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Reese in ‘Hot Pursuit’’
City wants public input on Linley Valley future
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Reese Witherspoon teams up with Sofia Vergara who plays a loud Latina in the buddy cop flick ‘Hot Pursuit’
As transportation needs in the area grow, officials want feedback on moving traffic in the north end area. A3
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Thursday, May 7, 2015
» City
COMMUNITY
Tilray donates $10K for Heritage Days
Pet bylaw upgrade aims to improve animal welfare
ROBERT BARRON DAILY NEWS
pared — although not published as of Thursday evening — that will propose licensing cats at a “minor cost.” He stressed the city would not attempt to license felines in the same way as dogs. Other animal welfare groups have also pushed council to make changes in light of growing feral cat populations. If council approves any changes to animal control services, the changes would need to be approved in the animal control bylaw. If there are increased costs, a contract with a new animal control provider would need to be amended, Davidson said.
Tilray will help light up the night over the Nanaimo harbour on May 16. The medical-marijuana production facility at Duke Point has agreed to sponsor the fireworks show at next weekend’s inaugural Nanaimo Heritage Days and cover the approximately $10,000 cost. The commitment by Tilray is the latest by members of Nanaimo’s business community to revive the city’s Empire Days event under a new name. The Nanaimo Empire Days Celebration Society voted in March to cancel its participation this year in what would have been the city’s 148th annual May long-weekend tradition after city council voted to withhold grant funding due to concerns that the society’s name was offensive. But new life was breathed into the celebration after Morgan Carey, president and CEO of downtown Nanaimo firm Real Estate Webmasters, threw a $50,000 lifeline to the event under its new moniker. Tilray’s director of public relations Zack Hudson said the company agreed to get involved with the Nanaimo Heritage Days to show its appreciation to the community. “We are proud to have quickly become one of the region’s largest employers and we look forward to continuing to grow and strengthen our relationship with the community in coming years”. City councillor Jerry Hong, who has been searching for ways an event could go ahead this year after the exit of the Empire Days organizers, said he’s happy Tilray is now involved. “A lot of things are coming together for next weekend, including musical acts, a beer garden, fireworks at Swy-a-Lana Lagoon and the parade on Sunday,” he said.
Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255
Robert.Barron @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4234
Dylan Zaharuk, 2, talks to some dogs as he is supervised by mother, Kendall Doherr, at the Beban Park dog park Wednesday afternoon. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]
Dogs in hot cars, licensing cats are main points SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
N
anaimo council may soon be asked to vote on an expansion to its animal control services, including licensing of cats and penalties for people who leave their pets unattended without proper ventilation. On the agenda for Monday’s committee of the whole meeting is a recommendation from city staff to approve a request for proposal for animal control contractor, after an expression of interest notice last year resulted in interest from two companies deemed qualified to carry out a contract with the city. City staff were directed last year to study the impact of adding new regulations to the city’s
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animal control bylaw to deal specifically with dogs and cats. In the case of dogs, the Nanaimo & District SPCA and other groups had asked the city to consider issuing tickets to pet owners who left their dogs or other pets with inadequate ventilation, particularly in hot cars during the summer months. Currently, city animal control personnel or bylaw officers have no power to hand out tickets and can only contact RCMP and animal cruelty investigators if it appears a dog in distress. City parking and bylaw manager Rod Davidson, who has been working on the file, said
city staff are proposing two options to address the issue. Davidson said one option will involve “no added cost” to the city’s animal control contract, as animal control officers will be asked to prioritize calls for dogs in hot cars over other issues, such as pets on the loose. Davidson said that approach will mean no additional staff will be needed within the animal control contract. He said it will also allow the city to gather information on how much the additional service will impact costs, “because we don’t know what the added cost is.” Alternatively, council could look to hiring additional staff to take on the added work. As for cats, Davidson said a separate staff report has been pre-
New Alberta premier assures energy sector
Golf club and workers seek end to dispute
Rachel Notley says she will work with oil and gas and other business leaders to assure them her government will be a partner in building the province. » Nation & World, A9
Staff were locked out in March when talks stalled over wages; management say the union has not responded to a request for mediation to reach a settlement. » Nanaimo Region, A6
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Classified ............................ B7 Obituaries ........................... B7 Comics ................................. B6
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