TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
www.pqbnews.com
BCYCNA
Gold 2012 General Excellence
THERE’S AN OASIS INSIDE
BRING A TOY, GET A FREE BREAKFAST
The latest edition in select copies of The NEWS today
Tign-Na-Mara’s huge annual event set for Wednesday morning from 6:30-10 a.m.
INSIDE
A5
PARKSVILLE FINANCES
City’s in good shape
Work in community park saved goose-control money this summer AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
With operational costs still frozen at 2012 levels in the four lowest ranked service areas, Parksville’s finances are looking good and most budget areas are on, or below budget, says chief financial officer Lucky Butterworth. The CFO gave his annual update last week, now that some of the year’s numbers are starting to come through, he said, explaining some of the notable variances between the projected and actual expenditures so far. The RCMP has only used $1 million, or 43 per cent of its $2.4 million budget so far for example because the city hasn’t received the third quarter bill yet and the department is currently operating with 14.2 of its 16 FTE (full time equivalent) officers. The parks budget is well under because they are down some staff and the work on the Community Park sports field over the summer meant they saved on goose control, he said. Some areas are completely out of their control, Butterworth said See SOME AREAS, page A7
Which SOS is that?
The Society of Organized Services (SOS) says at least one local business has been contacted by an organization called SOS, asking for a cash donation, and telling that business owner that SOS was raising money for the publication of a drug prevention book for youth. “These calls are not from Society of Organized Services, and we never solicit cash donations by phone,” says SOS executive director Renate Sutherland. “The organization, Save Our Schools, is a legitimate business, but is not involved with SOS here in Parksville, in any way.” When the business owner was contacted, “SOS” appeared on their call display, with an Alberta phone number, and the caller addressed the business owner by his first name. The local SOS says calls made from its organization always appear as “Private Caller” in call displays, for security reasons. See ASK FOR, page A7 See MORE SOS COVERAGE, pages A5, A10
JOHN HARDING PHOTO
RIDE FOR TOYS: More than 40 members of the Silver Spur Riding Club and their horses paraded through the streets of Parksville on Sunday in an effort to collect toys for the SOS.
Friday November 29 In Store Demo THENTIX Skin Care 1-4pm
Drop in to find out about a skin care line from the Comox Valley that uses a touch of honey to condition the skin. Amazing results for rashes, acne, eczema, psoriasis, shingles, bed sores, even chemo and radiation damaged skin.
A Touch of Honey Skin Conditioner
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
WEEKDAYS UNTIL 9PM • WEEKENDS UNTIL 6PM Locally Owned, Proudly Canadian!
281 E. ISLAND HWY. PARKSVILLE, BC
250-951-0243