NANAIMO REGION
Young people returning to live, work in mid-Island
China Syndrome me to play The Vault ault
While the exodus of youth is well documented, a new report also finds the trend reverses when people reach their 30s, with many between 30 and 34 observed now returning. A3
Tim Chan and three other band members will showcase their new album, ‘The Usual Angst’
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Thursday, April 23, 2015
» Downtown
POLICE
City makes move to ease big problems with parking KAISER
Search continues for missing city man DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS
She said the new restrictions on long-term parking have increased visibility on the street and left more room for visitors and cyclists. Davidson said “it’s always a challenge” to balance residents’ and drivers’ needs, pointing to the university area, where resident parking only zones are in effect. That has resulted in spillover of parking on Wakesiah Avenue by students from Vancouver Island University. Davidson added that the city may revisit that issue in the future.
Nanaimo RCMP visited a pair of properties this week as they continue their investigation into a man missing for more than two years. Police recently mounted a public appeal for clues in the investigation into the disappearance of Cristian Kaiser of Nanaimo. Kaiser was 23 when he was last seen by members of his family in December of 2012. On Wednesday, Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP confirmed reports their mobile forensics team has been active on two mid-Island properties. “One’s south of Nanaimo and one is in Errington,” said O’Brien. “We’re not commenting on the properties.” Police issued an appeal for public assistance several months ago, when the investigation offered no new clues. Kaiser does not own a vehicle, has limited financial means and does not use social media. Family members are growing increasingly concerned. The Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit has not ruled out foul play. Kaiser is five foot four and weighs 120 pounds. He has olive skin, dark hair and eyes. “His family needs to hear he is OK,” said O’Brien. Clues will be accepted at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
Nanaimo Bylaw Enforcement Officer Barry Hornby in the Nob Hill area. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]
Nob Hill residents sought relief from congestion SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
T
he City of Nanaimo is restricting longterm parking in parts of the Nob Hill area near downtown in a bid to soothe frustrations from residents from congestion. The work was ordered as part of a council resolution passed last year to address parking issues in and around the downtown area. Council also voted to have the city install multispace parking meters downtown starting this year, shifting away from the free two-hour zones in place now. The metering work, estimated to cost $625,000 over two years, was excluded from the 2015 budget by city staff, as
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it would have resulted increased spending for the 2015 fiscal year. Rod Davidson, parking manager for the city, said staff will push to have the meters installed in next year’s budget. He said in the meantime the city will continue with the signage installation in Nob Hill as well as a free parking pilot project for the downtown on evenings and weekend. The dilemma the city faces relates to where free parking is in the city and who uses it. A common complaint from residents is that visitors from other
parts of town frequently park in residential streets for long periods of time, causing excess traffic and a lack of parking, instead of making use of parkades. There was previously unrestricted parking in the Nob Hill area. Davidson said two-hour, resident-exempt parking zones have now been added on one side of streets in the area, which includes Hecate Street and parts of Milford Crescent. Sabrina Lorenz, who has lived in the area with her family for the past six months, said the policy is a hit with her and her neighbours. “I haven’t met anybody who’s upset yet, but as a resident, yeah, we’re very happy,” Lorenz said. “It’s a good change.”
Teen Nanaimo hockey prospect stays home
Trash to Treasure Challenge for students
After playing three games as an affiliate player with the Nanaimo Clippers as a 15-year-old, Owen Hardy, who is now 16, will join the team full-time in the fall. » Sports, D1
The purpose of the event is to make people think about the trash they leave behind when they are on the beach, or anywhere else in the natural environment. » Nanaimo Region, A3
Local news .................... A3-5 Markets ................................A2 B.C. news ............................. A8
Editorials and letters ..... A4 Sports ................................... D1 Scoreboard ........................ D4
Classified ............................ D5 Obituaries ........................... D5 Comics ................................. B8
Crossword .......................... B8 Sudoku ................................. A2 Horoscope .......................... B6
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