Well that is some good news for a change. Lets all hope that Pat Bell is not blowing smoke..... getting the town of Mackenzie's hopes up only to knock us right down again.
I think we have suffered enough... Fingers crossed fellow workers... I want to go back to work!!! its been 6 long months since abitibi closed the doors... we need this news to be true.. our town is hurting.

Well said Mac Oldtimer!
So what are these "positive" signs Pat,or is this just more rhetoric?
Nothing new here that we didn't already know.
What are these "good solutions"?
Are they a secret?

For heavens sake give Pat a chance. The man is a doer. Gordon Campbell isn't stupid. He gave Pat that portfolio for a reason.

They jury is still out on Pat...hopefully he will be able to at least help find solutions, but only time will tell.
But Gordon Campbell...he IS stupid and he keeps proving that!

The jury is out on all these guys. Announcements, Studies, Bulls41t, and still no shovel in the ground, period..Sorry, I guess there is lots happenin, but it's all south of Hope. Same old...The north pays and the south rides.

Amen giterdun!

Without question the people of Mackenzie, Prince George and Fort St. James need to keep the pressure on both levels of government, but when you hear something positive I don't think its always necessary to kick the crap out of it.

Although it's quite understandable why people are skeptical I think its important to realize that positive thinking "can" bring positive results.

On a positive note I would say hold them to their words, stay in their face and never give-up.

People look back. This government has screwed the working class from day one. We won't sell BC rail and have had a rash of rail mishaps. We will fix the Workers Compensation even when their on survey said that there was basicly nothing wrong with it. Now we have unemployment in all the mill towns but still have logs leaving the province. These boys are only there to line there own pockets or those of their buddies.

'but it's all south of Hope. Same old...The north pays and the south rides.'

'Amen giterdun!'

Why don't these guys move south to enjoy Easy Street down there?

Or, at the very least, STOP COMPLAINING.

Opinionated wrote: "For heavens sake give Pat a chance. The man is a doer. Gordon Campbell isn't stupid. He gave Pat that portfolio for a reason."

Unfortunately, the only thing that Pat can really do is what Gordon tells him to do.

Pat is out on his ear if he does something that will jeopardize the relationship between the Liberals and forest companies who contribute to the Liberals.

And I'm sure the forest companies who contribute to the Liberals know this as well as Pat and Gordon does.

Moses,if nobody complained NOTHING would get done!
This government doesn't give a damn for small town B.C.and the only thing these places will get is what the people in these communities fight for.
I am willing to give Bell a shot, but this lack of information and movement has gone on long enough!
And make no mistake,Pat Bell and the rest of them will only do what they are TOLD to do, because that's how the Campbell government works.
People are begining to leave all of these smal towns and when they do,they won't come back.
Less people,less business,smaller tax base,and less services later on.
And the begining of the end.
Constant pressure by all involved is the ONLY thing that will help,especially if they think it will cost them votes next year,because votes is the only thing they understand.

Honestly now Brainfreeze.

Have you ever picked up the phone and called any one of the local MLA's with your concerns?

Have you made an appointment to see any of them at their constituency office?

Have you contacted anyone in a senior position with a relevant provincial government ministry?

There's a big difference between complaining and making your voice heard.

Actually...yes I have Moses, and I keep doing it, just to make sure they understand that we are paying attention.
And as expected, they were their usual patronizing selves, but that was no suprise.
There is not a chance in hell they will discuss anything not pre-approved by Campbell.
The only line of communication we have is through our elected reps, but unfortunately,all you usually get is a form letter reply.
And that is exactly why we need to keep the heat on!

This Campbell style of dictatorship is nothing new as the NDP also did this when they were in power, especially Glen Clark.

This is our BC political system and we have allowed it to become what it is.
We vote and sit back and take what we get which is usually a re-election campaign.
We wait for a scandal to arise and this is usually what ends a government in BC. Our media educates us on what we should hear and usually this amounts to a distraction of what is really important.
Our governments are unaccountable to the opposition party and the public and more half truths are stated than fullsome justification or honest answers. Our legislature is a joke as anyone who has watched this charade would agree.
Election promises are stated for reasons to be elected, but are broken as often as kept. Public financial information is hidden and obscurred for political purposes and therefore used as an excuse to break whatever promise was made.
BC rail is a case in point.

If we resign to this system and just complain amongst ourselves--nothing will change and perhaps get even worse.

Political partys might follow the corporate money, but if enough public voice is pressed upon our local MLAs this will change some of this. If the public presses hard enough and long enough we the people can regain some control of our fate.
If we demand that our public financial information is available to the opposition party in complete and accurate form this might help the accountability of the government of the day a well as holding future governments to their promises.
A recall of a local MLA should be a process which can balance the popular vote with the real transparent facts of the issues. A substantial promise broken must be a reason for recalling our MLAs if elections are to mean anything.

Well said woodchipper!

I am not that sure if CanFor will be back running as to what Pat Bell has said.

1)CanFor is having a "wind down" party for all employees July 12,in Mackenzie.

2)Even if P&T has new owner/s - CanFor rather pay them in capital retribution for the chips and no contract whatsoever than run the sawmills. It's cheaper than having a 1.8 million loss per month!!

The word is that a certain ex Slocan-Canfor CEO is coming back to take on the Jimmy group that sacked him.

Should be careful who you upset!

Rumour out of Nanaimo is that Price Waterhouse is holding a meeting on Monday morning for all the ex-employees of Harmac.

Perhaps a buyer may be named for Mackenzie and FSJ as well?