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Volume 20, No. 25

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Three more sign up for space at Crown Isle Shopping Centre By Philip Round Echo Staff

The big new electricity substation being constructed between Buckley Bay and Union Bay is expected to power up in the fall this year.

Big electricity substation powering up well Local contractor feels Valley workers not benefiting from $28m project By Michael Briones Echo Staff The big new electricity substation being constructed between Buckley Bay and Union Bay is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed in early fall this year. The project, which cost about $28 million, is expected to be a big boost to the Comox Valley as it will allow BC Hydro to keep pace with the increasing demand for electricity due to new developments down the road. “The Buckley Bay substation and the circuits that come out of it will indirectly foster local economic activity by providing more power sup-

ply for growth,” said BC Hdyro’s communication officerm Stephen Watson. “The substation will also help with electricity reliability to the southern Comox Valley.” The huge substation, which started in 2012, has created jobs but one local contractor feels Comox Valley is not benefiting from it. A contractor, who talked to the Echo but doesn’t want his identity published for fear of being blackballed on future projects, questioned why most of the workers are not from the Comox Valley area. He said preference should be given to local workers first. Houle Electric, with bases in Nanaimo and Victoria as well as on the mainland, is the com-

pany hired to lead the construction. There are currently 32 people working on the site, and of those, three are from the wider Comox Valley. “Generally, BC Hydro puts out construction contracts onto BC Bid and numerous companies bid on that work, such as the Buckley Bay Substation Project,” said Watson. “Houle Electric Ltd won the competition for civil and electrical contract work for the substation project. From there, Houle may hire various subcontractors to enable them to complete the work based on their cost bid to BC Hydro.” The site preparation was completed last summer and was done by Upland Excavating out of Campbell River. (Continued on page 2)

Construction of another building in the Thrifty Foods Crown Isle Shopping Centre started this week - and two more will follow very soon. City Hall has issued a building permit giving the go-ahead for the first and largest of three additional buildings in phase two of the development, on cleared land between the existing Thrifty Foods grocery store and Ryan Road. Thrifty Foods’ senior director of marketing and communications, Ralf Mundel, told the Echo the first confirmed tenant in the new 11,700 sq. ft. retail building was Dollarama. Courtenay company AFC Construction had secured the contract for work on the new building, having successfully completed three other structures within the new shopping centre. AFC will also carry out site works in readiness for two other buildings in phase two - a 95-seat restaurant with patio and drive-thru, and an auto service centre. A development permit for those has been approved, but detailed building permits have not yet been issued. Mundel said they were almost ready to go with the other buildings, confirming for the first time that McDonald’s had signed up to operate the restaurant and Mr. Lube would be the tenant of the auto service centre. “We are getting a wonderful mix of tenants at Crown Isle,” said Mundel. “It’s a fantastic development - the whole place has such a good vibe.” (Continued on page 2)

Valley facing $74m bill to upgrade ageing sewer system Revised plan aims to spread cost over longer period By Philip Round Echo Staff Flush any toilet at a property connected to the Comox Valley sewer system, and the waste simply disappears to become someone else’s responsibility. Where it goes, how it gets there, and how it’s treated on the way is not your problem. The only times people give it any thought is if there’s a deeply unpleasant back-up - or more likely when they receive their annual utility bill in the mail. And its now clear those bills are going to be on the rise for the next few years at a pace significantly above inflation. The problem is that most of the Valley’s strategic infrastructure of pipelines and pumps, along with treatment and disposal facilities,

From the air, this is the existing plant on Comox peninsula where the Valley’s sewage is treated before the wastewater is piped through an outflow 3kms long to deep section of the Georgia Strait. (Photo: CVRD) was constructed in the early 1980s. Much of it was brought in to use 30 years ago - and the system was only designed to cope with anticipated flows for 25 years.

So Comox Valley Regional District needs to plan for - and finance - not only upgrades or complete replacement of existing infrastructure, but also its expansion to cope with ongo-

ing population growth. “Most of the infrastructure is now at the limit of its designed capacity and some of it is near the end of its life expectancy,” said Marc Rutten, the CVRD’s senior manager of engineering services. “Many upgrades are required to cope with population growth and to address environmental concerns and newer regulations. “The consequences of not doing this essential work do not bear thinking about. “But we recognize there’s a big price to pay and have been working to find a way to at least ease the inevitable impact.” A master plan charting the way forward was completed in 2011, with spending priorities set for a ten-year period. It was estimated that around $73 million needed to be spent to make sure the system was capable of handling growing flows while meeting tougher environmental regulations. And that’s on top of local sewer costs incurred by the City of Courtenay and the Town of Comox, which hook in to the CVRD’s system of sewage

treatment. Taken together they represent a way higher spending pattern than local taxpayers have ever previously experienced for sewer services. And while a fair share of the money for the necessary infrastructure will be raised from specific charges levied on the developers of new buildings - some is already held in CVRD reserves - the bulk of it will have to be found by existing users. By far the biggest project in the works is the upgrading and expansion of the Comox Valley wastewater treatment plant - also called the pollution control centre - off Curtis Road on the Comox peninsula. Phase one of that project, which involves a major upgrade to meet enhanced provincial sewage regulations, will cost $6.5 million, and other essential new equipment needed on site will add a further $2.5 million. Phase two, including entirely new treatment facilities on neighbouring CVRD-owned property to cope with larger flows, will cost a whopping $24 million. (Continued on page 2)

A2 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

News

Comox Valley Weather

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Friday, 28 March Rain. High 9°C.

Saturday, 29 March Showers. Low 6°C. High 10°C.

Sunday, 30 March Cloudy. Low 5°C. High 10°C.

Monday, 31 March Cloudy with 60% chance of showers. Low 5°C. High 12°C.

Tuesday, 1 April Cloudy with 60% chance of showers. Low 4°C. High 12°C.

For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Buckley Bay substation powering along (Continued from page 1) Watson said he is not aware of any provision in BC Hydro’s procurement process that states a certain percentage of workers are to be local hires. “We can’t provide that explicit direction to our primary contractors,” said Watson. “BC Hydro uses a competitive, fair and open procurement process so our project contract awards provide the best value and benefits our ratepayers. BC Hydro is legally bound by B.C. and Canadian trade agreements that reduce barriers to the free movement of people, goods and services. At the end of the day it is up to the contractors as to who they hire.” The major electricity substation is expected

to power up in October 2014. It’s located at the ten-acre site high above Brean Road. It was chosen to be close to the existing high-voltage transmission lines running up the Island, and away from residential properties. Three power lines will be come off the transmission corridor and into the substation. The 138,000 volts they carry will be ‘stepped down’ to 25,000 volts to provide distribution line circuits to serve B.C. Hydro customers in much of the area south of Courtenay. The existing power supply to Buckley Bay and neighbouring communities comes from the Puntledge substation, 25 kilometres away in Courtenay: one of only two in the Valley, the other being on Lerwick Road beside Home

Three more sign up for space at Crown Isle (Continued from page 1)

Cupcake baking helps SPCA Square 1 Travel on 5th St. in Courtenay recently participated in “National Cupcake Day”, which was an event to raise money for our local SPCA. All the ladies in thr office baked homemade cupcakes and sold them for

donations. They are really proud of raising $639.00 in cupcake sales! Above are the Travel staff with a large cheque made out to the SPCA.

The target was to have phase two complete and fully open for business by this fall, he added. Meanwhile, marketing of the remaining vacant space in phase one, and as-yet undeveloped land close to the Ryan Road/Lerwick interchange that is now considered phase three, would actively continue. For AFC Construction, Guthrie LeFevre said the company was “very pleased to secure the contact, as we always like to be

involved in the successful completion of local projects.” * Meanwhile, right next door to the phase two shopping centre, land has been cleared for a totally separate residential project to be promoted by Monterra Developments. The company has sold all its 18 patio homes at the junction of Malahat and Crown Isle Drives, and following the success of that project is now working on proposals to develop more homes at the junction of Crown Isle Drive and Ryan Road.

Valley facing $74m bill to upgrade ageing sewer system (Continued from page 1) Sewage is pumped to that treatment plant through strategic pipelines, into which many secondary feeder pipes flow. One major main runs along the Comox side of the estuary from the Courtenay pump station, by the former Field Sawmill site. Another runs to the plant from the Kye Bay area through CFB Comox land; and two others that connect into that one run from parts of both Comox and east Courtenay. Several need substantial work, most significantly a rerouting of the master main to bypass the coastal Willemar Bluffs area, where the existing pipeline is in potential danger of being impacted by further erosion with catastrophic consequences. The solution is to build a new Docliddle pump station in the Croteau Road area of Comox and route a new underground main from there direct to the treatment plant. It all sounds logical - but the current sticker price adds anther $10.7 million to the capital investment plan. And down the road, the pipeline linking the Courtenay pump station to Docliddle will need either twin-

ning to boost its capacity, or replacing altogether with a bigger diameter main. Add another $19 million. On top of that, two new strategic pipeline arms need to be built much sooner to cope with flows from existing and imminent new development - the Greenwood and Hudson trunk mains. Together they will cost $5.2 million. Treated wastewater will continue be disposed at sea. The existing outflow pipe stretches 3 kms offshore into the Georgia Strait and discharges at a depth of 80 metres. That seems to be in good enough shape for the foreseeable future. But finding a more practical use for treated sludge requires the expansion of the SkyRocket composting plant adjoining the Cumberland landfill, which will cost $3.7 million. Staff and elected officials view all the works as essential, but are concerned about how the bills add up and how the rapidly escalating costs could be made more affordable on utility bills. So Rutten and his colleagues have taken a fresh look at the budget and rerun the population projections based on more recent data. “When the sanitary sewer master plan was being prepared, population growth was projected at a rate great-

er than has actually occurred,” said Rutten. “It is still growing, but currently at about 1.6 per cent a year. “That is still significant - it means at least 5,000 more people on the system over ten years, so we have to press on with the work to ensure it can cope. “But there are two very significant pieces of investment we now believe we can delay for three to five years - the second phase expansion of the waste treatment plant and the twinning or complete replacement of the trunk main between the Courtenay and Docliddle pumping stations.” By spreading the expenditure over 16 years rather than ten, $43 million worth of investment - more than half the total needed - can be pushed back. The money will still have to be spent over time, but the impact for local property owners is that the costs can be phased over an extended period. It will still mean annual sewer charges rising in double-digit per-

Wills. Estates. ICBC Claims Providing Legal Guidance and Community Support in the Comox Valley since 1973

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They recognize property owners will not like annual increases in bills well above inflation, but feel there is no sensible alternative. One, Courtenay Coun. Jon Amber, noted the regional district requisition for sewer services was estimated to rise progressively from the equivalent of about $200 a year to around $350 annually even under the revised program. “That’s a big increase - no question,” he briefed City councillors. “But there’s nothing more important to a community than water and sewer. They are absolutely essential. “We can’t get around these huge costs, but rethinking how they are staged makes it way more palatable for us. “And even after all the increases, it will work out at less than a dollar a day for a Courtenay home.”

centage terms for years to come - in Courtenay this year’s increase is expected to be around 12 per cent. But massive fluctuations, especially sudden really steep increases, will be avoided. The plan is for a smooth, steady rise with some of the money raised each year transferred to reserves as a down-payment to help fund the most expensive projects coming down the pipe. Loans will still be needed - latest estimates suggest $16 million in borrowing will still be required to plug the gaps - but that is less than half what was originally envisaged. And taking out a smaller loan is expected to save property owners more than $1 million a year in lower payments over the longer term. Elected officials have endorsed the new phasing to try to ease the financial impact on citizens without risking a major failure of the system.

