While some things stayed the same in 2011, many changed. There was increasing divisiveness in the community as City of Powell River officials continued to promote co-treatment, a proposal to treat the city’s sewage at Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River division. Hundreds of people participated in the city’s public consultation process for its liquid waste management plan and delivered a strong message that they preferred a publicly owned, stand-alone facility. The advisory committee established to provide input into the process came to the same conclusion, yet council chose to proceed with co-treatment, albeit cloaked in the jargon-infused name of phased consolidated treatment option, which combined co-treatment with a stand-alone facility to be built sometime in the future.
As the year ended, so did council’s hopes for co-treatment with the news that the city’s $7.2-million grant application was unsuccessful. Although Mayor Dave Formosa indicates council will try to pry the money from the provincial government, hopes the province will fund the project appear dim.
The community was rocked by a medical scandal in 2011, as it learned the radiologist employed at Powell River General Hospital was not qualified to perform or read CT scans. The blow went deep because the equipment had been purchased by a community fundraising campaign to which many residents, as well as organizations and businesses, contributed. Although Vancouver Coastal Health officials apologized and a report into the issue recommended many changes, the healing process continues.
BC Ferries provided many stories during the year, as service declined while fares increased. The community rallied in the summer at a demonstration designed to raise awareness about the impact rising fares have on residents and businesses. The ferry commissioner was tasked to review the Coastal Ferry Act and communities look forward to his recommendations, anticipated to be released early in 2012.
Powell River residents experienced a sometimes bitter, but always interesting civic election in November, one that was packed with twists and turns. At the end, we had a new mayor and incumbents who voters returned, along with one former councillor and one new face.
Their experience will serve the community well as we turn our attention to 2012. Catalyst faces restructuring and the world’s economy seems headed toward another crisis, events outside of local control, but which will no doubt impact the community. Our community leaders will need the support of residents as they grapple with the challenges ahead.
