TUESDAY MAY 28, 2013
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FAMILY DAY
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Qualicum Beach celebrates what’s really important with annual parade and games
Production of Arsenic and Old Lace proves a treat for all those who love great theatre in Qualicum Beach
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Neufeld wants city’s sick leave reviewed Notice of motion touches on Parksville employee collective agreements AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Sick leave payouts are an unfunded liability that act as a long-term benefit the city can no longer afford, according to Parksville city councillor Bill Neufeld. “It has become a big burden that we have to pay out as tax payers,” Neufeld explained to The NEWS after presenting a notice of motion at the May 22 regular
meeting. “The idea is not to try to take away any current benefits,” he said, explaining he wants to stop the program for new employees going forward. “We are discussing these things all the time,” said mayor Chris Burger, but cautioned, “we cannot do our collective bargaining through the newspaper.” See STABILITY, page A3
Gas tax wish list off to UBCM Regional District of Nanaimo details needs for the area NEIL HORNER news@pqbnews.com
The Regional District of Nanaimo has a wish list of locally significant projects they would like to fund worth almost $7.5 million. That funding would come from the Regionally Significant Projects Fund, part of the federal government’s Gas Tax Revenue Transfer Program. At this week’s regular RDN board meeting, directors will vote to finalize the wish list, prior to it being sent to Ottawa and the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). In a report presented at last week’s
committee of the whole meeting by Wendy Idema, the RDN’s director of finance, a total of $7,451,489 was identified as being available to fund projects in the district. One of the larger proposed projects that could be funded by the program is a section of the E&N Regional Trail, from Alberni Highway to French Creek and from Church Road to Coombs. In her report, Idema said the rail trail would fit nicely with the criteria needed for gas tax funding as it will provide a generally level and comfortable alternate transportation route that will be suitable for use by a range of transportation See PROJECTS, page A7
NEIL HORNER PHOTO
KABOOM: Spectators were treated to a spectacular evening Saturday night as Qualicum Foods presented their Festival of Light fireworks display from a barge off the shore of Qualicum Beach to celebrate their 31st anniversary in the community.
NOW AVAILABLE AT PARKSVILLE PHARMASAVE Drop in to check out the new cosmetic line.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
WEEKDAYS UNTIL 9PM • WEEKENDS UNTIL 6PM Locally Owned, Proudly Canadian!
281 E. ISLAND HWY. PARKSVILLE, BC 250-951-0243