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Sentinel
Northern
www.northernsentinel.com
Volume 57 No. 39
Regional district hears pitch for lower marina fees at MK Cameron Orr Is MK Bay Marina too expensive? That’s the topic that has been posed by both Kitimat resident Doug Thomson, and Retire Kitimat committee member Margaret Sanou to the regional district. Sanou attended the Sept. 14 Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine board meeting where she presented her case for a new fee structure at the marina, while Thomson submitted a letter with his concerns which appeared in the board’s agenda package. On behalf of Retire Kitimat, Sanou made a pitch to change the way fees are charged, suggesting that Kitimat area residents receive a discounted rate, to encourage people to come to the area. She said that she’s aware of people who have taken their boats to other marinas — notably Port Edward’s — and knows of at least one person who has decided to retire in Kitimat who has had their boat permanently grounded because they cannot find space at the marina. The aquatic features of the community have changed for Retire Kitimat since they were established in 2010. When they started both Moon
Bay Marina and the Hospital Beach boat launch were open and in use, said Sanou. Both have since closed, moving more the demand to MK Bay. “Many boaters find the prices charged at this launch when combined with the price of parking their vehicle to be prohibitive,” said Sanou in her presentation to the board. She said that there wasn’t immediate discussion to her presentation but she admits that their ideas are not ones that would be implemented overnight. “Originally when I brought this idea forward the two things that I thought would really make Kitimat an attractive place to retire were the low housing prices combined with access to fishing and boating on the Douglas Channel,” Sanou later told the Sentinel, noting places such as Vancouver Island do not have the affordable housing available here. “There’s many things that make Kitimat a good place to retire but boating is something that we can offer that many communities can’t,” she said. “It’s something that we were using to promote Kitimat and it’s difficult to do that when there isn’t more available.” Continued on page 3
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
1.34 INCLUDES TAX
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Alterations to Centenniel Park and the fountain area continue as a new brick walkway has been laid through the park, with more to be completed in the surrounding gardens this year. The work is part of the second phase of renovations for the park and fountain, work which will continue to next year.
Scott defends regional district vote The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine has thrown in their opinion that the Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal is no good for the region. The district board passed a motion that they oppose the project. Among the opponents of the motion was Kitimat Council appointee Corinne Scott, however she said that her vote against it at the regional district does not indicate support for the pipeline. Rather, she had no choice but to vote and voting ‘no’ was the only way to maintain the neutrality position that Kitimat Council has taken. “I support the process that’s put in place by the National Energy Board to review all aspects of the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline,” she said. She reiterated the council’s position to wait until the Joint Review Panel (JRP) releases their recommendations
before they decide whether to support or oppose the project. However, based on the rules in the Community Charter, which applies to her position as a director on the regional district board, she could not abstain from voting, an action some people have told her she should have taken.
“I support the process that’s put in place by the National Energy Board.” She explained that unless there’s a conflict of interest, a representative either on councils or regional district boards has to vote — failing to raise your hand in a vote is consid-
ered a vote in the positive. “We can not abstain from voting,” she said, a position she spoke to at the Sept. 17 Kitimat council meeting. Voting in favour of the motion at the Sept. 14 board meeting were Telegraph Creek director David Brocklebank, Dease Lake alternate director Joey Waite, Terrace municipal directors Dave Pernarowski and Bruce Bidgood, Nass director (and regional district chair) Harry Nyce, Hazelton mayor Alice Maitland, Kispiox/Kitwanga director Linda Pierre and Diana Penner (who was sitting in for absent regular director Doug McLeod) for the area around Terrace. Voting against the motion were Thornhill director Ted Ramsey, Kitimat municipal director Scott, New Hazelton mayor Gail Lowry and Stewart municipal director Billie Ann Belcher. Continued on page 3
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