Prince George Citizen September 29, 2022 by Prince George Citizen

THURSDAY, September 29, 2022

Masich mourned

“He was Tom. He was the man. That was my Dad.”

Bill Masich sat down with The Citizen last Wednesday to talk about his dad, Tom Masich, Prince George sports icon and Hall of Famer, who passed away peacefully on Sept 18 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease

He was 86

“If you came to the track, you knew who my dad was,” Bill said “And even I called him Tom at the track because that’s who he was – just Tom ”

It was like that at the track and it was like that for Bill on the job, too, like when they were on the same job, swinging a hammer along with his carpenter dad building the University of Northern BC

“He was always Tom,” Bill said. “And when we stepped away from all that stuff then he was Dad or Pops. He was just that guy He filled so many roles in so many ways and did them all so well and he could be all of those things at once ”

Tom was one of the funniest men Bill ever knew

“At home when I was a kid we’d get on these trails of witticisms with a theme,” Bill said. “Oh, you should leave that alone Why don’t you branch out? Stop it, you’re needling me. You’re barking

up the wrong tree – we would go for 10 minutes with continuous puns and one liners – back and forth – and we’re all quite good at it and it’s directly because of dad We had to be on our toes all the time.”

Bill said if you spent 10 minutes with Tom you knew what he was all about.

“He was honest and open and true,” Bill said. “He was deeply committed to

our community, his family, his friends and his extended family – they really meant a lot to him ”

As a coach, Tom was all about the little details that made a big impact He saw what could be minutely adjusted to offer big gains for athletes striving for excellence. Tweaking an athlete’s technique was Tom’s specialty

See DAD LEFT QUIETLY, page 4

Ted Keeping is glad he went home to Port aux Basques a month ago and wasn’t there this past weekend when Fiona reared her ugly head.

The 67-year-old Prince George resident spent the first 22 years of his life in the southwestern Newfoundland town which took a direct hit from the hurricane early Saturday morning Like the rest of the world, Keeping is having a hard time fathoming how destructive the storm was

“Of everybody I know and have talked to, nobody’s ever seen a storm like this one,” said Keeping “It’s in a cove, and that’s what did most of the damage was the water surge It’s a disaster The local boats, most of them got them out, but a lot didn’t and there’s nothing left of them, or they’re down the road somewhere

“My sister that lives there, she’s fine, she’s quite a ways from the water, but they were pretty scared about the windows blowing in,” he said “The worst thing that they were fearing was their picture window coming in Those houses on the shore that did survive, the windows were blown out of most of them ”

THEY ALL GOT WHACKED, page 5

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

Tom Masich, the founder of the Prince George Track and Field Club, is seen here in 2010 with a group of children he was coaching

2022 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING, ADVANCE VOTING AND MAIL BALLOT VOTING OPPORTUNITIES

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the electors of the City of Prince George that an election by voting is necessary to elect a Mayor and eight Councillors, and that the persons nominated as candidates and for whom votes will be received are:

MAYOR - One (1) to be elected

Surname Usual Name Municipality

HYATT Adam

MCCONNACHIE Terri

MITCHELL Lisa

STEWART Roy

WOOD Christopher S.

YU Simon

COUNCILLOR - Eight (8) to be elected

Prince George, BC

Surname Usual Name Municipality

BENNETT Tim

COOK Richard

FRIZZELL Garth

JEFFERY Doug

KLASSEN Trudy

MAHONEY Colleen

MANHAS Karm

MITCHELL Wesley

MUIR Karen

POLILLO Ron

RAMSAY Cori

SALIM Nour

SAMPSON Kyle

Prince George, BC

SCOTT Susan Prince George, BC

SERUP Paul

SKAKUN Brian

STEIDLE James

STERN Chris

STOLZ Cameron

ZUKOWSKI John

Prince George, BC

GENERAL VOTING DAY

GENERAL VOTING DAY will be open to qualiﬁed electors of the City of Prince George between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the following locations:

• Blackburn Elementary School 2222 Blackburn Road South, Prince George, BC

• College Heights Secondary School 6180 Domano Boulevard, Prince George, BC

• DP Todd Secondary School 4444 Hill Avenue, Prince George, BC

• Edgewood Elementary School 4440 Craig Road, Prince George, BC

• John McInnis Centre 3400 Westwood Drive, Prince George, BC

• Prince George Conference and Civic Centre 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC

• Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School 7405 Kelly Road, Prince George, BC

• Vanway Elementary School 4509 Highway 16 West, Prince George, BC

ADVANCE VOTING

ADVANCE VOTING will be available to qualiﬁed electors of the City of Prince George between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. as follows:

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, Room 201 - 203

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, Room 201 - 203

Tuesday, October 11, 2022 University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Room 7-170 (Bentley Centre)

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Boulevard S, Prince George, BC, Atrium

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

The registration of electors for this general local election will take place at the time of voting. You will be required to make a declaration that you meet the requirements to be registered as set out above.

Resident Electors

To register as a resident elector you must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen; and

• Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration, OR if an election is in progress, 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election; and

• Be a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months prior to the day of registration; and

• Be a resident of the City of Prince George on the day of registration; and

• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualiﬁed by law

Resident electors must produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one (1) with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary The identification must prove both identity and place of residence.

Non-Resident Property Electors

To register as a non-resident property elector you must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen; and

• Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration, OR if an election is in progress, 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election; and

• Be a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months prior to the day of registration; and

• Be a registered owner of real property in the City of Prince George for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration; and

• Not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and

• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualiﬁed by law

Non-resident property electors must produce two (2) pieces of identiﬁcation (at least one (1) with a signature) to prove identity, prove that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and if there is more than one (1) owner, written consent from a majority of the property owners to the one (1) owner voting.

The Application for Registration as a Non-Resident Property Elector and the Non-Resident Property Elector Consent Form may be obtained from the Legislative Services Division located on the Fifth Floor of City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, during regular ofﬁce hours, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or from the City of Prince George website www.princegeorge.ca/election. In addition, the forms will be available at all voting locations on Advance Voting days and General Voting Day

Examples of acceptable identiﬁcation include:

• BC Driver’s Licence**

• BC Identification Card**

• BC CareCard**

• Credit Card OR Debit Card

• Property Tax Notice

• Social Insurance Number Card

• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship

• Provincial Social Assistance Form SDES8

• Current Utility Bill – Containing Elector’s Name and Address

• Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License (issued by ICBC)

• Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Ofﬁcer (e.g. Canadian passport, Certiﬁcate of Indian Status card, etc.)

**Driver’s Licence and/or BC Identiﬁcation Cards with a BC Care Card on the reverse are only one (1) acceptable form of identiﬁcation.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting is available to all resident and non-resident property electors who are eligible to vote in the 2022 General Local Election.

Requesting a Mail Ballot Package

In order to receive a mail ballot, electors must complete a request form. This form may be obtained at City Hall from the Service Centre (First Floor) or Legislative Services Division (Fifth Floor), 1100 Patricia Boulevard, during regular ofﬁce hours, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., online from the City’s website: www.princegeorge.ca/election, by email to election@princegeorge.ca, or by phone at 3-1-1 (or 250-561-7600 if outside city limits). Request forms are also available at the Prince George Public Library: Bob Harkins Downtown Branch and Nechako Branch.

Requests for a mail ballot package must be received by 4:30 p.m. on October 13, 2022. Request forms may be submitted via the City’s website: www.princegeorge.ca/election, by mail (1100 Patricia Blvd., Prince George, BC V2L 3V9), delivered to the Legislative Services Division (Fifth Floor, City Hall, 1100 Patricia Blvd.), during regular ofﬁce hours, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., by fax to 250-561-0183, or by email to election@princegeorge.ca.

Mail Ballot packages will be available for pick up or mailed to applicants as soon as ballots are received, commencing on or about September 19, 2022. To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Ofﬁcer no later than 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

For more information, please contact Maureen Connelly, Chief Election Ofﬁcer at (250) 561-7793 or Joan Switzer, Deputy Chief Election Officer, at 250-561-7686.

Maureen Connelly Chief Election Ofﬁcer

CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS

WHAT:

City Council consideration of:

1. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9340, 2022”

Comments on the above noted Bylaw for Council Consideration may only be provided in writing. For details on how to provide written comments, refer to “How Can I Participate?”.

WHEN:

Monday, October 3, 2022

WHERE:

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

PROPOSAL:

1. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9340, 2022”

Applicant: L&M Engineering Ltd. on behalf of Prince George Global Logistics Park Inc., Inc. No. 0743999

Subject Property: 1595 Torpy Road and Lot A (Plan 11017) Boundary Road Lot 1, District Lot 748, Cariboo District, Plan 11713, Except Parts in Plans EPP6474 and EPP59528 and Lot A, District Lot 746, Cariboo District, Plan 11017, Except Plan EPP6475

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Bylaw No. 9340, 2022 proposes to rezone portions of the subject properties from AF: Agriculture and Forestry to M2: General Industrial and AG: Greenbelt, as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 9340, 2022.

The purpose of this application is to facilitate the expansion of Boundary Industrial Park, also known as Prince George Global Logistics Park, on the subject properties, or other uses, pursuant to the M2: General Industrial and AG: Greenbelt zoning designations.

In order to ensure consistency with the Airport Light Industrial Plan, the applicant will register a Section 219 Covenant prohibiting “wrecking yards” A covenant of this nature is already registered on the 1595 Torpy Road subject property and will similarly be registered on the Lot A (Plan 11017) Boundary Road subject property

In accordance with Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act, a public 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.

Location Map #1

1595 Torpy Road and Lot A (Plan 11017) Boundary Road

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Members of the public who believe their interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw are invited to provide written comments to Council.

Written comments received by the Corporate Ofﬁcer before 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 27, 2022 will be available on the published meeting agenda for Council’s review in advance of the meeting date. Written comments received after the noted deadline and before 12:00 p.m., Monday, October 3, 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 on the bottom of this Notice.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

A copy of the proposed Bylaw and related documents will be available for review by the public on the City’s website www.princegeorge.ca/PublicNotices beginning Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

These documents may also be reviewed at the Development Services ofﬁce on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on September 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and October 3, 2022 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

WHO CAN I SPEAK TO?

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

SUBSCRIBE TO STAY INFORMED

Subscribe to receive information and updates regarding upcoming public hearings, council and committee meetings, elections, media releases, and more by registering at www.princegeorge.ca/Subscribe.

‘Dad left quietly holding Mom’s

Continued from page 1

“My sister, Laura, was a very talented track athlete when she was a kid,” Bill said. “She was genetically gifted. She picked her parents really well She was very fast and she was very strong. She’s often told this story about Dad and it’s very poignant They were at the BC Junior Development Championships in 1979 She was 12 and for some kids that’s really a make or break year – if you’re going to continue you need to have some success Laura had some great success in track. It was the provincial championships in triple jump, she was in the lead by far. Her friend Britt from Kamloops was also

jumping but things weren’t quite clicking for Britt. Dad walked over to Britt’s coach and asked if he could speak to his athlete for a minute. Britt’s coach agreed. Dad went over and gave Britt two little tips of advice and my sister ended up with a silver medal and Britt ended up with the gold Dad did that because he recognized that she could do better So you help out where you can and you pass that information on. Was my sister upset in the moment? A little bit but she was really happy for her friend Britt who became provincial champion That was dad That was Tom. And he was like that all the time ”

hand’

Tom founded the Track & Field Club in 1973 and he grew the sport from there.

Massey Place Stadium, built in 1990, was renamed Masich Place Stadium in honour of Tom in 2005 to reflect the impact he had on the sport.

But Tom wasn’t just about track and field He was one of the founders of the Prince George Minor Basketball Association. He was the driving force behind it and there were other people who shared his vision and they all worked together to make it happen. The association is now almost 50 years old, Bill explained

We are so grateful for his energy and commitment to the community.

“And it’s been run with the same founding principles that were established when it was organized,” he said. “Don’t keep score Stop and explain things Give quality coaching and let kids develop That’s huge ”

Tom was one of the key organizers of the PG to Boston Marathon, which not only made a huge impact in the Prince George community but also was the catalyst for Terry Fox and Rick Hansen’s fundraising efforts that captured the hearts of Canadians across the nation

“Both Terry Fox and Rick Hansen came to run the marathon in 1979 and it left the

enduring legacy here but it didn’t stop there,” Bill said. “It kept going. Dad used to be a regular, helping out at the Terry Fox Runs and then he slowly started to transition out of that stuff It’s kind of fitting that myself and my wife and my oldest daughter, my niece and nephew, were doing the Terry Fox Run on Sunday when I got the phone call that Dad had passed It couldn’t have been more perfect It was a beautiful September day We were on part of the route where both Terry and Rick had competed in 1979 and my phone rang and I was at peace. It couldn’t have been better Dad left quietly holding Mom’s hand.”

“The Prince George Track & Field family is heartbroken to have lost its founder,” Elena Thomas, president of the Prince George Track & Field Club, said “But we are so grateful for his energy and commitment to the community and to the club Without him we wouldn’t have a Prince George Track & Field Club – we just finished our 50th season and he was an integral part of almost every season I’m very thankful for his leadership and encouraging words He was always so supportive of everybody. He will be deeply missed ”

Above, Tom Masich with granddaughter Sylvia Masich when Massey Place Stadium was renamed Masich Place Stadium in 2005. Left, Tom Masich, left, and Dick Voneugen in 2019 reminisced about how track and field grew in Prince George

Continued from page 1

“A buddy of mine lived for 40 years on that water and this one took him right out. There’s three or four feet of water in their house and it took out all the windows. It blew the basement right out of it, and half the house stayed there ”

Port aux Basques is built on mostly rock Because of the high winds that regularly buffet the town there are few trees, and the trees that do survive rarely exceed 12 or 14 feet. That helped the coastal towns in Newfoundland escape the widespread power-line damage caused by Fiona in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, where large trees were uprooted and fell on structures or utility lines

Keeping saw on social media the before and after photos that reveal what used to be a cove surrounded by lush green

vegetation suddenly turned into moonscape at Fox Roost, a town that faces the Cabot Strait, 14 km east of Port aux Basques.

