I am writing with the thoughts of a great league of people that I have come to know that will be greatly effected by the city’s decision to move the sports fields that are located by Superstore. The city has done a wonderful job of relocating the fastball and little league fields to a central location with beautiful facilities, and even the horseshoe pits have benefited from this and have a great set up. The ones that I am talking about though are the slow pitch fields that are presently used by a mixed league and have been for at least the 10 years that I have been enjoying them. They do not get to benefit from the city’s sale of the land, they do not even get what was originally promised to the league at the meeting that was held to tell of the news. At first a four field complex with a ball house and parking sounded not so bad even though it was in a gravel pit way out North Nechako, now that the moving date is getting closer the news has changed. Two fields, no ball house, and probably no facilities for washrooms, and the road and parking lot will not be paved. There are many families that enjoy the fields that we now have but from what it sounds of the lack of money that is being put into the league’s new fields this will no longer be possible. Slow pitch may not be as big of a revenue money maker as fast pitch, but if we had a nice facility such as many smaller towns due there would be the potential to have large tournaments that would bring many people into the town. I hope that there is a chance of things looking better for the slow pitch league as often some of the teams go to the nationals and to other large tournaments, that we could be holding here.
Wishful thinking
Roberta Horning

There's a rumour going around down here on the Island that a well know personality is going to run against the Mayor this fall. The person has quite a following, and is known for his outspoken personality. Have you heard about this, Ben, or anybody? Is there any scuttlebut? Is it true?

The Hidden Cost of High Fuel Prices


The mainstream media sensationalizes current high fuel prices but has failed to inform Canadians of the true costs to them. While the governments seem to be experiencing an unexpected windfall as result of the multiple layers of tax attached to fuel, what is not covered is the massive loss of revenue to the government from other sectors. True, trucking companies, taxis, bus lines and a myriad of other businesses suffer huge losses, but it also directly impacts major employers as well.


High fuel prices are bringing the sale of luxury vehicles, pickups and muscle cars to a virtual standstill. These vehicles normally provide a huge source of taxation revenue ranging into the hundreds of millions of dollars per year.


Higher fuel prices drive consumers to purchase imported vehicles perceived to be fuel efficient. Unfortunately, these import companies employ a very small number of Canadians and whisk virtually all their profits out of the country (with the exception of a few token assembly plants scattered in major urban centers that employ just a few hundred Canadians).


These profits moved offshore earn no tax revenue for our governments, and in fact are used to increase the production of vehicles which compete directly with the Big 3 (GM, Ford & Dodge). These companies have faithfully employed hundreds of thousands of Canadians directly and indirectly for over 100 years, paying their taxes and reinvesting their profits here at home. As the Big 3 cut back, millions of dollars of income tax from the tens of thousands of employees laid off is lost. These former employees reduce going to restaurants, buying big ticket items such as televisions, furniture, etc. and the cycle of unemployment expands ever outward. Instead of decreasing dependency on government funds, whether through unemployment insurance or welfare, politicians increase it. I think you get the jest.


Yes, the government makes an extra few million dollars from higher fuel prices, but it's chump-change compared to the hundreds of millions dollars being lost as a result of the greed and incompetence of Liberal politicians in Ottawa who lack the fortitude and intelligence to do what needs to be done. Lower fuel taxes and save Canadian jobs, Mr. Goodale, before Canadians demand that you lose yours.

I'm think we should change the way we think of milage, from miles per gallon to miles per dollar.

Well now I've seen it all. We peasants on N. Blackburn Road have been trying to get our sorry excuse for a road paved for years. I was so excited..I couldn't believe that the paving crews were finally here to do a much needed job. But once again the joke is on us, apparently they are only paving half of our road, and its not even the worst half. Imagine! I would sure like to know how these decissions are made. Maybe if our city representatives came out for a little ride down our road they would see the need, but they best be sure to buckle up, and wear their helmets if they plan to do the speed limit.

One of the most frustrating things I deal with regularly while driving through our lovely streets is the number of people who brazenly run red lights! I am sure there are many many many of you who know what I mean. NO - I am not talking to you idiots who run the lights, you're probably not capable of even reading this...I am talking about those of us who are left sitting at a green light while these idiots use up our share of the "go" time. There are probably a lot of us who wish we could just "hit" the gas pedal and smuck right into these jerks...but a word to the wise - a green light does not give us the right to proceed. It only gives us the right to proceed "if it is safe to do so". If you proceed into the intersection while they are busy running the light and you collide with them, you are at fault. They'll get a ticket of course, for running a red light, but that's about it. Tough huh!

I am just an old cowboy and sometimes there are things in life that just baffle me to no end...like this current labour dispute...but after pondering it a spell, I think I have it figured out!

Recently the truckers figured they had enough of long hours, low pay and rapidly escalating costs to make a living and feed their families. So they went to Canfor and asked for changes in their working conditions. Canfor, as we all remember, told them to negotiate with their contractors, when in reality it was Canfor they were really working for. We all know what happened, the truckers ( finally after all these years) discovered their "cajones", got together, stayed together and went on strike. Canfor came to the table, gave the contractors more money to give to the truckers and a settlement was reached. Canfor continues making their mega profits, with a little bit more of that profit going back into the community instead of being sent out to shareholders elsewhere in the world.

Now we have the same situation all over again!

The teachers (truckers) have said they need changes because the situation, in their view, has reached a crisis. They want changes so they can do their jobs (both teaching and making a living) to the best of their ability. The Government (Canfor) says....Screw you, negotiate with our contractors (the school boards). The school boards are quite adament that they have nothing to negotiate with because the Governments have for years underfunded them, which is why, they and the teachers have met so many times with no results.

So here we are at the stage where things change.

If Canfor had the ability to pass a law saying that what the truckers were doing was illegal, do you think they would have done it? Ahh.. guess thats a no brainer for most of us. It would have happened in a flash.
What if Canfor could then go to the labour relations board and say..... we just took a vote and made up this law (because we can) and now the truckers are breaking it, and we want you (the LRB) to say they are breaking it so we can get the courts to take all their money to teach them a lesson!
What if Canfor had said, we passed another law and you guys have to just keep on trucking for six more months (on top of the previous15 months) and maybe, just maybe, we might makes some changes...
Just because we have shortchanged and screwed all our other contractors, ripped up existing and negotiated agreements (HEU and numerous others employees) doesn't mean we will do it to you! Have we ever lied to you before? (Remember BC Rail, terasan gas etc?)
What if Canfor had said to its truckers...TRUST US! We know whats best for you because you voted for us!

Now here is the part I don't get.......why do all those people that think what the teachers are doing is wrong, feel the teachers dont have a moral and just reason for standing up for their rights?

Is it because the agencies that work for the government say it is wrong?
Is it because the government can and did pass any "law" they felt would further there own cause?
Is it because we the people voted for them because we thought they were the lesser of two evils?
Is it because they think they know better what our students need then trained professionals do?
Is it because they think that tax cuts to corporations and selling off our collective assets is more important then taking care of our collective investments?
Is it because they think that training the next generation is not the MOST important task that we as a civilization have to perform?
Is it because our society is so brainwashed into thinking that just because a group of people met and declared it so, makes it so? (The Bush and Blair philosophy about Iraq)

We have a government that is more worried about saving face then it is concerned about our childrens education!
A government that hasn't a clue how to lead our great province and seems unwilling to try to learn!
A government that believes they can better judge what is best for us rather then us deciding for ourselves!
A government whose only agenda is to force its views on those it is supposed to serve!
A government that feels an agreement between two parties is only valid until they want to change it!
A government that has as its basic philosophy ....corporate profit is more important then consensual agreement!
There are those who would say we cant afford this settlement, that it will bankrupt our province. We need to continue to give tax cuts to big business so they will invest here and we can all grow stronger.
That big business is what fuels our economy and without profit they will leave!
I agree totally...Just ask Canfor about building the largest mill in the world in Houston...Ask them how many employees work in that mill compared to how many used to work there. Ask them how much of their "profits" goes back into the community, in wages and benefits compared to before. I know their answer..."we pay lots in taxes now", but guess where the taxes go? Into more corporate tax cuts and the pockets of the politicions that pass the laws!
If you dont believe that, try asking Canfor how much they donated to the Liberal party in the last election!
And.... if you believe what they tell you, come see me, I have a bridge for sale!
What this dispute is really about is how much of the money generated in our province stays in our communities to benefit us all.
I am more concerned about the fact that money returned to citizens in wages and benefits is spent in our communities and supports us all. It doesnt go offshore as shareholders profits. Tax money invested here, stays here to support us all. Whether we work as hospital workers, teachers, tradespeople or sawmill workers.
But I wander off subject here....There are principles in life that we as a society follow for the betterment of all. Like the strong protecting the weak, about being fair and honest, about being proud of who you are and what you have accomplished in life, about leaving this world in better shape then we found it and about caring and giving our next generation something more then we had. I just hope that when this dispute is all over and done with, that allparties can say "we were fair, we did our best for the citizens of this great province, We made mistakes like everyone does but most importantly, we left this province and our society a better place for our children!

Roy, I couldn't agree more. Well thought article. Thanks, AC

Yessir, that's pretty good pondering for an old cowboy.

That was a reasonable, thoughtful, well written letter full of common sense. Ever think of running for office, Roy? You'd definately have my vote...

Why do we continue to promote gambling in our city? Are the effects of this vice not reason enough to withdraw our support for it?

If everyone, who knew of someone whose lives were destroyed by gambling just stood up and let their voice be counted, do you think our city decision makers would listen?

Do you know how much cash is removed from our local economy as a result of gambling, bingo's and lottery sales? I would expect the amount is staggering. If this money was spent on caring for the basic needs of families instead, do you think that our community would be a better place to live?

I don't want to tell people how they should live or spend their money. But, we have leaders in our community who we look to for leadership, guidance and direction in making decisions that hopefully would make PG a better place to live.

It's ok to disagree with some of the decisions they make. It's ok to care more about people and families than tax revenue and profits.

I encourage you to enquire about the values people hold when you have the opportunity to vote for them into positions of decision making that have long term consequences on our community.

Don't let the media affect your decisions. Use your heart first and justify your actions with your head.

The Fiberals and their media friends have made a big deal about the teachers' vote to protest the government's imposition of a contract on teachers.

"Only about 50 per cent of the province's teachers voted on the ballot that asks if the union should take illegal strike action, Bond said. She said it's clear there are a lot of teachers in the province who want to be back in their classrooms."

They also made claim that those teachers that didnt vote would have voted NO to the walkout. So lets use their logic and numbers from the last election. These numbers are direct from elections.bc.ca.

The total vote for the FIBerals in May 2005 was 807,164 (45.80%) out of the 1,762.450 who did vote or 57.80%. Total number of eligible voters for 2005 was 3,049,153. Those that did not vote totalled 1,286,703 or 42.20%. Therefore, using Bond and the Fiberals logic, 2,241,989 or 73.53% did not vote for the Liberals. That appears to be an overwhelming majority who did NOT want the Fiberals to form the government in BC.

Let us extend this logic to specific ridings, shall we.

Bond received 5885 votes or 41.06% of those that voted. Total registered voters was 24,498. Total number of votes that was cast in 2005 was 14331. Total votes which did not vote for the Fiberals was 18,613 or 75.98%. Wow, overwhelming majority did not want Bond to be their MLA!

Bell received 7697 votes or 49.93% of votes cast. Total registerd voters was 24,559. Total number of votes that was cast in 2005 was 15,415. Total votes which did not vote for the Fiberals was 16,862 or 68.66%. A substantial majority did not want the Bell to be their MLA.

