Googles of May 2009

We continue on with our relay of the links for those newsworthy items that magically appear on our email account...

May 29-- Aboriginal group walking to Pickton farm, and then to Prince Rupert to highlight missing women
May 28-- Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project - Availability of $100,000 to Participate in the Environmental Assessment
May 28-- The Ridley Terminals debate: Privatization still the best option
May 28-- Literacy policy passed at provincial commerce meeting
May 27-- Pace of job loss in Prince Rupert lowest in Western Canada
May 27-- Getting a sense of how things work upon arrival in China
May 27-- Homecoming organizers open office for centennial event
May 26-- Local accepted to Performing Arts college
May 26-- Ridley reducing operating hours
May 26-- Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project -
May 26-- Border closure could 'devastate' economy
May 25-- Council Approves Community Garden
May 23-- Chamber speaks to challenges
May 22-- Pond disappointed, but moving on
May 22-- 'Ksan Village a regional jewel
May 21-- Prince Rupert GM dealership not amongst those being closed
May 21-- Time for feds to take stand on Ridley Terminal's direction
May 20-- Jay Hill is trying to protect Northeast Coal
May 20-- Prince Rupert hosts BC Chamber of Commerce AGM
May 20-- Western Coal to buyout Cambrian
May 20-- Mayor's farm heavily damaged by Bulkley River flooding
May 20-- Sale of bloated BC Rail relieved taxpayers of financial burden
May 19-- Addressing full landfill concerns
May 18-- Prince Rupert Has Not Escaped Impact of the Global Recession
May 18-- New adventures in Prince Rupert
May 15-- Fort Mac man killed by train
May 15-- CN promises Alberta heavy oil producers billions in savings.
May 15-- Alberta man identified as victim of train accident in Prince George, B.C.
May 14-- Coal lets down Prince Rupert
May 13-- Tanker cars could replace pipelines, says CN
May 13-- Our neighbor to the north: Welcome to Canada
May 12-- Prince Rupert Placings
May 12-- Northern Adventure to Resume Service
May 11-- Candidates in northwest riding face unique challenges
May 10-- Swine flu suspected in crew member on cruise ship
May 10-- Mechanical problem docks Queen Charlotte Islands ferry
May 8-- Ferry could remain on ocean floor
May 8-- Prince Rupert steers for the horizon
May 6-- Campbell takes aim at NDP in north
May 6-- Job creation tops agendas of B.C. Liberals and NDP
May 6-- Riding the rails from Jasper to Prince Rupert
May 6-- Port buoys Liberal hopes in B.C.'s northwest
May 6-- Campbell touts container port recovery
May 5-- RCMP continue to crack down on breach and DUI crimes
May 5-- City told to keep Sunday opening
May 4-- Containers up, coal down at Port of Prince Rupert
May 4-- Prince Rupert Tonnage Falls 24.5 Percent
May 1-- Tanker traffic, offshore oil major issues in North Coast riding

Podunk Below the Masthead Archives May 2009

Our archive of the daily headline findings from Prince Rupert's Daily News newspaper, this one for the month of May 2009.

May 29-- COMMUNITY MEMBER IS ASKING FOR A LITTLE HELP-- Friday's front page featured some background on a local cancer patient, who faced with prospect of an unsuccesful battle against her disease, has but one wish, to take her family on one real holiday. The Daily outlines the road she has travelled so far and how the community can come to her assistance to make her final wish come true (Full review of the Friday paper can be found here)

May 28-- TINKER REALTY IS GOING THROUGH A METAMORPHISIS-- The local real estate scene is in the midst of a change once again, this time as Tinker Realty/Remax one of the major players in the real estate market offer up a different look.

The Tinker portion of the partnership is leaving the real estate portion of the industry as the Tinker brand now will be known only for property management on the North coast, those agents who will remain in the real estate business will be moving on to other firms or carrying the Remax flag from their homes, hopeful that the Remax brand will continue to attract buyers and sellers to those agents still ready to show homes.(Full review of the Thursday paper can be found here)

May 27-- DON SCOTT IS THE NEW FACE IN HARTLEY BAY-- He may have come in second in the recent Prince Rupert Mayoralty race, but Don Scott wasn't long between engagements. The one time Mayor of Prince Rupert has been introduced as the new CEO and Band Manager for Hartley Bay, the First Nations community due south of Prince Rupert. Scott will split his work time between the community and his duties at Prince Rupert's Northern Savings. (Full review of the Wednesday paper can be found here)

May 26-- OPENING CONCERT A GRAND WAY TO START OFF FESTIVAL-- The opening night for the Performing Arts BC Festival features a number of entertaining and talented performers, the Daily news sent Monica Lamb-Yorski off to record the events. (Full review of the Tuesday paper can be found here)

May 25-- PRSS GRADS RECEIVE ACCOLADES FOR JOB WELL DONE-- The First of the grad ceremonies this year took place on Friday night as the students of PRSS celebrated their achievements over their time at the west side secondary school. The PRSS Graduation ceremony took place at the PAC on Friday, with proud parents, teachers and administrators wishing well to their departing class (Full review of the Monday paper can be found here)

May 22-- TRICORP IS LOOKING AT IPPs FOR INVESTMENT-- With past some of the key regulations for investment now change, Tricorp, the First Nations investment firm from the Northwest is changing its investment direction. The investment group is moving away from just the funding of local business opportunities for First Nations residents to a more diversified portfolio. One which will dip a toe in the current hot topic of Independent Power Production. (Full review of the Friday paper can be found here)

May 21-- SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CONSIDERING MIDDLE SCHOOL OPTIONS-- The return of the middle school may be on the agenda for School District 52 as they contemplate all of their options heading into the final steps of their budget for 2010. (Full review of the Thursday paper can be found here)

May 20-- ANTE UP ON OIL TRANSPORT AS CN SHOWS MORE INTEREST-- The Daily News outlines some of the thoughts from the port and the mayor over the proposed Pipeline on Rail project from CN, an idea we have mentioned to our loyal readers here on the blog a couple of times, here from April 13 and most recently six days ago, on May 14 with this posting. (Full review of the Wednesday paper can be found here)

May 19-- TURRIFF IN TOWN TO TALK ON INDEPENDENCE OF LAWYERS-- The president of the BC Law Society was on the North coast last week, here to speak on the need for independence for lawyers from the political process and interference of Parliament. (Full review of the Tuesday paper can be found here)

May 15-- BLOCKSTOCK IS BACK IN PRINCE RUPERT-- The city's outdoor music festival, normally tied in with Seafest weekend will return this year, thanks to some organizational help from some local business owners. Ted Keehn, Ted Sylvester and Joe Viscount have come together to keep the Blockstock groove happening. All that stands in the way of roadblock is a lack of talent, the organizers need at least six bands to sign up for the evenings showbill to make it work. Hopeful acts should contact Ted Keehn at Teddy's downtown for more details. (Full review of the Friday paper can be found here)

