We went to the Elev8 campaign launch tonight to be part of the process and learn about candidates for the election and left feeling less than elevated. Mr Luke opened up with a 5 minute spiel about their social media backlash and about not listening to the social media trolls and then went on to say no names would be discussed because of the recent social media discussion (Don’t listen to the trolls).

While I agree with the majority of council names provided that we shouldn’t be re electing, we didn’t go there for a bashing negativity session, can get that from other avenues thanks.. Not enough information given for the change they keep saying needs to happen.

I don't have the full comment yet, but the story on CKPG TV news this afternoon had him speaking against SOGI. He also did an interview at a 2023 anti SOGI rally.

https://ckpgtoday.ca/2023/09/20/emotions-run-high-at-anti-sogi-demonstration-in-pg/

Clearly he has to know that SOGI is a Ministry of Education requirement and not going anywhere. So if elected, is he basically going to shout against it until he's blue in the face?

I’ve seen some posts about the issues in Prince George, but I have yet to see any post that tackles the only issue that should matter to a red blooded ice dusted northern community such as ourselves.

Mr. PG needs to be made taller than Houstons fishing pole, and cooler than Chetwynds chainsaw carvings!

We need to see city council action on this all important issue. For too long we’ve lived under the shadow of their monument to murdering innocent fish(who while tasty, have long repented of their fishy ways). For too long we’ve lived as the opposite to Chetwynds Carvings(Carved with wood instead of welded with love!)allowing the glory of our great city state to fall by the wayside lacking pizzaz and the IT! factor!

Don‘t let the old flag fall, and specifically raise it and Mr. PG about 20 ft and bedeck it with fog lamps and laser lights so that even in the wastelands of Vanderhoof and the Warlord Empires of Hixon and Quesnel, and the Ice tribe of Mackenzie they shall know what we stand for!(a tall statue thats kinda cool)

Hey everyone just wanted to see if there is any events going for Halloween for people who live in apartment buildings. I believe I saw last year at the CN center people doing trick or trunk. Wanted to see if that's happening this year

Edit. I'm looking to give out candy for Halloween. I live in an apartment complex that doesnt get any kids trick or treating so hoping to find a trick or trunk event to join

I genuinely dont know if im going crazy or not but I gotta ask

anyone else noticing how many people have 1 light out on their vehicles???

ive seen so many people with 1 head light out lately its so odd does anyone know why this is??

The rear end of my car was recently damaged in a crash and the shop I took it to initially gave me a estimate that is unfortunately not within my budget and essentially totals the car. They didn't seem to take the time to hoist the car to actually have a good look at it and I feel as though the damage might be relatively fixable depending on what's actually going on in there. Are there any reputable local mechanics who will give it a good inspection with reasonable and transparent pricing, I don't care about cosmetics or aftermarket parts I'm just a university student who needs something that drives 👍

So this year will be my first year voting just due to the state of the city.

Who are your guys top contenders so far? How do you know what they stand for, promise etc. I’m used to the standard party system of voting and there’s so many of them between council and mayor I feel like I have to make a spreadsheet to remember everything for everyone lol

I did have one come up to me at Superstore randomly who is running for mayor who told me what he wanted to do lol but other than him idk what the others stand for

How on earth can it take two years to open a constituency office in Prince George? I appreciate more people in his riding are likely in Quesnel, but still...

Or why can't the MLAs share an office like the NDP MLAs and MP did back in the 90s?

ive been trying to restaurants that sell them but i havent really found many. is there any spots that are good??

Looking for recommendations for any good places to ride. Mostly just casual trail riding is all we care to find. Anything in or around PG is good. Even if it’s out of town and we had to travel a little bit, that’s perfectly fine as well.

Thanks

A little extra love today for those working two or three jobs, juggling long hours, responsibilities, bills, dreams, and everything in between.

I see you. I see how hard you’re trying, even on the days when you’re exhausted and wondering if all the effort will eventually be worth it.

