TUESDAY MARCH 4, 2014
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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DIVING FOR ART
CATCHING UP WITH ANDREW MCLANE
Nanoose Bay man combines diving with sculpting
Local man who lost 260 pounds has been busy on the interview circuit
A21
A4
ISLAND HEALTH PRIVACY BREACH
Apologies offered Health authority continues investigation; RCMP involved JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Island Health is apologizing for a breach of privacy that put personal information of its clients up for sale at a local thrift shop. The NEWS broke the story of the breach in its Thursday edition. A local woman purchased file dividers at the Parksville SOS Thrift Store which had tabs containing the names, addresses, phone numbers and provincial health numbers of Island Health clients. The dividers were for sale for 10 cents each. Local woman Denise Whitson said she ripped the four tabs she had from her purchases at the SOS and mailed them to the clients. Island Health said Monday they say they retrieved from the RCMP two more of the dividers containing the same personal data. “We have contacted both of these individuals to inform them of this situation,” Island Health’s Val Wilson said Monday. “We made a mistake and we have apologized to both of these individuals.” Wilson said Island Health believes the information got loose during the move of some community programs to the Oceanside Health Centre. Island Health programs scattered throughout the region were moved into the OHC when the facility opened in Parksville in June of last year. “Our Privacy Office is working with our clinical partners in Oceanside to determine how this happened,” said Wilson. “There are ideal processes that should be followed and that clearly did not happen here. Everyone does their best. It is a human system and thus not infallible.” Island Health was unable to tell The NEWS how many clients may have had their personal information scattered in this manner.
BRENDA GOUGH PHOTO
CELEBRATION: There was cake and plenty of memories shared Saturday during the 10th anniversary of Qualicum Beach Seniors’ Activities Centre’s move to its facility underneath Qualicum Foods. From left above are Bill Smith, Sheila Jackson and Betty Smith. Please turn to page B2 in today’s edition of The NEWS for a story about the celebration.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Emotions run high in Coombs CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
Superintendant of Schools Rollie Koop said trustees are facing “the most challenging decision you can ever make as somebody elected to represent a community.” A midday public meeting was held Saturday at French Creek Community
School where residents voiced their concerns about School District 69 senior administration’s recommendation to close down the only school in Coombs. Parksville Elementary, Qualicum Beach Elementary and Winchelsea Elementary are also facing potential closures.
See VIHA REVIEWING, page A7
See IT WOULD CRUSH, page A9
Renovation Sale 1395 W. Island Highway, Parksville
250-752-5565
Monday-Friday 7- 6, Saturday 8 - 6, Sunday & Holidays 9 - 5 Locally Owned & Operated
Emotions ran high at the meeting which saw Koop, School District Secretary Treasurer Erica Bailey, Alberni-Qualicum MLA Scott Fraser and school board trustees listen to questions and concerns from various individuals, including parents, grandparents, young students and employees of FCCS.
Clearance Pricing On All Overstocked and Discontinued Product, Flooring, Tools, Vanities, Lighting and More.