Silver medal Vancouver Island University
men’s Mariners soccer team takes second place in thrilling final game. PAGE 27 We thank our veterans who, with courage, served our country for a better tomorrow
www.nanaimobulletin.com
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
VOL. 26, NO. 52
Roots of all evil
City utilities workers Bill Fraser, left, and Ken McDonald pry a storm drainage pipe into alignment after replacing a section that had become clogged with a root ball at the corner of Commercial and Bastion streets Monday. The work is part of pre-winter preventative maintenance the city does to help keep storm drains clear during heavy rains and snow melt. CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Lantzville candidates target water deal
I
SOME COUNCIL hopefuls want to talk new terms.
BY TAMARA CUNNINGHAM THE NEWS BULLETIN
Two months after Lantzville signed a water agreement with Nanaimo, election candidates are talking about making changes. Lantzville election candidates are divided on how to move forward on a new water-supply agreement. At least three contenders are interested in talking to Nanaimo about amendments to the deal, while others want to see public
consultation, a chance to consider elements of the document, and action. The 20-year deal was inked last September after more than a year of negotiations between the district and City of Nanaimo. It will see city water pumped to 225 homes in upper Lantzville – a move anticipated to free up connections to the district’s own water system – and would allow for 50 new development hookups each year. Another 211 homes on private wells have the potential to gain access in the future. But not all candidates are satisfied with the way the agreement stands and would want to see changes
if elected, including where the water flows to. Incumbent candidate Coun. Denise Haime said in an online questionnaire that the agreement as it’s written is “structurally flawed” and needs to be addressed to make it workable for all residents. She’d propose amendments to Nanaimo, as would council contender Doug Parkhurst, who says connections should go to lower, not upper Lantzville where the district can bring development and revitalization. “We put water into where it should go so Lantzville can fulfill its own vision of how it wants to grow,” he said.
Mayoral candidate Colin Haime would also look to propose amendments to the contract wording. In an e-mail to the News Bulletin, he said he supports the right water solution, one that supplements the needs of all existing residents on wells at an affordable cost, but “the current agreement fails on both of these points.” His proposed changes would include providing water for “all existing residents on wells” as well as water connections to revitalize the village core and would still respect limitations Nanaimo has put on Lantzville, he said. See ‘RENEGOTIATION’ /4
Mounties injured while breaking up barroom fight BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Mounties on Bar Watch patrol saw more than their share of action when a brawl broke out at the Old City Station Pub in downtown Nanaimo Friday. Police entered the establishment just after 11:30 p.m. to do a routine check in the premises, located in the 100 block of Skinner Street, just as a fight broke out that included someone throwing a beer bottle at one of the staff. When the officers attempted to take the alleged bottle thrower into custody, he put up a struggle that involved a second suspect who allegedly jumped into the melee to prevent the police from making the arrest. “During that struggle one of the members was punched in the face and thrown across the room,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “[The suspects] were big boys, very aggressive, extremely violent.” One of the officers tried to deploy his Taser during the struggle, which for reasons unknown, proved ineffective. “Additional troops were called in and they eventually subdued the two individuals who were taken into custody,” O’Brien said. Both suspects were released Saturday morning on a promise to appear at Nanaimo provincial court in March, plus other conditions which included not returning to the Old City Station Pub. Both men, ages 23 and 19, from Nanaimo, will likely face numerous charges, including assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and causing a disturbance. A third suspect, age 23, also allegedly involved with the incident, is potentially facing charges as well. Both officers involved in the initial arrest attempt sustained minor injuries. photos@nanaimobulletin.com
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