Wednesday, November 25, 2009
BC Ferries to investigate circumstances of Northern Adventure's aborted crossing
The terminated crossing of Hecate Strait on Monday morning by the Northern Adventure will be the subject of an internal safety investigation by BC Ferries.
On Sunday night/Monday morning the vessel ran into extreme weather conditions during its attempted transit from Prince Rupert and Skidegate, unable to sail forward, the ship was rocked violently in high seas for a four hour period as the Ferry's crew attempted to turn the vessel around to return to shelter in Prince Rupert.
During the course of that storm, vehicles on the car decks were damaged, passengers were reported to be sea sick and some crew members suffered minor injuries, in addition the forward bow thruster of the vessel was damaged during the at the sea event.
The trip has been on the minds of both passengers and observers of the ferry system since word first came out about the harrowing trip on Monday afternoon.
Since that time there has been much in the way of media coverage of the sailing and the circumstances that passengers and crew were put into during it.
Vancouver Sun-- NDP critic contends ferry ill-suited to stormy Pacific
Vancouver Sun-- BC Ferry Northern Adventure forced to return to port by fast-moving storm
CBC News-- B.C. ship's reputation takes another hit
CBC News-- Storm tosses B.C. ferry passengers
The investigation will involve both members of management and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union. it's anticipated that they will outline the results of their investigation within weeks, at that time they may issue recommendations to be of assistance should similar a situation occur in the future.
While there have been some concerns raised about the suitability of the Northern Adventure, the former Mediterranean ferry Sonia, to handle the north Pacific waters, it's not known if that point will be considered in the course of the investigation into the incident of the weekend.
CBC News-- BC Ferries launches investigation of rough trip
On Sunday night/Monday morning the vessel ran into extreme weather conditions during its attempted transit from Prince Rupert and Skidegate, unable to sail forward, the ship was rocked violently in high seas for a four hour period as the Ferry's crew attempted to turn the vessel around to return to shelter in Prince Rupert.
During the course of that storm, vehicles on the car decks were damaged, passengers were reported to be sea sick and some crew members suffered minor injuries, in addition the forward bow thruster of the vessel was damaged during the at the sea event.
The trip has been on the minds of both passengers and observers of the ferry system since word first came out about the harrowing trip on Monday afternoon.
Since that time there has been much in the way of media coverage of the sailing and the circumstances that passengers and crew were put into during it.
Vancouver Sun-- NDP critic contends ferry ill-suited to stormy Pacific
Vancouver Sun-- BC Ferry Northern Adventure forced to return to port by fast-moving storm
CBC News-- B.C. ship's reputation takes another hit
CBC News-- Storm tosses B.C. ferry passengers
The investigation will involve both members of management and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union. it's anticipated that they will outline the results of their investigation within weeks, at that time they may issue recommendations to be of assistance should similar a situation occur in the future.
While there have been some concerns raised about the suitability of the Northern Adventure, the former Mediterranean ferry Sonia, to handle the north Pacific waters, it's not known if that point will be considered in the course of the investigation into the incident of the weekend.
CBC News-- BC Ferries launches investigation of rough trip
A labour icon of the west coast fishery passes on
The Tyee rightly points out a major oversight by the province's major media outlets this month, the passing of long time union head Jack Nichol.
Nichol first joined the union movement shortly after the second world war, gaining elected office in 1964 and rising through the ranks to the leadership of UFAWU in 1977, taking over from the legend of the labour movement Homer Stevens.
Through the seventies up until his retirement in 1993 he was the lynch pin for the union movement in British Columbia's fishery, negotiating, badgering and ensuring fair treatment for the workers inside the province's fishing plants and canneries.
Much of what fish plant workers and fishermen achieved in those decades came from the steely resolve of Nichol at the bargaining table, providing for steady pay increases, better working conditions and equality in the plants, many achievements that other unions could only have hoped for at the time.
He was a witness to the boom and bust years of the fishing industry, frequently warning of potential troubles to come unless the resource was properly managed and maintained, a warning that has proven quite correct over the last few decades.
While he will be known for his efforts as a leader from 77 to 93, he perhaps will be best remembered in Prince Rupert for his place on the 1967 picket line at the Fisherman's Co-op, an event which Charles Campbell outlines in his excellent account of Nichol's passing in the Tyee (see article here),
In the article, Campbell recounts Nichol's efforts on the Prince Rupert waterfront in that watershed year 1967 one of great labour turmoil in the city. In that year Nichol and labour colleague George Hewison took to the picket lines at the Co-op, eventually to be thrown into a city jail for contempt of court. (some background on that dispute and its impact on Prince Rupert can be found from this history of the co-op movement)
Released in the morning, they returned to the picket line where once again they would find themselves returned to jail. It was a move that highlighted the union's commitment to its workers at the Co-op (though UFAWU would be decertified at co-op in the wake of the dispute) and while events proved divisive in Prince Rupert, it pushed Nichol to the forefront of the union movement on the waterfront.
It would mark the very public beginning of his long service to the west coast union movement, a frequent fixture in Prince Rupert spreading the word of UFAWU's mission for its membership along the coast.
The tales were long and legendary earlier on November 20th when mourners gathered at Vancouver's Maritime Labour Hall, celebrating the life of the labour leader who passed away on November 6th.
Nichol first joined the union movement shortly after the second world war, gaining elected office in 1964 and rising through the ranks to the leadership of UFAWU in 1977, taking over from the legend of the labour movement Homer Stevens.
Through the seventies up until his retirement in 1993 he was the lynch pin for the union movement in British Columbia's fishery, negotiating, badgering and ensuring fair treatment for the workers inside the province's fishing plants and canneries.
Much of what fish plant workers and fishermen achieved in those decades came from the steely resolve of Nichol at the bargaining table, providing for steady pay increases, better working conditions and equality in the plants, many achievements that other unions could only have hoped for at the time.
He was a witness to the boom and bust years of the fishing industry, frequently warning of potential troubles to come unless the resource was properly managed and maintained, a warning that has proven quite correct over the last few decades.
While he will be known for his efforts as a leader from 77 to 93, he perhaps will be best remembered in Prince Rupert for his place on the 1967 picket line at the Fisherman's Co-op, an event which Charles Campbell outlines in his excellent account of Nichol's passing in the Tyee (see article here),
In the article, Campbell recounts Nichol's efforts on the Prince Rupert waterfront in that watershed year 1967 one of great labour turmoil in the city. In that year Nichol and labour colleague George Hewison took to the picket lines at the Co-op, eventually to be thrown into a city jail for contempt of court. (some background on that dispute and its impact on Prince Rupert can be found from this history of the co-op movement)
Released in the morning, they returned to the picket line where once again they would find themselves returned to jail. It was a move that highlighted the union's commitment to its workers at the Co-op (though UFAWU would be decertified at co-op in the wake of the dispute) and while events proved divisive in Prince Rupert, it pushed Nichol to the forefront of the union movement on the waterfront.
It would mark the very public beginning of his long service to the west coast union movement, a frequent fixture in Prince Rupert spreading the word of UFAWU's mission for its membership along the coast.
The tales were long and legendary earlier on November 20th when mourners gathered at Vancouver's Maritime Labour Hall, celebrating the life of the labour leader who passed away on November 6th.
Whether or not one agreed with his tactics and efforts on behalf of his members over the years (and there were many detractors during those times), for a good number of British Columbians he he was at times seemingly the only one that stood on their side. He was truly one of the icons of some very tumultuous times in this province, his passing deserves to be recognized.
The major media in this province may have missed it, or chosen to ignore his passing, but the Tyee makes amends on the oversight.
Campbell's article is a pretty good primer for those looking to learn more about the history of the labour movement in the fishing industry over the last fifty years or so, it outlines a most remarkable life lived in and out of the fish plants of this province.
Are Labour troubles coming down the tracks at CN?
"After 14 months of trying to bargain new agreements with the union, we concluded further talks would not result in a settlement," -- CN Spokesman Mark Hallman outlining the breaking point in negotiations with the Teamsters Rail Conference.
"We are very disappointed that CN has declined to continue negotiations as it appears they want to force federal government intervention without having to negotiate," said Daniel Shewchuk, TCRC president, offering up the counter point to CN's talking point.
The Port of Prince Rupert will be keeping a close eye on the Business pages for the next little while, that as labour talks between Canadian National and it's locomotive engineers take a turn for the worse.
With negotiations at what CN calls a standstill, the national railroad pushed away from the negotiating table this week and decided the time had come to impose it's own vision of a labour agreement. Offering regrets, the railway outlined its plans with a news release from its Montreal headquarters.
It's a move that could see the railroad behind a picket line by this weekend, as members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference contemplate their next action amid some rather militant talk from their membership.
The Teamsters have been without a contract since December 31 of 2008 and have expressed their disappointment at what they perceive is an attempt by the railroad to force federal government intervention without having to negotiate. They outlined that disappointment with a press release issued on Monday, offering up the prospect of making a complaint of Bad Faith bargaining against CN.
The most recent talks were conducted with the help of a federal mediator, but as the sticking points became hard to move beyond, CN decided that there was no more progress to be made and decided to put in place their own contract.
CN intends to put in place a 1.5 per cent wage increase for its engineers and to bring their mileage caps in line with the conductors as of Nov. 28. The gap between conductors and engineers was one of CN's major concerns, the railway had offered to take the issue to binding arbitration but that idea was rejected by the union.
CN's 1700 engineers make an average of average $90,000 a year, working on average 15 to 17 days a month compared with the 16 to 18 days which the conductors work.
The prospect of a labour dispute on the railroad could have major implications for the Port of Prince Rupert, with CN providing the sole transportation link from Ridley Terminals and the Fairview Container Port. Any long term work stoppage could bring some down time for local workers at the Grain elevator, coal terminal and container port.
While the Port could most likely weather a short term disruption, any lengthy dispute could steer away cargo shipments to Vancouver where CP rail also provides service or to American ports.
With the competitive nature of international shipping, reliability of delivery time lines is the major selling point and if the Port of Prince Rupert finds itself idled by any potential rail strike for a length of time, it may take more work later on to rebuild it's brand and reliability optics.
National Post-- CN to impose contract changes after talks hit impasse
Bloomberg news-- Canadian National Railway May Face Strike on Weekend, Post Says
Wall Street Journal-- CN Railway To Implement Wage Increase For Engineers
Journal of Commerce online-- CN Imposes Wage, Work Terms on Union
"We are very disappointed that CN has declined to continue negotiations as it appears they want to force federal government intervention without having to negotiate," said Daniel Shewchuk, TCRC president, offering up the counter point to CN's talking point.
The Port of Prince Rupert will be keeping a close eye on the Business pages for the next little while, that as labour talks between Canadian National and it's locomotive engineers take a turn for the worse.
With negotiations at what CN calls a standstill, the national railroad pushed away from the negotiating table this week and decided the time had come to impose it's own vision of a labour agreement. Offering regrets, the railway outlined its plans with a news release from its Montreal headquarters.
It's a move that could see the railroad behind a picket line by this weekend, as members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference contemplate their next action amid some rather militant talk from their membership.
The Teamsters have been without a contract since December 31 of 2008 and have expressed their disappointment at what they perceive is an attempt by the railroad to force federal government intervention without having to negotiate. They outlined that disappointment with a press release issued on Monday, offering up the prospect of making a complaint of Bad Faith bargaining against CN.
The most recent talks were conducted with the help of a federal mediator, but as the sticking points became hard to move beyond, CN decided that there was no more progress to be made and decided to put in place their own contract.
CN intends to put in place a 1.5 per cent wage increase for its engineers and to bring their mileage caps in line with the conductors as of Nov. 28. The gap between conductors and engineers was one of CN's major concerns, the railway had offered to take the issue to binding arbitration but that idea was rejected by the union.
CN's 1700 engineers make an average of average $90,000 a year, working on average 15 to 17 days a month compared with the 16 to 18 days which the conductors work.
The prospect of a labour dispute on the railroad could have major implications for the Port of Prince Rupert, with CN providing the sole transportation link from Ridley Terminals and the Fairview Container Port. Any long term work stoppage could bring some down time for local workers at the Grain elevator, coal terminal and container port.
While the Port could most likely weather a short term disruption, any lengthy dispute could steer away cargo shipments to Vancouver where CP rail also provides service or to American ports.
With the competitive nature of international shipping, reliability of delivery time lines is the major selling point and if the Port of Prince Rupert finds itself idled by any potential rail strike for a length of time, it may take more work later on to rebuild it's brand and reliability optics.
National Post-- CN to impose contract changes after talks hit impasse
Bloomberg news-- Canadian National Railway May Face Strike on Weekend, Post Says
Wall Street Journal-- CN Railway To Implement Wage Increase For Engineers
Journal of Commerce online-- CN Imposes Wage, Work Terms on Union
.
Update: November 25, 1 PM--CN issued a press release on Wednesday morning advising that the TCRC had indeed issued a 72 hour strike notice, labour action against the railroad could take effect at 1 minute after midnight on Saturday, November 28th.
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Update: November 25, 2 PM-- Reuters news services reports that CN and the TCRC will meet for negotiations on Friday, one day before the locomotive engineers will be in a legal strike position.
Podunk Below the Masthead, Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The tales of the Northern Adventure, downtown theft and vandalism and Prince Rupert's near million dollar deficit, some of the items of the news cycle for Tuesday.
Daily News, Front page, headline story
NORTHERN ADVENTURE WEATHERS UNEXPECTED STORM-- Monday morning's white knuckle sailing of the Northern Adventure is reviewed by the Daily News, featuring the viewpoint of BC Ferries Head office spokesperson Deborah Marshall, counter balanced by the passengers on the voyage.
Enbridge Corporations plans for pipeline project through the Northwest will have to receive a comprehensive public inquiry, that if the views of Prince Rupert council and Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District are considered. The two local governing bodies passed motions to that effect with the intention of sending a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ask for an inquiry.
The high number of break and enters in the downtown area and vandalism concerns have once again given the business community to vent its frustrations with the ongoing situation. Included in the Daily's article is a rundown of a particularly active period of theft and damage in the downtown area.
The Sports section features a look at the volleyball season as it winds down, with zones recently having taken place and more to come over the next weekend.
