FRIDAY MAR 21, 2014 VOL. 41, NO. 11
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Mapping Gardner
Bowen bubbly
Spring at last
Rotarians work on plans to improve people’s experience on the mountain
The wonderful world of water kefir
Local happenings as the days grow longer
Protestors air ferry grievances with MLA
Protest at the Horsehoe Bay ferry terminal draws diverse crowd of Bowen Islanders MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
The Bowen Island Black Sheep and Black Lambs headed to the 10th Annual Celtic Fest in Vancouver on Sunday. The young lambs proved to be a crowd-favourite, and the whole troupe had a blast. Meribeth Deen, photo credit
Municipal Council, minus two MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Councillors Wolfgang Duntz and Daron Jennings handed in letters of resignation to the Municipality on Friday, March 14th. The remaining members of council passed resolutions stating both the acceptance of those resignations and the decision not to hold by-elections in order to fill their spots on council. A third resolution appointed Councillor Alison Morse as Duntz’s replacement as the Municipal Trustee to the Islands Trust. The Municipality’s Chief Adminitrative Officer, Kathy Lalonde told council that according to the Community Charter, no by-election would be necessary to fill the now-empty council seats. “Comments have been made about the new size of Council,” said Lalonde. “I would like to point out that most communities of our size only have five members of council, four council members and a mayor and that’s
for any town or village within BC, a good example is Pemberton. We’re an exception to that size rule, I can’t really speak to why, but I do want to offer that.” Lalonde also told council that a by-election would require three months of preparation and cost between ten and fifteen thousand dollars. “It would probably cost closer to 15 thousand dollars, as we would need to hire an outside contractor to act as a Chief Election Officer. I would not have the time or capability to do it and prepare for a general election at the same time.” Council voted unanimously in favour of all three resolutions. In their letters of resignation, both Duntz and Jennings stated that the rezoning of public lands “may expose me to perceived or actual conflicts of interest.” continued, PAGE 2
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Seniors, families, business-people, environmentalists and municipal counselors brought signs and umbrellas to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal on Saturday to protest cuts to ferry services and increasing fares. A majority travelled as foot passengers on the 11:30am ferry from Snug Cove and returned on the 2:35 ferry. Protestors stood outside the terminal, in the rain, for most of this time. Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy came to the protest and heard the concerns of some protestors. “I told Mr. Sturdy, I know I don’t have all the facts, but I just don’t think BC Ferries is a very well-run coroporation,” says protestor Philip Evans. “This is our second go-around with BC Ferries making cuts and raising prices, and they’re running on what seems to me to be a flawed business-model. When you raise the rates you lose business, isn’t there a more creative solution than that?” Evans says he has secured parking in Horseshoe Bay so that he no longer has to drive on the ferry, and that his wife drives onto the ferry once a week or less. “My kids are grown and gone so I don’t need to take the ferry as much as I used to, but really, it’s just on principle at this point that I don’t drive over,” says Evans. “Mr. Sturdy mentioned the situation in Washington State, where they have far fewer managers and employees and the rates are much lower, and he said the regulatory situation is different. That may be, but I would like an independent auditor to have a look at the whole situation closely and offer an opinion.” Evans says he appreciated the chance to air his grievances with Mr. Sturdy, although he didn’t have much to offer in terms of a response. Jillian Darling told Jordan Sturdy that she is concerned about the hollowing-out of Bowen Island’s community, as a result of the increasing lack of affordability of the ferry service. continued, PAGE 2
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Resignations Ferry protest in Horseshoe Bay from PAGE 1
from PAGE 1
Both Duntz and Jennings appeared in the audience for the Municipal budget meeting that followed the Special Meeting to formalize their resignations. “We’ve put a lot of work into this budget,” said Jennings. “Not seeing it through is bittersweet.” “The next few months will be interesting,” said Duntz. “Now that we are out of council we will insist that they deal with rezoning applications which we are bringing forward. Let’s see how the public reacts to that. I can’t see that the public will oppose those suggestions… We may be off council, but I will not get out of politics. I will get deeper in and challenge those people that tried to malign us.”
