NANAIMO REGION
New rules for culture and heritage grants
Applications from groups will be assessed by the commission on a merit and public impact basis. A3
NANAIMO REGION
Profiling race e
Temporary ferry on as Newcastle talks go on
U.S. president uses explosive osive epithet as he weighs in on controversial topic
After Harbour Ferry Tours shut down its service, the Protection Island ferry service stepped in. A3
Nation & World, A7
The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Tuesday, June 23, 2015 CITY
Hotel project comes back to life Decision gives the developer, SSS Manhao, another six months from now to obtain a building permit SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
Nanaimo council has agreed to a six-month extension on the city’s right to buy back the parcel of land where the proposed hotel project would be built. The decision gives the developer, SSS Manhao, another six months from now to obtain a building permit for the project and to start construction before the city can act on a option to purchase agreement to buy back the land at the original price of
$565,000 the developer paid the city to acquire the lot, at 100 Gordon St., next to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. The motion, which passed unanimously, will also see the developer pay $100,000 for improvements to Piper Park. The developer will also give up its right of first negotiation to operate the VICC. The vote came after council voted 5-4 the previous week to reject a one-year extension sought by the developer.
Councillors Jerry Hong, Bill Yoachim, Gord Fuller, Jim Kipp and Bill Bestwick had voted to defeat the extension, during a sometimes-heated council meeting that saw some council members confront SSS Manhao’s lawyer Perry Ehrlich on delays and a lack of communication on progress with the project. Ehrlich said SSS Manhao had spent more than $4 million in preparation for construction. Mayor Bill McKay and councillors Diane Brennan, Ian Thorpe
and Wendy Pratt were in support of the motion. Hong then proposed a motion for a report on a six-month extension instead, as well as other concessions. Fuller supported the extension this time, adding he had wanted the right of first negotiation for the conference centre removed. Bestwick said Hong’s motion “cleans up the process” and said he looked forward to the hotel’s completion. Kipp said council “played a bit of hardball” with the developer but said he sup-
ports the shorter extension. Yoachim also supported the extension for the project: “What I just hope for is the communication improves . . .” 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.
» Community Cop gets prison for lying at Dziekanski inquiry Judge says that perjury is a very serious offence that undermines the administration of justice, and Const. Kwesi Millington’s lies hampered the public inquiry. » British Columbia, A6
Downtown sports arena could bring WHL team “We’ve indicated all along that in the event a facility that meets the WHL standard, if it’s available in Nanaimo, the market becomes a real interest to us,” said league commissioner Ron Robison. » Sports, B2
UN seeks Canadian aid for global child health With the world set to convene at the UN in New York in September to launch another 15-year set of aid priorities UNICEF says there’s still a long way to go. » Health, B1
» Use your smartphone to jump to our website for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
Mainly sunny High 22, Low 15 Details A2
Till death do us part: Support allows woman with cancer to renew vows DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS
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donated wedding dress sparked an outpouring of generosity that helped a couple with what may be a final celebration of their marriage. On Saturday, June and Lloyd Nogier renewed their wedding vows at their Spencer Street home. June has terminal cancer of the pancreas. She found out she has up to 18 months left just before Christmas. The couple, who share a June 19 birthday, were wed on that same day in 1976. When her daughter Lisa Nogier Dovey offered her a Great Gatsby party for their birthday, June said she’d prefer a repeat of their 25th anniversary, when she and Lloyd renewed their wedding vows — because of the doubts around the possibility of a 40th anniversary. But she needed a dress and finding something affordable on their small pensions posed a challenge. She started calling around town and Chris Pozar at Ladybelle Bridal invited her to have a look at what he and his wife Marcy have at their store. She agreed to drive over, Pozar said. “My wife and I talked about it and said: ‘Why don’t we have her pay a little bit of money, and the money we’ll donate to (Nanaimo) Hospice?’” Nogier found a dress she loved, but the price was $760. They suggested she pick a price she could afford. She paid $60. “We really empathized with her story,” said Pozar, adding publicity was the last thing he and his wife wanted from it — it was to help someone in need.
Local news .................... A3-5 Markets ................................A2 B.C. news ............................. A6
Lloyd and June Nogier in their backyard where they renewed their wedding vows on Saturday for their 39th anniversary. A local merchant donated a dress for the event. June has terminal cancer. [DARRELL BELLAART/DAILY NEWS]
But the next day, Nogier Dovey posted details of the couple’s generous act on a Nanaimo wedding swap and shop Facebook page. That triggered an outpouring of support on the member-only group. More than 130 posts went up. “It just took off,” said Nogier. “Everybody wanted to do something to help. It was unbelievable.” Businesses and individuals offered food for the event, makeup, fingernail art, massages, dance lessons, even a tuxedo for Lloyd’s special day.
Editorials and letters ..... A4 Sports .................................. B2 Scoreboard ........................ B4
On Saturday, about 30 people turned out to see June and Lloyd renew their wedding vows in the Nogier’s back yard, at an anniversary that will possibly be their last. “It was very emotional for everyone,” said Adrianna Furlan, who volunteered to co-ordinate the event. “They had been married 39 years and they repeated their vows, and will be together until death do they part.” Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
Classified ............................ B6 Obituaries ........................... B6 Comics ................................. B5
June and Lloyd on their wedding day at St. Andrews United Church in Nanaimo in 1976.
Crossword .......................... B5 Sudoku ................................. A2 Horoscope .......................... B7
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Nanaimo Daily News and nanaimodailynews.com reach more than 60,000 readers each week in print and online. General inquiries: 250-729-4200 | Newsroom: 250-729-4224 | To subscribe: 250-729-4266 | Copyright 2015. All rights reserved
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