SAANICHNEWS NEWS
SPORTS
Aftermath of a tragedy
New ball team in town
A elderly woman receives her sentence for a fatal crash at Victoria airport last year. Page A3
Baseball will return to Royal Athletic Park in 2013 with a new West Coast League franchise. Page A26
Friday, June 15, 2012
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Wire thieves target empty homes in Saanich Kyle Slavin News staff
Joys of summer Tristan Rosenblood, 8, and his nine-year-old sister Lindsay balance in their kayaks while enjoying the sunshine and warmth in Cadboro Bay on Monday, a Pro D day. Sharon Tiffin/News staff
SD 61 remains stalled on Wi-Fi Teachers’ job action slows debate on wireless safety Natalie North News staff
No elementary schools within the Greater Victoria School District had wireless Internet installed over the last year, and none will, until school trustees give Wi-Fi the green light. The school board's decision on whether or not to lift a year-old moratorium on installing wireless
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Internet in schools hinges on the findings from the district’s committee on Wi-Fi, a group comprised of teachers and administrators, as well as members from the Allied Specialists Association and the Principals’ Association. The committee met with concerned parents and sought input from such authorities as the World Health Organization, the Vancouver Island Health Authority and Industry Canada four times since formation in early 2011. “There were groups of people who brought forward information that you’ve probably seen before … it came from all walks of life,”
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said Patrick Duncan, Greater Victoria School District associate superintendent and chair of the committee. “I haven’t heard of any further outcry from parents. There is one group who has continued to bring forward presentations and I’m sure they will continue to ensure that their voice is heard.” The committee was slated to present recommendations on Wi-Fi to the board on June 20. The retirement of previous committee chair, former district secretary-treasurer George Ambeault and the teacher job action – which has teachers currently abstaining from all voluntary extracurricular activities,
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including participation on the committee – has put the report on hold indefinitely. The board will be writing a letter inviting the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association to participate to get the committee moving forward again, board of education chair Peg Orcherton confirmed. Until then, the only elementary school in SD 61 with wireless Internet remains George Jay. Every high school and middle school within the district already had Wi-Fi before the moratorium was implemented. PLEASE SEE: More input on Wi-Fi, Page A4
Thieves are breaking into empty for-sale and for-rent homes in Saanich to steal copper water supply tubing and electrical wires. Three incidents have been reported to Saanich police since June 5 where homes have been entered and the copper tubes that lead from the hot water tank have been stolen. In all three cases, the thefts have resulted in flood damage to the homes. Incidents occurred in three different parts of Saanich: the 3600-block of Ophir St. in the Shelbourne valley, the 1800-block of Taylor Rd. in the Saanich panhandle south of Hillside Shopping Centre, and the 3900-block of Telegraph Bay Rd. in Cadboro Bay. “We suspect the same person or persons is responsible, given the MO is distinct,” said Sgt. Dean Jantzen. Items that are being stolen do not amount to much in terms of value, as they are short pieces of low-quality copper. Jantzen advised landlords and property owners to perform regular checks on vacant properties to ensure they haven’t been targeted. People should double-check security, such as locks and motion detector lights. kslavin@saanichnews.com
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