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Post by Scott on Sept 24, 2006 16:27:17 GMT -8
Anyone read the column in the Province today my Michael Smyth? Apparently, a bunch of people from Hartley Bay were invited down to Victoria for a dinner in appreciation for their rescue efforts during the Queen of the North sinking. The problem is, no one wants to pay. From the Leutenant Government's office to BC Ferries, they're all passing the buck, so the people from Hartley Bay (the local native tribe) is probably going to have to pay for all the transportation and accomodation (25,000 bucks). What a way to say "thank you".
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Post by Curtis on Sept 24, 2006 16:57:23 GMT -8
Are you saying they (Hartley Bay) are paying. Or them (BC Ferries Etc. Etc.) are paying.
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Post by Scott on Sept 24, 2006 17:45:11 GMT -8
The tribal council at Hartley Bay is (as of today) paying the $25,000 for the travel and hotel expenses.
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Post by bcfcbccsscollector on Sept 24, 2006 18:30:14 GMT -8
What a disgusting way for BC Ferries and the provincial government to say "Thank you", after these people opened their doors with offerings of food, clothing and other necessities after a terrible ordeal, and on such a short notice (Like there EVER is any warning!)
As a government employee, this hardly surprises me and I hang my head in shame as these bureaucratic jerks fail to show proper respect and recognition for this group who did SO much for so many. I only hope the "Bean counters" get theirs at some point.
But I guess the handshake from David Hahn and the invitation to a dry martini (Or two, or three or four) from Gordo makes up for it..........NOT!
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 24, 2006 18:54:00 GMT -8
BC Ferry vessels have been sailing on by Hartley Bay for 40 years but have never, in all that time, offered any sort of service. Perhaps BCFS could show their appreciation to the people of Hartley Bay by offering a service to them.
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on Sept 24, 2006 19:20:46 GMT -8
I really hope there's some sort of misunderstanding here, and that it will not turn out that the representatives from Hartley Bay were expected to pay their own way down to the ceremonial chicken dinner and plaque presentation. The mind boggles.
Hartley Bay has over twice the permanent population of Ocean Falls, yet, as 'Kidnation points out, has never had ferry service. How can BC Ferries justify that, now?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 24, 2006 20:57:46 GMT -8
As a government employee, this hardly surprises me and I hang my head in shame as these bureaucratic jerks fail to show proper respect and recognition for this group who did SO much for so many. I only hope the "Bean counters" get theirs at some point. Darren, how do you really feel about this? I'll be leading a "bean-counter issues awareness" study group......I'll send you an invite. Bean Counting is a lonely profession at times like this. I sometimes think I should switch to pea-counting, or carrot-calculus. |
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Post by Scott on Sept 24, 2006 22:45:04 GMT -8
I'd post the whole column, but the Province makes you pay to access it online.
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Post by Curtis on Sept 27, 2006 7:29:43 GMT -8
I saw in the province that the BC Governmentt will pay the 25,000
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Post by bcfcbccsscollector on Sept 27, 2006 11:01:37 GMT -8
Ya, sorry about that.  It gets a bit frustrating after awhile when the "Front line" workers can offer valuable input, yet it is constantly dismissed or ignored by the "Higher ups". It's happened far too often and worse yet, a good chunk used to work alongside us....... Rant over.........  |
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 29, 2006 17:48:53 GMT -8
I saw on CH News at 6. People of Hartely Bay made it down to Victoria on a Hawk Air Dash 8 only to be left at the airport with no ride from there. BC Ferries apparently was suppose to arrange that. That's all I heard on the news. Not sure if that was today or yesterday.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 30, 2006 10:39:20 GMT -8
from Newspaper, see details below www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=c468e483-5aeb-4865-bfa7-2e501a7d50c8&k=52901============================ Saturday » September 30 » 2006 Hartley Bay's uneasy heroes arrive for tribute Cindy E. Harnett Times Colonist Twenty-two-year old Ted McDonald moved to Hartley Bay early this year longing for its remote "peace and tranquillity." But his quiet life was shattered on a rainy, frigid night last March when the Queen of the North ferry rammed into Gil Island and sank -- spurring residents of a tiny native reserve to set out into the darkness, in all manner of boats, to rescue 99 passengers and crew. "We heard a call for help and we responded, that's all," McDonald said, in the matter-of-fact way most of the villagers shrug off their actions March 22. Sixteen of those Hartley Bay heroes -- though they would never refer to themselves that way -- arrived in Victoria via Hawkair last night. They were invited by Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo for a dinner tonight at Government House in honour of their bravery. They're still uneasy with all the attention. "We don't think of ourselves as heroes, we just did what anyone would do," said Christopher Stewart, 18. As soon as their VHF radios squawked out the mayday call, the 180-strong community sprang into action -- those with boats headed straight for the water, some began preparing a shelter, others gathered blankets