Rustad received 8,622 votes or 51.71% of votes cast. Total registerd voters was 25,060. Total number of votes that was cast in 2005 was 16,674. Total votes which did not vote for the Fiberals was 16,438 or 65.71%. A substantial majority did not want the Rustad to be their MLA.

The Fiberals are talking out of both sides of the mouth, it is fine for them to form government because they had the majority of votes, 45.8% that were cast by voters. But it is wrong if a majority of teachers, 90.5%, voted in favor of walking off the job, because 50% of teachers did not vote? Given the number of people who did not vote or add the number of people who didnt vote for the liberals PLUS those that didnt vote at all, it would appear, using the FIBeral logic, that the 2005 provincial vote is invalid and they should NOT be in power! Lets have another provincial election! Bond and the Fiberals cant have it both ways, if they want to claim the teachers vote is flawed, then it is equally flawed that they have the mandate to govern!

Roy you had a full head of steam there, but in the end it was just hot air as I don't see how truckers and teachers have anything in common. Trucker are needed to keep mills running, if the mills or truckers go broke, so what. Teachers are a service set up by the government to educate children so they can fill in as we drop off in old age. Judging by all the discontent and broken windows the current BCTF monoploy is a bad thing and their education services should be given back to churchs, private schools and tutors. Look at the Indian residential schools, there are no great leaders coming out of the BCTF controlled enviroments. Look at the dollars the government spends per child on education. It is a termendous opportunity. A school with a hundred kids, given the full budget amount per head, could build a beautiful school. Turn the whole thing out for Offers of Interest. It will work, plus if it is independent of the government, no one can b**ch about it and turn every greedy teacher dispute into some sort of vote on the government. I grew up on a teachers income, we made do. Good idea Roy?

Vandalism, damage and theft seems to be rampant in our city. Why?

Is it that the consequences are not enough of a deterent to reduce the destruction?

So, what does happen when someone mows down a bunch of trees in our city with their vehicle? Do they get fined? Do they get their mug shots posted in the front page of the newspapers? Do they have to repair the damage they caused? Do they have to make restitution to the city or home owners who were victimized?

Apparently not. So, what should we do? Public whipping comes to mind. But, that wouldn't be much of an example of forgiveness or grace, would it? I thought that maybe if the punishment fit the crime, the guilty parties would think twice. Would it be appropriate if we suggested that the criminals did comminity work for a year repairing all of the damage they caused? I know that the bleeding hearts wouldn't think of it, but their suggestions are not working, so, I would like to suggest we try something different.

The courts are ineffective. The RCMP are frustrated. The taxpayers and citizens of this community are becoming increasingly agitated. Would it be appropriate to take the law into our own hands and issue our own form of justice? We would have to break the law of course.

But, I hear that it's really OK to break the law if you have a really good reason and your being treated unfairly.

I am a little confused about how I should behave and how I should behave within the law. Any suggestions for real justice would be welcome by many. Your thoughts are welcome. Chester

I must comment Chester as I am impassioned regarding the law and the number of people who get away with breaking it.

The laws are written to prevent an innocent person from being prosecuted and in so doing many, many quilty are able to go free. We all know a good lawyer is a lawyer who can set a guilty man free, to a lawyer it is about winning, about beating the law, it is not about someone's rights, forget the victim. Oh yes, good lawyers cost money too.

Add to that the bleeding hearts who claim if one's upbringing is "rough" that should be a factor when deciding guilt and punishment. Sure, there are countless numbers of adults who endured rough childhoods, but of those abused numbers, not all of them took to breaking the laws. At some point in everyone's life they must accept responsibility for themselves and learn to be accountable for the choices they make. The more ways a criminal can find someone else to blame for their troubles, the more criminal acts the rest of society will have to deal with. Even a drunk driver chooses to take that first drink of the day. And I don't personally give a rats behind what causes him to take that first drink either. He is a consenting adult and can drink if he chooses, however, he cannot choose to drink and drive as society has concluded and proven that this type of activity is dangerous to other's lives.

Our youth have long since learned they are "above the law". Most kids nowadays (most - not all) are not even equipped with decent manners let alone a sense of right and wrong. Before we can say that parents need to take more responsibility for their children's actions, parents need to be able to take more responsibility for their children.

Too often parents allow their children to "change" or "rewrite" the rules they are uncomfortable with and then they think it is very mature how their Johnny is "taking responsibility", and Johnny "knows what he wants in life", and they are oh so proud of Johnny for doing that, unfortunately, what Johnny didn't learn was how to obey and respect a rule in the first place.

The criminals caught red-handed should be dealt with "red handed". You cannot harm someone who is breaking into your house, but they can harm and even kill you and the courts will protect them. Kids can smash the window on your car and steal your shopping cart loonie (and maybe it's just a loonie, but dammit - it's MY loonie, and NO insurance doesn't cover the window), but if you catch them, you have to let them go because detaining them is against the law. Kids are not afraid of breaking the law because they believe they are safe from harm of any kind. We spend too much energy teaching today's children about "their own" rights, and not enough time teaching them about "other's rights". Not respecting the rights of others should result in the loss of our own rights.

I agree Chester, caning is a great idea, a little public humiliation wouldn't hurt, humiliation teaches us to be humble just as competitiveness teaches us to do our best and fear of punishment teaches us to think before we act.

As evidence for the lack of "respect" our youth display one needs only to view and compare the number of "N"'s (New Driver) versus "Z"'s on the backs of vehicles about town on any given day. Hey kids, what does the "Z" stand for anyways?? Asleep at the wheel?? Doesn't your driver's license clearly state you must display your "New Driver" sign correctly?? I promise, if my kid trys to drive around with the "N" in the "Z" position, he will be prohibited from using the vehicle for awhile.

For personal reasons I can no longer participate in the election as a district 57 trustee. I regret having to make this decision, but I would be unable to donate sufficient time or energy required to accept the position.
Wendy De Marsh has accepted my withdrawl at the district office but a withdrawl at this time requires authorisation from the Minister of Education. Wendy sees no reason my withdrawl will not be accepted. I would appreciate your help informing the public regarding this unexpected event because my name will remain on the ballot.

Mike Hawryluk.

News release October 21, 2005 by the Government of Canada announcing Pacific Gateway Strategy. One line in 12 pages mentions Prince Rupert, no mention of Prince George. Most money to be spent in the lower mainland. You can view at www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2005/05-gc013e.htm Comments???

So Lois Boone wants to get back into the political scene once again. What sort of cruel joke is this? Does she not recall that it was the NDP (of which she was a deputy minister among many other positions she held) that started this whole mess in the first place? PLEASE! Lois and friends were the ones who originally took away the LOCAL school boards right to negotiate with the teachers. Prior to that, there was a fairly good relationship with the local teachers union. What do you say to that LOIS!

I notice that at last nights council meeting there was no mention of the Citys debt. Have they decided among themselves to drop this issue as it would be to hot of an issue for all of them before an election. It seems that at the time the question was asked no one on council knew what the total debt was for the City. This is not good stewardship for anyone on council. Is Opinion 250 going to drop this issue also, or will they continue to attempt to get an answer to the question. How much does the City owe and how long will it take us to pay it off????

Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, Front Page headline "City's birth rate takes largest plunge in B.C." From 1,500 births in 1999 to 1,000 today. The NHA considers it a result of an overall economic downturn across the whole region that took families away from the area.

I would like to ask NHA spokesperson, Mark Karjaluoto how many abortions have been performed over the same period?

Has their been a marked increase in the number of abortions?

Lengthy waiting lists for operations are the norm for most of us unless you want an abortion. Usually, you can get one within a week. Sad, isn't it? Chester

Headline in the news..

Tracy Press. "Gasoline Gets Cheaper"

Morning Report. "Gasoline Prices Continue To Fall"

CNN Money. "Gasoline Prices Fall"

Everwhere but in the Interior of BC (250)

88.0 in Toronto, 84.9 in Edmonton, 83.3 in Abbotsford.

Who's gouging who?

As I drive around the city and see the election signs something came to mind that bothered me last election.On the ballot I specifically remember on the list of councillors running that the name Glen "moose"Scott was on the ballot.My question is,is this his legal name?and does Mr Scott have the right to have his name on the ballot in such a manner?
Rock

Once again, the province is recovering from an illegal strike by a monopoly government union. This year it was teachers, last year it was BC Hospital Employees Union.

These illegal actions are costing the BC Taxpayers a huge amount of money. $6.4 Million for the HEU last year for their 4 day illegal strike.

The cost of closing our schools for eleven days this fall hasn't been announced yet.

Don't you think that unions need to be made accountable? fortunately for us, they are not the decision makers for this province.

They were not voted into power to dictate what our legally elected government has been hired to do.

According to one source, the BCTF did not put forward one demand after 35 negotiating sessions over the past year.

Seems to me that even the previous NDP government had to legislate teachers back to work.

One has to wonder where the real problem lies.

If businesses in BC refused to comply with labour legislation despite court orders to do so, unions would call for severe penalties and perhaps jail for executives until corporations fell back in line. So, what's different now?

I really don't think it's appropriate that taxpayers, patients or students should be used pawns in labour negotiations. Chester

Dear editor

Electoral reform is needed and is coming. We have seen recently in the B.C. legislature that B.C. is not being responsibly represented by its elected MLA from each riding.

In the Fall of 2008 there will be a referendum asking if the citizens of B.C. should adopt the Single Transferable vote (STV) electoral system. This STV system was chosen by myself and 160 other citizens as the result of the process of the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform in 2005. It was put to a referendum in May 2005 but did not pass as it only achieved 57.4% of the popular vote, 60% province wide was needed to pass and at least 50% in half of the 79 ridings.

BC citizens will once again have the opprtunity to vote on the STV system in 2008. Get together with family, friends and colleagues and discuss STV. Please learn about the STV system , its pros and cons and then decide for yourself prior to the 2008 referendum.

I am available to present information so citizens may make a choice, an educated choice. I urge all BC citizens to share information and facts about STV. If you are dissatisfied with our current electoral system and the results obtained please take the time to learn more. B.C. is at a turning point in it"s political history. With the events in our Legislature over the last 6 weeks it is so apparent that something needs to change.

Douglas Waller
Member, Prince George North
Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform

Editor



On its surface the argument that a privately owned company (Terasen) can be sold to whomever the owners want to sell, seems a reasonable claim. It is interesting that the governments of British Columbia and the United States have taken such diametrically opposite paths in dealing with similar questions. The American congress recently confirmed unequivocally that it would block the sale of a major American owned Energy Company, specifically to prevent ownership from falling into foreign hands.



Our government’s latest refusal to maintain reasonable control of our own resource sector highlights a glaring ideological pitfall, and the threat is very real…



Gordon Campbell’s ongoing privatization of run of the river projects virtually assures that BC’s hydro generation capacity will fall into foreign hands, and with it control of our water. Who will refuse to allow these private operations to be sold to foreigners? When Gordon Campbell decides to sell the BC Hydro transmission grid, who will buy it?



Shills claim that our interests are protected by the NEB and the BC Utilities Commission. Clearly, both have proven themselves somewhat less than functionally responsible. The BCUC decided to sweep the sale of Terasen under the rug, preventing public input. The NEB, for its part, has stated it will not rule against foreign disruption of local access to our transmission grid.



When we combine this precedent setting reality with the soon to be deregulated BC Hydro transmission grid, we have a scenario of power plants lined up just south of the border, using our gas, pre-empting our access to electricity, and polluting our air. Upon the expiration of short term contracts, our hydro generation capacity, being the property of private foreign companies, will produce electricity that we have no access to, transmitted on a privatized power grid, to foreign customers.