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“I know four people, all seniors, who’ve moved off-Island since January. They all sight financial concerns and the ferry specifically as reasons for leaving,” says Darling. “Many people think that the seniors living on Bowen are rich, and that may be true for certain enclaves but a lot of us are just getting by. Us seniors are the ones on all the committees and doing all the volunteer work because the younger people who are raising families are breaking their backs just trying to get by.” Darling says that when she moved to Bowen, in 1993, it cost $11.75 to drive onto the ferry. “People say you’ve chosen this but, people choose to live in Langley and Surrey as well, and those people only have to pay $3 to drive over a bridge with a price tag on it of more than $2 billion, and those people are driving through New West to avoid it. Our tax dollars are paying for that bridge, and we’re also paying David Hahn’s pension. That’s more than $300 thousand per year, after having paid his salary of $1.3 million per year. The government isn’t addressing these issues. When I spoke with him, Jordan Sturdy didn’t really offer any answers, he just listened, and he talked about how replacing the second story of the Horseshoe Bay Terminal is going to cost 2 million, but to save on that cost they might cut the ferry to Nanaimo.” Darling says that from a personal standpoint, living on Bowen is becoming increasingly challenging, but she is committed to this community. “I grew up on a Gabriola Island, cities are unlivable to me,” says Darling. “But there are certainly things I like to do in Vancouver that I don’t do anymore. Having been seriously ill,
though, having access to the hospital and cancer centre are not things I can opt out of.” Melanie Surtees-Mason says she didn’t have a long chat with MLA Sturdy, but she did express her perspective as a newcomer to Bowen and as the mother of young children. “Of course when we moved here six months ago we considered the cost of the ferry, and that had to balance out with the rent we’re paying which is cheaper than in the city. Now though, we are facing a rate hike of 7.5 percent, and if we had known that was coming, I’m not sure we would have moved here. We would like to commit to Bowen, and we would like to buy a house but not knowing what else is likely to come down the line in terms of fare hikes and service cuts, I’m not sure we can do that.” Surtees-Mason said that Sturdy spoke at length about the Sea to Sky Gondola, and the possibility of having it extend to Snug Cove. “I’m not sure how a gondola would help my kids get to soccer practice,” says Surtees-Mason. “When I told Jordan Sturdy that we are extremely creative in the ways we avoid using the ferries, I think that was the first time I saw him stop acting like a spokesperson for the Liberal government and consider ways of better representing his constituents.” Protest organizer Maureen Nicholson says the group Bowen Island for Ferry Fairness is considering its next steps, and eagerly awaiting any news that might come from a potential meeting between Mayor Jack Adelaar and Transportation Minister Todd Stone. The group is also urging people to sign an online petition that was recently launched by the BC Ferry Coalition.
B O W E N I S L A N D M U N I C I PA L I T Y
BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY PARCEL TAX REVIEW PANEL HEARING 2014 Please be advised that the Parcel Tax Review Panel is scheduled to sit on:
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THURSDAY, MARCH 27 AT 2:00PM LOCATION: COUNCIL CHAMBERS 981 ARTISAN LANE BOWEN ISLAND, BC The Parcel Tax Review Panel is a statutory municipal body that sits once a year to hear complaints from taxpayers regarding the validity of the parcel tax roll. Per Section 205 of the Community Charter, a person may make a complaint to the parcel tax review panel on one or more of the following grounds: a) there is an error or omission respecting a name or address on the parcel tax roll; b) there is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel; c) there is an error or omission respecting the taxable area or the taxable frontage of a parcel; d) an exemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed. Persons wishing to be heard are required to submit notice in writing at least 48 hours before the scheduled sitting of the panel. If no such written notice is received, the panel will not meet. Written submissions should be directed to: Kristen Watson Manager of Finance Bowen Island Municipality 604-947-4255
Residential Mortgage Specialists Serving Bowen Island since 2001 B O W E N I S L A N D M U N I C I PA L I T Y
BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY 2014 – 2018 FINANCIAL PLAN BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING Please be advised that there is a special Council meeting scheduled to review the proposed
2014 – 2018 Five Year Financial Plan on:
Monday, March 17, 2014 at 6:15 pm Location: Council Chambers 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC This meeting will provide an overview of the 2014‐2018 Five Year Financial Plan and will allow members of the public to make comments or ask questions. For more information please contact: Kristen Watson, Manager of Finance Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 FAX: 604‐947‐0193 e‐mail: kwatson@bimbc.ca
Congratulations to Bowen Island architect James Tuer, proud recipient of the 2014 Wood Design B O W E N I S L A N D M U N I C I PA L I T Y Award for Interior Beauty for the home of Michael and Jennifer On March 10, 2014, Bowen Island Municipal Council gave first reading Henrichsen, to “Bowen Island Municipal Council Procedure Bylaw No. 355, otherwise known as 2014”. “the Forest House,” on Bowen Island. The purpose of this bylaw is to amend Bowen Island Municipal “It takes great Procedure Bylaw to reflect that Council shall establish by resolution clients to make in December of each year, the annual schedule of dates and times of great buildings,” Council meetings for the subsequent year. said Tuer, upon receipt of the Per the Community Charter Council must not amend, repeal or replace award. its Procedure bylaw without first giving public notice. A copy of the Tuer has completed “Bowen Island Municipal Council Procedure Bylaw No. 111, 2004 more than a dozen Amendment Bylaw No. 355, 2014” is available at Municipal Hall or projects on Bowen since starting on the municipal website at www.bimbc.ca his firm, JWT Please direct any comments regarding this proposed bylaw in writing Architecture and via mail, e-mail or fax by Monday, March 24, 2014 by 1:00 p.m. to: Planning in 2005. Current Bowen Casey Grundy, Legislative Clerk Island projects Bowen Island Municipality include the Abbott’s 981 Artisan Lane residence for Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 the International Buddhist Society FAX: 604-947-0193 and the expansion e-mail: cgrundy@bimbc.ca of Village Square.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 604-947-4255
PUBLIC NOTICE — PROCEDURE BYLAW
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FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014 • 3
Bowen Rotary maps Mount Gardner Rotarians want to enable community action to maintain trails
Rotarians Robert Ballantyne, Nancy Joyce and Denis Meribeth Deen, photo.
