The coming crunch of retirements in law enforcement have police forces from Newfoundland to British Columbia seeking out new recruits.
From the RCMP to municipal forces, the need for interested applicants has developed into a bit of a challenging situation, as the various law enforcement organizations seek out the best of the available pool of interested applicants.
Things are so competitive for recruits, that it seems that some forces are trying some pretty interesting approaches to filling their ranks with potential officers. The CBC has taken a look at the Vancouver police website and the on line test provided on it and found that there really may be no wrong answers when seeking out a chance to jump into the world of law enforcement.
They found that even a 36 year old , out of shape and anti social applicant, might still find that his or her dream is still alive. The CBC found that even by picking the most likely to be wrong answers to the questions provided, upon completion of the test applicants would receive a message that suggests that there is hope for a police career.
"Your responses indicate that you have the potential to be a police officer but may need to strengthen certain areas of your application."
Take the test yourself and see if you have what it takes.
Who know's, with a little luck you could find that you could be on a beat in no time.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Herb’s kind of town…
How we gonna keep our politicians on Kaien island, once they’ve seen Chicago?
It’s a good thing that Prince Rupert’s Mayor Herb Pond once had a background in the airline industry, at least he’ll be able to make the right connections to the various functions that he is busy jetting off to these days.
Just prior to last weeks UBCM bunfest in Vancouver, the Mayor was busy traveling half way across the continent. As Mayor Pond took up his spot as an invited speaker to a convention of the Western Hemisphere's mayors in Chicago.
He presented his thoughts on the challenges facing municipalities in the face of growing globalization, and provided input on how Prince Rupert is preparing to take on the changes that will come with our container port about to begin operation.
The Northern View featured some background information on the Mayor’s visit to Chicago, buried rather deep in the weekly paper, it can be found on page 19 of the October 3rd edition or right below.
POND A SPEAKER AT MAYOR’S MEETING
By Brooke Ward
The Northern View
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Page 19
Prior to joining fellow British Columbian mayors and municipal government leaders in Vancouver for the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference last week Prince Rupert mayor Herb Pond made the trek to Chicago, where he was invited to speak at the Western Hemisphere Mayors Conference on the topic of the effects of globalization.
Surrounded by big city leaders from as far as Rio de Janeiro and Miami and as close as Vancouver, Pond might have been a bit of a country mouse amongst the crowd, but he relished in the chance to talk about many of the issues he believes that Prince Rupert will be and already is facing is facing along with economic and social growth.
“It was just an inspirational time to be talking to world leaders who are facing all kinds of problems and see how they are dealing with some of them. All these big cities were there and so just to get a grasp on how they’re dealing with everything from addressing crime to education, it was a mind-expanding time,” said Pond.
“It was amazing, a real opportunity to talk about the role of globalization, the role of transportation in this different economy.” He added.
Pond also had the opportunity to spend a good chunk of time with Canada’s Constable General in Chicago and took advantage of the occasion to talk business.
“The prime purpose of their office is to facilitate trade, so there was a lot of discussion about how they might assist Prince Rupert and Prince Rupert businesses in terms of doing business down in Chicago and how they might access that market, but conversely about what might be the opportunities for investment in Prince Rupert.
With the majority of container traffic from Fairview terminal destined for Chicago, Pond sees the establishment of these types of links and relationships vitally important.
“Roughly 70 per cent of the containers from the Port of Prince Rupert will be destined for Chicago and another 20 per cent of them will be going beyond Chicago, so it’s a key market for us to reach,” he said.
It’s a good thing that Prince Rupert’s Mayor Herb Pond once had a background in the airline industry, at least he’ll be able to make the right connections to the various functions that he is busy jetting off to these days.
Just prior to last weeks UBCM bunfest in Vancouver, the Mayor was busy traveling half way across the continent. As Mayor Pond took up his spot as an invited speaker to a convention of the Western Hemisphere's mayors in Chicago.
He presented his thoughts on the challenges facing municipalities in the face of growing globalization, and provided input on how Prince Rupert is preparing to take on the changes that will come with our container port about to begin operation.
The Northern View featured some background information on the Mayor’s visit to Chicago, buried rather deep in the weekly paper, it can be found on page 19 of the October 3rd edition or right below.
POND A SPEAKER AT MAYOR’S MEETING
By Brooke Ward
The Northern View
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Page 19
Prior to joining fellow British Columbian mayors and municipal government leaders in Vancouver for the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference last week Prince Rupert mayor Herb Pond made the trek to Chicago, where he was invited to speak at the Western Hemisphere Mayors Conference on the topic of the effects of globalization.
Surrounded by big city leaders from as far as Rio de Janeiro and Miami and as close as Vancouver, Pond might have been a bit of a country mouse amongst the crowd, but he relished in the chance to talk about many of the issues he believes that Prince Rupert will be and already is facing is facing along with economic and social growth.
“It was just an inspirational time to be talking to world leaders who are facing all kinds of problems and see how they are dealing with some of them. All these big cities were there and so just to get a grasp on how they’re dealing with everything from addressing crime to education, it was a mind-expanding time,” said Pond.
“It was amazing, a real opportunity to talk about the role of globalization, the role of transportation in this different economy.” He added.
Pond also had the opportunity to spend a good chunk of time with Canada’s Constable General in Chicago and took advantage of the occasion to talk business.
“The prime purpose of their office is to facilitate trade, so there was a lot of discussion about how they might assist Prince Rupert and Prince Rupert businesses in terms of doing business down in Chicago and how they might access that market, but conversely about what might be the opportunities for investment in Prince Rupert.
With the majority of container traffic from Fairview terminal destined for Chicago, Pond sees the establishment of these types of links and relationships vitally important.
“Roughly 70 per cent of the containers from the Port of Prince Rupert will be destined for Chicago and another 20 per cent of them will be going beyond Chicago, so it’s a key market for us to reach,” he said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
His time in Chicago provided the chance to sit down and discuss items of importance with an impressive list of participants for sure. Yet you wonder if somehow there might not be some local people back here in the other Windy city that might like some of the mayor’s time as well.
Of course with such a hectic schedule it’s no wonder that the Mayor hasn’t responded to the sign in the front window of the Data Boy computer store. It was put up after frustration boiled over regarding a recent vandalism incident at that store. It expresses a sense of disgruntlement when it comes to high taxes, services and ongoing vandalism in the city.
Still prominently in place there after a number of weeks now, it asks for the mayor to drop in for a visit to discuss some of the many issues that the small business community is concerned about. Only less than a block away, there hasn’t been much movement from City Hall for a trip down the street to gauge the pulse of the ever decreasing commercial sector in the city.
While it’s good to represent the city on the provincial and world stage for that matter, our city councilors and Mayor need to remember that in politics everything is, in the end local. There are no votes on election day in Vancouver, Alaska or Chicago, it’s how you are remembered by the folks that wander down to the Civic Centre in November every three (soon to be four) years that will count in the end.
With money miscounted at City Hall, a tax load that is heavier than elsewhere in the province, continuing financial woes and declining infrastructure everywhere, showing some interest in the plight of the locals might be a good idea for now.
They seem to have a few questions of their elected municipal leaders, and judging by some of the feedback around town these days, they’re not getting the answers that they require or deserve.
Did the Quartermaster stand alone?
More details have been released about the ill fated trip of the Queen of the North in March of 2005. And with those details, there is even more intrigue about what really happened in the minutes prior to the sinking of the Queen of the North.
The latest revelation to be made public, was in the form of an addendum to the BC Ferries Divisional inquiry into the incident.
BC Ferries was quick to put out a press release explaining their understanding of the
The suggestion from Wednesday's release, was that contrary to her earlier testimony, the Quartermaster of the Queen of the North, a relatively new person at that particular job, was left alone on the bridge of the ferry as it made its fatal approach to rocks off of Gil Island.
The contradiction was made public after details from two BC Ferries employees stated that they have testified they overheard the ship's quartermaster say she was alone on the bridge at the time of the sinking.
If true, it would be a major violation of BC Ferry procedures and an unconscionable error in judgement by those working on the bridge on March 22nd. An error that led to a tragic loss of life and a near disaster of historical proportions.
It also highlights the need to have a full and public accounting of the events of that night, there are still far too many unanswered questions that the residents of British Columbia should receive answers for. Two years after the sinking, we still don't have a clear understanding of what happened, hopefully soon, there will be a definitive answer to the questions and a reassurance that something like this will never happen again.
Quartermaster alone on bridge of ill-fated ferry, inquiry told
2 employees testified officer said she was alone when Queen of the North sank
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 5:04 PM ET
CBC News
Two people told BC Ferries they overheard the quartermaster saying she was the only officer on the bridge of the Queen of the North when the ferry sank in 2006 — contradicting her earlier testimony that she was not alone.
The ferry struck Gil Island off the West Coast and sank on March 22, 2006, killing two people. The inquiry examining the sinking released a statement Wednesday morning saying it had published an addendum to its original report, released on March 26, 2007, because new information had come to light.
According to the statement, since the original report was published, two BC Ferries employees have testified they overheard the ship's quartermaster say she was alone on the bridge at the time of the sinking.
"I saw [the quartermaster] on the deck near the lifeboats where we were both assisting. Just prior to us both getting into one of the rafts [the quartermaster] said: 'It is not my fault, it was not my fault, I was left alone,'" one of the employees told the inquiry.
"When we watched the Queen of the North disappear under the water, I heard [the quartermaster] say again: 'It was not my fault' and repeat it."
The second employee testified: "Once our raft was away, it started to drift towards the stern of the vessel.… At that time, I heard [the quartermaster] say, 'It's not my fault, I was alone, I was alone.'"
The inquiry panel was reconvened as a result of the new information. The addendum concludes:
"The divisional inquiry panel (with one dissent) finds these declarations to be credible. The quartermaster has denied that she was left alone on the bridge and the fourth officer has refused to provide evidence to the divisional inquiry panel regarding the period of approximately 14 minutes prior to the grounding."
However, it stops short of concluding that the testimony proves the quartermaster was alone on the bridge at the time of the sinking.
The ferry corporation also said the new evidence does not change the inquiry's original finding that the deck watch on the Queen of the North failed to keep a proper lookout.
The latest revelation to be made public, was in the form of an addendum to the BC Ferries Divisional inquiry into the incident.
BC Ferries was quick to put out a press release explaining their understanding of the
The suggestion from Wednesday's release, was that contrary to her earlier testimony, the Quartermaster of the Queen of the North, a relatively new person at that particular job, was left alone on the bridge of the ferry as it made its fatal approach to rocks off of Gil Island.
The contradiction was made public after details from two BC Ferries employees stated that they have testified they overheard the ship's quartermaster say she was alone on the bridge at the time of the sinking.
If true, it would be a major violation of BC Ferry procedures and an unconscionable error in judgement by those working on the bridge on March 22nd. An error that led to a tragic loss of life and a near disaster of historical proportions.
It also highlights the need to have a full and public accounting of the events of that night, there are still far too many unanswered questions that the residents of British Columbia should receive answers for. Two years after the sinking, we still don't have a clear understanding of what happened, hopefully soon, there will be a definitive answer to the questions and a reassurance that something like this will never happen again.
