THURSDAYAPRIL 10, 2014
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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36TH YEAR FOR COOMBS AUCTION
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On Sunday, ‘a lively social event’ will feature all manner of farm products
Reporter Lissa Alexander didn’t know what to expect
ISLAND RAIL
RDN wants ICF changes Board takes step to pass non-confidence motion CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
RDN directors voiced their frustrations with the Island Corridor Foundation at a meeting Tuesday where they labelled an April 2 ICF news conference “a dog and pony show,” “smoke in the mirror” and “a farce.” Directors passed a motion to call a meeting between First Nations and regional districts in an attempt to resolve their frustrations over the ICF — but not without a lengthy discussion about the organization, a failed deferral and some minor changes in vocabulary. The motion will need be rectified at the regular RDN meeting April 22. Parksville city councillor Marc Lefebvre brought the motion forward Tuesday, calling for “due diligence and governance” from the ICF. “As an RDN shareholder in the ICF, we have an obligation to ensure appropriate oversight is taken over ICF activities,” said Lefebvre. “Part of oversight is having applicable knowledge in order to exercise due diligence and avoid and mitigate risks.” The proposed meeting comes after passenger service on the rail line, running through Parksville Qualicum Beach, was suspended in 2011 due to poor track conditions. Since then, local government has been working to get service reinstated, however cost speculation has hindered progress. RDN chair Joe Stanhope estimates the project will cost around $100 million; while ICF CEO Graham Bruce insists the $20 million earmarked by all three levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal — will be enough to resurrect the track for passenger service. See DIRECTORS, page A7
AUREN RUVINSKY PHOTO
KEEP PADDLING: Woodwinds alternate school students in a junior version of a new School District 9 program spent a recent school day rafting and learning how to safely flip their boat in the Englishman River. See story page A5.
QUALICUM BEACH LAND PLANNING DEBATE
Boundary bylaw passes first reading LISSA ALEXANDER reporter@pqbnews.com
First reading passed and a public hearing has been set for a bylaw amendment to the Official Community Plan which would change the Town of Qualicum Beach’s Growth Containment Boundary. The move would mean town council would not have to consult with the Regional District of Nanaimo over land-use decisions within the town’s boundaries.
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A Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association meeting on Friday saw over 70 residents listening to presentations to better understand the issue and people voiced their concerns about the change. At the council meeting Monday, Fox and Deborah McKinley voiced their disdain for the idea, Fox adding that in his 12 years at his property in Qualicum Beach he has never seen the town as divided as it is now. “One thing that is profoundly clear
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is that this complex issue should not be approved without a complete and comprehensive Official Community Plan (OCP) review,” he said. Councillor Mary Brouilette asked director of planning Luke Sales for clarification on whether the town was meeting the required process. Sales said the current process council is now undertaking does meet provincial law requirements, and it is council that defines what the OCP review looks like. See PUBLIC HEARING, page A15
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