G
Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
50th Year No. 32
October 7, 2015
1 PLACE ST
NORTH ISLAND
2015 Newspaper Excellence
www.northislandgazette.com
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• Port Alice...
An economic development open house was held Sept. 27. Page 3
• closing...
Super Valu is closing its doors in Port McNeill Nov. 5. Page 7
Frank Green Photo
Furney Honoured with Street Port McNeill renamed the asphalt leading to the Town Office Furney Place, in recognition of former Mayor Gerry Furney (pictured in red, surrounded by his family), who served in local government for nearly 50 years - more than 12,000 working days or more than 72 000 hours, by the count of Mayor Shirley Ackland, who presented Furney with a copy of the street sign and the bylaw passing the name change. “Gerry has never been a photo op kind of guy and try as we might to host a celebration, a dinner, a party - to show our appreciation, it has been difficult to pin down what tribute might be fitting our beloved Mayor Gerry Furney. In the many years that Gerry served as our mayor, he could be found here at the Town Office burning the lights late into the evening, reading everything that crossed his desk. So it seems quite fitting that the street - Grenville Place - that our former mayor spent a good portion of his life tending to the needs of our community (on) should bear his name,” said Ackland. “I’d like to thank the council for the honour they’ve bestowed on me today,” Furney said. “It was a labour of love.”
McNeill named in lawsuit
• concert...
The North Island Concert Series begins Oct. 24. Page 13
By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Chris Walker, the former Chief of the Port McNeill Volunteer Fire Department, who was dismissed in June, has filed a lawsuit. According to Walker’s lawyer Chris Siver, a defamation suit has been filed against Mayor Shirley Ackland, Town Administrator Sue Harvey and the Town. As reported in the Gazette, on June 29 Walker received a termination letter. The
opiNioN Page 4 FirE prEvENtioN Page B1-B8 SportS Page 16-17 claSSiFiEdS Page 18-19
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to say that he was removed from his position because he “breached their trust.” It also says the town insists all firefighters act in a respectful and positive manner, and that the Fire Chief’s conduct must “be ethical and beyond reproach.” The claims against Mayor Ackland involve “her attempt to use her office to interfere in Walker’s employment,” said Siver.
See page 2 ‘McNeill lawsuit...”
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dards of personal integrity and ethical business conduct, be honest and straightforward in dealings with others, and avoid conflicts of interest; #3 Not compromise the integrity or reputation of the Association; and #4 Not condone unethical actions or the appearance of unethical actions by other members of the Association. A July 3 statement from the Town of Port McNeill acknowledged Walker’s dedication over the last 17 years, and went on
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letter, signed by Mayor Ackland, cites the reason for dismissal as “a personal relationship with a female member of the volunteer fire department,” which was in violation of the Port McNeill Volunteer Fire Department’s Code of Ethics, items #2, 3 and 4, which Siver maintains “was adopted post-dismissal”. There is a Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia Code of Ethics, said Siven, which states a chief must: #2 Maintain the highest stan-
SalES: sales@northislandgazette.com