Quartermaster alone on bridge of ill-fated ferry, inquiry told
2 employees testified officer said she was alone when Queen of the North sank
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 5:04 PM ET
CBC News
Two people told BC Ferries they overheard the quartermaster saying she was the only officer on the bridge of the Queen of the North when the ferry sank in 2006 — contradicting her earlier testimony that she was not alone.
The ferry struck Gil Island off the West Coast and sank on March 22, 2006, killing two people. The inquiry examining the sinking released a statement Wednesday morning saying it had published an addendum to its original report, released on March 26, 2007, because new information had come to light.
According to the statement, since the original report was published, two BC Ferries employees have testified they overheard the ship's quartermaster say she was alone on the bridge at the time of the sinking.
"I saw [the quartermaster] on the deck near the lifeboats where we were both assisting. Just prior to us both getting into one of the rafts [the quartermaster] said: 'It is not my fault, it was not my fault, I was left alone,'" one of the employees told the inquiry.
"When we watched the Queen of the North disappear under the water, I heard [the quartermaster] say again: 'It was not my fault' and repeat it."
The second employee testified: "Once our raft was away, it started to drift towards the stern of the vessel.… At that time, I heard [the quartermaster] say, 'It's not my fault, I was alone, I was alone.'"
The inquiry panel was reconvened as a result of the new information. The addendum concludes:
"The divisional inquiry panel (with one dissent) finds these declarations to be credible. The quartermaster has denied that she was left alone on the bridge and the fourth officer has refused to provide evidence to the divisional inquiry panel regarding the period of approximately 14 minutes prior to the grounding."
However, it stops short of concluding that the testimony proves the quartermaster was alone on the bridge at the time of the sinking.
The ferry corporation also said the new evidence does not change the inquiry's original finding that the deck watch on the Queen of the North failed to keep a proper lookout.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
It’s closing time….
October it seems is going to be the cruelest month yet for retail operations in Prince Rupert.
While there is a renewed sense of excitement with the advent of the Container Terminal, it seems to not be enough to keep a number of Prince Rupert retail stores open for business.
Early September saw Coles Books in the Rupert Square pack up their volumes and leave town, having ended their experiment in book selling just months before the traditionally busiest time of the year for book stores.
Last month, word quickly spread that Creative Computer Systems was about to shut its doors, the closing out signs on the windows and doors testimony to the end of the Computer store on 3rd Avenue West.
But Creative is going to have some company in the farewell to business rush.
A quick scan of the Daily News on Wednesday provides no fewer than three announcements of Rupert businesses about to close up.
The Cow Bay area will take a double hit as both Just Us Gifts on Cow Bay Road and Ocean Girl on 3rd Avenue East hold closing out sales in preparation for wrapping up their operations.
Further down the road to the west Rupert Motor Cars has called it a day, an ad in Wednesday’s paper advising patrons and friends that the long rumored closure of the auto repair centre was at hand. October 1st was the official end of business for the long time fixture in the downtown core.
And while Kal Tire recently set up shop in the Yellowhead centre, they seem to be the exception to the rule of late.
.
There still seems to be a rather significant downsizing trend for small business in the city, one which adds to the list of small local businesses that have decided that they can’t make a go of it anymore.
It would be interesting to learn what led each individual operation to make their decisions, some may just be personal reasons, others perhaps could be symptoms of a problem in the way the city handles the small business files.
The rumor mill has a few more possibilities on the verge of following the same path, surely a worrisome trend for Prince Rupert City Council, which gains a fair amount of tax revenue from the small business sector.
In fact, there has been a backlash of late about the city’s tax rates for commercial properties and the various policies regarding alarm call out charges and licensing fees to name a few.
The big threat had always been perceived to be the arrival of the Big Box stores as promised in the much delayed Shopping Village on Highway 16. But even without that competition it seems that the attrition rate for local businesses is quite high.
Those that are trying to stay alive in the commercial sector must be wondering if city hall is listening to their concerns; and will offer some relief or suggestions on how to improve the hurdles that they face. Otherwise there may be a few more stores that will soon be taking out the Closing Out ads in the local newspapers.
While there is a renewed sense of excitement with the advent of the Container Terminal, it seems to not be enough to keep a number of Prince Rupert retail stores open for business.
Early September saw Coles Books in the Rupert Square pack up their volumes and leave town, having ended their experiment in book selling just months before the traditionally busiest time of the year for book stores.
Last month, word quickly spread that Creative Computer Systems was about to shut its doors, the closing out signs on the windows and doors testimony to the end of the Computer store on 3rd Avenue West.
But Creative is going to have some company in the farewell to business rush.
A quick scan of the Daily News on Wednesday provides no fewer than three announcements of Rupert businesses about to close up.
The Cow Bay area will take a double hit as both Just Us Gifts on Cow Bay Road and Ocean Girl on 3rd Avenue East hold closing out sales in preparation for wrapping up their operations.
Further down the road to the west Rupert Motor Cars has called it a day, an ad in Wednesday’s paper advising patrons and friends that the long rumored closure of the auto repair centre was at hand. October 1st was the official end of business for the long time fixture in the downtown core.
And while Kal Tire recently set up shop in the Yellowhead centre, they seem to be the exception to the rule of late.
.
There still seems to be a rather significant downsizing trend for small business in the city, one which adds to the list of small local businesses that have decided that they can’t make a go of it anymore.
It would be interesting to learn what led each individual operation to make their decisions, some may just be personal reasons, others perhaps could be symptoms of a problem in the way the city handles the small business files.
The rumor mill has a few more possibilities on the verge of following the same path, surely a worrisome trend for Prince Rupert City Council, which gains a fair amount of tax revenue from the small business sector.
In fact, there has been a backlash of late about the city’s tax rates for commercial properties and the various policies regarding alarm call out charges and licensing fees to name a few.
The big threat had always been perceived to be the arrival of the Big Box stores as promised in the much delayed Shopping Village on Highway 16. But even without that competition it seems that the attrition rate for local businesses is quite high.
Those that are trying to stay alive in the commercial sector must be wondering if city hall is listening to their concerns; and will offer some relief or suggestions on how to improve the hurdles that they face. Otherwise there may be a few more stores that will soon be taking out the Closing Out ads in the local newspapers.
Rupert’s long time first lady passes away at age 83
Mary Agnes Lester, a long time fixture in the Prince Rupert social scene has passed away after a lengthy illness. The spouse of long time Prince Rupert Mayor Peter Lester was a well known and much beloved resident of the city that her husband governed through most of the last half of the last century.
She was predeceased by her husband, former Mayor Peter Lester who passed away last summer.
Mary Lester arrived in Prince Rupert with her then new husband in the late 1940’s and was best known for her love of the Arts, her numerous volunteer activities and dedication and zeal for the performing arts. A sense of Civic service that was best recognized by the renaming of the Performing Arts Centre, now known as the Lester Centre for the Arts.
She was predeceased by her husband, former Mayor Peter Lester who passed away last summer.
Mary Lester arrived in Prince Rupert with her then new husband in the late 1940’s and was best known for her love of the Arts, her numerous volunteer activities and dedication and zeal for the performing arts. A sense of Civic service that was best recognized by the renaming of the Performing Arts Centre, now known as the Lester Centre for the Arts.
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The Prince Rupert website e-Prince Rupert posted this biography of both of the Lesters back in July of 2006.
Her obituary in the Wednesday Daily News recounts a full life, one which touched a good number of Rupertites through the years. They will have the opportunity to join her family on Friday as they celebrate her life lived at the Crest Hotel at 4pm. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made in her memory to the Lester Centre of the Arts, c/o City Hall, 424 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1L7.
MARY AGNES LESTER
Mary Lester, after a lengthy illness, passed away peacefully in her own home on September 30th, 2007.
Mary was born on January 3rd, 1924 in London, England and married Peter Lester in 1944 and shortly thereafter moved to Prince Rupert. Although she continued to miss her birthplace, Mary quickly adapted to her new community.
Through the years, Mary made many friends and became well known around town for her quick laugh and easy charm. Mary was also very active in all aspects of the arts. From her love of theatre to her numerous volunteer activities, Mary never failed to please her audience. Above all, Mary was devoted to her family. A family who loved her so very dearly in return, and will continue to miss their “Boma” every single day…
Her obituary in the Wednesday Daily News recounts a full life, one which touched a good number of Rupertites through the years. They will have the opportunity to join her family on Friday as they celebrate her life lived at the Crest Hotel at 4pm. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made in her memory to the Lester Centre of the Arts, c/o City Hall, 424 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1L7.
MARY AGNES LESTER
Mary Lester, after a lengthy illness, passed away peacefully in her own home on September 30th, 2007.
Mary was born on January 3rd, 1924 in London, England and married Peter Lester in 1944 and shortly thereafter moved to Prince Rupert. Although she continued to miss her birthplace, Mary quickly adapted to her new community.
Through the years, Mary made many friends and became well known around town for her quick laugh and easy charm. Mary was also very active in all aspects of the arts. From her love of theatre to her numerous volunteer activities, Mary never failed to please her audience. Above all, Mary was devoted to her family. A family who loved her so very dearly in return, and will continue to miss their “Boma” every single day…
Bad dogs, Bad dogs, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you!
Muzzles, fences and chains, all could be the secret to good neighbourliness, better still just moving out seems to be just fine as well.
A Fourth Avenue West neighbourhood is about to be rid of a major annoyance, but it would appear that somewhere else in Podunk trouble is about to arrive.
Wednesday's Daily News featured a story on a neighbourhood group that had become fed up with a neighbours pit bulls, two dogs that apparently were leaving the 4th West area in a fair amount of terror.
A public protest took place outside of the dog owners house, complete with signs, angry words and concerns for neighbourhood safety.
The protest took place after local residents had grown weary of inaction by the city and RCMP over their complaints about the dogs and their owner, their concerns have led to questions about the city's dangerous dog policies and whether enforcement issues need to be looked at with situations such as the one that became quite public on Wednesday.
For the Fourth Avenue West residents the days of fear are about to end, the owner of the two pit bulls, who currently has them boarding at the SPCA says that he's about to move to a new house, which will no doubt be greeted with relief by the folks of Fourth Avenue.
But somewhere else in the city, neighbours are keeping an eye on the street, wondering if that rental home, or just off the market residence is about to change their day to day routines forever.
Neighbours protest over alleged dangerous pitbulls
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Page one
After trying to get help from both the RCMP and the city of Prince Rupert, residents of Fourth Avenue West decided to take matters into their own hands Monday night, and organized a protest about alleged dangerous dogs in their neighbourhood.
The Fourth Avenue West residents claim that a resident on their street is harbouring vicious pitbulls and many neighbours say they feel threatened and scared.
"We've been living in fear for a long time," said Dave Fisher, one of the residents who organized the protest.
"This has been going on for a while.
"As neighbours and people who live in Rupert, we want our neighbourhood cleaned up. We want a bylaw that will stop this sort of action."
The residents gathered for 30 minutes with signs announcing their concerns. During the relatively peaceful protest, the resident in question arrived at the home in a taxi-cab, and addressed the crowd.
