Five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

What's the best option for the future of North Island hospital services? Will acute-care hospital beds remain open at St. Joseph's and Campbell River hospitals?

They were questions to consider at town hall meeting hosted by Citizens for Quality Health Care.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority was considering building a regional hospital "in a neutral location" between Campbell River and the Valley, despite a public consultation process that supported hospital upgrades instead.

Ten years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

A total of 110 health science professionals at St. Joseph's withdrew services to essential levels to pressure the employer for a wage hike. The walkout was part of an Island-wide protest affecting 2,200 paramedical employees.

"We need to make them (employer and public) aware that we are professionals who make a difference," said Hilary MacInnis, union spokesperson for the Health Sciences Association.

The union was bargaining for a 27 per cent wage boost over two years to recruit and retain health science professionals.

Fifteen years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

After conquering the Comox Valley, the Arbutus Hotel Banzai were ready to do battle in Bellingham. Banzai, winners of their second straight Snow to Surf, were preparing to compete in the Ski to Sea multi-event below the 49th parallel.

Already an assortment of elite athletes, Banzai added world-class marathoner Steven Royer of Courtenay to their lineup. They were to face more than 230 teams. Banzai was hoping for a top-five finish. Grand prize was a trip to Hawaii.

Twenty years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

A bid for a ski lodge at Forbidden Plateau got a chilly reception from the regional district.

"I don't feel it would be feasible for us to go to public hearing at this time," Area C director Harold Macy said. "We're dealing with a house of cards here. One fellow who owns the property wants to sell it to someone else who wants it rezoned before it's sold and...hasn't figured out what he wants to do with it yet."

Property owner Ernst Jensen asked the board for commercial zoning to allow a lodge capable of handling 60 people. The land was zoned residential. Various ministries expressed concerns with the request.

Comox director Bill Vincent opposed the delay.

"Mr. Jensen said he had a lodge but it burned down. Then a different zoning was imposed which he said he was not aware of."

Twenty five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

Provincial Liberals thought they could get their foot in the election door with the resignation of Premier Bill Bennett.

A mood of optimism pervaded a Liberal Party constituency meeting in Courtenay that drew more than 20 people.

The Liberals had an opportunity to take advantage of the Socred leadership upheaval, party president Dove Hendren said.

"We have a tremendous opportunity. It's ours for the losing," Hendren said, noting the lack of a policy platform was their biggest concern.

The federal leadership race two years previous was painful for the party, she said. Membership in the province hit 10,000 at that time but diminished to 2,000. Now it is up to 5,000. Target for the next election is 15,000 members.