ELECTION: NDP leader Adrian Dix speaks at COFI AGM A4 Wednesday, April 10, 2013 In conversation with Premier Christy Clark A3
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Council trashes extra pick up DELYNDA PILON newsroom@pgfreepress.com
City residents will not have the option of buying a tag at City Hall for an extra bag of garbage included in their regular curb-side pick up. Although the core services review suggestion was discussed at an earlier council meeting and staff was asked to investigate how the additional program would work, council decided not to bring the suggestion to the pilot project point for several reasons. Councillor Brian Skakun went on a ride-along with the garbage crew, discussing not only the repetitive physical labour of lifting bags and the ensuing injuries, something the automated system was supposed to, for the most part, discontinue, but also the way the schedule would be affected. Skakun pointed out the city received an award from WorkSafeBC in 2007 for changing to the automated system, significantly cutting down on claims from injuries sustained from lifting the
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bags. “Other communities haven’t made a lot of money and they don’t have the hazards we do,” he said in regards to the possibility of creating a revenue stream. He added he felt the city ought to take a look at bigger-ticket items for saving and earning money. Coun. Dave Wilbur said he had struggled with the idea since it was introduced, and after some consideration was leaning towards taking a second look at it. “There are unintended consequences,” he said. “My colleagues have said it all,” Coun. Garth Frizzell agreed, citing the chance for physical injury. Mayor Shari Green said council had the opportunity to discuss the possibility of injury as well as other hazards, like those pointed out in a letter from the Bear Awareness Society, but had opted to go forward to the bylaw stage anyway. She said she supported the bylaw as did councillors Lyn Hall, Cameron Stolz and Albert Koehler, however it was defeated.
Injured snowmobiler rescued A woman spent a night out in the elements Sunday after she was injured in a snowmobile accident. The woman, in her 20s, was thrown from her machine and was hit by her own snowmobile. She suffered a possible back injury. A Prince George Search and Rescue snowmobile team located the young woman at 3:30 a.m., after being led to her location by a member of her party. Members of Search and Rescue stabilized the woman and did their best to make her comfortable until morning. At first light a helicopter was dispatched from Prince George with two BC Ambulance paramedics and two Search and Rescue First Aid attendants. At 7 a.m. the young woman was airlifted to the University Hospital of Northern BC for treatment. Prince George Search and Rescue would like to thank Pacific Western Helicopters, the BC Conservation Service, BC Parks and all of the members of the young woman’s party, who were all well prepared to handle the situation, says Dale Bull, spokesperson for Search and Rescue.
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Mayor Shari Green gets a rough ride from the mechanical bull, instead of the media for a change, at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual President’s Gala - Black Tie and Blue Jeans – Saturday evening.