Stolen awards Thieves grab donated medals from St. John Ambulance. PAGE 7 Double donation Cash gifts help upgrade VIU’s nursing programs. PAGE 13 Pro D fun Museum activities keep children busy on days off from school. PAGE 4
M’s strive for wins PAGE 22
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
VOL. 24, NO. 63
w w w. v i s i o n s o p t i c a l . c o m
School district mulls changes to busing system BY JENN McGARRIGLE THE NEWS BULLETIN
“
SHARP
Ancient Bible returned to family BY RACHEL STERN THE NEWS BULLETIN
Worms had tunneled through the tattered and torn pages of an aging Bible discovered in a box of books donated to the Friends of Gabriola Library. Parts were marred with ink scrawls, a layer of phrases, symbols and names surrounding religious scriptures. It was in such poor condition it had no monetary value. Yet, to Ron Pentecost the book was a journey into his family’s past that he never expected to hold. “It is something I will certainly
treasure for the rest of my life,” he said. “I am quite ecstatic.” The book was discovered last year and has been rebound several times over the years, with some writings found in the pages dating back to the 1620s. The Bible was donated by Kit Szanto, who had received it from her aunt, and Szanto isn’t sure how it came into her family’s possession. Kristen Miller, a volunteer for the Friends of the Library, who had an interest in old books, took it to an appraiser in Victoria, but learned it wasn’t worth much. ◆ See ‘HEIRLOOM’ /6
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Nanaimo school officials are looking to tune up or overhaul the district’s transportation services and wants parents to share their thoughts on the school bus system. The district hired a consulting firm to conduct a review of the bus transportation operations to determine if there are any efficiencies or changes to the current system the district should consider. “Our funding has been frozen for about 10 years, although our costs have gone up,” said Jamie Brennan, school board chairman. “It’s a drain on our budget. We have to see if there are any opportunities for efficiencies. We have to look at all parts of the situation.” The district currently provides busing service to about 1,836 students, out of a total enrolment of about 14,000 students. The review will look at walk limits, current configuration of routes, courtesy riders, user-pay systems, staff training, types of buses and fuel usage, how school schedules affect bus routes and the transportation assistance program. Brennan said the review may mean service reductions, as trustees want to ensure the district doesn’t keep routes that are no longer necessary, but it could also recommend service additions – for example, trustees may decide for safety reasons that bus service is vital in an area previously unserved. He said trustees would likely vote down any recommendation for a user-pay system, as the board does not want to negatively impact families already struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. ◆ See ‘PARENTS’ /6
LOOKOUT RCMP constables Shawn Parker, left, and Grant Blanchette keep sharp eyes out for drivers talking on cellphones or not wearing seatbelts on Bowen Road. Recent data shows driver distraction caused by using cells and other electronic devices is the third leading cause of fatal vehicle crashes. CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
It’s a drain on our budget. We have to see if there are any opportunities for efficiencies.
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