TUESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2012
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Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
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2012-13
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A25
FOOD PRODUCTION
A plea for cheaper land Julian Fell says new ag plan ‘isn’t going to do anything’ NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
The Regional District of Nanaimo’s new agricultural plan is a good idea on paper, but it’s not going to accomplish what it set out to do, says one RDN director. Errington-Coombs director Julian Fell said the plan, which still has to be ratified, is it is not going to deliver an increase in food production. “Why have it if it isn’t going to do anything?” he asked. “An agricultural plan for the RDN should have as its goal a large and permanent increase in local food production,” Fell said. “This would be good for the local economy, provide healthier foods, reduce consumption of non-renewable resources and provide food security.” That’s important, he said, because Vancouver Island only has a few days’ supply of food on hand, leaving its residents vulnerable to food shortages in the event of a supply chain disruption. The key issue that needs to be addressed, he said, is the price of farm land, which he said is currently well beyond the means of young families who want to begin their farming career. See $100 G, page A7
TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS
Free ride ending? AUREN RUVINSKY
writer@pqbnews.com
This could be the last year some community organizations are spared from paying property taxes. Parksville council granted almost $240,000 in tax exemptions at their last meeting and will review the program in light of fiscal pressures. They approved their annual Permissive Taxation Bylaw on Oct. 15, exempting 23 community and not-for-profit organizations from property taxes. See MAJOR, page A7
NEIL HORNER PHOTO
PARKSVEGAS: Rob Knight as Elvis stopped by the blackjack table to bring some lady luck to Julianne Sinnott of the Oceanside Tourism Association during the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce gala Saturday night. Sinnott was fine tuning her card skills before heading off to the real Las Vegas on Sunday. For more on gala, please turn to Page 29.
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