FRIDAY
$1.25
inc. H.S.T.
May 11, 2012
A division of
Vol. 27 No. 38
COMOX VALLEY RECORD Your community. Your newspaper. www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Funds for ferries come with a catch
CARVING CHAMP HAMP
Scott Stanfield
look to communities for $30 million in “service adjustment and tradeoffs” to ensure, for instance, that routes do not run at less than 30 per cent capacity, he said. Last year, BC Ferries asked the province to consider some major route reductions, primarily latenight sailings. The ministry is considering the proposal favourably. While $80 million sounds like a significant sum, Macatee has noted the province has saved $100 million by “freezing its contribution over recent years and not increasing it with CPI (consumer price index),” says Tony Law, Hornby-Denman representative on the Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs. Law also notes ferry rates have increased several times the rate of inflation. “The commissioner reckoned it would take an extra $50 million a year to keep fare increases in line with the rate of inflation,” Law said, adding a 10-per-cent cut in service would save just $7.5 million. “Unless there are really, really drastic cuts it’s hard to see how cutting sailings here and there is going to make a lot of difference because the main costs are labour and capital...Just tying the boat up for a few sailings is not going to generate a lot of money. “There’s no sort of silver bullet that’s going to really make a difference, unless you do something drastic like cutting the Mill Bay to Brentwood route, which the province has not supported,” Law added.
Record Staff
Lindsay Branson has a second world title ■ A11
PEEWEES PLAYING
They’re the smallest players in the Comox Valley Raiders Youth Football system, but they put out a mighty big effort every time they strap on the pads. The Raiders’ PeeWee program, for ages eight to 10, takes to the field at Woodcote Park in Courtenay twice a week (Wednesday 6-7:30 p.m. and Sunday 10-11:30 a.m.), with 33 youngsters learning the basic skills of the game under the tutelage of head coach Dale Kuzma. ... Complete story on ■ B9
FINDER ■ Weather
A2
■ Lottery
A6
■ Ferry Schedule
A6
The Province has committed nearly $80 million in additional funding to BC Ferries to help offset costs and to keep fares down to an affordable increase, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom announced Wednesday. A total of $79.5 million will be spread over the next four years with $46.5 million on “the front end,” $10.5 million next year, $11 million in 2014, and $11.5 million in 2015 and 2016. “I think this is a very favourable day for British Columbians,” said Lekstrom, who praised ferries commissioner Gordon Macatee’s report that contained recommendations — based on feedback from nearly 2,000 British Columbians — to better balance the interests of ferry users, taxpayers and the ferry operator. “Today, in our legislation that was put forward, we addressed 18 of the key recommendations that deal with the legislative changes that were put forward. All of us have to come together to ensure that we have a long-term financially sustainable and affordable system.” A key recommendation is to link fare increases to the rate of inflation. “I fully support that but it will take some time to get there,” Lekstrom said, adding BC Ferries will need to find an additional $15 million in “efficiencies within their corporation.” Through a public engagement process, government will also
Comox dentist in custody
■ Editorial
A36
Record Staff
■ Opinion
A37
A Comox dental surgeon is being held in custody, facing five charges including mischief and theft under $5,000 and administrating a noxious thing with intent to annoy.
■ Arts
B1
■ Sports
B9
■ Classified
B21
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
BRIAN
Dr. Andreas Conradi is in custody from the charges stemming from April 25. Conradi operates his practice on Beaufort Avenue in Comox. He will make his next court appearance May 15 at 9:30 a.m. for judicial interim release (bail).
CARVER KEVIN LEWIS along with his partner Angela Kroeker display their completed work for homeowner Norene Wells on the front of her Noel Avenue home.
Tree replaced in Comox with very artistic stump Erin Haluschak Record Staff
Norene Wells knows how to make the best out of a bad situation. When the Comox resident’s large tree had to be cut down in front of her Noel Avenue home, she decided to save about 20 feet of the trunk, and transform it into a piece of art. Wells called upon local carver Kevin Lewis and his partner Angela Kroeker to carve a mermaid holding a seal in the trunk, which is now catching the eye of not only the homeowner, but resi-
dents as well. “When Kevin was carving the tree, it was causing a traffic jam,” said Wells with a laugh. “People are always walking by and looking at it. The other day I was watching some school kids standing nearby and saying it was an ‘awesome mermaid.’” She explained the 90-foot tree was diseased and rather than cutting it down and removing the roots, she wanted to use the tree to add to and complement her home. “My house has a Mediterranean-type vibe, and living in ... see MERMAIDS ■ A2
MAKES ALL MODELS PRE-OWNED VEHICLES ALL 2011 Nissan
DL8379 L8379
M LEAN
CREW CAB
PRE-OWNED VEHICLES
M6152A
2007 7 Buick
Lucerne erne
4x4 • Leather Loaded Matching Canopy 15,000 kms
AWD Automaticc Power Group oup Bluetooth®
Leather Loaded Heated & Cooled Seats Local Trade-In
CLEARANCE PRICE
CLEARANCE PRICE
CLEARANCE PRICE
$
$
$
32,995
•
2011 Hyundai y
Santa ta a Fe
Frontier SL
c
2145 Cliffe Avenue • Courtenay
M6188A
250-334-2425
25,870
•
13,995
www.brianmclean.ca/used-inventory/
M6196A