May gateway 2015

Your community voice for the north!

WEDNESDAY May 27 2015

NEWS AND EVENTS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENTRAL INTERIOR

A band with worldwide sales close to 90 million records, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time – is coming to the CN Centre on July 15!

Lakeland inquest fraught with controversy

Doctor recruitment gaining urgency

NEWS PAGE 5

NEWS PAGE 10

Chetwynd revved up for chainsaw battle

Teach your kids why they should stay away from ticks

ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 22

HEALTH & SAFETY PAGE 32

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GATEWAYnews

Students take on Heavy Metal Samantha WRIGHT ALLEN

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t the end of the month, 32 senior students will spend four days “in the pit.”

Dubbed Heavy Metal Rocks, the end-of-April workshop aims to give them exposure to jobs in more than 30 construction-related trades Cont’d on page 4

Thirty-two local high school students received an education in heavy equipment operation during Heavy Metal Rocks.

The work experience program is in its 10th year that allows students interested in working in the construction industry a chance to learn how to safely use heavy equipment.

Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

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COLLEEN SPARROW PUBLISHER

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NEIL GODBOUT MANAGING EDITOR

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 3 “Operating the heavy equipment and introducing them to it we’ve found makes it quite exciting for them,” said Rosalind Thorn, president of the Prince George Construction Association, which has organized the event for 11 years.

Offered to those in Grade 11 and 12, more than 350 students have gone through the program since it started in 2005 “This event is designed to promote career awareness, work experience, opportunities and foster that spark of interest in the construction industry that can point our youth in a career path that’s totally exciting,” said Thorn in her presentation to the school board at Tuesday’s meeting.

Students apply and go through a rigorous interview process. Typically between 35 and 55 students apply each year, said Doug Borden, program coordinator of the college’s Career and Technical Centre.

“Both business and students cherish this event,” said Borden, adding the event focus was on five

What a great opportunity for young people and the idea that you’ve got both very experienced operators and students who have come back and are now training. key areas: growth, confidence, jobs, training and mentoring.

The mentors range in age from 25 to 75, representing past participants and even out-of-town equipment operators who come back because they love the program.

“What a great program,” trustee Bruce Wiebe said.“What a great opportunity for young people and the idea that you’ve got both very experienced operators and students who have come back and are now training.”

Trustee Sharel Warrington commented on the nice gender mix of participants, recalling the year before when one student came in her graduation dress to accept the course certificate.

“It was quite impressive,” Warrington said.

“She lifted the bottom of her dress and she had her work boots on,” added Thorn with a laugh.“I thought it was a fabulous photo.”

The workshop, which runs from April 29 to May 2, is a partnership between the association, the district, WorkSafeBC and the College of New Caledonia.

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GATEWAYnews

Lakeland inquest fraught with controversy Set to resume next month, plenty of ground has already been covered over the two-and-a-half weeks the coroner’s inquest into the fatal Lakeland Mills sawmill explosion has been held so far.

By the time it was temporarily adjourned on March 26, the inquest had heard from 47 witnesses, beginning with the widows of Al Little and Glenn Roche, who died from the extensive burns they suffered in the April 23, 2012 blast.

Another 22 people were injured, many seriously.

With photos of the two deceased placed next to coroner Lisa Lapointe, testimony followed from employees at the sawmill who either worked alongside Little and Roche or were in the facility on the night in question.

What they had to say made for some gripping accounts and set the scene for a jury who has been asked to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

And no sooner did those employees begin to speak than questions started to be raised, notably about a “near miss” three months before.

Near the end of the day shift on Jan. 19, 2012, a saw on the large headrig Roche operated “deviated” throwing up sparks and lighting the nearby sawdust.That’s not unheard of in a sawmill, but this time it also sent a burst of flame high enough to nearly hit the ceiling as it climbed the sawdust floating in the air.

The incident heightened a concern Roche already had about the mill’s cleanliness. Lakeland added a third shift midway through 2011 to increase its output of lumber made from beetle-killed pine, which kicked up a particularly fine and dry sawdust.

