PGArcher

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Family of Prince George jail inmate who died in custody wants answers

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

15

Sounds to me like, sadly, this fellow needed intervention well ahead of 2018. Perhaps even dating back to his teenage years. His story is a heart breaking commentary on the lack of acknowledgement of and resources for mental health treatments and supports. Until we take mental health conditions as seriously as Diabetes or Cancer and invest the same kind of money, we will never achieve any kind of control over them.

Park House Phase 2 and 3 construction underway

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

10

That's quite a few "high end" housing units. Is that really where the need for housing exists? In folks who can afford "high end" units? Also as a senior, the last thing I want to do is live in a complex with only other seniors. I always want to live in a multi-generational housing situation. I love hearing kids playing outside when the weather is nice and seeing families walking or riding their bikes outside. No way that I would ever live in a complex surrounded by only cranky old people!

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Exploration Place names new executive director

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

10

I think in the future when terms like "de-colonization" are used there should be an explanation of what that actually means in the context of the story. It seems to me that these terms can and are being interpreted in several different ways.

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Guilty verdict for man dealing fentanyl in Prince George

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

7

I don't understand why a forearms possession charge was stayed. Guns plus drugs is a strong indication of serious criminality in my mind. I certainly don't support letting guilty people off the hook because of a time factor either. The public needs better protection from criminals like this person.

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City staff report recommends council reject supportive housing plan

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

9

Provided this residence operates in compliance with registration standards set by the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and has the majority of immediate neighbors in agreement, I don't see any significant downside to this? As far as additional parking and traffic - I'm wondering how it would be any worse than the homes on our street who have built in several suites and have 4-5 additional cars parked along the curb as well as a full driveway. One even has a car parked on their front lawn.

Falcon, BC United drop out of election race, candidates welcomed by Rustad's Conservatives

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

5

The ideology is quite different in the Liberal and Conservative philosophies. Presumably, people run for and vote for the party whose philosophy makes the most sense to them and meets their needs. This begs the question, how/why does one jump parties then? Is it that their own personal values and how they believe governments should treat themselves and their family/neighbors are not fully committed to? Or is it that they don't even know what the core values and philosophies of each political party are? I have pondered this for many years as I've watched the political winds fluctuate and change. In this particular election, I'm finding it really shocking that a person who has been an MLA for around 20 years and hasn't appeared to actually have accomplished anything (unlike Shirley Bond, for example) has been able to declare himself a leader. In addition he parrots the dangerous populist rhetoric that seems to stir up the crowd. This is a clear example of "bandwagon fallacy" in my mind.

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Rustad urges Eby to take more action on U.S. tariffs

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

7

I certainly agree that we need to remove the interprovincial trade barriers that have long been in place between the provinces but his statements about the government's response being ineffective are pre-mature. The tariffs haven't even started yet and Trump keeps pushing the date back, now at Feb. 4th.

Two weeks of deep freeze ahead for Prince George

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

7

It's interesting how over the past years that descriptors have become more dramatic. In the past I don't think there many of us considered a daytime high of -7 in early February, a "deep freeze".

Committee to hear details of visit by Chinese delegation

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

2

I agree with provincial revision suggestions. I also hope there has been consultation with legal experts in international law, and Chinese/Canadian relations. I also hope there has been consultation with CSIS and Canadian External Affairs. Last but certainly not least consultation with local First Nations needs to take place in a meaningful way.

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Province unveils plan for $1.579 billion patient care tower at UHNBC

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

5

It's true that staffing shortages are a critical issue everywhere in Canada. I can share something that may give folks hope. Those announcements by the Federal and Provincial governments to cut the red tape and improve foreign recruitment? They have actually done that. I am personally aware of a few foreign trained physicians (European) who are delighted that instead of a complicated 4 year process, it is only about a year. They are really excited to be coming here and at least 2 of them want to be in northern BC. Since the shortage of staff was predicted over 30 years ago, I think it fair to say that all governments since the mid 1980s have failed us as that would have been the time to try to turn things around. It's NOT going to be a quick fix.