"I have rights as a resident of Prince Rupert," he said. "And there are dogs off the leash here up and down this street.
"I apologize for the dogs getting out when they did ... they ran out when I was bringing in the groceries."
That alleged incident is what inspired the protest.
The two pitbulls got out of the house, and allegedly rushed Fisher's residence, apparently trying to get their jaws on his dog. A makeshift fence boarding his patio kept the pitbulls at bay, said Fisher.
But the protesters were not satisfied with the resident's apology.
"That's not good enough," said one woman. "We don't want you here.
"We don't want drug dealers or vicious dogs here."
Tempers flared at this moment, as the resident once again reiterated that he has rights.
He did add, however, that the two pitbulls in question were being housed at the local SPCA until he finds a new place to live.
"They'll be at the SPCA until I move at the end of the month."
But that answer wasn't good enough for the protesters either.
"They haven't been surrendered?" asked one protester. "Then that's not good enough. They need to be put down."
The owner of the alleged dangerous dogs departed the scene in a taxi, leaving the protesters to fume that too little was being done and moving to a new address would not solve the problem, but only move it to a different part of the city.
"A first responder coming in to any situation such as this with dogs that are dangerous dogs, as these are, would find themselves in a great deal of trouble, because these dogs will attack," said Fisher. "They're silent killers. What we are trying to do is not only clean up our neighbourhood, but look out for the welfare of Prince Rupert. So it's not just a neighbourhood problem on Fourth Avenue, but it's a problem going throughout Prince Rupert. We're tired of being hostages in our own neighbourhood."
The residents have tried to get the city to change its bylaw regarding dangerous animals, and have also attempted to get the RCMP involved, but to date, nothing has been done.
Another resident who recently moved to the area said he has been able to watch what goes on at the residence in question, and said it's only a matter of time before the pitbulls harm someone.
"The kids never play on this part of the street anymore," he said, asking to remain unnamed.
"You can't actually have a beer or anything in your backyard, without the dogs attacking."
Fisher described the fence that keeps the pitbulls at bay as "not good enough," and said he has had to make alterations to the fence to ensure the pitbulls don't break through.
"When we're in our backyard, we're looking over our shoulder every day," he said. "These dogs have actually ripped a hole in my commercial chain-link fence, and they've gotten out a number of times."
"When they've gotten out, they've also attacked a number of people. They have not bitten anybody yet, but that will happen.
A Fourth Avenue West neighbourhood is about to be rid of a major annoyance, but it would appear that somewhere else in Podunk trouble is about to arrive.
Wednesday's Daily News featured a story on a neighbourhood group that had become fed up with a neighbours pit bulls, two dogs that apparently were leaving the 4th West area in a fair amount of terror.
A public protest took place outside of the dog owners house, complete with signs, angry words and concerns for neighbourhood safety.
The protest took place after local residents had grown weary of inaction by the city and RCMP over their complaints about the dogs and their owner, their concerns have led to questions about the city's dangerous dog policies and whether enforcement issues need to be looked at with situations such as the one that became quite public on Wednesday.
For the Fourth Avenue West residents the days of fear are about to end, the owner of the two pit bulls, who currently has them boarding at the SPCA says that he's about to move to a new house, which will no doubt be greeted with relief by the folks of Fourth Avenue.
But somewhere else in the city, neighbours are keeping an eye on the street, wondering if that rental home, or just off the market residence is about to change their day to day routines forever.
Neighbours protest over alleged dangerous pitbulls
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Page one
After trying to get help from both the RCMP and the city of Prince Rupert, residents of Fourth Avenue West decided to take matters into their own hands Monday night, and organized a protest about alleged dangerous dogs in their neighbourhood.
The Fourth Avenue West residents claim that a resident on their street is harbouring vicious pitbulls and many neighbours say they feel threatened and scared.
"We've been living in fear for a long time," said Dave Fisher, one of the residents who organized the protest.
"This has been going on for a while.
"As neighbours and people who live in Rupert, we want our neighbourhood cleaned up. We want a bylaw that will stop this sort of action."
The residents gathered for 30 minutes with signs announcing their concerns. During the relatively peaceful protest, the resident in question arrived at the home in a taxi-cab, and addressed the crowd.
"I have rights as a resident of Prince Rupert," he said. "And there are dogs off the leash here up and down this street.
"I apologize for the dogs getting out when they did ... they ran out when I was bringing in the groceries."
That alleged incident is what inspired the protest.
The two pitbulls got out of the house, and allegedly rushed Fisher's residence, apparently trying to get their jaws on his dog. A makeshift fence boarding his patio kept the pitbulls at bay, said Fisher.
But the protesters were not satisfied with the resident's apology.
"That's not good enough," said one woman. "We don't want you here.
"We don't want drug dealers or vicious dogs here."
Tempers flared at this moment, as the resident once again reiterated that he has rights.
He did add, however, that the two pitbulls in question were being housed at the local SPCA until he finds a new place to live.
"They'll be at the SPCA until I move at the end of the month."
But that answer wasn't good enough for the protesters either.
"They haven't been surrendered?" asked one protester. "Then that's not good enough. They need to be put down."
The owner of the alleged dangerous dogs departed the scene in a taxi, leaving the protesters to fume that too little was being done and moving to a new address would not solve the problem, but only move it to a different part of the city.
"A first responder coming in to any situation such as this with dogs that are dangerous dogs, as these are, would find themselves in a great deal of trouble, because these dogs will attack," said Fisher. "They're silent killers. What we are trying to do is not only clean up our neighbourhood, but look out for the welfare of Prince Rupert. So it's not just a neighbourhood problem on Fourth Avenue, but it's a problem going throughout Prince Rupert. We're tired of being hostages in our own neighbourhood."
The residents have tried to get the city to change its bylaw regarding dangerous animals, and have also attempted to get the RCMP involved, but to date, nothing has been done.
Another resident who recently moved to the area said he has been able to watch what goes on at the residence in question, and said it's only a matter of time before the pitbulls harm someone.
"The kids never play on this part of the street anymore," he said, asking to remain unnamed.
"You can't actually have a beer or anything in your backyard, without the dogs attacking."
Fisher described the fence that keeps the pitbulls at bay as "not good enough," and said he has had to make alterations to the fence to ensure the pitbulls don't break through.
"When we're in our backyard, we're looking over our shoulder every day," he said. "These dogs have actually ripped a hole in my commercial chain-link fence, and they've gotten out a number of times."
"When they've gotten out, they've also attacked a number of people. They have not bitten anybody yet, but that will happen.
Electrification plans for Highway 37 being well received
The MLA for the North Coast has offered up his cautious support for the provincial government's plans to add a hydro corridor north from Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake.
Gary Coons was responding to last weeks announcement of a major development along the Highway 37 corridor that will bring an industrial level hydro development into the largely undeveloped areas north of Terrace and Stewart.
Coons, while applauding the plan to build a 287 kilovolt line northwards, still cautions the government to include the Tahltan nation in the plans. Coons wants to make sure that the line that is travelling through their territory will bring benefits to their people as well as industrial development for the province.
He outlined his thoughts in a front page story on the project in Wednesday's Daily News.
MLA LAUDS PROVINCE FOR POWER PROJECT, URGES CARE
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Pages one and three
North Coast MLA Gary Coons said he is pleased with the provincial government decision to proceed with the Northwest Transmission Line from Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake.
"It will definitely open up the region and be a catalyst of economic opportunity. Many have pushed for this to happen and it is great news," said Coons.
On Monday, Premier Gordon Campbell announced the province has entered into an agreement with NovaGold and Tech Cominco to install a $400-million transmission line into Northwestern B.C.
"This will have an immediate impact on future planning and infrastructure necessities as it relates to transportation, healthcare, and the social impacts that accompany any huge regional development," said Coons.
The British Columbia Transmission Corporation will now undertake the environmental assessment, permitting and community and First Nation consultation to proceed with the project.
NovaGold will be picking up $158 million of the capital cost. The province will pay for the rest.
Coons said the project will be taking place in Tahltan traditional territory.
"We must realize that there may be concerns among Tahltan residents who have already waved red flags over the pace and scope of development in the region if a 287 kilovolt line goes through," said Coons.
While NovaGold has struck a development agreement with the Tahltan for the Galore Creek project, the community is concerned about a rapid flood of projects that will follow the arrival of 138 Kv line, which is scheduled to be in production in 2012.
"The Tahltan, who are wary of the social and economic impact of a line, have argued a land-use plan for the area is essential prior to increasing any line beyond their agreement with NovaGold," said Coons.
Mike Farnsworth, chair of the First Nations and Community Relations Committee with the B.C. and Yukon Chamber of Mines recently noted that "effective consultation and accommodation which respect cultural and heritage issues for traditional territories" must take place.
Coons agreed, adding that the Tahltan First Nation have already identified areas of concern and areas of mutual interest following the principles developed by the Tahltan Symposium on Mining and outlined in the document Out of Respect - The Tahltan, Mining and the Seven Questions to Sustainability.
"We need long-term sustainable development that meets the test of social conscience. This is best, both for the province, for industry and for those that live on the land," he said.
Gary Coons was responding to last weeks announcement of a major development along the Highway 37 corridor that will bring an industrial level hydro development into the largely undeveloped areas north of Terrace and Stewart.
Coons, while applauding the plan to build a 287 kilovolt line northwards, still cautions the government to include the Tahltan nation in the plans. Coons wants to make sure that the line that is travelling through their territory will bring benefits to their people as well as industrial development for the province.
He outlined his thoughts in a front page story on the project in Wednesday's Daily News.
MLA LAUDS PROVINCE FOR POWER PROJECT, URGES CARE
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Pages one and three
North Coast MLA Gary Coons said he is pleased with the provincial government decision to proceed with the Northwest Transmission Line from Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake.
"It will definitely open up the region and be a catalyst of economic opportunity. Many have pushed for this to happen and it is great news," said Coons.
On Monday, Premier Gordon Campbell announced the province has entered into an agreement with NovaGold and Tech Cominco to install a $400-million transmission line into Northwestern B.C.
"This will have an immediate impact on future planning and infrastructure necessities as it relates to transportation, healthcare, and the social impacts that accompany any huge regional development," said Coons.
The British Columbia Transmission Corporation will now undertake the environmental assessment, permitting and community and First Nation consultation to proceed with the project.
NovaGold will be picking up $158 million of the capital cost. The province will pay for the rest.
Coons said the project will be taking place in Tahltan traditional territory.
"We must realize that there may be concerns among Tahltan residents who have already waved red flags over the pace and scope of development in the region if a 287 kilovolt line goes through," said Coons.
While NovaGold has struck a development agreement with the Tahltan for the Galore Creek project, the community is concerned about a rapid flood of projects that will follow the arrival of 138 Kv line, which is scheduled to be in production in 2012.
"The Tahltan, who are wary of the social and economic impact of a line, have argued a land-use plan for the area is essential prior to increasing any line beyond their agreement with NovaGold," said Coons.
Mike Farnsworth, chair of the First Nations and Community Relations Committee with the B.C. and Yukon Chamber of Mines recently noted that "effective consultation and accommodation which respect cultural and heritage issues for traditional territories" must take place.
