Podunk Below the Masthead, Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Election results, referendum results and the taxpayers get restless on the letters pages, part of the Wednesday offerings in the Daily News.

NDP INCUMBENT RIDES AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS-- The re-election of NDP candidate Gary Coons as the MLA for the North coast was the featured item in Wednesday's edition as the paper outlined details of the election night results. From Coon's successful campaign to the disappointment in the Pond camp as well as the excitement for Green candidate Lisa Girbav, Tuesday night's results made for the headline, front page story in the Wednesday paper. (see full article below)

While the candidates were looking over the results of their efforts, the STV initiative was going down to a heavy defeat across the province and on the North coast. 60 percent of the voters chose the first past the post option as opposed to the STV plan, sending the project to the political graveyard for the foreseeable future. (see full story below)

On the letters to the editor page, the local tax increase was the subject of a strong condemnation from local resident Mark Rudderham, who offered up an accusatory finger at the past council and management of the city for today's required tax increases. His prime example was the handling of (or mishandling of) the Sun Wave situation by the city, outlining how it's a process that needs some closure to benefit the city and it's beleaguered taxpayers.

The City council score sheet is also included in the Wednesday paper, outlining the voting trends of the Mayor and council at the most recent council meeting on Monday night.

The Sports page turned it's attention to the Rupert Rapids success in weekend action at the Earl Mah Aquatic Centre

(Total pages in the Wednesday edition page 16)

NDP INCUMBENT RIDES AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
By George T. Baker and Monica Lam-Yorski
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pages one and three


It may not be easy to be a critic but it certainly is a successful role on the North toast.

Last night, the North Coast returned Gary Coons to his seat as the riding's MIA with a resounding victory.

During a provincial election that also returned a B.C.

Liberal government to power, it was apropos that the riding here did much of the same.

What some had called a battle of Titans, or at least two well-known political leaders, it might come as a bit of a surprise that Coons won by such a length.

Coons won with nearly 58 per cent of the vote, Herb Pond took nearly 35 per cent and Lisa Girbav placed third with nearly eight per cent.

For Coons, the lessons from his first term will certainly have an effect over how he represents during his second.

"Over the last four years I've learned a lot. I've learned the ins and outs of working with people and how we need to move forward," said Coons.

It was an election campaign that focused heavily on the economic condition of the riding, where the NDP looked to be fighting an uphill battle against a BC Liberal party that had the ringing endorsements of businessmen around the province.

Coons did not deny that jobs and the economy were factor in this election and said that the key to going forward 0 as it has been since 2004 – has been the Port of Prince Rupert’s expansion plans.

We look at the port and we all have to be onside at the federal level, the regional level and then with the port to push forward with logistic centres as necessary, said Coons.
"I believe that in this position we need to push forward Gordon Campbell and his commitments."

As for B.C. Liberal Herb Pond the night was bittersweet.

After a hard fought campaign, the former two-term mayor remained positive as it became clear that victory was out of reach.

"I think it was an extremely inclusive campaign," said Pond.
I think we brought together new people. New friendships were made. New respect was built among all sorts of people and a strong foundation was built.

"We were building on a strong foundation.

We did not start from scratch. There was a strong B.C. Liberal riding association in place. We have had successes in the past with Bill Belsey and we were building on top of them."

When asked what was next, Pond said he had no idea and that he would take his time in deciding.

"But 1 can tell you that serving the community of Prince Rupert for the last six year has

been incredible."

And if nothing else, the 2009 provincial campaign may have been a coming out of sorts for the Green Party's Lisa Girbav.

While at times publicly observed by both of her challengers as being young and involved, the 19 year-old never showed fear in competing with experienced candidates.

"I expected it to be a lot less work and really easy, but once 1 got into [the campaign] it became something that I had to commit fully to, so once I was put up to it I just gave it my all," said Girbav.

Girbav said Tuesday night's results did not dissuade her at all from continuing on.

 "If anything I am more turned on to politics," said Girbav.

But as always, to the victor went the spoils, and this term will belong to Coons whose mandate will surely include dealing with oil and gas development, port development and perhaps a return to critic-ship for BC. Ferries.

But is it easy to be a critic? "It is very difficult to be a critic, actually," said celebratory Coons.

"You get labeled as being negative, but I always felt that I was bringing forth the issues and concerns of not only Prince Rupert but all of my constituents. Being a critic isn't one of the easiest jobs around - it's probably one of the most difficult ones - and I look forward to taking on whatever chores Carole James passes on my way."



BC-STV IS DEAD IN THE WATER
By George T. Baker
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pages 1 and 3

North Coasters rejected the Single Transferable Vote last night by a wide margin.

In vote of 60 per cent against and 40 per cent for, the S1V died on the North Coast as well as elsewhere in the province.

It appears that locals were not impressed with the new voting system that would have increased the size of the riding while giving them more choices of candidates.

It was the second time B.G. voters shot down an attempt to reform the province's electoral system.

The question had been whether they favoured a form of proportional representation or the current first-past the-post system in a provincewide referendum.

Supporters of the single-transferable vote, known as BC-STY, had said it ensures no votes are wasted, but critics charged it reduces MLA accountability.

The issue was first put to a referendum in 2005 after a citizen's assembly on electoral reform chose STY as the system it preferred for the province.

The new voting method needed 60 per cent of the popular vote and more than 50 per cent of the votes in at least 51 of the province's ridings in order to pass.

By the time two-thirds of the polls had reported, STY had met the threshold in just 10 of the province's 85 electoral districts.

The electoral reform was on its way to a far lesser result than in 2005 when STY fell short of the required threshold by three percentage points.

"We're extremely pleased with the results," said Bill Tieleman, a political commentator and spokesman for the group No-STY.

He said people had a much better idea this time around about what voting under STY would look like - including massive ridings with multiple MLAs, stretching from the Interior to the U.S. border.

"It was no longer academic or theoretical," he said.

People were nervous about the system, which is complicated and difficult to explain. 'The single transferable voter proposal is definitely dead as of tonight. That doesn't mean electoral reform is dead in British Columbia, but certainly the STY is."

The campaign this time around was a bit higher energy than 2005, with both sides running ads on television, print and online. Advocates of the system said it would bring a more proportional style of representation.

Critics said it was too complicated a system and would actually lessen accountability for MIAs.

The call for a change to B.C.'s electoral system followed two elections which many felt proved first-past-the-post didn't represent the true will of the people.

In 2001, the New Democrats were reduced to two seats in the 79-seat provincial legislature although they garnered less than 60 per cent the popular vote. And in the 1996 election, the NDP under Glen Clark formed government although they garnered a smaller share of the popular votes than the Liberals.

Neither the Liberals or NDP commented on the system in this election, though the Greens supported it, saying it would give them a better chance at a seat in the legislature.

Under STY, the number of MLAs elected would have stayed the same - 85 - but the number of ridings would have decreased to about 20.

So the number of MIAs elected in each riding would have increased to between two and seven depending on the population of the riding or district.

Had the vote passed, B.C. would have joined handful of other places, including the Republic Ireland, Malta and Tasmania that have adopt the STV system, With a file from Canadian Press

Working towards a Campbell dynasty?

Despite being the lightning rod for many that he appears to be at times, with Tuesday night's electoral victory Premier Gordon Campbell has turned a corner of sorts in British Columbia politics, securing his third consecutive term as Premier of the province, making a move towards the political history books.

