THURSDAYDECEMBER 10, 2015
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REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NANAIMO
Chairman Joe is out Bill Veenhof wins secret vote for chairmanship CANDACE WU news@pqbnews.com
There will be a changing of the guard at the Regional District of Nanaimo board table. In a secret-ballot vote at a meeting Tuesday night, second-term Bowser/Deep Bay director Bill Veenhof ousted veteran politician Joe Stanhope for the chairman-of-the-board position. Stanhope, a French Creek representative, had held the title since 2002. “For my first act as chair I want to start by recognizing the outstanding service that Joe has given the RDN… It’s a better place because of his influence,” said Veenhof. “All of Vancouver Island should be grateful for his achievements… Joe, you can hold your head up high, secure in the knowledge that you’ve done exceptionally well. Please accept my sincere thanks — well done.” Everyone in the board chambers rose to give Stanhope a standing ovation pierced with loud applause. Veenhof said his top priority as chair is to “preserve the confederation through respectful dialog.” He said it’s also important to support the interim CAO — announced Tuesday as Dennis Trudeau — and to oversee a smooth transition to a new, permanent CAO. “Another priority is I want to see a local government that’s transparent and accountable to its constituents where there’s effective and efficient services,” he said. “It’s very important to me that we have a staff that’s empowered to achieve the goals of the board.” Asked if that meant he thought the RDN was failing in those areas, Veenhof said: “I think we can do better.” See VEENHOF GETS EXTRA $20K, page A9
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DONATED BOOKS: Grade 1 students at Springwood Elementary hold their copies of the book Island Santa in their classroom Tuesday afternoon. The books were part of a donation to all Grade 1 students in School Districts 69, 70 and 71 from the Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. The organization operates Jeneece Place house in Victoria for visiting families of children undergoing medical treatment.
PARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Serious scrutiny for PCCC JOHN HARDING
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Parksville Community and Conference Centre officials faced a tough line of questioning about their 2016 budget Monday night and city council eventually tabled a motion to renew its agreement with the society that operates the facility. The 2016 budget was approved by council — the vote was 5-1 with Coun. Sue Powell opposed. The PCCC expects to have $431,258 of income in 2016, $247,294 (57 per cent) of which
comes from the taxpayers of the city in the form of a subsidy. PCCC society president Kirk Walper and executive director Margaret Spruit appeared before council on Monday night to present the budget. They tried to do the same two weeks ago, but were asked to return with more details. After the meeting two weeks ago, Coun. Al Greir said he would like to see council take 25 per cent of that subsidy away from the PCCC. He believed that
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would force the PCCC to do a better job attracting business to the facility. Greir reiterated that stance on Monday night, but he did not press the issue or put it into a motion. Instead it was Powell who was on the offensive. She took issue with expenses and revenues in the 2016 budget that continue to climb or stay the same despite the fact the PCCC hasn’t spent that money, or received those revenues, on those particular items in years, if ever. See MANDATE, page A8
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