Gangnam Style Dover Bay students enter technology contest. PAGE 18 Naomi’s Road Vancouver Opera play looks at racism, bullying issues. PAGE B1 Silver medal Mariners men’s team loses in dramatic championship game. PAGE 6
Paying respect PAGE 7
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012
VOL. 24, NO. 86
Regional directors support rail plan I
Penny pinchers
CONTINGENT ON reinstatement of passenger service. BY NIOMI PEARSON THE NEWS BULLETIN
News Bulletin’s annual Pennies for Presents campaign kicks off today BY JENN M C GARRIGLE THE NEWS BULLETIN
There’s no longer a reason to pinch your pennies. Last spring, the federal government announced it will eliminate the penny from Canada’s coinage system and the Royal Canadian Mint will stop circulating pennies in February. The penny’s days are numbered and a good way to get rid of the currency is to donate them to the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s annual Pennies for Presents campaign. While the penny’s burden to the economy has grown relative to its value as a means of payment – it costs the government 1.6 cents to produce every new penny – the Pennies for Presents campaign
offers a solution for people looking to rid themselves of the copper coins and help out a good cause at the same time. “One of the reasons for the campaign’s success is that it’s so easy to participate,” said Melissa Fryer, managing editor. “Everyone has some spare change and that adds up to a lot.” The campaign raises money for three charities that benefit children in Nanaimo – the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club of Nanaimo. These organizations ensure no child is left emptyhanded on Christmas morning.
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Since its inception in 1996, the campaign has raised almost $154,000 in Nanaimo. Schools and businesses are important partners as well as local residents, who bring in their loose change in recycled coffee tins, plastic bags and by the water cooler bottle. Pennies for Presents kicks off today (Nov. 15) and will continue until Dec. 21. During that time, donations of all denominations – from pennies to $100 bills – can be made at the News Bulletin office at 777 Poplar St. or a community drop-off location. ◆ See ‘SMALL’ /4
A request for funding from the Island Corridor Foundation received preliminary approval by the Regional District of Nanaimo. During its committee meeting Tuesday, board members, with the exception of Dave Willie from Qualicum, approved a $945,000 one-time, grant-in-aid, contingent on the foundation’s ability to produce a commitment from VIA Rail to reinstitute passenger service along the Vancouver Island rail corridor. The grant-in-aid would be an addition to the 2013 budget and cost homeowners approximately $3.12 per $100,000 in assessed home value. The money is part of a $20.4-million price tag the foundation has slated in its business plan for railway upgrades that would allow a daily passenger service to run between Courtenay and Victoria, originating out of Nanaimo. Approximately $14.5 million of that balance is funded by federal and provincial grants announced earlier this year. Five re gional districts, including the RDN, were asked to provide $3.2 million to get work started on the upgrades.
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Three districts approved their portion of the contribution: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Capital Regional District. The Comox Valley Regional District has yet to vote. The foundation’s business plan indicates it will pursue financing from lenders for $2.2 million of the remaining balance, and Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, which would operate the passenger service under contract with VIA Rail, has committed to pay the final $500,000 of the balance. According to Graham Bruce, the foundation’s chief operating officer, the $20.4 million will provide money for replacement of one in every four rail ties and bring the track up to safety standards to allow rail service for the next 10 years. “The plan behind this is that you have the passenger service running for that 10-year window, which allows the freight company to go and build on other opportunities,” he said. “At the end of 10 years, if there hasn’t been substantial improvements in rail service, in people utilizing it – either from the public sector or for freight or tourists or excursions, whoever will be here is going to have to make the decision.” Bruce said money would provide an opportunity to turn things around for rail on Vancouver Island. ◆ See ‘DIRECTORS’ ‘ /4
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