Possible spring start to Inlet mine (page 2)

ALBERNIREGION

4 | ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

FIVE QUESTIONS
A peek inside someone’s life when they answer our five questions

COUNCIL NEWS
Compiled by Alberni Valley Times

Dutchman is force behind local
big Oktoberfest celebration

Have your say on bylaw

Julie
Bertrand
Reporting

P

ort Alberni resident Joop
Scheffers is one of the
many volunteers behind
the city’s annual Oktoberfest,
which is happening on Oct. 18
and 19 at the Italian Hall.
The former pulp mill employee
has lived in the Alberni Valley
ever since he left the Netherlands in 1970.
Since retiring 15 years ago,
Scheffers channels most of his
energy and free time in Oktoberfest, the Europa Club and the
Alberni Athletic Association.
“Oktoberfest is my baby,” he
said.
Although Saturday is sold out,
there are still tickets to Oktoberfest so you can still take in this
fun activity.
When not otherwise occupied,
he and his wife Willemina go on
trips in their RV.

If you could have dinner with
anyone, dead or alive, who would
you choose, and why?
“I would choose Dutch violinist
André Rieu.
“He is a world-famous entertainer who plays classical music
and travels the world. In my eyes,
he’s an absolutely amazing man.
He makes so many people happy
with his music.”
What is the best piece of advice
you’ve ever received, and who
gave it to you?
“Earlier in my life, I was a bit
hotheaded.
“One of my uncles kept telling
me to settle down. Now, I’m 72
years old and I’m settled down. It
took a little while.”
If you could relive one moment
in your life, what would it be?
“It would be the time I married
my wife, Willemina Scheffers, 47
years ago in Rotterdam.”
What are five things you can’t
live without, and why?
“I can’t live without my friends.

Mayor and council did three
readings on Tuesday at their
regular meeting for the InterCommunity Business Licence
Bylaw. Now that the third reading has been passed, the city
is asking for input from the
community.
The council is offering a chance
for residents and business
owners to offer their feedback
on this subject on Oct. 28, at the
next council meeting. Input can
also be made in writing, in person or by e-mail before Oct. 28.
The purpose of this bylaw is
to create on business licence fee
for qualified mobile businesses
doing business in one or more
participating municipalities.
This will eliminate the need for
businesses to purchase separate business licences for each
municipality in which they operate. For example, if you are a
contractor based in Port Alberni,
you must have a business licence
in the city. If you wish to do
business in neighbouring communities, you need to purchase
licences there as well.
Instead of this added cost,
under the proposed bylaw, business owners have to buy a City
of Port Alberni business licence,
but would only have to purchase
one additional licence, at a cost
of $150, which would license the
business owner to operate in any
other participating community.
A copy of the proposed bylaw
can be viewed on the city’s website at www.portalberni.ca or at
city hall.

Review of consultant use

What is life without friends?
You’re basically alone.
“I can’t live without animals,
especially dogs. I’ve always had
them.
“I guess I could live without
computers and WiFi, because I
did, but I don’t want to.
“I can’t live without vacations.
We have an RV, and we travel
around the province.
“My family goes above all. My
wife and my two sons, Rick and

Mark, are very important.”
If you could be granted one
wish, what would it be, and why?
“My wish would be that they
find a cure for cancer.
“We had friends who passed
away form it and we have friends
who are fighting it. That would
be my wish above everything
else.”

Council received a report from
the city manager on the use of
consultants by the city approved
as part of the 2013-2017 five-year
financial plan.
The report indicated that the
consultants used by the city
include accountants, appraisers,
brokers, engineers, instructors,
lawyers, notaries, planners and
surveyors. Of the 250 businesses
retained in 2012, approximately 35
were consultants in this category.
Of them, 13 were paid fees exceeding $25,000. So far in 2013, the city
has hired 45 consultants, with
more than half being hired to
work on projects included in the
2013 budget. More were retained
in 2013 over 2012 because of an
increase in the number of projects requiring them.

The report indicated that in the
future, staff will identify projects
proposed that require the use of
consultants and the estimated
portion of the project cost for
consulting fees.
Coun. Jack McLeman said he
still has some issues with the
use, or over-use, of consultants
by the city. He said he would like
to bring it forward at a future
council meeting.

Homelessness Action
Week proclaimed
Mayor and council declared the
week of Oct. 13 to 19 Homelessness Action Week in the City of
Port Alberni. The request came
from the Alberni Valley Community Stakeholders Initiative to
End Homelessness Committee.

New name suggestion
Danette Parker and Donna
Brett sent mayor and council a
request to have a street named
after Pat Cummings, who founded of the Pat Cummings School
of Dance in 1952. Their request
will be forwarded to the city
planner for review with applicable agencies before adding the
name to the approved street
name list.

