PENINSULA
NEWS
Established 1912
Robert Bateman in Sidney this weekend
Helping hand to hurricane victims
World class artist will meet with fans during an appearance at the Peninsula Gallery, page 17
A Peninsula business lends a hand to dog groomers hit by Hurricane Sandy, page 19 Watch for breaking news at www.peninsulanewsreview.com
Friday, November 30, 2012
No plan B for Sidney Many owners putting their support behind the BIA proposal Steven Heywood News staff
Sidney town council continues to hear from business owners lining up in support of what they are calling the only option to save their shops from trying economic times. Town staff have been tasked by council with creating a business improvement area (BIA) bylaw and plan for an alternate approval process. This was done after the Sidney Business Development Group (SBDA) asked council to proceed on Nov. 19. The SDBA were granted just Steven Heywood/News staff over $18,000 Business closures from the town’s of late have some economic develpeople fearful that opment budmore are on the get to conduct way. a study into an umbrella marketing plan. They came up with a BIA idea and are now asking the Town of Sidney to run a counter-petition and, if that is successful, put it into place. PLEASE SEE: Businesses could close, page 10
Devon MacKenzie/News staff
Alejandra Resendiz puts some of the finishing touches on the lights at Butchart Gardens Nov. 27. The gardens officially open for Christmas on Dec. 1. For the story, turn to page 15.
Siklenka resigns council seat Central Saanich to hold byelection after councillor moves to Grand Cayman Devon MacKenzie News staff
Central Saanich councillor Terry Siklenka officially resigned from his position following questionable circumstances that came to light after he was granted paid leave Nov. 5. Staff received the official resignation letter from Siklenka Nov. 26 and Mayor Alastair Bryson announced it during their committee meeting later that evening. Siklenka had been granted six-months paid leave from council at the beginning
of the month following a request that was received from him by Bryson via email Sept. 29. Documents reveal that Siklenka’s original request was for one full year of leave, although the details behind his request, which have been stated to be personal, have not been released Bryson said, due to limitations imposed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. On Oct. 9 council considered Siklenka’s request at an in-camera meeting and resolved to ask him for additional information pertaining to his requested leave.
On Oct. 18 Chief Administrative Officer Patrick Robins received that requested information and council made their Nov. 5 decision based on the correspondence from Siklenka. On Nov. 20, Bryson noted that council members and staff became aware that Siklenka was out of the country and were able to confirm that Siklenka was indeed employed in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. PLEASE SEE: Resignation official Dec. 3, page 5
Sidney Lions Food Bank 30th Annual Christmas Hamper NOW ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD AND DEBIT
Collecting Cash & Food Items! 2367 367 Beacon Beacon A Avenue venue
• O Open pen D Daily ailily 1 10 0 a.m. - 4 p.m. (C (Cl (Closed losed dS Sundays) unday d s)) ffrom D Dec. ec. 1 to 22 •
Income Tax receipts Provided.
HAMPER HAMP HA MPER ER 250-208-0727 25025 0-20 2088-07 0727 27 FO FOOD OD BAN B BANK ANK K 25 250250-655-0679 0-65 6555-06 0679 79 MAIL MA MAILING ILIN ING G AD ADDR ADDRESS DRES ESS S P.O .O. O. B BOX OX 2 228 2281 281 1 SI SIDN SIDNEY, DNEY EY, B B.C. .C C. V8 V8L L 3S 3S8 8 BANK: Si HAMPER PICK-UPS PICK UPS AT THE FOOD BANK Singles l -D Dec. 17 - FFamilies ili D Dec. 18 18, 19 & 20