Coons agreed, adding that the Tahltan First Nation have already identified areas of concern and areas of mutual interest following the principles developed by the Tahltan Symposium on Mining and outlined in the document Out of Respect - The Tahltan, Mining and the Seven Questions to Sustainability.
"We need long-term sustainable development that meets the test of social conscience. This is best, both for the province, for industry and for those that live on the land," he said.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Powering up the Highway 37 North corridor
The Province has given the go ahead to an ambitious project to bring electricity north from Terrace along Highway 37 to Bob Quinn Lake. Premier Gordon Campbell announced the particulars on Monday, detaling how the 400 million dollar project known as the Northwestern Transmission Line, is expected to open up the Northwest to economic development.
The project is one of the controversial public-private projects that sees private enterprise share in the costs and developments of what once were purely publicly funded projects.
The planned 335 kilometre, 287-kilovolt line has been described as an economic catalyst for the region and will be of particular use to the number of mining interests in the region.
With its arrival however, could come controversy as a number of provincial critics and local area residents have expressed concern at the scope and pace of development in one of the great untapped regions of the province.
Before the project goes ahead it will have to follow the usual routine of hearings, consultations and assessments. It is a process that will most likely feature more than a few submissions questioning the need and scope of the project in the Northwest.
The Daily News featured the announcement on the front page of Tuesday’s paper.
NEW POWER CORRIDOR SET TO FIRE UP THE NORTH, CAMPBELL
Remote communities will be connected to grid and opportunity
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Pages one and three
Premier Gordon Campbell has given the green light to a half-billion dollar project that will see remote communities in Northwestern B. C. connected to the electrical grid by 2009.
Speaking from Vancouver, Campbell said the $400 million dollar Northwestern Transmission Line (NTL) will extend the British Columbia Transmission Corporation’s electrical grid from the Skeena substation near Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake and will open the Northwest to economic development.
“The electrification of the Northwest region will benefit all British Columbians by building new infrastructure that will improve access to clean, green electricity sources,” said Campbell.
“Designed as a form of public-private partnership, the Northwest Transmission Line will not only stimulate job creation but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving access to renewable resources and decreasing reliance on diesel-electric power generation for industry and communities,” he explained.
The NTL project is a partnership between NovaGold, which is developing the Galore Creek copper, gold and silver mine 150 kilometres northwest of Stewart, and the province, through the British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC.)
Galore Creek is contributing $158 million to the project. The balance, $242 million, will be paid by BC Hydro and recovered through rates.
The new 287 kilovolt line will extend 335 km from Terrace to Meziadin Junction and north to Bob Quinn Lake and will allow NovaGold to operate its mine once the transmission line is up and running.
“The Galore Creek Partnership sees the high-capacity transmission line as very positive for the communities of Northwest B. C. and for the Galore Creek mine,” said Doug Brown, president of the Galore Creek Mining Corporation.
“NovaGold and Teck Cominco are pleased to be able to support the development of infrastructure that encourages long-term use of clean, renewable energy sources.”
The Galore Creek mine has the potential to create more than 1,000 construction jobs and 500 full time jobs.
The electrification of Highway 37 as the route is known, has long been on the radar of mining companies operating in British Columbia.
However, the new line also opens opportunities for independent power producers and brings the province one step closer to connecting with the Alaskan electrical grid, which is currently isolated from the Lower 48.
“This kind of capital investment delivers on an Energy Plan commitment to deliver reliable, clean power to meet our province’s growing demand,” said Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “The Northwest Transmission Line reflects sound transmission planning and shows this government is looking ahead to find long-term opportunities.”
Building the NTL project will depend on an environmental assessment, permitting and First Nations consultation. Community and First Nations engagement has begun through a process of consultation and information exchange. Future public and stakeholder engagement will include meetings, public open houses and information sessions by BCTC.
At this time, BC Hydro has two 25 kilovolt single-phase distribution lines at Meziadin that go south about 30 km to pick up some small individual loads and two 25 kilovolt single-phase distribution lines at Aiyansh that go west to the coast to supply the Kinkolith band (approximately 75 km) and northwest to Nass Camp (11 km).
The new line will be owned by BC Hydro and operated by BCTC as part of BC Hydro’s transmission system. BCTC will be responsible for planning this transmission project, ensuring appropriate approvals and permits are received, and contracting for the project’s construction. BCTC is scheduled to deliver power to the Bob Quinn substation by October 2009, with full project completion by fall 2011.
Prince Rupert real estate sales up 42% from last year
The rebound in the Prince Rupert realty market continues, as figures from the Northern B. C. Real Estate board show that real estate transactions have increased by 42.7% in the first nine months of 2007, compared to last year.
Using information culled from real estate brokers, the numbers don't include any private sales of properties in any of the communities in the Northern B. C. Real Estate Board's territory.
For those sellers and buyers that used a real estate agent however, it's been a busy nine months in many locations, with Prince Rupert particularly busy in 2007.
201 properties have been transferred to new owners through the MLS system in Prince Rupert so far this year. Of the 147 single family homes that have been sold this year, half of them went for less than 150,000 dollars.
Apartment buildings, duplexes and town homes proved to be a popular choice for buyers in the last nine months as well.
By the end of September, there were 163 properties on the market, down by 9 from this time last year.
Terrace remained the hot spot in the Northwest, with 336 properties accounting for total sales of 52.6 million dollars in the first nine months of 2007, it marks an increase of 34 properties sold from this time last year.
Kitimat showed modest growth from last year, with 151 properties sold on the market with a median price of 120,000, as of the end of September Kitimat had 58 properties on the market.
The full Northern BC story can be found on the Opinion 250 website, which posted a story on the real estate board figures.
NORTHWEST
Prince Rupert: 201 properties of all types have changed hands through the MLS® in the Prince Rupert area in the first 9 months of this year. These properties have a total value of $35.9 million – up 42.7% over the first 9 months of 2006. Half of the 147 single family homes sold so far this year sold for less than $150,000. 9 apartment units, 3 half duplexes and four townhouses have sold this year. At month end there were 163 properties in all categories on the market compared to 172 on September 30th, 2006.
Terrace: Sales through the MLS® are ahead of last year with 336 properties of all types selling so far this year compared to 298 by September 30th, 2006. These properties have a value of $52.6 million – a 32.3% increase over last year’s $39.7 million in sales. 184 single family homes and 24 homes on acreage have changed hands this year. 31 parcels of vacant land have sold this year compared to 33 parcels in 2006. As of September 30th there were 219 properties of all types available for sale in the Terrace area.
Kitimat: There have been 151 properties of all types sold by REALTORS® in the Kitimat area this year with a total value $19.4 million –up from last year’s 149 properties worth $16.9 million. The median price of the 101 family homes sold to date was $120,000. There were 58 properties of all types on the market at month end.
Is General Hillier set for the High jump?
When February rolls around in 2008, one person apparently soon to be left off of the Prime Ministers Valentines list will be the Chief of Defence staff, General Rick Hillier.
CTV News is reporting today that the Conservative government of Stephen Harper is making plans to replace the General when his three year term as Chief of Defence comes up for renewal in February.
It’s a move that may prove to be risky for the Prime Minister, replacing a popular general while the country is involved in a rather determined military action in Afghanistan. While Canadians may be split about the mission, most are inclined to offer up their support for the actual troops on the ground, mostly the result of the work of Hillier to make sure that the word gets out about what Canada is doing in Afghanistan.
For the bulk of his time as Chief of Defence, Hillier has if nothing else punched home the message of reminding Canadians about their sons and daughters in harms way. His language has been blunt, at times profane and mostly straight ahead factual, not the kind of talk that politicians are known for.
While critics find him to be brash and bombastic, there certainly can be no doubt that he has as made one of his main missions to ensure that the troops tasked to Afghanistan are provided with the proper equipment to do the job. He has also played a major role in increasing the profile of the Armed Forces while involved in active combat.
Perhaps providing a message that isn’t sitting well with a government that seems inclined to try and massage the message to the populace. Preferring not to highlight the dangers, all the while watching the polling numbers that show Canadians growing nervous about Canada's expanding commitment to that part of the world.
CTV suggests that one of the reasons that the Conservatives are planning on replacing him, is that he “outshone" his political masters and "undermined" the former Minister of Defence Gordon O’Connor. Two tasks which it seems would not exactly be very challenging to complete
Should the Conservatives follow through on the plan to replace the General, the most likely candidate is said to be Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, tapped as the front runner based mainly due to the fact that the Prime Minister likes him.
That's not exactly the best way to select the most important post in Canada’s military while engaged in a near state of war. And while probably not fair to the capabilities of Lt.-Gen. Natynczyk, it most likely wouldn't leave Canadians with a great sense of confidence in the Governments handling of an important and vital department. It would also suggest a process that seems to run counter to what the Conservatives say they are all about, and would remind Canadians that the Conservatives were critical of similar styles of management back in the “bad old Liberal days".
While General Hillier has no doubt ruffled more than a few feathers over his term in office (not necessarily a bad thing by the way), he has been tasked with a rather hard job with a severely depleted Armed Forces cupboard. It has only been in the recent years that the military has been placed back on the top of the spending lists in Ottawa. A situation which the Conservatives deserve some credit for, having reversed the years and years of cutbacks and corner cutting favoured by the Liberals.
All that good karma though could go out the window, if a popular General is given his walking papers because the politicians didn’t like him.
We suspect that should the General’s departure come to pass, the Conservatives will suffer some serious fall out from their decisions. While they may be acting as though they have a majority government, decisions like the rumoured replacement of a popular military leader could come back to haunt them in a very telling way.
Canadian’s generally don’t pay much attention to military matters in the country, they are aware of the Afghanistan force that is in play and have serious questions for their government about its long term plan in that country and whether all that the troops need has been provided.
It won’t be viewed as a good sign if the Government replaces the general who seems to have the highest respect of his troops (and a large chunk of the population as well). The Conservatives have used the military as a talking point for the bulk of their term in office so far, whether it’s through the Afghanistan mission or for the numerous procurement programs that they have rolled out since taking office.
The constant in each one has been the Chief of Defence Staff, who it would seem, has put a few noses out of joint in Ottawa. The Conservatives will have to build a case against the General based on poor managerial skills or dissension in the rank and file. Replacing him because he gets on the nerves of the political class probably will only make the man a larger folk hero than he’s become. Surely there are other tasks for the Prime Minister to busy himself with, than settling scores with a military leader.
It will be with interest that Canadians watch to see if the Conservatives follow through on the rumoured replacement plan, if it comes down to a popularity poll we suspect that the General is going to win as they say; "hands down, walking away".
CTV News is reporting today that the Conservative government of Stephen Harper is making plans to replace the General when his three year term as Chief of Defence comes up for renewal in February.
It’s a move that may prove to be risky for the Prime Minister, replacing a popular general while the country is involved in a rather determined military action in Afghanistan. While Canadians may be split about the mission, most are inclined to offer up their support for the actual troops on the ground, mostly the result of the work of Hillier to make sure that the word gets out about what Canada is doing in Afghanistan.