May 14-- RUPERT BORN FIREFIGHTER IS WORKING WITH A NEW HEART-- Former Prince Rupert resident Brian Parsons has a new heart and a new lease on life, the Daily News outlined the latest in his remarkable story as the front page headline story in the Thursday paper. (Full review of the Thursday paper can be found here)

May 13--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. (Full review of the Wednesday paper can be found here)

May 12-- 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. (Full review of the Tuesday paper can be found here)


May 11-- 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. (Full review of the Thursday paper can be found here)

May 8-- 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. (Full review of the Friday paper can be found here)


May 7-- CAMPBELL MAKES A PIT-STOP IN PRINCE RUPERT-- As we outlined on this very blog on Wednesday afternoon, Premier Campbell made a pit stop in Podunk, in a hopeful bid to boost the chances of his candidate in Tuesday's Provincial election. (Full review of the Thursday paper can be found here)

May 6--RUPERT CITIZENS SUPPORT RALLY AGAINST PIPELINES-- Wednesday's front page headline story outlines the local residents who took a bus to Terrace to protest against a planned pipeline through the Skeena riding near Terrace and Kitimat. A bus load of Rupertites arrived in Terrace to offer their support to the Wet'suwe'ten protest outside the Enbridge offices on Tuesday. (Full review of the Wednesday paper can be found here)

May 5--FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE... FOR DANCING-- The front page, headline story features an outline of one of the judges at this years BC Annual dance Competition currently taking place at the Lester Centre of the Arts. Julia Bantner, an adjudicator at the competition recounts her travels over the years, from her homeland of Russia, on to fame as a dancer with Celine Dion's recent Las Vegas shows and now as an adjudicator of dance. (Full review of the Tuesday paper can be found here)

May 4--OVER ONE THOUSAND TAKE THE TOUR OF THE NEW B. C. FERRY-- Rupertites took in the good weather over the weekend with a trip to the waterfront and a chance to take a tour of the newest vessel in the BC Ferry fleet the Northern Expedition. BC Ferries hosted over one thousand residents on Saturday as they examined the decks and amenities of the new ferry. (Full review of the Monday paper can be found here)

May 1--HIRE ME! LOCAL CANDIDATES FORUM-- The Daily News provides its review and interpretation of the Wednesday night candidates forum held at the Lester Centre of the Arts. Items of discussion on Wednesday included; education, employment and the environment to name a few. With George T. Baker providing his take on the evenings revelations. (Full review of the Friday paper can be found here)

First quarter results offer mixed view of shipping on the North coast

Statistics released this week show that the Port of Prince Rupert has doubled its numbers in the container business at Fairview Terminal, but suffered some setbacks in the bulk goods ports of Ridley Island.

The first four months of 2009 saw overall tonnage decreases at Ridley Island where the numbers fell from 3.1 million metric tons in the first quarter last year to 2.4 million this years.

The main trouble spot was the coal terminal where there was a reduction by 61 percent in coal shipments, to 639,765 metric tons, that as major customers located in northeaster British Columbia scaled back production.

Grain traffic was about even with last year, with wheat up 27 percent, while chemical and log shipments grew through the Port operations.

The continuing bright spot was the success of the Fairview Container port, which despite the current economic troubles, was still able to double their throughput for the first quarter of 2009 compare to the same of 2008.

The port handled 41,043 TEUs in the first three months of this year, most of them containers going to and from China, up sharply from the 21,040 TEUs the port reported in the same period of 2008. The one important factor of those statistics to make note of however is the fact that in 2008, the port was still finding its footing in the international marketplace, so the numbers could be considered an incomplete overall picture of the port so far.

Container traffic has fallen from the final quarter of 2008 into the first quarter of 2009, losing 48% of the volume from that final quarter of last year. Indicative of the current slowdown found across North America and the Asia ports as demand dwindles for items normally sent by container.

There have been a number of items published and posted this week outlining the shipment numbers, we provide some of them below.

Journal of Commerce-- Prince Rupert Tonnage Falls 24.5 Percent

Vancouver Sun-- Containers up, coal down at Port of Prince Rupert

Prince George Citizen-- Container terminal traffic nearly doubles

IFW-- Port of Prince Rupert's volumes on the up

Opinion 250-- Mixed Results for Port of Prince Rupert in 1st Quarter.

A few kind words on the port, a few kind words for Herb and away he goes...

The Premier made a pit stop in Prince Rupert as the final week of the election campaign continues leading up to election day on May 12th.

Premier Gordon Campbell was in town to offer up some support for Liberal candidate and former Mayor Herb Pond, perhaps signifying that the Liberals believe that they have a solid opportunity to regain the seat on the North Coast, once held by Bill Belsey.

While Pond supporters carried signs suggesting that voters "Ponder the Possibilities", the Premier spoke of the port and its importance to the North coast and the province, that while stopping at Fairview Terminals for one of those ever popular photo ops framed by the towering cranes operated by Maher Terminals.

And while the current economic troubles have reduced the anticipated impact of the port thus far, the Premier called for a longer term vision owing to the ports strategic location and proximity to the Asian markets.

However, if locals had been hoping for a surprise announcement that the Liberals were going to provide additional funding for phase two, three and on they would be disappointed. No funding discussions were outlined, nor was there any discussion on the importance of the Rupert port compared to the Delta project which has seen a surge of provincial money in the last year as that container terminal expands.

While he talked much of potential expansion and anticipated container shipment increases, the Premier did not provide for a timetable of the provinces participation in that process, nor did he give a dollar amount as to what kind of contribution that the province might make to phase two.

His praise for candidate Pond complete, as was his day in Prince Rupert it was time to hop on that campaign bus for trips later today to Terrace and Smithers, two ridings that the Liberals also would like to see marked in their column next Tuesday.

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Update: Coverage of the Premiers' Podunkian pitstop included:

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Globe and Mail-- Campbell touts container port recovery

Globe and Mail-- Campbell takes aim at NDP in north

Vancouver Sun-- Port buoys Liberal hopes in B.C.'s northwest

CBC News-- Job creation tops agendas of B.C. Liberals and NDP

Northern View-- Premier brings campaign to the North Coast

Balsillie is back, and he's bringing it on Mr. Bettman...

Ah yes, the telltale sign of spring, when Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie makes his annual pilgrimage to the NHL offices, cheque book wide open and bid in place for yet another of Gary Bettman's troubled franchises.

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Will it be third time lucky for Balsillie? Time will tell, but if ever there was a team that should be had for a song it's the Phoenix Coyotes, but at over 200 million dollars in an offering price, the Coyotes are going for more than a song.

