Warm welcome
New staff members join municipal hall Page A2
NEWS: Additional wastewater treatment coverage /A3 FEATURE: The News introduces ‘My Oak Bay’ /A9 ARTS: Concert closes generational gap /A11
OAK BAYNEWS Wednesday, January 20, 2016
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oakbaynews.com
Wastewater options open for feedback Christine van Reeuwyk Black Press
who works at the school as a guidance counsellor. McAvoy and her husband, Jim, would visit on vacation, and talk shop with Clive, a driver and tour operator whose work includes school tours. “It was a good 10 years talking about literacy,” McAvoy said. “He always said ‘We should do a project together.’”
The Capital Regional District seeks public feedback on approaches to wastewater treatment and resource recovery with outreach expected to start any day. The Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee approved heading out for public feedback that will include online surveys and an option to email comments. “We’ll never have perfect information but we have enough information. I think it’s time we ask the public. This will not be a referendum,” said committee chair and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. “I think director (Ben) Isitt said it best, there’s still lots in flux.” There are five options to wastewater treatment for the core area – some with multiple subset options – and each offering a representative approach for developing a more refined plan. “I really have to question why we’re going out to the public at this time with what information we have,” said Director Vic Derman, a Saanich councillor, who noted the public found a “dearth of information” last time. “We don’t have solid information here. We have five (options) or whatever it’s morphing to, mostly centred around Rock Bay. We already know there are other options.” The committee deferred going out last month to consult the public, asking staff to gather more information now included, or coming soon, online at the CRD website. Some voiced concern the public couldn’t comment on options not included, such as the “deep shaft” treatment recently investigated by the technical oversight panel.
PlEASE SEE: Literacy a problem, Page A12
PlEASE SEE: Survey, Page A4
Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News
Constance McAvoy flips through one of the books she created to showcase Askenesh All Ages School (Jamaica) students’ work and share with them the value of literacy.
Vacation takes back seat to literacy Retired teacher utilizes her skill set to get kids writing in Jamaica Christine van Reeuwyk Oak Bay News
Eight years into retirement, Constance McAvoy is back at teaching – in Jamaica. Formerly a mathematics teacher, the Oak Bay woman spent 20 years with Spe-
cial Education Technology (SET B.C.) helping students with physical disabilities. Her specialty developed in working with blind students. For the past few years, she's cultivated a project promoting literacy at Askenesh All Ages School in Jamaica. “Jamaica is a very vibrant society, so I was always very interested in going into the hills and meeting the children,” she said. McAvoy discovered it through Jamaican friends, Clive Gordon and his wife, Marilyn,
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