Mayor Thrown under Bus: No Support for Bus Garage Purchase

Oct. 26 - A stunned audience learned today that not one of the council candidates in the upcoming civic election  supports the Qualicum Beach bus garage purchase. In an all candidates meeting attended by seven of the nine candidates for Qualicum Beach council it was unanimous; no one supported the purchase.

A buzz spread through the audience as candidate after candidate jumped off the bus garage band wagon. In turn all seven stated that if they had been in office they would have voted against using taxpayers money to purchase the site.  None of the candidates who spoke are incumbents.

The old bus garage site is a long time pet project of incumbent Mayor Teunis Westbrooke. The purchase was recently completed. The purchase price is rumoured to be more than 1.5 million dollars of taxpayers money. The town has been vigorously selling other property in recent months, presumably to finance the purchase.

The former bus site has been proposed as an Arts and Cultural site by the Mayor. The town recently hired two consultants and held a public meeting to consider cultural facilities in Qualicum Beach.

Candidates Carol Nichol-Dowe and Mary Brouilette did not attend the meeting.

Mayor Out Maneuvered?

(Qualicum Beach)  Did you know? A reliable source told the Qualicum Beach Daily Bugle that the town of Qualicum Beach wanted to trade properties with the School Board. The School Board would move it's buses to the airport and the town would get the old bus garage. The town spent more than $200,000 upgrading the airport for the trade. Amazingly, the town did not have an agreement with the School Board before starting the work. The Board chose a different site. Was the town out negotiated or is that bad management? You decide before you mark your x at the voting booth!

Bill Luchtmeijer seeks Qualicum Beach council seat

(Qualicum Beach) Long time Qualicum Beach resident Bill Luchtmeijer announced today that he will seek a position on Qualicum Beach Town Council.   Luchtmeijer,  a former member of the R.C.M.P., has been a resident of Qualicum Beach for the past 23 years and has previously served on the Qualicum Beach Council for a 6 year period from 1993 - 1999.  Bill and his wife Bonnie own and operate Qualicum Stationers and The Gallery @ Qualicum Art Supply on First Avenue.

Bill's top priority is taxation.  “Weak economic conditions in our local economy and province are complicated by a troubled world economy. Above all, this mean we need to focus on how to minimize the impact on Qualicum Beach Residents” said Luchtmeijer.

“Just raising taxes year after year is NOT the answer” he added.  Bill wishes to apply both his business and past council experience to pursue more creative and efficient ways to manage the Town.

Parksville Spends ONE MILLION on Consultants

(Parksville BC) The Oceanside Star reports that the Town of Parksville spent $1,000,000 or 10% of residents taxes on consultants.
The latest report costing  $30,000 was apparently re-written 6 times due to staff complaints and ended up in the garbage. Who is running the place?
Oceanside Star editorial writer Brian Wilford openly suggests voters consult their conscience and throw out the present councillors.