FRIDAY APRIL 6, 2012
www.pqbnews.com
BARE-ING ALL ON STAGE
VIRTUOSO ON THE VIOLIN
Parksville actor Rob Atkinson ready for The Fully Monty
Nikki Chooi is the featured performer at April 16 Victoria Symphony concert
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Tax takeout
Council dangles tax cut in front of ratepayers; ask staff to find savings STEVEN HEYWOOD editor@pqbnews.com
Say farewell to a 2.5 per cent tax increase this year in Qualicum Beach. Or ... maybe not. That’s going to be up to the local politicians. Town council on Monday night asked staff to go through the 2012 operating budget to find ways to reduce this year’s planned 1.5 per cent tax increase down to zero. An additional one per Read the full story ONLINE at cent increase will remain, www.pqbnews.com as it helps pay for ongoing pavement resurfacing and is part of the town’s five-year financial plan. Staff have been directed to come with scenarios that reduce that 1.5 per cent tax burden through operating efficiencies — or cutbacks. John Marsh, the town’s financial administrator says that amounts to a reduction of around $160,000 this year and next. See OPTIONS GALORE, page A4
Regional hospital eyes a multi-million plan Hospital redevelopment could top $100 million NEIL HORNER news@pqbnews.com
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is familiar to most people in District 69, but it could look very different in a few years’ time. Speaking as a delegation to the Regional Hospital Board meeting in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) representative Chris Sullivan made that point Add your COMMENTS at abundantly clear as he presented www.pqbnews.com an overview of the NRGH master site plan. Sullivan said significant changes are being planned to the hospital in order to meet future needs. However, he noted a recent scope and service review showed that NRGH is providing an appropriate range of services for the communities it covers. See SERIES OF, page A6
BRENDA GOUGH PHOTO
CUTE AS A BUNNY: Eva Dutton, 7, from Qualicum Beach snuggles an Easter bunny at Tiger Lily Farm in Errington. The barnyard will be open April 6 to 9 for a wide range of Easter activities including a hay maze. For more Easter events, see page B1.
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