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Tuesday, September 8, 2015 FEDERAL ELECTION
» Salmon Festival
Postal cuts divide views ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
more time with it. If I just used it as a base here it would be a waste and would not honour the tree.” Growing up in Campbell River, Toso chose a logging truck because it is something he saw regularly. The piece took him nearly 12 hours to complete. When it is donated to his sponsor, it will be another of Toso’s collection finding a home in Port Alberni, along with the jumping salmon at the Visitor Centre and the recently finished bench at Harbour Quay. Adam Youngblut took part in the event because of its close proximity to his hometown of Ladysmith. His wildlife-themed piece carved from red cedar took about 13 to 14 hours to finish. “It was something I wanted to check out because it is something new,” Youngblut said. “The weather held off, so that was good.”
“Save Door to Door” signs have become a common sight in Port Alberni at the homes of those opposed to service cuts being undertaken by Canada Post to save costs. Candidates in the new Alberni-Courtenay riding have taken sides on the issue, with three aspiring Members of Parliament opposed to the incumbent, John Duncan, who currently represents the Vancouver Island North riding. In December 2013 Canada Post announced that door-to-door delivery would be replaced by neighbourhood mailboxes as part of a plan for the national postal service to reach financial sustainability by 2019. Among these measures is the elimination of 6,000 to 8,000 positions after upcoming retirements, which will avoid layoffs in the Crown corporation, stated Canada Post. A major concern is the continual loss of revenue, which Canada Post most recently reported to be $31 million before taxes over the second fiscal quarter of this year. This is due to declining letter volumes and the rising cost of employee benefits, said Canada Post spokesperson Anick Losier. The City of Port Alberni has backed the Canadian Union of Postal Workers campaign to halt the cuts, citing the reliance on doorstep mail among the community’s growing number of seniors. Liberal Candidate Carrie Powell-Davidson agrees, and calls the plan to phase out the service “a short sighted approach that emphasizes profitability.” She said the Liberals will begin a new review of Canada Post to ensure it can fulfill its mandate at a reasonable cost. “What happens to Canadians in their 80s and 90s around this country if they have to walk three city blocks on icy sidewalks to get their bills and pension cheques through the mail?” Powell-Davidson asked.
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Haily Brown takes a good look at the bullhead she caught in the kids’ derby on Sunday morning during the 44th annual Port Alberni Salmon Festival. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
Langley angler takes top prize
40-pound chinook the largest catch from derby’s 1,300 participants
KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
T
he hopes of salmon festival organizers for good fishing this past weekend came true when the winning catch weighed in on Sunday at over 40-pounds. Bob Moulton from Langley took home the top cash prize at the 44th annual Port Alberni Salmon Festival with a 40.4-pound chinook caught near Bamfield. Along with his fishing partner, Chrissy Zacklan, it took the two half an hour to reel it in. “It didn’t want to come in,” Moulton said. “I was watching it come up to the boat,” Zacklan said. “We knew right as soon as it got into the boat that it was a winner.” From there, Ken Bodaly from Rocky Point Charters brought them back to weigh it in just in time to make the day’s cut off. All together the pair caught five salmon, but the winner was caught with a fluorescent pink hoochie. At a Salmon Fest three years
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MOULTON
ago, Moulton won the largest catch of the day but has been trying to win the overall prize for four years. His patience paid off and he returned to the Lower Mainland with a $15,000 cheque. “I’m going to fix my truck,” Moulton said. “I have a 2008 Chevy that needs body work and a paint job.” President of the Salmon Festival Dan Washington said more than 1,300 registered entrants
were in the derby and upwards of 1,000 fish weighed in. “For a 40-pounder to win for our 44th year, I’m happy with that,” Washington said. The winners of the kid’s bullhead derby on Sunday were Riley Verlander with a 232-millimetre fish and Nathalie Taberner, who caught a 257-millimetre bullhead. Just across the street was a new feature for the festival. The professional carving exhibition at Stirling Field attracted a steady stream of onlookers. The carvers, all of whom came from out of town, agreed it was a worthy inaugural event and are already thinking about next year. Jesse Toso won the People’s Choice for his replica logging truck. Originally starting with a piece of cedar, he switched to a different log when he realized what it was. “I cut into it and saw that it was a really rare old growth cedar,” Toso said. “I’m going to keep it for next year and spend
Library works to attract more teenagers
Kingfisher rescued from the West Coast
More has been spent on services for children and adults, but getting teens in the facility is now a priority.
These fairly ugly, unpleasant smelling birds have so many interesting features you can’t help but like them.
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ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 169
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Public & Farmers’ Markets Where fresh food, artisan goods and great company come together!
Did you you know? know? The Tofino Community Food Initiative purchases produce from the Alberni Valley and transports it for sale on the West Coast weekly. Interested producers can contact the TCFI at tofinolocalfood@yahoo.ca for more info.
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Port Alberni Farmers’ Market
Spirit Square Farmers’ Market
Ucluelet Night Market
6211 Cherry Creek Road Saturdays 9am-noon “Consumers, be prepared for food shortages and higher prices. We can help - with local organic grains, honey, fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, baking and crafts every week!”
Harbour Quay, 5440 Argyle St Saturdays 9am-noon “August 29th -Tomato Festival ‘Everything Tomato!’ Recipes, samples and tomatoes of all shapes, sizes and colours. See you at the Quay!”
Village Green, 200 Main St Fridays y 3-7pm p June 26-Sept 18
Tofino Public Market Village Green, Campbell St Saturdays 10am-2pm May 16-Sept 26
Sunset Market 4586 Victoria Quay Wednesdays 6-9pm June 24-Sept 9