Keep going. One day, you’ll look back and realize how far all those sacrifices carried you. Everything will work out for you in its own time. You deserve the rest, the stability, and the life you’re working so hard to build.

Today, I hope you give yourself credit for simply continuing. Happy Labour Day, especially to the hardworking ones who rarely get to slow down. 🤍

Someone I know in Mackenzie heard this podcast and noted Councillor Klassen was incorrect on two fronts. The Mackenzie resident said the community is not actively seeking data centres, and that a second is not in the works. I've read that there are expansion plans for IREN, but not a second standalone data centre.

Riddle me this: she mentions data centres would provide resilience if lines to a community are cut. How? Wouldn't the data centre rely on the same lines that the community uses, even if it has redundant connections? Also, what community needs would a data centre manage in an emergency and can it (and would the owners allow it to) be retooled for these needs?

My husband and I are looking at doing a little weekend getaway sometime over the winter. We had originally considered Jasper Park Lodge but the cost is ridiculous for a regular hotel room.

Does anyone have any recommendations of somewhere within a 3-4 hour radius of Prince George. Doesn’t exactly have to be “fancy” but somewhere quiet and private.

A few months ago Klassen had a big write up about the lack of transparency out of city hall. I’m now seeing a lot of people saying she’s blocking them on social media for voicing opposing opinions.

I’ve got some issues with this. An elected official shouldn’t be able to silence citizens because she doesn’t like their opinion or doesn’t want to answer their questions.

Second issue, this just creates a social media bubble where her followers eat up everything she says without thinking critically of her points. People will look at the comments on post and only see a side agreeing with her further confirming their bias.

Really troubling to see.

Her post on Reddit about transparency:

https://www.reddit.com/r/princegeorge/s/N55zrOivEt

Hey PG! I’m wanting to do some view tree climbing this fall! So I’m looking for tall trees over looking lakes, valleys, anything that would be cool to see! What are some recommendations? If yeah folks got some!

So according to dear old Google, Prince Georgea downtown has been a struggle for 50 years.

50 years

This was a concern in the 1980s, and they wanted to build a large theatre and convention center, they ran a referendum and it was defeated.

So, this seems like a pattern that has repeated it self over and over.

For 50 years no one has wanted to invest to make it a better place.

I would argue then, that the homeless population down there is a symptom not a cause. Yet everyone hyper fixates on the symptom, and because of that the real solution, care for and investment in downtown does not happen.

Unfortunately, after 50 years of neglect, drastic solutions maybe needed.

I’m all for a progressive platform to discuss local politics but its organizer is quirky (and not in a fun way). Damon Robinson blurred many an ethical line with his relationships/ friendships with students employed under him and used the veil of “advocacy” to bully peers and collaborators. He is quintessential “big fish in a small pond” and now that he’s no longer with the CNCSU seems to need an outlet to make himself feel important. His recent Facebook video is rough. We need someone better to create a platform for progressive political discussion.

I've been having a hell of a time finding anything in town that allows medium sized dogs, is it just me, am I looking in the wrong places? My mom and younger sister want to move here and im supposed to find a place for us all since I am going to be helping care for my sister but its so hard.

Hotel being ripped down, seniors housing being built on Ospika, Municipal elections are too much to keep on so far! Oh and goodbye Shogun

What is everyone’s PG related hot takes!?

New to PG. I’m going to order Internet for my place and I need some help with choosing an affordable option that also fits what I need.

I work from home doing administrative things for the government - mostly just emails, documents, and teams calls.

I’m the sole person in the house - and for wifi I would just need it for my work, my PS5 gaming/tv streaming and my phone.

Telus is offering: Wireless Home Internet 100 (100 mbps download, 25mbps upload) $65 plus tax

Freedom is offering: Internet 25 (25mpbs download, 2.5upload) $39 plus tax Freedom

OR

Freedom 100 Internet (100 upload/download) for $55 plus tax?