(Daily News Archive Articles links for November 24th will appear here upon posting)
The Northern View
City of Prince Rupert looking at deficit in excess of $900,000 in 2010-- The Northern View outlines City council's deliberations as they weigh their options with nearly a 1 million dollar deficit staring them in the face for 2010 (see article here)
The Northern View
Northwest unemployment rate is stabilizing, but still high-- The latest statistics for unemployment are released and the Northern View offers up some interpretation (see article here)
The Northern View
Reece returning as Lax Kw’alaams Chief-- Some more background on the recent elections at Lax Kw'alaams (see article here)
The Northern View
A lot of attention coming to fishery-- Fisheries Minister Gail Shea cancels here planned trip to Prince Rupert, perhaps moving the visit into December. The Northern View also looks at the latest developments into the judicial review of the Fraser River fishery.(see article here)
The Northern View
Ferries meeting on Monday to discuss controversial Tsawwassen - Rupert route -- Some more background on the upcoming public meeting hosted by BC Ferries to look into the prospect of a Vancouver to Prince Rupert sailing for the Ferry Corporation (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
2010 Northern BC Winter Games Torch Lighting Today in Prince Rupert -- Details of the plans for Tuesday afternoon ceremony for the official torch lighting at the Civic Centre, heralding the countdown to February's Northern BC Winter Games. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
Public Review Process of Enbridge Proposal Drawing Nearer -- Details of the latest timeline in the public consultations for the Enbridge pipeline project (see article here)
CBC British Columbia, Daybreak North
Dire Straits-- Accounts of the tumultuous seas faced by the passengers of the Northern Adventure as the ferry attempted and then retreated from a crossing of Hecate Strait (listen to interview here)
Daily News, front page headline story
Northern Adventure weathers unexpected storm
(Item will be provided here upon posting)
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Daily News, Front page, headline story
NORTHERN ADVENTURE WEATHERS UNEXPECTED STORM-- Monday morning's white knuckle sailing of the Northern Adventure is reviewed by the Daily News, featuring the viewpoint of BC Ferries Head office spokesperson Deborah Marshall, counter balanced by the passengers on the voyage.
Enbridge Corporations plans for pipeline project through the Northwest will have to receive a comprehensive public inquiry, that if the views of Prince Rupert council and Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District are considered. The two local governing bodies passed motions to that effect with the intention of sending a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ask for an inquiry.
The high number of break and enters in the downtown area and vandalism concerns have once again given the business community to vent its frustrations with the ongoing situation. Included in the Daily's article is a rundown of a particularly active period of theft and damage in the downtown area.
The Sports section features a look at the volleyball season as it winds down, with zones recently having taken place and more to come over the next weekend.
(Daily News Archive Articles links for November 24th will appear here upon posting)
The Northern View
City of Prince Rupert looking at deficit in excess of $900,000 in 2010-- The Northern View outlines City council's deliberations as they weigh their options with nearly a 1 million dollar deficit staring them in the face for 2010 (see article here)
The Northern View
Northwest unemployment rate is stabilizing, but still high-- The latest statistics for unemployment are released and the Northern View offers up some interpretation (see article here)
The Northern View
Reece returning as Lax Kw’alaams Chief-- Some more background on the recent elections at Lax Kw'alaams (see article here)
The Northern View
A lot of attention coming to fishery-- Fisheries Minister Gail Shea cancels here planned trip to Prince Rupert, perhaps moving the visit into December. The Northern View also looks at the latest developments into the judicial review of the Fraser River fishery.(see article here)
The Northern View
Ferries meeting on Monday to discuss controversial Tsawwassen - Rupert route -- Some more background on the upcoming public meeting hosted by BC Ferries to look into the prospect of a Vancouver to Prince Rupert sailing for the Ferry Corporation (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
2010 Northern BC Winter Games Torch Lighting Today in Prince Rupert -- Details of the plans for Tuesday afternoon ceremony for the official torch lighting at the Civic Centre, heralding the countdown to February's Northern BC Winter Games. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
Public Review Process of Enbridge Proposal Drawing Nearer -- Details of the latest timeline in the public consultations for the Enbridge pipeline project (see article here)
CBC British Columbia, Daybreak North
Dire Straits-- Accounts of the tumultuous seas faced by the passengers of the Northern Adventure as the ferry attempted and then retreated from a crossing of Hecate Strait (listen to interview here)
Daily News, front page headline story
Northern Adventure weathers unexpected storm
(Item will be provided here upon posting)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
It's the economy (November 24, 2009)
CN's labour troubles percolate, the FDIC could use a loan, and details of the emergency loan for British banks, some of the items of note for Tuesday.
Globe and Mail-- Troubled loans, shrinking credit endanger U.S. recovery
Globe and Mail-- BMO paints a rosy picture for banking
Globe and Mail-- Numbers on EI swell
National Post-- Toronto office vacancies may top Boston, NY
National Post-- CN work stoppage looms after talks hit impasse
National Post-- Canada a fraud nation?
New York Times-- Facebook Will Form 2 Classes of Stock
New York Times-- As Bank Failures Rise, F.D.I.C. Fund Falls Into Red
New York Times-- U.S. Looks to Australia on Credit Card Fees
USA Today-- FDIC reports biggest drop for business loans on record
USA Today-- Playboy to outsource business functions
Guardian UK online-- Bank of England reveals secret £62bn loans used to prop up RBS and HBOS
Guardian UK online-- Gamekeeper turned vulture
Times Online UK-- New fall in business investment fuels worry
Times Online UK-- Japan flirts with disaster as debt deepens
Telegraph UK online-- We've paid the price to avoid chaos and we must learn from our mistakes Telegraph UK online-- Bank of England tells of secret £62bn loan to save RBS and HBOS
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Rio may move on Iron Ore Holdings
Melbourne Herald Sun-- OECD area shakes off recession with fragile rebound
Brisbane Times-- Australian banks fail new capital test
Brisbane Times-- The man who wanted to be chairman of BHP
Brisbane Times-- Church at loss as GFC delivers judgment
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- All care, no responsibility in Storm blame game
People's Daily on line-- Consumption stimulus to extend into 2010
People's Daily on line-- Comprehensive, high quality FTA in interests of China and Australia: minister
China Daily-- China to wipe out unlicensed video websites: official
China Daily-- Greater efforts urged against commercial bribery
The Times of India-- Hybrid car prices may dip as govt mulls duty cut
The Times of India-- Power items from China face duty
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Globe and Mail-- Troubled loans, shrinking credit endanger U.S. recovery
Globe and Mail-- BMO paints a rosy picture for banking
Globe and Mail-- Numbers on EI swell
National Post-- Toronto office vacancies may top Boston, NY
National Post-- CN work stoppage looms after talks hit impasse
National Post-- Canada a fraud nation?
New York Times-- Facebook Will Form 2 Classes of Stock
New York Times-- As Bank Failures Rise, F.D.I.C. Fund Falls Into Red
New York Times-- U.S. Looks to Australia on Credit Card Fees
USA Today-- FDIC reports biggest drop for business loans on record
USA Today-- Playboy to outsource business functions
Guardian UK online-- Bank of England reveals secret £62bn loans used to prop up RBS and HBOS
Guardian UK online-- Gamekeeper turned vulture
Times Online UK-- New fall in business investment fuels worry
Times Online UK-- Japan flirts with disaster as debt deepens
Telegraph UK online-- We've paid the price to avoid chaos and we must learn from our mistakes Telegraph UK online-- Bank of England tells of secret £62bn loan to save RBS and HBOS
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Rio may move on Iron Ore Holdings
Melbourne Herald Sun-- OECD area shakes off recession with fragile rebound
Brisbane Times-- Australian banks fail new capital test
Brisbane Times-- The man who wanted to be chairman of BHP
Brisbane Times-- Church at loss as GFC delivers judgment
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- All care, no responsibility in Storm blame game
People's Daily on line-- Consumption stimulus to extend into 2010
People's Daily on line-- Comprehensive, high quality FTA in interests of China and Australia: minister
China Daily-- China to wipe out unlicensed video websites: official
China Daily-- Greater efforts urged against commercial bribery
The Times of India-- Hybrid car prices may dip as govt mulls duty cut
The Times of India-- Power items from China face duty
Toronto in near lockdown... after deer sighting
Doe a deer, a female deer, running through Toronto's downtown streets...
"He's a wild animal, fairly big, fairly large," -- Toronto Police Sergeant Winston Bennet, with the vivid description of the suspect.
"With the police there and the SWAT, we thought it was a bomb threat," -- Construction workers in downtown Toronto reacting to the Police response in the downtown core.
Ah those big city folks, a little wildlife wanders into town and everyone is talking.
A deer, may perhaps be common to our Podunkian byways, worth hardly a second look, but drop one into the middle of the largest city in the land and it's as newsworthy as a sighting of Bigfoot.
Toronto's papers, radio stations and television outlets spent a good portion of the day today tracking the wandering path of one of Ontario's less urban of species.
In what seems to have been a full tactical alert by the Metro Toronto Police Service, uniformed patrol, SWAT members and perhaps maybe even the anti terrorism task force all converged on the downtown area, trying to corral the Big City Bambi. (video from CP 24 here)
Thus far the deer has managed to avoid the combined forces of law enforcement in the city, it's suspected that the deer, identified as a female came from the west (perhaps a vacationing Rupert deer?).
Clearly the sighting of deer in Toronto is a rare occasion, at least judging by a report from a Toronto resident who spotted one after coming out of a bar last week "We passed it and I looked in my rear view mirror,So I freaked out, I pulled over in the middle of the street." , as though that's the freakiest thing to be found on late night Toronto streets..
If Torontonian's are freaking out about the deer, put yourself in her hooves for a second, if anything is an alien environment it surely must be the streets of Toronto...
Considering the near panic of today, one wonders what happens when the bears come out of hibernation...
Globe and Mail-- Deer wanders into downtown Toronto
National Post-- Deer dashing through downtown Toronto
Toronto Sun-- Deer wanders into downtown Toronto
Toronto Star-- Frightened deer cornered in downtown core
CP 24-- Police watch deer after it wanders into downtown Toronto
CTV Toronto-- Deer spotted strolling through downtown Toronto
CBC Toronto-- Deer takes stroll through downtown Toronto
Update: 8:45 Bambi in the Big city was sedated lat in the Toronto morning
Toronto Sun-- Wandering deer captured in downtown Toronto
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"He's a wild animal, fairly big, fairly large," -- Toronto Police Sergeant Winston Bennet, with the vivid description of the suspect.
"With the police there and the SWAT, we thought it was a bomb threat," -- Construction workers in downtown Toronto reacting to the Police response in the downtown core.
Ah those big city folks, a little wildlife wanders into town and everyone is talking.
A deer, may perhaps be common to our Podunkian byways, worth hardly a second look, but drop one into the middle of the largest city in the land and it's as newsworthy as a sighting of Bigfoot.
Toronto's papers, radio stations and television outlets spent a good portion of the day today tracking the wandering path of one of Ontario's less urban of species.
In what seems to have been a full tactical alert by the Metro Toronto Police Service, uniformed patrol, SWAT members and perhaps maybe even the anti terrorism task force all converged on the downtown area, trying to corral the Big City Bambi. (video from CP 24 here)
Thus far the deer has managed to avoid the combined forces of law enforcement in the city, it's suspected that the deer, identified as a female came from the west (perhaps a vacationing Rupert deer?).
Clearly the sighting of deer in Toronto is a rare occasion, at least judging by a report from a Toronto resident who spotted one after coming out of a bar last week "We passed it and I looked in my rear view mirror,So I freaked out, I pulled over in the middle of the street." , as though that's the freakiest thing to be found on late night Toronto streets..
If Torontonian's are freaking out about the deer, put yourself in her hooves for a second, if anything is an alien environment it surely must be the streets of Toronto...
Considering the near panic of today, one wonders what happens when the bears come out of hibernation...
Globe and Mail-- Deer wanders into downtown Toronto
National Post-- Deer dashing through downtown Toronto
Toronto Sun-- Deer wanders into downtown Toronto
Toronto Star-- Frightened deer cornered in downtown core
CP 24-- Police watch deer after it wanders into downtown Toronto
CTV Toronto-- Deer spotted strolling through downtown Toronto
CBC Toronto-- Deer takes stroll through downtown Toronto
Update: 8:45 Bambi in the Big city was sedated lat in the Toronto morning
Toronto Sun-- Wandering deer captured in downtown Toronto
Monday, November 23, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead, Monday, November 23, 2009
A walking guide to the city, elections in Lax Kw'alaams and a rough ride for the Northern Adventure, some of the items of note from the Monday news cycle.
Daily News, Front page, headline story
A YOUNGER TAKE ON PRINCE RUPERT - PAST AND PRESENT-- The city's architecture is reviewed as part of a project undertaken last year by students at Prince Rupert Secondary School. Prince Rupert: A Self Guided Walking Tour which went on sale today at a price of twenty dollars offers an interesting interpretation of Prince Rupert's mix of old and current buildings and properties as seen through the eyes of Tasha Parker's art classes from Grades 8-12.
The results of this past weekends election at Lax Kw'alaams are revealed, including the details of the return of Gary Reece to the position of Chief Councillor which he last held two years ago. Reece defeated incumbent John Helin in the election, but won't move too far off the path charted by Helin over the last two years.
The proposed creation of a Vancouver to Prince Rupert route for BC Ferries will be the topic of debate at a public meeting on November 30th and while the Ferry Corporation is busy laying the groundwork for it's proposal, NDP MLA Gary Coons is expressing his concerns as to potential job losses in Prince Rupert and what he believes is a less than coherent business plan for the ambitious project.
The Sports section features a review of Saturday night's Rampage game which saw the home side take a 4-2 victory from the Terrace River Kings. Girls volleyball and Bantam hockey also were featured in the Monday edition.
