City Council revokes business licence

City council was in quasi judicial hearing where the city would decide weather to up hold City Planner Ian Wells decision to suspend the business licence of Connaught Motor Inn. Suspension of the business licence is for 3 months and the suspension will stay in force until all the city requirement are met. Starting July 1st 2016 and going till the end of September. Residents of motel will have till July 1st to find new places to stay. The city was presented with four choices cancel the 3 month suspension of business licence, maintain the suspension, reduce or increase suspension with possible extra previsions, or cancel the licence. The prosecution for the city called six witness and the owners representing themselves called none.

Superintendent Warren Brown the detachment commander of the Prince George RCMP was the first witness.  "Connaught Inn is one of the most troubling hot spots for in our community for crime" he stated. The RCMP strategy to reduce crime is to target prolific offenders, social system users and hot spots and Connaught Motor Inn is one of those hot spots. The RCMP receive 700 plus calls about the motel last year. Crime is so common their that when the RCMP wants to deter crime they visit the Inn and it has proved effective. The business owner, Joe Carhoun cross examined the witness Superintendent Brown. The Carhoun insinuated that the people who live on the street are causing  the problems and his business is just a near by location. Superintendent Brown responded by stating "your location is the hub of these problem." Carhoun also stated that the he had no idea about the problems. If you took every other hotel and motel in the city and added up all the calls the RCMP receive  about them, the connaught Motor Inn would still outweigh them all.

Barry Nakahara, Manager of Prevention Services, WorkSafe BC was the second witness. The Connaught Motor Inn has had many violations levied against them by Worksafe BC. According to Nakahara many of those violations were never brought into compliance. There have been fines levied against Connaught Motor in in excess of $65,000 by Worksafe BC and the penalties have not been paid. The primary concern of Worksafe BC is the risk of violence that the employees are under by working at the motel. Working conditions are so bad that mushroom are stated to be growing in some parts of the building. Any risk that the employees have are also going to risks to anyone who is staying at the motel too. "I am not aware of us having involvement to this degree with any other establishments" Nakahara stated. The owners stated that they are being treated unfairly by Worksafe and have a "professional" dealing with the "unfair" charges brought against them by Worksafe BC, and therefor did not want to cross examine Mr.Nakahara.

Captain Steve Feeney, Fire Prevention Branch, Prince George Fire Rescue Services was the third witness. The business has in the past had fire code problems which were concerning. He also stated that the owners have made forward progress in dealing with those fire concerns.

John Bennett, Supervisor Building Inspections, City of Prince George was the fourth witness.  He has multiple concerns about building safety and damage of the building. The Connaught Motor in is a liability to the city now that they know about its condition of the building. The owner refuted his claim stating that their is no problem and was willing to show the city. The city wanted to see improvements made when the owner said he was making them Bennett stated no building applications have been filed with the city.

Marilyn Sabatino, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, City of Prince George was the fifth witness. According to Sabatini there had been multiple complaints made against the Connaught Motor Inn. The city received a complaint about garbage problems around the property and the physical decay of the building itself. The problems persisted and then the city sent an order letter to the Connaught Motor Inn. This building is comparable to the Willow Inn, a property that had a one year suspension on its business licence for similar problems, according to Sabatino .

Superintendent Warren Brown filled in for Inspector Brad Anderson who could not make it for the hearing which was suppose to be witness six. The RCMP attendance to the building make up approximately 10% of their total activities. Accordant to Brown  what makes the Connaught Motor Inn unique is that they would have criminal issues one after another unlike other motels and hotels. The superintendent himself have been to the 30-40 times jus t in this last year. The RCMP has been to the property in excess of 2000 times which are not only just calls. Problems at the Connaught have gone on longer than the Willow Inn. Policing the motel is time consuming, resource heavy and frustrating according to Superintendent Brown.  When Carhoun cross examined Brown he was met with a strong statement from the superintendent, "from a policing prospective you have been willfully blind". The Carhoun agreed with the allegations but not the willfully part. "Any step besides the status quo who be an improvement" Superintendent Brown to owner.