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The Ontario billionaire has once again given cause for Gary Bettman to reach for the Tums, as he once again makes his attempt to gain a franchise for the lucrative Southern Ontario market.

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Tuesday's drama played out late in the afternoon after it was announced that Balsillie had tendered an offer for the bankruptcy bound Coyotes, an offer that was light years ahead of what any tire kickers may have offered in the past, but an offer that had about as much appeal for Gary Bettman as a bowl of cold soup, left to be eaten in a pouring rain.

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Bettman was quick to his talking points to rebut the possibility of any relocation, sticking for now to the NHL line of wanting to help build the brand in Arizona, blah, blah, blah.

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That quick update apparently was needed upon the release of the Balsillie press release, that detailed the particulars of the Coyote bid and how he hoped to make hockey more successful in Southern Ontario than the situation that the current owner in Phoenix has had to endure in the last few years.

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In fact as the Coyotes prepare for their date with the bankruptcy judge later this week, the tantalizing prospect of being offered more money than they are worth must surely be something that will catch the attention of the judge. After all his role is to try and gain as much fair compensation for the debtors as can be found, and with Balsillie ready to write some cheques, it would appear that he could have finally found his way into ownership after such a long hard past.

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Coming as it does during the NHL playoffs, Ballsillie will once again find himself at odds against the head office in New York, where we imagine his name is greeted with looks of daggers and curse words normally heard on a New York city pier. Just imagine the symphony of foul notes coming out of New York when they turn on their computers on Wednesday morning and find makeitseven.ca, a portal devoted to gaining support for a seventh NHL franchise in Canada, one which we gather would be owned by the Blackberry King of Southern Ontario.

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His last attempts to purchase teams, whether it be the Penguins or the Predators, came up short after the NHL put in place a number of roadblocks to his plans to move a team to Southern Ontario.

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But that was in a period of time where the NHL seemed to still be able to attract investors, that isn't necessarily the case anymore. The Coyotes have been officially on the block for most of this season and perhaps unofficially for long before, and yet despite the Commissioner's best efforts no one, (other than Balsillie) has made an offer to take over the team, especially if it involves actually having to operate the team in Arizona.

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But now with the economic situation across North America continuing to cause distress, one has to wonder how long Bettman can keep saying No to the only billionaire seemingly willing to invest in this corporation known as the NHL.
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In a week where the Islanders Charles Wang outline how he's paying over thirty million dollars a month just to keep his Islanders alive. And you get the feeling that if they were to hold a vote amongst the current owners, the prospect of letting someone with Ballsillie's financial security get away would be quickly acted upon.
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It has been a season which has seen a number of flash fires break out across the NHL's franchises, from Tampa Bay to Atlanta, Nashville and even to a degree the surprise announcement that even the Canadiens may be for sale, having someone with cash ready to purchase and turn around a franchise should be an empty net goal, yet somehow you just know that this is going to be a long drawn out soap opera with no winners in the end, especially hockey fans looking for a little leadership from the NHL head office.
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If Mr. Bettman needs to get a hold of Mr. Balsillie, we're sure he can be contacted quickly, perhaps through his blackberry.

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National Post-- Bettman calls Coyotes bid 'challenge' to league rules

National Post-- Balsillie bids to buy bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes
National Post-- The Brantford Coyotes -- Gary Bettman's worst nightmare
Globe and Mail-- Balsillie offers to buy Coyotes
Globe and Mail-- Balsillie's offer shows he's back with a vengeance
Toronto Star-- NHL takes control of Coyotes, Balsillie steps in with offer
Toronto Sun-- Balsillie aims to relocate Coyotes
CBC-- Balsillie offers $212.5M to bring Coyotes to Ontario
CBC-- Balsillie faces tough legal battle
Arizona Republic-- Coyotes may be moved to Canada

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The above item first appeared in the HockeyNation blog.

Podunk Below the Masthead Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The dancers arrive and the competition begins, the city's feral cats once again claw their way onto the front page and a former Rupertite donates her personal papers to the UNBC archives, some of the items from the Monday paper.

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE... FOR DANCING-- The front page, headline story features an outline of one of the judges at this years BC Annual dance Competition currently taking place at the Lester Centre of the Arts. Julia Bantner, an adjudicator at the competition recounts her travels over the years, from her homeland of Russia, on to fame as a dancer with Celine Dion's recent Las Vegas shows and now as an adjudicator of dance. The full article can be found below...

Elsewhere in the Monday paper is a look at the ongoing nature of Prince Rupert's feral cat population, a booming population of four legged felines that continue to be the focus of discussion at city council. Local resident Kim St. Pierre who runs a non profit cat rescue society is seeking a grant from the city for 1,000 dollars towards the spaying of 10 to 15 feral cats, a plan she suggests would help to diminish the population boom.

Iona Campagnola, the former Prince Rupert resident, broadcaster and Lt. Governor of British Columbia, to name a few of her talents, has turned over her personal archival records to the University of Northern British Columbia. Her donation will provide a timeline of her career in Northern British Columbia and her service to Canada during the period from 1950 onward.

A Terrace resident Jason Haldane, is heading for the Olympics of 2012, but he will be wearing the colours of England when he next takes to the volleyball court in Olympic competition. The Daily News reviewed Haldane's volleyball career and his decision to compete for England when that nation hosts the Olympics.

Total pages in the Tuesday edition (12)

Front page, headline story:

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE... FOR DANCING
Adjudicator brings a world of experience
By Monica Lamb-Yorkski
The Prince Rupert Daily News
Tuesday, May 5. 2009

In addition to hearing feedback from an Australian adjudicator this week, students at the BC Annual Dance Competition will also glean insights from Julia Banmer, a dancer originally from Russia.

Bantner's mother was a ballerina and her father a concert pianist so the arts were always a part of her family.

Because of her mother's work, Bantner's family moved from Moscow to Holland and Germany. Today her parents work and teach in Holland.

In Holland Bantner's mother met a woman from a dance school in Iceland who invited her to come and teach Character Dance for two weeks there.

Bantner, who was 18 years old at the time, and an accomplished ballet student in her own right, sat in on a couple of classes at the studio and by the end of the two-week period was asked to join the national dance company in Reykjavik.

"The company had a contemporary and ballet focus. It was a great company," recalled Bantner. "There were 60 people. We were a repertoire company and we did three productions with different choreographers. It was fulfilling and interesting."

Iceland attracted interest from people who wanted to see the country and very famous people came to work with the dancers.

"I also did musical theatre and performed in Singing in the Rain, Westside Story and Kiss Me Kate."

It was in Iceland that Bantner met her husband Chad. He had graduated from the Julliard School in New York and after dancing for a few years in New York auditioned to dance in Iceland.

