Associated Tire
We’re No. 1: Mirror brings home B.C. newspaper gold Page 3
2X1.5 1710 Island Hwy, Campbell River 250-286-6132 www.associatedtireandauto.ca
1 PLACE
PROCESS
ST
2014 Newspaper Excellence
View our eEditions online WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014
Newsstand 85¢
www.campbellrivermirror.com
Breaking down barriers: mental health Kristen Douglas Campbell RiveR miRRoR
“If they pursue this in the courts the city will end up paying legal fees, funded by taxpayers, just to set a taxation rate that is in line with other B.C. communities,” Laidlaw said. “It is unfortunate that TimberWest, as a corporate taxpayer, has taken this action against council policy, which aims to set an equitable tax rate for managed forest lands, phased in over three years.” Terry Francis, operations manager with TimberWest, said the company believes the city is in the wrong and is legally restricted from setting the tax rate for managed forest lands
No one is immune from mental illness, says suicide awareness advocate Barbara Swanston. “Mental illness is still very much misunderstood and there is a lot of stigma surrounding it,” Swanston says. “Yet one-in-four people will experience a mental illness.” For Swanston, the statistic is one that’s close to her heart. Since Swanston’s son Terry took his own life four years ago – at the age of 29 – Swanston has been a champion for mental health awareness and for encouraging people to “come out from the shadows,” speak up about their feelings and seek help. As part of her efforts, Swanston is hosting an open discussion at the Campbell River library on May 5, 6:30 p.m., as part of Mental Health Awareness month. She will be joined by Victoria Broker who lives with mental illness every day but is thriving with proper treatment. Swanston says the talk is aimed at breaking down barriers and overcoming the stigma and lack of understanding that prevents many people from seeking treatment. “Victoria and I want to facilitate an open conversation which will help shine a light on our beliefs, misconceptions and the stigma,” Swanston says. “We want to help open people’s hearts so they can open their minds to the reality that everyone has mental health – if you have a brain you have mental health – and no one is
Continued on Pg. 3
Continued on Pg. 3
Kellie Gorosh/special to the Mirror
Hot deck
Members of the Oyster River Volunteer Fire Department douse a flat-deck trailer that caught fire Monday afternoon, just north of Surgenor Road in Black Creek. Fortunately, the driver was able to get the excavator off the trailer before it burned.
TimberWest victory could cost taxpayers Kristen Douglas Campbell RiveR miRRoR
If TimberWest wins its tax challenge against the city, Campbell River homeowners could see another tax increase. Council approved a 2.92 per cent residential tax increase in January, which equates to an extra $41 for the average assessed home at $256,600, but that could change. It all depends on whether TimberWest is successful in its B.C. Supreme Court challenge against the city raising taxes on managed forest lands.
Dennis Brodie, the city’s finance operations supervisor, said if TimberWest wins, those extra taxes will have to be made up by residents. “In the event that this increase was removed from Class 7 (managed forest lands) and shifted to the residential class it would result in an approximate $2 increase to the average house, bringing the overall residential tax increase to 3.07 per cent or $43,” Brodie wrote in a report to city council. In January, council increased managed forest land taxes to $2.29 per thousand dollars of assessed value to the provincial average of
$13.98, a total tax increase to Class 7 of $27,468 to be phased in over three years. City staff have prepared tax rates bylaw for 2014 already and council was expected to pass the bylaw, which includes the managed forest lands increase, at its Tuesday council meeting after the Mirror went to press. City Manager Andy Laidlaw appealed to TimberWest in March to reconsider its tax challenge, saying it would hurt Campbell River taxpayers if the forest products company went through with its petition.
Campbell River’sIsland Best Value In Funeral & Cremation Service Since 2000 Funeral
7x2.5 ELK FALLS CREMATORIUM Campbell River’s only crematorium PROCESS where all cremations are done locally in Campbell River Simply Call 250-287-3366
Kent & Rosemarie Roduck
*
A Division of Island Funeral Service Ltd.