Up front: Father of Chase Woods passes at age 104 Valley: Duncan’s iconic clock tower celebrates 100th birthday
Your news leader since 1905
page 3 page 5
For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com
Friday, January 9, 2015
Andrew Leong
About 75 brave souls (above) rushed down the boat launch at Hecate Park and into a cold New Year’s wake-up call New Year’s Day during the 13th-annual Cowichan Bay Polar Bear Swim, presented by Cowichan Bay Volunteer Fire Rescue. Meanwhile, dressed to thrill (at right) are Darrell and Janine Frank — among 150 participants who took the annual New Year’s Day plunge into the chilly waters by the Maple Bay Rowing Club at noon on Jan. 1.
Cowichan’s most valuable home clocks in at nearly $2.7 million Tax assessment: most valley property expected to be steady as she goes John McKinley
News Leader Pictorial
M
ost of you won’t be familiar with 450 Meredith Road. Located at the end of a rural artery spearing eastward off Telegraph Road, partway between Arbutus Ridge and Mill Bay, it’s not exactly on the Cowichan Valley’s main drag. But it’s an exclusive address in more than just
location. At $2.672 million, it’s home to what the B.C. Assessment Authority considers the most valuable residential property in the Cowichan Valley. And it’s one of nine Cowichan properties to crack the list of the 100 most valuable Vancouver Island properties north of Victoria, according to figures released by the assessment authority Jan. 1 and available for review at cowichannewsleader.com. Two other south Cowichan homes made the grade (one on Whiskey Point Road and another on Meredith Road), along with two homes in Chemainus, one in Saltair, one in
Cowichan Bay, one in Glenora and one near Quamichan Lake. It’s something to consider when you ponder your tax assessment notice this week. According to Vancouver Island Regional Deputy Assessor Bill Dawson, most homeowners shouldn’t be too surprised by what they see. “Most homes in the Cowichan Valley are remaining stable in value compared to last year’s assessment roll,” Dawson said. “Most homeowners in the Cowichan Valley will see modest changes in the -10% to +10% range.” The majority of owners of more than 39,000 Cowichan properties should have received
NEW LIMITED TIME ONLY
CRISPY CHICKEN
their 2015 assessment notices, released Jan. 1, by now. Overall, the Cowichan Valley assessment is down about $6 million. That’s not much when you consider the big picture is measured in the billions: $10,751,961,341 this year to $10,757,489,117 last year. Dawson said almost $127,000,000 was added through subdivisions, rezoning and new construction. Commercial property assessments were stable as well, with a total of $817,960,841. About $18 million in new commercial value was added due to various changes including subdivision, rezoning and new construction. more on page 5
$ ©2014 Wendy’s International, LLC.
99 CONTAINS: EGG, MILK, SOY, WHEAT