Municipal Government

Vehicles struggle over packed snow and ice at the busy Bowen and Comox roads, Wall and Machleary streets intersection, Dec. 29. Sustained sub-freezing temperatures and repeated heavy snowfalls in December meant Nanaimo’s snow plow operators could barely keep up with clearing even the city’s main arterial roads. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Public turns up heat over City of Nanaimo’s performance in December snow storms

Snow plow operators vexed by sustained sub-freezing temperatures and heavy road ice buildup

 

Sparwood mayor David Wilks. (File photo)

‘We don’t have the capacity’: East Kootenay Mayor takes aim at COVID health orders

With limited resources, local governments and private businesses are under too much strain from public health orders according to Sparwood Mayor David Wilks

 

Wall Street in Nanaimo, where the city has opened a daytime extreme weather space operated by the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society. (News Bulletin file photo)

City of Nanaimo opens extreme cold weather space at Caledonia Park

Space will be open on days when the cold is severe enough to be a threat to ‘life or health’

 

New safety surfacing at Harewood Centennial Park. (City of Nanaimo photo)

Nanaimo’s Harewood Centennial Park playground gets upgrades

New swings and play surface installed thanks in part to Lions Club and Kal Tire fund

New safety surfacing at Harewood Centennial Park. (City of Nanaimo photo)
A revitalization plan for Diana Krall Plaza suggests a return of outdoor seating and a focus on food services and entertainment spaces. (News Bulletin file photo)

City of Nanaimo hears redevelopment ideas for Diana Krall Plaza

City to consider how plaza fits with Commercial Street revitalization

A revitalization plan for Diana Krall Plaza suggests a return of outdoor seating and a focus on food services and entertainment spaces. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Town of Ladysmith reports that two curbside audits this summer found contamination levels disruptive to waste management. (Black Press file photo)

Waste audits in Ladysmith find too many plastic bags in recycle bins

Checkout bags, potato chip bags, granola bar wrappers, unrinsed containers cause contamination

The Town of Ladysmith reports that two curbside audits this summer found contamination levels disruptive to waste management. (Black Press file photo)
Diane Proctor of Port Alberni is so upset about city council’s recent decision to increase wages that she has been picketing with a sign out front of city hall and other locations. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni senior rages against city council voting itself a 40% pay hike

Decision made to get pay in line with other municipalities goes into effect after next election

Diane Proctor of Port Alberni is so upset about city council’s recent decision to increase wages that she has been picketing with a sign out front of city hall and other locations. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools has asked the City of Nanaimo to establish a bylaw to collect school site acquisition charges for new residential development. (News Bulletin photo)

School district asks Nanaimo to collect fee from residential developers

School site acquisition charges would fund purchase of more land to accommodate more students

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools has asked the City of Nanaimo to establish a bylaw to collect school site acquisition charges for new residential development. (News Bulletin photo)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Battle between Penticton and B.C. over homeless shelter officially before the court

The city filed their official petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 6

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Property taxes are due July 2. (Black Press Media file photo)

Property tax deadline looms for Vancouver Island homeowners

Payments, grant applications due by Friday, July 2

Property taxes are due July 2. (Black Press Media file photo)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Penticton heads to court over homeless shelter as BC Housing audit begins

The city was not satisfied with the response from Minister David Eby regarding the ongoing situation

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
City of Nanaimo council has approved amendments for an animal control bylaw requested by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. The bylaw includes language related to quail. (Wikipedia Commons photo)

Province asks for tweaks to Nanaimo’s animal responsibility bylaw

Ministry concerned bylaw wording could create municipal and provincial jurisdictional overlaps

City of Nanaimo council has approved amendments for an animal control bylaw requested by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. The bylaw includes language related to quail. (Wikipedia Commons photo)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Minister Eby receives warning over ‘dangerous precedent’ in Penticton shelter dispute

UBCM president says Eby’s decision to use paramountcy powers undermines local government autonomy

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Recommendation made in a draft report on Nanaimo’s building permit approvals process, could shorten permit approval wait times. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo explores ways to fast-track building permit applications

City councillors support recommendations from building permit review

Recommendation made in a draft report on Nanaimo’s building permit approvals process, could shorten permit approval wait times. (News Bulletin file photo)
Approximately 50 protesters gathered at Gyro Park in Penticton Friday, March 5 to protest council’s decision to close Victory Church Shelter. (Jesse Day - Western News)

BC Housing to use provincial powers to keep Penticton shelter open

Penticton council voted Tuesday to reject the shelter’s extension for a second time

Approximately 50 protesters gathered at Gyro Park in Penticton Friday, March 5 to protest council’s decision to close Victory Church Shelter. (Jesse Day - Western News)
(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. has no parental leave policy for elected councillors, so town makes its own

No provisions under B.C. Community Charter to allow new parents time off without disqualification

(Black Press Media file photo)
Construction is coming along on Nanaimo’s new Fire Station No. 1 on Fitzwilliam Street, with stairwells and a hose tower going up last week. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin).

New Nanaimo Fire Rescue station shaping up

Nanaimo Fire Rescue Chief Tim Doyle says construction progressing as planned

Construction is coming along on Nanaimo’s new Fire Station No. 1 on Fitzwilliam Street, with stairwells and a hose tower going up last week. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin).
The City of Nanaimo is administering a petition-against process to determine if property owners in the downtown core are in favour of establishing a business improvement area. (City of Nanaimo image)

Nanaimo’s downtown property owners to decide if they want new BIA

City council votes to administer petition-against process for business improvement association

The City of Nanaimo is administering a petition-against process to determine if property owners in the downtown core are in favour of establishing a business improvement area. (City of Nanaimo image)
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has asked Nanaimo city council to consider a commercial property tax freeze to help offset negative financial impacts of COVID-19. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo council asks for report on potential one-year commercial property tax freeze

Report based on chamber of commerce proposal to ease COVID-19 stress on business community

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has asked Nanaimo city council to consider a commercial property tax freeze to help offset negative financial impacts of COVID-19. (News Bulletin file photo)
Sockeye salmon school in a small Bristol Bay creek in the summer of 2018. The Union of B.C. Municipalities voted in favour of a resolution asking government for for nature-based solutions in flood management that doesn’t compromise salmon habitat. (Courtesy Photo | Mary Catharine Martin)

B.C. municipalities pass resolution for salmon-safe flood control

The UBCM resolution seeks federal, provincial support to replace antiquated infrastructure

Sockeye salmon school in a small Bristol Bay creek in the summer of 2018. The Union of B.C. Municipalities voted in favour of a resolution asking government for for nature-based solutions in flood management that doesn’t compromise salmon habitat. (Courtesy Photo | Mary Catharine Martin)