(Daily News Archive Articles links for November 23rd will appear here upon posting)
The Northern View
Prince Rupert School District talks school closure and configuration options -- The Northern View had the first reports out of Monday's town hall style meeting held at CHSS to discuss pending changes to the delivery of education in the city, with the possibility of closing PRSS and grade configuration among the talking points for the night (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
City Funding Cuts -- A few details on Prince Rupert City council's Monday night meeting, council outlined its plans to cut 25 percent from funding and grants to Prince Rupert organizations and clubs in 2010. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
Minor Injuries, Damage, In Rough Ferry Sailing -- TV 7 News had some of the first details on the local scene of the troubled sailing of the Northern Adventure on Sunday night/Monday morning (see article here)
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer
Sailing a Northern Misadventure-vessel does not belong on route, says MLA Coons -- The Queen Charlotte Islands weekly had the most comprehensive account of that storm tossed sailing of the Northern Adventure, featuring many background accounts of the night from Island residents (see article here)
CBC News, Daybreak North
A "no" vote in Dawson Creek -- An interview with Dawson Creek Mayor Mike Bernier, who outlined the city's reaction to the rejection of their borrowing plans by the voters of that city (listen to the interview here)
CBC News, Daybreak North
Olympic rings on a northern lodge-- A familiar sight on the Queen Charlotte Islands is going to spend the winter in Vancouver as the West Coast Fishing Club moves it's Langara Island lodge to Vancouver to serve as accommodations during the Olympics (listen to interview here)
Daily News, front page headline story
A younger take on Prince Rupert - past and present
(Item will be provided here upon posting)
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Daily News, Front page, headline story
A YOUNGER TAKE ON PRINCE RUPERT - PAST AND PRESENT-- The city's architecture is reviewed as part of a project undertaken last year by students at Prince Rupert Secondary School. Prince Rupert: A Self Guided Walking Tour which went on sale today at a price of twenty dollars offers an interesting interpretation of Prince Rupert's mix of old and current buildings and properties as seen through the eyes of Tasha Parker's art classes from Grades 8-12.
The results of this past weekends election at Lax Kw'alaams are revealed, including the details of the return of Gary Reece to the position of Chief Councillor which he last held two years ago. Reece defeated incumbent John Helin in the election, but won't move too far off the path charted by Helin over the last two years.
The proposed creation of a Vancouver to Prince Rupert route for BC Ferries will be the topic of debate at a public meeting on November 30th and while the Ferry Corporation is busy laying the groundwork for it's proposal, NDP MLA Gary Coons is expressing his concerns as to potential job losses in Prince Rupert and what he believes is a less than coherent business plan for the ambitious project.
The Sports section features a review of Saturday night's Rampage game which saw the home side take a 4-2 victory from the Terrace River Kings. Girls volleyball and Bantam hockey also were featured in the Monday edition.
(Daily News Archive Articles links for November 23rd will appear here upon posting)
The Northern View
Prince Rupert School District talks school closure and configuration options -- The Northern View had the first reports out of Monday's town hall style meeting held at CHSS to discuss pending changes to the delivery of education in the city, with the possibility of closing PRSS and grade configuration among the talking points for the night (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
City Funding Cuts -- A few details on Prince Rupert City council's Monday night meeting, council outlined its plans to cut 25 percent from funding and grants to Prince Rupert organizations and clubs in 2010. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
Minor Injuries, Damage, In Rough Ferry Sailing -- TV 7 News had some of the first details on the local scene of the troubled sailing of the Northern Adventure on Sunday night/Monday morning (see article here)
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer
Sailing a Northern Misadventure-vessel does not belong on route, says MLA Coons -- The Queen Charlotte Islands weekly had the most comprehensive account of that storm tossed sailing of the Northern Adventure, featuring many background accounts of the night from Island residents (see article here)
CBC News, Daybreak North
A "no" vote in Dawson Creek -- An interview with Dawson Creek Mayor Mike Bernier, who outlined the city's reaction to the rejection of their borrowing plans by the voters of that city (listen to the interview here)
CBC News, Daybreak North
Olympic rings on a northern lodge-- A familiar sight on the Queen Charlotte Islands is going to spend the winter in Vancouver as the West Coast Fishing Club moves it's Langara Island lodge to Vancouver to serve as accommodations during the Olympics (listen to interview here)
Daily News, front page headline story
A younger take on Prince Rupert - past and present
(Item will be provided here upon posting)
Palintology 101 meets Film studies 101
Saturday Night Live has been rather hit and miss over the last number of years, but they know that when it comes to comedic gold, Sarah Palin, is the new standard.
Wasila's best known hockey mom, former governor of Alaska, running mate to would have been President John McCain and now a book selling author who is currently on tour, Mrs. Palin found herself as the main attraction on this past weekend's show, as the minds of SNL came up with their own 2012 Apocalyptic dream sequence to rival anything Nostradamus could ever have pondered.
In amongst the Movie clips of natural disasters and past Palin pronouncements are some of the more emotional moments of Fox Talk show Host Glen Beck's recent on air meanderings, making for a dream ticket, well a dream for satirical writers anyways.
Examiner-- End of the world SNL spoof featuring Sarah Palin and Glen Beck
For those that may have missed it, in just three years the world will be Goin' Rogue.
Palin 2012, prepare now, while you still can! Saturday Night certainly is...
Wasila's best known hockey mom, former governor of Alaska, running mate to would have been President John McCain and now a book selling author who is currently on tour, Mrs. Palin found herself as the main attraction on this past weekend's show, as the minds of SNL came up with their own 2012 Apocalyptic dream sequence to rival anything Nostradamus could ever have pondered.
In amongst the Movie clips of natural disasters and past Palin pronouncements are some of the more emotional moments of Fox Talk show Host Glen Beck's recent on air meanderings, making for a dream ticket, well a dream for satirical writers anyways.
Examiner-- End of the world SNL spoof featuring Sarah Palin and Glen Beck
For those that may have missed it, in just three years the world will be Goin' Rogue.
Palin 2012, prepare now, while you still can! Saturday Night certainly is...
Many questions in wake of Northern Adventure's return to port
"This was not severe weather, this was a poor judgment call,"-- Lee-Al Nelson, passenger on the Northern Adventure, commenting on Sunday nights adventure on the high and rolling seas."It's not meant for us, it's meant for the Mediterranean." -- North Coast MLA, Gary Coon, outlining one of his main concerns about the Northern Adventure's introduction to service on the North coast.
What started out as a simple notice of postponement of service on the BC Ferries website is turning into a much larger issue, that as more and more details come out about Sunday nights harrowing attempted crossing of Hecate Strait.
To read of the perspective of BC Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall, Sunday's turn back to Rupert was simply a matter of the Northern Adventure finding the seas a little too raucous for it's Captains thoughts, requiring a change of course back to the shelter of Prince Rupert harbour.
Then again Ms. Marshall wasn't on the ferry...
Anecdotal information about the crossing began to filter into Prince Rupert through Monday afternoon, as details about sea conditions and uncomfortable sailing conditions started to gain some interest by the larger media outlets of Vancouver.
By far the most descriptive story of the event thus far comes from the Queen Charlotte Islands Observer, which paints a rather different version of events than that offered up by the Ferry Corporation thus far.
Numerous passengers have provided their account of events from the overnight period, a review of events that left many shaken by their experience and questioning the sea worthiness of the recent addition to the BC Ferries fleet given the occasionally dramatic conditions that the North coast offers to mariners.
This is the Northern Adventure's first full fall and winter season in service on the north coast's Prince Rupert to Skidegate run.
North Coast MLA Gary Coons, has long been a watchdog on the Ferry Corporation and its plans for the North coast, he once again on Monday outlined some of his concerns over the style of vessel that the Ferry corporation chose for the Queen Charlottes/Prince Rupert service, suggesting that the second hand vessel was not suited to the challenges of North coast navigation. He presented his thoughts on the issue in the Observer story and on CKNW News at 4 pm. (listen in at the CKNW audio vault 4 to 5 pm hour)
It's a concern that probably is shared by a number of passengers from the Northern Adventure who are now stranded in Rupert, BC Ferries having cancelled the scheduled Monday night attempt at another crossing.
One thing is certain, BC Ferries will have to provide much more detail on the happenings of Sunday night/Monday morning, their response so far has not meshed with the impressions of the passengers on that sailing. A full account of the night's passage, including damage reports, injury reports and impressions of those in command should be made public so as to reassure the travellers of the North coast, that indeed this was an extraordinary weather event and not some indication of the shortcomings of the vessel in service.
North Coast MLA Gary Coons, has long been a watchdog on the Ferry Corporation and its plans for the North coast, he once again on Monday outlined some of his concerns over the style of vessel that the Ferry corporation chose for the Queen Charlottes/Prince Rupert service, suggesting that the second hand vessel was not suited to the challenges of North coast navigation. He presented his thoughts on the issue in the Observer story and on CKNW News at 4 pm. (listen in at the CKNW audio vault 4 to 5 pm hour)
It's a concern that probably is shared by a number of passengers from the Northern Adventure who are now stranded in Rupert, BC Ferries having cancelled the scheduled Monday night attempt at another crossing.
One thing is certain, BC Ferries will have to provide much more detail on the happenings of Sunday night/Monday morning, their response so far has not meshed with the impressions of the passengers on that sailing. A full account of the night's passage, including damage reports, injury reports and impressions of those in command should be made public so as to reassure the travellers of the North coast, that indeed this was an extraordinary weather event and not some indication of the shortcomings of the vessel in service.
That upcoming BC Ferries community meeting at the end of the month may have an additional topic to add to the agenda beyond the planned development of the Vancouver to Prince Rupert idea. A good number of local ferry users may be inclined to ask questions about the existing service and what the Ferry Corporation might have to say about this recent incident.
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Our previous Podunkian postings on the topic of the Northern Adventure have provided for much in the way of reading on the ship from it's early days in the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and then to some of the concerns as it was introduced to the North coast, we offer up just a few of those past items which can be found below.
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August 2009-- Not so fast for the Northern Adventure May 2009-- Northern Adventure to be sidelined again for repairs
March 2009-- Safety first, or into service first?
March 2009-- More adventures for the Northern Adventure?
October 2008-- Ferry issues continue to be of concern to Haida Gwaii
May 2008-- More North coast Ferry woes
January 2008-- “An honest mistake”
April 2007-- Northern Misadventures
April 2007-- It's shiny and new, and apparently not working so well!
January 2007-- Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful ship
December 2006-- Northern Adventure requires a northern modification
January 2007-- Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful ship
December 2006-- Northern Adventure requires a northern modification
The full Queen Charlottes Observer story is provided below.
Sailing a Northern Misadventure-vessel does not belong on route, says MLA Coons
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer
Monday, November 23, 2009
By Alex Rinfret--Sunday night's Prince Rupert to Skidegate ferry sailing turned into a nightmare for passengers after the Northern Adventure got caught in high winds and waves in the middle of Hecate Strait.
The ship was stuck in waves as high as 10 metres for several hours, then turned back to Prince Rupert in the early morning, finally docking around 1 pm, 14 hours after it left.
At least one passenger, Lee-Al Nelson of Queen Charlotte, said the ship should never have left Prince Rupert Sunday night, given the weather conditions and wind warning.
"This was not severe weather, this was a poor judgment call," said Mr. Nelson, who was returning from a tournament with the Queen Charlotte Secondary girls' volleyball team and spoke to the Observer Monday afternoon from Rupert's Crest Hotel. "It almost flipped the boat. I have never felt that before."
Mr. Nelson, who has travelled the Rupert-Skidegate route many times, said this sailing was unlike any other he has been on. The ship left Rupert around 11:10 pm, he said, much to the surprise of many passengers. The first couple of hours were somewhat rough.
"At around one o'clock, pandemonium broke loose," said Mr. Nelson, who was in a cabin during the sailing. "Everything was falling... It was listing, horribly listing."
To add to the confusion, the captain did not make a single announcement about the situation until the early morning, when he announced that the ship would return to Prince Rupert, Mr. Nelson said.
The return to Rupert took much longer than usual because the ship could only use one engine, he said.
"The girls were traumatized," Mr. Nelson said. "People were crying."
Talk among the passengers was that seven crew members had been hurt, four crew rooms had been flooded and four vehicles were damaged, he added.
When the ferry docked in Rupert, the passengers were told to get off and go to the terminal, he said. At the terminal, he said, ferries staff blamed the incident on weather and said passengers had two options: to get a refund or rebook their trip. Staff did not offer the traumatized passengers any compensation for accommodation or food.
Mr. Nelson said he spoke up in the terminal, disputing the idea that the entire incident was the fault of unexpected weather conditions.
"This is a captain who left when he shouldn't have left and put people's lives in danger," he told terminal staff and passengers. Mr. Nelson said there was no response from staff, but he felt he had to say something.
Grade 11 student Kelsey Lore, a member of the volleyball team, said the trip was absolutely terrifying and she could not imagine getting back on the ferry.
"We could hear the vehicles crashing together downstairs, and we could hear all the dishes breaking," she said. "The gift shop was absolutely ruined, everything had fallen over... The cash register was smashed on the ground."
Ms Lore said she is hoping that BC Ferries will fly the team back.
"Everybody is freaked out," she said. "I'm scared to go on the ferry tonight. I don't think it will be fixed and it's supposed to be stormy tonight."
Tory Roberts, another member of the volleyball team, said she started crying once she got off the Northern Adventure and was in the terminal, and so did several other passengers.
"Once we were off the boat I bawled and freaked," she said from Prince Rupert this afternoon. "I am exhausted and I'm upset about missing school... I am not getting back on that boat, I will have hysterics."
BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said two crew members were injured in the sailing, one bumping his knee and one bumping his head, and there was some minor damage to vehicles.
She said the captain headed out into Hecate Strait, then decided between 3 and 4 am that the weather was too rough to continue. The ferry held its position until 8 or 9 am, then headed back to Prince Rupert, she said.
"The winds were worse than what was predicted," she said of the decision to head out despite a wind warning. "They were hoping for a break in the weather."
The wind early Monday morning was over 60 knots, she said.
Meanwhile, North Coast MLA Gary Coons said he'd heard up to seven crew members had been injured and that he was worried about whether the Northern Adventure is really the right ship for Hecate Strait.
BC Ferries purchased the ship second-hand after the Queen of the North sank and it started serving the north coast in 2007, mostly on the Port Hardy-Prince Rupert route. However, this is its first winter season as the regular Rupert-Skidegate vessel.
"I keep bringing up that we shouldn't even have this vessel in our waters," Mr. Coons said. "It's not meant for us, it's meant for the Mediterranean."
It's the economy (November 23, 2009)
The auto industry turnaround may be derailed in 2010, the wrong people are taking note of improved border access, and music sales are on the rise in Sweden in wake of anti piracy laws, some of the items of note for Monday.
