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ON THE STREET: May sees dip in building permits

Greater Victoria building permits dropped by 19 per cent in May compared with May 2014, Statistics Canada said Wednesday in its monthly report on building intentions. Builders took out $50.

Greater Victoria building permits dropped by 19 per cent in May compared with May 2014, Statistics Canada said Wednesday in its monthly report on building intentions.

Builders took out $50.1 million in permits in May, down from $62 million the same month last year. Permit values were down by 34 per cent between April, at $76.2 million, and May, the federal agency said.

New leader for Asian realtors

Victoria real estate agent Tony Joe is the new president of the Asian Real Estate Association’s Vancouver chapter. Joe was president of the Victoria Real Estate Board in 2008.

Promotion at Ocean Centre

Mark Loria starts July 15 as the new executive director of the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney. Loria has been the Centre’s development director since April. Previous roles include vice-president of development at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, and development roles with the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

New rep for forest machines

Madill has a new representative for its forestry equipment in northern Alberta. The line of forestry equipment, manufactured by Nicholson Manufacturing on the Saanich Peninsula, is now represented by Madill Parts and Service in Clairmont, Alta., near Grande Prairie.

“There are plenty of older Madill machines still working in this area and customers will be very excited to have local access to new Madill equipment and [original equipment manufacturer] parts,” said Matt Swenson, Madill president.

Directors at Beacon Services

Beacon Community Services board of directors has three new volunteer members. Jim Brookes, of Oak Bay, is executive director of Neurodevnet, a national research network dealing with children’s brain disorders. Researcher Dr. Howard Brunt, of North Saanich, has worked with multi--disciplinary teams drawn from medicine, genetics, nutritional science and nursing. Currently a professor of public health at UVic, Brunt previously served as UVic’s vice-president of research. Penny Donaldson recently retired as director of resident services for the Kiwanis Pavilion, a complex care facility and home for people with dementia in Victoria.

The organization awarded $1,500 Beacon Community Services scholarships for community service and volunteer work to Dhanisi Modi of Mount Douglas Secondary School, Maryna Ell of Edward Milne of Community School, Kelly Dinh of Parkland Secondary School, and Noal Balint of Gulf Islands Secondary. Also, a Beacon Community Services $500 Donna Godwin Humanitarian Award went to Parkland student Jacqueline Gaby.