GAZETTE NORTH ISLAND
Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
47th Year No. 27
July 4, 2013
www.northislandgazette.com
Vandalism mars McNeill holiday J.R. Rardon Gazette editor PORT McNEILL—A series of “tagging” incidents spread over multiple days left numerous local buildings marred with illegal graffiti and spoiled Canada Day week-
• BIG CHIEF
Firefighters make Port Hardy students chief for a day. Page 16
• CATCH O’ THE DAY
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end for much of the community. “I find it disgusting,” Port McNeill RCMP constable Carl McIntosh said. “It’s disrespectful and it won’t be tolerated.” The graffiti, which featured a recurring tag, was applied with
multiple colours of spray paint as well as felt marker and even chalk. McIntosh said the RCMP is still cataloguing the total number of incidents. “There’s an extensive list of buildings that have been vandal-
ized,” he said. “Most of the commercial buildings in the community, along with some of the noncommercial buildings, including
See page 5 ‘Cleanup follows’
A (Canada) Day at the races Aaliyah Johnson is dressed for the occasion during the Canada Day kids races at Lion’s Park in Port Alice Monday. See more images of the North Island’s celebrations on page 9.
Cubs stop Rangers on final play in NVIBL victory. Page 11
J.R. Rardon
• IN MIDWEEK
Drafting students put cardboard boats to a soggy test. Midweek, inside LETTERS Page 7 NORTH ISLAND LIFE Page 9 SPORTS Page 11 CLASSIFIEDS Page 13-15
RCMP targets public intoxication Gazette staff PORT HARDY—Local RCMP members spoke to the Port Hardy Rotarians last week on the detachment’s strategy to combat public intoxication in the town. Staff Sergeant Gord Brownridge joined Constable Rob Brennan
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who told the group that “It’s been made very clear… that this is a priority, not just for us, but for the community and the mayor’s office.” The officers told Rotarians about an initiative, in partnership with B.C. Mental Health and Addiction Services, to aid
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at-risk people in getting help with their alcoholism. The detachment identified several high-risk individuals and served them with letters informing them of treatment options and inviting them to take part in a recovery program. The officers also explained they had created
a ‘Crown package’ which includes a copy of the letter and other information which can be used in the event of a court appearance. The members stressed that the enforcement route is something of a last resort, with the “first priority (being) to get them the
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help they need.” Rotarians heard that the initiative was started in April with the local detachment marking a “notable improvement” since the program’s inception but recognizing the “need
See page 4 ‘Treatment urged’
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