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w w w. i v e s b u r g e r l a w. c o m 505-5th Street, Courtenay | 250-334-2416 | Fax: 250-334-3198

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FERRY SCHEDULE For the most up-to-date schedule info check www.bcferries.com

VANCOUVER ISLAND - LOWER MAINLAND NANAIMO (DEPARTURE BAY) - HORSESHOE BAY March 14 to March 31, 2014 Leave Horseshoe Bay 6:30 am 8:30 am 10:30 am 12:30 pm

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Leave Departure Bay 6:30 am 8:30 am 10:30 am 12:30 pm

3:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

NANAIMO (DUKE POINT) - TSAWWASSEN October 15 to March 31, 2014 Leave Duke Point 5:15 am1 7:45 am2 10:15 am 12:45 pm

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Leave Tsawwassen 5:15 am1 7:45 am2 10:15 am 12:45 pm

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COMOX - POWELL RIVER Year Round Leave Comox 6:30 am 10:10 am

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News

Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 A3

Exercise is the best medicine, doctors say; physical activity can now be prescribed by physicians By Pamela Fayerman Special to the Echo Don’t be surprised if instead of a prescription for pills, your doctor fills one out for exercise. Especially if you’re inactive. Doctors across B.C. are now taking delivery of prescription pads to use for their less-active patients as part of a new health promotion program sponsored by Doctors of B.C. (formerly the B.C. Medical Association). The program is called Exercise is Medicine. “As we all know, doctors know how to prescribe pills, but there’s no pill that can do all the things that physical activity does,” says Dr. Ron Wilson, of Denman Island, referring to studies that have shown those who exercise are less likely to die of various types of cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. They also have better mobility as they age, fewer fractures and improved quality of life. While there are some communities across Canada where doctors are

using similar prescription pads, Wilson said he believes B.C. is the first jurisdiction to introduce them across the whole province. “It’s a bit like smoking cessation. If you hear the message from your doctor that it’s time to quit, then you may be more likely to take it seriously,” said Wilson, noting people should aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week. Wilson said patients may tune doctors out if they frame discussions around weight loss rather than exercise. Goals should be modest and increase only incrementally. “For instance, while the goal is 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, increasing what one does even a minute more a day is still good.” Wilson, head of the athletics and recreation committee of Doctors of B.C., has been involved in other fitness-promoting ventures such as the annual Walk With Your Doc event - from May 3 to 11 across the province this year - and the distribution of pedometers to patients as an incentive to get them walking.

Wilson now works part time on Denman Island. He sandwiched a telephone interview Tuesday between his gym workout and a golf game while holidaying in California. On Denman Island, the 61-year old leads a walking club for residents and patients. Patients visiting family doctors over the next five weeks will see posters advertising the Walk with Your Doc event, but doctors will have the exercise prescription pads for the long term. While Wilson’s heard doctors complain they don’t have enough time to talk about exercise during office visits, he said physical activity is as good - and often not as risky as most medications. “As physicians, we are better placed than anyone else to influence patients. Apart from not smoking, being active is the next best thing patients can do.” To learn more about Walk with your Doc events, email: walkwithyourdoc www.bcma.org/walk-withyourdoc - Vancouver Sun

Part-time Denman Island doctor, Ron Wilson organizes walks with his patients

CVRD’s emergency coordinator agrees with auditor general’s report By Michael Briones Echo Staff Comox Valley’s emergency coordinator agrees with the BC auditor general report the provincial government isn’t prepared for a catastrophic earthquake Mike Fournier said in the last ten years, he has been training the public at a rate of about a thousand people a year. It was made possible through funding from local governments and the province. But the funding has now ceased and pamphlets on emergency preparedness provided by the government are no longer available. “We've been doing a fairly good job in the past but it looks like it’s going to be harder and harder because the government has decided that it was not important to keep the funds going,” said Fournier. “So I agree with the auditor general in principle that we’re not ready as we should be.” Fournier said he has fought hard against the funding cuts and has written Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan about it. “He doesn’t speak to me anymore,” said Fournier. “I thought it was very important but they don’t. The government didn’t think so.” A report released on Monday by auditor Russ Jones says Emergency Management BC has not made earthquake planning a priority. He says the Office of the Auditor

Funding cuts make it harder to convince people to prepare for catastrophic earthquake General made similar conclusions about B.C.’s poor state of earthquake preparedness 17 years ago in a previous report, but not much has changed since then. In some small way, Fournier said that Comox Valley is fortunate to have an emergency preparedness program that encompasses the whole region. “It doesn’t cover just one local government unlike some places like Victoria for example,” said Fournier. “Every local government has its own program so it makes it hard to work as a team for a coordinated effort. At least we have that here for 15 years now.” Convincing people to be prepared is not an easy undertaking, says Fournier. “It’s a hard sale to get people to be prepared to be on their own for a minimum of 72 hours,” said Fournier. “We would like it to be a week but we’re already having problems trying to get people prepared for 72 hours so saying a week could

scare them even more.” The average age of people who take part in emergency preparedness training organized by the CVRD are between 55 to 60 years old. “So that means the older people are more prepared than the younger people,” said Fournier. BC is located in an earthquake-prone zone. There’s a lot of complacency among the people about this fact. “I keep telling people that it’s not if but it’s when it’s going to happen,” said Fournier. The BC government, Fournier feels is taking the wrong approach, investing funds on reviewing the province’s emergency preparedness. “We don’t need reviews,” said Fournier. “We need action.” The mid-island has already emergency coordinators in place representing a wide territory at various regions. Fournier said they had offered to meet with the people running the review to share with them exactly “what is needed and what’s not happening.” “They refused and said they’re going to meet with businesses instead,” said Fournier. “It’s going to be a complete waste of money. They’re better off taking the money they’re going to spend on this and make it available to us that know what is needed. It’s just going to be another of those political shows. It’s going to be a good show but nothing is going to be accomplished.”

Fournier said there are two crucial things that people need when natural disaster occurs. “They will need training,” said Fournier. “The first thing we teach during training is for them to have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, no mat-

ter what it is, if something happens they’re going to invent something. If you have some kind of a plan around your house it will be easier. The second thing is to have a kit that will contain things that will allow you to be on your own for 72 hours.”

Dr. Jackson Katz

North America’s leading gender violence educator is coming to the Comox Valley, April 10 & 11

Men's Leadership in Preventing Violence:

Breakfast with the Guys A special breakfast presentation for community leaders—sports coaches, firefighters, politicians, ministers, police, teachers, youth leaders etc.—to talk about the important role they play in leading boys and young men to a healthy understanding of male adult roles.

Friday, April 11 7—8:30 AM Upper Florence Filberg Tickets ($5.00) available at Laughing Oyster Bookstore, or by calling the Community Justice Centre, (250) 334-8101 and leaving your name, phone #, and affiliation, for pick up at the door.

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week — TAKE ACTION We acknowledge the funding by Justice Canada’s Victims Fund and the support of our project partners:

Comox Valley Transition Society Community Justice Centre Military Family Resource Centre

THANK YOU TO THE COMOX VALLEY! We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting our three amazing thrift stores!

Your continued support gives us the ability to fund programs that benefit our community. The needs are great and they continue to rise. Your patronage is appreciated!

Accepting Donations @ all Locations! (larger items to 2966 Kilpatrick Ave)

Thanks & God Bless You! 12-2966 Kilpatrick | 338.8151 331-4th St. | 334.8230 1785 Comox Ave. | 339.7522

Comox Valley Family Services Association RCMP—Comox Valley Detachment CFB Comox Volunteer Comox Valley

A4 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

News

Sheila Carvalho

Sudden passing of volunteer and nurse Sheila Carvalho By Philip Round Echo Staff

ON NOW AT YOUR BC CHEVROLET DEALERS. Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada. ‡/†/¥/*Offers apply to the purchase, finance and lease of a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT (1SA/MH9), 2014 Chevrolet Equinox LS FWD (1SA), 2014 Chevrolet Trax LS FWD (1SA) equipped as described. Freight ($1,600) and PDI included. License, insurance, registration, administration fees, PPSA and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in BC Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer order or trade may be required. ≠ 0% purchase financing offered on approved credit by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank or RBC Royal Bank for 72/84 months on new or demonstrator 2014 Chevrolet Equinox LS FWD/2014 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT. Rates from other lenders will vary. Down payment, trade and/or security deposit may be required. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Example: $10,000 at 0% APR, the monthly payment is $139/$119 for 72/84 months. Cost of borrowing is $0, total obligation is $10,000. 0% financing offer is unconditionally interest-free. Freight included. License, insurance, registration, PPSA, applicable taxes and dealer fees not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Offers apply to qualified retail customers only. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ¥ 0%/0.9%/0% for 48/60/48 month lease available on all 2014 Cruze 1LT/2014 Trax LS FWD/2014 Equinox LS FWD based on approved credit by GM Financial. 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Standard 10 airbags, ABS, traction control and StabiliTrak. **Based on GM testing in accordance to Government of Canada test methods. ¥¥ Retail and basic fleet customers who purchase or lease an eligible Chevrolet, Buick or GMC delivered from dealer stock between March 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014 will receive one 40¢ savings per litre fuel card (fuel savings card) upon payment of an additional $.01. Cards valid as of 72 hours after delivery. Fuel savings card valid for 800 litres of fuel purchased from participating Petro-Canada retail locations (and other approved North Atlantic Petroleum locations in Newfoundland) and not redeemable for cash except where required by law. GM is not responsible for cards that are lost, stolen or damaged. GM reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer and/or the program for any reason in whole or in part at any time without notice. Petro-Canada is a Suncor Energy business™ Trademark of Suncor Energy Inc. Used under licence. 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Sheila Carvalho was initially a reluctant immigrant to Canada almost 40 years ago. In the UK, she was a highly-regarded nurse - so much so she was voted national Nurse of the Year in the late 1960s, an award presented to

