Prince George, B.C. – Two people who have represented Prince George and area at the provincial level for many years, and who know Ben Meisner well, are reacting to the news today of Ben’s passing.

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond says “Obviously Bill and I are so incredibly saddened about the loss of Ben Meisner to our community.  Ben was a person who held politicians, including me, to account.  I never shied away from interviews with Ben because I thought they were always important, even though they were never easy.”

“Ben and I also shared some very special times together.  When I was the Attorney-General, because of course Ben is a bencher on the Law Society (of BC) so he and I shared some really wonderful conversations about being involved in the world of law without being lawyers.  We both, I think, thought we had a pretty good dose of common sense.”

“I just want to say to Elaine and the family how deeply sorry we are.  You know Ben had a very special role in this community, it was about holding people accountable and sharing “one man’s opinion”.  And often those were thought-provoking and not always comfortable for people.”

“But I always certainly considered Ben a friend,  and my heart goes out to Elaine and I just know that this community will support her through what has been certainly a very shocking and sudden event, and to what has been a very important journalistic career in the life of Ben Meisner.  We will all very much miss One Man’s Opinion.”

MLA Bond says Meisner has been a proponent of Prince George and of the north and adds “and I would even go further than that.  Ben has had influence provincially as well.  I know that he has worked with a number of my colleagues on a number of issues and Ben was never afraid to speak out and talk about issues that mattered and often took provocative positions.  And that wasn’t always comfortable for politicians, no matter what level they served at.  Many of my colleagues have, over the course of the last few days, been in touch with me sending their best wishes to Elaine and Ben and I know that they too will be very, very saddened at his loss.”

Former Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell says “Ben was as much a friend as he was anything else to me over the years, and to see him gone in just six days is nothing short of shocking.  When I think back at the 15 years or so that we connected and interacted with each other there was lots of good times, a few bad times but in the end the friendship always managed to work its way through.  And that was what was very special, Ben and I could put our differences and knew that both of us cared deeply about Prince George and what was happening in our community.”

Bell says “I can’t think of anyone that stood up for northern British Columbia more than Ben Meisner.  He was a guy that believed in northern BC and when he thought that you were working hard and trying to make northern BC a better place he supported you and did what he could to advance that agenda.  And boy if he thought for one second that you had turned your back on northern BC he was all over you and you knew that as well.”

Meisner made a habit, almost a crusade perhaps, out of sticking up for the common man, the little guy and Bell says “he was a friend of so many people especially at 250 (News) but it didn’t matter back in the days when he was on CKPG with his show and in the Citizen, his presence in Prince George really spoke to everyone in the community.  I think there wasn’t a single person in the community, I’d be shocked to know at least over the age of 18 or 20, who doesn’t know the name Ben Meisner and doesn’t think that he was the go-to guy that looked after peoples’ concerns in northern BC.”

Bell says “Elaine and I have been texting back and forth so we’ve had some communication already but he’s a guy that’s going to be sorely missed, that everyone should be proud of to call a dad, a friend, a spouse, whatever category you happen to fit in.  He’s someone everyone needs to be proud of and celebrate his life.  It’s terrible to lose anyone, but we should celebrate the good memories.”

From Victoria Premier Christy Clark sends her condolences in the following statement:

“British Columbia lost a wise and passionate voice today. For decades, Ben Meisner needed no introduction in Prince George and northern B.C.-his voice was instantly recognizable.”

“Ben led more than just opinion – one of the true pioneers of new media, his willingness to adapt with the times is an example to current and future journalists throughout the province.

“Whenever you went on with Ben, you always knew one thing: be ready. He was friendly, but never failed to ask the tough questions. He knew that his listeners, and the adopted hometown he loved so much, deserved nothing less.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Elaine and his entire family.”