The couple danced for three years in Iceland and afterwards decided to go to the United States where they secured jobs dancing with the Los Angeles Chamber Ballet.

"It's not a big company either," Bantner explained.

While in Los Angeles, they auditioned for the Celine Dion show in Las Vegas and because Franco Dragone, the choreographer, was from Belgium, the show's 50 dancers went to Belgium for six months to choreograph the show.

Bantner and her husband lived in Vegas for five years until the show closed and then moved to Los Angeles to work in film and television in addition to working towards a goal of opening a dance studio.

Recently the couple has created workshops around creative movement for public school children in their neighbourhood.

"By doing movement through improvisation, using steps and rhythms with regular school kids we've put together a number. It's gone well and we've been invited back to expand the program in other schools."

It's also been fulfilling, she added, to see other kids get an opportunity to dance that might not have.

While in the Celine Dion show, Bantner met Stacey Tookey from Edmonton who had come to the BC Annual Dance Competition in Prince Rupert several times with her mom's dance studio.

Tookey told Bantner about the BC Annual and asked if she might be interested in being an adjudicator.

In the past, Bantner has adjudicated in Quebec, but this is her first time in BC. Bantner also met Eira Glover from Prince George when she was dancing with Celine Dion. She talked about coming to Prince Rupert for the competition as well.

"I've heard the level and standard are good so I'm very excited to see the dancers," Bantner said.

Coming soon to a corner somewhat near you...

It would appear that the days of free door to door delivery of the Wednesday and Friday Daily News is about to come to an end.

Page two of the Tuesday edition of the paper provided a list of 30 drop box locations, where the Wednesday and Friday editions will be made available starting May 13th.

Those residents that currently receive home delivery during the week will continue to have the "free" editions delivered to their door.

It's the latest change in the distribution system for the daily paper, which had seen the workload for carriers increased heavily on the two free days, as they suddenly had to deliver to every house on the block as opposed to those that subscribe to the paper.

The drop boxes will offer the paper to those residents that wish to read the complimentary copies twice a week, though they'll have to take a casual stroll for that opportunity. The full list of the locations covers the majority of the city from west to east, leaving out the downtown core for the most part from the free delivery scenario.

There is no word on whether the local newsstands which carry the Daily News will still be charging for the Wednesday and Friday editions, a policy that has puzzled many since the free delivery day system was first launched.

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It will be interesting to watch how this new process evolves and whether it is well received by the public or becomes an issue that makes the journey to the letter to the editor page.

For Sale on eBay, one large Vancouver office no longer required

Unemployment in Vancouver is about to take a jump,as the eBay on line auction service closes its Burnaby location leaving 700 British Columbians out of work.

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The 700 job losses out of Vancouver are but a small dent in the overall workforce of the company, which at the moment is more than 16,200 .

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While the Vancouver operation closes its doors in September, eBay will increase staff in Salt Lake City and its various offshore offices in such locations as the Philippines and Europe where the online service has customer service centres. North American based eBay employees, many from the Vancouver office, regularly train the staff in those offshore locations, perhaps in the end training their eventual replacements it would seem.

The eBay offices in Vancouver opened in 2003 amid much fanfare about how Vancouver was a tech savvy city, ideally suited to the on line auctioneers requirements and close to the head office of San Jose, California.

Six years later it seems that economic forces and the ability to work in a more financially rewarding model in low wage locations brings an end to the eBay way in BC.

Vancouver Sun-- eBay to close Burnaby facility; about 700 jobs lost

CBC News-- EBay to close Vancouver customer-service office that employs 700

Reuters-- EBay to close Vancouver facility

Canadian Press-- Online auctioneer eBay to close Vancouver customer service office

CTV BC-- Auctioneer eBay closing Vancouver office

Quick, turn off your porch light….

Your neighbour knocks on your door, says he’d like you to loan him some money to buy a car, but doubts that he’ll ever be able to pay you back… and hey by the way he says, I’m declaring bankruptcy.....

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So what do you do, you reach for the cheque book…
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That seems to be the situation when it comes to the province of Ontario and the Federal Government with their recent contributions to the Chrysler rescue fund, about $1.45-billion in taxpayer funded financing, which a New York court was told today probably will never be repaid.

Of course we’re not alone; the other folks with money on the block, the US government also contributed a sizable amount of funding to the Chrysler plan, over 4 billion dollars in assistance that likewise is apparently going, going, gone into the black hole of the auto maker’s debts and operating costs.

The revelations came about during a rather fascinating court room session which at one time saw Chrysler officials hoping to keep all the details out of the media’s grasp, what with the idea that money lent is apparently money gone.

Chrysler is working its way through the bankruptcy process in the hope that at the end of the paper trail will be a financial saviour in the form of Fiat who will pick up the newly reorganized auto company and turn the sow’s ear into a purse of gold, a purse that won’t have any loose change for the governments of North America, nor a return on investment for those taxpayers that actually follow their money after tax deadline day.

Up next on your doorstep, General Motors who like Chrysler will be looking for their own financial stake money, which we suspect will follow the Chrysler template of money coming in, but none coming back.

Then again, as is the case when other unwanted callers arrive on your doorstep, perhaps North America might decide that it’s time to turn off the lights, pull down the shades and not answer the door. It certainly would be a bit easier on the wallet…

Podunk Below the Masthead, Monday, May 4, 2009

A tour of the Northern Expedition, an increase in taxes gets an airing and the EI rates in Rupert are down but don't really tell the whole story, all part of the Monday edition of the Daily News.

OVER ONE THOUSAND TAKE THE TOUR OF THE NEW B. C. FERRY-- Rupertites took in the good weather over the weekend with a trip to the waterfront and a chance to take a tour of the newest vessel in the BC Ferry fleet the Northern Expedition. BC Ferries hosted over one thousand residents on Saturday as they examined the decks and amenities of the new ferry.

The Ferry corporation put on the open house as a way to introduce the new vessel to the North coast as it prepares to take on the Port Hardy to Prince Rupert run, a look at the full article can be found below.

The paper also examined the debate last week at city council as the city's councillors discussed the pending rise in municipal taxes by 3.8 per cent, the most contentious part of the debate was the factoring in of potential taxes from the Watson Island pulp mill, though there hasn't been a tax payment made on the mill in a number of years. Adding potential revenues from the mill didn't sit well with Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne, but she was the lone dissenting voice on that issue. Council discussed the options available and in the end chose the path of increased taxation in order to keep many of the services currently in place such as the library, civic centre and such operating as they have been for the most part in the last few years.