Troy DeSouza who was the outside council prosecutor for the city stated in his closing remarks, Carhoun's argument that he did not know about these problems is not a real argument since the low occupancy rate should of been the first indicator there was a problem. Carhoun in a letter stated to the city, before this hearing, that he will need help and a "tax break"; in the eyes of DeSouza this was simply unprofessional. The city has bent over backwards to help the business with a very short suspension and lots of leeway before finally coming to the point where a business licence suspension was in order. If the city was to give a chance to the business owner, as Carhoun was suggesting though out the hearing, their needs to be evidence he is serious in fixing the problem, according to Desouza. DeSouza felt there was no evidence presented through this hearing that would make him believe the owners were serious.

When it came time for the councillors to give their remarks they did not hold back. Brian Shakun was extremely mad that he had to sit through this "garbage" which was the hearing. Shakun wanted the owners to pay back some of the costs the city had to spend on RCMP enforcement for the property. "you give absentee landlords a bad name" Skakun said to the owners of the motel.

Terri McConnachie said the owner provided crappy service to the guests who stay at the motel by how bad the conditions are. Tons of hotels that are in the downtown are at full capacity, that was in response to the owners stating that is a hard economy for motels in the downtown.

In the end Council was not moved by the statements Joe Carhoun made in his defence and in many occasions they felt his remarks hurt him more than helped. The city suspended the licence and their hopes are things improve but if they don't the suspension may not be removed come in September.

Fort McMurray Fire

***Updated information as of 05.30.2016***

Victims of the Fort McMurray Fire can are expected to return to Fort McMurray as of June 1st and the last of the people should be back by June 15th; this according Alberta Government.Electricity has been restored to 90% of the community, including outlying areas and gas service has been restored to 78% of Fort McMurray. Boil water advisory is in place and will likely be removed by the end of June.

***The Fort McMurray wildfire is still out of control and estimated to be 579,946 hectares in size. It is now crossing over into Northern Saskatchewan. The fire has destroyed over 1,600 structures and displaced almost 90,000 people from their homes. Insurance losses for the fire are expected to exceed $9 billion dollars.

Warm temperatures, and an early spring were major contributing factors to the fire.  Mike Flanagan a professor of Wildfires for the University of Alberta said that it is likely caused by man made factors. This is due to the proximity to Fort McMurray in which the fire started and the fact that their was no lighting. Also the combination of extremely warm spring with a very low humidity added to fuel of the fire. The boreal forest around Fort McMurray had dry forest floor that has made it easy for fires to start and spread quickly.

***Currently there are 2,292 firefighters, 90 helicopters (five heavy helicopters), 273 pieces of heavy equipment and 20 air tankers. Additional firefighters and various pieces of heavy equipment are expected to arrive over the next few days. There are fire fighters from around the world 298 from South Africa 199 from United States, 84 from Ontario, 7 from New Brunswick, 48 from Northwest Territories, 113 from British Columbia, 34 from Saskatchewan, 19 from Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI, 29 fromParks Canada, and 1 from Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC).

*** To donate to help the victim of Fort McMurray Fire  ***

Donations have been pouring in to the Red Cross with both the Federal Government of Canada and the Provincial Government of Alberta matching donations. As of May 6 2016 the Red Cross has received in excess of $30 million dollars in donations.

***Information will be updated as it comes***

By Grant Bachand (Twitter) @grantbachand

Ether in The Attic - Episode #125: Premiering The Highest Order - 20160523

The Highest order out of TO Ontario releases a smashing good piece of far-out-solid-country. Run out and get it June 10th, its a real beaut, it'll take you places further than any Chevy. Depending on your persuasion, maybe that's not hard to do, but I swear to the Hubcap deities above me that you can hop on to their metallic cd, blessed with the chromium shine of only the most coveted majestic discs in our reality, and take a trip, without leaving the farm... [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtr5SPXR-oo[/embed]

Without further ado...

The Show!

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/HubcapWalter/ether-in-the-attic-episode-125-premiering-the-highest-order-20160523/[/embed]

B.C Schizophrenia Society receives $3 million

The BC Government is providing $3 million worth of funding to the BC Schizophrenia Society to help them expand their provincial wide caregiver services. This funding will help the BCSS work with people who suffer from schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression and other severe mental illnesses. Prince George has a branch of the BCSS that has worked in the community for a number of years. Health Minister Terry Lake said "Caregivers provide immeasurable support to loved ones who are dealing with serious mental illness, and by helping take care of their own mental wellness, we are also helping them provide love and support to those struggling with these illnesses."

