THURSDAYDECEMBER 18, 2014
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THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014
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Safety, sustainability improved at Horne Lake Caves
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The Gardens at Qualicum Beach Page B9
DOWNTOWN PARKSVILLE
Craig St. kerfuffle
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Merchants not happy with PDBA responses JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Craig Street merchants want to spruce up their street and they asked Parksville city council for help on Monday night. Business owners Barry Evans and Shellie Atwood told council they have been frustrated in their efforts to work through the Parksville Downtown Business Association (PDBA). “Basically, we were told by the PDBA that they are not available to help,” said Evans. “We were told to do it ourselves.” The PDBA is funded through a bylaw that allows the city to collect a levy from downtown businesses, turning the money — $155,000 this year — over to the association. “I do not believe we are getting value for money,” said Evans. Some councillors weren’t sure what role the city should play, if any, in this issue. “This feels like it’s something between yourselves and the PDBA,” said Coun. Sue Powell. “The first thing you have to do is get along with the PDBA,” said Coun. Al Greir. Evans and Atwood said they would like, for a start, to see benches, more garbage containers, better flower boxes and some stylized crosswalk painting done on Craig Street, along with better lighting. “The PDBA has a budget for these things but they never use it,” said Evans, who also expressed frustration about how the PDBA operates, including the filling of board-member chairs. “It’s certainly not transparent,” said Evans. “And to get on the PDBA (board) you have to be found to be suitable.” See ‘KEEP THE MOMENTUM’, page A7
CANDACE WU PHOTO
HOLIDAY FAVOURITES: Village Voices director Lonnie Moddle leads the local choir group as they perform what they call their annual flash mob in the deli section of Qualicum Foods Saturday evening, taking unassuming shoppers by surprise as they belted out a few holiday favourites.
NANOOSE FIRST NATION IN TREATY TALKS
Parksville land may be in play JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
Will a portion of Parksville become land that belongs to Nanoose First Nation? Chief David Bob spoke of impending treaty talks and cooperation between governments when he and two elders gave a blessing to Parksville’s new city council on Monday night.
“I want to thank you for finally acknowledging we are here,” Bob said after a traditional blessing delivered by elders referred to by Mayor Marc Lefebvre as Auntie Anne and Uncle Jim. “We aren’t going anywhere. We are willing to work with you, sit and talk with you.” The chief also pointed to ongoing treaty talks with senior governments,
saying his Nation is ready to stand its ground and adding that any treaty settlement will likely have an effect on the future budgets of Parksville. “We can sit and talk . . . or we can fight, there is no middle ground,” said Bob. “When the treaty is settled it could affect your tax base.” See CHIEF SAYS, page A6
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