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
When Bowen Island’s Rotary Club asked for ideas on making Bowen a better place, the suggestion made by a BICS student named Sophie Walters struck a chord: The Outside45 class went on a hike on Mount Gardner it was a wonderful hike but so many times we got LOST. When there was a lookout point there were 3-5 different trails to go on and some times there were even some trails that lead you all the way to the bottom of the hike! My idea is to improve the signage and improve trails. The idea, says Rotarian Eva Churcher, was appealing for its broad impact, but its importance was also highlighted by an RCMP report about a 12 year old girl getting lost on the mountain. Rotarian Robert Ballantyne, an avid hiker and back-country skier, took it upon himself to figure out the best way to follow through on Sophie’s suggestion. In researching the problem, Ballantyne discovered that the maps of Gardner available through popular hiking guidebooks and websites were both inaccurate and inadequate. He also found that the experience of hiking Gardner was proving to be a frustrating one for visitors to Bowen. “A man and his girlfriend filmed their entire journey from Vancouver up to the top of Mount Gardner and
“We need to define the trails that people should be hiking, and to make sure that those are very well marked. When you are hiking on an official trail, you should be able to see a little red diamond behind you and one ahead of you at any point, so that you know you haven’t veered off onto a deer trail or an old road that’s going nowhere.� Another issue facing the trails on Mount Gardner is windfall caused by winter storms. While North Shore Hikers has, in the past, sent teams out to perform maintenance and light trail clearing over the years, the work has not necessarily been as consistent or as thorough as is required at times. Islander Chuck Venhuizen says that he encountered so much debris on the trails one particular hike last spring that it took him twice as long as usual to reach Gardner’s summit. This experience motivated Venhuizen to find a method to solve the problem, and his research led him to Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC). One of the forestry officers with RSTBC arranged for a crew of five forest fire fighters to come to Bowen last June to clear the large debris from Gardner’s trails. Venhuizen and Ballantyne acted as their guides for two days. Venhuizen says that his experience hiking elsewhere has led him to believe that Bowen can do a much better job on the upkeep of trails on Mount Gardner. “We can upgrade them so they would be enjoyed by a far greater number of people,� says Venhuizen. “I’ve been to places, like Widby Island in Washington State, that have first class trail systems and it would be entirely possible to take the best practices implemented by such systems and Lynn stand around one of Mount Gardner’s existing signs. put them in place here.� In June,Venhuizen made a presentation to back onto the ferry again, and put it on Youtube,� says Rotary about a possible first step in such a proBallantyne, noting that the video was instructive to him cess: signing a partnership agreement with RSTBC. in his research. “They get off the ferry feeling enthusiastic Seven months following that initial presentation, and and finding the Cove quaint and beautiful, but they get numerous hikes up the mountain taking detailed notes so frustrated going up the mountain, feeling like they’re and GPS co-ordinates, Ballantyne and the President-elect going in circles and utterly disoriented, that by the end of Bowen Island Rotary, Denis Lynn, pitched the idea to they say they’ll never attempt the hike again. All of us who Council. hike Gardner appreciate the rugged feel, but I think we can Lynn told Council that in signing the agreement, Bowen keep that while offering people a better experience.� Island Municipality would be taking official responsibility Mike Hanafin, a hiking columnist with the Vancouver for the trails, but Rotary would be the Municipality’s deleCourier says frustration is a common sentiment among gated agent in the task and take-on the job of making sure hikers who head to Bowen to venture up Mount Gardner. the trails were taken care of. “People tell me they end up having to backtrack because “Bowen Island Rotary wants to work on engaging people the maps are inaccurate and there are multiple junctions on-island who care about the trails in actively maintaining where the signage isn’t super clear,� he says. “The first time them,� says Ballantyne. “What the Municipality will takeI hiked it I was very confused. The second time I was very on by signing the agreement is a measure of liability.� careful and had closely studied various maps so made it to In return for signing the agreement, RSTBC would work the top no-problem. The third time I tried to create a map to have Gardner’s trails officially recognized under Section so that others wouldn’t get lost, but I’d love to see a really 56 of the Provincial Forestry Act. good, accurate hiking map of Mount Gardner be made available to people. Ballantyne says that signage is not the problem on Mount Gardner’s trails, but rather, the fact that it is very continued, PAGE 12 easy to get off-trail.
