Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, February 21, 2018

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TOFINO POET LAUREATE

Regional leaders agree to work together.

Celebrating community with poetry

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Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018

Westerly News

TOFINO-UCLUELET

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Tuff hashes out pot prohibition

Save the Date!

FIGHTING POVERTY

Friday, March 2

WEST COAST

JO1pBm toEXPO 4pm

Tin Wis Conference Centre, Tofino

FREE intercommunity shuttle! www.avemployment.ca

Public hearing sees support and opposition ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Tofino’s district office has crafted a bylaw amendment that would temporarily ban the sale, production and distribution of cannabis within its borders to give itself time to figure out what the eventual retail sale of marijuana would look like. Council’s chambers ran out of seats while the hallway outside was still full of locals when a public hearing to discuss the ban began at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13. “No decision is going to be made today at this hearing,” explained Tofino mayor Josie Osborne at the outset. “In fact, no debate or discussion amongst council will take place…It is our job today to listen to you.” Peter Clarkson was the first local to speak, stating “the prohibition era is over” and questioning why Tofino seemed so unprepared for the long expected incoming legalization. “I respect you guys. I appreciate all the hard work you do and your opinions, but I don’t understand where you’re coming from,” Clarkson said. Craig Heber wondered how council could consider banning a legal substance. “I don’t really see how, constitutionally, your

JIM ELLIOT PHOTO

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW: Ucluelet local and veteran dirt bike racer Ian Jacobs took on his first snow bike race at Sicamous B.C.’s second annual Sledgehammers Ripped Snowfest from Feb. 9-11. Read about his experience on page 7.

Tofino mayor joins others in housing plea ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

A group of mayors, including Tofino’s, recently put their heads and pens together to urge the provincial government to tackle the housing crisis their communities are suffering from. Tofino mayor Josie Osborne told the Westerly News that Victoria mayor Lisa Helps kickstarted the collaboration inviting Port Coquitlam mayor Greg Moore, Smithers mayor Taylor Bachrach, and Osborne to put their thoughts into a co-written editorial for media to distribute.

UPCOMING UCLUELET EVENTS

That editorial can be found on page 2 of this Westerly and Osborne said the group believed a unified voice would be stronger than four individual editorials. “Opinion pieces help stimulate public debate and sometimes help shape policy and, we felt, it was important to get our messages out there,” she said. She said all local governments are waiting for the Provincial Budget to be announced and hoping to see dollars going towards housing initiatives, particularly in respect to supply and demand initiatives.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

VANCOUVER ISLAND SENIOR BOYS’ 1A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Midnight Madness Is Coming. Shop Local! Sponsored by the Judy Gray Team. Giving back to Ukee! Call Judy at 250-726-2228 to get your event featured.

Let Judy Know Your Event To Print On The Front Page For FREE.

February November 2018 2017 Get ready for lotsPut of hoop actionwalking this weekend as Ucluelet hosts Details: on your shoes and join the the top eight Senior A Boys teams from around the Island.

Ucluelet wide festivities and shopping extravaganza Date: Friday Nov 24th, 2017 Date: Thursday, Feb.Time: 22 – Saturday, Feb. 24, (late-ish) 2018 5-ish - Midnight

See PAGE 16 of this newspaper for complete tournament schedule!

Where: U.S.S GYMNASIUM

#StartLivingInUkee


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Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, February 21, 2018 by Black Press Media Group - Issuu