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Hear ye, hear ye: I was not robbed in Istanbul
Patient records faxed to city man’s home
PDBA president hopes to set record straight
Friends of Len and Marie Mustard got a bit of a shock when they received a desperate plea for a ‘small loan’ to get them out of a bit of a sticky wicket NEWS, Page 3
For years, specialists have been faxing records to J.C. Pelletier’s home, thinking they were going to a doctor. He’s hoping a news story will finally stop them NEWS, Page 8
After weeks of questions from unhappy Craig Street merchants about where their money is going, Craig Carmichael endeavours to provide some answers OPINION, Page 12
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Thursday, February 5, 2015
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Residents at large, Joe Stanhope says, shouldn’t have to pay for higher water costs triggered by new subdivisions like these on Lowry’s Road.
Water rate hike ‘greedy’ Bid by private-water utility ‘shocking,’ residents say BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR
R
esidents of French Creek are up in arms over proposed water-rate increases of 46 per cent over the next three years. Epcor Water (West) Inc. has applied to the Provincial Comptroller of Water Rights for increases over 2015-2017 to cover the cost of drilling new wells, as
well as ongoing maintenance. Epcor estimates the increase will cost an average residential customer $8.50 per month in 2015, $5.75 per month in 2016 and $6.50 per month in 2017. The French Creek Residents Association is calculating that residents using more than 15 cubic metres of water a month will face increases of $7.09 per month (19 per cent over 2014) in
2015, $11.90 per month (32 per cent over 2014) in 2016, and $17.27 per month (46 per cent over 2014) in 2017. As well, a ‘rate rider,’ a billing surcharge not based on consumption, will increase more than 200 per cent. In an email to FCRA members last week, vice-president Rob Williams calls the increases “exorbitant and unreasonable” and “shocking.” “I’m getting all sorts of emails,” French Creek Area Director Joe Stanhope said Friday. “I think it’s greedy and I think it’s excessive. This is beyond the pale.” French Creek Area Director Joe Stanhope: ‘This is beyond the pale.’
See RATE HIKE, Page 4
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NEWS
2 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
‘The best sleep I’ve ever had!’ M&N’s customers rate the celebrated Ironman Recovery Mattress
“No more pain. No more pills. I sleep right through the night.” — Gail Wilson
How are you sleeping? Do you sleep well and awaken refreshed? Or do you toss and turn and wake up stiff and sore? It’s an important question because it means so much to your health and happiness. People so often turn to drugs for sleep when what they may really need is the right bed. That’s what’s made the innovative Ironman Recovery Mattress such a big seller at the Neelam and Mark Nagra, owners of M&N Mattress, M&N Mattress Shop. say they often get compliments about their staff and service In just 14 years, M&N owners Mark and Neelam Nagra have become world leaders in sleep recovery, but never before on a product like the Ironman Recovery selling more Ironman Recovery Mattresses per capita than any outlet in Canada. Mattress. “It’s unbelievable,” says Mark. “It hasn’t stopped The Ironman is like no other mattress. in the four years we’ve been carrying them, so we asked them to put it on paper. Our customers are delighted to Made from all-natural minerals ground to a single micron — 100 times thinner than a human hair — its spread the word to others about a natural product that high-tech, all-natural latex keeps out dust mites, mold, fungus and mildew, perfect for those suffering helps people sleep better with less pain. Their testimonials from asthma and allergies. put a smile on everyone’s face!” With an industry-leading 20-year warranty, it won’t sag or form annoying body impressions like foam products, backed by the best body impression allowance. Best of all, its thermo-reactive Celliant technology, developed over almost two decades and clinically proven by some of the world’s leading universities, converts your own body heat into health-giving infrared energy. Hospitals and doctors around the world use infrared therapies to treat conditions from high blood pressure and congestive heart failure to rheumatoid arthritis and muscle tears. Using this same therapeutic technology, the Ironman Recovery Mattress can promote circulation, increase tissue-oxygen levels, enhance cell vitality and regulate body temperature. Sore joints and muscles are soothed, healing is quicker and you awaken stronger and refreshed — after a good night’s sleep! Mark and Neelam built M&N on customer service and support but they’re well aware that it’s their satisfied customers who have made them world leaders. Customers return to M&N to thank Mark and Neelam and their sales staff for helping them sleep better and then they tell their friends. “Al and I love our new Ironman Recovery Mattress,” says Nanaimo’s Sally Brett. “We both feel we are having our best sleeps ever!” Their jogging and gym workouts have improved, she says. “We are feeling much more rested and energetic. Roel Vanderbyl of Qualicum Beach used to wake up with a sore back and a sore neck. “Since I’ve slept on the Ironman, I don’t any more,” he says. “It’s so comfortable I don’t want to get out of bed.” “I don’t sleep hot any more and there are no body impressions on the bed.” Tim and Donna Andres, owners of A+ Auto Glass and Lady’s Mantle in Parksville, say they sleep more soundly and wake up less during the night. When they travel, they notice they wake up with back pain. “We miss our own bed,” says Tim. “If we ever move, Donna and I both say it would be the most important thing we would take with us. Money well-spent.” “No more pain. No more pills,” says Gail Wilson. “I sleep right through the night. “My sleep is so much more peaceful. Like the old saying: I sleep like a baby,” she says. “I’m completely sold on my Ironman bed.” Ironwoman competitor Wanetta Beal, who with husband Grai owns One On One Fitness in Qualicum Beach, couldn’t agree more. “I just love my new bed and my husband loves it,” she says. “It’s the best mattress I’ve ever owned and the best sleep I’ve ever had.” In 2009, Vinnie Kumar of Nanaimo was in a car accident and has since suffered from back pain. Massage and other therapies didn’t help much, he says, but “this Ironman mattress really works for me as I am able to sleep properly without much hassle.” “I strongly recommend it.” Cory Chapman and Marie Landman say they’ve bought a lot of mattresses during their 56 years of marriage and have one word for the Ironman: “Remarkable.” “We are well into our eighties and bothered by age-occurring difficulties,” they say, “but amazingly all these have all but disappeared and our energies are up and we can achieve our tasks.” They have some advice for Mark and Neelam: “You should blow a bigger horn to let one and all know of your product.”
For more on the Ironman, visit the M&N showroom at 291 E. Island Hwy. in Parksville, call Mark and Neelam and their staff at (250) 248-7133 and see parksvillemattress.com.
NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 3
CRIME
Held hostage in Istanbul
Seedy Saturday
Send Money!
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre Sat, Feb. 7th • 10am-3:30pm
“SOW THE SEEDS”
BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR
• Seed Swap Families! • Master Gardeners • 70+ Vendors “Shoots • Seedy Cafe with Roots” • Lots of Prizes
I
t was a disturbing email on Geoff Jenkins’ computer. His two good friends, Len and Marie Mustard, had been robbed at gunpoint in Istanbul. They’d lost all their credit cards and money, it said, and their hotel wasn’t going to let them leave until they paid. Could Jenkins send them “a small loan to save us from an embarrassing situation?” Of course Jenkins was willing to help his friends, well-known as the town criers of Qualicum Beach, and longtime fellow members of the ECHO Players. Jenkins figured “they probably would have needed a couple of thousand.” He and his wife Margaret knew the Mustards were away, he said, but “Istanbul didn’t sound like him.” So he called one of their mutual friends, Teunis Westbroek, Mayor of Qualicum Beach. It didn’t sound right to the Mayor, either. Westbroek went to see Len’s daughter Erica, and determined that they were in fact away in Hawaii. He advised Jenkins to call the RCMP. Jenkins then contacted the RCMP, who told him a woman had just come in with the same story. Jenkins, Len Mustard said, “was one of 48 calls I had on my phone when I got home at three o’clock in the morning” last week. He thinks the problem started with an email purporting to be from Yahoo that his mailbox was full. He had to do something about it, the email said, or they
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Len and Marie Mustard do hereby proclaim that they were tricked by online scammers who then, knowing the Mustards were away, tried to scam their friends. would terminate his service. This was followed a few days later with a reminder and a “click here” that led him to a Yahoo-looking form that asked for a log-in and password, which Mustard provided. “That must have been it,” he said. “This was very clever. Everything looked like it was from Yahoo.” The scammers got “everybody in my email list,” he said. “Eighty-odd contacts.” They would also have learned of the Mustards’ travel plans and used them to devise their deception. As of the end of last week, he still couldn’t access his email and his entire contact list is gone. “I hadn’t printed it out, so I can’t even contact people on the list to warn them.” Mustard said it’s important that people know that scammers have reached this level of sophistication and people should be extra-cautious about providing their passwords. Jenkins, as instructed by the RCMP, called the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre but gave up after holding for an hour. “They get like a million calls a year,” he said. Actually, the CAFC, a Government of Canada agency, says it gets more than 50,000 complaints a year by phone and some 1,200 a day (438,000 a year) by email. Go to www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca, call toll-free 1-888-495-8501 or fax: 1-888-654-9426.
