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TOFINO-UCLUELET
Westerly
News WesterlyNews.ca
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019
$1.25
(including tax)
WILD PACIFIC TRAIL TURNS 20 Celebration to be held on Saturday
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Pot shop declined
Public hearing planned for second application NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
An application for a cannabis retail shop located behind the Ucluelet Liquor Store at 1786 Peninsula Road was defeated by a three to two vote during a special council meeting on Sept. 18. Councillors Rachelle Cole, Lara Kemps, and Jennifer Hoar voted in opposition of approving the application. Coun. Marilyn McEwen and Mayor Mayco Noël voted in favour of rezoning the property to become a cannabis retailer. Coun. Cole, a BC Ambulance Unit Chief, gave an impassioned speech during the Sept. 18 special meeting. She raised many concerns about the impacts cannabis retail would have on the community. She highlighted the lack of roadside screening devices and mental health issues associated with cannabis usage amongst youth. “In a community already plagued with a long history of substance abuse that goes untreated, masked and accepted for decades, introducing yet another outlet is sending a message to our youth that it’s OK. Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right or good for them,” said Cole, adding that as a paramedic about 40 per cent of calls are derived from substance abuse. “Because of all this, if we could save even one youth from harm then we would have done our job as council, as parents and as humans. This is the message we need to send,” she said. Continued on A6
NORA O’MALLEY PHOTO
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Racers Bodey Hasz, right lane, and Khan Furey rocket down Bay Street in the final heat of the revived Ucluelet Soapbox Derby. Hasz, 11, went on to win Saturday’s fun, four-wheeled event with his understated kit-car called ‘Number Nine’. Furey, 7, placed second out of 48 other young racers and Bo Smith was third. Destined to be an annual thing, the Soapbox Derby come to life thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Ucluelet Rent It Centre and the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce.
UKEE UNVEILS NEW PARK
DERBY NETS INSPIRATION
Ribbon cut at St. Jacques
Fish for the Future a hit
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Update on the Age Friendly Action Plan Informational Guest Speakers
M O N D AY S E P T 3 0 ( 1 0 A M - 1 P M ) Ucluelet Community Hall 500 Matterson Drive
Gift Bags and a catered luncheon. RSVP by Friday Sept 27th to westcoastseniors@wccrs.ca