk and asked 204 First Nations to decide whether they supported the temporary deferral of logging.
The province has now heard from 188 First Nations, of which 75 have agreed to the deferrals that will initially last two years, while over 60 have asked for more time to decide and incorporate Indigenous knowledge into the plans.
However, ecologist and co-author Michelle Connolly of Conservation North said these temporary deferrals don’t go far enough and there needs to be major forestryreformstoprotectcarbon-dense old-growth forests. She said these forests need time to recover the logging-related carbon debt, and improve monitoring of carbon stocks and stock changes.
Protecting all old growth is objectively good for the climate because of how much carbon they store and that’s partly what our study has revealed.
Connolly said this is what the promised ‘paradigm shift’ that was called for in the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review panel ought to look like on the ground.
“The downtown is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Stern said. “It’s not a matter for the RCMP… it’s a matter of getting people into homes.”
The people living on Prince George’s streets downtown are human beings who need proper housing and mental health and addiction supports, he said.
Not addressing those social issues is costing the taxpayers money, he added.
“That’s where a lot of our budgetisgoing,whenyoulookatit:RCMP, bylaws, cleaning up the trash. (And) there is so many companies boarded up,” Stern said. “We’ve got to get downtown… moving again.”
Stern said he doesn’t have all the answers when it comes to solving the ongoing issues downtown, but he would listen to what the experts have to say and vote in favour of measures that aimed at solving the problems.
“MygoalisthatIworkforthetaxpayers.”
It contains rare old growth spruce forests (referred to in other parts of the world as Boreal Rainforest) and the rare Inland Temperate Rainforest. Logging in this ecosystem accelerated from the 1970s to the 2000s.
“The region contains underappreciated carbon stocks that can help Canada meet its climate and conservation targets,” said lead researcher Dominick DellaSala.
“In their natural state, these forests constitute an irreplaceable natural climate solution, but we’re turning them into lumber and threatening to turn them into pellets.”
The Government of Canada has pledged to protect 30 percent of its lands and waters by 2030 in order to mitigate the climate crisis.
“The Interior Wetbelt contains some of the most carbon dense forests on the planet,” said Art Fredeen, a study co-author at UNBC.
“If we summed up all of the carbon from historically logged timber in the IWB it would exceed B.C.’s total greenhouse gas emissions for 2019, 9 times over. Instead of increasing the B.C.’s carbon debt by further logging old carbon-rich landscapes, we should be conserving them.”
The provincial government recently announced it’s deferring 1.7 million
“Protecting all old growth is objectively good for the climate because of how much carbon they store and that’s partly what our study has revealed. A truly progressive forest policy would actually protect at least all old-growth forests and provide support for First Nations to do that,” said Connolly.
She said the deferrals put the onus on First Nations to decide without any funding to examine whether they wanted to do that and what that would mean for them, or alternative conservation options.
“What ought to be happening to be truly progressive is to actually support First Nations in protecting these places. Most people in B.C. agree that protecting old-growth forests is really important, and now we have evidence that the climate is a really good reason to do that.”
DellaSala added that, “for the very first time, we have a comprehensive assessment of how important B.C.’s interior rainforests are to the global climate and how much has been lost to logging. In the case of climate change, the forest is worth far more standing then cut down for wood products.”
The study also reported that nearly 25 per cent of the IWB has been logged, the majority since the 1970s, resulting in above-ground carbon declining by at least 18 per cent.
– With files from the Canadian Press
CHRIS STERN
Cougars hope to upset Portland in playoffs
The Prince George Cougars are in the WHL playoffs for the first time in five years but they’re up against the hottest team in the league.
The Portland Winterhawks were the best team in the league in the second half of the season and won nine of their last 10 regular season games heading into the playoffs, which start Friday when they host the Cougars in the first game of their WHL Western Conference quarterfinal series.
The ‘Hawks made an abrupt turnaround after losing 10 of their first 15 games and finished third in the West (47-16-3-2) with 99 points, tied with second-place Kamloops Blazers and just one off the pace of the first-place Everett Silvertips.
