GAZETTE Mother’s Day specials inside pages 12 & 13
NORTH ISLAND
Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
47th Year No. 19 THURS., MAY 9, 2013
www.northislandgazette.com
Man arrested in murder
Gazette staff A missing person case turned into a murder investigation this week as the husband of Jennifer McPherson was arrested on second-degree murder charges, RCMP announced
• BUSY BIKER
Brit stops at Harley bikers meet during round-the-world tour. Page 10
• SETTING SALE
Port McNeill saleswomen host home business showcase. Page 14
• PLAYOFF PAYOFF
Slo-pitch tourney raises money for mom’s fight against cancer. Page 15 LETTERS Page 7 NORTH ISLAND LIFE Page 11 SPORTS Page 15
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Tuesday. Traigo Ehkid Andretti, 37, is scheduled to appear Monday, May 13, in Campbell River Provincial Court in the death of McPherson. The couple were caretak-
ers at the remote Double Bay Resort on Hanson Island. McPherson, 41, was reported missing by her family after members had been unable to contact her for two days. RCMP
in Alert Bay launched a search, which expanded May 3 to include dozens of officers from the Island District Tactical Troop, RCMP Air Services, Police Dog Service, Vancouver Island Integrated Major
Crime Unit and divers from the RCMP’s West Coast Marine Service. Based on the investigative work completed in the
See page 3 ‘Investigation continues’
Council protocol questioned J.R. Rardon Gazette editor PORT McNEILL—Council approved second and third readings of proposed bylaws for the Town’s five-year financial plan and its tax rate structure during its regular meeting Monday night. But before the meeting was over, one councillor expressed concern over the budget bylaw process and a member of the public asked Mayor Gerry Furney to explain the protocol for both council meetings and personal letters written as a town representative. Bylaw 643-2013, establishing a fiveyear financial plan, and Bylaw 644-2013, setting tax rates for the coming fiscal year that include increases to residential, industrial and business rates, were approved on first reading during council’s last meeting, Apr. 22. Only one member of the public — former councillor Shelley Downey — attended and spoke during the public hearing that preceded the Apr. 22 meeting. But her inquiry raised questions about how the budget was arrived at before being presented to the public. “It kind of raised some flags for me,” Gwen Alsop said Monday following the second and third readings. “If Shelly Downey is concerned about something, about private meetings that possibly should be public, (I wonder) what is the
CLASSIFIEDS Page 19-21
See page 4
Having a ball
‘Councillor calls’
Port Hardy’s Sagel Wilson tries to dribble around the defence of Gold River’s Zoe Ey, right, in a U-10 matchup Saturday at Sunset Elementary. See more on page 11. J.R. Rardon
Sunday, May 12th
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