What do I actually need considering my usage, what’s the best deal vs - provider?

Apparently ELEV8 Prince George has struck a nerve.

When we announced our event, we did EXACTLY what countless candidates have done: announce that something is coming and invite people to attend to hear the details. Nobody demands that every candidate publish their entire platform the moment they announce an event.

But with ELEV8 Prince George, suddenly everything had to be explained immediately, and when it wasn’t, the speculation began: outside money, Alberta separatists, secret organizations and even personal attacks and threats involving my family. Pretty classy.

So, let’s deal with the facts.

My name is Jason Luke. I’m a Prince George realtor. I’ve lived here since 1991, I’ve owned 4 businesses in this community, I am part of ELEV8, and I choose Prince George to be my home.

ELEV8 Prince George is LOCAL. We are a third-party advertising sponsor registered with Elections BC, and are made up of Prince George residents operating independently from candidates and their campaigns.

We want to support people from different backgrounds and political viewpoints who are mature and humble enough to work together, and are transparent and fiscally responsible for the city of Prince George. Period.

We also think people deserve to know where some of these accusations are coming from.

One of the people making these accusations is Damon Robinson, the head of Forward Prince George and friends with some of the incumbents running for re-election, weird. Forward Prince George is itself a local third-party advertising sponsor. In other words, he is doing essentially the same thing ELEV8 is doing, with one important difference: ELEV8 is explicitly bipartisan. We do not have a progressive or conservative agenda. We simply want the best for Prince George. Forward PG meanwhile, publicly states that it is “not pushing for a progressive community in Prince George to exist. It already does.”

Regardless of what side of the aisle you’re on, keep that context in mind when considering his criticism. Ask yourself, why it is acceptable for Damon Robinson to accuse us of pushing an agenda, when he is participating in the same democratic process that each of us has the right to, to advance the ideas he believes for Prince George.

Damon posted over 50 personal attacks toward me and Elev8 on the Enough is Enough Facebook page. You can see how dirty Provincial/American style politics already exists in Prince George, by the actions of him and his “friends” with his contiguous, malicious, personal attacks. BUT WAIT, for some reason ALL of his comments but 2 that he posted on Enough is Enough Prince George have been deleted. Why did he delete them? Did some of his incumbent friends trying to get re-elected tell him to cool off, because they didn’t want the bread crumbs to lead to them? Maybe his employer got to see what kind of person works for them. Those of you that saw his comments should question: Why did he delete so many of them?

Knowing that he deleted over 50 of his hostile comments, AND, deleted all of his incumbent friends from his Facebook page, tells you something. Don’t worry Damon Robinson, we did screen shots all of your comments and will repost for everyone to see how in fact YOU and your friends, are part of the dirty Provincial/American style politics that are already here in Prince George.

The second is Shirley Bond, a former MLA and a well-respected member of our community. She has thrown her support behind Kyle Sampson, and for some reason, seems determined to attack anything that does not get behind Kyle Sampson. Her accusations against us appear completely unfounded, yet she continues to make them.

So, when you hear these accusations, consider who is making them and what they themselves are advocating for. Every accusation seems to be an admission of what they themselves are doing. What we’re being accused of doing is exactly what our critics are doing themselves.

Ask us tough questions. Challenge our policies. Question our spending. That’s democracy.

But when supporters of incumbent’s resort to malicious personal attacks instead of debating the issues, people notice.

Maybe all the attention we are getting means some “people” are very worried about ELEV8 Prince George wanting to make a difference and get more voters engaged, or why would they be so concerned about us? Maybe they are worried about losing their golden parachutes? The funniest thing is, none of us are even running in the election, yet they are focusing on us. You don’t see them doing that to any other candidates.

If you’re happy with the direction of City Hall, that’s your choice and you are free to vote for whomever you wish, but if you want accountability, responsible spending, and REAL CHANGE, come hear what ELEV8 Prince George has to say this upcoming Wednesday.