For the bulk of his time as Chief of Defence, Hillier has if nothing else punched home the message of reminding Canadians about their sons and daughters in harms way. His language has been blunt, at times profane and mostly straight ahead factual, not the kind of talk that politicians are known for.
While critics find him to be brash and bombastic, there certainly can be no doubt that he has as made one of his main missions to ensure that the troops tasked to Afghanistan are provided with the proper equipment to do the job. He has also played a major role in increasing the profile of the Armed Forces while involved in active combat.
Perhaps providing a message that isn’t sitting well with a government that seems inclined to try and massage the message to the populace. Preferring not to highlight the dangers, all the while watching the polling numbers that show Canadians growing nervous about Canada's expanding commitment to that part of the world.
CTV suggests that one of the reasons that the Conservatives are planning on replacing him, is that he “outshone" his political masters and "undermined" the former Minister of Defence Gordon O’Connor. Two tasks which it seems would not exactly be very challenging to complete
Should the Conservatives follow through on the plan to replace the General, the most likely candidate is said to be Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, tapped as the front runner based mainly due to the fact that the Prime Minister likes him.
That's not exactly the best way to select the most important post in Canada’s military while engaged in a near state of war. And while probably not fair to the capabilities of Lt.-Gen. Natynczyk, it most likely wouldn't leave Canadians with a great sense of confidence in the Governments handling of an important and vital department. It would also suggest a process that seems to run counter to what the Conservatives say they are all about, and would remind Canadians that the Conservatives were critical of similar styles of management back in the “bad old Liberal days".
While General Hillier has no doubt ruffled more than a few feathers over his term in office (not necessarily a bad thing by the way), he has been tasked with a rather hard job with a severely depleted Armed Forces cupboard. It has only been in the recent years that the military has been placed back on the top of the spending lists in Ottawa. A situation which the Conservatives deserve some credit for, having reversed the years and years of cutbacks and corner cutting favoured by the Liberals.
All that good karma though could go out the window, if a popular General is given his walking papers because the politicians didn’t like him.
We suspect that should the General’s departure come to pass, the Conservatives will suffer some serious fall out from their decisions. While they may be acting as though they have a majority government, decisions like the rumoured replacement of a popular military leader could come back to haunt them in a very telling way.
Canadian’s generally don’t pay much attention to military matters in the country, they are aware of the Afghanistan force that is in play and have serious questions for their government about its long term plan in that country and whether all that the troops need has been provided.
It won’t be viewed as a good sign if the Government replaces the general who seems to have the highest respect of his troops (and a large chunk of the population as well). The Conservatives have used the military as a talking point for the bulk of their term in office so far, whether it’s through the Afghanistan mission or for the numerous procurement programs that they have rolled out since taking office.
The constant in each one has been the Chief of Defence Staff, who it would seem, has put a few noses out of joint in Ottawa. The Conservatives will have to build a case against the General based on poor managerial skills or dissension in the rank and file. Replacing him because he gets on the nerves of the political class probably will only make the man a larger folk hero than he’s become. Surely there are other tasks for the Prime Minister to busy himself with, than settling scores with a military leader.
It will be with interest that Canadians watch to see if the Conservatives follow through on the rumoured replacement plan, if it comes down to a popularity poll we suspect that the General is going to win as they say; "hands down, walking away".
Both the Globe and Mail website and CTV's webpage on the story have seen a number of letters in reply to the story arrive in short order since the story was first broadcast and published. The large amount of commentary, much of it in favor of the General, should make for an early warning system for stupid political decisions.
The proposed move could very well be the biggest political mis-step so far by “Canada’s New Government”, a dangerous step that very well may render them to be “Canada’s former Government.”
Monday, October 01, 2007
Renewed concerns over summer border guards, after CBC news story
There are some serious charges being levelled against the Canadian Border Services summer student recruitment program, and the concerns may get a new life after the feature posted on the CBC website Monday.
A number of current and former border guards have spoken out about the controversial summer program which sees some 1200 students hired on to stand on guard for thee at any number of border points in Canada, including Prince Rupert.
The hiring of the students has long been one that the union for the CBSA officers has been concerned about and the latest revelations probably won't do much to change their opinions.
The tempest has been stirred up by two former border guards who were denied full time status and have since left the Agency. And while many might dismiss their concerns as sour grapes, they provide more than enough damning evidence that may cause the Government to rethink its hiring priorities and certainly leave you with a number of questions about the calibre of the people being tasked to keep our borders safe.
Of particular concern seems to be some inappropriate behaviour by the student guards who post their off duty actions on the likes of Facebook or MySpace, events that show them drinking while in uniform and expressing less than complimentary comments about their jobs.
The CBC included some of the facebook postings on its website. In fact, among the more worrisome traits of some of the newest recruits, would be some of the advice that they could be offering to would be terrorists through their postings in the facebook forums. For example, they provide the helpful suggestion that the best time to sneak yourself into the country is when the students first arrive on the job.
That has long been a comment that many experienced guards and critics of the student employment program have been saying for a few years now, but they've tended to keep their thoughts to official channels and not on one of the worlds most popular social network sites.
In their social networking travels, the students at least exhibit a lack of maturity in some cases, a fault that have some questioning their aptitude to for the job at hand and whether those same students that go on to full time status are mature enough to be trusted to be armed with firearms as all Border guards are in the process of doing.
It should prove to be an explosive report that the CBC has aired, one which won't be cause for comfort for many Canadians and leaves more than a few questions for the government to answer for.
Student recruits unfit for service, say former border guards
Facebook postings show drinking and partying while officers in uniform
CBC News
Monday, October 1, 2007
Canada Border Services Agency officers who work in B.C. are being accused of posting inappropriate and offensive material, some of it directly related to their jobs, on the internet.
The material includes jokes about guns and passports, an allegation that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a "serial killer" and insults directed at French-speaking Canadians.
"It's just revolting what is being posted … and the lack of action to stop them from doing that," said Chris Hughes, a former border officer from Victoria who revealed the material, captured on Facebook and similar sites, to CBC News.
The postings also raise questions about whether some of the people trusted to guard Canada's borders are qualified to keep out terrorists and other criminals, he said.
"This is a huge security issue," said Hughes.
Hughes and his former colleague, Levan Turner, both in their 40s, worked summers at the border until the government decided not to hire them permanently.
They claim they were passed over in favour of younger, cheaper, student recruits. Hughes claimed he has been tracking website postings by several of those recruits ever since.
In numerous posted photos, new recruits are seen drinking and partying at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) centre in Rigaud, Que., where they train to become full-time officers, on taxpayers' money.
One recruit wrote, "My tolerance for alcohol that I built up at Rigaud … is insane."
"It looks like you do a bit of learning and a lot of drinking," Hughes told CBC News.
"I understand if they want to party," said Turner, "But to put that out there for the public to see isn't proper."
Facebook photo shows recruit drinking in uniform
One photo, apparently taken in B.C., shows a Canada Border Services Agency officer drinking from a keg while in uniform. Consuming alcohol in uniform, on or off duty, is a direct violation of CBSA's code of conduct.
Another alleged officer, also pictured in uniform on the web, posted responses to a quiz — answering that she has cheated on a test, smoked pot and felt like killing someone.
When a friend apparently asks her, online, if she has been issued a gun, the officer answers, "I think the prime minister should be getting on the phone, and calling a few people and getting that straightened up real quick," said Turner.
The female officer also wrote: "I don't have a gun... YET!!! You will be the first one to hear about it when serial killer Harper gives me one."
It seems she didn't like training in Quebec. In postings, the writer refers to the province as "the land of poutine and frog," and "f---ing French bastards."
"If they are playing around with Facebook, saying those things, what are they going to do when they get a gun?" asks Hughes. "What kind of jokes and pictures are they going to take with firearms?"
A male officer, who posted his CBSA job title as "Bad Ass," did post a picture of the type of gun he expects to get, with the caption, "Soon enough, baby. Soon enough."
That same officer wrote he is "incredibly excited that he got to arrest someone again." There are pictures of men necking and holding each other down, apparently as a joke. The photos are labelled "Victoria Rape."
"It shows immaturity among people and that's exactly what it is," said Turner. "If this person is going to get a gun I think I would be really nervous if I were the traveller."
The former B.C. officers are also raising alarm bells about how new recruits performed on the job.
"Most of them lack the maturity, they lack the experience," Hughes said. "I've seen so many students that should have been referring so many prime candidates for secondary inspection and have just let them into the country."
According to the Customs Excise Union (CEUDA), which represents border services officers, the majority of staffers trusted to guard Canada's borders are either part-time students or new, full-time recruits, many who started as students.
The CBSA hires some 1,200 students each summer. Those being kept on, as full-time recruits, get nine weeks of training.
Part-time students are not issued firearms, but all recruits hired on full-time eventually will be. The minister responsible for public safety, Stockwell Day, has just announced a $50-million expansion of the Rigaud centre, to increase the number of recruits that can be trained.
CBC News asked Day for his reaction to the internet postings.
"The overall program of training our border officers is a very successful one," Day said.
"We have a highly credible, highly professional force of Canada Border Service agents, men and women. I meet with them on a regular occasion and get out to the borders themselves to meet with them.
"I'm very proud of what they do. There's always going to be a case where one or two or a few may be upset but when you are looking at 4,800 men and women across the country occupying those border station they are doing a great job."
Union says students not qualified
Last year, the CEUDA submitted a report to the Senate committee on national security and defence that said, "Students are not qualified to perform the duties to which they are being assigned, which compromises their own safety, that of other officers, the travelling public and Canadians at large."
The website postings Hughes found show confusion over passports.
One student asks others online, "Did anybody else panic when they saw their first Dutch or (insert weird foreign country) passport?"
Another answers, "Ha, ha. I totally freaked when I saw Österreich (Austria). It was the oldest, most sketch looking thing ever."
Turner's reaction was, "You can make up a phoney passport. If they don't know what it is and they don't know what they are looking at, then they could just let somebody in or let anybody in."
"If you were a terrorist and you wanted to get into Canada," said Hughes, "come when the students first go on the job."
Hughes said he has been sending letters of complaint to the CBSA and to Day for months. He claims most of his concerns have not been acknowledged.
"Anybody can see there is a problem," said Turner. "But nobody wants to do anything about it and that's the reason we had to come to [CBC News] and go public is because nobody else would listen."
The Canada Border Services Agency circulated an internal memorandum to employees on Aug. 24, warning about their participating in social networking websites.
"Even off-duty conduct becomes a work-related matter if it jeopardizes the agency's reputation or programs," said the memo obtained by CBC News.
"For these reasons, we would like to remind you that inappropriate behaviour by employees on such websites could result in administrative and/or disciplinary action," it said.
A number of current and former border guards have spoken out about the controversial summer program which sees some 1200 students hired on to stand on guard for thee at any number of border points in Canada, including Prince Rupert.
The hiring of the students has long been one that the union for the CBSA officers has been concerned about and the latest revelations probably won't do much to change their opinions.
The tempest has been stirred up by two former border guards who were denied full time status and have since left the Agency. And while many might dismiss their concerns as sour grapes, they provide more than enough damning evidence that may cause the Government to rethink its hiring priorities and certainly leave you with a number of questions about the calibre of the people being tasked to keep our borders safe.