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GOVERNMENT’S RECYCLING POLICY REPRESENTS THE BIGGEST THREAT FACING BRITISH COLUMBIA’S NEWSPAPERS PETER KVARNSTROM GLACIER MEDIA
The Write Stuff. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Here’s how. To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com. B.C. Press Council. The Undercurrent is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
British Columbians have every right to be proud of our world-leading recycling program, built right here in this province. The achievement of the mighty Blue Box is the product of an efficient partnership between municipal governments, the private sector, and the people of British Columbia. It gets the job done and, at an average cost of $35 per household each year, it gets the job done at a good price. So, if the system for recycling waste packaging is working so well, why is the province so keen to “fix it” and hand it over to the very multi-national corporations who shipped us all that packaging in the first place? Sounds remarkable, but that is exactly what the provincial government is doing. On May 19th, the government’s new multi-material recycling regulation will formally end the days of local decision-making over our Blue Box programs and hand it to some of the largest producers of plastic and paper packaging the world has ever known. Critical decisions about the province’s recycling program will no longer be made by elected representatives who live in the communities those programs serve, but instead by a group made up almost entirely of Toronto-based executives of multi-national companies who will decide who will pay how much for the privilege of collecting and processing your recyclables. What is going on here? The consequence will be a dramatic increase in costs for British Columbia’s businesses, particular-
ly the province’s newspapers. In fact, we estimate that the newspaper industry is threatened with a bill that could come to $14 million. That is a dramatic increase when you consider that newspapers aren’t required to pay product stewardship fees today, directly. Newspapers, like all businesses, pay for these services the same way all British Columbians do: through their property taxes. That doesn’t mean newspapers haven’t been participating in recycling and the environment, far from it. In fact, newspapers are the original recycled product and publishers have taken steps, such as moving to vegetable-based inks, to minimize the environmental impact of our product. Diversion rates for newsprint are a remarkable 85%, already well above the government’s own target. The government’s new recycling regulation wouldn’t do a thing to improve newspapers’ already impressive recycling record. What it will do, however, is dump a massive new cost onto the back of a fragile industry still challenged to stay standing. While our readership is stronger than ever, British Columbia’s newspapers are struggling financially. Having Victoria force a $14M tax on newspapers in the current environment looks an awful lot like someone throwing an anchor to a drowning person. Sadly, every single newspaper, from large regional dailies to the smallest community weekly, in every part of the province, will be impacted. Indeed, there is no greater threat to the vibrancy of British Columbia’s newspaper industry today than the government’s new recycling policy. Think about that for a minute while enjoying your next read. It is your
Ming is turning 84!
What just happened? Dear Editor, This Monday’s special Council Meeting dealt with the aftermath of the resignations of Wolfgang Duntz and Daron Jennings received on Friday March 14. In their resignation letters Mr. Duntz and Mr. Jennings quoted potential conflict of interest scenarios in relation to rezoning and future developments of lands owned by them or the Bowen Island Municipality now or in the future. Three aspects to this development are worth of further investigation: 1. What took Mr. Duntz and Mr. Jennings so long to realize this potential conflict of interest in their role as elected Council members? 2. Why now? 3. Where does this leave the electorate, especially those voters who put their trust and faith in Mr. Duntz and Mr. Jennings when they voted for them in 2011? As evidenced in the archived minutes of meetings in the period from 2012 – 2013 Mr. Duntz recused himself an astonishing 26 times from voting in Council Meetings because of a conflict of interest. Mr. Jennings follows as a close second with 24 declarations. In the same period Stone steps out 9 times, Cro Lucas 5 times, and Morse and Rhodes declare only 2 and 1 conflict of interest respectively. The Conflict of Interest Act is rather specific in its explanation of what constitutes a conflict and that it is not enough to simply abstain from voting. A conflict of interest also precludes the participa-
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daily newspaper, your community weekly, that is at risk here. But the new recycling regime will not only cause a wave of damage and job losses across newsrooms everywhere, it will also have an impact on many other businesses, as well as thousands of municipal jobs that that will be put at risk with the loss of local decision making for our recycling programs. And, don’t believe for a minute that this will somehow help BC families. The reality is that these costs will be passed on to consumers, who will now pay for the cost of recycling every time they have a box of pizza delivered, pick up a carton of milk, or buy a roll of toilet paper. The government still hasn’t said what was so wrong with the current Blue Box program that they could only fix it by hurting local businesses and costing hard-working people their jobs. Yet, in spite of having no clear rationale, the province seems intent on gambling away the success of the Blue Box with an experiment in something they like to call “extended producer responsibility.” The ironic truth, of course, is that the government’s new hands-off approach actually represents an abdication of responsibility, not its extension. As a result, decisions about nearly every aspect of our recycling system will be handed over to a small group of big businesses based thousands of kilometres east of the Rockies. British Columbia’s environment minister may think that’s just fine, but I suspect the people of British Columbia might have a different opinion.
