Going nowhere
Judge reserves decision on tent city injunction Page A3
NEWS: Navy modernization moves forward /A5 ARTS: Fernwood artist honours First Nations strength /A8 SPORTS: Hockey for Hospitals nets $22,000 /A14
WELC
SOTHEBY’S INTE WELCOME GLYN
VICTORIANEWS Friday, March 18, 2016
Welcome HomeGlynis, combined w
promotion and ho “Nothing quite as memorable professionalism an as great customer service”
Tammy Gray
GLYNIS MACLEO
gmacleod@sot
Tel 250.857.4729 www.tammygray.ca
VANCOU
Sotheby’s Inte subject to cha
Proudly serving Esquimalt & Victoria
www.vicnews.com
Police chief trying to stop investigation Pamela Roth Victoria News
It’s been three months since Victoria’s police chief Frank Elsner voluntarily stepped aside for an external investigation into his conduct on social media. Now the city’s top cop has filed a petition with the B.C. Supreme Court, seeking an order to stop the investigation and prohibit its chief superintendent from taking further action. In court documents filed earlier this week, Elsner claims police complaint commissioner Stan Lowe has no authority to order an external investigation in relation to conduct that had already been investigated internally. He also claims Lowe relied on irrelevant and/or extraneous considerations in issuing the order, including media reports with respect to his conduct. The drama began last August when the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board launched an internal investigation after a concern was brought to their attention regarding private messages that were exchanged on Twitter between Elsner and the wife (a female officer from Saanich) of an officer under his command. An independent lawyer investigated the matter and concluded there was no inappropriate relationship, but there was inappropriate use of direct messaging and social media. What those messages said has not been PlEASE SEE: Report addresses other allegations, Page A3
SEWAGE SPECIAL
Photo by Arnold Lim/Black Press
Black Press journalists Don Descoteau, left, Pamela Roth and Dan Ebenal join photographers Don Denton and Arnold Lim at Clover Point. Their five-part investigation into the $1 billion sewage treatment project begins today.
REPORT
IN TH E
CRD
Community newspaper investigation:
Tackling the treatment issue Don Descoteau Black Press editor
The subject of sewage treatment has been a contentious one for more than 30 years in Greater Victoria and has so far cost taxpayers millions of dollars. While some in the region have already begun treating wastewater — Saanich Peninsula started in 2000, while Sooke completed a system upgrade in 2005 — the region’s core and West Shore municipalities send untreated sewage into Juan de Fuca Strait. The cost, siting and engineering of a regional treatment project make this a complex undertaking from a technical standpoint, but also
from a political one, as council representatives from seven municipalities debate plans. In the past six years alone, the Capital Regional District has spent tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars on research, consultant fees, land purchases and construction. Completion of the project is estimated to cost more than a $1 billion. Annual operating costs will add to the amount for which homeowners and commercial property owners will be on the hook. It’ll be up to municipalities and the CRD to determine how the tax burden is divided. But who’s making these decisions, and who is holding them accountable? To help readers gain a better understanding of where we’ve been, where we are now, who’s
involved and what the future holds, Black Press assembled an investigative journalism team to provide perspective and help simplify this complex topic. Starting in today’s Victoria News, our fivepart series will tackle issues ranging from where money has been spent and the sites being considered to what other cities have done and what scientists say. We’ll ask for feedback along the way and encourage you to connect with your community newspaper. Write letters to the editor or comment on Facebook and Twitter. This special Black Press presentation aims to give you new insights into this complicated issue. Turn to page A10 to get started.
EVERYTHING YOU
SOIL, AGGREGATES, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE SLATE, NEED TO MULCH MAKE YOUR YARD GREAT. YOUR YARD GREAT. AND WOOD CHIPS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKOPEN || DELIVERY AVAILABLE NEW LOCATION | NOW NEW LOCATION OPENING SOON HALLOWELL ROAD #2, #2, 109109 HALLOWELL ROAD
#2, 109 HALLOWELL ROAD
triolandscapesupply.com | 250-658-5235 triolandscapesupply.com | 250-658-5235
triolandscapesupply.com | 250-658-5235