NANAIMO REGION
Group seeks city cash for Terminal corridor upgrade The City of Nanaimo is being asked to contribute almost $200,000 for environmental study and design work on the downtown Terminal Avenue corridor. A3
‘Inside Out’ a wistful look at growing up
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Thursday, June 18, 2015
» Multiculturalism
COURTS
Nanaimo rallies behind local Asian community
Firearm and drug charges result in long prison term SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
Nanaimo Asian Professional Association members Hadon Fu, left, and Cindy Qin.
“I’m not certain what this task force will look like, but I want to actively pursue it, in addition to action to catch these hooligans,” McKay said. “We appreciate that,” said Fu. “It shows immigrants are welcome in Nanaimo.” Petitions are available at the Nanaimo Multicultural Society office, the Da Tang Restaurant, Port Place Hair Spa, Dorchester Hotel, Wakesiah Esso and Sushi Eh Restaurant, through Friday. Fu hopes people remember the role immigrants played in building Nanaimo “We live here. We’re not going anywhere. We have a history here. We have a right to come here,” Fu said.
A guilty plea on drug possession and firearm charges in Nanaimo has led to a prison sentence of just over four years for a 32-year-old Nanaimo man. Matthew Kenneth Douglas Gibson received the sentence following a joint submission in provincial court Wednesday from Crown prosecutor Jim Whiting and defence lawyer Danny Markovitz. Judge Justine Saunders sentenced Gibson on three counts, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition and one count of possession of a firearm contrary to an order. The total sentence is 1,496 days. The charges stem from a police investigation into Gibson that began in September 2012, Whiting told the court. Police arrested Gibson on Jan. 10, 2013, seizing a substantial haul of cash and illegal drugs from Gibson’s car and residence. Police found two bundles of cash valued at $2,400 in the console of Gibson’s Honda Accord. Gibson was carrying $647.07 on him. After searching his Nanaimo apartment, the RCMP then seized a number of electronic scales, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of about $50,000 and smaller quantities of heroin and methamphetamine valued at $16,500 and $6,000 respectively. Police also found a loaded handgun with seven rounds and just over $18,000 in cash hidden throughout the apartment. Whiting said Gibson has only one prior drug conviction for possession, but said Gibson has 15 previous other convictions, including four assaults and two weapons-related charges. Markovitz said Gibson’s record “speaks for itself” and said his client is “taking responsibility for his actions.” Gibson also told Saunders that he was ready to take responsibility for his crimes. The judge described Gibson’s record as “unenviable” and urged him to get out of the drug world.
Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255
[AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]
‘Everyone has the right to live in Nanaimo’ “We’re sending out a message: Everyone is welcome, everyone has the right to live in Nanaimo.”
DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS
N
anaimo is rallying to support Chinese nationals against what appears to be a small but vocal anti-immigration movement in the city. In less than two days, more than 250 people signed a petition to show support for immigrants blamed for rising property values and “international real estate speculation.” The Nanaimo Asian Professional Association, formed last year, is behind the petition. Signatures will be collected all week, then organizers plan to send copies to city council, local MLAs and the Chinese embassy to show that most Nanaimo residents welcome newcomers from all countries.
Hadon Fu, NAPA director
“The first thing is awareness,” said Hadon Fu, one of six directors on the board of NAPA. “We’re sending out a message: Everyone is welcome, everyone has the right to live in Nanaimo.” Some north end residents reported receiving flyers early in June warning of the end of affordable housing, “proliferation of non-official languages” and destruction of Nanaimo’s character as the city experiences a “property nightmare” from immigration, similar to Richmond.
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Cloudy, sunny periods High 20, Low 12 Details A2
Photographs were included as ‘proof:’ Bus bench real estate advertisements for Asian agents. Hilde Schlosar, executive director of the Central Vancouver Multicultural Society called the flyers “garbage” and asked Nanaimo RCMP to investigate. NAPA member Cindy Qin said her husband heard of the controversy on the news in China. “My husband said: ‘What has happened here? Are my children safe?’” Qin said. By Wednesday, RCMP was looking into reports of vandalism to the bus bench ads and “we have no idea at this point” who is behind it, said Const. Gary O’Brien. He said there is no known connection between the producers of the flyer and the vandalism. McKay wants to form a task force of community leaders to plan a response.
Ex-Barsby star Cook returns to VI Raiders
Officers say goodbye to slain Edmonton cop
Former Barsby Bulldogs star Justin Cook is back with the Vancouver Island Raiders after leaving the team midway through the 2014 season. » Sports, B2
Const. Daniel Woodall remembered as a dedicated police officer who had only begun to tap his talents as protector of the abused and the bullied. » Nation & World, A9
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