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Serving Ladysmith, Chemainus and area
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
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Three robberies in just over four hours kept RCMP busy March 16 Incidents in Duncan, Ladysmith and Chemainus Police in Ladysmith and Duncan were kept hopping Wednesday, March 16, responding to three separate robberies. “Robberies, that’s robberies with an ’s’.” Cpl. Krista Hobday, media relations officer with the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP reported next day. At about 4:10 p.m. a lone man ‘entered’ the Island Savings Credit Union on Drinkwater Road. A short time later the Royal Bank on First Avenue in Ladysmith was robbed. “It is unknown at this time if the two robberies are linked, as the investigation is still very fluid,” Hobday said. “The Forensic Identification Unit and the Police Dog Service have contributed their expertise.” RCMP have several leads, she said. “The two detachments and resources from the Island District General Investi-
gation Section out of Victoria are liaising with each other.” A third robbery occurred at 8:24 p.m. at the 49th Parallel Grocery Store on Oak Street in Chemainus. RCMP said 56 yearold James Miller has been remanded in custody for that incident. He was scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Duncan March 22. Cowichan Valley Regional RCMP Victim Services and Ladysmith RCMP Victim Services were made available to anyone who needed to speak with them about the incidents. The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are asking anyone with information about any of these robberies to call 250748-5522, or alternately Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers.
Got a brolly you can donate to keep a Chemainus visitor dry? The Chemainus Visitors Centre in Waterwheel Park has put out the call for congenial citizens to contribute to the collection that’s available for visitors to borrow on rainy days to keep their memories dry. Visitor Centre Volunteer Ellen Lavender and Chemainus Chamber Coordinator Jeanne Ross would be happy to see you if you do – rain or shine. CRAIG SPENCE
Are small towns getting a raw gaming deal? Craig Spence THE CHRONICLE
The Town of Ladysmith is drafting a resolution for the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Annual General Meeting April 8 to 10 in Nanaimo, asking the province to reinstate major capital grants as one of the uses for B.C. gaming revenues. Major capital project funding was cut from the list of categories allocated by the BC gaming branch after the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The year before $3.8 million had been awarded to communities throughout B.C.; in the final year $4.2 million. The grants helped non-profit organizations build things like playgrounds and
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sports facilities, but were eliminated as provide ‘programs and services’ that ofpart of the austerity measures introduced fer a ‘broad-based community benefit.’ in response to the global recession that was Major capital projects have not been repinching government revenues in 2008. instated, goes the official line, because The recession is over; the decision to that would place increased pressure on suspend major capital grants has not the overall grants budget and would rebeen reversed, even though they are still sult in a reduction of the funds available listed as a category in gaming grant ap- for programs and services. plication documents, flagged as disconTo some, though, it appears B.C. is tinued ‘until further notice.’ playing a shell game, shifting resources Since 2008-2009 all gaming funds dis- intended for community organizations tributed to communities, except those increasingly toward programs and serthat host casinos or community gaming vices that should be provided by the centres, have been allocated for pro- province out of general revenues. grams and services. Ladysmith Councillor Duck Paterson, The explanation from the province for who raised the issue of major capital this decision is that community gaming funding at a March 7 council meeting, grants are intended to help non-profits points to a September, 2009 letter from
then Minister of Housing and Social Development Rich Coleman, which outlines the 2009-2010 gaming grant priorities. The letter states “major capital project grants and playground grants will not be available.” Funding was to be focused on programs for ‘low income and disabled British Columbians’, ‘food and shelter for at risk individuals’, ‘community health services’, as well as a ‘limited number of arts and cultural activities.’ In 2009-2010 money allocated to BC gaming grants dropped from $160.1 million to $134.9 million, a level $2.9 million less than it was in 2005-2006. The amount allocated for gaming grants has not been increased since. See Gaming, Page 3
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