THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2013
www.pqbnews.com
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
30,422
Copies per week Verified Circulation
NAUGHTY KNICKERS
FIND YOUR NEXT HOME HERE
B1
A13
Your guide to open houses in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area
Echo Players’ latest production has some awkward moments
SPECIAL REPORT
DCC debate downtown Former premier, a mayor and developers differ on what it’s like to do business in Qualicum Beach JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
As the debate continues about the forgiveness of development cost charges for the The Clarion project in downtown Qualicum Beach, the owners of two prominent addresses in the village are voicing their frustrations about working with the town on their projects. The NEWS has obtained some e-mails that seem to condemn the town’s treatment of developers who have completed high-profile buildings on Second Avenue. The e-mails are being used here with the permission of the authors and are If Qualicum Beach wants presented as quotes. quality development in the Town staff were asked to comment downtown area, they must on some of the allegations, but dereward the developer, not clined. punish him Bryan Virgin, the owner of the BILL VANDER ZALM iconic Dolly’s Home Hardware store, completed his building long before the current council — which passed a motion in 2012 waiving DCCs in the village — was elected. “If we were not an established business of nearly 40 years we would never have built our building,” said Virgin, whose concerns seem to centre around his dealings with town staff, as opposed to DCCs. “When the (current) mayor and councillors use past building projects as examples of successful projects, they are out of touch with reality,” said Virgin. “Cost over-runs, due to the works and services agreement that the developer is responsible for and has no control over, are outrageous to say the least — the (town staff ) can read into the agreement anything (they) see fit with no regard to cost or stress.” Former B.C. premier Bill Vander Zalm built the TD Canada Trust building, with condos above the bank (called Villa Rose), also before any relaxation of DCCs. “If Qualicum Beach wants quality development in the downtown area, they must reward the developer, not punish him,” said VanderZalm. See INCENTIVES, page A9
AGS
We Stock Quality Name Brand Computer Parts And Accessories! #1-501 Stanford Ave E., Parksville (behind Tim Hortons)
250-248-4251 www.agscanada.com Monday - Friday 8:30 to 5:30
BRENDA GOUGH PHOTO
FALL COLOURS: Mary Anne Slack of the Oceanside Grandmothers to Grandmothers group made this fall centrepiece and 18 others like it for door prizes at the Fall Harvest Jamboree last weekend. Slack used grapes from her garden, donated dahlias from Connie’s Dahlias and grasses donated by Cormie Farm Market. Proceeds benefitted the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
We are Parksville’s comPuter & Printer sPecialists When you need a new computer for school, home or office...
Visit AGS First We can also take care of all your networking needs!
Shop Local and Save! Always Great Service
PRINTER SPECIAL OF THE WEEK
NANAIMO PRICE BEATER!
Print. Copy. Scan. Fax Multi function - Ink Jet 100 Sheet Paper Tray Black 33ppm • Color 27 ppm
19397
WOW! $
MFC-J870DW
PRINTERS AS LOW AS $79!
COPIERS / PRINTERS / AGS COmPuTERS / SAlES / lEASING / SERvICING