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Star Poll Are online scammers getting good enough to fool you?
✭ Yes ✭ No Answer online at: www.oceansidestar.com Last poll’s question: Which per-barrel oil price is best for Canada? $150: 5% $100: 32% $50: 64%
Created by
Adapted from the Broadway Production by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Jason Edwards Orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby Additional arrangements by David Abbinanti Ring of Fire was originally produced on Broadway by William Meade, CTM Productions, Bob Cuillo, GFour Productions, and James B. Freydberg
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“Ring of Fire” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10018.
NEWS
4 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
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Tina Loubert
250-954-0600 tloubert@oceansidestar.com
Health order triggered costs: Epcor RATE HIKE, from Page 1
Proposed Rates
Both he and the FCRA are planning to oppose Epcor’s application. French Creek residents as a whole, he said, shouldn’t be saddled with the costs of providing water to new subdivisions in the Wembley-Lowry’s roads area. “There’s a limit to what property owners can pay,” Stanhope said, estimating there are more than 2,000 connections in the local Epcor system. “With the inflation rate at three per cent,
Source: Epcor
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IMPORTANT NOTICE Water Main Flushing
EPCOR will be flushing the water distribution system between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the following areas on the dates noted below: Feb 10 – Feb 13 : Oceanside/Johnstone Road area, Pintail Drive, Drew Road/Sunrise Drive area, River Crescent and Imperial Drive th
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Feb 16th – Feb 20th : Barclay Crescent, Lee Road, Woodland Drive, Sumar Lane, Pebble Beach/Columbia Beach area and Quail’s Landing Feb 23rd – Feb 27th : Church Road, Ackerman Road, Wembley Road, Riley Road, Kasba Circle, Reid Road, Neden Way, Esslinger, Tara Crescent Osprey Way, Crystal, Aerie Estates, Breakwater Road, Dickinson Way, Glenhale Crescent, Island Highway, Cavin Road and Ocean Place
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this is ridiculous — and it all goes to an Edmonton-based company. “Privately held water for profit — it doesn’t belong here.” Epcor spokesman Tim le Riche, based in Edmonton, said Friday that the proposed rates “reflect the ongoing costs of providing safe, reliable water.” An order from the Vancouver Island Health Authority regarding the treatment of surface water meant Epcor had to either build a treatment plant or abandon taking surface water from French Creek and drill new wells. Parksville and Nanoose Bay, under the same order, opted to build a plant to treat surface water from the Englishman River at a cost of about $35 million. Epcor opted to drill eight new wells, including test wells,
for almost $3 million. It also planned $900,000 in improvements to its iron and manganese removal plant and more than $875,000 in other upgrades and replacements. In a required notice sent to residents Jan. 22, Epcor says its additional costs stem from improving water-source reliability, meeting demand, replacing aging infrastructure (including water mains), modest customer growth, and declining consumption per customer. The FCRA, Stanhope and Epcor are all encouraging residents to submit their views to the comptroller. “It’s not our process,” le Riche said. “It’s the comptroller’s process, a regulatory process. “The community always has questions and we will address them in the regulatory process. We want Sponsors: to hear from as many people as possible.” Said the FCRA’s Williams: “Some
SPCA Pet of the Week
people may feel there is nothing they can do and that Epcor will be allowed to charge it’s customers what they wish. You should know that the comptroller’s office is mandated to protect all users of non-municipal water systems in the entire province. This means the comptroller’s staff review all applications on your behalf and they will be guided by your input.” Customer submissions must be made by Feb. 23. The process ends Mar. 27 with a ‘reply submission’ from Epcor. From his experience in other such processes, le Riche said it will likely be “a number of months” before the comptroller issues an order, which can include a wide range of rulings and interim measures. Submissions may be emailed to Rick.Couroux@gov.bc.ca.; faxed to 250-953-5124; or snail-mailed to Rick Couroux, Secretary to the Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, PO Box 9340 Stn Provincial Government, Victoria, BC, V8W 9M1. BWilford@OceansideStar.com.; (250) 954-0600, ext. 211
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Water main flushing is part of EPCOR’s maintenance program to remove sediment and to maintain good water quality. This process may temporarily result in cloudy water and/or changes in water pressure. Your water remains safe to use, however once flushing is complete, we recommend you run your outside water tap for approximately 10 minutes or until the water runs clear, flush the tank at the back of the toilets and flush your hot water tank as per manufacturer’s instructions. Please check your water supply before doing laundry to avoid possible staining. Thank you for your cooperation. EPCOR continues to monitor and perform ongoing water quality tests to ensure you have quality on tap. If you have any questions please call us at (250) 951-2460.
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NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 5
ENVIRONMENT
Wetlands logging raises concerns BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR
I
sland Timberlands is logging 35-40 hectares (86-98 acres) along the Alberni Highway near Hamilton Marsh. The area, outside Qualicum Beach across from the Highway 19 onramp to Nanaimo, itself contains about a half-dozen small wetlands, according to a news release Monday from Ceri Peacey, chair of the Hamilton Marsh Committee, and Lynne Brookes, president of Arrowsmith Naturalists. They say plans to commence logging were revealed during a meeting Jan. 22 at the Regional District of Nanaimo headquarters in Nanaimo attended by themselves, Morgan Kennah of Island Timberlands, Area G regional director Joe Stanhope, Area F regional director Julian Fell, and RDN parks director Tom Osborne. Peacey and Brookes say they “voiced concerns about damage to this sensitive wetland habitat which is a part of the greater Hamilton Marsh ecosystem.” Only two of the larger wetlands, they say, will receive
Variable-retention logging has preserved a sign on a stump directing traffic on Hilliers Road South to nearby Hamilton Marsh. Monday was World Wetlands Day. [BRIAN WILFORD/OCEANSIDE STAR] “meagre” five-metre buffers. They say the wetlands “merit much larger buffers in order to protect suspected populations of ‘blue-listed’ red-legged frogs and
other red- and blue-listed species, as well as the more common species that use this type of habitat. At this time of year nesting owls and other raptors would also be
endangered.” Though the logging is not technically in Qualicum Beach, Mayor Teunis Westbroek said he as well was invited by Island
Timberlands to review the logging plan. Island Timberlands is using the variable retention method, he said, meaning the area won’t be clearcut and some trees will remain standing. “It seems reasonable,” he said, noting that the operation will employ some 10 people for the next couple of months. “I made a point of driving by it the other day and it looks like they’re doing it in a responsible way.” He said he asked town engineering director Bob Weir and planning director Luke Sales to assess the operation and they as well expressed no concerns in relation to effects on the town’s water supply. Peacey and Brookes say Island Timberlands hopes to complete the logging operation before the Brant Wildlife Festival Hamilton Marsh Tour on April 26. They say Island Timberlands will offer to sell firewood, will try to avoid slash burning and will replant mainly Douglas fir, with small areas of non-native sequoia and Noble fir. BWilford@OceansideStar.com.; (250) 954-0600, ext. 211
TransaTlanTic/Med & More This week Dave Frinton co-founder / President CruisePlus
A
pril 7th is the date you will fly to Fort Lauderdale and spend one night before you board Holland America’s newest ship (which I love and just spent a week on), the ms Nieuw Amsterdam. This 26 night sailing crosses to Horta, Gibraltar, Malaga, St Tropez, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Naples, Taormina, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Kotor before an overnight in Venice. $4499 CAD gets you a desirable high category balcony stateroom, a small onboard credit (which I recommend you use in their Tamarind, Pinnacle Grill or Canelleto specialty dining restaurants), roundtrip Vancouver air, the one night 4 star hotel in Florida and all taxes. What a deal for 27 days! This requires quick action, as the price could change at anytime. If South Pacific is more up your alley – we still have space on our ms Oosterdam Sydney to Vancouver itinerary on April 13. This 26 night package includes a deluxe 4 night pre cruise tour in Sydney, air, a nice onboard credit and all taxes in a mid
Venice, Italy
category balcony stateroom for $5699 CAD pp. If you want the 38 night Auckland to Vancouver package (no tour in Sydney), this is $6849 CAD leaving on April 1st. Our fall ms Noordam (Sept 29) sailing from Vancouver to Sydney is on sale for a couple more weeks only at $4999 CAD – including your return air, a small onboard credit, the 25 night cruise, 2 nights post cruise in Sydney and all taxes for a high category balcony. We’ve also still got some great deals on spring 6 to 13 night coastal cruise getaways – please ask us for details! Please call CruisePlus at 250-390-0220 or toll free at 1-877-722-2202 or visit us in Lantzville (Nanaimo north) for more information on any cruise. We’re open 7 days a week except for stats. For the first look at our deals, please remember to sign up for our emails at
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NEWS
6 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Comox lifts boil-water advisory
Parksville Crime Statistics for 2014
Qualicum Beach Crime Statistics for 2014
The Comox Valley Regional District and Island Health last week lifted a water advisory in effect since Dec. 11. A winter storm caused flooding of streams and lakes, and stirred up sediment in Comox Lake and the Puntledge River, which supplies water to about 41,000 Comox Valley residents. Comox Mayor Paul Ives said local governments need to work together to prevent a recurrence, but noted that could cost more than $30 million.