tion in any related debate and discussion designed to inform a subsequent vote. At least in one case Mr. Duntz appears to have violated the Act. After “doing a tremendous amount of work” on the dock bylaw Mr. Duntz recused himself only very late in the game from voting on the issue. With Mr. Duntz’s and Mr. Jennings’ resignation 30% of the elected Council have disappeared. Jointly they signified a substantial number of voters that are now left without representation. Combined with the quoted conflict of interest scenarios this development constitutes nothing less than a political landslide of massive proportions. The few public participants at Monday’s Special Council meeting were treated to a well scripted but poorly rehearsed show. While the CAO had prepared well-structured recommendations of how to deal with this crisis the Councilors appeared overeager to get quickly through the required resolutions. As a voter and citizen I cannot help but feel betrayed by the way this scenario has been handled by Council and I am especially outraged regarding the precluded resolution not to hold by-elections to replace the 2 vacated seats. I am sure other voters feel the same way and I would like to encourage everyone to make their voices heard. Regarding the conflict of interest scenarios, time will tell. Richard Wiefelspuett
Dear Editor, I wanted to take the occasion of my father’s birthday to report that he is doing well in his new care home in North Vancouver. If you don't know my father, for seven years, he walked everyday along Eaglecliff Road. Thank you everyone for not hitting my dad! It was wonderful to know that people were looking out for my dad and took time to chat with him. People would tell me that he was safe, walking facing traffic but that really only happen fifty percent of the time. My dad told me many people would wave to him as they drove by and even offered to drive him home when it was raining which he always refused because he didn't know them but he didn't realize everyone knew him. All the bus drivers were so wonderful and took time to talk. One day Hal had a bus full of Chinese tourist and stopped to let my dad on the bus. He told my dad to say something to the group but they didn't seem to respond. My dad just said, "Ah different village" and turned and walked off the bus. I would like to thank Susan who was so kind and took my dad for walks, as well as Nadine, Lonnie and Natasha who welcomed my dad into their home. He will always remember the suppers he enjoyed and watching wrestling with his good friend. Thank you to all my friends and Bob who supported me so that my father could be part of this wonderful community. Nancy Lee
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FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014 • 5
An open letter to the Bowen Islanders
Why should we care about a few herons? Dear Editor,
Heron nesting season is now underway, and I wanted to take the occasion to emphasize the importance ensuring that herons are not disturbed during their nesting season. Last year, I encountered an Island resident using a chainsaw to illegally buck logs in Crippen Park, extremely close to the nests behind the Library. To my astonishment, I received a response by someone who was incensed that I would waste my time worrying about birds when there are other, “more important issues to address.” The letter continued, “ … if they don't like the noise and activity that occurs in Snug Cove why the hell would they choose to live there? There are thousands of other equally suitable trees for nesting all over Bowen Island …” It's unfortunate that this person is so out of touch with nature, and has little regard for a species that is protected precisely because of the danger that human encroachment poses for its nesting areas and habits. Since we don’t know
what goes on in a heron’s brain, it’s unreasonable to judge them by our own standards and expect that if they don't like the surrounding environment they will move. It’s very likely that many factors which we would never consider influence their decision to use a particular nest. As is the usual practice, if we simply do what we want with our natural environment then one day our children, or children's children, will look back wistfully and say “There used to be herons nesting in our village; of course, they've all gone now.” See you on April 5th.
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WATER MAIN FLUSHING As part of its regular water system maintenance program, the Municipality will flush water mains in Bowen Bay, Blue Water Park, Cove Bay, Eagle Cliff, Hood Point, King Edward Bay and Tunstall Bay from March 21 – May 3, 2014. This procedure is necessary to remove sediment that gradually deposits in the pipes and will not pose a health hazard. Municipal staff will try to minimize any inconvenience. Flushing will take place 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in most neighbourhoods. Please note: Snug Cove and Cates Hill to Millers Landing areas will be flushed on March 22nd to alleviate water interruption for Bowen Island Community School. Every effort will be made to ensure that water quality is not affected but some turbidity and higher than normal chlorine concentrations may be present for short periods of time. Running your tap briefly should clear this up. In addition, temporary pressure fluctuations may occur. For more information call Bob Robinson, Public Works Superintendent at 604-947-4255. Reminder It is recommended that water users with compromised immune systems ensure that their drinking water is boiled, filtered or distilled. Public Works
Drop off located at The United Church
I must say that I was extremely sorry to hear that Councillors Duntz and Jennings had resigned last Friday. I also want to say that I do understand the underlying reasons for these resignations. In both instances there are dual reasons for the resignations – business reasons and of equal importance, family reasons. Let me first say a few words about Councillor Duntz. He has been, and continues to be, a community builder. He has been a staunch backer of all things which propel our whole community forward. In fact that is the reason he ran for Council in the first place. He has given much to this community before he was elected and has continued in Council to insist that the decisions and actions by Council stand up to fairness, honesty and transparency. I feel that as a Council we have moved forward on so many of our promises and as Councillor Duntz has advocated this Council, he has sought to restore civic pride in our community and to respect the various disparate voices on Island. I applaud Councillor Duntz and thank him on behalf of all Islanders for his participation in the democratic process. I am truly sorry to lose Daron Jennings as a Councillor. I have felt even these past two plus years that the future of Bowen Island lies in the hearts and minds of people such as Daron. He is organized, smart and from the start understood that the role of the Council was to move forward on a realistic path to Island wide sustainability. I understand of course that Daron is heavily involved as a builder on the island and his need to provide for his young family now and in the future, but I do hope that he will come back to Council at some time when the business pressures lessen and he can once again assist in community improvement and a realistic future for our Island. Daron I applaud you and wish you the very best in the future. Please continue to be interested in the Issues on Bowen Island that will move us forward, we welcome your thoughts and ideas.
