CITIZEN auo
 1916 - 2016
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
 www.pgcitizen.ca
CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN
Capturing a moment in time
Time capsule co-ordinator Dori Alger looks through some of the items that were on display at the Bob Harkins branch of the library on Monday. The 100th Anniversary time capsule packing party gave the public a chance to view items prepared for the capsule. This was the last chance for the community to see what will be included in the capsule before it is buried for 100 years.
 No liquor sales at this year’s Studio Fair
 Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca
   The provincial government’s announcement last week that B.C.-made wines, beers and spirits can now be sold at artisanal markets comes too late for this year’s Studio Fair.
   The move, announced Friday by the provincial government, follows on one last year to allow sales of B.C.-made liquor at farmers markets and was billed as “just in time for the holiday season,” in a press release.
   But it came as a surprise to Wendy Young, executive director of the Community Arts Council, which hosts what
 is the largest of the Christmas craft fairs in the city.
   “We weren’t expecting a change like this,” Young said Monday.
   She said vendors for what is the city’s largest Christmas crafts fair - starting Oct. 30 and running until Nov. 1 at the Civic Centre - were confirmed months ago following a jurying process in the spring.
   And while it’s likely the CAC will take advantage of the opportunity, Young said some steps still need to be taken. They include getting answers to concerns about liability and, if need be, developing a policy.
   “We have to look at responsibility,” Young said. “Even though nothing
 would probably happen, we have to be prepared in the event that something might happen.
    “The policy may not need to be changed but the board needs to review it and have at least an informal appraisal of it and stance.”
    However, pending approval from the CAC’s board of directors, Young said liquor sales could be in place by the time the Spring Arts Bazaar comes around.
    “We are intrigued with the potential that is there because we have all kinds of artisans in the area, we have a local vintner, we have a local brewer as well,” Young said.
    “There are all kinds of different possibilities that could come from this.”
Event planner still puzzled by school snub
 Samantha WRIGHT ALLEN Citizen staff sallen@pgcitizen.ca
  A community organizer is still waiting for answers from School District 57 after publicly asking the school board last week why he’s been banned from planning diversity events in schools.
  Shawn Peters has presented in Prince George schools for the past 14 years and planned diversity weeks in five schools in the last two years.
  But right before an April event he received a letter from superintendent Brian Pepper saying he could no longer participate in district events. Last week after a school board meeting, Pepper said he could provide no comment on the issue.
  That notice came after Peters learned from a district principal that a school had cancelled its diversity event two weeks before and sent an email back criticizing the move and asking why.
  In Pepper’s April 2015 letter to Peters, he wrote, “(I)t is clear from your email that you are not willing to meet the requirements established within the parameters of the School Act,
School Act Regulations and other legislation which guides our work in schools. That means you will not be able to partner with our district from this point forward.”
  Peters said that’s not the case and he complied with everything that was asked of him this year.
  “Tell me what
I need to do and
I’ll do it,” said Peters, who volunteers to put together diversity events but works at AiMHi.
  “To me it’s unfair to expect someone who doesn’t work in the school district to know what the requirements are.”
  Diversity week covers issues around race, ableism, bullying, LGBTQ, gender and more. Peters acts as the go-between and asks various societies to participate and have information available at booths during the lunch hour.
  For the first time, Peters said he was asked to have all materials approved by the district.
  “I submitted everything to them,” said Peters.
  He said five pamphlets were refused last year, all pertaining to sexual education, like how to put condoms on.
  “This is where I’m getting frustrated, in 14 years I’ve never had to have my materials approved,” said Peters, adding he thinks that requirement has been unfairly applied to his event when other organizations don’t go through the same vetting process.
  “If that’s the rule, then let’s apply it to everyone.”
  Pepper told Peters that it’s usual for the district to review materials from community members and understands it may seem “unnecessarily bureaucratic.”
  “However, we shoulder all responsibility for children during the school day and the process is absolutely necessary to protect those we serve,” Pepper said in the letter.
  Pepper also took issue with Peters’ tone in some correspondence.
  “My understanding is that your approach has been somewhat confrontational,” said Pepper, before reminding Peters “our staff are in place to serve students, not community presenters.”
  Peters acknowledged he was angry when he learned Duchess Park secondary school would no longer participate.
  “A big event is cancelled two weeks before. I put in a lot of time, I had to return sponsor money, stuff like that, so yes I was upset and mad because I wanted to know why two weeks before they decided to cancel the event,” said Peters, noting a smaller scale event run out of the school still went forward.
                                                                                                                                                                        — see D.P. TODD, page 3
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