The Local Weekly March 16, 2017 by The Local

THIS WEEK

FREE

CMCA AUDITED

WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

MEMBER OF

Volume 15, Issue 11

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia • www.thelocalweekly.ca • Thursday, March 16, 2017 Julia Budd Back Home

Learning Rules of Riding

Page 11

Beer Farm's Petition Page 2

More Buses Coming Page 3

Gravel Mine Questions Page 5

Liberals 'Punish' Ferry Users Page 5

New Sechelt CAO Page 6

Life Skills That Make You Laugh Page 9

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 2017

Training in bike and road safety skills is coming for grade four and five students on the Sunshine Coast. Here, volunteer Bob Stanhope, with the cycling group TraC, leads a “bicycle train” near Halfmoon Bay Elementary during Bike to School Week last year. Organizers noticed a need for instruction in how to stay safe while riding in traffic, and that instruction will be offered this spring. See story page 8. JENI STAFFORD PHOTO

Truck Month is BACK at Haley GM!!! HUGE SAVINGS on all new Chevrolet and GMC Trucks!! stk# 81946070

• • • •

SALE!

2017 GMC CANYON SLE

Extended Cab 4WD Auto Climate Control 3.6L V6 8 Speed Automatic Transmission

MSRP: $40,040 Savings: $1,250

$38,790 + taxes & fees

stk# 81799050

• • • •

CREW CAB

2017 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE

Crew Cab 4WD Touch Screen Navigation Trailer Brake Controller 20” Wheels • Kodiak Edition

MSRP: $55,320 Savings: $8,655

$46,665 + taxes & fees

stk# 81358960

• • • •

DEMO

2017 GMC SIERRA 1500 DENALI

MSRP: $77,125 Crew Cab 4WD 6.2L V8 Savings: $15,205 incl. Demo Discount Heated/Cooled Seats Denali Ultimate Package + taxes & fees

$61,920 SALES: Mon to Fri: 8-6 • Sat: 8-5 SERVICE: Mon to Sat: 8-4:30

HALEY Chevrolet Buick GMC • 1633 Field Road • 604-885-5131 • www.haleygm.com

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Beer farm petitions to stay in business Frustrated that Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) has refused to revisit Persephone Brewing's request for an exemption to regulations so it can continue to operate a craft brewery at its present site, Persephone launched an online petition on March 1. The petition, at change. org, asks the Minister of Agriculture to make regulatory changes so that farm-based breweries are treated the same way as cideries and wineries. Under ALC rules, breweries, distilleries and meaderies are required to grow at least 50 per cent of their major ingredient on site. Wineries and cideries do not have to meet the 50 per cent requirement; they are able to buy ingredients from other BC farms. Although the brewery has planted five acres of hops on its 11-acre property, the ALC does not consider hops to be a major ingredient in beer, only

a flavouring. Persephone's Stewart Road property is not suitable for farming barley, and even if it were, the site is not large enough to grow sufficient grain. Persephone can keep most of its operations even if it does not get a change of regulations or an exemption. The farm has planted apple trees and they also hold a farm-based cider licence. "The cidery lets us grow, have a lounge, serve food, host events, use a picnic area, etc. Everything except the activity of making beer," said owner Brian Smith. However, if the ALC's policies remain unchanged, the brewery will have to move its manufacturing operation to a site outside the Agricultural Land Reserve. And that may make the operation financially unviable. "We’re going to fight this tooth and nail because not only do we believe in our model but we’re seeing more

and more farmers come out of the woodwork to say that they want to beer farm too," said Smith. Other BC craft breweries facing the same challenge include Crannog Ales, based on a 10-acre hop farm in Sorrento. Persephone's petition is endorsed by the BC Craft Brewers Guild, BC Hop Growers Association, The Campaign for Real Ale Society of BC and the Organic Hop Growers Association. "BC Wine is a $2 billion dollar industry," reads the petition. "We believe that breweries can similarly have a positive economic impact in BC, while contributing to both the cultural and agricultural aspects of our communities." With a provincial election imminent, Persephone's team are eager to pursue the issue, but they also have a farm to run. "We have fields to prepare, greenhouses to re-skin, apple

trees to plant, irrigation lines to run, compost to spread, and by the end of the month we’ll have 25-hundred-plus hop rhizomes asking to be in

the ground," said Smith. "So, as we get into the election period, we are going to have to choose between getting to work on the farm or continu-

ing lobbying." As of March 13, Persephone's petition had almost reached its goal of 2,500 signatures. Donna McMahon

Some of the beer-brewing equipment at Persephone Brewery, which is petitioning the provincial government for a change in regulations that would allow it to continue brewing on Agricultural Land Reserve property. PHOTO SUBMITTED

819 Automall Drive, Vancouver, BC, V7P 3R8 Tel: 604.984.1877 | infinitinorthvancouver.ca

THE 3 DAY SALE MARCH 23RD – 25TH

For three days, experience amazing offers on all 2017 INFINITI models, including lease rates from 0%** plus an additional $1,000* in special credits on top of our current month’s offers. There’s never been a better time to get behind the wheel of an INFINITI. Book a test drive at INFINITI North Vancouver today!

3 DAY SALE ON ALL 2017 INFINITI MODELS RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

1,500

IN SPECIAL CREDITS ON TOP OF CURRENT MONTH’S OFFERS.

Visit INFINITI North Vancouver For Your Best Savings! *During the 3-Day sale, $1,500 special credit is available on all new 2017 models only, until midnight on March 25, 2017. The $1,500 special credit is comprised of $1,000 IFS Standard Rate Cash (deducted from the negotiated selling price of the vehicle before taxes). ** Lease offer of $398 monthly payment at 0% lease APR for a 48-month term with $3,550 down payment and $0 security deposit available on 2017 QX30 (I5XG77 AA10) models only and up to $1,000 lease credits on 2017 QX30 (I5XG77 NA10/CT10 & I5SG77 CT10) models only and a $500 Retailer Contribution. Payment includes $32.15 PPSA, Freight and PDE charges of $1,995, documentation fee ($595), air-conditioning levy ($100) and tire levy ($25), and all applicable levies and charges. License, registration, insurance, duties and applicable taxes are extra. First monthly payment due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $22,665. Lease is based on a maximum of 16,000km per year with excess charged at $0.15/km. Offer available on approved credit through Infiniti Financial Services until midnight on March 31, 2017. Offer may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Certain conditions may apply. Vehicle and wheels may not be exactly as shown. See Infiniti North Vancouver or www.infinitinorthvancouver.ca for complete details.

SquamishChief_InfinitiNV_0317_Final.indd 1

2017-03-14 3:52 PM

SCRD spends to increase bus service Starting in September 2017, transit users on the coast will receive more frequent bus service, thanks to a decision by SCRD Directors on March 7 to substantially increase funding to Sunshine Coast Transit. Route 90, the express service along the highway between the Langdale ferry and Sechelt, will have service every 30 minutes during peak hours, while Route 1, which circles through Lower Gibsons, traverses the Chaster-Pratt loop in Elphinstone and runs along Lower Road in Roberts Creek, will go to hourly service at peak times. With this more frequent service, BC Transit will no longer try to match its buses to ferry arrivals, something which currently makes it difficult for buses to stay on time, and necessitates changing the bus schedule every time BC Ferries changes its schedule. The cost to taxpayers in

2018 (the first full year of increased service) will work out to about $22 per average residential property. The total cost increase is $872,000 per year, of which the SCRD pays $466,000 and BC Transit pays the rest. To implement this service, the SCRD will lease a half dozen additional midsized buses from BC Transit. These newer buses have higher fuel efficiency than older models. Staffing will increase by approximately 4.5 full time jobs, most of them drivers. Directors Mark Lebbell (Roberts Creek), Lorne Lewis (Area E), Garry Nohr (Area B) and Jeremy Valeriote (Town of Gibsons) voted in favour of the March 7 motion to increase transit funding. Area F Director Ian Winn and District of Sechelt representative Doug Wright voted against. Pender Harbour is not part of the transit service function so Frank Mauro did

not vote. Winn expressed concern that taxpayers in West Howe Sound, especially on Keats and Gambier Islands, pay for service that many of them do not receive. He favoured a much more gradual expansion. "If we had a crystal ball that said that our population was going to increase and there's going to be rapid building on the Sunshine Coast over the next five years, then that would certainly increase the tax base and we'd be able to afford it. But that's not what I'm hearing," said Winn. Lebbell spoke strongly in favour of transit at the SCRD board table. In his March 2017 Directors newsletter, he stated: "I have been a long-time supporter of an enhanced Transit service, as it simultaneously addresses pressing ecological, social and economic concerns." Donna McMahon

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Leave winter’s grey behind... ...Enjoy the vintage nautical looks of spring and summer... A light weight, travel friendly, quilted jacket in navy/white lining. Note the detail, mandarin collar, snap front, roll back cuffs to show off the white lining...

Sunshine Coast & Powell River Schedules ...Turn yourself loose

and enjoy freedom in BYLYSE’S reversible vest... Nautical navy reverses to plaid.

January 3 - April 6 2017

WINTER

Not shown, Bamboo/cotton blend tee shirts; see the whole collection soon at....

Langdale - Vancouver continued...