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6 • FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014
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Clinging to the rock
CREATING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN 2014 works by controlling spending and putting Canada on the road to balanced budgets in 2015. Balancing the budget protects our economy and keeps it strong. Economic Action Plan 2014* includes proposed investments in things that matter to Canadians like: • Enhanced broadband internet service for rural and Northern Canadians • A new Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit • The New Horizons for Seniors Program • New measures to support apprentices in the trades • Improved and expanded snowmobile and recreational trails across the country • Over $90 million to help the forestry industry grow and innovate *Subject to Parliamentary approval
Find out more about how Economic Action Plan 2014 can help you at ActionPlan.gc.ca
CARING CIRCLE SUBMISSION
“Even as a kid I had this feeling that something was not quite right, but I never really knew what it was. I remember I had lots of tummy aches; I was sort of twitchy during the day and made my mother crazy at night with my nightmares. It feels like a low hum inside my head that never stops, then sometimes the hum gets louder and louder and I can’t think straight or do much of anything. I know I worry a lot: my head is filled with an unending stream of “what if?” God knows there are plenty of things to worry about: mortgage payments, college tuition, falling house prices to name a few. It’s frustrating, because as soon as I get rid of one worry another seems to crop up right away - I’m exhausting myself putting out brush fires all day. But a lot of the time I’m not thinking about those worries specifically: I just feel scared, like I’m sure something terrible is about to happen. And my chest feels tight and it gets hard to breathe... it passes after a while, thankfully, but then I feel completely wiped out. My wife tells me to stop worrying. That’s a laugh: it’s like telling me to stop breathing. But I’m so tired! I don’t know how much longer I can go on this way. I’d give anything to make that noise in my head go away. Even just for a minute or two.” On April 2, Caring Circle will be hosting “Clinging to the Rock,” an evening of information and discussion about depression and anxiety. Most of us know a bit about these issues, because we’ve felt depressed or anxious, or both, ourselves, or we know somebody going who has. But even though a lot of the stigma associated with emotional difficulties has disappeared, it’s still hard for many of us to talk openly about what’s happening, or to reach out for help. It can be really overwhelming to figure out how to find help, the system can be very confusing and
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not particularly friendly. As islanders, we all know how isolation and ferry schedules add to these challenges, making what’s already difficult seem almost insurmountable. What can be done? The evening was planned with two purposes in mind. First, to offer the community basic information on depression and anxiety, including symptoms, treatment options and local resources. Second, to ask the community for their input and ideas on how to best support Bowen Islanders struggling with these issues. For example, would Bowenites be interested in learning coping skills? Or coming to a support group? To that end, a survey has been developed, available on the evening itself or through Caring Circle thereafter. Or, you can fill it out online at: http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/maureen-mackey/copy-maureen-volunteer-caring-circle/ This information will be essential, as it will be used to create programs slated to begin in the spring. You can also access the survey by swiping the QR Code below:
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FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014 • 7
Local nutritionist reveals secrets of Kefir
Lisa-Marie Battacharya holds up a jar of Keffir grains to make water Keffir. Meribeth Deen, photo
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Registered holistic nutritionist Lisa-Marie Battacharya was not always a healthy eater. “Growing up my mother restricted sugar, so as I got older I rebelled and became a candy and junkfood addict,” says Battacharya. “By the time I was 25, I was suffering
from digestive problems, fatigue, and arthritic conditions. When I went travelling, I realized I wanted to turn my life around and be healthy. Upon my return I entered full-bore into a nutrition course.” Battacharya said with all the stress, she only got sicker, but a few key pieces of advice helped her recover. “I learned that fermented foods are easier to digest, and also fill-in nutritional gaps that exist in a regular diet,” says Battacharya. “These foods are extremely under-represented in the North American diet.” Battacharya says her journey with fermented foods started out with Saurkraut and Miso, she also dabbled in Gingerbeer and Kombucha. Two years ago, she discovered water and fruit-based Kefir. “This drink is so simple to make,” she says, “It’s also very light, and kids love it.” The mystery surrounding Keffir surrounds the origin of the grains used to make it. The drink is best known in its dairy form, and is a common traditional staple in Northern and Eastern Europe. In her Kefir workshops, Battacharya teaches people how to make Keffir and also how to take care of their “babies”
(the grains). Battacharya will be announcing a host of other workshops for this spring, including one on fermenting vegetables. You can follow her on Facebook at Lisa-Marie’s Nutrition, and contact her at lisamarienutrition@gmail. com.
Bowen Island! Scott & Sheana are thrilled to introduce you to your newest neighbour. Meet Livea Elizabeth Stevenson, born 7 lbs 1 oz on March 12.
Nutritious and delicious berry kefir. Meribeth Deen, photo
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Everyone is hhappy, hhealthy lh andd glad l d to be backk on B Bowen!
We’re Did you know Glen Taylor? If you did come join in the celebration of his life at the Legion between 2-6 on Sat. March 22
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8 • FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014
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The empowering experience of a fresh perspective MARY LETSON
BOWEN ISLAND GARDEN CLUB
SUBMISSION
SUBMISSION
Nutritionist Lisa Marie Bhattacharya arrived at my house last week to build me a nutritional plan, a new approach to this unfamiliar body. My resent crash course in menopause has left me reeling with the lash back of low estrogen: sleep disturbances, dry skin, malfunctioning body temperatures. I’m hot. I’m cold. I’m hot again. For the last 50 odd years I have skipped along blithely managing my health successfully with nutrition, exercise, and rest. I’m a fitness professional, it’s always been easy for me. But what has always worked before is no longer working. It’s like I’m in a foreign country in an unfamiliar car. There are medications to help with low estrogen, but they come with their own host of unsavoury side effects. I want to solve this with what I eat. Enter Lisa Marie. I was nervous Lisa Marie would ask for the impossible, the inconceivable. Like giving up coffee. Or ditching my one beer with dinner. I prepared myself for the nutritional trenches of self-deprivation. Thankfully a gentle, gradual approach was proffered but she surprised me with other recommendations I hadn’t thought about. It felt like having an architect come and look at my house with renovation ideas that hadn’t occurred to me; a fresh, trained set of eyes to see things I couldn’t. It was empowering. Enlightening. Encouraging. There’s hope for this estrogen deprived vessel after all! Shopping list printed, I shifted gears, switched up menus and will stay the course for her recommended 6 – 8 weeks. Then we will see if this foreign country called self feels more like home, albeit a different home. Have I given up coffee? Don’t be silly. But it’s less and I take it black now. Let the renovation begin.