What’s more, in the days follow-

ing the incident, Little, a supervisor at the sawmill, twice stopped production to have trouble areas cleaned up.Yet an internal report apparently authored by Little on what happened never made it to upper management and the incident was never reported to Prince George Fire Rescue because no one was hurt and there was no structural damage.

But perhaps the comment that most closely drove home the significance of the event came from Paul Orr,WorkSafeBC’s lead investigator on the explosion that eventually rocked Lakeland. If not for one missing component in the recipe for an explosion – compression – he said there likely would have been an one on that day rather than three months later.

As it stood, Babine Forest Products near Burns Lake became the first victim of what safety authorities and sawmill operators have claimed throughout the inquest was a new phenomena – a full-on blast fueled by wood dust.

Babine was leveled the day after the burst of flame at the Lakeland headrig, killing two employees and injuring 20 others.

That such explosions could occur in more confined spaces like baghouses, where sawdust sucked away through elaborate collection systems would end up, was common knowledge throughout the industry.

But for one to occur in a relatively open facility like the main operating area of a sawmill itself was unprecedented, officials have consistently stressed And in the days that followed Babine, there was a reluctance by WorkSafeBC in particular to raise any possibilities about the causes until all the facts were in.

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Mark NIELSEN Coroner Counsel John Orr speaks to the media outside the Prince George Law Courts.

Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 5 Should investigators have at least given a heads up regarding the possibilities they were considering? (Natural gas and methane were also among the candidates for fuels).

According to conventional wisdom, the inquest heard more than once, it’s best to wait rather than lead operators down the wrong path and away from something they may already be doing to address what they may think is the problem.

Yet hunches were already being pursued, at least by one Lakeland employee.

A bit more than two weeks after the blast at Babine,WorkSafeBC received an anonymous phone call in which a concern about the Lakeland’s condition was raised along with a concern it could become the “next Babine sawmill.”

The call came on a Friday afternoon and on the subsequent Monday morning, two inspectors paid an unannounced visit to the sawmill. Other than perhaps a bit more dust than usual, they did not notice anything but did not give the facility a

thorough check.

It just so happened a Lakeland employee took photos that same day of some less easily-reached areas where high levels of dust had piled up and, after the blast, he turned them over to WorkSafeBC investigators. Coroner’s counsel John Orr made extensive use of them as he confronted witnesses about the mill’s condition.

Arguably, the inspectors’ visit amounted to another missed opportunity to alert Lakeland regarding the seriousness of the problem.

But by the same token, management started to take action, the inquest heard, including hiring on more cleanup staff and shopping for an industrial-strength vacuum system to help workers more thoroughly deal with the dust.

Just 11 days before the explosion, representative of a supplier visited Lakeland. He also took photos and they showed some alarming piles, particularly near the area where WorkSafeBC investigators concluded the explosion originated.

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 6 The representative told the inquest he warned Lakeland officials at the time but conversely, they said they never heard any such call for concern. In any case, it did appear Lakeland was ready to buy a system but it was going to take about six weeks to get it delivered and, in the interim, the explosion occurred.

Underlying the whole proceeding has been the question of whether a coroner’s inquest is the right venue.

Critics, notably the Opposition New Democrats and the United Steelworkers, have called for a public inquiry, which they say would have the power to find fault, something an inquest does not do.

The provincial government has stood its ground although it compromised somewhat.

Originally, a single inquest was going to be held in Prince George for both the Lakeland and Babine explosions, but after some protest, there will now be a separate inquest for Babine, to start July 13 in Burns Lake.

Perhaps in answer to the criticism, the tone has often been confrontational with coroner’s counsel John Orr in particular quizzing witnesses on apparent inconsistencies in their testimony and other counsel following suit.

Even the jury members continued the trend to some extent when given their opportunities to ask the witnesses questions.