The term “ownership” devoid of legitimate control, is nothing more than a hollowed out shell, and provides a fitting analogy to the de-evolution of legitimate governance in this province.





Robert MacKay

Merritt

>The total vote for the FIBerals in May 2005 was 807,164 (45.80%) out of the 1,762.450 who did vote or 57.80%. Total number of eligible voters for 2005 was 3,049,153. Those that did not vote totalled 1,286,703 or 42.20%. Therefore, using Bond and the Fiberals logic, 2,241,989 or 73.53% did not vote for the Liberals. That appears to be an overwhelming majority who did NOT want the Fiberals to form the government in BC. <

This kind of comment really makes me laugh! Since when are the potential votes of voters who didn't bother to participate (in the democratic process of voting) to be counted as a vote AGAINST the party that ultimately received the majority of the actual votes cast???

The party that doesn't get voted in makes up all sorts of sour grape excuses. It wasn't the LIBerals that defeated the NDP but the rotten performance of the NDP itself.

There is a saying that goes like this: "There is no government more oppressive than one that inflicts draconian rule on its citizens, all the while being utterly convinced that it does so for the benefit of the citizens."

Social Democracy is like that if carried to ideological extremes.

WHY IS IT..THAT IN DEC..EVERY YEAR THE WELFARE,THE UNEMPLOYED, BUT NOT THE VETERNS...GET THEIR CHECKS EARLY..VETS HAVE TO WAIT TO AFTER CHRISTMAS FOR THEIR CHECKS, BUT WELFARE AND UNEPLOYMENT GET THEIR CHECKS EARLY....WHY....

>VETS HAVE TO WAIT TO AFTER CHRISTMAS FOR THEIR CHECKS,<

Don't we have two Conservative MPs here,
namely Jay Hill and Dick Harris? One would think that in return for having been elected by us they could at least look into this???

Ah, I forgot: they are too busy on the campaign trail making all kinds of promises!

Call their local offices on 20th Avenue, perhaps the staff will help you!

I guess if Kinder Morgan have to cut their delivery rates in the States, we will paying to subsidize them here in BC when KM takes over Terasen. <<Back


Regulators order gasoline pipeline company to reduce rates







PHOENIX The Texas company that operates the only two pipelines bringing gasoline into Arizona has been ordered to reduce its rates for shipping gasoline to this state and give refunds to shippers it overcharged.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's order to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners could affect gasoline prices in Arizona.

Triple A Arizona estimates that shipping costs add about one-and-a-half cents per gallon to the price of gasoline.

Arizona receives all its gasoline, diesel and jet fuel through two Kinder Morgan pipelines, one from California and the other from Texas.

Federal regulators concluded that rates on Kinder Morgan's western pipeline should no longer be grandfathered under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and that it was not eligible to recover certain costs through rates on both its east and west pipelines.

Kinder Morgan spokesman Rick Rainey was unable to say how much the refunds would be, but noted they are expected to reduce the company's 2006 payout to shareholders by about 7 (m) million dollars.

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Whoops, I see the news item was not to be forwarded, sorry

I see there is no comment on the fact the city wants to raise taxes.So here I go,Average increase in the value of a house in PG up$24,000,yet the city wants an increase of 2%or so,Im I stupid and think my house tax will increase about $400 this year because my house is now worth $15,000 more than it did last year,and the city want another 2-3%added to the percent I payed last year?Huh,I must be stupid.lol

What are those people that voted for Emerson thinking? They voted the man in to represent them, did they not? They obviously think he can do a great job for them. Well he got in and switching to the elected government which means he can do allot more for them than being in opposition with the Fed. Liberals. In fact I did not agree with him changing either as I thought he should have been a Conservative from the start but anyway he is representing BC (lower mainland specific) and that’s great. For those protesters that want a recall, what are you thinking, do you not get it? Do you really want to vote in some one far less experienced and connected than Emerson? If they want representation then vote in the man not the party. You got the man so jump for joy he is also with the right party.
Ain't it great...

>Do you really want to vote in some one far less experienced and connected than Emerson?<

The real tragedy in the Conservative Party is that Harper could not find a single worthwhile Conservative MP that could do fill the shoes of the Liberal Minister David Emerson!

That is a very sad story, indeed.

Correction: The real tragedy in the Conservative Party is that Harper could not find a single worthwhile Conservative MP that could fill the shoes of the Liberal Minister David Emerson!

>Harper could not find a single worthwhile Conservative MP that could fill the shoes of the Liberal Minister David Emerson! <
Not finding the right person is not new in any organization. If you don’t have what you require to do the best job then a good leader will head hunt and hire the right person to get the job done. If you want to produce the best out come you do your best to get the right people.
That is why free enterprise works so much better than socialism, in free enterprise you always look for the best way to get things done and if you don’t have the people for it you hire them. In socialist environments you hire the best person you have within the organization even if they are mediocre and eventually get you but kicked by a free enterpriser.
Ain’t it great…

I saw the most interesting thing this afternoon while driving up the Hart. In my rearview mirror I noticed a vehicle approaching behind me at a very fast speed, it was in the same lane as I was in, but when it got close it skirted lanes and sped crazily by me in the left lane. I was exceeding the speed limit by about 7 kms, this guy was doing at least 100 km in a 60 zone. I had a quick chance to notice some writing on the door. Yup, you guessed it, the writing on the door was an ad explaining what the car was. A driving school vehicle. A large sticker in the back window proclaimed "student driver", although there was only one person (the driver) in the vehicle. Also, the magnetic letter "L" stuck to the bumper. Go figure huh. I certainly won't use THAT company to teach my kids how to drive. Oh yes, in case you are wondering, I will be phoning in a complaint to the owner of the company. It's the least I can do after spouting off on here, right?!

My friends and neighbours in Stewart are are deeply hurt and desturbed by the Ian Bush murder. I am extremaly upset by the fact that it took a "WHite person killed By RCMP" to make people upset.
everyone in north america knows what Saskatoonning means ..
I am so sorry that white boy got shot but I'm more sorry that thats what it takes.
geo
geo

I'm sorry George. I don't know what Saskatooning means.

I was born and raised in this area and I have never heard the term before.

What's your point? Percy

"That is why free enterprise works so much better than socialism,"

There is no such a thing as "free" enterprise.

I predict that the next few months in federal politics are going to be a real riot if the first few weeks are an indication of things to come!

Diplomat. The next few months will highlight the differences of before and now.

The days of exposing, uprooting and replacing are behind us and the days for planting, cultivating and harvesting are in front of us.

I believe that the fruits of our efforts are evident in the harvest we reap.

Time will tell. You must be familiar with the saying, the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Let's judge the fruit at harvest time.

But, let's not sit by and allow someone else to determine the crop that is being planted. Percy

Something I think everybody misses in the "hours of service" debate regarding log trucks is this: If a truck that works 105 hours a week right now, gets reduced to 60 hours a week, who makes up that lost revenue ? The expenses keep going up, the rates never do, and nobody is going to go through another "work for free" period until the rates get adjusted accordingly. If log trucks go out of business, it will cripple the BC economy for sure, there is no debate. So, if you're going to hand me a preformed plan to reduce my hours of service and increase my safety, make sure you include a proper and fair rate increase to compensate for the lost time. You can buy those 40 hours a week for a reasonable price, but you can't have them for free. That's what the bank told me to tell you. They say they won't take safety certificates as partial payment.
My last point is regarding the PGTA/Steelworkers partnership. Both of these organizations have somewhat of a financial stake in this whole debate at the very least. I have not heard them actively pursuing higher rates, at the same time as preaching shorter hours than what the government is even recommending. Is it the case that they want to push for shorter hours, thus less revenue, thus financial hardship for truckers, thus we need them to go win higher rates for us, and thus every truck begins paying monthly dues to them ? I don't know, I'm just asking. Has anybody asked them what their agenda really is ? We are not currently paying dues, even though they are sending us invoices for dues. They said at the start we would not have to be members of anything and we wouldn't have to pay dues. Is that still their creed ?
Let's see some investigative reporting, you guys. I'd like to hear what they have to say.

What’s the deal, ever since you changed "Webmasters" the site has become glitchy and full of errors. Some of your ads are just plain white, and the page flickers when I hover over your navigation menu. This never used to happen before your sabbatical, IMO you need to get your OLD Webmaster back… seems he/she was of better value to you than the new guy.

The site takes longer to load now, flickers and several comments have been lost in the switch-over, including one from me which was a reply to a comment made by someone about the annual seal hunt.

I agree with diplomat and Chase, for a while there, I thought there was something wrong with my computer.

Thank you for passing along your concerns about the technical difficulties on Opinion250.

The actual complete changeover won't happen until April 30th. In the meantime, we are using old programs on a new server, which is like trying to speak Chinese in Paris. The new program will have the same elements, but will be comfortable in its own language.

Once the changeover is complete, I hope you will take time to surf the site, and e-mail me with any further problems so we can correct them as soon as possible.

I look forward to hearing your assessment of the new site.

Elaine Macdonald
Publisher, Opinion250.com

Is it just me or is anyone else seeing that there are not many stories on 250 that we can comment on?
Is 250 having PC troubles?

I want people to know that just because you use a Realtor and you get a Home Inspection and the Vendor completes a Full Disclosure on the home, IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE PROTECTED. Vendors can lie and walk away with your money and theres no one to protect you. The Inspector can only be sued for the $400 you paid him and the Realtor holds no responsiblity. I believe that Realtors should NOT be recommending Home Inspectors as its a huge conflict of interest. Always, always get your own inspector so that you know he's working for you. Yes you can sue but it will take years and a ton more money and you'll probably end up with nothing. And never allow the money to be released to the Vendor until all the "Subject To" clauses are finished because once they walk away from the table and they've all been paid it becomes "Buyer Beware"

One thing I find compelling in the upcoming election is missing this important issue: With the increase of high crime in our area, how do the candidates plan on responding to this serious problem? What sort of solutions do they have? I haven't heard of too many actually stepping up to the plate to say what really needs to be said: Budgeting for more RCMP members in Prince George. We need to keep our city safe and realistically, so far, no one from our current City Council including the Mayor has even breathed a word of offering solutions!

Could anyone assist me in getting my story told. I've been in a custody battle with my kids' father and it goes like this. We have two children and he has two. The two that live with him want to live with us but he won't let them come. We've went to everyone possible for assistance but got alot of closed doors. I'm not sure what all our pollaticians do but helping those in need sure isn't on their list. Of course we're in court battling this out but I want this story told and this is why. He is not a nice guy and has created alot of problems but he is a mormon and is hiding behind the church. I went to his church for assistance but they told me I needed to go his bishop. Great idea. NOT. Anyhow this whole custody battle boils down to his religion and what they believe. I'ts Christianity battling mormonism. That's the long and short of it but there alot more to tell but don't have the time to write it all out.
I've went to CKPG and the Citizen but no ones seems to remember my number and I want to know why? All we want is for someone to hear our story and possibly give us some ideas as to how we can work through this situation.

Could anyone explain to me why home heating propane costs 84.9 cents delivered and propane at the pump is at 57.9 cents? I thought that there would be at least no road tax on home heating fuel but the price makes no sense. Delivery costs cannot be that much.

Hmmm, 27 cents per liter for delivery doesn't sound bad at all. Does it?

to lost it all, re: your comments on the radar guns (Jan 9) and your subsequent comments about my involvment, and where did I get the stats of 85%.