Globe and Mail-- Gloomy forecast for U.S. auto sales in 2010
Globe and Mail-- Why Niall Ferguson is still bearish
Globe and Mail-- Union accuses CN of halting talks
National Post-- Manulife buys stake in Chinese fund manager
National Post-- "Is it too late to buy gold? It’s no longer cheap," Peter Grandich says
National Post-- Are we ignoring the lessons the crisis taught us?
New York Times-- China Seeks to Slow Down Rapid Growth of Lending
New York Times-- G.M. Seeks Assistance From Europe for Opel
New York Times-- The Phantom Menace
USA Today-- Mexican drug smugglers hitch onto truckers' border access
USA Today-- Emerging markets try to manage flood of foreign capital
Guardian UK online-- Sweden sees music sales soar after crackdown on filesharing
Guardian UK online-- We must seal the deal on world trade
Times Online UK-- Don't choke economic recovery, warns Brown
Times Online UK-- IMF says global economy is 'highly vulnerable'
Telegraph UK online-- Britain has run out of money, the CBI is told
Telegraph UK online-- Bail-outs would imperil democracy, warns IMF
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Strong dollar hits agribusiness
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Hardie's expects to give to asbestos fund depending on profit, exchange rates
Brisbane Times-- Airline to boost spending on planes
Brisbane Times-- Economists line up to blast Queensland privatisation
Brisbane Times-- Baosteel chief: full confidence in China
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- News Corp, Microsoft plan to bar Google
People's Daily on line-- China asks banks to avoid big fluctuations in lending
People's Daily on line-- China's natural gas shortage relieved, top economic planner
China Daily-- Economists warn of possible new flood of speculative capital
China Daily-- China wind power group seeks $2.2b in HK IPO
The Times of India-- Govt to consider lowering import duty on hybrid vehicles
The Times of India-- Credit outlook for Indian banks dim, says Moody's
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Globe and Mail-- Gloomy forecast for U.S. auto sales in 2010
Globe and Mail-- Why Niall Ferguson is still bearish
Globe and Mail-- Union accuses CN of halting talks
National Post-- Manulife buys stake in Chinese fund manager
National Post-- "Is it too late to buy gold? It’s no longer cheap," Peter Grandich says
National Post-- Are we ignoring the lessons the crisis taught us?
New York Times-- China Seeks to Slow Down Rapid Growth of Lending
New York Times-- G.M. Seeks Assistance From Europe for Opel
New York Times-- The Phantom Menace
USA Today-- Mexican drug smugglers hitch onto truckers' border access
USA Today-- Emerging markets try to manage flood of foreign capital
Guardian UK online-- Sweden sees music sales soar after crackdown on filesharing
Guardian UK online-- We must seal the deal on world trade
Times Online UK-- Don't choke economic recovery, warns Brown
Times Online UK-- IMF says global economy is 'highly vulnerable'
Telegraph UK online-- Britain has run out of money, the CBI is told
Telegraph UK online-- Bail-outs would imperil democracy, warns IMF
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Strong dollar hits agribusiness
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Hardie's expects to give to asbestos fund depending on profit, exchange rates
Brisbane Times-- Airline to boost spending on planes
Brisbane Times-- Economists line up to blast Queensland privatisation
Brisbane Times-- Baosteel chief: full confidence in China
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- News Corp, Microsoft plan to bar Google
People's Daily on line-- China asks banks to avoid big fluctuations in lending
People's Daily on line-- China's natural gas shortage relieved, top economic planner
China Daily-- Economists warn of possible new flood of speculative capital
China Daily-- China wind power group seeks $2.2b in HK IPO
The Times of India-- Govt to consider lowering import duty on hybrid vehicles
The Times of India-- Credit outlook for Indian banks dim, says Moody's
Stormy weather keeps Northern Adventure in port
November's unpredictable weather has once again played a little havoc with the BC Ferries schedule in the Northwest.
The next sailing of the Northern Adventure for the Queen Charlotte Islands may not take place until 11 pm this evening, BC Ferries has posted a Service Notice on its website as of 1:20 pm, advising that due to severe weather, the vessel will not be departing until later tonight.
The Ferry service advises that updates will be posted to their website as warranted or customers can contact BC Ferries toll free 1-877-223-8778.
Update: Nov 23 4:00 PM
Further details on the circumstances surrounding the delayed sailing time of the Norther Adventure have been released, with BC Ferries confirming that the Northern Adventure had to return to Prince Rupert after encountering a strong storm in Hecate Strait.
The original plan to ride out the storm in the Strait was abandoned as the storm intensified and crew members and passengers suffered some minor injuries, not to mention some unnerving moments. Vehicles on the decks below suffered some minor damage as well, as the storm buffeted the vessel in the overnight hours.
In light of the changing weather and concern for safety the vessel's captain chose to return to Prince Rupert heading back to the North coast port at 8:30 am. Departure time for the Northern Adventure's next attempt to cross over to the Charlotte's is still listed as at 11 pm on Monday night.
Strong winds remain in the North Coast forecast to develop for Tuesday afternoon, with winds of 70 to 90 khm expected through to Tuesday evening.
Update Nov 23 5:00 PM: BC Ferries has advised that the 11 pm sailing of the Northern Adventure has been cancelled, the next port of call for BC Ferries will be Port Hardy, with a Tuesday departure of 6:30 pm from Prince Rupert scheduled.
CFTK TV 7 News-- Minor injuries, Damage in Rough ferry sailing
CKNW 980-- Stormy seas for "Northern Adventure"
CBC News-- Storm tosses BC ferry passengers
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The next sailing of the Northern Adventure for the Queen Charlotte Islands may not take place until 11 pm this evening, BC Ferries has posted a Service Notice on its website as of 1:20 pm, advising that due to severe weather, the vessel will not be departing until later tonight.
The Ferry service advises that updates will be posted to their website as warranted or customers can contact BC Ferries toll free 1-877-223-8778.
Update: Nov 23 4:00 PM
Further details on the circumstances surrounding the delayed sailing time of the Norther Adventure have been released, with BC Ferries confirming that the Northern Adventure had to return to Prince Rupert after encountering a strong storm in Hecate Strait.
The original plan to ride out the storm in the Strait was abandoned as the storm intensified and crew members and passengers suffered some minor injuries, not to mention some unnerving moments. Vehicles on the decks below suffered some minor damage as well, as the storm buffeted the vessel in the overnight hours.
In light of the changing weather and concern for safety the vessel's captain chose to return to Prince Rupert heading back to the North coast port at 8:30 am. Departure time for the Northern Adventure's next attempt to cross over to the Charlotte's is still listed as at 11 pm on Monday night.
Strong winds remain in the North Coast forecast to develop for Tuesday afternoon, with winds of 70 to 90 khm expected through to Tuesday evening.
Update Nov 23 5:00 PM: BC Ferries has advised that the 11 pm sailing of the Northern Adventure has been cancelled, the next port of call for BC Ferries will be Port Hardy, with a Tuesday departure of 6:30 pm from Prince Rupert scheduled.
CFTK TV 7 News-- Minor injuries, Damage in Rough ferry sailing
CKNW 980-- Stormy seas for "Northern Adventure"
CBC News-- Storm tosses BC ferry passengers
Dawson Creek residents deliver a "wake up call" to their politicians
"We have to control our spending in this city and we haven’t."-- Brian Downie, President of the Dawson Creek Ratepayers, expressing the driving thought behind his groups campaign against proposed borrowing plans by that community's government.
It's the kind of backlash that might send fear through the hearts of many municipal politicians in British Columbia.
Dawson Creek residents have put the brakes on proposed municipal spending, by voting against a motion to borrow $ 9.9 million dollars for capital projects over the next three years.
The Campaigns effors provided for a rather narrow victory, as opponents to the spending plans of the city found success with 1009 voters taking the No side, compared to the 976 who agreed with the city's plan to borrow.
Their success came from what was described as a word of mouth campaign in the community organized by the Dawson Creek ratepayers Association, which went up against a well organized campaign by the city.
It's the kind of backlash that might send fear through the hearts of many municipal politicians in British Columbia.
Dawson Creek residents have put the brakes on proposed municipal spending, by voting against a motion to borrow $ 9.9 million dollars for capital projects over the next three years.
The Campaigns effors provided for a rather narrow victory, as opponents to the spending plans of the city found success with 1009 voters taking the No side, compared to the 976 who agreed with the city's plan to borrow.
Their success came from what was described as a word of mouth campaign in the community organized by the Dawson Creek ratepayers Association, which went up against a well organized campaign by the city.
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Included in the city's quest for a Yes, was the expenditure of 20 thousand dollars on advertising for a Yes and another 20 thousand dollars spent on a public relations firm from Kelowna to handle the campaign.
A final twenty thousand dollars was needed to run the referendum, which became necessary when more than 10 per cent of the city's voters signed a petition against the borrowing plans, that success resulted in the referendum, which now has delivered a fairly strong message to the elected officials of the city.
Across the province, we imagine that equally frustrated residents and taxpayers may find the Dawson Creek example something of interest, offering as it did the chance to put some power back into the hands of the folks that write the cheques for their municipal leaders and their plans.
Opinion 250-- Dawson Creek Votes Against Money Borrowing
Energycity news-- Dawson Creek No Vote wins narrow victory
A final twenty thousand dollars was needed to run the referendum, which became necessary when more than 10 per cent of the city's voters signed a petition against the borrowing plans, that success resulted in the referendum, which now has delivered a fairly strong message to the elected officials of the city.
Across the province, we imagine that equally frustrated residents and taxpayers may find the Dawson Creek example something of interest, offering as it did the chance to put some power back into the hands of the folks that write the cheques for their municipal leaders and their plans.
Opinion 250-- Dawson Creek Votes Against Money Borrowing
Energycity news-- Dawson Creek No Vote wins narrow victory
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Nov 23 items
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Opinion 250-- Dawson Creek Voters Send Message
Sunday, November 22, 2009
It's the economy (Weekend edition Nov 21-22)
In the NFL index all is good in America, a new beat cop for Wall street and Aussie workers seek some sun at the boss' expense, some of the items of note for Saturday and Sunday.
Globe and Mail-- Canadian banks to cap 2009 with decent quarter
Globe and Mail-- Porter: the little airline that could
Globe and Mail-- Ciena raises bid for some Nortel assets: sources
National Post-- Goldman gambit won't work
National Post-- Pricey inflation protection
National Post-- The state of consumption
New York Times-- Revisiting a Fed Waltz With A.I.G.
New York Times-- Advice From Grandma
New York Times-- An American Catastrophe
USA Today-- CFTC chief Gary Gensler is out to police financial Wild West
USA Today-- U.S. airline industry once again goes under scrutiny
Guardian UK online-- Growing number of US homeowners are at risk of losing their property
Guardian UK online-- Property market hasn't collapsed because banks can't face the truth
Times Online UK-- Obama’s feeble dollar sparks a new goldrush
Times Online UK-- Ministers and bank divided as Japan faces return to deflation
Telegraph UK online-- Greece tests the limit of sovereign debt as it grinds towards slump
Telegraph UK online-- The high street is surprisingly defying the gloomsters, but for how long?
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Parity still in sight
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Pluto dogged by blowout
Brisbane Times-- Fed officials step up asset bubble-watch
Brisbane Times-- Taxman needs a better handle on how we behave
Sydney Morning Herald-- Sharemarket rally based on recovery that is not yet assured
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- OECD predicts faster recovery for Australia
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Workers 'chuck a sickie' to enjoy a day in the sun
People's Daily on line-- China needs national plan to boost consumption: expert
People's Daily on line-- China is dynamo of world economy: ECLAC
China Daily-- China reaffirms efforts to revive world economy
China Daily-- Trading companies' creativity needed towards recovery
The Times of India-- Life insurance industry to grow 15 per cent this fiscal
The Times of India-- Canada introduces express business visas for Indians
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Globe and Mail-- Canadian banks to cap 2009 with decent quarter
Globe and Mail-- Porter: the little airline that could
Globe and Mail-- Ciena raises bid for some Nortel assets: sources
National Post-- Goldman gambit won't work
National Post-- Pricey inflation protection
National Post-- The state of consumption
New York Times-- Revisiting a Fed Waltz With A.I.G.
New York Times-- Advice From Grandma
New York Times-- An American Catastrophe
USA Today-- CFTC chief Gary Gensler is out to police financial Wild West
USA Today-- U.S. airline industry once again goes under scrutiny
Guardian UK online-- Growing number of US homeowners are at risk of losing their property
Guardian UK online-- Property market hasn't collapsed because banks can't face the truth
Times Online UK-- Obama’s feeble dollar sparks a new goldrush
Times Online UK-- Ministers and bank divided as Japan faces return to deflation
Telegraph UK online-- Greece tests the limit of sovereign debt as it grinds towards slump
Telegraph UK online-- The high street is surprisingly defying the gloomsters, but for how long?
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Parity still in sight
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Pluto dogged by blowout
Brisbane Times-- Fed officials step up asset bubble-watch
Brisbane Times-- Taxman needs a better handle on how we behave
Sydney Morning Herald-- Sharemarket rally based on recovery that is not yet assured
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- OECD predicts faster recovery for Australia
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Workers 'chuck a sickie' to enjoy a day in the sun
People's Daily on line-- China needs national plan to boost consumption: expert
People's Daily on line-- China is dynamo of world economy: ECLAC
China Daily-- China reaffirms efforts to revive world economy
China Daily-- Trading companies' creativity needed towards recovery
The Times of India-- Life insurance industry to grow 15 per cent this fiscal
The Times of India-- Canada introduces express business visas for Indians
Shots fired in Smithers incident after officer dragged down road
A 24 year old man is in serious but stable condition in hospital in Vancouver, after a police involved shooting incident on the Tatlow Road in Smithers on Saturday afternoon.
An officer from the Smithers Detachment had pulled over a vehicle reported stolen earlier in the day in Houston, as he attempted to remove the driver from the truck, the driver reportedly accelerated the vehicle dragging the officer along the road, it was during that stage of the incident that the officer fired his weapon hitting the driver.
The driver was taken by medical air resources to Vancouver where he remains in serious but stable condition.
The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP has been advised of the incident and its Independent Observer Program will provide civilian monitoring of the police investigation.
