Lights, camera, action on the tour with some local flim makers, Mr. Cullen has his reservations with CN's pipeline plans and it's time to make the move at Acropolis, some of the items of note in the Tuesday Daily News.
A ‘REEL’ EXPERIENCE FOR TEENS IN RUPERT-- Some local Prince Rupert youth are learning the ins and outs of film making, as the Reel Youth program once again returns to the Northwest. The details of the week long program were outlined in a front page, headline story in the Tuesday paper (see story below)
Nathan Cullen is not inclined to be a supporter of CN Rails proposed pipeline on rails, the NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley expressed his concerns over the project, which could provide for a number of jobs in Prince Rupert. Cullen's concerns with the planned transportation system is over the potential impact on the environment especially in the fragile rivers systems along the Skeena River and CN mainline (see story here)
The long anticipated move at the Assisted Living units at Acropolis Manor is finally at hand, as the first phase of the big move recently got under way. The Assisted Living Units, part of the new home for the seniors care facility in town, will begin to fill up with with residents moving into their recently finished units. The first new arrival set up home in early July, they expect to have ten residents in place by the end of the month. Still to come will be the major move of the main portion of the seniors facility, which will soon take up residence only a few metres away in the new building.
The Sports section featured a preview of the Mixed Martial Arts club set to open up in town, Stacked Sports run by Kelly McMahon, currently awaiting final zoning approval, he is set to open up shortly on Third Avenue East in the old Club fore location. The Tuesday paper provided a bit of a primer on what he plans to offer at his club for MMA enthusiasts.
Total pages in the Tuesday edition (14)
Front page, headline story:
A ‘REEL’ EXPERIENCE FOR TEENS IN RUPERT
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Pages one and five
Nine Prince Rupert youths are engaged in film making this week.
They are interviewing eight young professionals in the community who love their jobs and their lifestyle.
Stepping up behind the camera, many for the first time, the young camera crew is being mentored by Mark Vonesch and Erica Kohn of ReelYouth (RY).
Reel Youth, a not-for-profit, media empowerment program began four years ago as a program to support young people to create and distribute films about their visions for a more just and sustainable world.
It's the third time that the program has been in Prince Rupert and this time they are here to assist in the creation of a DVD through the Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest’s North Coast Youth Awareness Project.
“The DVD’s purpose it to highlight professionals in our community that have received training or decuation in the Northern Region,” said NCYCAP's coordinator Christine Anonuevo, "Our team wants youth to discover opportunities in their own backyard."
The group spent Friday learning about camera equipment, lighting, sound and the basic concepts of filmmaking.
Ashlee Kollar, 17, is often out taking videos of her friends, but hadn't used a professional video camera before.
"I'm looking forward to learning how to interview people and what kind of questions you can ask," Kollar said Friday.
Before everyone left for the day, Vonesch told the group to think about different locations in Prince Rupert they'd like to feature in the filming and to bring back those ideas for day two.
Kollar said she thought Kwinitsa Station, with its view of the water in the background, would be ideal.
"There are also lots of spots in Cow Bay and the Sunken Gardens. I'm looking forward to it," she added.
Twenty-one year old Duran W'ilson said day one was awesome. It was the first time he'd used a \video camera and he described the experience as “pretty cool”.
“I learned about the program when I saw a poster at the Nisga'a hall. One of my buddies working there told me about it," Wilson said.
Although he grew up in Prince Rupert, Wilson on found that he was meeting a group of new people.
Vonesch decided nine years ago that there was a need for mobile video and animation programs for youth, and started working with youths and filming.
Four years ago he formalized his aspirations and founded Reel Youth.
"Youth are traditionally pegged as consumers of culture and we are trying to help them be creators of culture, rather than having to wait until they are adults," Vonesch said.
"Through the power of digital media, films that used to tour can now be viewed online. It is not unheard of for a film to get 2,000 hits over the Internet. Ten years ago you couldn’t do that.
Reel Youth has worked on 72 animations and videos, mostly in BC, some in Alberta, and recently in Nepal with ex-child soldiers.
Moments after Friday's session, Vonesch had posted a photograph of Wilson holding a camera with one sentence about Reel Youth in Prince Rupert to his twitter account.
Four minutes later, the site had received 13 hits.
"It's live and a great way to share news and show what's out there. With social media, the number of connections young people have today is exponential." .
Kohn joined Reel Youth a couple of months after its conception, jumping in to offer her support, she explained.
She grew up comfortable with cameras and videos around the house and strongly believes film is a powerful communication tool for youth.
"I think it's easy for them to underestimate the power they can express and then when they see themselves on film they realize the strength of the message," Kohn said.
"There is something about a youth voice that hits below the radar in the public. It can cut through our barrier to messages."
Describing the Prince Rupert teenagers as super engaged, diverse and possessing great senses of humour, Kohn said she's convinced it's going to be a good week.
"I think the films we create will be great," she added.
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead, Friday, May 29, 2009
The Daily News seeks for the community to rally, a review of the Chamber's weekend that was, all be it, last weekend and the urban planners share their vision, some of the key items from the Friday Daily News.
COMMUNITY MEMBER IS ASKING FOR A LITTLE HELP-- Friday's front page featured some background on a local cancer patient, who faced with prospect of an unsuccesful battle against her disease, has but one wish, to take her family on one real holiday. The Daily outlines the road she has travelled so far and how the community can come to her assistance to make her final wish come true (see story below)
The BC Chamber Annual General Meeting may have ended last Saturday May 23rd, but the record of the meetings success didn't get told until the Friday edition. Considered to be a very successful gathering, the local Chamber of Commerce is hopeful that the impressions left on the delegates will be lasting and that Rupert will be considered again for the annual gathering. During the course of the three day event, local chamber members met with those from across the province as well as the invited guest speakers, mixing business with social events.
Among some of the topics that they examined were The province's Recognition and Reconcilliation Act, and how it may impact on Chamber members and their businesses. The changes to the US border crossing procdures in the new era of enhanced security were also discussed, as Chamber members learned more about current changes and what may be coming further down the line.
For the local chamber, the meeting proved to be a valuable way of increasing the Prince Rupert chamber's footprint in the provincial association as well as providing for some positive tourist reports to be carried back home after the generous heaping of local hospitality.
The vision for downtown renewal was revealed this past week, as the consultants hired by the City of Prince Rupert offered up their thoughts in an open house on Tuesday evening. Joaquin Karakas and Tom Becker from Vancouver are working with Prince Rupert City Planner Zeno Krekic to deliver the new development guidelines for the downtown area.