Of particular concern seems to be some inappropriate behaviour by the student guards who post their off duty actions on the likes of Facebook or MySpace, events that show them drinking while in uniform and expressing less than complimentary comments about their jobs.
The CBC included some of the facebook postings on its website. In fact, among the more worrisome traits of some of the newest recruits, would be some of the advice that they could be offering to would be terrorists through their postings in the facebook forums. For example, they provide the helpful suggestion that the best time to sneak yourself into the country is when the students first arrive on the job.
That has long been a comment that many experienced guards and critics of the student employment program have been saying for a few years now, but they've tended to keep their thoughts to official channels and not on one of the worlds most popular social network sites.
In their social networking travels, the students at least exhibit a lack of maturity in some cases, a fault that have some questioning their aptitude to for the job at hand and whether those same students that go on to full time status are mature enough to be trusted to be armed with firearms as all Border guards are in the process of doing.
It should prove to be an explosive report that the CBC has aired, one which won't be cause for comfort for many Canadians and leaves more than a few questions for the government to answer for.
Student recruits unfit for service, say former border guards
Facebook postings show drinking and partying while officers in uniform
CBC News
Monday, October 1, 2007
Canada Border Services Agency officers who work in B.C. are being accused of posting inappropriate and offensive material, some of it directly related to their jobs, on the internet.
The material includes jokes about guns and passports, an allegation that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a "serial killer" and insults directed at French-speaking Canadians.
"It's just revolting what is being posted … and the lack of action to stop them from doing that," said Chris Hughes, a former border officer from Victoria who revealed the material, captured on Facebook and similar sites, to CBC News.
The postings also raise questions about whether some of the people trusted to guard Canada's borders are qualified to keep out terrorists and other criminals, he said.
"This is a huge security issue," said Hughes.
Hughes and his former colleague, Levan Turner, both in their 40s, worked summers at the border until the government decided not to hire them permanently.
They claim they were passed over in favour of younger, cheaper, student recruits. Hughes claimed he has been tracking website postings by several of those recruits ever since.
In numerous posted photos, new recruits are seen drinking and partying at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) centre in Rigaud, Que., where they train to become full-time officers, on taxpayers' money.
One recruit wrote, "My tolerance for alcohol that I built up at Rigaud … is insane."
"It looks like you do a bit of learning and a lot of drinking," Hughes told CBC News.
"I understand if they want to party," said Turner, "But to put that out there for the public to see isn't proper."
Facebook photo shows recruit drinking in uniform
One photo, apparently taken in B.C., shows a Canada Border Services Agency officer drinking from a keg while in uniform. Consuming alcohol in uniform, on or off duty, is a direct violation of CBSA's code of conduct.
Another alleged officer, also pictured in uniform on the web, posted responses to a quiz — answering that she has cheated on a test, smoked pot and felt like killing someone.
When a friend apparently asks her, online, if she has been issued a gun, the officer answers, "I think the prime minister should be getting on the phone, and calling a few people and getting that straightened up real quick," said Turner.
The female officer also wrote: "I don't have a gun... YET!!! You will be the first one to hear about it when serial killer Harper gives me one."
It seems she didn't like training in Quebec. In postings, the writer refers to the province as "the land of poutine and frog," and "f---ing French bastards."
"If they are playing around with Facebook, saying those things, what are they going to do when they get a gun?" asks Hughes. "What kind of jokes and pictures are they going to take with firearms?"
A male officer, who posted his CBSA job title as "Bad Ass," did post a picture of the type of gun he expects to get, with the caption, "Soon enough, baby. Soon enough."
That same officer wrote he is "incredibly excited that he got to arrest someone again." There are pictures of men necking and holding each other down, apparently as a joke. The photos are labelled "Victoria Rape."
"It shows immaturity among people and that's exactly what it is," said Turner. "If this person is going to get a gun I think I would be really nervous if I were the traveller."
The former B.C. officers are also raising alarm bells about how new recruits performed on the job.
"Most of them lack the maturity, they lack the experience," Hughes said. "I've seen so many students that should have been referring so many prime candidates for secondary inspection and have just let them into the country."
According to the Customs Excise Union (CEUDA), which represents border services officers, the majority of staffers trusted to guard Canada's borders are either part-time students or new, full-time recruits, many who started as students.
The CBSA hires some 1,200 students each summer. Those being kept on, as full-time recruits, get nine weeks of training.
Part-time students are not issued firearms, but all recruits hired on full-time eventually will be. The minister responsible for public safety, Stockwell Day, has just announced a $50-million expansion of the Rigaud centre, to increase the number of recruits that can be trained.
CBC News asked Day for his reaction to the internet postings.
"The overall program of training our border officers is a very successful one," Day said.
"We have a highly credible, highly professional force of Canada Border Service agents, men and women. I meet with them on a regular occasion and get out to the borders themselves to meet with them.
"I'm very proud of what they do. There's always going to be a case where one or two or a few may be upset but when you are looking at 4,800 men and women across the country occupying those border station they are doing a great job."
Union says students not qualified
Last year, the CEUDA submitted a report to the Senate committee on national security and defence that said, "Students are not qualified to perform the duties to which they are being assigned, which compromises their own safety, that of other officers, the travelling public and Canadians at large."
The website postings Hughes found show confusion over passports.
One student asks others online, "Did anybody else panic when they saw their first Dutch or (insert weird foreign country) passport?"
Another answers, "Ha, ha. I totally freaked when I saw Österreich (Austria). It was the oldest, most sketch looking thing ever."
Turner's reaction was, "You can make up a phoney passport. If they don't know what it is and they don't know what they are looking at, then they could just let somebody in or let anybody in."
"If you were a terrorist and you wanted to get into Canada," said Hughes, "come when the students first go on the job."
Hughes said he has been sending letters of complaint to the CBSA and to Day for months. He claims most of his concerns have not been acknowledged.
"Anybody can see there is a problem," said Turner. "But nobody wants to do anything about it and that's the reason we had to come to [CBC News] and go public is because nobody else would listen."
The Canada Border Services Agency circulated an internal memorandum to employees on Aug. 24, warning about their participating in social networking websites.
"Even off-duty conduct becomes a work-related matter if it jeopardizes the agency's reputation or programs," said the memo obtained by CBC News.
"For these reasons, we would like to remind you that inappropriate behaviour by employees on such websites could result in administrative and/or disciplinary action," it said.
Podunk Below the Masthead October 2007
A daily look at the BIG TYPE headline of the Podunkian Daily News.
We'll list that day's BIG STORY, the one the Daily puts out in the big type just below it's masthead, for all Podunkians to ponder. There will be a link to this feature on the right hand side of the blog.
On Wednesdays and Friday's you can access all the stories of the Daily News free on their website, on the remaining days you end up at a dead end, asking you to go purchase your paper, for (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story.
We'll list that day's BIG STORY, the one the Daily puts out in the big type just below it's masthead, for all Podunkians to ponder. There will be a link to this feature on the right hand side of the blog.
On Wednesdays and Friday's you can access all the stories of the Daily News free on their website, on the remaining days you end up at a dead end, asking you to go purchase your paper, for (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story.
October 31--MORE RAW LOGS ABOUT TO LEAVE THESE SHORES UNDER NEW PLAN--The issue of raw log shipments gets front page treatment (see story here)
October 30--WAVE OF INTEREST IN PORT SET TO HIT NEW HIGH THIS WEEK--With the Fairview Container Port about to begin operation, hopes are high for the future of the region. (see story here)
October 29--GROUP SHARES ITS NIGHTMARE VISION OF NORTH COAST SPILL--The prospect of a maritime disaster off the coast of BC was featured at a Prince Rupert seminar (see story here)
October 26--CITYWEST INVITES PUBLIC TO QUIZ ITS BOARD, HEAR PLANS--After a lengthy delay, CityWest the publicly owned telecommunications company in Prince Rupert announces plans for a General Meeting in December (see story here)
October 25--PROPOSED WOMEN'S SHELTER WILL BE AS GREEN AS POSSIBLE--The Northcoast Transition Society outlines its plans for a new property development on Park Avenue (see story here)
October 24--CITY DETERMINED TO PULL PLUG ON DUMPING OF RAW SEWAGE--Despite some financial troubles, the city still has a long term plan for a comprehensive sewage disposal system for the Prince Rupert (see story here)
October 23--CN RAIL COUNTING THE DAYS TO ARRIVAL OF PORT’S FIRST SHIP--With the first container ship set to arrive on October 31st, CN is looking forward to the future. (see story here)
October 22--'WHO WILL HEAL OUR AILING HEALTH SYSTEM?' ASKS MLA--The NDP make health care a priority for fall session of legislature. (see story here)
October 19--'TELL US WHAT'S IN STORE FOR FORESTRY' MLAs DEMAND--With the Coastal forestry strike possibly on the road to resolution, opposition members call on the Government to outline its forestry plans for the province (see story here)
October 18--CRANBERRY CONNECTOR IS TO GET A $200,000 MAKE-OVER--The alternate route in and out of Terrace receives an infusion of cash for upgrades (see story here)
October 17--MP ANGRY AS TORIES THROW OUT KYOTO IN THRONE SPEECH--NDP MP Nathan Cullen provides his thoughts on the Federal Speech from the throne. (see story here)
October 16--TWINNED BRIDGE, UPGRADED GRAIN RAIL CARS BOOST --Infrastructure announcements abound across northern B. C. (see story here)
October 15--NINE NEW NAMES ADDED TO HIGHWAY OF TEARS INQUIRY--A review of last weeks information session by the RCMP and the status of the investigation to this point. (see story here)
October 12-- CAMPBELL IS FACING TOUGH CHOICE OVER MINE SAYS MP--Conflicting directions of policy leave the Premier with a tough decision to make over the fate of mining in Northern BC. (see story here)
October 11-- CITY BLAMES STAFF SHORTAGES FOR $5.1 M BUDGET OVERSIGHT--The Mayor offers his interpretation of how 5.1 million dollars were counted twice. (see story here)
October 10--SIDES HEAD BACK TO COURT IN DISPUTE OVER NISGA'A TREATY--A case originally dismissed two years ago, has been give a second life. (see story here)
October 9--HOMEBUYERS BLOW ROOF OFF PROPERTY MARKET IN NORTH-An examination of the housing statistics for the first nine months of 2007. (see story here)
October 5--SPCA's TOP VET CALLS ON CAT LOVERS TO STOP FEEDING FERALS--The continuing debate over what to do about Prince Rupert's feral cats brings in the experts to offer some suggestions. (see story here)
October 4--CRITICS CLAIM THE CITY’S DOG CONTROL BYLAW HAS NO TEETH--The rhetoric heats up as Rupertites try to get some changes made to local dog bylaws.(see story here)
October 3--MLA LAUDS PROVINCE FOR POWER PROJECT, URGES CARE--Gary Coons, the MLA for the North Coast gives his take on the power project plans for Highway 37 North. (see story here)
October 2--NEW POWER CORRIDOR SET TO FIRE UP THE NORTH, CAMPBELL--The Province announces plans to electrify the Highway 37 corridor (see story here)
October 1--FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERING HOT-TICKET TRAINING IN-HOUSE--Recruitment begins again for the controversial auxiliary firefighter program in Prince Rupert. (see story here)Fire Department burned on past training, begins process to offer it once again
The plan to implement the auxiliary fire fighter program is apparently back on track, as the City of Prince Rupert begins to actively seek out new recruits to work for the Prince Rupert Fire Rescue Service in an auxiliary capacity.
