2 www.pgcitizen.ca | Thursday, July 30, 2009 local Police called after fire put out -- from page 1 Dahlman said an investigation is underway to determine who is responsible for the property. "Those volunteer firefighters do a tremendous job and they were alert enough to notice the growop paraphernalia, so they called us, we came in to check, and sure enough that is what it is," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Const. Gary Godwin. Wednesday was also when Quesnel RCMP disclosed a growop bust in their community. More than 720 plants were seized from a home on Keith Road, plus a quantity of bud already harvested. One male was arrested in that raid. Anyone with any information on grow-ops or other drug activity in the area is asked by police to please help reduce public danger by passing the knowledge on to local RCMP at 250-561-3300, or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS. Truckers trying out roundabout Mark Nielsen Citizen staff Truck drivers seem to be coping with the roundabout taking shape on P.G. Pulpmill Road at the north end of the Cameron Street Bridge, say the managers of two local trucking firms. Although he stressed the jury remains out until the entire project is completed by midAugust, Excel Transportation Inc. manager Victor Martin said nothing so far has occurred to sway belief it will be an improvement over the traffic lights that controlled the intersection before. "There are really a lot of benefits to this type of intersection, especially for truck traffic," Martin said. "Anytime you can take a loaded truck and not stop it at an intersection and allow them to roll through it, it's a considerable amount of energy that's saved by not stopping fully and not starting again completely. "The other thing that it takes away is all the idle time (when stopped at a red light)." Similarly, Rick Miller at Lomak Bulk Carriers Corp. said no one is complaining, although he was more reserved in his praise for the structure in comparison to the lights previously in place. "I don't know that it's an improvement but it's working, I guess," he said. Watching the semis pulling trailers passing through on Wednesday morning, most A chip truck negotiates the Cameron Street Bridge roundabout as it nears completion. Tracks show how the corner is cut by some B-trains. Citizen photo by David Mah COOL RELIEF -- Elisha Kumar, 10, takes care of Khushi Sidhu, 1 1/2, as they cool off with the many other children Wednesday afternoon at the Rotary Waterspray Park in Fort George Park . Citizen photo by David Mah were able to navigate the circle with just their inside wheels going over the apron in the middle of the roundabout. But there were a significant number who took a more direct route so that both their inside and outside wheels went over the apron, a sloped inner circle made up of interlocking brick. However, that's not a worry as far as Martin is concerned. "That is what exactly it's for, trucks are to go over that," Miller said. "It's there to discourage the (smaller) automotive traffic from possibly making the mistake of trying to go on the inside of especially truck traffic. "It's there more to define a suggested lane for the trailers to run up and allow easier manoeuvering through there." Once the new bridge is open, truckers will probably take a wider route when going further around the roundabout, Martin added. Beetle coalition suggesting alternatives -- from page 1 The plan was created by the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, a group which represents communities like Prince George, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake and Mackenzie. It calls for examining the feasibility of a beef cluster in the region, which would locate more value-added aspects of the business locally, including slaughtering and processing facilities and meat inspection. The strategy also calls for government support for business planning and economic development in the sector, as well as increasing staffing with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Also on the list are increasing training and education programs, examining the case for creating a brand for the region and assessing the potential for a greenhouse industry. "The future of this area is agriculture," said Jim Tingle, who raises Black Angus cattle and lambs on his farm off of Foreman Road just 10 minutes east of Prince George. Tingle, whose farm was used as the backdrop for the release of the Omineca beetle coalition's agriculture strategy, noted that the river bottom land next to the Fraser River would be ideal for growing vegetables. He also pointed to the Kellet Farm, south of Prince George, which produces vegetables like carrots and cabbage, as well as beef, for the local market. Tingle, a former farming researcher, noted that there are 163,000 acres of river bottom land in the Prince George area, and another 200,000 acres in the Reid Lake and Chief Lake areas suitable for vegetable farming alone. Vanderhoof mayor Gerry Thiessen, a third-generation farmer, stressed there is productive farming land that is less expensive than in other areas of Canada that is available. "Much of our land is underutilized or not utilized at all," he noted. The area is also blessed with good transportation links and affordable energy, and Thiessen argued that there is a case for not only producing food for local consumption but exporting some products like forage, particularly seed for hay. The province put up the money for the community beetle coalition, created in 2005. As a result of the beetle epidemic, the mid-term timber supply is expected to drop 33 to 45 per cent in the vast northern and Interior regions, with communities like Burns Lake estimated to take an even harder hit, in a 2007 analysis from the B.C. Ministry of Forests. The decline in mid-term timber supply -- up to 60 years -- is expected to begin within five years in some areas. The Canadian Forest Service has estimated that a conservative 22per-cent decrease in the timber supply, will cause 600 job losses in Burns Lake and Houston. In Prince George, a conservative 17-per-cent decrease in the timber supply would cause a job loss of 2,900. Unlike the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, the Omineca coalition has decided not to put a price tag to its strategy. The Cariboo-Chilcotin group, representing communities south of Prince George, has said $500 million will be needed to help diversify that area's economy. ghoekstra@pgcitizen.ca Centre City 250-562-3600 Each office is independently owned & operated. Air Quality Readings from 4:30 p.m. yesterday. Area Downtown College Hts. BCR Ind. Good 0 - 25; Fair 26 - 50; Poor 51 - 100; Very Poor 100+. Today's weather picture was drawn by Royce, a student at Edgewood elementary. 651596 PM 43 20 45 TRS 44 - S02 4 4 - horoscopes ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST By Omar Thursday, July 30, 2009 BIRTHDAY GAL: Actress Lisa Kudrow was born in Encino, Calif., on this day in 1963. This birthday gal is best recognized for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Phoebe on the TV series "Friends." She's also starred in the series "The Comeback" and appeared in a recurring role on "Mad About You." On the big screen, Kudrow starred in "Analyze This," "Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion" and "Marci X." Her next project will be starring in the comedy "Bandslam." ARIES (March 21-April 19): A pat on the back seems like a slap in the face. You are easily angered and aggravated by anyone trespassing in your territory. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may need to tiptoe through the tulips. Don't accept challenges or dares, take foolhardy chances, or let a bully get your goat. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don't let a minor dispute destroy a friendship. Remember which side your bread is buttered on and handle irritations carefully. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Offer apologies with the same speed you'd pour water on a fire. Those who experience emotions deeply are those most hurt by conflict. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A significant other could show a temperamental side or a lack of caution. Love is a bumpy path, but soon you will back on a smooth track. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you impose unreasonable standards, you will be required to maintain the same level of perfection. Sidestep promises and contracts. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Although loved ones may demand that you follow their lead, you can always go do something else to demonstrate your independence. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You could end up in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Stirring up a controversy could backfire and cost you brownie points. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take pride in a job well done. There could be friction regarding how a job is done or how soon the finished product is needed. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Look before you leap; you could land on your head. There is a tendency to address financial concerns with reckless abandon. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Guard against defensiveness. Your valiant attempts to outfox the hounds might cause you to run in tiring circles, getting nowhere. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keeping hostilities under wraps can lead to smoldering resentment. Pick up the phone, discuss problems and nip them in the bud. IF JULY 30 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You can make a resolution to get in tip-top physical shape by New Year's. Joining a health spa or taking up a new sport where you can mingle with new people might be good for you this summer -- but remember to be conscientious about your warm ups and cool downs until you are back in shape. Fight off the urge to make business or career changes in October. January is your best month to make financial or job alterations and February is the best month for making crucial decisions about relationships and your future. 00651014