85% of crashes between commercial vehicles and private vehicles are the private vehicles' fault, according to ICBC, RCMP and the Institute for Traffic Safety Research.

the problem with ICBC and their forest road claim allocation of 50/50 is that they do not go and investigate, and their formula for settling claims on industrial roads is different than their formula for public roads.

You are right, you did contact me, and I didn't get back to you. My apologies. I have 12 cases like yours that I'm currently arguing with ICBC on, all around the province. Their response is to get me to tell them what percentage of the road users in each case are industrial, and what percentage is non-industrial traffic. Then they would award blame/settle claims according to that percentage. I have not done that, because that would put most of the blame on the loggers, when in fact it's the other way around, particularly in your case.

There are a lot of things not right and not safe in terms of how resource roads are managed. The Resource Road Act that was proposed is now off the table again, and in the meantime, there is no recourse or alternative. All I can do is keep trying, and build evidence to prove your case. Again, sorry I didn't call you back - but I didn't have any news for you- not good news, anyway.

MaryAnne Arcand
Director, Forestry TruckSafe

I'm abit confused on this whole ice oval thing,for years Iv'e been taking my two boys there and play some hockey,now after last years incedent,i hear theres no hockey aloud,what a bunch of crap,how many speed skaters are there in comparision to hockey players in this town,someone said theres ice at the schools??well i think we would be better off skating on the streets of P.G,the ice is allot better,what about making a rink where the old oval was for hockey,its not even 200 yards from where the new one is,then everyone winsand the zamboni can take care of both

They have set a trap
Merge becomes yield with no warning.
They have set a trap for an accident to happen.
The on ramp that used to merge on to Highway 97 northbound from Queensway is now a yield. This has been a merge for how many years and now it is a yield. There is no warning that there has been a pattern change.
Why in their infinite wisdom did they stop this merge other than to cause an accident? Does it really help to open the second lane on the highway 200 feet closer to the bridge?

This is in response to the last post by the person using the alias (Bridge) made in the Friday Free For All on Jan 23/08.

I posted the following in the free for all and you have chosen to read something into what I had said in my post that was not there.
You also chose to disassemble what I wrote and use it for your own purpose.

Then you proceeded with name calling.
Very mature stuff for a proclaimed vet.
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" Posted by: lostfaith on January 23 2009 12:45 PM
There sure are a lot of book readers here obsessed with war and it's related BS.

We all grow up learning about the worlds history and the wars that have been fought here.

Why would you spend your lives reading all that crap?

Don't go saying Lest we forget.

No one will ever forget the past and all the horror associated with our wars.

Wouldn't it be somewhat healthier for the soul to read about birds."

You see Bridge if you knew how to read, you would easily understand what was meant when I wrote this. Others did.

But instead you chose the route you did and needed to use insults in your post as quoted below.

I believe you owe me an apology Bridge!
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Posted by: Bridge on January 23 2009 8:42 PM
We all grow up learning about the worlds history and the wars that have been fought here.

Why would you spend your lives reading all that crap?

Don't go saying Lest we forget.

This morning the tone on this site had changed but it seems the smart asses just dont go away.

I am a infantry vetren as are many in our area. We will never forget the wars that we were in. We believed that it was an honour to serve ones country. And we have this jerk telling us "dont go saying lest we forget. I guess we shoud do away with rememberance day as well.

You are an ass lostfaith.

Cheers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Learn how to read Bridge.

The apology needs to be made in next weeks Free For All.

Cheers

Lostfaith you are the one that I feel owes an apology to Bridge. From my perspective based on what you have wrote you have no respect for the work our vets did to secure our freedoms, nor the values our country stands for... it shows.

I can't speak for Bridge, because I don't know that person, but I think I understand the sentiment.

What I noticed was a vile pro-Israeli position claiming rocket fire by rouge terrorists gives Israel a right to obliterate entire civilian neighborhoods. To question this logic makes a person a terrorist lover in your words. I had argued that Israel showed no respect for the values of the nations that freed their people in their current actions... your retort completely ignored historical context as irrelevant to the issue other that the canard (rockets in this case) that your key hole vision focuses on... which is anything but an impartial view point.

Now with the issue of history you call it crap and a waste of time, while also giving historically ignorant comments on an almost daily basis... follow that up with a scoff on your part about the idea of 'remembrance' to deflect any real debate or moral lessons that can be drawn from real facts relating to the sacrifices in which that generation (or any past generation) made for our behalf.

I can see how a vet would find those viewpoints offensive... in that you claim a god given right to dispense full war punishment on your faceless enemies from the comfort of your armchair in the name of self defense for your client side in Israel (ignorant of the related historical context)... while they smoother an entire defenseless people and claiming a huge heroic victory... meanwhile our vets who fought a well organized professional army of millions on an equal footing, or even from a disadvantage in a lot of cases, and in the end all they asked for was respect for the memory of what it was they fought for... and lostfaith has the gal to be the one asking for an apology?

Eaglebearlover give your head a shake you moron. Then go take your medication, as you apparantly have fallen off the deep end.
Where do you come up with this stuff?

You say you can't speak for Bridge! Then what the hell are you doing here speaking for Bridge?

Just for you I will SPELL IT OUT!

Pay attention now I wouldn't want you assuming anything here.

The whole point of my post is that IMO it is nothing more than a waste of time spending your life being consumed by war and to spend your time reading about it isn't healthy.

Is that french to you eagle?

The reason I said "Don't go saying Lest we forget." was because some people IMO would have used that saying to defend their obsession by saying "Lest we forget".
If we don't read about it we will forget and it will be repeated.

Those that spend their lives reading all these types of books would be far better off reading about BIRDS.

Do you know what BIRDS are EAGLE????

Did you FINALLY catch my drift eagle???

Now what part of that don't you understand buddy?

Read my original post and you will find nothing that is disrespectful of any veteran anywhere.

For you or anyone to suggest I said anything disrespectful about any vet is a pile of BS.

If it wasn't for our veterans idiots like you wouldn't be permitted to make the idiotic assumptions they do never mind them being permitted to put them in print.

For you to be dwelling on the Isreali retaliation against the Palastinians and their Hamas leaders for thier endless unprovoked rocket attacks against innocent Isreali civilians isn't healthy eagle.

May I suggest a good book such as Birds of North America.

Its not a convincing argument that you make lostfaith. You failed to convince me. Its like your trying to scare me into being ignorant of history... so I can be accepted by you? Is that the point your trying to make? If so, it doesn't have a lot of appeal to it.

Regardless of the vets lostfaith, I have an inalienable right to say what I feel and I don't owe that to anyone (other than 250 when they allow it to be posted lol). My great grandfather drove a tank in ww1 and commanded tanks in ww2 (he participated in winning two wars) and he did that to protect our country and our values... not to give us these rights that are naturally ours.

What you don't get, is that it is disrespectful to pontificate with admitted ignorance, while telling people its pointless to study history to come to informed conclusions...politicized talking points are what count in your world... then you qualify it by claiming you'll have no of the lest we forget argument from those that chose to remember our history so as not to repeat its mistakes and so as to honor those that fell bringing us through those difficult times.

Someone who fails to show appreciation for the respect of the memory of our past... is a person who commands no respect for themselves in the view of those who do remember. To demand this undeserved respect with juvenile insults shows small character IMO. I find your approach rather humorous lol.

Now lostfait I think its a good time for you to apologize to Bridge and the other good veterans out there and lets move on....

What you don't get you idiotic moron is the fact I simply stated my thoughts surrounding the obsession people like you have reading about war. I simply suggested why not read about something cheerful such as birds or in your case bear hugging.

Where you are coming up with this disrespect for vets BS is beyond me.

You sir are a dilussional moron.

I have a fantastic story to share with those not around Kamloops. (Because all IN Kamloops has already heard!) The other day, there was a "speed awareness" campaign of sorts. On Summit drive, which connects the Aberdeen area and downtown were 3 vehicals. The first had a radar - speedomier. you know the kind, where the radar operator has a screen to show the driver how fast he is going... any way, the second vehical had a sign: Maximum 60 Kph. Then the 3rd vehcile was an RCMP officer with a radar gun. Guess what happened?
within 2 hrs, they caught 60 speeders.
Think about that. Each vehcle had like 300 m between them. PLENTY of time to slow down... I guess those drivers' heads were as dense as their right feet.

BC Ambulance Coverage - Are We As Safe As We Think We Are?

Having lived in a remote or rural community most my life, I�ve never took too much time to think about the logistics of our ambulance coverage. In recent weeks it has been called to my attention that the coverage is minimal, as are the wages for the remaining paramedics.

Considering the call volumes for our ambulances have been consistently growing over the years, it blows my mind to realize that BC Ambulance coverage has and will be downsized even further. Calls for the Prince George area have been increasing, with no growth to the ambulance coverage provided. Surrounding areas are the go to guys during these shortages, creating increased response times, and a shortage in the area that was just called upon for support.

On March 31st, 2009, the BC Ambulance Paramedics Union's contract runs out, and a strike is immenent should the government not respond to some of their demands. They are asking for reasonable things such as real garages for the ambulances, and a pager pay of more than $2/hour. In our rural communities, the paramedics who are manning the station on any given day are being paid between $10 - $25 / hr, not based on training or seniority, but based on whether or not it is their lucky day to be paid the full time pay, although in most situations, all the paramedics working out of a station all work over full time hours.

As scary as it is to think of a province without Ambulances, I can't say I blame them for wanting to stirke. Most BC Ambulance Paramedics go without benefits, and are paid lower than the starting wage for most major retailers. Considering the costs associated with the training to become a paramedic, for many, it is no longer feasible.

For more information on the state of our BC Ambulance Paramedics, check out http://saveourparamedics.com This website covers regional as well as provincial issues, and offers different means for voicing your opinion on this matter. Let your voice be heard!

GOOD AFTERNOON Prince Georgians home of gas gouging. And we know that to be a true fact as of today the Chevron sign in College Heights says $999.9

Hmmmmm did they forget the decimal or are me triing for Capital of Gas gougin.

After following the story of that polish immigrant to be ,I recommend to everyone,who wants to commit suicide 'by police',to carry a paper stapler.Our finest will take care of that obstractive and dangerous individual in a matter of 30 seconds.End of story!Except for, now followed up by commendation by the high comissioner, for bravery and a promotion for the officers involved!
Doesn't anybody consider the mental condition of this 'worldtraveler' after probably being in transit and without sleep and attention for maybe more than 48 hours?Than being jerked around by Air Canada's bumbling and obnoxious burocrats.My comments are based on personal experiances traveling/departing from Vancouvers Airport!-From then on I choosed to take off and arrive in/from Calgary,which is still run by civilized personal!Helmut J.K.

Forestry Roundtable Releases Report

Hey, here is my preliminary comments on each of the 29 recommendations. I have started a discussion on each of them at http://www.causes.com/forests feel free to visit the site join the cause and participate in the discussion. I would have liked to post this on the story but that discussion has closed, to bad I guess.

1.�We should continue to inform British Columbians and forest product consumers about the beauty, carbon friendliness, economic and other benefits of British Columbia�s forests and forest products.�
Yes marketing BC forest products is important, and logging in BC is less destructive then in most other jurisdictions; however, industrial logging sites are not beautiful, logging is dirty work, recent studies show that the way we have managed our forests makes them a net emitter of carbon, and the BC forest economy has deep rooted economic problems that go well beyond the current economic crisis. I think that if the government is willing to sell this image they should also be serious about making it a reality...lets look at the other points to see if they are.

