Vision Nanaimo
Eyecare mission Nanaimo optometrist helps people in Nicaragua. PAGE 11 Food matters Simplest meals are often the best tasting. PAGE 22 Board approves Two new sports academies added at Nanaimo schools. PAGE 3
WestJet lands at airport Air carrier adds YCD to its international network
Hot crop Growers establish wasabi farm near Nanoose
INSIDE
Vision An annual update on
2013
Tourism strategy highlights Harbour City
OPTOMETRIST
Supporting business, building amenities part of plan to attract tourists
economic progress
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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2013
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VOL. 24, NO. 142
NANAIMO
Board votes to extend spring break Trustees decide against late start to Wednesday morning classes BY GREG SAKAKI THE NEWS BULLETIN
Nanaimo students will double their days off at spring break next year. The Nanaimo school board voted unanimously to extend March break an extra five school days, citing anticipated budget shortfalls. “We are in a financial deficit. I support it for financial reasons … wanting to see that our class size and composition levels are not challenged,” said trustee Kim Howland. By closing the schools an extra five days each year, the school district will save approximately $450,000. It faces an anticipated budget shortfall of $4.7 million in 2013-14. “These shortfalls are going to continue to accumulate unless we start to address them head on this year,” said trustee Dot Neary. Board members mentioned that there are some health and wellness benefits to a two-week spring break, but also considered that it can be a disruption to learning. Extending spring break impacts Canadian Union of Public Employees workers, who will not be paid during that time, but in theory the financial savings could mean keeping eight to 10 full-time-equivalent teachers and educational assistants. Trustees generally agreed that other than retaining those teachers, there are no other educational benefits to a two-week spring break. “I don’t like it, but I could live with it because I don’t want to see permanent positions gone,” said trustee TerryLynn Saunders. ◆ See ‘EXTENDED’ /4
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Pallbearers, escorting a hearse carrying the body of RCMP Const. Willi Chou, are followed by Mounties, firefighters and representatives from other law enforcement and emergency services as they marched down Fitzwilliam Street to a funeral service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Wednesday.
Support shown for grieving Mounties BY CHRIS BUSH
THE NEWS BULLETIN
Streets were closed and merchants and passersby came out to witness the funeral procession for RCMP Const. Willi Chou Wednesday when emergency services members turned out
from across the B.C. to honour Chou and show their support for his family and Nanaimo RCMP detachment. The procession, led by eight pallbearers escorting the hearse carrying Chou’s body, formed at 10:30 a.m. and marched from the detachment on Prideaux Street and down Fitzwilliam
and Front streets to its destination, St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Church Street. Chou, 27, was found dead in his home March 19 by RCMP members who went to check on him when he did not show up for his shift. ◆ See ‘EMERGENCY’ /4
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