Judge rules Teachers’ union allowed to negotiate class size, composition. Page 17 Heart’s content Kesa Van Osch headed to national curling competition. Page B1 Piano passion Sayuri Kubota performs Italian-themed concert. Page 3
ing n Home Heat o re it /L ¢ 0 1 Save until April Oil from now CALL FOR DE
C&S TRANSMISSION SPECIALTIES LTD.
“EXPERT SERVICE SERVED RIGHT”
TAILS
DFuels.ca 53.5105 • AF .7 0 5 2 o im a n Na
Celebrating
1988
2013
6852 Mart Rd. LANTZVILLE
Years
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014
www.nanaimobulletin.com
Lantzville weighs reducing council
Nanaimo aims to lure Victoria business north
I
By Tamara CunningHam THe NewS bULLeTiN
The Greater Victoria Development Agency is taking no offence to Nanaimo’s new campaign to lure away Capital Region businesses – it’s urging the Harbour City to think bigger. Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation has just launched a print campaign in the province’s capital, aimed at showcasing the Harbour City as an affordable and attractive alternative for Capital Region and Victoria businesses. The two-month long $7,500 advertising strategy highlights the testimonials of Nanaimo business leaders and what keeps them in the Harbour City in an attempt to show how the community stacks up as a place for expansion and relocation. According to Sasha Angus, chief executive officer for Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, no community has a right to the businesses that operate within its borders, making it important to ensure the Nanaimo area remains competitive as an attractive place to invest and do business. “It’s smart and it’s ... maybe aggressive is the wrong word but definitely proactive,” Angus said, of the Victoria campaign. But is it thinking big enough? u See ‘ATTRACTING’ /6
250.390.1871
VOL. 25, NO. 87
prOpOsal CuTs representatives by two members.
By Tamara CunningHam THe NewS bULLeTiN
CHRIS BUSH/THe NewS BUlleTIN
First past the pole
B.C. Hydro linemen start repairs to a power transformer while an adjacent power pole in foreground continues burning after a short circuit sheared off the top shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, triggering a power outage for nearly 4,000 customers throughout the Hammond Bay and Departure Bay neighbourhoods. Ted Olynyk, B.C. Hydro spokesman, said the incident might have been caused by flashover, a condition caused by debris buildup on the pole over an extended dry period that can become conductive when rainy weather returns.
Lantzville politicians will consider putting council seats on the chopping block as part of a push to save taxpayers money. Coun. Jennifer Millbank put councillors on notice Monday that she will be bringing forward a motion in February to reduce the size of council from seven to five. Millbank says the rural council’s make up is an “anomaly” thanks to its incorporation as a district. While the municipality is the size of a town which only requires a total of five people at the council table, its geographic area and designation as a district requires it to elect seven. According to Millbank, the district has the same representation as an urban centre of 50,000 people. She questions if council’s current size is needed when most of the community’s geographic area is under-developed. With a mandate to save taxpayers money, she argues reducing council could eliminate an estimated $25,000 a year – the equivalent of 1.5 per cent in taxes – and reduce staff workload.
The change is supported by Mayor Jack de Jong, who agrees there would be a direct financial benefit, but Coun. Denise Haime is concerned about putting decision making in the hands of five and believes there are better ways to cut expenses. The move to reduce the size of council would require politicians to pass the first three readings of a new bylaw six months before the election and seek the approval of the voting public. If passed, it would take effect in 2017. “The big thing about having seven people on council is you encourage more people to get involved ... you get better representation because you have a better diversity of opinion on council,” Haime said, adding every person on council could be doing something for the benefit of the community. “If we were really sincere [about cutting] money, why aren’t we looking at our own house? Why don’t we cut the conference budget, our discretionary budget? There are so many things we spend money on that we don’t need to.” The proposal is expected to land on the table next month, leading up to the civic election in November. u See ‘MOVE’ /4
ALL REMAINING 2013 NISSAN JUKES $500 ABOVE DEALER INVOICE 95
REMAINING
NEWCASTLE NISSAN
E
SERVIC
250-756-1515 3612 North Island Hwy. Beside Country Club Mall (D.L. 30776) www.newcastlenissan.com