Enjoy our First Taste of Summer

Don't Wait Until Tomorrow To

Enjoy the Sun and Warm Weather

Depending on which forecast is right, Nanaimo temperatures are predicted to dip back down to daily highs of 14C by Monday with high possibility of rain.

So hit while the iron is hot and get out to your favourite outdoor spot today, while the sun and warm temperatures give us a taste of what is to come.

You might want to take your umbrella to the Empire Days parade which is on tomorrow (Sunday) starting at 1:00pm downtown.

Fireworks over the harbour are scheduled for 10:00 pm Sunday night, so head down early for a good seat!

Enjoy the first warm long weekend of the season!

Nanaimo May Long Weekend Events

Nanaimo Things To Do This Weekend

Well, it must be moving into the official spring/summer season in Nanaimo, even if the weather does not always feel like it.

Here are a few of the 'summer type' things you can do in Nanaimo this weekend.

• The Downtown Farmer's Market is open again starting Friday May 16 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm downtown beside the Bastion.
• The first Nanaimo Cannon firing will happen on Saturday at noon, the May Queen Party will participate.
• The Bastion opens again for the summer season.
  
• The HMCS Nanaimo will host an open house at the Visiting Vessel Pier from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Saturday May 17.
• Jaime Jorge Violin Virtuoso 7:30 pm Saturday at St. Andrew's United Church, free concert.
• The Nanaimo Empire Days Parade is on Sunday, downtown starting at 1:00 pm.
• Fireworks over the harbour Sunday night at 10:00 pm

You can always get out and enjoy the great outdoors with a stroll along the seawall downtown or in one of your favourite parks or trails. The weatherman promises to co-operate this weekend, so enjoy it!

Nanaimo Empire Day Events

2008 Nanaimo

Empire Days

Event Highlights

May Queen Crowning and Pageant at the Port Theatre 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:30pm on Friday May 16.

May Queen Reception at Branch 256 Legion at 9:00 pm on Friday May 16.

Nanaimo Empire Day Parade on Sunday May 18 at 1:00 pm along the traditional downtown route.

Nanaimo Empire Day Fireworks over the harbour at 10:00 pm.

For complete event details visit the Nanaimo Empire Days Society website by using this Nanaimo-Info LINK.

Mayor Korpan Against 'Pathetic' Choice

Church Building Purchase
A Complete Waste of Money

It is reported that Mayor Korpan has always been opposed to what he calls a complete waste of money, referring to the purchase of nearly a half a million dollar building to house some local arts groups.

Korpan is of the opinion that providing more theatre space downtown, will do nothing to revitalize the area. His opposition to the purchase is because there are already plenty of places for these performing arts groups to use.

The mayor is quoted as saying there are real needs downtown, but why spend our money on something we already have, it's pathetic.

Editor's Comment: Much is said from city managers about senior governments not providing adequate funding to municipal governments. While that is likely true, all levels of government, seem to think their function is to continue to spend the taxpayers money as if there were no tomorrow. This is just another example of such mentality.
It was recently reported that the city 'found' money, which resulted in taxes not going up by the 7% earlier reported. Would it be possible the taxes don't have to go up at all, if councillors quit spending, and kept finding??

Hinton Headhunters looking for Mill Workers

Harmac Employees Sought
by Hinton Alberta Mill

The Daily News reports that a recruiting team from Hinton Pulp Mill will be in Nanaimo on May 21 looking for people to bolster it's workforce.

The mill in Hinton which is 20 minutes from Jasper is similar to Harmac and Harmac employees should be a goof fit for the Alberta mill.

Tradespeople being recruited include millers, pipe fitters, steam fitters, heavy duty mechanics, industrial mechanics and second- and third-class power engineers.

The company is offering relocation assistance to Nanaimo workers interested in heading to Hinton.

Members of Hinton's recruitment team will be at the Grand Hotel, 4898 Rutherford Rd., on May 21, starting at 8 a.m.

Interested workers should submit their resumes before May 16 to Human Resources, Hinton Pulp, 760 Switzer Dr., Hinton, Alta., T7V-1V7, fax to 780-865-8504 or e-mail to hinton resumes@westfraser.com.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

To view the local Hinton online Newspaper click this Nanaimo-info LINK.

To see where Hinton Alberta is click this Nanaimo-info LINK.

Nanaimo Third Best in All of Canada

Third Best Place to 'Take a Hike'

The local press reports that the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine judged Nanaimo as the third best place in Canada for walking.

