Go Cougars! Got our tickets for tonight’s game. See you folks there.

Please get your Conservative membership if you have any interest in who the next MP will be…The nomination process surpasses the actual election!! You need to be a member to vote against Scary Sheri at the nomination level.

Well Mayor Green, you have provided me with alot of amusement this week. Those claims of how YOU negotiated the contract with CUPE prompts me to ask what the total cost is there.. Hiring the lawyer to do the work (which is normally done in-house), the CORE services review (contracted to one of her election supporters KPMG), and your claims at the time of negotiations that the City of PG was broke (no $ value there, but made evryone question what the Heck is going on with our tax dollars) PLUS the smear that the whole fiasco put upon our city in the news. Will we ever know the total cost of your victory over your employees?
Then we have the paving projects this year.. Supposedly we started off with no money to do all this, but you “found” money somewhere? All the work to redo 4th ave to accomodate 2 way traffic.
Your Superintendant produced a bungled report on snow removal, presented it to council and not only kept a job but you then hired an outside agency to do some fact finding and help produce a new report.
Oh, and finally… YOU take credit for bringing down crime rates in our city… Guess the RCMP can now take a holiday cuz SUPER mayor’s got it all under control!
Yup, I want you to represent our region in govt…

So Don would like to be a CEO type mayor but he won’t be able to pick his team.
If he has a plan to increase our population to 100,000, why have we never heard of this before, I mean he was on council for many years.

I guess if he would head a CEO type council then Shari would have to be compared to a ‘dictator’ type.

Lyn would like to have the people consulted with. That’s good as long as every decision didn’t need to have a consulting committee formed to make a decision. When the populace clearly states its position on any matter, it really needs to be respected.

The city hall people should be able to report on matters in the city instead of hiring big city consultants for outrageous fees. The Core Services review and the snow clearing review, should have never been consulted on from out of town. Huge waste of our money. Any consulting should be done within the local populace. We have a lot of very capable people here.

Our top city managers all need to go through a rigid performance review. Those who don’t pass, need to be terminated immediately. Any future hires would need to have their contracts approved by a citizen’s committee. Enough of the ‘golden handshakes’.
We are not a big business corporation, we are just a small city, so let’s get our perspective straightened out.

Would either of them get rid of the mayor’s executive assistant? How about the (non) ‘communications’ people?
We need people who can stand and face the electorate, speak clearly and honestly and state all the facts.

What about the policy of any information or questions going through the city manager? That needs changing as well.
The secrecy and non information at city hall has to come to an end. They are not the mafia. We are not here to serve them. They are hired to serve us.

It seems odd that we here would have to ‘buy’ a membership to be able to vote for our federal candidate but I guess if you really want Shari Green to represent us, well, don’t bother then.

She has quite a powerful team behind her, well greased with lots of money.

They have their own business interests in mind, not the concerns of the ordinary populace.

Even with just a few candidates running, too much of a diversified vote for any of them, could see her block of votes carry her to a victory. That is a scary notion.
That is why we should be concerned. If enough people sign up to vote, votes for her would be diluted enough to give any of the others an equal chance at winning.

She has shown her character fairly well in her role as our most recent mayor. If you’re happy with that, well, fine. That is your choice and it needs to be respected.

If you are not satisfied though and do not wish to see more of the same but on a LOT bigger scale, its not asking too much, in this case, to purchase a membership and be able to cast a vote for who you would rather have represent us federally.

I appreciate what Dick Harris did for this region and he has placed his support behind one candidate. Perhaps he has a good idea of what the people running would be able to do for us.

Trucks!!! When big corporates like Canfor tell there contractors they pay there drivers to much. That no driver is worth more than $19 a hour. A one company has a rate on a 650 km turn around, based on 1.5 hour less than the others, What do you thinks going to happen.

Disclaimer: I am not a member of the conservative party and I hate politics in general.
I am concerned enough though in this instance to state my feelings.

One would think with such ironclad solidarity, negotiating a fair rate would be easy for truckers.

Canfor and other big corporations, have budgets for their transportation costs. These budgets are also very reasonable for safe, quality transportation of their goods.
What happens then, is the managers who negotiate contracts, get the lowest bidders they can. The rest of the budget is divided up as bonus money for them.
A good manager saves money for the corporation. I guess they need to be rewarded for that, on top of the good money they are paid for being a good manager.
The contractors? Well they can sink or swim. Its not their problem.

