GOLDSTREAM Highlands halls
The District of Highland opening two new halls Page A5
NEWS GAZETTE
NEWS: Langford’s garbage bill is on the rise /A3 COMMUNITY: African education enhanced /A11 SPORTS: Putting a wrap on Hockeyville /A21
Friday, September 25, 2015
Ready to sell? We can help
Deborah Coburn 250.812.5333 Roy Coburn 250.812.1989
www.goldstreamgazette.com
Responding to the Syrian refugee crisis Students and panelists captivate an inspired audience at Pearson College Katherine Engqvist News Gazette staff
For many of us the brutalities of war are something we hear about in a far off land. They are just a brief clip on the evening news or a photograph that captivates our attention for a moment in time. But the realities of the war in Syria have been a way of life for two Pearson College UWC students. Syrian refugee students Wahid and Ali shared some of their experiences with their classmates at a discussion on the Syrian refugee crisis at the school in Metchosin on Tuesday. Their last names have been withheld for the safety of the boys’ families. “Do you know what is the worst?” asked Wahid, looking out over the faces of the over 100 in attendance. “The petrostates … Do you know how many refugees they have taken so far? Zero.” Ali echoed that last word, too. “Many of them have been helping terror groups on the ground, sending weapons and money,” Wahid said, adding they have done nothing to help the people living in constant fear for their lives. While he and Ali spoke, a picture illuminated a screen behind them showing people fleeing a square in Syria surrounded by the crumbling
wreckage of buildings. Wahid said the scene was quickly becoming the normal daily way of life in Syria, and the city of Aleppo, where he was from. “When we just hear that 30 people have died … or we see old women trying to get water from a well … even food is not always there … It’s just hard life.” When the uprising in Syria began many outside of its borders did not expect it to last more than a few weeks – months at the most. But this civil war has been decimating the country for several years and stems from a long and complicated history of third-party intervention. Three panelist followed Wahid and Ali to try and give some context to the situation as well as providing some answers to students questions. Topics ranged from what Canadians should do, racist rhetoric, history and politics. Ronald Crelinsten, associate fellow at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Global Studies, said “the first question we need to ask is why are people leaving Syria?” His answer was the war and the Islamic state. “Bombs won’t solve it, military won’t solve it. It will only make it worse.” PlEASE SEE: Panelists, Page A25
Don Descoteau/News Gazette staff
Building a fastball future Under-18 women’s fastball players Jessica Lusk, left, and Avalon Grass flank coach Jacquelyn Novak at Centennial Park, where the girls have played a lot of games over the years with Langford fastball. The trio are part of the Canada Futures Collegiate Showcase team set to play games against university level teams in the U.S. starting next week. See story page A22.
Painter Rd. public hearing on tap Arnold Lim News Gazette staff
John Vincer says it is all about character. The Colwood resident said the proposed development introducing nine single-family homes and two apartment complexes onto properties at 3320 Metchosin Rd. and 3319 Painter Rd. would adversely affect the character of an area he has called home for more than a decade. He hopes a public hearing set for Sept. 30 is another opportunity to show Colwood council why. “(They) will be introducing
about 80 different cars to that intersection right where there is a lot of school kids walking around,” said the Painter Road resident. “Right now it is a lowdensity neighbourhood. It is changing the whole feel of the neighbourhood.” The co-development between Genco Construction Ltd. and Fairwest Construction Co. Ltd. has passed second reading. Vincer said residents are frustrated and feel their voices are not being heard, despite gathering 200 local signatures opposing the density of the project. “I don’t see this development
Sussex Insurance - Westshore Sussex Insurance - Westshore Langford InsideInside Langford
Sussex Insurance - Westshore Autoplan •• Private Autoplan Private Auto•••Home Home Travel Autoplan • Private Auto • Auto Home Travel••Travel
Inside Langford
860 Langford Parkway,Parkway, Langford,Langford, BC 860 Langford BC Tel: 250 -391-5584 I westshore@sussexinsurance.com Tel: 250 -391-5584 I westshore@sussexinsurance.com
Autoplan • Private Auto • Home • Travel
contributing to any increase,” said Colwood engineer Michael Baxter regarding traffic concerns. “The development traffic would amount to about an extra 20 cars in rush hour, which is one car every three minutes... But when Royal Bay is built out there could be 7,000 (more) people living there. Obviously that is the traffic that will really dictate the future of that intersection.” The public hearing takes place at Colwood Pentecostal Church on 2250 Sooke Rd. at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. alim@goldstreamgazette.com