In a province where politics has long been truly a blood sport, leaders come and go in rapid fashion, backroom coups, outright hostility to the leaders, it all has been part of the colourful past for many of BC's parties over the years.

Campbell, however has managed to avoid the fate of past political leaders in the province, the the Vander Zalms, Clarks, Harcourts and Wilsons (though he benefited rather nicely by the demise of the latter) through his time as head of the Liberal party, keeping that shotgun marriage between Liberals and Social Credit nicely in place and with it a firm grasp on the reigns of power in the province, rewarded three times now with a mandate to govern.

While potential scandals have nipped at his heels during the last few years, they didn't seem to have any final impact on the vote totals, with voters seemingly accepting the Liberal agenda over that of the opposition NDP, which failed to move their message forward or to improve their standing in the Legislature for the next four years.

.

Political dynasties come and go over the years, the Social Credit Bennett's, both father and son the most often cited example of British Columbia's flirtation with populism. While Gordon Campbell most likely will never be considered a "politician of the people", he doesn't provide for the bombastic life of W.A.C Bennett, nor of the quiet, but iron rule of Bill. But he has begun to put his own stamp on the Liberal party of today, which much like its Social Credit predecessor continues to frustrate their competition at the Legislature.

.

They haven't started to revise the high school text books yet to reflect the changing standings for electoral success in the province, but like him, hate him or just trying to ignore him, it's safe to say that one day there will be a separate chapter for the Campbell years of governance in British Columbia.

.

It's still a work in progress of course, the only questions that remain are how long will it go on and when the time eventually comes, as it will, how it all comes to an end.

.

Some selected readings on the latest term for Gordon Campbell:

.

Vancouver Province-- Premier Campbell faces new challenges

Vancouver Province-- Three-peat for Campbell premier result

Vancouver Sun-- Election victory gives Campbell economic, environmental mandate

Vancouver Sun-- Campbell beat the NDP by beating and beating on the economic drum

Vancouver Sun-- Campbell's reviled carbon tax paid off for him in the end

Victoria Times Colonist-- Campbell's agenda: Do it all, right now

Globe and Mail-- Campbell wins again by focusing on governing, not the polls

24 Hours Vancouver-- What now?

24 Hours Vancouver-- Liberals win battle, need to brace for war

Podunk Below the Masthead, Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The School District seeks out project applications, the Healthy Heart problem wants to help ease you into better health and the dancers got some motivation over the weekend, the highlights of the Tuesday edition of the Daily News.

SCHOOL DISTRICT ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT FUNDING-- Despite uncertain futures, budgetary constraints and a large volume of possible projects, individual schools were being encouraged by the School District to think big and offer up their causes for consideration. With declining enrollment and uncertain futures for a few of the local schools, the process of application will provide a list of potential projects for the School District to examine at its next Annual Budget Committee meeting.

In particular submissions from Port Edward School which is on the bubble as far as enrollment goes and a lack of submissions from Prince Rupert Secondary School the status of which has yet to be announced by the District, provide for some discussion points as to the future for the school board budget for 2009-10. The project funding requests were the front page, headline item in the Tuesday paper (you can find the full article below)

Among the other items in the Tuesday edition, a review of the Healthy Heart program and the assistance it provides for those seeking to improve their heart health through exercise, diet and consultation.

And the recent BC Annual Dance competition also provided for some mentoring of the dancers, as one of the judges, Australian Grand Davies provided a motivational seminar for a number of the week's participants.

The Sports pages featured a review of the weekend's Panhandle Games where local and out of town high school track and field athletes competed at the Charles Hays field. The paper also provided some background on the recent trip to Kitimat for some of the members of the Prince Rupert Karate Club.

Total pages in the Tuesday edition (12)

Front page headline story,

SCHOOL DISTRICT ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT FUNDING
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Page one

Individual schools are advised not to be daunted by number of submissions nor by the uncertain future of some.

As the school board decides how it will allocate its dollars for the next school year, a curious application appeared on the roll out sheet included in the second phase of the Annual Budget Committee meeting.

Port Edward elementary school has applied for $30,000 worth of funding to purchase laptop computers for student use, which the school and school board thinks is needed.

However, the elementary school is one of the schools facing closure as the district deals with declining enrollment numbers, which begged the question, what happens to the computers if the school is closed?

The district's secretary treasurer, Kim Morris, said that there is a plan in place 'should the decision to close the school be made.

"The computers get redeployed to the areas of the district that most need them," said Morris.

She said the same thing happened when the district made the decision to close Kanata and Seal Cove two years ago and so the tenuous future of the Port Edward School would be unlikely be the deciding factor.

Noticeably absent from the project funding applications was Prince Rupert Secondary School, which is also facing an unsure future.

There were 31 projects listed on the sheet and Port Edward made three separate project applications totaling $51,597. It is not a guarantee that all of the projects applied for by district schools and the superintendent's office will see the light of day. One of the lead reasons a project will or won't proceed will be how the school board balances the school's need versus the district's capacity to pay for it.

Morris said that she would expect the number of school projects seeking funding to grow before the next ABC round, and was also curious -as to how many would apply.

"With $1.5 million in the budget and more projects to be accepted, it may seem daunting - but I would encourage the schools to continue with the project applications," said Morris.

This is.the first time the school board has had a list of projects presented to the school board during its ABC process. For school board chair Tina Last, she said having a preliminary list had been a positive step for the school board and ABC meetings.

The next ABC meeting is scheduled for May 25 at Charles Hayes.

Ok, we voted, so get back to work will ya...

In the end the numbers tell the tale of Tuesday’s election, British Columbians decided that they liked the same seating chart at the Legislature, offering up much the same in returns in 2009 as they did in 2005.

In fact there was little difference in the popular vote numbers of Tuesday as those of four years ago and despite the always present debate that the mainstream parties don’t listen, there is still little hope for the fringe parties to sit at the big boy’s and girls table in the legislature.

But of all the numbers to be crunched from Tuesday’s exercise of democracy it’s the number of British Columbians that bothered to vote that stands out the most.

Once again, the province’s voters did not turn out in resounding numbers, as less than 51 per cent of the eligible voters cast a vote provincewide on Tuesday, below 50 percent in Greater Vancouver, providing for a continuing downward trend that suggests a growing disconnect between the population and those that run for office and our apparent interest in having a says as to who will govern us.

It’s a worrisome trend, leaving the validation of governance of the province to the dwindling number of participants who are willing to make time to ensure that the democratic process remains the key ingredient of our system.

For those that scream out that electoral reform is the answer that quest took a rather serious hit as well on Tuesday.

The electoral reform referendum showed that most British Columbians are more comfortable with the way things are than with the confusing and apparently unwanted mechanism known as the Single Transferable Vote.

The STV vote reflected the impression of the voters that the initiative was never fully explained left many confused as to the process in play and what their vote would mean and more importantly how it would result in a beneficial change to the political spectrum.

With but only 39 per cent of the vote in favour of rewarding the runners up when we go to the polls, British Columbians reinforced the notion that either you win the riding outright or you go home, no need to hang around Victoria looking for a place to set up shop and collect a paycheque.
While the quest for change to the system will no doubt continue to be called for (especially from those that did not reach the Legislature), it would appear that for the short term there is no real appetite among that electorate that votes to change the system.

With the election all but called by 9:10 on Tuesday evening, the prospect of another term of Liberal governance was quickly becoming clear. All that remained to be seen as the vote was counted was who would accompany the Premier in his next term of office and what cabinet material would be arriving in Victoria for assignment.