March 20 - April 6, 2017 LEAVE LANGDALE

Langdale - Vancouver 6:20 am

LEAVE HORSESHOE BAY

6:00 am 7:20 am 8:05 am 8:25 am Please before amthe scheduled sailing time for vehicles, 9:10Note: am At Langdale, ticketing will end five minutes9:25 and ten minutes Bay only, amticket sales for vehicles and walk-on 10:25 am for walk-on passengers. At Horseshoe10:15 11:20 amwill end ten minutes before the scheduled11:30 passengers sailing am time. 12:25 pm 12:35 pm Langdale/Vancouver and Powell River/Sechelt Peninsula are not guaranteed to connect. Please plan See Open: 1:35 pm 1:30 -pm Langdale Vancouver continued... your travels accordingly. in-store Tues - Sat 2:35 pm 2:45 pm for details! 10am - 5pm March 20Time: - April40 6, Minutes 2017 3:50 pm 3:45 pm Crossing 4:50HORSESHOE pm 4:50#105 pm LEAVE LANGDALE BAY - 5710 TeredoLEAVE St. 604-885-2029 5:50 pm 5:55 pm3 - 18, 2017 January 6:00 am 6:20 am 7:05 pm 6:50 pm 7:20 am 7:00 am LEAVE LANGDALE LEAVE HORSESHOE BAY 7:50 pm 8:10 pm w w w . t h e l o c a l am w e e k l y. c a 8:05 8:25 am 9:45 pm 8:45 pm 7:20 am 6:20 am 9:25 am 9:10 am September 6, 2016 - January 2, 10:15 2017 9:25am am 8:25 am am 10:25 11:30 am 10:25 am 11:30 am 11:20 am 1:35pm pm 12:35 pm pm 12:25 12:35 3:50pm pm 2:45 pm pm River - Sechelt Peninsula FALL/WINTER 1:35 1:30 Powell 5:50 pm 4:50 pm 2:35 pm 2:45 pm Bay) - (Earls Cove) (Saltery 20 to April 6, 2017 7:50pm pm 6:50 pm pmSchedules in Effect: March 3:50 3:45 9:45 pm 8:45 pm Schedules are subject to change without notice. For schedules, fare reserve: 1-888-223-3779 bcferries.com 4:50 pm info or 4:50 -pm Langdale to Earls Cove terminal is 84 km (52mi), plan on approximately 90tominutes driving time. Langdale Vancouver continued... 5:50 pm 40 minutes drivingCrossing 5:55River pm to Saltery Powell Bay is 34 km (22mi), plan on approximately time. Time: 40 minutes Langdale - Vancouver pmguaranteed to connect, 6:50 pm Distance: 10.5 nautical miles March 2019-- (Horseshoe April 2017 January - March 19,River/Sechelt 2017 (Gibsons) Bay) Langdale/Vancouver and6,Powell Peninsula7:05 are not please plan 7:50 HORSESHOE pm 8:10 pm LEAVE LANGDALE LEAVE BAY your travels accordingly. LEAVE LANGDALE LEAVE HORSESHOE BAY Please At Langdale, ticketing will end five minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles 9:45 pm 8:45Note: pm Ticket sales and loading end three minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles 6:00 am 6:20 am and6:20 walk-on passengers. At Horseshoe Bay only, ticket sales for vehicles and walk-on passengers willand five 6:20 am am minutes for walk-on passengers. 7:20 7:00 am end ten minutes 7:20am am 7:20 am before the scheduled sailing time. 8:05 am 8:25 am Langdale/Vancouver and Powell River/Sechelt Peninsula are not guaranteed Please 8:20 am to connect. Please plan 8:25Note: am Fares collected at Saltery Bay only. 9:25 am your9:10 travelsam accordingly. 9:25 am 9:25 am Crossing 50 Minutes Powell River - Sechelt Peninsula 10:15 am 10:25 am Time: 10:25 am 10:25 am Crossing Time: 40 Minutes (Saltery 11:30 am 11:20 am Bay) - (Earls Cove) 11:30 am 11:25 am3 - March 19 , 2017 January Sailing times 12:25 pm 12:35 pm September 6 - October 10, 2016 12:30 pm 90 minutes driving time. 12:35 pm Langdale to Earls Cove terminal is 84 km (52mi), plan on approximately are daily unless 1:35 EARLS pm COVE 1:30 pm LEAVE SALTERY BAY LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE HORSESHOE 1:35 pm BAY 1:35LANGDALE pm Powell 2:35 pm 40 minutes driving time. otherwise indicated. 2:45River pm to Saltery Bay is 34 km (22mi), plan on approximately 6:30 5:35am am except Sun 2:35 am pm except Sun 2:45 pm 7:20 am 6:20 3:50 3:45am pm Langdale/Vancouver and Powell River/Sechelt Peninsula are notpm guaranteed to connect, please plan 9:25 am 8:25 7:25 pm am 8:25 3:50 am pm 3:45 4:50 pm 4:50 pmaccordingly. your travels 11:30 am 10:25 am 9:25 pm am 10:25 4:50 am pm 4:50 5:50 pmsailing time for vehicles and five 5:55sales pmand loading end three minutes before1:35 pm 12:35 Ticket the scheduled 5:50 pm pm 5:50pm pm 11:20 am 12:20 7:05 6:50pm pm 2:10 pm 2:45 Sep pm 9, 16, 23 minutes for walk-on passengers. 6:50 pm 6:50 pm 3:50 4:55 pm 3:15 3:50 pm 7:50 pm 8:10pm pmSep 9, 16, 23 7:50 pm 7:50 pm 5:55 6:55 pm Please Note: Fares collected at Saltery Bay only. 4:20 pm 4:50 pm Sep 11, 18, 25 9:45 pm 8:45 pm 9:45 pm pm 8:45 pm 9:25 10:30 5:25 pm Sep 11, 18, 25 5:50 pm Crossing Time: 50 Minutes 7:00 am - (Horseshoe Bay) (Gibsons)

Since 1980

Sunshine Coast & Powell River Schedules

The 90 express bus along Highway 101 will run every 30 minutes at peak times, starting in September. DONNA MCMAHON PHOTO

Bus driver appreciation day All year long Sunshine Coast Transit drivers work hard to provide safe, timely and professional service to our community. This

has been especially apparent recently, during repeated snow conditions on the coast. March 17 is Transit Driver Appreciation Day. Take a

minute on March 17 to let a driver know the difference their work makes in your day. Submitted

Canadian Tire summer stock stolen The Canadian Tire store in the 4300 block of the Sunshine Coast Hwy in Wilson Creek has been targeted by thieves, with a large amount of merchandise stolen. Employees arrived at work on the morning of Friday March 3 to find that a number of storage areas had been forced open by thieves, and a large amount of highvalue merchandise had been stolen. Video surveillance shows that around 1am on Friday morning, a newer dark-coloured SUV made repeated trips to the business to steal the items. A variety of items were targeted, including portable air conditioners, barbecues, patio furniture, swimming pools and tires. The suspects transported the items to a forested area

on nearby Blower Road, where they were temporarily stashed in the bush. Later that same morning, a green 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck, with a camouflage tarp, reportedly arrived to pick up the items from their hiding spot. An astute citizen thought it was odd that the two males in the truck were loading air conditioners and pools into the truck, and the citizen later notified police. Sunshine Coast RCMP located the truck in Gibsons; however there was no merchandise in the truck at the time, and the owner of the truck is not believed to be involved in the theft. “We are still reviewing surveillance footage and looking into who was using the pickup truck that morning”, said

Cst Harrison Mohr with Sunshine Coast RCMP. “If you saw a vehicle entering or exiting the Canadian Tire parking lot during the overnight hours of March 2-3, or if you saw any suspicious vehicles coming or going from Blower Road on Friday morning March 3, please call Sunshine Coast RCMP. We are also interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen this green Ford F150 with a camouflage tarp unloading boxes on Friday, or anyone who has information about the whereabouts of these items.” If you have information about this crime, please call Sunshine Coast RCMP at (604) 885-2266, or Crimestoppers, at 1-800222-TIPS. Submitted by RCMP

7:50 pm 6:50 pm River - Sechelt Peninsula Powell 8:45 pm20 - April 6, 2017 March (Saltery Bay) - (Earls January 3 -10March 19 Cove) , 2017 9:35 pm Oct LEAVE SALTERY SALTERY BAY BAY LEAVE

8:30 pm Oct 10 9:45 pm

Crossing Time: 50 minutes Distance: 9.5 nautical miles

LEAVE EARLS COVE Powell River - Sechelt Peninsula

LEAVE EARLS COVE Langdale to Earls Cove terminal is 84 km (52mi), plan on approximately 90 minutes driving time. October 11 - December 21, 2016 Powell River to Saltery Bay is 34 km (22mi), plan on approximately 40 minutes driving 5:35 am except Sun 6:30 am except Suntime. (Saltery Bay)Sun- (Earls Cove) 6:30 am except Sun 5:35 am except LEAVE LEAVE HORSESHOE BAY please plan 7:25LANGDALE am 8:25 am to connect, Langdale/Vancouver and Powell River/Sechelt Peninsula are not guaranteed 7:25 am 8:25 am your travels accordingly. 9:25 am 10:25 am Langdale to Earls Cove terminal is 84 km (52mi), 7:20 plan 10:25 on 90 minutes driving time.Sailing times 6:20 am amapproximately 9:25 am am 8:20 am 9:20 am 11:20 am 12:20 pm Powell River to Saltery Bay is 34 km (22mi), plan on approximately 40 minutes driving Ticket sales and loading end three minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles and five time. are daily unless 11:20 am 12:20 pm 10:20 am 11:20 am otherwise indicated. minutes for walk-on passengers. 1:50 pm 2:50 pm 3:50pm pm 4:55 pmguaranteed to connect, please plan Langdale/Vancouver and Powell River/Sechelt Peninsula are not 12:20 1:20 pm 3:50 pmaccordingly. 4:55 pm pm Please Note: Fares collected at Saltery Bay only. 5:55 pm 6:55 your travels 2:30 pm 3:30 pm 5:55pm pm 6:55 pm pm Langdale - Vancouver continues on page 2... 9:25 pm 10:30 Crossing Time: 50 Minutes 5:30 pm 4:30 Ticket sales and loading end three minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles and five 9:25 pm 10:30 7:25 pm pm 6:30 pm minutes for walk-on passengers. September - October 10, 2016 9:15 pm 8:20 pm20 6- April March 6, 2017 Please SALTERY Note: Fares collected at Saltery ThisBAY ad sponsored by: Bay only. LEAVE LEAVE EARLSEARLS COVE COVE LEAVE SALTERY BAY LEAVE Building Community, December 22, 2016 - January 2, 2017 Crossing Time: 5:35 am Except Sun 50 Minutes 6:30 am Except Sun 6:30 am except 5:35am am except Sun Sun LEAVE LANGDALE LEAVE BAY 7:25 8:25HORSESHOE am One Home at a Time 7:25amamExcept 8:25 amDec 25 & Jan 1 7:20 am 6:20 Dec 25 & Jan19 1 , 2017 Except January 3 - March 9:25 10:25 9:25amam 8:25 9:25 10:25 am am 11:20 12:20 pm LEAVE SALTERY BAY LEAVE EARLS COVE Krista Dempster 10:25 am 11:30 am pm 11:20 am 3:50 pm 4:55 12:20 pm 12:35 1:35 5:35pm am except 6:30 am except Sun 6:55 pm 5:55 1:50 pm 2:50 pm TopSun Performers 2 2:45 3:50 pm 10:30 9:25 7:25pm am 8:25pm am KRISTA DEMPSTER 3:50 pm 4:55 4:50 pm 5:50 pm #101-938 Gibsons Way, Gibsons, BC REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL 9:25 pm am 10:25 am 5:55 6:55 pm 6:50 pm 7:50 pm kd@kristadempster.com www.kristadempster.com October 11 - December 21, 2016 11:20 am 12:20 pm 9:25pm pm 8:45 9:45 10:30 pm pm 3:50SALTERY pm 4:55 COVE pm LEAVE BAY LEAVE EARLS

604-740-2050

5:55am pmExcept Sun 5:35 9:25am pm 7:25 9:25 am 11:20 am20 - April 6, 2017 March

6:55 pm 6:30 am Except Sun 8:25 10:30 am pm 10:25 am 12:20 pm

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Editorial Opinion How mild can be wild Seeing terms like “post-truth” and “alternative facts” gain traction in the news convinces me that politicians, media workers and readers could benefit from a refresher course in how science helps us understand the world. Reporting on science is difficult at the best of times. Trying to communicate complex ideas and distil entire studies into eye-catching headlines and brief stories can open the door to misinformation and limited understanding. Recent headlines about a climate study, “Shifting patterns of mild weather in response to projected radiative forcing”, in the February 2017 issue of “Climatic Change” illustrate the predicament. Some news outlets implied the study showed countries such as Canada and the U.K. would benefit from increasingly frequent “mild weather days” brought on by climate change. Many failed to convey the true take-home message: Climate change will have devastating consequences for human civilization. Just ask the study’s author, Karin van der Wiel, research scientist at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. She studied the frequency of mild weather days as a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. She found a few countries, mostly in the mid-latitudes, will experience slightly more frequent mild weather — defined as days between 18 and 30 C with less than one millimetre of rain and dew point temperature not exceeding 20 C. But that’s not the whole story. Van der Wiel points out in an email that mild weather isn’t necessarily good, as it can also create negative conditions. “If there are projected changes in mild weather, that means there are changes in temperature, precipitation and/or humidity,” she said, noting that although mild weather could create more opportunities for things such as outdoor recreation, it could also have negative consequences like changing snowmelt patterns and threatening water resources. Mild weather at the wrong time and place can be disastrous. The wildfire that devastated Fort McMurray last year reached city limits on a mild weather day, with an average temperature of 22.1 C and no precipitation, after several weeks of unseasonably warm and dry weather. Science is the most useful tool we have to adapt to climate change and avoid its worst outcomes. But it requires critical thinking and a big-picture perspective to ensure we consider all available evidence. With so many people scrolling through social media feeds for news rather than reading entire articles, facts and clarity can become elusive. It’s up to us all — media and consumers alike — to dig deeper for the full story. David Suzuki

