Prince George Free Press, April 25, 2014

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FRIDAYAPRIL 25

FOOD: Can we feed the need in Prince George?

www.pgfreepress.com | newsline: 250.564.0005

‘They were good guys’

Job action nixes recess

Rally calls for mill inquiry

Teachers around the province entered “stage 1 strike action” Wednesday, which had a slight impact on the school day in the Prince George School District. Schools Superintendent Brian Pepper, in a letter to parents, says schools throughout the district will remain open. However, teachers will not supervise students other than during the regular instructional time. That means supervision of school grounds and bus loading areas will be carried out by exempt and management staff. It also means the cancellation of the 15minute recess. This means most elementary school classes will begin seven minutes later and end eight minutes earlier each day. Bus pick-up and drop-off times remain unchanged.

Bill Phillips editor@pgfreepress.com As part of his recovery from the April 23, 2012 explosion and fire at Lakeland Mills, John Engstrom should avoid situations that cause him stress. He has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder since the blast that killed his co-workers Glenn Roche and Allan Little. So it was a tough decision to attend Wednesday’s rally calling for a public inquiry into the Lakeland Mills disaster and the Babine Forest Products tragedy in Burns Lake. “They were good guys,” he said, choking back the emotions that swell up remembering the two friends he lost two years ago. And the death toll likely would have been higher had it not been for Engstrom. When the first explosion ripped through the mill, it blew out a wall in the lunchroom trapping workers under it. It was Engstrom who literally used every ounce of strength he had to lift the wall so his co-workers could get out from under it. And he paid a price for it … a blown-out back, injured ribs, and a neck strain that doctors said almost killed him. When he lifted that wall, he put such a strain on his neck that it almost broke. He is still unable to work. In the end, the Engstrom decided to attend the rally to provide support for his co-workers. And, with a smile, says he needs support too. The road hasn’t been much easier for Steve Dominic, who was injured in the Babine Forest Products explosion. He remembers it was cold that day, and that probably saved him. He was bundled up for the cold and when the fire hit, “everything burned down to my T-shirt.” He suffered burns and nerve damage to his face, but is now looking to

Cougars sale goes to league

Bill PHILLIPS/Free Press Lakeland Mills worker John Engstrom and his wife Marina attend a rally Wednesday calling for a public inquiry into the explosions and fires at Lakeland Mills in Prince George and Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake. Engstrom was one of the men injured in the Lakeland explosion. The rally stops outside the WorkSafeBC office (top photo).

get back to work. “It was a fine line between permanent disability and trying to get back to work,” he said. He chose trying to get back to work. Both Engstrom and Dominic were among about 150 people who rallied in Prince George Wednesday calling for a public inquiry into the two explosions, that killed four men and injured about 40 others. The rally marched past the WorkSafeBC office, which has been tagged as the reason the Criminal Justice Branch won’t lay charges in either incident, and past Labour Minister Shirley Bond’s office, who has reinforced the government position that a coroner’s inquest is better than a public inquiry. Bond was not in her office, but issued a state-

The Western Hockey League has called a special meeting of the Board of Governors for April 30 to discuss the sale of two franchises, including the Prince George Cougars. According to a press release, current owner Rick Brodsky, who has owned the team since it moved to the city in 1994, has entered into an agreement with local businessman Greg Pocock. Pocock is the head of EDGEPRO Sports and Entertainment Ltd., a group of local businessmen and former WHL players. “Our entire family would like to thank our staff, fans, sponsors, volunteers, minor officials, billets, and the city and rink staff,” said Cougars vice-president Brandi Brodsky. “We also want to express our appreciation to all of the young men who have worn a Cougars uniform over the last 20 years.” The board meeting next Wednesday will also consider the sale of the Regina Pats franchise by Russ and Diane Parker to Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group Ltd., headed by Anthony Marquart.

ment shortly after the rally. “Truly, what these families have had to go through has been tragic, which is why government has launched an aggressive action plan to make sure what happened in Burns Lake and Prince George doesn’t happen again,” reads the statement. “Building on the steps we took immediately after the Babine investigation was released, this plan will make sure WorkSafeBC’s investigations are handled correctly for future prosecutions, to make sure there is sustained dust safety compliance at B.C. sawmills, and to drive change in the culture and process at WorkSafeBC. “I know the families want answers. So do I,

INSIDE TODAY:

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Sports.......................................P29

Voices.........................................P11 Community...............................P15 Classifieds...............................P20 Hart News................................P23 Boomers...................................P24 Datebook.................................P25 Driveway...................................P26


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