“It was devastating,” said Keeping

In January 2020, the so-called Snowmageddon, brought winds of 134 km/hr and 90 centimetres of snow that buried St John’s, Nfld After seeing hurricane-like conditions twice this year, Keeping is convinced climate change is to blame for the damaging storms that have hit the east coast in recent years

“I honestly think it’s climate change, there’s too much water and that’s what happens when it gets blown around, it starts filling up the land,” he said

A 73-year-old woman died Saturday in Port aux Basques after her house was hit by a huge wave just as she went to the basement to check out the effects of an

earlier wave that rocked the house Keeping knows the woman she was with at the time but still doesn’t know the identity of the dead woman. Chances are he will recognize the name In Port aux Basques, a town of about 4,000, practically everybody knows everybody who lives there Ted’s cousin, Kevin Keeping, 68, moved from Port aux Basques to Prince George when he was 20 but the town is still home to six of his siblings They all live on higher ground and their homes were unscathed Port aux Basques residents are used to the wind and many have generators to prepare for times like these when the power goes out They’re using them to charge cell phones, the means of communication for most people with land lines still knocked out.

“They got lucky, everybody was OK, they were just expecting a regular storm

like they always get but I guess nobody thought it was going to be as bad as it was,” said Kevin Keeping

“They all got whacked pretty hard. They had no power, but they had everything else. Nobody got hurt. When I talked to my sister they still didn’t know quite yet how many houses got swept out to sea They have one video that shows a house that just blew apart. My niece’s neighbours’ house across the street was on the waterfront and when they got back the next morning their neighbours’ house and two sheds were sitting on the road ”

He last visited Newfoundland last summer and misses his family and friends there but not the extremes Mother Nature sometimes tosses its way

“That’s the worst storm in history,” he said “The only reason I left Newfoundland was because of the weather.”

Proliﬁc oﬀenders proposals a ‘letdown:’ MLA

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

A set of proposals to deal with repeat offenders has come up short, in the opinion of Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris.

“To me it was a total letdown,” Morris said last Thursday of the 28 recommendations presented this week in an executive summary produced by former Vancouver deputy police chief Doug LePard and Amanda Butler, a criminologist specializing in mental health and addiction

The two were hired in May to investigate how best to prevent the cycles of crime

Morris, the opposition BC Liberals’ public safety critic, said he was “looking for more immediate solutions,” such as providing enough support to allow prosecutors to be assigned to specific troublemakers.

That way, during bail hearings, they can “articulate the case to the judge to the point where the judge is seized with the information and they have no choice but to hold that individual in custody until he’s dealt with through the court system ”

Among the recommendations is one to launch a pilot program based out of the B C First Nations Justice Council’s Indigenous Justice Centre in Prince George to

stem criminal recidivism among Indigenous people.

In a submission to LePard and Butler in support of its proposal, the BCFNJC says the centre in Prince George is “especially significant” because the city “acts as a hub for many displaced and unhoused Indigenous people in British Columbia.”

In part, it asserts that data is lacking to determine what constitutes a “prolific offender” and that in some cases, the designation is based only on the number of files police have opened in a suspect’s name and not whether they have been charged or found guilty and convicted

In turn, that has justified “over-policing” of those people, the BCFNJC says, and goes on to claim “excessive monitoring, and notably electronic monitoring,” has prevented subjects from moving back to their home communities, “preventing them from accessing pro-social ties ”

Morris said he needs more “foundational information” before passing judgment on the proposal for a pilot program in general but took issue with the BCFNJC’s claims that the prevalence of prolific offenders appears to be inflated

Morris said the authors have “obviously forgot” that police are “basically responding only to 911 calls because they’re just worked off their feet” due to the mischief prolific offenders create He also dismissed as invalid the

concerns raised over electronic monitoring, saying the factors raised by the BCFNJC are taken into consideration when the court determines whether the step needs to be taken.

Morris said he would like to see more restorative justice programs in First Nations communities, “but there needs to be some parameters around that, what kind of infrastructure is in place to

provide that supervision ”

Morris expressed a degree of support for a recommendation to create “low secure units” for subjects with complex mental health and substance use needs and who present with a high risk of harm to others

Converting the underused Prince George Youth Centre to the use would be a good “short-term solution” while the government works on “building back our psychiatric treatment centres across the province,” he said

In releasing the recommendations, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the government will immediately begin to act on the report, starting with the resurrection of the prolific offenders management teams, which were scrapped by the B C Liberals in 2012 when a pilot program ended.

Made up of police, corrections officers, Crown prosecutors and social workers, the teams created personalized plans for offenders based on their particular needs and issues The results from the pilot program found the teams were effective. Although the teams were disbanded, Morris said a lot of the best practices from the program are “still practiced today.”

The full report from LePard and Butler will be released at a later date - with files from The Canadian Press

An Endako man has pleaded guilty to four sex-related charges, RCMP said.

Neil Leonard Litke, 62, remains in the community on strict conditions and will be sentenced at a later date.

The counts stem from an investigation that began in April 2021, when RCMP received a report that a female youth had disclosed to her family that she had been touched inappropriately

Litke was subsequently charged with

four counts of sexual assault and two counts of touching for a sexual purpose from alleged incidents involving eight reported victims and spanning form 1971 to 2021. Police are encouraging anyone else who may have been a victim, no matter how long ago, to contact Cst Carolyn Braun at Fraser Lake RCMP

There are support groups that assist victims of sexual assault, said Fraser Lake RCMP Sgt Jason Rumming

MIKE MORRIS

Karm Manhas

Something has to change downtown, according to Prince George city council candidate and downtown business owner Karm Manhas.

Manhas is the owner of Kaiten Mixed Martial Arts and said he and his fellow owners are dealing with crime, property damage and messes left by the city’s homeless and at-risk population on a daily basis.

“We just cannot go another four years like this,” Manhas said “I’m located right behind St Vincent du Paul It’s right on my front doorstep Being homeless doesn’t give you the right to do crime and do damage ”

Downtown business owners are spending thousands and thousands of dollars out of pocket to repair damage and

increase their security to try to protect their businesses, he said

“Cleaning up the poo – used condoms are bad – but feces, it’s bad,” Manhas said

Taking on the social issues downtown will be a tricky issue, and will require a united team effort by city council, he said In addition to taking on the issues facing downtown, increasing accountability and transparency is another top priority

People are losing faith in the democratic system he said, and he hopes he can be the the voice of the people “I’m going to be the critic,” he said.

James Steidle, the founder of Stop the Spray BC, an organization that advocates against herbicide spraying the wilderness to grow only conifers, is seeking election to Prince George city council.

Born and raised on a ranch south of Prince George, Steidle grew up and lives in Prince George, and also runs a woodworking company

“I’ve been shocked at the financial mismanagement and bad decisions these past few years and I don’t see any signs of this slowing down,” said Steidle “Between a $32 million parkade, the tearing down of the structurally sound Four Seasons Pool, the tearing down of recently renovated Simon Fraser Inn that could have provided low cost housing, we’ve seen tens of millions in

unnecessary expenditures, and we still have a hole in the ground and a housing crisis.”

Steidle also advocated against expansion plans currently part of the Official Community Plan which could see road development through Ginter’s Meadow.

Steidle says he wants to provide a choice to residents who value our greenspace, decent traffic, and who want to see development focus on downtown

“I see a lot candidates and incumbents trying to prove who can bulldoze the most greenspace as if Lower-Mainland high-end housing with no trees is a solution to the housing crisis.”

SUPER BINGO

OCTOBER 29TH, 2022 Saturday Evening Bingo at 6:00pm

KARM MANHAS

JAMES STEIDLE

Why does council meet in an election?

An interesting issue arose during last Wednesday night’s city council meeting

Two city councillors excused themselves from a vote because the matter involved someone who had donated to their re-election campaigns.

Which begs the question of why Prince George city council meets in the middle of an election. There is one more meeting scheduled for next Monday, Oct 3, before election day on Oct. 15.

The legislatures at the federal and provincial government levels do not continue to meet during their election periods In fact, they legally can’t meet, because the Queen’s – scratch that, now the King’s – representative in the form of the governor general in Ottawa or the lieutenant governor in Victoria ends the parliamentary session to allow an election to happen

There are obvious reasons to do this Politicians running for re-election while conducting government business are in clear conflict of interest peril if they are making decisions that involve campaign supporters, as Wednesday’s incident shows That conflict ends after the election because those politicians are safe in their seats and can’t be unduly influenced for the next four years, until the next election.

Furthermore, continuing to meet gives the incumbent candidates an extra advantage over the other candidates Those decisions they make give them the spotlight in the news media and show them working hard on behalf of the electorate Put another way, it’s free advertising.

Prince George city council might not have the legal authority under the Community Charter (city council and mayoral candidates, have you read the 292 parts of the job description for the job you’ve applied for?) to cancel or postpone meetings during an election

So, either the provincial government alters the rules or maybe future Prince George city council’s (2026, 2030 and so on) could agree to meet during the election for emergency business only.

No emergency? Great

Motion to adjourn.

It’s a small thing in the big scheme of things but lots of candidates are talking about transparency and accountability this time around

Here’s one more way to improve both.

Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appli financier du gouvernement du Canada.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

NO SOCIETY IS PERFECT

Regarding Gerry Chidiac: Royal thrones rest on crimes against humanity

All powerful societies (and some not so powerful) especially those with authoritarian governments throughout the world have done the same

This does not excuse Britain but it just happens to be one of the latest and most successful at it, and (despite its crimes) the nicest.

Slavery has been a worldwide institution throughout all history and in all cultures - European, Asian, African, pre-contact Americas, everywhere

The word comes from the “Slavs” of eastern Europe

Millions of them (all white) were captured and enslaved by Muslim

invaders in the ninth century and later by the Ottoman Turks.

Arabia enslaved more Africans than Europeans/Americans ever did Africans enslaved more Africans than Europeans, for their own purposes and also selling them to white slavers who took them to America

Britain was the first nation in the history of the world to abolish slavery in 1833

Not only that, it embarked on a campaign to eliminate it in the whole world, sending its navy to intercept slave ships and free the cargo

Two thousand British sailors lost their lives doing this They also had a program of buying slaves and freeing them

They borrowed a vast sum to finance this effort and it took them more than a century to pay it off. They got nothing in return

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As Britain withdrew from its empire, it left many benefits behind in its former colonies: modern commerce (tiny Singapore is now richer than Britain), education, roads, railroads and modern values.

One famous story from the Raj recalls Hindu priests complaining to a British officer that his soldiers wouldn’t let them burn a dead man’s widow on his funeral pyre, per local custom

“My nation also has a custom,” the Gen Charles James Napier answered. “When men burn women alive, we hang them, and confiscate all their property.”

It’s trendy these days to condemn anything coming from white societies, especially the more successful ones.

It would be much more honest of Gerry to seek out the whole truth.

Art Betke, Prince George

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I am more than my trauma

Tomorrow marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Also known as Orange Shirt Day, according to the federal government’s website, the holiday is meant to honour “the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities ”

It is a day set aside to remember the truth of the history of residential schools Another truth is that Indigenous peoples are more than just their trauma And, like other people, what we do is ultimately up to us and does not have to make sense to anyone else. This last part is important to remember when it comes to Indian residential schools and the churches that ran them because whether people like it or not, there are many Indigenous peoples who are Christians and that does not make them any less Indigenous

Today in Canada we are seeing a resurgence of Indigenous culture, language, and agency. More and more First Nations are not only escaping poverty, but also in more than one instance have become economic powerhouses, employing Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals alike And yet the focus seems to always fall on the poorest

GUEST COLUMNIST

DANIEL SIMS

communities, facing the most problems. Of course, there is a logic to that Publicity can help promote change, but it can also lead to a skewed view of Indigenous peoples in Canada today. And then of course there is the fact that as a species we like to gawk at disasters when they do not affect us When First Nations are just another vehicle on the highway of life we maintain speed, but when there is an accident many of us slow down and take a look

It may come as a surprise to some of you that as a discipline, Indigenous studies have increasingly called for people to abandon this deficit approach when it comes to studying Indigenous peoples In part this change is a result of more and more Indigenous peoples becoming scholars. Unlike non-Indigenous scholars, who do not necessarily have a connection to community, we are part of the community, and know that things are a complicated mix of good and bad rather than some black and white morality tale Indeed, when the scandal surrounding

Carrie Bourassa hit the news, one thing that struck me in talking to Indigenous colleagues from across Canada was that no one could remember Carrie ever saying anything positive about her life as an Indigenous person. It was all trauma and generally seemed intended to make people feel bad for her or themselves. This all-trauma approach is a common complaint made against Indigenous studies It is said we are a grievance studies program. Not helping the situation is that in the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission many well-meaning teachers decided to include content about Indian residential schools in their curriculum and nothing else Rather than ignoring this criticism though, it is actually the driving force behind the call to abandon the deficit approach when it comes to studying Indigenous peoples To put it bluntly, we already know about the problems facing Indigenous peoples in Canada The next step is to work with Indigenous peoples to fix these problems and very rarely is the solution just telling people about it. Or to reference my current research project, the question is not just why did numerous proposed economic developments fail in the Finlay-Parsnip watershed, but also

what did Kwadacha, McLeod Lake, and Tsay Keh Dene learn from it given their current involvement in the two industries that saw success: forestry and mining. Of course, even this statement should be qualified since as far as I know Finlay Forks never became the Trail of the North, with a smelter powered by a dam on the Black Canyon, connected to Fort St. James by the Turgeon Highway, and surrounded by numerous farms up and down the Finlay and Parsnip rivers.

September 30th is set aside to remember the past and is in many ways a success story from the TRC But it is important to remember that the TRC was just as much about truth as it was about reconciliation, and the latter is about making things better, which means dealing with trauma, past and present, in a positive way It also means recognizing that Indigenous peoples are more than just their trauma Success stories need to be recognized and celebrated even as the horrors of the past are acknowledged A failure to do so reduces Indigenous peoples to the ‘other’

Daniel Sims is the chair of the First Nations Studies department at UNBC and a member of the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation.

Shifting the blame doesn’t avoid accountability

Avery interesting video has gone viral where CNN’s Don Lemon asked a spokesperson for the British Crown about reparations for colonialism He queries as to why some people remain obscenely wealthy in Great Britain while the vast majority suffer financially

Instead of answering his question, Hilary Fordwich launches into a lecture about the abolition movement in Great Britain and the British sailors who died during the Blockade of Africa in the first half of the 19th century, trying to prevent other nations from transporting

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

enslaved human beings She also points out that there were additional players in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and if the British aristocracy is held accountable, these others should as well.

To me, it was quite reminiscent of the monologue of the German lawyer in the classic film Judgment at Nuremberg In

it, he defends his clients, men who were accused of war crimes during the Nazi era, by asking, “What about the rest of the world?” He correctly states that populations around the world embraced anti-Semitism, many people praised Hitler, and American industrialists even helped to build his empire All of this is true, but it clearly does not release his clients of their guilt

Perhaps the issue is that we no longer understand the difference between accountability and blame shifting

If I did something wrong, it doesn’t matter what anyone else did, I am

responsible for my own actions. There is also something deeply liberating in embracing the truth of our failures and making reparations

Seeking truth is not a competition Hilary Fordwich was correct in stating that extraordinary people in Great Britain led the way in the global abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Don Lemon was correct as well

Sincere and serious discussion of reparations by the Royal Family and the British aristocracy needs to be on the table.

Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George writer

Home prices have risen much faster than inﬂation

Istarted working in 1972 for the lordly wage of $1 15 per hour That was the minimum wage back then but it certainly doesn’t seem like a lot of money now. After all, you can’t buy a cup of coffee for that price any more

At the time it was a suitable minimum wage for someone in high school A gallon of gas – 4 5 litres – was 50 cents or 11 cents per litre

I could fill the tank for five bucks or about five hours of work. A litre of gas represented 1/10th of my hourly wage

Up until a few months ago, the price of a litre of gas in Prince George was less than 1/10th of the hourly minimum wage. It is only over the past six months that

the prices have skyrocketed and reached the levels found in other countries For example, during my year in New Zealand, I was paying a $1 70 per litre and that was pre-pandemic when gas prices here were about $1 20 per litre Of course, in New Zealand, you really don’t have long distance drives

The cost of other necessities has mostly tracked wages

Looking at old grocery flyers from the 70s, you can find three quarts of milk for 35 cents or about 10 cents per litre. Again, that is about one tenth of minimum wage at the time and, on that basis, milk should now cost about $1 50 per litre

However, wages and prices have not tracked for everything

The housing market is the prime example

My parents bought their house in Vancouver in 1961 for $15,000 which was the equivalent of three years salary for my father.

You can’t find a livable house now in Vancouver for three times a middle-class earner’s salary

The median after-tax income for Canadian families was $66,800 in 2020 according to Statistics Canada.

What sort of house could you afford for three times that salary - for just $200,000?

Inflation in housing started in the 1980s and successive governments – both Liberal and Conservative – have done nothing to address the problem

So, when Pierre Poilievre tries to lay the blame on the Liberals for unaffordable prices, remember his party didn’t solve the problem either when they’ve been in power

Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC

CANDIDATE ISSUES

Recently, there have been some politicians in Canada getting yelled at, having gravel thrown at them and being insulted People in the media and other politicians are concerned as this may negatively influence “good” people from running for political office I certainly don’t think that all politicians are bad people. However, the media gives the electorate a lot of “newsworthy” incidents of politicians making bad choices

Prince George has an upcoming election I see three politicians from the previous SD57 Board of Trustees running again for political office They were on the same school board that was deemed to be a dysfunctional school board by the Ministry of Education Those three were part of a board that needed to pay $75,000 to the Ministry of Education for special advisors to help them become a functional school board Those are dollars that could have been used for student’s education.

There is a politician running for city councillor, Cameron Stoltz, who was on the council from 2008- 2014 During one of his terms, he was the head of the finance and audit committee and at the same time he wasn’t paying his property taxes. Politicians should be held accountable That is why we have elections I certainly want elected officials making good

choices in my municipal, provincial and federal government. Jim Elson, Prince George

• • •

A lot of candidates in the current election are using what I consider a politically safe word “collaboration” in this election when talking about the human crisis happening on our streets in Prince George Such a life-and-death crisis deserves leadership on the local level that actually provides humane solutions to problems instead of making the problems worse like our current council has done through their policy decisions

Access to a toilet, clean drinking water, a shower and a garbage dumpster at encampments are all small things the city could do that would make a big difference to those struggling to get their life straightened out. Yet most candidates in this election seem to be fearful of losing votes to people living near the Moccasin Flats encampment along with some business owners and voters who still think addiction should be handled by the police and bylaw officers. So instead of doing the humane thing of legitimizing centralized locations for temporary encampments until housing is found, candidates continue to dance around the issue like our current council and most likely will keep dancing around the issue for their entire term, solving nothing

In order to truly collaborate with other levels of government, our city council has to be seen as credible and willing to take a leadership role in actually helping people living on the streets Why would the province or federal government want to work with the city when they have spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on legal costs attempting to evict people from encampments?

Or violating court orders that upheld the right of these encampments to exist by bulldozing tents and belongings and then denying they did anything wrong until evidence to the contrary was raised?

Or through the continued support of the so-called Safe Streets Bylaw that fines people for being homeless or addicted to drugs that has not been enforced but used as a justification to hire more bylaw officers to sit in their vehicles at Moccasin Flats and intimidate residents there through surveillance as noted by the federal housing advocate Marie-Josee Houle on her visit last month?

Or the fact that council in July 2022 rejected a motion to bring other levels of government together to discuss the current crisis yet funded an office space complete with a staff member to allow for more collaboration not too long ago?

Council didn’t even bother to meet with the federal housing advocate when she was in town either

In the same July 2022 meeting, some councillors didn’t want to pay for dumpsters and porta potties, suggesting that was not a city responsibility and staff was overstretched yet they didn’t mind spending just under $2 million of grant money meant to help people living on the streets on another office (transfer station) and more RCMP patrols and security at civic arenas.

It is disgusting that they will squander so much grant money on expensive office spaces and law enforcement and completely ignore the basic needs of the unhoused who have nowhere to go For the provincial and federal government, staying as far away from the Prince George city council and not trusting them with a dime of grant money intended to help people living on the streets would be the wisest move they could make until a future council can demonstrate some level of competency on this file.

So, to city council candidates who actually care about the human crisis on our streets, if you can’t tell voters you would be willing to support providing the basic necessities to these encampments and repealing the Safe Streets Bylaw, your collaboration claims are as hollow as the promises made by candidates who are suggesting more policing will fix our problems downtown Richard Parks, Prince George

Prince George Votes

Prince George City Council Election Forum

1st • 1PM

Craig Brennan

Former teacher and principal Craig Brennan is running as a trustee on the School District No. 57 board.

“As evidenced by the 2021 Special Advisors Report, it is clear that School District No. 57 needs real change. I have the experience, vision, and commitment to be a partner in this change, with the goal of ensuring a high-quality education for every student,” said Brennan.

Brennan has 40 years experience as a teacher and principal in SD57 and says he has demonstrated competence and in-depth knowledge of the district.

During his career, he worked as an educator in Mackenzie, McLeod Lake and Prince George and has experience with school closures, school amalgamations, dual schools, choice schools, inner-city schools, rural schools, neighbourhood schools, and alternate schools

He said these experiences helped to shape his understanding of the breadth of different needs across SD57

“I have a unique historic and institutional understanding: I know where we have been, I have seen how we got here, I know where we need to go, and I am more than prepared to help get there.”

Brennan said the most important issue facing SD57 is getting teachers, educational assistants and other staff the resources and supports they require to meet the needs of every student

“Each school trustee brings their unique perspective to the table, but only the board holds the ability to enact change,” said Brennan

Milton Mahoney

Milton Mahoney, who won a seat as a trustee on the School District No. 57 (SD57) board during the January by-election, is running again.

He said after he was elected in January 2022 during the by-election he found out “just how terribly the local school district is functioning ”

Mahoney says he is running again to ensure a better and brighter future for all the students and staff and asserts he has the skills and knowledge to make change

He is a Red Seal tradesman with an instructor’s certificate with over 60 years in the workforce where he held positions in unions from president to legislative representative

“What happened are senior administrators and board members treated the district like their own personal empire for political advancement or superfluous

MILTON MAHONEY

recognition in the community,” said Mahoney “Also focusing only on one interest group, not the whole student body as elected to do or hired to do.”

Mahoney said during his time as a trustee he has observed and has been told of incidents of bullying, harassment and general intimidation within the system

“I can relate since they can’t fire me, they have been trying to silence me since I was elected but I won’t turn my back on the students and staff or parents,” he said

He said teachers, students, parents and unionized employees must have a larger voice as they are entitled to a safe learning and working environment

Damon Robinson

As an advocate for youth and post-secondary students, Damon Robinson has decided to run as a trustee for the School District No. 57 (SD57) board.

Robinson is the membership outreach coordinator for the College of New Caledonia student union and said his recent experiences advocating for youth across the province inspired him to run

“I have met with students across the province fighting for improvements, and they have shared their experiences with me I realised in these conversations that the issues I had during my time have not changed, and these issues were across many districts,” said Robinson “With my experience in lobbying and as an activist, I found belief in myself being a new voice for our community. We need diverse perspectives, and I fit that type of role ”

Cathy Fortin

Cathy Fortin has decided to run for a position as a trustee on School District No. 57’s (SD57) board as a new challenge to celebrate turning 70 years old.

“I haven’t a clue what I am doing This is so out of my realm it is daunting. But that is what challenges are all about, getting out of a person’s comfort zone,” she said.

She worked as a weather observer in Mackenzie from 1974-86 and as a forest tech from 1989-93, and then in the forest resource training program from 1994-97.

She has also been driving taxis sporadically since 1986, the year she moved to Prince George

“I know this city, physically, better than I know the back of my hand,” said Fortin

“I have been involved with a number of organizations over the years including Toastmasters, the Meals on Wheels program, and a forest advisory committee

we had for a few years established to mitigate forest fire issues within the city limits and Theatre Northwest to name a few.”

She said she knows a lot of people in the city from many different backgrounds and on many different levels and is good at connecting people of similar interests and concerns.

“I have no idea what the most important issues are for SD57. With my teaching and supervising experience, my focus will be on the students,” said Fortin “I connect well and enjoy children and young adults I have lost touch with them and look forward to meeting students and learning what makes them tick these days ”

Erica McLean

After years of working as an Indigenous education worker and community school coordinator, Erica McLean is now running for a seat on School District No. 57’s board of trustees.

“I was inspired to run for a trustee position after many conversations with fellow community members,” said McLean “What I gathered, and affirmed my own observations, from many of those conversations is: people care greatly about the well-being and education of our children and our school district is in a challenging position right now It is struggling ”

McLean said she’s spent many years in her profession connecting dots to spark collaboration and intends to do exactly that as a trustee

“To connect conversations in order to strengthen collaboration so we can move forward with people on the front lines

Robinson has been an advocate for students in post-secondary education since 2018 and has been heavily involved with the student union and provincial federation

“I have seen success in pushing for change, one being the implementation of the BC Access Grant, which gave students who come from families with financial stress up to $2,000 and the opportunity to achieve their goals in life,” said Robinson “Change is possible, and we shouldn’t be afraid to speak up as a community for more from our government. I believe my experience as an advocate for those in need will play a significant role in my work as a school trustee ”

who are empowered to go to work each day because they have the tools they need ” McLean worked in SD57 from 2012 to 2022 as an Indigenous education worker and community school coordinator, working in over 30 elementary and secondary schools.

She graduated from UNBC in an undergraduate and graduate program

McLean grew up on the Gitxsan First Nation, several hundred kilometres west of Prince George

“I am an Indigenous person who grew up on a reserve As a teenager, I was a bit lost on my journey, at times I now have the benefit of hindsight as a product of education,” said McLean

Mike Rositano

Mike Rositano, a volunteer football coach, said he was inspired to run as a trustee for the School District No. 57 board of trustees because he wants the focus of the board to be children and teachers, not politics.

“Schools should be apolitical All points of view should be considered and respected Diversity should be embraced and recognized as a strength Schools should be inclusive,” said Rositano

He has been a football coach for 33 years and has sat on the board of the former Prince George Minor Football Association. He was also the northern representative for BC High School Football for eight years.

Rositano also works for Canfor Pulp and has been in the union for 21 years, where he was elected to the positions of

executive as treasurer, corresponding secretary and deputy chief shop steward for the PPWC Local 9

“Schools should be student-centred Programs should adapt to individual students’ needs, not students having to adapt to programs Retention improves when student needs are met Retention improves when students can follow their dreams, whether in academics, the trades, arts or in sports,” said Rositano.

“Students need to know they are valued by providing them with the resources to follow those dreams Teachers need support in having a healthy and safe environment to work in ”

CRAIG BRENNAN

CATHY FORTIN

ERICA MCLEAN

DAMON ROBINSON

MIKE ROSITANO

Shallow blast at gravel quarry source of big noise

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

In the 14 years Joanne Maloney has lived in the area, she’s never heard anything like it.

In the early afternoon of Sept 8, she heard an exceptionally loud explosion from across the Nechako River

“My house shook, I was scared, my dogs ran,” said the resident of Evergreen Mobile Home Park on the north side of the river

It turned out the noise came from a blasting operation at a gravel quarry on Sandberg Road, owned by PG Rock and Gravel Ltd

The event caused a stir on social media, operations manager Todd Carlton acknowledged In the aftermath, the company’s secretary took to the Hart Community Facebook page to apologize

and explain what had happened

Carlton attributed the louder-than-usual explosion to a bout of “shallow blasting” to make an area more accessible.

“The holes weren’t very deep so the sound wasn’t absorbed by the mass of rock,” Carlton said

He said activity at the site, which employs eight people, has been more frequent since it came under new ownership roughly four years ago and noted the plan for the operation includes keeping a certain amount of berm in place to hide the site and reduce the sound from the explosions

The above-ground blasting will continue for the next year and a bit due to the nature of the rock face but then give way to quieter below-surface blasting within two years, Carlton said

“And over the next five years, it’s going to get reduced again because we’re going

to be still below surface and there’s going to be a seven-metre berm around the thing so you can’t even see it or hear it You might see a puff of dust, and that’ll be it,” Carlton said

However, he also warned that there could be days with the work is exceptionally loud, such as when the city is under a high-pressure weather system which tends to carry sound waves further.

“We’ve been trying to actually reduce the size of the blasts over time to keep that sort of thing at bay, but sometimes it’s not feasible to do tiny blasts,” Carlton said

For the time being, Carlton said notices will be posted on the Hart Community Facebook page, but they will subside as the work progresses, partly out of concern that the notices could prompt some to make the journey out to the site to see the blast and create a safety problem in

Last week’s earthquake minor

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Prince George was shaken by an earthquake at 3:07 p m last Wednesday Earthquakes Canada reported a 3 4

magnitude earthquake occurred 32 kilometres southwest of Prince George, at a depth of five kilometres.

