New City Manager Has WIDC Connection
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 5:00 AM
Prince George. B.C.- The new Manager for the City of Prince George, Beth James, has had dealings with area issues in the past. In particular, the Wood Innovation and Design Centre.
If her name sounds familiar, you may recall she was one of several people applauded in a Prince George Citizen editorial on April 8th of 2010, it was an editorial written one week after the Mayor and Council of the day, announced the City had purchased the Prince George Hotel and it’s parking lot. At the time, Mayor Dan Rogers said there was no plan for the property, “This, along with other properties we have acquired, is something we will amass, because we have seen the opportunity for setting it up for ready state redevelopment. There is no specific plan I can outline for any particular use.”
Clearly someone was pushing to have the Wood Innovation and Design Centre built on the P.G. Hotel site, the editorial in the April 8th 2010 edition of the Citizen noted “If all goes according to plan, and with deputy minister Beth James quarterbacking the deal through Treasury, we should have an announcement soon that the much vaunted wood innovation centre will be built on the site.” The “site” being referenced was the Prince George Hotel site which had been purchased by the City, but the editorial does not specify just whose “plan” was being played out.
Treasury Board did not approve the project until at least a year after that editorial, and the City would announce in September of 2011 that it had chosen the P.G. Hotel site as the home for the WIDC, just hours after the Premier announced the project would move forward.
Ms. James has confirmed that yes, she was responsible for the WIDC file " for a very short period of time very early on in the process".
The Wood Innovation Design Centre has become the core of a controversy since two local business people filed a complaint over the procurement process. They allege they were promised involvement in the development of the site. A review by the fairness advisor has found nothing untoward in the process.
The contract to build the WIDC is expected to be announced soon. The City will turn over the property to the Province through a leasing agreement, on April 1st. The Province will pay $1 dollar a year for that lease for 26 years, after which, the City of Prince George will own the building and all its fixtures.
Comments
And the plot thickens… or thins
it just never ends, oh well another announcment coming soon
What plot?
Are you suggesting someone from PG told her that we could use people like her here and offered her a job anytime she was looking? ;-)
With Brian Fehr changing his allegiance to the NDP could spark a halt to the WIDC until the inquiry and investigation is completed.
It sounds like the location was determined long before McLaren and Fehr assumed to have a back door deal with Pat Bell. According to the allegations reported by CBC McLaren and Fehr were told in May 2012 by government representatives that they would be short-listed for the project if the land needed for it was bought ahead of time.
Lots of smoke and mirrors to divert the attention away from something here. IMO.
IMO McLaren pulled a fast one on Fehr. McLaren knew Commonwealth was in financial trouble with Northern Development Initiative Trust and roped Fehr into buying a position on Commonwealth property.
Missing piece of this puzzle is why did Fehr say on CBC radio that Pat came into his office and apologise? Something is not adding up here with McLaren and Fehrâs story.
Deputy ministers are non-partisan positions and part of the general bureaucracy of government. She was likely assigned this file or might have lobbied to work on it because it looked interesting. To suggest she is part of the controversy just because the file crossed her desk is nothing more than sensationalism bordering on yellow journalism.
I maintain, and have always maintained, that this whole kaffeeklatsch gossip is a by product of project intentions being announced far too early in the game and insuffient information once the appropriate time comes.
Government and private individuals have to learn the new paradigm which exists today with easy access to inforamation and blogs such as this which allow all sides to spout off their pet theories, most of which have no foundation in reality and come from watching too many movies and tv programs.
Pat had a vision very early on, to help his community in what I, at least, consider to be a reasonable innitiative. This country is doing squat as far as research goes compared to the USA and the rest of the world. We are getting a free ride. As a result, we are not serious competitors in the global manufacturing marketplace.
Where I disagree is that it was the right intent in the wrong place to appease the “downtown development at the cost of UNBC” crowd … residences, BoM building, a wood research facility, etc. etc.
They all belong at UNBC. The university is far too small to spread its wings and the office population of downtown is far too sparse to take advantage of wlking acorss the street to attend a 1 hour class in the middle of the day. This is not Vancouver.
We are so good in this City at coming up with the right projects in the wrong place. Why is that? Air quality? Fluoridated water?
