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crash New park features old stones Car off the Iconic millstones to be located on waterfront green space along Somass River KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A new waterfront park will soon be home to the heritage millstones that date back to Port Alberni’s industrial beginnings. The location at the bottom of Roger Street at the Catalyst Mill gate entrance is fitting as a permanent display for the millstones, which originate with the first paper mill. It will also provide green space, an area for gathering and an enhanced view of the corner. The City is on board and providing $25,000 to the development. In-kind sponsors have also been secured to help defray costs. Finding a location for the millstones was a project spearheaded by Charlene Patterson a few years ago. “When I first saw them in December 2012, I wanted to find a location for them where everyone could see and enjoy them,” Patterson said. Since then, Patterson has put in a lot of legwork, made connections and worked with the City to put things into place. “I met (Catalyst manager) Fred Chin, who is a lover of heritage and community,” Patterson said. “Then in December 2013, Hugh Grist and Scott Kenny looked at the millstones. They are well-loved in the community and we needed to find a suitable location.” Last year, a survey went out and determined the concensus to be at the foot of Roger Street, close to Victoria Quay. The old focal point sign from the entrance to Port Alberni at the Visitor’s Centre will be installed at the same site to incorporate a theme. “It had previously been dropped from the budget, so when the mayor came to see me last week and said he had good news, I was happy that it was approved, Patterson said. “I am proud to be
Redford extension Man drives off highway after falling asleep ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Charlene Patterson overlooks Victoria Quay from the site of a new park that will be built opposite the Catalyst mill gate entrance. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
a part of it and pleased for the community.” Work will begin on the undeveloped land in July. First the site will be regraded, followed by the construction of a base for both the millstones and focal point sign. Benches will be installed and a view deck built with a picnic table. “This will finish off the undeveloped corner,” Kenny said. “Portions of it will be visible from Victoria Quay.” “There is still a lot of work to do but it is an important part of the community,” Patteson said. She said the park will highlight two icons of Port Alberni¹s past.
In this file photo, Charlene Patterson stands by the old mill grinding stones at their location along the Somass River behind a Catalyst administrative building. [TIMES]
KDobson@avtimes.net
A local man in his early 50s drove off the Redford extension early Tuesday morning after falling asleep at the wheel, according to the Port Alberni RCMP. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. when the driver had just dropped his wife off at work. He was headed southbound on the Port Alberni Highway when the man fell asleep while passing the West Coast General Hospital. His car steered to the right off the road, rolling down an embankment to Morton Street and McIntyre Drive. “The male was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” said Cpl. Jen Allan of the Port Alberni RCMP. Nodding off at the wheel is alarmingly common, according to an ICBC survey that found 30 per cent of respondents admitted to falling asleep while driving. “Fatigue can slow your reaction time and impair your judgment,” stated a release from the insurance corporation. “When driving at highway speeds, even a slight reduction of your reaction time can significantly increase your risk of a crash.” Allan said that police are dealing with an increase in cases of the dangerous behaviour. “We’re seeing more of this,” she said. “There’s studies showing that we as a society are quite sleep deprived.”
CITY
Tax breaks for non-profits under review ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A review is underway for local groups currently benefiting from tax exemptions. Sixty local organizations are currently waived from owing property taxes to the city, an amount that totaled $298,685 in forgiven dues last year. Twenty of these groups are churches or other buildings of worship that will soon be facing a review with council’s motion to assess the city’s places of public worship bylaw on Monday. Other community groups that currently enjoy levy exemptions could owe dues in the future, as Port Alberni’s elected representatives look into the appropriateness of
McLEMAN
the tax breaks. “We’re responsible for this money,” said Coun. Jack McLeman. “That’s our job, we’re responsible to the taxpayers for
this money that is here and therefore we should be the ones that give direction.” According to B.C.’s Community Charter taxes can be waived for properties run by the province, city, regional district, the library, hospital, schools, cemeteries and worship groups. In 2013 the city approved a list of other operations for exemptions, including athletic facilities, special needs programs, seniors care, arts programs, emergency services and groups that partner with the municipality to provide a public service. A recent report for council from city clerk Davina Hartwell explained that tax exemptions are not line items in the budget or
financed through other property levies. “They do, however, impose a cost on taxpayers who are not exempt as they reduce the total value of the tax base,” she stated. At a public meeting on Monday council delayed a decision on making any changes to the tax exemptions to allow more time for reviewing each organization on the list. Groups currently benefiting from a tax break encompass a variety of services provided to the community. The tax exemption list includes the Fir Park Village seniors home, the Alberni District Fall Fair, curling club, Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, the local branch of the
B.C. SPCA, John Paul II Catholic School, the Black Sheep Rugby Club, the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society and the Port Players Dramatic Society’s running of the Capital Theatre. “It is equally important to recognize the significant value of volunteers, volunteer groups and agencies to the social, spiritual, cultural, educational and physical well- being of the community,” said Hartwell in her report. “A reduction or elimination of exemptions would seriously impact the ability of these agencies to do the work they do in the community.” eric.plummer@avtimes.net
Inside today What’s On 2 Alberni Region 3
Opinion 4 On the Island 5
This Is Then 6 Community 7
Sports 8 Scoreboard 9
Classifieds 11 Enterprise 12
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