The coalition of the old Social Credit and Liberal parties has proven to be a rather formidable political force in the province, leaving little in the way of middle ground for the NDP to chip away at unless there is some kind of galvanizing cause that can’t be ignored.

Despite the many challenges that face the province in troubled economic times, from education to health issues, to job creation and beyond, the simple fact from the election results was that the province’s voters felt that they were more comfortable with Mr. Campbell’s agenda and endorsed his third trip to the government side of the Legislature, than they were with Ms. James call to Take back Your BC.

The resounding victory, and with this third consecutive term not even underway yet and already the reporters and commentators were speculating on whether Premier Campbell was up for a fourth term in 2013. A decision rather far down the road one would imagine, but one which would put him in the same league as WAC Bennett when it comes to consecutive electoral success and political legend.

The Premier hinted in one interview that going for four consecutive terms may be on his horizon, depending on whether he is still enjoying his work and feels that the people still would endorse him. It's always a dangerous thing to do when you haven’t even started your third term, but in the euphoria of the moment one suspects that his aspirations got ahead of him.

Politics and running a province always offer up unexpected twists and turns, there will be a lot of political machinations to come over the next four years, before he can contemplate that run for dynasty.

Over on the opposition side of the results, Ms. James fielding the anticipated questions over her timetable and held to the talking points that it was time to reflect on the results but not necessarily leave her post just yet. The NDP which seems to have short shelf space for losing campaigns of late, will no doubt read the polls, check the electoral results and formulate their plans for four years from now.

At the moment there isn’t any real alternative in the wings waiting to take over the leadership if ever Ms. James decides to step aside, or if that possibility is suggested by party officials. But the jockeying for 2013 no doubt will begin in the backrooms sometime after the summer holidays.

As admirable as her campaign was to her supporters, the purpose of political parties for the most part is to take power and effect change, the NDP did not succeed in that mission and there will not doubt be calls from within to seek out a new direction, a new platform and a new approach to campaigns to come.

Likewise, the Green Party while finding some success in assorted ridings and a small increase in the vote in those ridings, still did not place a member in the legislature and their much cherished quest for STV and a way into the debating club in Victoria was quashed by a huge margin.

.
The party still appears to be more of a convenient parking spot for some voters and more of a political action committee than bona fide party at the moment, fighting the good fight for the good causes but not collecting enough interested voters to really make a difference to the make up of the Legislature. It will be interesting to see how they progress after this second consecutive shut out of the process, despite the high profile that they gave to their concerns.

The low voter turnout suggests that the process is being taken for granted, those that vote far more engaged in the process than the remainder who found other things to do on election day than take the five or ten minutes required to mark an X and offer their opinion to the province’s direction.

There are clearly roughly fifty percent of those potential voters still looking for a reason to become engaged and issue an opinion, suggesting room for another option, one not yet in place, but one that if it ever finds a voice could change the dynamics of this province in the years to come.

.
The quest to corral that missing vote will begin again over the next four years, find a way to bring the missing voters and their votes back into the election booth and our provincial elections may one day prove to offer more than the usual results, from the

NDP holds the North coast and the Northwest..

In the end, the big showdown between incumbent MLA Gary Coons and former Mayor Herb Pond wasn't quite the nail biter that many had hoped for.

In fact, with a rather healthy margin, Mr. Coons will return to Victoria as the MLA for the North Coast for his second consecutive term, though once again he will sit on the opposition bench after a successful run locally, but disappointing turn of events on the provincial scene for the NDP.

The NDP candidate jumped out to a quick lead as the ballots began to be counted and never looked back, never trailed and was in the clear as early as 9:30 as the vote margin between he and Mr. Pond began to grow.

As the last of the 67 of 67 ballots was counted the final tallies would show Mr. Coons with 4940 votes or almost 58 percent of the popular vote, Mr. Pond was second with close to 35 per cent of the vote or 2981 votes and Green Party challenger Lisa Girbav made some inroads for her party with 658 votes or roughly 8 per cent of the vote.

The margin of Mr. Coons victory in 2009 was 1900 votes, an increase of around 300 from his margin of 2005, a definite disappointment for the Liberal party which had trumpeted Mr. Pond as a difference maker should he be voted to office.

Ms. Girbav, one of the youngest candidates in the province, apparently struck a chord with a number of North coast voters as she increased the Green Party's vote total from 2005 by 61 votes.

The numbers between the two elections of course can't be compared for a true reading of the political landscape, redistribution seems to have reduced the number of voters casting ballots for candidates from the last election.

2005 featured 87 ballot locations, compared to 67 this time around. In 2005 10,431 ballots were cast in North coast voting booths, while the 2009 campaign record will check in at 8,579 votes counted.

Still by factoring in the popular voting percentages we can determine that not much really changed in the minds of voters over the last four years, Mr. Coons gained about four per cent from last time around, the Liberals dropping about three percent, while the Green Party picked up about 2 per cent from last year.

.

It was a total perhaps aided a bit by the disappearance of fringe parties in the riding, and perhaps with a little bit of creative vote parking for this campaign, a reward for Ms. Girbav for her hard work against rather strong odds.

For Mr. Coons the victory will serve as repudiation of the concept that he was "too negative a force" on the political scene, one of the themes of the Liberal campaign that didn't seem to catch on, as the voters of the North coast were able to separate Mr. Coons requirements as opposition member with his interest and support for his riding.

The reduction in vote totals from the Belsey campaign of 2005 should serve as an indication that the North coast voters didn't take too well to the style of campaigning in the final week or so of the campaign, where the negative vibes seem to be coming from the Liberals as they desperately tried to turn back what clearly was going to be an NDP wave on the North coast.

For Ms. Girbav, her candidacy proved to be a bit of fresh air from the traditional political machines of the two mainstream parties, while few expected her to actually take a seat in Victoria after the election, it would seem that more than a few of the voters felt confident in showing their support if not for her party's policies for the most part, then for her bid for office.

She provided a safe spot to register disappointment with the two main parties, offering up to them the thought that it is time to refocus their attention on the many jobs at hand for the province.

For the NDP, the North coast and Northwest proved to be one of the brighter spots on the electoral map, despite the hopeful declarations of their Take Back your BC campaign, in the end the results tonight are very much the way they were in 2005. A solid Liberal majority, a third time repeat for Premier Campbell and little in the way of an increase in overall support across the province for the NDP.

While they did well on the North coast and in neighbouring Skeena, they couldn't capture either of the two Prince George riding's and fell short in other swing riding's across the province where gains were thought to be had.

With the campaign now at an end, it will be interesting to see what direction the political trail will take the three participants in this campaign, Mr. Coons once again solidly supported by his constituents will surely be given another high profile shadow cabinet position, where he can effectively hold the government of the day to account for their actions.

Ms. Girbav, young as she is, has many years to go before the electorate will consider her to be a cynical, old, manipulative politician, her issues rallied attention to her causes, making for a good launching point for further political action should she desire it.

As for Mr. Pond, he ended his term in municipal office for the chance for the larger stage and was not rewarded for his political risk. Rather than remaining the big fish in the small pond (sorry for the obvious cliche), he took on the prospect of becoming a smaller fish in a bigger ocean and found that the ocean currents in the end weren't moving his way.

.

Having been part of the electoral scene on the North coast in one capacity or the other for a number of years, it may be hard to wean himself off of the regular interaction with the voting public.

