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Legendary artist: Buffy bringing her magic to town Page 19
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After first day, 1.13 per cent tax increase on city budget table Kristen Douglas Campbell RiveR miRRoR
J.R. RaRdon/Campbell RiveR miRRoR
Campbell River youth came out in force to support the second annual Coldest Night of the Year benefit walk Saturday afternoon. See more photos on page 4.
Coldest Night feels Campbell River’s warmth With bright sun and blue skies overhead, the Coldest Night of the Year benefit walk hardly lived up to its billing. But it did draw more than 200 participants who raised well over $22,000 to benefit Campbell River Family Services Society in its efforts
to assist the homeless and establish a sobering assessment centre downtown. “It’s fantastic,” said Paul Mason, organizer of the second annual walk in Campbell River, part of a larger, nationwide series of fundraisers. “We’re still counting and donations are still coming in. “The community has just been fantastic.”
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Among the walkers were members of Campbell River City Council and the Strathcona Regional District board, along with volunteers and staffers of other social services organizations in the community. Following registration at the Community Centre gym, walkers — many wearing “Coldest Night” toques and carrying signs — departed into the setting sun for
a 5-km loop of downtown streets. Afterward, they were treated to free chili served by the food volunteers, coffee provided by Tim Hortons, and live music from the band Inclusion. “On behalf of Campbell River Family Services Society, I’m extremely grateful for all the people who volunteered and who came out,” said Mason.
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City staff are recommending a 1.13 per cent tax increase to the city’s base budget for 2015. While that figure is still preliminary, it’s the magic number that the city’s financial department has determined will erase the deficit and allow for the status quo. Ron Bowles, the city’s corporate services manager, told city council Monday at its first budget planning session that the 2015 base budget has a deficit of $290,325. “This is equivalent to a 1.13 per cent increase across all classes for 2015,” Bowles said. “This will result in approximately a $16 tax increase per household,” Bowles said. Last year, the average assessed home in Campbell River paid $189 in taxes and user fees for a wide range of city services including drinking water and sewer services, emergency response, garbage collection, parks and recreation programs, streets and sidewalks. At the outset of Monday’s financial planning session, Mayor Andy
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