Local

the

weekLy #213 - 5710 Teredo Street, Sechelt (Teredo Square) PUBLISHER Susan Attiana publisher@thelocalweekly.ca

EDITORIAL John Gibbs, Donna McMahon editor@thelocalweekly.ca

SALES sales@thelocalweekly.ca

Mike Zanchetta mike@thelocalweekly.ca

CLASSIFIED SALES / ADMIN admin@thelocalweekly.ca

PRODUCTION / GRAPHICS Christina Johnstone production@thelocalweekly.ca

DISTRIBUTION Richard Austin cnaustin@telus.net admin@thelocalweekly.ca This publication reserves the right to refuse any advertising that it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

P.O. Box 494, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0 Phone: 604-885-3134 Fax: 604-885-3194 admin@thelocalweekly.ca www.thelocalweekly.ca Hours Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm Display Advertising Deadline: Monday noon at The Local office. Email: sales@thelocalweekly.ca

Letters to the Editor – Opinions Time for a limit Along with hundreds of others, I submitted my objections to the Woodfibre LNG facility during the environmental assessment process. In scanning other submissions, I noticed very few were in favour of this hazardous facility in our recovering Howe Sound, for many good reasons including the huge risks far outweighing the insignificant gains. Now I find out that while I was labouring over my submission, the BC Liberal party was accepting donations (to the tune of $166,934) from the Woodfibre LNG proponents. Not surprisingly, Woodfibre LNG was given the green light to go ahead. The My Sea to Sky group has rightfully called for action on this; to boycott the environmental review, questioning the integrity of BC’s environmental assessment process, and saying that public engagement is meaningless. I certainly felt

that my concerns were not taken into consideration. We should all be troubled by the corporate influence peddling that seems to have become the normal way of doing business in BC. With less than 60 days to go until the election, this government has suddenly decided to establish a panel to look into party donations but which won't happen until after the election (and only after Elections BC launched its own investigation, which is unlikely to be reported on until after May 9). They have quashed six NDP bills to ban corporate and union donations and put limits on individual donations. The New York Times was right to call BC the wild west of political cash. The time is long overdue for prudent limits on political spending similar to federal limits and that which most other provinces have already put in place. Gayle Neilson, Gibsons

Classified Advertising Deadline: Monday noon at The Local office. Email: admin@thelocalweekly.ca Editorial Deadline: Monday 10 a.m. at The Local office. Email: editor@thelocalweekly.ca THE LOCAL is locally operated and distributed every Thursday to 11,500 households on the Sunshine Coast by CANADA POST, (Canada Post Agreement (#41000012).

FREE OF CHARGE

SUBSCRIPTIONS $33.35 / 3 mos. in Canada CMCA AUDITED

MEMBER OF

I didn't think my cynicism about mainstream political parties could sink lower, but the revelations about vested-interest donations to the Liberals and the NDP have set a new low-water mark. Through their 'envelope' campaigns and targeted corporate and union 'strongarm' strategies to extract millions of dollars, these parties are making a sham of the notion of fair play – a foundation of our democracy. The breadcrumb trail leads to party leadership that sees such donations – tantamount to a massive middle-finger-wag at BC citizens – as a sound fundraising strategy while the rest of Canada, and almost every other democratic jurisdiction in the free world, has made this illegal. As one pundit wrote in the Globe and Mail, there are a number of tin-pot dictatorships that don't stoop this low. If you want corporateand-union cronyism and backroom dealing to continue to have undue influence in BC, then by all means continue to vote for the Liberals or NDP in May. But if you are in favour of a political system that is not tied to secret-sauce campaigning, then your choice is clear: the Green Party, the only party that has rejected such donations. Michael Maser, Gibsons

Can Sechelt survive?

AT NEWS STANDS THROUGHOUT THE SUNSHINE COAST AND ON BC FERRIES, LANGDALE TO HORSESHOE BAY ROUTE.

The Local Weekly is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact publisher@thelocalweekly.ca or 1-604-8853134. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

A new low

Figure skater Elvis Stojko shows his stuff at the Gibsons community centre March 11. An Olympic silver medalist for Canada and former world champion, Stojko was the main attraction at a fundraiser for the SC Skating Club. You can see it on Coast Cable, channel 10, at 9am and 10pm March 16 and 18, and 5:30pm March 17. PHOTO SUBMITTED

It’s time for Mayor Milne to focus on cleaning up his own backyard. Sechelt is in an absolute mess. Two-thirds of our cash reserves have disappeared during his two years in office. How much on severance, legal fees and consulting studies, Mr. Milne? What value have we received for the $3,000,000 (three million) gone from this fund

– anything tangible or just a bunch of studies? District staff morale is at an all time low. Something like 14 people have occupied the four senior management seats over the past two years. Three of these positions remain unfilled – some after more than six months, which can only mean that no qualified people have applied. This points to Sechelt having a terrible reputation around our province. It’s hard to see how Sechelt will survive the next two years given the inadequate skills and management experience of Mayor Milne and those Councillors who support his thinking. Oh, and absolutely NOTHING meaningful has been completed during the first half of his term. It reminds many of Milne’s last time in office…when he earned the nickname “Do Nothing”. Geoff White, Sechelt

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor should be sent by e-mail to editor@thelocalweekly.ca. The deadline is Monday at 10am for that week’s paper. Generally, letters should not exceed 300 words. And all letters must be signed, include the writer’s community of residence and (not for publication) telephone number. Letters may be edited for a variety of reasons.

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Gravel mine questions Fresh concerns were raised about the proposed BURNCO gravel mine at McNab Creek by Area F Director Ian Winn at the SCRD's Planning and Community Development committee meeting on March 9. McNab Creek lies 10 kilometres northeast of Port Mellon on Howe Sound. In 2008 BURNCO Rock Products bought the 230-hectare industrial waterfront property and in 2010 they proposed a gravel mine – a proposal that has been grinding its way through regulatory and environmental approval processes ever since. If the project receives a green light from provincial and federal authorities, it will go to the regional district for rezoning to permit gravel processing. On March 9 SCRD staff brought forward a report summarizing environmental issues that have not been adequately addressed by BURNCO, such as noise, protection of fish habitat

and impacts of sea level rise. Winn spoke to several items, noting that over 25 people had contacted him recently with concerns. "I've heard a lot from boaters who use that McNab Creek estuary," said Winn, pointing out that BURNCO's response doesn't say how the project will impact existing anchorages. Winn also voiced concerns about who would carry out environmental monitoring on the site and how the public would access that information – an issue that has also been raised around the Woodfibre LNG project. The gravel mine would most directly affects 16 properties at the mouth of McNab Creek (the McNab Creek Strata). Winn has had discussions with representatives of the strata, who he said are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information generated by the environmental review process, and confused by BURNCO's recent communications

about a possible Community Enhancement Fund. "There's a lot of work that has to be done on this," said Winn, describing the situation as "confusing and contentious." During a public comment period last fall, the provincial Environmental Assessment process was flooded with over 600 comments, and in December BURNCO requested that the environmental review be put on hold until they can respond. The 180-day review period was originally scheduled to end on Jan. 28, but is presently on a 'time-out.’ Winn's concerns were added to staff's recommendations, which will be sent to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and BURNCO. The SCRD passed a motion in October saying that they do not support the BURNCO proposal "as presented at this time." Donna McMahon

LETHAL DRUGS ARE out there

Find out how you can save a life. Every day, people are losing their lives to overdoses in BC. These deaths are preventable. Many illegal drugs, including party drugs, have been found to contain deadly fentanyl. And even more toxic carfentanil is now being detected in BC. Not using drugs is the best defence — using alone is the greatest risk. If you use drugs or know someone who does, help is available. Learn about treatment, and where to ﬁnd naloxone and overdose prevention sites in your area by calling 8-1-1 or visiting www.gov.bc.ca/overdose. Your knowledge, compassion and action can save a life.

Nicholas Simons, NDP candidate in Powell River – Sunshine Coast for the May 9 provincial election, speaks at the March 11 opening of his campaign office on Cowrie St. in Sechelt. He is running for his fourth term as MLA. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Liberals ‘punish’ ferry users The publication March 11 of historical data showing a sharp rise in BC Ferries fares proves anew that the people and businesses in ferry-dependent communities are being mistreated by the cynical policies of the BC Liberal Party government, the BC Conservative Party said in a news release. It cited a study from the Southern Gulf Islands Ferry Advisory Committee which was reported on in the Van-

couver Sun by columnist Stephen Hume, and included a graph showing that ferry fare increases had risen many times more than the rate of inflation since about 2004. "Ferry services are a key and even critical part of the lives of about one million people on BC's coast but they and those services have been harmed by the cynical political ploys being played by the Campbell and Clark Liberal regimes," said BCCP presi-

dent Corbin Mitchell, who speaks for the party in the absence of an elected leader. "The new study provides more proof that the BC Liberals have been favouring regions where their voter support is high and punishing regions where it is low - namely the coastal ferry-dependent communities whose residents have no viable alternative to B.C. Ferries," said Mitchell. Submitted

Learn more at gov.bc.ca/overdose

Carry a Naloxone Kit

Local

the

weekLy

Call 9-1-1

#stopoverdose

Locally Owned • Locally Operated Keep your dollars on the Sunshine Coast!

FRESH 100%R FR OZEN NEVE

CANADIAN

1078 Gibsons Way • Open 24 hours • Drive Thru

1078 Gibsons Way Drive Thru

AD CONFIRMATION PLEASE RESPOND BY EMAIL BY

This proof is for the purpose of

R0011385874

BEEF

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Mayor’s Message Bruce Milne Mayor, District of Sechelt

While budget numbers are still being debated, an increase of 6.42 per cent in the general tax rate has been identified as needed to fund required investment in District infrastructure and to sustain operations in 2017. There are two primary reasons for an increase in the 2017 Budget: community growth and full cost budgeting. For example, higher levels of funding are needed to ensure infrastructure projects that have been on our books for a number of years, including Trail Avenue improvements, the Davis Bay Float and an Operations (Parks and Public Works) Centre, have adequate funding in place to be completed.

