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Thursday, Th d May M 14, 14 2015
MUNICIPALITY
Talks continue with seniors home
Possible expansion discussed with Rainbow Gardens, West Porte residents concerned for park ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A public park in the middle of a west-end neighbourhood was not sold to Rainbow Gardens this spring, but discussions continue between the city and the seniors home with the hope of reaching an agreement for the facility to expand. In March strong opposition emerged from West Porte Place residents, leading city council to back off from selling the park for $163,000. This land deal was planned to allow for the expansion of Rainbow Gardens, which currently houses 31 residents on land next to the public green space. At the time no plan was presented by the West Coast Native Health Care Society, which owns Rainbow Gardens, and council decided not to
“Rainbow Gardens is trying to expand to address some of our really significant needs.” Mike Ruttan, Port Alberni mayor
proceed with a sale until a concise expansion proposal is put forth. On Monday the city held a private meeting with the health care society, as the municipality is entitled to do on matters of property acquisition, according to the B.C. Community Charter. Amid ongoing concerns from West Porte residents that the park could be affected by a future land deal, Mayor Mike Ruttan assured
the public that the existing green space will not be lost. “Park space in West Porte Place would be protected,” he said. “It’s a commitment to work with Rainbow Gardens to explore all of the options, including making sure that the residents of West Porte Place are included in whatever discussions we have.” Spaces in local seniors homes are severely limited, causing acute care beds in the West Coast General Hospital to be regularly occupied by elderly long-term care patients. To better meet this need the West Coast Native Health Care Society intends to seek subsidies from Island Health if the opportunity arises to build independent living suites on the park land. In a recent letter to the city Hugh Braker, Chief Councillor of the Tse-
good jobs,” wrote Braker. “There is a shortage of beds for the elderly in Port Alberni. Rainbow Gardens provides excellent care for the elderly and others needing assistance.” West Porte resident John Bennie believes public parks in Port Alberni should be protected at all costs. “It is somewhat unsettling to see Chief Councillor Braker’s letter,” he said during a city council meeting on Monday. Ruttan noted that council’s role is to serve the interests of the greater community. “Rainbow Gardens is trying to expand to address some of our really significant needs that we have as a city to assist our seniors with housing,” he said.
RUTTAN
shaht First Nation, expressed disappointment in council’s decision to not proceed with the Rainbow Gardens land deal in March. He said Rainbow gardens employs over 30 people. “We fail to understand why the city would turn its back on more
Eric.Plummer@avtimes.net
PETS
Three years after disappearance from P.A. cat found in Sooke, thanks to ID tattoo KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Cadets learn to surf, visit WWII bomber Port Alberni’s Sea Cadet Corp held a special spring trip to Tofino where they camped and hiked in the local area. » Alberni Region, A3
Daycares advocate for provincial subsidies Childhood care workers are optimistic with the support shown towards the $10a-day plan. » Childcare, A5
» Use your smartphone to jump to our Facebook page for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
A local family had a rare experience of “the cat came back” recently. For the owners, the return demonstrated the importance of permanent identification on pets. When Darlene Corlazzoli was living in Port Alberni about seven years ago, she got a black cat, Babes, that became a part of her family. At the time, her daughter Rhianna’s family, including six-month-old son, Seth, lived in Corlazzoli’s basement suite. When they moved out, Babes remained with Corlazzoli. Three years ago last summer, Corlazzoli was getting ready to move to Port McNeill and gave the cat to Rhianna. By September, Babes had disappeared without a trace from the West Porte area. “We thought that was the end of the story and that something got him,” Corlazzoli said. In mid-April of this year, Rhianna received a phone call from Victoria letting her know her cat had been turned in. Although it had an identifying tattoo, she was skeptical it was Babes. The cat was surrendered to the Victoria Pet Food Bank and Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society. Corlazzoli does not know how Babes ended up in Victoria, but assumed he was picked up by visitors or campers thinking he was a stray. “Apparently, the cat was starving when it was found and after a few days with no signs of having an owner around, an elderly couple rescued it and brought it to their home in Sooke,” said Margarita Dominguez, SAFARS president. “They said they could not find the owner and they did not know about the tattoo. The new owner of the cat was the man and sadly, he had
Darlene Corlazzoli is happy to have Babes, the family cat, back after he disappeared for three years. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
“Pet identification is really important. It can be life saving to a pet because it can get your pet back to you.” Irene Towell, Alberni ‘s SPCA manager
recently passed away.” As soon as Dominguez received the cat, it was taken to a foster home and after two weeks was checked by a veterinarian. Then that it was discovered Babes had an identifying tattoo. That day the phone lines were down at SAFARS
due to technical issues, so they had Natalie, the manager of another rescue group, contact Rhianna. “They told her they had her cat and identified it as Babes,” Corlazzoli said. In the meantime, Rhianna had acquired a new orange cat. “She told them it couldn’t be hers because it was right there on her bed and wasn’t black,” Corlazzoli said. It was the tattoo that confirmed Babe’s identity and she remained at SAFARS until the family was able to arrange to pick him up. Although she is unsure of the circumstances that led to Babe’s disappearance, Corlazzoli’s message to
anyone finding what they think is a stray is to assess the animal. “Please have it checked,” she said. “There might be a tattoo and the owners can be notified.” Branch manager of the local SPCA, Irene Towell agrees. “Pet identification is really important,” she said. “It can be life saving to a pet because it can get your pet back to you.” “If you move or change your phone number, let the vet clinic where it is registered know,” Towell added. “Outdated information is something we run into here.” kristi.dobson@avtimes.net
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