Dipsy Doodle on the Doepker Deal

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 03:45 AM

I hate to bring up this Doepker thing again, but one of my little spies in Salmon Arm, who was keeping track of the story when it broke, sent me along a little piece from their paper.

To bring you up to speed. Initiatives Prince George announced on the third week of August that Doepker was not establishing in Prince George because there wasn’t enough skilled help. We posted that comment on August 25, 2005.

Now follow the trail.

According to Lakeshore News in Salmon Arm in their Dec 2-2005 paper the story is much different.
Quote “On June 15th, they (Doepker) made a call to Neil Babiy, Salmon Arm’s newly appointed Economic Development officer with a request for information. He worked non stop and provided that information. By June 30th, Doepker identified Salmon Arm as its new location and purchased the former Soleno Pipe building. Possession was September 1st, 2005." Oh I forgot to mention that they hired all the 36 full time employees that they needed locally other than three from existing plants.

Gee wiz, Prince George, with a population of more than four and a half times the size couldn’t ,according to Initiatives Prince George, find enough skilled help.

But wait, lets see, the company buys land seven weeks before Prince George makes the announcement. So the question is why in the world this city even bothered to say Doepker had looked the city over in late August knowing full well that property had already been purchased in Salmon Arm? And what about the announcement here that the reason was a shortage of labor?

When you think about it, it all adds up. The civic election was just around the corner.

I'm Meisner, and that's one man's opinion.

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Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 03:45 AM in Views by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: gypsy on December 13 2005 8:47 AM

This is almost toooo funny!!!!
Offet's true colors are finally going to be exposed, at least to some degree.
He has been given the "green" light on different projects, and his biggest "white" elephant is that Tourist office on 1st Avenue.
How much did that cost???
Close to a million???
Obviously the man is incapable -- but he is now rewarded for his support of the Mayor with a trip to Torino.
Trips seem to be in order as rewards-but I believe Mexico is normally a choice-but further afield does seem attractive!!!!
Is the public going to accept his outright lies???
Yes-it is the common practice in Prince George.
He should have his "walking papers," and hit the road, not the airways at taxpayers expense.
Great reporting, Ben, absolutely stellar.

Posted by: uglyduck on December 13 2005 9:26 AM

Has anyone at city hall challeged Gerry Offet and Charles Scott, their ability to get the job done? Scott has gone through a lot of jobs, perhaps there's a reason not all his moves have been upward.

Posted by: camoose on December 13 2005 11:42 AM

Good on you Ben. Keep their feet to the fire. The taxpayers deserve much better from people who feed at the City trough.

Posted by: Chadermando on December 13 2005 9:11 PM

Charles Scott grew up with a family of servents in the Caribbean serving his every needs. He's a good talker, but he is so far removed from reality that his record comes as no surprise. I don't believe he is one who believes in Prince George diversification. His 'ideas' is that everyone has a role to play and Prince George's role is to process lumber. Typical of the outsider stereotype leading this city if you ask me.