aitene News TheReview Wednesday, February 12,1992 — AS Qur Reputation is on Your Head HOUSE OF RUSSEL by Girard Hengen The Review Sidney stands to lose from a City of Victoria idea to amalga- mate police forces in the Capital Region, most aldermen agreed Monday. Some council members say the plan would handcuff policing ser- vices on the Peninsula, as officers now serving the region could be called out of the area in an emer- gency with no replacements to fill the void. Also, some aldermen said the existing arrangement with the RCMP provides sound commun- _ ity-based policing which suits the needs of residents. z And Ald. John Calder said the Mounties are a federal force and “it is part of our heritage. It is part of our culture,” which should not be eroded. However, other aldermen said Iather than dismiss the idea entirely, it should be studied because it might make sense. Council members rejected a rec- ommendation passed by their Vic- toria counterparts calling on the provincial government to hold a referendum on the question. However, council also referred the matter to its protective services committee, and wants to hear from the RCMP on the issue. In putting the idea forward, Victoria city council referred to a provincial government study indi- cating it might be cheaper and more effective to have a “regional- ization of police departments.” Victoria aldermen approved a motion saying existing staff and service levels would be main- tained. The motion also said a community-based approach would continue in all areas. Ald. Bob Jones, a constable with the Oak Bay police department, said Victoria will benefit most from the proposal, “to the detri- ment of the outlying areas. “In Sidney, we’re provided a service by the RCMP that is very good,” he said. The Town would be better served by an amalgamation of Peninsula police forces rather than Madrona dock to public hearing A rezoning which would allow Shane Smith to construct a dock off his waterfront property at 10980-Madrona Dr. was backed by North Saanich council Feb. 3, ~@ despite opposing votes by Ald. Dee Bailin and Ald. Edo Nyland. At an earlier council meeting, Bailin said the dock was a contin- uing attempt to privatize the fore- shore for the elite of the communi- ty. The dock could extend 60 to 80 feet into an environmentally sensi- tive area, she said. Council gave a bylaw to allow the dock first and second readings Feb. 3 with a public hearing sched- uled for Feb. 17. Bailin said she ~ hoped the general public would tur out and express their opposi- tion. Nyland said approval would suggest to other waterfront proper- ty owners that they could also build private docks. “It's going to make our fore- ~ “BS shore look like a porcupine,” he said. Bicycles safe A shed was broken into and padlocks were cut on a fenced compound at the rear of a Beacon Avenue bicycle shop, about 10:10 p.m. Thursday, Sidney RCMP said. Police responding to an alarm were at Russ Hays Sidney Cycle in minutes but were unable to locate suspects. Nothing was reported stolen and police are investigating. Smith told council members he had tried to follow foreshore guidelines when making his appli- cation for the dock. The advisory planning commis- sion recommended support of the application, provided the dock was moved west, an existing boathouse was removed and provision be made to allow joint access. The environmental advisory commission noted the application met foreshore guidelines, however feared approval would set a prece- dent leading to many more docks on the foreshore. The commission recommended council reject the application. Meanwhile, council’s brand new wharves and moorage committee,. which held its first meeting Jan. 21, plans to review M-6 and M-5 - zoning bylaws. Council Monday placed a 30-day moratorium on allowing other applications for rezoning within those zones to proceed. About three years ago, North Saanich held public hearings when it rezoned all foreshore areas M-6 (undeveloped foreshore), except those already designated wharf, yacht, commercial or marina rec- reational. Since then, anyone wishing to construct wharves or moorage required rezoning to M-5. | *Police amalgamation requires study the entire region, if there is to be © amalgamation, he said. Calder said he was “not pre- pared to supplement the Victoria police establishment at this time.” However, Ald. Ted Daly said amalgamation worked in the Mon- treal region, where he used to live, and the idea is worth exploring. It “does not mean communities lose their identity, and police offi- cers working in an area no longer work there,” he said. Rather than “deep-six”’ the pro- posal, he said — and council agreed — that it should be referred to the protective services commit- tee for discussion and the RCMP. for input. Hampson’s wildlife Internationally acclaimed film- maker, author and biologist Cy Hampson, a Review columnist, will give a free slide show on woodland wildlife at the Sidney Museum Monday starting at 7:30 p.m. Assistant curator Susan Kilpa- trick said there is limited seating and free tickets are available at the museum from Wednesday to Fn- day, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Persons requiring information can call the museum at 656-1322. VALENTINE MENU FOR TWO SWEETHEARTS SHRIMP BISQUE OR GARDEN SALAD * CAPTAIN'S SELECTION (Mussels, Baynes Sound Oysters, Salmon & Prawns with Garnish) * Gay's Famous Homemade LEMON MERINGUE PIE * $32.00 Latitude 48° 40° N. by Longitude 123” 24” W. AT 2270 HARBOUR RD: OFF RESTIIAVEN DR; HAIRSTYLISTS LTD. UNISEX @ 656-1522 vere @ Precision Cutting IN SIDNEY CENTRE #102-2367 Bevan Ave., Sidney, B.C. (Next to Safeway) VALENTINE’S DAY 1S JED SEE be More!! SIDNEY FLORIST 2499 Beacon Ave. Se B.C. -V8L 1X9 656-331 Pay, vie Is : Ze. » ON SITE SECURITY STORAGE PROBLEMS? _ CALL US FIRST! ¢ HEATED AT NO EXTRA COST « LOW PRICE STORAGE Prepay for 3 full months and receive 1/2 Price on the 1st month’s rent! (New Customers Only) SPECIAL KEATIN 652-4491 6822 VEYANESS RD. SAANICHTON (AT DURACME)