More number crunching was featured in the Monday edition, this time with the release of the EI figures from February of 2008 to 2009, which show that Prince Rupert had the lowest increase in the North with an increase of only 4 per cent. Though interpreting those numbers may be a tad complicated, the main cause for the low result for Rupert's EI rate is most likely the fact that the recession has caught up to other areas in the Northern region, making for huge jumps in those locations which previously were doing well. Rupert having been mired in the ongoing downturn for more than seven years, more than likely doesn't have much more room to play with when it comes to job losses, with the bulk of the major industries having long since shed their workforce, leaving those that were on claims previously to find other forms of support beyond the EI program.

The Sports section featured details of the CHSS and PRSS girls soccer teams efforts over the weekend, while Rupert's high school golfers also had their weekend of play outlined.

Total pages in the Monday edition 12

Front page headline story...

OVER ONE THOUSAND TAKE THE TOUR
OF THE NEW B. C. FERRY
And there can be no question – it is a jewel
By George T. Baker
Prince Rupert Daily News
Monday, May 4. 2009
Pages one and five

There have been many things written and spoken about BC Ferries' newest vessel of the ocean, the Northern Expedition.

But one thing should be made clear - the boat itself is visually stunning. From the panoramic views of the bridge down to theatre-like TV room, no fault can be found in the design of the boat's interior.

According to BC Ferries President and CEO, David Hahn, the boat's design is all part of the company's invigorated efforts to attract a strong tourism market.

"It's about rebuilding a business that British Columbians deserve and expect," said Hahn, who attended the unveiling of the boat's interior on Saturday.

Hahn was joined by a contingent composed of the planning team, the ship's crew and local administration including Capt. Stephen Poole and Matthew Burns.

The event was billed as an opportunity for locals to see first-hand how the new boat will look when in full operation and first indications are that it will be a comfortable setting for a full day trip.

The improvements to the staterooms over what was available on the Queen of Prince Rupert, for example, were noticeable. The new sleeping quarters provide passengers with comfy beds and telephone access.

The boat has two passenger decks, which offer customers two options for dining - the Canoe Cafe and the Vista Restaurant. The Vista is a restaurant that will provide 'tablecloth' service, and it's a service that would be likely to make any tourist a happy diner.

The vessel's captain, Lance Lomax, was on hand Saturday to introduce curious locals about the vessel's bridge.

Lomax, who also participated in the decommissioning of the Queen of Prince Rupert, said that his operations on the Expedition would be safer and more efficient, with airtight surroundings and new high tech navigational equipment.

"There were times on the Queen of Prince Rupert that our bridge door would swing open after a strong gust and the papers would just start flying all over the place,' said Lomax.

On the bridge, Lomax will have a 180-degree view of the ocean, which could come in handy as he navigates the 20-knot ship through coastal channels between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert.

"We have a great deal more control over [this] ship than the Queen of Prince Rupert,' acknowledge an excited Lomax.

The bridge also includes closed circuit monitoring of activities on the ship so that the vessel's pilots are aware of what's happening on board just as much as they are aware of what's occurring off board.

And that's a plus because the ship will have a gift shop and jewelry area available for tourists and British Columbians interested in owning a piece of B.C. art or, in some cases, hanging it around their neck.

There are necklaces, rings, carvings and paintings that range in price from $61-to-$300, according to BC Ferries' Communications Manager, Deborah Marshall, this was an opportunity for the ferry operator to access another market with a captive customer base.

"People will be on board for a long trip and while they may not jump on this right away, they will have the opportunity through the voyage to mull it over and - hopefully - they will be convinced to purchase a piece of B.C. art."

As for how "green" the ship will be, the 600-rpm engines will burn one-to-two tons of diesel per hour. That would work out to 32 to 35 tonnes of diesel burned for the average trip.

But the ship has been set up with an 'ahead of the curve' water ballast system to reduce harmful waste from seeping out into the pristine North Coast waters.

"We are trying to stay ahead of future regulations," said ship engineer Darren Wilson.

The ship was built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft. That caused some flack in the province as there were some who felt the boat should have been locally made.

Politics aside, there is no doubt the ship makers got the passenger area right.

According to figures released by Marshall, a total of 1,318 locals paid a visit to the new ferry and the ferry operator's top dog hoped locals realized his company's vision for the long term.

"The biggest thing right now is, you have to get the right vessels," said Hahn.

While tourism numbers are down across the province, and long trip tourists like Europeans and Asians have dropped, Hahn hopes that it will be British Columbians who took advantage of the ship's voyage instead of rushing off to Alaska.

"The [tourism] market is going to be different. But we have a very safe and affordable vessel and in the near term the Port Hardy-to-Prince Rupert trip will be a real boon for British Columbians."

Premier Campbell gets hands on experience with Vancouver crime

The Premier was whisked away by his security detail on Monday, after a jewellery store near where he was being interviewed was in the process of being robbed by at least two members of Vancouver's criminal data base.

Campbell's RCMP security detail moved him out of the picture as a precaution, after a robbery suspect armed with a gun ran by the interview location apparently on the way to a get away, sort lived as it was.

One suspect, perhaps the one making the cameo at the Premier's presser was arrested in a cab outside the downtown hotel, the other suspect is apparently still on the run, but at least still eligible to vote in the May 12 election..

A H1N1 outbreak closes Decker Lake School near Burns Lake

The number has risen to four confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in the Northern Health region, as health officials confirmed today that three students at Decker Lake Elementary school had developed symptoms of the flu.

The cases are reported as mild, but school officials closed the school on Friday as a precaution, the three students with the flu are said to have recovered or are currently recovering from their symptoms.

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The doors however remained closed at Decker Lake elementary on Monday morning, as health and school officials investigated the situation further.
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Decker Lake elementary is home to 159 students from Kindergarten to Grade 7. The SD 91 website had a brief information update posted on their website detailing the need for Friday's closure, no further details on Monday's closure or any other notices have been posted as of yet.

Update: May 4-- Decker Lake School to remain closed all week

Lakes District News-- Swine flu hits Decker Lake school
Opinion 250-- Three Cases of H1N1 in Decker Lake
Prince George Citizen-- Nothing new here on swine flu

CBC News-- Swine flu confirmed in 3 northern B.C. students

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From the Podunkian archives

Leaders hope to sway voters nine days before Election Day

British Columbia’s three major party leaders took to the province’s television sets on Sunday afternoon, with a one hour leaders debate that reflects the daily barbs that have come to feature the province’s Legislature of late.

Both Carole James and Gordon Campbell outlined their positions and took their shots at each other and the perceptions about each other, leaving Green Party leader Jane Sterk to languish on the sidelines for most of the afternoon complaining of once again being overlooked and marginalized.

And that did seem to be the strategy of the two main party leaders, preferring to challenge each other’s core beliefs and political strategies while all but ignoring the Green party leader and her thoughts on the issues.

