French immersion School district looks at major changes to program. PAGE 13 Summer sport Non-contact lacrosse available for adults at ice centre. PAGE 21 Mariners win VIU squad gets past first opponent at volleyball nationals. PAGE 3
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VOL. 23, NO. 135
Council agrees to remuneration on conflict issue
SWING SHIFT
BY CHRIS HAMLYN THE NEWS BULLETIN
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Gordon Paisley, 6, follows a circular, high-speed trajectory on a tire swing powered by his mom, Marisa, at Westwood Lake Park Thursday afternoon. Sunny weather lured hikers and joggers out to pound the trails around the park as families put the facilities at the children’s playground to the test this week.
TTeacher walkouts put on backburner BY JENN McGARRIGLE THE NEWS BULLETIN
Nanaimo schools will likely be open as usual for students next week. Teachers have the right to strike for one day next week, but while Kip Wood, second vice-president of the Nanaimo District Teachers’
Association, would not rule out a one-day strike next week, he said the B.C. Teachers’ Federation has postponed discussion on its next step until the union’s annual general meeting March 17. “I think that chance is pretty remote,” said Wood. “Nothing is 100 per cent certain. The political context is changing day by day.”
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A significant number of schools are starting spring break next week. “When there’s a lot of the province’s teachers on holiday, it makes your collective action not exactly collective,” said Wood Spring break in Nanaimo is March 19-23. ◆ See ‘TEACHERS’ /4
Nanaimo city councillors have up to $3,000 per year of taxpayers money to spend on seeking independent legal advice as to whether they are in a potential conflict of interest. Council passed the reimbursement recommendation on Monday to ensure each member makes his or her determination with respect to conflict with the best possible advice and the most accurate information available. Past practice was for council members to seek their own legal opinion at their own expense. Douglas Holmes, assistant city manager, said in a report that council members, by their nature, are involved in the community in a number of different capacities in addition to their elected role, and the potential for conflict of interest is not remote and not always clear. “As municipal remuneration is modest, it seems unfortunate to have to spend a significant portion of it to
“
I don’t think the [$3,000] is onerous because it would cost the city a great deal more.
properly discharge a councillor’s duties should a potential conflict arise,” he said. Mayor John Ruttan said the issue is far from cut and dry. “I know people would say ‘well, I would certainly know if I’m in conflict or not’, but it’s not always that easy to identify,” he said. “You get into some really grey areas and people need to understand there is a massive cost to the city every time an issue of conflict arises or potentially arises. I don’t think the [$3,000] is onerous because it would cost a great deal more than that from the city alone if it escalates into litigation.” ◆ See ‘COUNCILLORS’ /4
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