Federal grants for four projects to help seniors

up their two children and she began working alongside her husband, who also practiced extensively at the local hospitals in Comox and Campbell River. Over the years Sheila also threw herself enthusiastically into volunteering with a variety of local groups. But she died suddenly on Friday after being taken ill in Port Hardy the previous day, while in that area working with her husband on outreach work to remoter Island communities. The couple volunteered visits to the northern tip of Vancouver Island every six weeks or so to provide specialist eye services to patients who might not otherwise have convenient access. It was a service that was dear to Sheila’s heart, and one she persuaded her husband to keep offering long after he felt it was time to retire. To encourage him, she took on all the administrative and organizational duties from their Comox home. Dr. Lui said his wife’s illness and passing after an urgent transfer to hospital in Victoria had come as a total shock, as she was a very fit person who showed no signs of illness. They had travelled north from their home in Comox to fulfill appointments that Sheila had made with patients at the clinic in Port Hardy, and all had appeared perfectly normal. A celebration of life service will be conducted by Father Marek Paczka at Christ the King Church, Courtenay, at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday), at which pianist Sarah Hagen will play. All are welcome. It will be followed by a reception hosted by the Catholic Women’s League in the church hall. Local organizations with which Sheila Carvalho was closely associated include the North Island Festival of the Performing Arts, where she was for a time the society’s chair and with which she continued assisting with the adjudication; the successful efforts to save MacDonald Wood in Comox from development; the care and welfare of residents at the extended care unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital; and, more recently, the Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Association which, says Dr. Lui, “reflected her deep affection for children and animals.” He added, on behalf of their grown up children Louise and Simon as well as himself: “Sheila was loved for her captivating smile, infectious humour, warmth and compassion. She viewed the world with inquisitiveness, wonder, innocence and delight. Above all, she will be remembered for her profound devotion to all her family. We mourn her passing with all who knew her.” In lieu of flowers, the family says it would appreciate donations be forwarded to either the BCSPCA or Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Association. pround@comoxvalleyecho.com

her by the Duchess of Kent. But she moved from England in 1975 with her husband, Dr. Lui Carvalho, an eye surgeon who had been offered the chance to join a practice in the Comox Valley in a country where he felt their children would have better opportunities. Sheila overcame her early doubts, and after settling here they brought

Federal government grants are being offered to four programs and projects focused on seniors in the Comox Valley. Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan said the government recognized the valuable contribution seniors make to society and the economy. “By supporting New Horizons for Seniors Program projects, we are acting to ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities,” he added. In all, 16 organizations on the North Island will share a total of $257,955 in grants. Twelve are in Campbell River or communities further north, but the four in the Comox Valley are: Lazo Women’s Institute Seniors involved with the organization will mentor

other generations by sharing food growing and foraging stories by producing a DVD and through the use of social media. Denman Seniors - The organization will renovate its Denman Island kitchen and purchase a new stove and fridge to allow seniors lunches, special dinners and other recreational activities to continue. K’ómoks First Nation Improved access to the Band Hall’s washrooms will be provided by installing automatic door openers so seniors can continue to participate in cultural gatherings and community activities. L’Arche Comox Valley Seniors involved with the organization will assist other seniors with diet and cooking, by teaching them healthy shopping and cooking and creating a cook book.

Missing man found dead in Courtenay nature park Courtenay. His family never heard from him and reported him missing to the Comox Valley RCMP. The Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue team, along with the RCMP’s air services helicopter were activated but their efforts to locate Cameron ended in vain. Police have now forwarded the case to the BC Coroner’s office to determine the cause of death.

A Courtenay man who has been missing since earlier this month was found dead in Millard Nature Park last week. Dave Cameron’s body was discovered by a woman walking her dog just behind the Winners store on Cliffe Avenue on March 20. Cameron has been missing since he left his home on March 7 from the Fitzgerald Ave. and 17th Street area of

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Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 A5

News

Should non-profits in Cumberland be able to rent Village facilities for free? By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff After the topic came up at the March 17 Committee of the Whole meeting Cumberland council took on the issue of rental fee waiving for non-profit organizations during its regularly scheduled meeting March 24. A motion proposed by Coun. Kate Greening and seconded by Coun. Gwyn Sproule would have asked staff to bring back a Parks and Recreation Grant Policy that denies the waiving of fees. Greening was ultimately the lone vote for this idea, after some discussion. In November she was the only elected official to oppose $3,200 worth of facility fee grants, considering the Village had originally budgeted $2,500 for the program. A review now would allow staff to go to community organizations to examine the effect of not waiving rental fees, Coun. Roger Kishi said. “It’s not making the decision now of what to do,” he said. “I think we need a review first.” Coun. Conner Copeman said he didn’t want to see extra paperwork done when funds to cover staff time could be better spent on non-profits. “I will not be supporting this motion,” Copeman said. “I think the community needs to have some funds dedicated towards bettering the community. That’s part of, I believe, the Village’s role. Do I think it’s the perfect system? No.” Coun. Sproule said there has seemingly been a proliferation of events since the grant program has

ICF passenger rail project rapidly losing steam By Michael Briones Echo Staff The Regional District of Nanaimo board has received a motion stating that it has lost confidence in the existing administrative function of the Island Corridor Foundation. The board could approve it in its committee of the whole on April 8 and it may sound the death knell of the ICF. Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula, who has been representing the Comox Valley Regional District’s interest in the restoration of passenger rail service between Courtenay and Victoria, said he is not aware of the RDN’s position and refused to comment on it. However, Jangula said, “I personally am still very optimistic. We’re in the final stages of hopefully having an agreement. When the agreement happens, all these dissension will go away.” The RDN, along with other stakeholders that include the CVRD, has agreed to make a one-time financial contribution to the project. But the RDN last month decided to back out of its nearly $1 million contribution that would go towards financing a portion of an estimated $20 million in necessary railroad repairs. The CVRD has already collected $392,000 from taxpayers in 2013 but it is still holding on to the funds and not releasing it until a deal with Via Rail has been forged. If the ICF goal is not achieved, the CVRD will then decide how the money would be used. The membership of the ICF, which owns the rail line, will hold a meeting during the upcoming annual convention of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities next month. With no signs of a deal being reached soon with Via rail, the ICF coalition is expected to use the meeting to discuss other uses of the rail corridor, which may include hiking and cycling. Last month, Parksville Mayor Chris Burger declared, “I no longer have confidence in the ICF,” and called for a meeting of ICF members to discuss “what its end goals are.” Burger said Tuesday there’s “a lot going on” with the ICF he can’t comment on but “we really feel it’s time to bring the membership together.” The AVICC convention, hosted by Parksville and Qualicum Beach, will be April 11-13, with meetings at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre and a banquet at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre. Passenger rail service was suspended in March 2011 due to poor track conditions. The latest estimate from Southern Railway, operators of the line, is that repairs will cost $120-$160 million. The ICF has about $15 million from the federal and B.C. governments for repairs but can’t spend the money until the ICF reaches a service agreement with Via Rail. - With files from Oceanside Star

come into play. Mayor Leslie Baird asked local organizations their opinions about paying $100 rental fees and said it didn’t seem like it was a big idea. “Some of them aren’t coming once or twice, they’re coming three or four times for events,” she said. “It’s not much for the bottom line in some respects.” Back in February 2013 the grant program was introduced alongside a new non-profit facility rental rate, and the Village has seen the overall amount of grants given rise over the last two years. Only Coun. Copeman opposed a motion to direct staff to review the policy. FIRE BYLAW MOVES FORWARD Fire Chief Mike Williamson thanked Village staff for help crafting a comprehensive bylaw that approaches fire service delivery in a new way. The community was organized into three different fire service areas. The first area is forested lands which would get initial assessment and initial attack only. The second, high hazard industrial occupancy areas, would get partial fire protection services. And the third, the general Cumberland municipal area would get full fire protection services. “These service areas don’t mean that these areas don’t get fire service at a certain point,” said deputy corporate officer Rachel Parker. “They just have to pay for it.” If mutual aid is called in to a for-

Thanks from Philippines fire fighters The Basey Fire Department, located in one of the towns in the Philippines that was badly devasted by the powerful typhoon Haiyan, is now back in operation. The Union Bay Fire Fighters Association, which held a fundraiser for the department, sent ested land or industrial area the cost would be transferred to property owners. Meetings with property owners will proceed in the coming weeks. Council voted unanimously to give first reading to the bylaw. OCP AMENDED, GIVEN SECOND READING Council voted unanimously to make minor changes to the Official

$2,350, which is equivalent to around 50,000 pesos. The Basey Fire Department plans to spend the money on much-need radio communication equipment.

Community Plan and give it second reading. Staff advised that the amendments were such that the document would not have to be re-referred for comment, but that parties could view the document online and give their opinion if interested. Council also directed staff to notify the agencies and local governments of the changes to the draft. A public hearing will be held

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A6 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

News

MLA Popham raises alarms about costly B.C. recycling monopoly, ‘a hidden tax’

Slurpin’ it up 7-Eleven Canada launched its first-ever Bring Your Own Cup Day Slurpee promotion at all its stores including those located in the Comox Valley. Slurpee fans were challenged to use their imagination and bring their choice of creative container to their local 7-Eleven store and fill it with Slurpee flavours for $1.49. Robin Hesseling and McKinnon Evans of Courtenay took advantage of the promo at the Ryan Road 7-Eleven and got their containers filled with different flavoured slurpee that

included Mountain Dew Blue Shock, Crush Sour Green Apple, Coke and Orange. If you want to win a year’s worth of slurpee drinks, post the best selfie of you and your imaginative cup on March 29 and get your friends to vote for you. Check out the Slurpee Canada Facebook page to find out how to enter. Bring Your Own Cup Day Promotion originated in Australia and was a big success there.

Probation for man involved in domestic disturbance Christopher Waldner was sentenced to time served plus a day in jail after a woman told prosecutors she wanted to change her statement about a domestic incident. On March 20 in Courtenay Provincial Court, Judge Peter Doherty sentenced Waldner to 19 days in jail, meaning he was up for release later in the day. He is not allowed in the Comox Valley and will face a year of probation. Police attended a Cumberland res-

idence March 2, 2014 and found Waldner upstairs in an irrational state. The woman described fearing for her safety, according to police. He did leave without causing any difficulties. RCMP officers confiscated a knife and an extendable baton, which Waldner wasn’t allowed to have as part of a previous probation condition. On March 12, 2014 the woman who had said she felt victimized by Waldner told prosecutors she wanted

to change her statement, explaining her original description of what happened was not an accurate representation of what occurred. The Crown indicated getting no follow-up statement from the police, and agreed to a deal where Waldner would enter a guilty plea to the breach. Jordan Watt of McCullough Blazina Dieno Gustafson & Watt said Waldner is a man with a desire to set up a tattoo practice. He did not contest the weapons forfeiture.