Over $400,000 is needed contributing, an increase in in the operational budget to sewer user fees of up to $173 maintain District services at for properties with access 2016 levels. Not only is our to the sewer system is being community growing, infla- proposed. In the 2016 contract for tion has increased costs and District taxation over the garbage and curbside repast five years has not kept cycling, the amount being pace. The District, like indi- charged by the service providuals and businesses, faces vider increased. Again, those increases for hydro, vehicle costs need to be allocated to maintenance, water and nat- the properties that benefit ural gas costs. In addition, we from that service. A fee inare facing increased costs for crease of $10 per property, RCMP services and wages for starting in 2017 is being proposed. employees . The average assessed valA change is also being conue ofIgnition a single family home in sidered in how the District al-Push Button locates costs for wastewater Sechelt is about $430,000. Alloy Wheels Button Ignition on the proposed 2017 (sewer) services. In 2017, PushBased the annual District the full cost of providing theHeatedbudget, Seats Wheels of the property taxservice, which includes por- Alloyportion Roof esSeats on an ‘average’ property tions of centralized Finance,SunHeated Human Resources and Ad- could increase by about $78 Monitor Sunover Roof 2016 levels. The average ministrative resources usedRearView property pays about $108/ to support the sewer serviceFog Lights RearView Monitor are to be covered by fees month for municipal tax porproperty taxes, similar charged to users of that sys-Power Driver’sof Seats Fogtion Lights tem. While new users are to what they might pay for Driver’s Seats or cable and intercellphone being connected and will be Power

net services. Municipal taxes fund local roads, policing, library, and parks, things that our residents value and want to see maintained. If we want it, we need to share in paying the cost to have it. Council encourages residents to take the time to review the draft 2017 District budget, so that you understand what changes are being made and why. Through our public engagement process, adjustments have been made to our draft budget, including, as one example, funding 2017 Liquid Waste Management planning from general tax revenue, rather than allocating this to sewer user costs. We thank all who have provided input and questions to date, and we will continue to welcome and respond to these at info@sechelt.ca until our Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws are adopted in May, 2017.

New Sechelt CAO Sechelt Council is pleased to announce that Mr. Andrew Yeates will be joining the District staff as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) April 1. Andrew has worked in local government for over 18 years. He is leaving a position he has held since 2008, CAO of Ucluelet, to accept the Sechelt posting. Before joining the public service, he had a successful career as a newspaper publisher and owned community newspapers in the interior of British Columbia. “Council’s search for a new leader for our District team was extensive. Discussions were held with a number of candidates before bringing Andrew to Sechelt to be interviewed. His interview and an extensive reference and vetting process, convinced Council that he had the skills and character we need in this role. We look forward to

Andrew Yeates starts April 1 as the new Sechelt CAO. PHOTO SUBMITTED

working with him to ensure the District delivers quality local government services to our residents,” said Mayor Bruce Milne. Said Yeates: “My wife Lisa and I are very much looking forward to settling in the Sunshine Coast and contributing to the Sechelt community.” Submitted

21 CH 21 H R C A R M • A • • E M E E • E• L L AL L E A A S L A S S Y A S Y Y A S Y A A D Y A TH • 5 D •5 •5D TH • 5 D TH • 5 DA ST - 25 ST - 25 5 T 5 T S 2 S 2 1 1 - 25 1 2MARCH 1ONLY 2 H2 2 H 1 C 21 25 H C H 2 R C R C A H R A R C A M A E• MAR E• M LE • M E • M21 • L L D S A LE E A A S L MARCH 25 ONLY A S A Y S Y Y S A Y A A CHOOSE FROM: Y A A TH • 5 D H • 5 D TH • 5 D D D T TH • 5 TH • 5 D D ST - 25 ST - 25 5 5 2 2 ST - 25 CHOOSE FROM: 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 H 2 H 1 C H C H 2 R D C PARTS & R C A H R A R CHOICE MA E• M • MAMY MARC OR $ E L E • M $ A,Y SALE • ACCESSORIES • L A E A S L PARTS & S BONUS CASH CREDIT A Y SALE Y , S A Y MY CHOICE A Y A D A TH • 5 D H • 5 D TH • 5$ D ACCESSORIES T D H OR $ H T 5 T 5 • BONUS CASH ST - 25 • ST - 25 CREDIT ST - 25 , ST,- 25 ST - 25 1 1 2 2 1 21 H 2 H 1 GET UP TO AN C H C H PLUS ADDITIONAL 2 R C R C A H R A R C A M A M R • M A • M LE LE • EADDITIONAL UP TOL AN OFFER APPLICABLE ON MOST MODELS. LE • M L E •SHOWN PLUS GET A A A S ALE S S A Y S Y Y S A Y A A D Y A THE AMOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE $ D D 5 DAY A TH • 5 SALE D 5 D 5 H OFFER APPLICABLE ON MOST MODELS. • T 5 • 5 AVAILABLE ST - 25 • • ARE ST BONUS ON 2017 TITANSHOWN MODELS - 25 AMOUNTS $ 5 DAY CASH THE ST - 25 1 2 1 SALE H 2 1 C H 2 BONUS CASH ON 2017 TITAN MODELS R C A H R C M A MAR E •TIME LE • E • M• RIGHT PRICE ALE • • L L A E A A S L S S A Y Y RIGHT VEHICLES • RIGHT Y S A Y SAL A A Y A A TH • 5 D H • 5 D TH • 5 D D T D H H T 5 T 5 • • RIGHTSVEHICLES • TRIGHT T - 25 • RIGHT PRICE S ST - 25 - 25 ST - 25 25TIME ST - 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 H 2 H 1 C H C H 2 R C R C A H R A R C • MA • MA MAR E E ALE • M DAY SA L E • M • L L E A A L S S A SAL Y Y S Y Y A A TH • 5 H • 5 DA TH • 5 DA D T D H H T 5 T 5 • • ST - 25 ST - 25 - 25 ST - 25 ST - 25 ST 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 H 2 H 1 C H C H 2 R C R C A H R A R C A M A M R • M • MA LE • LE • M ALE • SALE H E A A S L S S A Y SA Y Y S A A A D Y D D A T • 5 TH • 5 TH • 5 D H • 5 D AY H T T 5 • 5 5 T ST - 25 -2 ST - 25 ST - 25 ST 1S - 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 H 2 H 1 C H C H 2 R C R C A H R A R C A M A M MAR E• M E• M • L L ALE • SALE • H E A A S L S S A Y Y Y S A Y SA A A D Y A A T • 5 H • 5 D TH • 5 D D T D H H T 5 T 5 • • ST - 25 - 25 ST - 25 ST - 25 ® ®5 INCLUDES: 1ST - 2 1 2 1 ®® 2 1 INCLUDES: 2 H 2 H C H C H R ROGUE ASENTRA SENTRA H 21 RC STANDARD ARMOONROOF RC ROGUE C A M A STANDARD FEATURES: M R • M M A • E • • FEATURES: M E L E L E MOONROOF A • L PAYINGWITH LEASE* FROMS $241 MONTHLY $1,495 DOWN A$995 DOWN S LEASE* FROM $201 MONTHLY E FRONT ALIKE LHEATED AHEATED Y SWITH S Y SAL WHEELS YTHAT'S S FRONT SEATS APAYING A A ONLY D LIKE ONLY Y D D A TH •THAT'S 5 H TH • 5 ALUMINUM-ALLOY T D 5 H • 5 D AY H TSEATS • T 5 ALUMINUM-ALLOY WHEELS • 5 5 T 5 2 T S 2 T - 25MONITOR - $ ST - 25 1S - 2 21 - %% A 1SREARVIEW 2 $ 1 REARVIEW MONITOR 2 DD XTRONIC H TRANSMISSION 2 H % AT C $ D H C H $ 21 XTRONIC TRANSMISSION R C % R C A D H R R C A M A M R . • M M . A • E • . • M E L . LED DAYTIME RUNNING L E •ANDRUNNING D D HEATED L FRONT EAND SA LDAYTIME Y SA WEEKLY DLED SASEATS SALE HEATED FRONT SEATS WEEKLY ON 2017 APR FOR ALIGHTS S ON 2017 SENTRA FOR DS Y Y AY39APR A A TAILLIGHTS D Y D D H A LIGHTS TAILLIGHTS TH 5 H T ROGUE S FWD 39 MONTHS 5 T D 5 H • 5 D AY SV CVT STYLE PACKAGE MONTHS • H • T 39 • T 5 39 • 5 5 T ST - 25 - 2PAYMENT INCLUDES $1,750 - 2 CASH ST - 25 ST - 25 1S BONUS 1 2 TRANSMISSION XTRONIC D 1 2 1 TOTAL PAYMENT INCLUDES $2,000 TOTAL BONUS CASH H TRANSMISSION XTRONIC D2 H 2 H C C H R C R C A R A R CH 21 A M A M R • M M A • E • • M E L E L E D A • D L L A S Y SA SA YS SALE Y Y A TH • 5 D A H • 5 D AY TH • 5 DAY T D H TH • 5 D A T 5 • ST - 25 T - 25 ST - 25 S 5 T 5 T 21 1S - 2 ® ® ARCH 21S - 2 H 21 2 H C C H R R C A H 21 A R C M A M R INCLUDES : : • INCLUDES M M PATHFINDER A • PATHFINDER E • • M E L E L E A • D D ALE SAL SA L H 6,000 AY S Y SA YONLY S Y A LBS MAXIMUM TOWING Y 6,000 LBS MAXIMUM TOWING D A TH • 5 D A H TH • 5 DAY T D 5 THAT’S LIKE PAYING TH • 5 D A • T THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY 5 • D ST - 25 5 T ST - 25 ST - 25 DD D 1ST - 25 1S -$2 21 2 1 REARVIEW MONITOR 2 H 2 H % REARVIEW MONITOR C H C H 21 % R C R C A H R A R DM C M A M R D A D D • DD M A • E • • . M E L •LIGHTS . APRY FORSALE D DLED DAYTIME RUNNING SALE LED DAYTIME RUNNING ALELIGHTS AY SA Y SAL S A Y D A WEEKLY T ON TH • 5 D A H2017 TDDHDD • 5 DAY D 5 AND TAIL LIGHTS H TH • 5 D A • T 5 39 AND TAIL LIGHTS T • T - 25 39 MONTHS PATHFINDER S 4X2 ST - 25 5 T S S 5 2 5 T S 2 S 2 1 DD 21 H 21 2CAPACITY H 21 21 H C 7-PASSENGER CAPACITY H C H R C R C A R 7-PASSENGER A R CH 2 A M A M R • M M A • E • • M E L E L E A • L L A S SA SA YS SALE DAY Y A TH • 5 D A H • 5 D AY TH • 5 DAY T D H TH • 5 D A T 5 • 5 5 ST - 2 5 ST -NORTH TH 2 ST 5 2 T 5 T S VISIT VANCOUVER NISSAN OR NORTHVANCOUVERNISSAN.CA• 2 S 2 OFFER ENDS MARCH 25 1 1 2 VISIT NORTH VANCOUVER NISSAN 1MARCH 211 OR NORTHVANCOUVERNISSAN.CA• 11 OFFER ENDS 25TH 2 H 2 H CH 2 1 C H C H 2 R 1 C 2 R C A 2 HC2 H R 2 A R H C C A M H A C M H R R C • M R D C M A A H R E A R • 819 Automall Drive, North Vancouver, BC, V7P 3R8 M L A M A M E R A • • M L D NORTH VANCOUVERNISSAN NISSAN M S A • E A E • • L Y 819 Automall Drive, North Vancouver, BC, V7P 3R8 M E S L A A E L E A • Y S L L D Tel: 604.985.9311 | northvancouvernissan.ca NORTH VANCOUVER A S A Y SA Tel:D D604.985.9311 A| northvancouvernissan.ca AY YS 5 D SA SALE 55DD Y • A TH • 5 D A H • 5 D AY TH ••5 DAY T H TH • 5 T • ST - 25 T - 25 ST - 25 S 5 5 T T S S 2 2 21 21 H 21 CH 21 H C H R C R C A R A R M A A M • M M • AY SALE TH • 5 DAY SA L E TH • 5 DAY SALE • TH 5 DAY SA L E • • ST 25 ST - 25 ST - 25 1 1 2 2 H 21 H ARC ARCH M M • • E L E L A SA DAY S • 5 DAY ST

