Serious cycling
UVic removes parking to build bike infrastructure Page A3
NEWS: SD63 says no thanks to free books /A5 ARTS: Intrepid stories flow by the glass /A10 SPORTS: Rams eye championship drive /A14
SAANICHNEWS Wednesday, November 20, 2013
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Rob Ford fiasco a warning to B.C. on council terms C
rack cocaine use, drunken stupors and alleged criminal associations. This is how Toronto is becoming known around the world, thanks to the ongoing saga that is Mayor Rob Ford. And as fruitless calls for his resignation grow louder, and the mayor digs his heels in deeper, a former University of Victoria political scientist says British Kyle Slavin Columbia should use this unfoldReporting ing story as a political learning opportunity. Dennis Pilon, now an associate professor in the political science department at Toronto’s York University, warns that issues like this – although rare – should deter B.C.’s provincial government from increasing terms for municipal politicians from three years to four. Despite Ford’s admissions and despite ongoing criminal investigations, Torontonians and that city’s councillors have no power to force Ford to step down. And it would be the same situation in B.C. Under B.C.’s Community Charter, municipally elected officials can only be disqualified from office as a result of unethical council-related conduct – such as a conflict of interest or an unauthorized used of municipal funds, or for missing four consecutive meetings. If a mayor or councillor in B.C. admitted to unsavory activities such as buying and consuming illegal drugs, and refused to step down, residents would have to wait until the next municipal election to oust that elected official. “Government at a municipal level is very rigid. To be rigid for four years, I think, is more dangerous,” Pilon said. “It’s fundamentally undemocratic to remove the public’s ability to comment on the politicians. … Extending the length of council terms looks really dumb now. The argument of why municipal terms should be shorter is precisely to give the public relief from a misbehaving councillor or mayor.” PlEASE SEE: 4 year terms, Page A4
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
let the season begin Kenadie Bannister tries to think of what she would like for Christmas during a visit with Santa, as Uptown kicked off the Christmas season with its inagural tree lighting festival. Participants enjoyed a real winter wonderland as they played in snow, enjoyed free refreshments and caroling before the 54-foot tree was lit in Uptown Plaza.
Police dogs take bite out of costs for Jeneece Place Charla Huber News staff
The Canadian Police Canine Association and Saanich police donated just under $25,000 to Jeneece Place on Friday, the haven for parents with a child in Victoria General Hospital. “We all have kids and realize we could have all easily been in the position to use a facility like this,” said Saanich police Sgt. Glen MacKenzie, a father of two. “We’ve all watched Jeneece grow up and have witnessed her selflessness.”
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The contribution is the largest nonestate donation to Jeneece Place since it opened its doors in January 2012. The money was raised during the national police canine championships hosted by the Saanich police in September. Funds came through corporate sponsorships, private donations, 50-50 draws and events, including a public day during the championships at the University of Victoria stadium. Saanich Const. Jon Zelinksi and police dog Zeke won the event two years running.
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701 - 1400 Lynburne Place $589,900
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The $24,930.66 cheque was given to the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, which owns and operates Jeneece Place, and accepted by fundraising wonder Jeneece Edroff. “It’s just absolutely incredible and it’s great they chose for the money to go towards Jeneece Place and to help out the families,” Edroff said. The money will be used towards the upkeep and operating costs of the facility, which offers low-cost accomodations for out-of-town families. Check out jeneeceplace.org. charla@goldstreamgazette.com
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401 - 929 Esquimalt Road $239,900
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