The Northern View, May 21, 2014

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PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 9 NO. 21

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

FREE

Where is Jonathan Knight?

FIRE IT UP Community

BY SHAUN THOMAS

Students return from tour of Europe Page A7

PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

As the long weekend began, family and friends of Jonathan Knight remained in the dark about what happened to the Prince Rupert man. Knight was last seen at 2:30 p.m. on May 7 and was scheduled to pick a friend up from work at 10 p.m. that day, but he never showed. The next day, the Dodge Durango he had been driving was recovered at - Cpl. Dave Tyreman Telegraph Point approximately 62 kilometres east of Prince Rupert. Inside the vehicle, RCMP discovered the receipt for a seven-foot inflatable boat with a foot pump and firestarter. His hat was later found down the river. The location, coupled with recent research, led friends to believe he had tried to cross the river to get to a cabin in the Khatada Lake / Davis Lake area. See KNIGHT on Page A2

“We are hopeful at some point he will come back .”

Feature George Sampson a mentor to athletes Page A10

Martina Perry / The Northern View

Tyler Winther lights the acetylene torch as Charles Hays Secondary School shop teacher David Archibald looks on during a trades celebration and open house on Thursday. For more on the event, see Page A8.

Massive spike in homelessness projected

Sports Sarah McChesney strong in the pool Page A16

Haida Gwaii SGang Gwaay adorns new stamp Page B1

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1738 Jamaica Ave $295,000

Affordable housing in short supply BY MARTINA PERRY PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

The plight of Durwin Gordon, published by The Northern View on May 7, has shined a light on what advocates for the homeless say is a problem nearing crisis levels in Prince Rupert. Gordon was forced to spend several nights on the street in April, but donations have since allowed him to temporarily stay at the Moby Dick Inn. Peggy Davenport, a retired nurse who is trying to help Gordon find a permanent home, said Gordon had stayed at Raffles Inn previously, but was unable to go back after a spinal injury left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was placed at Sunset Villa on a medical stay and eventually applied for one of the BC Housing development’s two wheelchair-accessible units. According to

“We’re going to see our community starting to look like downtown Vancouver.” - Coun. Joy Thorkelson Davenport, Gordon was denied because “he wouldn’t be able to keep the apartment clean”. There are four wheelchair-accessible BC Housing units in the community and a spokesperson for the agency told the Northern View there was no waiting list for these units as of March 31. The agency isn’t permitted to discuss specific cases, but a representative said the Housing Registry may deny individuals a

unit for a variety of reasons ranging from an unsatisfactory tenancy history or worsening their current living situation to outstanding debt to a subsidized housing provider. Davenport claims that Gordon has run out of housing options; he depends on government assistance and is unable to find wheelchairaccessible low-cost rental properties. When hotel room donations run out, Gordon will be homeless. And he’s not alone. Two organizations that provide emergency shelters in Prince Rupert have seen usage increase in the past year, and at maximum capacity a number of times. The Prince Rupert Salvation Army said demand is high for the eight beds at Raffles Inn it supplies to the homeless.

See HOUSING on Page A3

Gord Kobza

The Power of Experience Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. As a licensed realtor with over 25 years of experience, whether you are selling or buying, I am here to guide you through every phase of the process with skill and integrity. For a free consultation please call or e-mail me today. I look forward to helping you find the perfect home!

www.gordonkobza.com

250.624.9298 Suite 6 - 342 3rd Ave W. info@gordonkobza.com


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