“The game is afoot, Dr. Watson”.
With regard to the leasing of Brian Fehr and Craig Wood’s 10 acre property in the Haldi area west of town. Will Beth James be able to address the inconsistancies with our OCP?
———————————————
Oct.04, 2011 Mayor Dan Rogers voted in favour of rezoning and said the proponent has a challenge ahead of him to do some work in the neighbourhood. Fast forward to MARCH 04, 2013 Mayor Shari Green voted in favour and it is noted that apparently as an Add On- a neighbourhood agreement should be and could be required ???? With amendments to the OCP now permitted by the City, does this neighbourhood agreement speak to all residential and rural areas of our City ? Or will it just be Added On as we go?
This city badly needs reliable folks, not tainted in the recent scandals to clean the city and work for the city. It does not need yet another person affiliated with the special interest group who has dominated every sector.
Speaking of the cost of WIDC for UNBC. Why the UNBC management agreed to the deal shortly after a period it was laying off staff, professors and closing programs? and why in the middle of this scandal, it is still supporting WIDC as of Feb 28, 2013:
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20130228/PRINCEGEORGE0101/302289980/-1/princegeorge/unbc-throws-support-behind-wood-centre
Specially in light of ongoing mediation and arbitration battle with its union reported at http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20130125/PRINCEGEORGE0101/301259983/-1/PRINCEGEORGE/unbc-faculty-await-arbitration-dates
What are the priorities of the managers in UNBC? Who hires these folks and formulates the priorities of this city?
Gus … several of your points are valid
this discussion of a northern wood technology research site based in PG was discussed at least 15 years ago … CNC hosted a maajor conference on Wood Connectors (one of the engineering challenges is how to tie wood beams together with other building materials in major structures) backed by UBC. There was also a discussion paper circulated at a major UBC conference around the same time that would see PG host the northern arm of ongoing research…most people probably remember WoodWorks … what most probably don’t remember was that PG players (now gone on to Victoria) were the major push and coordinating body for this provincial initiative … so Gus, you are absolutely correct in stating that the research centre concept has been around for quite a while .. and Pat has always been supportive of development in this area
regarding your point of right project in the wrong location … my opinion is that you are partially correct … except that it was UNBC that was located in the wrong place for the wrong reasons … another ivory tower out of the mainstream of the City … that was IMHO the error … locating development downtown is the only way to turn around the downtown ghetto, getting students there is a great redevelopment strategy ( and the students may even appreciate the change of pace .. good bus service and multiple eating alternatives)
regarding hiring a Victoria savvy administrator … makes sense to me, at least that is one set of ropes in the monkey gym she already knows …
Government and private individuals have to learn the new paradigm which exists today with easy access to inforamation and blogs such as this which allow all sides to spout off their pet theories, most of which have no foundation in reality and come from watching too many movies and tv programs.
You should be the first to admit spouting off. You push your point to the point of boredom with 100 post on each story.
Dear City of Prince George,
Lets begin with our relationships to continue building strong neighbourhoods.
gus you are right that the problem with this project is that the vision of the previous premier wasn’t well articulated in a solid business plan early one. That failure led to all sorts of speculation, wild ideas, over ambitious plans that were well beyond financial realities. It also led to a few land speculators trying to figure out how they could make a tidy profit in the process by buying and flipping the land.
I also find it interesting the city will get the building after 26 years? Huh why? Does the city need more office space to have to maintain? Wouldn’t it stay with the province since it was built with provincial tax dollars.
BTW the land in foreclosure is not the pg hotel property but the other property down that block. Why it was bought when it wasn’t even needed for this project is difficult to understand.
“Why it was bought when it wasn’t even needed for this project is difficult to understand.”
Recall that Commonwealth commissioned Paul Zanette’s firm to generate an image of “downtown” PG, specifically the blocks from 3rd to 6th and George to Quebec seemed to be of interest. That is the way some land speculators operate. Tie up land around major developments and hope that the development will go ahead and that it will increase the interest of others to develop adjacent to the property
That did not happen with Plaza400. It also did not happen with the Court House. Note that is not where the BDC building ended up, nor Barton Insurance. This City is not only spread out too far in the outlying areas, but the downtown precinct is also far too large for a City this size.