Then again, there is bound to be a Federal election on the horizon sometime in the next twelve months if not before.... if he gets that itch again... you wonder if Mr. Pond may not want to make one more run for a brass ring.

And the numbers are trickling in

As the polls close and the count begins we'll update this page regularly with the results of the North Coast riding and the province wide trends

A Liberal Majority government was declared by the networks at 9:10 pm

as of 11:50 PM
67 of 67 ballot boxes reporting

North Coast results
8579 votes reported so far

Coons, Gary 4940.......57.58%
Pond, Herb 2981........34.75%
Girbav, Lisa 658...... 7.67%

Province Wide Seat Count

Liberals 48
NDP 37
Green 0
Conservative 0
Other 0

Popular Vote

Liberals ........... 46.2%
NDP..................42.1%
Green................ 8%
Conservative/Other... 4%


Referendum

Single Transferable Vote 39%
First Past the Post 61%

Podunk Below the Masthead, Monday, May 11, 2009

There is such a thing as a free lunch at the SPCA, Enbridge offers up their latest rebuttal in the great pipeline debate and the school district seeks flexibility in budget matters. A few of the items in the Monday edition of the Daily News.

RUPERT SPCA WILL BE 'FED UP' WITH NEW PET FOOD SUPPLIER-- The local branch of the SPCA will benefit from a province wide deal with Hill's Pet Nutrition, which will supply branches of the BC SPCA with two years worth of free meals, some 206,000 pounds of food over the course of those two years.

With that welcome development, the local branch found itself having to move some food this past week, so they donated their existing supplies to the Salvation Army for distribution to those families in need that may have pets. The tale of the free meal deals, was the front page headline story in the Monday paper. (The full story can be found below)

Elsewhere in the Monday edition, Enbridge once again explains its side of the pipeline debate, hoping to rally support for it's plans for a pipeline from Kitimat to Alberta's tar sands. Last week Enbridge's Terrace office was the subject of a protest march, as local residents agings the energy giants plans made their views known.

And while behind the news cycle from last weeks School District deliberations over budget concerns, the Daily News weighed in with their report on the latest developments of School District 52, which is in the final steps of presenting their budget for the 2009-10 school year. The SD also must wait for student numbers to finalize before making any final determinations, residents of Kitkatla are still trying to decide if they wish to follow the lead of Port Simpson and set up their own local school system, or if they will remain under the umbrella of SD52. A decision which could have a major impact on funding expectations and decisions.

The Sports section was a busy place, two pages of local information, including results of the Glory Days run, Prince Rupert Senior Secondary's golf team competition in Smithers and coverage of the Mr. and Mrs. golf tournament held over the weekend.

Total pages in the Monday edition 12

RUPERT SPCA WILL BE 'FED UP' WITH NEW PET FOOD SUPPLIER
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Monday, May 11, 2009
Page one

A Howling great gift was handed to the Salvation Army on Friday.

The Prince Rupert branch of the BC SPCA has handed over a van-full of dog food to the local Sally Ann, as the organization looks to move excessive stock.

In B.C., the provincial animal advocate has signed a two-year deal with Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada, a pet food supplier. The deal is meant to keep the BC SPCA off donations for the foreseeable future while promoting the brand to SPCA pet adopters.

"This is a great opportunity for our animals to stay on a consistent diet," said Prince Rupert branch manager LindsayVincent.

Vmcent, who dropped the food off with a little help from locals having lunch at the Sally Ann, said that having a consistent diet would be the best thing for the animals.

The pet food company's deal will result in 206,000 pounds of dog and cat food dropped off to SPCAs across the province.

Vincent said that the new food that is available now would make the very kind food donations from Rupertites no longer necessary for cats and dogs at the shelter.

The BC SPCA wanted people to know that they have worked and studied the contribution from Hills and 1ft a recent statement the organization said that the new arrangement fit within the non-profit's requirements to prevent cruelty to animals.

"We concluded that their positions on animal testing are consistent with the BC SPCA's own

position, namely that animal research would not be performed on personal care or vanity products and that any research will incorporate leading edge practices to address welfare concerns," said the agency.

"We will still accept the odds and sods like toys, collars, leashes and blankets," said Vincent.

The SPCA will also continue to accept food supplies for rabbits, birds, gerbils, hamsters, and other small animals.

"We want to thank all the people who have donated over the years for their kindness and we do have a list of urgently-needed items for our branch, which we would be happy to supply locals with,' said Vincent.

BC SPCA shelters, adoption centres, storefront locations and branches across the province are currently competing in, The Great BC SPCA Adoption Challenge, an annual event to try and find "forever" homes for as many animals as possible during the month of May.

Sadly, only 17 per cent of cats and 13 per cent of dogs in Canadian households are acquired from shelters and rescue groups like the BC SPCA.

That means the vast majority of pets are acquired from pet stores, breeders, the Internet and newspaper or online classified ads. This is in spite of the fact that pet overpopulation is a tremendous concern in B.c., and unwanted litters of kittens and puppies are surrendered to SPCA shelters almost every day.

The Great BC SPCA Adoption Challenge is an opportunity to celebrate the many ways these animals enrich our lives, and to highlight the important role we playas the guardians entrusted with their care.

The top branches in the challenge will win a cash prize of $2,500 to be used locally and will vie for the coveted Be SPCA Adoption Award (and of course, bragging rights for their community!).

It's election Day

The speeches, debates, knocks on your door and phone calls (robo and human) have all come to an end and now it's all up to you.

It's Election Day in British Columbia and time for your to have your say, Polling hours are from8 am to 8 pm at Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. The Elections BC website has all you will ever need to know (except who to vote for) about this 2009 election.

.

We elect a local MLA for our North Coast riding and make a decision on whether we wish to adopt the Single Transferable Vote option for future elections

.

For those still undecided, you can refresh your memory with some campaign material from the three main party websites, Green Party, Liberal Party of BC, New Democratic Party.

.

We have followed the campaign on the local front on the blog as well and some past material can be found here.

If you haven't already voted, it's Go time, bring a friend, Democracy is infectious...

Ah the first indication that the long weekend is on the way...

The Victoria Day weekend, while not quite the first day of summer, the unofficial start of the season, a time for hitting the road and seeking out new adventures...

And like the return of the hummingbirds, your dandelions and the need to mow the grass, it heralds the start of the suddenly fast paced days of gas price increases.

Petro Can at Hays Cove was first that we noticed off the starting blocks today, upping the price of regular unleaded to 98.9 this morning.

Other across town that have also increased their price to the pre Victoria Day benchmark of 98.9 are Petro Can in the Industrial Park and Chevron downtown.

.

Holding the line today at 95.9 were Husky and Esso also in the downtown core.

Seeking a little 411 on the subject of Citywest forgiveable debt

When council does get down to work this evening, perhaps they could turn their attention toward pages 33 and 34 of the official agenda for tonight’s deliberations.

An interesting bit of number crunching takes place on these pages, as the city audit pages outline an intriguing explanation of fiscal accounting for CityWest. In among all the numbers and financial mumble jumble that is part and parcel of thses statements is one line that will be raising the radar of those that are interested in the financials at the city owned phone, cable and internet provider.

Right after the financial status of our Solid Waste capital fund (page 32) comes Statement P of page 33, the statement of Financial Position for the Telephone operating fund, Page thirty four features Statement Q, which highlights a Loan of $23,156,563 and then Underneath the neat little columns of numerical wonder of Liabilities and Equity, in the middle of the page is a simple item simply listed as Loan forgiveness at a total of $20,000,000.

