A new firefighting recruit saving a drowning man, the raiding of a First Nations burial ground, the removal of a school trustee from a committee and irate alderman Ed Bradford were among the headlines pulled from past decadesB次元官网网址� issues of the Goldstream Gazette for the week of Feb. 26.

2006

Firefighting runs in the family for new recruit Kiel Ferguson, but the 20-year-old View Royal resident hasnB次元官网网址檛 even been accepted as a recruit by the time he gets his first taste of action. After hearing cries from the Selkirk Waterway, the Belmont graduate sprints 150 metres and pulls a man out of the water. He estimates that the man, wearing a back pack, weighed 300 lbs., surely would have drowned otherwise.

Also making news the week of Feb. 24, 2006:

The West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 first bait car arrives on local streets. After the program enjoys some success on the Mainland, West Shore RCMP take possession of their first bait car, immediately putting it to work to trap would-be car thieves. When bait cars were introduced on south Vancouver Island last year, auto theft rates dropped 42 per cent in Victoria and 33 per cent in Nanaimo. Car thefts are already on the decline in the West Shore, going from 219 in 2004 to 126 in 2005.

And, the Town of View Royal is looking at a $75,000 wall to help preserve a First Nations midden and burial site at Portage Park. Treasure seekers helping themselves to historic artifacts such as arrowheads and stone carvings have ravaged the ancient archaeological site, prompting the town to declare a large portion of the park off limits to the public.

1996

The Bilston watershed is under attack from industrial pollution originating at a Langford property, says the head of a local environmental group. A property on Finny Road bordering the Dewdney Flats marsh is being used as a drop site for a towing company. The Bilston Watershed Habitat Protection Association says the property owner is B次元官网网址渘otoriousB次元官网网址� for defying zoning requirements and an inspection finds cars half-submerged in the marsh and oil floating in the water. There have even been complaints of dozens of cars on the property.

Also making news the week of Feb. 24, 1996:

The Ministry of Social Services returns three children to their parents after Judge Robert Higinbotham decides in the local coupleB次元官网网址檚 favour in Western Communities family court. A publication ban prevents the Gazette from reporting details, but the names of the children are clearly printed on the docket outside the courtroom. The familyB次元官网网址檚 lawyer, Joseph Gereluk, requests the ban after realizing a reporter was present.

And, Sooke School District trustee Terry Robinson is removed as chair of the personnel committee for being absent too often, according to board chair Diane Bernard. She names trustee Geoff Barnett as RobinsonB次元官网网址檚 replacement. Ironically Robinson, who was suffering from a migraine, was absent from the board meeting at which the announcement was made but later calls the move B次元官网网址減olitically motivated.B次元官网网址�

1986

Some business people and parents are upset at a ploy used by a mail order B次元官网网址渆rotic videoB次元官网网址� company to attract business. Playtime B次元官网网址 of Burnaby distributes a letter to Western Communities businesses that contains a pamphlet displaying pictures of erotic video covers and an accompanying description, complete with a mail-order form. The envelope itself is emblazoned with large, bright-red letters saying B次元官网网址淥pen Me!!!B次元官网网址� Despite the furore, itB次元官网网址檚 determined that nothing can be done, since Canada Post cannot open sealed mail. Pornographic material is not allowed to be sent internationally, but can be sent locally through the post office.

Also making news the week of Feb. 24, 1986:

Metchosin reaches an agreement to buy a municipal hall, or at least a house that will soon become a municipal hall. The house, on four acres of property just east of the Metchosin fire hall on Happy Valley Road will be bought for $169,000. Surprisingly little renovation will be needed to convert the three-bedroom home into a hall complete with offices for staff and the mayor.

And, irate alderman Ed Bradford storms out of Colwood council chambers, after his recommendation to appoint a tourism and economic development director is referred to the administration committee. He had presented council with a report that emphasized the immediate appointment of a tourism director. So immediately in fact, that Bradford distributes a reference for former Socred candidate and Colwood B次元官网网址 store owner Brian Lightburn and asks for councilB次元官网网址檚 endorsement. B次元官网网址淐ouncil cannot be expected to digest a report and 22 recommendation in 10 minutes,B次元官网网址� says mayor Geoff Dunn, who repeatedly rules Bradford out of order during his presentation.

B次元官网网址� Compiled by Arnold Lim