THURSDAY JULY 24, 2014
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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COOMBS BLUEGRASS
STREAMKEEPERS
Volunteers learn how to measure Englishman River flows
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado to perform at the rodeo grounds
A12
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rchase over $9
Rail money
Courtenay 2937 Kilpatrick Ave 250871-6074 Victoria 3501 Saanich Road 25 0-382-5269 Nanaimo 3200 No rth Island Hwy 25 0-756-4114
CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
See FUNDING, page A4
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ICF FUNDING
Nearly one million dollars has been unlocked by regional district directors vying to bring the railway back to life. At Tuesday night’s Regional District of Nanaimo meeting, directors voted to contribute the money to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) project in the hopes of bringing rail service back to Vancouver Island. The board committed $945,000 to the project representing the RDN’s portion of the $20.9 million required to restart passenger service that stopped in 2011 due to safety concerns. While the board passed the motion, the decision was based on a weighted vote (strength by population) where most rural area directors voted against it while most Nanaimo councillors voted to see the money pushed through. Parksville coun. Marc Lefebvre, who voted against, said he did so “in the interest of due diligence and in defense of the taxpayer.” Adding he doesn’t believe the money will be enough to resuscitate the railway leaving taxpayers “at risk.” “Despite the Lac Megantic tragedy which has resulted in rail safety standards and liability insurance requirements both being increased, the increase in fuel costs, and the need to build a new train station in Victoria and a repair facility in Nanaimo, $20 million dollars continues to be the total amount required,” said Lefebvre skeptically. “The City of Parksville, over the years, has made its objections clear to the ICF’s $20 million dollar proposal for returning a passenger rail service to Vancouver Island — originally Victoria to Courtenay and now Nanaimo to Victoria.” Lefebvre vowed to continue voting in opposition despite being “mindful that we on this board who oppose the ICF/SVI plan will never achieve a majority vote.” He said Parksville will “nervously await the day and time when ICF/SVI roll the dice and get the $20 million dollar maximum project underway.” Echoing Lefebvre’s sentiments, directer Julian Fell, who represents Coombs and Errington, said “it will either be futile or they will be back with a hat out asking for more money.” Director George Holme, who represents Nanoose Bay, sided with his fellow directors stating “the railway became defunct because it was running the wrong way — this new plan is still running the wrong way.”
INVENTORY OVERS TOCK
CANDACE WU PHOTO
SUMMER IN PARKSVILLE: A couple of couples enjoy watching the sunset from picturesque Parksville Beach this summer — the forecast calls for more sun this weekend.
TRAFFIC CONCERNS
New Parksville QF goes public AUREN RUVINSKY
writer@pqbnews.com
A new Quality Foods in Parksville appears to be getting a lot of support, as long as they deal with some traffic concerns. Parksville council received the results from the developer’s June 26 open house, gave first and second reading and set a city public hearing date of Sept. 3 to consider rezoning the currently vacant three hectare (7.3 acre) property at Despard Avenue and the Alberni Highway. The proponents are requesting a change on the southern portion of the property from comprehensive development CD-21 to a new CD zone to allow a grocery store with second floor mezzanine and separate retail building.
Mayor Chris Burger said the general response he hears is “get on with it.” He said the feedback is very positive, tempered only with traffic concerns, specifically around new school configurations. Due to the closure of Parksville Elementary, Springwood Middle School, just on the other side of the subject property, will become a consolidated elementary school. The staff report said the applicant reported 55 people attended the open house with the main concern being increased traffic around young students. Many of the comments on the ten sheets submitted were clearly in favour, asking for specific things from the grocery store like organic food, a pharmacy and coffee shop. A public hearing will be held at the opening of the Sept. 3 council meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
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