The Cougars (24-39-4-1) had a much more difficult time trying to cinch the team’s first playoff berth in five years. That wasn’t determined until Saturday, the second-last day of the season, when they emerged out of a three-way tie with Spokane and Vancouver to claim sixth place.
Thirty-six points separated the Winterhawks from the Cougars in the conference standings and this best-of-seven series has all signs pointing to mismatch. The ‘Hawks won all four games on the season series –6-2 Dec. 1 in Portland, 4-1 Jan. 28 in Portland, then posted back-to-back victories in
Taylor Gauthier reaches for the puck in front of his net against the Portland Winterhawks while Connor Bowie stands guard at left during a 2019 game at CN Centre Gauthier now plays for Portland and will out to try to beat his former teammates starting Friday in Portland
Prince George Feb. 25-26, 7-2 and 5-3.
That doesn’t matter now to the Cougars; both teams are working with a clean slate.
“I feel like there’s no better matchup for us,” said Cougars 21-year-old centre Connor Bowie, who joined the Cougars Jan 10, 2018 as part of a multiplayer trade which sent defenceman Dennis Cholowski to Portland. “We’re a team that matches up well with them in the sense that we want to be physical and they want to be skilled,
and hopefully we can get an aggressive, gritty-style playoff series going and see what happens. We can be physical and they don’t want to play the style that we like to play and that might be in our favour.
“I’m just excited that we happen to be in the WHL playoffs, it’s just the cherry on top that we happen to be playing Portland.”
The goalie the Cougars will be trying to beat to start the series is 21-year-old
Taylor Gauthier, who played 166 of his 194 WHL games the past five seasons stopping pucks for the Cougars.
“That just adds to it,” said Bowie. “Obviously, a lot of us know Goats pretty well and we’re really excited to talk to him and eventually beat him in the playoffs. I’ll definitely bump him a little bit and say a few things to him. It’s the playoffs and you’ve got to do what you can.”
Stats don’t lie and the Winterhawks have a huge edge in virtually every department.
Only one WHL team, Winnipeg, with 317 goals, scored more over the course of the 68-game WHL season than Portland, with 298. The ‘Hawks averaged 4.38 per game, as compared to the Cougars’ 2.60 average. Scoring just 177 goals, Prince George ranked 21st out of 22 teams.
The Cougars are the youngest team in the WHL and they also played the season with 11 rookies, three of whom were their top-three scorers.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Friday at Portland, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday at Portland, 6 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday at Prince George, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday at Prince George, 7 p.m.
* Game 5: Saturday at Portland, 5 p.m.
* Game 6: Monday, May 2 at Prince George, 7 p.m.
* Game 7: Wednesday at Portland, 7 p.m.
* if necessary
HOROSCOPES &PUZZLES
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
Youmay have to fill in for acolleague who will be away indefinitely.This could cause a lot of stress in your life. Fortunately,you’ll be rewarded with apromotion.
TAURUS
When speaking in front of acrowd or on social media, you’ll feel slightly embarrassed as you receive applause or likes. However, some people may criticize you.
GEMINI
Youmay find it difficult to find the perfect work-life balance. You’ll have to rearrange your schedule to fulfill your family and professional obligations without disappointing your loved ones.
CANCER
Youmay go on aspontaneous romantic getaway.You need to take astep back from adifficult decision to clear your mind and move forward.
LEO
Youmay need to end some of your friendships. You’ve always been generous with those close to you. Therefore, some people may try to pay you back to keep you from cutting them out of your life.
VIRGO
You’ll need to fix an error on one of your bills. Youmay spend agood part of your week trying to get arefund. Sometimes you must take the law into your own hands.
LIBRA
You’ll get the careyou need to improve your health or start anew diet that yields quick results. You’removing towardabetter quality of life, both physically and mentally
SCORPIO
You’ll be surprised by asudden surge in popularity with your customers and on social media. If you’resingle, many people will be vying for your attention.
SAGITTARIUS
Your family is your focus this week. Your loved ones may be moredemanding than usual. Plans to move may be on the horizon.
