Every Friday we feature Valley history taken from our back issues.
Five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
The Comox Valley United Way’s 2006 fundraising campaign had collected $150,000 — 80 per cent of the $180,000 goal — as it entered its final weeks.
“The campaign is strong but there is still work to be done,” chair Marilyn Hannah said. “We urge our friends and supporters to help us meet, and beat, our goal. Why? Because in a strong community we look after one another.”
Ten years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
John Duncan and two other MPs climbed aboard the campaign to save the beleaguered E&N Railway. He joined forces with Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney and Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Reed Elley to pressure the federal government and CP Rail to preserve passenger service between Victoria and Courtenay.
“Although the Supreme Court of Canada stated in 1994 there is no constitutional obligation to run the service, there are contracts in place which continue to obligate the CPR,” Duncan said.
RailAmerica, which bought the E&N in 1998, had planned to discontinue the daily passenger run in March, 2002.
Fifteen years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
More than 1,200 hampers were distributed in 1996 to needy families in the Valley.
The Salvation Army had handed out 721 hampers as the final hours of the year counted down.
A radio blitz from the Coast Westerly Hotel brought in a flood of donations to the Sally Ann.
Twenty years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
The number of days in a school year caused heated debate between teachers and school trustees. The latter said there were to be 195 days in the 1992-93 school year, including 190 classroom days and five non-instructional days. Students were to start class almost a week before Labour Day.
Supt. Bruce Thompson said the number was required by the School Act and allowed for in the contract between the school board and Comox District Teachers’ Association.
Teachers felt the non-instructional days should have come from the 190 because they were working when conducting parent/teacher interviews and professional development.
Twenty-five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
BC Ferry workers voted 75 per cent in favour of a two-year contract.
The agreement called for a $60 a month increase in the first year followed by a three per cent wage increase on Nov. 1, 1987.
The contract was to expire Oct. 31, 1988.
