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VOL. 27, NO. 79
Regional district budget considers property tax increase for residents BY KARL YU THE NEWS BULLETIN
about them,” said Louise Whyte, sales assistant. While some customers splurge, she said the majority look for little things as an add-on gift, like a lacy thong, boxers or thigh-high stockings and a garter. Jim Turley, owner of Turley’s Florist, guesses people will spend an average of $80 to $100 at his store on Feb. 14. Flowers are popular because they are a thing of beauty, add cheerfulness, colour and fragrance, he said, adding a lot of people like roses but his shop has also swung into the mixed flowers with “happy” colours like pinks, mauves, whites and yellows. “It’s a happy gift,” he said.
Regional District of Nanaimo residents can expect increased property taxes, should directors approve the financial plan for 2016. The regional district board heard a budget overview for 2016-20 at Tuesday night’s committee of the whole meeting. Increased property taxes were anticipated for some areas. Actual tax requisitions depend on which part of the regional district residents live, according to Wendy Idema, regional district director of finance. The City of Nanaimo will see property tax increase to $98 per $100,000 in 2016 from $96 per in 2015. Gabriola Island (Area B) property tax is expected to rise to $98 per $100,000 of assessed value in 2016. It was $91 per $100,000 in 2015. In Area C (Extension, East Wellington and Pleasant Valley), property tax will remain steady at $141 per $100,000 of assessed value. Area A (Cedar, Yellowpoint and Cassidy) could see property tax at $154 per $100,000 in 2016, which is a decrease from $155 per year in 2015. The District of Lantzville will see property tax at $97 per $100,000, a $3 decrease from the year previous. Idema said increased property taxes will lead to more grant-in-aid opportunities in 2016. Directors also gave preliminary approval to budget-related measures that included $30,000 provided to the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust, $6,500 to Nanaimo Marine Search and Rescue, $2,500 to Nanaimo Victim Services, $15,000 for the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre’s passive housing project and $15,000 to Nanaimo Travellers Lodge dementia patient housing. The board is expected to finalize 2016 budget recommendations at its Feb. 23 regular meeting. Idema said the budget is scheduled to be adopted on March 22.
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Veronika McKerrell, owner of Cherub Chocolate, is among Nanaimo’s retailers with lots of variety in stock when it comes to “heart smart” treats that come in all shapes, sizes and packaging for Valentine’s Day. CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Nanaimo retailers ready for love
I
NAUGHTY AND nice items offered for gifts.
material gifts and 80 per cent agree people overspend. The cost of the affair is $164 on average for Canadians with men outspending women by $110. For Nanaimo stores like My Undies and Cherub Chocolate, it’s one of the busiest times of the year. Anything in the shape of a heart is popular at Veronika McKerrell’s Commercial Street chocolate shop and she’s made sure she’s stocked with heart-shaped boxes, heart chocolates and Valentine’s-themed bars. There’s also chestnutpuree-filled Capezzoli di Venere truffle or Nipples of Venus and the shop’s firstever naughty chocolates,
BY TAMARA CUNNINGHAM THE NEWS BULLETIN
Nanaimo retailers are stocked and ready for love. Whether it’s bouquets of roses, or lingerie and Kama Sutra-inspired chocolate, stores are giving shoppers a pick of naughty and nice this Valentine’s Day. According to an online survey by RetailMeNot.ca, Canadians open up their wallets for Feb. 14, even though 74 per cent of those in relationships agree they don’t care about receiving
including Kama Sutra figurines. “Love comes in all different shapes and forms, right?” asked a smiling McKerrell, who calls the naughty chocolates playful and different for those tired of traditional chocolates. So far the response has been positive, she said, adding it makes people smile. For My Undies, also on Commercial Street, Valentine’s is the busiest time next to Christmas. “Valentine’s is a romantic day and it’s a day to express your feelings for someone that you love or someone that you feel sweet for, so giving lingerie is really a nice, intimate way of showing someone how you feel
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