FRIDAY DECEMBER 14, 2012
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SHOPPING AT FOOD BANK
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
PAINTING WHAT SHE SEES, FEELS
NEWS gets a list and goes through the aisles
Cindy Mawle’s work currently on display at Qualicum Art Supply
A9
A16
RDN CHAIR POSITION
Challenge thwarted Bowser director tries to unseat Stanhope NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
For the first time more than a decade, Regional District of Nanaimo chair Joe Stanhope was challenged for his position at Tuesday night’s inaugural meeting. That challenge came from Bowser/Deep Bay director Bill Veenhof, who said he decided to challenge Stanhope for the chairmanship because he was asked to do so by other directors. “If elected, my philosophy will be that the right answer is important — and my answer isn’t,” he said. “I want to pull from all directors so we can all come to the right decision.” Veenhof, who described himself as a fiscal conservative, said if elected he would push for a core review and would work closely with other agencies that have clout in the RDN, such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Forests. However, he added that he would focus his energies mainly on internal RDN issues. In his remarks, Stanhope said the election was not about him. “It’s about you,” he said. “It’s about being a functional regional district. That’s what I strive to do. It wasn’t always that way and I’ve spent a lot of time to ensure we are a functional and high-performing regional district. This is all about what direction the board wants to go and I will certainly lead in that direction.” When the votes were tallied, Stanhope was the clear victor, with 11 votes to Veenhof’s six. In an interview, Veenhof said he was asked to run by other directors. “They approached me some months back and asked me to stand, so I did,” he said. See CHANGE, page A5
LISSA ALEXANDER PHOTO
CONCERT FUN: Parksville Elementary students in the Grade 4 and 5 French Immersion classes of Mlle. Raviglione, Mme. Dodd and Ms. Coleman perform at their Christmas Concert Wednesday Evening.
RAIDS AT TWO HOMES
Drugs and guns seized NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
curring at the homes in question,” he said. “As a result of the findings — which included cocaine, marijuana, two firearms and a significant amount of cash — a Whiskey Creek resident was arrested.” The 25-year-old man was released on a promise to appear in Nanaimo Provincial Court on April 2, 2013. Foreman noted only the raid in Whiskey Creek resulted in an arrest. “This is another example of RCMP officers from multiple jurisdictions combining resources in order to iden-
When drug enforcement officers swooped in on two homes in District 69 this week, they didn’t leave emptyhanded — at least from one of them. Oceanside RCMP Corporal Jesse Foreman said local police and members of the Island District Drug Section executed search warrants at a home in Nanoose Bay and another one in Whiskey Creek on Dec. 10. “The RCMP had obtained evidence that there was drug-related activity oc-
tify and investigate suspected criminals in all municipalities,” said Staff Sergeant Brian Hunter. r 0DFBOTJEF 3$.1 NFNCFST have yet to receive complaints about Christmas presents being stolen from vehicles, and they would like to keep it that way. “Don’t be seen going back to your car and locking stuff in there,” said Foreman. “You are just giving yourself up. If you have to secure presents, do it in the trunk, but it’s best to avoid that.”
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