The photo above and article below were published in the Peak in May of 1999.
Morning man sounds alarm
Popular radio "morning man" Duane Schultze abruptly left his show at 7:45 am on May 10 [1999] and chained himself to cinder blocks outside Overwaitea at Powell River's Town Centre mall.
Schultze, who shocked his CHQB co-host Derek Bouchard with his sudden, unexplained departure, said he would not leave his location until a community drive to keep the Powell River Kings junior A hockey team in town was successful.
Powell River RCMP was called to a "disturbance" outside Overwaitea at approximately 8 am, and arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. No charges will be laid as mall manager George Samll gave his blessing to Schultze's crusade.
"I believe this shows a tremendous commitment to an important cause," said Small. "The mall will support his efforts."
CHQB station manager Bob McInnes was unaware of Schultz's actions until receiving an urgent message to report to the mall. He was surprised, but also supportive.
"My biggest concern, besides his personal safety, was not losing my announcer on such short notice for perhaps the entire week, " said McInnes. "So we've brought some remote equipment up here and Duane assures me that he'll do as much of his show as possible live from a tent as soon as that is set up."
A proposed restructuring of the Kings Hockey Society requires a minimum of 500 society members by May 15 [1999] or the community will lose its junior A franchise, which has been an 11-year member of the BC Hockey League.
Kings representative John Van Hulstein said the organization received an offer from a North Vancouver group.
"An offer is on the table to purchase the Kings," said Van Hulstein. "However, the current board of directors would like the team to stay here."
Chairman of the board Joe Mastrodonato confirmed the offer.
"It's up to the people of Powell River what they want to do," said Mastrodonato. "We want to keep the franchise in Powell River and give people a chance to support it. We always thought there were hockey fans in Powell River. We just have to band together and make it work."
Operation Community Pride organizers set aside May 15 for a one day membership drive outside Overwaitea. One day after he set up camp, Schultz had signed up 30 new members.
"Saturday is the big day as far as we're concerned, but if Duane wishes to continue to kick things off a little early himself, we don't have a problem with that," said Kings' spokesperson Dave Craigen. "It's unbelievable what he is doing; this is the kind of passion a sports franchise can stir up. We can only hopes it's contagious.
Editor's note: The Kings are alive and well in 2024, so Schultz and Operation Community Pride came through in the end.
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