5 5 DAY DAY

44000 000

3 500 3 500 UP TO

UP TO

1,000 1,000 +

Push Button Ignition

Alloy Wheels

Heated SeatsIgnition Push Button

Heated Seats

Heated SeatsIgnition Push Button

Sport Suspension Heated Seats

Sun Roof Alloy Wheels Sun Roof Alloy Wheels

Sport Sun RoofSuspension SunSuspension Roof Sport

RearView Monitor Heated Seats RearView Monitor Heated Seats

Sport Suspension RearView Monitor RearView Monitor 18” Wheels

Fog Sun Lights Roof Fog Sun Lights Roof Push Button Ignition SL Ignition model showns Push Button SL modelDriver’s showns Seats Power RearView Monitor PowerAlloy Driver’s Seats RearView Monitor Wheels Push Button Ignition Alloy Wheels Push Button Ignition Fog Lights Fog Lights Heated Seats Alloy Wheels Heated Seats Alloy Wheels

18”Lights Wheels Fog Fog Lights Paddle Shifters Paddle Shifters Power Driver’s Seats Power Driver’s Seats

SR modelSR showns model showns

A /C A /C

LEASE* FROM $201 MONTHLY WITH $995 DOWN THAT'S LIKE PAYING ONLY

46 46 0099 99 AT AT

WEEKLY ON 2017 SENTRA SV CVT STYLE PACKAGE

APR FOR MONTHS

PAYMENT INCLUDES $1,750 TOTAL BONUS CASH

Push MoonButton Roof Ignition Push MoonButton Roof Ignition

Push Button Ignition Alloy Wheels Push Button Ignition Alloy Wheels Alloy Wheels Heated Seats Alloy Wheels Heated Seats

Heated Seats Sun Roof Heated Seats Sun Roof

Sun Roof Sun Roof RearView Monitor RearView Monitor

56 0 099 99 56

Alloy Wheels Alloy Wheels

WEEKLY ON 2017 ROGUE S FWD

APR FOR MONTHS

Driver’s PowerPower Driver’s Seats Seats

Power Driver’s Power Driver’s SeatsSeats Alloy Wheels Alloy Wheels

Bluetooth® Technology Bluetooth® Technology Heated SeatsSeats Heated

LEASE* FROM DOWN LEASE* FROM$368 $368MONTHLY MONTHLYWITH WITH$1,495 $1,495 DOWN

85 1199 99

WEEKLY ON 2017 PATHFINDER S 4X2

APR FOR MONTHS

PAYMENT INCLUDES $2,250 TOTAL BONUS CASH PAYMENT INCLUDES $2,250 TOTAL BONUS CASH

DILAWRI GROUP OF COMPANIES DILAWRI GROUP OF COMPANIES

Power Driver’s Fog Lights Power Driver’s Seats Seats Fog Lights ® ®

Fog Lights Push Button Ignition Fog Lights Push Button Ignition

Power Driver’sSeats Seats Power Driver’s

Sport Suspension Sport Suspension

Fog LightsMonitor RearView Fog Lights RearView Monitor

Sun Roof Sun Roof

RearView Monitor PAYMENT INCLUDES $2,000 TOTAL BONUS CASH RearView Monitor

Fog Lights Fog Lights Power Driver’s Power Driver’sSeats Seats

Sport Suspension Sport Suspension

RearView Sun Roof Monitor RearView Sun Roof Monitor

Heated Seats Heated Seats

RearView Monitor RearView Fog Lights Fog LightsMonitor

Platinum Platinum model showns model showns

Power Driver’s Seats PowerSun Driver’s Seats Roof Heated Seats Sun Roof Heated Seats

Push Button Ignition LEASE* FROM $241 MONTHLY WITH $1,495 DOWN Push Button Ignition THAT'S LIKE PAYING ONLY

6,000 lbs Maximum Towing 6,000 lbs Maximum Towing Sun Sun Roof Roof

7-passenger capacity RearView Monitor 7-passenger capacity RearView Monitor Bluetooth® Technology Bluetooth® Technology

Fog Lights System Navigation Fog Lights System 6,000Navigation lbs Maximum Towing 6,000 lbs Maximum Towing Power CruiseDriver’s ControlSeats Power CruiseDriver’s ControlSeats

7-passenger capacity 7-passenger capacity Navigation System Navigation System Cruise Control Cruise Control

Sport Suspension Sport Suspension Sport Suspension Sport Suspension

18” Wheels 18” Wheels

Sport Suspension 18” Wheels

Paddle Shifters

Sport Suspension Offers available from March 21 – 25, 2017. Total Bonus Cash consists of a combination of My Choice Bonus Cash and 5 Day Bonus Cash. 2My Choice Bonus cash discount of 1,500/$1,250/$1,500 will be deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes and is 18” Wheels Paddle ShiftersPathfinder. 1Nissan Parts and Accessories credit (“credit”) is available on select new and previously unregistered 2017 Nissan models purchased/leased/financed and to customers or purchase any 2017ofRogue/2017 Sentra/2017 Offersapplicable available from March 21who – 25,lease, 2017.finance Total Bonus Cash consists a combination of My Choice Bonus Cash and 5 Day Bonus Cash. 2My Choice Bonus cash discount of 1,500/$1,250/$1,500 will be deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes and is delivered between March 1, 2017 and March 31, 2017.any Select models qualify for credit amounts as follows: $1,625Parts (2017and Sentra)//$1,950 (2017 Rogue, Pathfinder). Credit consists of aand discount that can only be used at the timeSuspension of initial purchase/lease/finance and and Sport Paddle Shifters applicable to customers who lease, finance or purchase 2017 Rogue/2017 Sentra/2017 Pathfinder. 1Nissan Accessories credit (“credit”) is available on select new previously unregistered 2017 Nissan models purchased/leased/financed A /C applied towards the purchase of Nissan from models an authorized dealer. Credit as cannot be used towards costs of installation NissanPathfinder). accessoriesCredit and cannot be deducted fromthat the negotiated oftime theSuspension vehicle. will be deducted and delivered between March 1, 2017 and Marchaccessories 31, 2017. Select qualifyNissan for credit amounts follows: $1,625 (2017the Sentra)//$1,950 (2017of Rogue, consists of a discount can only beselling used price at theSport of initial Credit purchase/lease/finance Paddle Shifters Acredit /C from the price of Nissan accessories after taxes. Any unused portion of this will not be refunded and may not be banked for future use. Customer is responsible for all costs not otherwise covered by credit. Credit has no cash surrender value and cannot be applied towards the purchase of Nissan accessories from an authorized Nissan dealer. Credit cannot be used towards the costs of installation of Nissan accessories and cannot be deducted from the negotiated selling price of the vehicle. Credit will be deducted applied transactions. +5 Day $750/$500/$500 applicable when purchasing, or be financing a new 2017 Pathfinder/2017 Rogue/2017 Sentra March 21, 2017 and March 25, A2017. Representative lease offer based from the priceto ofpast Nissan accessories afterBonus taxes.Cash Any of unused portion of this credit will notcash be refunded andleasing may not banked for future use. Customer is responsible for allbetween costs not otherwise covered by credit. Credit has no cash monthly surrender value and cannot be 18” Wheels /C Moon Roof on a new 2017 Rogue S FWD/2017 Sentra SV CVT Style Package/2017 Pathfinder S 4x2 at 0.99%/0.99%/1.99% lease APR for 39/39/39 months equals monthly payments of $241/$201/$368 with $1,495/$995/$1,495 down payment, and $0 security deposit. applied to past transactions. +5 Day Bonus Cash of $750/$500/$500 applicable when cash purchasing, leasing or financing a new 2017 Pathfinder/2017 Rogue/2017 Sentra between March 21, 2017 and March 25, A2017. Representative monthly lease offer based 18” Wheels Lease based on aSmaximum of 20,000 excess charged atPathfinder $0.10/km.Moon Total lease obligation is $10,895/$8,850/$15,841. Lease Cash of $0/$1,760/$0 is included in theof advertised offer. Offers include Total Bonus/CCash of $2,000/$1,750/$2,250. σModels Roof on a new 2017 Rogue FWD/2017 Sentrakm/year SV CVTwith Style Package/2017 S 4x2 at 0.99%/0.99%/1.99% lease APR for 39/39/39 months equals monthly payments $241/$201/$368 with $1,495/$995/$1,495 down payment, and $0 security deposit. $38,651.84/$28,656.84 /$51,031.84 selling pricecharged for a new 2017 RogueTotal SL Platinum (PL00)/ 2017 Sentra SR Turbo CVT Premium (RL00)/2017 Pathfinder Platinum 4x4. All Pricing includes Freight and PDE Total charges ($1,795/$1,600/$1,795) air-conditioning Lease shown based on a maximum of 20,000 km/year with excess at $0.10/km. lease obligation is $10,895/$8,850/$15,841. Lease Cash of $0/$1,760/$0 is included in the advertised offer. Offers include Bonus Cash of $2,000/$1,750/$2,250. σModels Paddle Shifters levy ($100), Wheel locks and all-weather mats ($228.84), documentation fee ($399), applicable fees, manufacturer’s rebate and dealer participation where applicable. License, registration, insurance and applicable taxes Moon Roofare extra. Offers are available on Sport Suspension shownapproved $38,651.84/$28,656.84 /$51,031.84 selling price for a new 2017 Rogue SL Platinum (PL00)/ 2017 Sentra SR Turbo CVT Premium (RL00)/2017 Pathfinder Platinum 4x4. All Pricing includes Freight and PDE charges ($1,795/$1,600/$1,795) air-conditioning credit through NCF. Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. See North Vancouver Nissan or www.northvancouvernissan.ca for complete details. Vehicles and accessories are for illustration purposes only. ©2017 Nissan Canada Inc. Paddle Shifters levy ($100), Wheel locks and all-weather mats ($228.84), documentation fee ($399), applicable fees, manufacturer’s rebate and dealer participation where applicable. License, registration,Sport insurance and applicable taxes are extra. Offers are available on Moon Roof Sport Suspension Suspension approved credit through NCF. Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. See North Vancouver Nissan or www.northvancouvernissan.ca for complete details. Vehicles and accessories are for illustration purposes only. ©2017 Nissan Canada Inc. A /C Sport Suspension

SunshineCoast_NVNissan_0317.indd 1

Sport Suspension Sport Suspension Sport Suspension

Sport Suspension Sport Suspension Sport Suspension 18” Wheels Sport Suspension

Sport Suspension

18” Wheels

18” Wheels Paddle Shifters

Sport Suspension

A /C

Sport Suspension

Moon Roof Sport Suspension 18” Wheels

Moon Roof Sport Suspension 18” Wheels Paddle Shifters 18” Wheels

Paddle Shifters 18” Wheels

2017-03-13 5:17 PM

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Chair Sunshine Coast Regional District and Repesentative for Halfmoon Bay, Area B

