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A Sidney woman is hoping someone might see her missing trike and help her to get it back, page 11
Family band of high-stepping fiddlers is coming to the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney this Sunday, page 13
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Friday, October 18, 2013
Traffic group to press on Two Way All The Way campaigners disappointed with Town’s response to public forum Steven Heywood News staff
Sidney town councillors rebuffed a presentation by proponents of making Beacon Avenue a full two-way street, throwing cold water on a petition and peppering them with questions about facts and figures. Denis Paquette of the Sidney Tourism Improvement Group (STIG) gave council a brief overview of their recent public forum launching their Two Way All The Way campaign. “A petition was initiated as part of this forum and 40 businesses and property owners support Beacon Avenue as a two-way street,” he said. Paquette added there have been online and radio polls that also indicate a lot of support for change on Beacon Avenue. STIG was formed late last year by Paquette to lobby for a twoway traffic system on the town’s main street. In a nutshell, STIG members feel doing so will attract more people to the downtown core — instead of the current one-way configuration on half of the street that they say directs people away. Immediately following Paquette’s presentation, councillors questioned his information. “You say 40 businesses have signed the petition,” said Coun. Mervyn Lougher-Goodey. “Are those business owners or tenants?” Please see: Traffic petition will return, page 4
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Jill Hawkins-French and Jim Gower, both from North Saanich, look out over Roberts Bay for the arrival of the Bufflehead ducks on Tuesday. See page 3 for more.
Regulators respond to compost concerns CRD, Island Health and ALC gather in Central Saanich to speak on subject Devon MacKenzie News staff
Residents of Central Saanich fighting against the Foundation Organics compost facility may have a little more clarity on where they stand after a meeting with all the involved regulatory agencies on Tuesday night. Representatives from the
Capital Regional District, Island Health (formerly Vancouver Island Health Authority) and the Agricultural Land Commission were on hand during Tuesday night’s committees meeting to answer questions from residents and council. Colin Fry, an executive director with the ALC, said he was hopeful the Commission would make a decision on whether
the Foundation Organics facility is operating within its rights as a compost facility on farm land or if they are in contravention by running an industrial waste processing facility. “I think we’re drawing to conclusion [on that] either by the end of this week or next,” he said. Dr. Murray Fyfe with Island Health offered insight into the
issues surrounding reported health concerns with the facility, although, he said, it can be hard to find substantial evidence that a facility like Foundation Organics is a health concern. “It would be difficult to label it a health hazard,” said Fyfe. Please see: Air quality study, page 5
SCOOTER RODEO November 8, 2013 • 11am – 2pm
Join us in the fun at our exciting Scooter Rodeo! • Ride the Obstacle Course! • Free scooter checkup • Safety refresher Move In • Door prizes Spring 2013 • Refreshments and FUN!
Reserve your spot today!