FRIDAY MAY 11, 2012
www.pqbnews.com
STUDENTS LEND A HAND
ROCKIN’ OUT TO ‘THE WACK’
Local kids find out about the Society of Organized Services
Chilliwack performs in Qualicum Beach
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CITY OF PARKSVILLE
Mayors for a day Students ‘run’ the city after essay contest win AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Parksville council awarded Mayor for a Day honours to Rebeka Thompson and deputy mayor Emma Deering this week. The students won the second annual essay contest by describing what they would do as mayor. “I believe the key to why Parksville is a favourite ...” Thompson wrote, “[is] the beautiful wildlife we have. That is why if I was the mayor I would organize a community beach and park cleanup that would hopefully become an annual event.” The 17-year-old Ballenas Secondary student is currently taking Civic Studies 11 which she said helped her question what she could do to become a better citizen locally and globally. See STUDENT MAYORS, page A8
BRENDA GOUGH PHOTO
THANKS MOM: Football mom Jackie Hunt gets a hug from son Tysen during a recent practice. Hunt is a volunteer and board member with the Ballenas Whalers high school football team. See a quick list of Oceanside’s Mother’s Day events on page A18.
BC Ferry rates won’t abate Despite B.C. government’s $80 million infusion into the corporation NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY THE CITY OF PARKSVILLE
Mayor Chris Burger stands with mayor-for-a-day Rebeka Thompson and Emma Deering.
Liberal MLA Ron Cantelon says a nearly $80 million cash infusion into BC Ferries won’t stop fares from rising — and it could be a while until fare hikes simmer down to the rate of inflation. The Parksville-Qualicum MLA made the comments in relation to an announcement Wednesday by Transportation and Infrastructure minister Blair Lekstrom that the
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province was putting $79.5 million into the corporation over the next four years in an attempt to limit future fare hikes. “One of the key issues we are putting forward is about how the taxpayer and the ferry user and the ferry corporation all have to come together to ensure we have a longterm financially sustainable and affordable system,” Lekstrom said in making the announcement. See FERRIES, page A6
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