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Dr. Dana Barton
Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square
HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D. Open Mon. Wed. Thurs. Fri.
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Call for an appointment Artisan Square
Natural Family Medicine
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Chiropractor
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Diana Romer MEd, RCC
Dr. Gloria Chao
595B Artisan Lane Tuesdays Call for an appointment
(778) 828-5681
COUNSELLING THERAPIST Bowen and West Van offices
604.290.6407 Deromer@shaw.ca www.clearhorizon.ca
BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755 CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist u
MARY MCDONAGH Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C.
Daffodils and open-garden prove spring has sprung
Family Dentist Artisan Square • 604-947-0734 Alternate Fridays 10am-4:30pm Horseshoe Bay • 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com
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The first Open Garden of the year will be hosted by John and Katherine Lawrence at 105 Baker Road on Sunday, March 23rd from 1.00pm until 3.00pm. Visitors should park on Old Eagle Cliff and walk down to the property via Baker Road. Non-members are welcome. Memberships can be bought on-site. The property is located on the East coast of Bowen with views to the North, East and South. Nestled on a 100 ft cliff the house and gardens are exposed to buffeting by winds from the SE and by the cold Squamish winter winds from the North. The garden extends over two building lots. The development of the garden on the more northerly lot was started in November of 2003. The bigger, more southerly lot, was landscaped in November 2009, after the demolition of a large 10000 ft structure brought to the Island from Expo. The garden you will see on this lot was landscaped over a three-month period in the fall
Bog, Beach, Bluff! BOWEN ISLAND NATURE CLUB SUBMISSION
On March 25, 26 and 27th, between 2 and 4pm, the Bowen Nature Club’s (F)unschool will be running a Spring Break mini-series for people of all ages. We’ll explore three different Bowen areas. First we’ll hike into Fairy Fen, where we’ll see evidence of early logging on Bowen, see the slow transformation of a small lake into rainforest (bouncy bog forest floor!), and find some of the deepest mud around in the bog and fen. On day two, we’ll head for the beach to look at the way our island is shaped by the earth‘s and sea’s movement, and by the plants and animals that live here. And finally we’ll hike up a bluff, starting in the forest down below and emerging to look out and see our island from above! Children must be accompanied by an adult and, as this is a cumulative exploration, it is best to do all three days of the series. This outing is suitable for all ages but will require an average amount of physical fitness as we’ll be walking up and down hills. Strollers will not fit on the trails. Plan to carry or walk slowly with small children. For further details, please contact Emily van Lidth de Jeude at bowennatureclub@gmail.com.
Winter’s over, so get your winter-clothing donations in to the Nook before April 1 KNICK KNACK NOOK SUBMISSION
April 1st isn’t just April Fools Day. At the Nook we begin to accept donations of Spring and Summer clothes. If you have winter clothes to donate please get them in before the end of this month. Until the end of March all winter clothes will be offered at half price. Sadly this Changeover is forced upon us by the lack of long-term storage making it impossible to store both winter and summer goods simultaneously. On a different note please remember that the Silent Auction is an on-going project highlighting some of our more exciting gifts. For example the beautifully crafted wooden kaleidoscope is a treasure. Be sure to take a look to see what is on offer when you next drop by! This month the proceeds of the Auction will go towards the Food Bank.
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of 2009. The first plantings went into the ground in November 2009. At this time of the year, early spring, the garden is full of flowering bulbs. We have planted well over 6000 assorted daffodil varieties and more recently hundreds of snowdrops, hyacinth, crocus, bluebells, chionodoxa and miscanthus. On still windless days the scent of Daphne and Hyacinth fill the air. Most of the property, with one small exception on the East side, is unfenced. Given that our Island is over-run with deer most of our plantings are ‘deer resistant,’ a term which defies definition as what is poison on one side of the Island is lettuce on the other! Given that water is a scarce resource during the summer months, we have recently upgraded our storage capacity to 10,000 gallons and have plans to add more. A year ago we added a second irrigation system for the fenced garden on the Eastside. The long -term weather forecast for Sunday promises 8 or 9 hours of sunshine. Come out and enjoy a warm Spring day with friends and family.