We’re sure it’s some form of accounting practice common at this time of the year, but for the casual reader of City council agendas and financial statistics, forgiveness probably comes across as meaning aw shucks, forget about that ole debt…

It might be helfpful for council to walk the taxpayers through this one a little, just so we all have a better understanding of the financial happenings of our civic owned communications outlet.

If nothing else, it couldn’t help but to explain what the term forgiveness means, outline what it is for and what it’s all about.
.
We imagine a few folks might have oh lets say a million, or make that about twenty million questions to ask on that item…

Council set to look over some numbers on Monday night

Prince Rupert City Council returns to the work of municipal discussion this Monday night, the first meeting for May and apparently an important one considering the length of the agenda for the session ahead this evening.

Posted on the city website for this evening is a seventy five page preview of what is ahead for council, among the items for discussion and review this evening are some reports from the General Manager over planned Public Works projects; among the key topics of discussion are the expansion of the landfill site, the Duncan road pump station and sewer project and the introduction of pay parking to Atlin Terminal (save your Loonies they are soon to be of use)

Council will also look over some appointments to local boards and review a number of bylaw recommendations.

But the bulk of those seventy five pages of reading material prior to tonight's council meeting are taken up by the City's audited financial statement and five year plan, all of which runs from page 13 on to page 64 of the on line agenda.
.
Those that are truly dedicated to their understanding of the machinations of civic government will no doubt find much to discuss among all the different entries required in the running of a city, from the fire department, to protective services and communications, the financial statement provides for much of interest for the inquisitive policy nerds of Podunk.

In the end though, these statements all come down to one thing, what's it going to cost...

For those wishing to get a more in depth look at the anticipated impact on households by the projected 3.8 tax increase, page 67 offers up a spread sheet that shows what you will pay according to the value of your home, for those looking for nightmare scenarios just move your finger to the right...

Of course in among all of that information will come one more item of interest to local residents, the attendance list.

The Mayor's chair has had fill in hosts for the last three sessions, with a string of public appearances over the last week, it's anticipated that Mayor Jack Mussallem will be back at the gavel as tonight's deliberations begin.

No doubt more than ready to guide council and the city through the process of making sense of the finances and soothing the taxpayers for whom the tax bill will soon need paying.

Catching up to the Liberal side of the campaign with the Northern Connector

If ever the current government of BC was to look for a print version to resemble the legendary days of Pravda, then perhaps the Northern Connector might wish to offer up its services.

The Friday edition of the weekly flyer wrap and capsule of sporadic regional news, arrived at local doorsteps chock full of advertisements declaring that the Liberal party of BC was seemingly the only offering available to save the province from the hordes...

And by far the most attention and benefit from the world of paid political advertising went to the Liberal candidate for the North Coast campaign, Herb Pond. The May 8th edition featured both ads from the Liberal party and others from clearly on board support groups, offering up the latest word on what the voter should consider on election day.

Page two featured an ad advising that Mr. Pond was "instrumental" in securing funding for the cruise ship and container facilities (a tad creative in description) stressing the job angle, though in six years of the last two councils, there were a good number of jobs that went out of town and with them the folks that lived here.

Page ten had a generic ad suggesting that not voting for Liberals leaves the provinces' jobs potential at risk, though there wasn't much to back up that suggestion.

Page eleven is a declaration from the Independent Power Producers that the NDP would freeze investment and continue to import dirty coal power from the US, though they don't outline if and where this process currently takes place

Page thirteen has the save the cost of beer ad we made note of earlier this weekend, enough said on the silliness of that addition to the electoral debate...

Page fourteen is a full page ad for Mr. Pond detailing that the future for Prince Rupert is in port development, this of course despite the fact that the current Liberals are spending much more on Delta Port than Fairview, it again stresses how Mr. Pond "delivered" phase one though it doesn't outline his involvement other than speaking in favour of it..

Page twenty four offered up a more humble request for votes from Donny Van Dyk in Terrace, no bold declarations in that one just your standard Liberal stump speech, not negative just informative.

We're not sure who decided that the Pond campaign had to go all thermo nuclear in these final days, outlining how the competition (Mr. Coons) is all negative you know, by er, ah, going negative, but it seems a foolish gambit that may annoy more voters than it attracts.

We suspect that most voters on the North coast would rather have had Mr Pond outline what he believed he could offer to the riding; what he feels he could achieve for our long term success. Instead we mainly get generalities, with little detail or declaration of his core beliefs on many of the current topics.

He may not ever actually achieve any of his plans or wishes should he be elected on Tuesday, but at least we would know what and where he stands, rather than these somewhat goofy and sometimes outright shaded declarations featuring less than thorough documentation to back up the rhetoric...

Then again the Liberals seem to have spent a lot of energy on a newspaper that most people toss into the recycling box the moment that they get it. So that perhaps shows their basic knowledge of how best to get the message out and with it will come the applicable results when the votes get counted Tuesday evening.

The wall to wall Liberal advertorials took up a fair amount of lineage in the twenty four pages of the Connector, interestingly enough there was not one ad for either of the other two parties competing in this North Coast election campaign.

When it comes to fiscal sensibility and best bang for your advertising buck, we wonder if perhaps they don't know something that the Liberals didn't?

They all had something on their mind...

Friday was letters day at the Daily News, as a number of the politically aware locals weighed in with their opinions on the candidates and parties seeking our vote on Tuesday.

Among the full page of editorial comment were two letters from city councillors, who offered up their opinions on the campaign and the candidates. Some were in favour of the incumbent MLA to hold onto his job, while others found hope and value in the Liberal challenger for the position.

The weekend primer of political opinion was published on page four of the Friday paper, we offer up some of the more intriguing of offerings from that edition.


Two good candidates…
Letter to the Editor
The Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page 4

To the Editor,

Well it's election time again. Unlike other election years I feel compelled to write this letter with respect to our North Coast riding. I find the election, ~is year, to be interesting because we have two friends, as candidates, seeking the MLA seat for the North Coast riding.

Our incumbent Gary Coons, who by the way, has done an excellent job of representing issues, with respect to Coastal First Nations and in particular with us, the people of Gitxaala.

Then we have Herb Pond, known more commonly as our past Mayor, who is attempting to represent the North Coast riding as a Liberal? The interesting part in this, is these two candidates have accumulated, as far as First Nations goes, a lot of similarities; both as our MLA and as our Mayor in the past.

Together these two complimented each other quite well, very powerful! To top that off, the two along with our MP Nathan Cullen and

Skeena MLA Robin Austin, it was quite amazing. However, now: the past Mayor is attempting, as a Liberal, to top that? IMPOSSIBLE! Why?

History has proven time and time again that this riding is best held by the "NDP" period! First Nations have always had a long time relationship with them. Gordon Campbell: and the Liberal party now say they want to have this "new relationship with First Nations"?

I say the relationship is not new, the relationship has always existed within the other parties concerned; it's just that Gordon Campbell now feels compelled to finally jump on board, not because he wants to, but because he has to.

Our Premier wants access to First Nations land and resources so he can transport raw resources to a container port and ship them out, unprocessed, to an overseas destination. Gordon Campbell does not want a new relationship with First Nations, he wants to manipulate it, and is attempting to do this with the few First Nation Liberal supporters he has.

