QUAY HOLIDAYS:

Do you love the lights at the Quay? Do you enjoy giving food to the QCB Holiday Food Drive? Tell us your favourite Quay Holiday memory.

FSD COAL TRANSFER PROPOSAL: WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE BEING ASKED TO HANDLE COAL - ARE THEIR CONCERNS LEGITIMATE?

PHOTO: James MacKinnon-PeachArch news

We received this email from a person who happened to be in a place and overheard a conversation.  As no names are involved and it provides a new perspective on the COAL TRANSFER STATION AT FRASER SURREY DOCKS, we thought we would share it with our Quay-bloggers.  Our question then goes out to those who work or are directly affected by coal at Fraser Surrey Docks, the Car Yard opposite the docks or anyone else who has something to say on the matter.  Are you concerned about handling coal at work?  Note, you can sign your post as 'anonymous' so not to jeoparize your employment.  Of course, we would welcome comment from anyone who reads this email and cares to share. 

"I was sitting at a STARBUCKS with a friend last night when "an insider" revealed that the cause of the fire at Roberts bank (see article hyper-linked below) was spontaneous combustion in a pile of coal similar in composition to the coal proposed to be trans-shipped via Surrey Fraser Docks.

He also indicated that the coal barge operation would only last for the two-month start-up at Surrey Fraser Docks, then boats would likely be brought in to be loaded directly, in which case, coal dust clouds would be even more likely given the differing nature of the loading operation than outlined for the barges. Dust suppression techniques and infrastructure proposed are less sophisticated and effective than the spray mechanism at Roberts Bank Coal Port.  I wonder if this alternative may be linked to the potential for TEXADA ISLAND expansion to handle the barges being met with approval problems given the Island's Trust opposition to the recent application to the Provincial Government for TEXADA ISLAND portion of the Wyoming to China Supply Train operations.

One quarter not heard from yet are the operators of the "Car Import" facility on Anacis Island. Their fear, evidently,  is that the coal dust will settle on the new cars stored there prior to shipping and fuse to the car finish in the hot sun at worst or cause extra cleaning costs for dust removal at best.

Not sure what his angle was, but he was full of "insider" views that many of the Fraser Surrey Dock's individual  employees aren't happy about the prospect of handling coal either.  He also had some interesting information he had gleaned from Roberts Bank Coal terminal employees about working conditions and the effects of Coal dust.

   

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Fire+Roberts+Bank+coal+port+puts+berth+commission+until+middle+next+week/8680083/story.html"

PLEASE NOTE:  This is a forum for serious thoughts on real issues.  If your post is intended to insult or demean the QCB or anyone associated with it, it will be removed immediately.

The BOARDWALK festival & sale on August 17th, is only one of the events taking place at the Quay this summer.  What is your favourite summer past time on the Quay?  Fishing? Dog Walking? Strolling with friends or family?  We would love to hear from you what makes your summer at the Quay.

RATE YOUR BEST & WORST OF THE QUAY

What do you like and not like about the Quay? Now that a Councillor wants to know how you feel about the trains, we want to hear what you think about the Quay as a whole.

RALLY IN OPPOSITION TO FRASER SURREY DOCK COAL PROPOSAL

(April 2013) The QCB is providing an opportunity to Quay, New Westminster and neigbouring City residents to express their concern and opposition to the Fraser Surrey Dock expansion proposal to transfer and barge coal.  

It takes place at the River Market (810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster) on Sunday April 21 from 11am to 2pm.  Special Guest,  Speak Kevin Washbrook from Voters Taking Action Against Climate Change (vtacc.org) will offer encouraging words at approximately 11:30am.  

ALL WELCOME!  

Express yourself creatively in costume, hats, placards etc.

This is intended to be a peacful rally and one that helps to informand educate the public.

In a very short period of time, the Quay could be looking at images like the one above of the Delta Port.  The picture is supposedly 'a fluke' and is attributed to a gust of wind on the coal stockpile.  Given the wind we experience on the Quay from the river and the fact that the Fraser Surrey Terminal is going to stockpile, should we be concerned about a 'fluke' happening in our neigbourhood?  Would you like to have a PUBLIC FORUM on this issue? Are you concerned that train car loads of coal are passing through our backyards at the Quay on their way to Neptune Terminal in North Vancouver. Lets us know what you think? ( PHOTO: Vancouver Sun)

MULTIPLE STORE CLOSURES AT COLUMBIA SQUARE...what are your thoughts?

 

In sixth months time, Columbia Square will loose yet another major business;The Marketplace IGA.  This follows on the heels of Loonie Plus, Rogers Video, The Flower Shop and other sources of services to the Quay residents.  What are your thoughts on this?  Has the City allowed too many food chains and dollar stores to the point of market saturation?  Is this simply market forces playing out and the weak link looses?  What are your thoughts?