Budget concerns, minimum wage hesitations on the part of the Liberals and a constant hammering away on the idea that the NDP leader perhaps wasn’t ready to lead (which seems to be the Liberal slogan of late and at times appeared to be a tad condescending and arrogant) took up a good portion of the debate time, which featured questions from ordinary British Columbians as well as the traditional opening and closing statements.

The NDP leader seemed to repatriate the small towns and communities of the Interior and north during the debate, areas that the Liberals once referred to as the Heartland, but have since seemed to let carry the burdens of economic distress on their own, James offered up a rural infrastructure program to address their needs, a move that may find favour in many struggling communities outside of the Metropolitan Vancouver and Victoria areas. She particularly scored a point or two, when she chastised the Premier for his observation that the restarting of the Mackenzie mill by Canfor is a sign that the economy in the forest industry is improving, a theory not universally shared by many in the province.

Interestingly enough, despite much in the way of interest in educational matters leading up to the debate, the education issue didn't seem to gain a lot of traction during the hour long presentation, nor did health care get as much of an airing as many thought might have been provided.

Green leader Sterk tried to draw parallels to the crime surge in BC to the province's drug laws, though there was little interest from the other two leaders in taking on that aspect of the debate on the Green party terms.

Overall, there was no knockout punch during the debate, and no surprise revelations that might lead to a serious stumble by any of the leaders and not much more than the continuation of the three parties talking points of the last few weeks and nothing that could not be divined by the onslaught of television and radio commercials of the last couple of weeks.

The debate while testy at times, remained for the most part civil, though as Ms. Sterk pointed out, left her rather invisible despite her best efforts on behalf of her party.

The Sunday night televised event was only the second of the head to head discussions for the three leaders who previously had taken part in a radio debate hosted by CKNW’s Bill Good Show.

The voting public will assess the performances and render a judgment on May 12, with the most recent polls suggesting that the outcome may be much closer than first anticipated, as the NDP has closed the gap and in some polls in fact taken a small lead with nine days to go.

Leaving the final week and a bit of the campaign in the hands of the party operatives to try and decide what may be the best strategy to sway uncommitted voters to their candidate and their leader.

CBC-- Leaders stick to their scripts at B.C. election debate

Vancouver Sun-- Sparring between Campbell and James defines B.C. leader's debate

Vancouver Sun-- James wins narrow lead over Campbell in debate: poll

Vancouver Sun-- Premier faces challenge from a more confident NDP leader

Vancouver Province-- Debate lively as James and Campbell clash

Globe and Mail-- B.C. party leaders square off

The Tyee-- Nothing new in only TV debate: Cross

The Tyee-- Sterk swings, misses pay-raise softball

The Tyee-- Leaders agree! Health care will be single payer and public

Canadian Press-- Gang war prompts skirmish between BC party leaders in TV debate

Georgia Straight-- Sterk promises provincial funding for homeopathy

Georgia Straight-- Carole James whacks Gordon Campbell on seniors care

Georgia Straight-- Gordon Campbell, Jane Sterk, and Carole James on the economy

24 Hours Vancouver-- All smiles

Profiles of the candidates from the Daily News - Gary Coons

Prince Rupert’s Daily Newspaper continued with its in depth look at the candidates on Friday, with the final of the profiles of the three local candidates seeking our vote on May 12th.

The final installment of the candidate profiles featured the incumbent MLA Gary Coons of the New Democratic Party.

Daily News Election profiles

Gary Coons

By George T. Baker

Prince Rupert Daily News

Friday, May 1, 2009

Page 10

For the incumbent, it probably hasn't been too easy.

It can't be that easy to be a critic. Arguing and opposing moves that one finds abhorrent cannot be easy full knowing that some of these stances would create enemies.

There have been times over the last four years that Gary Coons could have been quiet, could have kept his mouth shut and gone about representing the North Coast as just another politico that was just happy to be there. That would have been easier.

It's the first time Coons has had to defend his seat in the riding and he couldn't have picked a more charismatic challenger in BC Uberal and former Mayor Herb Pond.

Then there is the youngest candidate in the whole province, the Green Party's Usa Girbav.

They represent two good ways to lose the limelight in an election that will most certainly be determined by how each candidate connects with the undecided.

Pond has is campaigning about opening doors for the North Coast while Girbav has taken the underdog role and campaigns on representing a disenfranchised segment of the population - young voters.

Listed amongst all the talk of which voice should speak for the North Coast is the imcumbent MIA, who feels that he has accomplished quite a bit in his first four years, an advantage which he freely admits he has to "go on."

He considers himself a voice of the people, speaking on issues from farmed salmon to port development, and from independent power production to schooling.

A lot of the time has been spent on being a critic of the current government on those issues, asking where and how public money has been spent.

" I look at where the port has gone and I am asked all the time, what is the timef rame for the Port of Prince Rupert? Well it took many, many years - about 25 years ago when CN was preparing the track - many politicians from both parties were working on that 'from Dan Miller to Bill Belsey," said Coons.

Coons is referring to the last two representatives of his riding; one a long time NDP representative, and the other a one term MLA for the BC Liberals. What should be more telling is that the Port is the child that every political parent in town seems to love.

Ever since Charles Hayes went down with the Titanic, Prince Rupert has been the little city that "could be". Once the town lost the Skeena Pulp Mill, the port became the sole reason for many to continue living here.

Many Rupertites see port development as a good thing and because of that, it has become the object of candidate triumph for both Coons and Pond.

Coons is not shy about talking of the necessitY'of the Port for Prince Rupert's future and claims that he will do more in the next four years to help its development.

"There is a commitment from the BCNDP that we will work towards phase two and consolidating the logistics centre," said Coons.

Port aside; there are other hot topics on the North Coast that aren't so easily discussed by both sides.

Off shore oil and tanker traffic have become the sources of much political debate because all sides have weighed in on the economic and environmental imperatives that approving such offshore drills and bitumen pipelines would provide.

The NDP have said, for the record, that they would support a federal moratorium on offshore oil.

"A healthy economy only comes with a healthy environment. The last thing we want is tankers going up and down the North Coast," said Coons.

The former teacher said, instead of oil the North Coast needs its fish. He said his party would reinvest in fisheries, an important historical industry for locals all around the North Coast.

Coons wants people to see him as a balanced environmental economist. To do that, though, he will have to rectify the criticism his party has taken by committing to axing the cal bon tax _ something that has furrowed the brows of environmentalists across the province.

In defending his party's platform, Coons slips into his critic role seamlessly.

"We all believe there needs to be some sort of taxation on carbon.' But Gordon Campbell's tax was mandated without consultation and no input from either municipal leaders or First Nations leaders," said Coons,

Instead, Coons' party suggests entering a national cap and trade program, similar to Barack Obama's plan.

"We can't have rogue legislation that dictates how we are going to look at carbon taxation," said Coons, who then relents on the critic role, if ever so slightly.