The news that a second director from Sechelt will be joining the SCRD board in 2018 has raised many questions from constituents on voting procedures for budget and governance at the regional district. The second round of the SCRD budget process is now complete and will be brought forward for adoption on March 23, 2017. You would expect the budget to pass, as all directors have had an opportunity for input and debate on any proposed tax differences from the 2016 budget. In the budget process, directors are responsible for clearly understanding which functions their regions are in and being vigilant in monitoring any tax increases in their area. Every year, directors wait in worried anticipation for the average assessment numbers to come out from the province. If the assessment in any area goes up, that area pays more for each of the functions that they participate in at the SCRD. A good example this year involves Halfmoon Bay and Roberts Creek, whose tax increases for SCRD services were nearly the same, but because of higher assessment, Roberts Creek came in with a 5 percent increase at the start of the SCRD budget, while Halfmoon Bay had none. Therefore, Roberts

Books & Beyond Tracey Therrien Chief Librarian, Gibsons and District Public Library

Patti Soos

in Pender Harbour

The Pender Harbour Garden Club has a mission “to promote all forms of gardening through educational sessions and practical experience in a socially supportive atmosphere”. The club is open to anyone who enjoys gardening and talking about gardening. If you are interested in joining, you do not need to be a knowledgeable gardener, you will learn from the various speakers and will enjoy hanging out with a group of fun and friendly people. To join, attend any meeting. Meetings are on the first or second Monday of March, April, May, June and sometimes July, October, November and December at the Pender Harbour School of Music or at various local gardens. An annual membership costs $15 and includes admittance to all meetings plus a Pender

Harbour Garden Club membership card, which is valid for discounts on plants and seeds at all garden shops on the Sunshine Coast (and some on the Lower Mainland as well). Otherwise, you may pay $5 and drop in to a meeting. Meetings are held from 1-3pm and host a guest speaker for the first 45-60 minutes and then a social hour with coffee, tea and baked goods. Gardenthemed items are raffled off at the end of each meeting with tickets costing $2 or three for $5. Come check out a meeting and have some fun with like-minded garden enthusiasts. The Garden Club already has a schedule of speakers for the rest of 2017. April 3, Ron Knight of Caron Gardens presents "The Wild Rhododendrons of Mt. Elphinstone", a story about how he discovered native rhodos on the Sunshine Coast. May 8, Fred Wein Sr. of Clearview Horticultural Products will talk about clematis; how to grow it, what types are available and will bring a few

samples. June 12, Jennifer from Westcoast Seeds will visit and talk about working on bee conservation projects in the Lower Mainland. Oct. 2, Conway Lum will visit; he is the 2012 recipient of the “Garden Communicator of the Year Award” by BC Landscape and Nursery Association. Nov. 13, Gwen Odermat

speaks on a variety of topics but specializes in speaking about the best plants for every area of a garden. Contact the Pender Harbour Garden Club for more information on all of their events. The website is www. phgardenclub.ca. or visit the Pender Harbour Garden Club Facebook page.

Stand out from the crowd

Lindsay Vanderlee Airbrush Artist

Advertise in one and only The Coast’s

OrganicTan, specializing in flawless, custom blended 604-885-3134organic • sales@thelocalweekly.ca airbrush tanning and SunnaSmile all natural teeth whitening

Get noticed!

lindz@organictan.ca

Advertise in

Organictan {natural mobile airbrush tanning} 778-833-GLOW (4569) www.organictan.ca 604-885-3134 • sales@thelocalweekly.ca

Get noticed! Advertise in 604-885-3134 sales@thelocalweekly.ca

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINALISTS OF THE 33RD ANNUAL BC BOOK PRIZES

K OO PR

S IZE

Spring is here; that means it must be tax time. To help ease the stress of tax season the Library is offering free income tax assistance sessions for eligible individuals (modest income and a simple tax situation) on Fridays throughout March and April 12:30-4:30pm This service is provided by the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program which is run in collaboration between community organizations like the Library and the Canada Revenue Agency. Thank you to the dedicated volunteers that annually provide this service for our residents. Appointments are necessary; please drop by the library or call to book your appointment. Spring also means springbreak for kids. If you are looking for affordable ways (remember it’s always free at the library) to keep your children or grandchildren busy and entertained, the Library has a number of programs and services to help. The Library held its first coding camp for kids March 13-16 and more than 30 kids attended sessions and

learned basic and intermediate computer coding skills. If you missed the coding camps the Library is presenting a free screening of “Moana” on Saturday March 25 at 1pm. Or maybe this spring break you are looking for project ideas for your child or the whole family; don’t forget we have a number of books and magazines that can help you out. If you want to build a tree house or go-cart, learn to knit or bake the best cupcakes, drop by the library and let us help you get started. There are over 40,000 items in the library, including DVDs, CDs, magazines, audiobooks and over 65,000 downloadable eBooks and hundreds of online newspaper and magazine subscriptions for you to explore. No matter what your plans are this spring consider making the library a regular part of your family routine. It is a great place to get inspired. To sign-up for a library membership all you need is picture identification with your current address. To register for events or to find out more about library programs and services drop by the library, visit our website: gibsons.bc.libraries. coop or call us at 604-886213. Remember all library programing and services are free.

Around the Harbour

THE 2017 WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED APRIL 29 AT THE PINNACLE VANCOUVER HARBOURFRONT HOTEL • BC BOOK PRIZES SOIRÉE IS ON APRIL 5 • AUTHORS WILL BE ON TOUR APRIL 10–28

LEARN MORE AND WIN BOOKS AT WWW.BCBOOKPRIZES.CA THANK YOU TO OUR PUBLISHERS, FUNDERS, AND SPONSORS. WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT! Arsenal Pulp Press, Caitlin Press, Creekstone Press, Douglas and McIntyre, ECW Press, Fifth House Publishers, Fort Nelson News, Gaspereau Press, Greystone Books, Harbour Publishing, HarperCollins Publishers, Knopf Canada, Mother Tongue Publishing, Nightwood Editions, Orca Book Publishers, Pedlar Press, Random House Canada, Simply Read Books, TouchWood Editions, Tundra Books, University of Alberta Press

8064672

Garry Nohr

Creek has a 7.2 percent tax increase while Halfmoon Bay is at 2.2 percent. The voting to pass or reject the budget is done by weighted vote. Not one of the participants alone can defeat the budget bylaw, as not one has veto power. The weighted vote gives Sechelt 5, Gibsons 3, SIB 1 and each of the rural areas 2 votes each. Presently there are a total of 19 votes and a need for 10 votes in favor to pass the budget. In 2018, with Sechelt having a second councillor and getting one more vote for a total of 6, there will be an overall total of 20 votes and a need for 11 to pass the budget. For example, in this year, if the Sechelt representative is opposed to the budget there would be a need for three other participants to vote in opposition to defeat it; this ratio will not change when Sechelt gets the second councillor. When voting for chair and vice-chair of the SCRD, each director has one vote. Presently there are 8 participants, which has led to a tie vote in the past. The tie must be broken by secret ballot revote until a majority winner is decided; sometimes this goes on for numerous rounds until one director changes his or her vote. If the 2 representatives from Sechelt vote for each other for chair or vicechair, they will still need 3 votes from other areas. Next year, an expanded board of 9 directors will eliminate a tie vote. Please contact me at 604741-2427 or e-mail me at garry.nohr@scrd.ca if you wish to discuss SCRD programs or plans.

BC B

Coast Watch

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Road safety training for student cyclists Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (TraC) is pleased to announce a bike skills and road safety program for Sunshine Coast elementary schools. The project will be implemented in collaboration with School District 46 and with the generous support of local businesses Coastal Craft Yachts, Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, and Harbour Air, as well as the local RCMP. Approximately 475 grade four and five students will be trained in bike and road safety skills starting this spring. TraC initiated this project as part of its efforts to encourage a local culture of active transportation. Marina Stjepovic, TraC director and coordinator of the annual Bike to School Week

event, reports that the event has grown in popularity over the past few years, with upwards of 60-80 per cent student participation at some schools. "We’re excited to see so many more kids biking and walking to school, but we also noticed a real need to educate them about how to stay safe on the roads. Bike safety skills taught at a young age will hopefully stick with the individuals for their whole lives, giving them the confidence to ride bikes, stay active and safe, and even to be responsible road users into the future." The comprehensive training will be provided by Sunshine Coast-based “LIFECycle Bike Safety & Adventure”, the leader of this kind of training in the Lower Mainland. Each class

will receive in-class instruction followed by outdoor practical experience riding, learning and using newly acquired skills. Surveys will be undertaken to measure results and effectiveness. TraC will then work with the School District to assess how well the project worked, and to find ways to continue the training for future grade four and five students. TraC is a local not-for-profit volunteer group advocating for active forms of transportation – such as biking, walking, and public transit – as alternatives to private vehicles. TraC promotes and plans events and projects that get people of all ages and abilities out enjoying active ways of getting around the community. Submittted

4 International Women’s Day, March 8, on the Sunshine Coast included an event called “OutRAGEous women”, featuring readings by four writers at the Gumboot Cafe in Roberts Creek. From the left, Janice Williams, Danika Dinsmore, Caitlin Hicks and Linda Nardelli. PAUL CLANCY PHOTO

THESE HAVE TO GO! *Plus $595 Administration Fee / No Finance Fee!

2016 EXPLORER XLT 4X4

10,725km

Stk: 96-031-0

28,658 km

$37,900

2013 F150 CREW LARIAT

6 PASS. 30,620 km

Stk: 76-001-1

2015 EDGE SEL AWD

$39,800

2012 EXPLORER LIMITED 4X4 32,435km

$33,600

Stk: 95-059-0

Stk: 76-199-1

2015 EDGE SEL AWD 16,711 km

$31,900

Stk: 95-065-0

117,202 km

$34,600

2014 ESCAPE TITANIUM AWD

Stk: 75-189-1

$38,800

2015 FUSION TITANIUM AWD 15,108km

Stk: 95-061-0

$27,490

2012 FOCUS TITANIUM

2011 F150 CREW LARIAT 99,372 km

68,261km

22,426km Stk: 76-009-1

2014 F350 CREW 6.7L

$28,900

Stk: 75-021-1

South Coast

SERVING YOU SINCE 1979!