From the Tuesday evening sessions the Daily News provided some of the feedback from local business operators as they offered up their interpretations of where the city should be going with its downtown plans.
.
Jack Payne offered up his belief that the downtown core has been fortunate that the city hasn't had an out-of-town sprawl like other communities. In particular, he pointed towards the recently cancelled Royop shopping mall as something that "would have set the community back", prefering it would seem to concentrate on development in the downtown core.
Glen Saunders, a business owner in Cow Bay observed that there are a good number of businesses in need of repair or painting in the downtown area, or storefronts that are vacant at the moment, and suggested that the city should follow the lead of Nanaimo which a number of years ago provided money for local businesses to paint their buildings. He also believes that one way to dress up the empty storefronts would be to feature displays in the empty windows for those businesses still open in the downtown area.
Interestingly enough, it was a backlash in Cow Bay that contributed to some of that empty storefront space in that part of town. Earlier this year, a move by some Cow Bay merchants forced the School District to alter their plans to locate a school in Cow Bay, forcing the Pacific Coast School to abandon it's plans for space in the Seasport building, instead taking the school and its staff and students into the downton core and the old Hecate Strait space on second Avenue.
The sports section featured a review of a recent trip to Japan by instructors of the local Karate Club, who travelled to Japan where they renewed ties with the senseis of Japan, refining their skills and learning more of the sport of karate.
Total pages in the Friday edition (16)
Front page, headline story:
COMMUNITY MEMBER IS ASKING FOR A LITTLE HELP
Editor's Note:
The recession has caused a lot of worry for many members of Northern communities. People are concerned about the economy, the government, the environment, Title and Rights, employment opportunities and many other important issues.
But sometimes we need to remember what we do have - and what we can do to pull together as a community to help ourselves and our neighbours. When you meet someone like Ellen Pagens, it brings you back to reality with a jolt.
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Friday, May 29, 2009
Page one
It isn’t really asking for a lot.
Ellen Pagens, 38, was re-diagnosed with breast cancer a month and a half ago and learned the cancer has spread into her lung. She's been given six months to live and since learning that decided she would like to do one thing - take her four children and one grandchild on the family's first-ever holiday.
She hasn't set her sights on Disneyland, Hawaii or Europe either. She only wants a van that will fit eight and help to take her family to Edmonton in between chemotherapy treatments some time in the next few months.
"I picked Edmonton because I think there would be something interesting there for all my kids. Their ages range from 21 to 6 years old," she said.
Speaking in her moms home, where she's living these days while she goes through treatments, Pagens said the first time she was diagnosed with cancer she was 33 years old.
There are a lot of things Pagens hasn't done. She's never been to a concert and
on July 24 she hopes to get married. That's the date of both her mom and her sister’s
anniversaries.
After finding a lump under her arm she went to the doctor and discovered that it was cancer and it had started to spread into her lymph nodes. Within a week she had surgery and has been in remission for four or five years.
She underwent chemotherapy in Prince Rupert and radiation treatments in Vancouver She had a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy because she was pretty young.
Wednesday afternoon was going okay - she has her good days and bad. Part of
she wants a second opinion about treatment and she's wondering if her doctor could refer her to a specialist.
“I know the cancer has gone into my lung and I would like more details. There was fluid in there, my chest was really heavy, and the fluid has been drained twice already,” Pagens said. “I’d like to know the way it spread and where it is.”
“The doctor said she could go on a family trip. He also said she’ll start deteriorating as time goes on. We’re thinking if we could all go together it would be great,” said her mom, Katherine Pagens.
Looking pretty tired and very thin, Pagens wears a red bandana. The hair started falling out immediately after the first chemotherapy treatment. A few days ago her mom, sister and dad and four other relatives shaved their heads in support of her.
Her brother Robert would really like to help his sister go on the family trip and is appealing to the community for ideas to help her wish be realized.
At the Urban Haida Graduation Celebration taking place on Sunday, the Haida dancers are going to do the blanket dance and any donations will go to Pagens, said Katherine.
The Pagens are a large and closeknit family and they've been through cancer once with when Katherine's husband got prostate cancer a year ago.
"My husband's mom had co on cancer and it seems like the daughters on my husband's side are the ones getting cancer," she said.
As she sipped from a cup of tea, but unable to finish her sandwich, Pagens said she decided to go through chemotherapy because it couldn't do any worse, although some days she wonders if it's worth it.
She's opted out of radiation this around because she’d rather be close to her family.
"We're thinking if it's not going to do anything and she's away from her children then it's not worth it. She's really between a rock and a hard place," said Katherine.
The Pagens can be reached at 250-624-6973. A trust fund has been established at the Bank of Montreal for Ellen.
Correction:
On Monday June 1, The Daily News ran the following correction to the above story.
CORRECTION
In Friday's paper (May 29, 2009) a story ran about a Prince Rupert woman with cancer. The main names in the story switched around.
Ellen Pages is the mom, her daughter Katherine is the 38 year old woman with cancer.
The Daily News apologizes for the error.
COMMUNITY MEMBER IS ASKING FOR A LITTLE HELP-- Friday's front page featured some background on a local cancer patient, who faced with prospect of an unsuccesful battle against her disease, has but one wish, to take her family on one real holiday. The Daily outlines the road she has travelled so far and how the community can come to her assistance to make her final wish come true (see story below)
The BC Chamber Annual General Meeting may have ended last Saturday May 23rd, but the record of the meetings success didn't get told until the Friday edition. Considered to be a very successful gathering, the local Chamber of Commerce is hopeful that the impressions left on the delegates will be lasting and that Rupert will be considered again for the annual gathering. During the course of the three day event, local chamber members met with those from across the province as well as the invited guest speakers, mixing business with social events.
Among some of the topics that they examined were The province's Recognition and Reconcilliation Act, and how it may impact on Chamber members and their businesses. The changes to the US border crossing procdures in the new era of enhanced security were also discussed, as Chamber members learned more about current changes and what may be coming further down the line.
For the local chamber, the meeting proved to be a valuable way of increasing the Prince Rupert chamber's footprint in the provincial association as well as providing for some positive tourist reports to be carried back home after the generous heaping of local hospitality.