2.�All taxpayer supported buildings in British Columbia � federal, provincial and municipal must, and private sector buildings should, utilize and demonstrate wood and wood products whenever and wherever possible.�
A good start! But why not reform building codes so that imported products with timber alternatives are phased out...vinyl siding is one example of a product that could be fazed out over a short period of time and replaced by wood siding.

3.�We should review our forest management and silviculture practices to ensure that they ensure maximum productivity, value and support forest resilience.�

Wow, this point gets at the roots of our governments thinking. ENSURE maximum productivity, and SUPPORT resilience. Resilience is key but the government is still using backwards liquidation and conversion thinking that puts fiber productivity before resilience building. This is the type of thinking that stripped the age class and species diversity out of vast tracts of forest, and led to the beetle crisis as well as low grade fast growing product. Ecosystem resilience must be ENSURED, it must come first, along with building community resilience.

4.�We should encourage the Western Climate Initiative to include forests in the identification of cap and trade opportunities for carbon credits.�
Yes we should; however, people should be aware of the underling motives of this idea...the province is not willing to address fossil fuel consumption and consumption in general so they want to address climate change through forest policy. I think that this is quite the copout; furthermore, there is massive damage potential in the macro management of forests as carbon sinks. Carbon must be looked at as only one of a variety of forest values.

5.�We should enable the establishment of short-rotation fiber plantations.�
Should we? I am all for a diversity of forest use zones and this can include short-rotation areas; however, this recommendation must be balanced by recommending the creation of areas managed on long rotation periods (like upwards of 400years). In general I don�t think we should compress rotation cycles because this intensive practice produces low quality products which have low value addition potential, it also further removes the trees from the ecosystem and creates �brittle� environments.

6.�We should establish a Carbon Offset Credit program for restoration of forests killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle where credits could be purchased.�
Ok, but why don�t we just restore these ecosystems....forget about carbon credits and work to build vibrant forests that are resilient to disease and insect kill. Carbon sink issues should not be the determinant/main factor in determining stocking standards, because basing stocking standards off of one value is always a bad idea. This is the kind of statement that really baffles me, the province has the opportunity to restore these forests, they should do it NOW so that some people can get back to work.

7.�We should establish commercial forest land reserves for key portions of the current forest land base where wood production will be a primary focus.�
This is backwards thinking. Forests should be managed for more values not less; however, if these areas are set up the province should ensure that communities are granted at least double the area and EBM management areas (or managed resource protected areas) make up at least ten times the area of commercial forest land reserves.

8. �We should work to streamline transactions between government and industry to support a vigorous, efficient and world-competitive wood processing industry.�
Excellent spin. Basically what this means is �we should cut red tape�...the problem with this is that �red tape� is there for a reason and there is very little left to cut (excuse the pun). There may be very little trees being cut during this economic crisis; however, if people aren�t vigilant all the red tape will be cut and we will end up with an industry that is in even worse shape.

9. �We should offer competitive bid timber sales as area-based sales and review our timber pricing system to ensure it is as simple and transparent as possible.�
Finally something I can fully agree with - setting stumpage at market prices has been a long time coming, lets hope they are serious this time. And lets hope that the extra revenue goes to building a domestic value added sector and building resilient rural forest communities.

10.�The provincial government and Union of British Columbia Municipalities should work with industry to ensure municipal tax structures support competitiveness and industrial activity in British Columbia communities.�
Excellent spin once again. Basically what this means is that municipalities should lower taxes....what a joke. BC downloads responsibility to municipalities, fails to provide them with community forests, fails to prevent the drain of manufacturing capacity to the US and China, and then suggests that municipalities should lower taxes. This recommendation shows how out of touch our government is with reality. At least now we know who�s smoking all the confiscated weed.

11. We must establish labour arrangements that advance productivity and support competitiveness and investment while maintaining good working conditions and an adequate standard of living.
An �adequate standard of living�.... I think our forest workers deserve better than that. Basically what this is saying is that the benefits that forest workers have fought long and hard for are the problem. Don�t our forest workers deserve �excellent working conditions� and a �high standard of living� or are they just second class citizens? Workers benefits, another thing the BC Liberals and wood barons are willing to cut instead of trees.

12. �We should clearly define compensation rules for agreements between government and licensees, and in particular, what constitutes a taking of rights awarded through agreements and how compensation levels will be assessed.�
Ok, I can see why this is important, if tenure is going to be reallocated then current holders deserve compensation; however, the desperate mess that these tenure holders have left communities in should also be considered. I know that this is not all the fault of trans-national logging companies, but really, what have they done to create stable, diverse communities? NOTHING.

13. �We should establish clear competition policies to guide the transfer of tenure between licensees.�
Yes we should...the last thing we need is the further concentration of tenure into the hands of a few international companies.

14. �We should respond to the urgent needs of business, workers and communities during the current global economic downturn.�
No Shit! But how and when...I still haven�t seen anything being done to provide relief to forest communities, which are dire straits. I hope that this recommendation is implemented; however, I have no reason to be confident that it will be.

15. �We must advance bioenergy and biofuel projects by creating competitive tenure and pricing frameworks to attract private sector investment.�
OK, but lets not be blinded by bioenergy... only wood waste products should be dedicated to bioenergy and we should not dedicate sort rotation fiber to the energy sector - we should be adding value to our timber products not burning them.

16. �We should establish a Wood Innovation and Design Centre focused on bringing together builders, architects, designers, artists and engineers to advance the commercialization of value-added wood building and design products.�
This is a great idea that is already being implemented; however, it must be complemented by real value-addition incentives such as tying stumpage rates to the level of value-addition.

17. �We should create a forum to bring together leaders from the forest sector with those from chemical, energy, and other sectors to identify new wood based product and market opportunities.�
Great Idea, and we should identify the assets and potential of communities and local businesses with regard to creating decentralized manufacturing (though I would slip this in here).

18. We should continue to diversify forest product markets with particular emphasis on emerging markets such as China, ensuring that marketing efforts are sustained, coordinated and based on what end users want.
�Yes we should, and we should also set up import substitution policies to strengthen local markets. BC should build and showcase a domestic forest economy where wood products are used in place of imported substitutes.�

19. We should be proactive in exploring ways to ensure wood fiber is available for industry growth and product diversification while respecting tenure holders� rights.

20. �We should increase the percentage of fiber that is available through competitively-bid timber sales.�
Yes we should, and we should provide communities, First Nations, and small businesses access to credit so that they can take advantage of this and work to build resilient, vibrant communities and diversified local economies.

21. �We should develop an internet-based wood market.�
Why not, and why not decentralize some of the development of this internet-based wood market and move back office administration into rural BC.

22. �Logs that are surplus to British Columbia manufacturing needs should be exported until local manufacturing capacity exists. The surplus test currently in use should be reviewed to ensure it is rigorous.�
Yes, we cant shock the system by insisting that all wood is processed domestically immediately; however, this recommendation shows how gutless this government really is. Instead of saying that they will �build domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce raw log exports� they say �Logs that are surplus to British Columbia manufacturing needs should be exported until local manufacturing capacity exists.� The problem with this statement is that there is no serious plan to build local manufacturing capacity, if the capacity is not built then we will have to continue exporting raw logs, its that simple.

23. �We should expand the Community Forest Agreement Tenure program.�
I would have liked to have seen this as # 1; however, I am happy that it is here. I guess this recommendation begs the question of how much should it be expanded by. At the moment community forests areas could be quadrupled and they would still be insignificant. I would have liked to have seen something like this: �community forest tenure must be expanded so that when it is coupled with small business tenure and First Nations tenure it is equal to or greater than all tenures held by large logging companies.� I know, I�m dreaming, but someone has to.

24. �British Columbia forest policies should reflect the unique forest attributes and socio-economic circumstances in different parts of the province.�
That goes without saying. I will rephrase this recommendation to point out how simple it is, �management practices should be based on local realities�.

25. �We should create more long term, area-based forest tenures that are of an economically viable size, and create legislation for a First Nations forest tenure.�
Yes we should, and we should allow for large scale community forests as well, instead of the insignificant ones we have now.

26. Revenue-sharing with First Nations should be proportional to the value of timber harvested in their respective territories instead of being calculated on a per capita basis.
This is vital, perhaps a better revenue sharing formula should be created for municipalities as well.

27. �We should encourage business and First Nations to become full partners in forestry businesses, in particular in emerging areas of opportunity including biofuels, bioenergy, carbon and reforestation.�
Yes we should, but what about small businesses and forest communities?

28. �We should strive to build capacity among First Nation governments, First Nation forest corporations and First Nation forestry institutions to achieve full participation in forest activities.�
Yes we should, but why stop at First Nations governments? The government should strive to build capacity in all forest communities, they are not and this comment suggests that they will not.

29. �We should collaborate with First Nations to involve First Nations youth in forest employment opportunities.�
This is the area that I work in so I could go on and on. Providing FN youth with forestry jobs is essential, allowing FN youth to take place in all aspects of the economy is essential, allowing FN youth to develop the skills necessary to be the leaders of tomorrow is essential. But it cant stop there, there are thousands of youth in rural BC (FN or settler) that deserve to live in vibrant communities, have steady fulfilling work, and be a part of diverse and value rich forests. This is beyond a First Nations issue; it is a human rights issue plain and simple.

Forestry Roundtable Releases Report

Hey, here is my preliminary comments on each of the 29 recommendations. I have started a discussion on each of them at http://www.causes.com/forests feel free to visit the site join the cause and participate in the discussion. I would have liked to post this on the story but that discussion has closed, to bad I guess.

1.�We should continue to inform British Columbians and forest product consumers about the beauty, carbon friendliness, economic and other benefits of British Columbia�s forests and forest products.�
Yes marketing BC forest products is important, and logging in BC is less destructive then in most other jurisdictions; however, industrial logging sites are not beautiful, logging is dirty work, recent studies show that the way we have managed our forests makes them a net emitter of carbon, and the BC forest economy has deep rooted economic problems that go well beyond the current economic crisis. I think that if the government is willing to sell this image they should also be serious about making it a reality...lets look at the other points to see if they are.

2.�All taxpayer supported buildings in British Columbia � federal, provincial and municipal must, and private sector buildings should, utilize and demonstrate wood and wood products whenever and wherever possible.�
A good start! But why not reform building codes so that imported products with timber alternatives are phased out...vinyl siding is one example of a product that could be fazed out over a short period of time and replaced by wood siding.

3.�We should review our forest management and silviculture practices to ensure that they ensure maximum productivity, value and support forest resilience.�

Wow, this point gets at the roots of our governments thinking. ENSURE maximum productivity, and SUPPORT resilience. Resilience is key but the government is still using backwards liquidation and conversion thinking that puts fiber productivity before resilience building. This is the type of thinking that stripped the age class and species diversity out of vast tracts of forest, and led to the beetle crisis as well as low grade fast growing product. Ecosystem resilience must be ENSURED, it must come first, along with building community resilience.

4.�We should encourage the Western Climate Initiative to include forests in the identification of cap and trade opportunities for carbon credits.�
Yes we should; however, people should be aware of the underling motives of this idea...the province is not willing to address fossil fuel consumption and consumption in general so they want to address climate change through forest policy. I think that this is quite the copout; furthermore, there is massive damage potential in the macro management of forests as carbon sinks. Carbon must be looked at as only one of a variety of forest values.

5.�We should enable the establishment of short-rotation fiber plantations.�
Should we? I am all for a diversity of forest use zones and this can include short-rotation areas; however, this recommendation must be balanced by recommending the creation of areas managed on long rotation periods (like upwards of 400years). In general I don�t think we should compress rotation cycles because this intensive practice produces low quality products which have low value addition potential, it also further removes the trees from the ecosystem and creates �brittle� environments.