5605 WHARF AVE, SECHELT

$27,500

Stk: 76-170-1

$14,290

Call 604-670-1066 | Toll Free 1-800-538-4504 Open Monday-Friday 8:00-5:30 | Sat 8:00-5:00

ON THE SPOT FINANCING

www.southcoastford.com

ARTS & CULTURE

Local

the

Art Review Anna Nobile Freelance Creative Writer, Arts & Culture

When Life Skills had its first run in 1986, Nicola Cavendish won a Jessie for Outstanding Performance by an Actress and playwright David King won Outstanding Original Play for his funny, insightful script. Thirty one years later, King has updated his play with 50 per cent new material. Like the original, Life Skills (Advanced) centres around community cable show host Hugh Malikowski (played by King), and his interview with Valerie Delaney (played by Wanda Nowicki), who is offering life skills workshops. The interview, filmed in advance at Coast Cable, is counterpointed by vignettes, illustrating various life skills in action. The contrast between the sometimes absurd, sometimes philosophical conversation between guest and host and the live acted segments provide numerous laughs, not just because the scenes are inherently funny, but because theatre goers are likely to see something of themselves amid the 11 hapless characters that grace the stage. The play employs multimedia well, projecting the interview scenes as if we are watching a giant, old fashioned television set and then projecting painted backgrounds to provide the scenery for the vignettes. Those backgrounds are all original canvasses painted by local Coast artists, including Marleen Vermeulen, Coralie Swaney, and Tia Rosypskye, to name just three who participated in the project. The original canvasses are hanging in the theatre lobby so be sure to check them out at intermission. King is thrilled to be mount-

Poetry Contest

The Sechelt Library is having a poetry contest to help celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. You may not get published, but every poem will be publicly displayed at the end of April, poetry month. The theme is "What living in Canada means to you", and you can use photos or drawings as part of your submission. The contest is open to all ages, children, youth and adults. Prizes will be awarded for creativity and originality. The deadline is April 12 at 7pm. All poems will be laminated and displayed on a "Poetry Line" (think clothes line) strung in the trees around the library, during the week of April 24. Entries must be accompanied by a registration form, available at the library or the website, sechelt.bc.libraries. coop. Staﬀ

ing his re-worked play here on the Coast, where he has been a resident since 2008. King and play director Dave Hurtubise have known each other professionally for many years and are happy to be working together again. The actors, all local, many of them professionals, participate in a play reading group. When Hurtubise was asked by the Playhouse to direct a play, he brought the reading group King’s script and they loved it. Nine actors, working in pairs, take on 24 roles through 13 vignettes. Life skills one might glean from this play are “When To Stop Eating,” featuring a very funny Marcia Forst playing a character who can’t stop eating while her companion recounts his suicide attempt. Or “Accepting Religion” which again sees Forst playing a character who invites a baffled Kevin Crofton as a Jehovah’s Witness into her home to help her dress for brunch. In “Fitting In” Crofton plays an overbearing partner to Susan Rule, crushing her confidence just when she needs it most. These are real people in real situations, and just as in real life, things don’t always turn out well. But humour is the one life skill we can all try to use a little more. Life Skills (Advanced) runs at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse March 16, 17, 18 and March 23, 24, 25 at 7:30pm plus March 19, 2pm matinee. Tickets $20 at Laedeli Gifts, Sechelt Visitor Centre, sharethere.com or at the door.

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Events on the Sunshine Coast

The cast of Life Skills (Advanced) includes, from the left, Susan Rule, Colleen Elson, Pat Dorval, Dave Hurtubise (director) Marcia Forst, Kevin Crofton, Wanda Nowicki and David King (playwright.) ANNA NOBILE PHOTO

Open House

Saturday, March 25th 10am-6pm

Come check us out! 10% off all orders over $100!

446 Marine Drive, Gibsons

The Handy Husband 604-741-3727 Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm Weekends & holidays 9am to 4pm

The Handy Husband offers building, maintenance, renovation, and landscaping services to residential and business clients on the Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Earl’s Cove. Our goal is to provide exceptional above and beyond client service as well as tremendous results and a fantastic product.

REASONABLE RATES!

Hourly or contract pricing available.

SERVICES OFFERED: Bathrooms – Tile installation & repairs, flooring & counter installation, drywall, light plumbing & electrical, painting and miscellaneous repairs. Kitchen – Cabinetry installation & repairs, drywall, flooring & tile installation, backsplash installation, moulding & trim, painting and miscellaneous repairs. Bedroom, Family & Living Room – Door repairs,

paint, drywall repairs, moulding & trim, wall & shelving units, custom carpentry, stonework, painting and miscellaneous repairs.

Home Exterior – Perimeter drainage, pressure washing,

gutter cleaning, deck cleaning & sealing, deck & stair installation/ repair, weatherproof decking, wood rot repairs, roofing installation & repairs, fence installation & repairs, retaining walls, concrete slabs & paving stones.

Seasonal Maintenance – Weather stripping, paint touch ups, roof de-mossing, hanging Christmas lights and window washing.

If you’re looking for a contractor to show up when they say they will and do professional work... then call TODAY for a FREE estimate!

604-741-3727

March 16 Beer and burger fundraiser for the Mountain Grind obstacle course race, Lighthouse Pub, Sechelt, 7-9pm, $25 March 16 Author of “Walking to Japan”, Carolyn Affleck Youngs, talks about her late husband’s walks for peace, Arts Centre, Sechelt, 7:30pm March 16-25 “Life Skills (Advanced)”, a comedy by David King, Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, Thur., Fri. & Sat. 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm, $20 March 17 Bad to the Bow plays St. Patrick’s Day, Gramma’s Pub, Gibsons, 6-8pm March 17 Knotty Buoys play St. Patrick’s Day, Blackfish Pub, Gibsons, 7pm March 17 St. Patrick’s Day with Danny Dolen and many guests, Roberts Creek Legion, 8pm, members $8, guests $15 March 17 ZonoLite plays St. Patrick’s Day, Grasshopper Pub, Pender Harbour, 8pm March 17-18 Skits, songs and dances with The Funtastics, fundraiser for Seniors Activity Centre, Sechelt, Fri. 7pm, Sat. 3pm, $20 March 18 Book launch of “Shine Bright” by local author Sheila Cameron, Gibsons Public Library, 2-3pm March 18 A.D.D. Band, Gibsons Legion, 8pm, members $5, guests $10 March 18 Modern Terror and Sinmobile, Roberts Creek Legion, 9pm, members $6, guests $12 March 18-19 Open house at One Flower One Leaf Gallery, 437 Marine Dr., Lower Gibsons, 10am-5pm March 19 Vancouver Viols in concert, Arts Centre, Sechelt, 4:30pm, $25, youth free with adult March 20 SC Film Society presents “The Handmaiden”, Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, 7:30pm, members $5, others $9 March 21 Tuesday Talks presents Catherine Evans on tales from Assam, Bhutan and Myanmar, Sechelt Library, 1:30-3pm March 21 Faces of the Coast diversity film festival, Capilano University, Sechelt, 7-9pm, free March 24 Dinner music by Charlotte Wrinch, Roberts Creek Legion, 6-7:30pm, tips for the musician March 25 “Boats in My Blood” author Barrie Farrell reads and sings, Lighthouse Pub, Sechelt, 2pm

March 25 Dance with Jim Taylor, Seniors Activity Centre, Sechelt, 7pm, members $10, others $15 March 25 Matthew Wright, priest and writer, on the wisdom in the teachings of Jesus, St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, Sechelt, 7pm, suggested donation $10-$15 March 25 Literary reading with novelist Bill Gaston, Arts Centre, Sechelt, 8pm, by donation March 25 The Song Butchers, Gibsons Legion, 8pm, members $5, guests $10 March 25 Spring dance with the Boom Booms, fundraiser for the Pender Harbour Blues Festival, Pender Harbour Community Hall, 8pm, $28 March 25 DJ Stimz, Aerion and Phyrfly, Roberts Creek Legion, 9pm, members $8, guests $15 March 26 Master gardener Mike Nassichuk on growing vegetables, SC Botanical Garden, West Sechelt, 2pm, members $15, others $20 March 26 Cabaret show “Just One of Those Things” with music from Broadway and the show lounges, School of Music, Madeira Park, 2pm, $25 March 27 Actor auditions for October “Canada 150” show, Rockwood Centre, Sechelt, 5:307:30pm, call for appointment 604-885-0706 March 28 Tuesday Talks presents an introduction to family history research, Sechelt Library, 1:30-3pm March 29 Workshop on spotting elder abuse, Gibsons Public Library, 6-7:30pm March 29 “Canada Vignettes” film series, Gibsons Public Art Gallery, 7pm, free March 30 Ruby’s Night Out dinner, fundraiser for Ruby Slipper Fund, Daphne’s Restaurant, Sechelt, 6:30-10pm, $40 March 30 A night of literary nonfiction with writers Claire Finlayson, Heather Conn and Sheila Cameron, Sechelt Public Library, 7pm, free March 31 Opening of art show by Anna Green, Gumboot Cafe, Roberts Creek, 6-9pm March 31 Three-course dinner and dance with Creek Big Band and Anagram, fundraiser, Elphinstone Secondary, Gibsons, 6-10:30pm, $35 April 1 Trash to treasure garage sale, Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre, 10am-2pm

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

admin@thelocalweekly.ca ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS REDECOR CONSIGNMENT

Serving Sunshine Coast residents since 2010 • Downsizing simplifying your space

Tricia Coffey 604.741.4424

• Decluttering • House Sale Preparation • Move Services

tricia@rightsizingsolutions.ca

• Home Contents Sales

www.rightsizingsolutions.com

• Estate Dispersal

WORK WANTED THE GUTTERMAN. Maintenance/Repairs/Installation. Free Estimates. 604618-3244 FOR HIRE - NOBODY IS GONNA BEAT MY PROFESSIONAL WORK & PRICE. Semi-retired tile setter, hardwood & stone installer. Will do your home project. 40 years of experience. For info Call 604-813-6745. Ask for Gene.

FOR HIRE – SKILLED EXPERIENCED GARDENER with horticulture education. Offering landscape consultation, maintenance, renovation, & small construction. Hardworking, reliable. Serving Roberts Creek & Gibsons. Limited availability. Ryan 604-886-3552.

w w w. t h e l o c a l we e k l y. c a

SERVICE DIRECTORY Ask about our seasonal pricing and free lawn aeration

604-740-7718

HOME AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE www.themowingcompany.com

PAINTER & HANDYMAN

WITH 45 YEARS EXPERIENCE! I’m interested in creating happy customers! Call Harlend today!

604-989-9067

References available.

J&J TOTAL CLEANING SERVICES

• Window Washing • Gutter Cleaning • Moss Removal • Siding Scrub • Construction Clean-Up • Power Washing • Commercial / Residential Alejandro: 604.741.4343 jun_hipolito@yahoo.com

Did you know green is the colour of the year?....and we have lots of green décor accessories in the store NOW! We are so on trend!... completely accidentally of course! NEW…James Bennett pottery, Mike Fairweather ladder shelf, side tables & benches, Wool cushions by Jean Hamilton. All Local, lots of new kitchen stuff including three Denby designs. We are preparing for summer and beginning to look for new décor items made from recycled materials. Please give us a call if you think you have something we might want. Thanks for supporting our downtown community! 5660 Cowrie St, Sechelt 604-885-5884

COASTLINE CLOSETS

Custom Closets, pantries, Garages, mudrooms, Lifetime quality at affordable prices. FREE consultation and estimate. Call Alex in Sechelt 604-762-1212. abird@coastlineclosets.ca

DIDN’T GET YOUR ✓ PAPER? ✓✓

ALANON/ALATEEN for friends and families of alcoholics. Meetings Monday - Friday. Call 604-885-0101, 604-8862252, 604-886-4594, 604-8860228, 604-886-8578. RENOVATING? Have windows, doors, cabinets that can be reused? Consider SC Habitat for Humanity RESTORE in Sechelt. We pick up for you and provide a tax receipt when items are sold. Contact us 604-885-6773 ECHO’S DISCONTINUED CHINA, SILVER & ANTIQUES Need China Dinnerware and Silver Flatware e.g. Denby, Royal Albert, Doulton, Wedgewood Etc. Silver plate & Sterling,e.g. Birks & Community Cash & Consignment. Phone for appointment & information 604-980-8011 (a Must Please) www.echoschina.com

Please GIVE to the Food Bank PICK ONE UP AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS FROM OUR GREEN BOXES:

IGA Gibsons Fields Store Gibsons Roberts Creek General Store ✓ Big Mac’s Sechelt ✓ Sechelt Public Library ✓ Teredo Square ✓ Pier 17 - Davis Bay ✓ Halfmoon Bay General Store ✓ Earls Cove Ferry ✓ Canada Post Garden Bay ✓ Painted Boat Resort ✓ IGA Madeira Park ✓ Pender Harbour Diesel ✓ Bathgates General Store - Egmont ✓ OR at the LOCAL office: #213 - 5710 Teredo Street

PRO PAINTER CUSTOM HOMES & RENOVATIONS Interior ~ Exterior Professional Painter

604.886.1804

Windows • Gutters Hand Siding Scrub & Pressure Wash callTheBoys.ca

604-885-0661

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR

CUSTOM Closets, Pantries & Garages • Designed Locally in Sechelt.

