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VOL. 26 NO. 42
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Gov’t chases pulp mill ghost By Anna Killen Long-bankrupt Skeena Cellulose might be a distant, if still painful, memory to those in the northwest – but not to the provincial government. The once dominant forest industry player in northwestern B.C. which contributed to a decade-long regional recession when it sought bankruptcy protection in 1997 and then officially went out of business in 2004, remains on the list of businesses and people owing money to the provincial government.
A $75,000 fine, first levied in 2003, was included in a late December 2013 public shaming list released by the provincial environment ministry. The ministry of environment is hoping that by “naming names and taking away privileges” for 18 businesses and 155 individuals it will increase the collection rate of overdue environmental court fees owed to the province or to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, reads a release sent out by environment minister Mary Polak Dec. 11 of last year.
Mayor’s race could be on the horizon
But in the case of Skeena Cellulose, which officially declared bankruptcy in September 2004, the province has already admitted it hasn't been able to contact anyone connected with the company. Skeena Cellulose was convicted in provincial court for violating section 3(2) of the Waste Management Act – introducing waste while conducting business – on May 6 of 2003 in Prince Rupert in relation to its pulp mill at Port Edward and ordered to pay a fine of $75,000 to the province by Jan. 15, 2004. When the fine wasn't paid by
that date, the government says it began taking steps to collect the money owed. According to a timeline provided by the ministry, in March 2005 the fine was originally assigned to government to collect and a notification sent to Skeena Cellulose. In between March 2005 and July 2007, numerous attempts were made to contact the company by both letter and telephone. Attempts were unanswered and correspondence was returned undeliverable. And in late July of 2007, the province put the account on hold
for further collection as contact had been lost with the company – letters had been returned undeliverable and there had been no contact from the last known trustee connected to Skeena Cellulose. And while the province can suspend or cancel permits or licences for businesses (and individuals) with outstanding payments to coerce them into paying up, details are less clear on what the province can specifically do to collect with regards to defunct companies like Skeena Cellulose.
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By JOSH MASSEY
MUNICIPAL elections aren't until November but a race for the mayor's chair could already be shaping up. Bruce Bidgood, first elected to council in 2008 and again in 2011, says he'll be running for the top spot now held by Dave Pernarowski. “It is my intention to run as mayor next fall,” said Bidgood last week, noting later that it's still too early to start talking about his political platform with the election months away. But Bidgood said it's “no surprise” that he's had an interest in serving in the position as mayor. His mayoral aspirations date back to late December 2010 when he mulled over running against Pernarowski. At that time, Bidgood was a first-term city councillor who had the second highest vote total among council candidates in the 2008 municipal election and Pernarowski was a first-term mayor, having defeated veteran mayor Jack Talstra in 2008. Bidgood reaffirmed his interest in running for mayor through 2011 but decided against the move just before nominations for the November 2011 municipal elections opened. A number of things have changed between then and now, he said. “The time has changed,” he said. “We're at an absolute turning point in terms of Terrace's history and in terms of its future... I think that we need really strong leadership in order to maximize Terrace's position and Terrace's leadership as we move forward.” He also singled out the experience he's gained in a number of leadership positions – he is currently the chair of the Kitimat-Stikine regional district and vice-president of the North Central Local Government Association – as well as the stability of the current council, as reasons behind his decision to run.
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ANNA KILLEN PHOTO
■■ Sweeping generations four generations of curlers cast the ceremonial first rock at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 59th Annual Curling Bonspiel at the Terrace Curling Club last Friday, Jan. 24. From left that’s Leanne Billson, her father, Malcolm Hill, his father, Mel Hill, 91, and Leanne’s daughter Erin, 10, in front. Mel threw the first rock, while his descendents swept. The weekend event’s official opening ceremonies also included a march of all participants, led by piper Chris Gair and legion members, the singing of Oh Canada, and colourful commentary by Master of Ceremonies Mary Ann Misfeldt.
In the ground
Official results
Mini Rippers
Local band releases its first video shot entirely on location here \COMMUNITY A11
How close did the BC Liberals come to winning the Skeena riding? \NEWS A9
It was a stellar day up Shames for the ski club’s mini rippers fun race \SPORTS A30