That apparently has not been good enough for the USW who withdrew its counsel shortly after its Western Canada director, Stephen Hunt, completed his testimony, and issued a statement continuing its call for a public inquiry.

Meanwhile, coroner’s counsel John Orr began leaning on Lakeland to release the results of an investigation it had commissioned into the blast.

At the same time, he told the inquest he had also learned that even though it was subject to privilege, Lakeland’s counsel had offered to share the information it had gleaned with WorkSafeBC to help with its investigation only to be rebuffed.

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 7 After a bit of deliberation, Lakeland counsel Gavin Marshall handed over UBS devices containing material from the investigation and Orr convinced Lapointe to adjourn the proceeding to give him time to review the material.

Orr als said he will be summoning David Anderson, who was the WorkSafeBC president at the time, to answer questions about the decision to turn down Lakeland’s offer.

That Anderson was not called in the first place has been an issue for the USW. There has also been the question of whether an inquest can add anything.

The jury, reduced from seven at the start to five, will be asked to make recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

But when given the chance, WorkSafeBC and other officials have emphasized that much has changed and that there is now an industry-wide recognition that wood

dust can fuel explosions, not just fires, in sawmills.

Steps have been taken accordingly, they say, to deal with the issue.

Similarly, the jury was shown the many features incorporated into the new Lakeland sawmill to keep such a conflagration from ever happening again.

The inquest was first expected to wrap up by March 20 but that deadline was soon thrown out the window as it quickly became apparent lawyers representing the coroner, USW, WorkSafeBC, Lakeland and, to a lesser extent, the B.C. Safety Authority, were going to take witnesses through extensive questioning.

Just a handful of witnesses are left to testify, but given how long it’s taken so there’s no telling when the jury will start deliberations.

Either way, both the proceedings and the idea of an inquest itself has generated plenty of controversy.

The inquest resumes on May 11 at the Prince George courthouse.

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GATEWAYnews

Doctor recruitment gaining urgency Mike CARTER Communities in Northeast British Columbia are pulling out all the stops to recruit doctors, including helicopter tours for prospective physicians in Fort St. John, thanks to a donation from a local company.

But according to Northern Health’s chief operating officer for the Northeast Angela De Smit, there are still “extreme physician challenges in a number of communities,” despite the ongoing efforts.

For one, Chetwynd could be without all four of its physicians as of July 1.

Help will soon be on the way. A fresh $100,000 has been allotted to help recruitment in the region by the Peace River

Regional District (PRRD).

But before the funds (which had been set aside earlier in the budgeting process) could be released, Northern Health was asked by the regional district to explain what they would be used for.

At a March 26 board meeting of the PRRD, De Smit said the money will be used to hire a dedicated medical recruiter for the Peace Region.“Targeted recruitment is a relatively new initiative for Northern Health, however we have learned that it can be very effective in communities that are facing challenges,” read a letter from Northern Health to the PRRD. Cont’d on page 12

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 10 Northern Health identifies Fort St. John and Chetwynd as the communities that are facing the most extreme challenges.

There was a warning for Dawson Creek, which De Smit says is only “bobbing its head above the water,” facing problems with regular coverage in its emergency room.

“We’ve observed the pain FSJ has been going through the last year and a half and we are close to losing potentially a couple of doctors and if we do then we’ll be in exactly the same boat,” said Dawson Creek Mayor Dale Bumstead.

“We’ve got vacancies in our emergency room, and we’re seeing an influx of patients that are unattached, so it’s a real worry for me.”

De Smit says the new recruitment position would operate over and above the three recruiters already working to cover the authority’s entire region, from Fort Nelson to Vanderhoof.

“But they are not focused,” De Smit said.

We’ve got vacancies in our emergency room, and we’re seeing an influx of patients that are unattached, so it’s a real worry for me.

“Over and above that, we want somebody always looking at the Peace Region.”

De Smit added that recruitment is also needed in the Northeast for other medical professionals including nurse practitioners.