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FAMILY DAY
Monday, February 9th marks British Columbian resident’s second recognized Family Day. What a great day to celebrate and enjoy your loved ones. Family Day can also serve as a great anniversary to talk to your family about safety plans. Consider going over your family fire escape plan, checking smoke detectors and revisiting emergency contact lists. Something else to consider is ensuring your children have their phone number and address memorized. In an emergency or if a child is lost, is vitally important that everyone have this information on hand. Parents and grandparents can help by discussing various situations with children and quizzing them on the basics such as: phone number, address, who to call and where to go if there is an emergency. Have a safe and happy Family Day! Parksville Community Policing Office 100 E. Jensen Street Parksville Tel. 250-954-2223 Fax 250-954-0410
Qualicum Beach Community Policing Office #104 – 660 Primrose Road Qualicum Beach Tel. 250-752-2949 Fax 250-752-2947
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Residents urged to report graffiti BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR
C
rime statistics for 2014 for Parksville and Qualicum Beach were presented to the respective municipal councils Monday by RCMP detachment commander Staff Sgt. Brian Hunter. Both are considered safe communities, he said, with Parksville posting a crime rate of 84 (reported crimes per 1,000 of population) and Qualicum Beach 38. The detachment’s priorities are traffic, youth and crime reduction, he said. Crime reduction focuses on the related crimes of drugs and property offences, he said, and on the 10 per cent of the criminal element who “are wreaking havoc in the community.”
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Both communities, he said, suffered a spate of vehicle thefts last summer caused by criminal groups coming into the area. Tagging and graffiti continue to be problems in both comBrian Hunter munities, he said, and he asked people to report these crimes even though they seem minor. A push to encourage such reporting helped with three graffiti-related arrests, he said. Those charges are still before the courts.
3 Canadian Icons on stage: Jim Byrnes, Barney Bentall, John Mann
Hunter noted that there is some progress in reducing the number of thefts from vehicles, one of his pet peeves because it is so easily preventable. He asked people to continue to lock their vehicle doors and to not leave valuables in view. Interviews with criminals arrested for such thefts show they are not interested in breaking windows, he said, but instead come into areas in the wee hours and just try door handles “down the streets and in the driveways.” At Parksville council, it was noted that Hunter had not reported on fraud. Hunter acknowledged that the local communities “can be vulnerable” to this type of crime and he can start reporting on it. Parksville Mayor Marc Lefebvre said residents have told him on several occasions that they haven’t reported crimes for fear of “retribution.” Hunter said residents may call Crime Stoppers (250-248-8477) anonymously or call the Oceanside detachment (250-248-6111) and say that they wish to remain anonymous.
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March 7 Songwriters Extraordinaire: Royal Wood & Tiller’s Folly
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NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 7
Chamber presents priorities to town BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR
T
he Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the new town council to make core-area densification and revitalization its number-one priority. The Chamber presented its priorities, based on a pre-Christmas survey of its members, to the town council in a meeting Jan. 21. In a statement last week, the Chamber said it’s concerned that the “infrastructure in parts of our core area (is) deteriorating and in need of renewal.” It urged the council “to encourage
private investment in new buildings to replace existing structures.” The previous council adopted a downtown strategy that included waiving development-cost charges and removing building-height restrictions. The Chamber is also asking council to “align its urban-containment boundary with its municipal boundary.” At present, the urban-containment or urban-growth boundary is a smaller area within the municipal boundary. An attempt by the previous council to align the boundaries was viewed by many as a way to fast-track development proposed for the Pheasant Glen Golf Resort
and elsewhere. It was defeated by a single vote when it came before the Regional District of Nanaimo board. The Chamber, as “the voice of business,” said it is looking forward to working with the town and others “to support initiatives creating sustainable economic development in our town.” It praised the Digital Media studio, opened in the heritage train station last year, as “a good incubator for sustainable economic development,” and asked that the town further invest in the studio “to attract a skilled entrepreneurial work-
Harbourview Volkswagen celebrating over 30 Years in Nanaimo!
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Crash claims Parksville woman STAR STAFF
A 18-year-old Parksville woman was killed in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 19 Sunday morning. Emergency crews responded to the scene in the southbound lanes just past exit 51 at 9:50 a.m. Police say a 17-year-old Parksville woman driving a blue Dodge pickup truck lost control of her vehicle while passing a car. She briefly left the highway to the left, over-corrected and swerved back across the lanes. The truck collided with a car, pushing it off the road. The truck then left the highway to the
right, collided with a large traffic sign and rolled several times before coming to a rest. The 17-year-old driver of the truck sustained minor injuries. Her lone passenger, 18, was killed. The driver and passenger in the car suffered minor injuries and were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital by ambulance. The highway was closed temporarily before traffic was diverted into the left lane and was able to continue with the help of flagging staff. Central Vancouver Island Traffic Services is still investigating this collision. Witnesses who haven’t already talked to police are asked to call Cpl. Mike Elston at (250) 954-2951.
force, as well as younger families, to the area.” It asked the town to continue supporting Oceanside Initiatives, formed to attract “lifestyle entrepreneurs” to the region, as a way of attracting young families to the area, and to work with private contractors to generate affordable housing. It encouraged the town to adopt economic strategies that attract and promote tourism, the retirement industry and light industry. The Chamber’s full priority paper is available at www.qualicum.bc.ca.
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Patient files faxed in error to man’s home for years BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR
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or the past three or four years, J.C. Pelletier, a Parksville construction worker, has been getting medical reports faxed to home. The reports are being faxed from specialists, such as surgeons, dieticians and dermatologists, to the office of Dr. Vadula Jayaraman, a family physician in Qualicum Beach. Pelletier’s fax number has all the same numbers as Dr. Jayaraman’s, except two numbers are switched, 95 instead of 59. Pelletier said he was shocked to receive such personal information. Faxes from the past month he brought to the Star’s office included the results of a nutrition consultation for a diabetic; a post-surgical report on a mastectomy; physicals and other examinations, including doctor comments on alcoholism and obesity; complete patient histories; and lists of patient prescriptions. When the first faxes came, Pelletier, upset, said he called the doctor’s office “right away.” The doctor, he said, pointed out that it wasn’t him sending the faxes. “I told him it’s your clients,” said Pel-
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Some of the files faxed to J.C. Pelletier’s home. His fax number is almost the same as that of a local doctor’s office. These files have since been shredded. letier, who said he shreds the faxes. He said he has since called the doctor’s office “six or seven times” but the faxes keep coming. “I don’t want this stuff,” he said. “It has to stop. This can’t go on.” The receptionist for Dr. Jayaraman’s
office, who didn’t want to give her name, said that whenever Pelletier has contacted them, they have contacted the senders and asked them to fix the mistake. See FILES, Page 9
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Island Health investigating
Save-On-Foods store manager Bruce Brown poses outside his new Parksville store as the signs go up last week at Wembley Mall. The new store, with as many as 60 additional employees, is set to open Valentine’s Day with all new stock. Stock from the old store will be redistributed through the chain or given to local charities. A new B.C. Liquor Store is also under construction next to the new Save-On-Foods. It’s due to open in June. A Red Apple store or The Bargain! Shop wants to move from inside the mall to occupy the old liquor-store space in the mall.