Even though they are the cause of it.

Give more – can you enlighten me as to what Dick Harris has done for this region, other than make us look like northern hicks by refusing to reside here?

Have a great weekend everyone. It might be wet but that’s a time for the indoor projects!

As a solution to Shari green running for the conservative riding, vote for Nick Fedorkiw. He is the man for the job. Check out his bio on his webpage. We need an educated experienced individual to represent us. So join the party and vote. This is just as important if not more than our mayor/councillor race. This level of politics will ultimately drive our region and assist Don’s plan in getting our city growing. All levels of government work together. SO VOTE! Exercise your right to build a common vision.

“…assist Don’s plan”? A little bit cozy, don’t you think? Not to mention Greenesque in its elitism. Or did the mayor’s office become an official dictatorship, rather than the current de facto one?

So people here want everyone to sign a conservative membership to stop Green from getting the nomination, really?? Conservative reformist have all but destroyed Canada as we know it.The treatment of our men and woman in the military is disgusting our vets and those protecting our rights and liberties have earned the right to be treated with care and respect something the harper clan can’t except, membership in the conservative party never, never again.

Thank you LittleBirdie for this answer – it was very helpful: “Anyone, please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong but to answer jales5’s question…

1. Ballots will be sent in the mail to anyone who lives in the riding.

2. I would expect a forum of some sort, but it may be only in Prince George. That would probably be up to the association for the riding.

3. You don’t need to decide who you are going to vote for before joining a party. You can join a party at any time.”

6:58 AM by mos

This level of politics will ultimately drive our region and assist Don’s plan in getting our city growing. All levels of government work together. SO VOTE! Exercise your right to build a common vision.

I was undecided until last night on who to vote for. I do not agree that Don is the man for the Mayor job. I attended the forum last night and Don came across as a dictator and its his way or the highway. His approach has the same tone to it as Shari Green had in the 2013 election. This will not serve Prince George. This smells like a divided council. Don in his 9 terms on council was mentored by Kinsley and a few others when the public paid less attention to the going on at city hall. Get with the times Don. And the miss congeniality contest remark was tasteless. You never bring a mans family into a debate, GOOD OR BAD.

I think Lyn walked away with a couple of more good ideas from Don last night and because he is Lyn and has a open mind and will put those ideas into action. Council,city hall and employees will work for Lyn Hall.

This just in!

“Homeless deaths preventable with homes: report”

canadian-press/?loc=1&id=30597150

“I think Lyn walked away with a couple of more good ideas from Don last night…”

That’s because Lyn Hall is the consummate follower and “yes man”. He showed that on the school board and he showed that on council.

That’s because Lyn Hall is the consummate follower and “yes man”. He showed that on the school board and he showed that on council.

Its a better choice than re-electing the dictatorship we just got rid of.

If I’m still on the fence at the ballot box, I think I will simply avoid those candidates whose supporters are coming across as jerks.

Jimmy Hughes. You get what you vote for.

Lyn Hall is a yes man – he did not take a stand against any of the ideas/reviews/consultants’ report the last three years on city council ( Core Review/CUPE contracting / snow removal and report etc.)And did he not go to China?
What about the card been sent by CUPE!!
Vote for these candidats recommended by CUPE in your community. Mayor – Hall/Council – Everitt/Frizell/Krause/Merrick/McConnachie/Skakun.. a council run by CUPE. One would think that a council should be non-partisan to represent all sectors of the city.

This is what Washington residents got to voice their opinion and it will be initiated in legislature
Washington 2014 ballot measures
November 4:
Type Description
ITL Firearms Requires background checks be performed on all gun purchasers
ITL Firearms Prevents confiscation of firearms without due process and implementation of more extensive background checks than those at the federal level
AQ Taxes Asks voters whether to repeal or maintain the elimination of agricultural tax preferences for aspects of the marijuana industry
AQ Taxes Asks voters whether to repeal or maintain leasehold excise tax on certain leasehold interests in tribal property
ITP Education Reduces class size

With Remembrance Day coming up, I thought this was a fit time to make some comments:

Wouldn’t it be 100% practical for All Canadian Residents to have more than one (1) check box to tick off, when and if they make the effort to go their respective voting stations.
If a date is set for all Canadian of provincial residents to take time off in their day every 2 or 4 years to make one check mark,
why wouldn’t Canada take this valuable opportunity to get the citizen’s opinion on other issues in this country and legislative Bills coming up in the big house(s).
I don’t believe, that the candidate we are supposedly voting for on this special day of democracy and opportunity, really knows our true take on 99% of the issues they are voting on.

