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Absentee councillor fires back at mayor AlistAir tAylor Campbell RiveR miRRoR
The late John Fisher with his wife Jodi Cohen.
Local man accused of drunk driving causing death PAul rudAn Campbell RiveR miRRoR
Almost seven months later, charges have been laid against a local man accused of driving drunk and killing another motorist who just happened to be a long-time volunteer with Alcoholics Anonymous. “That’s the sad irony,” said Jodi Cohen, whose husband died in the Nov. 26, 2013, head-on collision. John Norman Fisher, 59, was returning to Campbell River after working the day at a group home in Buckley Bay. Just after 10 p.m. Fisher was driving north on the Island Highway, near Sailor Road in Oyster Bay, when the tragedy occurred. According to Campbell River RCMP, a southbound Volvo crossed the centre line and collided head-on with Fisher’s Honda sedan. Continued on Pg. 4
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Prehistoric poop
Ron Sale shows off his collection of coprolite – aka fossilized feces or dinosaur droppings – that he brought along to show visitors at last weekend’s Rock and Gem Show hosted by the Ripple Rock Gem and Mineral Club. See more photos on page 11
Coun. Ryan Mennie says vacating the last four months of his city council seat would deprive the community of the perspective of a two-term councillor, young working father and an involved 16-year citizen of Campbell River. He also took exception to Mayor Walter Jakeway’s statement that Mennie’s decision to finish his term on council was unethical after taking a new job in Alberta. “The mayor’s comments that question my ethics and morals are baseless and do nothing but show our mayor’s disdain and disrespect for his fellow councillors,” Mennie said. Mennie, the former afternoon show host for 97.3 The Eagle, will “attend” his last 10 council meetings via video conferencing. “After careful consideration, I recently decided to take the next step in my radio career, a job opportunity in Alberta which will also bring my family closer together,” Mennie said in an e-mailed statement to the Mirror from his new home in Alberta. “It’s been a bittersweet decision as we will be leaving behind great friends and family and a community that has helped shape who we are. It’s fortunate that technology now exists to help keep those relationships intact, no matter the distance. That same technology that keeps friends and family together will also assist me in continuing to provide my perspective as a representative of the
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community on Campbell River City Council.” Rather than leave an empty chair on city council for the rest of his term, Mennie feels a moral obligation to continue to provide his perspective as a working family man, experienced councillor and community volunteer. “This is why I chose to remain on council during my family’s transition,” Mennie said. “I thank the other councillors for their comments from the June 11 meeting recognizing the contributions and viewpoint a community member of my age and current life experience has brought, and can continue to bring, to the decision-making process.” Mennie said in a follow-up interview with the Mirror that suggestions he is staying on to maintain the current balance of power on council are groundless. In a seven-person
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