Civil servants share $6B ‘severance’ without losing jobs

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/05/pol-weston-public-service-severance.html

“OTTAWA – Canadian and especially B.C. taxpayers aren’t adequately protected in the event Enbridge Inc.’s proposed Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline suffers the same kind of catastrophic failure that resulted in a US$765-million — and counting — spill in Michigan two years ago, says a former senior Canadian insurance executive.”

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/07/05/canadian-b-c-taxpayers-could-bear-brunt-of-costs-in-event-of-gateway-spill-expert/

Finally some sun, enjoy everyone.

“Civil servants share $6B ‘severance’ without losing jobs”

I have no issue with this. Getting rid of the severance upon retirement provisions for those contracts will save the government/taxpayers hundreds of millions (perhaps billions) of dollars moving forward into the future. You can’t only look at the immediate payout, you have to look at the future cash flows as well. Pretty simply concept.

Oh and before you say that the immediate payouts shouldn’t happen at all, that’s not realistic. The employees had earned that accumulated severance under the legally binding contracts of their current agreements so you can’t simply get rid of that clause without some form of compensation for what was already promised and earned. Another pretty simple concept.

It would be nice to see on your “web page” that when there are pictures in an story that a “camera” symbol be in the headline.

By the time the WIC is built(or should I say if) it will be an also ran in terms of a tall wood only building.

http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/Wood-Building-WIll-Be-Worlds-Tallest-161011735.html

Happy Friday bend over and pay your taxes day!

So, the grumpy people are online whining and complaining about everything, where are the happy ones? Out enjoying life?

I’m happy :)

Nice and sunny out. Going to be a great day to get out and about on my motorcycle!

Take care folks :)

Yesterday I toured another person (from Kelowna) through some of the recreation facilities in PG. They said the same thing everyone else says “Oh my God, you have such a great City and you are so lucky”. Albus…don’t let the 12 grumpy bloggers bring you down – there are plenty of other people out here, just not participating in the nastiness and negativity.

If you aren’t grumpy you haven’t been watching the news.

It’s Friday, it’s going to be a sunny weekend, so gt out and do something, leave the rants and the whining behind and make the most of Beautiful BC

The neat thing about people who work long shifts, retired people, and all sorts of others with different work schedules than “the norm” is that they are not dependent on jammed weekends to get out to do things. They can go to parks, museums, hiking trails, campgrounds, fishing holes, stores, patios at restaurants and coffee shops, etc. during non-peak times and get more enjoyment with fewer people around.

Now, if this were Paris, or even Vancouver, and you were into the “see and be seen” culture of downtown living, you would want to wait for the weekends when you get the maximum advantage for your favourite thrills. ;-)

The Norwegian tall wood building has been proposed for at least two years now. I have posted it on here several times. They now give a time frame of 2014 which means they should be in the ground this year. Te most interesting thing is that it is supposed to have a multi storey theatre in it on some upper floors. I find that to be pushing the envelope of safety quite a bit.

As with many proposal, it is just that until you see foundations being placed and the first storey starting to go up.

I wish it would rain.. It’s sooo hot out.

I have to spend the weekend reading and doing schoolwork, but if you don’t have to, go out and have an incredible safe weekend!

Watching the news shouldn’t make you grumpy. It should just make you aware and not only that remember the media is only ever giving the one side, the side they want you to hear! If you get too caught up then you become burden with such negativity. The gov’t will always do things we don’t like no matter who is sitting in that chair! If it isn’t one thing its another. So suck it up live life, love life and be thankful we live in this amazing country and how much worse your life could be. Prince George may not be the most fav place in BC however, take advatage of what it has to offer. I didnt grow up here and dont care much for it however, I also dont see myself leaving until the children are grown.

HAPPY FRIDAY ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL LONG WEEKEND!

OOPS guess its not long for everyone lol …

So, what’s happening with the downtown condo/hotel development?

http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/23991/1/hotel+constructiion++likely+to+start+this+summer

Since their plan was to start construction this summer, they must have a bunch of units sold, and are advertising that fact to demonstrate momentum and dwindling supply to goose demand, right?

Right?…

Anyone out there notice the abscence of Hornets and Yellowjackets so far this so-called summer? Eating Tent caterpillars perhaps? Usually have four or five nests I have to get rid of to keep the kids safe, but nothing.
Hope everyone has a safe weekend, don’t need that bad phone call or knock on the door do we?
Stay safe, be healthy!

I’d like to see a forum on this site.

This is a very cool story, enjoy!

