NANAIMO
Real Estate Review
John Salem
Your Trusted Mortgage
Advisor
REAL ESTATE
RE VI EW
Your Bi-Weekly Guide
ith and the Surroun
o, Nanoose, Ladysm
to Real Estate in Nanaim
4
E-GRAY AT 250-734-461
N: CALL LESLEY LIVINGSTON
INFORMATIO N.COM ADVERTISING
ONLINE: WWW.NANAIMOBULLETI
Modern dance Compagnie
Marie Chouinard performs.
ding Areas
THURSDAY FEB. 19, 2015
TUDOR
250.756.7744
3-4515 Uplands Dr.,
PAGE 11
Nanaimo
INSIDE
C&S TRANSMISSION SPECIALTIES LTD.
FEATURE PROPERTY
d, Benson 3390 Jameson Roa
Meadows
“EXPERT SERVICE SERVED RIGHT”
with fully finished $840,000 2.25 Acreage! Main level entry homeof custom living space.
4,414 SF Bright and Sunny ed by s, 3 bathrooms, and stunning home is surround basement, offers 4 bedroom Meadows living. This finishing w/maple The epitome of Bensonwaterfall & irrigation system. High end a granite counters, nature, complete with Jenn-Air appliances, for entertaining fabulous kitchen with floor plan is perfect hardwood floors, a cabinetry. The open The Master suite large island & dark maple room complete w/custom built-ins. glass shower, his/ with the adjoining diningus walk-in closet, en-suite w/seamless in-law suite, a has a self-contained comes complete w/spacio soaker tub. Downstairs d audio network, hers sinks & a separate room & more! A full intercom & integrate This is the great rec room, storage ltration, hot tub, a fire pit, and security system. fi heat pump, UV water for! waiting been home you’ve contact: For more information o 250.751.1223 REMAX of Nanaim The HBT Group of
1st Month FREE ck & Use OUR Tru to Move In!
call
250-758-2270
• • • • • • • •
p Units Heated & Drive-U Monitored Security Fenced Compounds Easy Access Prepay Discounts Move Out Rent Pro-rated on Open Every Day Mailboxes for Rent
Nanaimo 5 Locations in
6852 Mart Rd. LANTZVILLE
www.nanaimobulletin.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
250.390.1871
VOL. 26, NO. 82
Judge struggles with sentencing
I
BY CHRIS BUSH
Former city councillor Diana Johnstone was awarded the Freeman of the City, Nanaimo’s highest civic honour, for her volunteer work and service to the community. Johnstone said she plans to continue that extensive record of helping Nanaimo.
THE NEWS BULLETIN
TAMARA CUNNINGHAM THE NEWS BULLETIN
Johnstone given Nanaimo’s highest civic honour BY TAMARA CUNNINGHAM THE NEWS BULLETIN
N
ew Freeman of the City Diana Johnstone was still smiling ear-to-ear and dabbing away tears Tuesday as she talked about receiving the city’s highest civic honour. “I think it was probably the biggest highlight of my life,” she said. “I am just over the moon happy.” Johnstone, a two-term city councillor, became the 32nd Freeman of the City on Monday, joining the ranks of John Barsby, Frank Ney and Muriel McKay Ross for her lead-
ROBERT JAMES IVERSON found guilty of second-degree murder of Cheryl Lynn Sim in 2010.
ership and volunteerism in the community. The title, last awarded in 2010, is only given in exceptional cases for lifetime achievement and has to be unanimously agreed upon by city council. Its winner gets a lifetime of free city parking. “We do not give away this honour lightly,” said Mayor Bill McKay. “For over 30 years, Diana’s presence and commitment has touched the lives of many individuals ... she is a true leader in every sense of the word.” Johnstone, wearing a blue dress and white corsage, accepted the framed recognition and medal to
Quality & Service at Budget Prices Quote Of The Week
I only get invited somewhere twice The second time is to apologize
a standing ovation during a council meeting Monday night, calling it a tremendous honour and thanking people for the nomination. “I am not a native daughter, however, from the time my family arrived here on transfer with the RCM Police in 1982, I knew I was home and would never want to leave,” said Johnstone, who served on more than a dozen committees and as a volunteer for organizations like Tourism Nanaimo, Canada Games and B.C. Disability Games. Volunteering is part of Johnstone’s being and something instilled in her
by her mother but it was her husband and his decision to retire that allowed her to remain and do what she enjoys in Nanaimo. It was love at first sight for the two high school sweethearts from Edmonton. He was an act-tough kind of guy with a big duck tail, pants with a long chain and a gang that all wore orange jackets, who invited her to take a seat on his lap when she couldn’t find an empty chair in the classroom. Johnstone said he was cute, and with three brothers she wasn’t afraid of guys, so she took him up on the offer. See ‘JOHNSTONE’ /4
WE ARE A NS O S A E S R U O F LER A E D M O O R N SU 3900 ISLAND HWY. N.
| 250.758.3374
A B.C. Supreme Court judge wrestled over what sentence he could hand down for the second-degree murder of Cheryl Lynn Sim. Robert James Iverson, 49, was charged with Sim’s murder after her body was found in a vacant lot near Barsby Park in June 2010. Iverson was convicted of second-degree murder in November. The conviction carries a punishment of life imprisonment with a minimum parole ineligibility of 10-25 years. During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday and Wednesday in Nanaimo, Basil McCormick, Crown counsel, asked for a range of 15-20 years parole ineligibility. No sentence had been handed down by press time Wednesday. Throughout the hearing, Iverson, who chose to represent himself throughout his trial, maintained his right to silence, refused to participate in the proceedings and turned his back to the court to stare at the wall of the court room. When McCormick placed copies of evidence next to him, Iverson dropped the documents on the floor. “I would note that Mr. Iverson remains unresponsive and continues to face the back of the courtroom,” Judge Robert Punnet said after numerous attempts to address Iverson. The lack of precedent in Canadian law left Punnet and Crown wrestling with the severity of sentence. A not-guilty plea and no counsel representing him has left a void of evidence regarding the motive behind the killing, Iverson’s state of mind and his intent. McCormick said he is aware of rare cases where the accused refuses to participate, but has never personally experienced it. “In my 22 years in the courtroom I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” McCormick said Tuesday. photos@nanaimobulletin.com
No need to go to ICBC, come directly to us!
| www.budgetglass.com