PENINSULA
NEWS
Established 1912
Industrial Group seeks recognition
Tending to tourist traffic
John Juricic wants to help lead the group to more area recongition, page 3
Formal request made for $25,000 town grant to study Sidney’s tourist traffic in 2013, page 5 Watch for breaking news at www.peninsulanewsreview.com
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Body washed ashore Man from Washington State found by beachcombers Devon MacKenzie News staff
On Dec. 19 Sidney North Saanich RCMP received reports of a human body discovered washed up on Sidney Island. RCMP say the man was identified as a missing person from Hansville, Washington State and media outlets there are reporting the man to be Brandon Lee Blanford, who was last seen by his family Dec. 11 when he left from his home for a walk. After not returning home, Blanford’s parents notified the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office who subsequently opened a missing persons investigation. According to reports, Blanford had a history of despondency. Police say an air and water search was conducted in the days following the man’s disappearance but nothing was turned up except for the coat and cell phone he had in his possession. Blanford was identified through his fingerprints. On Dec. 19, two men beachcombing on Jackspring Beach on Sidney Island found Blanford’s body washed up on the beach, according to the B.C. Coroner’s Service, which has also confirmed the identity of the 36-year-old man. The B.C. Coroners Service and RCMP, in conjunction with U.S. authorities, are continuing to investigate this case. Blanford’s family has been made aware of his death. reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
Steven Heywood/News staff
The big Teddy bear exhibit, featuring more than 400 bears, at the Sidney Museum and Archives will make way today for the annual Lego display. The building blocks come out January 2 and the exhibit runs through March.
Mail-in ballots okayed for by-election Central Saanich council votes to keep voting method following debate Devon MacKenzie News staff
After discussing the pros and cons of having mail-in ballots in the next by-election, council voted to keep the option around during a special meeting of council on Dec. 24. As of a special meeting held Dec. 19, council had nearly passed a bylaw amend-
ment that would have removed the mail-in ballot option from by-election proceedings. But after discussions, council reconsidered their stance and voted to allow the format in this spring’s by-election to replace excouncillor Terry Siklenka. According to a staff report, the 2008 general civic election saw five mail ballots issued and in 2011, 15 were issued with only 13 returned.
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The costs associated with the ballots were estimated to be roughly $4,000 including staff and clerical time. Councillors Zeb King and Adam Olsen were, from the beginning, opposed to the motion to remove the voting option, saying they felt the cost savings did not justify eliminating the mail-in option. PLEASE SEE: Electoral officer, page 4
The Cannery Building #205-2537 Beacon Avenue Sidney, B.C.
ALLAN R. GREEN VICE-PRESIDENT / BRANCH MANAGER / SENIOR INVESTMENT ADVISOR
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