TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
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THE WOMEN OF STAND-UP
Comedy show at The Bayside on Monday features three female performers
Local junior team routs Peninsula at Oceanside Place
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TREES CUT NEAR WATERWAYS
What are the rules? Residents unhappy with removal of trees near river AUREN RUVINSKY
writer@pqbnews.com
Residents around Centre Crescent and the mouth of the Little Qualicum River say they are frustrated with the unclear rules and lack of enforcement regarding tree removal along the river bank. “We believe he (the property owner) is in contravention, but enforcement is a bit challenging sometimes,” said Jeremy Holm, Regional District of Nanaimo manager of current planning, in reference to a property across the river from the Cedar Grove Campground. “If he was building something we can withhold building permits,” he said, “but we don’t have a stop work process when someone’s altering land without looking for approval.” Property owners are generally allowed to remove trees on their own property, though there are restrictions in riparian areas along waterways. “These banks were completely covered in undergrowth, trees and natural bush,” said Cedar Grove manager Will Penny. “In fact, there were no visible signs of human life along these banks two months ago. This total property is, according to RDN’s interactive map, entirely a riparian area, it is a natural flood plain and a protected water shed number 662.” Neighbours who have started having meetings to figure out what to do now that the trees are already gone, say they have tried going to the property owner and the RDN and haven’t received an adequate response. “I’m really concerned,” RDN chair Joe Stanhope said by phone last week from the Union Of B.C. Municipalities Convention in Whistler. Stanhope said he’s been focused on the convention and isn’t up on the details of this case. See DFO CHANGED REGULATIONS, page A7
JOHN HARDING PHOTO
Olivia Davis, a 14 year-old from Qualicum Beach, was surrounded by the support of the Tour de Rock riders at a fundraising event Thursday in Parksville. For more photos from the event, visit www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
TOUR DE ROCK STOPS IN PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH
Qualicum teen fights leukemia JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
Olivia Davis is a 14 year-old from Qualicum Beach who has earned her place on a regional rep hockey team. This, in itself, is quite a feat for any young athlete. Davis, however, is one year into a battle against cancer and faces at least another year of systemsapping chemotherapy treatments. She gave an inspirational speech
Thursday to a packed house at The Bayside, gathered to greet the riders of the Tour de Rock and raise money for Cops for Cancer. “I will not let this experience break me because I am stronger than cancer,” said Davis to applause and more than a few teary eyes in the crowd. “Look at me — I have cancer, I’m still undergoing treatment and I’m play-
ing rep hockey.” More than $20,000 was raised on Thursday night in Parksville in an event organized by the local Rotary Club. Tour de Rock spokesman Steve Robinson, himself a cancer survivor and former Tour de Rock Rider, said Cops for Cancer has raised $19 million in 17 years. See ROCKIN’, page A6
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