The vision for downtown renewal was revealed this past week, as the consultants hired by the City of Prince Rupert offered up their thoughts in an open house on Tuesday evening. Joaquin Karakas and Tom Becker from Vancouver are working with Prince Rupert City Planner Zeno Krekic to deliver the new development guidelines for the downtown area.
From the Tuesday evening sessions the Daily News provided some of the feedback from local business operators as they offered up their interpretations of where the city should be going with its downtown plans.
.
Jack Payne offered up his belief that the downtown core has been fortunate that the city hasn't had an out-of-town sprawl like other communities. In particular, he pointed towards the recently cancelled Royop shopping mall as something that "would have set the community back", prefering it would seem to concentrate on development in the downtown core.
Glen Saunders, a business owner in Cow Bay observed that there are a good number of businesses in need of repair or painting in the downtown area, or storefronts that are vacant at the moment, and suggested that the city should follow the lead of Nanaimo which a number of years ago provided money for local businesses to paint their buildings. He also believes that one way to dress up the empty storefronts would be to feature displays in the empty windows for those businesses still open in the downtown area.
Interestingly enough, it was a backlash in Cow Bay that contributed to some of that empty storefront space in that part of town. Earlier this year, a move by some Cow Bay merchants forced the School District to alter their plans to locate a school in Cow Bay, forcing the Pacific Coast School to abandon it's plans for space in the Seasport building, instead taking the school and its staff and students into the downton core and the old Hecate Strait space on second Avenue.
The sports section featured a review of a recent trip to Japan by instructors of the local Karate Club, who travelled to Japan where they renewed ties with the senseis of Japan, refining their skills and learning more of the sport of karate.
Total pages in the Friday edition (16)
Front page, headline story:
COMMUNITY MEMBER IS ASKING FOR A LITTLE HELP
Editor's Note:
The recession has caused a lot of worry for many members of Northern communities. People are concerned about the economy, the government, the environment, Title and Rights, employment opportunities and many other important issues.
But sometimes we need to remember what we do have - and what we can do to pull together as a community to help ourselves and our neighbours. When you meet someone like Ellen Pagens, it brings you back to reality with a jolt.
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Friday, May 29, 2009
Page one
It isn’t really asking for a lot.
Ellen Pagens, 38, was re-diagnosed with breast cancer a month and a half ago and learned the cancer has spread into her lung. She's been given six months to live and since learning that decided she would like to do one thing - take her four children and one grandchild on the family's first-ever holiday.
She hasn't set her sights on Disneyland, Hawaii or Europe either. She only wants a van that will fit eight and help to take her family to Edmonton in between chemotherapy treatments some time in the next few months.
"I picked Edmonton because I think there would be something interesting there for all my kids. Their ages range from 21 to 6 years old," she said.
Speaking in her moms home, where she's living these days while she goes through treatments, Pagens said the first time she was diagnosed with cancer she was 33 years old.
There are a lot of things Pagens hasn't done. She's never been to a concert and
on July 24 she hopes to get married. That's the date of both her mom and her sister’s
anniversaries.
After finding a lump under her arm she went to the doctor and discovered that it was cancer and it had started to spread into her lymph nodes. Within a week she had surgery and has been in remission for four or five years.
She underwent chemotherapy in Prince Rupert and radiation treatments in Vancouver She had a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy because she was pretty young.
Wednesday afternoon was going okay - she has her good days and bad. Part of
she wants a second opinion about treatment and she's wondering if her doctor could refer her to a specialist.
“I know the cancer has gone into my lung and I would like more details. There was fluid in there, my chest was really heavy, and the fluid has been drained twice already,” Pagens said. “I’d like to know the way it spread and where it is.”
“The doctor said she could go on a family trip. He also said she’ll start deteriorating as time goes on. We’re thinking if we could all go together it would be great,” said her mom, Katherine Pagens.
Looking pretty tired and very thin, Pagens wears a red bandana. The hair started falling out immediately after the first chemotherapy treatment. A few days ago her mom, sister and dad and four other relatives shaved their heads in support of her.
Her brother Robert would really like to help his sister go on the family trip and is appealing to the community for ideas to help her wish be realized.
At the Urban Haida Graduation Celebration taking place on Sunday, the Haida dancers are going to do the blanket dance and any donations will go to Pagens, said Katherine.
The Pagens are a large and closeknit family and they've been through cancer once with when Katherine's husband got prostate cancer a year ago.
"My husband's mom had co on cancer and it seems like the daughters on my husband's side are the ones getting cancer," she said.
As she sipped from a cup of tea, but unable to finish her sandwich, Pagens said she decided to go through chemotherapy because it couldn't do any worse, although some days she wonders if it's worth it.
She's opted out of radiation this around because she’d rather be close to her family.
"We're thinking if it's not going to do anything and she's away from her children then it's not worth it. She's really between a rock and a hard place," said Katherine.
The Pagens can be reached at 250-624-6973. A trust fund has been established at the Bank of Montreal for Ellen.
Correction:
On Monday June 1, The Daily News ran the following correction to the above story.
CORRECTION
In Friday's paper (May 29, 2009) a story ran about a Prince Rupert woman with cancer. The main names in the story switched around.
Ellen Pages is the mom, her daughter Katherine is the 38 year old woman with cancer.
The Daily News apologizes for the error.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead, Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Election results, referendum results and the taxpayers get restless on the letters pages, part of the Wednesday offerings in the Daily News.
NDP INCUMBENT RIDES AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS-- The re-election of NDP candidate Gary Coons as the MLA for the North coast was the featured item in Wednesday's edition as the paper outlined details of the election night results. From Coon's successful campaign to the disappointment in the Pond camp as well as the excitement for Green candidate Lisa Girbav, Tuesday night's results made for the headline, front page story in the Wednesday paper. (see full article below)
While the candidates were looking over the results of their efforts, the STV initiative was going down to a heavy defeat across the province and on the North coast. 60 percent of the voters chose the first past the post option as opposed to the STV plan, sending the project to the political graveyard for the foreseeable future. (see full story below)
On the letters to the editor page, the local tax increase was the subject of a strong condemnation from local resident Mark Rudderham, who offered up an accusatory finger at the past council and management of the city for today's required tax increases. His prime example was the handling of (or mishandling of) the Sun Wave situation by the city, outlining how it's a process that needs some closure to benefit the city and it's beleaguered taxpayers.
The City council score sheet is also included in the Wednesday paper, outlining the voting trends of the Mayor and council at the most recent council meeting on Monday night.