It’s a program that has had some rough times over the last few years, as past recruits would take part in the extensive training program and then in some cases, take their new found skills off to other locations where full time opportunities presented them with the possibility of long term employment.
The city is hoping to bring the auxiliary program back up to the twelve member strength, which it first proposed back in the Victor Kumar days at city hall, which was when the project once again gained new life.
During the last municipal election campaign the plan became one of the more controversial issues at the time and to this day still seems to raise the temperature of the average Podunkian. The plan to make use of the Auxiliaries has provided no shortage of opportunities for debate, with concerns over inferior service and potential safety issues raised in the past.
The concern of course for many residents is the fact that once the recruits are trained, they would prefer to use their new skills to improve their chances of full time employment, but in a catch 22 situation there are relatively few full time opportunities available with the Prince Rupert Fire Rescue service.
Those recruits of course then seek out new possibilities taking their training with them and to a degree Prince Rupert ends up providing the basic training for other areas which are growing and in need of fire fighter personnel.
There seems little that the City can do about the migration of trained recruits in search of full time employment, as there is no current plan in place to increase the complement of the city’s fire department with full time personnel. That leaves the new recruits with little incentive to stick around in an auxiliary capacity, especially when there are jobs out there for those with proper training.
When you factor in the amount of time and money dedicated to the training of the auxiliaries, you can’t help but wonder if this is the best strategy to address the needs of the fire department.
The prospect of spending money here to provide potential staff members for fire departments elsewhere, isn’t one that seems to be providing the best result for this community. If there has been an identified need for further fire personnel locally, perhaps there should be a few full time positions created to help take off the pressure of the current staff.
If there were to be a few full time positions created, at least the potential of retaining the new recruits has a better chance of taking hold and the valuable time spent training them won’t be going to waste.
That might be something that council could address despite their well documented commitment to the program. Taking the time to find out if the current auxiliary plan as it exists today, is providing the residents of the city with the best possible return on their tax dollars.
It’s a program that has had some rough times over the last few years, as past recruits would take part in the extensive training program and then in some cases, take their new found skills off to other locations where full time opportunities presented them with the possibility of long term employment.
The city is hoping to bring the auxiliary program back up to the twelve member strength, which it first proposed back in the Victor Kumar days at city hall, which was when the project once again gained new life.
During the last municipal election campaign the plan became one of the more controversial issues at the time and to this day still seems to raise the temperature of the average Podunkian. The plan to make use of the Auxiliaries has provided no shortage of opportunities for debate, with concerns over inferior service and potential safety issues raised in the past.
The concern of course for many residents is the fact that once the recruits are trained, they would prefer to use their new skills to improve their chances of full time employment, but in a catch 22 situation there are relatively few full time opportunities available with the Prince Rupert Fire Rescue service.
Those recruits of course then seek out new possibilities taking their training with them and to a degree Prince Rupert ends up providing the basic training for other areas which are growing and in need of fire fighter personnel.
There seems little that the City can do about the migration of trained recruits in search of full time employment, as there is no current plan in place to increase the complement of the city’s fire department with full time personnel. That leaves the new recruits with little incentive to stick around in an auxiliary capacity, especially when there are jobs out there for those with proper training.
When you factor in the amount of time and money dedicated to the training of the auxiliaries, you can’t help but wonder if this is the best strategy to address the needs of the fire department.
The prospect of spending money here to provide potential staff members for fire departments elsewhere, isn’t one that seems to be providing the best result for this community. If there has been an identified need for further fire personnel locally, perhaps there should be a few full time positions created to help take off the pressure of the current staff.
If there were to be a few full time positions created, at least the potential of retaining the new recruits has a better chance of taking hold and the valuable time spent training them won’t be going to waste.
That might be something that council could address despite their well documented commitment to the program. Taking the time to find out if the current auxiliary plan as it exists today, is providing the residents of the city with the best possible return on their tax dollars.
If not, the plan should be modified to best address the requirements of the Prince Rupert Fire Department, as well as ensure that the comprehensive training that is being provided is not going to waste or to some other community's benefit.
The Daily News featured the call for recruits as its front page story in Monday’s paper.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERING HOT-TICKET TRAINING IN-HOUSE
Auxiliary firefighters will get the chance to complete sought-after programs
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Monday, October 1, 2007
Pages one and three
People who are physically fit with a strong desire to serve the community are being urged to consider serving Prince Rupert as an auxiliary firefighter in the coming years.
Currently, the Prince Rupert Fire Department is looking to rebuild its Auxiliary force back to a dozen or so members, after a number of members departed to pursue full-time firefighter employment in other places, or left for personal reasons.
Fire Chief Ron Miller has had difficulty maintaining the auxiliary force, primarily because the training offered to recruits at no charge is equivalent to the training offered in fire academy programs for thousands of dollars.
Both courses allow candidates to work toward graduating with the National Fire Protection Association 1001 standard for basic firefighting training.
“Most of the people who want to be Auxiliary Firefighters are people that want to become career Firefighters somewhere down the road,” said Miller.
“They see that getting outside training is very expensive if you go to the B. C. Fire Academy, where the minimum is a 12-week program which ranges around $15,000, and, of course, you’re not getting paid while you’re doing the training.”
This makes the training offered by local departments tempting to aspiring firefighters, since they don’t have to pay for the education, they are paid for weekly training time, and recruits do not have to travel outside of their community for the training.
The downside is that instead of an intensive 12-week course, completing the basic NFP 1001 training with a local detachment can take up to two years, since participants receive only two hours of class and practical training each week.
However, gaining full-time employment with a fire department anywhere in Canada is still a very daunting task even with NFPA 1001 certification because the numbers of applicants that will respond to any opening is staggering.
“For example, if you look at Vancouver Fire, I believe their last posting was for 12 positions and they had something like 2,800 applicants,” said Miller.
“Of course, those are quickly brought down to 1,000, and that number starts going down through testing and finding out if somebody has actually got the aptitude and such.”
Miller wants to make it clear that only serious applicants should put their names forward for this round of auxiliary recruiting, and he says those who just have dreams of riding on the back of the fire truck should wait until the next city parade.
There are currently only five auxiliary members operating in Prince Rupert, and Miller would like to get that number back up to 12 as soon as possible.
“We’re really trying to build a nucleus and get something started, so these people need to be devoted to putting in the time to completing all the modules of training,” said Miller.
“We need people willing to make a commitment to us and the community, and a lot of people don’t realize the time and energy that needs to go into training before they start.”
Application forms are available at the fire hall at 200 First Ave. West. Completed forms should be accompanied by detailed resumes attention of Chief Ron Miller.
The Daily News featured the call for recruits as its front page story in Monday’s paper.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERING HOT-TICKET TRAINING IN-HOUSE
Auxiliary firefighters will get the chance to complete sought-after programs
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Monday, October 1, 2007
Pages one and three
People who are physically fit with a strong desire to serve the community are being urged to consider serving Prince Rupert as an auxiliary firefighter in the coming years.
Currently, the Prince Rupert Fire Department is looking to rebuild its Auxiliary force back to a dozen or so members, after a number of members departed to pursue full-time firefighter employment in other places, or left for personal reasons.
Fire Chief Ron Miller has had difficulty maintaining the auxiliary force, primarily because the training offered to recruits at no charge is equivalent to the training offered in fire academy programs for thousands of dollars.
Both courses allow candidates to work toward graduating with the National Fire Protection Association 1001 standard for basic firefighting training.
“Most of the people who want to be Auxiliary Firefighters are people that want to become career Firefighters somewhere down the road,” said Miller.
“They see that getting outside training is very expensive if you go to the B. C. Fire Academy, where the minimum is a 12-week program which ranges around $15,000, and, of course, you’re not getting paid while you’re doing the training.”
This makes the training offered by local departments tempting to aspiring firefighters, since they don’t have to pay for the education, they are paid for weekly training time, and recruits do not have to travel outside of their community for the training.
The downside is that instead of an intensive 12-week course, completing the basic NFP 1001 training with a local detachment can take up to two years, since participants receive only two hours of class and practical training each week.
However, gaining full-time employment with a fire department anywhere in Canada is still a very daunting task even with NFPA 1001 certification because the numbers of applicants that will respond to any opening is staggering.
“For example, if you look at Vancouver Fire, I believe their last posting was for 12 positions and they had something like 2,800 applicants,” said Miller.
“Of course, those are quickly brought down to 1,000, and that number starts going down through testing and finding out if somebody has actually got the aptitude and such.”
Miller wants to make it clear that only serious applicants should put their names forward for this round of auxiliary recruiting, and he says those who just have dreams of riding on the back of the fire truck should wait until the next city parade.
There are currently only five auxiliary members operating in Prince Rupert, and Miller would like to get that number back up to 12 as soon as possible.
“We’re really trying to build a nucleus and get something started, so these people need to be devoted to putting in the time to completing all the modules of training,” said Miller.
“We need people willing to make a commitment to us and the community, and a lot of people don’t realize the time and energy that needs to go into training before they start.”
Application forms are available at the fire hall at 200 First Ave. West. Completed forms should be accompanied by detailed resumes attention of Chief Ron Miller.
Having so much fun, they want an extra year!
Of the many key developments that came out of last weeks UBCM meet and greet, one that has caught our attention was a call by municipal politicians to add a year to their elected term of office.
As it stands at the moment, in British Columbia municipal councils sit for a term of three years but with a narrow margin of victory, the recommendation has been made to extend that to a four year term.
Joe Trasolini, the mayor of Port Moody put forward the motion at last weeks convention, explaining that three years was just too short a period of time to bring forward the many things that busy municipal councillors would like to see done.
This years convention reversed the vote of last year, where the same resolution was defeated as the rural and smaller centre politicians expressed concerns about the ability to attract good candidates for office willing to tether themselves to city hall for four years.
While the resolution passed, it will still be up to the provincial government to decide whether to bring the issue to the Legislature and effect change, if B. C. decides to go ahead with the change that will leave only Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island as provinces with three year terms for municipal council.
The Vancouver Sun provided details on the potential change to elected terms as well as the approval of a resolution to increase the minimum wage in the province to ten dollars.
A little carrot for the potential voters, who perhaps will remember it come that fourth year of the term with an election on the horizon..
Municipal councils to ask for 4-year terms
Local governments want Victoria to change current 3-year terms
Fiona Anderson
Vancouver Sun
Friday, September 28, 2007
British Columbia municipalities have narrowly voted in favour of asking the province to hold municipal elections every four years instead of the current three.
A three-year term is too short to be productive, said Joe Trasolini, the mayor of Port Moody, which put forward the motion at the annual convention of the Union of B.C. Municipalities being held this week in Vancouver.
