TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2013
www.pqbnews.com
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
BCYCNA
Gold 2012 General Excellence
DRUMMING A TRIBUTE
WHALERS COME CLOSE IN BC PLACE
Junior football team plays well on the big stage Saturday in Vancouver
Dan Brubeck brings his talents and his family memories
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EDUCATION MINISTER VISITS PARKSVILLE
No funds from Fassbender School districts like this one need to look at their ‘surplus facilities’ LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Education minister Peter Fassbender said it’s never easy when faced with the challenges this local school district is currently facing. With a trend of declining enrolment and a $1.3 million deficit this year, this district, like others around the province, need to look at all of the options available to balance a budget, he said. “It’s never easy when you talk about change, but you know we have to look at surplus facilities and all of those things and say what is going to ensure the one thing and that is we have the maximum dollars in the classroom for every student that is in each one of the districts.” Fassbender was at Family Place in Parksville on Friday to meet with school administration staff and trustees during a province-wide tour of schools districts. He said he was doing the tour to see the good work going on in districts around the province. He confirmed there would be no additional funding coming to school districts this year, but during the working lunch with trustees, local board chair Lynette Kershaw said Fassbender seemed open to another idea that could help them with their budget issues this year. See MINISTER, page A7 R! VE O LD HE
BLACK FRIDAY! Save the Taxes on All La-Z-Boy Furniture Storewide!* *See store for details. Financing on Approved Credit. GST & PST will be included in qualified purchase price. Offer ends December 9th, 2013. JOHN HARDING PHOTO
Courtenay 2937 Kilpatrick Ave 250-871-6074 Victoria 3501 Saanich Road 250-382-5269 Nanaimo 3200 North Island Hwy 250-756-4114
PHILIPPINES FUNDRAISER: More than 300 people packed Harris Oceanside GM’s showroom Sunday afternoon in a fundraising effort to help the people of the Philippines recover from Typhoon Haiyan. They enjoyed music from six bands and food donated by Quality Foods. More than $3,000 was raised from donations and a raffle for a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass, donated by Harris, which got involved through an employee with ties to the local Filipino community. Above, with the flag of the Philippines over his shoulder, is singer/songwriter Shawn Carle.
The Christmas Trees Have Arrived! 1395 W. Island Highway, Parksville
250-752-5565
Monday-Friday 7- 6, Saturday 8 - 6, Sunday & Holidays 9 - 5 Locally Owned & Operated
25% OFF
Christmas Decorations Lots of Great Gift Ideas