2 TEI, tat eee ; SIXTY-FOURTH YEAR, No.1 _ The Town of Sidney hosted a gala evening dinner on Saturday to honor the retirement from public office of former Mayor Stan Dear and former Alderman Wilkie Gardner. Part of the festivities included an impromptu singsong. Amongst those participating were (from left to right) Mayor Stan Dear; Helen Malcolm, wife of newly elected Mayor Peter Malcolm proved toa delighted audience that she has the same spirited gaiety as Betty Ford, Saturday evening, when she was invited to sing a song hefore a group honoring the retirement of former Mayor Stan Dear. Sidney residents received a late Christmas present Monday night when Mayor Peter Malcolm announced there will be little or no in- crease in taxes this year, While the urban core municipalities tighten their belts to face rising mill-rates and dwindling — services, Sidney residents can expect their municipal taxes to be held “at or very near the 1975 level,” according to Malcolm, ‘The previous ad. ministration has left us ina very favourable financial position,” sald Maleolm in his innugural address Monday Night. He warned that the proposed recreation facility and solutions to the water problem will have an impact Serving Central Saanich, North Saanich, the Town of Sidney, and the Gulf Islands ‘Wednesday, January 7, 1976 Reverend Bob Sansom; entertainer Eric Roberts; Mayor-elect Peter Malcolm; Alderman Wilkie Gardner; Sidney Lion Bill German and Bob Gibbs, Sidney Waterworks District. The dinner took place at the Sidney Travellodge. Reverend Bob Sansom, well known for his meaningful Sunday sermons, revealed another side of his personality Saturday evening when he was guest speaker at a dinner honouring the retirement of Stan Dear and Wilkie Gardner from local politics. During the first monents of his specch he sent the audience into gales of laughter with delicate reference to the fact that many of the notable personages in the town had also been eulogized by him, at one time or another. “But for once the subjects of my address are able to hear what I have to say!” Sansom paid tribute to Stan Dear’s accomplishments during his tenure as Mayor saying that Dear had “earned the respect and affection of the people in Sidney and had done much to build up a working relationship with the «te dee 9 municipalities.” two neighbouring Wilkie Gardner's accomplishments in office were also spotlighted by Sansom. “During his ten years with council he continually sought to preserve in Sidney those things which were good and healthy.” Sansom also paid tribute to the wives of both the above. gentlemen. “Joan Dear and Win Gardner stood behind their husbands, giving them much support,” Both Dear and Gardner were presented with commemorative ‘Town plaques. ‘not significantly effect the municipal finances. “Sidney has been fortunate during the last few years in having stable, farsighted administration,’' said Malcolm. ‘‘Under Mayor Dear’s leadership, our ser- vices such as sewers, drainage system and _ treat- ment facilities have been built and expanded to provide for a much greater population than we have at present.” But Malcolm said Sidney's water problem is becoming acute and he doubts as to whether present residents will have a sufficient supply over the next few years unless another source is found, 94 percent of the total water consumed comes from wells; the remainder is purchased from Central Saanich. “We have just about exhausted the probable areas for well sites, Central Saanich Water District is presently completing a ground water survey which, if successful, will give us some interim relief, “There is no doubt that the only permanent solution is to gain access to the Sooke Lake water system which presently serves the City of Victoria and the core municipalities. Sidney, alone, cannot achieve this as Capital costs and distribution costs are prohibitive, He described Peninsula co- operation as a ‘pipe dream’ since there would be four water boards and three municipalities involved, “The solution, in’ my (Review photo). Central Saanich Restraint On Spending Central Saanich will hold the line on municipal spending this year, finance committee chairman Ald. Donald MacLaurin said at Monday night’s inaugural council meeting. “We stayed well within our budget last year,’’ said MacLaurin,” ‘and will even Carry a_ slight surplus .foreward.”’ The proposed budget for 1976 will ‘‘reflect no in- creases” except for payrole, police and welfare ex- penditures. Last year’s total budget was approximately $1.3 million. .MacLaurin estimated the increase this year could be close to $100,000. In her opening address, Mayor Jean Butler said 1976 may prove to be the most eventful year in the municipality. A report on ground water supply is due in several wecks along with the final com- munity plan later this year. She announced construction ona 75-bed acute care hospital for the peninsula will begin in June, Tobe located on Mt. Newton Cross Road, the hospital will double facilities at the existing Saanich Peninsula extended care hospital. opinion, requires the assistance and leadership of the Capital Regional Board and the Provincial Govern- ment, The present Govern- ment’s appointment of Mr, Hugh Curtis as Minister of Municipal Affairs may be fortunate as far as we are concerned, “Mr, Curtis is well aware of our problem and | sincerely hope that he will take seme positive measures (other than mere surveys) to assist us,” The rapid growth of Sidney and its neighbouring municipalities has created another serious problem, according to Maleolm — lack of adequate recreational facilities, In December, the ‘Town of Sidney and the Municipalities of Central and North Saanich MAYOR BUTLER TO LEAVE POLITICS Central Saanich Mayor Jean Butler told a crowded council chamber Monday night she does not intend to seek re election this year, She has served 2% years as mayor and 344 as an alderman in the municipality. “I could change my mind but it is not my intention at present.” sscustaaneansueatepuresneinnsuncisowasenserssweneserites LEGAL INTERPRETATION ASKED FOR “The question of whether teachers’ salaries should be governed by the wage and price guidelines was brought before Saanich Peninsula School Board on Monday when the British Columbia Saanich Teachers Association asked for a legal interpretation of the Public School Act. The BCSTA asked for an interpretation of the Act in conjunction with the teachers’ arbitration award which must be decided prior to the payroll due date of January 31. “We could be open to a lawsuit for breaking the act.” said Trustee Rubymay Parrott, referring to the fact that the wage and price guidelines allow increases up to 10 percent. “We have no choice pending legislation to take any action concerning this in- terpretation,”’ pointed out Trustee Norma Sealey. NEW CHAIRMAN FOR SCHOOL BOARD Dr. Gerry Kristianson was elected chairman of the Saanich Peninsula School Board and Trustee Harry Tobin elected vice chairman at the inaugural meeting held Monday evening at the school board offices in Sidney. ..Chairman Kristianson spoke highly of the job done by past chairman Norma Sealey, and expressed optimism that the board will ‘cooperate together as a team to ensure the continued high quality of education in Saanich.” It was the first school board meeting of the year. TTS Car Crash Yields Injuries Blair Donald Lind-Blad, 1427 McTavish Road, and his passenger Ross Tremblay, 1375 McTavish, sustained injuries when his car struck a power pole in front of Mc- Tavish Elementary School on McTavish Road last week. Lind-blad suffered cuts to| his face and shock and Tremblay was treated for shock and a possible broken jaw. Wires on the Hydro pole. were ripped from their in- sulators, approved a 3.8 million dollar recreation facility being put to Public Referendum on a joint basis, “I do not feel there is any reason to believe that the new Council will act otherwise, We are concerned that the economics of the complex dictate that the whole facility be constructed as soon as possible, Barring municipal political interference and stalling tactics, Malcolm said the referendum can be held by the end of March. The Saanich Peninsula is reputed to be the largest area of significant population in British Columbia without. a recreation complex of any kind, ‘1 trust that this Council, and the other Councils in- volved, will recognize their CARPET & LINO LAMPS ESTABLISHED 1912 Local Accidents, Take Their Toll Herbert Roberts, 2234 Mills Road, rolled his car over on Mount Newton Road recently. Roberts was not injured, but damage to his vehicle was estimated at $250. Dale Joseph Lavender, 5131 Santa Clara, recently rolled his vehicle over into a ditch at the dead end of Mills Road. Fenton Dawson, 8169 Lochside Place, and Anthony Whiles, 3556 Richmond Avenue, were uninjured when their cars collided on East Saanich Roaed at Canora last week. Total vehical damage was $450. Two parked vehicles were struck by a car travelling quickly around a curve on Madrona Drive last week, The driver of the car, Richard Wayne Davis, 2190 Amelia, incurred $1200 damage to the three cars. Thomas James King, 2085 Weiler Avenue, collided into the back end of a vehicle driven by Corine Lesley Douglas, 2042 Melville Drive, on Beacon Avenue last week. There were no injuries and only minor damage to the cars. Calvin Guy Claxton, 2432 Amelia, backed into a car driven by Margaret Evelyn Croft, 207A White: Birch Avenue, when he attempted to back out of the parking lot at the Sidney Hotel. Sheldon Lloyd Robinson, 3235 Linwood, failed to stop at a stop sign on McTavish Road at West Saanich, this week and collided with a vehicle driven by Reginald Leslie Belftt, 969 Taum. No one was hurt in the collision. APPROVED ‘Saanich Peninsula’ School- Board approved an ap- plication Monday enabling the district to borrow an amount not exceeding $60,000. The application will be made to the Minister of Education. Court Lost To Sidney The peninsula lost its provincial court service in 1975, and the struggle to have the service restored con- tinues. Probation and police of- ficers and other interested people held meetings and wrote letters, and officials of the government departments concerned came to the peninsula, but nothing definite could be promised. It is hoped, however, that when the new addition to the Sidney town hall is completed, a provincial courtroom will be established the new facility, The question of court service to the peninsula has been left responsibility and obligation to let the taxpayers make their own decision rather than make that decision for them, On the subject of Sidney's roads Malcolm said, “Prior to 1972, there was a period when very little road improvement was done and Sidney's streets, generally, were in atrocious condition, In 1972, a planned program of improvement was implemented and the con- dition of our streets is reaching an acceptable level,” In 1975, the Public Works Department gave council a proposed five year plan of Capital expenditure for roads, sidewalks, and storm drains, Council at that time strongly recommended the new Council give it favourable consideration. _L- If 100 centimetres is ever BROTHERS “SIE KEATING XROADI . - 892-1421, RELATIONS STRAINED BETWEEN 15 CENTS | NORTH SAANICH AND NEWLY APPOINTED MINISTER MLA Hugh Curtis Admits To ‘Little Contact’ With Peninsula Municipality Social Credit MLA Hugh Curtis admitted Monday night his relations with the municipal council of North Saanich have been less than satisfactory in the past but added he hopes to improve the situation in the near future. “I have had very little contact with that council for a variety of reasons,” said the new Minister for Municap Affairs and Housing. He would not elaborate but simply explained he has few requests from that municipality and little communication with them. “I am ready, willing and quite prepared’? to improve relations with that council, he said. \ The MLA for Saanich and the Islands made these comments when interviewed after the inaugural meeting of Central Saanich council Monday. As for the water situation on the peninsula, Curtis claimed he would take steps but “certainly not in the first few weeks” to meet represen- tatives from the peninsula municipalities and water districts. “TI want to facilitate the co- ordinated approach which I feel is necessary.” Curtis concluded he is available for meetings with municipal representatives “almost any time.” Not Even One Inch Of Snow Will Fall On Peninsula Again The same amount of snow as | ever will fall on the Saanich Peninsula in the future but it may sound like a lot more now that measurements are being given in centimetres. One centimetre is ap- proximately’ the width of a man’s little finger nail. Five centimetres would reach up to a person’s ankles and 50 would mean it would be brushing the knees, reported the fluffy white stuff would be about three feet deep ‘and almost Waist level. ' For the record, the total | amount of snow that fell in the first 24-hour snowfall in our area this winter was 0.5 cm at Gonzales on Dec. 5 and 4.1 cm at the Victoria International Airport on Dec. 12. The average snowfall on the Saanich Peninsula is 45.5 cm annually. Highest average snowfall in Canada is 326 cm at Knob Lake, Quebec, followed by .. average falls of 315 cm at Kapuskasing, Ont. and Quebec City. a. Victoria has. the lowest: average snowfall with 25 cm. The greatest’ recorded snowfall-was at: Kemano 400 miles northwest of Vancouver “where 1,135.cm-was dumped.in. « -. the winter of 1956-57: . Locally ‘the. greatest ever: recorded :-was in February, | ‘1916 when 47.9 -cm_ fell. Greatest 24-hour snowfall ever recorded here was 61.0 cm back in 1880. ; “If Council approves it in 1976 Fifth Street from Beacon ‘to Henry, and BoWerbank, from Bradford to Calvin will’ he improved, and the critically needed sidewalks on Ardwell from Resthaven to Bowerbank, and on Bower- bank from Mills to Ardwell, will be constructed, ‘There is much school traffic in these arcas and the roads are also subject to heavy vehicle use. These projects will be financed from current revenue, Malcolm concluded that newcomers to council ‘will not be allowed the luxury of being able to sit back and get their feet wet slowly while continuing, experienced members carry the burden for a while, Continued on Page 2 A.J, Frost, Tax Review Board Chairman, paid a visit to Sidney during the Christmas season, He had been hearing tases jn Victoria during his slay, HSLAND FURNITURE WiA We i wrw. 9842 3rd Street FURNITURE APPLIANCES (TRY US FIRST) 656-3724 BOXSPRING & MATTRESSES STEREO & TV (“You Name It”)