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Sentinel
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Northern
www.northernsentinel.com
Volume 58 No. 41
Chevron opens up on Clio Bay Spokespersons for Chevron Canada opened up about their plans on Clio Bay and the proposed restoration project, to councillors on September 30. It was the company’s first time reaching out to councillors on the subject which has been a sore spot for some in the past several weeks, with some councillors and residents speaking out against the proposal to dump marine clay from the Kitimat LNG site at Bish Cove, into Clio Bay. While the project is claimed to be beneficial for the sea floor in terms of rejuvenating life, not everyone is convinced. But David Molinski with Chevron, through his presentation and with other company experts, gave their perspective that it’s a well thought out plan that will help, not hinder, the environment. He explained the idea was given to the company about a year ago from the Haisla and they’ve been investigating it since. Tim Edgell, a marine biologist with Stantec, working with Chevron on this project, said that the woody debris on the bottom of Clio Bay doesn’t provide as much biodiversity as there could be. “In terms of what could be there, what could be there in an adjacent bay...there would be higher biodiversity,” he said of the clay dumping plan. Councillor Phil Germuth held the representatives’ feet to the fire though, slamming them for the approach to community engagement. “This was hidden from us, we were never brought into the picture,” he said. He noted that with a planned early 2014 start to the project, Chevron now has only given the community three months to be informed on the project. Molinkski apologized for not seeing them sooner. On questions from Mario Feldhoff on bay access, Molinksi also said the plan is not finalized yet so he couldn’t speak to the extent of possible access restrictions. “Our goal is to work with the community to find out when people are using it, what kind of impact we might expect, and make sure we minimize that as much as possible,” he said. Germuth followed up saying he had written a letter to Chevron after seeing representatives at a recent local government conference, expressing disappointment that the company was not following their own, self-described “Chevron Way” in representating themselves. Germuth would rather have seen more opportunities for questions at Chevron’s planned Clio Bay Open House, which was scheduled for last night at the Riverlodge. Councillors were also invited to technical briefing on the project earlier October 8, the lack of earlier briefings another of Germuth’s pet peeves with the company.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
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1.30 INCLUDES TAX
Motorcyclists take off from the Dairy Queen parking lot on September 28, the annual Toy Run event from Kitimat to Terrace. Each rider is asked to bring a toy donation for the Salvation Army to participate. Glen Davies took on the organizing role this year, as the group the Road Runners retired last year after a long run.
Tattooist talks of rezoning plan Cameron Orr Councillors asked questions of a proposal to amend zoning for the shops at Nechako Centre, but none appeared concerned for the business which initiated the process, a tattoo parlour. Business owner Claire Rattee did appear at council on September 30 to answer any questions councillors may have had about her plan. Council had already approved first reading of the proposed amendment bylaw, but opted not to give second reading until some questions were answered. “I don’t want anyone to have any concerns about what kind of business it is that we’re going to be running. My husband and I are not your typical tattoo artists. We’ve both been very closely involved with churches our entire lives. My husband’s a Christian and I’m Jewish. I know that seems a little strange that we’re tattoo artists but it’s hard to make money off art these days and it’s something that we really love,” she said. “We
“We try to run our business in a way that’s not going to offend anyone.” try to run our business in a way that’s not going to offend anyone.” The windows showing any tattooing will be blocked off so no one can see in, especially important with the number of children in the area, she said. “You don’t want young children watching tattoos going on,” she said. “We’re really trying our hardest to make sure that we’re contributing members of society and we’re not going to be causing you guys any issue.” The business is expected to generate about three jobs. The bylaw had made its way through the Advisory Planning Commission for comment, and council adopted their recommendations, which adds phrasing to
exclude any possible escort agency business (which is not a business that had been proposed for the area but was added as a precautionary measure) and adding ‘liquor outlet’ and ‘restaurant (licensed)’ to the list of permitted uses. On questions from councillor Edwin Empinado, town planner Daniel Martin explained that while there already is a pub in the complex, language changes for business licences meant the planners wanted to update the bylaw so zoning and business licences shared the same language. The phrase ‘neighbourhood pub’, specifically, is no longer used for business licences. A public hearing for the changes, to add Personal Service Shops to the bylaw, is set for October 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the council chambers. Comment is also being received until then at the District of Kitimat offices. A personal service shop includes businesses such as barber shops, gyms, health clubs, and tattoo and piercing studios, among others.
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Trailblazing in indigenous social work ... page 7