Friday, October 24, 2014

Page 1

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24 2014 VOL. 41, NO. 42

75¢

including GST

Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Q&A

More candidates respond to questions posed by the editor

Gender-bending Hamlet

Bowen talent brings Shakespeare’s tragedy to stage, with a twist

Back to the “dream board”

More Islanders express what’s on their wish-list

Communities to move forward on marine planning Squamish Nation hosts representatives from eleven communities including Bowen Island MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

A group from the Bowen Island Children’s Centre discovered a dinosaur garden on Miller Road. Meribeth Deen, photo

“B.C. on the Move” is more bogus consultation, says NDP critic MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

In order to hear the transportation priorities of British Columbians, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has created an online survey called “B.C. on the Move” that will be open until December 12. Minister Todd Stone says the responses on this survey will be used in the creation of a ten year plan for investments in the province’s transportation infrastructure, but the NDP transportation critic, Claire Trevena, says it is just another example of the current government’s

inclination towards “bogus” consultation processes. The survey asks respondents for varying levels of agreement on statements such as “Keeping highways, bridges and side roads in good condition,” and “Supporting LNG and other resource development over the next decade.” The survey does not address any ferry-related issues, as the Ministry will be relying on data gathered by the ferries commissioner during the consultations conducted in 2011. continued, PAGE 2

BOWEN ISLAND NEIGHBOURHOO R001891372 BI03 FRONT PAGE BANNER

At the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola, representatives from municipalities in Howe Sound gathered last Friday to discuss common interests and the protection of the waters that connect them. Hosted for the first time by the Squamish Nation, the communities agreed to work together on marine use planning in 2015. “It was a pretty special event. I would say time will tell if it will be considered historic or not, but it sure felt that way,” said Bowen Island councillor Andrew Stone. “Members of the Squamish Nation gave incredibly impassioned speeches about cooperation and getting back to stewarding marine life in the region.” Stone says that in light of the recent Tsilqhot’in Supreme Court Decision, the decision to cooperatively with the Squamish Nation is significant. “The Tsilqhot’in decision gives the Squamish Nation title to Crown Land on their traditional territory when there are plans to develop those lands. Now, the exact parameters may change, as it will play out in court during treaty negotiations,” says Stone. “The idea of the Community Forum is to reach a consensus on the best use of Howe Sound. Chief Gibby Jacob made it clear that ecological concerns for the Sound would be fully accounted

for in the Squamish Nation’s decision making on local issues - and he assumed the rest of us would be on board with that. And there was consensus in the room that this was the case.” Stone says that this planning for Howe Sound also prioritizes sustaining communities financially. That component, he says, will likely result in tourism and eco-tourism becoming the primary focus of the economy in this region. “The revitalization of aquatic life here only amplifies the view that this is the direction we should be heading,” says Stone. For councilor Tim Rhodes, last week’s meeting was his first time at the Howe Sound Community Forum. “I was very impressed by the pragmatic approach of the Squamish Nation,” says Rhodes. “Chief Gibby Jacob asked us to think about why we were there – both in that meeting and living where we live, and that made me consider that in a new way. We have such a remarkable piece of nature so close to Metro Vancouver and as Chief Jacob said in his speech, we need to not only protect but enhance it.” Rhodes adds that Bowen Island as a community needs to decide whether it wants to be a part of Howe Sound, as opposed to just surrounded by it. continued, PAGE 2

FRIDAY OCTOBER 31TH 9:00PM 1:00AM **PRE-SOLD TICKETS AVAILABLE**

$10.00 IN ADVANCE OR $15.00 AT THE DOOR

PUB

DRESS TO IMPRESS PRIZES FOR BEST COSTUME...

BEST FEMALE | BEST MALE | BEST GROUP

LIVE MUSIC BY WASABI FOX

SPONSORED BY OKANAgAN SPRINg BREWERY


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Friday, October 24, 2014 by Bowen Island Undercurrent - Issuu