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New Democrat MLA Lana Popham says a “dummy company” from Toronto is poised to start a near-monopoly on recycling in B.C. A new recycling system under an organization called Multi-Materials B.C. is poised to begin operating in May, and Premier Christy Clark acknowledged recently that it has been a “bumpy road.” Popham told the legislature Monday it’s more than bumpy, it’s “impassable.” “They are setting up a system that’s dangerously close to a monopoly. This will inevitably lead to a decrease in quality of services and increase in price.” MMBC has signed contracts with municipalities that feature inadequate funding, business-killing penalties and a gag clause on reporting data, she said. The Saanich South MLA said the new agency also represents a hidden tax, in the form of a uniform new cost to big business, which will be passed on to consumers, she said. The newspaper industry estimates that MMBC will cost the industry $10 million a year, and Popham said its refusal to participate throws the viability of the project into question. She said the control of recycling should never have been outsourced to a large corporate outfit from Ontario, and represents a “profound failure.” Peter Kvarnstrom, chairman of the Canadian Newspaper Association, has said there is no greater threat to the fragile industry than the new

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Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 A7

News POLICE BLOTTER Comox Valley RCMP responded to the following incidents between March 18 and 24:

DOB: 1964-04-25 183 cms, 86 kgs, Brown hair, Blue eyes Warrants: Review of sentence order, Possession for the purpose of trafficking, Cocaine Comox Valley file 2011 - 3340

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca secondary school. The culprits entered by smashing a door window and then smashed their way into a vending machine inside the school. (2014 - 3313) If you have information on

one of these crimes or any other crime you are asked to call your local RCMP at 250338-1321 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or you can text - cvcstips to crime.

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ing lighting contrast, building an accessible washroom and installing accessible door handles and light switches. Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society, which has been granted $2,791 towards constructing an exterior ramp and paving an accessible walkway between the Mountain Centre and the parking lot. And Courtenay Fellowship Baptist Church, which will receive $47,322 towards the cost incurred in installing an elevator. Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan commented: “Thanks to these organizations who care about accessibility, we are eliminating barriers and we’re helping to bring workers, employers and communities together.”

DOB: 1993-01-29 168 cms, 57 kgs, Blonde hair, Blue eyes Warrants: Breach of Undertaking Comox Valley file 2013 - 14725

Four Valley projects to help improve accessibility for people with disabilities are sharing more than $83,000 in grants from the federal government. They are: Anderton Therapeutic Gardens Society, which will receive $13,421 towards the cost of extending the hard surface walkways to increase accessibility at its Comox gardens. The Village of Cumberland, which will get $19,679 as a contribution to its Village Hall and council chamber accessibility retrofit project. The money will go towards the cost of buying specialized accessible communication equipment, constructing an exterior ramp, widening doorways, installing automated door openers, lowering sinks and a counter, increas-

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as well as your own gloves and gumboots. Location: At the bridge where the creek crosses Marsden Road (head north on Marsden Road, continue just past the intersection with Comox Lake Road). Please meet us there at 10:00 and bring friends; we hope to be finished by early afternoon. Refreshments will be served. Email morrisoncreek@yahoo.ca for more information.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of either of these two people, call the Comox Valley RCMP Detachment at 338-1321, or Comox Valley Crimestoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (1-800-222-8477). You don’t have to give your name and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

Come out on Sunday, March 30, and help the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers plant trees! We have 100 small native streamside trees and shrubs to plant. Volunteers are needed to help restore the riparian zone and improve fish habitat. Morrison Creek is an important producer of salmon and trout and is also the only home of the endangered Morrison Creek Lamprey. What to bring: spade shovels and gardening tools

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On March 20th police received a report of a theft of a motorcycle from a property on Penrith Avenue and Fifth Street in Cumberland. Stolen was a Kawasaki KT100. The lock that was securing the motorcycle to a fence was broken off. (2014 3189) On March 23rd a report of two stolen motorcycles was taken by the Comox Valley RCMP. Both motorcycles were in an unlocked shed in the backyard of a residence on the 3200 block of the Comox Logging Road. One of the bikes was a yellow 2006 Suzuki RM250 and the second was a red 2003 Honda CR250. (2014 - 3295) Police received a report of a break-in to a barn on the 1800 block of Surgenor Road in Black Creek. Stolen in the break-in was a Husqvarna chain saw. (2014 - 3294) On March 24th police received a report of a stolen vehicle from the owner, who was staying at a strata unit on Mount Washington. The vehicle was last seen three days before. Friends of the owner located the vehicle in the parking lot at the base of the mountain. The investigation revealed that someone had punched the ignition and broken off the shift lever. (2014 - 3321) A break, enter and theft was reported to police on March 24th at 03:35 AM, which had just occurred at the Mark Isfeld

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A8 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

News

HGTV Canada reveals the country’s unhandiest homeowners Black Creek couple appear on ‘I Wrecked My House’ with host Steve Patterson April 1 A new one-hour special on HGTV Canada is out to prove that duct tape doesn’t fix everything. In this hilarious look at Canada’s most desperate DIY-ers including Suzanne and Cole Taylor of Black Creek - comedian Steve Patterson travelled from coast to coast in search of Canada’s worst homeowner. From repairing leaks with diapers to a fridge supporting a flight of stairs, the best of the country’s worst are showcased in I Wrecked My House, airing April 1st at 10 pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada. “We searched the country to find the most unconventional DIY fixes imaginable,” says Tim Alp, Executive Producer, Mountain Road Productions. “The solutions these homeown-

Show host and comedian Steve Patterson filming at Suzanne and Cole’s Black Creek home Photo credit: Mountain Road Productions

ers have found are so strange they’ll actually make you proud of anything you’ve ever done in your own home.” Filmed in Bracebridge, ON, Black Creek, BC, North Bay, ON, Westlock, AB and Antigonish, NS, the five homeowners featured in the special have committed household offenses such as lacking the ability to spend money on anything in their home, a MacGyverlike instinct for quick fixes, and an inability to tear themselves away from the hockey game even when the kitchen is flooding - and every single one of them thinks that duct tape is their favourite tool. Steve Patterson witnesses all of their fix-up breakdowns first-hand by touring each home to point out all the terrible details, large and small. In the end, one of the hapless homeowners will receive a major renovation project worth $50,000 -but only if they agree to hand over their tools and promise to never attempt repairing anything in their home again. I Wrecked My House repeats April 2 at 4pm ET/PT and April 6 at 9pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

Oyster aquaculture proposal By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff Shao Ping Kang says he hopes local residents and governments will get behind him in his bid to put a 30-raft oyster farm in the waters between Buckley and Union bays. If all goes well he expects he could grow upwards of 100,000 oysters per raft. “I hope the community will support us for aquaculture development,” he said. “It’s very good on the market right now. We are going to benefit from price.” The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Transport Canada are currently processing the application, submitted back in March 2013. Kang’s effort comes as discussion about challenges to shellfish aquaculture from ocean acidification continues to grow in the region, after Rob Saunders, CEO of Island Scallops, said his company lost 10 million scallops in the past two years and worries for the future of the oyster industry, too. “Last year too, I see the scallops ,they die a lot,” said Kang. “But the oysters, they grow really good.” For now Kang has been growing oysters on a seven-acre section of beach nearby. “We currently have an oyster farm on Denman Island right now,” he said. “We need the government and the community to support us for shellfish development.” Kang says he plans to operate his aquaculture tenure - if he gets it professionally, and says he expects oysters would grow quicker in a deep water operation.

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Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 A9

News

Protesters raise alarm over ‘undemocratic’ proposed voting law By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff Canadian voters were subjected to months upon months over coverage about efforts by conservatives to prevent large swaths of the population from voting south of the border during the last presidential election, as the practice of tightening voter ID laws came under fire by late night commentators and American news channels. Now Canadian citizen groups say the practice could take root here under the guise of the Fair Elections Act, proposed in Bill C23. “It’s the Canadian wave of the American voter suppression machine,” said Jay Baker-French, a volunteer organizer with LeadNow. ca in Courtenay. “It’s hardly veiled what they’re attempting to do.” About 40 protesters gathered downtown Courtenay in the rain outside the old offices of Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan March 25 in a national day of action against the so-called Fair Elections Act. Categories of people less likely to vote Conservative in the upcoming federal election are targeted by Bill C23, he said, noting presenting passports or voter ID cards or getting someone else to vouch for you would no longer be enough to cast a ballot. “Politics is politics,” he said. “They don’t want these people to vote.” LeadNow.ca has teamed up with

About 40 people gathered to protest Bill C23 which organizers say will hurt youth, aboriginals and seniors. the Council of Canadians and Fair Vote Canada to mount a challenge to the proposed voting law changes as the House comes back into session. “With this bill we’re moving more towards American system of excluding voters,” said Kathie Woodley, a

member of the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians steering committee. “If this many people showed up on a rainy day that shows a great degree of discontent with what is happening.” The law would also prevent

Elections Canada from telling the public about irregularities it discovers in the voting process, potentially muffling dissent about future robocalls, something that was heard in the Comox Valley as John Duncan campaigned for reelection.

Village Market Day vendor applications for this event are now on line. Vendors of handmade, homemade, fair trade and family friendly goods, crafts, foods, books, plants and flowers, clothing, treats or toys are invited to join local shop keepers for a day long street market attended by residents and visitors from across the Comox Valley and beyond. Live music and hands on art projects are all part of the fun! Community non profits receive a special rate to share their stories and projects. A special invitation is extended to artists, experimentors and community organizations to bring an Elevate vibe to the Village

“A number of people complained to Elections Canada,” she said, noting the Council of Canadians got involved in a legal case featuring a local resident. “A voter in this riding was part of the test case that went forward. Unfortunately the court in the end decided there wasn’t enough evidence the Conservative party was involved.” A protester donned a mask that had the face of John Duncan on one side and the face of Stephen Harper on the other. Others carried a variety of placards. In just a few weeks over 80,000 Canadians have signed petitions urging Conservative MPs to change the bill or scrap it entirely. “This is a very long in-depth ill that’s being proposed in Parliament to change the elections act,” explained Tom Pater, of Courtenay. “The hope is that they’ll withdraw the bill for consultation.” The government says the changes are needed to prevent voter fraud. Dorothy Drubek, of Courtenay, questions whether voter fraud is a legitimate problem and said it will be the most at-risk members of society who will be hurt most. “We are facing a decision by our prime minister to take the right to vote away from very vulnerable people,” she said. “It’s taking away a basic part of our democracy.” Baker-French stood in the rain clutching papers fluttering in the wind and addressed the crowd. “We’re not alone,” he said. “We’re a growing movement.”