Did you know?

FOR USED WEAPONS

& Military Items Etc. 604-740-6474

THE LOCAL’s newsprint, regular or glossy paper, is biodegradable, recyclable and is printed with vegetable-based ink. Please recycle this newspaper.

Quality • Affordable • Local Free Consultation & Estimate

Motorhomes Travel Trailers Camper Vans

604-886-7341 Get $ CASH $ today and I’ll take it away.

GOLD & SILVER $ $ BUYER $ $

Jewelry, Diamonds, Watches, Sterling Silverware, Coins Etc. CALL ALEX BIRD 604-762-1212

ABIRD@COASTLINECLOSETS.CA

Employment Type: Contract

The candidates should have some experience with International Students in Canada. Japanese language skills are an asset. Please send in your resume and cover letter regarding this position. Person to contact: John Dwernychuk – jdwernychuk@mliesl.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Computers .ca Visit Website For Great Specials

www.James k

Sales & Service Tues-Fri / 10-5 Sat / 10-4

576 Shaw Rd. Gibsons, BC

Fast

Stable

Quiet

Clean

604-865-0569 The Declutter Co. Are you overwhelmed with clutter?

CALL US! DECLUTTER • DOWNSIZE • ORGANIZE

No more mess - Way less stress Hilda & Mike Arnold 604-741-3591 • thedeclutterco@gmail.com Located on the Sunshine Coast

HOME • GARAGE • STORAGE • SHED • GARDEN

WANTED Sunshine Coast

WANTED

WANTED!

Compensation: To be determined based on experience

Recommended Skills: • Organization and people management skills • Ability to deal with change and adapt quickly • Reliable and conscientious • Problem solving • Team Player

FREE EST. ~ WCB

$ CASH $

(GIBSONS AREA)

Muskoka Language International (MLI) is looking to hire a Contract ESL Program Coordinator for its Japanese Student Group in the Sunshine Coast area. This group of students will be in Canada from May 13th -18th and will be studying on the Sunshine Coast.

DIAMOND BUYER 604-740-6474

Guaranteed dIStrIButIOn are you getting the best results for your advertising dollars?

Take the guesswork out of it and switch to the Local. We guarantee our distribution! 13,100 copies every Thursday rain or shine. delivered to all residences by Canada Post, on the BC Ferries & in all businesses.

Why settle for less? The Local gives you...

• 100% market penetration in every area of the Sunshine Coast • the ONLY community newspaper delivered to your home mailbox by Canada Post and hand delivered to all businesses, newspaper boxes and BC Ferries

So get the most for your advertising dollar! Your weekly community newspaper

#213-5710 Teredo St., Sechelt • phone 604-885-3134 email: admin@thelocalweekly.ca • fax: 604 885-3194

For private, in-home appointment Call: 604-740-6474 Today!

$10.00+GST $9.99+GST

Supporting families by providing them with healthy food to feed their children.

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Horoscope Michael O’Connor Astrologer

Tip of the Week: Despite all the drama in the world, it can be satisfying to realize that St. Patrick’s Day is here to announce the official arrival of spring. So, raise a glass in cheer. The Sun enters Aries marking the exact official moment of Equinox on March 20 at 3:29 am PDT.

The waning Moon will be at exact half mast a wee bit over 5 hours later when it enters Capricorn. So, both Sun and Moon will be at 0 degrees of the Cardinal Signs, Aries, and Capricorn respectively. On March 18 Mercury was conjunct Venus in Aries activating a new cycle, and both were otherwise unaspected. This reveals an assertive dynamic that will characterize the spring season. Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) You have been dealing with a rich mix of energies. At worst, you feel pulled in a

variety of directions. At best, boots with cleats. SUNCO MORTGAGE CORPORATION you are able to be present in Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) and enjoy each of them. Your A breakthrough has ocREAL ESTATE ambitions are on the rise, yet curred and this is just the EQUITY LOANS your drive may be on hold. beginning. Spring has arrived Focus on deciphering your early for some and you are Easy Qualification goals, but take it slow for among them. In keeping with now. the season, you feel aroused Quick Approvals Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) and this impulse will deepen Richard Watt 604-740-1244 Searching for that silent yet. Love is in the air and you www.suncomortgagecorp.ca sweet spot continues. Ironi- want some but if the love cally, realizing it requires that is not so available you will OVER 20 YEARS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST - ONE DAY ONLY! you break new ground.SATURDAY As probably settle for some fun. $ STEAK �� /LB long as you know what SIRLOIN you Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) are aiming for, you will feel at A series of rather deep peace. That is the goal. What changes have been steadily you want to feel peaceful underway for over a year about, specifically, may not now. These are challenging yet be clear. you to move on and perhaps Gemini (May 21-June 20) SPECIALS away… from old perspectives. Breaking through your illu- But doing so won’t come so sions so you can identify your easily. You have work to do NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR EASTER dreams is important now. and it may amount to some Dreams are real even if they deliberate adjustments of BACK BACON �� $ /LB are still just in your mind. Il- your perspectives. GLUTEN FREE - 500 G lusions are dreams that have Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) ¢EA ANNA’S PASTA �� no reality to them. There is Hopefully you have taken nothing wrong with having il- the opportunity to catch-up ¢/LB YELLOW ONIONS �� lusions but it is good to iden- on your beauty sleep. Spring tify them and set them free. suggests action and that is MON-FRI 7:30am-9pm • SATURDAY 8am-9pm • SUNDAY 9am-8pm Cancer (June 21-July 22) exactly what you are about WHILE SUPPLIES LAST • Prices in effect Fri. Mar. 17 to Thurs. Mar. 23 A soul-searching journey to take, by choice or circontinues. That it includes cumstance. Expect to push 12875 Madeira Park Rd, Madeira Park • To order call 604-883-2411 finding your place and/or harder for the next couple center in the world is not a of months… no, make that, w w w.thelocalweekly.ca contradiction. You are the years. embodiment and vehicle for your soul. It seeks selfBuy 3 months and get the 4th month free! actualization. Self-realization implies becoming aware of Best rates in town. We beat any price! these truths and committing to them. • Brand new units • 24 hour access Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) A process of clearing the • 7 days a week SECURE • SAFE • AFFORDABLE way continues. Although it may be tempting to look back, 5621 Inlet Ave, Sechelt 604-885-3460 • www.belmarselfstorage.com don’t bother. The current is moving too fast. Trust and cooperate with the flow of the BROUGHT TO YOU BY current. The time has come to up the ante on your learning curve as well. Get ready to Solution on page 10 Courtesy of puzzlechoice.com go hard. 7. Cogwheel Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) 8. Amateur radio operator A creative impulse is ris9. Circumstance ing, fast. Already you can feel 10. Customary observance or the current speeding up. This practice momentum will continue 11. Challenge all week. Despite the pull of 12. Couch Venus, your determination 15. Indicate assent is growing stronger as well. 20. Catch sight of 22. Ale This is one of those times 26. Belonging to him when you shift into low and 28. Appendage on the bracts crawl… up the mountain. of grasses Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) 29. Deplete There is something special 30. Enemy in the air, a spring spell of cre31. Elaborate song 32. Precious metal ative magic. Once you see it, 33. Comply you will want it like satisfying 34. In addition a deep hunger. Achieving it 35. Cut of meat may not be straightforward, 36. Had on however. It will require in37. Public transport ventiveness and resolve. This 40. Relieve from ACROSS 30. Small indefinite quantity 58. Fodder is a call to pull out your lucky 41. Liveliness and energy 1. Box on a pole handle for 31. In the past 60. Voice part charms. 43. Anger carrying bricks 34. Forever 62. Expiate 44. Cattle reared for meat Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) 4. Air pollution 37. Brought into existence 64. Seaweed 45. Division of 6 Down Something fresh and new 8. Group of animals 38. Steal 66. Tusked swine 46. Fine grained mineral is making its way into your 12. Rescue 39. Closed circuit 67. Marine colonial polyp 49. Account book world, and just in time for 13. Rate 40. Regret 68. Stride 50. Echo sounder spring. Yet you will have to 14. Relating to birds 41. Heap 69. Redact 51. Greek letter 16. Kitchen appliance 42. Male title 70. Fringe benefit meet it halfway, at least. At 52. Positively charged electrode 17. Length by width 43. Wading bird 71. Fruit filled pastry 53. Blot first, it will seem to be com18. Subway system 45. Unwavering 72. Decimal base 54. Larboard ing right at you. But then the DOWN 19. Strong suit 47. Single 55. Pouch tables will turn and you will 1. Mayhem 21. Attire 48. Chromatic color 56. At the peak have little choice but to en2. Open 23. Necessitate 49. Jump 57. Bloodshed gage in hot pursuit. 3. Impression in a surface 24. Perform 50. Understand 59. Compass direction Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) 4. Health spring 25. Tibia 51. Do business 61. Assist 5. Permissible difference 27. Consume 52. Egyptian cobra 63. Moose Oh lucky yay! Here is an in6. Large body of water 65. Pertinent 29. Whirl 55. Powdery starch vitation to come out and play. The twist is that the game stands to include a competiCALLY OW LO tive edge. So, what can you do Trail Bay Centre • 5755 Cowrie Street, Sechelt YEARS to show up prepared? Probof service • Meat & Deli 604-885-9812 • Produce & Floral 604-885-9841 ably the first measure is to be ND E O P E R AT • Bakery 604-885-9823 • Office 604-885-2025 aware. This is hardly an occasion for slippers. More like

5.69

8.99 99 49

You’re a winner…in Hungary On March 8, a Coast resident reported falling for a common scam after receiving a phone call from someone purporting to be from Publisher's Clearing House. The caller advised the resident that she had won $750,000 but would need to pay tax on her winnings before the money could be released. The resident agreed to prepay the "tax" and as

instructed, sent the funds to an address in Hungary. The resident then realized she had been scammed. To learn more about this and other types of scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www. bbb.org Submitted by RCMP

CROSSWORD

D NE

Patrons view the young people’s art show at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery during the opening party March 11. The works will be on display until April 2. DONNA MCMAHON PHOTO

100%

Your first choice in foods

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) champ Julia Budd, of Roberts Creek, centre, visited the SC Boxing Club in Gibsons March 11. A week earlier, on March 3, Budd had won a big match in Oklahoma, becoming the first Bellator Women’s featherweight champion. Posing with her is local MMA instructor Dave Hollet, left, and boxer Angela Cantarutti, who is holding Budd’s Belator belt. JASON PRATT PHOTO

The Local - Thursday, March 16, 2017