As part of the investigation into the shooting, a senior officer from the Saanich Police Department will travel to Smithers join members of the RCMP Major Crimes unit out of Prince George who will examine the circumstances that led up to the shooting.
Vancouver Province-- Man injured in police shooting in Smithers after officer dragged down road
Opinion 250-- Police Shooting Near Smithers
Prince George Citizen-- RCMP shoot suspect in Smithers
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Update: November 22
Interior News-- Shooting on Highway 16
Opinion 250-- Witnesses Say Four Shots Fired In Smithers Shooting
CFTK TV 7-- Man Shot by Smithers RCMP
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Update: November 23
Opinion 250-- Man Shot in Smithers Recovering
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An officer from the Smithers Detachment had pulled over a vehicle reported stolen earlier in the day in Houston, as he attempted to remove the driver from the truck, the driver reportedly accelerated the vehicle dragging the officer along the road, it was during that stage of the incident that the officer fired his weapon hitting the driver.
The driver was taken by medical air resources to Vancouver where he remains in serious but stable condition.
The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP has been advised of the incident and its Independent Observer Program will provide civilian monitoring of the police investigation.
As part of the investigation into the shooting, a senior officer from the Saanich Police Department will travel to Smithers join members of the RCMP Major Crimes unit out of Prince George who will examine the circumstances that led up to the shooting.
Vancouver Province-- Man injured in police shooting in Smithers after officer dragged down road
Opinion 250-- Police Shooting Near Smithers
Prince George Citizen-- RCMP shoot suspect in Smithers
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Update: November 22
Interior News-- Shooting on Highway 16
Opinion 250-- Witnesses Say Four Shots Fired In Smithers Shooting
CFTK TV 7-- Man Shot by Smithers RCMP
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Update: November 23
Opinion 250-- Man Shot in Smithers Recovering
Saturday, November 21, 2009
BC Ferries books some room at the Inn and perhaps books some controversy
There are a few raised eyebrows coming from down south at word that when BC Ferries holds their consultations with the public on November 30th to discuss the proposed Vancouver to Prince Rupert ferry route, they'll be holding it at the Crest Hotel.
The Ferry Service has booked space in the British Columbia Room at the hotel, the cost of the two hour conversation with North coast residents will be 300 dollars.
What has caught the interest of observers of all things BC Ferries, is that the Crest as most anyone in Rupert knows is owned by Steve Smith, who also sits on the boards of the B.C. Ferry Authority and B.C. Ferry Services Inc..
It's that connection that has some raising a flag, that in the wake of the recent controversy over BC Ferries salaries and internal decision making as outlined by the Comptroller Generals report.
The fact that a board member's business interests stand to benefit from the meeting is the optical nightmare that has been brought forward on this issue.
In an article on the online news service The Tyee, North coast MLA Gary Coons outlines how the optics of the decision to hold the meeting a the Crest suggests that BC Ferries isn't quite taking seriously the concerns raised by the Comptroller General.
No details on the decision making process as far as host sites for these conferences was outlined, whether it went out for tender, or if other venues were consulted and such. Attempts by the Tyee to gain a comment from Mr. Smith proved to be unsuccessful, as was highlighted in their article.
The development will be of interest to other operators of hotels and large gathering halls in the city (hello Nisga'a Hall, hello there Chances, how ya doin' Highliner) in you would think that for a quick 300 bucks for a two hour meeting, they would be more than willing to unlock a door or two.
Even the City of Prince Rupert could have found some acceptable location in town for the board to gather (not to mention take their money), the Lester Centre for the Arts, City Hall chambers and the Civic Centre to name a few, any of which cold surely accommodate a crowd for the Ferry Service and remove the potential claims of conflict from the proceedings.
The comments section of the Tyee article (found at the bottom of the article) provide for some interesting observations on the topic, with some commentators suggesting that don't find any overt conflict in the decision, while others that suggest it's just business as usual at the Ferry Service.
It will be worth watching to see if there's any fall out from the decision, or if in the end, the Crest is explained away as being the most reasonable alternative in our town for the public consultation session.
The Ferry Service has booked space in the British Columbia Room at the hotel, the cost of the two hour conversation with North coast residents will be 300 dollars.
What has caught the interest of observers of all things BC Ferries, is that the Crest as most anyone in Rupert knows is owned by Steve Smith, who also sits on the boards of the B.C. Ferry Authority and B.C. Ferry Services Inc..
It's that connection that has some raising a flag, that in the wake of the recent controversy over BC Ferries salaries and internal decision making as outlined by the Comptroller Generals report.
The fact that a board member's business interests stand to benefit from the meeting is the optical nightmare that has been brought forward on this issue.
In an article on the online news service The Tyee, North coast MLA Gary Coons outlines how the optics of the decision to hold the meeting a the Crest suggests that BC Ferries isn't quite taking seriously the concerns raised by the Comptroller General.
No details on the decision making process as far as host sites for these conferences was outlined, whether it went out for tender, or if other venues were consulted and such. Attempts by the Tyee to gain a comment from Mr. Smith proved to be unsuccessful, as was highlighted in their article.
The development will be of interest to other operators of hotels and large gathering halls in the city (hello Nisga'a Hall, hello there Chances, how ya doin' Highliner) in you would think that for a quick 300 bucks for a two hour meeting, they would be more than willing to unlock a door or two.
Even the City of Prince Rupert could have found some acceptable location in town for the board to gather (not to mention take their money), the Lester Centre for the Arts, City Hall chambers and the Civic Centre to name a few, any of which cold surely accommodate a crowd for the Ferry Service and remove the potential claims of conflict from the proceedings.
The comments section of the Tyee article (found at the bottom of the article) provide for some interesting observations on the topic, with some commentators suggesting that don't find any overt conflict in the decision, while others that suggest it's just business as usual at the Ferry Service.
It will be worth watching to see if there's any fall out from the decision, or if in the end, the Crest is explained away as being the most reasonable alternative in our town for the public consultation session.
Podunk Below the Masthead, Friday, November 20, 2009
Prince Rupert Grain brings good news to the Chamber, restoration work continues at North Pacific and Lax Kw'alaams results are announced, some of the items of note for the Friday news cycle.
Daily News, Front page, headline story
PRINCE RUPERT GRAIN DELIVERS ENCOURAGING NEWS TO CHAMBER-- Prince Rupert Grain is looking at higher numbers in 2009 as stronger volumes of wheat pass through the Ridley Island terminal. Chairman Jeff Burghardt outlined the optimistic details for the Chamber of Commerce this week.
Health care issues were examined in Port Edward this week during the latest in Community to Community forums.
Restoration work continues on at North Pacific History Fishing Village as six buildings on the boardwalk there have been refurbished as part of a job creation partnership.
(Daily News Archive Articles for November 20 )
The Northern View
Two groups vie for Shames Mountain future-- Some movement in the efforts to keep the Northwest's ski hill future secure. as two different groups put forward proposals on their vision for the mountain operation. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7
Reece Returned at Lax Kw'alaams -- Details of Friday's election returns from Lax Kw'alaams (see article here) (full results available from the Lax Kw'alaams website)
CFTK TV 7
Naikun wants to hire locally for its proposed wind project -- As Naikun continues its process for development of its wind farm properties on the North coast, they offer up the lure of jobs once again to keep the project on the minds of North Coast residents (see article here)
CBC Northern British Columbia, Daybreak North
An uncommon death-- A report on the the impact on the family of a the Rodney Shane Jackson the man shot and killed by the RCMP two months ago in an incident near Hazelton (listen to interview here)
Daily News, front page, headline story
Prince Rupert Grain delivers encouraging news to Chamber
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Friday, November 20, 2009
A late, great wheat crop in the prairies has driven home some higher than expected export numbers for Prince Rupert’s grain terminal.
And Prince Rupert Grain Inc.’s president Jeff Burghardt could not be more pleased with the results.
.
Burghardt gave a presentation to the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce Wednesday and outlined what he believed were some of the reasons for the increase in exports.
“We are having a pretty good run of trade and commerce,” remarked Burghardt.
Throughput at the grain terminal to September 30 is up 46.8 percent to 3.9 million tonnes, surpassing the 3.8 million tonnes handled for the entire 2008 year.
The high volumes were driven by wheat exports, up 77.1% to 3.6 million tonnes.
Part of the reason for the strong surge in 2009 is strong volumes of wheat, which grew later than expected but avoided a fall frost that could have damaged the crops.
The other reason is growing interest in the Prince Rupert port from Asian importers - more specifically, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia became the biggest addition in years to the global wheat buyside after it decided to gradually phase out wheat cultivation, as of last year and up to 2016, to save water resources.
Burghardt said that there has been increased interest amongst shoppers for Canadian prairie wheat from the Middle East and that Prince Rupert is gaining from that.
“We try to demonstrate that if you choose Canadian wheat that Prince Rupert is your best option,” said Burghardt.
Growing business at the grain terminal has also produced strong employment totals for the community. There are now 111 people employed at PRG.
There are also some concerns, according to Burghardt.
“As good as the last year has been, we find ourselves concerned about safety and loss,” explained Burghardt.
Two derailments in the last year cost PRG millions and ageing equipment is in need of replacement. There weren’t any significant injuries at the terminal last year, but Burghardt said that the company needed to be vigilant when it comes to safety.
There are also trade issues with China that are popping up over canola. Even as a ship arrives Monday for a canola shipment, China is becoming more difficult to deal with as the emerging superpower looks to continue developing its own canola base.
That desire, said Burghardt, has pushed China into claiming that it does not want to purchase canola with blackleg disease – a common disease found on canola around the world.
The move is expected to cut Canada’s canola exports by an estimated 70 percent.
Canada is the world’s top exporter of canola, a variant of rapeseed, which is crushed for its oil and used in cooking, and for its meal, which is used in livestock feed.
The concern for Prince Rupert is that even though canola makes a small portion of the PRG’s own exports, it is a significant shipment for Vancouver. If taken away, that could mean more competition for the grain crops that are heavily sent from Prince Rupert – wheat and barley. Burghardt said it’s a something that grain ports will take stock of because of trade implications. The thought is that China is placing restrictions on canola as a way to protect their own stocks.
|
Daily News, Front page, headline story
PRINCE RUPERT GRAIN DELIVERS ENCOURAGING NEWS TO CHAMBER-- Prince Rupert Grain is looking at higher numbers in 2009 as stronger volumes of wheat pass through the Ridley Island terminal. Chairman Jeff Burghardt outlined the optimistic details for the Chamber of Commerce this week.
Health care issues were examined in Port Edward this week during the latest in Community to Community forums.
Restoration work continues on at North Pacific History Fishing Village as six buildings on the boardwalk there have been refurbished as part of a job creation partnership.
(Daily News Archive Articles for November 20 )
The Northern View
Two groups vie for Shames Mountain future-- Some movement in the efforts to keep the Northwest's ski hill future secure. as two different groups put forward proposals on their vision for the mountain operation. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7
Reece Returned at Lax Kw'alaams -- Details of Friday's election returns from Lax Kw'alaams (see article here) (full results available from the Lax Kw'alaams website)
CFTK TV 7
Naikun wants to hire locally for its proposed wind project -- As Naikun continues its process for development of its wind farm properties on the North coast, they offer up the lure of jobs once again to keep the project on the minds of North Coast residents (see article here)
CBC Northern British Columbia, Daybreak North
An uncommon death-- A report on the the impact on the family of a the Rodney Shane Jackson the man shot and killed by the RCMP two months ago in an incident near Hazelton (listen to interview here)
Daily News, front page, headline story
Prince Rupert Grain delivers encouraging news to Chamber
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Friday, November 20, 2009
A late, great wheat crop in the prairies has driven home some higher than expected export numbers for Prince Rupert’s grain terminal.
And Prince Rupert Grain Inc.’s president Jeff Burghardt could not be more pleased with the results.
.
Burghardt gave a presentation to the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce Wednesday and outlined what he believed were some of the reasons for the increase in exports.
“We are having a pretty good run of trade and commerce,” remarked Burghardt.
Throughput at the grain terminal to September 30 is up 46.8 percent to 3.9 million tonnes, surpassing the 3.8 million tonnes handled for the entire 2008 year.
The high volumes were driven by wheat exports, up 77.1% to 3.6 million tonnes.
Part of the reason for the strong surge in 2009 is strong volumes of wheat, which grew later than expected but avoided a fall frost that could have damaged the crops.
The other reason is growing interest in the Prince Rupert port from Asian importers - more specifically, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia became the biggest addition in years to the global wheat buyside after it decided to gradually phase out wheat cultivation, as of last year and up to 2016, to save water resources.
Burghardt said that there has been increased interest amongst shoppers for Canadian prairie wheat from the Middle East and that Prince Rupert is gaining from that.
“We try to demonstrate that if you choose Canadian wheat that Prince Rupert is your best option,” said Burghardt.
Growing business at the grain terminal has also produced strong employment totals for the community. There are now 111 people employed at PRG.
There are also some concerns, according to Burghardt.
“As good as the last year has been, we find ourselves concerned about safety and loss,” explained Burghardt.
Two derailments in the last year cost PRG millions and ageing equipment is in need of replacement. There weren’t any significant injuries at the terminal last year, but Burghardt said that the company needed to be vigilant when it comes to safety.
There are also trade issues with China that are popping up over canola. Even as a ship arrives Monday for a canola shipment, China is becoming more difficult to deal with as the emerging superpower looks to continue developing its own canola base.
That desire, said Burghardt, has pushed China into claiming that it does not want to purchase canola with blackleg disease – a common disease found on canola around the world.
The move is expected to cut Canada’s canola exports by an estimated 70 percent.
Canada is the world’s top exporter of canola, a variant of rapeseed, which is crushed for its oil and used in cooking, and for its meal, which is used in livestock feed.
The concern for Prince Rupert is that even though canola makes a small portion of the PRG’s own exports, it is a significant shipment for Vancouver. If taken away, that could mean more competition for the grain crops that are heavily sent from Prince Rupert – wheat and barley. Burghardt said it’s a something that grain ports will take stock of because of trade implications. The thought is that China is placing restrictions on canola as a way to protect their own stocks.
The Daily News increases newsstand price by 25 cents next month
The Daily News provides a lump of coal in your stocking just before Christmas, with news of a price increase for December.
