Up front: Truth and Reconciliation comes to Cowichan On stage: Four Seasons unfold on a Coast Salish backdrop
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Friday, March 9, 2012
North Cowichan one step closer to expanded muni hall Gone to tender: Bridge grant, Echo Heights delay expected to reduce loan Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
T RCMP divers and investigators search for evidence in and around the Cowichan River Wednesday, a day after Tuesday’s stabbing.
Peter W. Rusland
Attempted murder charges possible in Duncan stabbing Arrest made: Duncan man in serious but stable condition in Victoria hospital after incident near the black bridge Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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ttempted murder charges are possible against a female suspect in Tuesday’s stabbing of a Duncan man. The suspect appeared in Duncan court Thursday after a hearing Wednesday via phone with Burnaby’s Judicial Justice Centre, court of¿cials con¿rmed Thursday. Those same of¿cials indicated a ban on publication is in place and referred questions about the suspect’s name, details of the hearing and any charges to Crown of¿cials, who were unavailable for comment at press time. The victim, whose name has not been released, remained in serious condition in Victoria hospital, police said. RCMP divers and investigators scoured the
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Cowichan River near the black bridge Wednesday for evidence regarding the stabbing. Results of that search are not being released, said Cpl. Kevin Day of the North Cowichan/ Duncan RCMP. Three females were initially taken into custody Tuesday, including the suspect. The alleged attempted murder happened at about 4:15 pm March 6, the Mounties said. North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP were called to the scene of the stabbing which occurred along the river next to Duncan’s black bridge, a popular swimming hole during the summer. Cops found the male victim who had suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, Day said. The 42-year-old female suspect from Duncan was also found by police near the scene, and arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon. A local man told the News Leader Pictorial
Wednesday he was ¿shing at the bridge Tuesday at about 1:30 p.m. when he saw a man he believed was the victim peacefully hanging out with others at the riverside. The ¿sherman said he left the bridge hours before the alleged stabbing. The bridge area is a well-known drinking spot. The 47-year-old male victim was taken to the Cowichan District Hospital by ambulance. He was then Àown to Victoria General Hospital by air ambulance. Investigation into the stabbing continues involving an RCMP dive team, the Forensic Identi¿cation Unit, and a team of investigators. The suspect is next set to appear in Duncan provincial court on March 20 at 9 a.m., staff said. Any information can be reported to the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-746-2153.
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he bidding process for expanding North Cowichan’s municipal hall got council’s nod Wednesday. But instead of using voter-approved borrowing of $3 million to revamp cramped staff space, the job will cost taxpayers about half that amount in borrowed dough, explained Councillor Al Siebring. He expected council to debate tenders in May. But local tax watchdogs question if the hall expansion is necessary, no matter what the cost is. “Maybe we need less staff through contracting out,” said Maple Bay’s Bryan Wallis. “With less staff, you need less space and you don’t have to spend $3 million, or $1.5 million on the hall.” Tax terrier Scott Baker called council’s tendering decision “ridiculous.” “They’re taking $1.5 million out of reserve that we could use to pay less taxes, or pay the debt down.” Still, Siebring was happy about the lower costs on the project planned to contain unof¿cial LEED eco-features. “This signi¿cantly impacts the level of borrowing. “We found some money — $700,000 in one reserve, and $800,000 in another,” he said. Those reserves held money for replacing the historic Chemainus River Bridge “but the feds gave the whole thing.” The other public purse held cash from municipal property sales. “That money was designated for Echo Heights (development). “Essentially, we’re making the hall a priority and Echo Heights is back on the back burner,” Siebring said, urging council to decide whether to do the Echo Heights project or not. Meanwhile, council’s not bound to take the lowest hall-¿x bid “and any bid won’t necessarily be accepted in case all tenders come in at, say, $10 million,” he said. Wallis questioned council’s spending without an expanding tax base. “Just because you’ve managed to save some money, doesn’t mean you have to spend it. “It’s great we got federal money for the bridge, and money from property sales, but why not save it, show some restraint and do urgent stuff? “It’s a lot of money so I want council and staff to step back and think about it. Prove to me it’s necessary — how much space does a person really need?”
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