Five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
The BC Chamber of Commerce named the Comox Valley Chamber one of three finalists in the annual Chamber of the Year competition, along with Langley and Greater Victoria chambers.
"Over the past few years we've had a dedicated group who have stepped forward to help make our chamber an integral part of business life here in the Valley," past-president Don Sharpe said.
"The nomination is testament to the good work that has been done and will provide inspiration for us to keep moving forward as we build a dynamic and valuable organization," executive director Dianne Hawkins said.
Ten years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
For the third year in a row, the Record has been named one of the best community newspapers in B.C.
The Record topped the list in the 12,500 to 24,999 circulation category, scoring a perfect 150 out of 150 in the community/news category and topping 12 other papers in editorial, ad content, ad design and classifieds.
The annual contest is administered through the B.C./Yukon Community Newspaper Association.
"Recognition from an industry association is a stated goal for all our newspapers," Island Publishers president Jim Tighe said. "Even more important, the community provides feedback every day and from that we know the Record does an outstanding job of serving Courtenay, Comox and the surrounding area."
Fifteen years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
She was the grande dame of the Comox Valley: an author, Citizen of the Year and Freeman of the City of Courtenay.
Isabelle Stubbs was awarded the Order of B.C., joining 11 others, including two from Victoria, who have made outstanding achievements.
The order is the province's highest award.
"I'm in a state of shock," said Stubbs, a retired teacher who was involved with the Winter Carnival, arts council, Citizenship Court, Red Cross and Friendly Visitors Service. "I'm absolutely breathless."
Twenty years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
The school district prepared two separate payrolls for teachers before facing the B.C. Supreme Court. One set of pay slips included a seven-per-cent pay hike and the others were based on the previous contract.
A rollback had been ordered by the Compensation Fairness Commissioner.
Several mainland boards and teachers' unions were already in court on the issue. They were questioning the order to pay the old rates rather than the legality of Bill 82, against which teachers had protested by leaving their classrooms one hour early during the provincewide Day of Concern for Education.
Twenty five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:
A proposed development of a B.C. Indian salmon fishery had sport fishermen and guides distressed about the effects on fish stocks.
The proposal was part of a report jointly prepared by the Department of fisheries and Oceans and Indian Affairs.
"The implications are horrendous," said Bill Ross, president of the 280-member strong Pacific Charter Sport Fishing Association and the Comox Valley Fishing Guides Association.
Local First Nation bands were not consulted and had mixed reactions to the proposal. The United Native Nations considered it a step to give native people control of the upland river systems, but Ross said anglers were concerned First Nations would have too much control of the salmon fishery in major spawning rivers.