Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
51st Year No. 05
February 3, 2016
•SALMON...
Stream to Sea program begins at local schools. Page 8
• CHAMBER...
West Coast Helicopters hosts Port McNeill Chamber. Page 9
•ANOTHER WIN...
Riptide U15 girls continue to dominate soccer league. Page 15 OPINION Page 4 LETTERS Page 5 SPORTS Page 15-17 CLASSIFIEDS Page 18-19
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NORTH ISLAND
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Citizens discuss Alice future By Trish Weatherall For the Gazette Twenty-three Port Alice citizens gathered at the Sea View Activity Centre on Sunday, Jan. 17, to collaborate on ideas for the future of the village, which has seen economic difficulty since the March 2015 Neucel Specialty Cellulose mill layoffs. The meeting, named Alice in Action, was a brainstorming session for locals to share ideas, aspirations, knowledge and experience, organized by residents Pauline Steele, Susan Mohler and Bev Steffler. Steele, who in October wrote an open letter to Port Alice residents to encourage shopping locally, retired to Port Alice six-and-a-half years ago. “This place ticked all the boxes,” she said. “I love it here, I’m not going anywhere. I want to see this place survive. It might not go back to the way it used to be, but I’d like to keep what we’ve got.” Alice in Action attendees ranged in age from mid-twenties to mid-seventies, and included lifelong residents, recently retired newcomers, and a few entrepreneurs. The key topic of discussion was the need to promote Port Alice’s strengths to tourists and new residents, which were identified as the natural beauty of the inlet and surrounding mountains; a mild climate; the sheltered waters of Neroutsos Inlet for sailing and kayaking; the affordability of housing; the peace and quiet; the absence of significant crime; ocean and logging road access to the West Coast; nearby lakes; and the accessibility of wilderness and wildlife.
See page 3 ‘Pilot projects...’
Minion Takes the Catwalk
Tyson Whitney Photo
Stan Hall performs “Worth More Than a Minion”, created by Leighann Ruel, to the song ‘Barbara Ann’ at the Victor’s Secret Fashion Show, Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Community Hall in Port McNeill. This was the fifth year the wildly-popular fashion show has been held. All the bras featured were created by local community members, and all proceeds from the show go to support local North Island cancer patients from Woss north.
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