The Sports page turned it's attention to the Rupert Rapids success in weekend action at the Earl Mah Aquatic Centre
(Total pages in the Wednesday edition page 16)
NDP INCUMBENT RIDES AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
By George T. Baker and Monica Lam-Yorski
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pages one and three
It may not be easy to be a critic but it certainly is a successful role on the North toast.
Last night, the North Coast returned Gary Coons to his seat as the riding's MIA with a resounding victory.
During a provincial election that also returned a B.C.
Liberal government to power, it was apropos that the riding here did much of the same.
What some had called a battle of Titans, or at least two well-known political leaders, it might come as a bit of a surprise that Coons won by such a length.
Coons won with nearly 58 per cent of the vote, Herb Pond took nearly 35 per cent and Lisa Girbav placed third with nearly eight per cent.
For Coons, the lessons from his first term will certainly have an effect over how he represents during his second.
"Over the last four years I've learned a lot. I've learned the ins and outs of working with people and how we need to move forward," said Coons.
It was an election campaign that focused heavily on the economic condition of the riding, where the NDP looked to be fighting an uphill battle against a BC Liberal party that had the ringing endorsements of businessmen around the province.
Coons did not deny that jobs and the economy were factor in this election and said that the key to going forward 0 as it has been since 2004 – has been the Port of Prince Rupert’s expansion plans.
We look at the port and we all have to be onside at the federal level, the regional level and then with the port to push forward with logistic centres as necessary, said Coons.
"I believe that in this position we need to push forward Gordon Campbell and his commitments."
As for B.C. Liberal Herb Pond the night was bittersweet.
After a hard fought campaign, the former two-term mayor remained positive as it became clear that victory was out of reach.
"I think it was an extremely inclusive campaign," said Pond.
I think we brought together new people. New friendships were made. New respect was built among all sorts of people and a strong foundation was built.
"We were building on a strong foundation.
We did not start from scratch. There was a strong B.C. Liberal riding association in place. We have had successes in the past with Bill Belsey and we were building on top of them."
When asked what was next, Pond said he had no idea and that he would take his time in deciding.
"But 1 can tell you that serving the community of Prince Rupert for the last six year has
been incredible."
And if nothing else, the 2009 provincial campaign may have been a coming out of sorts for the Green Party's Lisa Girbav.
While at times publicly observed by both of her challengers as being young and involved, the 19 year-old never showed fear in competing with experienced candidates.
"I expected it to be a lot less work and really easy, but once 1 got into [the campaign] it became something that I had to commit fully to, so once I was put up to it I just gave it my all," said Girbav.
Girbav said Tuesday night's results did not dissuade her at all from continuing on.
"If anything I am more turned on to politics," said Girbav.
But as always, to the victor went the spoils, and this term will belong to Coons whose mandate will surely include dealing with oil and gas development, port development and perhaps a return to critic-ship for BC. Ferries.
But is it easy to be a critic? "It is very difficult to be a critic, actually," said celebratory Coons.
"You get labeled as being negative, but I always felt that I was bringing forth the issues and concerns of not only Prince Rupert but all of my constituents. Being a critic isn't one of the easiest jobs around - it's probably one of the most difficult ones - and I look forward to taking on whatever chores Carole James passes on my way."
BC-STV IS DEAD IN THE WATER
By George T. Baker
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pages 1 and 3
North Coasters rejected the Single Transferable Vote last night by a wide margin.
In vote of 60 per cent against and 40 per cent for, the S1V died on the North Coast as well as elsewhere in the province.
It appears that locals were not impressed with the new voting system that would have increased the size of the riding while giving them more choices of candidates.
It was the second time B.G. voters shot down an attempt to reform the province's electoral system.
The question had been whether they favoured a form of proportional representation or the current first-past the-post system in a provincewide referendum.
Supporters of the single-transferable vote, known as BC-STY, had said it ensures no votes are wasted, but critics charged it reduces MLA accountability.
The issue was first put to a referendum in 2005 after a citizen's assembly on electoral reform chose STY as the system it preferred for the province.
The new voting method needed 60 per cent of the popular vote and more than 50 per cent of the votes in at least 51 of the province's ridings in order to pass.
By the time two-thirds of the polls had reported, STY had met the threshold in just 10 of the province's 85 electoral districts.
The electoral reform was on its way to a far lesser result than in 2005 when STY fell short of the required threshold by three percentage points.
"We're extremely pleased with the results," said Bill Tieleman, a political commentator and spokesman for the group No-STY.
He said people had a much better idea this time around about what voting under STY would look like - including massive ridings with multiple MLAs, stretching from the Interior to the U.S. border.
"It was no longer academic or theoretical," he said.
People were nervous about the system, which is complicated and difficult to explain. 'The single transferable voter proposal is definitely dead as of tonight. That doesn't mean electoral reform is dead in British Columbia, but certainly the STY is."
The campaign this time around was a bit higher energy than 2005, with both sides running ads on television, print and online. Advocates of the system said it would bring a more proportional style of representation.
Critics said it was too complicated a system and would actually lessen accountability for MIAs.
The call for a change to B.C.'s electoral system followed two elections which many felt proved first-past-the-post didn't represent the true will of the people.
In 2001, the New Democrats were reduced to two seats in the 79-seat provincial legislature although they garnered less than 60 per cent the popular vote. And in the 1996 election, the NDP under Glen Clark formed government although they garnered a smaller share of the popular votes than the Liberals.
Neither the Liberals or NDP commented on the system in this election, though the Greens supported it, saying it would give them a better chance at a seat in the legislature.
Under STY, the number of MLAs elected would have stayed the same - 85 - but the number of ridings would have decreased to about 20.
So the number of MIAs elected in each riding would have increased to between two and seven depending on the population of the riding or district.
Had the vote passed, B.C. would have joined handful of other places, including the Republic Ireland, Malta and Tasmania that have adopt the STV system, With a file from Canadian Press
NDP INCUMBENT RIDES AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS-- The re-election of NDP candidate Gary Coons as the MLA for the North coast was the featured item in Wednesday's edition as the paper outlined details of the election night results. From Coon's successful campaign to the disappointment in the Pond camp as well as the excitement for Green candidate Lisa Girbav, Tuesday night's results made for the headline, front page story in the Wednesday paper. (see full article below)
While the candidates were looking over the results of their efforts, the STV initiative was going down to a heavy defeat across the province and on the North coast. 60 percent of the voters chose the first past the post option as opposed to the STV plan, sending the project to the political graveyard for the foreseeable future. (see full story below)
On the letters to the editor page, the local tax increase was the subject of a strong condemnation from local resident Mark Rudderham, who offered up an accusatory finger at the past council and management of the city for today's required tax increases. His prime example was the handling of (or mishandling of) the Sun Wave situation by the city, outlining how it's a process that needs some closure to benefit the city and it's beleaguered taxpayers.
