Gazette staff
PORT McNEILL—Council agreed to support the community’s Pitch-In Canada day this Sunday by allowing the use of the Community Hall and waiving cleaning fees for the volunteers spearheading the effort.
Organizer Jill Chaney told council she and her crew will erect canopies and awnings, but would like to have the hall available in the event of inclement weather.
All those interested in taking part in the community cleanup, which will wrap up with a barbecue for participants, are asked to meet in the Community Hall parking lot at 1 p.m. Sunday. Clean-up supplies and bags will be provided, and the event runs from 1-3 p.m. followed by the barbecue.
For info, contact Chaney at 250-230-1267 or westcoastjmc@shaw.ca.
Carnival comped
Council approved a petition from the local Lions Club to waive the temporary business license fee for West Coast Amusements, which set up in the Chilton Regional Arena parking lot for two days last week.
The Lions Club coordinates the arrival of the carnival rides and booths in the community each spring.
Fleet feet funded
Council voted unanimously to approve up to $300 to assist local participants in this year’s Operation Trackshoes competition, to be held June 8-10 at the University of Victoria.
The annual, volunteer-run sports festival is held for B.C. citizens who have developmental disabilities, and provides counsellors, nursing staff and other support throughout the weekend.
Council agreed to contribute $100 toward travel expenses to each Port McNeill participant, to a maximum of $300. The amount matches council’s contribution of recent years.
Health Network backed
Council agreed to write a letter of support for the Mount Waddington Health Network’s draft plan to provide addictions counselling and recovery on the North Island, following a presentation by Sandra Waarne and Cathy Wilson of the Health Network.
The draft plan features 10 recommendations, culled from an original list of 43 recommendations, including a sobering centre and supportive recovery counselling.
“The important thing is that services will be provided here on the North Island, so people don’t have to leave to receive treatment,” said Waarne.