GOLDSTREAM
NEWS GAZETTE
Walking for the kids
Cougars maul Islanders
A Saanich man takes a long walk in a pink tutu to highlight anti-bullying efforts in the region. News, Page A3
Island’s junior hockey finals comes down to Greater Victoria teams after Islanders eliminated. Sports, Page A28
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
SERVING THE BEST SUSHI ON THE WESTSHORE 250.590.8686 737 Goldstream Ave Beside Station House Pub
www.akemisushi.ca
MON - SUN 11:00 am - 9:30 pm DINE IN • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY
Watch for breaking news at www.goldstreamgazette.com
CFB Esquimalt axes popular Blue Boat ferry service Erin McCracken News staff
A scheduled pre-trial conference Thursday at Western Communities Courthouse turned into Marshall requesting the court to fix a date for a sentencing hearing. The Crown prosecutor didn't object. That hearing is April 11 in Colwood. Smith no longer works for Columbia Fuels and Marshall said his client “is not driving” for a living. The dramatic crash killed hundreds or possibly thousands of fish in Goldstream River and closed the Malahat highway for nearly 24 hours, stranding hundreds of drivers.
Military families are bracing for a longer, more expensive commute to CFB Esquimalt when the base terminates its popular Blue Boat commuter shuttle service at the end of April. One Sooke family is devastated by the news, and worries about what it will mean for their already tight budget. “(My husband) uses the Blue Boat and commuting from Sooke it saves us time and gas,” said the navy wife, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Normally leaving Sooke to drive to the boat (in Colwood) can take upwards of 45 minutes if the traffic is bad, which means leaving here at 6 a.m.” Her husband is one of 400 military and civilian personnel who travel on the Blue Boats between Colwood and Esquimalt every day, Monday to Friday, who will have to find alternative transportation starting April 30. That will mean leaving the house earlier each morning as well as shelling out more money on gas. “It takes approximately a quarter of a tank of gas each way, and with the prices the way they are you can understand how upsetting this is, and no one really wants to carpool from out here.” Navy Capt. Craig Baines, CFB Esquimalt commander, made the decision to cancel the service due to staffing constraints. There aren’t enough personnel to operate the ferry service as well as the other vessels in the auxiliary fleet, including tugs and fire boats, within the base’s Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch, said CFB Esquimalt spokesperson navy Lt. Michael McWhinnie.
PLEASE SEE: Fuel still being extracted, Page A6
PLEASE SEE: No Blue Boat, Page A8
Kyle Wells/News staff
In hostile territory Canadian Forces storm the beach at Rocky Point in Metchosin on Friday morning as a part of ongoing military training exercises involving Canadian army, navy and air forces, and U.S. military forces. See the story page A5.
Goldstream fuel spill driver to plead guilty Gasoline remains in earth near crash site Edward Hill News staff
A former Columbia Fuels truck driver who crashed and spilled 42,700 litres of fuel into Goldstream River last year will plead guilty to one of his charges, his lawyer says. James Allan Charles Smith, of Nanaimo, is charged with driving while impaired, driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.08 and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. The allegations stem from when a
Victoria-bound Columbia Fuels truck flipped in the s-turns of the Malahat Drive on April 16, 2011, and plowed into the rock face. With its tanks gashed open, the truck spilled 42,000 litres of gasoline and 700 litres of diesel into a culvert that emptied into the popular fish-bearing stream in Goldstream provincial park. Smith’s defence lawyer Dale Marshall told the Gazette his client will enter a guilty plea to one of the three counts, but declined to say which one. “Things might change,” he said. It appears Smith would likely plead guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, as opposed to one of the charges linked to impaired driving.
Insomnia? Feeling Anxious? No Time to Relax? COLWOOD CORNERS #6 - 310 Goldstream Ave.
250-478-3244 FAIRFIELD PLAZA #4 - 1516 Fairfield Rd.
250-595-5387 www.biosupply.com
TRANQUIL SLEEP On Sale Natural Factors Tranquil Sleep combines L-Theanine with 5-HTP and melatonin in a fast 60 chewable tabs $14.98 acting and very safe sleep formula that can help you fall asleep more quickly, stay asleep, *Sale ends March 25, 2012 or while quantities last sleep more soundly, and wake up feeling refreshed. MENTAL CALMNESS Natural Factors Mental Calmness contains L-Theanine, an amino acid that exerts a On Sale profoundly relaxing, yet non-drowsy action, with noticeable effects within 30 to 40 minutes. 60 chewable tabs $13.98 L-Theanine calms the nerves and even helps with learning and concentration. Best of all, it *Sale ends March 25, 2012 or while quantities last is very safe and can be taken long-term by everyone.