TUESDAY January 6, 2015 Vol. 30 • No. 2 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
THIS PUBLICATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AT comoxvalley record.com
COMOX VALLEY
Enter to Win!
ARTS
SPORTS
Send-off to a jazz friend page 8
No Spengler joy for McLean page 19
RECORD
Are you cover types of ed with the righ insuranc t e? 1 POLIC
Y, 3 COV E 1 PAYME RAGES, NT.
• LIFE IN SURANC E • CRITIC AL ILLN ESS INS URANCE • DISAB ILITY IN SURANC E
Compreh e available nsive solutions are . Talk to u s packagin g your in about surance p roducts.
www.firs 1-800-65 tins.ca 5-5255
Your community. Your newspaper.
A division of
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
comoxvalleyrecord.com/contests
Great start to 2015 for Somers family Valley’s New Year’s baby comes just eight hours into 2015 Erin Haluschak Record Staff
Centennial celebrations Pages 2-3
Both Lauren Somers and her doctor thought she might have her baby a little bit early, but neither thought he would make his appearance on New Year’s Day. “He was looking like he’s ready to come out, but I didn’t think it would be this early,” said mom Lauren from her room at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “He was due Jan. 15 — but came two weeks early.” Born at 8:04 a.m. by an emergency caesarean section, Hunter Dean Donald Somers, weighed seven pounds and eight ounces and is “a pretty good sleeper,” explained dad Brendan Somers. “I’m getting a crash course in diapers. It’s scary-exciting,” he added with a laugh, and Lauren noted she rested and
Good year predicted for YQQ Page 4
Isaac LeBlanc goes home for Christmas Page 5
caught up on sleep after Hunter was born. Keeping with a family tradition, Lauren said she wanted her son to have two middle names, and had thought of the name Hunter previously. “It just stuck,” she added, and said she didn’t know during her pregnancy if she was going to have a boy or a girl. “Brendan knew all along it was going to be a boy, and I first thought it was a boy, and then in the second half (of the pregnancy) I thought it was a girl.” The Comox Valley parents credited the staff and nurses at the hospital for making their New Year’s celebration even more special. “The nurses have been pretty fantastic — everyone including the OR doctors. We don’t want to leave,” added Lauren. photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Parents Brendan and Lauren Somers welcomed their son Hunter Dean Donald Somers as the official New Year’s baby in the Comox Valley, who was born at 8:04 a.m. Jan. 1. PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Comox Valley boil water advisory enters fourth week Scott Stanfield
66 of 81 runs open and a 120 cm base at Mount Washington. Let’s go shredding! Our federal representative, MP John Duncan, was noticeably absent from Courtenay’s centennial celebrations. In an election year, no less.
Record Staff
The boil water advisory that was issued nearly a month ago due to elevated turbidity levels remains in effect for residents connected to the Comox Valley water system. Turbidity refers to fine suspended particles picked up by water as it passes through streams and rivers in a watershed. Turbidity levels are not dropping as
Upgrading intake system to include filtration would cost up to $70 million rapidly as usual since a recent storm system hammered the Valley. Elevated levels may interfere with disinfection and reduce the available chlorine residual that inactivates any harmful bacteria. The advisory was first issued Dec. 11. Nothing can be done to acceler-
ate the settling process as it is a naturally occurring phenomenon in Comox Lake, from where the drinking water originates. Water passes through an intake at the BC Hydro penstock. It gets chlorinated and enters reservoirs. “Part of the problem is that we don’t have filtration,” said Dave
Get a well equipped 2015 Camry LE for
$150
29*
Bi-Weekly
3.99% Financing∞ 2015 Toyota
445 Crown Isle Bvld.
250.338.6761 www.courtenaytoyota.com
Dlr#7478
CAMRY LE
Toyota cmyk
Bluetooth connectivity and all safety features come standard
∞for 84 months. *Payment Quoted is on 2015 Toyota Camry LE. Model Code BF1FLT AA. Bi-Weekly Payment of $150.29 Bi Weekly is at a rate of 3.99% for 84 Months. Bi Weekly Payments equal 26 Payments/ Year. OAC, Payment does not include Taxes, Levies or Fees, see dealer for details. May not be exactly as illustrated.
Leitch, senior manager of water and wastewater services at the regional district. “Island Health has a guideline for turbidity, and we’re exceeding it.” The district plans to forward recommendations to the CVRD board on options that would include a filtration system and cost, which would likely run in the $50 million to $70 million range.
... see WATER ■ 6
Completely Redesigned! Better Than Ever!