VANCOUVER ISLAND
Death on Sproat Lake under investigation Man died Saturday after engine stalled as boat was going at a high rate of speed, says coroner. A3
NATION & WORLD
Rescue mission ission
Compensation set for Lac-Megantic tragedy
Greece’s prime minister, nister, Alexis Tsipras, mustt now sell bailout deal to the people
Fund of $430M earmarked for more than 4,000 victims and creditors in connection with July 2013 disaster. A6
Nation & World, A7
The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Tuesday, July 14, 2015
» City
CRIME
Provincial dams deadline won’t be met after vote
Victim of brutal attack out of coma, but prognosis is uncertain JULIE CHADWICK DAILY NEWS
Dave Richardson fishes for trout in the lower Colliery dam earlier this year.
[DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO]
City council votes to pursue a third option “This is one of many dams we’ll have to deal with,” Hong said. “It’s $3 million for this dam and $3 million for the next, then $2 million and $1 million — that’s ludicrous,” Hong said. “I don’t want to be on council when these other dams come up.” Thorpe’s motion failed 5-4. Instead, Fuller had support for his motion to establish a select committee to complete a study of the Colliery dams watershed, including an analysis of storm frequency and water flow rates as “due diligence” on any work needed. The motion also called for the city to retain the services of engineering firm GSI to come up with an “over-topping” design to allow severe flood storm-water to safely flow over the dams without causing erosion, and associated risk of threat to safety. Pratt asked staff for advice on whether that would meet provincial timelines. The city faces a July 24 deadline to make a decision that
DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS
C
ity council has ignored a provincial government order to remediate the Colliery dams in case of extreme flooding. After two years of delay, the city was recently given an order by the province to take steps to do work on the dams. Two options were offered: a labyrinth or an auxiliary spillway to catch water in the event of severe flooding to lessen the likelihood of damage and casualties. But a majority council voted on Monday to choose neither option, instead choosing to strike a committee to further study the risk and start design work on a third option. The outcome followed two hours of sometimes testy exchanges between councillors on both sides of the debate. Coun. Ian Thorpe tabled a motion to go the less costly auxiliary spillway route. “I think we all agree the park is a beautiful place, but
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enough is enough, I don’t want it to go on another year. I think it’s time to make a decision,” Thorpe said. Those who supported Thorpe were Mayor Bill McKay and councillors Diane Brennan and Wendy Pratt. Several spoke of the need to put the issue behind them after two years of study and debate. “It’s time we did something,” Brennan said. “We’ve received enough information and it is time to move the city out of this quagmire,” which drew catcalls from the audience. “I am not about to defy an order,” said Pratt. Willing to challenge the province are councillors Gord Fuller, Jim Kipp, Bill Yoachim, Jerry Hong and Bill Bestwick. Hong said provincial authorities are “playing hardball,” and it will cost taxpayers.
would move it toward being in compliance with the order. “It definitely cannot comply,” said city manager Ted Swabey. He said study costs would likely reach $250,000, not including engineering reports and peer reviews, and “all of those costs leave me wondering why council would consider a motion such as this, when the order is very specific,” Swabey said. Brennan expressed concerns about a motion that would put staff at risk of actively working to put the city out of compliance with a provincial order. Speaking for Fuller’s motion, Kipp pointed to the Jordan River BC Hydro dam, which was under an order and a camping ban, which was later lifted. He said in that case, the area affected was 15 times larger, “and that’s what I’m standing up for here, is consistency.” Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
An arrest has been made in connection with the machete attack of local tattoo artist Rickie Sugars. Nanaimo RCMP have recommended charges to the Crown. Until charges are approved, police are not yet releasing the name of the suspect. Sugars lives with his wife and two children in a home on Fifth Street, next door to his business, Sugars Tattoo. The couple was getting ready for bed at approximately 1 a.m. on June 30 when Sugars heard a noise and went outside to check it out, said his wife Carly. Sugars mother Diane said she thought he had heard a woman screaming. Police have not yet confirmed if Sugars knew his attacker or any further details. Sugars, the primary income earner for his family, suffered a head injury and underwent emergency brain surgery following the attack. He has now emerged from an induced coma but his prognosis is uncertain. “Because the brain is involved, no one can predict what the future will bring,” said Sugars’ mother Diane. She said Sugars is now awake and receiving therapy. “All I wanted, when I heard about his injury, was that he would live. Anything and everything beyond that was extra. It’s selfish as a parent, because he may have been severely handicapped, but for me, all I wanted was for him to live,” she said. “He’s such a strong person and he’s so determined to overcome any handicaps as a result of this injury. And I’m just thankful that he’s alive.” The family are struggling with rent to keep the shop open and travel expenses to visit Sugars in the hospital, so a fundraiser has been set up by Andrea Alexander, an old school friend. “We were friends as kids growing up in Kelowna,” said Alexander. “When I heard about what happened, with a head injury like that it’s a long recovery process, and with him being the breadwinner of the family, they were going to need some help.” For more information go to www.youcaring.com/carly-sugars-383543. Julie.Chadwick@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4238 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@nanaimodailynews.com. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
Cosby accusers want court docs released
Fecal transplants may aid ulcerative colitis
More than two dozen women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct in the past four decades, and many alleged that he drugged and raped them. » Entertainment, B7
While first trials as to the whether the procedure could be effective were not promising, researchers say that further study revealed that it may be promising. » Health, B1
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