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A10 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

Opinions ECHO

THE COMOX VALLEY ECHO Publisher Dave MacDonald Editor Debra Martin Advertising Manager Keith Currie Office Administrator Deb Fowler Circulation Manager Hedi MacDonald Production Manager Ryan Getz Phone 250-334-4722 Fax 250-334-3172 Classifieds 250- 334-4215 Circulation 250-334-4734 E-mail: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com

An independently owned and operated newspaper published by Echo Publications at 407-D Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7 All material herein is protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without written authorization from the publisher.

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Letters

Democracy eroding? I’m not sure that 4-year terms for local government are a good thing for democracy. There are certainly many indicators of disconnects between the rate payers and their elected representatives in the Comox Valley. How does the ongoing Maple Pool Campground issue reflect the will of the people? It seems to reflect the will of the Administration. How will 4-year terms improve this approach to problem solving? Recently, the CVRD hosted a public session for ratepayers to ask questions on budgets. Only 2 residents attended. CVRD budgets impact on many of the 65,000 Comox Valley residents - why was there no interest? With this level of apathy, administrations could see this as a mandate for increased growth of spending in the next 4-year term. The rural roadside garbage /recycling referendum was another indictor of disconnect between the Administration/Directors/Voters. Polling by the Administration indicated overwhelming support, but rural residents voted 74% against the service. How will a four year term address this disconnect? Now it seems that referendums will be replaced with Alternate Approval Process - is democracy eroding? Interesting that some Area D residents, Oyster River North, are forming a ratepayer association. Although they appear satisfied with their elected representative, they want more open, frequent communication between their elected representative and residents. Although Area D residents have seen minimal or flat tax increases, they want fair services for a fair tax burden - lower taxes. It seems that democracy will survive in Area D, thanks to interested residents, and with credit to their elected representative. Area D residents are trying to make democracy work. If they are successful, the four year term could be beneficial. Will this be the case in the Comox Valley? Phil Harrison Comox

HE’S ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY John Horgan knows three sure things. One is that there will never be an NDP government elected anywhere in Canada. Second is that he will never become Premier of B.C. during his political career. Third is that if he becomes leader of the NDP, he will get a large boost in his taxpayer funded salary. Before throwing his hat into the leadership race, his pay rate was $101,859 per year plus an additional pay of $20,371.90 for duties of Opposition House Leader for a total salary of $122,230.90 plus 11% of this amount going into his pension fund, $13,445.40. If he becomes NDP Leader, his total salary will be $101,859 per year plus $50,929.50 additional pay as opposition leader for a total of $152,788.50 plus 11% of this amount going into his pension fund, $16,806.74. He has entered the race for NDP leader strictly on the advantage of a bigger pay cheque. Joe Sawchuk Duncan

Letters to the Editor

Supporting Maple Pool law suit I read with interest the several comments reflecting on the wisdom of Courtenay Council and must say I think that Council have taken the correct stance. I just hope Judge Baird and thus the Provincial Government are ready to step in and pay all the costs when this place floods again and flood again it will. Now if someone drowns or loses all their possessions in this flood, who do you think will be sued for damages? Another letter regarding the curling rink costs was a welcome one as I think it adequately explained the differences between a soccer pitch and a curling rink. I support the funding of the rink and I no longer am able to curl. And my final note is with regard to the cable ferry to Denman and the costs related thereto with a new ferry and the costs to change out the existing loading docks to handle the new ferry. The approximate twenty million would make a great contribution towards a bridge, toll or not, which in my humble opinion would be the best solution. Paul Ellegood Area B

Price and value Councillor Jon Ambler, renowned political philosopher of the Comox Valley, once famously remarked that the trouble with our community is that “too many people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” The price of Council’s litigation against Maple Pool and its low income resident? The sky’s the limit! The value of Council’s litigation against Maple Pool and its low income residents? Zero? No, it is significantly less than zero. This litigation has a substantial negative benefit to the community. If Council’s lawsuit were to succeed (which thankfully seems ever less likely!), the homeless population in our community would be doubled, and huge new social problems would be created for no discoverable purpose. Our philosopher-king, Mr. Ambler, has also sung the praises of our democratic system, based on our undeniable right to elect the representatives of our choice (and then, it would seem, turn our fates and destinies over to those representatives, with no further input , participation or influence on our part!).

Our democratic system has led to the present anomaly. It is now beyond debate that the overwhelming majority of this community is adamantly opposed to the lawsuit against Maple Pool and the most vulnerable citizens in our city. In fact, it would appear that this consensus approaches unanimity. Yet our democratically elected Council seems hell-bent in its determination to pursue a lawsuit to which almost every one of us is absolutely opposed. To add insult to injury, Council is not simply prepared to ignore our wishes and pursue a goal of which we manifestly disapprove; these councillors also have no hesitation in squandering hundreds of thousands of our dollars to further a course which we strongly oppose and reject. Our democratically elected representatives appear totally oblivious and indifferent to our wishes and our values. This November, we need a “clean sweep”; we need to remove every member of the present Council and give Mayor Jangula an early Christmas present: an honest, competent, and caring council committed to working in cooperation with our Mayor. Dave Weaving Fanny Bay

More Beefs and Bouquets STRANGE HOW THE OLD GROUCH who is complaining about kids enjoying themselves on the trampolines reminds me of the old weirdo who last year drenched his 88-year-old totally disabled neighbor with his garden hose as the neighbor was sitting peacefully reading on his own patio. BOUQUETS to CVRD Director Gwyn Sproule for her minority voice on Democracy in local government decisions. No question about the value of Curling to the Comox Valley, but does this spending decision require emergency approval measures? Likely, the people that will vote in November, read the local papers and will vote to support democracy. That’s why we vote. HAD ENOUGH: To whoever is picking up their dog’s poop, putting it in a bag, and then throwing said bag off into the bushes, for shame. Looking out my window right now, I can see two bags dangling from the branches is it that hard to hold on to it until you reach a garbage can? SPRING BOUQUETS and huge thanks from the Tsolum River Restoration Soc. to all the supportive businesses who donated to our Tsolum Celebration silent auction, last month. The whole event was fun, but the silent auction was really great, thanks to you! Atlas Cafe, Art Knapp’s Plantland, Be Clothing, Black Creek Farm & Feed, Broken Spoke Coffee House, Butchers Block, Charisma Essentials, Edible Island Market, Eldorado Upholstery, Everything Wet Store, Home Depot, Hot Chocolates, Island Technologies Computer Systems, Marine Harvest Canada, Mudsharks Coffee Bar, Play ‘n Trade, Rawthentic eatery, Ski & Surf Shop, Ski Tak Hut, South Hollow Gallery, Sunnydale Golf & Country Club, The Spa at Ocean Resort, Tyee Marine & Fishing Supplies and Union Street Grill. ThANK YOU! A BOUQUET of marshmallow vertebrae to the motorist parked in front of Comox Medical. I am so sorry to hear that your life amounts to printing out notices to put on peoples windshields. This one read: “thanks for parking so close, next time leave a can opener so I can get out, you a——-!” I wish you were still there so I could comfort you, and wipe away your tears, but you got your car out. If it took more than three turns of your steering wheel, you could go

to physio across the street, or you could move to Siberia, where space is not an issue, or move back in with your Mother so you don’t have to deal with anything. BIG CHEERY SMILES right back at Dr. Shaw-Wood and his staff. I enjoy your theme rooms, the laughter and more importantly your professionalism. Thanks again Dr. Shaw-Wood for the apple fritters. Though we did not eat them before lunch, know that they were enjoyed after. MY BEEF is all about how Comox can spend 1 million dollars on tennis courts and a bunch of outdoor workout equipment that very few people use with an upgrade of a clubhouse for a very few at the expense of Comox tax payers and very little cost to the tennis club to play there, so why isn’t the Town of Comox helping fund the best asset we’ve got here, The Comox Golf Course, which the Town has 54% of the shares, doesn’t add up. They need to step up or like all businesses in Comox will disappear. I thought the Town was about tourism and bringing people here to shop, play, stay. Maybe the next election we will have people that can see a better place to bring tourists. LAST DECEMBER I put some bids in (and won) in Silent Santa Auction. One was a stay at the Kingfisher for a night. The other was for the Mystery Dinner Tour. December and January were pretty dreary because I broke my arm and couldn’t do much of anything. Happily, I had two happy events “banked”. I used both of them in the last two weeks. The stay at the Kingfisher was, as always, relaxing and comfortable. I extended it to two days and stayed with a friend who drives up island a couple of times a year to visit me. The two of us now old ladies take a break from work, house work, in my case husband, and everything else familiar, and lounge about in the hot tub and pool and walk on beaches and dine. I wouldn’t have more fun anywhere else in the world (well...maybe Hawaii). My husband and I took the Mystery Dinner Tour and were promptly picked up by Neil who stayed in the background for the whole evening. We had appetizers in one restaurant, our entrees in another and dessert at the end at the third - all accompanied by a glass of something lovely. I won’t say where we went because this is not publicity for any particular restaurant and we liked some more than others.