The City council score sheet is also included in the Wednesday paper, outlining the voting trends of the Mayor and council at the most recent council meeting on Monday night.
The Sports page turned it's attention to the Rupert Rapids success in weekend action at the Earl Mah Aquatic Centre
(Total pages in the Wednesday edition page 16)
NDP INCUMBENT RIDES AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
By George T. Baker and Monica Lam-Yorski
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pages one and three
It may not be easy to be a critic but it certainly is a successful role on the North toast.
Last night, the North Coast returned Gary Coons to his seat as the riding's MIA with a resounding victory.
During a provincial election that also returned a B.C.
Liberal government to power, it was apropos that the riding here did much of the same.
What some had called a battle of Titans, or at least two well-known political leaders, it might come as a bit of a surprise that Coons won by such a length.
Coons won with nearly 58 per cent of the vote, Herb Pond took nearly 35 per cent and Lisa Girbav placed third with nearly eight per cent.
For Coons, the lessons from his first term will certainly have an effect over how he represents during his second.
"Over the last four years I've learned a lot. I've learned the ins and outs of working with people and how we need to move forward," said Coons.
It was an election campaign that focused heavily on the economic condition of the riding, where the NDP looked to be fighting an uphill battle against a BC Liberal party that had the ringing endorsements of businessmen around the province.
Coons did not deny that jobs and the economy were factor in this election and said that the key to going forward 0 as it has been since 2004 – has been the Port of Prince Rupert’s expansion plans.
We look at the port and we all have to be onside at the federal level, the regional level and then with the port to push forward with logistic centres as necessary, said Coons.
"I believe that in this position we need to push forward Gordon Campbell and his commitments."
As for B.C. Liberal Herb Pond the night was bittersweet.
After a hard fought campaign, the former two-term mayor remained positive as it became clear that victory was out of reach.
"I think it was an extremely inclusive campaign," said Pond.
I think we brought together new people. New friendships were made. New respect was built among all sorts of people and a strong foundation was built.
"We were building on a strong foundation.
We did not start from scratch. There was a strong B.C. Liberal riding association in place. We have had successes in the past with Bill Belsey and we were building on top of them."
When asked what was next, Pond said he had no idea and that he would take his time in deciding.
"But 1 can tell you that serving the community of Prince Rupert for the last six year has
been incredible."
And if nothing else, the 2009 provincial campaign may have been a coming out of sorts for the Green Party's Lisa Girbav.
While at times publicly observed by both of her challengers as being young and involved, the 19 year-old never showed fear in competing with experienced candidates.
"I expected it to be a lot less work and really easy, but once 1 got into [the campaign] it became something that I had to commit fully to, so once I was put up to it I just gave it my all," said Girbav.
Girbav said Tuesday night's results did not dissuade her at all from continuing on.
"If anything I am more turned on to politics," said Girbav.
But as always, to the victor went the spoils, and this term will belong to Coons whose mandate will surely include dealing with oil and gas development, port development and perhaps a return to critic-ship for BC. Ferries.
But is it easy to be a critic? "It is very difficult to be a critic, actually," said celebratory Coons.
"You get labeled as being negative, but I always felt that I was bringing forth the issues and concerns of not only Prince Rupert but all of my constituents. Being a critic isn't one of the easiest jobs around - it's probably one of the most difficult ones - and I look forward to taking on whatever chores Carole James passes on my way."
BC-STV IS DEAD IN THE WATER
By George T. Baker
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pages 1 and 3
North Coasters rejected the Single Transferable Vote last night by a wide margin.
In vote of 60 per cent against and 40 per cent for, the S1V died on the North Coast as well as elsewhere in the province.
It appears that locals were not impressed with the new voting system that would have increased the size of the riding while giving them more choices of candidates.
It was the second time B.G. voters shot down an attempt to reform the province's electoral system.
The question had been whether they favoured a form of proportional representation or the current first-past the-post system in a provincewide referendum.
Supporters of the single-transferable vote, known as BC-STY, had said it ensures no votes are wasted, but critics charged it reduces MLA accountability.
The issue was first put to a referendum in 2005 after a citizen's assembly on electoral reform chose STY as the system it preferred for the province.
The new voting method needed 60 per cent of the popular vote and more than 50 per cent of the votes in at least 51 of the province's ridings in order to pass.
By the time two-thirds of the polls had reported, STY had met the threshold in just 10 of the province's 85 electoral districts.
The electoral reform was on its way to a far lesser result than in 2005 when STY fell short of the required threshold by three percentage points.
"We're extremely pleased with the results," said Bill Tieleman, a political commentator and spokesman for the group No-STY.
He said people had a much better idea this time around about what voting under STY would look like - including massive ridings with multiple MLAs, stretching from the Interior to the U.S. border.
"It was no longer academic or theoretical," he said.
People were nervous about the system, which is complicated and difficult to explain. 'The single transferable voter proposal is definitely dead as of tonight. That doesn't mean electoral reform is dead in British Columbia, but certainly the STY is."
The campaign this time around was a bit higher energy than 2005, with both sides running ads on television, print and online. Advocates of the system said it would bring a more proportional style of representation.
Critics said it was too complicated a system and would actually lessen accountability for MIAs.
The call for a change to B.C.'s electoral system followed two elections which many felt proved first-past-the-post didn't represent the true will of the people.
In 2001, the New Democrats were reduced to two seats in the 79-seat provincial legislature although they garnered less than 60 per cent the popular vote. And in the 1996 election, the NDP under Glen Clark formed government although they garnered a smaller share of the popular votes than the Liberals.
Neither the Liberals or NDP commented on the system in this election, though the Greens supported it, saying it would give them a better chance at a seat in the legislature.
Under STY, the number of MLAs elected would have stayed the same - 85 - but the number of ridings would have decreased to about 20.
So the number of MIAs elected in each riding would have increased to between two and seven depending on the population of the riding or district.