Suggestions on how to
improve River Road
Council received a request from
Lyle Pitts regarding the condition of River Road properties.
He said that he has noticed some
people have taken it upon themselves to clean up the river side
of their property, allowing “visual access to the Somass River.”
He suggested, because it is one
of the “gateways to our community” more should be done to
clean up that area.
He said, “Just the removal of
limbs, perhaps to the 10 to 12-foot
mark would be enough to allow
this vision.” He also suggest the
city could offer incentives to residents to clean up the area, such
as equipment usage and debris
removal.
Pitts also suggest adding signage to the road indicating that it
is a two-lane highway, not four,
as he has been passed on both
sides because the road is so wide.
The letter was received and the
safety issues will be referred to
the Advisory Traffic Committee.
News@avtimes.net

JBertrand@avtimes.net

Community
Calendar
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013
Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info)
6:00 - 9:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
9:15 - 10:00 am
Adult Aquafit
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Gentle Aquafit
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim and Everyone Welcome
3:45 - 6:00 pm
One Adult Lane
5:15 - 6:00 pm
Adult Aquafit
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Everyone Welcome
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Teen Swim (12+)
Alberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info)
10:15 - 11:45 am
50+ Shinny Hockey
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Tiny Tots
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Parents and Beginners
Glenwood Sports Centre
Alberni Valley Kennel Club Dog Show

Alberni Valley Museum
10:00 - 5:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013
Nights Alive
8:00 - 9:30 pm
E.J. Dunn 2-Ball Basketball Tournament
9:30 - 12midnight Gyro Youth Centre
8:00 - 10:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 1:30 pm
(3) Adult Lanes (+16)
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Everyone Welcome Swim
1:30 - 3:15 pm
Everyone Welcome
Glenwood Sports Centre (250-720-2181 for info)
10:00 - 5:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013
8:00 - 10:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
10:00 - 12:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Adult Lanes (+16)
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
4:00 - 5:30 pm
Adult Lane Swim
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
2:00 - 6:00 pm
AV Bulldogs vs Vernon Vipers
Closed
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
9:15 - 10:00 am
Adult Aquafit
10:30 - 11:30 am
Adult Lanes and Everyone Welcome
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Gentle Aquafit
1:00 - 3:00 pm
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Adult Swim
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Everyone Welcome Swim
8:00 - 9:00 pm
Adult Aquafit & One Adult Lane
10:15 - 11:45 am
50+ Shinny Hockey
Closed.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

6:00 - 9:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
9:15 - 10:00 am
Adult Aquafit
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Gentle Adult Aquafit
1:00 - 3:00 pm
7:30 - 8:15 pm
Adult Aquafit & 2 Adult Lanes
8:15 - 9:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Shinny Hockey
10:00 - 5:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013
Dad's Night Out
Star Wars Night at the Library!
6:15 - 7:15 pm
6:00 - 9:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
9:15 - 10:00 am
Adult Aquafit
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Gentle Aquafit
1:00 - 3:00 pm
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Adult Swim
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
8:00 - 9:00 pm
Adult Aquafit & One Adult Lane
10:15 - 11:45 am
Tiny Tots
11:45 - 1:00 pm
Adult Skate
6:15 - 7:45 pm
Everyone Welcome Skate
7:00 - 11:00 pm
AV Bulldogs vs Nanaimo Clippers
10:00 - 5:00 pm
Everyone Welcome
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
9:15 - 10:00 am
Adult Aquafit
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Gentle Adult Aquafit
1:00 - 3:00 pm
7:30 - 8:15 pm
Adult Aquafit & 2 Adult Lanes
8:15 - 9:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Shinny Hockey
10:00 - 8:00 pm Everyone Welcome
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 am
Adult Lane Swim
9:15 - 10:00 am
Adult Aquafit
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Adult Lane Swim
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Gentle Aquafit
1:00 - 3:00 pm
3:45 - 6:00 pm
One Adult Lane
5:15 - 6:00 pm
Adult Aquafit
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Everyone Welcome
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Teen Swim (12+)
10:15 - 11:45 am
50+ Shinny Hockey
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Tiny Tots
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Parents and Beginners
Glenwood Sports Centre
5:30 - 8:00 pm
13 & Under Rollerblading.
$2.00 admission. Free Rentals
(250-723-2181 for info & private rentals)

10:00 - 5:00 pm
Everyone Welcome

The above map shows the proposed locations for mining on the western shore of
the Alberni Inlet by Nahminto Resources.

Mining project should pose no
signiﬁcant risk environmentally
MINING, from Page 1
According to Bob Cole of the
local salmon enhancement
committee, any environmental
concerns of the project are outweighed by the Alberni Valley’s
forgiving bodies of water. Cole
said when testing was done on a
previous project, the arsenic levels in the water were very low.
“For the fish values, the
Alberni Inlet and our two lakes,
Great Central and Sproat, are
most likely some of the most forgiving bodies of water in north
America. They’re deep and they
have high flow.”
“I have concerns, and I would
hope that everything done
nowadays is done to the highest environmental standards,”
Cole said, “but I’m all for
development.
“I think it will be good for the
community.”
Simpson and Roberge were
in Port Alberni this week
along with Harbour Discovery
president Ian Grahame, their
consulting geologist, and local
mining expert Herb McMaster to
explore the site.
“Soil sampling program is
ongoing right now,” Roberge
said. “By January, we would
start to have a really good idea of

where we’re going to drill.”
Who actually does the drilling
is still up in there air, Roberge
said.
“The drilling will go out to tender,” he said. “That hasn’t been
determined.
“Depending on what the final
reports dictate in terms of what
we want to accomplish, that
would dictate the type and size
of drill that will be used and
sometimes that can determine
who’s capable of bidding on it.”
Because of the proximity for
Port Alberni, there would be no
camps to be built and workers
would live in town.
There are also existing logging
roads to the properties, which
helps for access, as all soil sampling drilling would be off existing roads and trails.
Simpson said there would be
very little environmental impact,
if any, as it is all soil-based
drilling.
“A camp would have more of
an impact than the work we’re
doing,” he said.
The drilling will not strictly be
for gold, as the Nahmint property mostly contains silver, copper and iron.
SMcKenzie@avtimes.net
250-723-8171

Possible spring start to Inlet mine (page 2)

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