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Volume 20, No. 59
Council meets in camera to discuss Maple Pool proposal By Philip Round Echo Staff
Colleen Brydges and Paul Graham count cars and watch for distracted drivers on Courtenay’s downtown main drag.
Citizens On Patrol works to curb distracted driving in the Comox Valley By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff As the rain droplets fell on the sidewalks of Fifth Street in Courtenay on the July 23 morning, the resolve of the four volunteers stationed at the Duncan Street intersection was tested. But the spirits of the Citizens on Patrol members weren’t dampened, as they made tick marks on the sheets of paper fastened to their clipboards, scanning with eagle eyes for drivers diverting their attention from the task at hand. “We’re looking for anything that’s a distraction,” said George Kjenner, Citizens on Patrol director of training, speedwatch and driver distractions. “All we do is watch to see what’s happening with the driver.”
The effort is part of a multi-week campaign to make the streets safer by collecting statistics to send off to ICBC and the RCMP, and by forming a visible presence on city streets. “Distracted driving causes accidents,” Kjenner said, noting distracted driving isn’t necessarily limited to sending Snapchats or Instagram posts while behind the wheel. “They may have a kid or a dog in their lap.” Volunteers made strokes on a sheet of paper to log the total number of passing vehicles and had another form where they could write down specific details of offending cars such as plate number, vehicle make and mode, colour, and the type of distraction. (Continued on page 2)
George Kjenner, Citizens on Patrol director of training, speedwatch and driver distractions, says it’s important to get the message out to motorists that texting while driving is dangerous.
City councillors have been briefed on a proposal the ‘Friends of Maple Pool’ hope might help break the deadlock in the high-profile legal dispute over the campground. The matter was the focus of an ‘in camera’ (behind closed doors) meeting that followed the regular City council meeting on Monday evening, the municipality’s chief administrative officer, David Allen, has confirmed. Staff reported back on a ‘without prejudice’ meeting they had held with representatives of the Friends last month, and councillors discussed the contents of a proposal letter drawn up by the campground’s supporters. Allen added: “A response from the City (to the letter) is intended to come forward following further consideration at the August 5 in camera meeting.” The face-to-face June meeting between senior City staff as representatives of the Friends had been authorized by councillors to see if anything had changed that might impact the ongoing litigation over the residential use of the site. The contents of the proposal letter have not been revealed by either side at this stage so as not to prejudice ongoing discussions about it. In the past Mike Hamilton and a group of other business people in town have offered to carry out substantial work to raise the level of land on which trailers currently housing more than 50 residents are positioned in order to mitigate the possibility of future flooding. But the municipality has suggested action in one location could have negative implications on properties elsewhere if there is a flood, and have been keen to see that wider issue addressed. Beyond the practicalities, for the City there is still the fundamental matter of site zoning. The site owners, Jin and Dali Lin, consider the zoning the site had while under the former jurisdiction of Comox Strathcona Regional District allows them to continue using the property for its present purpose. The City has taken a very different view, and in its court submissions has gone so far as to suggest the campground infrastructure be dismantled, including removal of the water and electricity hook-ups to the individual campsites. But since the legal documents were filed — and following a judge’s strong comments to the City’s lawyers at a preliminary hearing about the potential negative impact of its proposed actions on individuals — the Council has also suggested it does not intend to seek the eviction of any residents of the site whatever the outcome of its legal action. It has, however, yet to explain how people could continue to live there if the pads and services are removed. pround@comoxvalleyecho.com
Handcrafted ‘angel dresses’ to comfort families dealing with loss of baby Volunteers and donations sought for North Island sewing group with important mission By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff Retired nurse Sandy Dreger wants to do her part to help families inundated with grief from losing a baby through stillbirths, miscarriages and other complications. She is launching a local chapter of a group that sews little dresses to give to parents trying to come to terms with tragedy, special clothing in which to bury their infant. “I think it touches everyone’s heart,” she said of the motivation behind helping the BC Angel Dresses network expand into the North Island. “I just trust it’s going to work.” The initiative was inspired by the Helping Hands Angel Gowns project in Texas, which turned
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Darlene Ferguson of Spiritwood, Sask. made these outfits for families who have lost a baby. bridal gowns into delicate little outfits. One mom from Saskatchewan, Becky Panter, lost her son to a miscarriage at 15 weeks and realized how useful a Canadian version of the Texan dressmaking
effort would be. “I wanted to hold him and comfort him and have something for him,” she said, “but I was too devastated and reeling from the unexpected shock, and all I could find was my daughter’s tiny doll blan-
ket to swaddle my son in.” Panter’s work, along with many others, has encouraged hundreds of Saskatchewan women to giving away their wedding, bridesmaid or graduation dresses. More still are volunteering their time to sew the precious gift for families who have lost their babies. “The project snowballed,” she said, admitting that she feels overwhelmed by the response. “There are dresses coming from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, all over the place.” Some women who have struggled to get over their child’s death have found meaning in making sure others have a final handcrafted outfit with which to clothe Sandy Dreger is starting a North Island them. (Continued on page 2) chapter of the BC Angel Dresses network.