Let us pray, may God

have mercy upon us

Major construction work will close

Bowen and Northfield intersection

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You might want to check around for an alternate route while major work blocks of the Bowen and Northfield intersection from May 5 to 23. The intersection will be closed for street improvements and traffic signal upgrades along with road resurfacing and safety improvements. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can expect traffic disruptions and detours. The Midtown Gateway Project is nearing the home stretch to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at one of the City's busiest intersections. MORE

Electric bikes spark interest

Who knew? Electric bikes for public use are a hit with locals. The e-bikes hit our streets last year with locations throughout the city. Leanne Buhler, ofEvolve E-Bikeand Scooter Share, says 55 per cent of users are local folks using them in they their daily lives. And 77 per cent thought that it adds value to the transportation system in Nanaimo. MORE

Huge Millstone development moving ahead

A planned 98-unit residential complex is going through the hoops of zoning requirements. It’s a six-storey, 98-unit complex at 210 Caledonia Ave. with 13 studio units, 79 one-bedroom suites, four two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 473 to 1,065 square feet. Variances that stand in the way at this stage include building height, front yard and watercourse setbacks along the Millstone River.

QUOTABLE– The overload of TV commercials about regularity and laxatives proves just how full of it most people really are.

Watering restrictions now in effect

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Watering restrictions go into effect today in the city and the Regional District. The Stage 2 restrictions also cover the North Cedar Improvement District and the Nanoose Bay Peninsula. If you live on odd-number addresses you can water lawns on odd-number days, and even-addresses on even-number days. You can still sprinkle for no more than two hours between 7-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m. Hand-watering, drip and micro irrigation and watering vegetable gardens is still allowed.  MORE

Sound equipment stolen from church

Thieves made off with sound equipment for St. Andrew's United Church in early April. RCMP stated the break-in happened sometime between April 14-16. No serial numbers for the stolen sound equipment were provided. MORE

QUOTABLE – When life puts you in tough situations, don’t ask “why me”, instead say “try me.”

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Welcome-to-Nanaimo sign defaced

The Nanaimo sign in Swy-a-Lana park has a new look, but the change wasn’t sanctioned. A vandal appears to have repainted the multi-color letter O in the sign to plain white. Many critics have likened the colorful section of the sign to the World Economic Forum logo. It was installed in 2021 for more than $50,000. The city says the  colours represent the diversity of the 100,000 plus voices who have shaped and continue to shape the city. MORE

Voter turnout shows more interest

Voters took greater interest in the federal election with 71.82 per cent of eligible voters turning out in Nanaimo-Ladysmith – 73,388 out of 102,177 electors cast ballots. It was a similar story in Courtenay-Alberni where 72.98 per cent cast ballots. Both turnouts exceeded the numbers from the last election. MORE

Local massage therapist suspended

A Nanaimo massage therapist has had his licence lifted and he’s been barred from treating female patients while he’s being investigated for a sexual misconduct accusation. The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC said the ban on Robert Paradis came into effect on April 23 following a complaint by a female patient. The ban will remain in place until a full investigation by the college is complete. MORE

Barron qualifies for severance package

Defeated member of Parliament Lisa Marie Barron will get a severance  package and a refund plus interest of her pension contributions. All MPs who lost their jobs or did not run get severance and benefits, and if they have served at least six years, a pension. As of March 31 the salary of MPs was $209,800, meaning severance for defeated MPs would be a minimum of $104,900. MORE

Man with rifle disarmed, taken to hospital

RCMP disarmed a man with a rifle after they barricaded him in a room Monday evening in the 500 block of Haliburton St. He was taken to hospital after the incident. There was concern for the safety and well-being of the 25-year-old man. Front line officers responded and ensured he was confined to his room and that the surrounding area was contained and secured to prevent disruptions from pedestrians and vehicle traffic. The Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to assist with the situation. MORE

Concerts in the Park are back

Concerts in the Park are back for your summer entertainment, kicking of May 11 at Colliary Dam Park. These free concerts showcase a variety of musical talent against the backdrop of some of Nanaimo's most beautiful parks. There’s a variety of music genres, including jazz, rock, big band, blues, country, Celtic and more. Bring a chair or a blanket and to dress for the weather. All concerts are from 6-7 p.m. MORE

Get set for summer Ukrainian Festival

Food, music, dancing and a whole lot more are on tap for the Nanaimo Ukrainian Festival June 22 at the St. Michael the Archangel parish. The festivities get under way with divine liturgy at 11 a.m. followed by the festival at 1 p.m.

Provincial electric car rebates set to end

The B.C. government is pulling the plug on electric vehicle rebate program by May 15. British Columbians saved thousands of dollars on select new-car purchases, depending on individual income. The province says it will pause the program to consider next steps. But fret not, there’s still a way to get a rebate through he Go Electric program. MORE

QUOTABLE– It may be that your sole purpose in life is to act as a warning to others

It's time to quit dating

and just get married

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Before Monday's election we had a minority Liberal government with the New Democrats holding them to ransom. Now after the election we have a minority Liberal government with the New Democrats holding them to ransom.

A source tells me a confidence agreement is going to happen with the Liberals being just short of a majority and the NDP, with seven seats, can ensure there’s not a quickie defeat of the government. So why don’t they just quit dating and just get married? They've been shacked up long enough.

The world trade war extends farther than U.S. President Donald Trump. China has imposed 100-per-cent tariffs on canola oil, canola meal and peas in retaliation to Canada imposing levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. Canola farmers are getting hit hard by the tariffs while also dealing with uncertainty around U.S. tariffs. Cheapo stuff from China will not be so cheap any more.

At one time the Made-in-Canada label used to stand for quality, an offset to foreign imports. In recent years that standard has been watered down with faux products. Now when you check the labels of products too many say “packaged in Canada”, or “imported for,” leaving us scratching our heads. It’s time to proudly display the Made-in-Canada label again on all the products that are proudly produced in our country.

Playing in the sandbox means
accepting will of the majority

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There’s an adage about playing in the sandbox, you’ve got to play with the others in your space.

I’ve been monitoring social media prattle about a majority city hall decision on a new boat house at Loudon Park at Long Lake. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing with the decision, social media can preach all everyone likes about losing 29 trees and parks space.

In this case, that proverbial sandbox is city council which operates by majority rule, and it should apply to everyone. It’s an unwritten rule that once council makes a decision, all councillors should live by it, like it or not. That’s why they vote, to determine what the majority supports, not personal agendas.

Whether I or anyone on social media agree with the tree removal is immaterial, we’re not elected and answerable to the citizens. We can express our views from our own mountaintop all we want.

Coun. Ben Geselbracht helped organize a protest in opposition to council’s decision. He seems to like swimming against stream on other issues as well. Playing in the sandbox means going along with the majority and not throwing dirt from the outside.

It goes beyond this particular issue. Many on social media blame the mayor, as leader of council, and that comes with the territory. If it’s something they disagree with, blame the top guy. Once it is voted on, the leader carries the banner all other council members should follow. That's what teamwork means.

We love to vilify our leaders, be it the prime minister, the premier or the mayor.