Robert Barron

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Robert’s column

Robert Barron column: I’ve always liked to ski, but…

I accidentally and unknowingly veered onto a black diamond run

Robert’s column
North Cowichan’s new Mayor Rob Douglas wants to build stronger relationships with the province. (Citizen file photo)

North Cowichan’s new mayor wants to see more cooperation with province

Rob Douglas said he wants to work collectively with Victoria on major issues

North Cowichan’s new Mayor Rob Douglas wants to build stronger relationships with the province. (Citizen file photo)
Hilary Abbott, the CVRD’s director for Cowichan Bay, wants the district to have a stronger cell tower policy. (Citizen file photo)

CVRD looks to strengthen cell tower policy

Many directors want minimum distance from homes included

Hilary Abbott, the CVRD’s director for Cowichan Bay, wants the district to have a stronger cell tower policy. (Citizen file photo)
Jill Ayearst, owner of Uncle Albert’s Home Furnishings, invites everyone to come check out the store’s inventory as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a sale. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business notes: Uncle Albert’s Home Furnishings celebrates 50th anniversary

The latest from the Cowichan Valley business community

Jill Ayearst, owner of Uncle Albert’s Home Furnishings, invites everyone to come check out the store’s inventory as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a sale. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Jon Coleman (left) and other members of the Cowichan Tribes-owned Khowutzun Development Corporation set up a protest line at the site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road in December that stopped work for 11 days. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan Tribes frustrated by lack of progress on hospital work dispute

Cowichan Tribes say First Nation companies are being treated unfairly

Jon Coleman (left) and other members of the Cowichan Tribes-owned Khowutzun Development Corporation set up a protest line at the site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road in December that stopped work for 11 days. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (left) has announced a federal contribution of $362,000 to the Cowichan Wooden Boat Society to assist with its pier reconstruction project. Pictured with Sajjan is society president Sylvia Berryman. (Submitted photo)

Pier project in Cowichan Bay gets boost with federal funding

Feds kick in $362,000 to project, estimated to cost $942,000

Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (left) has announced a federal contribution of $362,000 to the Cowichan Wooden Boat Society to assist with its pier reconstruction project. Pictured with Sajjan is society president Sylvia Berryman. (Submitted photo)
Cathy Schmidt, Cowichan Valley School District chair, said the district strenuously objects to putting a new warming centre for the homeless in the parking lot of the Cowichan Community Centre, steps away from both the old and new Cowichan Secondary schools. (Citizen file)

Cowichan school district denounces plan for warming centre at community centre

Options for other sites being explored, Duncan mayor says

Cathy Schmidt, Cowichan Valley School District chair, said the district strenuously objects to putting a new warming centre for the homeless in the parking lot of the Cowichan Community Centre, steps away from both the old and new Cowichan Secondary schools. (Citizen file)
Rana Faris holds the phone while talking to her sister Yasmin, her husband Bashar and their son Mohamed who are in a refugee camp in Jordan. On the left is Rana’s husband Ali Al-hamadi and to the right is Rhoda Taylor who helped sponsor the Faris family to come to Canada, and is now helping to bring Yasmin’s family to the Cowichan Valley. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Syrian refugees desperate to trade Jordan for Cowichan Valley

A total of $60,000 must be raised; 2 fundraisers planned

Rana Faris holds the phone while talking to her sister Yasmin, her husband Bashar and their son Mohamed who are in a refugee camp in Jordan. On the left is Rana’s husband Ali Al-hamadi and to the right is Rhoda Taylor who helped sponsor the Faris family to come to Canada, and is now helping to bring Yasmin’s family to the Cowichan Valley. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The cast is deep into rehearsals for the Cowichan Musical Society's production of 'Shrek The Musical', which hits the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre at the end of January, through the beginning of February. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Musical Society)

Musical Society brings lighthearted fun to Cowichan stage with ‘Shrek’

Dr. Graham Brockley to play Shrek

The cast is deep into rehearsals for the Cowichan Musical Society's production of 'Shrek The Musical', which hits the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre at the end of January, through the beginning of February. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Musical Society)
The cast is deep into rehearsals for the Cowichan Musical Society’s production of ‘Shrek The Musical’, which hits the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre at the end of January, through the beginning of February. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Musical Society)

Musical Society brings lighthearted fun to Cowichan stage with ‘Shrek’

