Shocking and Unbelievable! The mayor doesn’t talk to 250 news? why not?

These guys pull down over $100k a year and they have to steal on top of that???

If these allegations turn out to be true, they should be removed from their jobs. They don’t deserve to wear the uniform of a public servant.

That’s why I like this site; Queen Green does not talk to Opinion 250.

But seriously, another blow to this city’s reputation. This is the kind of news story that could put us in the National spotlight yet again! Is crime so bad in our city that it has become institutionalized with our local government structure and services?

*shakes head and kicks a tin can down the road…

Amnesty, are you kidding me.

Amnesty? What planet are we living on here? Aren’t firefighters and other first responders held responsible like the general public? Amnesty for crimes makes them sound like Canadian politicians rather than firefighters.

If he is facing charges, then obviously amnesty is not being offered. I like this site and all, but it is not stellar reporting to report on rumors

Don’t feel to bad about mayor Green not talking to 250news. Green has nothing she can say.

Please people lets not forget that there are very passionate and professional fire fighters/rescue teams out there. Lets hope this can be dealt with fast so the rest of teams can get back to work. Who ever did this will never be trusted within the department again and some careers are pretty much over.(I would hope so.)

Amnesty??? Really??? So now if you are a Senator OR Firefighter crime pays until you get caught? This, if it is true, really shows how poorly run our city really is. Maybe our most dangerous city rating is a top down problem??

Well put Northman

You can’t judge a whole group of professionals by the actions of one.
This person has not been proven guilty and the news seems to be judging all firefighters based on the “information” they have.

People in every profession make thier own choices and cannot be the basis of the opinion of the whole.

If these allegations are true, charge them and have a trial, or a sentencing.
This is a very small minority in a group, same as any police force who may have done something illegal.
The majority as usual are competent caring professionals who put their lives on the line protecting you and me from crap we really don’t want to deal with or don’t know how to deal with. Hope this is cleaned up quickly.
This amnesty crap is to get back what was stolen and interview the people who have it to ensure the main perpetrators are caught, nothing wrong with that. Come clean and regain your integrity.
This is really a sad story.

It is a sad day when emergency personnel that are trusted by everyone and able to enter people’s houses in the time of need. Now are people going to question are they casing my house while they are there? I hope that this is just a big mistake but if not there should be no amnesty for the persons envolved.Innocent until proven guilty.

Well we certainly need more information, however on the surface this does not look good.

This is not a very good report of what is happening….just a stick in the eye for our administration in my opinion. Why the heck would you check with the Mayor for gosh sakes? What a cheap shot, but considering the source, not unexpected. Oh by the way, here is the link to the appropriate source for our Fire Chief, etc…http://princegeorge.ca/cityservices/firerescue/Pages/Default.aspx

This is a very unfortunate situation and if one or more firefighters are involved then they should face the full degree of the law of the land, nothing more….and certainly nothing less. There is no need IMHO to seek out a public report from Mayor Green, this is not a declaration of a state of emergency.

I think people should keep an open mind until more information comes out. I hate to say it but this news article reads like something from the enquirer. All it can really say for a fact is that one firefighter is under investigation. Everything else appears to be speculation.

The Story stands on its own, when we contacted Fire Chief John Lane he tried to get someone from city hall, (his bosses to respond) The police and fire answer to Rob Whitwam at City Hall, both of whom are under the cities jurisdiction. Rob Whitwam answers to the Mayor and council.

The Mayor speaks for council. Is that plain enough.

The Mayor unless I have been lacking somewhere is the Chief Magistrate of the City and therefore ultimately answers for those departments.

Cheap shot or not the Mayor does not take questions from 250 News, that is a fact.

if you feel it is a cheap shot, who then would you suggest is the main point person in the city when it comes to speaking about City hall under which the fire department falls.

In so much as the other suggestions that these are just rumours, perhaps you should attend court, or better yet ask who is being charged these days. As for Ruez, read the story its says ” facing charges “, is that plain enough.

Again we stand on our story

Meisner

Thanks Ben! Well put, and even if only one person is charged does no one else become suspicious when large pieces of equipment or toys start showing up where they shouldn’t?? If you know and fail to act you are a part of the problem, not a part of the solution. Complacency is almost accessory IMHO.

