GAZETTE See our Comeback Campaign, p. 16
NORTH ISLAND
Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
49th Year No. 15
April 10, 2014
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Chlorine leak evacuates pool Gazette staff PORT HARDY—A literal mix-up at Port Hardy’s Recreation Centre led to the evacuation of the swim-
ming pool and the medical treatment of a daycare group Tuesday morning. The incident was still under investigation when
the Gazette went to press, but early reports suggest that two chemicals were improperly mixed by a Rec. staff member leading to the
formation of Chlorine gas which then diffused into the main areas. The mistake was immediately realized and the
pool closed, but staff and a group of pre-schoolers
See page 3 ‘Investigation’
• PICTURE PERFECT
Eke Me-Xi students unveil film projects on culture, history. Page 8
• BURIED GEM
Blackbeard the Pirate docks in Sointula for theatre production. Page 9
• ICE PRIZES
Hockey associations hold annual AGMs, awards galas. Page 10 HOT SPOTS Page 6 LETTERS Page 7 SPORTS Page 10 CLASSIFIEDS Page 12-14
Paramedics assess those exposed to the gas Tuesday morning. Nine children were taken to Port Hardy Hospital on a precauA O’Toole tionary basis and later released.
Credit union closures stun islanders
J.R. Rardon Gazette editor Projected North Island closures of Coastal Community Credit Union branches this summer threaten to leave residents of Malcolm and Cormorant islands without local banking services, and residents and civic leaders plan to fight the proposed July 5
eat.
closings. CCCU branch offices in Alert Bay, Sointula and Cortes Island are slated to be shuttered in a cost-saving move announced last Thursday by credit union officials. “It will be devastating,” said Tasha Nelson, manager of the Sointula Co-op store that has its business account with the credit
drink.
union. “And I thought we were cut from the same cloth — the Co-op and credit unions are both owned by their shareholders, and share with their members. We’re not supposed to be a corporate greed situation.” Blindsided by the announcement, representatives from all three affected communities
quickly responded, seeking more information from credit union officials. In a fact sheet sent to answer some of those questions, the credit union admitted the closures — and a reduction of hours
See page 5 ‘Meeting sought’
be cozy.
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