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FILES, from Page 8 “We thought this had stopped,” she said. “We haven’t heard from him in months.” It’s common for doctors to fax patient information, she said; emails are rarely used. Spokeswoman Val Wilson said Island Health becomes involved only if a fax originates from someone working at one of its facilities, and took information about a fax from a dietician at the Oceanside Health Centre. “We take the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ personal health information very seriously,” she said. “When a privacy issue is brought to the attention of our Privacy Office, an investigation begins immediately, as we are doing in this situation, to determine where the error took place and whether any opportunities exist to prevent it from reoccurring in the future.” Over time, she said, Island Health is moving away from fax transmissions to electronic transmissions “across a secure, encrypted information network.” She noted that the cover sheet for faxes from Island Health says that if the fax is received in error, the recipient is to contact the Information Access & Privacy Office immediately and VIHA will arrange to have the material returned to their office.
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 9
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10 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Opinion We want to hear from you. Send your letters to letters@oceansidestar.com or call 250-954-0600
Oceanside Star A division of the Vancouver Island Newspaper Group Limited Partnership
Contact Us: 120-425 Stanford Ave. Parksville, B.C., V9P 2N4 Phone: 250-954-0600 Fax: 250-954-0601 Email: news@oceansidestar.com Classifieds/Obituaries: 1-866-415-9169 classifieds@oceansidestar.com Community Marketing and Sales Director Andrea Rosato-Taylor 1-250-729-4248 arosato-taylor@ oceansidestar.com Managing Editor Brian Wilford 250-954-0600, ext. 211 bwilford@oceansidestar.com Administrative Assistant Paul Davies 250-954-0600, ext. 205 pdavies@oceansidestar.com Reporter Julie Bertrand 250-954-0600, ext. 209 jbertrand@oceansidestar.com Circulation Manager John Sloan 250-954-0600, ext. 207 jsloan@oceansidestar.com Account Executive Jan Spink 250-954-0600, ext. 204 jspink@oceansidestar.com Account Executive Tina Loubert 250-954-0600, ext. 202 tloubert@oceansidestar.com
This newspaper’s contents are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved. Commercial use is prohibited. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. For more information, please contact the publisher.
Trustee’s cell-tower opposition a huge step I
t was just one letter, not even much-discussed in public before it was sent, but it may reverberate through the ether for a long time. The trustees of School District 69 voted to send a letter opposing a proposed Telus cell tower because it’s too close to Oceanside Elementary, occupied five days a week by some 450 children from kindergarten to Grade 7. Their opposition was a “precautionary measure,” the trustees said in their letter to Industry Canada, Telus and the Regional District of Nanaimo: “Young developing minds could be at risk.” News of the letter has shot like a jolt of electricity through a community long ridiculed as
“the tinfoil hat brigade.” It began with just a few people complaining that radiation from cell phones and cordless phones was making them sick: headaches, nausea, rashes, a wide range of symptoms. With the proliferation of WiFi and smart meters, their numbers grew. Still, no matter how much they urged people to consider the science and the warnings from the World Health Organization, they just couldn’t get the mainstream to take them seriously. Now a publicly elected body has voted to exercise the precautionary principle because of the effects cell-tower radiation might have on developing brains. It’s a huge step, and the District 69 trustees are not alone.
The French parliament has passed a law, the first of its kind in the world, requiring the mapping of all cell-tower locations, as well as annual measurements of electromagnetic fields. It requires that all cell-phone ads must promote the wearing of an accessory that reduces exposure of the head to radiofrequency radiation or risk a fine of more than $100,000. Vendors must provide these devices to children under 14 upon request. Wireless internet, or WiFi, is prohibited in places dedicated to the welcome, rest and activities of children under age three. The law requires as well that wireless access for internet in elementary schools must be disabled when not in use for teaching.
This last requirement is something local trustees are now obliged to address. If they have exercised the precautionary principle in relation to a cell tower, how can they rationalize bathing children in WiFi radiation for six or more hours a day? But let’s not pick on the trustees. What about the cell towers approved by local councils in residential areas? We’re not going to give up our cell phones and other wireless devices but it seems we’re finally waking up to the fact that there may be ways to use them more safely, thanks to those courageous foot soldiers in the brigade.
BRIAN WILFORD
>>Your Letters // email: letters@oceansidestar.com Trustee’s cell-tower opposition applauded
Accolades to the trustees who were instrumental in the planned cell towers not being installed. Good on them for caring. David Waterhouse Victoria
Re. ‘Trustees oppose cell tower close to elementary school’ (Jan. 29). It is encouraging to learn that school trustees are urging use of the precautionary principle and opposing a Telus cell tower near the elementary school. With the increasing non-industry-funded scientific studies indicating health harm from radio frequency, it is probable that people of all ages will benefit from minimizing exposure. Cecilie Davidson Qualicum Beach It is good to hear that the school trustees have decided to disagree with placing a cellphone tower so close to an elementary school. Now, however, I am wondering about their policy regarding WiFi access within the school itself. There are many ways to serve “fried brains,” grotesque as it sounds. Alice Becker Esquimalt Good to hear that the school trustees in Parksville-Qualicum are looking out for their trusts by raising objections to the installment of a cell tower near an elementary school. Kudos for applying the precautionary principle. Children in this era are exposed to so many potential toxins, from pesticides to chemicals added to food and personal care and cleaning products to WiFi (to name a few), many of which affect their developing brains, both cognitively and emotionally.
Why add another possible disruption to the mix? Jo Phillips Sooke Just want to commend the school trustees for their strong initiative to help protect the kids and everyone else who suffers from radiation emanating from WiFi, cell phones, cell towers and smart meters. Let them know they have our family support. Gloria, Steve and Nathalie Dube, Victoria Your readers should also be pleased to note that the govern-
ment of France has passed a bill banning WiFi in kindergartens across the country! That’s a first and hopefully a harbinger of things to come. Jerry Flynn Bowser Fantastic heads-up in foresight for opposing cell-tower placements, near your school(s)! We need more knowledgeable and informed people like those who exist in your community to protect our children from these harmful, lifelong RF effects. Trevor J. Lowey West Kelowna
The trustees are to be congratulated for having done their research and taking the precautionary approach. It is hard to get information out to the public about the possible upcoming health issues related to wireless technology. Those of us trying are considered to be nut jobs rather than concerned citizens who have done some research. No one is expecting these technologies to be removed. All we are asking for is safer guidelines for their use. All the independent studies indicate that these towers should not be located within 400-500 metres of residences, schools, hospitals or other places where people with compromised immune systems are spending long periods of time. Thank-you for being one of few papers covering these 21st-century issues. Sherry Ridout Victoria Congratulations for resisting a cell-phone tower near a school! Lise Archambault Victoria The Oceanside Star welcomes letters to the editor but we reserve the right to edit for clarity, taste, legality and length. Submissions must include hometown and a daytime phone number for verification purposes only. Letters must include your first (or two initials) and last name. For best results, email your submission to letters@oceansidestar.com.
OPINION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
More on the cell tower Regarding your Jan. 29 story ‘Trustees oppose cell tower close to elementary school.’ Thank-you for printing the encouraging news about School District 69’s request to halt the installation of a Telus cell tower near Oceanside Elementary. Thanks also to Eve Flynn and the board for sending their letter, which shows caring and foresight. I feel the need to address the statement that evidence re emissions are “by no means definitive.”
