When I came to the Northern Sentinel, I started my relationship with the readers by saying “thank you.”
I knew I would need your help if I was going to have success in my limited time here and you came through for me.
So many of you were gracious enough to share your stories of life in Kitimat, why things are the way they are and what Kitimat means to you.
I also appreciate the patience of people I spoke to around town for their pictures or opinions.
For those of you who were too shy to have your picture in the paper, you are more beautiful than you realize.
Thank you to council, including the late Richard McLaren and his family, for returning my calls and being generous with their time.
When I’ve had the opportunity to speak with city staff in person, they have been good mannered enough to NOT roll their eyes when I ask questions everyone else in Kitimat has known since they first tobogganed off the roof of their houses into the piled snow.
Kitimat’s Rotarians have graciously allowed me to hang out with them, with special thanks to the club president Eleanor Kendell.
Special thanks to my co-workers at The Sentinel who were always patient and kind when the paper was running late.
To relate their level of kindness: When was the last time you received a care package upon starting your job?
Lastly, very special thanks to former publisher Sandra Dugdale who took a chance on me with “her baby.”
As I leave with my work complete here, I feel the story is not finished.
I want to know how it turns out.
How will Kitimat come back?
Will workers coming for the construction projects decide to make roots?
What will the KLNG project mean for the Haisla people over the long-term?
Economic opportunities will come, some for the good of the community, others not so much, but you all will have to live together regardless whether you agree or not.
Disagree with passion and vigour, if you must, the community will be better off for it, but remember that person you argue with is looking out for Kitimat too.
Thank you all for your help, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Anthony Damonse
www.anthonydamonse.com