Mayor sees window of opportunity
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Updated: November 04, 2009 9:48 AM
While Eurocan’s announcement of permanent closure rocked Kitimat and the Northwest, mayor Joanne Monaghan said the city will begin working immediately to find a solution.
Since the announcement, Monaghan has been working the phones, speaking to provincial ministers and local residents alike.
“My heart goes out to all the people,” she said. “I’m hoping that we’ve got a window between now and January when maybe we can get something happening to give a little bit of hope.”
Monaghan said West Fraser’s Hank Ketcham called her just prior to last Wednesday’s news release to alert her to the bad news.
Monaghan said the Ketchams and Forests minister Pat Bell will be flying to China to meet with four potential “credible” buyers that are currently looking at Mackenzie’s paper mill, closed in 2008.
“There are four that are in the running, and only one can buy it, so maybe we’ve got a hope here,” Monaghan told the Sentinel.
She added she had received phone calls from both Bell and premier Gordon Campbell concerning Eurocan, adding she believes that indicated “they are concerned about us.”
Monaghan said she has also had discussions with Mackenzie mayor Stephanie Killam and former mayor Roger McDonell of Campbell River – its paper mill closed in 2007.
“I’m trying to get as much guidance just to see what other people did just to keep their communities going.”
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