The caregiver network gives tools and knowledge to family members of people who are affected by these mental conditions.  Groups like the BCSS have shown to be extremely cost-effective and beneficial to family members. BCSS also builds community capacity to respond to the needs of caregivers, and various other stakeholders in the community.

According to the Government of BC, the Ministry of Health invests approximately $1.42 billion every year in mental health and substance use services. This is an increase of 67% since from 2000-01.

According to the BCSS website, Schizophrenia is mental illness that affects 300,000 Canadians. It most often appears in men in their late teens or early twenties, while it appears in women in their late twenties or early thirties. Finding the causes for schizophrenia proves to be difficult as the cause and course of the illness is unique for each person.

By Grant Bachand (Twitter) @grantbachand

Premier begins trade mission to Asia

Premier Christy Clark along with 78 representatives from the private sector will begin a trade mission in Asia which will last from May 23-31st. They team will be visiting South Korea, Philippines, and Japan. It is the governments hope to open new trade doors in the Philippines.  Growing LNG exports will be a major push in both South Korea and Japan. “This trade mission is about developing new trade and investment opportunities with Japan and Korea, while looking at what the future holds in Southeast Asia as we develop a stronger trade presence in the Philippines,” said Premier Clark.

The businesses that are joining the premier have a wide range of specialties from international education, to LNG and digital media. These trade missions fall in line with the BC jobs plan especially LNG advocacy. The Northern BC economy has seen LNG play a bigger part year over year.

Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will most likely also be a big part of the talks. The TPP is currently in ratification process with the government of Canada currently looking at whether to ratify. The former Harper Government negotiated the TPP on behalf of Canada. The TPP is expected to grow BC exports by $350 million according to the government of BC.

Justin Trudeau is also currently in Japan as well making pitches to Japanese automakers to invest in Canada. Japan was at one time Canada's second largest trading partner. Now our biggest Asian trading partner is China, which has seen in the last couple years an economic slowdown, and a series of market troubles.

According to the Observatory for Economic Complexity (OEC) by MIT exports in 2014 had Japan make up 2.6% ($11.7 billion), South Korea 1.5% ($6.4 billion), and the Philippines .25% ($1.11 billion) of Canada's total exports. Canada's biggest trading partners are the USA at 55% ($242 billion), and China 11% ($50.6 billion).

By Grant Bachand (Twitter) @grantbachand

WikiNews -May 19 2016

The news according to realtime edits on Wikipedia. This week's notable edits include: 1) Realtime coverage of EgyptAir flight 870's disappearance, 2) a warning to be careful when making a bed so as to not get your limbs caught in your ceiling fan, and 3) a discussion of microbiotics... I mean microbotics... I mean microrobotics. Source: www.listen.hatnote.com

https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/wikinews-may-19-2016/

UNBC Approves Budget for 2016/2017

The UNBC Bored of Governors approved the budget for 2016/2017. The votes was 8 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions. The opposition to the budget came from a lack of clarity around the auxiliary part of the budget also some board members felt cuts should of been considered by UNBC administration.  UNBC adjusted or dipped into some of their various funds in order to do a one time allocation which did balanced the budget. The budget prior to doing these allocations was in deficit due to falling enrolment numbers. One of the adjustments was the scholarship fund and canceling the  contribution to the fund for 2016/2017. Not contributing to the fund would not affect students who have already be promised scholarships from UNBC. President Daniel Weeks reassured the Board of Governors that the scholarship fund is healthy and can sustain this lack on contribution.

In order to create the budget the UNBC administration conducted many town hall meetings and open consultation sessions with Senate, faculty, students and staff. According one of members of the Board of Governors this budget is one of the most detailed budgets that they have seen in a long time. The pledge for transparency that President Weeks made has led to a more detailed budget that included not just the operational part of the budget but also the reserve funds that are not important to the approval of the budget. The detail of the budget at times lead to confusion on the part of some of the members.