Those Rupertites who pick up their Monday, Tuesday and Thursday editions (the non free days) at their local newsstand may be in for a shock on Tuesday, December 1st, that's when a 33 per cent price increase will go into effect for Prince Rupert's local daily newspaper.
In a small advertisement in Friday, November 20th's paper, way back on page 15, (click on ad above for full view) the Daily News outlines the new single copy price increase to one dollar, up from 75 cents at the moment, that for the three non free days of their five day news cycle. The press run for Wednesday and Fridays papers still appear to be on the free home delivery rotation.
.
Reassuring for home subscribers will be the note in fine print at the bottom of the ad which advises: Subscribers will continue to have their papers delivered to their homes as part of their paid subscription. (uh, ok thanks)
.
Those with home subscriptions will not see an increase in their cost for the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday editions, only those Rupertites who purchase the paper at newsstand's or take the time to wander into the Daily News offices.
It may be the tipping point for many merchants in town, some whom no doubt are still puzzled as to why they have to charge a cost for the papers sold on the free days and feel the wrath of the consumer for that conundrum. Now, adding on the thirty three percent increase could leave them to wonder if carrying the Daily is worth the blow back from the consumers.
.
We suspect that there aren't any local retailers that are getting rich by carrying the paper on their shelves, featuring it more as a local service than anything else.
In the Friday ad, hidden away as it was, there was no explanation as to the reasoning of the increase, something that might help residents understand why the Daily News feels the need for such a sizable jump in cost.
Are there more features to come? Expanded coverage of local issues? Has the paper suffered increased production costs or labour increases? Is this a move to try once again to increase the subscriber base? Something, anything, they might have to offer, might help justify the added cost of the paper and might be of interest to the readers.
.
It's an interesting move for the paper, increasing prices is always a controversial topic, especially when many already feel that the paper charges too much, for what it delivers as it is.
Perhaps some pre-emptive action in the form of an editorial page contribution before the increase might help to cushion some of the complaints that are surely to arrive on December 2nd.
.
Correction: As outlined in the comments below, the increase of the news stand price next month is thirty three per cent, not the twenty five first suggested in this post, we have corrected the copy to fix our mathematical error.
Tonight, on CSI Lima...
Here's a case that Horatio could find worthy of taking his sunglasses off for.
A crime that comes with more than a few wrinkles...
From the jungles of the rain forest in Peru, to the markets of Lima there's an extra additive being harvested that will make you think twice when you reach for your beauty aids.
Once you've read this account of the latest shocking crime from Peru, you'll have a whole new understanding of that goal of accepting natural beauty over the enhanced and er, supplemental versions...
Friday, November 20, 2009
It's the economy (November 20, 2009)
All in all he'd probably rather be at home watching TV. Will broadcast TV fade to black? and Japan returns to deflationary times, some of the items of note for Friday.
Globe and Mail-- Weak growth delays Flaherty attack on deficit
Globe and Mail-- Japan now struggles with deflation
Globe and Mail-- Konrad von Finckenstein 'sick' and Jim Shaw 'tired'
National Post-- McWorries for Tim Hortons U.S. operations
National Post-- Flaherty puts kibosh on major spending talk
National Post-- Canadian Tire's credit card woes
Vancouver Sun-- Olympic building program nails down jobs for women, inner city youth, aboriginal people
New York Times-- An Unsteady Future for Broadcast
New York Times-- Fears of ‘Lost Decade’ Grow for British Economy
New York Times-- Jobless Rate Up in 29 States, Hitting Records in 4 of Them
USA Today-- General Motors running quickly through stocks of Pontiacs and Saturns
USA Today-- Black Friday 2009 countdown: More deals, sales, news & tips
Guardian UK online-- Time for banks to wean themselves off cheap money, ECB president says
Guardian UK online-- Deflation: could it happen here?
Times Online UK-- Japan's economy slides into deflation
Times Online UK-- Falling tax take quashes Labour hopes of optimistic mini-Budget
Telegraph UK online-- An independent body is needed to restore fiscal credibility
Telegraph UK online-- £8 jeans 'better made' than £120 jeans
Melbourne Herald Sun-- ANZ eyes AXA Asia Pacific's Australian and New Zealand assets
Melbourne Herald Sun-- MP slams financial adviser commissions
Brisbane Times-- Ore prices not so iron-clad
Brisbane Times-- Households set to feel debt squeeze
Sydney Morning Herald-- The old Allco gang band together
Sydney Morning Herald-- Beware the populist approach to reform
Sydney Morning Herald-- Woodside's Pluto in billion dollar blow-out
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Aussie dollar 'will peak at US$1.03'
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Recovery could be breathtaking
People's Daily on line-- China's economy to expand 9.4% in 2010, report forecasts
People's Daily on line-- Guangdong's economy to grow 9% in 2009, governor says
China Daily-- Inflation on the way, but slowly: expert
China Daily-- China dismisses request for WTO panel
The Times of India-- India should aim at $300-bn export target by 2014: Assocham
The Times of India-- India won't tax capital inflows: Montek Singh Ahluwalia
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Globe and Mail-- Weak growth delays Flaherty attack on deficit
Globe and Mail-- Japan now struggles with deflation
Globe and Mail-- Konrad von Finckenstein 'sick' and Jim Shaw 'tired'
National Post-- McWorries for Tim Hortons U.S. operations
National Post-- Flaherty puts kibosh on major spending talk
National Post-- Canadian Tire's credit card woes
Vancouver Sun-- Olympic building program nails down jobs for women, inner city youth, aboriginal people
New York Times-- An Unsteady Future for Broadcast
New York Times-- Fears of ‘Lost Decade’ Grow for British Economy
New York Times-- Jobless Rate Up in 29 States, Hitting Records in 4 of Them
USA Today-- General Motors running quickly through stocks of Pontiacs and Saturns
USA Today-- Black Friday 2009 countdown: More deals, sales, news & tips
Guardian UK online-- Time for banks to wean themselves off cheap money, ECB president says
Guardian UK online-- Deflation: could it happen here?
Times Online UK-- Japan's economy slides into deflation
Times Online UK-- Falling tax take quashes Labour hopes of optimistic mini-Budget
Telegraph UK online-- An independent body is needed to restore fiscal credibility
Telegraph UK online-- £8 jeans 'better made' than £120 jeans
Melbourne Herald Sun-- ANZ eyes AXA Asia Pacific's Australian and New Zealand assets
Melbourne Herald Sun-- MP slams financial adviser commissions
Brisbane Times-- Ore prices not so iron-clad
Brisbane Times-- Households set to feel debt squeeze
Sydney Morning Herald-- The old Allco gang band together
Sydney Morning Herald-- Beware the populist approach to reform
Sydney Morning Herald-- Woodside's Pluto in billion dollar blow-out
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Aussie dollar 'will peak at US$1.03'
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Recovery could be breathtaking
People's Daily on line-- China's economy to expand 9.4% in 2010, report forecasts
People's Daily on line-- Guangdong's economy to grow 9% in 2009, governor says
China Daily-- Inflation on the way, but slowly: expert
China Daily-- China dismisses request for WTO panel
The Times of India-- India should aim at $300-bn export target by 2014: Assocham
The Times of India-- India won't tax capital inflows: Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Podunk Below the Masthead, Thursday, November 19, 2009
More questions about audiology services in Prince Rupert, BC Ferries makes the news again on the North coast and Naikun Power moves a little further along with its plans, some of the items of note for Thursday.
Daily News, Front page, headline story
LENDING AN EAR TO THE ISSUE OF AUDIOLOGY-- Northern Health continues to try and attract an audiologist for the Prince Rupert audiology clinic, but so far only contract audiologists have been utilized at the Rupert clinic, the Daily News updates the situation in the Thursday edition.
Naikun power makes the latest cut in BC Hydro's Clean Power Call, moving the wind farm projects for the North coast a little further down the progress line. Hydro had eliminated 21 proposals that did not meet their requirements. Naikun recently approached the City of Prince Rupert looking for relief on land use taxes, a holiday which could go as long as 25 years. The wind energy company is currently in the final stages of its certification process, which should see a decision rendered by the provincial government by the end of the year.
Gary Coons, the NDP MLA for the North Coast wants to see BC Ferries to be placed back under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The Ferry Corporation was removed from those requirements seven years ago, a move which Mr. Coons suggests has made them less accountable and transparent in their operations in the province.
The Sports section featured its weekly review of last weekend's City Basketball League action, with recaps of games in the PRMBA in all divisions.
(Daily News Archive Articles for November 19 )
The Northern View
(No new items posted for November 19)
CFTK TV 7 News
Concerns raised over proposed BC Ferry route -- The NDP MLA for the North coast has more than a few concerns about the proposed BC Ferry route between Vancouver and Prince Rupert, the main one being a loss of twenty current sailings to Rupert (see article here)
CBC Radio British Columbia, Daybreak North
Privatizing land in the Nass -- Recent plans to privatize land under control of the Nisga'a government are examined (listen to interview here)
Daily News, Front page, Headline story
Lending an ear to the issue of audiology
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Thursday, November 19, 2009
There continues to be confusion around the future of Prince Rupert’s audiology clinic.
Northern Health confirmed it is hoping to hire one audiologist that would work in Prince Rupert and Terrace, but in the meantime have only been able to contract audiologists to take turns working in the Northwest.
“There is a potential candidate for the job interested in the full-time position, but we are only in the process of signing a contract so the job remains posted,” said NH Senior Manager of Preventative Health Sharon Davalovksy Tuesday.
Prince Rupert’s audiology clinic opened at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital in January 2009 to expand Northern Health’s Northwest Public Health Audiology Program with funding from Child Health BC to the tune of $585,000.
But after the resignation in April of Senior Northwest Audiologist Dr. Jess Rainey who was coming to Prince Rupert regularly to see patients, the clinic has only been in use by an audiology technician for basic screening.
An article in the Daily News dated Nov. 5 addressed concerns raised by Northcoast MLA Gary Coons about the clinic being without an audiologist. In response to this, Dr. Rainey said the functions presently being performed by the technician are not dependent on the clinic.
“Further, this staff person has not at all been trained to do any of the audiometric technician functions that are required for a Public Health Audiology Clinic to operate.”
Dr. Rainey explained that those functions include trouble shooting hearing aids, taking ear mould impressions, and sending and receiving hearing aids for repair.
“These are functions the local school district had expected from this clinic. Despite the clinic’s existence, the school district is being forced to send hearing aids back and forth through the mail just as before. Ear mould impressions remain problematic,” Dr. Rainey noted.
According to Davalovsky when the Prince Rupert clinic was proposed by Child Health BC it was not anticipated that there would not be an audiologist in the region.
“The clinic has a technician that can cover some aspects of the clinic and we do have support for our audiology technician, really it’s a recruitment issue for us,” she said, adding that there are only two universities in Canada graduating audiologists and many of those graduates prefer to go to private clinics because it is more lucrative.
In light of the recruitment problems, Davalovsky explained that NH has changed its focus and moved to a regional model where there will be one technician in place and an audiologist providing training, support and audiology intermittently.
Prince Rupert pediatrician Dr. Jeffery Simons said Prince Rupert’s clinic doesn’t need a full time audiologist, but needs “a commitment for an audiologist to spend enough time in the clinic that we can provide services to children in Prince Rupert and from the villages.”
Reacting to comments made by Northcoast MLA Gary Coons that the region’s incidence of ear infections and need of pressurized equalization tubes is highest in the province, Dr. Simons agreed the First Nations population is more vulnerable.
However, he noted, there has been some decrease in numbers because of the pneumococcal vaccine being made available to children.
The Northcoast is not the only area in the province without a permanent audiologist. Presently the Northeastern part of the province is also lacking one, due to retirement, and with the launching of the province-wide Early Screening Hearing Program, the demand for audiology services has increased.
The first part of the early screening program is done by a technician and when a child doesn’t pass that basic hearing test they have to be given more detailed testing within three months by an audiologist.
Northern Health’s lead audiologist Dr. Susan Trowell-Martin of Prince George has committed herself to the early screening program, said Dr. Simons, and has been travelling around to various clinics across the north.
Dr. Trowell-Martin has also been tasked with trying to recruit audiologists to the north, added Davalovsky.
In anticipation of the Early Hearing Screening Program being implemented and the new clinic opening in Prince Rupert, Dr. Rainey began requesting NH to hire a second audiologist for the region back in 2006.
“Funding for a second audiologist eventually became available from Federal Aboriginal monies. Given the high representation of First Nations along the North Coast and in Haida Gwaii, I think this was a very appropriate use of these monies,” Dr. Rainey said.
When asked what happened to the federal funds, NH’s Director of Communications Steve Raper said they were partially reassigned back into Aboriginal health for a different initiative. “There was no point leaving the money sitting there.”
Dr. Rainey still believes a single position is not sufficient to meet target population for public health audiology in the Northwest.
“A detailed work load analysis between myself, management and other stakeholders in the Northwest in December 2008 concluded this,” he said.
When asked if he would be willing to return to his position, Dr. Rainey said:
“I am willing to come back to my former position as Senior Audiologist, Northwest Region based in Terrace, should management commit to supporting services as they existed up to my departure. This would include providing regular service to the Prince Rupert clinic until the position there can be filled. In the meantime, I am available to provide service on an itinerant basis. Management is aware of this, but I have not yet been asked.”
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Daily News, Front page, headline story
LENDING AN EAR TO THE ISSUE OF AUDIOLOGY-- Northern Health continues to try and attract an audiologist for the Prince Rupert audiology clinic, but so far only contract audiologists have been utilized at the Rupert clinic, the Daily News updates the situation in the Thursday edition.
Naikun power makes the latest cut in BC Hydro's Clean Power Call, moving the wind farm projects for the North coast a little further down the progress line. Hydro had eliminated 21 proposals that did not meet their requirements. Naikun recently approached the City of Prince Rupert looking for relief on land use taxes, a holiday which could go as long as 25 years. The wind energy company is currently in the final stages of its certification process, which should see a decision rendered by the provincial government by the end of the year.
Gary Coons, the NDP MLA for the North Coast wants to see BC Ferries to be placed back under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The Ferry Corporation was removed from those requirements seven years ago, a move which Mr. Coons suggests has made them less accountable and transparent in their operations in the province.