6.�We should establish a Carbon Offset Credit program for restoration of forests killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle where credits could be purchased.�
Ok, but why don�t we just restore these ecosystems....forget about carbon credits and work to build vibrant forests that are resilient to disease and insect kill. Carbon sink issues should not be the determinant/main factor in determining stocking standards, because basing stocking standards off of one value is always a bad idea. This is the kind of statement that really baffles me, the province has the opportunity to restore these forests, they should do it NOW so that some people can get back to work.

7.�We should establish commercial forest land reserves for key portions of the current forest land base where wood production will be a primary focus.�
This is backwards thinking. Forests should be managed for more values not less; however, if these areas are set up the province should ensure that communities are granted at least double the area and EBM management areas (or managed resource protected areas) make up at least ten times the area of commercial forest land reserves.

8. �We should work to streamline transactions between government and industry to support a vigorous, efficient and world-competitive wood processing industry.�
Excellent spin. Basically what this means is �we should cut red tape�...the problem with this is that �red tape� is there for a reason and there is very little left to cut (excuse the pun). There may be very little trees being cut during this economic crisis; however, if people aren�t vigilant all the red tape will be cut and we will end up with an industry that is in even worse shape.

9. �We should offer competitive bid timber sales as area-based sales and review our timber pricing system to ensure it is as simple and transparent as possible.�
Finally something I can fully agree with - setting stumpage at market prices has been a long time coming, lets hope they are serious this time. And lets hope that the extra revenue goes to building a domestic value added sector and building resilient rural forest communities.

10.�The provincial government and Union of British Columbia Municipalities should work with industry to ensure municipal tax structures support competitiveness and industrial activity in British Columbia communities.�
Excellent spin once again. Basically what this means is that municipalities should lower taxes....what a joke. BC downloads responsibility to municipalities, fails to provide them with community forests, fails to prevent the drain of manufacturing capacity to the US and China, and then suggests that municipalities should lower taxes. This recommendation shows how out of touch our government is with reality. At least now we know who�s smoking all the confiscated weed.

11. We must establish labour arrangements that advance productivity and support competitiveness and investment while maintaining good working conditions and an adequate standard of living.
An �adequate standard of living�.... I think our forest workers deserve better than that. Basically what this is saying is that the benefits that forest workers have fought long and hard for are the problem. Don�t our forest workers deserve �excellent working conditions� and a �high standard of living� or are they just second class citizens? Workers benefits, another thing the BC Liberals and wood barons are willing to cut instead of trees.

12. �We should clearly define compensation rules for agreements between government and licensees, and in particular, what constitutes a taking of rights awarded through agreements and how compensation levels will be assessed.�
Ok, I can see why this is important, if tenure is going to be reallocated then current holders deserve compensation; however, the desperate mess that these tenure holders have left communities in should also be considered. I know that this is not all the fault of trans-national logging companies, but really, what have they done to create stable, diverse communities? NOTHING.

13. �We should establish clear competition policies to guide the transfer of tenure between licensees.�
Yes we should...the last thing we need is the further concentration of tenure into the hands of a few international companies.

14. �We should respond to the urgent needs of business, workers and communities during the current global economic downturn.�
No Shit! But how and when...I still haven�t seen anything being done to provide relief to forest communities, which are dire straits. I hope that this recommendation is implemented; however, I have no reason to be confident that it will be.

15. �We must advance bioenergy and biofuel projects by creating competitive tenure and pricing frameworks to attract private sector investment.�
OK, but lets not be blinded by bioenergy... only wood waste products should be dedicated to bioenergy and we should not dedicate sort rotation fiber to the energy sector - we should be adding value to our timber products not burning them.

16. �We should establish a Wood Innovation and Design Centre focused on bringing together builders, architects, designers, artists and engineers to advance the commercialization of value-added wood building and design products.�
This is a great idea that is already being implemented; however, it must be complemented by real value-addition incentives such as tying stumpage rates to the level of value-addition.

17. �We should create a forum to bring together leaders from the forest sector with those from chemical, energy, and other sectors to identify new wood based product and market opportunities.�
Great Idea, and we should identify the assets and potential of communities and local businesses with regard to creating decentralized manufacturing (though I would slip this in here).

18. We should continue to diversify forest product markets with particular emphasis on emerging markets such as China, ensuring that marketing efforts are sustained, coordinated and based on what end users want.
�Yes we should, and we should also set up import substitution policies to strengthen local markets. BC should build and showcase a domestic forest economy where wood products are used in place of imported substitutes.�

19. We should be proactive in exploring ways to ensure wood fiber is available for industry growth and product diversification while respecting tenure holders� rights.

20. �We should increase the percentage of fiber that is available through competitively-bid timber sales.�
Yes we should, and we should provide communities, First Nations, and small businesses access to credit so that they can take advantage of this and work to build resilient, vibrant communities and diversified local economies.

21. �We should develop an internet-based wood market.�
Why not, and why not decentralize some of the development of this internet-based wood market and move back office administration into rural BC.

22. �Logs that are surplus to British Columbia manufacturing needs should be exported until local manufacturing capacity exists. The surplus test currently in use should be reviewed to ensure it is rigorous.�
Yes, we cant shock the system by insisting that all wood is processed domestically immediately; however, this recommendation shows how gutless this government really is. Instead of saying that they will �build domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce raw log exports� they say �Logs that are surplus to British Columbia manufacturing needs should be exported until local manufacturing capacity exists.� The problem with this statement is that there is no serious plan to build local manufacturing capacity, if the capacity is not built then we will have to continue exporting raw logs, its that simple.

23. �We should expand the Community Forest Agreement Tenure program.�
I would have liked to have seen this as # 1; however, I am happy that it is here. I guess this recommendation begs the question of how much should it be expanded by. At the moment community forests areas could be quadrupled and they would still be insignificant. I would have liked to have seen something like this: �community forest tenure must be expanded so that when it is coupled with small business tenure and First Nations tenure it is equal to or greater than all tenures held by large logging companies.� I know, I�m dreaming, but someone has to.

24. �British Columbia forest policies should reflect the unique forest attributes and socio-economic circumstances in different parts of the province.�
That goes without saying. I will rephrase this recommendation to point out how simple it is, �management practices should be based on local realities�.

25. �We should create more long term, area-based forest tenures that are of an economically viable size, and create legislation for a First Nations forest tenure.�
Yes we should, and we should allow for large scale community forests as well, instead of the insignificant ones we have now.

26. Revenue-sharing with First Nations should be proportional to the value of timber harvested in their respective territories instead of being calculated on a per capita basis.
This is vital, perhaps a better revenue sharing formula should be created for municipalities as well.

27. �We should encourage business and First Nations to become full partners in forestry businesses, in particular in emerging areas of opportunity including biofuels, bioenergy, carbon and reforestation.�
Yes we should, but what about small businesses and forest communities?

28. �We should strive to build capacity among First Nation governments, First Nation forest corporations and First Nation forestry institutions to achieve full participation in forest activities.�
Yes we should, but why stop at First Nations governments? The government should strive to build capacity in all forest communities, they are not and this comment suggests that they will not.

29. �We should collaborate with First Nations to involve First Nations youth in forest employment opportunities.�
This is the area that I work in so I could go on and on. Providing FN youth with forestry jobs is essential, allowing FN youth to take place in all aspects of the economy is essential, allowing FN youth to develop the skills necessary to be the leaders of tomorrow is essential. But it cant stop there, there are thousands of youth in rural BC (FN or settler) that deserve to live in vibrant communities, have steady fulfilling work, and be a part of diverse and value rich forests. This is beyond a First Nations issue; it is a human rights issue plain and simple.

I am writing a concern about my area in Prince George. We live behind D.P Todd school, during the day around lunch time the students who smoke stand in the middle of our street and don't move for vehicles. Myself and our neighbors have come around our bend and have come close several times and almost hit the kids. They don't move for vehicles, they stand there and just look at you. One of our neighbors has gone to the school board and the school and there is nothing they can do about it. I don't understand how they can get away of lortering on our street? Plus our street is a city bus route.
I understand kids are not allowed to smoke on school property but why stand in the middle of our street and cause problems for our neighborhood.
This is not just a concern for myself and my neighbours, but for the safety for those students. Is there anything that we can do about this????

In the 2002 provincial BC budget, we heard, "To show leadership in controlling government's costs, all government MLAs are taking a five percent pay cut..." In that same year minimum wage in this province was frozen at $8.00, where it has stayed. Then, in 2007 B.C.'s members of the legislature gave themselves a 29% pay increase, reinstated a pension plan, and gave the premier a whopping 54% pay increase. Recently, taxpayers were told that "Budget 2009 provides stability and confidence for B.C. families, businesses and communities." By "communities" they were also including the Olympic community, which was bailed out soon after this announcement. Actions such as these do not show leadership, but rather greed and ignorance of the real issues faced by the people and families actually living in BC communities. We deserve better from our elected officials. Please vote on May 12.

Dear Editor,

On this upcoming election day, I urge voters to consider their values responsibly. Ask yourselves what do you really want to see in your next government?
Our most recent government has mislead us on the value of a well-funded public education system. They repeatedly tell us that funding is at a record high while ignoring the simple math of increasing inflationary pressures on our school system. School boards are forced to make cuts to education to meet these increasing costs. This is a government that has allowed massive school closures, inadequate funding for the needs of students and the ambushing of teachers contract rights. Teachers used these bargaining rights to protect students from larger classes and compositions that degrade a teacher�s ability to meet the needs of their students.
Our most recent government has ignored the hemorrhaging of jobs from the forest industry. Over fifty mills have been closed with around twenty-five thousand jobs lost. In fact, this is the government that removed guarantees to local employment from forest licensing agreements. They are not even bothering to invest in a secure and sustainable future for our forest industry with the reductions to tree-planting budgets, the ignoring of the pine-beetle meltdown, and the increased allowances for raw-log exports.
Our most recent government has mismanaged our provincial economy with one of the highest rates of child poverty, poverty in general, and one of the lowest rates of minimum wage in the country. Our most recent government is indebting us with massive Olympics costs that makes the fast-ferries feel like a lost golden age of fiscal responsibility.
Our most recent government has mismanaged our democratic system by failing to meet in a fall legislative session, degrading our democratic freedoms.
Our most recent government has mismanaged our health-care system, allowing the quality of our care facilities to decline because they were more interested in attacking public-sector unions or splitting up married seniors between facilities to save costs.
Our most recent government has ignored pressing environmental crises, doing little to complete land or marine protected areas while wasting precious time to combat climate change by focusing on a mediocre tax strategy that does little to reduce new pollution and nothing to remove the pollution already in the atmosphere.
Our most recent government has sold off assets that generations of British Columbians have built, only to squander the money. What will be sold off next? Their policies have destabilized the present. Their policies harm our future.
Vote wisely. Consider what you want your province and your world to be like. Consider the future that you want for your children.

Sincerely,
Daryl Beauregard
Prince George, B.C.

BC-STV for Healthy, Prosperous and Sustainable Communities

There can be no doubt that the approach to electoral reform as
laid down by the current government of BC has been rigorous,
equitable, intelligent and thorough. The mixed member
proportional option was carefully considered by the Citizens
Assembly, and contrary to the opinions of several hundreds of
people writing in and the constant advocacy of the Green Party of
BC, the MMP option was voted upon and dropped from consideration.

