Up front: Duncan loses a man at the heart of the community Community: Bluebirds perched to take wing again in Cowichan
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For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tax shift approved in North Cowichan 4-3 vote: Council approves move from industry to residents that will cost the average homeowner $275 Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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Andrew Leong
About 25 cyclists make their way onto Canada Avenue from Beverly Corners to Duncan city square for the Äfth-annual kickoff ride for the Bike to Work Week campaign launch Wednesday. Bike to Work Week begins on May 28 through June 2. For more info, go to cyclecowichan.ca.
Staff questions budget on ‘moral, ethical and legal’ grounds SD79: Trustees vote 5-4 to give preliminary approval to deficit budget Krista Siefken
News Leader Pictorial
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espite a cautionary plea from their superintendent and secretary-treasurer, Cowichan school trustees have approved ¿rst and second reading of their de¿cit budget. The School District 79 board voted 5-4 in favour of the budget that sees expenditures totalling almost $3.8-million more than its revenues. “We really feel that we’re obligated on a moral and an ethical and legal ground to caution the board against passing a de¿cit budget,” secretary-treasurer Bob Harper said during Wednesday’s budget debate. He noted the board is obligated by the School Act to submit a balanced budget to the Ministry of Education. “We really believe that the board is acting
Krista Siefken
School trustees Cathy Schmidt and Amrik Prihar listen as Ryan Bruce speaks against a deÄcit budget.
outside of the law if it does submit the de¿cit budget, and history has shown through the years — and this district is no exception to that history — that the Lt. Gov and council has exercised the power invested in him or her, and actually has dismissed boards, and then if that happens you end up with an of¿cial trustee,” Harper explained. “The of¿cial trustee doesn’t answer to the community and may make decisions that are
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not supported by the community.” Harper offered trustees a prepared, balanced ¿scal plan, however, the majority opted for the de¿cit “restoration” budget. “The school act also says that trustees have a responsibility to ensure the schools provide students with opportunity for a quality education and set education policies that reÀect the aspirations of community. I think that’s the path we’re following now,” Chairwoman Eden Haythornthwaite said. “I would prefer to hope that the ministry will see the merit of our request rather than assume they will not, and rather than carry on cutting.” The district has long struggled with funding shortfalls due to inÀation and various downloaded costs. It has cut millions of dollars in programs, services and staf¿ng in recent years. And Harper admitted that the balanced budget he presented was “not pain-free,” and even warned that future ¿nancial stability for the district will rely on looking at new ways of doing things, from reorganizing classes to closing schools. more on A8
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oo.” “Shame.” Those words summed Wednesday’s taxpayer reaction to North Cowichan council passing its controversial $275 tax shift, voting 4-3 on the fourth and ¿nal bylaw reading. Mayor Jon Lefebure cautioned the crowd against cheering and chastising after waiving municipal procedures to let councillors make statements about the tax hike coming in one lump this July, rather than across two years. Lefebure, and councillors Ruth Hartmann, Kate Marsh and Barb Lines approved the full uplift. Councillors Al Siebring, Jennifer Jon Lefebure: stateWoike and John Koury opposed ment on page A11 a budget with a total tax jack of roughly 13 to 15% — before B.C. homeowner grants, and depending on sewer connections. Resident Donna Lawson, said she’ll sell her house and move stateside or Down Under after council’s tense vote that will cost her hundreds more in taxes on her $375,000 home. “They ¿nished me,” the licensed practical nurse said. “I can’t afford the increase. I’ve already been shutting off my heat to make ends meet.” Forest worker Jason Kroffat called council’s decision to shift taxes off heavy-industrial taxpayers — notably Crofton’s struggling pulp mill — “sad.” “Next year, Western Forest Products will say ‘we can’t pay our taxes.’” Kroffat’s mom Beverley, agreed. “Why are they saving a big corporation?” she asked, vowing to get revenge in the next civic election. Tax watchdogs Mike Hayhoe and Scott Baker wanted to settle the score now. Baker said he’s leading a petition of non-con¿dence against the council. Hayhoe said council continues ignoring demands for an independent audit of North Cowichan’s internal operations, such as wages and other spending. “What has our community become?” he asked. That’s what locals asked before council’s debate. John Sherry accused council of taking disposable income from folks who can least afford the tax hike, urging council to reconsider spreading the tax hike over two years. more on A8
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