FOCUS ……. that is what is missing.
The RCMP is on the property which would have supported a new office building more easily. Put a small park/interior garden on the ground floor facing south east with a few small eateries and it would have been a great gathering place for office workers in the area. The RCMP could have been built on the east side of Queensway, close to the court and Plaza400 and had far better access to arterial roads in the City.
BUT, we have no planning department with the mandate to plan for such improvements and the vision for them. They hire consultants with some provincial dollars to give them hints .. and no one takes any of them.
AND, we have no developers in this town with the money to put it where their mouths are. Look at the Hotel-Apartment complex. Not public money, but the ideas are just as grandiose. This town needs to pull itself up by the bootstraps and senior government money is the standard way to do it.
The office building form I am speaking about with the interior spaces is particularly prevalent in Ottawa. NMG could perhaps provide an opinion of whether they still work as intended or not.
Ottawa is a winter city, the same as PG. Time we did a few small things about making it more pleasant in the winter.
If the new building on George does not make an attempt at that, I can tell you now, I will be very critical of it.
“You should be the first to admit spouting off”
I said people spout off.
No one has to admit to anything. This is not a group counselling session. What you see is what you get. Everyone can figure it out themselves.
There are two distinct types of posters. Those in public relations with a paid job to post here and those who express their opinion.
You can figure it out monitoring the monitors.
“Deputy ministers are non-partisan positions and part of the general bureaucracy of government.”
That is not true. Deputy ministers are partisan positions chosen by the minister or party in power. I don’t see the logic in hiring a BC Liberal manager for the city when the next provincial government is expected to be NDP, and considering her
WIDC connection.
Whose interests were considered in her hiring?
univ: “There are two distinct types of posters. Those in public relations with a paid job to post here…”
Doubtful. Unless you’d like to out the ‘paid posters’.
The Catholics have a new pope.
No one is saying yet whether he has a connection to the WIDC.
He just did JB …. he knows he is paid …. he hasn’t got the faintest clue if anyone else is.
How do I get a job as a “paid poster”? I need the dough. Paid posters on the left AND the right? Municipal, provincial or federal? I hate them all. Brainwashing and re-education required? If I’m a paid poster and I bad mouth someone, will I have insurance to cover that lawsuit? How much money will I make? Per topic? Per line? Holidays, pension, E.I., sick leave? Union posters? Which union? Will I be paid my Internet costs? Where do I apply? Be specific.
QUICK…someone look over Chris Bone’s shoulder and see what website is displayed!
There was a good editorial in The Citizen this morning. It appears that Beth James could be the person to upset the old establishment and bring some much needed changes. I’m willing to give her a chance (if that means anything, which it doesn’t).
“How do I get a job as a “paid poster””
Ask the NDP. The media just found out they allegedly have a fund for that.
Just look at the CBC news sites which allow comments. It is obvious they are paid posters. ;-)
Prince George pays there City manager way to much, even Steve makes only 296400 US and he is running a whole country!
We have lost our Way what a Job is worth !
Methinks the person in charge is the one who signs Beth’s paycheque. You can take it from there.
CBC has lefty moderators. So far left they are falling over.
Ms. Green may have bitten off more than she can chew much less swallow with this one! She is def. not in anyone’s back pocket nor will she ever be!!! I am glad I don’t have to work alongside her if I was hiding something!
“The office building form I am speaking about with the interior spaces is particularly prevalent in Ottawa. NMG could perhaps provide an opinion of whether they still work as intended or not. Ottawa is a winter city, the same as PG. Time we did a few small things about making it more pleasant in the winter”
Yes, I actually can’t think of a newer office building in downtown (at least the ones I’ve been in), that doesn’t have that type of design.
The logic is quite simple and that’s the fact that people typically don’t want to go outside in January during an ice storm when the wind is howling and it’s -25 outside. Heck, most people don’t want to go outside in August when it’s +40 with 90% humidity either, LOL.
Anyway, most of the office buildings have a combination of retail shops, restaurants and food courts so they are very user friendly for the tenants and the employees working there. Obviously Ottawa has the advantage of population, but I see no reason why a similar design concept couldn’t be pulled off in PG on a smaller scale. It’s all about creating usable spaces.
