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Volume 58 No. 40
Sentinel
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Northern
www.northernsentinel.com
Public access a big priority Cameron Orr The large scale projects with eyes on Kitimat has at least one resident concerned that the town may start losing its public access to many of its assets. Michael Langegger, member of the local Rod and Gun and regional president of the BC Wildlife Federation, wrote and presented to Kitimat Council, speaking to concerns he’s seen where Kitimat’s backcountry seems to be falling away from residents and into the control of large companies. He started off talking about the loss of access to the Kitimat estuary, but his letter included other access, including Bish Forest Service Road and the Wedeene Forest Service Road. “We’re really a coastal community with no ocean access outside of MK Bay Marina,” he said. Langegger said LNG developments are meaning a lot of restricted road access as well. He was met with a company roadblock while down Wedeene Forest Service Road, he said. “One of the things I’d like Mayor and Council to address and learn from the past is not to end up with the situation like we have with Rio Tinto having all this private property and denying access to the public,” he said. “I think we’re really in a crossroads now where we can entrench our access with citizens in the community.” Through his letter to council he points to Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Eurocan’s former haul roads, which stifled access to the estuary, as well as Apache and Chevron’s closure of Bish Forest Service Road, which he said has had some consultation but the closure has lasted nearly a year, which has Langegger worried. “Is blasting truly occurring in this area currently, or has this been used to restrict public access under the guise of public safety?” he wrote. He said forest service road closures is affecting trap lines in the area, one of which he uses himself, under an agreement with a Haisla woman. Even Radley Park didn’t escape Langegger’s gaze, noting unsubstantiated rumours that workers in town have effectively taken up residency in the park. Staff didn’t immediately respond to that point. His letter wasn’t lost on councillors though, all of whom agreed public access was a major concern and focus for their work. “Mayor and council are very concerned about the lack of waterfront we have access to and we’re trying very hard to find some way to access that,” said Mayor Joanne Monaghan. Phil Germuth said that they’re committed to working with proponents and citizens in emphasizing that public access is still needed.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
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1.30 INCLUDES TAX
Kitimatians gather to celebrate peace on International Peace Day, hosted locally by the Kitimat Rotary Club. Shown is the human peace sign. More photos on page 5. Dwight Magee photo
Keep critical eye on eviction notices A poverty law advocate based in Terrace, but whom covers the Kitimat area as well, said she’s seeing a lot of housing files coming out of Kitimat in the past months. Stacey Tyers, who works with the Terrace District Community Services Society, said 70 to 80 per cent of her housing-related files relate to Kitimat, and she’s seeing a growing number of improper evictions. And she has great concern about what’s happening in town and urges people to be critical of eviction notices. “Most of them are not valid evictions,” she said. “It’s becoming problematic.” But she also thinks that it’s nothing sinister or vindictive that she suspects is pushing landlords in town to giving illegal notices, but merely some misinformation about
their abilities as landlords. For instance some may not know you can’t evict people on anticipation of selling a property, she said. Evictions can only come after a sale and the new owners have requested that action. Her own general advice is, as best as you can, don’t give anyone a reason to evict you. Also never ignore an eviction notice, whether you think it’s improper or not, and seek out advice. According to Sandra Steilo, communications for B.C.’s housing ministry, residents are protected under the Residential Tenancy Act as long as they have signed a tenancy agreement. A landlord must provide written notice of eviction using an approved form to end a tenancy, Steilo continues.
“Most of them are not valid evictions...It’s becoming problematic.” Listing the available notices a landlord can use, she said a two-month notice can be given “for landlord’s use of property.” This applies when the landlord plans to move in, do major repairs, convert the unit or has sold the property and the new owner, or a close family member intends to live in the rental unit.” Ten day and one month notices are also allowed under certain conditions. Kitimat has its own Housing Resource Worker, Anne Moyls, who recently began her work under the Kitimat Housing Resource Project. She’s a local point of contact for people with housing
concerns, and helps people figure out housing options. “I really strategize solutions based on the people who are coming in and sometimes they have solutions in their extended-world that they’re not aware of,” she said. “It’s never bleak. I’m an eternal optimist until all avenues have been exhausted.” Housing has certainly had its crunch over the year with record low vacancy rates. The Kitimat Housing Committee also recently heard of an eviction notice to tenants on the two floors of the North Star Inn, which gave month-tomonth lease holders until October 31 to leave. Residents were given the notice through a letter from building owner James Thom, who wrote that he could no longer afford to maintain the two floors. Continued on page 3
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Kitimat makes Top 100 list ... page 6