Solid evidence of harmful biological effects continues to mount and citizens and school boards need to know this. The media and people in leadership roles need to be more vocal and proactive in this matter of wireless infrastructure in our communities. The science indicating harm is overwhelming now and to say otherwise feeds into the complacency, apathy and lack of awareness regarding wireless impacts that exists in the majority of today’s society. More of us need to take the initiative to learn more about this urgent matter and add our
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voices to the growing number who speak with conviction for the precautionary principle. Please continue to keep the public informed about the need for the precautionary principle, not just for school children but for everyone in our communities. We are all affected by the microwave emissions that emanate from cell antennas. Awareness is key. Linda Ewart White Rock Bravo to the trustees for applying the ‘precautionary principal’ and voting against the erecting
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of the proposed Telus cell tower, which would be close to the school near the French Creek Landing retail complex on the Island Highway. This decision comes hot on the heels of Private Members Bill C 648, which was recently tabled and supported by many MPs in Ottawa: An Act Respecting the Prevention of Potential Health Risks From Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation. Telus misinforms the public of the emission levels of their cell towers, by comparing it to a household light bulb. A simple test using a micro-
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 11
wave radiation E-Smog meter shines a rather sinister light on the microwave radiation levels of towers everywhere. As someone who has metered the microwave E-Smog that emanate from cell towers 24/7, I can assure your readers those comparisons are misleading and simply false. www.c4st.org is a great source of information on Bill C-648 and long-term adverse health effects from cell towers. Marcus Schluschen Canadians for Safe Technology (c4st.org) Port Alberni
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12 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
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Artist Layne Collinson, right, is at it again. After raising money for the Qualicum Beach Bennett family in 2014 by selling glass hearts, she decided to repeat the experience again this year to raise money for the Manna Homeless Society. She and Smoke ‘N Water Restaurant owner David Jones, left, have hang about 70 glass hearts in the windows of the restaurant for patrons to enjoy and purchase. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]
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Our ED joined the organization in September 2011 and became full-time in April 2012. Non-profits routinely have staff to operationalize board decisions and conduct the day-to-day work and administration of the society. Compensation is based on qualifications and job demands. Local social media reported the PDBA has an inventory of benches that we refuse to allocate. We don’t own benches. We identify potential locations, inform the
City of Parksville and they order and install the benches. PDBA helps to pay for benches and garbage cans. Our offer to compile context for financial statements for the Star’s reporter was disregarded.* Actual costs for the items mentioned in the article are: sculpture - $90,973; roof top trees -- $19,089. The free shoppers’ shuttle was $22,853 in 2010 and $35,844 in 2011. See PDBA, Page 13
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OPINION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 13
BIA bylaw renewal led to doubling of office costs Craig Carmichael PDBA President PDBA, from Page 12 The website cost $11,720 to develop plus $8,280 to fund meetings with business owners to
ensure accuracy of the business directory. In 2013, the website was updated for full compatibility with mobile devices, which accounts for 47 per cent of all users. Since 2010 PDBA rents office space within the TimberlakeJones Engineering office. Previously PDBA shared office space with Chamber of Commerce, Oceanside Tourism, Oceanside
Volunteer Association, North Island Film Commission and the City of Parksville Economic Development Officer. A rented storage unit is included in the line item for rent for 2011-2013. Office costs nearly doubled in 2009, primarily due to the required renewal costs of the BIA establishment bylaw. There was no office upgrade in 2012. The $11,329 reported is the value of all capital equipment pur-
chased by the PDBA since 2007 including computers, camera, office furnishings and two rooftop Christmas trees. A property tax levy on commercial property within the Business Improvement Area funds the PDBA, collected by the city for us. It is a flow-through process involving no public money. Business Improvement Areas exist under provincial legislation in B.C. and Ontario
Property owners choose to pay the levy. To be renewed, 51 per cent of property owners, representing 51 per cent of the total assessed value of commercial properties within the BIA, must agree. Funds are for projects benefiting the entire BIA, more than 230 businesses and 600 property owners. See PDBA, Page 14
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OPINION
14 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Without staff, projects remain ideas on a desk Craig Carmichael PDBA President PDBA, from Page 13 Projects change from year to year depending on needs, making it complex to compare one
year’s activities to another. Without staff, projects remain ideas on someone’s desk. Marketing, advertising and building awareness about downtown and all it has to offer have been areas of focus. A key member benefit is our business directory at parksvilledowntown. ca. All marketing points people to the website and to our businesses’ virtual doorsteps. We report as a society under
the Society Act. The society’s financial health and progress is assessed at every board meeting. We use a bookkeeper and an accountant to oversee the annual report and financial statements which are filed with the Registrar of Companies. Financial statements and budget go to city council every March, after presentation to PDBA membership at the annual general meeting Every property or business
owner may not agree with every decision made by the board, or with every project, or with priorities. I stand behind the integrity of the executive director and business owners and representatives who volunteer for this organization. The best interest of the entire BIA, and the community as a whole, has always been the focus. Members are encouraged to call
the office if they have questions: 250-248-8079; info@parksvillebia. com. Craig Carmichael is President of the PDBA. * The Star did indeed disregard PDBA secretary-treasurer Michelle Jones’s offer, which was to refuse to release the financial statements and to demand a written list of questions, with the warning that the answers “would take some time.”
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NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 15
Mandell installed as VIU chancellor L
ouise Mandell, one of Canada’s foremost aboriginal rights lawyers, was installed as chancellor of Vancouver Island University on Thursday last week. Mandell replaces Shawn Atleo, appointed in 2008. Mandell is recognized for her work in advancing aboriginal
Louise Mandell
and treaty rights. She is one of the founders of the law firm Mandell Pinder, established in 1983 to support Canada’s indigenous people to achieve recognition of their constitutional rights. “It is such an honour and privilege to serve as second chancellor, and to walk in the footsteps of the first chancellor, Chief Shawn
Ain-chut Atleo,” Mandell said. “I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this great university which has inspired enrolment of a large number of indigenous students, and taken leadership in promoting peace and reconciliation through dialogue, scholarship and innovative partnerships.”
“Louise inspires others through her diligence, energy, creativity and use of a collaborative approach,” said Ralph Nilson, president of VIU. “She shares similar values to VIU as well. Throughout her career she has used law as an agent for positive change and VIU uses education in the same way.”
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NEWS
16 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Stilwell named Social Development Minister STAR STAFF
P
arksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell was sworn in Monday as B.C.’s Social Development Minister by Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon. Stilwell replaces Don McRae, a two-term Liberal MLA from the Comox Valley, who last week asked Premier Christy Clark to remove him from cabinet because of the stress of a family
Now you can have..
member’s health situation. “Professionally,” McRae said, “you always try to do all the balance in life to make sure you’re good at your job and your family isn’t asked to sacrifice too much. “For a long time, things were working really well. But some new scenarios have come up in the last several months that have caused extra stress.” Clark has promoted Stilwell, a rookie MLA and Paralympic gold medalist, to take over as minister
of social development and social innovation. Most recently, Stilwell was Liberal caucus chairwoman and parliamentary secretary to the minister of health. “It’s a privilege to be asked by the Premier to fill the role that Minister McRae did such a great job on, and it’s an honour for me to step into cabinet,” Stilwell said. Stilwell was considered one of Clark’s star candidates in the last election, and was seen to be
on track to an eventual seat at the cabinet table. Geographic considerations may have also played a role in her promotion. McRae was Vancouver Island’s lone voice at the cabinet table and Stilwell is the only other Liberal MLA from the Island. “Being the minister for the Island ensures there is a voice for the Island in cabinet,” Stilwell said. McRae will retain his Comox Valley seat and continue as MLA. With VING News Service
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|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 17
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female bufflehead was brought to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre after she was found stumbling around in a downtown parking lot. The duck was unable to fly away and was walking into building walls trying to escape. A kind person scooped her up and brought her in for treatment. Staff at the centre did not find any injuries, so likely she was just unable to take off from solid ground, which is hard for these diving ducks to do. We were able to release her back to the ocean, where she met up with another flock of sea ducks. The Bufflehead, confined as a breeder to the boreal forest and aspen parkland of North Amer-
ica, is our smallest diving duck. Its size has probably evolved with its habit of nesting in the holes of the Northern Flicker. Bufflehead also nest in boxes, making management and study easier. Bufflehead breed in ponds and small lakes, diving for insect larvae and amphipods. In winter, this coastal, saltwater duck feeds on crustaceans and molluscs in shallow water bays and inlets. This is one of the few ducks that keeps the same mate for several years and females often reuse the same nest site year after year. Many are shot by sport hunters but they are nevertheless among the few species of ducks whose numbers have increased markedly since the mid-1950s. This year is the 30th anniversary of caring for ill, injured and orphaned wildlife at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. It will be a year will be full of events, which can find at www.niwra.org. Launching this year’s celebrations will be the premiere viewing of Wellness to Wilderness, a fulllength feature film depicting the work of NIWRA. It’s being shown at the Chrysler Theatre in Parksville on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. Entrance is by donation.