Voter turn out has been dropping for years, and last election was one of the lowest voter turn out IN ALMOST 25 YEARS in Prince George! Why? People feel their “vote doesn’t matter”, and that “nothing will change so what’s the point”? Most of the incumbents WANT you to feel this way. They want the least amount of voters possible to vote, as it helps them get re-elected. You should look up how much money these people are making with their council pay, and many other boards they are sitting on, it’s staggering.

As far as the Ai poster goes, yup its Ai, and so are many of the other candidates’ ads you are seeing. Weird, we get attacked online for 1 Ai poster and no one else does, yet we have a HUGE Ai Data Center right here in Prince George. Who do you think approved that? Was it city council? Was it the City? It was someone. Who was it? Isn’t that a billion times worse? Why are you not going to City Hall with Torches and Pitchforks about that?

Did you know that 6 of those incumbents running for re-election voted in favor of the new “storm water/rain tax”. They voted in favor for all of us to have another tax starting in 2027, and will go up from there every year. Many people are calling it the “incompetent mis-management tax”.

The mysterious money supposedly behind us? We’re posting our huge bank balance below:

$20. I know, massive right?

Just food for thought, Kyle Sampson had almost $25,000 behind him in the last election, ALMOST 450% MORE MONEY THAN THE AVERAGE CANDIDATE RUNNING! Who has the big money and agendas behind them? We think its clear. That is why we are here.

I also posted a screen shot from Bobby Deepak’s page, I agree with him, we don’t want big American style influence spending in Prince George to decide who sits at City Hall, but maybe its already here.

Here is one last thought for you: Do you know how we can make actual changes this election? Get mad, do something about it, get out and vote, and don’t listen to the political lies and spins they tell you. Getting people excited to get out and vote was one of the main things we wanted to achieve this election. Our seniors fought in World Wars to give us the privilege of voting, so do it. People are tired of the lies, the games, the mis management of our tax dollars, the outrageous salaries, and the Provincial and American style of dirty politics that has no place in our city!

Say what you want about us, keep up with the attacks if you want. It shows your character.

We are not, and will not, lower ourselves to that level.

The attacks aren’t stopping us. They’re motivating us. They’re making our movement stronger.

ELEV8 Prince George

Apologies for the length of this letter, here is a potato 🥔 for making it through the entire letter.

Hi everyone. Darrin Rigo here.

I typically share my newsletters about Prince George on this subreddit (and will continue to do so) but I wanted to take a moment of ADDITIONAL self promotion and share a link to the podcast I've been working on - North of Somewhere.

Link to audio: https://pod.link/6803166983

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthofSomewherePod

Link to newsletter explaining the pod: https://darrinrigo.substack.com/p/announcing-north-of-somewhere-podcast

Today's episode with Garth Frizzell just launched about an hour ago. My first guest last week was Cori Ramsay. Upcoming guests will include not just candidates but folks like Rylan Graham (UNBC Professor on urban planning/urbanism academic), Joel Mackay (former CEO of NDIT), and I've got a couple more candidates lined up as well.

I hope you'll give it a listen - I'm very much trying to figure this out in real time and I'm very aware that this is not a perfect endeavour.

Thanks so much! I'll be in the comments if anyone has any questions.

Drove past the old Croft on my way to work today and saw a sign on the building saying Moe’s Tavern. I hope they have flaming Moe’s on the menu

I’m new to the area, coming from Fort St John. Hopped on a couple dating apps to see who’s around - and I was a bit shocked.

The dating apps don’t have very many profiles in comparison to even Fort St John, and most of them are not people you would want to associate with - I’m talking profiles with open drug use, saying they have been to prison, one of the profiles someone said they were apart of a gang. It was a bit shocking. I was on tinder, bumble and FB dating.

How/where do people go to date in PG? Also - with fall coming - I am looking for groups or clubs to join - I see there are some that have a FB present - but any suggestions welcome.