A map, produced by Earthquakes Canada, shows the quake happened in the area of Baldy Hughes

the process

Giving the public advanced notice is actually above and beyond what the operation is required to do under its permit. It need go no further than giving 48 hours advanced notice to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. Prince George RCMP are also notified and as a courtesy, so are the operation’s immediate neighbours, Carlton said

“There is no regulatory requirement for public notification,” ministry communications manager Glen Plummer confirmed in an email

He said the ministry did not receive any complaints about the Sept 8 blast

The public may report any incidents or concerns about mines, including aggregate operations, by calling the ministry’s complaint line at 833-978-9798 or emailing mines inquiries@gov bc ca

Under the Richter Scale, a 3.4 magnitude quake is classed as a minor earthquake - one which is often felt by people, but rarely causes any damage

Livestreamed data from an Earthquakes

Canada seismic monitoring station in Fort St James showed activity about the same time as residents from the across the city reported feeling the ground shake The Fort St. James monitoring station is the closest station to Prince George which reports live data on Earthquakes Canada’s website

Several earthquakes have been reported across northern B C recently

A 3.2 magnitude quake was reported 130 km northwest of Fort St John at 2:53 a.m and a 1.9 magnitude quake was reported 53 km west of Queen Charlotte Village at 1:39 a.m. last Wednesday.

Ten other small earthquakes, ranging in magnitude from 1 4 to 2 5, were also reported near Fort St John, Queen Charlotte Village Masset and Bella Bella last week

Earthquake seismologist Taimi Mulder, with Natural Resources Canada, said the quakes being felt across northern B.C. are linked to the interaction of oceanic tectonic plates, including the Juan de Fuca and Pacific Plates, as they are driven under the Northern American Plate The collision is essentially “crumpling the edge of North America,” she explained

“It’s unusual for today, but not unusual in the bigger picture,” Mulder said “Most are quite small, and people never feel them ”

Every 10 to 20 years there tends to be a somewhat larger earthquake in the Prince George area, she added. The last bigger quake in Prince George was a 5 4 magnitude quake in 1986, she said.

Wednesday’s earthquake was fairly shallow, at five kilometres below the surface, and fairly close to the city, Mulder said, which may explain why the shaking was noticed by so many people

“It was reported by quite a few people in Prince George,” she said

NOTICEOFVOTING

PROPOSED MIWORTH COMMUNITYFACILITIES SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT

THIS NOTICE replaces and supercedes the earlier Notice of Voting which included an error in the synopsis of the Miworth Community Facilities Service Establishment Bylaw No 3271, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the electors of the proposed Miworth Community Facilities Service Establishment that a vote will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 on the following question:

“Are you in favour of Miworth Community Facilities Service Establishment Bylaw No 3271, 2022 which proposes to authorize the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George to:

• establish the Miworth Community Facilities Service within the participating area of Electoral Area C shown on Appendix “A” attached to Bylaw No 3271; and

• set a maximum annual tax requisition limit amount as the greater of $35,000 (Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars) or the product obtained by applying a property value tax rate of $ 00029 against the net taxable value of land and improvements within the service area

The above is a synopsis of Bylaw No 3271 and is not intended as an ofﬁcial interpretation of the bylaw The full bylaw may be inspected at the Regional District ofﬁce, 155 George Street, Prince George, B C between 8:30 a m to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:00 p m , Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays and on the Regional District website www rdffg bc ca

GENERAL VOTING DAY

General Voting Day will be open to qualiﬁed electors between the hours of 8:00 a m and 8:00 p m on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at the following location:

• Miworth Community Hall, 13510 Flint Rd, Prince George, BC

ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITY

An advance voting opportunity for qualiﬁed electors will be between the hours of 8:00 a m and 8:00 p m on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the following location:

• Miworth Community Hall, 13510 Flint Rd, Prince George, BC

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail Ballot Voting is available to qualiﬁed resident and non-resident electors If you receive a mail ballot you are not able to vote in person

Applications for mail ballots are available online at www rdffg bc ca, in person or by contacting the Chief Election Ofﬁcer at (250) 960-4400 or by email at election@rdffg bc ca

Applications for mail ballots in the prescribed form will be received by the Chief Election Ofﬁcer from 9:00 a m , September 20, 2022 until 5:00 p m on Friday, October 7, 2022

It is the responsibility of the person applying to vote by mail ballot, to ensure that the mail ballot application is received by this date and time

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

To register as an elector, a person must meet the following qualiﬁcations:

• 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day (October 15, 2022);

• Canadian Citizen;

• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months at the time of registration;

• resident of the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately preceding voting day; and

• not otherwise disqualified by law from voting

Elector registration will be done at the time of voting There is no advance registration for voting purposes.

SCRUTINEERS

Applications to volunteer to act as scrutineer for voting will be received by the Chief Election Ofﬁcer starting at 8:45 a m on Friday, September 23, 2022, and ending at 5:00 p m on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George Ofﬁce 155 George Street, Prince George, BC

Only those persons who will qualify as electors for the above voting are entitled to be considered for the position of scrutineer One scrutineer in favour of the above voting question and one scrutineer opposed to the question will be appointed for each voting location if there are sufﬁcient applications In the event there are more applications received than there are positions to be ﬁlled, the scrutineer appointments will be determined by lot in accordance with the Local Government Act

An application form and further information concerning the application process and the responsibilities of scrutineers may be obtained by contacting the Chief Election Ofﬁcer or Deputy Chief Election Ofﬁcer for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, or by visiting www rdffg bc ca

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTOR REGISTRATION

To register as a non-resident property elector, a person must meet the following qualiﬁcations:

• not eligible to register as resident elector;

• 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day (October 15, 2022);

• Canadian Citizen;

• resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before day of registration;

• registered owner of the real property within the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before day of registration;

• an individual not holding the property in trust for a corporation or any other trust; and

• not disqualified by law from voting

Non-Resident Property Electors may not vote more than once within a voting jurisdiction regardless of the number of properties owned

If more than one person owns the property, the person wishing to cast the vote for that property must provide, at the time of registration, written consent from a majority of the property owners

Non-Resident Property Elector registration will be done at time of voting

Further information concerning the Non-Resident Property Elector Registration may be obtained by contacting the Chief Election Ofﬁcer or Deputy Chief Election Ofﬁcer for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, or by visiting www rdffg bc ca

VOTER IDENTIFICATION

Resident electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identiﬁcation (at least one with a signature) Picture identiﬁcation is not necessary The documentation must prove both residency and identity

Non-resident property electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identiﬁcation (at least one with a signature) to prove identity (picture identiﬁcation is not necessary), proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners

Classes of documents that will be accepted as evidence of identiﬁcation are: a British Columbia Driver’s Licence, a BCID card – photo or non-photo, an ICBC Owners Certiﬁcate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence, a British Columbia Care Card or Gold Care Card, a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8 (now Monthly Form EA181), a Social Insurance Card, a Citizenship Card, a Real Property Tax Notice, a Credit Card, Debit Card, or a Utility Bill

K Jensen

Chief Election Ofﬁcer

Phone: 250-960-4400

Email: election@rdffg bc ca

Grants help support sexual assault survivors

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

The Prince George Sexual Assault Centre is one of the service providers contributing to the development of a provincial action plan to help end gender-based violence, support survivors, and promote healing, community awareness, and prevention.

“We are committed to working with community-based service providers to ensure that survivors have the supports and services they need when they come forward,” said Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.

The government provided $20 million in 2020 and 2021 to support the delivery of co-ordinated, community-based emergency sexual-assault response services throughout B C and will now be providing stable, ongoing annual funding

The Prince George Sexual Assault Centre, along with the Elizabeth Fry Society, received grants to enhance services for survivors in the northern region, including around-the-clock emergency sexual-assault response, emotional and shortterm crisis support, accompaniment to hospital, and safety planning

“This funding comes at a unique time in our history, as we have seen a dramatic surge in requests for support that are directly related to the increased rates of violence due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lynnell Halikowski, Prince George Sexual Assault Centre executive director.

“This increase has resulted in our agency responding to over 10,000 calls for service

in 2021-22 With increased support we can maintain our ability to provide comprehensive care regarding sexual violence and deliver public education, advocating for societal change that creates a culture free from sexual violence.”

Through the grant program, funding was also provided to the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia, and Carrier Sekani Family Services to enhance supports for Indigenous survivors in the region.

Building on $20 million previously provided, the province has committed $10

million annually in stable, ongoing annual funding for sexual assault services, which will be awarded over the coming months using an open procurement process, with funding starting in April 2023

In addition, the B.C. government provides more than $44 million annually to support more than 400 victim service and violence-against-women programs

Funding for sexual assault services is part of a multi-year action plan to help end gender-based violence that is being developed by the Ministry of Finance’s Gender Equity Office and the Ministry of

Public Safety and Solicitor General

If you or someone you know needs help VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.

Sexual abuse victim urges others to pursue cases

A Prince George woman who recently brought her perpetrator to justice more than four decades after she endured years of sexual abuse at his hands has some advice for others in the same situation but have yet to step forward.

“The first step, before you even proceed to charges, is to get yourself into counselling, to get to the head space where you can handle the outcome either way,” she said.

In her case, that outcome was three years in prison for the man whose name is shielded by a court-ordered publication ban that could identify the victim. He was also added to the national sexual offender registry for 20 years It means he must stay away from schools, playground, day cares and other spots where children tend to congregate for that period once his time in prison is over

“My goal is that he be a registered sex offender and that he never be allowed around children again...and if he goes to jail - bonus,” she said

In settling on three years, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ron Tindale read out

disturbing details from an agreed statement of facts about sexually-related abuse that began in the early 1970s, when she was seven years old and he was 22 and spanned seven years He was married to an aunt and whenever she stayed over at their home, he would prey on her

“My way to deal with the abuse was to pretend I was sleeping,” she said “I wouldn’t open my eyes, I wouldn’t respond, I would try to put myself in a position where it was hard for him. I was usually sleeping on a couch, so I would turn my face and body to the back of the couch and curl up in a ball to try and make it more difficult.”

There was a time when she couldn’t fall asleep until three or four o’clock in the morning and was turning into a “basket case” due to the lack of sleep

“It took my counsellor just a few minutes to figure it out,” she said “The majority of my sexual abuse occurred between midnight and 3 a m when he got home from work and so I couldn’t fall asleep until the time had come and gone

“Once I knew that and once I could sit there and go ‘I’m not a little girl anymore, he doesn’t even know where I live and he’s not coming,’ I could sleep again ”

It was not until 2016 that she went to police A combination of fear, embarrassment and doubt prevented her from taking that step any sooner.

The turning point came when her aunt died and he remarried. When she saw a picture of him on social media with his new wife and a six-year-old granddaughter, “I felt sick because nobody knew what he was and my silence was giving him another victim ”

She filed a complaint with the Prince George RCMP and the wheels were set in motion. Her case was assigned to an officer who worked on historic sex crimes and a team of investigators was flown up from Vancouver She spent the better part of a day with them going over everything and driving out to the homes around Prince George where the incidents occurred

As worthwhile as the result may have been, it wasn’t easy She worked to recall dates, times, locations and other details, like what they were wearing at the time, over and over again and to new and different people “because they need to verify everything ”

“I have to say, their sex crimes workers are phenomenal They are so

compassionate and understanding and try to make a very difficult process as easy as possible,” she said

Patience also proved to be a virtue. For two years, she did not hear from anyone and worried Crown counsel had decided not to pursue the matter

In 2020, charges were finally approved but by then the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, further slowing a grinding process.

There was also the matter of tracking down the accused, who had moved to another province and was not cooperating on such matters as leaving a forwarding address

But he was eventually found and the matter went before the court The case against him was helped by the fact that he had effectively confessed his actions when he was confronted by the woman and her mother some years ago

While the trial was scheduled to last five days, it ended after one when he agreed to plead guilty to all but the worst of the charges - a count of rape. The woman agreed to the deal in part because if she had not, her mother would have had to testify

All things considered, she is satisfied with the outcome

Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA and parliamentary secretary for gender equity Grace Lore, second from right, visited the Prince George Sexual Assault Centre

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

Indigenous advocate to receive UNBC honorary degree

Warner Adam, a tireless advocate for Indigenous children and families, is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia during a special ceremony at the Prince George campus on Oct. 21.

Adam is a member of the Lake Babine Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of Carrier Sekani Family Services Under his guidance, Carrier Sekani Family Services has become a leader in its field across Canada.

“I am deeply grateful to be selected for this honorary degree and must acknowledge that I owe this privilege to all the Elders that guided me in setting the stage to re-build our Nations and communities This work can be challenging but our collective efforts have created space for cultural understanding and shared knowledge,” Adam says “These ways, reinterpreting modern innovations while being informed by the wisdoms and learned practices of Elders, outline the best way in forging ahead with reconciliation and improving the lives of our people and all of society ”

Adam’s connections to UNBC include collaborations with UNBC researchers, including Dr Sarah de Leeuw, Dr Margo Greenwood, Dr. Sean Maurice and Dr. Travis Holyk on studies related to health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people as well as reshaping the politics of health care

“I would also like to acknowledge the good and important work in highlighting Indigenous excellence that the scholars, academics, and leaders at UNBC are dedicated to supporting,” Adam says. “In addition to a commitment to reconciliation, UNBC has also positioned itself as an institution that welcomes Indigenous students, supports their individual needs and celebrates their achievements ”

Adam is an executive producer, along with 2012 UNBC honorary degree recipient Dr. Cindy Blackstock, of the 2021 film For Love It documents the atrocities committed by the Canadian child welfare system against Indigenous children and families, what is happening now, and how Indigenous communities are reclaiming jurisdictional control of child welfare services

In addition to his work at Carrier Sekani Family Services, Adam is the founding president of the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, has served as the deputy chair for the First Nations Health Council and has served on numerous community boards as well as federal, provincial and First Nations committees. He has also served on the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council executive board, the Lake Babine Nation Council and at treaty tables Adam holds a certificate of Administration of Aboriginal Governments from the University of Victoria, a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and a certificate in Indigenous Governance from the University of Arizona

The honorary degrees will be presented as part of a day of celebration on Oct 21, which will also include a special in-person celebration for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 as well as the formal installation of UNBC Chancellor Elder Darlene McIntosh and President and Vice-Chancellor Dr Geoff Payne

Executive producer Warner Adam, left, stands with cowriters Mary Teegee and director Matt Smiley at the For Love premiere in Prince George

UNBC to pay tribute to Indigenous artist

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) will be handing out an honorary degree at a special ceremony next month.

Ron Sebastian, an acclaimed northwest coast Indigenous artist with a profound and longstanding connection to the UNBC, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university on Oct. 21.

Sebastian’s artwork is ubiquitous at UNBC’s Prince George campus, from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s ceremonial chairs as well as the Talking Stick that adorn the stage at Convocation, to the intricately carved and painted Senate doors, to the carved Raven on permanent display in the Rotunda Gallery

Sebastian has also contributed to the design of UNBC’s Coat of Arms and he has donated several other pieces of impressive artwork

“I am honoured to be a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from UNBC,” said Sebastian. “I am proud of the important relationship I continue to hold with this institution.”

