Industry to Meet with Mayor on Flood Issues

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- Industry and workers  impacted by the Nechako River flooding are not  happy with the  way  things are being handled.  "We all are stakeholders and we want to be part of the process" says John Brink, the co-chair of the Nechako River Industry Group. 

At issue was  an in camera meeting which Brink says the industry  rep was excluded from attending.  The Mayor disagrees with that   scenario.

Council  approved  allowing a presentation from  the industry group. 

Brink  was joined by John Elmslie of Winton Global,representing a number of companies on River Road.  "From the beginning we offered to be involved  and hopefully be  productive and proactive in finding a lasting solution" said Brink.

Brink says they are concerned about the medium to long term solutions.  One item is the  building up of River Road into a  dike.  Winton Global's office  has been  surrounded by the diking system, making Elmslie's offices off limits.  Winton  Global has  relocated those offices to Sinclair Enterprises. Elmslie says it would seem Winton Global was sacrificed for other  areas.

"For all the discussion here and all the good that the City has been done I think we are missing an opportunity  for a partnership that we have requested." said John Elmslie, "What is missing is the partnership for a common goal to keep the Nechako River flowing within its banks 24-7 365. We need a renewed committment from the City on future planning and  have asked for a meeting with your worship and the City Manager, to express our concerns and find out how we can help to move this forward."

Mayor Kinsley says the  recommendation  just passed  by Council  called for the Mayor  to  work with  industry,  first nations and government  , and agreed to meet with the group whenever they wanted.

Brink  advised "It sounds like decisions have aready been made, and if that is the case, we simply want the opportunity to be part of that before anything is enacted"

The Mayor says  some temporary decisions may have been made that may  have made some people unhappy, but no long term  decisions have been made.

In the gallery were some of the 200 Winton Global workers  who are  off the job.  Some are still waiting to get employment  insurance cheques, others have received a cheque but say  it is only a portion of what they  they need .

Elmslie says  they are asking that the building of the berm on River Road be halted immediately until the industries involved have had a chance to discuss the matter.

The industry group will meet with the Mayor tomorrow.

A representative for residents , Betty Bryce, asked that the City do the same for  the residents, "The decisions you make down river affect their homes, and I think they would like to be a part  of that process."

City Manager  Derek Bates says there is no opportunity for additional members to the Emergency Operations Committee but there is a clear need to improve communications to the residents.

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