"I believe that perhaps the premier was on the right tract but he did it as he always does, without consultation," said Coons.

Coons freely admits the 90s NDP government made mistakes, but he says this is a different NDP party than it was a decade ago.

Does that mean Coons will be a different man over the next four years? Well if his party remains in opposition, as polls suggest, then the intelligent bettor wouldn't throw his chips behind that play.

"You know, people say you're negative - you're negative. Quite often there are some policies of the provincial government that move forward that benefited us. But my job for the last four years was to be in opposition - and I think I did a good job."

Daily News Pressing Questions May 1, 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.
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The following was the "Pressing Question" for Friday, May 1, 2009

Education has long been an issue in Prince Rupert. Should the province enforce class size limits to improve educational outcomes?


Gary Coons -- New Democratic Party

Strong public education is a key to building strong communities. In the last 8 years we have seen 177 schools close, increasing class sizes and cuts o student support.

There are over 14,000 classrooms in violation of Gordon Campbell's own class size and composition laws.

The BC NDP will not abandon our most valuable resource and will meet existing class size and composition legal requirements, so our kids, especially students with special needs, have the necessary support to be successful. We will also provide flexibility in the per-pupil funding formula for rural areas.


Lisa Girbav – Green Party

Yes, I believe the province should enforce smaller class size limits. I think the current educational system is not working in the best interest of the children and they are the one's missing out.

The Green Party of Be would like to fund extra curricular activities that encourage healthy community spirit, creativity, and leadership skills. We want our children to experience the best possible learning environment.


Herb Pond – Liberal Party of BC

Everyone agrees - education is vital. Despite billions of dollars there are still many problems. Frankly, issues like class size don't top my concerns in education. Last week a community leader told me about high school completion rates of less than 10 percent for his people. Class size wasn’t top of his mind either.

Our communities are unlike those in the south. Our education model fails too many of our children. This is a problem that all community leaders must unite around to find solutions.

As MLA I will win support for the solutions we find.

Podunk Below the Masthead, Friday, May 1, 2009

A review of the local candidates forum, remembering the Battle of the Atlantic and the Northern Expedition polishes up the brass for an open house. Some of the items from the Friday edition of the Daily News.

HIRE ME! LOCAL CANDIDATES FORUM-- The Daily News provides its review and interpretation of the Wednesday night candidates forum held at the Lester Centre of the Arts. Items of discussion on Wednesday included; education, employment and the environment to name a few. With George T. Baker providing his take on the evenings revelations (we transcribe the full article below)

Other items of interest from the Friday paper included a preview of the commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic, the annual gathering of local veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Sea Cadets of Prince Rupert. All were to pause on Sunday to remember the sacrifices of those on the waters of the Atlantic from 1939-1945 in their bid to keep the shipping lines between North America and England open.

Saturday was to be open house day at the Fairview Ferry Terminus for BC Ferries as the province's ferry service celebrated the arrival of the Northern Expedition, the latest addition to the BC Ferries Fleet. Local residents were to tour the vessel from 1-4 and the Daily News previewed that event in Friday's paper.

The paper also featured their regular election feature the Pressing question as well as continuing on with their profile of the riding's candidates, this time featuring Gary Coons on page 10.

The Sports Section featured details of the cross town rivalry between CHSS and PRSS which played out on the soccer field over the last few days.

Total pages in Friday's paper (18)

Front page, Headline story...

Hire Me!
Local candidates forum
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Friday, May 1, 2009
Pages 1 and 5


There are less than two weeks left before election D–Day.

If anything was proved from Wednesday night's all-candidates forum it was that Green Party nominee Lisa Girbav can more than handle her own when the spotlight's on.

During an evening that was filled with loud applause, partisan pandering and reinforcement of the candidates' positions, the biggest mystery going in was whether or not Girbav, at 19, could handle her own against veteran politicians Gary Coons (NDP) and Herb Pond (BC Liberals).

Given the opportunity, Girbav responded with a veteran savvy that left both her competitors and the audience impressed.

When local man Gary Rabel asked Girbav what she thought of all this talk about electing someone who would sit in government so that doors are opened for Prince Rupert, the Green party representative didn't hold back.

"I am tired of choosing between left wing government and right wing government. The environment is somewhere in between. If we don't have a planet, we don't have a government," said Girbav.

On that question, both Coons and Pond responded that they were not concerned about which side of the legislature they sat on.

Coons was direct in his thoughts about the way the make up of a legislature should work,
commenting that in 2001 the BC Liberal government refused to recognize the only two opposition members, Joy MacPhail and Jenny Kwan, as the official opposition.

"I believe we need a strong opposition to counter government," said Coons.

Pond responded by saying that the community was to be represented first.

"I don't much care whether I'm on opposition or government at the time - I will argue with BC Liberals if it's for the good of this riding," said Pond'.

The night didn't come off entirely without a hitch. There were some members of the audience upset at the lottery-style system organized for the public question period. Due to time constraints, names were put in a drum and pulled at random to determine which members of the audience got to speak and there were more questions than there was time to accommodate them.

Those who did have the opportunity came up with some lively and telling questions.

Green Party Campaign manager Gerry Riley asked a question that seemed designed to embarrass rather than seek an answer, when he asked the candidates about, "the social inequities and economic problems caused by 'Herb's Casino"'.

The Green party rep answered that they do not support the proliferation of casinos and gaming centers in the province.

What Riley was getting at was Pond's support for the opening of Chances Gaming Centre, which Pond defended by pointing out that many jobs have been created and that positive results towards gambling addiction would come from working with First Nations communities at the Community-to-Community agreement last October.

"I appreciate the way the question was asked. I get pride from the fact 95 people that are now working. Now, are there a couple of people with problems? Of course. But in the community-to-community meeting we made addiction help a priority," said Pond.

Coon said he was concerned about the social problems associated with gambling in British Columbia.

"We do not have a healthy economy without a healthy society," said Coons.

The night also featured questions from five panelists representing local media and the BC Chamber of Commerce.

One of the panelist questions centered on CN's proposal to bring bitumen oil from Alberta to Prince Rupert on rail cars.

Pond said that he was surprised by the proposal and that there were obvious issues with moving that kind of substance near and on water but the Port of Prince Rupert had been good at handling cargo safely and was certain the same would be for oil.

Girbav took the long view on Albertan oil and reasoned that a more staggered approach to cultivating oil sands projects would be prudent environmentally and economically.

"We should sit on it and wait for it to get more expensive," said Girbav.

Coons said he was totally against oil tankers running up and down the northern coast and said that if the NDP were elected into government, the party would legislate a guaranteed moratorium on crude oil tankers.

"We need to put our energy into protecting our coast," said Coons.

Pond displayed his familiarity with the residents of Prince Rupert, by easily mentioning businesses and owners along with their histories.