CAPRICORN
Youmay have afew travel headaches this week or experience amiscommunication.
Your outspoken naturewill have apowerful impact on your colleagues or social life.
AQUARIUS
Money may be asource of concern. Don’t hesitate to take the bull by the horns and confront those involved to solve the problem once and for all. Youcan finally loosen your belt.
PISCES
Things keep getting postponed at work. At times, you may not know wheretostart. It’s agood idea to slow down beforethings get out of control. Rely on your strengths to be moreefficient.
31. Break the tape 32. Sit for an artist
Shake to-and-fro 34. Small cask 35. Cleanse 36. Did a gardening chore
38. Honda, e.g.
Metropolitan
King or queen
Concluded
Foot bottom
Single
Smell
Loser
Rents
Added up
Humane
But
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in the grid so that everyrow, everycolumnand every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with adarker line. You already have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1through 9inthe sameline, columnor 3x3 box.
CL ASSIF IEDS
Celebration of Life
Lorne M McDonald
The family of Lorne McDonald, would like to invite his family and friends to celebrate his life at 1:00 pm on April 23, 2022 at the PG Golf and Curling Club, for an informal gathering with refreshments.
Patrick Joseph Caden
May 12, 1978 - April 26, 2021
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Missing you every single day. We will always love you.
From your family
In Loving Memory of Marie “Annette” Krushell
October 16, 1950April 26, 2011
Eleven years have passed since heaven called on you and your guardian angels took you from us. You have been missed so much by all whom you touched with your graceful, unselfish, thoughtful and caring nature. We all loved you dearly in our own special way. Thank you for the precious time we shared together and the endless memories to cherish.
Always in our hearts and thoughts, Roger, Sons, Grandsons, Granddaughter Family and Friends.
REMEMBRANCES
Celebration of Life for
Sylvia Mae Garber
Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 1130 am, Memorial Park Cemetery. Reception to follow at Sintich Hall 7817 Hwy 97 South.
Forever in Our Hearts
Whitmer
August 2,1993April 25, 2013
-
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, brother-inlaw, cousin and uncle.
Mark is survived by his Mother, Iris, sisters, Coral (Bob), Marina (Jeff), Rose-anna (Derek), MaryAnne and brother Phillip (Nancee).
Mark was born in Kampala, Africa Nov.16th,1960. He immigrated to Prince George B.C. along with his family in 1972.
Mark was a great cook, passionate about fishing and soccer.
He was kind, funny and compassionate. His compassion was noted by his dedicated work with the AWAC, Association Advocating for Women and Community. Mark spent many nights handing out food, hot chocolate, blankets, and encouraging words to the homeless of his community. Many newspaper articles were written about his tireless commitment to give back.
The family wishes to thank all for their outpouring of love, generosity and support.
A Celebration of Life for Mark will be held on Monday, April 25th at Knox United Church at 1pm. 1448 5th Ave.
Donations can be made to the Association Advocating for Women and Community.
Obituaries
Memorial Services
In Memoriam
Memorial Services
In Memoriam In Memoriam
Logan
DE SOUZA, Mark Trevor 1960
2022
BrunoJosefLindenblatt, 81, of Prince George BC,passedawaypeacefully on 25 September2021 at theUniversity Hospital of Northern BritishColumbia, from complications of pneumonia.An uncannily robust andhealthyperson throughout hislife, he couldbeheard insistingtothe residentdoctors even afew days before hispassingthathewas “never sick” andfelt“just fine”and wasready to go home.
Born to Berta(neeHasselberg) andKarl Lindenblatton8March 1940 in Plausen, East Prussia, Brunowas predeceased by both parentsand sister Irmgard Lindenblatt. He is survivedbybrothers Hugo Lindenblattand EwaldLindenblatt, sisterAnni vanHaren, daughter Michelle Lindenblatt, andgrandchildren Beatrix, Ignatius,Anselm, andB ertrand.