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NEWS
18 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
QB Chamber names finalists for Community Awards
T
he Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for its annual Community Awards. The awards will be presented at a gala event Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. The nominees for this year’s Qualicum Beach Community Awards are:
Business of the Year, sponsored by Rodway & Perry: Qualicum Beach Inn; Thalassa; The Shady Rest. Citizen of the Year, sponsored by Qualicum Foods: David Golson; Mary Brioulette; Patrick Nicholson. Community Builder of the Year, sponsored by NR Insurance: Fire and Ice Festival;
Kiwanis Qualicum Park Village Affordable Housing Project; St. Stephen’s Lunch Program. Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Society of Organized Services: Candy Ashbridge; Dave Field; Michelle Genereux. New Business of the Year, sponsored by Re/MAX Anchor Realty: Captivating Details; Oceanside Pizza Palace; Pedego.
Newsmaker of the Year, sponsored by PQB News: Anne Skipsey; Breaking ground at the Kiwanis Park Village; Opening of the Qualicum Beach Inn. Outstanding Customer Service, sponsored by Black and White Party Rentals: Dion Ishida from Oceanside Pizza Palace; Julie Chambers from The Gardens; Kerry Baker from Pharmasave.
Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by Coastal Community Credit Union: Tom Pope, Mulberry Bush Book Store. The speaker at the awards will be former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford. To reserve for dinner and the awards presentations, call 250752-0960. The cost is $40 per person or $375 for a table of 10.
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NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Students win Legion awards
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 19
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On Jan. 22 the Qualicum Beach Legion presented awards to Qualicum Beach students who were Branch and Zone Level winners in the 2014 Poster & Literary Contest, which encourages students to create something about remembrance. Above are the Central Vancouver Island Zone 1st-place winners (from left): Gayle Anderson, B&W Poster Senior; Shea Carmichael, Essay Senior; Sierra Macart, Colour Poster Junior. Missing is Danielle Heron, Poem Senior. Their works will be judged at the Provincial Level. Branch Level winners are: Black & White Poster: Seniors (Kwalikum Secondary School) — 1st Gayle Anderson; 2nd Sarah Heine; Juniors (Arrowview Elementary) 1st Grace Joanne Protasiewich; Colour Poster — Seniors (KSS) 1st Emerson Baylay Flatley; 2nd Alisha Yarham; Intermediates (Qualicum Beach Elementary) 1st Oscar Shelton; 2nd Hana Rogers; Junior (Arrowview) 1st Sierra Macart; 2nd Andrew Foreman; Essay — Senior (KSS) 1st Shea Carmichael; Poem — Senior (KSS) 1st Danielle Heron; Intermediate (QBES) 1st Thys Westerhof; Juniors (Arrowview) 1st Sebastian Magana; 2nd Ainsley Renouf; 3rd Desiree Isabelle Ward. Below: Teachers accept a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of their schools (from left): Fiona Mathieson (KSS); Jen Pickard (Arrowview); Branch 76 Youth Coordinators John Archer and Colin Fleming; Carrie Frampton (QBES). [BRANCH 76 PHOTOS]
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NEWS
20 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Real-estate sales slump but prices holding S
ales activity across the Vancouver Island housing market area was down in January but the average price continues to inch upward. In the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board coverage area, 196 single-family homes sold on the multiple listing service system last month, an eight per cent decrease from the 212 sales recorded in January 2014 and a 23 per cent decrease from last
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month, which posted 257 sales. Cameron Muir, chief economist for the BC Real Estate Association, said in a news release Monday that states that it’s too early to predict whether these are initial signs of uncertainty in the market. “Although sales in January are down across the province, the recent reduction in interest rates could have a positive impact on the housing market,” Muir said. -
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coverage area continues to rise, although slowly, and those increases reflect a strengthening market.” The housing market in the VIREB area remains in balanced territory, a trend that is not expected to change in the near future, Herbert said. “Although reduced oil prices could result in job loss for some British Columbians who work out-of-province in the oil patch, the lower Canadian
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NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 21
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 69 (QUALICUM)
Tribute Fest seeks $1,000 Parksville council Monday referred a request for $1,000 for a music festival to its upcoming budget deliberations. Phred Judson noted that council gave $1,000 last year for the first Vancouver Island International Tribute Festival and asked for the same this year. The festival, to be held May 22-24 at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre, features 16 bands paying tribute to the likes of Elvis, the Beatles, Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, the Judds and Michael Bublé. The bands play for free, the festival pays
their travel, rooms and meals, and local inns and eateries give breaks on the costs. Profits go to the Canadian Cancer Society, Judson said, with last year’s festival contributing $5,504. Start-up costs were high in the first year, he said, and he hopes to contribute more this year. Because his family has been affected by cancer, he said, he has made a five-year commitment to hold and build the festival, even if he is left with bills to pay. Councilors were generally supportive but some expressed concern about setting a precedent for other groups.
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22 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Enjoy free swimming, skating on Family Day Celebrate BC Family Day with RDN Recreation this coming Monday, Feb. 9 at Ravensong Aquatic Centre and Oceanside Place for free family fun. Thanks to generous sponsorship from Quality Foods and the Province of B.C., Ravensong Aquatic Centre is offering free swimming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Oceanside Place arena free skating from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All three ice surfaces will be available for families to enjoy pond
hockey and skating. Families can also enjoy hot chocolate and popcorn with Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell. For more information, call 250-248-3252 and see www.rdn. bc.ca/recreation.
Family Day in Coombs celebrates the cow Family Day activities at the Coombs Fairgrounds Monday, Feb. 9 will celebrate the cow. In addition to free hot dogs and drinks, organizers will be offering
mini-beef on a bun (while supplies last). There will be educational displays, games and activities for kids of all ages, as well as the heritage train, wood carvers, the rock and gem club, bee and butter demos and other events. An indoor-outdoor scavenger hunt will offer lots of prizes, and kids can ice their own cowshaped cookies. There will also be lots of board games, hoola hoops and fun old-time activities. Weather permitting, there will be a horse-vaulting demo in the riding ring.
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The event is hosted by the Regional District of Nanaimo, with support from local businesses and community groups.
Chamber taking over Canada Day festivities Canada Day in Parksville is returning July 1 with the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce as the umbrella organization. The Chamber was asked to assume responsibility for organizing and producing of the popular
Celebrate Canada Day Festivities by the Rotary Club of Parksville. At a special board meeting Jan. 26, the Chamber board passed a motion accepting that responsibility. Planning for the day includes a parade, family-focused entertainment and activities and fireworks. Planning is under the direction of Canada Day Chair and Chamber President-Elect Bonnie Wallis. Anyone wishing to participate as an event volunteer or sponsor may contact the Chamber at 250-248-3613 or Wallis at 250-586-1934.
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NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 23
7.2% increase proposed in RDN 2015 budget VING NEWS SERVICE
R
egional District of Nanaimo directors will get a glimpse of the organization’s five-year financial plan on Feb. 10, says finance director Wendy Idema. A provisional 2015 budget for the regional district indicates general tax revenues to reach $37.2 million, a 7.2 per cent increase from 2014. The five-year
plan, which includes 2015, is expected to include tax increases across all RDN jurisdictions. Idema said the increases are driven mainly by increased capital costs and transit. Improvements to wastewater treatment in the Nanaimo and Lantzville will account for $19.4 million in capital spending over the five-year period. “(The board) is already aware of some of the big hits,” she said.
After a five-year plan is tabled on Feb. 10, Idema said she will return to the board of directors of Feb. 24 with a revised plan to reflect any changes that may have been made or requested. The aim is to present a final bylaw to implement the budget by March 10. The province requires a final plan be adopted no later than Mar. 31, with the municipal deadline for budget approval being May 15.
The provisional budget for 2015 calls for property tax increases across the board. Based on the plan, the RDN proposes to collect $16.2 million in taxes from Nanaimo residents, an increase of $1.4 million from the previous year, or a 9.6 per cent increase. That works out to a $10.20 increase per $100,000 of assessed property value, including fee increases. Lantzville residents would also
see their taxes increased for the area to $771,173, a 6.6 per cent rise from the previous year. The City of Parksville would collectively hand over $4.83 million to the RDN, an increase of $300,000 from the year before, or an increase of 6.8 per cent. With fees, residents would pay $12.96 more per $100,000 of property value. The other areas would see tax increases between 4.2 and 6.4 per cent.