Sebastian is from the community of Hagwilget, B.C., and is of Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en ancestry

He holds the hereditary name, Gwin Butsxw (Likes-to-be-Packed) Sebastian is from the House of Spookw in the Lak Gibuu (Wolf) Clan

Financial aid lacking, seniors advocate says

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

The Office of the Seniors Advocate recently released BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind, a review of the financial challenges facing B.C. seniors.

The report highlights the impact of rising costs on B.C. seniors who depend on government pensions and ranks B C as the lowest in its financial support for seniors, compared to other provinces

“Seniors I speak with tell me their pension incomes are not keeping up with rising costs and they are paying too much for rent, groceries, dental care, home care, house repairs and other essentials,”

BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie said. “Currently 45 per cent of seniors in British Columbia are living on less than minimum wage and 25 per cent of seniors are living on less than $21,000 a year These are the lowest incomes we find by a wide margin and it speaks to the significance of the financial hardship seniors are experiencing.”

The report also notes minimum wage has increased 40 per cent in the past five years while pension incomes have only risen 14 per cent during the same period.

The report also highlights that most

seniors do not have a private benefits plan and must pay out-of-pocket for the total cost of dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, walkers, wheelchairs, and any other necessary medical equipment because the provincial government does not fund them.

The report outlines the challenges with a number of government subsidies including the BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) and the Seniors Subsidized Housing (SSH) programs that offer some assistance to nearly 30 per cent of seniors who rent The report includes the results of a province wide survey of low-income seniors and a province-wide consultation with over 80 community agencies who work with seniors

Highlights include:

• The 2019 median income for B C seniors was $30,750 a year, compared to $51,170 for the prime working age population and 25 per cent of seniors earn an income less than $21,000

• 90 per cent of seniors receive pension income from Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and 28 per cent receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top up for low-income seniors. On average, these pensions provide an annual income of $22,649

Ron Sebastian carved UNBC’s Talking Stick and ceremonial chairs and has returned to the Prince George campus to polish and maintain these important ceremonial items

2022 General Local Elections — Notices of Election

NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the electors of the Regional District of FraserFort George and Bear Lake Local Community that an election by voting will be held on Saturday October 15, 2022 to elect one (1) Director for Electoral Area A and four (4) Commissioners for Bear Lake Local Community Commission and that the persons nominated as candidates for whom votes will be received are:

DIRECTOR – ELECTORAL AREA A – ONE (1) TO BE ELECTED

Surname Usual First Name Residential Address or Jurisdiction

COE Kyanna 27890 Joellen Road Prince George, BC MOBLEY Victor 18455 Wrigh Creek Road, Prince George, BC

COMMISSIONER – BEAR LAKE LOCAL COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOUR (4) TO BE ELECTED

Surname Usual First Name Residential Address or Jurisdiction

HEBERT Jennifer 447 Koala Place, Bear Lake, BC KENDALL Thomas 515 Polar Street, Bear Lake, BC

MCCLURE Marlaina 620 Kodiak Street, Bear Lake, BC

MCCLURE Sandra 440 Panda Avenue, Bear Lake, BC

NICHOLSON David 489 Panda Avenue, Bear Lake, BC

GENERAL VOTING DAY

GENERAL VOTING DAY will be open to qualified electors of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and the Bear Lake Local Community on:

Saturday October 15, 2022

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Electoral Area A:

• Ness Lake Community Hall, 9770 Lakeside Drive, Prince George, BC

• Nukko Lake Elementary School, 23955 Chief Lake Road, Nukko Lake, BC

• Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School, 7405 Kelly Rd S, Prince George, BC

Bear Lake Community Commissioner:

• Bear Lake Community Hall, 461 Hart Lake Road, Bear Lake, BC

ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITIES

ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITIES will be open to qualified electors of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and Bear Lake Local Community as follows:

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the following location:

Electoral Area A:

• Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, 155 George St., Prince George, BC

Bear Lake Local Community Commissioner:

• Bear Lake Community Hall, 461 Hart Lake Road, Bear Lake, BC

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Applications for mail ballots in the prescribed form will be received by the Chief Election Officer from 9:00 a.m., September 20, 2022 until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022.

It is the responsibility of the person applying to vote by mail ballot, to ensure that the mail ballot application is received by this date and time.

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors for these elections will take place at the time of voting. You will be required to make a declaration that you are:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 15, 2022);

• Canadian citizen;

• Resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration;

• Resident of, or registered owner of the real property, within the voting jurisdiction for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration;

• Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting; and

• For non-resident property electors only: not eligible to register as a resident elector

Non-Resident Property Electors may not vote more than once within a voting jurisdiction regardless of the number of properties owned.

If more than one person owns the property, the person wishing to cast the vote for that property must provide, at the time of registration, written consent from a majority of the property owners.

Consent Forms are available online at www.rdffg.bc.ca, in person or by contacting the Chief Election Officer at (250) 960-4400 or by email at elections@rdffg.bc.ca

VOTER IDENTIFICATION

Resident Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary The documentation must prove both residency and identity

Non-Resident Property Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity (picture identification is not necessary), proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.

Classes of documents that will be accepted as evidence of identification are: British Columbia Driver’s Licence, BCID card, BC Services Card, ICBC Owners Cert ficate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence, British Columbia CareCard or GoldCareCard, Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8, Social Insurance Card, Citizenship Card, Real Property Tax Notice, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Utility Bill.

K. Jensen, Chief Election Officer

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the electors of School District No. 57 Prince

George Trustee Electoral Area 1 that an election by voting is necessary to elect five

(5) School Trustees for Prince George Trustee Electoral Area 1 and that the persons nominated as candidates for whom votes will be received are:

SCHOOL TRUSTEE – PRINCE GEORGE TRUSTEE ELECTORAL AREA 1 FIVE (5) PERSONS TO BE ELECTED

Surname Usual First Name Residential Address or Jurisdiction

ANTRIM Cory Prince George, BC

BEKKERING Betty Prince George, BC

BRENNAN Craig Prince George, BC

BURNETT Gillian Prince George, BC

FORTIN Cathy Prince George, BC

MAHONEY Milton Prince George, BC

MCCRORY Shar Prince George, BC

MCLEAN Erica Prince George, BC

ROBINSON Damon Prince George, BC

ROSITANO Mike Prince George, BC

SCHROEDER Bob Prince George, BC

SILVA Josh Prince George, BC

TAYLOR Martin Prince George, BC

If you reside within the City of Prince George boundary, please refer to the City of Prince George voting locations and hours of voting set out in this Notice.

If you reside outside of the City of Prince George boundary, please refer to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George voting locations and hours of voting set out in this Notice.

GENERAL VOTING OPPORTUNITIES

GENERAL VOTING DAY will be open to qualified electors of School District No. 57

Prince George Trustee Electoral Area 1 on Saturday, October 15, 2022, between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm as follows:

City of Prince George:

• Blackburn Elementary School, 2222 South Blackburn Rd, Prince George, BC

• College Heights Secondary School, 6180 Domano Blvd., Prince George, BC

• D.P Todd Secondary School 4444 Hill Avenue, Prince George, BC

• Edgewood Elementary School 4440 Craig Road, Prince George, BC

• John McInnis Learning Centre 3400 Westwood Drive, Prince George, BC

• Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School, 7405 Kelly Rd S, Prince George, BC

• Vanway Elementary School, 4509 Highway 16 West, Prince George, BC

• Prince George Conference and Civic Centre 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC

Regional District of Fraser-Fort George:

• Nukko Lake Elementary School 23955 Chief Lake Road, Nukko Lake, BC

• Ness Lake Community Hall, 9770 Lakeside Dr., Prince George, BC

• Miworth Community Hall, 13510 Flint Rd., Prince Goerge, BC

• Beaverly Elementary School 9777 Western Road, Prince George, BC

• Blackburn Elementary School, 2222 South Blackburn Rd, Prince George, BC

• Ferndale Community Hall 3595 Upper Fraser Road, Prince George, BC

• Bear Lake Community Hall, 461 Hart Lake Road, Bear Lake, BC

• Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School, 7405 Kelly Rd S, Prince George, BC

ADDITIONAL VOTING OPPORTUNITIES

ADDITIONAL VOTING OPPORTUNITIES ON GENERAL VOTING DAY will be open

to qualified electors of School District No. 57 Prince George Trustee Electoral Area 1 on Saturday, October 15, 2022, as follows:

Time Location

Regional District of Fraser-Fort George 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm Hixon Elementary School 378 Lockyer, Hixon, BC

School District No. 57 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Lheidli T’enneh Band Ofﬁce 1041 Whenun Rd, Prince George, BC

School District No. 57 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Lheidli T’enneh

Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Request a mail ballot package online at https://forms.princegeorge.ca/AdminServices/LegislativeServices/2022-Election-Application-for-Mail-Ballot-Voting

Get a request form by phone by calling 3-1-1 or 250-561-7600 if outside city limits.

Pick up a request form in person at City Hall (1100 Patricia Blvd, 1st Floor Service Centre or 5th Floor Legislative Services Division) or at the Prince George Public Library (Bob Harkins downtown branch or Nechako branch)

Mail ballot packages will be mailed to applicants as soon as ballots are available, commencing on or about Monday, September 19, 2022. Mail ballot packages will not be sent by mail after September 29, 2022. If you request to vote by mail after September 29 you will need to make arrangements to pick up the mail ballot package at City Hall.

To be counted, your ballot must be received by the City of Prince George Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 p.m. on Saturday October 15, 2022.

Regional District of Fraser Fort George: Mail Ballot Voting is available to qualified resident and non-resident electors. If you receive a mail ballot you are not eligible to vote in person.

Applications for mail ballots are available online at www.rdffg.bc.ca, in person or by contacting the Regional District Chief Election Officer at (250) 960-4400, or by email at election@rdffg.bc.ca

Applications for mail ballots in the prescribed form will be received by the Regional District Chief Election Officer from 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday September 20, 2022, until 5:00 p. m. on Friday, October 7, 2022.

It is the responsibility of the person applying to vote by mail ballot to ensure that the mail ballot application is received by this date and time.

2022 General Local Election

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

Electors wishing to vote, must vote in the Trustee Electoral Area in which they reside. Only one vote per elector is allowed within School District No. 57. If you have questions on whether you are eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector, please contact the School District Chief Election Officer at 250-561-6800 or election@sd57.bc.ca

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of resident electors for these elections will take place at the time of voting You will be required to make a declaration that you are:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day;

• Canadian citizen;

• Resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration;

• Resident of, or registered owner of the real property, within the voting jurisdiction for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration;

• Not disqualified by the School Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting; and

• For non-resident property electors only: not eligible to register as a resident elector

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS

City of Prince George:

In order to vote, non-resident property electors must provide a completed “Non-Resident Property Elector Registration Form” as well as two pieces of identification to prove the applicant’s identity

If there is more than one registered owner of the real property, only one owner is eligible to vote. The property owner must complete a “Non-Resident Property Elector Consent Form” appointing one person as the non-resident property elector The appointed non-resident property elector must present the completed form to the Presiding Election Official at the voting location.

These forms will be available at advance voting opportunities and at all locations on general voting day They can also be found online at https://www princegeorge. ca/City%20Hall/Pages/Elections/Voting-Information.aspx.

Regional District of Fraser-Fort George:

Non-Resident Property Electors may not vote more than once within a voting jurisdiction regardless of the number of properties owned

If more than one person owns the property, the person wishing to cast the vote for that property must provide, at the time of registration, written consent from a majority of the property owners.

Consent forms are available online at www.rdffg.bc.ca, in person or by contacting the Regional District Chief Election officer at (250) 960-4400 or by email at elections@rdffg.bc.ca.

VOTER IDENTIFICATION

Resident Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identiﬁcation (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary The documentation must prove both residency and identity

Non-Resident Property Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identiﬁcation (at least one with a signature) to prove identity (picture identification is not necessary), proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.

Classes of documents that may be accepted as evidence of identification are: British Columbia Driver’s Licence, BCID card, BC Services Card, ICBC Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence, British Columbia CareCard or GoldCareCard, Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8, Social Insurance Card, Citizenship Card, Real Property Tax Notice, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Utility Bill.

Jan Cote, Chief Election Officer

UNBC researcher testing building safety

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

UNBC civil engineering assistant professor Ramla Qureshi will be using models to study how wood-steel hybrid buildings would perform under the most difficult and dangerous conditions. Designing buildings with steel frames and cross-laminated timber or other engineered wood products for floors and walls, instead of concrete, would make them lighter and reduce their environmental footprint. The question for builders and policy makers is how would such buildings handle disasters like fires and earthquakes?

“Engineers need to have a certain level of reliability in a structure’s performance against extreme hazards such as earthquakes and fires throughout the building’s life cycle,” Qureshi said. “Especially in places with considerable seismic activity, such as British Columbia, we need to understand and quantify the risks from such events that can cause damage to, or limit the performance of, such construction ”

Qureshi and her team received $132,000 over five years from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Discovery Grant program to conduct

the research. The funding will support research from at least five undergraduate students, three master’s students, two PhD students and potentially one post-doctoral fellow.

Once the team will build models to industry standards and subject them to the hazards under laboratory conditions, then assess the damage to quantify how hybrid buildings perform compared to traditional wood frame and steel-concrete construction.

“If a reliable, data-driven understanding of the risks to human life safety and building occupancy can be adequately quantified, along with benchmark estimates of socioeconomic effects of future earthquakes, fires, and cascading events - such as fire following an earthquakesuch construction just may see an uptick in public opinion,” Qureshi said “Based on the results from this damage assessment, the research team will quantify structural and socioeconomic losses and create catastrophe models for insurance applications It is also part of the research objectives to translate this knowledge to code provisions and industry-ready software tools.”

The research will be conducted in the Wood Innovation and Research Laboratory in downtown Prince George

Projects land funding

Four research projects at UNBC received $396,557 in funding through the BC Knowledge Development Fund, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation announced. The funding will be used to purchase state-of-the-art scientific equipment and infrastructure to support research at the university A total of 120 projects at eight universities throughout B C received a total of $30 million in funding.

The four projects which received funding are: enhanced infrastructure for wood building vibration and acoustics research, led by Jianhui Zhou ($99,979); a terahertz innovation hub, led by Matthew Reid ($99,969); integrated analysis of myelin gene expression at the DNA, RNA and protein level, led by Kendra Furber ($99,459); and monitoring extreme climate and hydrometeorological events (MECHE), led by Stephen Dery ($97,150).

UNBC civil engineering assistant professor Ramla Qureshi and her team will be testing the safety of wood-steel hybrid buildings

How hard has inﬂation hit local grocery stores?