Dr. Graham Brockley to play Shrek

The cast is deep into rehearsals for the Cowichan Musical Society’s production of ‘Shrek The Musical’, which hits the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre at the end of January, through the beginning of February. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Musical Society)
Kate Segall, the CVRD’s director for Mill Bay/Malahat, said area directors’ salaries should reflect the Cowichan Valley’s living wage. (Citizen file photo)

Most CVRD electoral area directors want a pay raise

Claim current pay is well below living wage

Kate Segall, the CVRD’s director for Mill Bay/Malahat, said area directors’ salaries should reflect the Cowichan Valley’s living wage. (Citizen file photo)
There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing into the deaths of Nellie Williams and Fran Shurie on Christmas Eve, 2019. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in solving the crime. This memorial, from 2021, was located near Trunk Road and Canada Avenue where the crime occurred, was a reminder to passers-by. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Double Duncan murder investigation quiet, 3 years later

Fran Shurie and Nellie Williams were killed on Christmas Eve, 2019

There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing into the deaths of Nellie Williams and Fran Shurie on Christmas Eve, 2019. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in solving the crime. This memorial, from 2021, was located near Trunk Road and Canada Avenue where the crime occurred, was a reminder to passers-by. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Robert’s column

Robert Barron column: Some people have serious gambling addictions

Sean sat plugging money into the machine for hours until he lost almost half

Robert’s column
North Cowichan firefighter Ken Denham was presented with the Governor General of Canada’s Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for his 50 years of service at the municipality’s council meeting on Dec. 21. Pictured from left are Mary-Ann Denham, Ken Denham, North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and North Cowichan Fire Chief Martin Drakeley. (Submitted photo)

“Captain Cool” honoured for 50 years of firefighting in North Cowichan

Ken Denham presented with Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada

North Cowichan firefighter Ken Denham was presented with the Governor General of Canada’s Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for his 50 years of service at the municipality’s council meeting on Dec. 21. Pictured from left are Mary-Ann Denham, Ken Denham, North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and North Cowichan Fire Chief Martin Drakeley. (Submitted photo)
Daniel Kim, owner of Duncan’s Westfalian Bakery, picks a croissant from his assortment of freshly baked goods in his new location off of Kenneth Street. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business notes: Duncan’s Westfalia Bakery moves to larger location

The latest from the Cowichan Valley business community

Daniel Kim, owner of Duncan’s Westfalian Bakery, picks a croissant from his assortment of freshly baked goods in his new location off of Kenneth Street. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls director Ian Morrison wants to know why pay increases for area directors in the Cowichan Valley Regional District are not up for discussion in the district’s draft budget for 2023. (Citizen file photo)

Cowichan Valley Regional District area directors’ pay in spotlight again

Directors haven’t had a pay increase in more than eight years

Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls director Ian Morrison wants to know why pay increases for area directors in the Cowichan Valley Regional District are not up for discussion in the district’s draft budget for 2023. (Citizen file photo)
Danielle Myles Wilson, the CAO of the CVRD, said she and district staff will help directors try to find ways to decrease the proposed tax increase for 2023. (Citizen file photo)

CVRD’s draft budget for 2023 calls for 12.19% tax increase

But directors say they will work to bring number down

Danielle Myles Wilson, the CAO of the CVRD, said she and district staff will help directors try to find ways to decrease the proposed tax increase for 2023. (Citizen file photo)
Pictured is Ryleigh (right) with her late mom . (Photo courtesy of Lisa Pyne-Mercier)

‘Best interests of this child not being considered’: South African girl whose mom died denied entry into Canada

Great aunt in Shawnigan Lake wants to bring her here

Pictured is Ryleigh (right) with her late mom . (Photo courtesy of Lisa Pyne-Mercier)
North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas said it’s important for the municipality to keep contributing to its CAEP and Quamichan Lake reserves funds. (Citizen file photo)

Environmental issues win the day recent budget discussions in North Cowichan

Councl votes 4-3 to contribute to CAEP and Quamichan Lake reserve funds in 2023

North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas said it’s important for the municipality to keep contributing to its CAEP and Quamichan Lake reserves funds. (Citizen file photo)
Vancouver Port Authority says it has limited jurisdiction around freighter anchorages in Southern Gulf Islands. (Citizen file photo)

Vancouver Port Authority says code of conduct for ships should deal with anchorage issues off Cowichan coast

VPA says it has limited authority to remove anchorages

Vancouver Port Authority says it has limited jurisdiction around freighter anchorages in Southern Gulf Islands. (Citizen file photo)