Europe scrambles to deal with migrant disasters
420 Day marks s marijuana mania ia
Even as the search continued for victims of the weekend disaster, coast guard ships rushed to respond to new distress calls — two off Libya and a third on near Greece. A7
Monday’s Nanaimo event announced on social media only hours before it occurred
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Budget will have 1% tax increase ‘The lowest increase . . . in more than 10 years,’ finance director Brian Clemens said Monday night SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
City council has approved three readings of both the 2015 budget and tax rates for this year, leaving final adoption of the bylaws as the only remaining step. The budget would implement a tax increase of one per cent across the city. “The lowest increase . . . in more than 10 years,” finance director Brian Clemens said Monday night. It would also freeze service levels.
The 8-1 decision follows months of debate over the financial plan for the city. Council approved budget reductions of $744,000 in January to trim down a proposed 1.8 per cent increase to just one per cent, as proposed by Mayor Bill McKay. The cuts included axing three RCMP positions for savings of $326,000 and other measures. The revised budget came back before council in February, but city representatives were unable to agree on whether to accept the
trimmed budget or pursue further cuts to lower property taxes by a further two per cent, as proposed by Coun. Jim Kipp. Both proposals failed in 4-4 tie votes. On Monday, only Coun. Bill Bestwick voted against the budget. But few city officials were pleased by the outcome. Coun. Ian Thorpe, who had voted with McKay, and councillors Wendy Pratt and Diane Brennan to approve the budget in February, did so again. But Thorpe said he was “disappoint-
ed” by the cuts, adding he was concerned abut deferring costs. “It just seems to me we are snowplowing costs as we go forward,” he said. Brennan offered her “reluctant support,” calling the budget reductions “extreme” and “short-sighted.” Coun. Jerry Hong also said he was reluctant to support the bylaws, but for a different reason. “I would liked to have seen a zero per cent tax increase,” said Hong.
Coun. Gord Fuller said though council did a good job by reducing the budget, he believes an upcoming core review will help with further cuts. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@nanaimodailynews.com. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
» City Lantzville fire truck will keep premiums in check The truck was purchased to meet the standards of the Fire Underwriters Survey, a national organization that assesses municipalities’ fire protection ratings. » Nanaimo Region, A5
Tory budget also sparks up 2015 election season Today’s promised delivery of the Harper government’s first balanced spending blueprint in eight years means the Conservatives are already off and running. » Nation & World, A7
B.C. woman earns global environmental award Marilyn Baptiste was chosen for her work in the battle against the Prosperity Mine, which would have destroyed Fish Lake, a source of spiritual identity and livelihood for First Nations. » British Columbia, A6
» Use your smartphone to jump to our website for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
Cloudy, light rain High 13, Low 6 Details A2
Crime prevention, frontline policing a balancing act for Nanaimo RCMP SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
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anaimo RCMP have once again put a focus on prevention for its policing priorities for this year and the next, with management of social disorders, youth intervention and early detection of impaired drivers being listed as key measures. However, Supt. Mark Fisher, officer in charge of the Nanaimo RCMP, told city council Monday he will likely have to “redeploy” some officers from doing some of that work to handle more “reactive” police work, such as investigating property crime, for budget reasons. The priorities cited by the RCMP are part of an ongoing five-year plan to reduce crime in the region. Also included as main goals are managing prolific offenders, addressing violence in relationships, drug enforcement and a crackdown of other unsafe driving habits like distracted driving. Some of the priorities appear to have paid dividends. Impaired driving, for example, has steadily declined in recent years, including an 11 per cent drop in the latter part of 2013. Fisher also said the RCMP wants to keep its focus on using resources like a regular bike patrol to address problems like graffiti and public intoxication, as well as handling people in public spaces who may be dealing with mental health problems or other disorders — a bundle of issues lumped into the ‘social disorders’ category.
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Nanaimo RCMP Supt. Mark Fisher unveiled his department’s policing priorities for the year at Nanaimo city council Monday night. [SPENCER ANDERSON/DAILY NEWS]
Fisher said tackling those problems are important for “the perception of safety in the community.” “It’s something that’s very noticeable for people,” Fisher said. “It affects their sense of safety in the community.” The RCMP also assigns a handful of police officers to act as school liaisons within the school district and has worked with
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Vancouver Island University social work students to hold after-school programs for at-risk youth. Fisher, who attended some sessions, said the results have been positive. The RCMP had requested three additional police officers this year, but those positions were scrapped in city budget cuts. Fisher said he will work within the budget city council gives
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him, adding: “The priorities remain the same.” Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@nanaimodailynews.com. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
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