Paying respects Thousands gather for remembrance services Page A9
NEWS: NDP’s Mulcair among leaders in town /A7 ARTS: Ghosts of working girls tell tales /A19 SPORTS: Lacrosse under Friday night lights /A22
VICTORIANEWS VICTORIA Friday, November 16, 2012
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Sewage decisions delayed Mass public turnout; most opposed to plan Daniel Palmer News staff
Capital Regional District directors delayed a critical vote on the secondary sewage treatment project Wednesday, after nearly 30 public speakers caused the item to run longer than allocated. Directors were meant to vote on the creation of an oversight commission for the $783-million project, while Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins and Saanich Coun. Vic Derman put forward motions to pursue a low-risk designation under federal regulations. The designation would extend the deadline for compliance from 2018 to 2040. While most of the 28 public speakers were opposed to the project, some argued the current system of pumping screened raw sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca is nothing more than pollution. “We now have the money in place to build the plant and laws to mandate it,” said Christianne Wilhelmson, executive director of the Georgia Strait Alliance. Public anxiety remains over the roughly $250 to $400 in taxes expected to be levied on Greater Victoria households to fund the project. The B.C. and federal governments are funding two-thirds of the project, but any cost overruns will fall on CRD taxpayers. The vote will likely be delayed to Nov. 28, said Denise Blackwell, committee chair. dpalmer@vicnews.com
Roszan Holmen/News staff
The emergency supplies container in James Bay’s Irving Park was one of the city’s first. While it is painted with a delightful mural, it is in need of a new roof to stop rain from seeping in. Victoria emergency co-ordinator Rob Johns is looking for emergency volunteers – some of whom will hold the keys to these containers, located around the city.
Disaster relief in colourful packages Victoria’s emergency planners know where to turn in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake. It might surprise you to know where that is. See stories, page A3
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