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

The Prince George Citizen decided to do another comparative shop Friday to see which store has the best prices from Walmart, Costco, Save On Foods and the Real Canadian Superstore.

Arthur Williams did the first one June 8 and staff thought we should revisit do see what happened between then and now

According to Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index, grocery prices in August were on the rise at the fastest pace since 1981

Yikes!

Prices for food purchased from stores continued to increase in August (up 10 8 per cent), rising at the fastest pace since 1981 (up 11 9 per cent)

The supply of food continued to be impacted by multiple factors, including extreme weather, higher input costs, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions.

Food price growth remained broadbased. On a year-over-year basis, Canadians paid more for meat (up 6 5 per cent), dairy products (up 7.0 per cent), bakery products (up 15 4 per cent), fresh fruit (up 13.2 per cent), non-alcoholic beverages (up 14 1 per cent), condiments, spices, and vinegars (up 17 2 per cent), sugar and confectionery (up 11 3 per

cent), and fish, seafood, and other marine products (up 8.7 per cent).

I followed in Arthur’s footsteps to Costco, Save On Foods (Spruceland location), Real Canadian Superstore and Walmart, which are the four major retail grocery stores in Prince George I used the same 12-item list which includes: 1 2L jug of 2% milk, 600g block of medium cheddar cheese, 1 dozen eggs, 6 bananas, 6 gala apples, 3 medium yellow onions, 3 lb. bag of carrots, 1 pack of bacon, 500g lean ground beef, 1 loaf of white bread, 500g pack of spaghetti noodles, and 1L of orange juice

After the comparison shop The Citizen donated all the food to the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s downtown drop-in centre to help feed people in need in Prince George Walmart

The 12-item list of groceries came in at $46.54. When Arthur shopped in June it was $51 65, so that’s a decrease of $5 11 I knew Walmart was in the running when the giant bin of gala apples was on sale for 97 cents a pound.

That was a significant savings over the other apples available at $2.49 to $2.99 a pound in their produce department

But when trying to compare prices on bacon, which is quite expensive right now, be aware that Walmart and Save On had packs that were only 375 grams

Charity fund created

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

A January merger between Spruce Savings Credit Union and Interior Savings, which extended the roots of one of the city’s oldest credit unions, is having an immediate effect on making Prince George a better place to live.

Last Friday, at its Hart Highway branch, Interior Savings announced details of the $750,000 Spruce Credit Union Legacy Fund to help community programs and services that enhance the health and wellness of the people of Prince George.

Interior Savings has teamed up with the Prince George Community Foundation to immediately distribute $250,000 one-time contribution to local charitable organizations in the city The remaining $500,000 will be invested as an long-term endowment and income earned off that money will perpetually be used to fund future community projects and initiatives

“We’re really excited about this $250,000 distribution for big ideas in our community,” said Prince George Community Foundation president/chair Catherine Pennington “We do have a deadline coming up very soon in October, so we do need people to move on this ”

Applicants for the fund will be eligible for grants of between $50,000 and $250,000. Letters of intent to apply for the

I don’t know about you but every slice counts in my household so I was much happier to see the Real Canadian Superstore and Costco had the 500 gram packs

Save On Foods

Save On came in right after Walmart with the 12 items costing $49.44 That’s a difference of $2 90 from Walmart When Arthur shopped in June his total was $50 52

Again it was the apples that were on sale for $1 27 per pound that seemed to make the difference along with their 375 gram pack of bacon that was on special from $7 49 to $5 49

I used my points card to get the deals but declined the offer of getting any item for free but if you’re at that stage of your points and got something at no cost then this game would’ve been a slam dunk for Save On

Real Canadian Superstore

I was a bit surprised to see that Superstore’s total came to $55.22.

That’s a difference of $8 68 from Walmart and when Arthur shopped in June his total came to $50 10 so StatsCan is right about food price increases. At Superstore groceries have increased $5.11 from June 8 to Sept. 23.

What happened to Superstore? I thought for sure they’d dominate in the bargains

It seemed like everything was just a little bit more expensive but not by much. There’s no deal to be had for their gala apples that were $2.99 a pound. Some of the other items were just a few cents more and that added up.

Superstore does have a lot of deals that reduce the price if you buy multiples of something

The white bread came in at $2.99 for one loaf but if I got two they were $2 50 So that is one way to save and at least you know that option is out there

Costco

Costco sells almost everything in bulk so the cost of the 12 items was $142 13 and when reduced to equal the other store’s amount of food it came to $49 33

When Arthur shopped in June his total was $131 53 and $43 08 after he did the math to get the quantities to match the rest of the stores

And here we are again with a significant increase from June 8 to Sept 23 of $10.60 and a difference of $6.25 when you knock it down to comparative shopping amounts of the other stores.

This test compared prices on a limited number of items, all purchased on a single day, and may not reflect the broader price trends at each respective store. Grocery prices change regularly and sales or other promotions could change the results

fund which must be received by Oct 7

Those deemed eligible will be shortlisted and asked to complete a formal application which must be filed by Nov. 4.

Rules of eligibility and more details about the Legacy Fund are available on the P G Community Foundation website

“The Prince George Community Foundation was formed over 26 years ago through leaders in the community that could see the value of a philanthropic organization that could steward resources forever that can support community organizations,” said P G Community Foundation president Catherine Pennington

“Although that is crucial and stewarding those resources continues to be a significant focus of the work we do, much like all other sectors we are in the forefront as a sector in social justice, climate and equity and inclusion, and we do deliver programs and services to support those initiatives, always supporting charities and organizations first and foremost ”

The money for the fund comes from accumulated earnings in the seven decades Interior and Spruce credit unions have existed

For more than 70 years leading up this year’s merger, Spruce Credit Union served the Prince George community as a co-operative.

Young’s amazing journey to the Chicago Cubs

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

In the post-game interview last Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, while Chicago Cubs first baseman Jared Young discussed his first career Major League Baseball hit, the 27-year-old Prince George native was asked about the ball he clobbered for a double in the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 2-1 win over the Colorado Rockies

He told reporters it was safely stored away in his locker in the Cubs’ clubhouse

For Young, that ball is now one of his most cherished possessions It’s a symbol of the blood, sweat and tears he’s encountered in a monumental climb to the top of the baseball world that’s taken him more than two decades to accomplish A priceless souvenir of his first major league game, played on one of most iconic fields in baseball in front of the people he loves most from Prince George Young got the word he’d been called up to the Cubs from their triple-A affiliate in Iowa as an injury replacement to join the team in New York for a game against the Mets. As it turned out, his flight was delayed and he didn’t get to the ballpark until the fifth inning.

“That was probably the most rushed I’ve ever been in my life with some pretty heavy thoughts to think about while I was going there, it was pretty crazy,” said Young “I had about an hour and 30 minutes to get my stuffed packed and get

Chicago Cubs infielder Jared Young, top row centre, shares a post-game moment at Wrigley Field in Chicago with his friends and family from Prince George after he helped the Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies in his first major-league game

to the airport and get on the plane and I was headed to New York. I was only there for about three hours but it was really intense and really fun.”

The Cubs flew first-class back to Chicago right after Wednesday’s game and had a day off before their three-game series against the Rockies The storybook saga reached a crescendo on Friday when Young delivered his first major league hit, connecting on a 95-mile-per-hour fastball, the second pitch Rockies reliever Justin

Lawrence threw at him for a two-out double to right field.

“It was loud and exciting, definitely a lot of adrenaline, all the things you dream about when you’re growing up,” said Young. “Once you get out there and once you start playing, you realize it’s the same game It’s a very different scenario and different people out there, but it’s the same game and I’ve been doing it for a long time

“Up there it’s all about winning and

UNBC soccer star stays hot

For UNBC Timberwolves soccer striker Michael Henman, a trip to the bathroom before the game to get sick to his stomach has a calming effect when he’s struggling with panic attacks.

A different man emerges.

This season, in his fourth year of eligibility as a Timberwolf, the only panic evident on the soccer field is in the eyes and body language of UNBC opponents, who have had very little success trying to prevent Henman from scoring

The 23-year-old UNBC Timberwolves striker has captivated the Canadian university soccer scene, scoring goals at an unprecedented pace

After netting three of the T-wolves four goals last Friday in a 4-0 victory over the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies - his fourth hat trick in the eight games - Henman found his scoring touch again Sunday afternoon against

the visiting MacEwan Griffins of Edmonton. In the 85th minute he booted in the T-wolves’ third goal to cap off a 3-1 victory. Anthony Preston scored the other two for the T-wolves, who improved their record to 5-4-1 at the expense of the Griffins (2-4-2).

Henman, who assisted on Preston’s second goal of the game, now has 15 goals in the nine games he’s played this season and leads the Canada West Conference in goals and points (17)

His three-goal game Friday marked the first time in Canada West history one player has reached the threegoal plateau in four games in the same season

“My main thing is just enjoying what I’m doing and when I enjoy it good things happen,” said Henman. “I’m happiest when our team is winning and doing well The goals are a nice bonus, but if we were winning games and I had no goals I’d still be just as happy ”

helping the team get those ‘Ws’ so anything you can do to help is the only thing on your mind My job is to show I belong here and can stay here for the rest of my career ”

Young is the not only the first major leaguer from Prince George but also the city’s first professional baseball player. Born on July 9, 1995, he and his parents Randy and Dana brought him to the ballpark from the day he was born to watch his older brother Tanner play the game.

“Jared has never had a summer his entire life when he wasn’t in a ballpark,” said Dana Young “He’s always had a bat in his hand and for all of us to be there for his MLB debut, his lifelong dream happened last weekend

“It was the most amazing thing to be a part of Everybody who has watched and supported him over the years, was watching Even the people who couldn’t be there, like my mom (Janet Giles) and Lyle (Jared’s grandfather), they were watching and cheering. I think half of Prince George was watching and cheering ”

The Young entourage traveled on the red-eye flight to Chicago and arrived early in the morning for Friday’s game. The Cubs set them up with seats behind home plate and they bought a couple extra tickets near first base so they could get a better view of Jared when he was on the field

“He played amazing all weekend, he’s where he belongs” said Dana “There was so much emotion, it was just magical ”

Holiday Cirque show Nov. 29

Holiday Dreams: A Spectacular Holiday Cirque will take the stage at CN Centre on Nov. 29.

This one-of-a-kind show incorporates acrobats, aerialists, comedians, daredevils and award-winning specialty acts performing incredible feats using the latest in visual and technological “magic” such as holograms, projection mapping and interactive lasers

It was created with the mission that it must appeal to children and grown-ups alike, the show is a tour-de-force that includes music, dance, comedy and a lovable and funny story all wrapped-up in a holiday theme

Tickets start at $29 for the family-friendly show and are available for pre-sale now using the password ‘holiday’ and will be available Friday Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. through Tickets North

Healthy North y

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation –reminder to wear orange

This Friday, September 30, is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), also known as Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is a time of collective remembrance during which we honour those who attended residential schools as well as their families and communities. Wearing orange on September 30 honours Survivors and shows a personal commitment to reconciliation.

Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/ national-day-truth-reconciliation.html

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day: www.orangeshirtday.org/

Get your next COVID-19 shot this fall

This fall, everyone age 5 and older is encouraged to get a COVID-19 booster dose.

What kind of dose you get will depend on your age, risk factors, and availability:

• The new bivalent Moderna booster is available for those 18 and older AND youth (12-17) who are high risk (immunocompromised, chronically ill, or with other vulnerabilities)

• The regular COVID-19 vaccines are available for youth (12-17) with no risk factors and children under 11 years of age

Learn more: gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated

COVID-19 Tips for K-12 back to school

Now that kids are back to school, we all need to remember our everyday actions that can help reduce the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. This means taking actions like:

• Practicing health awareness – like masks and handwashing

• Getting up to date with all routine vaccines – including COVID-19. Boosters for everyone 5 and older are now available.

• Staying home when sick

Learn more about COVID-19 safe schools: gov.bc.ca/ backtoschool

HOROSCOPES & PUZZLES

ARIES

You’ll enjoy shopping for a new look. Your friends will inspire you with new trends. You’ll expand your horizons by exploring your spirituality

TAURUS

There’s a good chance you’ll ﬁnally get that longawaited promotion at work. This will allow you to ﬁnd a good work-life balance. You’ll also increase your client base and recruit new staff.

GEMINI

If you want to get ahead, you must step outside your comfort zone. You’ll be brave enough to try something you’ve always been afraid of doing Once you overcome your fears, you’ll feel a great deal of pride.

CANCER

You’ll plan a getaway with your loved ones

You’ll develop new, more dynamic and inspiring friendships. You should also plan to spend more quality time with your signiﬁcant other

LEO

You’ll be inspired to apply for a career-boosting apprenticeship. You’ll disprove troubling information or translate a confusing message.

VIRGO

After a conﬂict or argument, you’ll manage to restore harmony You’ll be open to compromise to reach a fair agreement. You’ll also manage to quit some bad habits.

LIBRA

You’ll participate in various activities with your friends this week. You’ll feel the need to move your body, which will get you back into shape quickly You’ll also feel more competitive than usual.

SCORPIO

CAPRICORN

As winter approaches, germs have a nasty habit of spreading quickly. Avoid irritating your respiratory system, or you could lose your voice for a few days.

AQUARIUS

You’ll be given a new position at work that will require you to get a new wardrobe. Your new clothes will make you look your best and feel more comfortable meeting clients.

SAGITTARIUS

You won’t want to leave the house this week. You’ll devote time and energy to your family and those around you. The people close to you rely on your generosity and may abuse it.

Confusion and inspiration are in the air You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and express what’s on your mind. You’ll get answers to delicate questions, which will be reassuring.

PISCES

It’s the calm after the storm! You’ll be preoccupied with work and other difficulties. If you’re unsatisfied with your job, you’ll reflect on your professional future and do what it takes to change your situation.

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

cl assi fi eds

It is with great sadness that the family of Edith Bernice Kosheiff (nee Petersen) announce her passing on September 25, 2022 at the age of 89 with her family by her side.

Edith was born in Fairview, Alberta and was raised on her family’s homestead farm in nearby Bluesky, Alberta. Edith married the love of her life, Mitch, in 1954 and moved to Prince George in 1956. Together they raised two sons and worked side by side at several businesses, the last being a PetroCanada bulk oil agency.

Edith was passionate about her involvement in the Lutheran church and was an active volunteer in the ladies aide and for 6 decades played the piano or organ for countless services, weddings and funerals. Edith loved to travel, and travel the world she did, to places in Africa, Australian, Europe, Hawaii, Israel and most of Canada. She also enjoyed competitive bowling in her younger years and recreational golfing in later years managing to make lifelong friends from both. Edith enjoyed people and loved to exchange stories over a nice lunch or dinner with her many friends.

