Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
50th Year No. 49
December 2, 2015
7320654
G
NORTH ISLAND
30,000
$
6,569.80
$
Gazette Hamper Fund www.northislandgazette.com
Newsstand $1.29 + GST
• SHOP LOCAL..
Check out specials from Tri-Port businesses . Page 12&13
•EMILY CARR...
Musical theatre performance comes to North Island schools. Page 14
Bessy Prevost Photo
Sointula for Dummies Ivana MacDougall, right, and Carmen Burrows lead the crowd in a rousing game of Sointula for Dummies during Winterfest activities Nov. 21.
• LEARN...
Sea View Elementary students have started Moving to Learn. Page 19 OPINION Page 4 LETTERS Page 5 SPORTS Page 19-21 CLASSIFIEDS Page 22-23
District to tackle derelict buildings By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor The District of Port Hardy will be moving ahead with ‘Broken Window’ theory recommendations. According to the theory, maintaining and monitoring urban environments prevents small crimes such as vandalism and public drinking, and helps to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes from happening. “It just makes perfect sense,” said Mayor Hank Bood, in an interview.
“We’ve got a number of properties, and property owners, that make it easier for people to leave garbage around and party in different places, We’re going to solve at least part of the problem if we follow through and do some of the things that the Broken Window theory recommends,” Bood said. At their regular meeting Nov. 24, council approved enforcing its bylaw regarding vacant properties, specifically the old bank building on Granville Street. A notice will be sent to the property owner stating that the building must be secured, that
any accumulated garbage needs to be removed, and steps will be taken taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again. If the property owner fails to do so, the district may take care of the matter at the owner’s expense which will be added to the taxes for the property. The district will also be sending out letters regarding unsightly premises which are properties that have an accumulation of rubbish and litter and are generally untidy. In addition to copies of the bylaw, the letters will include a notice about crime prevention and that areas be maintained to discourage drinking in public and loitering.
www.bennettsheetmetal.com “Your Indoor Comfort Specialist since 1961”
NATURAL GAS • FIREPLACES • FURNACES • PATIO HEATERS COURTENAY (250) 334-3621 741 McPhee Avenue CAMPBELL RIVER (250) 287-3108 Monday - Friday 9am - 4:30pm
NEWS: editor@northislandgazette.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS: 250-949-6225
SALES: sales@northislandgazette.com