THURSDAYDECEMBER 11, 2014
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PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE
ICF awaits funding Local politicians still doubt trains will re-start JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Julian Fell says he has been blacklisted by the Island Corridor Foundation. Fell is the Regional District of Nanaimo’s representative to the ICF’s board of directors. In a close vote, the RDN decided in August to give the ICF almost $1 million to help the effort to revive passenger rail service on the Island. Fell, along with directors representing Bowser, Nanoose Bay, Qualicum Beach and Parksville, voted against the funding request, but the motion passed on the strength of the RDN board’s Nanaimo contingent. “The ICF board met in October and they didn’t invite me,” Fell, who represents Errington/Coombs said this week. “I appear to be on their black list.” Fell was asked what he knew about the ICF’s progress toward restoring passenger rail service on the Island, which was halted in 2011 due to safety concerns. “You’ll have to ask them (the ICF),” said Fell. “They don’t return calls — mine or anyone else’s.” ICF CEO Graham Bruce returned a call from The NEWS within 15 minutes on Tuesday. Bruce said former RDN and Nanaimo city councillor Ted Greves resigned from the ICF board in July and the ICF board had not approved Fell as a member by the October meeting. “There’s a process that needs to be followed and that’s what (the ICF board) is doing,” said Bruce. The ICF has been seeking funding from both the provincial and federal governments after regional districts up and down the Island agreed to kick in a total of about $7 million. Matching funds from Victoria and Ottawa were supposed to give the ICF more than $20 million, money Bruce said would be enough to get the track operational. See SERVICE COULD BE HERE, page A7
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An SUV makes its way through the flooded section of Martindale Road on Tuesday afternoon.
FLOODING AND HEAVY RAINS FORCE EVACUATIONS
State of emergency declared CANDACE WU news@pqbnews.com
A severe storm pelting the Island with heavy rains and wind has resulted in evacuations, power outages and elementary school students being pulled out of classes. Seven people and three pets were rescued Tuesday night after a State of Local Emergency was declared by the regional district for Parry’s RV Park on Martindale Road, located on the banks of the Englishman River. Arrowsmith Search and Rescue’s Michael Addiscott said there have been no reported injuries from the
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flood. He said crews were called to the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. “Water levels have risen about four feet,” said Addiscott, noting emergency personal were “chest-deep” in water. He said the RV park’s close vicinity to rising tides and the river make for a difficult situation. Addiscott, a swiftwater rescue team member, said first responders spent the night in zodiac boats ferrying park residents from 12 homes, with just a few bags in tow, to a dry harbour. Addiscott said the residents spent Tuesday night in a nearby motel and there is no indication, as of press time Wednesday, when they will be al-
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lowed back in their homes. “One of the biggest concerns wasn’t just the water,” he said. “It’s also that the water might get contaminated.” Addiscott explains septic fields can often become contaminated by vehicles leaking fuel and the many other chemicals people have laying around their homes. “That all gets picked up by water,” he said. “Contamination is huge.” Addiscott said the cost of damages incurred is unknown. Parksville Volunteer Fire Department and the Oceanside RCMP also attended the scene.
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