Why would I say something as crude as that? Simple, we had a huge issue, dear to our hearts here in the North; we had a small group of our people wanting to set up something all the rest of us were dead set against. We lobbied Gordon Campbell, Micheal De Jong and Pat Bell. Not one of the three would meet with us, not one. However they shamefully flew to Rupert, and then to the village, to see and speak to the "few" that wore Liberal t-shirts during the last election.

Arrogantly flying right over us, so to speak, because our concerns clashed with what they ultimately wanted and hoped to attain.

Gordon Campbell is now attempting to use our ex Mayor and all that he has learned from us, to get what he needs from the North! If Herb is successful, Gordon will only allow him, what Gordon wants to allow for the North, and impede the rest.

Back benching and other shameful tactics come to mind as ways to ensure this. We have an incumbent that has diligently represented the North, our MLA Gary Coons. Gary has kept and will continue to keep, Gordon Campbell well aware that the North is not for sale.

Our land, our forest and our bountiful resources from the sea, will remain free from the harm, like that of dirty oil and oil tankers.

Together along with our incumbent, we will protect our Rivers, from its headwaters to its estuaries; selling our rivers is pure and utter non-sense, and will be stopped!

People, on Election Day it is truly time to start making a move to take back "our beautiful British Columbia" with the NDP by our side.

Conrad B. Lewis
First Nations descent

Concern for the Fishermen…
Letter to the Editor
The Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page 4

To the editor,

The DFO's 2009 proposed salmon fishing plan is a 33% cut from last year and a 40% cut from the harvest rates prior to 2003. Cuts of this magnitude are not scientifically substantiated. Even so, the American funded

Skeena Wild Conservation 'I'rust wants even larger reductions.

The DFO plans to allow a marine harvest of 20% of Skeena sockeye. The Enviro-bullies want us to catch only 15%.

The DFO predicts a return of 2.2 million of which they will allow Canadian fishermen to harvest only 400,000. Alaskans will catch 250,000. This leaves 1.6 million sockeye spawners - 500,000 too many. Of the excess sockeye, 365,000 will be caught in the Babine River and Lake; it is unlikely these fish will be processed in Prince Rupert.

Last year the Skeena steelhead run was twice the Ministry of Environment escapement target. Even so, the Provincial Government wants gillnets to further decrease their accidental steelhead bycatch mortality.

They are demanding that gillnet fishermen fish the whole season with half nets which will double fishermen's fuel costs at a time when their sockeye catches are almost halved.

It is the Provincial Liberals stated policy that they want as much steelhead up country as possible - in order to assist the tourist! sports fishing economies of Terrace, Smithers and Houston.

This Provincial Government dissolved the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that looked after the interests of the coastal fishing sector.

And then the Federal and Provincial Governments want to know why north coast fishermen and shoreworkers are bankrupt!

Joy Thorkelson


Giving BC away…
Letter to the Editor
Prince Rupert Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page 4

To the editor,

Gordon Campbell, the arrogant autocrat, has been giving away BC' waterways to American corporations after taking care of environmental and consultation processes in the following manner: Bill 30 took away the right of local governments to zone for these projects.

Part of a resolution from the BC Union on Indian Chiefs reads "the Chiefs' council call for an moratorium on all private power facility development on rivers and streams until such time as there is an assurance for transparent consultation on any private power development agreement."

The only way a BC government Will Comply is if that government is not Liberal.

Environmental lawyer David Boyd states, "whereas BC once had Canada's strongest environmental assessment act, we now have its weakest".

Foreign fish farm companies have benefited from the Campbell government's generosity, and he from theirs _ in donations.

The Liberals have continued to issue permits, in spite of the undeniable threat of environmental catastrophe in the Broughton Archipelago and beyond. Liberal candidate, Herb Pond, is on record as being a supporter of setting up fish farms on the North Coast.

This election, I will vote for the candidate who will represent people, not corporations: Gary Coons, NDP.

Ian Dobson

Herb Ponds abilities…
Letter to the Editor
The Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page 4

To the Editor,

A Leader for Today. As a long time resident, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the committed leaders in our community, particularly during my time on City Council.

In the upcoming election, I fully support Herb Pond, the Liberal Candidate. This support is not blind support because of a party; it is thoughtful and determined support because I believe he will hugely benefit our community.

Herb Pond has the ability to build consensus.

Herb Pond has to ability to look beyond problems to find solutions.

Herb Pond thinks for himself.

Herb Pond has an approach which opens doors.

Herb Pond has an ability to discuss local opportunities and put our community positively on the map which is unequalled by anyone I have yet to meet.

Herb Pond has the determination and skills needed for the job. On May 12, put Herb Pond to work for Prince Rupert on a provincial level.

Sheila Gordon-Payne

Changing paces…
Letter to the Editor
The Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page four

To the editor,

This letter will come as a surprise to people who are familiar with my political position in the last provincial election.

I have, in the past, been a staunch supporter of the NDP party but I can no longer support anyone party as I feel that all have lost focus and direction. All are out of touch with the people of this province and this country.

So what am I left with?

My vote will go to the person that I feel is best qualified and most likely to represent me regardless of their party affiliation. In this election I feel that person is former mayor Herb Pond.

I believe that Herb did an outstanding job of pulling a council and a city together under absolutely disastrous circumstances.

Tough decisions were made when they had to be made. His representation of Prince Rupert provincially, nationally and internationally have gone a long way to improve the lot of Prince Rupert's citizens and business community.

Unlike most, Herb's focus is to a great extent on the future and not just the present. He is willing to work hard on long term goals and I believe that will serve us all well down the road.

Through knowing him for many years, I believe Herb Pond to be very knowledgeable and a man of integrity and transparency.

Herb Pond gets my vote.

Bill MacGregor


In response to wondering…
Letter to the EditorPrince Rupert Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page 4

To the editor,

In regards to Richard Wright's May 6th letter "Do you Wonder ... "

In his letter Mr Wright wondered if Prince Rupert and the Northwest would have received more support if we had not sent opposition MLA's and MP's to Victoria and Ottawa.

Mr Wright questions why our community hasn't moved forward faster and asks, "Could it be that we should not expect support from those we refuse to support in turn?"

Any party that would punish communities for electing opposition MLA's or MP's does not deserve the support of any Canadian.

Christina Nelson

Daily News Pressing Questions May 8, 2009

As part of their Election Coverage, the Daily News is asking questions of the candidates and printing their replies in the Wednesday and Friday editions of the paper.

The following was the "Pressing Question" for Friday, May 8, 2009, the last we would gather of the question and answer sessions for this campaign.

"What needs to be done to encourage doctors to move to the riding?"

Gary Coons -- New Democratic Party

People throughout BC do not nave regular access to a doctor, and we have a real shortage on the North Coast. To increase the number of rural physicians we need to increase medical school enrollment, the number of foreign-trained MDs and create financial incentives.

A strong rural health strategy that focuses on local needs with local input is needed. Physicians need to practise in modern rural health care facilities supported by a referral network that functions well.

The BC NDP will establish a Health Quality Council to look at best-practices that move toward affordable health care through innovation, not privatization.


Lisa Girbav – Green Party

The best way to keep people in a region is to train people from that region. As well, we could entice doctors to come by providing pay back incentives for graduating doctors willing to staff rural facilities where recruitment is currently a problem. Then we could establish 2417 clinics in rural areas (such as Haida Gwaii) staffed by salaried doctors and nurses able to perform emergency surgical services.

Thank you for reading my responses during this election campaign. I hope you will vote for me (after all, I would vote for you).