We came in behind Vancouver and Fredericton and included the countries 100 most populace communities.

Cities were judged in eight categories and included trail and park accessibility, comfort and safety and interesting and attractive scenery.

According to the CFPM Nanaimo scored high because of it's 100 kilometers of trails, 1200 hectares of park space, moderate year round temperatures and great air quality.

Now everyone knows what we have known for a long time!! Nanaimo is the greatest place in Canada to live, and the third best for walking.

For more information about some of Nanaimo's Parks and Trails, click on 'Parks & Trails' using this Nanaimo-info LINK.

BC Ferry Visits London England

COASTAL CELEBRATION MAKES

HISTORIC STOP IN LONDON
New BC Ferry promotes Vancouver 2010 Olympics and BC Tourism

BC Ferries’ MV Coastal Celebration arrived in London, England this morning for a special promotional stop on its way home to British Columbia.

The 160-metre brand new vessel, the largest double ended ferry in the world made its way up the Thames River and moored just east of historic Tower Bridge in downtown, London.

BC Ferries Executive Vice President of New Vessel Construction, Captain Trafford Taylor, departed the vessel and delivered an official invitation to the City of London to come to beautiful British Columbia, Canada and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralymic Winter Games.

The MV Coastal Celebration is a giant “floating billboard” dedicated to promoting both tourism in British Columbia and the Vancouver 2010 Games. The large photographic decals are the largest marine application of printed graphics ever undertaken in the world and were created in collaboration with 2010 Olympic sponsor 3M Canada. The special promotion is also an Olympic first.

The boldly visible vessel was viewed by thousands of Londoners and U.K. visitors as it made its way up the Thames River into the heart of the city.

The ship’s progress including course, position and speed can be viewed from a link on BC Ferries’ homepage at www.bcferries.com

For complete BC Ferry Nanaimo Schedule information use this Nanaimo Info LINK.

Police Week 2008

RCMP Commanding Officers Message

I am pleased to take this opportunity during Canadian Police Week to comment on behalf of the men and women who proudly call themselves members and employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Province of British Columbia.

Since 1950, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has continuously served as your provincial police force, serving hundreds of communities including 196 First Nation communities. We also provide Municipal Police Services in all but 11 communities throughout the province. There are over 9,500 RCMP employees here in our province, which is representative of approximately one third of the RCMP nationwide. On the front line and behind the scenes, these employees work hard to contribute to public safety and security.

We cannot reach our mutual objective of having safe homes and safe communities without an ongoing partnership between the police and you, the citizens of the communities we serve. Working together, we can identify problems and reach effective solutions by focusing on preventing and reducing crime. I extend our collective appreciation to all our community partners and, in particular, the thousands of RCMP volunteers who assist in the overall delivery of police services.

During Canadian Police Week, May 11-17, 2008, many RCMP detachments throughout British Columbia are planning events. I encourage you to attend these local events and learn more about your police services and how you can help to maintain the safety and security of your community.

Gary Bass, O.O.M.
Deputy Commissioner, Pacific Region &
Commanding Officer, "E" Division (B.C.)

Harmac Owners Now in Receivership

Pope & Talbot in Receivership
Harmac Mill is Closed

In what has been called the worst year ever for the forest industry, 160 year old Pope & Talbot have been placed in receivership on Saturday.

The receiver is PricewaterhouseCoopers who will attempt to sell the three mills owned by Pope & Talbot. It is reported that Harmac mill will likely be more difficult to sell than the newer mill at MacKenzie.

It is reported in the Vancouver Sun that an estimated 11,000 forestry jobs have been lost since January 2007.

Locally, Madill Equipment and now Harmac have been victims of the troubles in the forest sector. Both companies employed over 600 full time employees with good, high paying jobs. The local economy will obviously be affected with these closures.

The City of Nanaimo will also see a significant taxpayer removed with the closure of Harmac.

Editor's comment: It would be a really good time for the City of Nanaimo to investigate the possibility of buying the Harmac mill. It could provide a much higher return for the City than Sports centers.

PNC Originator Awarded $184,000 Finders Fee

PNC Initiator Owed
Finders Fee By Triarc and Suro

It is reported in the Daily News that the man who introduced Triarc and Suro to the City of Nanaimo 'players' has been awarded a finders fee in court of $184,710.

James Stevenson of J.D. Stevenson and Associates took Triarc International, Suro Development and Millenium Properties to court to collect a finders fee he claimed was owed to him.The court found that Triarc and Suro indeed did owe Stevenson the fee, but found Millenium did not.