That’s fine , you stand by your story. But, this part seems to be pure speculation to me.

” While we have not been able to confirm this, inside information suggests that a form of amnesty is being offered to firefighters within the department to return goods that allegedly may have been stolen.
Why such a offering is being made is not known “

I can’t remember how many times I’ve heard ” a friend of a friend ” or ” a buddy of a cousin of a guy I know told him … “
Without real confirmation , that type of statement means bugger all to me. Let’s see some confirmation from actual people in charge. For all we know, the inside info could have been said by the cleaning lady. Don’t mean to come across as an ass, but let’s see some facts. If Green won’t speak to you , then lets get some comment from someone like Brian Skakun.

Meisner, you might want to grow a little thicker skin, considering you’ve been in this business for awhile. You’re coming off pretty defensive. If you want to turn this into the PG Enquirer, it’s your dime.

” Now are people going to question are they casing my house while they are there?”

The allegations concern things like excavators, so even if they are true, it doesn’t sound like firefighters are checking out where people have their jewelry boxes, safes, big screen TVs, old masters, and so forth.

Sounds like some Hugh Nicholson reporting to me!

Runner46 wrote: “Oh by the way, here is the link to the appropriate source for our Fire Chief …. “

So you did not really read the story for content, did you? You made a decision to, in your words, put “a stick in the eye for” 250News.

If you did not have that biased mindset, you would have been able to calmly read the entire story for content, and maybe even taken the time to re-read it and you would have been more likely to see the following words: “Prince George Fire Chief John Lane says his department has no comment to make at this time.”

Now, put yourself into a reporter’s place, if you can. One does not often find scoops. When a reporter thinks he/she has one, and someone closes the door, good reporters do not simply say, tough luck, I tried.

Lousy reporters kick themselves when they give up and the next day they find the Globe and Mail or the New York Times have picked it up and published it.

I think the expression “Nice guys finish last” applies to the news business.

===========================

It seems the facts are:
1.A Prince George Firefighter is being investigated, and faces charges, after a stolen river boat was recovered along with an excavator in what 250News has learned was an alleged theft ring operating within a section of Prince George Fire Rescue. (if that is not what is happening, then it is a libelous statement and 250News tries to avoid those at almost all costs).

2.Police will say nothing beyond an investigation is underway.

3.Prince George Fire Chief John Lane says his department has no comment to make at this time.

I think if the Fire Chief knew that there was no involvement with a firefighter, he would simply have come out stating that to quell false rumours. But he did not do that.

This is not an ordinary story about stolen equipment. The fact that members of the fire department may be involved is what makes this a story. It is a breach of trust.

So, we have two department of the City involved. The police, which is a City contractor, apparently investigating one or more members of the fire department. All are under the direct administrative control of our new City Manager (lucky her) on the one hand, and the Mayor and Council, on the other.

Any prudent individual would normally move up the ladder to the top to get a comment. Even if that comment is just something like: “Yes, the superintendent has informed me that an investigation is under way which may involve City employees. Until I get a more substantive report, I will refrain from further comment.”

BUT, the person in charge of the City is not taking calls from 250News ……… so, I think it is fair to make such a comment to show that a dead end has been reached at this time.

You know, it might be a long weekend, but someone should be guarding the gates of the City. That is a 24/7/365 responsibility.

Mayor Green should get rid of her attitude problem, as we assume the Mayor to be at realm of the city and talk to all media including 250news. News outlets could report facts and it is really Shari Green’s job to talk to ALL media. Shari Green has never gotten out of her high school years of childhood by the way she is conducting the Job of a mayor. Mayor Green’s job is to call a news conference when these things happen.

I pity her if she has known about this theft ring for some time and said nothing. If Shari Green was involved with the amnesty negotiation with the RCMP would really put the cake on the icing for Green.

It is time for the resignation of Mayor Green if Green refuses to talk to the media. It implies that the mayor is hiding something!!