Council endorses bid to create mental health hospital in Prince George

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

2

The Mental Health Act did have some revisions in the late 1990s and I believe there was one more round since. It is worth having another look at to ensure that it is enacted in a way that respects and safeguards an individual's human rights. I look at the former youth containment center with caution especially if it used long term for the following reasons: 1) it was built to "contain" not to restore health so without major renovations is not a good structure for healing and may even be triggering for some 2) it is not nearly large enough to serve the north 3) I worry that once opened the politicians and decision makers with simply write the issue off as "solved" 4) without enhanced community based supportive structures and processes in place it becoming a "dumping ground" with no long term plans for the people who are there. It may be useful for specific situations if the risks are addressed BEFORE people are placed there.

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Head of psychiatry at UHNBC calls for a northern mental health facility

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

4

I believe every health authority needs a long term mental health facility. Sadly, there are some people who have mental health conditions that require continual supervision. FNHA also needs to step up and build some smaller facilities closer to their communities where people could be connected to their families and communities and be provided with more of their traditional healing. There is no quick way out of this but if all the decision makers step up to the plate and take real action instead of using platitudes or the latest "buzz words", a better future can be created for people who suffer from and have to live with mental health conditions. It's also not going to be cheap, but these human beings deserve our best efforts, financial commitments and compassion. They are NOT the "throw aways" that they are often currently being treated as. Under the right situations many will be capable of living a meaningful life.

School board projects $1.2 million surplus for 2024-

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

4

That's a pretty big surplus. I'm not suggesting that they should manage their budget to produce a deficit. I just can't help wonder - which needs of students (eg. learning programs, educational needs assessments for learning disabilities etc.) went without proper funding and supports?

Prince George making the case for a military base

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

3

Sounds like it's definitely worth exploring. My uncle was a "Black Devil" during WW2 and I have a picture of him taken here where he spent some time training for that role. I can see many reasons why Prince George would make an ideal spot for a base. Oh and just for the record, I was told the name "Black Devils" was given to them by the Nazis who were fearful of them because of their ability to operate under the cover of night time darkness with faces painted black (nothing racial).

National scholarship for CNC nursing student

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

3

Bravo to Wynne! Northern BC has had exploding rates of Inflammatory bowel disease (including crohn's and colitis) yet we do not have a center of excellence for inflammatory bowel disease here in the north. Adult patients have to beg and apply extreme pressure to recieve help from the experts at St. Pauls or Kelowna. Rates are steadily climbing and we desperately need a center here!

School District 57 looking for input to develop new logo

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

3

I’m curious to understand the significance of a logo. Is there actual scientific proof that a logo makes any kind of difference for anyone? I’ve never paid attention to them but wonder if others do and what their effect is.

Truckers deserve modern highway rest stops, says Prince George long-hauler

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

2

We have been embarrassed by the lack of decent rest stops throughout BC for decades.Not only is this essential for truckers but also for a province that depends largely on tourism to contribute to our economy. In the majority of rural BC communities are at least 100 km apart and there is plenty of space to build a decent rest stop such as the one near Dome Creek or on the way to Vanderhoof.

Prince George Airport launches human trafficking awareness program

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

2

This article has reminded me of how little I actually know about this subject. I think we should all become more educated and aware so that each of us can be in a position to identify and appropriately intervene.

Shirley Bond won't be running for re-election

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

2

So sorry to see what has happened to her. Hope that people responsible for this backroom deal done dirt cheap will be held accountable. It's breathtakingly stunning, to me, what little integrity some people have as has been shown by recent maneuvers. Huge gratitude to Shirley for all the years of hard work and self sacrifice. You did NOT deserve your final days to look like this!

Rustad prepares for battle against NDP in wake of BC United shutdown

PrinceGeorgeCitizen

2

Past performance is a good indication of future performance. Hey Johnnie, what have you accomplished in the past 20 years as a sitting MLA bedsides warming a seat and collecting a paycheck? Besides shooting your mouth off with irrational populist rhetoric.