But we were treated royally in all of them, never mind that we were Mystery Diners. Neil was at the ready when we were ready to move on. He was personable, drove professionally, and seemed to enjoy teasing us by driving by restaurants that he didn’t take us to. The whole experience was wonderful. Again - being a tourist in one’s hometown is very informative and delicious. Spring bouquets to them all after a long long winter. ENORMOUS BOUQUET to the staff of Jiffy Lube on Ryan Road. With so many new fast oil change places popping up, it’s nice to go to a familiar place and see the happy, helpful staff who DON’T try to upsell you things you don’t need! While knowledgeable about every make and model, and able to recommend services, they never try to coerce me into paying for services I don’t need. Well worth the extra dollars for the honesty and integrity that comes with their service. Well done, Jiffy Lube! A MUCH DESERVED thank you to Dave and any others involved at Harvest Gardens for raising my garden bed for me. Gardening is therapeutic for me and something I love and it was becoming uncomfortable bending over tending my flowers. You have “made” my summer! Thank you all. I’M SO TIRED of the coffee analogy. I don’t go out for coffee. I can’t afford to. I don’t go on vacations, I drive a 17-year-old vehicle and I work 44 hours a week in my business with no breaks most days, not counting out of shop work. Why am I struggling? Fees, taxes, cost of living keep going up and I can only charge so much for my services. Having put myself on a strict budget a few years ago, giving up many things that people just take for granted so that someday I might, emphasis on might, be able to retire, I don’t go out at all. I meal plan, carefully shop, and there are few extras in my life. Yet every time someone wants taxpayers to support their hobby or special interest I am told to give up a cup of coffee I don’t have. How about this: It’s your hobby. You give up 10 coffees a week instead. More fair than me having to give up things I don’t have for your hobby I think. I work darned hard for my money, and I’m sick to death of people laying claim to it five bucks at a time and telling me it’s no big deal because someone wants a train, a needless bridge, or a curling rink for the few (which by the way will

only last until the loan is paid and they’ll be back for more). THANK YOU Home Medical Shop for over 25 years of working hard every day to care for the people of this Valley. As a local business person myself, thanks for caring, may you go forward with many more bouquets! BIG BEEF to whoever wrote about the “young mom”. Who are you to judge someone on a single day? Maybe mom had a rough morning and needed to get out of the house. Everyone has their days, even you. Before accusing someone of neglectful parenting you should take some time to KNOW the person before making accusations. It just doesn’t seem right to kick someone while they could be down, let alone in the beefs and bouquets. Shaking my head. MANY THANKS for the thoughtfulness of whoever found my hub cap, lost in the snow, and placed it in a visible position on the roadside of the Back Road S-bend, so I could retrieve it! May good Karma follow you on your walks. MANY THANKS to the helpful staff at Comox Airport when I locked my keys in my car today. Above and beyond!! YOUR NEXT BEVERAGES are on me, Cindy. Thank you for getting in touch with me after I left my cell phone at the new Tim Hortons on St. Patrick’s Day. You reaffirm my faith in the people of the CV. Please pick up your card at Tim Hortons at Lerwick and Ryan Rds. DO ALL THE GIRLS who get hair extensions, whether clip-in or glue-in, understand where it comes from? Do their hairstylists tell them it comes from the poorest people in India and these people get NOTHING for it! DO you REALLY need to glue other people’s hair to your head (creepy). If you do want to glue other people’s hair to your head, shouldn`t the person who owned the hair get something? All stylists know how bad this is. CONGRATULATIONS to Isfeld Ice boys seniors basketball team. You came in fourth at the B.C. Provincials! What a terrific job, guys! It was just great to watch your games on the website. We’re all so very proud of you.

Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 A11

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WE WISH TO THANK all of the following, for without their help and donations, we at the 1st Comox Scouting Group would not be able to help send our Scouts to the Provincial and National Jamborees that occur in our Great Nation of Canada. Our Silent Auction Table at the 1st Comox Baden Powell Scouting Banquet was able to assist our Scouts in their endeavors to raise money to attend the next Canadian/National Jamboree. Pizza Hut, Black’s Cycle, Trail Bicycles, Play “N” Trade, Islander Pizza, Subway, Ricky’s Restaurant, Broken Spoke, Early Bird Café, Panago, Codes Country Lanes, Billy D’s, Dairy Queen, Starbuck’s, McDonalds, True Dimensions, Budget Brake and Muffler Auto, White Spot Restaurant, Woofy’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Boston Pizza, Cinnamon Plus, Rialto Theater and a special thanks to Domino’s Pizza for their EXTRA effort to our cause. The Scouts and Scouting Families of the 1st Comox Scouting Group wish you many good returns for your generous contributions you have given us over the years. THIS SPECIAL BOUQUET to the cleaners at the Sid Williams Theatre. They are the best. Last month we would show up at the theatre each morning and they had smiles and asked how we were doing. They had been at work for hours by then. They would clean up after each dance group. Thanks again! THANK-YOU TO THE COUPLE who drove my husband and the two dogs back to Spitfire Drive Sunday evening. Also to the RCMP officers who set up a search. To everyone who got involved, your kindness and concern were greatly appreciated.

Beefs

Bouquets &

The Comox Valley’s First and Best Readers’ Forum Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com A ‘LIGHT IT UP BLUE’ bouquet to all the volunteers and businesses who help promote Autism Awareness in our valley this April. Thank you for all your hard work and especially the CVCDA and the Autism Family Support Group who have worked soo hard. Please remember to wear blue on April 2nd World Autism Day or wear a wristband to promote awareness. TO CHRIS AND STAFF at Yiamas Greek Taverna: Once again we had the pleasure of having a going away party for 28 of us at your restaurant. The service, atmosphere and food were so enjoyed by each and every one of us. Thank you again, Chris and staff, for such a warm and comfortable setting. We will be back really soon. You’re the best! THE COMOX VALLEY has it all. Let’s quit debating 15 cubic meters and then 60 cubic meters - We pay the highest per capita cost for water compared to our neighbors! Why? Because 3 local governments all add their overhead. Water is a “cash cow “here. The issue is not Comox Valley water customers keeping lawns and garden alive in summer - it’s CVRD, Courtenay, Comox budgets and, BC Hydro who have drained the reservoir! Times have changed - Time for change in November. MANY SHINY RIMS and clean cars to Chucks Trucks for a wonderful detail job on my van. They provided same day service and did a fabulous job for a very reasonable price. Derek and Tim provided great service and were super friendly. If your vehicle needs a cleaning go see these guys.

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A MAJOR BEEF to my pot smoking neighbour. I am so fed up and tired of walking by you, watching my tv, talking on my phone, trying to my eat dinner, trying to get to sleep, waking up during the night, waking up in the morning and eating my breakfast with it. The smell of your skanky skunky pot smoke is disgusting at best. You tout the right to smoke which I don’t really care about one way or the other. Smoke it if you want, I don’t care if you choose to risk your intelligence or health, it’s your choice. I think me and the rest of your neighbours have the right to not have to smell your foul weed. You have a fan in your bathroom. Lock yourself in and use it. A HUGE BEEF to the two women who were bad mouthing other Comox Valley dance companies at Starbucks on March 25 between 3pm and 4pm. You should be embarrassed; no matter who you work for, or what training you have, that does not give you the right to put down other dance teachers. Your conversation was disrespectful and incredibly unprofessional. I would hesitate to send my children to a dance school that has such a petty woman teaching there, for fear that they come home with the same poor attitude. Please have some class and keep

This week’s winner '*% ,.' *-.(

your opinions to yourselves, especially when you have no idea who could be listening. BELATED BUT VERY SINCERE thanks to Dan at Safeway, you saved me hundreds of dollars due to my stupidity. I can never thank you enough, I wish you the very best in the future, and will miss you and all the very kind and helpful people at Safeway. BIG BOUQUET to Jordan, for standing up for our children’s right to receive the best education we can provide for them, and trying to hold our OVERLY bureaucratic school district to task. I know Jordan only from the school hallways, and from that alone, realize what an effort it would be for her to juggle other family responsibilities to attend a school board meeting. I hope you realize your mistake making Jordan feel bullied, and find a way to address her concerns PDQ. Many, many parents share her concern and frustration, and the school board’s high handed tact has served as a rallying cry for us. Another bouquet to the press for bringing these issues forward. Thank you from my whole family. A BEEF ABOUT MYSELF and a most sincere apology to all those waiting ahead of me on Sunday afternoon at the Rialto theatre. I was overtaken by over-excitement and nerves and was completely unaware of the folks around me. In realizing I am capable of behaving so badly I have learned a valuable lesson in humility. BEEF to the homeowners who refuse to top their trees. Perhaps a class action lawsuit by all those air travellers inconvenienced by the flight cancellations, delays, etc. would quickly change their minds. ROTTEN BEEF to Courtenay city council (minus the Mayor!). Who has a hidden agenda here? It has just been revealed that they have demanded not only a closure of this business (Maple Pool) but all vestiges of the operation be removed! Does anyone smell a rat in the woodpile? They allowed thirty-two permanent homes to be built on the flood plain after a dike was built at the north end of Anderton Ave. so that’s not a problem (red herring?). Not allow them to open all year round? All of the other campgrounds in the valley do, so why not Maple Pool? Another red herring! Is someone trying to put the Lins out of business and force 50 or so low income residents onto the street so the property can be bought at fire sale price? What’s going on? A judge has called their bluff and if they have any smarts at all, they will back off completely or face annihilation in the fall elections! A VERY BIG BEEF to the Curling Club supporter who states the cost to taxpayers is only 5 dollars per year for the next twenty years and compares it to the daily cost of coffee consumption. This tired analogy con-

This week’s winner, drawn at random from submissions received up to Tuesday, is:

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A HUGE BEEF to the regional district for refusing to allow the issue of borrowing almost $2 million for curling club upgrades and renos to go to a public referendum! Why make it as difficult as possible for the public to vote? Why not attach the vote to the civic elections in the fall? We have no beef with the curling club, but the process for deciding to use taxpayers’ money for this project is terribly flawed, and seriously lacking in accountability. What is the board afraid of?

Winners, you may pick up your prize certificates at the front desk of the Echo, 407-D Fifth Street, during regular business hours. Thanks to everyone for the great submissions- keep ‘em coming!

jures up images of well to do people sitting in high end coffee shops all over the Valley sipping their lattes and mochachino’s while thumbing their noses at those who want to increase taxes. In reality, MOST people in the Comox Valley do not visit coffee shops daily. That 5 dollar coffee you keep comparing to also happens to be the cost of a gallon of milk or a couple of loaves of bread. Most of us in the Valley are having a very hard time getting by these days when it comes to finances and have come to the realization that their money goes much further at a grocery store getting the basics they need to feed their families and not wasting it buying overpriced coffee. They already can’t afford 5 dollar cups of coffee every day. That’s the REAL image that needs to be portrayed when you talk about raising our taxes that amount every year over the next twenty years for a curling club that should be raising THEIR OWN MONEY for their OWN HOBBY. Why don’t you talk about the 20 gallons of milk or the 40 loaves of bread that you will be taking away from people’s families over the next twenty years so they can subsidize YOUR PERSONAL HOBBY? Here’s hoping Valley taxpayers take the time to stand up to money grabbing special interest groups like yours and fill out the Regional District objection forms online or in person. Enough is enough!

MY BEEF is about the L’arche house that is going to be built on Grieve Avenue in Courtenay. I have no beef whatsoever about the house being built or the purpose for the house. For that I am in full support and they more than have my blessing. My beef is how are they supposed to accommodate up to 50 people in an activity room with only 7 parking spaces. Most of the homes on Grieve Avenue are over 50 years old and were built without the luxury of driveways. So the home owners and their visitors are struggling for parking spots on a daily basis. With the prospect in the future of a house being rezoned to accommodate so many people I fear that the value of my home is going to depreciate drastically when there is nowhere to park. I feel that the parking proposed in the plan would be adequate for a 5 bedroom home without the addition of the activity center. I hope this is taken into account at the counsel meeting on April 7. TO THE SHOULD-KNOW-BETTER lady who flossed her teeth at a restaurant during lunch hour, then left it under the table for the server to clean up: how rude and disrespectful.

