THURSDAY September 18, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 75 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Teachers to vote today to ratify deal struck Tuesday morning By Tom Fletcher Black Press
B.C.’s striking teachers will vote this week on a tentative settlement with the provincial government. Mediator Vince Ready announced the breakthrough early Tuesday morning, after five days of talks at a Richmond hotel. The B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the province’s negotiators agreed to withhold details until a final document is presented to BCTF members and school trustees. With a ratification vote of 40,000 union members expected to be held Thursday, the province’s 60 school districts are attempting to return to regular classes next week, after full-scale strike action that began in June. Premier C h risty We’ll have five Clark said years to talk about if the vote passes, the things that chools really matter, and swill be up that’s children in and running again classrooms. as early Christy Clark as Monday. She thanked parents for their patience as the strike dragged into the fall, saying a negotiated settlement was the only way to improve a relationship that has been dysfunctional for 30 years. “We’ll have five years to talk about the things that really matter, and that’s children in classrooms,” Clark said in Vancouver Tuesday. Education Minister Peter Fassbender said a plan is being developed to make up missed instructional days, which could involve rescheduling Christmas holidays, spring break or adding days to the end of the school year. Every student’s education will be “kept whole,” particularly senior high school students looking ahead to post-secondary studies, he said.
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PHOTO BY TERRY FARRELL
Fanny Bay is known for more than just its oysters. The resident sea lions are quite the tourist attraction down at the Fanny Bay pier. Dozens of sea lions and harbour seals can be seen on sunny days, basking on the log booms, and occasionally on the barge. Tourists were stopping throughout the weekend, as the beautiful weather brought the mammals to the surface.
Comox Valley Airport ready for its true test Terry Farrell Record staff
Comox Valley Airport CEO Fred Bigelow is not only anticipating the changing seasons, he’s genuinely looking forward to it. In June, the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) announced the lowering of landing limits to a minimum instrument approach height of 250 feet, from a previous minimum height of 500 feet. The new standards will further reduce cancellations and diversions during poor weather conditions. “We are absolutely thrilled with this decision,” said Bigelow at the time. “The Comox Valley Airport can once again offer the kind of all-weather capability that travellers expect.”
Benefit of lower landing regulations will be realized when seasonal weather arrives Reaction was positive at the time of the announcement. The true test is on the horizon, however, as the change of seasons draws near. Bigelow knows that his clientele is awaiting that first socked-in weather system, to see how much of a difference it really makes. “If you have lived on the Island, particularly north of Nanaimo, for any reasonable period, then it is likely that either you or someone you know has experienced a delay or cancellation out of YQQ due to the landing restrictions that were previously in effect,” he said
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last week. “But I can confidently say that we are once again one of the most reliable airports in the province.” Bigelow understands the past frustrations felt by the local flying community and knows that there are some who have changed their travel routines because of it. The airport has launched a social media campaign to encourage local residents to share the information, and to win back any passengers the airport might have lost due to the former regulations.
... see AIRPORT ■ 7