Dolly's book program growing /16
SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2006

Winds of change blowing in pulp sector /13

Plenty of art and history in Havana /34

Joneses to square off at Scott /9

80 CENTS (HOME DELIVERED: 59 CENTS A DAY)

Air quality plan draws criticism
by MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff A proposal to establish a provincewide standard for air quality as it relates to fine particulate matter is raising alarm bells for two city council members. According to a consultant who was in Prince George on Thursday seeking public input on the issue, the province is looking at setting a limit of no greater than 30 micrograms per cubic metre for PM 2.5 -- particulate matter as fine as 2.5 micrometres in diameter and small enough to make its way deeply into human lungs. The federal government wants the standard in place by 2010, but the province is looking at later this year as the deadline for communities, where PM 2.5 is in excess of 30 micrograms and 25 for those already below that limit. Of the 15 B.C. communities where there is equipment in place to monitor PM 2.5, only Prince George's average is over 30. Coun. Don Zurowski and Coun. Brian Skakun attended the session and relayed some concerns to the consultants. Zurowski said in an interview Friday that may be too much too soon for Prince George, where the average is in the range of 35 micrograms, according to the consultants' presentation. "Under 30 in 2006? That's not realistic," Zurowski said. "By 2010? Maybe." Zurowski said answers are still needed to such questions as what is the level of PM 2.5 in the ambient air around the city? "If there were no pollutants around other than that provided by Mother Nature, what's the starting point for Prince George specifically versus some of the other communities that are measured?" Moreover, Zurowski said PM 2.5 remains poor even after all the measures that have been taken to lower the level. "We've eliminated all beehive burners in the Prince George airshed, which was supposed to be a larger contributor. We have gone to different winter abrasives, coarser rather than fine, to eliminate some of the road dust. We sweep earlier in the spring and we use melting agents in the winter, other than abrasives, all in an attempt to improve the air quality," he said. "Industry has made progress over the course of time, we believe." If vehicle emissions are a major source, Zurowski said a bypass highway may be in order "and highways are a provincial responsibility." Skakun said there was a concern about how much the provincial government will help municipalities meet the new standards. "Will the provincial government come up with resources for communities to implement airshed plans? Are they going to help industry achieve some of those goals through tax breaks and other incentives?" he said. The Sheltair Group and Elevate Consulting are carrying out the consultations on behalf of the Ministry of Environment. Once this round of targeted stakeholder consultations are completed, the options will be refined and then taken through a round of broader consultations before final recommendations are taken to the ministry. mnielsen@princegeorgecitizen.com

U.S. paper features pine beetle
by GORDON HOEKSTRA Citizen staff North and central B.C.'s pine beetle epidemic was featured on the front page of the Washington Post this week under the headline "Rapid warming spreads havoc in Canada's forests." The story in one of the leading U.S. newspapers features Quesnel, which is located 120 kilometres south of Prince George, and is at the centre of the beetle storm. Quesnel mayor Nate Bello believes the international attention is good news. "It's good because it's realistic," said Bello. "If our federal and provincial governments see that the international community is interested in it, then they're going to be even more motivated -- I'm not saying they're not motivated now -- in having a clear plan and investment into both lands and the communities that depend on the land," he said. The story was not necessarily music to the ears of Jim Savage, Quesnel's chief economic development official. "Will that article have a negative impact on us? Probably," said Savage. "But it will probably also have a positive impact, in that there will be decision-makers, particularly in Ottawa, who will have read that piece," said Savage. "And it will continue to reinforce, that there is a need for a pretty strong economic intervention." As the headline suggests, the story points the finger of the beetle's spread at the region's warming climate. It also paints a picture that Quesnel will likely be hard hit by the coming decrease in timber supply. The story begins: "Millions of acres of Canada's lush green forests are turning red in spasms of death. A voracious beetle, whose population has exploded with the warming climate, is killing more trees than wildfires or logging." It notes the economy is booming now because of increased logging, but the boom will end. While the story creates a stark picture to the international community, Bello hopes there will be follow-up stories on Quesnel's efforts to diversify its economy to offset the impacts when the boom ends.

Citizen photo by Dave Milne

AIR TIME -- Randy Allison grabbed his board after hitting a jump Friday on Carney Hill. While Allison worked on his technique under sunny skies, teachers spent the day at PGSS attending professional development workshops.

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Support high for cancer clinic
by BERNICE TRICK Citizen staff There is strong advocacy for a comprehensive cancer centre that would include radiation therapy treatment in Prince George, according to the chair of the Northern Health Authority. Jeff Burghardt made the comment after about 325 people attended meetings Thursday and Friday in Prince George to learn about and discuss a future cancer clinic. "We've had a good representation and many stories from cancer victims and those recovering from cancer," said Burghardt, who with Charles Jago, UNBC president, were requested last year by Premier Gordon Campbell to lead consultation meetings in the North. There are still 16 meetings to be held in northern communities, and once that's completed, the findings will be compiled in a report for presentation to the B.C. government in June. "Their support of continuing this cancer strategy plan between the B.C. Cancer Agency and Northern Health Authority will be key," said Burghardt. Those in attendance seemed to fully support a full cancer clinic offering radiation, chemotherapy and cancer surgery. What they wanted to know is when it will open and about issues surrounding recruitment of the estimated 30 oncologists, surgeons and technicians that will be needed. Both Burghardt and Jago said if the clinic is built, the professionals will come. "But they won't come if we don't build it," said Jago. Burghardt pointed out that a number of enhancements will be needed at PGRH in surgery and operating rooms, laboratory services and care of more ill patients. During the past 18 months, operating room time at PGRH has been increased by 30 per cent, said Burghardt, pointing out much of has been orthopedic surgery. Should a centre be built in Prince George, it will be closely linked with cancer care in other northern communities, possibly as far north as the Yukon. The challenges will include recruitment of professionals, travel and accommodations for out of town patients, and capital and operating costs which are not known. At this time, the BC Cancer Agency and the NHA are completing budget work regarding the building and operating of a clinic, and cost of improvements that will be needed at PGRH. -- See PATIENTS on page 3

Missing Alzheimer's patient found safe
by BERNICE TRICK Citizen staff A Prince George woman is applauding local RCMP and Prince George Regional Hospital staff for quickly locating a man who disappeared Thursday. Deanna Gagnon explained her brother-in-law, Roy Gagnon, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, vanished from the emergency room at PGRH. She said when emergency staff realized he was missing, the hospital immediately went into search mode. "Within minutes every staff member was alerted, and the search swept across the entire hospital, the onsite buildings and areas in between. You just can't believe how organized they are for a situation like this," said Gagnon. "Floor plans came out, cars were searched and so were construction areas. Even administration and staff who had gone home for the day were back in short order to assist," she said. The 52-year-old man was located six hours later at the 5th Avenue Bowladrome. "A nurse who had seen him in the emergency department spotted him there and called the police. He had been wandering downtown for hours. He was cold and scared, but otherwise OK," said Gagnon. btrick@princegeorgecitizen.com

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INDEX
Annie's Mailbox . . . . . . . . . 32 Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Business . . . . . . . . . . . .36-38 City, B.C. . . . . . . . . . . .3,5,13 Classifi ed . . . . . . . . . . . 19-22 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . 16 Horoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,24

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