A SPRING REQUEST to all lovers of daffodils: PLEASE do not pick the gorgeous daffodils growing along the sides of the roadways. They have been planted with love for all to enjoy, not for the individuals who won’t pay for their own bouquet. I’m not talking about the little child that picks one flower to take home to their mother, but the selfish adults that don’t realize how much joy these flowers mean to others. Thank you. A BOUQUET to the Comox Valley Curling Club for keeping curling alive. The Comox Valley is blessed with so many Recreational Facilities. But, let’s be up front curlers, the Comox Valley Exhibition grounds cost $524,903 in 2013. Taxpayers covered $453,000 of the costs. Sure this is a valued multi-use facility, but did curlers really cover their costs? Would it not be reasonable to ask the curling club to raise 20-30% of the upgrade costs - what’s the panic for emergency approval of $1.9 million by an alternative approval process? Where is the Provincial and Federal funding? ANOTHER BEEF to the pedestrians walking on the wrong side of the road. Doesn’t anyone know that you should walk FACING traffic? This should be taught in the schools, seeing as parents don’t seem to be teaching their children. Actually, adults and seniors are just as much to blame. I see time and time again, people walking with children on the wrong side of the road, and there is a lovely sidewalk on the other side unused. Very dangerous!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS! Our weekly feature, Beefs and Bouquets, is intended to be a light-hearted forum for you, our readers, to express brief views on issues and events in your lives. It’s not intended to hurt people or make unsubstantiated and libelous comments. Names won’t be published with the beefs and bouquets; however, we do need your full name, mailing address and telephone number for verification purposes. Each week someone will win a 2 Classic Cheese Basket Meals from Dairy Queen. Have fun with this!

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Meat Draw & Ball Cap BBQ 5:00 -7:00pm Sat, Mar 29 Meat Draw & Dancing 2:00 -7:00pm Sun, Mar 30 Crib 1:00pm Gucci 1:30pm Tue, Apr 1 Fun Euchre 1:30pm Pub Darts 7:00pm Wed, Apr 2 Drop-in Darts 1:00pm Masters League Darts 7:30pm Thu, Apr 3 Crib & Gucci 6:30pm Men's Darts 7:00pm HALL RENTAL AVAILABLE OFFICE: 250-334-4322 LOUNGE 250-334-4911 FAX 250-334-3613 SERVICE OFFICER 250-338-2153

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A12 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

News

Refurbished glacier is hoisted onto its base below the jet fighter that marks the entrance to CFB Comox

Base entrance gets ‘new’ glacier

Artist Kelly Everill, contractor officer Sgt. Joel Fitzgerald, and Nautech Industries Ltd. owner, Stefan Pawlina show off the refurbished Comox Valley Glacier at the entrance of 19 Wing Comox.

Regional District firing back at snipers Frustrated by sniping from sometimes anonymous citizens, Comox Valley Regional District has launched a new section of its website to fire back when it feels it is being unfairly attacked. Entitled ‘Fact or Fiction,’ it promises to provide information intended to correct or clarify what it considers misleading information about CVRD issues broadcast on television, radio or online, or printed in newspapers and magazines. The authority’s general manager of public affairs, Leigh Carter explained: “It’s all about ensuring accurate information is out there.” Staff tried hard to provide such accurate information, but sometimes they considered a correction or clarification was necessary in response to, for example, published letters, ‘beefs,’ or other media reports. She acknowledged it would be appropriate on occasions to submit a letter for potential publication in answer to any serious misunderstanding or misinformation, but occasionally it would be sufficient just to spell out facts or explanations from the CVRD’s perspective ‘for the record’ on the web. The new section can be accessed at: http://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/ EN/meta/whats-new/fact-or-fiction.html

$9,000 grant for Merville Community Association Merville Community Association is to receive a $9,000 grant from Comox Valley Regional District to help pay for improvements to the village hall and annual insurance costs. The grant was recommended by rural Area C director Edwin Grieve - who offered to find the money from his area’s own dedicated grant-in-aid budget - and approved at last week’s regional district board meeting.

Have you called Welcome Wagon yet? Call Welcome Wagon if you are… New to the Comox Valley: Penny 250-703-0709 Charissa 250-336-2275

New Baby: Charissa 250-336-2275 www.welcomewagon.ca

The Comox Valley glacier at the entrance to 19 Wing Comox has just been refurbished and began its new lease on life last Wednesday. The monument has been a familiar structure at the front entrance gate for more than 20 years. It was commissioned by CFB Comox in 1992 as part of a federal base beautification program. Nautech Industries of Courtenay and Kelly Everill of Kelly’s Art com-

bined to create the initial structure. But after 21 years, the sub-structure has deteriorated with moisture and ants making a stronghold, as well, the weather had taken its toll on the surface. The original creators of the artwork fortunately are still in business and once again joined forces to give it a major restoration work. “We had approached the base several times over the years to discuss

the deterioration of the sculpture, and this past fall, we received approval to go ahead with the refurbishment,” said artist Everill. The team combined to rebuild and restore the monument to its original state as well as repainting the letters and shields. “We hope the community landmark will be enjoyed by the people of the Comox Valley for many more years to come.”

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The COMOX VALLEY ECHO ❑ Friday, March 28, 2014

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Gord Kruger and his Amigos at dance tonight

Tonight at the Friday Night Evergreen Club Dance it’s Gord Kruger and his “Amigos” on hand for your dancing pleasure at the Filberg Centre. Gord and the guys are noted for playing many of your favorite old dance tunes. Members and non-members are always welcome and dancing starts at 7:30. Refreshments are served and bar service is available.

Legion Ball Cap BBQ tonight starts earlier The Courtenay Legion is holding its famous Ball Cap Barbecue this Friday, March 28 at 367 Cliffe Ave. in beautiful downtown Courtenay! Tickets for members and bona fide guests are available now in the Lounge for only $10. Due to popular demand the steaks, baked potatoes and homemade salads will be served BEFORE the meat draw this month - starting at 6 pm. Don’t forget to wear your favourite ball cap for a chance to win a prize!

Try the sport of dragon boating for ages 14-100 Prevailing Wins Dragon Boat Society and Comox Valley Youth Dragon boat team Dragon Riders would like to thank our sponsors, Comox Bay Marina, Investors Group and Lafarge North America for their support during the upcoming Dragon Boating season. We have three groups that you can join: Prevailing Wins adult competition team, Dragon Riders youth competition team and a leisurely recreational fun group. We invite anyone who would like to try the sport to join us, Saturday mornings 10 am starting April 5 at the Comox Marina Boat Launch. No psddling experience required. We provide the gear. A great sport for females and males ages 14 to 100.

Old-fashioned garage sale at St. George’s St. George’s United Church on the corner of Sixth and Fitzgerald in Courtenay, will be hosting an old fashioned Church Garage Sale on Saturday, March 29th from 10 am to 2 pm. The church itself is selling a number of couches, chairs, a large television, a pool table, a shuffleboard table, etc. and parishioners are donating household items, baking, and a wild assortment of other items. Vendors who want a table of their own are asked to get in touch with the church office at 250-334-4961. All the proceeds will go to operational expenses of St. George’s - except, of course, for those vendors who see an opportunity to sell some of their redundant treasures to an audience of shoppers looking for a good deal. St. George’s is the home of the Sunshine Lunch Club which provides free lunches to an average of about 125 needy people every weekday and has earned the title “The Church With a Heart in the Heart of the City.”

Slopestylers shine with flow and technique at Mount Washington By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff Campbell River snowboarder Brett Friedrich had entered a couple of rail jams but March 22 was his chance to make his mark on Mount Washington’s slopestyle course. The 15-year-old stocked up on Red Bull and red licorice, preparing himself for the adrenalin rush ahead. “Once you hit the course a couple times it feels like mellow and chill,” he said. “But the first run it’s just balls to the wall. You’ve gotta send it.” His buddie Kia LeClerc, 15, from Courtenay had been putting in a lot of practice and knows he must stay focused. “I’ve been up pretty often,” he said. “I’ve got a line picked out.” During the annual Dakine Slopestyle competition skiers and boarders go for style, technique and flow points when they encounter a variety of hits, rails and boxes in the Stomping Ground Terrain Park. Contestants gathered at the top of the course as a variety of Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks pumped from loudspeakers. Vincent Cook, 48, with the park crew, carried a teapot-style thermos with coffee to help keep the entrants prepped and ready for each of their best-of-two heats. He was glad to see the action ready to take place, especially since the competition had been delayed due to wet snow by a week. “The kids are having a blast and the groomers are doing their part,” he said. “We’re shoveling the snow that they push for us. The mountain’s helping us out with everything that we need and it’s gonna be awesome!” Each skier and rider launched themselves down into the park, seemingly disappearing in the low-visibility weather. Trent Gammon, a 20-year-old skier hailing from Union Bay, almost missed the grab on one of his tricks in the first run, but was stoked to bust out a big cork 9 and managed a switch cork 7, as well. “The course is pretty nice,” he said. “There’s paint on the landings, so it works out well.” Ladysmith skier Sarah Rocque, 12, hit the course hard and was pleased with how she performed. “I think I did pretty good,” she said of her two successful runs. “My last one was the best.” She was most happy with the 360 she did off one of the features. “I landed all my jumps,” she said. “I enjoyed it a lot.” In the U13 male skiers category Keaton Hasterman took first place, James Dunn grabbed second and Armand Sadegh took third. Dillan Glennie picked up first in the U13 female skiers category, Sarah Rocque got second and Jordan Hancock came in third. In the U13 male snowboarding contingent Markus Bergrinson took first prize, Sheaffer Crame came in second and Lukas Bergrinson nabbed the third slot on the podium. For 14-17 male skiers Alistair Bryce came up the big winner, with Liam Wallace-Tarry in second and Logan Frame and Spencer Hay tying for third. Erin Sketchley walked away as

Trent Gammon busts out a Cork 9, nabbing second place in the 18+ male ski category at the annual Dakine Slopestyle competition.

Max Heard won the 18+ male ski division at the March 22 slopestyle event at Mount Washington. (Photos by Drew A. Penner) the champion 14-17 female skier, as Una Farrar came second and Lucy Hancock taking third place. “I had a good time,” Sketchley said reflecting on her big win. “I could have done better but it was a solid run for the day. I was glad that I did a right 3 and a left 3.” Marcos Miranda threw down with a front 7 off the shocker element, and wound up first in the 14-17 male snowboard category, with Joseph Berginson in second and Troy Osmond grabbing the third place ranking. “I stomped everything I wanted to,” said 17-year-old Miranda,

reflecting on the fun competition atmosphere. “I think it’s pretty cool. There’s a lot of young riders - not too many old ones.” Aiva Noringseth picked up a win as the lone entrant in the 14-17 female snowboard division. For 18+ male skiers Max Heard wound up in first, edging out Gammon who took second place with Peter Stubbs landing in third. Heard figures it was his ability to bust out both left and right spins that one him the day. “My second rail tick I’ve been struggling with the past few days,” the 21-year-old said. “But I man-

aged to get on perfect and spun out of it super smooth.” In the 18+ male snowboarding division Brandon Winslow beat out the other competitor Braedan Garrett for prizes and bragging rights. Heard echoed the other riders who felt overall like the event had been a successful trip up the mountain to battle it out with longtime and brand-new friends for supremacy on the snow. “They pulled the park together surprisingly well for how little snow we’ve had all year,” Heard said. “It was a good event.”

