NANAIMO REGION
New CAO hired to work for Lantzville district
Brad McRae replaces Lantzville’s long-time CAO Twyla Graff who resigned in April. A3
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Thursday, July 9, 2015
End of the line
CITY
Council to get aid of mediator
Nanaimo Maps and Charts owner Andy Wizinsky is closing up the family-run downtown bookstore after 52 years — another casualty of the Internet
SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
Nanaimo Maps and Charts owner Alan Wizinsky will be closing the doors of his family business after more than 50 years in Nanaimo. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]
Store became well known throughout the Island
A
s a child, Alan Wizinsky grew up between the shelves of his father’s store, which specialized in all things nautical, from books of coastal lore and boat maintenance, to maps and charts of the Pacific Northwest. A family business for the last 52 years at 8 Church Street downtown, Nanaimo Maps and Charts will mark the end of an era later this month as they close their doors. They are currently selling off all their inventory, including fixtures. “The biggest reason is the Internet. People aren’t using paper charts, they’re using electronics. Same with maps. Hunters are using GPS’s rather than topograhic maps, and young people are not buying books,” said Wizinsky, who said the decision to close was purely
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Mainly sunny High 28, Low 17 Details A2
financial. “I honestly don’t know. That expertise in maps and From what we see, there seems nautical charts was passed along to be less reading in general, par- to Alan, and both men took pride ticularly the under-30 crowd.” in guiding fishermen, hunters The family-owned and pleasure boaters building was sold to with what information website company Real might work best for Estate Webmasters on them. June 30 in a move WizThrough word of insky describes as somemouth, the store became what ironic. known throughout It was in 1963 that Vancouver Island and Alan’s father Andy attracted a brisk busiWizinsky bought the ness for decades. business. The family had It wasn’t until about recently relocated from two years ago that Alan Saskatchewan and Andy Julie really noticed a steep was intensely interested Chadwick decline particularly in all things West Coast. Reporting in the sale of marine “When he took over he charts, something he had no knowledge whatattributes to a rise in soever, but by the time the purchase of eleche retired he was an expert,” tronic devices and packages for said Alan. “Customers don’t help navigating. themselves, we service them and As a seasoned map expert, recommend charts to them.” there are some drawbacks to
the use of devices however, said Alan. “It doesn’t give you the big picture of where you want to go,” he said. “Quite often, customers are reluctant to make the dollar purchase of the paper charts, but every year that’s gone by we’ve had people return to the store after their trip to thank us for convincing them to buy the chart. Because during the trip it proved that they really needed them. Electronic devices can fail.” It is with “mixed feelings” that he is closing the business, said Alan. Once the fixtures and stock — which is at a 40 per cent discount — are sold off, he plans to move out east and retire. Julie.Chadwick @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4238
Saskatchewan fires force more to flee
Controversy after bear cubs spared killing
Red Cross is not accepting donations, saying the space and manpower required to take them would pull resources away from more urgent needs. » Nation & World, A8
The B.C. Conservation Office will investigate after an Island conservation officer refused an order to destroy two orphaned bear cubs. » Nanaimo Region, A3
Local news .................... A3-5 Markets ................................A2 B.C. news ............................. A7
Editorials and letters ..... A4 Sports .................................. B2 Scoreboard ........................ B3
Classified ............................ B5 Obituaries ........................... B5 Comics ................................. B4
Deteriorating relations between Nanaimo council members has led Mayor Bill McKay to have the city hire a professional facilitator to improve what the mayor describes as an “extremely acrimonious” atmosphere at council. McKay said he began the search for a consultant in December, after he became concerned by “certain comments” from some council members to one another and towards himself. McKay confirmed the city has hired Vancouver-based The Integrity Group, a firm specializing in workplace assessments and conflict resolution. He said the firm had previously done work for the city’s respectful workplace program. The firm has so far conducted several one-on-one interviews — some of them lasting several hours —with councillors and city manager Ted Swabey, McKay said. He said the results so far have been positive. “I’ve heard nothing but glowing reports from council.” But McKay acknowledged recent council meetings have seen conflict at the council table and in the public gallery. He says it is affecting council business. Two council meetings have had to be cancelled this year due to lack of quorum, which senior city officials have said is unprecedented. While council members have pointed fingers at one another on who is to blame, Coun. Ian Thorpe said a more business-like approach is needed on issues that may stoke passions. “I think we need to debate issues without bringing personalities into play . . .” Thorpe said. Nanaimo’s acting human resources director Paddy Bradley said that the city has not yet received an invoice from the contractor. McKay said he was unsure of the cost but called it “an investment in council’s future.” 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.
Crossword .......................... B4 Sudoku ................................. A2 Horoscope .......................... B6
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