May 11 2012 Undercurrent

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FRIDAY MAY 11 2012 VOL. 39, NO. 2

75¢

including HST

Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Climb a mountain

Two more weeks

Winners!

And help to make a difference in Alzheimer’s research

Spot the Ball is winding down - help it reach its fundraising goal of 100 balls

Check out the winning submissions for our Mother’s Day contest

Smoke alarms save lives

Ferry review to add cash, cut service

Bluewater home goes up in flames but no one was hurt

Ferry commissioner to gain new authority

DEBRA STRINGFELLOW

TOM FLETCHER

EDITOR

BLACK PRESS

L

T

ate in the evening on Sunday, May 6, a fire broke out on the second floor of a Bluewater home. The firehall pager went off at 23:48 after multiple calls came in to 911 from surrounding neighbours. It only took the men six minutes to get out of bed, dressed in their gear and on the truck, reports deputy fire chief Bob Clark. Approximately 15 minutes after the initial call, 20 volunteer firemen were on the scene, with the fire well underway. The response time was fast considering the fire was so far away from the fire hall. Fortunately, the home-owner had recently checked and changed the batteries in his fire alarm which had alerted him to the situation at hand. This conscientious act may have saved his life. He just had enough time to scoop up his cat and escape the flames as they continued to engulf his house. Thankfully, his wife was out of town and no one was harmed in the fire. The steep terrain of the driveway made fighting this fire challenging. The truck was left on the main road and the men had four attack lines snaking 400 feet up to the house. Luckily the winds were calm that evening and the fire stayed contained to just one house. “If this had happened during the dry months of summer with the usual water restrictions within this area, the outcome might have been worse. Getting the new continued PAGE 2

he B.C. government is giving BC Ferries an extra $79.5 million over the next four years, and will look for another $45 million in operational savings to bring rate increases down to the rate of inflation over that time. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom said the inflation goal will not be met immediately, even with most of the extra money up front. The government’s price cap of 4.15 per cent increases for all routes remains in place for this year, and B.C. Ferry Commissioner Gord Macatee will set increases for the next three years after consultation with coastal communities. BC Ferries CEO Mike Corrigan said the corporation expects to cut at least 100 sailings on its major Vancouver Island routes, with low-ridership sailings late in the evening the most likely target. Corrigan said he is confident service reductions can save $30 million over the next four years, and another $15 million in efficiencies can be found within the corporation’s $750 million budget. Premier Christy Clark said the legislative changes and extra subsidy are designed to meet her commitment to keep fare increases under control, despite declining ridership that is also being seen in Washington state ferries.

This is going to be the first Mother’s Day for Jess, who, along with her 11-months-old baby Stella, is new to Bowen island. Best wishes for the holiday on Sunday! Debra Stringfellow photo

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May 11 2012 Undercurrent by Bowen Island Undercurrent - Issuu