and clothes, while more yet began cooking. "When we heard the mayday we didn't hesitate for anything," Hartley Bay Fire Chief Ed Robinson said. "We were fortunate enough to be able to go there and help." They weren't scared for themselves. But they were terrified they wouldn't save all 101 of passengers -- in the end, two went missing and are presumed dead. "It's a night that's always going to be with us -- for everyone that went out," Robinson said. It's these men who remember the faces of the terrified crew and passengers, heard the creaking of the ferry as it listed, the rumble of cars slamming against one another, the popping of pressurized glass, and finally the whoosh of the ferry driving down to the bottom of Wright Sound. "The death rattles of this beautiful ship were rather appalling," said survivor Les Wilson of Port Hardy. Wilson and his wife are indebted to the people who risked their lives to help them, then clothed and fed them. "I was never so deeply touched as by the actions of the people of Hartley Bay," Wilson said yesterday. He wants B.C. Ferries to name the replacement ferry -- the Queen of Hartley Bay. "Their performance was above and beyond anything anyone would have expected," Wilson said. Unfortunately, the people of Hartley Bay have not received the same welcome they extended -- the series of insults started when they were initially told to foot the bill for their travel expenses and hotel. The protocol gaffes continued last night when the 16 men were left standing outside Victoria's airport -- with no one to pick them up. The First Nations band had arranged with B.C. Ferries for a shuttle service, Robinson said. Whatever went wrong, they were stranded. The Times Colonist and CH Television paid for taxis to take them to the Fairmont Empress Hotel. ceharnett@tc.canwest.com © Times Colonist (Victoria) 2006 ------------------------ |
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 30, 2006 22:27:37 GMT -8
Does anyone know (or can speculate) why the crew of the QoTN (B-Watch) were not invited to this 'heroes tribute' dinner at Government House..? If it wasn't for the trained crew, many more people possibly could have perished in this incident - whether the residences of Hartley Bay responded or not. Not a word has been mentioned about the response of the crew in any reports since the tribute was mentioned...  No doubt the community of Hartley Bay certainly deserves commendation for their assistance. However, it would have been nice to see the crew recognized too... |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 30, 2006 22:38:35 GMT -8
Speculation:
- The Hartley Bay folks were invited by Gov't House....and I speculate that there's "policy collusion" between the BC Gov't, the Lieutenant-Governor's office, and the CEO of BC Ferries.
- because BCFS expected that the Union would decline the invite....because of ongoing combative relations between the Union and BCFS
- because BCFS doesn't know how to say thank you re or know how to act around a sinking incident (ie. try to pretend it didnt' happen, or talk about it openly). An indication of an already poor relationship between company & employees.
- Didn't Mr. Hahn say something about weak corporate culture, during his AGM address? This would be an example of that.
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Post by jjr on Oct 1, 2006 6:39:31 GMT -8
When I saw the news coverage I thought "wait a minute Hawkair doesn't fly to Victoria". Here is a press release from the Hawkair website that demonstrates once again how we in the North look after ourselves when the South fails us (I had to get that dig in - Hawkair is a small airline based in Terrace). Prince Rupert, BC - Hawkair brings Hartley Bay Heroes to Victoria The heroes from Hartley Bay who selflessly rescued the Queen of the North survivors last spring will arrive in the province’s capital in style on Friday. A dinner reception will be held in their honour in Victoria and BC-based regional airline Hawkair will be providing a private flight for the group. “When I heard that the rescuers from Hartley Bay were going to have to drive to their own tribute dinner and foot the bill, I knew that Hawkair could step in and help out,” stated Hawkair CEO Rod Hayward. “These guys are local heroes, and Hawkair wants to honor them as such.” The group from Hartley Bay will be traveling on Hawkair’s regularly scheduled flight from Prince Rupert to Vancouver on September 29th. Hawkair will then make a special charter trip to take the passengers to Victoria for a dinner in their honour at Government House. Hawkair is a popular passenger airline serving British Columbia and currently operates a fleet of 37-seat DeHavilland Dash 8 aircraft, known for their reliability and quiet ride. Hawkair is well known for its low cost fares, first-rate and friendly in-flight customer service. Hawkair currently provides daily scheduled passenger service between Prince Rupert, Terrace-Kitimat, Dawson Creek, Fort St John and Vancouver’s South Terminal. For scheduled, charter or freight services you can book on-line at www.hawkair.ca or call reservations at 1 800 487-1216. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 1, 2006 13:14:47 GMT -8
we are still waiting to find out about the missing 14 minutes - so the unions maybe though better - but it appears we will never known - or will we??? I'm hoping that we find out by Christmas. I think it's reasonable that whatever reports will be released sometime in the next 3 months. |
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It gets a bit frustrating after awhile when the "Front line" workers can offer valuable input, yet it is constantly dismissed or ignored by the "Higher ups". It's happened far too often and worse yet, a good chunk used to work alongside us.......