Herb Pond – Liberal Party of British Columbia

In the first place community leaders must present a positive image of the region. Negativity drives people away.

The province and Northern Health playa role in attracting professionals to British Columbia.

As MLA I will work to entrench our region within the provincial recruitment program.

A strong local economy is important. We must find the resources to maintain and improve recreational, social and cultural facilities and programs. Doctors and other profes ionals consider their families when deciding on a new home. We must be able to sell our communities to potential recruits. The communities must close the deal.

Podunk Below the Masthead, Friday, May 8, 2009

Perfection at the Lester Centre, a cash crunch for Biotoxin program and electoral letters, letters, letters to the Editor, all part of the Friday edition of the Daily News.

DANCER RECEIVES A PERFECT SCORE IN LOCAL COMPETITION-- The front page, headline story in the Friday paper featured the achievement of Prince George dancer, Matthew Cluff, who received a perfect score at the BC Annual Dance competition at the Lester Centre. The Daily outlined his work regiment and competitive spirt as part of the front page story. (see full story below)

Elsewhere in the Friday paper, the local North Coast Water Quality and Biotoxin program is in need of funding to keep it's operations in place, without a quick turnaround of their financial fortunes it is feared that the entire program will come to an end. Sounding the alarm, Pat Lawson expressed concerns over health issues for First Nations villages and aquaculture interests could be a risk.

The election feature Pressing Questions once again offered up a talking point to the debate, that of what needs to be done to attract doctors to move to the riding, we'll outline the responses later in the blog.

The final days of the provincial election campaign have brought out the letter writers, with a number of tributes to the local favourites, we'll also outline those letters further along in the blog.

High School girls soccer highlighted the Friday edition of the sports page with a review of the recent PRSS/CHSS match up.

Total pages in the Friday edition (20)

DANCER RECEIVES A PERFECT SCORE IN LOCAL COMPETITION
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page one

Prince George resident's amazing performance wows judges at this year's B.C. Annual Dance Competition.

When Matthew Cluff received a mark of 100 from the adjudicators at the BC Annual Dance Competition for his lyrical solo on Tuesday afternoon, he was surprised.

In fact, the 16-year-old Prince George dancer said, "I was pretty stunned. Dancing is an art form and it's tough to be judged like that because there's always room to improve."

Cluff has been coming to the BC Annual Dance Competition since he was lZ years old, the age he said he became serious about dance.

"We were doing the Nutcracker and I decided that dance was what I wanted to do," he recalled.

Part of that decision involved committing himself to training year round.

''I'd lose the splits over summer so over the last couple of years I've worked hard in the summers."

In Z008, he attended a summer intensive in Kelowna for five weeks and this summer he will be in Seattle taking a five-week ballet course where he has been offered a full scholarship.

"I'm possibly planning to become a professional ballet dancer," Cluff said. "It's important to have solid technique and at the summer school I'll be put into a place with so many kids working toward the same goal."

This time around Cluff has prepared six solos, some duos and several group pieces for festivals and competitions.

In addition, he choreographed six solos and one duo for other students at the studio and a senior piece he performed in with three other dancers on Wednesday evening.

Cluff has been dancing since he was two. His older brother wanted to take dance at Enchainement Dance Studio because he liked a girl and Cluff tagged along to watch.

"I was dancing around the room while my brother was in the class and someone told my mom she should sign me up," Cluff said.

His brother quit after three years, returning to take song & dance and jazz one year, but Cluff stayed with it.

"He's attending the Vancouver Film School now," Cluff said of his older brother.

Each day of the week Cluff leaves for school at 8:30 a.m. and after school heads to the studio, where he does not take a break until he goes home at 9 or 9:30 p.m.

When asked what he does outside of dance he smiled and said, "sleep and do homework."

He will be going into grade 11 next September but plans to graduate in 2010. He'll be able to do that because he is two grades ahead in math, has never had spares, and his dance exams have helped him gain additional academic credits.

Injury-free for the most part, Cluff has had minor bumps and bruises from dance but said he has never had to stay away.

"I've been really lucky," he added.

He also feels fortunate to be part of the dance community in Prince George.

"It's a big enough community to really get support and have enough kids to keep you driving but it's not a mega town. Things are much more personalized and one-on-one. If you were in Vancouver you might not get that."

On Wednesday evening, Cluff performed in four pieces during the first category and afterwards looked completely content as he chatted in the lobby.

"Right before I go on stage I actually get pretty nervous which is kind of sad because I've been doing this for a while but I then, I push it to the side. When I'm in a group or duo I'm not nervous but am totally comfortable. I guess it is the nervousness of your routine."

Think of them as floating petri dishes

Well there may be an upside to our decline in cruise ship traffic this year, there will be less chance of those of us shore bound residents coming into contact with unwitting carriers of the A H1N1 virus.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer has an article posted to its website today that has traced the path of H1N1 to Alaska, after a crew member on the Serenade of the Seas cruise ship came down with the virus while in transit to Alaskan waters.

The female crew member of the Royal Caribbean ship, became ill May 2 while sailing from San Francisco northward. The woman was isolated two days later and was treated with antiviral medication, subsequent testing while docked in Ketchikan provided a negative result, attributed to the quick response of ship board doctors who isolated her and began treatment with Tamiflu immediately.

With that negative being reported by the Alaska health agencies, state tourism officials found no reason to keep tourists from coming ashore on the various ports of call that the vessel is scheduled to make.

Though they do suggest that it highlights the challenges to the tourism industry when these sudden outbreaks of flu show up.

The Serenade of the Seas makes her first and only port call of the year in Prince Rupert, on Wednesday, May 13, from 10 am to 6 pm.

.

Keep an ear out for the sniffles and sneezes...

Northern Adventure to be sidelined again for repairs

Three weeks out of refit and it's back to the repair dock for the Northern Adventure. Having spent a good portion of the winter months in dry dock getting a complete refit, it probably had been hoped that the Northern routes would now see some smooth sailing through the summer months, but as things turn out, that isn't to be.

The BC Ferry servicing the Rupert to Queen Charlottes run has been rendered inoperative due to bearing problems suffered this past week on one of its regularly schedule crossings to the Queen Charlotte Islands.

BC Ferries has posted this service notice on its website outlining the details of the service interruptions, with the Northern Adventure expected back in service with the scheduled 6:30 pm sailing on Tuesday, May 12th from Prince Rupert-Bella Bella-Port Hardy.

The first time it will return to the Charlottes will not be until Thursday evening May 14th.

The Queen Charlotte Islands Observer provided a review of the details regarding the latest troubles and how it will impact and inconvenience residents on Haida Gwaii.


No ferry service until Thursday, May 14
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer
Friday, May 8, 2009

If you're planning to leave the islands by ferry, forget about it until Thursday.BC Ferries says the Northern Adventure won't be back on schedule until Tuesday evening, and then it heads to Port Hardy, not Skidegate.

The ferry limped across Hecate Strait Thursday afternoon and evening, arriving in Skidegate many hours late. Engineers confirmed that the shaft bearing on the port shaft had seized."

The bearing disintegrated," said BC Ferries vice-president of communications Mark Stefanson. "That's what I'm told by the engineers... Basically, it broke into pieces."

The bearing is a component of the shaft that drives one of the propellers, he said.The vessel sat in Skidegate much of the day Friday, then headed back to Rupert for repairs, on one engine only and with no passengers.

