PR Peak

As part of its mandate is to diversify the local economy through new investment attraction while supporting and strengthening existing businesses and industries, Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS) invites qualified persons to complete the following survey. For more information call Scott Randolph, PRREDS manager (604-485-0325), or Linda Wegner, survey contractor (604-483-9210).

Canada World Youth participants [from left]: Veronique Demers, David Constable, Nic Neuman, Maria-Pia Perez and Marx Johannes worked together in a team-building exercise during a group session at Club Bon Accueil, Powell River's French club. The 18 young people from Namibia and Canada will be in Powell River for six weeks and will be involved in community projects and work placements during their stay.

David Hahn recommends Sunshine Coast connection be reduced by one round trip daily

Powell Riverites should discuss eliminating one run from the Saltery Bay--Earls Cove route to improve on-time performance, according to the president of BC Ferries.

For a small community, Powell River appears to have more than its share of impaired drivers.

"Just last night [Monday, September 3] I got called out at 10:45 for a drunk driver," said Corporal Carl McIntosh, of the Powell River RCMP. "He blew .17 and .18. That's way, way over the legal limit of .08. And we do see drivers who blow as high as .30. Much higher than that and you're dead. So there are drivers out there near death and they're still behind the wheel. Some of our officers pick up a couple of impaireds every shift. We see them all the time."

An application to rezone a residential property on Duncan Street to allow an automotive repair business to operate is moving ahead.

Kenneth and Debra Jenkins applied initially in 2003 to have their property at 6952 Duncan Street rezoned to allow them to convert their existing 1,500-square-foot garage to an automotive service and repair facility. Their home is located on the same property at the front of the lot facing Duncan.

Liquefied natural gas plant should be islanders' choice, according to meeting moderator

Members of an old organization that has new life will prepare a referendum question about a proposed liquefied natural gas facility and power plant on Texada Island.

Three bursaries have been made possible by the success of the recent Powell River Blackberry Festival wine and cheese event.

Mayor Stewart Alsgard recently recognized local athletes from Powell River who participated in the Powell River 2007 BC Disability Games.

As part of its mandate is to diversify the local economy through new investment attraction while supporting and strengthening existing businesses and industries, Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS) invites qualified persons to complete the following survey. For more information call Scott Randolph, PRREDS manager (604-485-0325), or Linda Wegner, survey contractor (604-483-9210).

Proponents of a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility and power plant faced a roomful of angry, scornful and skeptical Texada Island residents for the first public meeting about the $2 billion project.

WestPac LNG president Mark Butler ignored heckling, jeering and insults as he worked his way through a presentation about the plan for a combined LNG import terminal and natural gas-fired power generation facility at Kiddie Point, known locally as Coho Point, located at the north end of the island. Audio and Video

MOVING ON UP: Rock climber John Rapp makes his way up Appetite for Destruction, a climbing route located on a cliff face known as the Destruction Zone. The cliff is located at Higgyland, a popular climbing area near the Shinglemill business complex on Powell Lake and part of a proposed city park.

Rock climbers have asked the City of Powell River to include a well-known bluff in a proposed new park being created as a result of a residential subdivision.

A committee working on implementing Powell River's waterfront plan has recommended exploring a public-private partnership for developing the old arena site at Willingdon Beach.

Landscaping work at the old arena site next to Willingdon Beach park is slated to begin this month, despite opposition by some elected officials.

The City of Powell River is poised to spend $20,000 from the Cranberry Lake School reserve to plant grass and trees at the site after the gravel parking lot has been removed. Council passed a motion in May directing staff to landscape the site for a cost not to exceed $20,000.

Powell River Fire Rescue responded to a dangerous situation last Thursday morning, September 6. They received a call at 8:37 am to dispose of hypodermic needles dumped at Westview Townhouses, an apartment complex located in the 3800 block of Joyce Avenue.

City of Powell River councillors have adopted a new permissive tax policy, but how much organizations pay in property taxes will be dependent on a budget amount yet to be determined.

Classes continue without disruption

Brooks Secondary School is undergoing some construction work, but classes will continue with minimal or no disruptions, according to School District 47 officials.

Government representatives dispute veracity of an email

An email from a Powell River Regional District director's wife and a regional board motion were incorrectly linked in comments made during a City of Powell River council meeting.

Powell River's fire chief has attained a distinguished national honour.

Dean Gerhart, director of fire and emergency services, has been designated a Chief Fire Officer by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

Currently there are 35 Chief Fire Officers across the country, seven of whom are in British Columbia.

Revitalizing the Marine Avenue area could take some time as City of Powell River councillors continue to look for other sources of funds besides tax coffers.

Councillors voted at the August 28 meeting to direct staff to continue to look for grant funding and negotiate terms with business owners for a shared-funding scheme.

BC's government will require all students to have 30 minutes of physical activity every school day and is fast-tracking a plan to end junk food sales in school vending machines and cafeterias, Shirley Bond, education minister, announced on September 4.