Personally, I very strongly supported MMP and, along with my
fellow Greens in BC went through a difficult transition to
accept BC-STV as the best remaining alternative to first
past the post. Simply stated, the citizens of the
assembly voted for less political party power in exchange for a more
detailed counting system. Everything involves a trade-off,
and In this case, a net benefit.

"Fragmentation", "Perpetual Minorities", "Complex", "Less Access",
- these descriptors are not based in fact. What is true and based upon fact, is that BC-STV will provide a multi-dimensional perspective in the BC Legislature. It will no longer be
the capitalists against the social democrats against the environmentalists against the capitalists, ad nauseum. On every single ballot the citizen will be able to engage the rich diversity of political thought, and to create, by voting his/her preferences, a unique outcome. The citizen can choose the party, the candidate and mix and match these combinations to provide the most powerful vote conceivable. The message this sends to
candidates and their affiliated parties is -

"You Are Here To Serve!
Fail to serve the entire population of the Electoral District,
and "out you go", regardless that you may have been following
the "party line".

Like all technologies, ideologies and philosophies the time of
"first past the post" has reached the end of its cycle.
Uni-dimensional politics is simply no longer able to address the
myriad of multi-dimensional issues that we face in our economic,
social and environmental lives. We now need the best of
all our ideas and we need those ideas to compete and to
complement in the creation of:

Healthy, Prosperous and Sustainable Communities.

This is one crucial step on the path ahead.

> > And for even more fun, try out your STV vote here:
> > http://www.trystv.ca/

John Hague,

"Creative Conflict Services, BC" ::
"NATURE, PEOPLE, BUSINESS, In Harmony"
1379 Sea Lovers Lane, Gabriola Island, BC,
V0R 1X5, 250-247-7675

Please post more news about "Texas-based Spectra Energy Corp looking to launch Salmon River crossing".

We need to know who's messing with our rivers and what they are planning. This, for example, doesn't explain how Texas-based Spectra intends to actually try to cross the Salmon River ...


Quote from 250's May 22 report:
The plan would see a pilot hole drilled to a depth of more than 20 meters, and the pipeline would be pulled through that pilot hole. The target start date for that project is the third week in June.


Many thanks for being the first to tell the public about this ... and what it may mean for the wild salmon.

I heard that a local college instructor has sent money to two different women in russia, he sent them money on the same day about dec. 2007, and now he's saying he's going to court to get his money back and that it's in the news. I never heard about it. Did anyone else hear about a PG man getting 'scammed' by sending russian women money, or do you think he's just trying to cover that he sent money to two different russian women? Methinks me smells a rat!!!!!

I am ANGRY. I almost lost one of my most precious gifts on Sunday. My oldest child, who is turning 16 in a week, was hit by a car while riding his bike home on Sunday morning. This could have been catastrophic to my family, his friends and especially to the person I am most angry with: the driver of the car that hit him.
I am angry because afterwards, while my son was being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, this woman was sitting with her friends/family, crying and shaking, repeating over and over that she just didn't know what had happened. I will tell you what happened: My son looked at the woman driving,who had just ran a STOP sign and she was yakking away on her CELL PHONE while driving into my child's body with her vehicle!!!! Her ignorance baffles me. "I don't know what happened"?????!!!!??? I'll tell you what happened lady. You almost ruined my life, my son's life and your life. Was that call that important? I doubt it. God forbid this ever happens to you. You know who you are!

Reading the Prince George Free Press, and the Citizen over the past few weeks, one would get the impression that fluoridation of the city's water supply is a hot topic.

Now go to http://www.city.pg.ca and scroll down to the section entitled "Hot Topics." You can report a pothole, and read about garbage collection, but there is nothing about fluoride.

Click on "City Matters" and look under "Public Notice." Nope. Nothing. Media releases? 2009 Councillor Over a Barrell winners. Nothing on Fluoride.

Where is the Mayor on this? For 50 years, the people of Prince George have been receiving this drug without consent. We need to contact Mayor Rodgers and hold him accountable.

His email address is Mayor@city.pg.bc.ca. His office number is 250-561-7609.

Drop him a line, or give him a call. Ask him to explain to YOU how he justifies medicating you and your children without your consent.

Sooner or later, someone will win a lawsuit against the city claiming their miscarriage, broken hip, child's learning disability is a result of the city's fluoridation of the water supply.

No matter what you think of fluoride, that will hit your pocketbook. And mine.

The only reason fluoridation is a 'hot topic' is because a couple of dozen people are doing all the squawking. I'll listen to a doctor's view (as posted in today's Citizen) before I listen to a few conspiracy theorists.

Tell me if I'm Crazy?
I recently had my car towed by Northern Capital Towing. It was suppose to be a short trip to the dealership (about 6 blocks). I received a call from the Operator about an hour after he left who informed me that the vehicle came off the back of the tow truck because it wasn't properly secured and now the car is damaged. I have been charged for the tow and now have my car at the Auto Body repair shop. I phoned the towing company today to be reimbursed for the tow because I don't think I should have to pay someone to do a poor job and damage my vehicle. The towing company has stated that they did the job of towing my vehicle. Sure, it did make it to the Dealership lot but with a couple of thousand dollars worth the damage and now I have had to make arrangements to get it fixed. We all know the hassle involved in getting your car repaired. I was told that I will NOT be reimbursed for the tow because as far as they are concerned they are getting my vehicle repaired and did the job that was requested. I don't agree! I did ask for it to be towed, I didn’t ask for it to be damaged by the towing company. Personally I think this is outrages and doesn’t speak well for their level of Customer Service. Do you think I should be reimbursed or Pay for them to damage my car?

I would like to know why Opinion250 has not reported on the horrific accident that happened at the intersection of Highway 16 and Vance Rd. yesterday afternoon at about 5:30 PM. I witnessed the whole thing, from the beginning when I had to swerve to my right to avoid a collision with her, on the last corner of Pedan Hill before the traffic light at Vance Rd.

This young lady was traveling at a speed that was much greater than the posted one. She was out of CONTROL! In rush hour traffic, she had no consideration for fellow motorists. It was very, very fortunate that no one was killed.

I do hope there is a charge and a conviction, that carries a very significant punishment! I understand that this young lady is only 21. Well, I hope they take her driving "PRIVALEDGES" away for life. She has proved to me that she is not worthy of a drivers license(privilege)

The drivers in this City are atrocious! It is time we get tough with these BONE HEADS. Please let me know, if you want to hear the details of this accident, I saw it all. (nearly was a part of it)

I have lived in Prince George as a student and had plans to be a long time resident. After seeing the economic situation that it is a one company/industry town without developing other major major business like the landport in my time for myself anf my family live off since I am not trained for that. I studied psychology at UNBC and finally gota Bachelor of General Arts with a minor in Psychology. For Prince George to expand economically it must diverisfy its economics from a forestry and landprt when that gets built to attract more long term residents.

I do not see the NDP making their progression from socialism to a mixed economy withoput abandoning their ideology after I discussed with a few of them. I only see BC Liberals as the future for this place. They have built some initiatives that is long term and that is why I stood as a supporter for SHirley Bond, Pat Bell and John Rustad when they stood up for Prince George. To make Prince Goerge viable we must reinstate funding for post secondary for CNC and UNBC for programs that the resients of the north can be trained for positions and can make a living their for they decide to saty there. Together we we can be strong. Hopefully with BC Liberals.

With the HST coming into effect, I see that as an opportunity for BC to generate revenue not hinder its econmy. Our daily consumption is beyond many can afford in discretionary spending. That is why many of us in debt laden strain. HST will curve consumption and if we do consume then the revenue raised will used wisely according to the BC Liberals outline. Who really needs to spend 11 dollors a day on Strbucks when we can make that same coffee at home for a fraction of that cost.

GS Dhesi

guljin,what is the liberals future plans for BC?
All i see is an effort to privitize.Cuts to all services,leading to the poor not getting proper education or heathcare,the elderly and disabled receiving less,but costs to eat,heat and house all go up.Forestry employees talking around 15%wage cut(same wage as ten years ago),but a loaf of bread cost 4.50 for the"good"stuff.
If you think hard enough,you can see the social engineering that the Liberals are engaging in.
-poor education=dead end job
dead end job=fast,procesed food=bad health
bad health=early death
-elderly,disabled-high cost of living=less meds
less meds=more sickness
more sickness=early death
early deaths=less need from govnt
less need from gov t=more$in coffer
long waits for specialist=early death

Hi,

Is there an address that I can use to send an email with attachments?

I would like to send a copy of a letter I sent to Shirley Bond re "HST and Fall Recall" - asking her to honour her committment to her constituents (the people that sent her to the legislature).

It would be great if we could encourage other people to do the same.

Thank you

John Wood

In regard to today's featured story about Minister Bell and the China delegation. It leaves me wondering whether in the early stages of the history of other brutal empires, the people who were about to be colonized sent missions asking the imperial power to take them over.

The North American, indeed the entire western economy has been bludgeoned by China, with the special feature that they could do this only with the early assistance of the likes of Sam Walton and other corporate giants who closed down North American industry to build it cheaper where labour costs much less and cannot organize due to immediate violent repression by the Chinese government.

I doubt very much that, for example, Celtic resisters to the Roman invasion of Britain, would have applauded their leaders heading for Rome to essentially provide an open invitation for colonization. Far from cheering on Mr. bell and his delegation we should be decrying such toadying!

Dear editor,
Since SD 57’s vote on the district sustainability report last Spring, Central Fort George Traditional school has been in limbo and leaving parents and children in a state of frustration and uncertainty, making families unsure whether or not to move to the neighbourhood or enrol their children in a program that might be erased from existence next year. The school board announced that it would begin with discussions about making Spruceland Elementary traditional. In essence closing a small, yet nearly full, CFGTS to fill the now half full Spruceland, since the departure of its French immersion program.
Our traditional program is an integral part of its current inner city location as we are able to put identical uniforms on both kids from the ‘heights’ and the ‘hood’ , teach them virtues, give them academic structure, and unite them in community through our nation’s anthem. This couldn’t happen anywhere other than right downtown as lower income families are less mobile than upper income ones. This board has publicly stated that they support the traditional program, and several on the board have said that the Traditional program would never work as a dual track school in Spruceland or otherwise. Forcing kids with uniforms to go to school beside those without defeats the whole purpose of equalizing kids of all backgrounds with uniforms and is only an invitation for bullying. Forcing Spruceland to go single track Traditional is risky politically for the board also as some families will not want to be forced to change to a Traditional approach to education.
This board needs to make a choice now, and stop bleeding our neighbourhood of students and families by continuing the uncertainty perpetuated by their dithering. As a ‘choice’ school, Central Fort receives no extra funding and costs nothing extra to the district, has had stable levels of enrolment illustrating its success and sustainability as a program, and offers a front-line solution to rebuilding this city’s downtown by erasing the stigma of poverty in the classroom and breaking its cycle at its roots. With rumours of a pending surplus for the district next year, the only politically prudent choice and the one that’s best for our downtown’s kids is to announce that the traditional program is staying where it is intact, and let us rebuild our school and community that has been damaged by this school board’s dithering.
Frustratedly,
Kurt Nicholson
Downtown resident

in regards to Jack DeWitts comments about Prince George drivers. Thank you Jack for pointing these infractions out. Bravo, about time somebody told Prince George drivers. Yes you did mention that you drove in Vancouver before, so to whomever said that you should go down there and drive there does not know what they are talking about cause you already have driven down there, as so have I as a former taxi driver for "Vancouver Taxi". But my favorite infraction is when you mentioned of when people like to drive around with an animal on their lap. All too far often we see this, and yes it does count as impared driving, i.e. driving with cel phone, etc....
Now with a couple of more points to make across is when vehicles come to a complete stop at the white lines before entering an intersection, but yet the light is still green. Vehicles may enter the intersection when the light is green, provided it is safe to do so. One does not have to stop behind these lines, thus holding up traffic behind, these vehicles may enter the intersection and by thus relieving the traffic. And if the light is a green arrow, which turns into a solid green, this means that the light is still green. Not red, you may proceed.
And yes I do have one more point, for those who wish to speed around town etc, and a slower vehicle moves in front of you doing the speed limit, there is no need to blow on the horn, because it is you (the speeder) that is in infraction and you should slow down for the slower moving vehicle. And when someone does make a common mistake in traffic, which does happen alot, please let the driver correct their mistake and merge back into traffic. There is no need to blow the horn, give them the bird, holler at them, you are only causing more grief, let them correct themselves, slow down for them and let the traffic flow go smoothly again.
And as a former resident of Vancouver, with all the gang talk up here etc, I would be too afraid to give someone the finger, or holler at them, cause you just don't know what they are packing in their drawers or glove box. Especially driving around with my young ones in the vehicle.
Cheers

On Friday night December 3rd Approx. 5:00pm a white Mazda 3 car with an letter "N" on the back ran through a yield sign on Highway 97 by Zellers, Pine Centre Mall. This vehicle caused a multiple vehicle accident. There was a pregnet women involved in a truck that was struck during the accident. The pregnet lady and another young lady were taken to hospital. One of the witnesses read only part of the Mazda 3 license plate which had an N with a 0 zero or an N with a letter O before she fled the scene. Please contact the RCMP at 250-561-3300 if you have any information.

