What's Up In the South End?

See editorial for Thursday May 16th HERE

For Nanaimo News Bulletin article click HERE

For News Bulletin article on possible civil disobedience by Veterans of Clayoqout Sound to save dams click HERE

"Know your neighbour: Lavender Lane proves to be a huge success"  Click 
below for story

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=07965270-4c2e-476f-9e00-917d9d4004a7&k=38554

The White House – Steve Arnett, executive Director of Nanaimo Youth Services spoke about the up-coming youth housing opening at the White House. They are two months ahead on the project. Reason behind house is hidden youth homelessness. Hundreds of young people have had their lives improved by these and similar programs. The project is for working youth, age 19-24. Rents will be in the $450 range. The debt will be serviced by the rent and total cost, including purchase will be in the $600,000 range. The whole house has been gutted and the wood floors restored. Five of the fruit trees have been saved. There will be 15 units with three kitchens. Each unit is furnished and has a sink and fridge. A resident care-taker will be provided. Residents will live, like other renters, under the Landlord-tenant Act. Membership will be staggered as to create a community.  Our dream is to change the image of the “White House” from the problem place that it was. The Snuneymuxw performed a cermeony to rid the building of negative energy. . There will soon be a grand opening with a picnic and tour for the neighborhood.

 Community Safety issues – Newport Hotel taken off nuisance list. Dominique is really engaged as manager and is putting things in order. Increasing axctivity on Victoria Road as usual in spring, but not the same level as two years ago, but there is still a gap in services for women, increasing these would take even more pressure off the neighborhood. As far as the problem of derelict buildings, the City is looking at what other municipalities do with this problem.

 Water Front Planning Committee – As a result of our Neighborhood Plan and the work SECA has done, we are a member of the Committee. Decision as to which SECA member is to be appointed will be deferred to Executive. There are also community member seats as well. Someone from neighborhood could represent both Neighborhood Plan and SECA as such.

 Events Up-date – Coffee House went very well for a non-publicized event. The studio was a very good space and all the musicians want to come back and all the participants want to do another coffee house. About $270 was raised. A check list was created for ease in doing another similar event. Another possibility is a morning event at Alice’s.

David Livingston Memorial – Very moving send-off with music and memories. David’s passing a big loss to our neighborhood and to Nanaimo.

Litter Pick-up – a small but dedicated group. An attempt to recycle garbage, for the first time.

Tree Planting along street – not this year. Memorial trees a possibility and also a plaque to put on the bench at David Livingston Park

Charles and Cathy Patron of City Award – be at City Council 700 PM Monday 13 for the presentation

 Miner’s Heritage Picnic – Someone needs to take on Strawberry Tea. Most other things done. Trinitude will be playing and Irish and Scottish dancers. Need people for early-morning set-up

Click here for the list SECA-implementation-plan-GRID-just-SECA(2)

If individuals are interested in particular action items, they can email Micheal  at mikecarp@gmail.com and he will get in touch with them.

Don’t forget! Saturday, April 27, 3-7pm Kismet Theatre Academy, 112-55 Victoria Rd
Tickets at the door: $10 per person $25 family rate (3 or more)

A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, April 27 at 12 pm in the auditorium at Bowen Park, Nanaimo, BC.  For stories about David’s life go to leavenopots.com.

MOA with Pacific Northwest Marina Group will not be extended, NPA announces.

Nanaimo, BC, April 15, 2013 — The memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) and Pacific Northwest Marina Group in May 2012, has not been extended past its April 1st, 2013 deadline and the Pacific Northwest Marina Group (PNMG) will no longer be taking on the revitalization and long-term lease of the Nanaimo marina.

“While we are disappointed to lose this opportunity for needed investment into our marina, we understand and respect the Pacific Northwest Marina Group’s desire to pursue other immediate opportunities,” said Bernie Dumas, CEO of Nanaimo Port Authority.

The NPA and PNMG had signed the MOA to work towards a 30-year lease of the Nanaimo marina. The lease agreement was to be finalized in the fall after PNMG had secured the necessary approvals for the redevelopment and satisfied several conditions precedent related to the operation of the marina. The expected total commitment to the project by PNMG was approximately $9 million and 100 per cent of the capital for the redevelopment was also coming from the developer. The changes to the CEAA environmental assessment process in 2012 shifted the responsibility of the lead review agency to the NPA on this project which caused delays during the transition period. PNMG perceived these delays have caused additional risks to the project which contributed to their decision not to renew the MOA.

“We will continue to manage the Nanaimo marina, and our door remains open to partners who can help us improve what is an incredible asset to the Nanaimo community,” says Dumas.

Nanaimo Port Authority
Created in 1961 and legislated under the Canada Marine Act, Nanaimo Port Authority is a federal agency mandated to administer, control, and manage the harbour, waters and foreshore of the Georgia Strait in an area adjacent to Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. Harbour operations include management and handling of deep sea terminals, anchorages, seaplane operations, port and local marine security and safety, property management, leasing and environmental protection. For more information, visit http://www.npa.ca.

Bernie Dumas, Nanaimo Port Authority: 250-753-4146 ext 222 250-616-1722 (cell) or bdumas@npa.ca