Have your say on bylaw

Mayor and council did three readings on Tuesday at their regular meeting for the Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw. Now that the third read-ing 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 per-son 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 separ-ate business licences for each municipality in which they oper-ate. 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 com-munities, you need to purchase licences there as well.

Instead of this added cost, under the proposed bylaw, busi-ness 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 web-site at www.portalberni.ca or at city hall.

Review of consultant use

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 exceed-ing $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 pro-jects 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 Homeless-ness Action Week in the City of Port Alberni. The request came from the Alberni Valley Com-munity 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 found-ed of the Pat Cummings School of Dance in 1952. Their request will be forwarded to the city planner for review with applic-able 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 condi-tion of River Road properties. He said that he has noticed some people have taken it upon them-selves to clean up the river side of their property, allowing “vis-ual access to the Somass River.”

He suggested, because it is one of the “gateways to our com-munity” 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 resi-dents to clean up the area, such as equipment usage and debris removal.

Pitts also suggest adding sign-age 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

Port 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 Nether-lands in 1970.

Since retiring 15 years ago, Scheffers channels most of his energy and free time in Oktober-fest, the Europa Club and the Alberni Athletic Association.

“Oktoberfest is my baby,” he said.

Although Saturday is sold out, there are still tickets to Oktober-fest 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 enter-tainer 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.

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.”

JBertrand@avtimes.net

Community Calendar

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 6:00 - 9:00 am Adult Lane Swim 9:15 - 10:00 am Adult Aquafit11:30 - 1:00 pm Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 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 BeginnersGlenwood Sports Centre Alberni Valley Kennel Club Dog ShowAlberni Valley Museum10:00 - 5:00 pm Everyone Welcome

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013Nights Alive 8:00 - 9:30 pm E.J. Dunn 2-Ball Basketball Tournament 9:30 - 12midnight Gyro Youth CentreEcho Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 8:00 - 10:00 am Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 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 SwimAlberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info) 1:30 - 3:15 pm Everyone WelcomeGlenwood Sports Centre (250-720-2181 for info) Alberni Valley Kennel Club Dog ShowAlberni Valley Museum 10:00 - 5:00 pm Everyone Welcome

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 8:00 - 10:00 am Adult Lane Swim10:00 - 12:00 pm Everyone Welcome12:00 - 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 WelcomeAlberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info) 2:00 - 6:00 pm AV Bulldogs vs Vernon VipersGlenwood Sports Centre (250-723-2181 for info) Alberni Valley Kennel Club Dog ShowAlberni Valley Museum Closed

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 6:00 - 9:00 am Adult Lane Swim 9:15 - 10:00 am Adult Aquafit10:30 - 11:30 am Adult Lanes and Everyone Welcome11:30 - 1:00 pm Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 12:45 pm Gentle Aquafit 1:00 - 3:00 pm Adult Lane Swim and Everyone Welcome 5:30 - 6:30 pm Adult Swim 6:30 - 8:00 pm Everyone Welcome Swim 8:00 - 9:00 pm Adult Aquafit & One Adult LaneAlberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info)10:15 - 11:45 am 50+ Shinny HockeyGlenwood Sports Centre (250-723-2181 for info)Alberni Valley Museum Closed.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013Echo Aquatic Centre (250-723-2181 for info)

6:00 - 9:00 am Adult Lane Swim 9:15 - 10:00 am Adult Aquafit11:30 - 1:00 pm Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 12:45 pm Gentle Adult Aquafit 1:00 - 3:00 pm Adult Lane Swim and Everyone Welcome 7:30 - 8:15 pm Adult Aquafit & 2 Adult Lanes 8:15 - 9:00 pm Adult Lane SwimAlberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info)11:30 - 1:00 pm Shinny HockeyGlenwood Sports Centre (250-723-2181 for info)Alberni Valley Museum 10:00 - 5:00 pm Everyone Welcome

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013Dad's Night Out 6:15 - 7:15 pm Star Wars Night at the Library!Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 6:00 - 9:00 am Adult Lane Swim 9:15 - 10:00 am Adult Aquafit11:30 - 1:00 pm Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 12:45 pm Gentle Aquafit 1:00 - 3:00 pm Adult Lane Swim and Everyone Welcome 5:30 - 6:30 pm Adult Swim 6:30 - 8:00 pm Everyone Welcome 8:00 - 9:00 pm Adult Aquafit & One Adult LaneAlberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info)10:15 - 11:45 am Tiny Tots11:45 - 1:00 pm Adult Skate 6:15 - 7:45 pm Everyone Welcome Skate 7:00 - 11:00 pm AV Bulldogs vs Nanaimo ClippersGlenwood Sports Centre (250-723-2181 for info)Alberni Valley Museum 10:00 - 5:00 pm Everyone Welcome

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 6:00 - 9:00 am Adult Lane Swim 9:15 - 10:00 am Adult Aquafit11:30 - 1:00 pm Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 12:45 pm Gentle Adult Aquafit 1:00 - 3:00 pm Adult Lane Swim and Everyone Welcome 7:30 - 8:15 pm Adult Aquafit & 2 Adult Lanes 8:15 - 9:00 pm Adult Lane SwimAlberni Valley Multiplex (250-720-2518 for info)11:30 - 1:00 pm Shinny HockeyGlenwood Sports Centre (250-723-2181 for info)Alberni Valley Museum 10:00 - 8:00 pm Everyone Welcome

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013Echo Aquatic Centre (250-720-2514 for info) 6:00 - 9:00 am Adult Lane Swim 9:15 - 10:00 am Adult Aquafit11:30 - 1:00 pm Adult Lane Swim12:00 - 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 BeginnersGlenwood Sports Centre 5:30 - 8:00 pm 13 & Under Rollerblading.

$2.00 admission. Free Rentals(250-723-2181 for info & private rentals)Alberni Valley Museum10:00 - 5:00 pm Everyone Welcome

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

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

Julie BertrandReporting

Dutchman is force behind local big Oktoberfest celebration

COUNCIL NEWSCompiled by Alberni Valley Times

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 signifi cant risk environmentally MINING, from Page 1

According to Bob Cole of the local salmon enhancement committee, any environmental concerns of the project are out-weighed by the Alberni Valley’s forgiving bodies of water. Cole said when testing was done on a previous project, the arsenic lev-els 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 for-giving 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 high-est 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 ten-der,” 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 sam-pling drilling would be off exist-ing 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 prop-erty mostly contains silver, cop-per and iron.

SMcKenzie@avtimes.net250-723-8171