Peninsula News Review, August 23, 2013

Page 1

PENINSULA Making a difference

Car show weekend

Peninsula resident Graham McCarthy needs your help for the next nine months, page 8

The Torque Masters car club hosts their big annual classic car event this Sunday in Sidney, page 10 Black Press C O M M U N I T Y

N E W S

M E D I A

NEWS REVIEW

Watch for breaking news at www.vicnews.com

Friday, August 23, 2013

No food waste for composter Capital Regional District pulls licence at Foundation Organics after non-compliance Devon Mackenzie News staff

The Capital Regional District (CRD) has conditionally suspended Foundation Organics’ operation licence after the facility failed to comply to bylaws pertaining to odour emissions, among other things. The suspension of the licence for the composting facility on Lochside Drive in Central Saanich was announced Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 20) and focuses on the acceptance of food waste at the facility. “The suspension means “I hope the the facility won’t be able to suspension of the accept any new food waste they address the bylaw delivery of food waste until issues, but they will be able will allow the facility to continue to accept yard and garden waste,” explained time to review its Central Saanich Mayor and processes.” CRD Chair Alastair Bryson. The licence suspension fol– alastair Bryson lows contract suspensions with Foundation Organics by the CRD in the first week of August. At the time, the CRD stated that if the facility continued their non-compliance with CRD bylaws (namely bylaw 2376 which states that composting facilities must ensure they do not contaminate ground or surface water, or generate unacceptable levels of nuisance odour, vectors, litter or dust) it would result in action being taken to conditionally suspend the facility’s operations. According to a press release, the CRD conducted a hearing with the facility operator on Aug. 16 which determined the facility was non-compliant with bylaw 2736 and terms of its licence as a recycler. Please see: Citizens group still looking, page 2

Devon MacKenzie/News staff

Central Saanich Fire Chief Ron French stands in the front foyer of the new fire hall on Keating X Road. The hall’s grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 14. See page two for the story.

Mearns leads council walkout Trio of North Saanich councillors force end to housing questions Steven Heywood News staff

Three District councillors in North Saanich got up and walked out of a meeting Aug. 19, citing the “inquisition-like” line of questioning of another councillor, effectively ending the session. It’s another strange turn for a council sharply divided over the future of housing growth in the community. Councillors Craig Mearns, Conny McBride and Dunstan Browne left municipal hall after Coun. Elsie McMurphy began asking questions of the consultant who prepared a report on the state of housing and potential

density growth in the District. McMurphy asked if the consultant, Ed Grifone of CTQ Consultants of Kelowna, had been contacted during the consultation process by any of the three councillors listed, as well as Coun. Ted Daly, who was not at Monday night’s meeting. McMurphy, who later said she submitted a Freedom of Information request to the District, said she did so to obtain details about councillor contact with Grifone. She added she wasn’t sure if the report had been compromised as a result of that contact but the sudden departure of the three councillors

250 656-0111 • harbordinsurance.com

raised more questions. “I didn’t really think (councillors contacting Grifone) was of any consequence - until now,” McMurphy said, adding the information she obtained shows councillors have had contact with the consultant at various times during the process. For their part, the three councillors who left the meeting admitted they have had contact with Grifone — although they say it was innocent in nature, simply asking for a time to expect his report. Please see: Councillor contact, page 3


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.