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January 13, 2012
A division of
Vol. 27 No. 4
COMOX VALLEY RECORD Your community. Your newspaper. www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
RMING SSO PERFORMING
Eligibility for grants renewed by Victoria Scott Stanfield
“What that means is more groups would likely apply,” Stapley said, noting the CVCS received Sports, adult arts, animal wel- no funding one year. “We’ll see fare and environmental organiza- what happens next year when we tions are once again eligible to apply.” apply for grants from provincial He applauds the regional disgambling revenues. trict board for forwarding the The B.C. government had issue at the past Union of B.C. declared these groups ineligible Municipalities convention. when it cut the budget for com“They weren’t the only local munity grants in 2008. government to bring that issue The total fund remains at $135 forward,” Stapley said, noting a million, where it was set last motion to restore gaming funds year by Premier passed unaniChristy Clark. mously. “We’re Obviously we’re Clark had moving in the restored $15 mil- happy to have some right direction.” lion of the $36 money reinstated. Groups “It is very million that had exciting to hear been cut from hopefully would receive the premier say the fund. Rein- a higher amount, and of that funding the stated groups course it wouldn’t be this arts is a high will receive $8 priority for her million, with year. They wouldn’t actuand this govern$6 million allo- ally receive their money ment,” Matthew cated to adult until 2013. Payne, president arts, culture of the ProfesDavid Stapley sional Arts Alliand sports organizations. The ance of Greater remaining $7 million will fund Victoria, said in a statement. groups affected by reductions the Clark said financial pressure past three years. made it difficult to maintain the Clark appointed former grant budget at $135 million, and Kwantlen University president did not allow restoring it to its Skip Triplett to hold hearings 2008 peak of $156 million. around B.C. She and Community, The Province will also increase Sport and Cultural Development support for other organizations Minister Ida Chong released such as fairs, festivals, youth arts Triplett’s report Wednesday in and community service that have Victoria. They promised to find a suffered funding cuts the past way to provide multi-year fund- three years. ing instead of making commuThe Province takes in about nity groups apply every year for $1 billion a year from casinos, grants. pub games, online gambling and “Obviously we’re happy to have lotteries. some money reinstated,” said Triplett’s report said the grant David Stapley, project manager program was established in 1998 of the Comox Valley Conservation to replace revenue that charities Strategy. “Groups hopefully would raised by running their own casireceive a higher amount, and of nos and bingo games. course it wouldn’t be this year. The Province will conduct a They wouldn’t actually receive special intake of applications their money until 2013.” from Jan. 16 to Feb. 13 to ensure Amounts received will depend groups are eligible for funding on the manner in which applica- this fiscal year. Interested organitions are processed, he added. zations will be required to apply While the pot is smaller, Stapley online. reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com said government has expanded with files from Tom Fletcher, Black Press the eligibility and the criteria.
Record Staff
The Strathcona Symphony Orchestra is rehearsing. ■ B1
TOWHEES FIFTH
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The G.P. Vanier Towhees senior boys finished fifth at the eight-team Claremont Spartan Invitational basketball tournament last weekend (Jan. 6-7) with Dillon Robson named to the allstar team. After dropping their Friday opener 68-52 to Delta, the Courtenay cagers put in two strong games Saturday, defeating Matthew McNair 79-56 and South Delta 54-53. Friday was not a great game for the Towhees, who had to leave two players at home due to injury.
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ANNUAL DIRECTORY OUT Andrea Gilfillan (left) and Sharon McCann of the Job Shop in Courtenay unveil the 2012 Comox Valley Community Services Directory. Gilfillan is the Job Shop’s resource technician-career adviser and McCann is in communications and marketing. Story, A5. PHOTO BY RENÉE ANDOR
Man in pool incident was‘entirely innocent’ Erin Haluschak Record Staff
A provincial court judge granted a no-evidence motion for 60-yearold Courtenay resident Wolfgang Kurt Busch Thursday, announcing he is “entirely innocent” of eight charges of sexual interference of a person under 16. Sitting behind his lawyer Dale Marshall, who presented the court with a no-evidence motion, Busch listened attentively while Judge Peter Doherty dismissed the charges stemming from the alleged incident nearly a year ago at the Comox Valley Aquatic
Centre. People in the gallery reacted with a mixture of applause and angry shouting. At the beginning of reading his verdict, Doherty “easily disposed” of two counts due to no evidence from the Crown attorney. He then spoke to every charge, noting major discrepancies between testimonies and the video evidence of a surveillance tape supplied by the Comox Valley Regional District. He noted the video provided proof that no inappropriate touching took place — particularly ... see VIDEO ■ A2
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