Had the vote passed, B.C. would have joined handful of other places, including the Republic Ireland, Malta and Tasmania that have adopt the STV system, With a file from Canadian Press
Monday, April 13, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead, Monday, April 13, 2009
The Olympic torch passes through town, the Daily hears word of some CN plans for the Alberta oil patch (however do they get those scoops?) and a local thief learns that quick turnaround is probably the best idea when it comes to stealing jewelry. Some of the featured items in the Monday edition of the paper.
A SNEAK PEEK AT THE 2010 OLYMPIC TORCH--Monday's front page headline story and accompanying photo was a review of last weeks Torch preview at the Rupert Square Shopping Mall. The torch and torch bearer Anthony Wright both were at the Royal Bank, allowing Rupertites to take a look at the still unlit 2010 Olympic Games torch. The torch will return to the city on February 1st of 2010 on its way to Vancouver and the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
The plans from CN Rail to begin shipping oil from the Alberta Tar Sands was the topic of a front page story as well on Monday. As we outlined on the blog in the wee hours of Monday morning, CN's plan includes the use of insulated and heatable rail cars, taking Alberta's oil to shipment points wherever the railroad lines can extend to. In their article the Daily News inquired of the NDP MP for Bulkley Valley-Skeena as to his thoughts on the plan, which in the short term isn't apparently getting a ringing endorsement. With Nathan Cullen, who is also the environment critic for the NDP, suggesting that the onus is on CN to sit down with local communities for consultation on their plans before the rail cars start rolling through the towns of the northern line.
And from the bad boys, bad boys department, news on page two of a less than clever thief who allegedly was in possession of some ill gotten gains from Harris and Wick Jewellers from an early morning break in on Friday. The thirty one year old suspect was arrested in the downtown area with the goods still in his possession a full day later, suggesting that wholesale sales and delivery were not his specialty.
Monday's sports section featured a review of the Saturday Awards show for the Prince Rupert Rampage and a preview of the PRSS Rainmakers soccer season ahead.
Total pages in Monday's paper 12
A SNEAK PEEK AT THE 2010 OLYMPIC TORCH--Monday's front page headline story and accompanying photo was a review of last weeks Torch preview at the Rupert Square Shopping Mall. The torch and torch bearer Anthony Wright both were at the Royal Bank, allowing Rupertites to take a look at the still unlit 2010 Olympic Games torch. The torch will return to the city on February 1st of 2010 on its way to Vancouver and the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
The plans from CN Rail to begin shipping oil from the Alberta Tar Sands was the topic of a front page story as well on Monday. As we outlined on the blog in the wee hours of Monday morning, CN's plan includes the use of insulated and heatable rail cars, taking Alberta's oil to shipment points wherever the railroad lines can extend to. In their article the Daily News inquired of the NDP MP for Bulkley Valley-Skeena as to his thoughts on the plan, which in the short term isn't apparently getting a ringing endorsement. With Nathan Cullen, who is also the environment critic for the NDP, suggesting that the onus is on CN to sit down with local communities for consultation on their plans before the rail cars start rolling through the towns of the northern line.
And from the bad boys, bad boys department, news on page two of a less than clever thief who allegedly was in possession of some ill gotten gains from Harris and Wick Jewellers from an early morning break in on Friday. The thirty one year old suspect was arrested in the downtown area with the goods still in his possession a full day later, suggesting that wholesale sales and delivery were not his specialty.
Monday's sports section featured a review of the Saturday Awards show for the Prince Rupert Rampage and a preview of the PRSS Rainmakers soccer season ahead.
Total pages in Monday's paper 12
Friday, March 20, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead, Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pipeline debates continue, healthy living gets a look over and the quest for more lawyers for rural BC continues, part of the news cycle of the Wednesday edition of the Daily News.
THE DEBATE OVER PROPOSED ENBRIDGE PIPELINE CONTINUES-- The environmental side of the discussion over north coast pipelines was heard on Monday night, as the Daily News provided front page headline coverage to a forum held at Northwest Community College.
The discussion which attracted about thirty residents focused on the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project destined for Kitimat. With all of the nights invited guest speakers rather critical about the project and the potential impact it may have on the environment of the north coast.
Among the crowd of attentive listeners for the night were two of the three candidates for the upcoming provincial election with both MLA Gary Coons and Liberal candidate Herb Pond reported as being attentive to the information being shared.
Elsewhere in Wednesday's paper were some details of the plans of the BC Healthy Living Alliance. As the paper reviewed the proceedings of a forum in Prince Rupert on March 12 hosted by Dawn Hanson of Smithers, who presided over a discussion on such things as income security, early childhood development, housing and food security.
And the ongoing struggle to attract lawyers to the northern regions of the province was explored in a page 2 article, which explored some of the plans of the BC Bar Association to find ways to encourage layers to move to the rural regions of the province.
On the editorial page another in what seems to be a running update on the purpose of the newspaper to our daily lives, this time as reporter Monica Lamb-Yorski provided her point of view on the state of the newspapers and how the local one can reflect local issues.
Total pages in Wednesday's paper (16)
THE DEBATE OVER PROPOSED ENBRIDGE PIPELINE CONTINUES-- The environmental side of the discussion over north coast pipelines was heard on Monday night, as the Daily News provided front page headline coverage to a forum held at Northwest Community College.
The discussion which attracted about thirty residents focused on the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project destined for Kitimat. With all of the nights invited guest speakers rather critical about the project and the potential impact it may have on the environment of the north coast.
Among the crowd of attentive listeners for the night were two of the three candidates for the upcoming provincial election with both MLA Gary Coons and Liberal candidate Herb Pond reported as being attentive to the information being shared.
Elsewhere in Wednesday's paper were some details of the plans of the BC Healthy Living Alliance. As the paper reviewed the proceedings of a forum in Prince Rupert on March 12 hosted by Dawn Hanson of Smithers, who presided over a discussion on such things as income security, early childhood development, housing and food security.
And the ongoing struggle to attract lawyers to the northern regions of the province was explored in a page 2 article, which explored some of the plans of the BC Bar Association to find ways to encourage layers to move to the rural regions of the province.
On the editorial page another in what seems to be a running update on the purpose of the newspaper to our daily lives, this time as reporter Monica Lamb-Yorski provided her point of view on the state of the newspapers and how the local one can reflect local issues.
Total pages in Wednesday's paper (16)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Podunk Below the masthead Friday, March 13, 2009
Questions over the Highway of Tears women continue to haunt Northern BC, rural airports find the Olympics proving to be a problem and corporate sponsorship at SD 52 facilities is up for debate.
