Feature Municipality loses wealth of knowledge as clerk retires after 20 years by Glenn Werkman The Review Residents and politicians in Central Saanich don’t have one man’s wealth of knowledge to draw on anymore. After 20 years of employment with the District of Central Saa- nich, clerk/administrator Gay Wheeler, 55, retired Friday. “Tve seen the community grow from 4,500 people right up to 13,500 people,” Wheeler said. Wheeler has no hesitation about leaving the office he’s occupied for a long time. “T feel it’s time the municipality had a change at the top — some- one with new ideas and new direction,” he said. “They have some tough years ahead of them financially.” was aS a municipal assessor, until property assessment was taken over by the province in 1972. Wheeler was then promoted to the position of assistant clerk/admini- Strator. When municipal clerk Fred Durrand retired in 1984 Wheeler took over the job. Wheeler grew up on a 10-acre farm on Oldfield Road in Central Saanich and went to Keating School when it was only two rooms large and had an outhouse and wood stove. Mayor Ron Cullis, during Wheeler’s last council meeting Jan. 22, said: “It’s been our bene- fit and our privilege to have you work with us and for us.” ‘I feel ifs time the municipality had a change af the fop — someone with new ideas and new direction. They have some tough years ahead of them financially’ Wheeler said the municipality needs a responsible growth rate, not only to let others into the community but because the municipality needs the additional tax base it can bring. Wheeler said the second draft of the official community plan will be virtually a no-growth scenario. When asked if he ever consid- ered a political career, Wheeler responded: “Absolutely not. I can’t imagine why anybody does. In my opinion it’s a thankless job no matter what you do.” Wheeler said the thing the municipality will miss most because of his leaving is his know- ledge of the people. “Through my duties as munici- pal assessor I got to know people and I got to know the land thor- oughly,’ Wheeler said. Wheeler came to Central Saa- nich after working for the munici- pality of Saanich for 10 years and the City of Victoria for five years. His first job in Central Saanich About 150 friends and well- wishers bid Wheeler farewell at a special dinner reception Friday evening. Wheeler plans to take a vacation in a warmer climate south of the Peninsula and will continue to live in the region. New clerk comes in two months time A new municipal clerk/admini- strator has been hired by Central Saanich to replace the retired Gay Wheeler. But George Sawada won’t leave his current post at the City of Merritt for some time. Sawada takes over April 2, Mayor Ron Cullis said Monday. Cullis said Sawada has 20 years of experience in municipal admin- istration throughout British Columbia. Staff will have to perform some extra duties in the interim. Debt collection a tough job Nobody enjoys collecting a debt. But, if someone owes you. money and it’s overdue, you may have no choice. Having made the decision to go after a debt, you must decide who will do the collecting. If it’s a small amount, you may want to do it yourself. In some circumstances you might consider a collection agency. Collection agencies charge a percentage of the total amount collected - sometimes up to 50 per cent. Or, you might retain a lawyer. Lawyers usually base their fee for collection work on the amount of time spent on the file, though the degree of success will no doubt have some bearing on the fee. If you decide to retain a lawyer, your best bet is to gather together as much information as you can, making careful note of dates and verbal agreements. Also compile any relevant documents. Then make an appointment through Lawyer Referral for an interview with a lawyer. For a fee of $10, you can spend half an hour discussing your problem. This conversation may help you decide whether to pursue the matter further - on your own or with the help of a lawyer. If you decide to follow up on your own, this interview will at least provide you the information with which to get started. When making the decision of whether to engage a lawyer, remember that time is of the essence. Don’t leave it so late that the case becomes difficult, if not impossible, to prove. And, if you wait too long, you may lose your right to sue on the debt. Whether you act as your own debt collector, you should begin by doing some homework. You can start by determining who actually Continued on Page B7 TheReview Wednesday, J anuary 31, 1990 oe B2 = ae LAST DAY at the desk for Central Saanich’s clerk/ administrator Gay Wheeler, who __ Church Services FRIENDSHIP started with the municipality 20 years ago as municipal assessor. ST. MARY’S HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH W. Saanich and Mills Rd. Sunday Services 8 a.m. and 10 a.m: Sunday School 10 a.m. THE REV. D.L. MALINS - 656-3223 GRACE COMMUNITY eae : (Reformed Church in Canada BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday Worship & Sunday School ANGLICAN CHURCH 7820 Central Saanich Rd. 1009 ai 2 Keating) Elem. echool -SAANICHTON 9:45 A.M... eee Sunday School JAS ie) WO anal Tay BUSA, WS Bl - Sunday, Feb. 4th 11:00 a.m............