Boxing bouts Plenty of action
Vision NANAIMO
Vision Nanaimo
in Rumble at the Rink this weekend.
2015
ress te on economic prog An annual upda
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South-end n constructio Plan
INSIDE
Official Community in means densification ourhood Harewood neighb
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Hotel updrtate needed Community suppo storey to ensure multithe ground projects get off
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Waterfront ent developmland Former industrial n seen as transportatio portal for city
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Special supplement
www.nanaimobulletin.com
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015
VOL. 27, NO. 5
No motors allowed in boat race I
SAILORS MUST reach Alaskan finish line under wind or human power.
BY KARL YU THE NEWS BULLETIN
BY KARL YU THE NEWS BULLETIN
S
ailors from Nanaimo and Gabriola Island will be among those racing to Alaska in an boat race in June. Qualifying for the first-ever Race to Alaska is set for June 4 from Port Townsend, Wash., to Victoria. The main race runs from Victoria to Ketchikan, Alaska, beginning June 7 and $10,000 awaits the winner of the 1,207-kilometre, non-motorized boat race. Team Y Triamoto use a sevenmetre trimaran sailboat and for crew member David McCallum, it is right up his alley as a sailing enthusiast. He said it’s the chance of a lifetime. McCallum and team don’t plan to stop, save for inclement weather, surviving on dehydrated food and sleeping in shifts. Fatigue could become a factor. “That’s going to be a big deal, absolutely, but that’s why it’s an adventure race,” said McCallum. “If that stuff wasn’t an issue, everybody would be doing it.” Wayne Gorrie, a founder of the Van Isle 360 yacht race, will also be in the Race to Alaska. His Team MOB Mentality will use an 8.5-metre trimaran, christened the Mail Order Bride. Success in the race will be dependent on weather and while that can be unpredictable, Gorrie said his team is prepared. “What we would like to see is lots of wind – my boat is optimized for big winds,” said Gorrie. “Some boats are optimized for very light air ... we’re not going to turn this into a rowing race however.”
See ‘NO SUPPORT’ /4
Third councillor quits from Lantzville district
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Dave McCallum is packing his gear for the first-ever Race to Alaska, a non-motorized boat race from Victoria to Ketchikan, Alaska. Qualifying happens June 4.
Another Lantzville councillor has stepped down. Mayor Colin Haime confirmed that Coun. David Scott handed in a letter of resignation, joining councillors Rod Negrave and Jennifer Millbank, who stepped down in late April. Scott was among a group of four councillors who sent a letter to the community in April outlining frustrations over the treatment of staff at district meetings. Haime said Scott’s resignation isn’t unexpected. “He’s been an individual who’s been on council before ... it’s disappointing that after only five months of a mandate, an individual basically decides to move on, but for our purposes, because we have a byelection coming anyway, better now than later,” said Haime. Scott did not respond to a request for comment but in his resignation letter said in his eight years as a district trustee and during his term on council, he’s never experienced such dysfunction. “I am a strong
believer in the democratic process, however, I believe that there are significant issues around democracy in our community that I can no longer tolerate,” Scott said. Wi t h t h e t h re e resignations in less than a month, Haime addressed suggestions that council is dysfunctional. “Just like the other two individuals that resigned, no specifics were provided as to what their concerns are,” Haime said. “So if, as leaders, that they can’t decide the direction of council themselves as a majority ... then I’m not sure they’d be serving the public to continue.” Quorum for district council is four councillors, which is the number at which council currently stands. No byelection date has been set. An item was on last night’s meeting agenda to address the issue. Haime said the byelection is estimated to cost taxpayers $20,000. Chief administrative officer Twyla Graff and financial services director Jedha Holmes have also resigned recently. reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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