Edith was predeceased by her husband Mitch (1992). She is survived by her sons Ed (Colleen) and Brian (Wendee), grandchildren Lindsay (Ian) Kelly (Courtney), Dane and Marley and greatgrandchildren Sydney, Blake, Jordyn and Maren.

The family would like to thank all of the care aides and nurses at the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care facility.

In lieu of flowers, an expression of sympathy by donation to Zion Lutheran Church or the UNBC Faculty of Medicine is greatly appreciated.

Edith’s funeral will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church. Assman’s Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Frances MacNeil, 98, of North Vancouver, BC, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2022, after a short hospital stay and a final weekend with loving visitors. Frankie was born and raised in the Fraser Valley; the second of three children born to James MacEwen MacNeil and Constance Gwendolyn Powys.

Frankie’s adventure-filled youth continued into adulthood through her work in a tugboat office on the Vancouver docks, where she met the love of her life, Harry Arvid Hansen. The two would go on to partner in a great many life and entrepreneurial ventures. Together they travelled the world and started several businesses in the fledgling northern communities of Mackenzie and Chetwynd. Until two years ago, Frankie took the bus to work as a bookkeeper, a job she had been proudly doing, in many iterations, since attending Sprott Shaw Business College as a young woman. Many of her colleagues became long-standing friends.

Frankie encountered her share of struggles in life, yet she never let them slow her down. She was thankful for what she had and was pragmatic about the business of living. She was multitalented, curious about everything and unflagging in her ability to remain connected to multiple generations of friends and family throughout Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Her aptitude for connectivity was shared with her loved ones through stories of the family news and thoughtful introductions, which led to many new friendships among distant relations. She was an inspiration who will be fondly remembered by all.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, September 29th, 1:00 pm at First Memorial’s Boal Chapel (1505 Lillooet Rd, North Vancouver). A short reception will follow.

Please visit http://www.dignitymemorial.ca/ to read more about Frankie and to leave a message. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honour Frankie’s memory with a gift is invited to donate in her name to Lions Gate Hospital or a charity of their choice.

John Dixon

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Father, Grandfather & Friend on August 29, 2022 at the age of 80. His is survived by his loving son Jonathan (Adele), daughter Andrea (Daniel) and his grandchildren Andrew, Celine and Michael. He was predeceased by his loving wife Kathy (Aug 21, 2010).

You have gone from our sight & touch, but not from our hearts and memories. We will miss you so much!

WEST - David

Alfred (Dave)

April 7, 1956September 6, 2022

With immeasurable heartbreak we announce the sudden passing of our dad, Dave West born in Prince George, B.C. Dave was predeceased by his parents, May in 1991 and Walter (Wally) in 2008. Dave followed in the family business, working along side his parents and sisters at W.D. West Studios in Prince George. In 1990 Dave branched out starting his own business, West Photographic Arts, in Penticton, BC. In 2000 Dave retired from studio photography pursuing his passion for mining and moved back to Prince George in 2013.

Dave is survived by his daughters Terra Clark (Brad), Tanja McDaniel (Kevin), Desiree Stiles (Mike), son Cory, grand Children Ocean, Alexis, Bryden, Kerri, Isla, Aria, Claire, Kenna, Paige, his sisters Nancy Lucci, Jo-Anne Brietzke, Lynne Dyck (Ben), Alice Schunko (Fred). Dave will be missed by his family & friends left to share the many wonderful memories. A celebration of life for Dave will be held Saturday August 5, 2023 at the family cabin on Tabor Lake, Prince George. In his honour donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

Edith Bernice Kosheiff

December 16, 1932 - September 25, 2022

Frances (Frankie) Powys MacNeil

August 23, 1924 - September 11, 2022

“Per Ardua ad Astra - Through adversity to the stars”

We are saddened to announce the death of Lyle Fleming aged 99 on September 2, 2022. Lyle was born in Notch Hill, BC to Ura Davies and Tick Fleming, and grew up there and in Revelstoke, BC. After working at Ocean Falls as a Finisher in the paper mill, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force - achieving the rank of Warrant Officer 1. In 1943 he was posted to #267 Squadron in Bari, Italy. During his wartime service, Lyle flew DC 3 Dakota aircraft throughout the Mediterranean, delivering supplies and personnel and ferrying the injured to Allied field hospitals. In 1944, he was posted to Athens, and after VJ Day, he signed on with Occupational Airforce flying out of Occupied Germany. At the end of the war, Lyle was loaned to British Overseas Airways to reactivate their pre-war route between London and Athens. On one occasion, the crew picked up three newly created Cardinals, including one from Canada. One of his most memorable wartime experiences was being ordered to march in the Victory Parade past the Royal Family in London in June 1946. In 1948, Lyle took a job as a Meteorological Technician with the Department of Transportation, stationed atop Old Glory mountain near Rossland, BC. The station was accessible only by skis or horseback, Lyle and the rest of the crew were at the mercy of changeable mountain weather and the occasional grizzly bear while they provided essential forecast information to the D.O.T. head office.

In 1950, Lyle married Jackie Quayle and they relocated to Prince George in 1955. While living on the airport and working full time at the weather office, Lyle also pumped gas at Northway Esso and upgraded his education by taking classes at night school. In 1960 the family moved to Victoria for a year, where he began work on his Bachelor of Education at UVic.

Lyle started his teaching career at South Fort George Elementary in 1961 and for the next few years, taught in various schools in School District 57. From 1968-1974 Lyle was the Principal of King George V Elementary and in 1974 he took over the leadership of Connaught Elementary, (now Ron Brent Elementary) where he finished his career in 1984. One of his proudest achievements was starting a hot lunch program at Connaught Elementary for which he was awarded the Queen’s Commonwealth medal. In the summer of 1984 Lyle relocated to White Rock, where he spent the rest of his life.

Lyle and his high school sweetheart Joyce Johnson (Bearcroft) reunited in 2000 and they spent 17 happy years together until Joyce’s death in 2017. Later that year Lyle moved to the Peninsula Retirement residence in South Surrey where he met many wonderful people including his good friend Isabel with whom he shared the Vancouver Sun and Globe and Mail newspapers and great conversation. A health crisis in July of this year necessitated a stay at Peace Arch Hospital followed by a move to Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge. He was grateful for all the care and kindness shown to him by staff at both locations.

Lyle greatly enjoyed the relationships he developed over the years, rarely if ever, forgetting a name or face. He stayed in touch by mail, phone or in person with friends from home and around the world whom he had met during his 99 years of life.

He appreciated the ongoing friendship of many of his KGV colleagues who kept in touch over the years, and the friendships he made at Ron Brent Elementary endured until the end. He was very happy to have remained in regular contact with Dave and Betty McCann, and his many other good friends who checked in with him over the years. He greatly cherished the time spent with one of his oldest and dearest friends, Marjorie Jang, who came to visit him frequently.

Lyle was an avid New York Times crossword puzzle fan. He enjoyed readingmostly non-fiction, daily walks along the promenade and pier in White Rock, and faithfully watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, all of which helped maintain his sharp mind and keen memory until the very end.

Lyle leaves his daughter Maureen (Bob McCammon, deceased), son Donald (Keri, grandson Liam) and daughter Allyson (Catherine McGregor) and extended family including Glenn McNaughton, James McNaughton (Theresa, Jake) and many cousins near and far. There will be no service by Lyle’s request and his ashes will be interred with his parents in the family plot in Revelstoke.

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

EAKET,CharlieB. July16,1941-August27,2022

Itiswithgreatsadnessweannouncethepassingof CharlieEaket.Charliepassedawaypeacefullyatthe RotaryHospiceHousewithhispartner,AnneFillion,by hisside.Heleftbehindhisthreesons,Bruce(Gillian), Mike(Laurie)andJames(Sara).

PleasejoinusforaCelebrationofLife attheElderCitizensRecreationAssociationon October8thfrom11amto1pm.Duetolimited space,pleaseRSVPJamesat250-231-4625.

July 14, 1936 - September 2, 2022

Our loving mother and grandmother passed away peacefully at Rainbow Lodge Care Home in Prince George.

She is survived by her daughter Debra (David) Romano, son Randy (Kimi) Evans and grandson Joe Mercier. She was predeceased by her daughter Brenda Marina Evans and her husband of 66 years Walter Evans.

Merlyn was born in Vernon and shortly after the family moved to Saskatchewan, where she grew up. After marrying Walter, they travelled across Canada due to the demands of his construction work.

After settling in Prince George in 1969, she continued to work while raising three children. Mom enjoyed the service industry, working at the Coffee Garden in the Inn of the North. She then transitioned to women’s fashions working at Hazel Archer’s and the Judy Shoppe where she made some lifelong friends. Merlyn had fun modelling the latest season’s fashions for newspaper ads.

After she took early retirement, she became known for her power walks, frequently getting honks from friends and acquaintances driving by. During those walks she often picked up garbage on the sidewalk and was pleasantly surprised to get recognition for her impromptu volunteer efforts when City Hall sent her an award of merit for dedication to her community.

Mom loved her backyard vegetable and flower garden and was a prolific berry and mushroom picker, dragging anyone along for the treasure hunt.

The family would like to thank Dr. R Zhang and the staff at Rainbow Lodge for their kindness and dedication.

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

Merlyn Ruby Evans

May 10, 1936 – September 18, 2022 Those are the dates. They represent a beginning and an end, but the space between…ahhhh… the space between…what a life.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tom Masich. Dad was a proud and loving son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, friend, mentor, and coach to his immediate family and his extended family around the world.

Born in Kimberley, BC on May 10, 1936 to John and Annie Masich, Dad came running into the world and never looked back. The youngest of ten, he learned quickly that he had to be quick and smart if he wanted to get a full meal or have his say. To the end, Dad felt a strong connection to the east Kootenays, and Kimberley held a special place in his heart.

Dad started his coaching career by chance in 1956 when a handful of high school athletes in Kimberley asked him if he knew of any other track meets in which they could compete. He looked into it and they were soon off to the provincial championships. Dad’s first group showed early success – winning fistfuls of medals and blazing a path for others to follow. There was no looking back.

Dad’s success as a coach led him to being named to the BC team to the 1958 Legion National Championships. It was at this meet where Dad established a long-lasting friendship with future world record holder and Olympic medallist Harry Jerome. Years later, when Harry was named

Thomas George Masich

to the Premier’s Sport Council, he consulted Dad on several issues surrounding youth and sport and appreciated his thoughts and wisdom.

Dad left an indelible mark wherever he went. A move to Prince Rupert meant another successful track and field team with more regional, provincial, and western Canadian success; and lots of early support helping to organize, and sponsor the All-Native Basketball Tournament. Many of Dad’s first athletes in Prince Rupert were part of the legendary Rainmakers basketball team that clawed its way to the provincial championships in 1964. It was in Prince Rupert where Dad met Anne, and a move to Prince George brought about their 61-year partnership.

Prince George was home for 56 years. It was in Prince George where Dad really set his roots. While working as a carpenter and business owner, Dad found the time to start the Prince George Track and Field Club in 1973, the Prince George to Boston Marathon (Labour Day Classic) and the Prince George Minor Basketball Association in 1974, and the Elementary School Relay Program in 1975. It was a busy time to be in the Masich house, but somehow, it all happened. Along the way, he got involved in all of his kids’ activities and helped Mom fundraise and build a ball diamond for the Prince George Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

In 1979, Dad was fortunate enough to have both Terry Fox and Rick Hansen compete in the Prince

George to Boston Marathon. Terry and Rick used the race as a springboard to bigger things and cemented their places in Canadian history. It is fitting that Dad passed on a beautiful September morning –the day of the Terry Fox Run.

When the City of Prince George constructed Massey Place Stadium for the 1990 BC Summer Games, Dad promised that if they built it, he would bring them the world. Regional high-performance track meets in the early 90s brought the Pre-Commonwealth Games in 1994 where 350 athletes from around the Commonwealth converged on Prince George and put on a show never seen before. It was followed in 1995 with the highly successful Prince George International Meet. And in 1998 the Legion National Track and Field Championships for youth aged 14 – 17 was hosted by the Prince George Track and Field Club at Massey Place Stadium. Each of these meets raised the bar for other competitions across BC, and indeed, across the country.

In the late 1990s, Dad began a new chapter in his coaching career when he was asked by Loralyn Murdoch of the UNBC Women’s Basketball team to help with their fitness and conditioning. Dad was thrilled and excited to be able to work with another group of athletes and became a fixture at their games and off-season practices. The girls dreaded the workouts but loved the jokes and chocolate that they got afterwards. It would not be too much to say that Loralyn, her coaching staff, and her team changed the way women’s basketball was played in BC with their high level of fitness and athleticism.

Throughout his career as a coach and organizer, Dad touched the lives of thousands of people. His athletes went on to compete in the Olympics and World Championships, and other international, national, provincial, and local competitions. He was just as proud of those who achieved personal bests and discovered themselves along the way as he was for those who went on to achieve success on the large stage.

Dad worked as a carpenter for most of his time in Prince George. He always had lots of stories of his days running a construction company and the guys he worked with. Prince George is thick with projects and buildings that Dad constructed or worked on. He was; however, most proud of the work he did as the general superintendent on the Geoffrey R. Weller Library at UNBC. His

work at UNBC allowed Dad to be part of the Queen’s Receiving Line at the official opening of UNBC. It is a moment he cherished.

Dad loved to joke and laugh – he was a real prankster – and enjoyed the opportunity to share his wit with anyone. It was, at times, a struggle to keep up with him. Many are the stories of Dad leaving someone in stitches with a casual quip or some witty repartee. You could see the sparkle in his eye and knew something was coming.

Dad was deeply humbled and honoured by the accolades that were heaped upon him. Recognition from the City of Prince George for his community involvement came when he and Mom were presented with community volunteer awards and was solidified in 2005 when the name of Massey Place Stadium was changed to Masich Place Stadium. With his typical wit, Dad saw it more as a spelling correction than a name change.

In 1998 Dad was inducted into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sporting community in Prince George. He was honoured to have his name included with the list of people he saw as champions of our community. Dad was recognized numerous times by BC Athletics for his work as a coach, builder, organizer, and official and in 1991 was inducted into the BC Athletics Hall of Fame.

All of Dad’s endeavours could not have been successful without the unconditional love and support of his wife, Anne. Mom was the structure behind the scenes that supported his goals and provided him the opportunity to do what he did. As Dad grew increasingly frail, Mom became Dad’s primary caregiver and took care of him through thick and thin. Her humility and grace are an example to us all. It is fitting that they were together when he passed.