The one time cuts that were done this year will lead to a balanced budget but are not something that can be done again. The scholarship contribution will have to be made next year according to UNBC President Daniel Weeks. He is also optimistic and feels that with the aggressive recruiting strategies that the university is currently implementing that they will be able in increase enrolment numbers for the future.

UNBC is also in the process of creating an academic plan that will feed into the creation of future fiscal budgets.  In order to create that plan UNBC is currently forming committees. These committees will look at ways that UNBC can move forward in the future these committees will be made up of students, faculty, staff and administrators.

By Grant Bachand (twitter) @grantbachand

Ether-in-the-Attic - Episode # 124- Hubcap-is-back - 20160516

Wild, not evil, this playlist oughta do the trick, whatever it is you're shooting for. Wear goggles though. Hubcap Walter is not liable for any benignly flawed or fatal organ transplants.  

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/HubcapWalter/ether-in-the-attic-episode-124-hubcap-is-back-20160516/[/embed]

City Council decides to approve the Otway rezoning

  The city of Prince Geoge City Council decided to approve CIF Construction and West Timber application to rezone property on Otway Rd. This was a very heated discussion but in the end the city decided to side with CIF Construction and Timber West.

The debate on this issue was highly contested by both sides. On one side the residents of North Nechako who felt that more industrialization in the area across the river from their homes would lead to lower quality of life. The arguments tended to focus on the air, light, water, and noise pollution that would come from the business that would move to the newly zoned property.

People who live in North Nechako are tired of attending meetings to fight to protect their neighbourhood. On May 12 some residents will go to a meeting to hear Pitman Asphalt plans to expand their operations that is also in the same area of the applicant.

One the other side the owners, employees and supporters of the companies Timber West and CIF Construction. They argued that by not approving this they would not be able to grow their business. The two companies had been in existence for a number of years and claim they had been in the area long before many of the residents who live in North Nechako.

After a long speakers list and 11-12 hours of council hearings the formal part of the hearing was closed and the city council began their debate on the issue. Like a parliamentary hearing the proponents for the project sat on one side of the aisle and the opponents on the other. People waited on baited breaths to see what their arguments would yield.

Murry Kraus sees this issue as very heated and knows though out his time in politics this was bound to happen. He did not support the application and knows it will make some very unhappy.

Terri McConnachie sees this as a collision on land use. She feels there is a need for a neighbourhood planning process. This application does not mean new industry is moving in to the area and people have still bought houses in the neighbourhood. CIF Construction and Timber West have "put their best foot forward." She supported the application.

Brain Skakun said when people made their presentations he really cut them slack for using a lot of time because many people were not accustomed to presenting. There is industry in the area but that does not mean more needs more is okay. The BCR industrial site is the proper place for light industrial and he does not want to see a piece meal application process in other areas. This is about a long term vision. Skakun did not support the application

Jillian Merrick felt that CIF and Timber West is an impressive company for helping grow the local economy. Merrick was very torn, the business has been there for a long time however she felt that the cumulative effect of pollution in the area would be problematic for the residents of North Nechako. Merrick voted against the application .

Albert Koehler some of the hearing became tense and not appropriate due to the presenters way of showing their opposition or support. The business in the old saw mill is extremely noisy especially if you live directly across from it according to Kohler, however business are more aware of neighbourhood impacts than ever before. We want our city to grow and be a city of growth and must accommodate business when possible, the point of a hearing is to decide whether that is the case with the current application. The berm should stop any noise that CIF or Timber West would make and the only noise left would be the already existing noise. However based on the information in front of him, he voted in favour of the application for the greater good of Prince George.

Susan Scott she does not see why this is was the "flash point it was." She did vote in favour of the application.

Garth Frizzell feels that we need to plan the river valley and should be something the city looks at for the future due to all the changes happening along the river. The information the city looked at was property values, pollution, OCP, industrial creep and so much more. After all the information was heard he was in favour of the application.

Lyn Hall says that planning along the river is needed and needs to happen for the future. He also voted in favour of the application.

So in the end some people walked away unhappy and some very grateful. One thing is sure planning along the river needs to happen for the future. As for CIF Construction and Timber West they will be moving to their new home and to expand their operations. No word yet if the residents of North Nechako will challenge the decision.