FRIDAY
D DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR SATURDAY NIGHT
November 2, 2012 Vol. 27•No. 88 ••• $1.25 inc. H.S.T.
COMOX VALLEY
DAY IN THE LIFE It’s time for our annual pictorial look at a typical day in our Valley. You might be in it. Insert
RECORD A division of
Your community. unity. Your newspaper.
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com m
Patients access new MRI Renee Andor Record Staff
Comox Valley patients can now officially receive MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans without leaving the Valley. Some residents may have noticed — or even used — the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s (VIHA) mobile MRI service, which has been set up outside of St. Joseph’s General Hospital over the past couple of weeks, but Wednesday was the official launch of the new high-tech piece of equipment at the hospital. St. Joseph’s radiologist Dr. Valerie Astrope pointed out patient care will be strengthened in the Valley, and the rest of the North Island, thanks to the new piece of equipment. “This machine allows all the communities in the North Island to enhance a radiation-free diagnostic service, and that’s hugely important to us. It aids in diagnosis of our local patients and advances patient care up here,” she said, adding, “so far, as radiologists, we’re really, really happy with the images it’s producing.” Housed in a 48-foot trailer, the mobile unit takes three-dimensional images of the body using a strong magnetic field. The trailer is lined with material that keeps the magnetic field inside the unit. The mobile MRI is the first of its kind to be installed in a trailer in North America, according to VIHA. The unit will soon head up to Campbell River, one of the other three communities the mobile MRI will visit during its rotat... see TRAVEL ■ A2
TOO YOUNG FOR CANDY An unopened bag of Skittles (left) doesn’t stop this little one from valiantly trying to get some sweet stuff into her mouth during the annual Halloween Parade in downtown Courtenay. Despite the rainy weather, the fairy princess at right and many other costumed kids come out to trick or treat on Fifth Street. PHOTOS BY RENEE ANDOR
CVRD narrowly approves new remuneration Scott Stanfield Record Staff
In a 5-4 vote, the regional district board sided with a compensation consultant’s recommendations to increase pay for municipal and area directors but to decrease the annual wage of the board chair.
Maurice Lamb reviewed pay, benefits and expenses of board members by comparing other districts and municipalities in B.C. He concluded remuneration levels should be bumped to equal those of the Central Kootenay, where directors are highest paid among those studied. As of Jan. 1, 2015, munici-
pal directors will receive $12,072, electoral directors $31,128 and the board chair $29,604. At present, these positions pay $10,377, $20,709 and $33,161 respectively. At the last committee of the whole meeting, directors considered the recommended bumps a little on the high side. Some members changed their tune on
Tuesday. Area B director Jim Gillis said Lamb’s recommendations warranted further consideration. As opposed to passing a self-serving resolution, he said pay hikes will benefit the new board members who come out on top in the next municipal election. ... see SOME ■ A5
LOOK INSIDE: SEE WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT ERENT
VERA-DE WINDOWS
www. v e rad ewindows.com
Double & Triple Panes
This winter, make your home warm, quiet & more secure!
FALL SALE
%
42OFF
M a k e Yo u r H o u s e , a Ve r a - D e W i n d o w s H o m e
Toyota cmyk
•
Second Seal for Optimum Noise and Heat Insulation
A minimum m order of any combination nation of 3 nd/or doors. windows and/or Can not be combined comb with any other ther ooffer. Sale Can End nd Wi Without Notice.
2940 Moray Ave., Courtenay
Multi-Chambers Provide for Optimum Heat Insulation and Structural Rigidity
•
250-334-9819