THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2015
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
www.pqbnews.com
CCNA BCYCNA
General Excellence
PROLIFIC ARTIST
HURRICANE HITS FISHING VILLAGE
Works of 94 year-old on display at Qualicum Art Supply
Parksville Qualicum Beach man in Mexico trying to help with reconstruction
A25
A6
SMOKING IN PARKSVILLE’S PUBLIC PARKS
Pot bringing issue to light City behind others in region in its bylaws related to public smoking JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Coun. Al Greir says residents complained to him all summer about people smoking — both cigarettes and marijuana — in Parksville’s public parks. Grier said this week the election of the federal Liberals and their promises to loosen the laws around marijuana should have the city looking more closely at fines for those caught smoking in city parks, “especially those smoking marijuana.” “Maybe marijuana will be legalized and we will have more and more smokers of marijuana in the park,” Greir said near the end of a council meeting on Monday night. Mayor Marc Lefebvre said he was recently in contact with Dr. Paul Hasselback, Island Health’s medical health officer for the central Island area. See ENFORCEMENT COULD BE AN ISSUE, page A8
DEBBIE COMIS TAKES OVER JAN. 1
City has new CAO JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
Debbie Comis is the City of Parskville’s new chief administrative officer. Council unanimously approved the appointment of Comis, currently the director of administrative services, Monday night in a closed-door meeting, according to a news release from the city. Comis, 59, takes over Jan. 1, 2016. In October, the city announced the retirement of long-time chief administrative officer, Fred Manson. DEBBIE COMIS A city spokesperson said the city will “advertise to replace the director of administrative services position.” The spokesperson also said the $50,000 currently in the provisional 2016 budget for “CAO succession” will be removed from the budget. See SHE STARTED AT CITY IN 2011, page A9
JUDY MURRAY PHOTO
WINNING PHOTO: A thirsty little pine siskin shows an acrobatic pose while taking a drink from a hose. Bowser photographer Judy Murray was able to get a close-up of this bird and second place in the B.C. SPCA’s 2015 Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest in the Backyard Habitats Category. Contest participants submitted more than 600 photos, helping to raise $4,085 for wild animals in need in British Columbia.
Come see our newly renovated showroom and meet Shelby, our Home Lighting Expert. 1395 W. Island Highway, Parksville
250-752-5565
Monday-Friday 7- 6, Saturday 8 - 6, Sunday & Holidays 9 - 5 Locally Owned & Operated
Visit evolvelighting.ca to see our full product line. Evolve Lighting is a division of Central Home Builders.