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FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014 • 9
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY DARON JENNINGS AND WOLFGANG DUNTZ After much thought and with much trepidation, we resigned
Reason #2. On a personal level, the last six years in our con-
from our current positions as elected Councillors for Bowen Is-
struction and development business have been “challenging” (to
land Municipality effective March 14, 2014.
say the least), not much different than for the general real estate market on the island. It has become obvious that this is not the
Background to Our Decision
result of a temporary recession, but a fundamental shift in demo-
In 2011 we ran for public office because we wanted to be part
graphics which affects everything from affordability of housing to
of a Council that would:
local economy, local employment, and the island’s social fabric.
r Provide good governance by keeping expenditures and finances under control; r Attract, retain, motivate, and support high quality Municipal staff;
All of that will require an equal fundamental rethinking and adjustment to the realities of the next 10 to 30 years. In that context, soon we plan to submit two rezoning applications to the Municipality which have been in the works for a long time and which, we
r Listen to, and respect, citizens’ opinions, and otherwise stay out of their lives;
hope, will provide a good idea as to whether the public shares our hopes and expectations for Bowen’s future.
r Especially high on our personal agendas was to set a process in motion to revitalize Snug Cove — not only to provide ur-
Our Expression of Thanks and Appreciation
gently needed facilities for young and old, but also to put
In closing, we want to state that we believe that the time and
the world on notice that there is a brighter future on the
energy we spent on Municipal Council were productive, and we
horizon for Bowen Island.
want to express great thanks and sincere appreciation to:
Those goals have been largely realized, and Council has now
1. All Bowen Islanders who put your trust in us by giving us
arrived at a point in its strategic plan where we believe that we will
your vote in November 2011. We hope you will understand
be of higher value and better service to Bowen Island by remov-
that our resignations before the end of our term were mo-
ing ourselves from Council instead of serving out our term (which
tivated by respect for transparency and process. Our active
would terminate in November 2014).
involvement in local politics has not stopped — only moved onto a different level.
Reasons for Our Decision
2. Mayor and Council for much mutual give-and-take of time,
Reason #1. We have been advised that upcoming rezonings for
energy, and wisdom. We have appreciated your willingness
the community lands in Snug Cove would expose us to the risk
to listen and to provide sound advice and input and to share
of perceived or actual conflicts of interest if we would take part
with us your combined love for and loyalty to Bowen Island.
in any future development or construction on lands that were re-
On many occasions it was uplifting and formative to be part
zoned while we were on Council. Even if our involvement would
of a team that is not shy of expressing opinions frankly and
be “pro bono” (as was our stated intent to ensure that costs stay
forcefully, but at the same time is respectful of the dignity
within what taxpayers can afford and are willing to pay), we would
and expectations of Bowen Islanders at large.
still be exposed to the same risk. Is there a solution? Yes — by re-
3. All Municipal staff and consultants who have given us much
signing from Council before rezoning hearings for the community
joy and satisfaction in witnessing your amazing growth in
lands take place. That is what we have done — and as a result we
confidence, spirit, and professional performance over the
will now be able to help and provide value in our role as local de-
last 2+ years. You have given Bowen Islanders very good
velopers and community builders as intended. Further, much of
reason to be proud of the current team working for them at
what is required for rezoning of the community lands has already
the “Muni.”
been done by Council, and the remaining land use decisions are
4. All of the passionate and dedicated volunteers who sup-
better left to a Council unfettered by perceived or real conflicts
ported us on Municipal committees. The value of your con-
of interest.
tributions cannot be quantified.
www.daronjennings.ca
www.wolfgangduntz.ca
12 • FRIDAY MARCH 21 2014
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Rate hikes, service changes, bring Bowen Islanders out to protest despite downpour
Mount Gardner trails from PAGE 3
Saturday’s protest by Bowen Islanders at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal drew a diverse crowd of close to 100 people. MLA Jordan Sturdy (top) listened and responded to a number of protestors. Counsellors Andrew Stone, Tim Rhodes and Alison Morse also attended. Meribeth Deen, photos
This recognition would make hiking the primary purpose of the Crown Land on Mount Gardner, and while this would not offer 100 percent protection to the lands, it would mean that the signees would be made aware of any plans for development and have a say in such plans. Ballantyne told Council that the map he has created along with the help of fellow Rotarians, show more than 20 kilometers of “good” hiking trails on Gardner. Making those maps accessible and maintaining the trails could go a long way to improving the experience people have on the mountain. “I’ve discovered that most tourists who come to Bowen take the most boring route to the top,” Ballantyne told Council. “I envision people discovering far more interesting routes, and having a far more compelling experience that will bring them and their business back to Bowen over and over again.” Bob Milward is an avid mountaineer, Bowen Islander and former member of the North Shore Hikers. Milward says he hopes Gardner’s trails get official recognition. “Maintaining those trails is too big a job for one person, or even one group of people. Based on the work done by the fire crew that came here, I would say that we are likely to get some essential support that will make a big difference,” says Milward. “And the people who hike up Gardner need to understand that this is wilderness. The mountain isn’t as big or bad as the North Shore mountains, which frankly, are man-eating, but there is still plenty of opportunity to get severely lost up there and we are lucky that no one has landed into real trouble.” Council responded to Rotary’s presentation about the work they’ve done on Mount Gardner enthusiastically, noting the potential to enhance the island and tourist experiences here through improving the trail system. However, they suggested the Municipality talk to its insurers about the wisdom of taking on the legal responsibility for Mount Gardner’s trails.