I guarantee that, if the voters had some ballot measures, (as above) be it 1, or 3 important issues, Canadians would overwhelm the polling stations, like bees to honey.

As odd and as complex the US Election hoopla may during a presidental or mid term race, these Americans are asked to go to vote/give their opinion many times over the course of these proceedings.
They get to vote on crucial (irrelevant to some) issues, such as class size for our children, background checks for gun owners, taxes, etc for their state.
Amazing yes, but respectful to their citizens and tax payers.

Today, Canadians are so complacent, many do not bother to even vote, so why did all our loved ones go to war to fight for this freedom of right?
Today there a still many individuals fighting for our country on other lands.
Give their fellow country folks and kin a chance to voice their opinions in this fine country they are fighting for and get out and vote.

Thanks To see more go to – http://www.ballotpedia.org

I was at the mayoral forum last night. It was no contest, Don was the clear winner. Lynn had nothing new to offer, talked in circles ect. It will be the same if he gets elected. Little accountability, little decisiveness and unnecessary use of cities resources to have council meetings in different areas of town. Dons last comment was said AFTER complimenting Lyn and his family and was taken out of context. The run for mayor shouldn’t be a congeniality contest. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a Lyn supporter and grasping for straws.

I would never buy a Conservative membership, simply because I wouldn’t vote for that party. I get that Ms. Green should not be our Federal representative, however, if the Conservative party members did decide to make her their candidate, what is making you folks think the voters will vote for her? Yes, under Mr. Harris, this WAS a Conservative strong hold, but that could, and probably would, change under Ms. Green. Let her run. It’s not like anybody who pays attention would vote for her. We’d turn into a Liberal or NDP riding.
If the party membership has been paying any attention, they won’t run her. Could all this hysteria over internal party politics be just so they sell more memberships?

Sorry missed you guys last week. My computer was sick so gave it some win7 and it perked right up.

See your all wound up with elction fever this am. Lot more interesting then bad drivers.

Nice sunny morn in Abby 10c. Guess I’ll playsome golf. wish you were here

Ive proof read this jimmy I hope you like it.
Cheers

Ballot initiatives really work in the states? How about prop 187 in California? How about same sex marriage referendum rejections across the US? All these do is shed light on just how active the judiciary is in creating policy against the desired wishes of the electorate. It doesn’t equate change, at all.
In fact this week an appeals court finally rejected the notion that judges should be creating new laws, intended to be written within state legislatures. At last.

Jimmy your so smart.
Cheers

Anybody go to David Suzuki blue dot tour where he will advise on saving the world for a fee.

you are = you’re. Glad one of is.

8, I don’t think complimenting Lyn and his family was a bad thing. Rather, I think Don was just making the point that Lyn is a good guy with a great family, but being a nice guy (Mr. Congeniality, I believe he said) is not what the citizens of PG need though. In any event, the debate provided a few laughs from both candidates. The idea that Don would be another Shari Green is hilarious. If you’ve ever worked with Don you would know that he treats everyone fairly and is open to well thought out and researched ideas. He has high standards for those he works with. If I was city staff or an incoming councillor I would be excited for the opportunity to work with someone that is fair and has direction.

Don spending to much time trying to distance himself from Green what’s the big deal lol

I posted this on the mayor candidates article but I thought I would post it here too for further discussion. Be reminded this is only my opinion and it does not represent everyone’e opinion.

——————————————————–

A CEO is good for leading a team of subordinates. A council is not subordinates. They are elected officials who each have a vote that is equivalent to the mayor’s one vote.

We just had a CEO mayor and look how well it went. A dictator is only good if everyone else agrees with their particular agenda. A democracy is not a capitalist dictator run company. The last thing you want is a CEO as an elected official.

The definition of an elected official is to represent the people who elected them. A CEO does not represent anyone but themselves and they do what they think is best. Not what the citizens think is best.

