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Wednesday, October 15, 2014
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Hutchins twist headlines 2014 election slate
Long-time Ladysmith mayor steps aside: runs for council, school board instead
John McKinley
News Leader Pictorial
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riday’s deadline for local municipal election nominations brought 78 names up for consideration in the coming Nov. 15 vote. But it was one name in particular that drew the most immediate attention. After seven terms spanning 21 years, Rob Hutchins will not be Ladysmith mayor. Instead, he is giving up the chains of office to pursue a pair of other roles: a seat on Ladysmith council, and a seat on the Cowichan Valley Board of Education. “At the beginning of this last term, I had stated to those around me that this was my last term,” he said. “As can be expected, I have struggled with the decision. I love this community so much and know I have more to give, but at some time one must past the torch. “I have knocked on Andrew Leong several doors, more than Rob Hutchins: Spear fi shermen Jeff Page shows a large chinook that he caught in the Cowichan River Friday. Page was among a handful of people once, and I was delighted struggled with decision spearfishing off a bridge in the Cowichan River estuary near Cowichan Bay. when passionate and able candidates have chosen to let their name stand. I believe I can support our new mayor in their first term and continue to make a contribution to our community as a member of council.” The chamber’s board has accepted Routley’s at me. I’m really disappointed in myself.” During the past two decades, Hutchins beapology, issued later Thursday, president Julie Thursday saw Routley segue from talking came one of the valley’s most prominent politi- Bill Routley: says he’s really disapScurr said. about Canada’s temporary foreign-workers’ cians thanks to multiple terms as Cowichan pointed in himself after delivering a “I think he was having a very bad day.” program to skills training and local First NaValley Regional District board chairman and Routley told the News Leader Pictorial Tues- tions job opportunities. two failed attempts to become provincial MLA verbal broadside at the Duncan-Coday, as MLA, he took full responsibility for his He challenged chamber members to train — one representing the NDP, another as a B.C. wichan Chamber of Commerce “outrageous” comments, “particularly about and mentor Aboriginal folks “instead of this Liberal. the chamber of commerce representing small whining about whatever problem they have.” It’s not clear at this point whether he will Peter W. Rusland businesses in the Cowichan Valley.” Then Routley blasted chamber members continue as a CVRD director. First, he would News Leader Pictorial “I’ll try and make it up to them by being as who attend the chamber’s annual prestigious have to win a seat on Ladysmith council. Then, helpful as I can be.” Black Tie Awards — the most recent being he would have to be appointed by Ladysmith’s owichan MLA Bill Routley is in Routley noted he’s had personal issues with April 5 at Brentwood College School. new mayor. Typically, a mayor (Gord Horth, apologetic damage control after some individual businesspeople but explained, “Well, they pony up to the plate with their Marsh Stevens and Aaron Stone are the canpuzzling, bitter comments about as MLA, he should have kept his opinions in Black Tie Awards,” he said of the gala he hadn’t didates in Ladysmith ) appoints him or herself, Duncan Cowichan Chamber of check. attended in several years. but that is not always the case. Commerce members he made more on page 4 “I deserve whatever (backlash) people throw more on page 3 Thursday in the legislature.
MLA sorry for calling chamber ‘snobs’ and ‘clowns’
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