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24 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Photo series showcased at the MAC
D
uring February the McMillan Arts Centre is featuring the work of photographer Gouchen Wang, watercolourist Jae Bok Lee, and photographer Roxy Hurtubise. Gouchen Wang, a visual arts student at the University of Victoria, is showcasing three series of photographic works in the Oceanside Gallery. ‘The Absence of Colour’ is a photographic documentary of a visit to northern China, an area rarely seen
by tourists. ‘My World’ is a semiabstract series of photos that are altered during post-production to create a richer feel. ‘What are they thinking’ is a series of photographs about wildlife. Jae Bok Lee presents ‘Reflection,’ a series of monochrome watercolour paintings that address our relationship to the world. His water droplets are absolutely amazing. Photographer Roxy Hurtubise presents ‘Outdoor Images for an
Indoor World,’ seeking in nature what others may not see or have the opportunity to see, from the serenity of a seascape to the excitement of sailboat racing. Drop in for the reception for the exhibits Saturday, Feb. 7, 1-3:30 p.m., at the MAC in Parksville. There will be complimentary treats and beverages. A Gouchen Wang photograph from her series The Absence of Colour, now at the MAC.
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|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 25
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250.586.4184 Located at French Creek Marina
1025 Lee Rd., Parksville
Time for a change? Granite countertops, bathroom renovations, tile showroom.
Ron & Jo-Anne Yates Our family has proudly served the Oceanside communities since 1998. We believe in providing the highest level of service in a professional and affordable manner, without compromising our commitment to reliable and respectful service to our families
TIMELESS STONE & GRANITE
Family Owned
Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 4:30pm Sat. a by appointment
FUNERAL PROVIDER FOR MEMBERS OF THE MEMORIAL SOCIETY OF B.C.
1135 Industrial Way, PARKSVILLE (250) 947-9620
1000 Allsbrook Rd. Parksville, B.C. V9P 2A9 www.yatesfuneral.ca
www.timelessstoneandgranite.com
250-248-5859
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@ barnesenterprises@shaw.ca •
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124 Fern Road E, Qualicum Beach
www.downtownmovingandstorage.ca
• Blue Driveway Gravel Chips • Construction Aggregates • Fractured Rock for Walls & Fireplaces • 3” Minus Road Base Material al • Decorative Landscape Rocks • Large & Small Boulders • Rip-Rap Sized Rocks • Washed Drain Rock
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ARTS IN BRIEF
26 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
2015 Bach competition winners at TOSH Sunday
Enjoy the music of J.S. Bach at Music On Sunday this weekend.
On Feb. 8 Music On Sunday features the winners of the 2015 Annual Unaccompanied Bach Competition, outstanding young violin, viola and cello players who have excelled at playing an entire unaccompanied sonata, partita or suite by Bach by memory. Music On Sunday is at The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Admission is $16. The 2015 Cedric Literary Awards have issued a formal call for submissions from previously
unpublished B.C. authors and First Nations storytellers, age 50 or better.
Cedric Literary Awards accepting submissions The Cedric Literary Awards is a first-of-its-kind literary awards program in Canada, created specifically to recognize unpublished B.C. writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and First Nations storytelling. Awards’ founder Dr. Peter Dale says he encourages “all unpublished BC writers in the 50-plus demographic to dust off
manuscripts that may have been languishing on bookshelves for far too long. The time has finally come to showcase those literary gems.” The deadline for receipt of submissions is May 1. Once all of the submissions are in, they will be forwarded to an independent selection panel. For more on guidelines and submissions, see www.thecedrics.ca.
Dancestreams Odyssey at the Port Saturday The annual Dancestreams
Dance Odyssey takes place at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo this Saturday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Dancers from 20 dance groups, from Victoria to Port McNeill, are participating. Taking part from the Oceanside area are students from Qualicum Beach School of Dance and Innovate Dance Arts in Parksville. The program includes everything from classical ballet to modern, jazz and hip hop to national dance and tap — all of it top-notch youth talent like Beatrix Bellosillo (above). Tickets are available from the Port Theatre Box Office, 250-754-8550, or online at www.porttheatre.com.
ARTS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 27
Fanny’s Fat Oyster reads again
F
Enjoy Ann Eriksson and Gary Geddes in the Fat Oyster Reading Series.
anny Bay’s Fat Oyster Reading Series starts 2015 with a spring series of readings next Wednesday, Feb. 11. It features Gary Geddes, Ann Eriksson and Tina Biello, all of whom bring the culture of the West Coast to their work. Geddes, who has authored over 40 books including poetry, fiction, non-fiction and criticism, is a former poetry reviewer for the Globe and Mail and an influential political poets.
He received the Gabriela Mistral Prize (1996) for service to literature and the people of Chile alongside Nobel laureates Octavio Paz and Vaclav Havel. Biologist Eriksson has authored three novels, including Falling From Grace, awarded the Silver medal in the 2011 Independent Publishers Book Awards. Her recent novel, High Clear Bell of Morning is about a marine biologist who studies killer whales in the Salish Sea.
Poet and playwright Biello will be reading from her upcoming book to be published by Guernica Editions next fall. This follows on the heels of her book In the Bone Cracks of the Walls (Leaf Press, 2014) a full-length book of poetry that was published last spring. Her chapbook, Momenti (Leaf Press) was shortlisted for the Bressani Prize in Vancouver. The Fanny Bay Hall doors open at 6:30 p.m.; $5 at the door.
Contest runs from January 1st to April 30th, 2015. Visit hunterdouglas.ca for full contest rules and regulations. No purchase necessary.
• Blinds • Shutters • Closets • Drapery • Area Rugs • Furniture • Wallpaper • Motorization #
“Your Window Covering Experts”
3-4341 Boban Drive, Nanaimo (next to City Tile) 250-585-4544 for a complimentary in-home consultation westcoastshutters@shaw.ca www.westcoastsbc.com
COMMUNITY
28 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 STREET TEAM: Help with the April Daffodil Campaign. Man collection boxes at business locations, encouraging the public to purchase pins or flowers to support the fight against cancer. A leader is required to contact, schedule and recognize Street Team volunteers. HOST/HOSTESS: Urgent Care & Support Clinic at OHC is looking for hostess/host for a 3-hour shift between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., 7 days per week. LOCAL THEATRE COMPANY: Help with basic carpentry, sewing, technology and communications,
committees, board members, organizing, bargain-hunting in second hand stores, painting, decorating and craftworks. OCEANSIDE EMERGENCY PROGRAM: Join one of two specialized teams: Emergency Support Services or Emergency Communications Team. HAPPY HOUR ASSISTANTS: Outgoing people to serve refreshments and appies to seniors, possibly dancing with seniors, and clean up after Happy Hour Mon., Wed. or Fri. 3-4:45 p.m. RECORDING SECRETARY: Needed by Parksville organiza-
tion to keep an accurate record of monthly board meetings and all motions and resolutions. EVENT ASSISTANTS: Assist with
refreshments, setup and ticket selling at concerts, receptions & more at local arts centre. DAFFODIL LEADERS: Pin Distribution Leader required to manage a team of volunteers to distribute and collect retail pin boxes to high traffic locations in the community. Street Team Leader required to manage a team of volunteers to encourage the public to buy pins and/or flowers on designated street corners, in shopping areas, at markets and at community events. YOUTH ACTIVITY ASSISTANT: Outgoing, fun-loving individ-
ual to work with at-risk youth in drop in program: meal prep, clean-up and assist with activities. Previous experience required. ADVOCACY OUTREACH: Promote smoke-free parks and playgrounds in Oceanside: letter writing, email, social media, and brainstorming. Strong communication skills required, must be organized and detail oriented. There are many more volunteer opportunities. The Oceanside Volunteer Association is at 10221 Second Ave. West, Qualicum Beach, V9K 2S5; (250) 594-2637; oceansidevolunteer@shaw.ca.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 29
