THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2016
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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General Excellence
CHAOS AT CAFE BRIE
FOOD SUPPLY AFTER A DISASTER
A musical anniversary party at a popular Qualicum Beach café
Do you know where your food would come from after The Big One?
A5
A29
DEBATE ABOUT PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMONS
Dr. shortage highlighted Residents point to empty offices and wonder about re-zoning idea AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Residents are questioning the wisdom behind a re-zoning proposal that would allow family physicians to operate their businesses in Qualicum Commons. Council held a public hearing Monday night on a zoning change to add health practitioners to the accepted uses under the institutional zoning of the former downtown elementary school. Anna Grieve, a long time nurse practitioner speaking as a concerned resident, said it was awkward for her to speak against a possible health-care facility, but said she’s just against it being in The Commons, which she called an inappropriate location. “What really concerns me is when we have council approaching health care… perhaps looking at reduced rents and thinking that that draws physicians,” she said, adding that healthy communities is what really draws doctors. She questioned whether a clinic would have labs, ultra sound, X-rays, “or are we going to give false expectations that patients will be looked after here, yet they still have to travel to Nanaimo to get X-rays or whatever — does that really benefit the community?” Grieve pointed to empty commercial space in town and suggested doctors look at other models, adding that with grandchildren attending dance classes in the Commons she’s not sure they should be mixing health care with family community services. Grieve finished by highlighting her point that she doesn’t think cheap rent would draw young doctors as much as a vibrant community. Former councillor Dave Willie said he had concerns about the proposal, suggesting the old building is inappropriate, “but more importantly, as a resident I’m concerned about the million-dollar investment we made in the school bus depot,” suggesting the community is overdue for a discussion about that property next door, a discussion he said should also include The Commons. Willie said there is surplus commercial space in town and that opening The Commons to doctors’ offices would only increase that problem. Dr. Mark Morris, a director with the Oceanside Divisions of Family Practice (ODFP), which represents family physicians, addressed some of the concerns. See COUNCIL TAKES STEP BACK, page A6
JOHN HARDING PHOTO
SIGNS OF THE HERRING SPAWN: Residents have been noticing the arrival of some Brant geese, a sure sign of spring and the herring spawn. Birds and mammals are being seen in larger numbers around French Creek Marina (like this eagle above), ground zero for the herring roe fishery that’s soon to begin in the waters off Parksville Qualicum Beach.
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