The fee was based on the money earned by Triarc and Suro from development costs, free land, free parking and the city paying for the structural deck for the building. It was claimed this was worth $8,000,000 to Triarc & Suro.

Saying he had contacts with the 'players' in the City Stevenson said he could introduce Triarc to the decision makers and if something came out of the deal whereby Triarc could make a buck, then all well and good.

The reason Stevenson initiated the discussions was to repay a debt he had with Triarc for some $30,000, which he hoped to clear with his finders fee.

It is noted that the civic arena and foundry land came into the deal in 2004, which would further increase the value of the deal to Triarc.

Moms Job Worth $125,000 Year

Study Shows Stay at Home Moms
Worth Six Figure Income

It is reported by Reuters that if moms were paid for cooking, cleaning, and family care these household executives would easily be earning $125,000 annually.

After surveying over 18,000 mothers to determine their most common tasks a salary compensation company calculated what they would earn if they were paid.

In Canada the 10 most common jobs performed by mom, would command a $125,000 salary, including overtime and almost $75,000 for a working mom in addition to her 'paying' job.

Jobs on the list included cooking, cleaning, machine operator, computer tech, psychologist, facilities manager, van driver. CEO and janitor. You could add to this list nurse, ambulance driver, sports coach, personal trainer, councilor, referee, purchasing agent, accounts payable clerk, gardener, etc. etc.

Contrary to modern myth, stay at home moms are not leading a life of leisure, in fact they are likely working harder than women with 'real' jobs!

So Here's to Mom's Everywhere
You Do A Most Important Job
Which Should be Honored By All

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

BC Government Support for Forest Workers

New Forestry Programs

to Support Workers and Communities

Premier Gordon Campbell announced details of three new programs to support forest workers and communities coping with the challenges of a changing industry today.

“We’re working with forest companies, labour and communities to ensure that B.C.’s forest sector receives effective, timely assistance to deal with the impact of market volatility and cyclical change,” Campbell said. “The Province is determined to support community sustainability and help hard-working British Columbians find a place in B.C.’s booming economy.”

The programs will be funded through the $129 million Community Development Trust announced last January by the federal government. Since January, the Ministry of Forests and Range, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services have been consulting with communities, industry and labour organizations to develop programs that will have the most immediate benefit for those impacted.

Funding from the trust is consistent with Canada’s obligations under all of its international trade treaties, including the Softwood Lumber Agreement. Over 5,000 forest workers in communities across the province will benefit from programs and services made available by the trust over three years.

Tuition Assistance Fund

$17.25 million will provide an opportunity for forest workers facing layoff to upgrade their skills, knowledge and education.

Funding will cover participants’ tuition costs and other mandatory fees, to a maximum of $5,000 per worker for one year, at accredited public or private post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.

• Individuals can apply to the fund through the Community Development Trust website at www.labour.gov.bc.ca/cdt beginning May 15, 2008.

Transitional Assistance for Older Workers

$85.5 million will provide financial assistance to help older forest workers transition to retirement.

• Individuals will be able to apply for funding through a secretariat that will be established to administer the program. The secretariat is expected to begin receiving applications by mid-June, 2008.
  

Job Opportunities Program

• $26.25 million to begin providing immediate assistance to forest workers and forestry-dependent communities in British Columbia.
• Includes $2 million in direct assistance to both Mackenzie and Fort St. James, two of B.C.’s most forestry-dependent and highly impacted communities.
• The program will support silviculture and reforestation in urban areas, forest fuel management and other forestry programs to provide short-term employment opportunities to assist communities and forest workers affected by layoffs.
• The employment component will be administered by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Communities, organizations, and forest and range licensees can obtain information on submitting expressions of interest from the Community Development Trust website beginning in June.
• Projects may include tree planting, forest fuel management, silviculture treatments in urban areas, grassland ecosystem restoration, natural range barriers restoration, fish passage restoration, roadside brushing, invasive plant management, recreation sites and trails.
• Forestry jobs created through the fund will be paid at rates appropriate to the skills and qualifications required by the work.

To inquire about applying for assistance from the Community Development Trust, phone:

• 1-800 663-7867 from B.C. communities outside Vancouver and Victoria
• 604 660-2421 from Vancouver
• 387-6121 from Victoria

Or, check the Community Development Trust website at:

www.labour.gov.bc.ca/cdt Or email: cdt@gov.bc.ca

Editor's Comment: Perhaps some affected by Harmac closing will be able to find a useful program here to help them in these changing times.