If you were to ask Dad, he would say his greatest achievement was his family, and he loved us all dearly. Family, all family, was important to Dad. He was a devoted husband to mom, a proud father, happy grandpa, and delighted great grandpa. Dad’s numerous nieces and nephews were a big part of who he was and he was as proud of them as could be.

When asked once why he did so much, Dad said that you can never do enough for the kids in your community. He wanted to give back as much as he could, and he did.

Sometimes generous to a fault, Dad’s legacy has been cemented in the people whose lives he touched, and in the people who continue to give back to their communities in whatever way possible.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie; his siblings Bill, Margaret, Gwen, Helen, Irene, Dorothy, David, Alfred, and Ruth; his daughter Naida; and his great granddaughter Brooke. Dad is survived by his loving wife Anne and their loving children Sam, John (Karen), Laura, and Bill (Corine); six wonderful grandchildren, Randi, Sylvia, Olivia, Dawson, Karl, and Brianna; and his spectacular great granddaughter, Sophia; as well as numerous extended family members across the country. Dad also leaves behind thousands of friends, colleagues and athletes whom he was fortunate enough to meet in his wide and varied life.

We would like to thank everyone who helped make Dad’s life easier the past few years. Dr. Syal, Dr. Roesch, and Dr Mackey provided invaluable medical assistance to Dad and we cannot thank you enough for your generosity, knowledge, compassion, and advice. The amazing staff at UHNBC provided incredible care when Dad was ill and were gracious in their treatment. We extend a huge thank you to the phenomenal people of Primary Care Team 5 who took such great of Dad for the past 19 months – the support and care received from the Home Care Nurses and the Home Support Workers was unparalleled; it is testament to your dedication that he made it as far as he did. The Red Cross was instrumental in helping to keep Dad at home for as long as possible and we could not have done it without your support. Gateway Lodge provided compassionate and caring assistance when Dad went into respite – we are so grateful for the opportunity to see the great work that you do. And finally, we would all like to thank the wonderful people who take on the task of caring for our sick and aged at the Prince George Hospice House. We stand in awe at the warm, gracious, and compassionate care that you provided to Dad at the end. To all of you, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You.

At Dad’s request there will be no service; however, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society or the Canadian Red Cross in Dad’s name would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ida May Andre (nee: Hunt)

Dec. 8, 1927Sept. 24, 2022

Ida “Bubs” Mom, Granny, born December 8, 1927 in Langley, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2022 in Prince George, at the age of 94 years. She was predeceased by her loving husband Les in 2001, her brothers Fred and Bill; sisters Gertie, Ruby and baby Audrey. Survived by her children Mary Ann (Ken), Denise (Gino), Dick (Linda); grandchildren Tanya (Jeff), Amanda (Paul), Brad (Kim), Darren (Chris), Quinn, Desiree and great-grandchildren Jackson, Kaylin, Wyatt, Logan, Abigail, Ainslee, Vivien, also two step-grandchildren and three step great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mom was the strength of the family unit, she was known for her sense of humor and contagious laugh and of course her beautiful bright blue eyes. Her husband and family were the lights of her life and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Funeral Service will be held on October 3, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Assman’s Funeral Chapel, 1908 Queensway Street, interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of Ida would be appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.assmansfuneralchapel.com for the Andre family.

Wayne Floyd Nicolas

1950-2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful husband, father and Papa. Wayne passed away on September 22, 2022 after a long battle with dementia. With his loving wife by his side, he went to be with his many loved family and friends who have passed before him. He leaves behind his wife Norma, children Laurie, Christopher (Kerry), Blaine (Jillian), his cherished grandchildren Devan (Bobbie), Brodie, Jenna, Autumn, Parker, Breanna, Emily, Duncan, Jaymie, Hailey and Kaylee and many other close friends and family. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday October 2, 2022 from 1pm until 4 pm at The Legion Hall located at #101 1116 6 Ave Prince George.

Toys/Games/Puzzles

Alot of used & new puzzles. $5-$15 each. 778-675-4716

Announcements

SENIOR CURLERS WANTED

Join a fun league of 50 years + curlers. On Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Individuals of all abilities welcome.

250 563-0357 ext. 2

Enter by October 6th

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 BusinessMackenzieservicing 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

Antique Superb Dutch drop

3 level 4 bdrms, 4 baths, superb location. $277,500. 250-561-1255 Ready to

Property For Sale

“DUNSTER PROPERTY FOR SALE”

Houses for Sale

8.1 ACRES/HOME MACHINERY/SHOP/GREENHOUSES

PHONE 250-699-1072

$255,000 (HOME) $105,000(MACHINERY) FOR MORE INFORMATION GOOGLE: ACREAGES FOR SALE IN BC TOWNPOST

Legal/Public Notices

Between PETER GAGEN or anyone related, with the belief of abandonment of the storage unit B16 located at AAA Self Storage 6700 P cific Street, Prince George, BC V2N 6Y2. Belongings of PETER GAGEN 343-916 BROADWAY W,VANCOUWER,BC V5K 1K7 (587 336 4622) will be dispose the aforesaid property unless the person being notified takes possession and liability of the property within 14 days from the date of this publication, the Manager

Between REBECCA & JONATHON BAKER or anyone related, with the belief of abandonment of the storage SPACE PK 04 located at AAA Self Storage 6700 Pacific Street, Prince George, BC V2N 6Y2. Belongings of REBECCA& JONATHON BAKER #18 2000 CENTRAL STREET. PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2M 3C5 (778 349-4370) will be dispose the aforesaid property unless the person being notified takes possession and liability of the property within 14 days from the date of this publication, the Manager

How to write a classiﬁed ad that works.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

IN THE MAT TER OF THE BANKRUPTCY OF JAMIE AARON WEBB

NOTICE is hereby given that Jamie Aaron Webb filed an Assignment in Bank ruptc y on September 20, 2022, and that John S. Beverley & Associates Inc was appointed as Trustee The first meeting of creditors will be held on the 13th day of Oc tober 2022 at the hour of 3 o’clock in the afternoon, at the office of the Trustee, 1240 5th Avenue, in the city of Prince George, in the Province of British Columbia

Dated at Prince George, BC this 23rd day of September 2022.

Licensed Insolvenc y Trustee

P U B L I C N OT I C E

PROPOSED TELUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY 63.3-METER TALL SELF-SUPPORT TOWER STRUCTURE

PROPOSED STRUC TURE: As par t of the public consultation process required by I nnovation, S cience and Economic D evelopment Canada (ISED), TELUS is inviting the public to comment on a proposed telecommunications facilit y consisting of a 63.3-meter tall selfsuppor t tower struc ture and ancillar y radio equipment situated on pr ivately- owned land on the nor theast side of Ness Lake R oad bet ween Heron Lake and Ness Lake.

CIVIC ADDRESS: 24205 Ness Lake Road, Prince George, BC, V2K 5M5.

COORDINATES: 54.01752, -123.10947

ANY PERSON may comment by close of business day on October 31st, 2022 with respect to this matter

TELUS CONTACT: Fur ther information can be obtained by contacting: Brian Gregg, SitePath Consulting Ltd. 2528 Alber ta Street, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3L1

Email: briangregg@sitepathconsulting.com

1. Parts per thousand (abbr.) 2. Jump

Eaten as a vegetable

Residual paresis after anesthesia 5. Brunchtime staple

Makes money off of

Refined

Nocturnal S. American rodents

From a distance

Surrounds with armed forces

Made proper

Medical buildings

31. Patty Hearst’s captors 32. Hits with a drop shot

33. Italy’s PM 1919-20

38. Promotions 41. En __: incidentally 43. Queens baseball team 45. Commoner 47. Expenses in insurance world (abbr.) 49. Payroll firm

23. They help in tough situations

24. Industrial port in Poland 25. Type of screen

26. Peyton’s little brother

27. Alcoholic beverage

28. Newspapers need it

29. Herbal tea

34. Distinctive practice

35. Exercise system __-bo 36. Explosive

50. Broadway actress Daisy

55. Skipper butterflies

56. Hint

57. Daniel __, French composer

59. English children’s author Blyton

60. Midway between east and southeast

61. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation

62. Patriotic women’s group

63. The woman 64. Tall, slender-leaved plant

42. “Rule, Britannia” composer

44. Hooray!

45. Greek city

46. One way to do it by example

47. Imitated

48. “Game of Thrones” actress Headey 51. Swiss river

52. Drought-resistant plant

53. A French abbot

Officials

37. Belonging to a thing

To advertise, call 250-562-6666 or email cls@pgcitizen.ca

It helps you see

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

Central Canadian indigenous person

Invests in little enterprises

39. Presidential candidates engage in them

40. Of the Swedes

41. Meadow-grass

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BUSINESS BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Why you need a combi-boiler in your home

If you need to replace your boiler, you should consider upgrading to a modern combi-boiler system. A combination boiler heats your home and gives you hot water on demand. Here are some of the benefits.

• Increased efficiency. More efficient than a conventional water heater that heats a full tank of water whether you need it or not, a combi-boiler can reduce your energy consumption by up to 40 per cent

• Save valuable space. You don’t need a lot of room for a combi-boiler because they’re compact For example, you can install a combi-boiler in an apartment or condo or in the space under the stairs

• Save money. Modern combi-boilers are less complex than conventional boilers and have fewer pipes to install Moreover, combi-boilers are less expensive to install and repair than traditional ones.

• Enjoy unlimited hot water. You’ll never run out of hot water because a combi-boiler doesn’t have a water tank.Therefore, you can enjoy leisurely showers and hot baths without worrying about having enough water in the tank.

• There’s less maintenance. A combi-boiler doesn’t have a water tank to flush and clean. Consequently, you don’t have to worry about scheduling maintenance every six months.

If you’re moving into a new house or making extensive renovations, it’s a perfect time to upgrade your home’s heating system. Talk to an expert at your local home renovation centre

FREE ESTIMATES

How ceiling fans can save you money every season

Ceiling fans are known for keeping your home cool on hot summer days However, did you know that fans can help keep your house comfortable all year long? They can also help you reduce your energy bills Here’s how

SUMMER

A switch on your ceiling fan’s central unit allows you to operate it in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. Set your ceiling fan to turn counterclockwise during warm months to push air downwards and create a cool breeze.

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of life, and interior decorating trends haven’t been immune The calming colour palettes in vogue for residential design reflect a desire for comfort during these unprecedented times Here are three colours that are leading the way into 2023.

1. Natural green. This is the year of green, with brash and bold giving way to calm and subdued Natural shades of green offer a connection to the natural world and have a grounding effect Deep hues suggest greater intensity, while light shades convey serenity

2. Sky blue. Alongside earthy greens, homeowners are choosing the naturally inspired energy of sky blue. This colour works well on walls and provides a pleasing alternative to stark white

3. Light brown. Another increasingly popular and organically inspired choice, pale brown hues are calming and serve as a

WINTER

backdrop for bold colours and patterns Use brown for cabinet accents to bring a sense of cozy calm to your room.

Use your imagination and choose a shade that expresses your personality

A standard air conditioning (AC) unit uses 3,500 watts of power On the other hand, a ceiling fan uses just 50. If you use ceiling fans, there are many summer days when you don’t need the AC Ceiling fans also complement your air conditioning Fans keep air flowing throughout the room and help maintain a constant temperature, so your air conditioner won’t operate as much

During winter, change your fan’s settings to spin clockwise at a low speed The fan will redistribute rising warm air from your furnace throughout the room You can turn your thermostat down and still be comfortable Moreover, your furnace won’t work as hard, saving you money

Lastly, ensure your fan blades are tilted at 12 degrees to provide sufficient airflow However, if they’re angled at more than 16 degrees, they’ll cause too much wind causing loose objects to blow around the room.

Glass shower doors are sleek and stylish. However, keeping them clean can be a challenge Soap scum and mineral deposits can build up, making your shower doors look dull Follow these steps to keep your glass shower doors clean and shiny

SPRAY WITH A CLEANER

There are plenty of chemical products you can use to remove mildew or hard water stains Alternatively, you can make an effective, eco-friendly cleaning solution at home Mix three parts water and one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add lemon juice for sanitizing power

Spray the glass shower doors with the mixture and let it sit for five minutes. Use a soft brush or sponge to wipe the surface Rinse and repeat if necessary For tough stains, add dish detergent to the spray mixture. Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads

GO FOR GOLD.

Trend: Cannage Should you choose an open plan?

Cannage is antique style of furniture that originated in southeast Asia It consists of braiding rattan and is sometimes referred to as mesh or grid Designers and trend spotters have seen a resurgence of interest in this cool and classic furniture style Here are some reasons why cannage is an excellent choice for your home

VERSATILE DESIGN

ModerncannageismadeprimarilyofrattanfromIndonesia and can give your home a vintage feel or contemporary vibe Balance cannage with rich tapestries and heavy wooden pieces for an antique effect You can also pair it with solid colours and clean lines for a crisp, modern feel

LIGHTWEIGHT PIECES

Cannage is a lightweight material, making it an excellent

furniture choice if you like to redecorate according to the seasons Likewise, if you expect to make frequent home moves, this furniture travels well

NATURAL MATERIAL

Classic cannage is left unpainted to highlight the natural texture, hues and craftsmanship It complements many colours, especially bold shades of blue and green

DURABLE CONSTRUCTION

The cane braiding technique creates a solid and durable product The natural materials make it resistant to weather and suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments

Visit your local furniture retailers to browse their selection of modern cannage pieces.

Open concept designs have been on trend for many years

However, the recent move towards working from home has led many to rethink their living spaces

This guide will help you decide which style best suits your needs

OPEN CONCEPT DESIGN

Open floor plans allow you to make the most of a small space, enabling less-restricted movement and optimal light Choose this design if you:

• Have small children. If you need to manage several tasks while keeping an eye on your little ones, an open concept keeps everyone in your line of sight

• Enjoy entertaining. This floor plan allows large groups of people to mingle and move around with ease.

• Have accessibility needs. If you have household members or guests who need help with accessibility, an open concept affords adaptability

CLOSED CONCEPT DESIGN

Closed floor plans provide more individual solitude and give you more control over noise and air quality Choose this design if you:

• Need quiet or privacy. If your household has multiple people studying or working at home, separate spaces are essential for privacy.

• Are eco-conscious. A closed concept design lets you heat rooms selectively to minimize energy consumption

• Love to cook. Although home cooking creates a cozy atmosphere, the scents of aromatic cuisines may be unwelcome if they invade every corner of your open concept home.

If you’re considering an interior remodel, a local architect or contractor can help you find the ideal solution for your family

• Plan to resell. Your resale value may be higher with an open floor plan Potential buyers appreciate the freedom to adapt a space to their needs