B2 Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014

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Vintage Market at The Little Red Church

Vintage Market organizers are giving curators of the Comox Valley an opportunity to come together at The Little Red Church in Comox March 29th and 30th to display their collection and talents. Organizers have given Habitat for Humanity ReStore a space to display their special vintage donations. Donations for Habitat will also be taken at the door for Habitat’s building projects in the community. Red Living, Patina Vintage Furnishings and Nest Vintage Living invite you to take a step back in time and enjoy home decor in a new and exciting way. The market runs form 10 till 4 Saturday and Sunday.

Exploring Good Friday through the arts Cumberland United Church invites the community to a handson workshop to explore the themes and images of Good Friday through the arts - drawing, painting, collage, fabric art, sculpture, poetry - any and all forms of artful expression are possible. Some materials will be available to use or bring your own. Persons of all ages and all levels of experience are equally welcome. Penny McCullough, a local artist and art teacher, along with Ted Hicks, Cumberland’s Supply Minister, will offer support, instruction, and guidance along the way. Other artists and teachers may also drop by to lend their experience. The workshop will be offered at the church twice, on Saturday, March 29, and Saturday, April 12, noon to 4 pm each day. Participants may come on either or both of those

Community

days at any time within those hours. Participants could complete their pieces within the workshop itself or take them home to complete. The finished pieces of art work will be on display at Cumberland United Church during its Good Friday Vigil, on April 18, from noon to 3pm, the hours the Gospels say Jesus spent on the Cross. For more information, call Penny at 250-336-2364, or Ted at 250-2185857. A donation to help cover costs will be appreciated. Cumberland United Church is located at the corner of First Street and Penrith Avenue in the Village of Cumberland.

Bottle drive for family hit hard by house fire A Bottle Drive & Fundraiser is being held for the Johnson-Bouzane Family. This local family recently lost everything in a house fire and they need our help! Drop off your bottles, cans and donations (cash, gift cards, clothes, etc) to the Black Creek Community Centre located at 2001 Black Creek Road on Saturday, April 5 from 9am-noon. An account has also been set up at the Courtenay and Campbell River bottle depots (account #280) for anyone looking to donate now! Volunteers will be needed on April 5 to help transport recyclables to the bottle depot.

Last chance to see Pirates of Cascadian There’s only one episode of Pirates of the Cascadian left. This is your last chance to see this madcap musical long format improvised show! Pleasure Craft has bee presenting live improvised soap opera in Cumberland for four seasons now. The show is onMonday, March 31st at 7 pm at Cumberland United Church, admission by donation, all ages. So far, we have raised over $200 for Cumberland Community Forest Society.

Family film series at the Sid Williams Theatre features ‘Homeward Bound’ Next up in the Sid Williams Theatre Society’s family film series is the timeless Disney classic Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey on Sunday March 30 at 2:00 pm. This 1993 remake of the original 1963 hit follows three household pets as they travel across mountains and plains on their way to find their owners. A misunderstanding leads the animals to mistakenly believe that they have been abandoned by their loved ones, when in reality they have been left in the care of a friend while the family has moved from the country to the city for the father to take a temporary assignment. All three pets - a golden retriever (Don Ameche), a cat (Sally Field), and a bulldog puppy (Michael J. Fox) - can talk, and they bicker and crack jokes as they set off on a truly incredible journey chock full of misadventures as they find their way home. Don’t miss this fun and affordable afternoon for the whole family. Admission is pay what you can by donation. There will be popcorn, prizes, and special guest Captain Thunderpants! Doors open at 1pm and the film begins at 2pm. Generously sponsored by The Financial Team of Nicole Deters & Associates, these family films are fundraising events for the Sid Williams Theatre Society. The Sid was a state-of-the-art movie house when it opened 78 years ago, then known as the Bickle Theatre. Over the years, theatre technology has seen many incredible changes, but the speed of change and cost required to keep up with those changes is an ongoing challenge. Funds raised are earmarked for technical upgrades, primarily a new screen. For full event information and theatrical trailers of the films, visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.

Three household pets set off on an incredible journey in ‘Homeward Bound’

Small-Scale Intensive Farming Workshop to be held at LUSH Valley If you love healthy, delicious food, you can run a profitable business growing fresh vegetables for your community. On April 5 LUSH Valley Food Action Society will be hosting a Small-Scale Intensive Farming workshop. This is a new type of farming that can generate an income without a lot of land or expensive equipment, and can be done full- or part-time by anyone with a few basic skills. The half-day workshop will include: which are the most profitable crops; high-yield growing techniques; specialized tools and equipment; where to get affordable help; ten ways to sell your farm products locally, and much more. And you’ll go home with a CD con-

Realty Reality

- Sid Williams Theatre Society

E&N Keeping Track Railway

taining over 1000 pages of resource materials and workshop notes to guide you as you start your exciting new business. The workshop will be taught by Ellen Rainwalker, a former market gardener who has certificates in Ecological Agriculture and Permaculture. She has a lively teaching style and is sure to inspire you to go out and get growing. The workshop will held be held at LUSH Valley, 1126 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay on Saturday April 5 from 1 to 5 pm. To register, or for more details about the workshop, email rainwalker@ telus.net.

on the move for 100 years

Lalonde’s Jitney at the Courtenay Station, 1924

Where B.C. house hunters get a dose of reality Don’t miss an episode. Watch online. fortisbc.com/realtyreality

Credit: Courtenay and District Museum 2004.27.4

The taxis in this 1924 image advertise travel beyond Courtenay, the northern E & N terminus. Campbell River was to have been the northern terminus because the land the province deeded to the Dominion in 1883 stretched to Duncan Bay. However, two days after the Courtenay line ofﬁcially opened in 1914, Britain declared war with Germany. All efforts shifted to WWI. The CPR didn’t completely abandon the Campbell River terminus idea. In January, 1920, CPR President E.W. Beatty was quoted in the Comox Argus , “Surveys of a line to Campbell River are being made, when they are completed a decision as to this extension will be made...” Island highway development put an end to the idea. Courtesy Courtenay and District Museum

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Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 B3

Community

Kids’ book authors at the library You are invited to attend a reading by local children’s writers Tanya Smallwood and Niki Wiegland at the Courtenay Library on March 29 at 11 am. Tanya and Nikki have written and illustrated a charming adventure story that takes place on Mount Washington. Come meet the authors and hear about the adventures of the Valley’s popular new delightful duo, Mar (a marmot) and Jack (a Gray Jay). Mar and Jack is a locally written and illustrated children’s book for ages 5-8, but can be enjoyed by all. Mar and Jack Cause A Rumble on Mt. Washington is the first book in a coming series about the friendship between a playful, cheeky whiskey jack and a shy, sensible marmot exploring their backyard and beyond. If you haven’t heard about Mar and Jack, now is the time to join in their adventures! Please drop by the library for this Spring Break event, meet the authors, listen to the story and enjoy the library. For more information please call Mary Donlan, Children’s Librarian, at 250-334-3369.

SHOPPE TALK – March 2014 – Lifecycle

FUNmobile visiting Saturday to ‘bring back play’ tance of play. The FUNmobile will be visiting the Lewis Centre Saturday March 29 from 11:00am -2:00pm. Come take part in this free initiative to help bring back play! ParticipACTION and Healthy Families BC want to make physical activity a vital and fulfilling part of everyday life, and play is a fun way to achieve this. For more information, please visit www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/bringbackplay or www.ParticipACTION.com/bringbackplay or call the Lewis Centre at (250) 338-5371.

To help reverse the decline of play, ParticipACTION created a national social change marketing campaign called Bring Back Play to rally and inspire parents and caregivers to motivate children to move more. Thanks to ParticipACTION’s provincial partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Health, the campaign is co-branded with Healthy Families BC in British Columbia, and includes the Bring Back Play Funmobile tour, visiting events, schools, neighbourhood parks and festivals to encourage kids to get out and move, while educating parents on the impor-

How is that New Year’s resolution going? By this time of the year your fitness goal has either entrenched itself into your lifestyle or has been abandoned until next year. If cold, dark and wet are your reasons for stopping your fitness program then the lengthening and warming days after the time change should be your reason to get going again. The next challenge is to decide what to do. One of my recommendations to get you active is to try cycling. Cycling can be pursued as aggressively or passively as you like. It is easier on the joints than running or walking and is a great cardiovascular exercise. Did you know a 185 lb person cycling 25km/hr for one hour will burn >800 calories. Cycling can be done individually or in groups which makes it a great social activity. The valley has numerous routes that are both scenic and challenging. Cycling will make you fit, burn some fat and generally feel better about yourself. It is also an excellent alternative form of transportation that is pollution free and environmentally sustainable.

Wayne’s quote of the week If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything

282 Anderton Road, Comox (e) waynemcloughlin@remax.net | 250-897-9189 (c) • 250-339-2021 (o)

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Your first step before starting is to talk to your doctor. If you have been crowned King or Queen couch potato don’t just jump onto your bike and go. Let your doctor determine if this exercise is going to cause more harm than good. Once you and your doctor have determined you can cycle then all you need is a bike and a helmet and you are on your way. If you want to upgrade your equipment talk to our local bike shops and they will help you choose your iron horse and accessories.

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Every year we run a 16 week clinic (the Lifecycle) to try and get people off the couch and onto their bikes. It is a very gentle introduction to the pleasures and benefits that cycling offers. As a spokes-person for the group I think I am safe to say we have a wheely good time on our Wednesday night rides. If you are having trouble getting started, talk to us, you’ll be glad you did.

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ENTER TO WIN! Wrestling Tickets & T-Shirts

All-Star Wrestling AUGUST 8TH at the CRI Hall in Cumberland. Hosted by Motorcycle

Roundup

All Star Wrestling Tickets Name: Address: Phone:________________________

Email:

Drop off at the Echo, 407-D 5th Street, Courtenay, by Friday, March 28. Draw to be March 28 @ 4 pm

You could win a pair of tickets and T-shirts. Additional ticket sales are available at these locations: Cameron Salon & Barber 250-336-8746 Weaver’s Leather 250-897-0239 Fineline Embroidery 250-339-3031