Wendy’s House opening realization of a dream Weekend sweep for Mid Island Lightning
Serving the Cowichan Valley
LIVING, Page 18 8 SPORTS, Page 28 8
www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Friday, October 31, 2014
$2M for islands, but only if vote for merger ‘yes’ LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN
Offering a shy smile as he makes his way into Duncan with his family, dragon-clad Gilbert Sartini enjoys the sights and sounds of Charles Hoey Park before heading to the downtown core to see all the other costumed children during Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 25. For more photos see page 22 and cowichanvalleycitizen.com. [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN]
HOME OF THE
$5,000 Monthly Giveaway
Island Savings and First West Credit Union plan to establish a $2 million endowment to benefit Island communities if their planned merger goes through. The two credit unions announced the idea T uesday, in the thick of debate about what they are calling “a partnership.” Vancouver Island and Gulf Island communities that are served by Island Savings will be the ones benefiting from the funds granted from the endowment. Because the debate surrounding the merger has been getting heated, an obvious question emerges about the timing of the funding announcement. Is the handout of funds being done now to help the Island Savings credit union get a “yes” vote in the controversial merger with First West? Rod Dewar, Island Savings CEO, said it’s a logical question. “You’ve come to a conclusion, and I’m not surprised but it’s not the primary reason for doing this. We’re doing it is to address a concern that came up from our members,” he said. At recent meetings, Island Savings members have asked
USED WHEN YOU W BUY CAN OWN A BRAND NEW H 2014 GRAND CARAVAN Y FROM $18,990?
bowmel.ca b l 461 Trans Canada Highway. Duncan
what would happen to their credit union’s outreach into the community. “Members have been expressing concern around our supporting our communities. Will that change in the new partnership? It’s been an important part of the work we do in our communities. It’s almost what we would call our DNA. It’s the reason we attract the kinds of employees we do. And it’s a very important part of our brand. “This is consistent with what First West has done in the past with other partnerships,” he said. It might have been missed in the sometime acrimonious debate, he said. “We realized we hadn’t been communicating this plan of ours to create an endowment based on what’s been going on in the past,” Dewar said. “ Of course, it’s conditional on the deal going forward. There’s no doubt about that. We can’t write a $2 million cheque if our business is going to stay the same size. But as we put the two businesses together we do become substantially bigger which creates a lot of other capabilities,” he said. See FUND SHOWS, Page 13
bowme
l.ca
Stk#14497
250-748-8144
Smart Shoppers read the fine print: Dealer #8385. Up to $4500 more for trade negative equity on trade financed into new contract. Payments are bi-weekly 96mo, 4.49% including taxes and documentation of $399. No payments offer is deferral of payments for time specified. $5000 giveaway no purchase necessary. For Vegas/Gas card offer no two offers can be combined. We trust this satisfies concerned auto dealers in our area.
1-800-461-5337 11 AM - 4 PM FOR
NOW OPEN SUNDAYS
YOUR CONVENIENCE