COMMUNITY
30 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 FEB. 5 ■ Parksville Newcomers’ Club meets 7:30 p.m., Parksville Community Centre, 132 Jensen St., Parksville. Guest speaker: Jane Bond, EMS Ambulance Services. ■ Oceanside Breast Cancer Support Group meets 7 p.m., The Gardens, 650 Berwick North, Qualicum Beach. Ladies living with breast cancer welcome. Info: 250-752-8066; amen@shaw.ca. ■ Drop-in tennis at Springwood Park, 1-4 p.m., every day of the week in February and March. Info: Arrowsmith Tennis Club, arrowsmithtennis.ca, 250-248-7280. FEB. 7 ■ Shabbat lunch (potluck), with Pastor Don James, Canadian Director for Bridges for Peace, Christian Fellowship Centre, 825 Village Way, Qualicum Beach. ■ Opening reception for McMillan Arts Centre February xxhibitions featuring artists Gouchen Wang, Jae Bok Lee and Roxy Hurtubise, from 1-3:30 p.m. at the MAC, 133 McMillan St., Parksville. Complimentary beverages and treats. Info: 250-248-8185. ■ 13th Annual Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Admission by donation. Speakers, seed swap, vendors, farmer’s market, Shoots with Roots, master gardeners, seedy cafe and raffle. Garden chemical
OCEANSIDE EVENTS
Lance Gets A Free Ride
E-mail events@oceansidestar.com
and poison drop off. Info: www. qbseedysaturday.com. ■ Doctor Seuss on the Loose Family Swim, 10 a.m. to noon, Ravensong pool. Fun activities and rhymes. RDN: 752-5014. FEB. 8 ■ Music On Sunday features the winners of the 2015 Annual Unaccompanied Bach Competition t The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach, 2:304:30 p.m. Admission is $16. FEB. 9 ■ Coombs Fair Family Day, 1- 4 p.m., 1014 Ford Rd., Coombs. Demos, crafts, games, food, drinks all indoors and free. Info: www.coombsfair.com; 250-248-4458. ■ B.C. Family Day free swim, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ravensong Pool, sponsored by Quality Foods. RDN: 752-5014. ■ B.C. Family Day free skate, 1-5 p.m., Oceanside Place, sponsored by Quality Foods. RDN: 248-3252. n Arbutus ToastMasters, 7-9 p.m., Parksville Community & Conference Centre, 132 Jensen Ave., Parksville. All welcome. Info:
6950 ISLAND HWY. NORTH
Lance Nater (left), of Qualicum Beach, won a transit pass and Rosemary Secord, of Nanaimo, won a BC Hydro Home Energy Saving Kit by participating in the Regional District of Nanaimo’s fall 2014 survey on track progress towards the goals of the Regional Growth Strategy. With them is Darren Marshall, RDN Acting Manager of Fleet Operations. A total of 258 residents completed the survey. [RDN PHOTO] Matt 250-752-0794. ■ Qualicum Beach & Area Newcomers Club meets 10:15 a.m., St. Stephen’s Church, Village Way, Qualicum Beach. Info: qbnewcomers.org.
FEB. 10 ■ Youth 16+ free drop-in basketball, 7-9 p.m., Tuesdays until Mar. 24, Coombs Fairgrounds. For more info: 250-248-8515 or email ranlong@telus.net.
250.390.1479
FEB. 11 ■ Youth (ages 11-18) free dropin games and sports, 6:30-8 p.m., Wednesdays until Mar. 25, Coombs Fairgrounds. Info: 250248-8515; ranlong@telus.net. ■ Youth 16+ free drop-in floor hockey, 8:15-9:45 p.m., Wednesdays until Mar. 25, Coombs Fairgrounds. Info: 250-248-8515; ranlong@telus.net. ■ Sole Sisters Fitness Walk, 1011 a.m. Wednesdays. Different location each week. All levels of fitness welcome. Info: 250-2488515; ranlong@telus.net. ■ Qualicum Beach Garden Club meets 7 p.m., Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, Connie Kuramoto, of Gardens on the Go, speaks on Preparing your Garden for Climate Change. All welcome. ■ Mt. Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society meets 7:30 p.m., QB Civic Centre. Program: Panel of experts on Rhododendron care. All welcome. Info: 752-3694. ■ Grief support group, 4-5 p.m., Knox United Church. Small group, safe, confidential. Info: 250-248-3927. ■ Valentine’s Luncheon, hosted by the Bowser Legion Ladies Auxiliary, noon to 3 p.m. $15 for lunch and dessert. Advance tickets: Nancy (250) 757-9266. FEB. 12 ■ Fix your life – in two steps — giving your body a voice and ‘resetting’ your body, with Mike Robinson and Henri van Amerongen, 7 p.m., Parksville Community Centre. $5 suggested donation. Shift In Action: 250-954-1002. ■ Mid Island Floral Art Club meets 1:45 p.m., St. Stephens United Church Hall, 150 Village Way, Qualicum Beach. Info: Joanne 250-757-8969. ■ The Star Society of OES Sweetheart Tea at 2 p.m. in the St. Columba Church, 921 Wembley St. Parksville. Cost is $10. For tickets, call Margaret 250-248-9200.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
CLUES ACROSS 1. Licenses TV stations 4. Worn-out horse 7. Expire 10. Winglike structure 11. Supplement with difficulty 12. Confederate soldier 13. Attempter 15. All persons of the earth 16. Vertical position 19. Live longer than 21. Showing keen interest 23. Old Spanish currency units 24. Ingested by sniffing 25. A narrow path or road 26. Old Tokyo 27. Bound map collections 30. Deliquium 35. Brownish coat mixed with white 36. 3 banded S. Am. armadillo
37. Coat a metal with an oxide 41. Slave-like 44. 1950’s TV Wally 45. City founded by Xenophanes 46. Hermaphroditic 50. Kale plant with smooth leaves 54. Forelimb 55. Unassisted 56. Jeweled headdress 57. Auricle 59. Competing groups 60. Cardinal number 61. Light bulb inventor’s initials 62. Heat unit 63. Doctor of Education 64. Make a mistake 65. Point midway between S and SE CLUES DOWN 1. Bazaars
|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 31
2. Cuyahoga River city 38. Nation in the north 3. Latin word for charity Atlantic 4. Scourges 39. Apportion into sections 5. Alias 40. Skilled in analysis 6. Origins 41. More assured 7. Subjugate using troops 42. ___ Musk, businessman 8. Dutch name of Ypres 43. In a way, tells 9. Siskel and __, critics 13. Teaspoon (abbr.) 46. Immature newt 14. Herb of grace 47. Hawaiian taro root dish 17. Brew 48. Extremely angry 18. Kilo yard (abbr.) 49. Wrapped up in a 20. Barn’s wind indicator cerecloth 22. Griffith or Rooney 51. Expression 27. Macaws 28. 2000 pounds 52. Paradoxical sleep 29. Official language of Laos 53. Tooth caregiver 31. Cleveland’s roundball 58. Swiss river team THIS WEEKS SUDOKU ANSWER 32. Office of Public Information 33. Chum 34. Before
HOROSCOPE
SUDOKU
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you may feel that a goal is beyond reach, but you can get there if you are willing to make some sacrifices. Make a decision quickly this week. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Many different people, including loved ones and colleagues, hold you in high regard, Taurus. That’s because you are a forward thinker willing to take chances. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, take a careful approach to any obstacles that come your way this week. A problem that arises will require some thoughtful analyis and a slow and steady approach. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, be honest about what you desire, even if it seems like getting it is impossible. You never know what you can achieve if you push yourself and have a little patience. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, you have many good ideas and are ready for many of them to come to fruition. Muster up some energy and clear your schedule so you can conquer the tasks at hand. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, you have more in common with a colleague at work than you originally imagined. Pool your resources and work as a team to get the job done.
LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you may have to be a little more assertive than usual to get your way this week. If you have good ideas, stick behind them and make your voice heard. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Set goals that are difficult to reach, Scorpio. This is a great way to push yourself to be the best you can be. Expect some special news to arrive very soon. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Something that may have been important to you a few days ago has lost its luster this week, Sagittarius. Don’t pursue it any longer because it’s not worth your time. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, make the most of a business opportunity that presents itself in the coming weeks. This opportunity could be the chance you have long been waiting for. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t push yourself beyond your limits this week, Aquarius. There’s no rush to get things done and no need to subject yourself to fatigue or burnout. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, do not let your daydreams get you into trouble. Harness your imagination in the next few days so you can focus on the here and now.
THIS WEEKS ANSWER
NEWS
32 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
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