It takes the better part of one year to get a new council to jell and work as a team, Trasolini said in an interview. Then in the third year the focus is on the next election. So it's only during the second year that things can get done, he said.
"The way the system is, out of three years you get one productive year," Trasolini said.
And Trasolini said communities need the continuity that four years would provide.
Elected officials aren't bound by what the previous council has passed, so for major initiatives, that continuity is key to getting the job done, he said.
Much of the opposition voiced at the convention came from those in smaller and rural communities who worried they would have difficulty attracting people to run for council if the job required a four-year commitment. Given pay levels, most perform their elected duties on top of other full-time jobs.
At last year's UBCM convention, this group won the day as a virtually identical resolution was narrowly defeated.
It is now up to the province to decide whether the law will in fact be changed. Elsewhere in Canada, only Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward island do not have four-year terms.
"I think the province will look at the merits and will probably at least debate it," Trasolini said.
"After all, we are the ones dealing on a day-to-day basis with these issues. So it would make sense that they would listen to us."
The UBCM also voted Thursday in favour of calling on the province to raise the minimum wage to $10 after a speech by NDP leader Carole James supporting the increase.
"The premier took a $54,000 increase for himself this year," she said. "And I think it's past time that we gave B.C.'s lowest-paid workers the same consideration."
And if the minimum wage isn't increased now, when the provincial economy is booming, when will it be? James asked.
In other resolutions, the UBCM voted to:
Ask the province to require annual or twice-yearly inspections of all commercial trucks, depending on size.
Ask the province to specifically regulate the keeping and sale of exotic animals by including a list of exotic animals that are prohibited.
Ask the federal government to return to local governments one cent out of every six cents collected through the goods and services tax.
A resolution to ask the Ministry of the Environment to prohibit the use of patio heaters was defeated. More resolutions will be considered today, including whether the UBCM should ask the province to scrap its single business licence initiative and allow municipalities to remain in control of business licences within their jurisdictions.
As it stands at the moment, in British Columbia municipal councils sit for a term of three years but with a narrow margin of victory, the recommendation has been made to extend that to a four year term.
Joe Trasolini, the mayor of Port Moody put forward the motion at last weeks convention, explaining that three years was just too short a period of time to bring forward the many things that busy municipal councillors would like to see done.
This years convention reversed the vote of last year, where the same resolution was defeated as the rural and smaller centre politicians expressed concerns about the ability to attract good candidates for office willing to tether themselves to city hall for four years.
While the resolution passed, it will still be up to the provincial government to decide whether to bring the issue to the Legislature and effect change, if B. C. decides to go ahead with the change that will leave only Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island as provinces with three year terms for municipal council.
The Vancouver Sun provided details on the potential change to elected terms as well as the approval of a resolution to increase the minimum wage in the province to ten dollars.
A little carrot for the potential voters, who perhaps will remember it come that fourth year of the term with an election on the horizon..
Municipal councils to ask for 4-year terms
Local governments want Victoria to change current 3-year terms
Fiona Anderson
Vancouver Sun
Friday, September 28, 2007
British Columbia municipalities have narrowly voted in favour of asking the province to hold municipal elections every four years instead of the current three.
A three-year term is too short to be productive, said Joe Trasolini, the mayor of Port Moody, which put forward the motion at the annual convention of the Union of B.C. Municipalities being held this week in Vancouver.
It takes the better part of one year to get a new council to jell and work as a team, Trasolini said in an interview. Then in the third year the focus is on the next election. So it's only during the second year that things can get done, he said.
"The way the system is, out of three years you get one productive year," Trasolini said.
And Trasolini said communities need the continuity that four years would provide.
Elected officials aren't bound by what the previous council has passed, so for major initiatives, that continuity is key to getting the job done, he said.
Much of the opposition voiced at the convention came from those in smaller and rural communities who worried they would have difficulty attracting people to run for council if the job required a four-year commitment. Given pay levels, most perform their elected duties on top of other full-time jobs.
At last year's UBCM convention, this group won the day as a virtually identical resolution was narrowly defeated.
It is now up to the province to decide whether the law will in fact be changed. Elsewhere in Canada, only Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward island do not have four-year terms.
"I think the province will look at the merits and will probably at least debate it," Trasolini said.
"After all, we are the ones dealing on a day-to-day basis with these issues. So it would make sense that they would listen to us."
The UBCM also voted Thursday in favour of calling on the province to raise the minimum wage to $10 after a speech by NDP leader Carole James supporting the increase.
"The premier took a $54,000 increase for himself this year," she said. "And I think it's past time that we gave B.C.'s lowest-paid workers the same consideration."
And if the minimum wage isn't increased now, when the provincial economy is booming, when will it be? James asked.
In other resolutions, the UBCM voted to:
Ask the province to require annual or twice-yearly inspections of all commercial trucks, depending on size.
Ask the province to specifically regulate the keeping and sale of exotic animals by including a list of exotic animals that are prohibited.
Ask the federal government to return to local governments one cent out of every six cents collected through the goods and services tax.
A resolution to ask the Ministry of the Environment to prohibit the use of patio heaters was defeated. More resolutions will be considered today, including whether the UBCM should ask the province to scrap its single business licence initiative and allow municipalities to remain in control of business licences within their jurisdictions.
Memphis readies itself for Octobers first container ship
The first 5500 containers of consumer goods will arrive at the Fairview Container Port on October 31st, 133 hours later a good number of those containers will find a southern welcome that could change the economic dynamic in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal sent correspondent Jane Roberts to the Northwest to get a first hand look at the Pacific port that is going to have such a huge impact on the American south.
Their website features her findings about Prince Rupert, the Fairview container port and the infrastructure that CN is building in Memphis, three unique pieces of a puzzle, all set to come together at the end of this month.
Far-west Canadian harbor closes distance between Memphis, Pacific markets
By Jane Roberts (Contact)
Memphis Commercial Appeal
By Jane Roberts (Contact)
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Sunday, September 30, 2007
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- On the foggy, rainy shores of this outpost in northern Canada, a statue of Charles Hays stands like a sentry over the comings and goings of what until now has been a quiet Pacific fishing and logging town.
Nearly 100 years ago, Hays, an American, was in charge of building the grand trunk rail line across northern Canada, what was to be major link in the silk trade between China and Europe.
He chose Prince Rupert because it not only had the deepest warm-water harbor of any city on the West Coast, it was also closest to China.
When the line petered out after Hays went down with the Titanic, the little town with the deepest natural harbor on the continent faded.
On Oct. 31, when the first Asian shipping vessel docks in what Canadians call The New World Port at Prince Rupert -- loaded with 5,500 containers of consumables, electronics, clothing and all manner of goods North Americans buy every day from China -- the whole economy will change.
The magnitude will ripple across the continent -- arriving in Memphis 133 hours later by train -- in an uptick at Canadian National's Intermodal Gateway Memphis terminal in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park.
In the first year, CN expects 30 percent of the shipping containers -- or 75,000 -- will come through Memphis for storage and shipment across the region.
By the time the port's second phase is built in 2011, Prince Rupert will have capacity for 2 million containers. About 300,000 a year could be headed to Memphis, more than doubling CN's container business in Memphis.
"It's the opening of a brand-new trade route between North America and China," said John Moore, president and chief executive of the Memphis Regional Chamber. "That's very significant for us because China is Tennessee's No. 3 largest trade partner.
"As that extra capacity comes online, it allows for more expedient shipping of goods arriving from China, which is good for our distribution companies who will be managing more and more of these containers. That means more revenue, and more revenue generally means jobs."
Quite suddenly, Memphis and Tennessee will have cheaper and faster access to Asia, which experts say will do more to recruit business here than almost any combination of other factors.
Prince Rupert is nearly 58 sailing hours closer to Far East markets than Long Beach and Los Angeles, giving shippers the equivalent of an extra round-trip a year.
Transit times will be so quick, fishermen in Prince Rupert figure they will be able to ship their famous halibut fresh to the center of the United States.
"We think there will be tremendous market for beef and pork from the prairies of North America headed to Asia," said Barry Bartlett, spokesman for the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
"Really, anything going to Seattle from here would be in Memphis by the time the load gets to Seattle."
The reason is that Prince Rupert will unload directly from ship to train.
"That means there won't be any trucks going through the city," Bartlett said. "That takes a link out of the supply chain."
Without the congestion and the time it takes to get a load of seafood from Vancouver to Shanghai, Bartlett says transportation costs will go from 17 cents a pound down to 6 cents.
"We're creating opportunities in other potential markets for value-added products,'' he said.
With oil trading at $83 a barrel and competition for global markets rising, CN says Prince Rupert has been an easy sell.
"The reception has been outstanding," said Doug Hayden-Luck, head of international intermodal sales and based in Calgary. "The customers we've talked to in Asia understand totally the value proposition that the new service brings."
CN, the only railroad serving Prince Rupert, has signed contracts with COSCO, the second-largest ocean shipping company in the world, for 25 percent of capacity. Other contracts are expected within weeks after CN announced Thursday it was buying a major portion of a Chicago railroad, allowing it to shave a full day off transit time from Prince Rupert to Memphis.
"All in all, Prince Rupert is going to bring this area a tremendous amount of business," said Pete Aviotti, special assistant to Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton. "This is going to open the eyes to a lot of new industry as far as moving to Memphis because freight will be received here a lot quicker than in other parts of the country."
By 2020, the Prince Rupert Port Authority expects 44 million shipping containers will come through the West Coast ports. British Columbia's goal is to get 17 percent or 9 million. Nearly half of that will come through Prince Rupert, based on current projections.
In Memphis, there's reason to think cotton could ship more efficiently through Canada.
"We haven't done it yet, but we're studying it," said Billy Dunavant, chairman of Dunavant Enterprises. "Trimming a whole day off the transit between Chicago and Memphis is a big thing."
Since the $170 million port opened in mid-September, Bartlett's been giving port tours nearly full time to Asian journalists and businesspeople, selling them on Rupert's strategy and mind-set.
"CN has purchased 50 locomotives and 2,200 railcars dedicated only to Prince Rupert," he tells a handful of journalists from Asian shipping magazines and newspapers. "We're prepared for ships carrying 12,500 containers. They are so big they haven't even been built yet."
Maher Terminals, the company running the port, also runs the Port of New York and New Jersey, two of the biggest in the United States.
Because Prince Rupert is such an isolated part of the world, there is very little congestion both in the harbor and on the rail lines heading to interior markets, which the port authority says will trim days off the storage and wait times shippers experience coming through Long Beach and Los Angeles, the busiest port in the United States.
CN has capitalized on that by investing $30 million in the port itself and $25 million to lower bridge decks and make its tunnels higher so it can double-stack containers on its cars through to Chicago.
It has spent more than $100 million in Memphis in the last few years, calling Memphis its most important U.S. city behind Chicago for its ability to get goods to and from the populated east and midsections of the country.
"We have ample capacity in Memphis and that is the key for us," said Hayden-Luck, who said competitors in Memphis, including Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, are running out of space.
"All these guys in a sense are congested and need to build additional infrastructure to take on more business," he said. "We did that two years ago. We're ready."
-- Jane Roberts: 529-2512
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