GROUPS ARE DEMANDING ANSWERS TO THE HIGHWAY OF TEARS-- The cases haunt communities from Prince Rupert to beyond Prince George and everywhere in between, yet little progress seems to have been made on the many cases of the disappeared and murdered along the highway of Tears.
And with the lack of forward momentum on those cases, a number of British Columbia agencies have banded together to push for more action. Friday's front page headline story in the Daily News outlines the growing call for action across Northern BC, with an open letter deliver to BC Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General John Van Dongen.
The group which includes members of the BC Civil Liberties Association, the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs and the United Native Nations, wants to break the standstill that the investigations seem to have come to on the cases, some of which date back to the 1970's. The Missing Women of the Highway of Tears are linked to the missing of the Downtown Eastside in Vancover, as the group seems to wonder aloud how come other recent high profile disappearances and kidnappings of wealthy British Columbians have been solved, while those at the other end of the social and economic spectrum in the province seem to have just been placed in a file to one day await attention.
Elsewhere on the front page, the Olympics are proving to be anything but a bonus for some of the rural airlines operating in British Columbia, airlines that suddenly will find that they are no longer wanted in Vancouver airspace.
The flights affected are those locations that do not feature security screening such as Masset, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Klemtu and Ahhim Lake, flights departing those locations will be landing instead either in Port Hardy or Abbotsford.
Those flights will be seeking out new landing strips for a two month period surrounding the Olympics. Pacific Coastal which operates flights from those locations has offered up a solution to the Provincial government of landing all flights in Port Hardy for clearance, but thus far have not received any feedback from the government, other than the news that Vancouver is going to be off the flight itinerary come the early months of 2010.
The prospect of sponsorship as a form of fund raising at School District 52 has come up for discussion. With finances tight, the possibility of tapping the corporate sector for added revenue is a tempting one, the debate over how far to go or what is acceptable should prove to be a rather intense one. One item being bounced around is the prospect of corporate logos on sport teams at local schools, perhaps along the lines of European soccer or hockey uniforms.
Another idea is the ongoing discussion on finding a sponsor for the Westview playground to help reduce the cost to the School District for equipment that is required at the west end elementary school.
The topic of corporate sponsorship has been a controversial one in the United States, where at times the corporate nature of the schools has run amok, it will be one of the points up for debate locally we're sure, as the School District mulls over its options.
As we outlined here on the blog back on Wednesday, March 11th, the tyee recently ran a fascinating article on the state of BC Ferries, Friday's Daily News reviews some of those findings from the tyee (and hmm, maybe a few ideas from the blog too eh!, all be it apparently only on background), including the local aspect regarding local hotelier Steve Smith and former Mayor Don Scott, both of whom refute some of the concerns from that Tyee article.
Friday's Letters to the Editor run the table from a call for the restoration of the Lord's Prayer in the schools, to a call for more compassion for the Gay community from the larger community in Prince Rupert.
The Sports page features a look at the local Skate club's success at the provincials and previews the always anticipated year end skating show. As well a preview of the upcoming all Native Junior provincial tournament in Port Alberni next week is provided, featuring a look at the Prince Rupert based Friendship House Cubs.
Total Pages in Friday's Daily News (18)
GROUPS ARE DEMANDING ANSWERS TO THE HIGHWAY OF TEARS-- The cases haunt communities from Prince Rupert to beyond Prince George and everywhere in between, yet little progress seems to have been made on the many cases of the disappeared and murdered along the highway of Tears.
And with the lack of forward momentum on those cases, a number of British Columbia agencies have banded together to push for more action. Friday's front page headline story in the Daily News outlines the growing call for action across Northern BC, with an open letter deliver to BC Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General John Van Dongen.
The group which includes members of the BC Civil Liberties Association, the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs and the United Native Nations, wants to break the standstill that the investigations seem to have come to on the cases, some of which date back to the 1970's. The Missing Women of the Highway of Tears are linked to the missing of the Downtown Eastside in Vancover, as the group seems to wonder aloud how come other recent high profile disappearances and kidnappings of wealthy British Columbians have been solved, while those at the other end of the social and economic spectrum in the province seem to have just been placed in a file to one day await attention.
Elsewhere on the front page, the Olympics are proving to be anything but a bonus for some of the rural airlines operating in British Columbia, airlines that suddenly will find that they are no longer wanted in Vancouver airspace.
The flights affected are those locations that do not feature security screening such as Masset, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Klemtu and Ahhim Lake, flights departing those locations will be landing instead either in Port Hardy or Abbotsford.
Those flights will be seeking out new landing strips for a two month period surrounding the Olympics. Pacific Coastal which operates flights from those locations has offered up a solution to the Provincial government of landing all flights in Port Hardy for clearance, but thus far have not received any feedback from the government, other than the news that Vancouver is going to be off the flight itinerary come the early months of 2010.
The prospect of sponsorship as a form of fund raising at School District 52 has come up for discussion. With finances tight, the possibility of tapping the corporate sector for added revenue is a tempting one, the debate over how far to go or what is acceptable should prove to be a rather intense one. One item being bounced around is the prospect of corporate logos on sport teams at local schools, perhaps along the lines of European soccer or hockey uniforms.
Another idea is the ongoing discussion on finding a sponsor for the Westview playground to help reduce the cost to the School District for equipment that is required at the west end elementary school.
The topic of corporate sponsorship has been a controversial one in the United States, where at times the corporate nature of the schools has run amok, it will be one of the points up for debate locally we're sure, as the School District mulls over its options.
As we outlined here on the blog back on Wednesday, March 11th, the tyee recently ran a fascinating article on the state of BC Ferries, Friday's Daily News reviews some of those findings from the tyee (and hmm, maybe a few ideas from the blog too eh!, all be it apparently only on background), including the local aspect regarding local hotelier Steve Smith and former Mayor Don Scott, both of whom refute some of the concerns from that Tyee article.
Friday's Letters to the Editor run the table from a call for the restoration of the Lord's Prayer in the schools, to a call for more compassion for the Gay community from the larger community in Prince Rupert.
The Sports page features a look at the local Skate club's success at the provincials and previews the always anticipated year end skating show. As well a preview of the upcoming all Native Junior provincial tournament in Port Alberni next week is provided, featuring a look at the Prince Rupert based Friendship House Cubs.
