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Earth Day Celebrate with multiple speakers at the Mary Winspear Centre on Saturday, Page A5 Friday, April 20, 2012
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Collapsed walkway Could be costly to repair much-used seawall in Sidney, Page A3
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North Saanich sticks to zero tax increase Christine van Reeuwyk News staff
The District of North Saanich stuck to its zero tax increase promise as it passed its budget last night (April 16). But as with any budget discussion, it didn’t come easy. Some members of council were concerned that staying at zero this year would cost residents in the future. “In order to reach zero for this year, we will probably have to make increases next year,” said Coun. Celia Stock. She noted that the district is not passing CRD increases in water and sewer charges on to the residents this year. “We cut the grants in aid. We cut council conferences [by] $9,000. We’ve cut the continCelia Stock gency fund, we’ve cut paving as a road safety, all kind of things,” she said. “In order to do this, we’ve made big cuts in lots of services. I’m going to be a good council member and try and vote for it, but I want people to understand this little caveat: not all reductions listed above are sustainable, making the cuts to the budget has the effect of leading to larger increases in future years … in order to maintain current service levels.” Coun. Dunstan Browne, one of the early proponents of the zero tax increase agreed it’s “prudent” that people understand there will be increases in costs in the future. PLEASE SEE: Zero budget passes unanimously, Page A4
Managing the world’s most important investments: YOURS! We are proud to be a part of your community. National Bank Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of National Bank of Canada which a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA: TSX).
Airing on the side of caution Sheldon Steckman makes a jump off a the bike ramp onto the Camp of Champions airbag at Panorama Recreation Centre during the Friends of North Saanich Freeride Park annual general meeting. The group hopes to draw more interest to the bike park designed by Olympic track builder Kyle Michell. See story on page A8. Arnold Lim/News staff
The Cannery Building #205-2537 Beacon Avenue Sidney, B.C.
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