Where Was the Help Last Week? One Man's Opinion

Tuesday, November 07, 2006 03:45 AM

Environment Minister Penner announced on Monday that as a result of a flood of a lower mainland river, an order had been issued ordering the people who live in the area to vacate their homes. At the same time he announced that as he was speaking, trucks with rip rap were rolling into the Chilliwack area to prop up the road ways and banks alongside of these homes.

Now let’s take a step backward.

Last weekend in the interior of the province, more than 7,000 people had to try and make their lives work without the aid of any electricity.

Further to that, thousands had been without power during some cold nights, but not a peep from the lower mainland to rush to their aid, to provide them with some emergency power, no thought of trying to provide them with emergency housing, no effort to try and some way make up for the losses that will occur from that loss of electricity to their homes. Not one peep was heard.

So when it comes to lets say 12 homes 35 people at the most, who have come under a flood watch it was as if North Vancouver had been washed away, but when it comes to the people of the frozen north, "Oh well, they’re tough they can take that in stride. "

I’m Meisner and that is one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 03:45 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on November 7 2006 5:34 AM

If you live north of Hope, there is none..
we seem to be only here to collect taxes from and to pay for their 2010 fiasco...
MY OPIONION

Posted by: metalman on November 7 2006 8:03 AM

You are right on Ben, I'm sure we all feel bad for the folks who got flooded, they will have suffered losses. It is just so typical that the 'outlying' areas are forgotten, but do you know what could change that? Yes Virginia, the media. How about some splashy (no pun int.) coverage on the results of four or five days without electricity? Let's get some front page coverage, some prime time newscasts of people who are in the cold, dealing with frozen pipes, unable to prepare meals, perhaps unable to start their cars if it is really cold. I am no fan of the media, I believe there is too much manipulation of the facts, but sometimes that manipulation can work in your favour.
You said it, gofaster, we are 'beyond hope'

Posted by: whynotyou on November 7 2006 1:47 PM

hey metalman - wanna change that to "beyond help"? Because, we in the North are certainly NOT beyond hope, we in fact endure with little complaint and are ever willing to assist the wimps in the lower mainland who, beyond the stupidity of their own demise choose to live in flood lands. We choose to live in the North and we ARE prepared for the snow because we ALWAYS know "it's comin". So, that makes us pretty smart huh!! Five days without electricity though is a tough one, I hope everyone made out okay, I know my sister did and she wouldn't trade that unexpected five days of last century lifestyle for one planned day in a flood zone!! And hey, we all know our system sucks.

Posted by: owl on November 7 2006 2:27 PM

No floods here? Those living just north of Paddlewheel park would wish that were so. And all those who used to live in the Island Cache when they were forced out of there would also find that interesting. As would those who have businesses east of Queensway.

http://www.settlerseffects.ca/pls/cats_web/web_exhibitions.show_page?PAGE_ID=541917&LANG=EN

"Spring runoff frequently brought the threat of flooding to a city located at the confluence of two rivers. The Nechako and Fraser rivers overflowed their banks, causing the city's first serious flood in 1917. A particularly vulnerable area was the Island Cache, located at the point where the rivers meet. "

Posted by: owl on November 7 2006 3:10 PM

Drudge Report actually had a link to this BC news item, which is quite rare forthe USA based news blog.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/cp_n110641A.xml.html

"Some areas had seen 200 to 350 millimetres of rain since Thursday afternoon". 200 mm is about 8 inches of rain which, if it fell as snow, would be about 80 inches or almost 7 feet of snow. That is the low side. Amazing that there is not more damage.

Posted by: Chadermando on November 7 2006 8:10 PM

Northern BC needs to be its own province with its own Canadian Forces reserve unit for Northern BC. We are one disaster away from the reality of this when its too late.