We need a council and mayor that does what the citizens think is best. That’s the definition of a democracy. I don’t think a CEO is a good idea.

A CEO style does not mean operating as a dictator.

Dictator: a person exercising absolute power

CEO: advises the board of directors, motivates employees, and drives change within the organization.

Now, it is possible for a CEO to operate like a dictator, but considering oneself to have a “CEO approach” does not make them a dictator.

If the mayor is not supposed to be a leader and motivator, then why have a mayor at all? How about a room full of council members only? No, we need someone to lead. That is a position of a CEO and Don states his intentions are to have a CEO style, involving, motivating, listening and all council members, unlike our previous mayor, who operated as a dictator.

I just wish we had ‘like’ buttons on this site–Watchdog & Givemore- your early morning posts would get my nod.
Don’t forget to get out and vote! Advance polls are happening at City hall on Wednesday!!!!

Give more, lets see…you don’t like politics but you have made more comments on it than many. You dont see Prince George as a corporation or big business. Please share with us who has a bigger annual spend in the millions of dollars, has hundreds of hard working employees and suppliers and more responsibilities to please its employer who are the fine tax paying citizens of PG? Maybe Northern Health and yes, it has a CEO and probably layers of managers. We whine about what the candidates should do a better job of. Any one elected would probably appreciate your solutions as you obviously have thought of many.

So will the CEO type feel compelled to share why PCL was awarded an extra 80 million of taxpayer’s dollars, on a fixed bid contract? Or do we have to wait for an audit that isn’t done by PavCo, on themselves, to shed some light?

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 9:47 AM by Foster_07

8, I don’t think complimenting Lyn and his family was a bad thing. Rather, I think Don was just making the point that Lyn is a good guy with a great family, but being a nice guy

Are you suggesting Don Zurowski knows Lyn Halls family personally? I would think only people that are close to my family could make a comment such as Don did. This is why it is very unprofessional. Should be keep out of any debate. Don used Lyn and his family to make himself look better. LOW BLOW

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 10:49 AM by Jimmy Hughes

So will the CEO type feel compelled to share why PCL was awarded an extra 80 million of taxpayer’s dollars, on a fixed bid contract? Or do we have to wait for an audit that isn’t done by PavCo, on themselves, to shed some light?

And the CEO is not willing to talk to the Media about the over run of $80 million dollars. As a matter of fact not even a peep of an explanation from the CEO. Now who would like to say who that CEO was? 3 guesses and the first two do not count. Maybe the same style will be exercised being the CEO of Prince George. IMO

Different CEO’s operate differently.

Lyn Hall said he would act as a CEO type when needed. When would that be? When he doesn’t want to take responsibility for something, or when he decides he doesn’t want to talk to the media? His answer was wishy washy at best. Sometimes I will be the CEO type and sometimes not. WHAT exactly does THAT mean?

Don said flat out he has a CEO style and will use that to collaborate with a respected and valued team to build something great. That is a clear, concise message.

Fact is, if the CEO type was running for mayor in a lower mainland constituency, his reticence to be forthright with media over the BC Place roof boondoggle, would…well…dog his campaign.

Don, want to portray he is a tuff guy, still claims Beth James doing a wonderful job. Would say he will take direction from James as did Green.

Millman55 – please let us know where you are getting your material. I’m sure you listened to the love in with Green, Hall and the rest of council when they patted themselves on the back for their work with James. Don is nobody’s puppet. He won’t owe the little interest groups a thing. I think he will listen to concerns from James or anyone else who has the City’s future at heart. Don will use his business mind to weigh the facts. He’s way more capable than what we have watched with Green and council. Seems Hall fans want to forget he had a big chance on council to shine and be a leader. mmmm, I don’t remember seeing that when I watched the goings on.

8, which one were you at Highway 16b and Ferry the other day?

After reading the the news and comments the last 2 days, I know exactly who I am voting in for Mayor and Council. I was shocked who some of Shari Green’s supporters are. This will determine my vote for Council. and I definitely will be backing up Todd Doherty all the way. He is and will be a great leader to replace Dick Harris. !!!!

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 11:48 AM by slinky

8, which one were you at Highway 16b and Ferry the other day?

Witch one what was I at?

You weren’t out wearing a t-shirt and carrying a sign for Hall?