- Morning Service serve the Lord” - Jos. 24:15 8-15 am Gel Communion 6:30pm Evening Service] | Rev. Stephen Swift 652-9635 pe ee y Fackarat Wednesday Night 6:45 p.m. ; followed by annaul Vestry Meetin Family Night SAANICH PENINSULA Wed. jacoamn conse HOly Carman (Kids Clubs & Bible Study) CHRISTADELPHIANS Fae Mune Amc: 652-3822 = Moose Hall 7925 E. Saanich Rd. HoUE ray/AMeES E. Kratofil - Pastor Memorial Meeting Church 652-1611 Rob Parker 11:15 a.m. Anglican - Espiscopal 477-8527 652-2723 652-3606 book of Common Prayer. : ST. STEPHEN’S ~ A Warm Welcome Awaits You At ene ANGLICAN CHURCH Py The Elk Lake Baptist Church é0 (Mt. Newton & St. Stephen’s Rd.) 2 10:30 a.m. 652-4311 aie Rev, LESLIE M. FUNK ee Cee as FS 5363 Patricia Bay Highway ff Morning Worship jj tne Sung Eucharict ae Victoria, B.C. V8Y 1S9 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Eucharist ST. ANDREW'S TRUTH TABERNACUE PEACE LUTHERAN ANGLICAN CHURCH qa een Sah CHURCH 9686-'d Street, Sidney 9:00 pm ue candaye 2295 WEILER AVENUE WORSHIP AT Where Bible salvation is preached Sunday School............ 9:15 a.m. 8a.m..9 a.m. &11 a.m. Services Invites you to be in service with us Worship Service Sacsesse 10:30 a.m. (Church School & Nursery 9 a.m.) Call Pastor, Gabor Czinger 655-7029 Rev. David A. Carnahan Rev. Lorenzo Harrison _656-5322 CallfofaneerhomesbIbIEEstucies [656-2721 655-4773 Morning Worshi.............-:---2--cesesesveesessserens> 10:30 a.m. WZ Children’s Church Sunday Evening Service....................:2:0220++ 6:30 p.m. MEL x PASTOR LARRY GESSNER 474-2520 FELLOWSHIP’ 9925 5TH ST. 656-3544) Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever ¥ é BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 2269 Mills Road Sunday School for all Ages..:-.---:+++r0+-9:40 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Bible Studies............ 6:30 p.m. Youth Programs Pastor: Gerald W. Meller. Business 656-5012 Residence 652-4065 SIDNEY PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY 10364 McDonald Park Rd., Sidney, B.C. V8L3Z9 Pastor: David Hauser 9:45 A.M. -ceceseseernsenssens Sunday School 11:00 a.m. ..Morning Worship 6:00 P.M. ....cccsseeseeeees Evening Service For mid-week services call 656-3712 Sluggett Memorial a Ron & Eunice Freeman welcome you to PENINSULA ALLIANCE CHURCH 4th & Mt. Baker, Sidney 656-9957 WORSIO GHAR ssescnspscangaoopoxc78I Family Worship A Caring Fellowship for the whole Family } SUNDAY eee: Sunday School WELCOME TO ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH 9:30 a.m. — Sunday Services 10990 West Saanich, Deep Cove REV: HORI PRATT SAANICHTON BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 2159 Mt. Newton Cross Rd. Communion Service....9:30 a.m. Family Service............. 11-00 a.m. Nursery, Sunday School Youth Groups, Bible Studies Pastor: Rick Stinton 652-6311 AAI ENINSULA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Meeting at 9:30 a.m. Sidney Elementary School ST. ELIZABETH’S Roman Catholic Church 10030 Third St., Sidney FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH 228 HENRYEAVENDE 652-1909 7008 W. Saanich Road ao? Worship 2 Sunsy S029) Saturday Mass...........-- 5:00 p.m. SO Cu teasers Sunday School COME JOIN OUR GROWING FELLOWSHIP Sunday Mass............ 40:30 a.m. 10:50 a.m... ....Moming Worship REV. PETER COUTTS 655-3548 6:30 P.M. ......ececereseenenes Evening Fellowship OUR LADY OF e Pastor: DONALD W, REED ST. PAULS ASSUMPTION 652-3313 DLA bar, 652-6168 UNITED CHURCH ; Se Pe OF CANADA Roman Catholic Church ry a 5 7726 W. Saanich Road 6 2 zs _ 2410 Malaview cx xB Family Worship 652-1909 Hoe NRO & Sunday SCHOO] ..........seceseeeseeees 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass..............- 8:30 a.m. REV. DALE PERKINS : 656-3213 (home 592-5487) Sunday Mass .......-.--.. 12:30 p.m. BRENTWOOD ANGLICAN CHAPEL Attend Church This Week 792 Sea Drive, Brentwood Bay Telephone: 652-3860 Full Nursery, Christian Education & Youth Ministries available. WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO EVERYONE : Rector: The Rev. Alistair P. Petrie (652-5025) Youth Pastor: Capt Stephen Pessah (652-7779) 656-4730