The latest round of funding is not direct to Northern Health, PRRD spokesperson Fran Haughian explained.

“Out of this fund, Northern Health can claim up to $100,000 for recruitment expenses,” she said.

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GATEWAYnews

Improvements to our transportation network to continue Charelle EVELYN The provincial government’s new blueprint for transportation improvements includes a commitment to complete the second phase of the Cariboo Connector within the next decade.

Entitled B.C. on the Move, the 10-year plan highlights $2.5 billion in proposed spending in highways, rest stops, public transit, airports and cycling corridors.

“The best possible transportation network is vital to the daily lives of every single British Columbian and is one of the most-important foundations of a strong

economy,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone, in a press release.“B.C. on the Move is the roadmap for the next 10 years on how we will expand and improve our transportation network to ultimately improve the quality of life for us all.”

On the list is the remaining four Cariboo Connector projects announced in 2011 as the $200 million Phase 2 of four-laning initiative between Cache Creek and Prince George.

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 16 Construction of the section between Stone Creek and Williams Road is supposed to begin this summer and planning for future projects is also supposed to begin in the scope of the 10-year forecast.

The plan also highlights an investment of $380 million over three years to resurface provincial highways, $189 million to repair and replace provincial bridges and $270 million to improve more than 500 kilometres of side roads.

Construction of additional passing lanes between Kamloops and Tete Jaune Cache on Highway 5 and on Highways 16 and 37 are also on deck.

Prior to drafting the B.C. on the Move document, the ministry held a two-month consultation period last fall.This included stakeholder meetings and a public survey.The survey drew more than 12,500 responses with the vast majority (95 per cent) citing keeping highways, bridges and side roads in good condition as the top priority, followed by 87 per cent who said expanding and increasing transit services was important.

Meetings were held in Prince George with local government officials on Oct. 29, 2014 and representatives from community and business groups on Nov. 25, 2014 and with the Prince George Airport Authority on Nov. 28, 2014.

In a meeting summary released as part of the report, those participating in the local government meeting asked that the ministry consider traffic impacts from trucks and vehicles accessing mines in the north as well as highway passing lanes, shoulder enhancements and pullouts be looked at to improve safety.The meeting participants also noted a need to enhance highways to accommodate an increased traffic volume between Dawson Creek and Fort St. John and on Highway 16 West.

During the Nov. 25 stakeholder meeting, participants highlighted height issues with rail overpasses in the Peace region, suggesting the province look at lowering the grade of the road.

The province also plans a provincial trucking strategy to upgrade and replace bridges and overpasses and to work with industry to expand the number of corridors that are pre-approved for 85- to 125-tonne loads.The plan also highlights the intention to start design work for the replacement of the Salmon River and Parsnip bridges on Highway 97.

The airport authority emphasized that the funding model for airports wasn’t working properly for smaller airports, which need additional funding or the ability to access capital funding programs.

A $24 million pot is being put aside as the B.C.Air Access Program, earmarked for airport infrastructure improvements.

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GATEWAYlife

Chetwynd revved up for

chainsaw battle Mike CARTER

Chainsaws will rev again in Chetwynd.

That’s the news from the chief organizer of the Chetwynd International Chainsaw Competition and manager of the Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce, Tonia ArmstrongRichter.

The event had lost several key sponsorships and was in jeopardy of going on a hiatus.

Those fears were sawed down after organizers of the invitational, international event said the community stepped up and donated the money it needed to put on the event — albeit with a reduced budget.

“We cut back our budget substantially,” Armstrong-Richter said.“Enough that we can make this go, and as more money starts coming in, we’ll [prioritize] and start adding the most important things back into the budget.”

Cut from the 2015 event was payment to members of the local Masonic Lodge for the clean up of the shavings and wood waste. The group has said they will carry this out on a volunteer basis this year.

About $500 was previously given to a local charity or service group each year to do traffic control on site, something that will also have to be done on a volunteer basis this year.