How to Invite the Media to a Press Conference
The most common way to invite reporters to a press conference is with a media advisory. The advisory provides reporters with enough information to decide if they should attend the press conference, but not enough to make them feel they have the full story. If participants are available for interviews, state that in your advisory. Fax, mail or email the media advisory one week before the event to give editors time to assess the story and make decisions about coverage. In some cases, you may want to invite more than one person, such as a metro reporter and a health or lifestyle reporter. Both may have an interest in the story, but from different perspectives.
It is important to make follow-up calls a day or two before the event, for several reasons. First, faxes are notorious for “getting lost” and you may have to resend. Second, calling gives you an opportunity to sell the press conference to the reporter, and to ask if he or she is interested in scheduling an interview with your spokesperson(s) following the event. The goal is to generate interest in your topic. Finally, calling may give you an idea of how many people might attend the event.

Bang on gus and happy12, well said!

If these charges are true, there should be jail time, not amnesty.

Good Morning NMG. Great game, hope Chris Neil is okay. GO SENS !

Now THIS is going to be expensive. Somebody should start counting.

To use a business analogy the city manager would be the CEO/COO. Mayor and council would be the Board of Director with the mayor(bad)acting as chairman of the board. Even on a long weekend Chris Bone or another talking head should have been available for comment.

I guess we will see what our new city manager is made of.

That being said what gets under my skin is a simple “s” as in “amnesty is being offered to firefighterS” I can see if ONE firefighter on the periphery is given amnesty for cooperation in the investigation.

Blanket amnesty simply to get the goods back would be poor police work. Is the palace on Victoria all form no function?

no different than the ICBC manager who was growing pot in his house.and was buying the vehicles his dept was writing off…fixing them and re selling them…they let him take an early retirement. i think people in trusted positions should be held to higher standards….not get their wrist slapped and no criminal record…

As far as the topic of amnesty is concerned, it states: “While we have not been able to confirm this, inside information suggests that a form of amnesty is being offered to firefighters within the department to return goods that allegedly may have been stolen.”

1. No confirmation on that.
2. The info is from an “insider” – who is likely someone in the Fire Department or within the Police Force. It could also be someone within other departments of City Hall.
3. A “form of amnesty” is being offered.

So, if ANYTHING is being offered, I believe neither the police or the fire services are in a position to offer anything unless the Crown Council is involved at the least with either the City Manager and/or the Mayor. At this early time in her position, I would find it surprising for the City Manager to not advise the Mayor. I do not really know what the protocol is in such a case. It would be nice to know even just that.

We really do not know how long this “investigation” has been going on. I doubt it started this weekend. The longer it has been going on, the worst it will look for City Hall for not making some statement, in my opinion.

The only part of this story I read as a rumour is, the other firefighters being offered amnesty. This was being reported even though it could not be confirmed. It just seems strange charges would be pending against one firefighter, but the rest are being given an option just to return the stolen goods and no one gets in to any trouble.
The story is troubling to say the least, and I am thankful it has been brought to light. I just feel it would have been as effective without the mentioning of rumours you have been unable to confirm, regarding amnesty.

Seems to be a lot of twists and turns these days in our fair city….and it’s not just avoiding potholes….

Despite Mayor Green’s childish and petty decision not to talk to 250news, her position as mayor should demand she makes a statement on this or at very least have the 100k + a year manager of communication and citizen engagement interrupt her weekend.

blog/view/23758/1/green++won%27t+talk+to+opinion250

As stated above by volunteer FF firemen hold a position of trust. They often do inspections of buildings and industrial facilities- do we want the seed planted where people wonder if they are just casing the joint for a future night time visit?

Hello? Mayor Green? Hello????? Beth James? Chris Bone? Is anybody home?????????

Posted by: daisybee on May 20 2013 8:19 AM
The only part of this story I read as a rumour is, the other firefighters being offered amnesty. This was being reported even though it could not be confirmed. It just seems strange charges would be pending against one firefighter, but the rest are being given an option just to return the stolen goods and no one gets in to any trouble.

————————

I suspect the amnesty is being offered to those people who unknowingly purchased stolen property.

Amnesty? I should say not. If found guilty these “alleged” perps should face the same sentences and punishment all drug dealers and thieves and surly dead beat ne’er do wells get. That is one day in jail, eighteen months probation and oh yes, a firearms ban for ten years. And as for “Chief Green” her zipped lips speak volumes. Buckingham Palace dysfunctionality has nothing on our city hall. Go figure.

Prince George, the only city in Canada where a fireman cannot carry an axe because of probation order not to possess B&E tools:0

First off.. Who cares what green says anyways..she is a waste of skin and air.