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 7:33 AM by 8

6:58 AM by mos

This level of politics will ultimately drive our region and assist Don’s plan in getting our city growing. All levels of government work together. SO VOTE! Exercise your right to build a common vision.

I was undecided until last night on who to vote for. I do not agree that Don is the man for the Mayor job.

does this answer your question slinky??

8 – I think Hall and Zurowski have been respectful to each other and each stayed the course with the vision and message they are trying to get to the public. Seems a little desperate that you are now trying to find something, anything to bash about Zurowski. Unless you were at the debate and heard the flow of questioning, heard the interaction before and after any comment, then to pick a word or two is with all due respect quite short sited. I have seen Lyn & Don chatting at events and they as well as their wives are most respectful. I doubt either would be happy about singling out such a thing.

I know its easy to vent when you can’t discuss real issues. Its ok.

I definitely will be voting for Don Zurowski as Mayor!!!!

There are no real issues. One candidate is on the current council where it should have been easy to shine amid the disfuntion, but he didn’t. He blows whichever way the wind does, taking his union supporters with him, merrily following the bleating of the city managers.
The other is a successful business man who says he will actually lead.
No brainer, gotta vote Zurowski. He may not be perfect but at least he is not Hall.

Shari Green has tainted everyone who voted with her on council. She obviously supported those who supported her bid for mayor even if it was not in the city’s best interest. She couldn’t do it on her own. She had to have councillors who “aided and abetted” her. I hope they pay for that.

My Friday b1tch is they spent a pile of money to reconfigure the civic plaza into the winter games plaza, and they still cannot get the clock to display the correct time.

Somebody should be very embarrassed. Especially when we have Canada come to visit PG and simple things like setting a clock to the correct time is near impossible.

Right now it is 4 minutes behind.

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 12:29 PM by Zena

8 – I think Hall and Zurowski have been respectful to each other and each stayed the course with the vision and message they are trying to get to the public. Seems a little desperate that you are now trying to find something, anything to bash about Zurowski. Unless you were at the debate and heard the flow of questioning, heard the interaction before and after any comment, then to pick a word or two is with all due respect quite short sited. I have seen Lyn & Don chatting at events and they as well as their wives are most respectful. I doubt either would be happy about singling out such a thing.

I know its easy to vent when you can’t discuss real issues. Its ok.

Oh bashing now are we. Pass that bottle over. Opinion yes. Facts yes as well. Oh and if you read I also was there last night. Don does not need to impress only me 10,000 others as well.! Real issues. What are those? Do we want CEO style or Council Style is what we heard!

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 9:37 AM by Jimmy Hughes
Glad one of is.

Mister perfect made a mistake! What language is that Jimmy?

i wonder if Alberta is going to need that PST now that oil is below 80.00 a barrel?

Zena:

If the voting people of Prince George want a CEO then we need to see a resume. If what I am reading is correct, then we need a job reference and also what was that CEO’s previous position along with evaluation. Maybe you could enlighten us on both leading candidates resume. Lyn Hall’s resume is well known. Don Zurowski, not so much.

I for one am trying to make the best informed decision. I got burnt with my last decision and I hope to do better this time.

Why do all of the people that have the “Vote for Jillian Merrick” and “No Enbridge” signs on their lawn always have dirty/unkept looking houses and yards?

Because of Councillor Frizzell’s open letter I think many of us have lost focus on the issues and have concentrated more on leadership style. Frankly, I want someone in the mayor’s chair that is serious about not wasting my tax dollars, and is serious about attracting residents to the city that I love and have chosen to call home. Running on a platform of “I’m different than what we just had” isn’t making me very excited. Sorry Lyn, but I want to see more.

happy13- As far as Don’s resume is concerned it’s pretty well known. You can get a pretty good idea of what he’s done by visiting his webpage. Click on Who I Am.

I voted for Zurowski in 2008. I would hazard to say our city would be in a lot better position than it is now if we would of had stable leadership for the last two terms, rather than the two one term wonders we’ve had. I would hate to see the residents of PG miss the opportunity to have Don as our mayor again.

Add $80 Million to BC Place’s Massively Blown Budget?

But PavCo’s top officials are keeping quiet on the details.

PavCo released its Financial Information Act return on Oct. 1 for the year ended March 31, 2014, showing $3.3 million was paid to PCL Constructors Westcoast even though renovation of BC Place was said by PavCo to be finished.