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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 22 A local camera crew was usually paid $2,500 to film a documentary, but that had to be cut from the budget too, Armstrong-Richter said.

Perhaps the largest hit was advertising. That part of the budget was slashed from $10,000 to $2,000.

We figured, because we are in our 11th year, we are going to stick to regional ads in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd — full page ads just prior to the event,” Armstrong-Richter said.“Hopefully we’ll be okay.”

It costs about $96,000 to run the Chetwynd International Chainsaw Competition every year, but organizers are hoping to do it with $84,600 this time around.

The District of Chetwynd budgets $40,000 each year for the event, and the rest is up to organizers to come up with.

As of earlier this month they had only raised $10,500, but as of March 24, that had jumped to $39,100, thanks in part to as many as 22 new businesses donating to the event, Armstrong-Richter said.

“We are still waiting on responses from a lot of local businesses,” she added.“We’ve had money come from Grande Prairie, Ontario and Australia. It’s been amazing.”

American tool manufacturer Sabretooth Tools kicked in a donation of equipment for the carvers when it heard the event might be cancelled. And an unnamed brewery in Prince George is also looking to partner with the competition.

The chainsaw carving community is tightly knit, and when word got out that one of its biggest and most popular events was on the chopping block, supporters around the world chipped in. “[The Chetwynd competition] is the main stage for carvers,” Britanna Beach carver Ryan Cook said.

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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 24 “It sets the bar for the top professionals around the world every year. I’m so happy My tickets were booked Chetwynd rallied together to make it happen.” months ago. I love Australian carver Robby Bast said it is hands down the best event in the world.

Chetwynd. Great place.

“Even if it wasn’t [on] I was still coming Great people. to Chetwynd,” he added.“My tickets were booked months ago. I love Chetwynd.

– Robby Bast Great place. Great people.”

The Chetwynd competition is often mentioned in the same breath as the Husky Cup in Germany — considered the world carving championship.

Last year’s champion and world-renowned carver Chris Foltz said he looks forward to the Chetwynd competition.

“Chetwynd has definitely stepped up to the international carvers, finding the most talented international carvers and supporting them to get there and make the most incredible work they can,” said the native of North Bend, Oregon.

“I’ve been to both [Chetwynd and the Husky Cup] for a few years, and Chetwynd is the one that I just can’t imagine missing. It’s just in my mind the highest level of competition that we have today.

“It’s a reason a lot of carvers push themselves, to try to get an invitation to a show like that where the only competition you are going to have is world class competitors across the board.”

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GATEWAYhealth&safety

Teach your kids why they should

stay away from ticks Story on page 35

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GATEWAYhealth&safety Cont’d from page 32 The heat is on. Summer camp and outdoor field trips are just around the corner.As you prepare your kids for the great outdoors with sunscreen and insect repellent, don’t forget to talk to your kids about the causes of Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.Their usual hangouts include tall grass and bushes in forests and the overgrown areas between the woods and open spaces.

The best way to protect against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Before your kids venture into the woods this summer, talk to them about these key points: 1. Ticks are tiny: The ticks that transmit Lyme disease are very small – some are about the size of a poppy seed.

2. Clothing: While it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, kids should cover exposed skin when outdoors. Ensure they wear closed-toe shoes and light-coloured clothing – this will help them spot ticks more easily.

3. Insect repellent: Teach your kids how to properly use insect repellent that contains DEET or Icaridin. It’s safe and easy

to use. (Always follow label directions.)

4. Safe zones: If your child’s outdoor activity involves walking on trails, tell them to avoid taking short cuts through thick brush and grass. Sticking to the middle of the trail will help reduce the chances that a tick could climb onto them.

5. Tick Check: Show your kids how to conduct body checks for ticks following outdoor activities.Ticks love to attach around moist areas of the body, like in the belly button, armpits, behind knees, groin, between toes and in the hairline.Taking a shower will also help wash away loose ticks before they attach.