As ayoung child, Brunoexperiencedthe hardshipsofwar firsthand.Heand his family often struggledto find adequate food andshelter, andwerefrequently displacedbeforesettlinginruralGermany. It wasduringthese earlyyears where Bruno’ssense of fortitude,determination, generosity,and empathydeveloped and continuedtobea moralcompass forhim forthe rest of hislife.
BrunoemigratedtoCanadain1959 andspent severalyears in Faustand Edmonton,where he married Ursula Lindenblattin1966, eventuallymaking
hisway throughTerrace whereheworked as amechanic, Prince Rupert wherehe worked in a fish plant, Quesnel,where daughter Michelle wasbornin1975, and then Prince George.Hehad astrongwork ethic, lovedtojokeand have fun, ztand when fights erupted after afew drinks, he wasknown to have always fought fair.He gained more financialsecurityfor himself as theyears went on andBruno took great pleasure in sharing this wealth.Heloved to travel andembarkedonmorethanone worldtour, often welcomingfamilyand friends on all-expensespaidvacations,and wasinhis elementwhenout forlunch and dinner,laughingand tellingstories, often with aglass of wine in hand
Brunohad an illustriouscareerinthe sawmill industry whichspanned over fortyyears.In1972, Linden Fabricating andEngineering beganinQuesnel and quicklyexpandedintoanother shopin Prince George.After building the first automatedlumbersorterand stackerfor West Fraser in 1975, Bruno’scompany builtnew sawmillsfor West Fraser in Smithers,FraserLake, Chetwynd,and Williams Lake.Severalmajor equipment installationprojects were also carried outatBabineForestProductsinBurns Lake andHouston Forest Products in HoustonB C, andthroughoutthe 1980’s, 90’s, and2000’s, Linden hadahandin thedevelopmentofcountless sawmills throughout theregion. Linden acquired thelicense forstepfeedersand log ladders
Bruno Josef Lindenblatt
March 1940 September 2021
whichcontinuetobeinstalledinsawmills acrossCanada, theUS, Japan, and beyond. Indeed,there arefew locations in thesawmill industry whereBruno’s fingerprintscannotbefound.
In themid 1980s, Linden housed the then nascentWoodproEngineering andthe Swedish sawmillcompany ARI. Through Linden, Brunocontinued to give many a leg-upwhentheywerejuststartingout in their respective businesses, offering both financialand networking support. It wasBruno whogaveloans andrarely asked to be reimbursed,who helpedfund universitydegrees, whohelpedpeople buytheir first homes. He wasa great philanthropist anddonated generously to BC Cancer research,the University Hospital of Northern BC,and theSPCA.
Laterinlife, oneofBruno’s favorite pastimes wasspendingtimewithhis dogs, throwing theball at thelocal soccer field or walking at thedog beachinVancouver Hisdogs were notonlyanimportant part of thefamilybut offered respite throughtheir non-judgmental earand uncompromisinglove. We askthatinlieu of flowers, people donate to their local SPCA.
BrunoalwaysmaintainedthatFridaythe 13thwas hislucky dayasthiswas theday he receivedhis weldingticket.
Business Opportunities
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
ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 4:30pm-6:30pm Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum
Personal Messages
ANYONE with a drinking problem? Alcoholics Anonymous, www.princegeorgeaa.ca 250-564-7550
Single white female, age 65 would like to meet single white male for friendship. My interests vary but I don’t cook, so I enjoy coffee out, dinner out or social events. If interested please reply to Box 2001 - 505 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H2
Allan Williams who lived in Courtenay would you please phone or text Margery McAlinden (250) 617-1360, talk soon.
Toys/Games/Puzzles
SERVICES
Accounting/Bookkeeping
Gal’s Tax and Business Services Bookkeeping Services smallmedium business, Personal Income Taxes, Wills, Living Wills, POA, and other business services upon request. 250-561-0415 carol-ann@oldgals.ca
Excavating
EXCAVATION BACKHOE MINI-EXCAVATOR SKID STEER Call Andy (250) 964-2233 andywestcan@gmail.com Health Services GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada. ALL ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money. CALL BRITISH COLUMBIA BENEFITS 1-(800)-211-3550 OR Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to (604) 7395600 For Your FREE benefits package.
