PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 9 NO. 42
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
OTTER BE GOOD
FREE
Race to office begins Mayoral campaign set in Rupert, Port Edward
Feature
BY MARTINA PERRY
Heart of our City: Dick Knox Page A6
PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
Sports Rampage come up short in Terrace Page A13
Martina Perry / The Northern View
Voters now have one month to decide on whom they will cast a ballot for after the cutoff for nominations came and went on Friday. There were no new entries for Prince Rupert’s mayoral race last week. As of 4 p.m. on Oct. 10, Lee Brain, Tony Briglio, Sheila Gordon-Payne and Jack Mussallem were candidates battling for the mayor’s chair. Five of six Prince Rupert councillors presently in office have entered to run again, with Anna Ashley, Barry Cunningham, Gina Garon, Nelson Kinney and Joy Thorkelson all submitting their names into the race. Wade Niesh and Gurvinder Randhawa, who both ran for a seat in the 2014 byelection, are also seeking one of six city council seats, in addition to Blair Mirau and Raymond Pedersen. In Port Edward, Mayor Dave MacDonald is pursuing his third term as the community’s leader, with Alice Kruta also putting her name forward for the mayor’s seat.
Blastworks Artist Jeff King and his helper Lorne Gladstone continued work on Prince Rupert’s newest mural on the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre last week.
See ELECTIONS on Page A2
Community Disrobing the Grim Reaper Page A18
Haida Gwaii Old army base nears end Page B1
Affordable housing at crisis level: City Provincial government chastised for inadequate response BY MARTINA PERRY PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
The City of Prince Rupert has decided it will deal with the growing shortage of affordable housing in the community after what some councillors say was a disappointing response by the province on the topic. The shortage of housing options available to those living in poverty in Prince Rupert is something council has been discussing for months. In September, the city brought a resolution to the Union of British Columbian Municipalities (UBCM) Conference, which received support, requesting that the province create a poverty reduction strategy. “It’s a step in the right direction, but of course the province has to take that on,” Coun.
“The apathy the provincial government showed toward the housing situation was sickening.” - Barry Cunningham Anna Ashley said on Oct. 6. Poverty is a concern of city council with homelessness on the rise in the community, partially attributed to a shortage of affordable housing in Prince Rupert. At the UBCM, members of council met with Rich Coleman, B.C.’s Minister Responsible for Housing and the Minister of Natural Gas Development, to discuss the subject,
informing the minister the situation is getting more extreme and that additional affordable housing units are needed on the North Coast as it goes through a period of hyper-activity. Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem said Minister Coleman was aware of the concern. “The minister did advise that the ministry will provide another 20 assisted housing units here and another housing support worker,” Mussallem said. “He didn’t give specifics as to when, but obviously they’re acting in anticipation of our concerns.” However both Ashley and Coun. Barry Cunningham said they were disappointed with the response they received.
See HOUSING on Page A3
Gordon Kobza
The Power of Experience Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. As a licensed 1543 8th Ave East $139,500
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