PCL was originally hired in November 2009 on a $318-million fixed price contract, but the total paid to PCL over the last four fiscal years now stands at $398.7 million.

The difference between those two figures: $80.7 million.
———————————————————————

This does concern me Foster_7. I am sure an explanation would be the minimum we deserve and I am sure Don has one.

No way. You are aware that Keystone XL will receive the green light now that the Democrats are neutered within the senate? Of course you aren’t. Next.

Don and Lyn are both great candidates. We are lucky to have people like them willing to step up.

If i hear the radio station play the song from One Bad Son again i am going to….. i am going to….. poke my eardrums out.

I think Northern Health is a Big Dictatorship and won’t listen to the concerns of the people paying their wages, they need to stop being bleeding hearts and think about safety of all people mostly OUR SENIORS, just because you can’t find housing for someone does not give you the right to put our seniors at risk..

happy13, glad you and hope others try to be well informed and do go and vote. Lest we forget we all have family members that fought for us to live in a civilized country where we can speak freely and are civil.

Seems a group are set on character bashing as they can’t win on the issues. I agree with you that I too got burnt on last election by supporting some of the council. I have watched council, watched their decisions, made a point to ask them questions when I meet them. There is maybe only one or two in the lot including Hall that I wouldn’t say can be nice, but won’t get my vote because of their antics.

I will vote for those with vision, substance, think they can work together as a team. Those who don’t bicker like the present council and flip flop. Be nice to have Mayor & Council who are more memorable for the right reasons and not disfunction. I wont mention council names or its a whole go around but know I will vote for Don Zurowski as the best and only choice to turn things around for our City.

Interceptor, you are used to reaching into your pocket and feeling little ball bearings. Or perhaps the dodo does that for you?

so yesterday christy and her co-conspirators released this strange report about all the people eating bc seafood.

http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/11/more-people-chowing-down-on-bc-seafood.html

i cannot find any testing data on our catch for the last few years, post fukashima, and so i wonder, what is the radioactivity level of this fish?

since we do not know the radioactivity levels, i wonder if we should be eating it?

earlier in the year there was much ado about a great salmon run here and there, but no radiation numbers.

is the province actively suppressing this info? or are they simply not testing and not looking out for our well being?

A lot has been said about Shari Green, and her perceived failure as a Mayor. A lot has also been said about how dysfunctional council has been during her tenure!
Does it not seem obvious that for council to have been dysfunctional it took more than just Shari Green to make it that way. Is it not also obvious that Lyn Hall being part of the current council was as much as any of the others responsible for that dysfunction? Call me simple if you will but to me it does not make sense to elect a member of probably the most dysfunctional city council we have ever had to be our next Mayor, and leader of our new city council. The 2 just do not jive!
In my opinion the Mayor has to be more than just the 9th elected city councilor, he or she has to lead. They need to have a vision for what they think the future of the city should look like and the intestinal fortitude to stand for what they believe in! Leadership by committee may work in some instances, but every organization needs a leader that is going to drive the groups agenda, and encourage that group to reach appropriate conclusions. A council and Mayor that is always referring and often deferring to staff prior to every decision is not what we need for the next 4 years!
As you can tell, I will be voting for Don Zurowski for Mayor!

Oh well. I’ll be voting for Lynn Hall, he’s got a heck of a lot of integrity. AND, he listens to people, and Acts on their concerns.

8: I agree, that was a low blow.

Amazed how many new commenters are on here, all pushing for Don as Mayor.
Sorry, didn’t work.

More I learn about about Lyn Hall and discuss issues, the more I respect him. I strongly suggest you drop by his office. You will be impressed by him and his team. They are from all parties. Intresting.

Think again please

Here’s a little bit of information that people can chew on.

PG Tax Levy during the last three years of Zurowski’s term as Councillor.
2006 3.09% 2007 6.82% 2008 4.28% Total. 14.19%

Halls last three years as Councillor.
2012 3.25% 2013 3.50% 2014 2.50% Total 9.25%

Money spent on road rehabilitation Zurowski’s last three years.
2006 $3 Million 2007 $3 Million 2008 $3 Million. Total 3 years $9 Million.