Hay/Bales For Sale
Heavy Equipment
flaxen, mane mixed red/flaxen.
Help wanted for local financial services location - an Office Assistant, 3-4 days per week, top wages plus benefits. Some experience in this field would be helpful. Reply to Box 1001 c/o 505 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H2
LOOKING FOR CARPENTERS
We are looking for full time workers. Benefit packages are available.
We are currently building in the new Creekside Subdivision in Prince George, BC.
Job duties include:
Building foundations, Installing floor beams, Laying sub flooring, Reading blueprints, Measuring and cutting materials, etc.
Skill Requirements:
All levels of carpentry welcome to apply, Must be able to lift about 50lbs, Must have some knowledge of how to operate tools and power equipment, Must have some experience in the carpentry field, Must have English as a first or second language
Wage will depend on experience $31 - $65/hr
To apply:
Email the office at fortwoodreception@telus.net or drop of your resume at 2255 Quinn St S Contact info: Fortwood Homes 250-563-5291
to length $1050 per load delivered 250614-6667 BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $900. or bucked to length $1050 per load delivered 250614-6667
Wanted
BUYING OLD JEWELRY
Gold, Silver & costume jewelry! Charm bracelets, rings, chains, necklaces, pocket watch chains, watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, coins, all old jewelry WANTED, QUALITY, ESTATE, EVEN UGLY & BROKEN JEWELRY, ALL THE BITS AND PIECES YOU NO LONGER WANT! CALL OR TEXT Todd’s Coins 1-250-864-3521
CASH for all gold & silver! Bullion, coins, bars, jewelry, nuggets, dental gold, sterling, 9999 silver+. Also buying coin collections & old money. US, Canada & world collections WANTED. Todd 250-8643521. Frontier Traders 168 Front St, Quesnel, BC (250) 983-2294
Will purchase estate items; antler mounts, bear rugs, live mounts, antlers & hides. Will pay CASH
WANTED 999 BULLION bars & coins!ENGELHARD, JOHNSON MATTHEY, RCM, Maple leafs + All other mints. Also Buying old money, all gold & silver coins, coin collections. + BUYING all things made with gold or silver. Todd’s Coins 1-250-864-3521
PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE
1. A woman of refinement
7. Body part
10. One who imitates
12. Tropical Asian starlings
13. A type of delivery
14. W. Australian capital
15. Many wombs
16. Wings
17. Expression of amusement
18. Brews
1. Inspiration 2. Resembling wings 3. Form of Persian
Consumed
Extinct flightless bird of New Zealand
Sea eagle
Jaguarundis
Poker stake
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
South American nation
A colorless, odorless gas
Disturbance
Artist’s tool
19. Mild yellow Dutch cheese
21. Mild expression
22. Solitary
27. Distance to top
28. The rebirth of a soul in a new body
33. Police who investigate police (abbr.)
34. Begrudged
36. Popular sports league
37. Autonomous republic of Russia
17. Polish peninsula 18. Ottoman military leaders
20. Bird-like dinosaur 23. Drinking glass 24. Central Florida city 25. One’s mother 26. To do it is human 29. Atomic #10 30. Used to write 31. The branch of medicine concerned with the ear 32. Adversaries 35. Have already done
38. Double-headed drum
39. Type of light bulb 40. Czech River
41. Male servants (Span.) 44. Previously 45. Minor
48. Metrical foot
49. Days that follow Mondays
50. Small European viper 51. News shows have one
36. One of conspicuous wealth
38. It flies over sporting events
40. Geological times 41. Net
42. Musical phrase 43. Chadic dialect 44. Private Internet Access (abbr.)
45. Lizard genus 46. Woman of the church 47. Having ten
Ranch house with 9 acres
All Amenities Next to Eagle Point Golf (Kamloops) 985K Will carry mortgage View Realtor.ca
e-mail biffsbenson@yahoo.ca
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Section 17 of the Woodlot Planning and Practices Regulation, that a Woodlot Licence Plan has been prepared for Woodlot Licence #202 held by Davie Lake Logging Ltd. This Woodlot Licence is located east of Stone Creek, BC, south of Prince George. If approved by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, this plan may apply for a term of 10 years from the date of approval.