6. Removing ticks: If your child gets a tick on them, encourage them to ask an adult to help remove it properly.Ticks are most effectively removed with a pair of tweezers.

These simple tips will ensure that your kids come home from their summer adventures with great memories, not illness.

More information on Lyme disease plus ways to protect yourself, your children and your pets, visit Canada.ca/LymeDisease. www.newscanada.com

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GATEWAYgrill Give dad the perfect Father’s Day this year

Now, if you ask most dads what they want this year for Father’s Day, and they will humbly say spending time with the family is enough for them.

While that may be true, we can make Father’s Day extra special this year by spoiling dad with the perfect gift and a delicious homemade dinner.

Start by getting dad a present he will really appreciate. No “socks-and–tie” nonsense this year: Broil King’s Stone Grill Set comes with a high grade 1.2 mm stainless steel cradle with oversized

10 mm stainless steel handles.The set also comes with a resilient 13 inch pizza stone that is able to withstand rapid temperature changes, a high grade stainless cradle with integrated thermometer, and a wooden pizza peel.

Here is a recipe that will allow dad to test out his new barbecue accessories. Dad is thrilled with his grilling accessories and the family spends the night together over a delicious pizza – sounds like the perfect Father’s Day.

Chicken, Shitake Mushroom and Coriander

PIZZA

INGREDIENTS: • 3 tbsp olive oil • 12 ounces boneless chicken • 1 bunch green onions, sliced • 1 fresh red chili pepper, seeded and chopped • 1 red pepper, cut into thin strips • 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced • 3 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped • 1 12” Pizza crust • 1 tbsp chili oil • 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese • Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: 1. Brush chicken breasts with olive oil, season with salt, pepper and chilies. Place on grill on MEDIUM, and turn only once until breasts are cooked thoroughly. Slice thinly.

2. Place whole red peppers on grill to cook until hot, yet not completely cooked.

Cool slightly, then thinly slice the peppers, green onions, and mushrooms. Toss with remaining olive oil, red chili, coriander and salt and pepper.

Pour out excess oil, cover, and set aside.

3. Brush the pizza crust with chili oil. Place chicken evenly over the crust, then sprinkle with vegetables and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

4. Cook pizza on a preheated barbecue on LOW for 5-10 minutes or until the base is crisp and golden and the cheese is bubbling. Slice and serve hot.

For more information and recipes visit www.broilkingbbq.com www.newscanada.com

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GATEWAYhome&garden

Build a great deck with a solid plan A relaxing deck gives you the great outdoors without the need to venture too far from the comforts of home. When done right, a deck improves the appearance and utility of your home and can add to its resale value.

Lincoln Thompson, broker-owner with Royal LePage Gardiner Realty in Fredericton, New Brunswick advocates that homeowners pay special attention to the plan for any new deck.“To ensure the structure enhances your property, both now and in the future, a good design and quality materials should be your guiding principles,” he says.

Whether you plan to build it yourself or hire a contractor,Thompson suggests you ponder these questions:

How will you use your deck?

Consider the activities you typically do outdoors and how a deck could make them more enjoyable. Barbecuing? Sunning and lounging? Supervising the children at play?

Enjoying nature? Setting off a pool or spa?

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GATEWAYhome&garden Cont’d from page 37

How can you enhance your house and yard?

A deck usually sits against your house and alters the landscape of your yard.

Always keep the surroundings in mind and consider the combination of visual elements.Think about the view from the deck, and if it is raised, how it will look from ground level.

How large and what shape?

The deck should suit the scale of your house and yard. Going too large or too wide for the space can visually overwhelm and detract from the setting.

Avoid a plain, boxy rectangle by adding interesting angles or changing the orientation.

What materials will you use?

Cedar and redwood are popular choices, but for the budget-minded, look for pressure-treated pine and select your pieces with care. Composite deck materials are growing in popularity in some areas.

With careful attention to your needs and landscape, a deck creates a welcome transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces. And, it might clinch the deal when it comes time to sell. www.newscanada.com

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