Coons was on top of his game with an in depth knowledge of the issues of the day.

And Girbav impressed people by coming up to the plate with unexpected confidence.

Voters will have their opportunity to decide who spoke best when they show up to the polls on May 12.

Podunk Below the Masthead Thursday, April 30, 2009

Paul Martin offers his support for Aboriginal achievement, a BC Cabinet Minister praises port development but doesn't bring any money and Completely Plugged gets its due. Just a few of the items from the Thursday edition of the Daily News.

MARTIN ABORIGINAL INITIATIVE SUPPORTS STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS-- Former Prime Minister Paul Martin made a trip to Prince Rupert to highlight his ongoing support for Aboriginal achievement across Canada. Martin is continuing on with his long held interest in First Nations issues with his support of the Paul Martin Aboriginal Initiative, which locally is highlighted by the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program at Charles Hays Secondary School.

Thursday's Daily News outlined details of the Martin visit and the program as the front page headline story, the Charles Hays program but one of four across the country to which Martin has taken an interest in. Participants receive five hundred dollars in seed money to get their business plans under way. During the course of the Daily News article, Martin outlined how the federal government needs to become more pro-active in educational matters, suggesting that the future for Aboriginal youth rests in a more collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments. (see transcription of article below)

Speaking of the provincial government, one of Gordon Campbell's cabinet ministers spent some time in Prince Rupert on Monday, as Mike de Jong met up with local voters and offered his support for the Liberal candidate Herb Pond in the upcoming election. One topic of interest to the locals was the development of the Port of Prince Rupert, with de Jong offering up the normal tributes of the Liberals to the goal of port development, though no offers or details of funding for that development came along with the good wishes.

The Daily also provided a review of last weekends Completely Plugged session at the Lester Centre for the Arts, providing a glowing review of the assembled talent that took to the stage on Sunday April 26th.

Thursday's sports page featured a look back at the Prince Rupert Minor Hockey Associations awards night from Wednesday, where a number of the city's minor hockey players received their due for another successful year.

Total pages in the Thursday edition (16)

Front Page, headline story...

MARTIN ABORIGINAL INITIATIVE SUPPORTS STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Pages 1 and 3

For 17 year-old Erica Morgan, confidence has been hard to acquire.

"A year ago I couldn't stand up and talk to the class or talk to people on the spot ... or the newspaper," admitted ,Morgan on Wednesday, now standing before the local media contingency.

Often removed and quiet in class, she would never had considered talking in front of an audience. And a discussion with a local newspaper scribe would probably have been the last thing on earth she would have liked to do.

But since enrolling in Charles Hayes Secondary School's Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program, Morgan said her life and her confidence in her self has grown - and there she was Wednesday, talking about her business plan in detail.

Morgan's life has changed, as has many of the students in Larry Hope and Jo-anne Chrona's class.

Hope and Chrona are the teachers who are implementing the Initiative at a local level, giving students the tools to compete in the business community as confident, budding
entrepreneurs

It took a while not only for the students, but also the school board to get to Wednesday’s place of confidence.

After 16 months of conference calls and planning between District Principal of
of Aboriginal Education. Debbie Leighton-Stevens, the Minsitry of Education and the Paul Martin Foundation, some 18 students from Prince Rupert and the surrounding villages received the chance to learn entrepreneurial skills and get first-hand experience in the business world while completing their high school education.

Hope thought that Morgan spoke best to the success of the program because of the way in which it has made her a stronger student both in his class and others. And he really likes her business idea, which is a tailoring business that will focus on children's clothes and costumes.

"But it isn't just Morgan who feels the program has kindled a business spirit.

Ideas like fried bread and caramel popcorn vending, knit clothing for teens, novelty candles and many more were created by teenagers who might have otherwise been digging for answers to a video game level rather than a business plan model.

Some of the plans have even evolved brand names like Dead-Squid Knit and Mutt Cuts. Dead Squid creator Gregory Miller, 17, said his inspiration was based on choosing the most obscure idea customers could think of when it came to knitting.

"I didn't want people to think of an old woman sitting around knitting," said Miller.

Which could be crucial when you want to sell your goods to a teen market not exactly known for identifying themselves with the seniors' set.

'Making these business Proposals work, however, is still a daunting financial task.

In recognition of this obstacle, The Martin Aboriginal Initiative has provided $500 for each student, which will be placed in his or her name in an individual bank account.

That seed money will be available for the grade 10 and 11 students to begin their business plans in September.

The catch is that 10 per cent of all profits will be donated to a charity, not too shabby when you get to keep 90 percent.

Paul Martin was in town yesterday to discuss the pilot projects aims. Charles Hayes is one of four schools in Canada hosting the project, which Martin said he hoped to expand in B.C.

"The problem is equal levels of education. That is improving but nowhere near as quickly as we would like and that's where this course can step in. It does teach business but it also gives the students a sense of its worth as to why they should stay in school," said Martin.

Martin said long-term success was intertwined with well-funded schools. He chastised the current Conservative government for not spending enough on education. He claimed that the federal government spends 40 per cent less on education, per capita, than the provinces do.

The Daily News reported in January that Prince Rupert School Board fell short of the provincial average for completion rates for Aboriginal students with 39.3 per cent. That number was way behind the 79 per cent average for British Columbian high schools, both public and independent.

Similar to overall secondary completion rates, fewer than 10 schools fell behind SD52 with specific regard to Aboriginal student populations.

Provincially, completion rates reached a record high of 80 per cent overall and 48 per cent for Aboriginal students in 2006/07, but declined slightly this year to 79 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively.

Martin blamed the failing stats on federal inertia.

"The federal government has just got to step up," said Martin. "We do provide primary and secondary education to Canadians. To be short changing Aboriginal Canadians is just morally and economically wrong."

Martin spoke to the fact that 50 per cent of all aboriginal students are below the age of 25.

"The future of the country lies with what these students are going to be doing," said Martin.

Such teens like Stevie Shaw, 16, who thought up a business that looks to make computers more hygienic.

"When you touch a computer when you are sick it can transfer to other people who also use the computer and then they get sick," said Shaw, "Computers are a great breeding ground to start spreading germs."

Shaw said he thought up his idea when he and his family were throwing out an old computer. All the dust that jumped off the mainframe made him think there had to be a way to make sure it wasn't continuous.

"I think there is a market for this kind of business. In fact my teacher has talked to some of his friends who said they would be interested in my services," said Shaw.

And Aleisha Mckay, a 17 year-old who has already scoped out high traffic business location for her caramel popcorn vending business.

"Right in Cow Bay during the cruise ship season and in front of the Ciccone Centre during the All-Native tournament," said McKay. Looks like she's picked up on to the first rule of business. -location.