Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, December 19, 2012

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Up front: Holiday shoppers create solid returns for local merchants page A3 News: Housser picked to carry B.C. Liberal torch in May page A5 For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905

$7631 Please help us help others by reaching our $10,000 goal! Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Failed petition won’t halt Äght to block Stoney Hill road project

Family devasted by trailer park Äre Help needed: Elderly mom and two sons scrambling for shelter and furniture after fire claims uninsured mobile home

North Cowichan: expected to vote today as opponents rally to make plea for more time after counterpetition falls short

Peter W. Rusland

News Leader Pictorial

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Peter W. Rusland

News Leader Pictorial

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toney Hill residents opposing a new public road through their forested neighbourhood see last week’s failed petition as a starting point for talking about expanding parkland. Several folks plan to address North Cowichan today about the municipality’s $2.5-million gravel road. Some, signaled resident Icel Dobell, will ask council to halt the process to gain more opinion about the project’s impact on nature and privacy. Those comments will come before council votes on a plan pulling municipal forestland to make way for the public road, and borrowing $2-million from Victoria to be repaid at $1,700 annually, over 25 years, by 73 land owners. The other $500,000 will be paid by council through timber sales, and selling two of North Cowichan’s six lots fronting Sansum Narrows. Today’s vote was paved by Friday’s failure of the alternative approval process, which netted 919 forms, far short of the 2,150 — 10% of the municipality’s population — needed to stop the road across Maple Bay Peninsula, or force a public referendum about it. Still, council shouldn’t ignore the 919 forms gathered, noted Dobell, whose pleas for more time to collect signatures were rejected by council. “Two more weeks for the electoral forms would have been suf¿cient. The AAP doesn’t allow public access to the information.” But Mayor Jon Lefebure explained time was legally appropriate, and citizens have a community responsibility. more on A8

Andrew Leong, Peter W. Rusland

Kwagulth carver (and Chief) Calvin Hunt poses with his handiwork after a blessing ceremony of Duncan’s centennial totem pole — Duncan’s largest — which was installed Thursday and unveiled Saturday in Charles Hoey Park. For more, see page A19.

hristmas angels saved three Nielson family members left homeless by last Tuesday’s mobile-home ¿re in Mill Bay. Now coping with injuries, and no home insurance, brothers Bill and Randy Nielson and their mother Gladys need cash, plus furniture and clothing donations, to rebuild their shattered lives. “They need everything to start small, humble homes in two apartments,” said Randy’s daughter, Brandy. She started a BMO cash-donation account, and opened mini-storage doors for needed furniture and clothes, while her relatives are staying with other family members in the capital. “Our family’s been through a lot of things, and it takes awhile for things to sink in,” said Randy, 61, who, along with brother Bill, suffered smoke inhalation. “You just accept it; you carry on and start over,” a raspy-voiced Randy said as Brandy translated. He aims to resettle in Cowichan. His mom Gladys, and his brother Bill, want to ¿nd digs in Victoria after the early-morning Dec. 11 blaze — of unknown cause — in Cedar Creek Trailer Park awakened every homeowner’s nightmare. “By the grace of God, mother Nielson (Gladys) was in the front of the trailer, away from the ¿re, when she smelled smoke and shouted the alarm,” Brandy explained. “Fire’s terrifying — you go into shock,” Randy said of the smoke-¿lled confusion. Bill made it to the kitchen to Gladys, Brandy said, and quickly grabbed some warm clothing. Randy — smelling smoke about the same time — con¿rmed his mother was OK out front, before jumping out his bedroom window, suffering several broken ribs in the process. Bill called 911, then the boys then used Randy’s wheelchair, left handily outside, to roll Gladys across the road. “They woke good friend and neighbour, Danny Jones, from a peaceful sleep, and he kept them warm, and with tea, while the trailer burned,” Brandy related. Smoke inhalation has postponed Randy’s Dec. 13 throat surgery until January. The Nielsons thanked Mill Bay ¿re¿ghters’ fast response, and the Provincial Emergency Program that provided three nights of post-inferno lodging. But without home insurance, the family also faces bills to remove the mess at Cedar Creek. more on A8

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with every new 2012 Civic and CR-V

#Finance example based on a new 2012 Civic 4D LX 5MT model FB2E4CEX and a 36 month finance term available only through Honda Canada Finance Inc. O.A.C.: $19,235 at 0.99% per annum equals $471.48 per month for 36 months. Freight and PDI of $1,495 included. Cost of borrowing is $256.58, for a total obligation of $16,973.28. Down payment of $5,000, first monthly payment, environmental fees and $0 security deposit due at finance inception. Offer includes freight & PDI. Taxes are extra. Finance on approved credit for qualified customers only. For all offers license, insurance, applicable taxes and registration are extra. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. Lease example based on a new 2012 Civic 4D LX 5MT model FB2E4CEX and a 36 month lease term available only through Honda Canada Finance Inc. O.A.C.: 0.99% lease APR for 36 months O.A.C. Monthly payment, including freight and PDI, is $189.00. Down payment of $3,526.07, first monthly payment, environmental fees and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $10,330.07. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 72,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. ¥ $1,000 Honda Dollars is available on all new 2012 Civic and CR-V models. Honda Dollars will be deducted from the negotiated price before taxes and cannot be combined with special lease or finance offers. MSRP is $27,630 / $16,485 including freight and PDI of $1,640 / $1,495 based on a new 2012 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3CE(S) / 2012 Civic DX 5MT 4WD model FB2E2CEX. PPSA, license, insurance, taxes, and other dealer charges are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. /¥/#/** Offers valid from November 1st through 30th, 2012 at participating Honda retailers. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.

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