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/different+kind+drummer+Mountie+beats+skins+with+band+camp/6894715/story.html

Looks like we will now have to pay attention as to whose turn it is to water. On the downside, it seems to me that we are one week closer to having Israel do something to Iran. When that happens,what else is going on in the world is going to pale in comparison. I have yard work to do. Have a nice weekend.

Do they have any intention of ever paving over that mud hole on Dominion or is that part of Dan’s legacy too?

There are so many single potholes in the downtown area, and the number are growing almost daily even though there is no freeeze thaw weather outside. That, in itself, may surprise some people.

There are locations such as 3rd going west at the intersection with Vancouver to the stop sign at the intersection with 2nd. Been there for at least two months and one cannot avoid them. I really do not understand why potholes in such prominent locations that cannot be avoided by judicious steering are still there.

The lates ones I noticed is when entering and leaving the White Spot parking lot at the 8th Avenue entrance. Two or more deep potholes right at the entrance on the city street adjacent to the curb. Why has White Spot management not called City Hall about those? Tim Hortons? CBC? … someone!!!

I think priority for patching should be the CBD. It should not take more than one week equivalent of dry weather to complete that task. It is difficult to steer around potholes in a tighter and more congested area such as downtown, and it is likely the highest concentration of visitors, whether they drive to the city or fly and rent a car for a day or so.

I don’t watch much main stream media, lots of hysteria, showboating, bias short on facts or accuracy. I find CKPG to be the most well rounded without the hype.

Sun news not bad. Al Jazeera is surprisingly a good watch, with caveat.

I use internet the most.

Here is a excellent example of financial rip off.

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/political-climate

thank you to the person who painted around the large pot hole on 3rd Ave and paint the arrows to go around. I smile each time I see the arrows, if we have to live with the pot holes lets have fun with them.

“So, what’s happening with the downtown condo/hotel development?”

I believe this has to be done (I have indicated what I believe to be done, may not be 100% done):

1.street closure – done
2.property to the east of Ray Kandola’s shopping centre purchased – done
3.same property leveled and prepared for parking
4.RCMP parking spots relocated.
5.Building design – no clue where this stands
6.Strata title registration for suites – no clue where this stands
7.Long term lease commitment by Hotel Chain or Franchisee – no clue where this stands
8.City permitting process towards foundation permit to start with – no clue where this stands
9.Condo sales office and/or other marketing tools – no clue where this stands

I just hope this does not wither on the vines before the grapes are even ripe.

“I just hope this does not wither on the vines before the grapes are even ripe.”

Given the history of major downtown projects the main street should be renamed Vine Street with the cross streets named Wither Avenue and Die Cresent:(

^5 …. very good!!

http://www.princegeorge.ca/cityhall/mayorcouncil/csr/pages/default.aspx

The second core services review milestone report is published on the City web site.

It says the on line survey is supposed to be published by now as well … but I cannot find it.

from the above report”

1. Public Workshop planned for July 25, 6:00-8:00 pm

2. Working Group workshop planned for July 24, 1:00-4:00pm (who is this group?

3. Select Committee workshop planned for July 26

——————————
Hopefully there will be other public workshops or meetings. 2 hours is nothing for such a major event that is happening for the first time in this city.

Also, when recommendations come down, and/or when Council is ready to make decsions … we require the public to be invited to a meeting or tow or more. This is when the Toronto review started to heat up big time with at least one all nighter.

That needs to be done before Council pre-empts the whol input and makes unilateral decisions.

I notice another public workshop is envisioned in early September before the final report is prepared.

Here’s something to think about next time you pay that voluntary tax and buy that lottery ticket.

The BCLC is staking Roberto Luongo $10000 to play in the World Series of Poker.

Don’t worry though, the BCLC defends this move by saying that the money doesn’t come from the ‘charity fund’, it comes from its ‘marketing fund’.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Lottery+Corp+rolls+dice+Luongo+with/6892559/story.html

The BCLC needs to market itself ? Who is their competition ?

Do these “public workshops, working groups, and select committees” have a catered small buffet for attendees after the meetings? Might be good for some who doesn’t wish to cook that evening, and TV is crappy. Might be an incentive for some to show up.

Slim2229, we have noticed a shortage of hornets, wasps-yellowjackets etc too.
Last year we had nests to deal with in several locations on various buildings, some were huge, this year: none, to date. On a side note, we have seen more honeybees this year than last. One constant here in our rural paradise: mosquitoes by the boatload, no-see-ums a close second. and of course 100 million cocoons from tent caterpillers.
Happy summer weekend all.
metalman.

Minimal pestilance this evening. ftw!

Boring Friday G’night