Total Pages in Friday's Daily News (18)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
City Hall Tracker March 9, 2009
Prince Rupert City Council sat down to work again this week, with a number of items on their agenda for consideration, among them the prospect that council may hit the road in April, as they weighed the recommendation that they attend an upcoming Emergency Preparedness Workshop.
They reviewed some resolutions from their closed session, heard a recommendation that a special session of council be set up for June 8th and received presentations from the Northern Medical Program and the Strategic Community Investment Fund.
March 9, 2009
Agenda for Regular City council meeting March 9, 2009
Public Hearing Agenda for March 9, 2009
Notice of closed meeting for March 9, 2009
City council session for March 9, 2009
In attendance:
.
Mayor Jack Mussallem
Councillor Anna Ashley
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne
Councillor Nelson Kinney
Councillor Kathy Bedard
Councillor Gina Garon
Councillor Joy Thorkelson
Regular City council minutes for March 9, 2009
Minutes for the Public hearing of March 9, 2009
Daily News voting summary
Summary from March 11 edition of the Daily News
Attendance at City Hall to date archives
Upcoming events-- City council meeting March 23, 2009
They reviewed some resolutions from their closed session, heard a recommendation that a special session of council be set up for June 8th and received presentations from the Northern Medical Program and the Strategic Community Investment Fund.
March 9, 2009
Agenda for Regular City council meeting March 9, 2009
Public Hearing Agenda for March 9, 2009
Notice of closed meeting for March 9, 2009
City council session for March 9, 2009
In attendance:
.
Mayor Jack Mussallem
Councillor Anna Ashley
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne
Councillor Nelson Kinney
Councillor Kathy Bedard
Councillor Gina Garon
Councillor Joy Thorkelson
Regular City council minutes for March 9, 2009
Minutes for the Public hearing of March 9, 2009
Daily News voting summary
Summary from March 11 edition of the Daily News
Attendance at City Hall to date archives
Upcoming events-- City council meeting March 23, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead, Friday, February 27, 2009
The always emotional topic of wolves in the area, an announcement that the wheels are in motion to work on the steps for the next phase of the Fairview Port development and a ripped from the press release outline of changes for Northern Health provided Friday's main content.
THE WOLVES ARE AT THE DOOR IN PORT EDWARD-- The big black type highlighted the always eye catching story that wolves have once again decided to hang out with the humans. Friday's Daily News outlined some of the concerns that Port Edward residents have as the howling dogs of spring return to the village.
The Port of Prince Rupert announced that the environmental assessment phase of the Fairview Container Port project will go ahead next month, the paper outlining some of the ports thoughts on the expansion issue.
Northern Health's Chief Operating Officer for the Northwest, Marina Ellinson provided the copy and the Daily news provided the forum, as the health official turned into a stringer for the paper with the latest details on how Northern health is working on the Prince Rupert doctor's shortage.
.
George T. Baker offered up an editorial page primer on in camera meetings and the need for transparency in local government, however the lesson plan focused on the tribulations of Vancouver politics, seemingly avoiding the current controversial moments of Prince Rupert City Council's most recent gathering.
Total pages in the Friday edition (18)
THE WOLVES ARE AT THE DOOR IN PORT EDWARD-- The big black type highlighted the always eye catching story that wolves have once again decided to hang out with the humans. Friday's Daily News outlined some of the concerns that Port Edward residents have as the howling dogs of spring return to the village.
The Port of Prince Rupert announced that the environmental assessment phase of the Fairview Container Port project will go ahead next month, the paper outlining some of the ports thoughts on the expansion issue.
Northern Health's Chief Operating Officer for the Northwest, Marina Ellinson provided the copy and the Daily news provided the forum, as the health official turned into a stringer for the paper with the latest details on how Northern health is working on the Prince Rupert doctor's shortage.
.
George T. Baker offered up an editorial page primer on in camera meetings and the need for transparency in local government, however the lesson plan focused on the tribulations of Vancouver politics, seemingly avoiding the current controversial moments of Prince Rupert City Council's most recent gathering.
Total pages in the Friday edition (18)
Podunk Below the Masthead, Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday's Daily News featured a look a the state of the local fire hall, an update on the progress of the new ferry for the North coast and a reminder that the annual Hobiyee is on the horizon.
PRINCE RUPERT'S FIRE HALL NEEDS MORE THAN TLC-- The fate of Prince Rupert's aging fire hall provided the feature for the front page headline story in Tuesday's paper with a review of some of the ailments of the fifty year structure. Missing insulation, improper wiring and a less than reliable heating system are some of the problems that plague the building. It was recently floated by Mayor Jack Mussallem that perhaps an combined emergency services building might be the answer for the city's fire, police and ambulance services.
Elsewhere in the paper was a quick update on the progress of the Northern Expedition, the recently completed ferry for BC Ferries which soon will be operating on the Northern route of the Ferry service. The article featured details of a local couple that had been viewing the progress of the ferry on the Internet as it passed through the Panama Canal.
The reminder for that First Nations will be celebrating Hobiyee 2009 on February 27 and 28 also featured prominently in the Tuesday edition, the celebration brings residents of many First Nations communities in the region, this years event took place in Greenville.
The Sports department recounted the success of the PRSS Jr. Rainmakers who claimed their championship banner on February 21. The paper also reviewed the end of the Minor Hockey Peewee Seawolves season.
Total pages in Tuesday's edition (12)
PRINCE RUPERT'S FIRE HALL NEEDS MORE THAN TLC-- The fate of Prince Rupert's aging fire hall provided the feature for the front page headline story in Tuesday's paper with a review of some of the ailments of the fifty year structure. Missing insulation, improper wiring and a less than reliable heating system are some of the problems that plague the building. It was recently floated by Mayor Jack Mussallem that perhaps an combined emergency services building might be the answer for the city's fire, police and ambulance services.
Elsewhere in the paper was a quick update on the progress of the Northern Expedition, the recently completed ferry for BC Ferries which soon will be operating on the Northern route of the Ferry service. The article featured details of a local couple that had been viewing the progress of the ferry on the Internet as it passed through the Panama Canal.
The reminder for that First Nations will be celebrating Hobiyee 2009 on February 27 and 28 also featured prominently in the Tuesday edition, the celebration brings residents of many First Nations communities in the region, this years event took place in Greenville.
The Sports department recounted the success of the PRSS Jr. Rainmakers who claimed their championship banner on February 21. The paper also reviewed the end of the Minor Hockey Peewee Seawolves season.
Total pages in Tuesday's edition (12)
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