THURSDAYAUGUST 14, 2014
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PARTY TIME ON THE DRIVE
HOPEFULS HIT THE ICE THIS WEEKEND
Big bash shaping up for September on Resort Drive
Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals open training camp with 45 players
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HOLME STEPPING DOWN
Race is on in Nanoose Meanwhile, Chairman Joe confirms he will run again CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
Elections are in the air, and after 29 years in politics, Regional District of Nanaimo director George Holme has announced he will not seek re-election this fall. “I will be stepping down,” he told The NEWS from his Nanoose Bay residence Tuesday afternoon. The decision comes after nearly three decades of representing Nanoose Bay on the RDN board. Recently, Holme has been instrumental in pushing a major development project in the Fairwinds area forward while maintaining relations with the Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose First Nation). When asked what prompted his decision to leave the board, he said with a chuckle: “I guess old age.” The 17-member RDN board has representatives directly elected in seven rural areas: Nanoose Bay, French Creek, Coombs/Errington, Deep Bay/Bowser, Cedar, Gabriola and Pleasant Valley. The remaining 10 members are appointed from councils in Nanaimo (seven councillors), Parksville (one), Qualicum Beach (one) and Lantzville (one). Meanwhile, long-time French Creek rep RDN chair Joe Stanhope has vowed to seek reelection. Stanhope was first elected to the RDN board in 1996 and has been part of municipal politics ever since — serving as chair of the board for the last 12 years. Stanhope said he was not planning on letting his name stand for another election, but he told The NEWS this week he decided recently to seek office once again. See FELL, VEENHOF UNDECIDED, page A9
BRENDA GOUGH PHOTO
ART IN THE GARDEN: Janeane MacGillivray of Nanaimo admired the colourful canvas that artist Dan Gray was working on from his prime waterfront location at Milner Gardens and Woodland on Saturday. This year’s Art and Photography in the Garden event showcased 26 local artists painting, sketching, carving, and throwing clay. For more photos from the event, visit: www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST ALLEGATIONS IN QUALICUM BEACH
Willie weighing his options
LISSA ALEXANDER reporter@pqbnews.com
The debate surrounding Qualicum Beach’s Growth Containment Boundary (GCB) has been deferred while one town councillor consults his lawyer. At Monday’s council meeting, councillors were presented with a number of options from staff regarding the GCB, after the Regional District of Nanaimo’s board of directors did not approve the town’s request to make a minor amendment to the Regional Growth Strategy. One of those
options in front of council Mondaywas to advance the Pheasant Glen application for development. The issue involves a previous vote by council to amend the town’s Official Community Plan and extend the GCB to meet the town’s municipal boundary. This would eliminate the need to consult with the RDN over land-use issues and would help move the Pheasant Glen development forward. But Coun. Dave Willie said at Monday’s meeting that some “late-breaking
information” had come to light about half an hour before the meeting. Willie said he wanted to defer the vote on the OCP amendment until he could review the package and talk to his lawyer. He added that he didn’t mind a phone call or a letter, but this was too much. “What I really find appalling is when individuals have to attack me personally, attack my business personally and attack the employees that work for me, because that’s basically what’s happening.” See WILLIE APPALLED, page A9
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