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OAK BAYNEWS Beyond a shadow
Basia Bulat plucks some new strings. Page A12
NEWS: Beach Hotel celebrates in style /A5 ARTS: Artists invite in the public /A3 SPORTS: CIS rule attracts NCAA athletes /A15
Friday, November 29, 2013
www.vicnews.com
Cops cut fuel costs on foot Christopher Sun News staff
Don Denton/News staff
Jackie MacLean, left, Brenda Richardson and Anne McDermott will be warming up the runners and walkers taking part in the 34th annual Merrython Fun Run on Sunday, Dec. 1. The Jazzercise trio have been warming up the Merrython crowd for a decade.
Merrython fun benefits everyone Christopher Sun News staff
Lace up, dress warmly and put on some antlers to get into the festive spirit and join the 34th annual Merrython Fun Run on Sunday. The annual eight-kilometre run, four-kilometre walk and one-kilometre children’s event are organized by the Oak Bay Rotary Club, with proceeds going toward some of the causes the local service group supports. They include the Peter Pan water park at Carnarvon Park, the teen centre that will be built in the new Oak Bay High and bike
racks at Cattle Point. Last year, $3,500 was raised at the Merrython. “We are working with a couple of elementary schools to purchase literary tools such as smartboards for their classes,” said event chair Leslie RogersWarnock. “We try to keep the money invested, allocated here.” The Merrython was started by Henderson Recreation Centre staff to draw attention to its programs. Oak Bay firefighters then came on board and helped raise money for Santa’s Anonymous for 10 years. Three years ago, the Oak Bay Rotary Club took over the event. Registration is $25 for adults and $5 for
kids. Runner’s gloves will be on sale and Jazzercise instructors will be there leading a stretch and warm-up before the event. Approximately 200 people participate in the event annually. The silent auction that is usually part of the Merrython will not take place this year. Rogers-Warnock is hoping cash donations from local businesses, participant fees and sales of running gloves will make up the amount made from the auction. The run starts at 10 a.m. at Henderson Recreation Centre, 2291 Cedar Hill X Rd. For more information or to register go to oakbay.ca. reporter@vicnews.com
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More police on foot and bikes adds up to a lighter touch on taxpayers’ wallets next year. The Oak Bay police department is anticipating a slight decrease in its 2014 budget, saving taxpayers $39,000. Chief Const. Mark Fisher said he expects the 2014 budget to be $4,438,000, a decrease of just under one per cent from 2013. He attributed most Mark Fisher of the savings to retirements and a reduction in fuel usage. “We hired some younger members because we had some retirements in the past year and they come in at a lower cost,” Fisher said. “We used about 200 to 300 litres less fuel because of more foot and bike patrols. Foot and bike patrol is up 30 per cent.” The police budget has been stable, with increases of less than one per cent FINE CUSTOM JEWELLERS for each year in the last two years. Fisher also anticipates coming in one to two per cent under budget for 2013, unless a major incident occurs between now and the end of the year. “I’m thrilled to see the bike maintenance budget up and gas down, that’s wonderful,” said Coun. Michelle Kirby. “Thanks for the savings, it helps.” reporter@vicnews.com
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