Halls last three years.
2012 $5 Million 2013 $5 Million 2014 $9 Million. Total 3 years $19 Million.

From 2001 to 2008 the years that Zurowski served as a Counciller there was a steady decline in population.
2001-75,206
2002-74,102
2003-74,582
2004-74,877
2005-73,371
2006-72,915
2007-72,813
2008-72,864.

Total decrease 2342 people.

Soooo. It appears that during the Kinsley, Zurowski years, very little money was spent on road rehab, and we had significant increases in taxes, and a decline in the overall population.

It also appears that during the Hall years we had more money spent on roads that Kinsley and Zurowski let go to hell. Less increases in taxes, and the population stabilized.

Just sayen

And your point Palopu – with Hall on council he agreed to the Core Review/Canada Winter games levy/Code of Conduct/snow report/hefty increase in utility fee/Haldi Road fiasco and the list goes on which cost taxpayers a few dollars. He could have taken a stand on every item instead of just been a follower.
Don’t forget he was chair of the School Board which closed schools – some having steady student population.

My point is, is that Zurowski is trying to sell himself as a go getter, however all he ever was, was a Kinsley clone. There is nothing to indicate that he did anything during his 9 years on Council except take up space,.

Im sure if Hall had 9 years on Council as opposed to being in his first term he would have accomplished a hell of a lot more than Zurowski.

If you want to throw blame around for the last Council, then look to those who have been there for a while like Skakun, Krause, Wilbur, Stoltz, Frizzell, et al. You can hardly expect Hall to save the day, when he was basically a junior Councillor along with Everitt, and Koehler.

Even so, in the last year, he along with Skakun, Krause, Frizzell, Everitt, put a stop to the shenanigans of Green, Wilbur, Stolz and Koehler.

So, the record speaks for itself. Hall did more in three years on Council, than Zurowski did in 9 years.

Have a nice day.

OK….City of PG.

HELP ME OUT HERE.

They put a light up on O Grady, out of home depot, and the traffic congestion is at the pull out at CH mall turning left onto O Grady. I sat there for 8 min trying to pull out and go left out of the mall. This is an accident waiting to happen. Terrible planning on the cities part.

Very few of the traffic lights in PG make any sense. Nothing more annoying then sitting at a red light for a couple of minutes while there is absolutely no traffic going through the green.

Palopu

When looking at the population decline numbers a few words spring to mind:

North Central Plywood

Winton Global Bear Lake

Upper Fraser Mills

Rustad Bros

Netherlands

Clear Lake

Quite a few well paying jobs disappeared or went up in smoke that council had no way of preventing.

The current council increased road rehab budget to prevent an angry mob with pitchforks and torches from overtaking city hall. Ospika and Domano were voted the two worst roads in the entire province. They were shamed into action.

Sparrow. I agree with you that mill closures and industry downsizing played a big part in the decrease in population. You know it, and I know it. We also know that it will take more than a fancy phrase, and a wave of the arm, to increase the population. Making statements that you will increase the population to 100,000 without any supporting facts, is pure BS. Zurowski is trying to play the part of the **fixer**.

The roads basically started to go to hell during the Kinsley Zurowski era. Nine years of very little money spent. The end result after Rodgers short stint, was the present Council getting the crap that was caused by previous Councils. Rodgers spent approx. the same per year, as Kinsley/Zurowski. ie; $3 Million per year for 2009,2010,2011.

So there is lots of blame to go around, and it was only in the last three years, that they were forced by the ire of taxpayers to do something.

I think that Hall along with some level headed Councilors can and will right this ship, and start to get PG back on a steady course. Zurowski on the other hand, is more likely to give us more of the same.

I think I’ll cancel out your vote Palopu and put my x beside Don. He can and will work as part of a team with the councillors and not be a devisive force like Green was. I swear I have seen her display some of the same traits as my daughter when she was 14.

Hard to get into the meat and potatoes of plans during a short civic election campaign leaving the candidates to speak in general terms. One of the first things I would like to see the new mayor(Zurowski) and council do to help the city grow is to refocus IPG back into a business development organization and not a headhunting firm. Even though I liked the advertising campaign showing off PG it is not something they should be doing on their own, companies looking for tradesmen should pony up some dough. The IPG job website is a joke simply a cut and paste job. Maybe they can look in the back of the filing cabinets and find some of Tim’s notes and to-do lists.