This Woodlot Licence Plan is available for public review and comment by from April 7, 2022 to May 24, 2022. Any written comments on the plan should be mailed to:
S. M. Forrest & Associates Ltd. , #100-466 2nd Avenue, Prince George, B.C., V2L 2Z7.
Please contact Scott Forrest, RPF, at 250-961-4880, or at sforrest@pgonline.com, to book an appointment to review and/or discuss the plan.
HOMES
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Update your bedroom with new linens
Doesyourbedroomneedanupgrade?Change the look of the room with new curtains and sheets.Here’showtochoosetheperfectnew linensforyourroom.
CURTAINS
Whenselectingcurtains,thinkaboutthelook you want in the room and then find a fabric thatcorresponds Linenandcottonblendsare more casual and cheerful, while silk and velvetarerefinedandregal
Next,thinkaboutthecolourandpatternyou’d like You can match your curtains to the colourofthewallandusepatternandtextureto makethemstandout.Alternatively,youcould hangamulti-colouredpatternandmakethem afocalpoint.
BEDDING
Youdon’tneedtomatchyourbeddingtoyour curtainsbuttheyshouldco-ordinate.Youcan pullacolourfromthepatternonyourcurtains oruseacontrastingcolour Ifyou’dliketouse
different patterns for your curtains and bedding,stayinthesamecolourpalette.
Whenbuyingyoursheets,investinhigh-quality,naturalfabrics.Egyptiancottonisclassic and comfortable, while silk feels luxurious and has the added bonus of being gentle on yourhairandskin.
Bychangingthelinensinyourbedroom,you’ll wakeupfeelinglikeyou’resomewherenew
How to get rid of clutter and organize your home
Atidyandorganizedhomecanfeellikearefuge attheendoftheday Ifyourhomehasbecome cluttered and disorganized, take the time to declutterandsortitout.
Going room by room, the first step is to get rid of anything you don’t need. It may seem overwhelming at first, but removing unwanted and unneeded things will be liberating.You may even find yourself throwing outmorethanyouoriginallyplanned.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start by getting rid of items that don’t get used and articlesyouhavemultiplesof.Donatethings that others can find a use for and throw out anything too damaged or heavily used to be donated.
Keep in mind that the amount of things in a home needs to correspond to the amount of storage available. People who live in small apartmentswillendupkeepingfewerthings thanthosewholiveinsingle-familyhomes.
Onceyouremovetheexcessitemsfromyour home, organize everything else using storage containers, baskets and boxes. Articles thatdon’thaveahomewillprobablyendup being piled on your table or kitchen counter Designate a place for everything in your home and make it a point to put belongings awayassoonasyou’redonewiththem.
FREE ESTIMATES
Five ways to get rid of indoor air pollution
3.Get some houseplants: notonlydoplants help filter the air in your home, they can alsoboostyourmood Peacelilies andrubberplantsmakegreatairpurifiersandare easytotakecareof.
make respiratoryissueslike asthmaworse Here are five strategies to help you breathe easier.
1.Keepyourfloorsclean:makesurepeople take their shoes off at the door and to vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This way, you’ll reduce allergensandharmfulchemicalsthatcanget intoyourhome.
2.Don’t let it get too humid: excess humidityattractsmould,dustmitesandotherallergens.Useadehumidifieroranairconditionertokeephumiditylevelslow.
4.Have your ducts cleaned: think of air ducts as the lungs of your home; all the air from your heating and cooling systems flow through them. If you can’t remember the last time you had them professionally cleaned,now’sthetime
5.Change your filters: your air conditioner, furnace, dryer and range hood all have filters that should be changed regularly to keepthemworkingefficientlyandtheairin yourhomeclean.
Thisspring,breatheasierbyaddingtheabove fiveitemstoyourspringcleaningto-dolist
Kaycie
Janine
Donna Badowski***
