Sibling rivalry Comedian Darrin Rose performs
at the Port Theatre.
PAGE B1
Lest we forget Photos from Remembrance
Day ceremony.
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VOL. 26, NO. 53
Trustee hopefuls aim to boost graduation rates
I
Decisive moment
GAP EXISTS between aboriginal, non-aboriginal learners in Nanaimo school district.
John Johnston casts his ballot at an early voting station in Bowen Park Activity Centre Wednesday. Voting station staff said voter turnout was brisk with more than 800 people arriving by mid-afternoon – in addition to 835 who voted on Nov. 5 – to file their decisions in the municipal election. General voting day is Saturday (Nov. 15). Please visit www. nanaimo.ca for more information on polling stations.
BY KARL YU THE NEWS BULLETIN
Mentorship, early years preparation and language are ways some prospective trustees hope to increase graduation rates in the Nanaimo school district. According to the most current numbers for the 2012-13 school year, 72.3 per cent of students graduated from high school in Nanaimo, while 56.2 per cent of aboriginal students graduated. That marked an increase from 201112, when the rates were 71.6 and 49.9 per cent, respectively. Trustee candidate There’s a Natasha Bob said 100 wide variety per cent graduation be ideal, although of supports would any improvement on the current numbers would that could be good. Mentorship be available, would be key, she said. “I think there’s a wide not just for variety of supports that could be available, aboriginal not just for aboriginal students,” said Bob. “I students. think there is a need for support workers in our schools and to me that is very important because for all students, the transition to adulthood is the most challenging and creates a lot of anxiety and a lot of stress and that really limits their potential to succeed.”
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CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Terminal Trench redevelopment faces environmental hurdles BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
The Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association was awarded for the first phase of the Terminal Corridor Revitalization Project, but more environmental hurdles must be cleared before the area will see new development. The Brownie Award, presented by the Canadian Urban Institute Oct.
29, recognizes co-operation between property owners and the association on an environmental assessment of soil contamination under commercial properties conducted in the TerminalNicol corridor that extends from the Esplanade to the Comox Road-Front Street intersection. The province reduced the required environmental assessment, which was completed last year, by allowing the area to be treated as one block,
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rather than individual properties. It also awarded a $217,000 matching grant for the assessment, which was initially paid for through DNBIA business levies. “This is the first time in Canada that a group of property owners has tried to get together to take on a common problem,” said Darren Moss, chairman of the association’s planning design and development committee. See ‘ENVIRONMENTAL’ /4
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