For a while there it seemed like the ultimate in poor party manners, the provincial government was determined to host a celebration for the heroes of Hartley Bay, but only if they were willing to pay for the privilege.
Those that raced out to assist the stricken and eventually sunken Queen of the North and those that opened up their doors to the rescued travelers were invited to a fancy gala in Victoria; the only catch was that they had to pay for their own accommodation and transportation.
It was a bit of a disappointment to the good feelings that the invitation initially generated, as things progressed the folks of Hartley Bay decided to attend anyways “biting the bullet” as they put it in the Daily News, to pay the estimated 25,000 dollars expense to attend the gala. Hoping that by doing so, that they would find the most embarrassing way possible, in which to showcase the silliness of the plan by the provincial government.
As thing turned out, according to a report on CKNW on Tuesday morning, it seems that the travel tab will be picked up by the government, which will provide the transportation and accommodation for the rescuers to be honoured for their efforts.
Of course one wonders why the province didn’t offer to provide a village feast at Hartley Bay, flying in some top end chefs, some entertainment, bringing the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier, Head of B. C. Ferries et al to Hartley Bay to let everyone share in the recognition of bravery shown that March morning. It might have been a fiscally prudent move, one that included everyone and showed that their efforts were truly appreciated. A kitchen party if you will in the main kitchen at Hartley Bay.
Short of that, picking up the travel tab of the honoured guests seems like a sensible move, it’s refreshing to see that eventually after a bit of embarrassment, some common sense eventually can prevail.
The Daily had the before the change of direction story on its front page on Monday, painting the Provincial government as a rather inept lot at party planning.
VILLAGE IS PICKING UP THE TAB TO SEE HEROES HONOURED
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Monday, September, 25, 2006
Page One
It may be the most expensive dinner date Hartley Bay has ever experienced. And they’re not happy about it, either.
Earlier this summer, the Hartley Bay rescuers – who didn’t think twice about heading out into the ocean in the middle of the night back in March to assist in the rescue of 99 passengers and crew when the Queen of the North hit the rocks off Gil Island – were surprised to receive fancy invitations from Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo inviting them to a special dinner in Victoria, where they would be honoured for their bravery.
That pleasant surprise, however, quickly turned to disappointment for the community when they found out the individuals being honoured would have to pay out of their own pockets for both transportation and accommodation.
“The initial reaction (was) surprise,” said Bob Hill, chief of the band council “I phoned around to confirm (whether it was taken care of) to find out that no, they don’t cover expenses. The buck started passing around after that.”
Government House told Hartley Bay that they had sent out the invitations at the suggestion of the First Nations Emergency Services Society, but that group said it was actually, the B. C. Fire Commissioner’s idea. Then, that association suggested it should be up to B. C. Ferries to pay.
In the end, the Hartley Bay band council decided to stop in and pick up the cost of transporting people to the event because the band said the rescuers deserved to be recognized for their bravery of that night.
“We took it for granted there would be no cost,” said Hill. “But my bottom line – the rescue of the people itself was so important, these people deserve to be recognized.
“So, we bit the bullet, and decided to go through with this, and embarrass the government the best we can.”
The cost of the transportation and accommodation is estimated at $25,000, and that’s after Hartley Bay decided to send their rescuers down south by the cheapest route possible - first up to Prince Rupert by ferry, and then driving all the way from Rupert to Vancouver, and then across via ferry to Victoria.
“The majority of the rescuers can’t afford it themselves,” said Hill. “So (we’re going to) pay for their mileage. I could go even further and tell them to bring their own sleeping bags - you’re sleeping in the van – but I won’t do that,”
There is still the possibility that someone, perhaps even the government, may step forward in the end and offer to cover the costs for Hartley Bay, said Hill. After all, if not for the community’s quick response to the sinking, it’s anyone’s guess what might have really happened that night of March 22, where currently, only two of the 101 people aboard that night is believed to have perished in the accident.
”I want the public to know how this government operates,” said Hill. “It’s like ‘we want to honour you, but by the way, you have to pay for it.” That’s just stupid. How would you feel?”
The dinner to honour the 21 rescuers is scheduled for Sept. 30 in Victoria.
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