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Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
49th Year No. 22
May 29, 2014
www.northislandgazette.com
• Seal deal
• Picture perfect
St. Michael’s survivor unveils original photos in U’mista exhibit. Page 8
• Aloha pitch
Slo-pitch teams raise money for youth soccer trip to Hawaii. Page 10
Letters Page 7 Sports Page 10 Classifieds Page 12-15 Newsstand $1.29 + GST
Parnham memorialized J.R. Rardon Gazette editor PORT HARDY—A celebration of life is scheduled for tomorrow for Port Hardy Mayor Bev Parnham, whose sudden death last week shocked friends, colleagues
Elephant seal stops off in Port Hardy to shed skin. Page 4
Opinion Page 6
and fellow civic leaders. Parnham, 62, had appeared to be recovering from a lifethreatening infection that forced her hospitalization five months earlier, and had returned home to resume her duties between trips to
physiotherapy. “All our condolences go out to her family,” Deputy Mayor Jessie Hemphill said. “She always talked about them in council. It was all so sudden; it’s been remarkable how much strength
she’d shown.” Hemphill joined a chorus of outpourings of sympathy and condolences to her family after Parnham, the
See page 5 ‘Mayor dedicated’
Bev Parnham
Teachers back to work after strike J.R. Rardon Gazette editor North Vancouver Island public school teachers went from the frying pan to the fire this week, staging a one-day strike Monday before returning to classes under a partial lockout imposed by the government through the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association. But while many questions remain in the ongoing dispute between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the province, the teachers can at least be assured they won’t be legislated back to work, as they were following their last job action in 2012. Education Minister Peter Fassbender announced Monday that the current impasse in negotiations on a new teachers’ contract would not be broken through legislation. The legislature is scheduled to wrap up its current session today. “To rush to legislation is not where we’re going to go,” Fassbender said. “We want the BCTF to come to the table with a wage response that is reasonable and within the zone of other public sector unions. We expect them to come with something that is
affordable for taxpayers.” Monday’s one-day strike on the North Island was part of a province-wide, four-day series of rotating strikes called by the BCTF. It marked an escalation of a job action the union began last month
See page 4 ‘Negotiations resume’
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Teachers Mike Cleary, Susan Beatty and Kathleen McArthur, from left, walk the picket line at North Island Secondary School as part of the Vancouver Island North Teachers’ Association oneday strike Monday, May 26. At left, Freddy Beans supports the cause while joining owner Craig Boyko at Eagle View Elementary in Port Hardy. Treat yourself to the pleasures of a Black Bear Resort Day Spa treatment where you can unwind and indulge your senses in pampering and relaxation. Full waxing services from eye brows to brazilians Manicures – pedicures – massage - facials Call to book an appointment 866-956-4900 For our full spa menu www.blackbearresort.net
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