The other thing about Ottawa that PG could learn from, is that the office district is pretty much dead after 6PM. People don’t hang out there after work hours. The busy areas are the ByWard Market, the areas adjacent to the Rideau Canal and the various neighbourhoods were people LIVE. Office towers and government buildings (including RCMP detachments and Wood Innovation Centres) do not create vibrant downtown cores. Restaurants, pubs, parks, downtown housing, cultural facilities and other attractions will.
Im a moving co. also a moving agent for a Van line. Example of the waste by the city here. You can do a full service move from
Vancouver to PG for about $12000.00. So why isnt the city allowing $12000.00?
Just asking.
It would cover more than the move of personal goods and belongings. I assume they would also cover real estate fees to sell the old house, temporary accommodations costs while she was in transit/waiting to get possession of the new house, probably some money put aside for a house hunting trip, etc.
I thank you especially for that last paragraph NMG …. the argument some people at City Hall make is that any building that brings people into the downtown to work will create a vibrant downtown.
How wrong someone could be. And how badly we need some planners who have personal experience with that fact so that we do not make the same mistake over and over again.
Our MLA’s are not town planners. We have none on Council. We’ll see what we will get for a design for this new building. I will hold my comments till then. I am hoping for the best.
According to this 2010 email http://www.bcvote.ca/2010/03/beth-be-gone/
A “Beth James has been asked to take on the role of Associate Deputy Minister, Wood Innovation Centre with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.”
It is fate.
“Im a moving co. also a moving agent for a Van line. Example of the waste by the city here. You can do a full service move from
Vancouver to PG for about $12000.00. So why isnt the city allowing $12000.00?
Just asking”
She has a lot of shoes!
This is of a different subject: This will have an impact on our city …. Monday night – L&M on behalf of casino…..
Document Number:253302 APPENDIX Aâ to Bylaw No. 8467 City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011
Amendment Bylaw No. 8467 Replace Downtown Policy 8.3.18 with the following: Policy 8.3.18 The City should maintain downtown
As the primary entertainment and cultural centre of the city. All medium and large scale entertainment and cultural uses â including theaters, movie theaters, music venues, and large meeting facilities â should be located downtown
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine”
She was chosen for her liberal connections and penchant for the right wing agenda – alive and well at city hall, of course she has rubbed elbows with all the right people and prior to more than likely being out of a job real soon….a match in heaven was made and here she is to run the city.
She would not have been hired if she was not a good and desirable fit for the current direction of council….which is far, far away from running a municipality by managing our tax dollars (more like a monopoly game with our play money)and overseeing the workforce to do so.
Wait and see
hey Ben. How is the view that far up Pat Bell’s bum? Now we know what an appointment to the Law Society is worth.
bcnorth: “She was chosen for her liberal connections and penchant for the right wing agenda “
Yeah, well, they need a bit of that right now. The City is overpaid, overstaffed, and underworked.
So do we need a wood inovention center? We just had a core review that said we need $ for our infastructure. If money was not being spent on a fancy police station, The Winter Games, the Kin Center and the list goes on. With the idea that the tax payer will build it and private enterprise will allow the same tax payers to rent it for a healthy price. They are trying to do this with the Swimming Pool and the Kin Center. Is this what they have in mind for the Vanderhoof Swimming Pool after the tax payers build it???” Then when our roads and sewage pipes fall deeper into decay those rich bastards will take our homes. I say no to the winter games and no to any 3Ps.
From: Beth James
Sent: Thursday, March 4, 2010 3:51 PM
To: SSBC All Staff
Subject: Message to All SSBC Staff
“Good Afternoon,
Today it was announced that Iâll be leaving Shared Services BC for a new assignment at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, effective immediately.”
—————
The role assigned to her is “Associate Deputy Minister, Wood Innovation Centre” by the then Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Shirley Bond (2009-2011).
The new PG manager James is in the eye of the storm in the UNBC WDIC scandal and it seems Bond helped her to get the job in Prince George.
The WDIC plot thickens as Bridget Jones enters the picture ….
The Emperor: “I have the POWER! UNLIMITED… POWER!” [Star wars]
Comments for this article are closed.