Up front: On the rebound — they’re hiring again in Crofton On stage: Cowichan getting comfortable again in the Vinyl Cafe
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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, October 12, 2012
Fired trustees to be replaced in fall 2013 byelection
E&N asks for local tax help Tracking the cash: $3.2 million sought over five years from five island authorities
Next November: Province reverses stance, gives Cowichan chance to vote
Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
T
he price of a chocolate bar per year. That’s how much Cowichan landowners, and folks in four other island regions, are being asked to toss toward $3.2- million in bridge ¿xes — and getting passenger-rail services back on track. Cowichan’s share would be about $500,000. The one-time request, to repair 48 bridges spanning Courtenay and Victoria, would join the spring’s $15 million in provincial and federal tax dollars granted to the Island Corridor Foundation for E&N-line infrastructure upgrades, such as tracks. Mary Ashley, ICF co-chair, said the $3.2 million means 43¢ per $100,000 of property assessment. “As an example, the cost for a $400,000 property would be $1.72 per year for ¿ve years.” The improved railroad would engineer talks for a new train-service agreement with Via Rail. Rob Hutchins, Cowichan Valley Regional District’s chairman, signalled he’s on board to ask CVRD directors for the bridge bucks this month, pending staff’s cost-bene¿t report. The Dayliner has been off the “We are the corridor owners. This isn’t just a tracks since 2011. nostalgic whim for bygone years,” he said of passenger service. “Everyone tells me this is an essential economic and social transportation corridor. “It’s less than two dollars a year for ¿ve years. People have a love and passion for the rail, and want that additional transportation route to connect our communities.” Upgrades include passenger cars and scheduling changes for an additional early-morning, southbound commuter run from Nanaimo to Victoria, plus an additional earlyevening run returning to Nanaimo from Victoria. “Without the regional participation, it is likely we will lose the federal/provincial funding, our rail operator, and a functional railroad,” Ashley says in Wednesday’s press statement. “That would be too bad when we are this close to giving rail a real chance to prove its value to the people of Vancouver Island.” more on page 6
Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
B
MRI technologist Helena Spears demonstrates Vancouver Island’s new mobile MRI unit at the Vancouver Island Health Authority and Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District launch at Cowichan District Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 4. The unit will divide its time between Cowichan and other hospitals north of the Malahat to allow area patients faster and more convenient access to medical scans. Andrew Leong
.C.’s Minister of Education has con¿rmed a “mid-term election’’ in November 2013 to select a new board of trustees for the Cowichan School District. “I’m looking forward to calling an election for next November, being the traditional time that the elections occur,’’ said Don McRae. It’s seen as a compromise between an immediate byelection and waiting until the end of the remaining twoyear period for the regular election to replace the ¿red board of trustees. That would mean a one-year term for the nine trustees elected in 2013 and another election in 2014 to get the schedule back on track, according to ministry communications of¿cer Scott Sutherland. McRae sat down with Mike McKay, the appointed trustee for the district, last Thursday for the ¿rst time. “I thought it was a fairly productive meeting,’’ said McRae. “Mike is a really well-respected educator.’’ Passing a balanced budget was the priority before talk turned to what was best for the future of the district. “I don’t want to cause any more disruption in this school year,’’ said McRae. And holding an election in the summer was not advantageous, he added. The best solution was to plan farther down the road. “People expect to have an election in November,’’ McRae said. “If they know in advance, they can decide if they want to run. more on page 6
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