PG can grow with things like growing the service sector for Peace O&G industry, aggressivly selling and building out logistics park and airport facilities.

There is no point in having a huge logistics park and airport facilities if they are not being used.

Its all well and good to have the infrastructure, but when do you start to get some business???? If you look at the list of mills you showed above you will see that over 2000 jobs were eliminated. This does not include the downsizing of the Railways, or other industries. So at a minimum you would have to create 2500 jobs just to get back to where you were 10 years ago. Not easily done.

They cut the ribbon on the Airport Runway Expansion in 2007. Thats seven years ago, and absolutely nothing has happened since then.

Zurowski was appointed as a director of the Airport Authority by the Liberal Government, perhaps he can tell us when we can expect some planes to come to town. Somehow I don’t think he can. He talks big about growing the population but remains silent on the Airport Runway expenditure of $36 Million dollars, with no return on investment. He was on Council when they created the Airport Authority and built the runway. The City sunk over $6 Million into the runway.

Instead of spending money on useless city twinning trips to China IPG should be heading that way to knock on the doors and develop relationships with the air cargo companies. The build it and they will come does not work for the Chinese, they prefer do business with people they know.

I don’t think the airlines check in at the trade fair job booths to see how the tech stop facilities are proceeding at the PG airport. It seems that a lot of American airlines are avoiding Russian airspace lately depriving them of the overflight fees. Ankorage is now a dogleg out of the way, placing PG on the direct arc to the far east.I sure hope someone at the airport has noticed and is making some calls.

Some arm twisting would also help in getting NAV Canada to make the landing fees more competitive with Alaska. The increase in income and other taxes generated gy new jobs would more than make up the difference.

The runway has to be the first piece of the puzzle simply because of the time it takes to build. The building in a logistics park are simple structures that can be erected in a matter of weeks.

To get the real story on why planes aren’t refueling here and who is actually to “blame” get off your armchair and have a chat with someone from the Airport Authority and find out what the American govt did after the first plane refuelled here.
Would stop all the local finger pointing.

Grizzly2 –

I more or less find it funny that there are consistently 5 individuals who post their opinion on anything and everything. You should welcome the diversity; I sure do, rather than hearing the repetitive and negative rants based off incorrect information.

I wish you happiness Grizzly and Palopu!!

Goodnight. :)

Actually Huber has it right, you don’t do the build it and they will come attitude – you get down to brass tacks and go after the companies that can bring you a stable workforce. The jobs bring the people, then you build what they need and want once they are here. Don is of the same mindset, Hall is wishy washy maybe if someone like Koehler brings it up he can support it… That is a committee that can actually do something for the city, one that can contact the heads of large corporations and woo them to the city with flowers and chocolates

ImFrank. Don’t give me the old **how the Americans did us in** line.

Are you suggesting that we spent $36 Million dollars for an extended runway, and were going to have planes land etc; without doing due diligence to ensure we knew what the hell we were doing.

I get a little tired of us always blaming people, places, and things for our own mistakes.

If there is any factual information as to why nothing is happening at the Airport then why wouldn’t the Airport Authority make that information available to the public??? After all their mandate is to report to the City of Prince George. Are you suggesting that the Airport Authority, and the City are withholding information????

Fact of the matter is these people royally screwed up, and will not admit it.

I am so proud of opinion 250 for allowing such great debate and I know Mr Miesner would love to share his valued opinion. But he is sitting back enjoy a good debate and in a sense is proud he was able to provide this on his news web site.
Palopu you have made some very interesting points and it has assisted me in making my final decision.
I see that an 80.7 million over budget on BC place roof could just as easy be the PAC or the RCMP building. Prince George has a tax base of approximately $147 million and just BC place is 50% of the whole tax income of our hard working tax base. This tells us Don Zurowski is not accountable as his speech precluded he is.
The airport expansion is also a concern. It appears to me that Don Zurowski does not care when it’s not his own money he’s gambling away.
Lyn Hall did not listen to the Haldi and the bottle depot people when the message was 94% no to the rezoning and OCP change. Nor did the rest of council. When Haldi beat City in the first round in court that should have been the end of it. Council knew the right thing to do but towered to Shari Greens campaign supporters.
Hall is the lesser two evels in the options.

Thank You