Spotlight: The Cowichan Exhibition turns 145 with another fine fair page 5 Island style: Barn Swallows designer upcycling old garments page 13
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Accident claims entrepreneur and political activist
Equipment failure dumps sewage into the Cowichan Problem fixed: VIHA says public not at risk from spill
Scott Baker: Dies following workplace accident on Chemainus property Peter W. Rusland
Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
News Leader Pictorial
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sewage spill into the Cowichan River last week is under control, city brass says after water samples were analyzed and malfunctioning equipment replaced. “With the information available, the Vancouver Island Health Authority does not believe there is any public health risk based on results of the river water sampling that has been conducted,” Duncan CAO Peter deVerteuil said in Friday’s press release. “On Tuesday (Sept. 3) at 3 p.m. a local resident reported witnessing sewage entering the Cowichan River from a storm water pipe between the Silver Bridge and the Black Railway Bridge. “It is estimated approximately 200 to 260 litres per hour could have been discharged, but it is difficult to know how long this had been occurring before it was noticed,” he says. The city crew was immediately sent to investigate. They found a compressor malfunction at the city’s Cowichan Way sewage pump station. more on page 26 Home Of The
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Tamara Steele and Lola, a four-year-old Great Dane, make their way along the trail during the one-kilometre SPCA Paws For A Cause pet walk at McAdam Park on Sept. 8.
hemainus businessman, valley political candidate, and tax watchdog Scott Baker died Sunday following an accident at his home, a B.C. Coroner’s spokeswoman says. He was 47. “It appeared to be an accidental event on his acreage in Chemainus,” Barbara McLintock said of the incident that happened Saturday. “We’re not sure if it was a fall. “He was found seriously injured, and was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital, and died in hospital.” McLintock declined to confirm reports Baker died of head injuries. Already well-known in the Chemainus business community, Baker Scott Baker: rose to valley-wide prominence straight talker during his failed bid to become North Cowichan’s mayor during B.C.’s November 2011 civic election. The RCMP referred calls about the death to WorkSafeBC. Spokeswoman Megan Johnston confirmed the agency is investigating “a work-related fatality” at 3137 Henry Road, Chemainus, but declined to identify the victim as Baker. She said she believed agents visited the accident site on the weekend. “A worker was attempting to move a man lift (elevated work platform) off a flatbed truck. It appears the worker may have been struck by the mobile equipment.” Mike Hayhoe said he got to know Baker in the past two years after meeting him regarding a rally protesting a Chemainus recycling operation that emitted a strong septic stench. “I came to know Scott as a close personal friend I admired greatly,” he said. “Scott was a brilliant entrepreneur, and the valley will never know how many people he quietly helped.” Straight-talking Baker also had a great sense of humour, Hayhoe added. “He was a really good father and husband, and treated his employees very well. All you had to do to get treated royally by Scott was not steal from him.” more on page 3
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