As for a few bad apples in the fire department. Lets not paint the entire force. With the same brush ( most have already done it with the RCMP)

The fire fighters put their lives on the line everyday and some pp, are complaining on how much they make.. You do know that includes overtime, also they work holiday as etc.. While the rest of us are home with our families. Just think of what the see, charged burned bodies, badly burnt or dead children. Couldn’t pay me enough to do that job.

I find it ironic that the fire department is dealing with hot goods..

My question is; who determines which fire fighter(s) knowingly or unknowingly purchased stolen property?

Upon making that/those determinations, who has the “authority” to grant amnesty? There is potential here or either perceived, or direct, conflict of interest as both the RCMP and the Fire Department have the same “Employer” (The City). Knowing that, will this all become an “internal” City matter?

I hope this does not turn into another Kitty Heller Report fiasco. Maybe the City, RCMP, and the Fire Department, should be seek legal counsel’s direction on how to proceeding further?

Typical cover up..if this was a average joe he would facing charges of theft over 5000 and makes no sense why these people wouldnt be facing the same charges..if i was the owner of the boat i would be making a big deal out of this

Possible theft ring operating within a section of the PG Fire Rescue….a river boat, excavator and possibly many other high ticket items may have been stolen…. This begs the question of how long has the alleged theft ring within the Fire Department been stealing high ticket items?

City Hall should send out a media release ASAP even if it is just to acknowledge the unlawful allegations.

Any mayor cherry picking which news media to talk to and which not is an attitude problem and inconsistent with being a public figure, in my opinion. A mature person faces all matters concerning a city and its residents head on while hiding nothing, appreciating the opportunity to communicate with the residents freely and without hesitation.

It’s not Ben who has a problem.

Dear Ben,
It seems that you can never pass on an opportunity to slam mayor Green. Perhaps you should come clean with your band of lefty followers and explain to us the uninformed masses what prompted Mayor Green to take such a drastic step! Perhaps you could explain why you have a personal vendetta against her! I wont hold my breath waiting for either of the above as that would imply that opinion 250 is about fair and balance reporting rather than selling advertising, and as a side benefit an instrument to be used against whoever you are currently angry with. You can keep selling your BS to your fanboys on this site but those of us that know the truth aren’t buying!

Ben has a band of LEFTY followers? LOL, now that would be a real scoop!

Hey middle finger, I was lucky enough to take in the game last night and it was crazy! Out of the 20,500 in attendance, I don’t think I saw more than 5 people leave before Alfredsson tied it up there. The roof darn near blew off the place when he tipped it in. Awesome atmosphere. It reminded me of the Cougars playoff games back in the day, albeit on a larger scale of course.

“It seems that you can never pass on an opportunity to slam mayor Green”

Come on NyteHawwk, she has to be the most slammable Mayor this city has had in the past 40 years. She makes it so easy.

I’m a follower, but I sure ain’t a lefty.

“NyteHawwk on May 20 2013 2:01 PM Dear Ben,
It seems that you can never pass on an opportunity to slam mayor Green. Perhaps you should come clean with your band of lefty followers and explain to us the uninformed masses what prompted Mayor Green to take such a drastic step!”

It is Green who took the step, not Meisner!He is more than willing to talk to her once she makes herself available! She alone knows why and why would anyone expect him to give reading her mind a try?

Green won’t talk to 250 because they ask important questions that need to be answered!

Here is the article about that directive from the Mayor’s office that she will not talk to opinion250/250news.

blog/view/23758/1/green++won't+talk+to+opinion250

====================
The Mayor of Prince George, Shari Green, has closed the door on Opinion 250.

Communications Director Chris Bone contacted Opinion 250 today to say “Mayor Green will not be responding to Opinion 250 for interviews or comments.”

The reason behind the decision is not known, as Ms. Bone cannot offer comment and as noted, the Mayor “will not be responding to Opinion250”.
==============================

You know NyteHawwk, you are not doing your group of “righty” followers of Mayor Green any favours by showing us the type of people who follow her.

When a person enters public life they have to grow a much tougher skin than the average person. You obviously have not been able to do that to cause you to come forward and make such a post. Of course, you are not likely an insider, since true insiders know enough to shut up.