So it is now law that you have to use a hands free calling device or pull over to talk,I dont know about the places people pull over? But twice in two days i was driving beside RCMP while they are typing on laptop.
Im gettig tired of cops just doing what they want.

Will we let several cyclists die, before any rules are enforced? Driving in Prince George at night is a horrific game, where the driver has to pick out cyclists, who are wearing black and other dark colours, nothing reflective at all, and no helmuts??? The cyclists cross the road anywhere they like, at any time.
The best way to see them is in the headlights of the police cruiser you are following, as they pass within a foot or two of the officers bumper, no helmut, almost invisible, on ice and snow, and they know they will not be stopped by our mounties.
Will the motoring public be stopped, after we collide with these riders and drag them a block or two??? My guess is yes.
Will the motorist be charged? my guess is yes.
Will the cyclist die? hmmmn, 6000 pound truck against 35 pound bike and 150 pound rider...do the math.
These riders have a death wish apparently, and the rules of the road are not ever enforced by mounties.
The cure to the problem, sadly, will be natural selection, at the expense of the the poor soul who crushes the life out of these total morons on wheels.
Do these riders have to crash into the door of a police vehicle to get some attention??
The deaths of these cyclists is not a matter of "if", it is when.

STAND BY YOUR MAN?

I sit here and imagine how any wife can stand by her 34 year old husband, who drinks a case of beer, gets behind the wheel of their vehicle,and decides to brutally kidnap,torture and rape a 62 year old woman.
I, among many ,sat in the courthouse Dec 8th and listened in despair of how this man stangled,beat,raped and degraded a beautiful,honest and lovely petit woman within an inch of her life.
Many times that horrific night he told her he would have to kill her because he did not want to go to jail...
Only because of this very brave women's wit and smart thinking, did she pursuade him to let her live.He dumped her off on the side of the highway. She made it to safety and lived to tell.
I want all of the people who support this predator to ask themselves one question.If he did kill her and was never caught,what would he be up to right now,in his van,on your street, on your loved ones street,anywhere lurking, waiting for another victim,....
I say maximum time allowed.
If I read another news article about his life being crushed because of too long a sentence....come on, look after the good citizens around you, protect them!!
L. Boyd

Hey ckpg1111: The police are exempt from the legislation. Get over it.

I would like to comment on the supposedly protectors of our city the RCMP. My wife and I own a small business and it was robbed in the early fall. We got the call at 2am we ran to the store and find the curtis elite guy wating in the parking lot for us, we assume he is waiting for the police. No the police had already been and left without so much as an "its all clear" which you would expect from someone who is paid to protect the public/citizens. Nope this fool came , looked inside no one was around so he left. The curtis elite guy had not been inside so we had no idea if there was still an intruder or what, turns out nope we were ok, An undisclosed amount of money was stolen. The police did nothing, we had to call and argue with them to start a file. Last week a seemingly beligerent man came into the store and threatened the staff, then left, we thought its the holidays that will happen and nothing was done. Today the man came back and again threatened the staff, she called the police and yep the woodsy wonder boys showed up the man got into it with the cop, the cop then LET HIM GO with no charges, cause " that boy just ain't right". and then told the staff that " yeah they;'ll file a report AND if nutcase comes back and does something else, then maybe if we call them they might drop the dounut and actually do something.

I'm sorry but this is BS!! I have a belligerent undesireable a repeat belligerent undesireable in my business I do what I am supposed to do my staff call the police, and the police do nothing?? with all the gang related crap going on in this city, you'd thing a belligerent undesireable would attract some attention?? Not in PG the land where gangs rule and the RCMP get paid for it, what a freakin joke, so my concern now is what is the injury the staff will have to endure when this freak comes back yet again?? a gunshot wound? death? What do we do we can't call on the morons who are in charge of protecting our city, they're too busy, following drug dealers, eating dounuts, telling people their signal lights are out etc..but they are not looking after the citizens of PG..they are certainly not going to bother with doing anything about repeat offenders in your store, thats YOUR problem!! Maybe they are too busy learning how to drive on icy streets!! When the training of the police in your city goes down and you see this stuff, you know you are truly in for troubled times ahead because if the good guys don't know what the %$#@ they're doing, then we're really screwed!!

Thanks for nothing RCMP, I will go get my hunting rifle and the next wackjob that comes into my store I'm taking care of it Texas style!!

How about talking about the slave labour of the youth in this community. $6.00/hr training wage was what I received at Wendy's, or how about Greyhound who refuses to pay overtime so you get paid your extra hours on another paycheque when you have only worked 60 hours/2 week period. The corporations in this town are ruining our city. I have payed $35,000 in three years at my rental suite never mind the last ten years of rent I have paid. Yes some of the repeat belligerents are going to be there. But look how law abiding youth in this city are being treated... For those of you who have never made $8.00/hr that covers your rent and maybe some food... for a family of two. That is a basic human right and we are working for slave labour. Both of my grandfathers fought in WWII and one of them was an escaped POW. They would turn over in their graves if they saw that this is what they fought for. Every single youth I went to school with and still lives in PG... is a criminal!!! Why is that is what I ask myself?? No opportunity and greedy rich people. "It takes a community to raise a child." Hillary Clinton. How many youth do you see on the streets in PG and how many adults?? How many youth do you know that have been outside of this Country... let alone this Province?? WE ARE IN PRISON THANK YOU CITIZENS OF PG!! Lay off the youth... you guys taught us everything we know... and that is to barely survive and get by.

Wish all I had to whine about was the condition of the roads sometimes.

Make sure you pay for parking at the hospital!
Okay what's up with the two hour time limit for parking at the hospital. I was giving birth to my son and was in labour for 50 hours. I had an emergency c-section and couldnt walk for two days. I came out to my vehicle to find a $80.00 parking ticket. I'm sorry I didn't stop pushing long enough to put another quarter in the meter. Thanks to the Vancouver company that owns the meters you can't even pay your ticket in town. If you don't have a credit card you cant pay your ticket.

If you were ever going to attend a PGSO Concert do it this Saturday (March 12). Simon Cole's clarinet solo alone will be well worth the ticket. Not an import from another land, Simon is a world-class musician living and working right here in PG!

Maybe Opinion 250 can help to get the word out since most media reports on these events are after the fact?

Pertaining to forestry jobs:

Recently we heard Shepard commenting on the so called future jobs in the forestry sector. All of the mills have taken a hit, plus the Canfor plywood plant that burned to the ground. Is it not possible with all this knowledge and skill around that these workers could get together and start a plywood plant run by the same people, as in a CO-OP form of business. This has been done on Vancouver Island and elsewhere. Isn't it worth considering?

Dear Editor,

The Canadian Cancer Society is urging Prince George to adopt a by-law that would protect the citizens of Prince George from the dangers of cosmetic pesticides. (Cosmetic use means for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of private lawns, gardens, parks, sport fields and recreational facilities.) Since the cosmetic use of pesticides has no known health benefits, and has the potential to cause harm, the Canadian Cancer Society calls for a ban on the use and sale of pesticides for this purpose.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence from credible, world renowned organizations, such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the US National Toxicology Program, linking pesticide exposure to many negative health and environmental impacts, including adult and childhood cancers. This list of cancers includes adult and childhood leukemia, Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and cancers of the brain, kidney, pancreas and prostate. Children are at greater risk from the effects of cosmetic pesticides due to their undeveloped immune systems, more permeable skin and common behaviours such as crawling on the grass and putting objects in their mouths.

The Canadian Cancer Society has been joined in calling for a pesticide-free BC by eighteen other health and environmental organizations including the Lung Association of BC, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Learning Disabilities Association of British Columbia, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and recently, the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics.

Research into the health effects of pesticides, and effective strategies at reducing them, has found that the most effective and successful way for municipalities to reduce pesticide use, and hence exposure, is through a bylaw banning the use of pesticides, accompanied by an educational program. In BC, thirty six municipalities have taken a leadership role in banning pesticides in their communities, including the City of Nelson, the District of Invermere, and most recently, the City of Terrace, in the Northern region.

We will be presenting to council on Monday the 18th of April and we would like to encourage all citizens to write e-mails or letter to council in support of this important public health initiative and come out to the council meeting to show your support.
Sincerely,

Kerensa Medhurst
Canadian Cancer Society

City can help its residents' help



For too long, the City of Prince George has been putting the health of its citizens at risk. There is considerable scientific evidence that warrants a precautionary approach to pesticide use. The evidence links pesticide exposure to asthma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and leukemia. Prince George’s children are at a higher risk due their rapidly developing bodies.



Cosmetic pesticides are used to improve the appearance of lawns and gardens by controlling unwanted weeds and plants but can contain toxic chemicals that are cancer-causing. This cosmetic use is non-essential.



To date, more than 130 Canadian municipalities have restricted the use of cosmetic pesticides with bylaws. In 2011, the City of Prince George should seize the opportunity to demonstrate municipal leadership, ultimately creating a sense of civic pride.



We need to implement bylaws in our City that will eliminate these harmful agents from our lawns, gardens, sports fields, playgrounds, and recreation areas. It will help prevent cancer in our families and promote a sustainable environment at the same time.



Also, there are a number of viable non-toxic alternatives that exist.



Personally, I have had a family member die after an intense battle with leukemia and another that is in recent remission from non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma -- both residents of Prince George for nearly 30 years.



Promoting public awareness and petitioning for a strong legislation in Prince George to ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides is very important to me.



Protect yourself and those you love. The Canadian Cancer Society has published a list of ingredients common in pesticides at www.cancer.ca.bc.

Please avoid products that have harmful chemical ingredients.



Current and future citizens of Prince George deserve to live in a community that is safe and non-hazardous -- not in a community where their health is at risk.



Join the fight from the exposures of cosmetic pesticides by writing letters to the editor. Together, we can start changing how we live and make cancer history.



Justin Sandhu

Prince George