TUESDAY MARCH 25, 2014
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NON-CONFIDENCE MOTION
Start of ICF’s end? RDN will consider motion to ‘reinvigorate’ rail here JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
The Island Corridor Foundation’s days may be numbered. The Regional District of Nanaimo’s board of directors will receive a notice of motion tonight suggesting the “RDN board has lost confidence in the existing administrative function of the ICF” and a “task force of experienced individuals” should be formed to “assist in reinvigorating the ICF.” Parksville’s representative to the RDN, Coun. Marc Lefebvre, confirmed Monday he will put the notice of motion forward tonight at the board’s regular meeting. “We (Parksville city council) have never agreed with the fact it’s going to take $20 million to get that (rail) line up and running — it’s going to be much more than that,” Lefebvre told The NEWS on Monday. “I guess what we are saying is let’s look at this thing realistically. If it’s $120 million that’s needed, is that money available from senior levels of government?” The ICF is owned by five regional districts and five First Nations on the Island. Representatives of the regional districts — plus most of the Island’s towns, cities and villages — will be together for the annual convention of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention in Qualicum Beach and Parksville April 11-13. Levebvre’s notice of motion served last night could be passed by the RDN’s committee of the whole on April 8. The five regional districts, with matching funds from the provincial and federal governments, have set aside about $20 million to get the rail line up and running again from Victoria to Courtenay.
CANDACE WU PHOTO
BOOK WORMS CONVERGE ON NANOOSE: Volunteers Chris Barnes, left, and Sandra Dutton showcase just a few of the great reads that were for sale at Nanoose Library’s bi-annual book sale Saturday morning, which saw many book lovers come out to support the library. All books cost $1, with proceeds going to the Nanoose Library.
QUALICUM BEACH SENIOR NOW USING A CAB TO GET AROUND
Clean record, but licence revoked CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
A Qualicum Beach senior is criticizing B.C.’s driving system after having her licence revoked, despite her claims of a clean record and good reviews from her driving instructor. “Losing my driver’s license has impinged on every aspect of my life,” said 82-year-old Thelma Eckland.
“It changed everything.” Eckland said not having a license has affected her ability to work, attend regular fitness classes and volunteer with Hospice, among the myriad of other activities she said she has since forgone — and on top of that, she has to pay $12 for a taxi cab every time she goes to the grocery store. Eckland said she has undergone
two medical examinations since turning 80, both of which she passed. Eckland also claims to have a clean driving record, which is why she was so surprised when she received a letter from the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV) last August. “I got this letter completely out of the blue,” said Eckland. “It said I needed to book a road test.” See ROAD TEST, page A7
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