TUESDAY May 20, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 40 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
THIS PUBLICATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AT comoxvalley record.com
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North Island College photography students putting on a show page 9
Larry Street inducted into Basketball BC Hall of Fame page 11
RECORD A division of
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Affordable housing referendum nixed
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GET OUT THE BROOM
Administration costs too high for some
day’s decision at committee of the whole. “It was such a unique opportunity to let the people have their say in a referendum.” Scott Stanfield The task force — which Record Staff includes Area B director Jim Gillis and Comox director Tom Grant The regional district board has — had hoped to create a local opted not to hold a fall referendum government non-profit housing about the possibility of establish- society to help expand the Valley’s ing a local affordable housing ser- affordable housing base. It would vice. also have T h e provided Comox ValI don’t see f u n d s ley Housing to nonmoney going to the Task Force profits solutions... This is — whose to create mandate nothing but failure. new, nonis to build market This can’t work. community housing, capacity Manno Theos w h i c h to address includes housing and e m e rhomelessg e n c y ness — had proposed the ser- shelters and transitional housing. vice. The decision could mean Affordable housing is at or below the demise of the organization a low-income cutoff. which hosted the Building HousThe budget for the service ing Solutions Together event this allotted $150,000 in administrayear. tive expenses, including a $93,900 “What a sad day for the Comox salary to a housing planner. Valley,” task force chair Ronna... see HOUSING ■ 3 Rae Leonard said following Tues-
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Health workers strike averted Scott Stanfield Record Staff
Strike action does not appear to be looming at St. Joseph’s Hospital or other health-care facilities in the Comox Valley now that a tentative five-year settlement has been reached with B.C.’s health employers. A bargaining committee representing 47,000 health-care workers negotiated a 5.5 per cent wage
increase over the life of the agreement. The Hospital Employees’ Union represents about 85 per cent of the workers, including care aides and ambulance paramedics. Locally, it represents nearly 1,000 employees at St. Joe’s, Glacier View Lodge, and the Regional Hospital Laundry and Health Centre in Cumberland.
... see DEAL ■ 5
PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Master Corp. Grenier Dominick (left) and Warrant Officer Hugo St. Laurent bust out some brute strength Wednesday morning on Military Row as they lend a hand to cut down on broom in the Comox Valley. Work crews – both military and civilian – were out in full force over the weekend, ridding the area of the invasive plant. For details on upcoming work parties in your area, visit broombusters.org.
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