The Sports section featured its weekly review of last weekend's City Basketball League action, with recaps of games in the PRMBA in all divisions.
(Daily News Archive Articles for November 19 )
The Northern View
(No new items posted for November 19)
CFTK TV 7 News
Concerns raised over proposed BC Ferry route -- The NDP MLA for the North coast has more than a few concerns about the proposed BC Ferry route between Vancouver and Prince Rupert, the main one being a loss of twenty current sailings to Rupert (see article here)
CBC Radio British Columbia, Daybreak North
Privatizing land in the Nass -- Recent plans to privatize land under control of the Nisga'a government are examined (listen to interview here)
Daily News, Front page, Headline story
Lending an ear to the issue of audiology
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Thursday, November 19, 2009
There continues to be confusion around the future of Prince Rupert’s audiology clinic.
Northern Health confirmed it is hoping to hire one audiologist that would work in Prince Rupert and Terrace, but in the meantime have only been able to contract audiologists to take turns working in the Northwest.
“There is a potential candidate for the job interested in the full-time position, but we are only in the process of signing a contract so the job remains posted,” said NH Senior Manager of Preventative Health Sharon Davalovksy Tuesday.
Prince Rupert’s audiology clinic opened at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital in January 2009 to expand Northern Health’s Northwest Public Health Audiology Program with funding from Child Health BC to the tune of $585,000.
But after the resignation in April of Senior Northwest Audiologist Dr. Jess Rainey who was coming to Prince Rupert regularly to see patients, the clinic has only been in use by an audiology technician for basic screening.
An article in the Daily News dated Nov. 5 addressed concerns raised by Northcoast MLA Gary Coons about the clinic being without an audiologist. In response to this, Dr. Rainey said the functions presently being performed by the technician are not dependent on the clinic.
“Further, this staff person has not at all been trained to do any of the audiometric technician functions that are required for a Public Health Audiology Clinic to operate.”
Dr. Rainey explained that those functions include trouble shooting hearing aids, taking ear mould impressions, and sending and receiving hearing aids for repair.
“These are functions the local school district had expected from this clinic. Despite the clinic’s existence, the school district is being forced to send hearing aids back and forth through the mail just as before. Ear mould impressions remain problematic,” Dr. Rainey noted.
According to Davalovsky when the Prince Rupert clinic was proposed by Child Health BC it was not anticipated that there would not be an audiologist in the region.
“The clinic has a technician that can cover some aspects of the clinic and we do have support for our audiology technician, really it’s a recruitment issue for us,” she said, adding that there are only two universities in Canada graduating audiologists and many of those graduates prefer to go to private clinics because it is more lucrative.
In light of the recruitment problems, Davalovsky explained that NH has changed its focus and moved to a regional model where there will be one technician in place and an audiologist providing training, support and audiology intermittently.
Prince Rupert pediatrician Dr. Jeffery Simons said Prince Rupert’s clinic doesn’t need a full time audiologist, but needs “a commitment for an audiologist to spend enough time in the clinic that we can provide services to children in Prince Rupert and from the villages.”
Reacting to comments made by Northcoast MLA Gary Coons that the region’s incidence of ear infections and need of pressurized equalization tubes is highest in the province, Dr. Simons agreed the First Nations population is more vulnerable.
However, he noted, there has been some decrease in numbers because of the pneumococcal vaccine being made available to children.
The Northcoast is not the only area in the province without a permanent audiologist. Presently the Northeastern part of the province is also lacking one, due to retirement, and with the launching of the province-wide Early Screening Hearing Program, the demand for audiology services has increased.
The first part of the early screening program is done by a technician and when a child doesn’t pass that basic hearing test they have to be given more detailed testing within three months by an audiologist.
Northern Health’s lead audiologist Dr. Susan Trowell-Martin of Prince George has committed herself to the early screening program, said Dr. Simons, and has been travelling around to various clinics across the north.
Dr. Trowell-Martin has also been tasked with trying to recruit audiologists to the north, added Davalovsky.
In anticipation of the Early Hearing Screening Program being implemented and the new clinic opening in Prince Rupert, Dr. Rainey began requesting NH to hire a second audiologist for the region back in 2006.
“Funding for a second audiologist eventually became available from Federal Aboriginal monies. Given the high representation of First Nations along the North Coast and in Haida Gwaii, I think this was a very appropriate use of these monies,” Dr. Rainey said.
When asked what happened to the federal funds, NH’s Director of Communications Steve Raper said they were partially reassigned back into Aboriginal health for a different initiative. “There was no point leaving the money sitting there.”
Dr. Rainey still believes a single position is not sufficient to meet target population for public health audiology in the Northwest.
“A detailed work load analysis between myself, management and other stakeholders in the Northwest in December 2008 concluded this,” he said.
When asked if he would be willing to return to his position, Dr. Rainey said:
“I am willing to come back to my former position as Senior Audiologist, Northwest Region based in Terrace, should management commit to supporting services as they existed up to my departure. This would include providing regular service to the Prince Rupert clinic until the position there can be filled. In the meantime, I am available to provide service on an itinerant basis. Management is aware of this, but I have not yet been asked.”
Thursday, November 19, 2009
And a jab for all!
"This may mean clinics run out of vaccine and are forced to close until additional supplies are obtained, but it is preferable to have vaccine in people's arms, rather than sitting in fridges."-- Dr Perry Kendall, Provincial Health Officer outlining the reasons behind the latest change in guidelines for flu shot distribution in BC.
Northern Health following the lead of Dr. Perry Kendall, the provincial health officer has announced that the H1N1 flu vaccine is now available for all British Columbians.
"While we do not yet have enough vaccine to administer to everyone who is now eligible, given that our clinics are operating at less than full capacity, it is only fair to open it up to the rest of the population so that any and all British Columbians who want to be vaccinated can now do so," -- Dr. Perry Kendall, Provincial Health Officer
The flu shots had previously been limited to only those groups that the province had determined were most a risk, a sliding scale of qualification that seemed to be changing by the week of late.
The latest revision to the delivery guidelines take effect Friday, with the province's flu clinics opening their doors to all who wish to receive their shots. A decision that apparently was made partly because the demand for the shots at some clinics across the province was falling off as British Columbians became less anxious as the second wave of the flu seemed to peak.
Should Dr. Kendall be proven correct that there may be shortages early on with the wider distribution, relief may be but a week away, the province is expected to receive 640,000 doses late next week.
Prince Rupert's next clinic is Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm at Northern Health's Prince Rupert Health Unit in the Ocean Centre Mall.
Two more clinics are planned for next week at the same location, Thursday, November 26 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Friday, November 27, from 10 am to 4 pm.
CBC News-- All of B.C. eligible for H1N1 vaccine
Vancouver Sun-- Low turnouts lead to H1N1 vaccine availability for everyone in B.C
Vancouver Province-- H1N1 flu vaccine available to everyone in B.C. on Friday
Northern Health following the lead of Dr. Perry Kendall, the provincial health officer has announced that the H1N1 flu vaccine is now available for all British Columbians.
"While we do not yet have enough vaccine to administer to everyone who is now eligible, given that our clinics are operating at less than full capacity, it is only fair to open it up to the rest of the population so that any and all British Columbians who want to be vaccinated can now do so," -- Dr. Perry Kendall, Provincial Health Officer
The flu shots had previously been limited to only those groups that the province had determined were most a risk, a sliding scale of qualification that seemed to be changing by the week of late.
The latest revision to the delivery guidelines take effect Friday, with the province's flu clinics opening their doors to all who wish to receive their shots. A decision that apparently was made partly because the demand for the shots at some clinics across the province was falling off as British Columbians became less anxious as the second wave of the flu seemed to peak.
Should Dr. Kendall be proven correct that there may be shortages early on with the wider distribution, relief may be but a week away, the province is expected to receive 640,000 doses late next week.
Prince Rupert's next clinic is Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm at Northern Health's Prince Rupert Health Unit in the Ocean Centre Mall.
Two more clinics are planned for next week at the same location, Thursday, November 26 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Friday, November 27, from 10 am to 4 pm.
CBC News-- All of B.C. eligible for H1N1 vaccine
Vancouver Sun-- Low turnouts lead to H1N1 vaccine availability for everyone in B.C
Vancouver Province-- H1N1 flu vaccine available to everyone in B.C. on Friday
It's the economy (November 19)
1 in 7 in danger of losing their homes in the USA, what does Manulife know that we should? and the more they borrow the deeper the recession, some of the items of note for Thursday.
Globe and Mail-- U.S. housing crisis hits new level
Globe and Mail-- Saskatchewan potash sales hit 37-year low
Globe and Mail-- B.C. vows bigger HST break for new home buyers
National Post-- BoC cautions China on exchange rate movements
National Post-- Labour market poised for recovery: conference board
National Post-- Manulife and Fairfax bracing for correction
Vancouver Sun-- B.C. to jack up HST threshold on new housing rebate to $525,000
New York Times-- U.S. Mortgage Delinquencies Reach a Record High
New York Times-- Geithner Hopes to End Bailout Fund
New York Times-- O.E.C.D. Sees Bumpy Path to Recovery
USA Today-- Those with, without work to compete for seasonal jobs
USA Today-- More members of middle class file for bankruptcy
Guardian UK online-- OECD tells Darling he cannot afford pre-election giveaway
Guardian UK online-- Green technologies in peril as rich nations dither on climate deal
Times Online UK-- Britain's borrowing hits record £11.4 billion
Times Online UK-- The lending paradox that’s prolonging recession
Telegraph UK online-- OECD warns Britain risks 'debt spiral'
Telegraph UK online-- 'This time it's different' are still the four most dangerous words in investing
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Chinese buy-in to joint venture
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Mirvac hit on director fees
Brisbane Times-- Super inquiry head's comments shock funds group
Brisbane Times-- Brambles revenue stumbles on weak US pallets
Sydney Morning Herald-- A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside a farce
Sydney Morning Herald-- Billionaires share a memory problem
Sydney Morning Herald-- Melbourne's $20m mansion
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Credit card use rose in September
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Media heirs forgetful in witness box
People's Daily on line-- Expert warns of asset bubbles
People's Daily on line-- Agency: Economic growth to top 9% in 2010
China Daily-- China announces price hikes of electricity for non-resident use
The Times of India-- No immediate plans to hike fuel prices: Govt
The Times of India-- Rupee plunges 48 paise against dollar
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Globe and Mail-- U.S. housing crisis hits new level
Globe and Mail-- Saskatchewan potash sales hit 37-year low
Globe and Mail-- B.C. vows bigger HST break for new home buyers
National Post-- BoC cautions China on exchange rate movements
National Post-- Labour market poised for recovery: conference board
National Post-- Manulife and Fairfax bracing for correction
Vancouver Sun-- B.C. to jack up HST threshold on new housing rebate to $525,000
New York Times-- U.S. Mortgage Delinquencies Reach a Record High
New York Times-- Geithner Hopes to End Bailout Fund
New York Times-- O.E.C.D. Sees Bumpy Path to Recovery
USA Today-- Those with, without work to compete for seasonal jobs
USA Today-- More members of middle class file for bankruptcy
Guardian UK online-- OECD tells Darling he cannot afford pre-election giveaway
Guardian UK online-- Green technologies in peril as rich nations dither on climate deal
Times Online UK-- Britain's borrowing hits record £11.4 billion
Times Online UK-- The lending paradox that’s prolonging recession
Telegraph UK online-- OECD warns Britain risks 'debt spiral'
Telegraph UK online-- 'This time it's different' are still the four most dangerous words in investing
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Chinese buy-in to joint venture
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Mirvac hit on director fees
Brisbane Times-- Super inquiry head's comments shock funds group
Brisbane Times-- Brambles revenue stumbles on weak US pallets
Sydney Morning Herald-- A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside a farce
Sydney Morning Herald-- Billionaires share a memory problem
Sydney Morning Herald-- Melbourne's $20m mansion
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Credit card use rose in September
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Media heirs forgetful in witness box
People's Daily on line-- Expert warns of asset bubbles
People's Daily on line-- Agency: Economic growth to top 9% in 2010
China Daily-- China announces price hikes of electricity for non-resident use
The Times of India-- No immediate plans to hike fuel prices: Govt
The Times of India-- Rupee plunges 48 paise against dollar
Make a list, maybe check it twice, Mayor Jack and the council six are seeking your advice!
The prospect of a revised financial plan for Prince Rupert comes up again at the next council meeting; with the resolution having been given the obligatory three readings in weeks previous the process now comes the consultation phase.
Council is seeking advice and conversation with the citizens of Podunk, with time set aside at 7:00 at the November 23 rd council meeting to discuss the revisions to the budget and why they may be necessary.
In online documentation on the planned meeting, the city outlines how amending their five year plan is necessary with the unexpected receipt of title to the Watson Island site. As well, some other costs that were not contemplated in the original five year plan have now come up. Among the unexpected developments that will impact the budget are such things as security, environmental testing, waterline and dam maintenance and any necessary repairs which the city is now responsible for at the pulp mill site at Watson Island.
Unexpected increases in costs on some ongoing projects such as the 8th Avenue waterline replacement project and other road projects of the last year have also offered challenges to the original five year blue print. The November 23rd meeting will allow Council to hear some feedback from the community as they prepare to as they put it, fine tune the revenue and expenditure forecasts.
While the documents provided on line are helpful, and no doubt send chills up and down the spines of accountants and bean counters everywhere, it is what it is, a dry financial accounting of numbers with enough volume to have the average citizens eyes roll back in their head after about page three. The residents of the city really shouldn't require CGA accreditation to gain a bit of background on what's going on and what needs to be done about it.
Council is seeking advice and conversation with the citizens of Podunk, with time set aside at 7:00 at the November 23 rd council meeting to discuss the revisions to the budget and why they may be necessary.
In online documentation on the planned meeting, the city outlines how amending their five year plan is necessary with the unexpected receipt of title to the Watson Island site. As well, some other costs that were not contemplated in the original five year plan have now come up. Among the unexpected developments that will impact the budget are such things as security, environmental testing, waterline and dam maintenance and any necessary repairs which the city is now responsible for at the pulp mill site at Watson Island.
