City Disregards Business Plan For Flood Control

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. -  A spokesman for the group of companies affected by the flooding of the Nechako River on River Road say they are at a complete loss as to why the City constructed a new dyke in front of business given that they were handed another plan by an engineering company that also works for the city.

Under that plan the new dyke would be constructed behind the offices of Winton Global and other affected business near the river’s edge and not in front of that business which will make it nearly imposable for them to access their operations. 

(In this photo,  the corner of the Winton Global office is visible on the left,  The gabion dikes  which are about 1 metre tall,  form the  green line  below  River Road which is now  now about 2 metres  higher than the  Winton Global front yard and parking lot which is marked by the  winter plug ins)

John Brink, one of the co-chairs of the group of businesses affected in the area (which represents about 1,000 workers and $ 250 million dollars in assets) says, "We requested a meeting with the City on Monday night, and that meeting was held on Tuesday, we put our position forward that we wanted to be consulted in the deliberations that have affected our business interests. We were to meet with city officials on Wednesday morning to show them what we wanted to have looked in tandem with the same engineering  company that the city uses Mcelhanney & Associates. At that meeting they asked us to hand over a plan from the engineering company by Thursday which we set about to do. When our group arrived for the meeting of the EOC (emergency operating committee) we were informed that the decision to build up River Road had been made and our recommendations never did see the light of day. That decision was made before we even showed them our proposal "  

The move has  sent  business a  bad  message says Brink, "We along River Road have been able to withstand the Soft wood lumber agreement, the low price for lumber, the Mountain Pine Beetle, and now we find that our biggest obstacle to trying to stay in business is the city of Prince George."

Brink says  the CIty has shown a complete disregard for their plans"During our meeting on Wednesday the City sent along Bob Radloff, Manager of Development Services and Kevin Brown appointed as the public relations representative for the flood to look at the plans of the business owners. "

(at right, John Brink stands in front of concrete dike his company has installed)

installed Brink Forest Products meantime has received approval from the engineering company to construct concrete barriers that far exceed the 200 year flood plain. "We hired the engineering firm and we are paying for this extensive system out of our own pocket" said Brink.

Those businesses that are now falling behind the building up of River Rd says Brink face not only hardship but also financial ruin. "We were told at the Monday night Council meeting that we cannot receive any compensation for any damage a business receives and in spite of that, the actions of the City are driving us out of business. "

Here is the policy structure of the EOC and those who are in charge. (story continues after photo)

The committee also includes;

Dave Dyer, long range planning ; Don Schaffer, City Clerk ; Grant Bain, In charge of planning; Marco Fornari-  Operations; Tom Madden, Emergency Social Services; Scott Bone, Logistics; Kelly Gilday City Fire Department, and Keith Meldrum City Fire Department.

Brink is already considering legal action,  but the  North Nechako River Industry Group  will also  consider  court action to stop the  building up of River Road.

"This whole thing is getting ridiculous" says John Brink "I always thought the City was there for us as taxpayers."

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