All sailings are cancelled until 6:30 pm Tuesday, when the vessel sails from Rupert to Port Hardy.It will arrive back on the islands on Thursday evening, then depart for Prince Rupert (for the first time in more than a week) at 11:59 pm Thursday May 14.

Ferries has made arrangements to fly passengers with medical appointments off-island, and those confirmed passengers left stranded are asked to call Ferries' customer service department, which will deal with enquiries on a case by case basis.

BC Ferries is setting up a tug and barge sailing for Sunday night to carry groceries and other crucial supplies.The Northern Adventure just returned to service three weeks ago after a lengthy refit over the winter.

Herb Pond can’t buy us all a beer… But…

Back in the day of the old school politics of the North Coast, legend had it that a long time (and now deceased) Mayor once made a regular election habit of making sure that the vote got out, including those that may wish to spend more of their time at a beverage room than a voting booth.

There never has been any confirmation of this urban myth, of the nocturnal voter being returned to their more familiar environment after marking an X, to be compensated for their civic duty, but it does make for a wonderful story.

Today of course, any self respecting candidate would never think of providing that kind of door to door service to the voting public, but if an advertisement in this week’s Northern Connector, the spirit of that strategy may live on…

The Liberals (or rather one of their support groups) feature a rather fascinating bit of political theatre in the Connector this week, a half page ad that suggests that the NDP intends to jack up the price of the working man and woman’s beer and apparently only candidate Pond stands between you, I and the gouging of the socialists…

From page thirteen of the Friday edition of the connector (right above the Mother's Day dining options ads)


Gary Coons and the NDP want to raise the price of a six pack of beer by $3.00.

HERB POND AND THE BC LIBERALS OPPOSE THIS TAX ON WORKING PEOPLE.


On May 12th Vote HERB POND and the BC Liberals

Paid for by Northerners for Economic Developement

Now while we like our beer to be as inexpensive as possible, we have to wonder first off if this is really where the Liberals wish to make their stand in the campaign, on the price of beer?

Besides the point that there really is no hard fast proof that the NDP have a secret agenda of soaking those that like their suds, the simple fact is, that with the myriad of problems facing the Northcoast, you have to wonder how high on the political radar that the price of a six pack really is.

The Liberals in much of their advertising so far have stayed away from offering much in the way of constructive evidence as to how they plan to tackle such issues as the doctor’s shortage in Prince Rupert and how they plan to stop the erosion of our medical system. There have been no answers or solutions offered to the state of education in the Northwest, how to improve the graduation rate, increase the pace of needed repairs to infrastructure and ensure that class ratio sizes return to a more intelligent level.

On employment, other than the always popular promise of Port jobs, they haven’t provided much in direction as to where they wish to find jobs for the over 12 per cent (and rising) unemployed citizens that currently reside here. And we are sure that there are even more issues that residents are concerned about, beyond the price of beer with or without a phantom threat of increase allocated to the NDP.
.
Surely the Liberals can come up with something far more frightening for the electorate, than the price of beer... in the world of scare mongering, six pack increases just don't have the same impact as stealing your savings through taxes, driving away all investment, or turning the province over to the trades unions.

We’re not sure of the upside of a campaign ad that features the price of beer, a rather transparent attempt at tossing some mud, with or without solid proof that what they say will happen, may actually come to pass.

It’s a strange little strategy for the campaign to have latched onto, perhaps they should just offer to buy us all a round of beer and hope that all our troubles will go away?

School Board set to sharpen the pencils in bid to zero out deficit..

School District 52's preliminary budget with its declared deficit of $62,375 thus far, shows that there still is the need for some budgetary accounting to be done, as the school district moves towards providing its final document of a balanced budget as mandated by the province.

The Northern View outlined some of the troublesome issues that the school district is facing in its quest to balance that budget, with an estimated overall enrollment decline of 198 students there will be a funding shortfall from this current year and with 31 project proposals received by May 6th there will be the need to factor in over 1.5 million dollars in costing to run those proposals.

The announcement of the deficit and the continuing examination of how to get closer to that balanced budget, will no doubt increase the anxiety for some of those residents who have been concerned over recent happenings at the School District.

The recent departure of former Superintendent Eric Mercer appears likely to once again become a lightning rod for those concerned about the School Districts recent moves, the cost of his departure, combined with the need to hire a replacement for the remainder of the school term may seem like an expense that in light of current fiscal troubles, might have been handled differently.

Likewise, the start up costs of the Pacific Coast School may once again be put under the microscope, with residents wondering about the need to lease a building in the downtown core, as opposed to utilizing one of the recently closed elementary schools of the east end as the home for the former alternative school.

Both are issues that in times of financial concern, may once again flare up as requiring a bit more accounting for than has been recently provided by the School District board.

The next step in the process for the School District comes up at the May 25th meeting of the Advisory Budget Committee meeting, at which time the District will bring along its thoughts on such issues as what the priorities and cost all of the projects will be, as well as the determinations of final staffing levels and class size and composition for the upcoming year.

The School District must have its final budget plans in place and deliver its balanced budget by the June 9th meeting. We suspect that there will be much in the way of public debate to come over how they reach their final numbers for 2009-10.

Will the Port's phase two plans end up as only an illusion?

The Public Relations and Investment departments at the Port of Prince Rupert may soon find that the work load increases, that as a recent article in the Globe and Mail offers up the contrary opinion that Phase Two development may not be as sure a thing as all in Prince Rupert may wish to believe.

The article printed in the Globe and posted on their website on Friday, outlines some concerns over how the Port will be able to push ahead with development plans, especially in light of a declining economic situation and considering the current under capacity usage of the existing terminal at Fairview.

Patrick Brethour, who examined the Ports reported figures as part of his research for his article calls into question some of the interpretations of the numbers by the Port and offers up some stark assessments of his own on the immediate future for the port and perhaps how those factors may change the ambitious expansion plans for the future.

Brethour offers up his interpretation of the decline in traffic through all west coast ports, pointing out that at a 48 percent decline in the first quarter, the Port of Prince Rupert has suffered the steepest decline of all ports on the coast from Vancouver to Los Angeles.

It's the mos recent shipping values that seem to have raised the most alarm bells for the Globe writer, who suggests that despite the spin put on the recent statistics from the port, the overall situation isn't particularly happy.

Officials from the Port quoted in the article continue with the more positive timeline of the expansion project, looking forward to 2014 and beyond as their horizon, not the current levels of shipping, or any reversal of shipping fortunes brought on by the recession of late.

Brethour suggests that the trumpeting of the expansion plans will continue on, as will the environmental assessments and financing quests. His question though seems to be one of how the Port will hope to find success in their plans for expansion, if their current platform of phase one is currently running at nowhere near the expected capacity.

Add on to that the ongoing and future planned expansion of Vancouver's Deltaport complex and one wonders just how much of this available transportation grid will actually be needed in the future.

It will be interesting to note how the Port of Prince Rupert interprets and responds to the less than positive observations, information that the article provides to a national and international audience.

The article might also be of interest to a couple of guys who recently toured the local facility, as both Premier Campbell and candidate Herb Pond used the Port and its potential development as a background to the current election campaign. Both have made much of the potential of the port to create jobs with the subsequent expansion, about the only economic planning that they seem to have provided for in the current campaign.

If Mr. Brethour's article is an indication of the climate of the shipping world and of the mood of potential investors, the delivery of those much anticipated jobs may be a little further away than even they optimisitically might see.