laps for life Annual cancer society fundraiser seeks participants. PaGe 5 Food Matters Small-scale local farming best kind of social enterprise. PaGe 10 active life Leaders in Training make difference in community. PaGe 3
ranger returns PaGe 22
OPTOMETRIST
(Independent Doctor of Optometry)
Celebrating
1988
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!
2013
I S ION S ONE HOUR OPTICAL
250-390-2444
Years
www.visionsoptical.com
www.nanaimobulletin.com
sATuRDAY, JuNe 8, 2013
VOl. 25, NO. 17
NANAIMO
RDN fines residents for illegal dumping I ByLAw ALLows for financial penalties up to $200,000. By Jenn M c GarriGle The News BulleTiN
JENN McGARRIGLE/ThE NEws BuLLETIN
Firefighters from Lantzville Volunteer Fire Department and Nanaimo Fire Rescue hose down a truck destroyed by fire that was parked in the driveway of a house on Clark Drive Thursday afternoon. A neighbour burning weeds in his own driveway accidentally caught the hedges adjacent to the truck on fire. The fire spread to the truck and nearly to the house before firefighters caught it.
Truck destroyed in blaze sparked by torch By Jenn M c GarriGle The News BulleTiN
A fire that destroyed a Lantzville man’s truck, some hedges and damaged his house Thursday afternoon was caused by a spark from his next door neighbour’s tiger torch. Chris Cutler was burning weeds in his driveway on Clark Drive around lunchtime when he said a spark caught tall cedar hedges, bordering his property, on fire. He said in the five seconds it took for him to grab the garden hose on hand, the fire had spread right to the top of the hedges. “I had a hose, water with me,
but I couldn’t control it,” said Cutler. From the hedges, the blaze spread quickly to his neighbour’s work truck and then, as the truck was parked right next to the house, began melting the siding on the house. The Lantzville Volunteer Fire Department received the call at about 12:45 p.m. and was on scene just before 1 p.m., assisted by a crew from Nanaimo Fire Rescue. Deputy fire chief John Marment said if firefighters arrived much later, the house would have been on fire – the siding was just starting to melt when crews got there.
He said while the neighbour did not violate any burning bylaws, volunteer firefighters rely on the common sense of citizens. “The guy took all the necessary precautions, but it still happened,” said Marment. “It has been dry for quite a while.” The truck destroyed was a work vehicle with tools and a diesel fuel tank in the back. Owner John Dunbar was upset about the loss of the truck, but looking on the bright side. “I’m just glad the house didn’t burn,” he said. reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
Two Nanaimo residents were recently fined for illegal dumping offences. Last December, the Regional District of Nanaimo announced that dumping charges were laid against two individuals – the first under the district’s Waste Stream Management Licensing Bylaw, which was created in 2004. Under the bylaw, violators could face fines of up to $200,000. On May 7, Nikki Deer pleaded guilty to an offence occurring on or around Aug. 1, 2012, and received a $400 fine. On June 3, Richard Sitar pleaded guilty to an offence occurring on or around May 30, 2012, and received a $2,000 fine. Maude Mackey, the regional district’s Zero Waste compliance officer, said the district goes through a progressive enforcement process where staff first try to get people to clean up the mess before taking them to court. “If we can’t work with those individuals and get them to see they’ve made a huge mistake and to go clean it up, then we will be taking them to court,” she said. Mackey expects more people will receive fines under the bylaw.
“Illegal dumping is nothing new,” she said. “It happens and will continue to happen because it’s a lifestyle and a mentality. If you don’t manage it, it will just get worse and worse.” The recent imposing of fines gives credibility to the bylaw and reinforces to the general public that the regional district will do what it can to stop illegal dumping, Mackey said. Although illegally dumped material makes up less than one per cent of the solid waste generated in the regional district, it can have serious effects on the environment, wildlife habitat and the ability of community members to use and enjoy outdoor recreational areas. “It’s an ugly blight on the landscape with many unforeseen impacts,” said Mackey. The RDN is taking several steps to combat and prevent illegal dumping, including funding the clean-up of disposal sites and carrying out surveillance, prevention, education and enforcement activities. Enforcement actions are largely dependent on information received from the community. To report illegal dumping in the RDN, please call 250-3906560 or 1-877-607-4111. To report illegal dumping in the City of Nanaimo, please call 250-758-5222. reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
What do you think? Give us your comments by e-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin. com, our website: www. nanaimobulletin.com, or our Facebook page.
FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE!
Come give us a try! We are a locally owned family run business ... you’ll love our service! Just drive up to the doors and our friendly staff will take care of you. A complete oil change only takes about 15 minutes and you’ll be done and on your way!
WE ACCEPT COMPETITOR COUPONS!
Country Club Centre 250-729-3666
Hours: Mon-Sat. 8-6 Sun 10-5
aiq
FLEET CARDS ACCEPTED Call for details!