Unexpected increases in costs on some ongoing projects such as the 8th Avenue waterline replacement project and other road projects of the last year have also offered challenges to the original five year blue print. The November 23rd meeting will allow Council to hear some feedback from the community as they prepare to as they put it, fine tune the revenue and expenditure forecasts.
While the documents provided on line are helpful, and no doubt send chills up and down the spines of accountants and bean counters everywhere, it is what it is, a dry financial accounting of numbers with enough volume to have the average citizens eyes roll back in their head after about page three. The residents of the city really shouldn't require CGA accreditation to gain a bit of background on what's going on and what needs to be done about it.
What is really needed for the home audience before that November 23rd meeting is a comprehensive explanation of all these things in easily understood terms, how item A is to have an impact on topic B, what the cost is going to be, where the money is going to come from and what other options may be available, when it comes to the new costs of the pulp mill and the other everyday operations of the city that have now changed in the five year plan.
.
That way the folks inclined to offer commentary can have a better understanding of the issues and what options are available to them, other than just adding increases to the tax rolls.
If they have something to work with, other than a chowder mix of financial statistics without any direct options, then they may be able to ask some interesting questions of our council members as to what financial direction the city is heading towards in the upcoming year, providing them with feedback that perhaps they need to hear.
If they have something to work with, other than a chowder mix of financial statistics without any direct options, then they may be able to ask some interesting questions of our council members as to what financial direction the city is heading towards in the upcoming year, providing them with feedback that perhaps they need to hear.
Podunk Below the Masthead, Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Providing assistance for abused children, the passing of Doug Kerr and the Nisga'a has new laws covering home ownership, some of the items of note for Wednesday.
Daily News, Front page, headline story
WEBSITE AIMS AT HELPING CHILDREN THROUGH THE COURT PROCESS --Taking the intimidation of the courts out of the process for abused children is the goal of The Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse. Towards that goal, a new interactive website has been launched and the Daily News outlines some background on what it is all about.
Controversy over the direction that Hereditary Chiefs of the Gitxsan people want to go towards is making for a split in those communities and the Daily News has details over the legal protest that has been launched over their plans by the existing band council.
The passing of Doug Kerr is observed with a page three tribute as Monica Lamb-Yorski traces the life and times of Mr. Kerr and the impact that he has left with his community with his passing.
The Port of Prince Rupert has updated its communication strategy, rebranding their newsletter as "The Current" and seeking out the publics feedback by way of email, where Rupertites can ask questions of the Port over some of the latest developments on the waterfront (the Online version of The Current newsletter can be found here)
In the Sports section Curling, Minor hockey and the curious decision making of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick are all up for examination in the Wednesday edition.
(Daily News Archive Articles for November 18)
The Northern View
(No new items posted for November 18)
CFTK TV 7
First Nations Meet in Prince Rupert to Develop Marine Use Plans -- Details of a conference in Prince Rupert which brought together a number of area First Nations to discuss marine use strategies (see article here)
CFTK TV 7
Thornhill Assault Victim Dies, One Person Arrested -- A violent incident in Thornhill has left one man dead and another under arrest (see article here)
CFTK TV 7
New Home Owner Law for Nisga'a -- The Nisga'a Lisims Government has passed the Landholding Transition Act which will see Nisga'a citizens given the right to own their own properties on Nisga'a land (see article here)
CBC British Columbia, Daybreak North
Snowbirds beware-- The CBC talks with Lorraine Bullock with the British Columbia Automobile Association, discussing what homeowners need to know if they're leaving their homes for warmer climates in the winter (listen to interview here)
Daily News, Front page, Headline story
Website aims at helping children through the court process
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sometimes it is not easy being a kid, especially one that has been abused.
And one of the hardest things for abused children is going to court. Anxiety, fear of the unknown or being in the presence of a perpetrator are all factors that could influence a child not to testify.
That reality has inspired the creation of a new website being launched on November 19 for abused children who must testify in court.
On that day the website www.childcourtprep.com will be up and running and will enable children from all over the world to access the site, or join in on group sessions while being known only by their first name.
“My biggest fear is that the website will be the best kept secret and if the police, crown and children aren’t using it, then what?” said Lynn Barry, Executive Director and founder of The Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse.
Speaking from Calgary two days before the launch, Barry noted she has been running face-to-face programs with children who are scheduled to go to court since 1992, but has found over time her organization was receiving more and more requests and it was impossible to meet the demand.
“Then an epiphany happened,” said Barry. “We realized through an interactive website we could make our services available to children at no cost. Kids these days are text-based and internet savvy.”
“We’ve put a positive spin on it to make it more interactive. It’s all game-based and kids have to demonstrate that they have understood the concepts before they can move on,” Barry said.
When children log on to the website they arrive at Super Hero Island and are asked to give their name, sex, hair and eye colour. Next they are asked to indicate where they live.
One of the most important aspects of the game is a prep program aimed at teaching kids how to remember.
“When we were kids we were taught to remember lists of things by creating sentences,” Barry explained. “If your mom gave you a list of five things to buy at the grocery store, she would make a sentence out of the words to help you remember. Kids now don’t have those skills so we’ve developed some memory strategies.”
The website also has links to other websites, such as a courtroom tour video in B.C.
Children will also hear the voices of a defence lawyer and a prosecutor during a cross-examination. Inside the courtroom they will be encouraged to find a focal point on the wall to help them relax if they are feeling anxious.
Even a lion at the circus in the game demonstrates deep breathing as a way for a child to calm him or herself, a tight rope walker acknowledges that a child may have fears, but a man standing with a safety net below assures the child there are safety features, such as a security guard, in place in a courtroom.
A social worker for many years, Barry worked in child protection and has seen that you can have a wonderful first intervention, but if a child does not testify nothing happens.
Children in Canadian law are required to be in court to testify and there are all sorts of scenarios. Imagine a 4-year-old child who walks into court. She stands on an apple box because she cannot see over the podium. She freezes and does not say a thing.
It can be the same for teens, Barry added, because often they are terrified at seeing the offender and will be totally distressed.
“The last thing we want to do is re-traumatize so if they know what to expect they’ll be fine and ready. If their story can get out then justice is served.”
In the game, the children never talk about what happened and any discussions that occur are always in the context of the game.
Any time a child wants to go beyond the realm of the game and interact with a facilitator online, Barry or one of a core group of 25 will be available to them for an hour session.
“We will put kids in groups and could have Jane from Yellowknife, Joey from Prince Rupert and Emily from St. John’s interacting, but not talking about what happened to them.”
It is that concept of not being alone, Barry said.
The website was made possible with generous funding from the Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, Victim Programs, Bank of Montreal Employees Charitable Foundation, Calgary Foundation and Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire.
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Daily News, Front page, headline story
WEBSITE AIMS AT HELPING CHILDREN THROUGH THE COURT PROCESS --Taking the intimidation of the courts out of the process for abused children is the goal of The Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse. Towards that goal, a new interactive website has been launched and the Daily News outlines some background on what it is all about.
Controversy over the direction that Hereditary Chiefs of the Gitxsan people want to go towards is making for a split in those communities and the Daily News has details over the legal protest that has been launched over their plans by the existing band council.
The passing of Doug Kerr is observed with a page three tribute as Monica Lamb-Yorski traces the life and times of Mr. Kerr and the impact that he has left with his community with his passing.
The Port of Prince Rupert has updated its communication strategy, rebranding their newsletter as "The Current" and seeking out the publics feedback by way of email, where Rupertites can ask questions of the Port over some of the latest developments on the waterfront (the Online version of The Current newsletter can be found here)
In the Sports section Curling, Minor hockey and the curious decision making of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick are all up for examination in the Wednesday edition.
(Daily News Archive Articles for November 18)
The Northern View
(No new items posted for November 18)
CFTK TV 7
First Nations Meet in Prince Rupert to Develop Marine Use Plans -- Details of a conference in Prince Rupert which brought together a number of area First Nations to discuss marine use strategies (see article here)
CFTK TV 7
Thornhill Assault Victim Dies, One Person Arrested -- A violent incident in Thornhill has left one man dead and another under arrest (see article here)
CFTK TV 7
New Home Owner Law for Nisga'a -- The Nisga'a Lisims Government has passed the Landholding Transition Act which will see Nisga'a citizens given the right to own their own properties on Nisga'a land (see article here)
CBC British Columbia, Daybreak North
Snowbirds beware-- The CBC talks with Lorraine Bullock with the British Columbia Automobile Association, discussing what homeowners need to know if they're leaving their homes for warmer climates in the winter (listen to interview here)
Daily News, Front page, Headline story
Website aims at helping children through the court process
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sometimes it is not easy being a kid, especially one that has been abused.
And one of the hardest things for abused children is going to court. Anxiety, fear of the unknown or being in the presence of a perpetrator are all factors that could influence a child not to testify.
That reality has inspired the creation of a new website being launched on November 19 for abused children who must testify in court.
On that day the website www.childcourtprep.com will be up and running and will enable children from all over the world to access the site, or join in on group sessions while being known only by their first name.
“My biggest fear is that the website will be the best kept secret and if the police, crown and children aren’t using it, then what?” said Lynn Barry, Executive Director and founder of The Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse.
Speaking from Calgary two days before the launch, Barry noted she has been running face-to-face programs with children who are scheduled to go to court since 1992, but has found over time her organization was receiving more and more requests and it was impossible to meet the demand.
“Then an epiphany happened,” said Barry. “We realized through an interactive website we could make our services available to children at no cost. Kids these days are text-based and internet savvy.”
“We’ve put a positive spin on it to make it more interactive. It’s all game-based and kids have to demonstrate that they have understood the concepts before they can move on,” Barry said.
When children log on to the website they arrive at Super Hero Island and are asked to give their name, sex, hair and eye colour. Next they are asked to indicate where they live.
One of the most important aspects of the game is a prep program aimed at teaching kids how to remember.
“When we were kids we were taught to remember lists of things by creating sentences,” Barry explained. “If your mom gave you a list of five things to buy at the grocery store, she would make a sentence out of the words to help you remember. Kids now don’t have those skills so we’ve developed some memory strategies.”
The website also has links to other websites, such as a courtroom tour video in B.C.
Children will also hear the voices of a defence lawyer and a prosecutor during a cross-examination. Inside the courtroom they will be encouraged to find a focal point on the wall to help them relax if they are feeling anxious.
Even a lion at the circus in the game demonstrates deep breathing as a way for a child to calm him or herself, a tight rope walker acknowledges that a child may have fears, but a man standing with a safety net below assures the child there are safety features, such as a security guard, in place in a courtroom.
A social worker for many years, Barry worked in child protection and has seen that you can have a wonderful first intervention, but if a child does not testify nothing happens.
Children in Canadian law are required to be in court to testify and there are all sorts of scenarios. Imagine a 4-year-old child who walks into court. She stands on an apple box because she cannot see over the podium. She freezes and does not say a thing.
It can be the same for teens, Barry added, because often they are terrified at seeing the offender and will be totally distressed.
“The last thing we want to do is re-traumatize so if they know what to expect they’ll be fine and ready. If their story can get out then justice is served.”
In the game, the children never talk about what happened and any discussions that occur are always in the context of the game.
Any time a child wants to go beyond the realm of the game and interact with a facilitator online, Barry or one of a core group of 25 will be available to them for an hour session.
“We will put kids in groups and could have Jane from Yellowknife, Joey from Prince Rupert and Emily from St. John’s interacting, but not talking about what happened to them.”
It is that concept of not being alone, Barry said.
The website was made possible with generous funding from the Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, Victim Programs, Bank of Montreal Employees Charitable Foundation, Calgary Foundation and Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire.
Un luck of the Irish
There were no eyes for smiling in Ireland on Wednesday, as controversy once again reigned in World Cup soccer. Another unusual chapter for a game that has had so many.
Wednesday evening, the Republic of Ireland found itself on the outside of the final line ups for next years World Cup in South Africa, a cruel twist of fate that will resonate across that country for months, if not years.
Irish hopes were riding high during the Wednesday match, as the visiting Irish nursed a one goal lead heading into the waning parts of their final match with France, an Irish win would have moved Ireland on to the World Cup and sent the thousands of Irish fans who travelled to Paris for the match into football bliss.
Alas, fate would intervene once again for those Irish dreams, this time in the form of not one but two handballs of France striker Thierry Henry, his handling of the ball as it were resulted in a crossing pass to French defender William Gallas, who headed the ball into the back of the Irish net, effectively putting to an end Ireland's quest for 2010. To make matters worse, it appeared that France was also offside on the play, a daily double of incompetence for the officials.
The controversial goal will once again bring the clouds of suspicion over a sport that never seems to run short of these kinds of incidents, where officials manage to "miss" the key moments of a game with history altering consequences. In this instance, none appeared to have caught the infractions, both of them, and the officials were quick to wash their hands of any arguments from the Irish side.
The goal which has similarities to the Maradona "hand of God" goal of years gone by, is the only talking point in Ireland today, as millions lament what should have been and what was so blatantly snatched away from them. Henry's goal will now join the ranks of the infamous moments of sport, already the marker has been dubbed "The Hand of Gaul"
By rights, when summer comes in 2010 it should be the Green, Orange and White of Ireland that flies on those World Cup stadium flag poles, not the Rouge, Blanc et Bleu. The fact that there place was taken in the way it was, will be something that won't soon be forgotten in the pubs of Dublin, Derry and all points between.
.
Suffice to say, we would imagine that when the Irish sit down in front of their televisions next summer, they won't be cheering for Les Bleus..
Irish Times-- Henry's hand ends Irish Word Cup hopes
Irish Times-- 'He came over to us and said he cheated'
Irish Times-- Heartbreak of Henry's hand of God, part II
Irish Times-- Mood darkens as recriminations begin
Irish Times-- Treacherous Henry, your cheating art will tell on you
Globe and Mail-- World Cup lineup complete
Globe and Mail-- Henry admits handball
Globe and Mail-- Henry just did what he had to
Sky Sports-- Fury After Henry's World Cup 'Hand Of Gaul'
Sky Sports-- Trap saddened by exit
Press Association-- Dunne: We were cheated
Times Online-- Hand of Thierry Henry shatters Ireland
Belfast Telegraph-- Ireland played like lions, South Africa will miss a hell of a guest
Mirror UK-- No luck for the Irish against France
The Australian-- Thierry Henry handballs football a black eye
